HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORP
S-1/A, 1997-02-05
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February __, 1997
                                                Registration No. 333-18895
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549
                             ______________________
                     PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ONE TO THE
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ______________________
    

                      HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                        6035                  Applied For
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial  (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)  Classification Code Number) Identification No.)

     5700 West 159th Street, Oak Forest, Illinois 60452-3198 (708) 687-9400
(Address,  including zip code,  and telephone  number,  including  area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                              Maureen G. Partynski
                Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
                      Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation
                             5700 West 159th Street
                         Oak Forest, Illinois 60452-3198
                                 (708) 687-9400

(Name, address,  including zip code, and telephone number,  including area code,
                             of agent for service)

                  Please send copies of all communications to:
                              Kip A. Weissman, P.C.
                             Beth A. Freedman, Esq.
                         SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.
                              (A limited liability
                              partnership including
                           professional corporations)
                           1100 New York Avenue, N.W.
                            Seventh Floor, East Tower
                              Washington, DC 20005
                                 (202) 414-6100

                  Approximate date of commencement of proposed
                sale to the public: As soon as practicable after
                 this Registration Statement becomes effective.

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933 check the following box. [X]

     If this Form is filed to  register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

     If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. [ ]

     If delivery of the  prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
====================================================================================================================================
      Title of Each                             Amount            Proposed Maximum             Proposed                Maximum
    Class of Securities                          to be             Offering Price         Aggregate Offering           Amount of
     to be Registered                        Registered(1)           Per Share(1)               Price(1)           Registration Fee
<S>                                        <C>                         <C>                    <C>                        <C>
   
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value               2,076,625 shares            $10.00                 $20,763,250(1)            $6,292(2)
====================================================================================================================================
- ------------------------------
<FN>
(1)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2)  Registration fee paid with initial filing.
</FN>
</TABLE>
     The Registrant  hereby amends this  Registration  Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further  amendment  which  specifically  states  that  this  Registration
Statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the  Securities  Act of 1933 or until the  Registration  Statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
    

<PAGE>


Prospectus
 [LOGO]


                      HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
         (Proposed Holding Company for Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings)

                                $10.00 Per Share
                        1,805,500 Shares of Common Stock
                              (Anticipated Maximum)

Hemlock Federal Financial  Corporation (the "Holding Company") is offering up to
1,805,500  shares  of common  stock,  par value  $0.01  per share  (the  "Common
Stock"),  in connection  with the conversion of Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
("Hemlock Federal" or the "Bank") from a federally chartered mutual savings bank
to a federally  chartered  stock savings bank and the issuance of all of Hemlock
Federal outstanding stock to the Holding Company (the "Conversion"). Pursuant to
the  Bank's  plan of  conversion  (the  "Plan  of  Conversion"  or the  "Plan"),
non-transferable  rights  to  subscribe  for  the  Common  Stock  ("Subscription
Rights")  have been  given to (i)  Hemlock  Federal's  depositors  with  account
balances of $50 or more as of June 30, 1995 ("Eligible Account  Holders"),  (ii)
tax-qualified  employee plans of Hemlock  Federal and the Holding Company ("Tax-
Qualified Employee Plans"),  provided,  however, that the Tax-Qualified Employee
Plans shall have first priority Subscription Rights to the extent that the total
number of shares of Common Stock sold in the  Conversion  exceeds the maximum of
the  Estimated  Valuation  Range  as  defined  below,  (iii)  Hemlock  Federal's
depositors  with  account  balances  of $50 or  more  as of  December  31,  1996
("Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders"),  (iv) certain of its other members
("Other  Members"),   and  (v)  its  employees,   officers  and  directors  (the
"Subscription Offering.)
                                                        (continued on next page)
                               ------------------
   
      FOR ADDITONAL INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUBSCRIBE, PLEASE CALL THE STOCK
                     INFORMATION CENTER AT (708) ___-____.
    
                               ------------------

              FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED,
                         SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGE __.

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

THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN  APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED BY THE  SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE  COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF THRIFT  SUPERVISION OR THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
  INSURANCE CORPORATION, NOR HAS SUCH COMMISSION, OFFICE OR CORPORATION PASSED
      UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                              THE SHARES OF COMMON
                STOCK OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS OR
                   SAVINGS DEPOSITS AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE
                      FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
                         OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

====================================================================================================================================
                                                                          Estimated Underwriting Fees           Estimated Net
                                                   Purchase Price(1)    Commissions and Other Expenses(2)    Conversion Proceeds(3)
                                                   -----------------    ---------------------------------    ----------------------
<S>                                                  <C>                            <C>                           <C>
Per Share(4)....................................        $10.00                         $.36                          $9.64
Minimum Total...................................      $13,345,000                    $540,471                     $12,804,529
Midpoint Total..................................      $15,700,000                    $572,970                     $15,127,030
Maximum Total...................................      $18,055,000                    $605,469                     $17,449,531
Maximum Total, As Adjusted(5)...................      $20,763,250                    $642,843                     $20,120,407
====================================================================================================================================
<FN>
         ----------------------
(1)      Determined  on the basis of an appraisal  prepared by Keller & Company,
         Inc. ("Keller") dated December 6, 1996, which states that the estimated
         pro forma market value of the Common Stock ranged from  $13,345,000  to
         $18,055,000 or between 1,334,500 shares and 1,805,500 shares, of Common
         Stock at $10.00 per share.  See "The  Conversion  - Stock  Pricing  and
         Number of Shares to be Issued."

(2)      Consists of the  estimated  costs to the Bank and the  Holding  Company
         arising from the  Conversion,  including  the payment to Charles Webb &
         Company,  a  Division  of Keefe,  Bruyette  & Woods,  Inc.  ("KBW")  of
         estimated  expenses of $40,000 and estimated sales commissions  ranging
         from  $165,471  (at  the  minimum)  to  $230,469  (at the  maximum)  in
         connection  with the sale of shares in the  Offering.  Such fees may be
         deemed to be  underwriting  fees.  See "Use of Proceeds" and "Pro Forma
         Data"  for the  assumptions  used to  arrive  at these  estimates.  The
         Holding   Company  has  agreed  to   indemnify   KBW  against   certain
         liabilities,  including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
         1933,  as  amended  (the  "Securities  Act").  See  "The  Conversion  -
         Marketing Arrangements" for a more detailed description of underwriting
         fees and expenses.

(3)      Net Conversion proceeds may vary from the estimated amounts,  depending
         on the Purchase  Price,  the number of shares  issued and the number of
         shares sold subject to  commissions.  The Purchase Price and the actual
         number of shares of Common  Stock to be issued in the  Conversion  will
         not be determined until after the close of the Offering.

(4)      Assumes  the sale of the  midpoint  number of shares.  If the  minimum,
         maximum or 15% above the maximum  number of shares are sold,  estimated
         expenses per share would be $.40, $.33 or $.31, respectively, resulting
         in  estimated  net  Conversion  proceeds  per share of $9.60,  $9.67 or
         $9.69, respectively.

(5)      As adjusted to give effect to the sale of up to an  additional  270,825
         shares (15% above the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range) which
         may  be  offered  in  the  Conversion  without  the  resolicitation  of
         subscribers or any right of cancellation,  to reflect changes in market
         and financial  conditions  following the  commencement of the Offering.
         See "Pro Forma Data," and "The Conversion - Stock Pricing and Number of
         Shares to be Issued."
</FN>
</TABLE>

                             Charles Webb & Company
                   A Division of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
                The date of this Prospectus is February __, 1997



<PAGE>



(continued from prior page)


Subscription  Rights  are  non-transferrable.  Persons  found to be  selling  or
otherwise  transferring  their  right  to  purchase  stock  in the  Subscription
Offering or purchasing  Common Stock on behalf of another person will be subject
to  forfeiture  of such rights and  possible  further  sanctions  and  penalties
imposed by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS"), an agency of the United
States Government. Subject to the prior rights of holders of Subscription Rights
and to market  conditions,  the Holding  Company may also offer the Common Stock
for sale  through  KBW in a public  offering  to  selected  persons to whom this
prospectus  is delivered  (the "Public  Offering"  and when referred to together
with the Subscription Offering, the "Offering").  Depending on market conditions
and  availability of shares,  the shares of Common Stock may be offered for sale
in the Public  Offering on a  best-efforts  basis by a selling group of selected
broker-dealers  to be managed by KBW. The Bank and the Holding  Company  reserve
the right,  in their absolute  discretion,  to accept or reject,  in whole or in
part, any or all orders in the Public Offering.

     The total  number of  shares to be issued in the  Conversion  will be based
upon an appraised valuation of the estimated aggregate pro forma market value of
the Holding  Company and the Bank as  converted.  The  purchase  price per share
("Purchase  Price")  has been fixed at $10.00.  Based on the  current  aggregate
valuation range of $13,345,000 to $18,055,000 (the "Estimated Valuation Range"),
the Holding  Company is  offering up to  1,805,500  shares.  Depending  upon the
market and  financial  conditions  at the time of the  completion  of the Public
Offering,  if any, the total number of shares to be issued in the Conversion may
be increased or decreased  from the 1,805,500  shares offered  hereby,  provided
that the product of the total number of shares multiplied by the price per share
remains within, or does not exceed by more than 15% the maximum of the Estimated
Valuation Range. If the aggregate Purchase Price of the Common Stock sold in the
Conversion  is below  $13,345,000  or above  $20,763,250,  or if the Offering is
extended  beyond ______ ___,  1997,  subscribers  will be permitted to modify or
cancel  their  subscriptions  and to  have  their  subscription  funds  returned
promptly with interest. Under such circumstances, if subscribers take no action,
their subscription funds will be promptly returned to them with interest. In all
other  circumstances,  subscriptions  are irrevocable by  subscribers.  See "The
Conversion - Offering of Holding Company Common Stock."

     With the exception of the Tax-Qualified Employee Plans, no Eligible Account
Holder,  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder or Other Member may purchase in
their capacity as such in the Subscription Offering more than $200,000 of Common
Stock; no person, together with associates of and persons acting in concert with
such  person,  may  purchase  more than  $200,000 of Common  Stock in the Public
Offering  and no person,  together  with  associates  of and  persons  acting in
concert  with such  person,  may  purchase  more than  $700,000 of Common  Stock
offered in the Conversion based on the Estimated  Valuation Range (as calculated
without  giving  effect  to  any  increase  in  the  Estimated  Valuation  Range
subsequent  to the  date  hereof).  Under  certain  circumstances,  the  maximum
purchase limitations may be increased or decreased at the sole discretion of the
Bank and the Holding Company up to 9.99% of the total number of shares of Common
Stock sold in the Conversion or to one percent of shares of Common Stock offered
in the  Conversion.  The minimum  purchase is 25 shares.  See "The  Conversion -
Additional Purchase Restrictions." The Bank and the Holding Company have engaged
KBW as  financial  advisor  and  agent to  consult,  advise  and  assist  in the
distribution of shares of Common Stock, on a best-efforts  basis in the Offering
including,  if necessary,  managing selected broker-dealers to assist in selling
stock in the Public  Offering.  For such services,  KBW will receive a marketing
fee of 1.5% of the total dollar  amount of Common Stock sold in the  Conversion,
excluding purchases by directors, officers, employees and their immediate family
members,  and the employee stock ownership and benefit plans of the Bank and the
Holding Company. If selected dealers are used, the selected dealers will receive
a fee estimated to be up to 4.5% of the aggregate  Purchase Price for all shares
of Common Stock sold in the Offering  through such selected  dealers.  Such fees
may be deemed to be underwriting  commissions.  KBW and the selected dealers may
be deemed to be underwriters.  See "The Conversion - Marketing Arrangements" and
"The Conversion - Offering of Holding Company Common Stock."

     To subscribe for shares of Common Stock in the Subscription  Offering,  the
Holding Company must receive a stock order form ("Order Form") and certification
form,   together  with  full  payment  at  $10.00  per  share  (or   appropriate
instructions  authorizing a withdrawal  from a deposit  account at the Bank) for
all shares for which  subscription  is made, at any office of the Bank, by noon,
Oak Forest,  Illinois time, on March ___, 1997, unless the Subscription Offering
is extended, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, up to an additional 45
days with the approval of the OTS, if necessary,  but without  additional notice
to  subscribers  (the  "Expiration  Date").  The  date by which  orders  must be
received in the Public  Offering,  if any, will be set by the Holding Company at
the time of such  offering  provided  that,  if the Offering is extended  beyond
______,  1997,  each  subscriber will have the right to modify or rescind his or
her subscription.  Subscription funds will be returned promptly with interest to
each subscriber unless he or she  affirmatively  indicates  otherwise.  See "The
Conversion - Offering of Holding  Company Common Stock."  Subscriptions  paid by
check,  bank draft or money order will be placed in a segregated  account at the
Bank and will earn interest at the Bank's passbook rate from the date of receipt
until  completion  or  termination  of the  Conversion.  Payments  authorized by
withdrawal  from deposit  accounts at the Bank will continue to earn interest at
the  contractual  rate until the  Conversion is completed or  terminated;  these
funds will be otherwise unavailable to the depositor until such time. Authorized
withdrawals from  certificate  accounts for the purchase of Common Stock will be
permitted  without  the  imposition  of early  withdrawal  penalties  or loss of
interest.

     The Holding  Company has received  preliminary  approval to have the Common
Stock listed on the Nasdaq  National  Market under the symbol  "____."  Prior to
this offering there has not been a public market for the Common Stock, and there
can be no  assurance  that an active  and liquid  trading  market for the Common
Stock will  develop or that  resales of the Common Stock can be made at or above
the Purchase  Price.  See "Market for Common Stock" and "The  Conversion - Stock
Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued."

                                        2

<PAGE>


                                [CHART/MAP HERE]



                                       3
<PAGE>


                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

         The following  summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by the detailed  information and financial  statements appearing
elsewhere herein.

Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation

         The Holding Company, Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation was recently
formed by Hemlock Federal under the laws of Delaware for the purpose of becoming
a savings and loan holding company which will own all of the outstanding capital
stock  that  Hemlock  Federal  will  issue in  connection  with the  Conversion.
Immediately following the Conversion, the only significant assets of the Holding
Company will be the capital  stock of Hemlock  Federal,  a note  evidencing  the
Holding  Company's  loan  to the  ESOP  and up to  approximately  50% of the net
proceeds  from the  Conversion.  See "Use of Proceeds."  Upon  completion of the
Conversion,  the Holding Company's  business  initially will consist only of the
business of Hemlock Federal. See "Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation."

Hemlock Federal

         General.  Hemlock Federal is a federally  chartered mutual savings bank
headquartered in Oak Forest, Illinois.  Hemlock Federal was originally chartered
in 1904.  In 1959,  Hemlock  Federal  converted  to a federal  charter.  Hemlock
Federal  currently  serves the financial needs of communities in its market area
through its main office located at 5700 West 159th Street, Oak Forest,  Illinois
60452-3198  and its two branch  offices  located in the  village of Oak Lawn and
Chicago. Its deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). At September 30, 1996, Hemlock Federal had total
assets of $147.0 million, deposits of $129.2 million and equity of $11.4 million
(or 7.7% of total assets).

         Hemlock   Federal  has  been,   and  intends  to  continue  to  be,  an
independent,   community  oriented,  financial  institution.  Hemlock  Federal's
business  involves  attracting  deposits from the general  public and using such
deposits,  together with other funds, to originate primarily one- to four-family
residential mortgages and, to a much lesser extent,  multi-family,  consumer and
other loans primarily in its market area. At September 30, 1996,  $47.7 million,
or 88.7%,  of the Bank's total loan  portfolio  consisted of one- to four-family
residential  mortgage loans. The Bank also invests in mortgage-backed  and other
securities  and  other  permissible  investments.  See  "Business  -  Investment
Activities - Securities" and "- Mortgage-Backed and Related Securities."

         Financial and operational highlights of the Bank include the following:

o        Asset Quality.  Reflecting its emphasis on residential mortgage lending
         in  its  market  area  and on  government-backed  or  investment  grade
         mortgage-backed  and  investment   securities,   the  Bank's  ratio  of
         non-performing  assets to total assets was .05% at September  30, 1996.
         On such date, Hemlock Federal had no foreclosed real estate.

         At September 30, 1996, the Bank's ratio of allowance for loan losses to
         total loans  receivable was 1.24%.  See "Business -  Delinquencies  and
         Non-Performing Assets."

                                        4

<PAGE>




o        Recent  Increased  Emphasis on Lending  Activities.  During much of the
         1980s,  as a result  of fierce  competition  as well as  volatility  in
         interest   rates  and  real  estate  values,   the  Bank   deemphasized
         residential  lending.  However, in the early 1990s, the Bank determined
         to increase its lending staff and its loan  marketing  efforts in order
         to increase its residential  loans.  As a result of these efforts,  the
         Bank's  residential  loans increased from $37.0 million at December 31,
         1993 to $53.1  million at September  30, 1996.  See "Business - Lending
         Activities."

o        Capital  Strength.  At September 30, 1996, the Bank had total equity of
         $11.4 million (7.7% of total assets) and substantially  exceeded all of
         the applicable regulatory capital requirements with tangible,  core and
         risk-based  capital  ratios  of  7.4%,  7.4% and  23.8%,  respectively.
         Assuming on a pro forma basis that $15.7  million,  the midpoint of the
         Estimated  Valuation  Range,  of shares were sold in the Conversion and
         approximately  50% of the net  proceeds  were  retained  by the Holding
         Company,  as of September 30, 1996,  the Bank's capital would have been
         $17.1  million  (11.2% of assets).  See "Pro Forma  Regulatory  Capital
         Analysis."

o        Profitability.  Hemlock  Federal  recorded  net income of $952,000  and
         $539,000,  respectively,  and a return  on  average  assets of .66% and
         .37%, respectively,  for the years ended December 31, 1995 and December
         31, 1994. For the nine months ended  September 30, 1996, the Bank had a
         net loss of $504,000 due to a $1.0 million  contribution to establish a
         foundation and a $840,000 one time special  assessment to  recapitalize
         the Savings Association  Insurance Fund ("SAIF").  See "Hemlock Federal
         Charitable  Foundation."  During the  1990's  the  Bank's net  interest
         margin has  exceeded  its ratio of  operating  expense  (excluding  the
         special SAIF assessment) to average total assets.

o        Interest Rate Sensitivity. The Bank's profitability,  like that of most
         financial  institutions,  is  dependent  to a large extent upon its net
         interest  income,  which is the difference  between its interest income
         and interest  expense.  In managing its  asset/liability  mix,  Hemlock
         Federal  at  times,  depending  on the  relationship  between  long and
         short-term interest rates,  market conditions and consumer  preference,
         places greater  emphasis on maximizing its net interest  margin than on
         matching the interest rate  sensitivity of its assets and  liabilities.
         At September 30, 1996, the net value of the Bank's portfolio equity was
         projected  to  decline  by 14%  and  36% if  there  were  instantaneous
         increases in interest rates of 200 and 400 basis points,  respectively.
         See "Risk  Factors - Interest  Rate Risk  Exposure"  and  "Management's
         Discussion   and  Analysis  of  Financial   Condition  and  Results  of
         Operations - Asset/Liability Management."

o        Mortgage-backed   and  related  securities   portfolio.   In  order  to
         supplement  its lending  portfolio  and to increase the  proportion  of
         short and medium term and/or  adjustable-rate  assets in its portfolio,
         the Bank has maintained a very significant portfolio of mortgage-backed
         securities. At September 30, 1996, $65.9 million or 44.9% of the Bank's
         assets consisted of mortgage-backed  securities.  Since such securities
         generally  carry a lower yield than  residential  loans,  to the extent
         that the  proportion  of the Bank's  assets  consisting  of  securities
         increases, its asset yield and hence its interest rate spread could

                                        5

<PAGE>




         be adversely affected.  See "Risk Factors - Mortgage-Backed  Securities
         Portfolios;   Effect   on  Asset   Yield."   See  also,   "Business   -
         Mortgage-Backed and Related Securities."

   
o        Core  Deposits.  Management  believes  that the "core"  portions of the
         Bank's regular  savings and money market accounts can have a lower cost
         and be  more  resistant  to  interest  rate  changes  than  certificate
         accounts. Accordingly, the Bank uses customer service initiatives in an
         attempt to maintain  and expand  these  accounts.  However,  the Bank's
         passbook,  NOW and money market  accounts  decreased  $3.2 million from
         fiscal  1994 to fiscal  1995 and $2.1  million  during  the first  nine
         months of fiscal 1996.  Management  believes  that most of this outflow
         represents  the most interest rate  sensitive  portion of such accounts
         (indeed, a substantial  portion of the outflow is believed to have been
         reinvested  into  certificates  of  deposit  at the  Bank)  and  that a
         majority of the  remaining  balance  represents  the less interest rate
         sensitive  portion thereof.  At September 30, 1996,  $63.9 million,  or
         49.5%,  of the Bank's total  deposits  consisted  of passbook,  NOW and
         money market accounts.  At December 31, 1996, $_______,  or ___% of the
         Bank's total deposits consisted of such deposits.
    

o        Young Management  Team. The Bank's two top executive  officers are each
         37 years old,  with combined  experience  at the Bank of 26 years.  The
         Board  believes the Bank's  senior  officers  will chart a  successful,
         independent course into the twenty-first century.
         See "Management."

Hemlock Federal Charitable Foundation

   
       As a part of its long-standing commitment to the local community, Hemlock
Federal  has  established  the  Hemlock  Federal  Bank  For  Savings  Charitable
Foundation,  Inc. (the  "Foundation").  The Foundation was  incorporated  in the
State of  Illinois  under the  General  Not For Profit  Corporation  Act of 1986
during the quarter  ended  September  30, 1996.  During the same  quarter,  $1.0
million was accrued by the Bank to provide  initial  funding for the Foundation.
The Foundation  was  established as a means of supporting the needs of the local
community while  simultaneously  increasing the visibility and reputation of the
Bank. The Board believes that the Foundation will enhance the long term value of
the Bank's  franchise by increasing  customer loyalty as well as the size of its
customer base.

       The Foundation will be dedicated to the promotion of charitable  purposes
within the  communities in which the Bank operates,  including,  but not limited
to, providing grants or donations to support housing assistance,  not-for-profit
medical  facilities,  community  groups  and  other  types of  organizations  or
projects.  While the  Foundation is authorized to engage  directly in charitable
activities,  in order to limt overhead costs, it is currently  anticipated that
the  Foundation's  primary  activity  will  consist  of  making  grants to other
charitable organizations.  The Foundation will be a private foundation under the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code").  The authority for the
affairs of the  Foundation is vested in the Board of Trustees of the  Foundation
which is  comprised  of the  current  directors  of the Bank.  The  Articles  of
Incorporation  currently  provide that the earnings of the Foundation  shall not
result in any  private  benefit  for its  members,  directors  or  officers.  In
addition,  it is  anticipated  that the
    

                                        6

<PAGE>

   
Foundation  will adopt a conflict of  interest  policy.  While these  provisions
would not prohibit the payment of reasonable compensation for services rendered,
it is not currently  contemplated that the members of the Board of Trustees will
receive fees for service on the Board.

       The Directors of the  Foundation are  responsible  for  establishing  and
carrying out the policies of the Foundation  with respect to grants or donations
by the  Foundation,  consistent  with the purposes for which the  Foundation was
established.  The Directors of the Foundation are also responsible for directing
the activities of the Foundation,  including the management of any shares of the
Common Stock held by the Foundation;  provided,  however, that the voting of any
such  shares will be subject to  applicable  OTS policy  regarding  foundations.
Under current OTS policy, when matters are presented for a stockholder vote, any
share of Common Stock held by the Foundation  must be voted in the same ratio as
all other shares of the Common Stock.  Under such  circumstances,  the Board and
management would derive no additional voting control from such shares.  However,
in  the  event  that  the  OTS  were  to  waive  this  voting  restriction,  the
Foundation's  Board of Trustees would exercise  voting control over such shares.
Since the  Foundation's  Board of  Trustees  currently consists  of the  Holding
Company directors, in the event that the OTS were to waive this restriction, the
number  of shares  over  which the Board of  Directors  of the  Holding  Company
exercises voting control could increase.

       The Company  currently  intends to make additional  contributions  to the
Foundation  of up to 10% of its net  income  on an  annual  basis.  Such  future
contributions  to the Foundation  may be made either in cash or Holding  Company
Common  Stock.  The  amount  of  such  future  contributions,  if  any,  will be
determined  based on, among other  factors,  an assessment of the Company's then
current  financial  condition,  operations  and  prospects  and of the  need for
charitable donations in the Company's market area.

       Any such  additional  contributions  will reduce  earnings and may have a
material impact on the Company's earnings for such quarter and for the year. The
Company does not anticipate  making any contributions to the Foundation that are
not tax  deductible.  See  "Risk  Factors  Future  Contributions  to the  Bank's
Charitable Foundation," and "Pro Forma Data."

       It is currently  anticipated that the Foundation will adopt a policy that
any transactions  between the Foundation and the Company or the Bank, other than
donations,  will be on an arm's length basis and will comply with any applicable
restrictions  set forth in Sections  23A and 23B of the Federal  Reserve Act, as
amended.  However,  the Company (but not the Bank) may provide  office space and
administrative support to the Foundation without charge.
    

The Conversion

       The Offering is being made in connection  with the  conversion of Hemlock
Federal from a federally  chartered mutual savings bank to a federally chartered
stock savings bank and the formation of Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation as
the holding  company of Hemlock  Federal.  The  Conversion is subject to certain
conditions,  including the prior approval of the Plan by the Bank's members at a
Special Meeting to be held on March ___, 1997. After the Conversion,  the Bank's
current voting members (who include certain deposit account

                                        7

<PAGE>

holders and  borrowers)  will have no voting rights in Hemlock  Federal and will
have no voting rights in the Holding  Company unless they become Holding Company
stockholders.   Eligible  Account  Holders  and  Supplemental  Eligible  Account
Holders,  however,  will have certain  liquidation  rights in the Bank. See "The
Conversion - Effects of Conversion to Stock Form on Depositors  and Borrowers of
the Bank - Liquidation Rights."

       The Offering.  The shares of Common Stock to be issued in the  Conversion
are being  offered at a Purchase  Price of $10.00 per share in the  Subscription
Offering pursuant to nontransferable  Subscription Rights in the following order
of priority:  (i) Eligible  Account Holders (i.e.,  depositors whose accounts in
the Bank totaled $50.00 or more on June 30, 1995); (ii)  Tax-Qualified  Employee
Plans; provided, however, that the Tax Qualified Employee Plans shall have first
priority  Subscription  Rights to the extent that the total  number of shares of
Common  Stock  sold in the  Conversion  exceeds  the  maximum  of the  Estimated
Valuation Range; (iii) Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders (i.e.,  depositors
whose  accounts in the Bank totaled  $50.00 or more on December 31, 1996);  (iv)
Other Members (i.e., depositors and certain borrowers of the Bank as of _______,
1996);  and (v)  employees,  officers and  directors  of the Bank.  Subscription
Rights  received in any of the foregoing  categories will be subordinated to the
Subscription  Rights received by those in a prior category.  Subscription Rights
will expire if not exercised by noon,  Oak Forest,  Illinois  time, on March __,
1997, unless extended (the "Expiration Date").

       Subject to the prior rights of holders of Subscription  Rights and market
conditions at or near the completion of the Subscription Offering, any shares of
Common Stock not subscribed for in the  Subscription  Offering may be offered at
the same price in the Public  Offering  through KBW to selected  persons to whom
this  prospectus  is  delivered.  To order Common Stock in  connection  with the
Public  Offering,  if any, an executed  stock order form and account  withdrawal
authorization and certification must be received by KBW prior to the termination
of the Public Offering.  The date by which orders must be received in the Public
Offering,  if  any,  will  be set by the  Holding  Company  at the  time of such
offering  provided that if the Offering is extended beyond ________,  1997, each
subscriber will have the right to modify or rescind his or her subscription. The
Holding  Company and the Bank reserve the absolute right to accept or reject any
orders in the Public Offering, in whole or in part.

       If  necessary,  shares of Common Stock may also be offered in  connection
with the Public  Offering for sale on a best-efforts  basis by selected  dealers
managed by KBW.  See "The  Conversion  - Public  Offering  and Direct  Community
Offering."

       The Bank and the Holding  Company  have  engaged KBW to consult  with and
advise the Holding  Company and the Bank with respect to the  Offering,  and KBW
has agreed to solicit  subscriptions  and  purchase  orders for shares of Common
Stock in the Offering. Neither KBW nor any selected broker-dealers will have any
obligation to purchase shares of Common Stock in the Offering.  KBW will receive
for its services a marketing  fee of 1.5% of the total  dollar  amount of Common
Stock  sold in the  Conversion  (excluding  purchases  by  directors,  officers,
employees and members of their immediate families and the employee benefit plans
of  the  Holding  Company  and  for  the  Bank,  and  shares  sold  by  selected
broker-dealers).   To  the  extent  selected   broker-dealers  are  utilized  in
connection with the sale of shares in the Public Offering,

                                        8

<PAGE>


the selected dealers will receive a fee of up to 4.5% and KBW will receive a fee
of 1.0% of the  aggregate  Purchase  Price for all  shares of Common  Stock sold
through such  broker-dealers.  KBW will also receive  reimbursement  for certain
expenses  incurred in  connection  with the  Offering.  The Holding  Company has
agreed  to  indemnify  KBW  against  certain   liabilities,   including  certain
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). See
"The Conversion - Marketing Arrangements."

       The  Bank has  established  a Stock  Information  Center,  which  will be
managed by KBW, to  coordinate  the  Offering,  and answer  questions  about the
Offering  received by  telephone.  All  subscribers  will be  instructed to mail
payment to the Stock  Information  Center or  deliver  payment  directly  to the
Bank's  office.  Payment  for  shares  of  Common  Stock may be made by cash (if
delivered in person),  check or money order or by  authorization  of  withdrawal
from deposit accounts maintained with the Bank. Such funds will not be available
for  withdrawal  and will not be released  until the  Conversion is completed or
terminated. See "The Conversion - Method of Payment for Subscriptions."

       Purchase  Limitations.  The Plan of Conversion places  limitations on the
number of shares which may be purchased in the Conversion by various  categories
of persons. With the exception of the Tax-Qualified  Employee Plans, no Eligible
Account Holder,  Supplemental Eligible Account Holder, Other Member or director,
officer or employee may purchase in their  capacity as such in the  Subscription
Offering more than $200,000 of Common Stock; no person, together with associates
of and  persons  acting in concert  with such  person,  may  purchase  more than
$200,000  of  Common  Stock in the  Public  Offering;  and no person or group of
persons  acting in concert  (other than the  Tax-Qualified  Employee  Plans) may
purchase  more than  $900,000  of Common  Stock in the  Conversion.  The minimum
purchase  limitation is 25 shares of Common Stock.  These purchase limits may be
increased or decreased  consistent with the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS")
regulations at the sole discretion of the Holding Company and the Bank. See "The
Conversion - Offering of Holding Company Common Stock."

       Restrictions on Transfer of Subscription  Rights. Prior to the completion
of the  Conversion,  no person  may  transfer  or enter  into any  agreement  or
understanding to transfer the legal or beneficial  ownership of the subscription
rights  issued  under the Plan or the shares of Common  Stock to be issued  upon
their  exercise.  Persons  found to be selling or otherwise  transferring  their
right to purchase stock in the Subscription  Offering or purchasing Common Stock
on behalf of another  person  will be subject to  forfeiture  of such rights and
possible federal penalties and sanctions.  See "The Conversion - Restrictions on
Transfer of Subscription Rights and Shares."

       Stock  Pricing  and Number of Shares of Common  Stock to be Issued in the
Conversion.  The  Purchase  Price of the Common Stock is $10.00 per share and is
the same for all purchasers. The aggregate pro forma market value of the Holding
Company and Hemlock  Federal,  as converted,  was estimated by Keller,  which is
experienced in appraising  converting thrift  institutions,  to be the Estimated
Valuation  Range.  The Board of Directors has reviewed the  Estimated  Valuation
Range as stated in the  appraisal  and  compared  it with recent  stock  trading
prices as well as other recent pro forma market  value  estimates.  The Board of
Directors has

                                        9

<PAGE>


also reviewed the appraisal  report,  including the  assumptions and methodology
utilized therein, and determined that it was not unreasonable.

       Depending  on  market  and  financial  conditions  at  the  time  of  the
completion  of the  Offering,  the total  number of shares of Common Stock to be
issued in the  Conversion may be increased or decreased  significantly  from the
1,805,500  shares  offered  hereby  and the  Purchase  Price  may be  decreased.
However,  subscribers will be permitted to modify or rescind their subscriptions
if the  product  of the total  number of shares to be issued  multiplied  by the
price per share is less than $13,345,000 or more than $20,763,250. The appraisal
is not intended to be, and must not be interpreted as, a  recommendation  of any
kind as to the advisability of voting to approve the Conversion or of purchasing
shares of Common Stock. The appraisal  considers Hemlock Federal and the Holding
Company only as going concerns and should not be considered as any indication of
the liquidation value of Hemlock Federal or the Holding Company.  Moreover,  the
appraisal is  necessarily  based on many factors which change from time to time.
There can be no assurance  that persons who  purchase  shares in the  Conversion
will be able to sell such shares at prices at or above the Purchase  Price.  See
"Pro Forma Data" and "The  Conversion - Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be
Issued" for a description of the manner in which such valuation was made and the
limitations on its use.

Purchases by Directors and Executive Officers

       The  directors  and  executive  officers  of  Hemlock  Federal  intend to
purchase,  for investment  purposes and at the same price as the shares are sold
to other investors in the Conversion,  approximately $1,246,000 of Common Stock,
or 9.3%, 7.9% or 6.9% of the shares to be sold in the Conversion at the minimum,
midpoint  and  maximum  of  the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  respectively.  In
addition,  an amount of shares  equal to an  aggregate of 8% of the shares to be
issued in the  Conversion is  anticipated  to be purchased by the ESOP. See "The
Conversion - Participation by the Board and Executive Officers."

Potential Benefits of Conversion to Directors and Executive Officers

   
       Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan.  The Board of Directors of the Bank has
adopted  an  ESOP,  a  tax-qualified  employee  benefit  plan for  officers  and
employees  of the Holding  Company and the Bank.  All  employees of the Bank are
eligible to  participate  in the ESOP after they attain age 21 and  complete one
year  of  service.  The  Bank's  contribution  to the  ESOP is  allocated  among
participants  on the basis of their relative  compensation.  Each  participant's
account will be credited  with cash and shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock
based  upon  compensation  earned  during  the year  with  respect  to which the
contribution  is made.  The ESOP  intends  to buy up to 8% of the  Common  Stock
issued in the  Conversion  (approximately  $1.1  million to $1.4  million of the
Common  Stock  based on the  issuance  of the  minimum  and the  maximum  of the
Estimated  Valuation  Range and the $10.00 per share Purchase  Price).  The ESOP
will purchase the shares with funds borrowed from the Holding Company, and it is
anticipated that the ESOP will repay the loans through  periodic  tax-deductible
contributions  from the Bank over a ten-year period.  These  contributions  will
increase the compensation expense of the Bank. See "Management - Benefit Plans -
Employee Stock Ownership Plan" for a description of this plan.
    

                                       10

<PAGE>

       Stock Option and Incentive Plan and  Recognition  and Retention Plan. The
Board of  Directors of the Holding  Company  intends to adopt a Stock Option and
Incentive  Plan (the "Stock Option Plan") and a Recognition  and Retention  Plan
("RRP") to become  effective upon  ratification  by  stockholders  following the
Conversion.  Certain of the  directors  and  executive  officers  of the Holding
Company and the Bank will  receive  awards  under these  plans.  It is currently
anticipated  that an amount of shares  equal to 10% and 4% of the shares sold in
the  Conversion  will be reserved for  issuance  under the Stock Option Plan and
RRP,  respectively.  Depending upon market conditions in the future, the Holding
Company  may  purchase  shares  in the open  market  to fund  these  plans.  See
"Management - Benefit Plans" for a description of these plans.

       Under the proposed  Stock Option Plan, it is presently  intended that the
directors and executive officers be granted options to purchase,  in addition to
the shares to be issued in the Conversion,  an amount of shares equal to 8.2% of
the shares sold in the Conversion (or 109,429 and 148,051 shares,  respectively,
of Common  Stock based on the minimum  and  maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation
Range) at an exercise  price  equal to the market  value per share of the Common
Stock on the date of grant.  Such  options  will be awarded at no expense to the
recipients and pose no financial risk to the recipients until  exercised.  It is
presently anticipated that Maureen Partynski,  Chairman of the Board and Michael
Stevens,  President  will each receive an option to purchase an amount of shares
equal to 2.5% of the shares sold in the Conversion (or 33,363 and 45,138 shares,
assuming  the  minimum  and  maximum  of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range).  See
"Management - Benefit Plans - Stock Option and Incentive Plan."

       The award and exercise of options  pursuant to the Stock Option Plan will
not result in any expense to the Holding Company;  however, when the options are
exercised,  the per share earnings and book value of existing  stockholders will
likely be diluted.

       It is also  intended that  directors  and  executive  officers be granted
(without  any  requirement  of  payment by the  grantee)  an amount of shares of
restricted  stock awards equal to 2.8% of the shares sold in the  Conversion (or
37,366 and 50,554 shares, respectively,  based on the minimum and maximum of the
Estimated  Valuation  Range) which will vest over five years commencing one year
from stockholder  ratification and which will have a total value of $373,660 and
$505,540  based on the  Purchase  Price of $10.00 per share at the  minimum  and
maximum  of  the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  respectively.  It  is  presently
anticipated  that Chairman  Partynski and President  Stevens each will receive a
restricted  stock award equal to 1.0% of the shares sold in the  Conversion  (or
13,345 and 18,055  shares,  assuming  the minimum  and maximum of the  Estimated
Valuation Range). The restricted stock award to Chairman Partynski and President
Stevens each would have an aggregate value ranging from $133,450 to $180,550 (at
the  minimum  and  maximum  of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range)  based upon the
original  Purchase  Price of $10.00  per  share.  See "Risk  Factors -  Takeover
Defensive  Provisions"  and  "Management  -  Benefit  Plans  -  Recognition  and
Retention Plan."

       Following  stockholder  ratification  of the RRP,  the RRP will be funded
either with shares  purchased in the open market or with authorized but unissued
shares.  Based upon the Purchase Price of $10.00 per share,  the amount required
to fund the RRP through  open-market  purchases  would range from  approximately
$533,800 (based upon the sale of shares at the minimum of the

                                       11

<PAGE>


Estimated  Valuation  Range) to  approximately  $722,200 (based upon the sale of
shares at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range). In the event that the
per  share  price of the  Common  Stock  increases  above the  $10.00  per share
Purchase Price  following  completion of the Offering,  the amount  necessary to
fund the RRP would also  increase.  The  expense  related to the cost of the RRP
will be recognized over the five-year vesting period of the awards made pursuant
to such plan.  The use of authorized  but unissued  shares to fund the RRP would
dilute the holdings of stockholders who purchase Common Stock in the Conversion.
See "Management - Benefit Plans - Recognition and Retention Plan."

       The Holding  Company  intends to submit the RRP and the Stock Option Plan
to stockholders for ratification following completion of the Offering, but in no
event prior to six months  following  the  completion of the  Conversion.  These
plans will only be effective if ratified by the  stockholders.  In the event the
Stock Option Plan and the RRP are not ratified by  stockholders,  management may
consider the adoption of alternate  incentive plans,  although no such plans are
currently  contemplated.  While  the Bank  believes  that the RRP and the  Stock
Option Plan will provide important  incentives for the performance and retention
of  management,  the Bank has no reason to  believe  that the  failure to obtain
shareholder  ratification  of such plans would  result in the  departure  of any
members of senior management.

       Employment  and  Severance  Agreements.  The Bank  intends  to enter into
employment  agreements  with Chairman  Partynski and  President  Stevens.  It is
anticipated  that  the  agreements  will  provide  for a  salary  equal  to  the
employee's current salary, will have an initial term of three years,  subject to
annual extension for an additional year following the Bank's annual  performance
review and will become  effective upon the completion of the  Conversion.  Under
certain  circumstances  including  a  change  in  control,  as  defined  in  the
employment  agreements,  the employee will be entitled to a severance payment in
lieu of salary equal to a percentage of his or her base amount of  compensation,
as defined. See "Management - Executive Compensation."

       The  Bank  also  intends  to  enter  into  change  in  control  severance
agreements  with three other  executive  officers.  Such agreements have initial
terms of 12 months and become  effective upon completion of the  Conversion.  In
the event the officer is terminated  following a "change in control" (as defined
in the agreements) such officer will be entitled to a severance  payment of 100%
of  their  current  compensation.   See  "Management  -  Executive  Compensation
Employment Agreements and Severance Agreements" for the definition of "change in
control" and a more detailed description of these agreements.

Use of Proceeds

       The  net  proceeds  from  the  sale of  Common  Stock  in the  Conversion
(estimated  at $12.8  million,  $15.2  million,  $17.5 million and $20.2 million
based on sales at the  minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and 15% above the maximum of
the Estimated  Valuation Range,  respectively) will  substantially  increase the
capital of Hemlock  Federal.  See "Pro Forma  Data." The  Holding  Company  will
utilize  approximately  50% of the net proceeds  from the issuance of the Common
Stock to purchase all of the common  stock of Hemlock  Federal to be issued upon
Conversion and will retain  approximately 50% of the net proceeds.  The proceeds
retained by

                                       12

<PAGE>


the Holding Company will be invested initially in short-term investments similar
to those currently in the Bank's  portfolio.  Such proceeds will subsequently be
invested in  mortgage-backed  securities and  investment  securities and will be
available for general corporate  purposes,  including the possible repurchase of
shares of the  Common  Stock,  as  permitted  by the OTS.  The  Holding  Company
currently has no specific plan to make any such repurchases of any of its Common
Stock.  In addition,  the Holding Company intends to provide the funding for the
ESOP loan. Based upon the initial Purchase Price of $10.00 per share, the dollar
amount of the ESOP loan would  range from $1.1  million  (based upon the sale of
shares at the minimum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range) to $1.4 million (based
upon the sale of shares at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range). It is
anticipated  that the ESOP will repay the loan through  periodic  tax-deductible
contributions  from the Bank over a ten-year  period.  The  interest  rate to be
charged by the Holding  Company on the ESOP loan will be based upon the Internal
Revenue  Service  ("IRS")  prescribed  applicable  federal  rate at the  time of
origination.

       Finally,  the Holding Company  currently  intends to use a portion of the
proceeds  to  fund  a  Recognition  and  Retention  Plan  ("RRP"),   subject  to
stockholder  ratification.  Compensation  expense  related  to the  RRP  will be
recognized  as share awards vest.  See "Pro Forma Data."  Following  stockholder
ratification of the RRP, the RRP will be funded either with shares  purchased in
the open market or with authorized but unissued shares.  Based upon the Purchase
Price  of  $10.00  per  share,  the  amount  required  to fund  the RRP  through
open-market  purchases would range from  approximately  $533,800 (based upon the
sale of shares at the minimum of the Estimated Valuation Range) to approximately
$722,200  (based  upon  the  sale of  shares  at the  maximum  of the  Estimated
Valuation  Range).  In the event that the per share  price of the  Common  Stock
increases above the $10.00 per share Purchase Price following  completion of the
Offering,  the amount necessary to fund the RRP would also increase.  The use of
authorized  but  unissued  shares to fund the RRP could  dilute the  holdings of
stockholders  who purchase  Common Stock in the  Conversion.  See  "Management -
Benefit Plans - Recognition and Retention Plan."

       The net proceeds  received by Hemlock Federal will become part of Hemlock
Federal's  general funds for use in its business and will be used to support the
Bank's  existing  operations,  subject to  applicable  regulatory  restrictions.
Immediately  upon the completion of the Conversion,  it is anticipated  that the
Bank will invest such proceeds into short-term  assets.  Subsequently,  the Bank
intends to redirect the net proceeds to the  origination  of  residential  loans
and, to a lesser extent, multi-family real estate and consumer loans, subject to
market  conditions.  In addition,  the Bank may direct a portion of the proceeds
towards the establishment of a new branch office in the southwestern  suburbs of
Chicago,  although the Bank had no specific plans  regarding any such new office
as of the  date  hereof.  Finally,  such  proceeds  will  be  available  for the
acquisition of deposits or assets or both from other  institutions,  although no
such acquisitions are contemplated at this time.

       See "Use of Proceeds" for additional  information  on the  utilization of
the offering  proceeds as well as OTS restrictions on repurchases of the Holding
Company's stock.

                                       13

<PAGE>


Dividends

   
       The  declaration  and payment of  dividends  are subject to,  among other
things,  the Holding  Company's  financial  condition and results of operations,
Hemlock Federal's compliance with its regulatory capital requirements, including
the  fully  phased-in  capital   requirements,   tax  considerations,   industry
standards,  economic  conditions,  regulatory  restrictions,   general  business
practices and other factors. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the
Holding Company will pay a dividend. See "Dividends."
    

Market for Common Stock

       The Holding Company has received  preliminary approval to have the Common
Stock traded on the Nasdaq  National  Market System under the symbol  "____." In
order to be traded on the Nasdaq National Market System,  there must be at least
two market  makers for the Common Stock.  Keefe,  Bruyette & Woods has indicated
its intention to make a market in the Holding  Company's  Common Stock following
completion of the Conversion,  depending upon the volume of trading  activity in
the  Common  Stock and  subject to  compliance  with  applicable  laws and other
regulatory requirements.  A second market marker has not yet been secured by the
Holding Company.  The Holding Company anticipates that it will be able to secure
the two market  makers  necessary to enable the Common Stock to be traded on the
Nasdaq   National   Market   System.   A  public  market  having  the  desirable
characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness,  however,  depends upon the
presence in the  marketplace  of both  willing  buyers and sellers of the Common
Stock at any given time, which is not within the control of the Holding Company,
Hemlock Federal or any market maker.  Further, no assurance can be given that an
investor will be able to resell the Common Stock at or above the Purchase  Price
after the Conversion.  See "Market for Common Stock" and "The Conversion - Stock
Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued."

Risk Factors

       See "Risk Factors" for information regarding certain factors which should
be considered by  prospective  investors,  including the Bank's  limited  growth
potential,  difficulty in fully leveraging capital,  mortgage-backed  securities
portfolio; effect on asset yield, interest rate risk exposure, future funding of
the Bank's charitable  foundation,  competition,  takeover defensive  provisions
contained in the Holding  Company's  certificate  of  incorporation  and bylaws,
post- conversion overhead expenses,  regulatory oversight, the risk of a delayed
offering,  the absence of an active market for the Common Stock and the possible
consequences of amendment of the Plan of Conversion.

                                       14

<PAGE>


                         SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

       Set  forth  below are  selected  financial  and  other  data of the Bank.
Operating  results for the interim  periods are not  necessarily  indicative  of
results of any other  interim  periods.  The  financial  data is derived in part
from, and should be read in conjunction with, the Financial Statements and Notes
of the Bank presented elsewhere in this Prospectus.

       In  the  opinion  of  management,   the  unaudited   condensed  financial
statements  contain  all  adjustments   (consisting  only  of  normal  recurring
adjustments)  necessary  to present  fairly the  financial  condition of Hemlock
Federal  Bank as of  September  30,  1996 and for the nine month  periods  ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                   December 31,
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                       September
                                                      30, 1996(1)      1995        1994        1993          1992           1991
                                                     -------------    ------      ------      ------        ------         -----
                                                                                         (In Thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
Selected Financial Condition Data:
Total assets.......................................    $146,983      $145,626    $143,877    $146,679      $141,175       $133,239
Cash and cash equivalents..........................      16,376        13,301      16,827      18,131         6,430          6,440
Loans receivable, net(2)...........................      53,121        45,232      37,659      37,041        31,739         33,750
Mortgage-backed securities(3):
  Held-to-maturity.................................      31,860        43,106      66,040      81,439        89,757         86,980
  Available for sale...............................      34,064        25,620       8,244         ---           ---            ---
Investment securities:(3)
  Held-to-maturity.................................         ---         1,500       3,500       6,003         9,291          1,717
  Available for sale...............................       7,095        13,125       7,934         ---           ---            ---
FHLMC stock........................................         667           549         332          26            49            106
Deposits...........................................     129,159       130,741     130,771     132,583       128,149        120,703
Total borrowings...................................       1,500         1,500       1,500       3,000         3,000          3,000
Retained earnings - substantially restricted.......      10,842        11,346      10,394       9,855         8,878          8,114
</TABLE>



                                       15

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Nine Months                                 Year Ended
                                                    Ended September 30,(1)                         December 31,
                                                    ----------------------  ------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1996        1995        1995      1994      1993         1992          1991
                                                    ------      ------      ------    ------    ------       ------        ------
                                                                                     (In Thousands)
<S>                                                <C>           <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>          <C>           <C>
Selected Operations Data:
Total interest income........................       $7,673      $7,365      $9,935    $8,501    $8,815      $10,060       $10,798
Total interest expense.......................        4,235       3,994       5,416     4,672     4,948        6,196         7,542
                                                    ------      ------      ------    ------    ------      -------       -------
  Net interest income........................        3,438       3,371       4,519     3,829     3,867        3,864         3,256
Provision for loan losses....................           75         122         134       150       149          357            33
                                                    ------      ------      ------    ------    ------      -------       -------
Net interest income after provision for loan
  losses.....................................        3,363       3,249       4,385     3,679     3,718        3,507         3,223
Fees and service charges.....................          297         252         352       308       345          326           226
Gain (loss) on sales of mortgage-backed
  securities and investment securities.......          (80)       (161)       (161)      (89)      270          466           324
Other non-interest income....................          104         107         146       164       112          104           259
                                                    ------     -------      ------    ------    ------      -------       -------
Total non-interest income....................          321         198         337       383       727          896           809
Total non-interest expense...................        4,529       2,281       3,211     3,180     3,313        3,033         3,100
                                                     -----     -------      ------    ------    ------       ------        ------
Income (loss) before taxes and cumulative
  effect.....................................         (845)      1,166       1,511       882     1,132        1,370           932
Income tax provision (benefit)...............         (341)        433         559       343       411          606           364
Cumulative effect............................           ---        ---         ---       ---       256          ---           ---
                                                    -------    --------     -------   ------    ------      -------       -------
Net income (loss)............................        $(504)       $733       $ 952    $  539    $  977       $  764        $  568
<FN>
- ----------------

(1)    Financial  information  at  September  30,  1996 and for the  nine  month
       periods  ended  September  30,  1996 and 1995 is derived  from  unaudited
       financial data, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustment
       (consisting only of normal recurring  adjustments) which are necessary to
       present fairly the results for such interim  periods.  Interim results at
       and for the nine months  ended  September  30,  1996 are not  necessarily
       indicative  of the  results  that may be  expected  for the  year  ending
       December 31, 1996.

(2)    The allowance  for loan losses at September 30, 1996,  December 31, 1995,
       1994,  1993, 1992 and 1991 was $670,000,  $600,000,  $469,000,  $234,000,
       497,000 and $174,000, respectively.

(3)    The Bank adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
       115,  "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,"
       effective  as of January 1, 1994.  Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 115,
       investment  securities and mortgage-backed  securities held for sale were
       carried at the lower of amortized  cost or market value,  as adjusted for
       amortization  of premiums and  accretion of discounts  over the remaining
       terms of the securities from the dates of purchase.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       16

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 Nine Months                      Year Ended
                                                           Ended September 30,(1)                 December 31,
                                                           ----------------------     -------------------------------------
                                                           1996              1995     1995    1994    1993     1992    1991
                                                           ----              ----     ----    ----    ----     ----    ----
<S>                                                       <C>               <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:
Performance Ratios:
   Return on assets (ratio of net income to average
     total assets)...................................     (0.46)%            0.68%   0.66%   0.37%    0.68%    0.65%   0.45%
   Return on equity (ratio of net income to average
     equity)(3)......................................     (5.80)             9.05    8.72    5.27    10.40     8.95    7.20
   Interest rate spread information:
     Average during period...........................      2.96              3.00    3.01    2.49     2.54     2.68    2.38
     End of period...................................      2.56              2.83    3.11    2.93     3.58     2.84    2.29
     Net interest margin(2)..........................      3.24              3.24    3.25    2.69     2.74     2.90    2.65
   Ratio of operating expense to average total
     assets..........................................      4.13              2.12    2.23    2.16     2.30     2.18    2.44
   Ratio of average interest-earning assets to
     average interest-bearing liabilities............    107.16            106.24  106.31  106.27   105.58   104.84  104.53

Quality Ratios:
   Non-performing assets to total assets at end of
     period..........................................      0.05              0.32    0.40    0.43     0.80     1.17    1.50
   Allowance for loan losses to non-performing
     loans...........................................    870.13            125.11  103.63   76.01    19.95    30.18    8.73
   Allowance for loan losses to gross loans
     receivable......................................      1.24              1.32    1.31    1.23     0.62     1.53    0.51

Capital Ratios:(3)
   Equity to total assets at end of period...........      7.38              7.65    7.79    7.22     6.72     6.29    6.09
   Average equity to average assets..................      7.94              7.53    7.59    7.01     6.51     6.14    6.21

Other data:
   Number of full service offices....................         3                 3       3       3        3        3       3
<FN>
- --------------
(1) Ratios for the nine-month periods have been annualized.
(2) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(3) Ratios are exclusive of SFAS 115 valuation.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       17

<PAGE>

   

                              RECENT FINANCIAL DATA

         The  selected  financial  and other data of the Bank set forth below at
and for the  three and  twelve  months  ended  December  31,  1996 and 1995 were
derived from unaudited financial statements.  In the opinion of management,  all
adjustments  (consisting  of normal  recurring  accruals)  necessary  for a fair
presentation  of the  financial  condition  and  results of  operations  for the
unaudited periods presented have been included.  The information presented below
is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  the  detailed  information  and  financial
statements  included  elsewhere  in  this  Prospectus  and  should  be  read  in
conjunction with  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
and Results of Operations,"  "Business" and the audited Financial  Statements of
the Bank and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                              At December 31,   At September 30,
                                                  1996                1995
                                              ---------------   ----------------
                                                       (In Thousands)
Selected Financial Condition Data:

Total assets.............................        $146,793           $146,983
Cash and cash equivalents................          17,410             16,376
Securities available-for-sale............          42,619             41,826
Securities held-to-maturity..............          29,537             31,860
Loans receivable, net....................          53,536             53,121
Deposits.................................         131,243            129,159
Retained earnings........................          10,896             10,842



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Three Months Ended                Twelve Months Ended
                                                             December 31,                       December 31,
                                                    ----------------------------        -------------------------
                                                       1996              1995              1996            1995
                                                    ----------        ----------        ----------        -------
                                                                              (In Thousands)
<S>                                                <C>               <C>               <C>                <C>
Selected Operations Data:

Interest income.............................           $ 2,464           $ 2,569          $ 10,137           $ 9,935
Interest expense............................             1,408             1,422             5,643             5,416
                                                       -------           -------          --------            ------
  Net interest income before provision
   for loan losses..........................             1,056             1,147             4,494             4,519
Provision for loan losses...................                75                11               150               134
                                                      --------          --------          --------            ------
   Net interest income after provision for
     loan losses............................               981             1,136             4,344             4,385
Loss on sale of securities..................              (44)               ---             (124)             (161)
Other non-interest income...................               110               139               511               498
Non-interest expense........................               958               930             5,487             3,211
                                                        ------          --------           -------           -------
Income before income taxes..................                89               345             (756)             1,511
Income taxes................................                36               126             (305)               559
                                                       -------          --------          -------            -------
  Net income ...............................           $    53          $    219          $  (451)           $   952
                                                       =======          ========          =======            =======
</TABLE>
    


                                       18
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   



                                                            At or for the              At or for the
                                                          Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                                                             December 31,               December 31,
                                                          ------------------        -------------------
                                                          1996         1995          1996         1995
                                                          ----         ----          ----         ----
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:

Performance Ratios:
  Return on average assets(1)........................    0.14%        0.59%        (0.31)%       0.66%
  Return on average equity(1)........................    1.97         7.61         (4.02)        8.72
  Average equity to average assets...................    7.36         7.76          7.68         7.59
  Equity to total assets at end of period............    7.42         7.78          7.42         7.79
  Average interest rate spread(1)....................    2.72         2.96          2.93         3.01
  Net interest margin(1)(2)..........................    3.01         3.25          3.20         3.25
  Average interest-earning assets to average
    interest-bearing liabilities.....................  106.71       107.40        106.67       106.31
  Efficiency ratio(3)................................    0.85         0.72          1.12         0.66
  Non-interest expense to average assets(1)..........    2.62         2.58          3.76         2.23

Asset Quality Ratios:
 Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
   gross loans receivable............................    1.37         1.31          1.37         1.37
 Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-
   performing loans..................................  116.51       103.63        116.51       103.63

<FN>
- ------------------
(1)  Ratios for the three month periods have been annualized.

(2)  Net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.

(3) The  efficiency  ratio  represents  noninterest  expense as a percent of net
    interest income and noninterest income before provision for loan losses.
</FN>
</TABLE>
    


                                       19

<PAGE>

   


             MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RECENT RESULTS

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1996

         Total  assets at  December  31, 1996 were  $146.8  million  compared to
$147.0  million at September  30, 1996,  a decrease of  $200,000,  or 0.1%.  The
decrease  in  total  assets  was  due   primarily  to  decreases  in  securities
held-to-maturity  and other assets,  partially offset by increases in securities
available-for-sale and cash and cash equivalents.

         Total  liabilities at December 31, 1996 were $135.3 million compared to
$135.6  million at September  30, 1996,  a decrease of  $300,000,  or 0.2%.  The
decrease is  primarily  due to the payment of a $2.1 million  liability  for the
purchase of a security  at  September  30, 1996 and the payment of the  one-time
special SAIF assessment of $840,000. These decreases were partially offset by an
increase in deposits of $2.0 million from $129.2  million at September  30, 1996
to $131.2  million at  December  31,  1996 due to market  demand.  In  addition,
advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance  increased by $394,000 due
to the receipt of payments after the second  installment of real estate taxes in
September,  and other  liabilities  increased due to an increase in deferred tax
liabilities of approximately $56,000.

         Total equity at December 31, 1996 was $11.5  million  compared to $11.4
million at September 30, 1996,  an increase of $100,000,  or 0.8% as a result of
$53,000 net income for the period  combined with a change in unrealized  gain on
securities available-for-sale from $519,000 at September 30, 1996 to $607,000 at
December 31, 1996.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 1996 and
December 31, 1995

         General.  Net income for the three months  ended  December 31, 1996 was
$53,000,  a decrease of  $166,000,  from net  earnings of $219,000 for the three
months  ended  December 31, 1995.  The decrease was  primarily  due to a $91,000
decrease in net interest  income  combined  with a loss on sale of securities of
$44,000 in 1996. In addition,  there was an increase in other expense of $28,000
and an increase  in the  provision  for loan losses of $64,000.  These items are
more fully discussed below.

         Interest  Income.  Interest  income for the three months ended December
31, 1996 was $2.5  million  compared to $2.6  million for the three months ended
December  31,  1995, a decrease of  $105,000,  or 4.1%.  The  decrease  resulted
primarily  from a decrease in the average yield.  The  annualized  average yield
decreased 28 basis  points from 7.28% for the three  months  ended  December 31,
1995 to 7.00% for the three months  ended  December 31, 1996 largely as a result
of a decrease  in the yield on loans and  mortgage-backed  securities  to higher
yielding loans  receivable.  The decrease in the annualized  yield on loans from
8.35% for the three months ended December 31, 1995 to 8.23% for the three months
ended December 31, 1996 was a result of offering more  competitive  rates due to
management's concerted effort to increase loan growth.

         Interest  Expense.  Interest  expense  was $1.4  million  for the three
months ended December 31, 1996 and 1995. The average balance of interest-bearing
liabilities increased slightly by $240,000. However, this was offset by a slight
decrease in the average cost of funds

    


                                       20
<PAGE>


   

from 4.32% for the three months  ended  December 31, 1995 to 4.28% for the three
months ended December 31, 1996.

         Net Interest Income. Net interest income was $1.1 million for the three
months  ended  December  31,  1996 and 1995.  The average  net  interest  spread
narrowed  from 2.96% for the three months  ended  December 31, 1995 to 2.72% for
the three  months  ended  December  31, 1996 due to the  decrease in the average
annualized yield of interest-earning assets.

         Provision for Loan Losses.  The Bank  recorded a $75,000  provision for
loan losses for the three months ended December 31, 1996 compared to $11,000 for
the three months  ended  December  31,  1995.  At December 31, 1996,  the Bank's
allowance for loan losses totaled $745,000, or 1.4% of total loans and 116.5% of
total  non-performing  loans.  The amount of the  provision  and  allowance  for
estimated losses on loans is influenced by current economic  conditions,  actual
loss  experience,  industry trends and other factors,  such as adverse  economic
conditions,  including  declining real estate values, in the Bank's market area.
In  addition,  various  regulatory  agencies,  as  an  integral  part  of  their
examination  process,  periodically  review the Bank's  allowance  for estimated
losses on loans.  Such agencies may require the Bank to provide additions to the
allowance based upon judgments  which differ from those of management.  Although
management  uses  the  best  information  available  and  maintains  the  Bank's
allowance  for losses at a level it  believes  adequate  to provide  for losses,
future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating,
regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Bank's control.

         Noninterest  Income.  Noninterest  income  for the three  months  ended
December  31, 1996 was $66,000  compared to $139,000  for the three months ended
December 31, 1995, a decrease of $73,000, or 52.5%. The decrease was primarily a
result of losses on sale of  securities  of $44,000 for the three  months  ended
December 31, 1996 compared to no losses for the three months ended  December 31,
1995. In addition, service fee income decreased $18,000 as a result of decreased
service  charges  on NOW  accounts.   Other income  decreased $11,000  due  to a
decrease in fee income  resulting from a decrease in fees on FHA and VA loans on
which applications were taken for other lenders.

         Noninterest  Expense.  Noninterest  expense was  $958,000 for the three
months  ended  December  31, 996 compared to $930,000 for the three months ended
December 31, 1995, an increase of $28,000, or 3.0%. The increase was primarily a
result of an increase in  occupancy  expense of $22,000 as a result of increased
assessment  on real estate taxes  combined  with an increase in data  processing
fees of $22,000  and an increase in other  expense of $33,000.  The  increase in
other expense was largely due to increased supplies as a result of the growth in
loan  originations  and an  increase in outside  services.  These  increases  in
expense  were  partially  offset by a decrease in  compensation  and benefits of
$51,000 due  primarily  to the  freezing of the money  purchase  pension plan in
October 1996, resulting in decreased contributions.

         Income Tax Expense.  The provision for income taxes totaled $36,000 for
the three  months  ended  December  31, 1996  compared to $126,000 for the three
months ended  December 31, 1995. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in
income before income taxes of $256,000.
    

                                       21

<PAGE>


   

Comparison  of  Operating  Results  for the Years  Ended  December  31, 1996 and
December 31, 1995

         General.  Net loss for the year ended  December 31, 1996 was ($451,000)
compared to net income of  $952,000  for the year ended  December  31,  1995,  a
decrease of $1.4 million,  or 147.1%.  The decrease was primarily a result of an
$840,000 FDIC special  assessment on SAIF insured deposits  effective  September
30, 1996 and a $1.0 million accrued  contribution to the Foundation in September
1996.  In  addition,  the Bank  realized a $223,000  gain on sale of real estate
owned in 1995 compared to $0 in 1996.

         Interest  Income.  Interest income for the year ended December 31, 1996
was $10.1 million compared to $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1995,
an increase of $200,000,  or 2.0%.  The  contributing  factor in the increase in
interest  income  was  the 6  basis  point  increase  in the  yield  on  average
interest-earning assets from 7.15% for the year ended December 31, 1995 to 7.21%
for the year ended  December  31,  1996.  The average  yield on  mortgage-backed
securities  increased  from 6.80% for the year ended  December 31, 1995 to 7.02%
for the year ended  December 31, 1996 due to the upward  repricing of adjustable
rate securities coupled with the reduced amortization of premiums as a result of
a slowdown in  prepayments  from the prior year as  anticipated  by  management.
Although the yield on average loans receivable decreased from 8.21% for the year
ended  December  31, 1995 to 8.05% for the year ended  December  31,  1996,  the
average balance of loans  receivable  increased by $9.4 million due to the shift
from lower yielding securities and mortgage-backed securities to higher yielding
loans  receivable.  The increase in the average balance of loans  receivable was
the result of  management's  concerted  effort  through the  addition of lending
personnel and increased emphasis on loan marketing.

         Interest Expense. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1996
was $5.6 million  compared to $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1995,
an increase of $200,000,  or 3.7%. The increase in interest  expense  reflects a
higher  interest  rate  environment,  as the  average  cost of  interest-bearing
liabilities  increased by 14 basis points from 4.14% for the year ended December
31, 1995 to 4.28% for the year ended  December  31,  1996.  The  increase in the
average cost of funds was also  attributable  to a shift of deposits  from money
market accounts to higher yielding  certificates of deposit. The average cost of
certificates  of deposit  increased  from 5.23% for the year ended  December 31,
1995 to 5.45% for the year ended  December  31, 1996.  In addition,  the average
balance of  interest-bearing  liabilities  increased  $1.1  million  from $130.7
million  for the year ended  December  31,  1995 to $131.8  million for the year
ended December 31, 1996 as a result of market demand.

         Net Interest  Income.  Net interest income of $4.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996  represented no increase from the $4.5 million  reported
for the year ended  December 31, 1995.  There was a decrease in the net interest
spread  from 3.01% for the year ended  December  31,  1995 to 2.93% for the year
ended  December  31, 1996.  The  decrease in the net interest  rate spread was a
result of the average cost of  interest-bearing  deposits  increasing  at a more
rapid rate than the average yield on interest-earning assets.

         Provision for Loan Losses. The Bank's provision for loan losses for the
year ended  December  31, 1996 was  $150,000  compared to $133,000  for the year
ended December 31, 1995. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.4% and 1.3%
of gross loans receivable at
    


                                       22

<PAGE>

   

December  31,  1996 and 1995,  respectively.  The  amount of the  provision  and
allowance  for  estimated  losses on loans is  influenced  by  current  economic
conditions,  actual loss experience,  industry trends and other factors, such as
adverse  economic  conditions,  including  declining real estate values,  in the
Bank's market area. In addition,  various  regulatory  agencies,  as an integral
part of their examination process,  periodically review the Bank's allowance for
estimated  losses  on loans.  Such  agencies  may  require  the Bank to  provide
additions  to the  allowance  based upon  judgments  which  differ from those of
management.   Although  management  uses  the  best  information  available  and
maintains  the Bank's  allowance  for losses at a level it believes  adequate to
provide for losses,  future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to
economic,  operating,  regulatory  and other  conditions  that may be beyond the
Bank's control.

         Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income for the year ended December 31,
1996, was $387,000 compared to $337,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, an
increase of $50,000,  or 14.8%. The increase was the result of a decrease in the
loss on sale of  securities  of $38,000  combined  with the $27,000  increase in
service fees related to NOW accounts. This was partially offset by a decrease of
$18,000 in other income on FHA and VA loans on which the applications were taken
for other lenders.

         Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense was $5.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996 compared to $3.2 million for the year ended December 31,
1995, an increase of $2.3 million,  or 71.9%.  The increase was primarily due to
an $840,000 one-time special  assessment on SAIF insured deposits resulting from
federal legislation enacted on September 30, 1996. In addition, the Bank accrued
$1.0 million during 1995 for a contribution to the Foundation established by the
Bank in September  1996. In addition,  the Bank recognized a gain on the sale of
other real estate  owned of  $223,000 in 1995  compared to zero in 1996 and also
experienced  an  increase  in  occupancy  expense of $82,000  due  primarily  to
increased real estate tax assessments in 1996.

         Income Taxes.  The provision  (benefit) for income taxes was ($305,000)
for the year ended  December  31, 1996  compared to $559,000  for the year ended
December 31, 1995. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in pretax income
of $2.3 million.

                                  RISK FACTORS

       The following factors,  in addition to those discussed  elsewhere in this
Prospectus,  should be  considered  by  investors  before  deciding  whether  to
purchase the Common Stock offered in the Offering.

Limited Growth Potential

       The Bank experiences  strong competition in its local market area in both
originating  loans and attracting  deposit  accounts.  This  competition  arises
principally  from savings  institutions  and  commercial  banks as well as other
types of financial service companies such as mortgage bankers,  securities firms
and credit unions. See "Business - Lending Activities" and "Competition."

    
                                       23

<PAGE>

   
       In view of the  increasing  cost and  complexity of operating a financial
institution,  the Board of Directors believes that moderate growth of the Bank's
assets and liabilities is important for maintaining profitability.  In addition,
the Board of  Directors  believes  that  growth  will be needed in the future to
leverage the new capital raised by the Conversion. See "Use of Proceeds."

       Unfortunately, as a result of competition from both depository as well as
non-depository  firms  (such  as  mutual  funds),  the  Bank  has  found it very
difficult to increase its deposits on a cost effective basis. Since December 31,
1993, the Bank's deposit volume has declined  slightly.  Based on the above, the
Board believes that future internal growth can be effectively  sustained only at
modest levels.  As a result,  the Holding  Company's ability to quickly leverage
the net proceeds from the Conversion is likely to be limited.  Accordingly,  for
the near term, return on equity will decline from recent levels. Since return on
equity is generally an important  factor in determining an  institution's  stock
price,  an  unfavorable  return on equity  could  adversely  affect the  Holding
Company's stock price. See "Pro Forma Data" and "Use of Proceeds."

    

Mortgage-Backed and Related Securities

       During much of the 1980s,  as a result of fierce  competition  as well as
volatility  in interest  rates and real  estate  values,  the Bank  deemphasized
residential  lending. In order to offset the resulting decline in the proportion
of its assets  consisting  of loans as well as increase  its  holdings of assets
having  a short  or  intermediate  term  to  maturity  on  repricing,  the  Bank
accumulated a substantial  portfolio of mortgage-backed  and related securities.
Although the  proportion of the Bank's assets  consisting of loans has increased
significantly  over  the last  several  years as a  result  of a  reemphasis  on
residential  lending,  as of  September  30,  1996,  44.9% of the Bank's  assets
consisted of mortgage-backed securities. Since such securities generally carry a
lower yield than  residential  loans,  if the  proportion  of the Bank's  assets
consisting of these securities increases, its asset yield and hence its interest
rate spread would likely be adversely affected. In addition, since a significant
portion of the Bank's mortgage backed and related  securities are classified for
accounting purposes as "available-for-sale,"  any reduction in the value of such
securities  below  their  carrying  value  resulting  from a change in  economic
condition  would result in a charge to equity.  See "Business -  Mortgage-Backed
and Related  Securities."  There can be no assurance  that  earnings will not be
adversely  affected in the future if the  proportion  of the Bank's assets which
consists of mortgage-backed and other securities increases.

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

       The Bank's  profitability  is  dependent  to a large  extent upon its net
interest  income,  which  is the  difference  between  its  interest  income  on
interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and its interest expense
on interest-bearing  liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. When interest
rates rise, the Bank's net interest income tends to be adversely  impacted since
its liabilities tend to reprice more quickly than its assets.  Conversely,  in a
declining  rate   environment  the  Bank's  net  interest  income  is  generally
positively  impacted  since its assets  tend to  reprice  more  slowly  than its
liabilities.  Changes in the level of  interest  rates also affect the amount of
loans  originated by the Bank and, thus, the amount of loan and

                                       24

<PAGE>


commitment  fees,  as well as the market  value of the  Bank's  interest-earning
assets.   Moreover,   increases   in   interest   rates   also  can   result  in
disintermediation,  which is the flow of funds  away from  savings  institutions
into direct  investments,  such as  corporate  securities  and other  investment
vehicles,  which generally pay higher rates of return than savings institutions.
Finally,  a flattening of the "yield curve" (i.e.,  a decline in the  difference
between long and short term interest rates), could adversely impact net interest
income to the extent that the Bank's assets have a longer  average term than its
liabilities.

       In managing its asset/liability mix, the Bank at times,  depending on the
relationship  between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions and
consumer  preference,  places more emphasis on managing net interest margin than
on better  matching the interest rate  sensitivity of its assets and liabilities
in an effort to enhance net interest income. As a result, the Bank will continue
to be significantly  vulnerable to changes in interest rates and to decreases in
the difference between long and short term interest rates.

       At September 30, 1996, the Bank's net portfolio value would have declined
by 14% and  36%,  respectively,  in the  event  of a 200 and a 400  basis  point
increase in general interest rates. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Asset/Liability Management."

Future Contributions to the Bank's Charitable Foundation

   

       In futherence of its long-standing commitment to the communities which it
serves,  the Bank has  established  a  charitable  foundation.  Effective  as of
September 30, 1996, the Bank accrued a contribution  of $1.0 million to fund the
Foundation.  In  addition,  in the  future,  the  Company  currently  intends to
contribute  up to 10% of its net  income,  in the form of cash or stock,  to the
Foundation on an annual basis. The amount of such future contributions,  if any,
will be  determined  based  upon,  among other  factors,  an  assessment  of the
Company's then current financial  position,  operations and prospects and on the
need for charitable activities in the Bank's market area. Any such contribution,
regardless of form, will result in an increase in non-interest  expense and thus
a reduction in net earnings.  In addition,  any  contribution  of authorized but
unissued shares would dilute the interests of outstanding shares.  However,  the
Board of Directors currently  anticipates that any contribution of shares to the
Foundation  will be funded  through shares  repurchased in the open market.  The
Bank does not intend to make any  contributions  to the Foundation which are not
deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes.

    

Competition

       Hemlock Federal experiences  significant  competition in its local market
area in both  originating  real estate and other loans and attracting  deposits.
This  competition  arises from other savings  institutions as well as commercial
banks,  mortgage banks,  credit unions and national and local securities  firms.
The Bank's  competitors  include  many  significantly  larger  banks,  including
several large  regional banks with offices in Hemlock  Federal's  primary market
area.  Due to their size,  these large banks can achieve  certain  economies  of
scale and as a result offer a broader  range of products  and services  than are
currently  available  at the Bank.  The Bank  attempts to mitigate the effect of
such factors by emphasizing customer service. Such competition may limit Hemlock
Federal's growth in the future. See "Business - Competition."

                                       25

<PAGE>

Takeover Defensive Provisions

   
       Holding Company and Bank Governing Instruments. Certain provisions of the
Holding  Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation  and Bylaws assist the Holding
Company in maintaining its status as an independent  publicly owned corporation.
However,  such provisions may also block stockholders from approving a potential
takeover of the Holding Company which a majority of such stockholders believe to
be in their best interests.  These  provisions  provide for, among other things,
limiting  voting  rights of  beneficial  owners  of more than 10% of the  Common
Stock, staggered terms for directors,  noncumulative voting for directors, local
resident requirement for directors, limits on the calling of special meetings, a
fair  price/supermajority vote requirement for certain business combinations and
certain  notice  requirements.  The 10% vote  limitation  would not  affect  the
ability of an individual who is not the beneficial owner of more than 10% of the
Common Stock to solicit revocable  proxies in a public  solicitation for proxies
for a particular meeting of stockholders and to vote such proxies.  In addition,
provisions in the Bank's federal stock Charter that have an anti-takeover effect
could also be  applicable  to changes in control of the  Holding  Company as the
sole shareholder of the Bank. The Bank's Charter includes a provision applicable
for five years which prohibits  acquisitions and offers to acquire,  directly or
indirectly,  the beneficial ownership of more than 10% of the Bank's securities.
Any person  violating  this  restriction  may not vote the Bank's  securities in
excess of 10%. Any or all of these  provisions  may discourage  potential  proxy
contests and other  takeover  attempts,  particularly  those which have not been
negotiated  with the Board of  Directors.  In  addition,  the Holding  Company's
certificate of  incorporation  also authorizes  preferred stock with terms to be
established  by the Board of Directors  which may rank prior to the Common Stock
as to  dividend  rights,  liquidation  preferences,  or both,  may have  full or
limited voting rights and may have a dilutive effect on the ownership  interests
of holders of the Common Stock.  See  "Restrictions on Acquisitions of Stock and
Related Takeover Defensive Provisions."
    

       Regulatory and Statutory Provisions.  Federal regulations prohibit, for a
period of three years  following the  completion of the  Conversion,  any person
from offering to acquire or acquiring the beneficial  ownership of more than 10%
of the stock of a converted  savings  institution or its holding company without
prior  OTS  approval.  Federal  law  also  requires  OTS  approval  prior to the
acquisition  of  "control"  (as  defined  in  OTS  regulations)  of  an  insured
institution,   including  a  holding  company  thereof.   See  "Restrictions  on
Acquisitions of Stock and Related Takeover Defensive Provisions."

       Employment Agreements,  Severance Agreements and Other Benefit Plans. The
employment agreements,  severance agreements, the proposed Stock Option Plan and
the  proposed  RRP  also  contain  provisions  that  could  have the  effect  of
discouraging takeover attempts of the Holding Company.

       The Bank  intends  to enter  into  employment  agreements  with  Chairman
Partynski  and  President  Stevens  and  severance  agreements  with  two  other
executive officers.  The employment agreements provide for an annual base salary
in an amount not less than the employee's  current salary and an initial term of
three  years.  The  agreements  may be extended for an  additional  year on each
annual  anniversary  date, but only if such extensions are approved by the Board
of  Directors.  The  employment  agreements  also  provide  for  payment  of the
employee's  salary  to  the  employee  for  the  remainder  of the  term  of the
agreement, plus an additional amount, the sum

                                       26

<PAGE>


of which will not exceed a percentage of the employee's  base  compensation,  in
the  event  there is a  "change  in  control"  of the Bank  (as  defined  in the
agreement)  where  employment  terminates  involuntarily in connection with such
change in control or within 12 months thereafter.

       The  Bank  also  intends  to  enter  into  change  in  control  severance
agreements with three other executive officers. Such agreements become effective
upon  completion of the Conversion  and have initial terms of 12 months.  In the
event the officer is terminated following a change in control (as defined in the
agreements),  such officer will be entitled to a severance payment equal to 100%
of such employee's annual compensation.  Currently,  no officers have employment
or severance agreements.  For more information  regarding these agreements,  see
"Management  - Executive  Compensation  - Employment  Agreements  and  Severance
Agreements."

       Possible Dilutive Effects.  The issuance of additional shares pursuant to
the  proposed  Stock  Option  Plan  and RRP will  result  in a  dilution  in the
percentage  of  ownership  of the Holding  Company of those  persons  purchasing
Common Stock in the  Conversion,  assuming that the shares  utilized to fund the
proposed  Stock  Option Plan and RRP awards come from  authorized  but  unissued
shares.  Assuming the exercise of all options  available  under the Stock Option
Plan and the award of all shares  available  under the RRP, and assuming the use
of authorized but unissued shares,  the interest of stockholders will be diluted
by approximately 9.1% and 3.8%, respectively.  See "Pro Forma Data," "Management
- - Benefit  Plans - Stock  Option and  Incentive  Plan," and "-  Recognition  and
Retention Plan" and  "Restrictions on Acquisitions of Stock and Related Takeover
Defensive  Provisions." For financial  accounting  purposes,  certain  incentive
grants  under the  proposed  RRP will result in the  recording  of  compensation
expense over the vesting period. See "Pro Forma Data."

       Voting  Control of Directors  and Executive  Officers.  The directors and
executive  officers  (9  persons)  of the Bank are  anticipated  to  purchase an
aggregate  of  approximately  $1,246,000  or  approximately  9.3% of the  shares
offered in the Conversion at the minimum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range,  or
6.9% of the shares  offered in the  Conversion  at the maximum of the  Estimated
Valuation Range. Directors and executive officers will also receive awards under
the proposed  Stock Option Plan and the proposed  RRP.  Assuming the purchase of
$1,246,000 of Common Stock in the Conversion by directors and executive officers
in the aggregate,  the full vesting of the restricted  stock to be awarded under
the proposed RRP and the issuance of shares from  authorized but unissued shares
in connection with the exercise of all options  intended to be awarded under the
proposed  Stock Option Plan the Conversion and approval of the Stock Option Plan
and the RRP by the stockholders, the shares owned by the directors and executive
officers  in the  aggregate  would  be  between  20.1%  (at the  maximum  of the
Estimated  Valuation Range) and 17.9% (at the minimum of the Estimated Valuation
Range) of the outstanding shares. In addition,  the ESOP is expected to purchase
8% of the shares sold in the  Conversion.  This stock  ownership,  if voted as a
block, could defeat takeover attempts favored by other stockholders.

Post Conversion Overhead Expense

       After  completion of the Conversion,  the Holding  Company's  noninterest
expense is likely to increase as a result of the financial accounting, legal and
tax expenses usually associated with 

                                       27

<PAGE>


operating as a public company. See "Regulation - Federal and State Taxation" and
"Additional  Information."  In addition,  it is currently  anticipated  that the
Holding  Company will record  additional  expense based on the proposed RRP. See
"Pro Forma Data" and  "Management - Benefit  Plans -  Recognition  and Retention
Plan."  Finally,  the Holding Company will also record  additional  expense as a
result of the adoption of the ESOP.  See  "Management - Benefit Plans - Employee
Stock Ownership Plan."

       Statement of Position  93-6  "Employers'  Accounting  for Employee  Stock
Ownership  Plans"  ("SOP  93-6")  requires an  employer  to record  compensation
expense in an amount equal to the fair value of shares  committed to be released
to employees from an employee stock  ownership  plan.  Assuming shares of Common
Stock  appreciate  in value over time,  the  adoption  of SOP 93-6 may  increase
compensation  expense  relating to the ESOP to be established in connection with
the Conversion as compared with prior guidance which required the recognition of
compensation  expense  based on the cost of shares  acquired by the ESOP.  It is
impossible  to  determine  at this time the extent of such  impact on future net
income.  See  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results  of  Operations  - Impact of New  Accounting  Standards"  and "Pro Forma
Data."

Regulatory Oversight

       The Bank is subject to extensive regulation,  supervision and examination
by the OTS as its chartering authority and primary federal regulator, and by the
FDIC, which insures its deposits up to applicable  limits.  The Bank is a member
of the Federal  Home Loan Bank (the "FHLB") of Chicago and is subject to certain
limited  regulation  by the Board of  Governors  of the Federal  Reserve  System
("Federal Reserve Board").  As the savings and loan holding company of the Bank,
the Holding  Company will be subject to regulation and oversight by the OTS. See
"Regulation." Such regulation and supervision governs the activities in which an
institution  can engage and is  intended  primarily  for the  protection  of the
insurance  fund  and  depositors.   Regulatory  authorities  have  been  granted
extensive  discretion  in  connection  with their  supervisory  and  enforcement
activities  which are  intended to  strengthen  the  financial  condition of the
Banking  industry,  including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of
an institution, the classification of assets by the institution and the adequacy
of an  institution's  allowance  for loan  losses.  See  "Regulation  -  Federal
Regulation of Savings Associations" and "- Regulatory Capital Requirements." Any
change in such regulation and oversight, whether by the OTS, the Federal Reserve
Board,  the FDIC or  Congress,  could  have a  material  impact  on the  Holding
Company, the Bank and their respective operations.

Risk of Delayed Offering

       The Subscription Offering will expire at noon, Oak Forest, Illinois time,
on _______, 1997 unless extended by the Bank and the Holding Company.  Depending
on the availability of shares and market conditions at or near the completion of
the  Subscription  Offering,  the Holding  Company may conduct a Public Offering
through  KBW.  If  the  Offering  is  extended  beyond  __________,   1997,  all
subscribers will have the right to modify or rescind their  subscriptions and to
have their subscription funds returned with interest.  There can be no assurance
that the Offering will not be extended as set forth above.

                                       28

<PAGE>

       A material delay in the completion of the sale of all unsubscribed shares
in the Public Offering or otherwise may result in a significant  increase in the
costs in completing the Conversion. Significant changes in the Bank's operations
and financial  condition,  the aggregate market value of the shares to be issued
in the Conversion  and general market  conditions may occur during such material
delay. In the event the Conversion is not consummated within 24 months after the
date of the Special  Meeting,  OTS regulations  would require the Bank to charge
accrued Conversion costs to then-current period operations.  See "The Conversion
- - Risk of Delayed Offering."

Absence of Active Market for the Common Stock

       The Holding  Company,  as a newly  organized  company,  has never  issued
capital stock. Consequently, there is not at this time any market for the Common
Stock.  The Common  Stock has received  preliminary  approval for listing on the
Nasdaq  National  Market  under the  symbol  "____."  KBW has agreed to act as a
market maker and to assist the Holding Company in securing a second market maker
to make a market in the Common Stock. However, there can be no assurance that at
least two market  makers  will be  obtained,  that the Bank will  receive  final
approval for listing on the Nasdaq  National  Market,  that an active and liquid
market for the Common Stock will develop or be maintained or that resales of the
Common Stock can be made at or above the Purchase Price.  See "Market for Common
Stock."

Possible Consequences of Amendment to Plan of Conversion

       The Plan of Conversion provides that, if deemed necessary or desirable by
the  Boards  of  Directors  of the Bank  and the  Holding  Company,  the Plan of
Conversion may be  substantively  amended by a two-thirds vote of the respective
Boards of Directors of the Bank and the Holding Company, as a result of comments
from  regulatory  authorities or otherwise,  at any time with the concurrence of
the Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") and the OTS.  Moreover,  if the
Plan of Conversion is amended,  subscriptions  which have been received prior to
such amendment will not be refunded unless otherwise  required by the SEC or the
OTS.  If the Plan of  Conversion  is  amended  in a manner  that is deemed to be
material to the subscribers by the Holding Company,  subscription  funds will be
returned  to  subscribers  with  interest  unless  they  affirmatively  elect to
increase,  decrease or maintain  their  subscriptions.  No such  amendments  are
currently  contemplated,  although  the Bank  reserves  the right to increase or
decrease  purchase  limitations  without a subscriber  resolicitation.  See "The
Conversion - Approval, Interpretation, Amendment and Termination."

                      HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

       The Holding  Company was formed at the  direction  of Hemlock  Federal in
December 1996 for the purpose of becoming a savings and loan holding company and
owning all of the outstanding  stock of the Bank issued in the  Conversion.  The
Holding  Company is  incorporated  under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The
Holding  Company is  authorized  to do  business in the State of  Illinois,  and
generally  is  authorized  to engage in any  activity  that is  permitted by the
Delaware General  Corporation Law. The business of the Holding Company initially
will  consist  only of the  business of Hemlock  Federal.  The  holding  company
structure will,  however,  provide the Holding Company with greater  flexibility
than the Bank has to diversify its business

                                       29

<PAGE>


activities,   through  existing  or  newly  formed   subsidiaries,   or  through
acquisitions  or  mergers of stock  financial  institutions,  as well as,  other
companies.  Although  there  are  no  current  arrangements,  understandings  or
agreements regarding any such activity or acquisition,  the Holding Company will
be in a position after the Conversion,  subject to regulatory  restrictions,  to
take advantage of any favorable acquisition opportunities that may arise.

       The assets of the Holding Company will consist  initially of the stock of
Hemlock Federal, a note evidencing the Holding Company's loan to the ESOP and up
to 50% of the net proceeds from the Conversion (less the amount used to fund the
ESOP loan).  See "Use of  Proceeds."  Initially,  any  activities of the Holding
Company are  anticipated  to be funded by such retained  proceeds and the income
thereon  and  dividends  from  Hemlock  Federal,  if any.  See  "Dividends"  and
"Regulation - Holding Company Regulation." Thereafter, activities of the Holding
Company  may also be funded  through  sales of  additional  securities,  through
borrowings  and through  income  generated  by other  activities  of the Holding
Company.  At this time, there are no plans regarding such other activities other
than the intended loan to the ESOP to facilitate its purchase of Common Stock in
the  Conversion.  See  "Management  - Benefit Plans - Employee  Stock  Ownership
Plan."

       The executive office of the Holding Company is located at 5700 West 159th
Street, Oak Forest, Illinois 60452-3198. Its telephone number at that address is
(708) 687-9400.

                                 HEMLOCK FEDERAL

       Hemlock  Federal serves the financial  needs of communities in its market
area  through its main  office  located at 5700 West 159th  Street,  Oak Forest,
Illinois and its two branch offices located at 8855 South Ridgeland Avenue,  Oak
Lawn, Illinois 60453 and 4646 South Damen Avenue,  Chicago,  Illinois 60609. Its
deposits are insured up to applicable  limits by the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC"). At September 30, 1996, Hemlock Federal had total assets of
$147.0 million,  deposits of $129.2 million and equity of $11.4 million (or 7.7%
of total assets).

       Hemlock  Federal has been, and intends to continue to be, an independent,
community oriented,  financial institution.  Hemlock Federal's business involves
attracting  deposits from the general public and using such  deposits,  together
with other funds,  to originate one- to four-family  residential  mortgage loans
and, to a much lesser extent,  multi-family,  consumer and other loans primarily
in its market area.  At September  30, 1996,  $47.7  million,  or 88.7%,  of the
Bank's  total  loan  portfolio  consisted  of  residential  one- to  four-family
mortgage loans. See

"Business - Lending  Activities." The Bank also invests in  mortgage-backed  and
other securities and other permissible  investments.  See "Business - Investment
Activities - Securities" and "- Mortgage-Backed and Related Securities."

       The  executive  office of the Bank is located at 5700 West 159th  Street,
Oak Forest,  Illinois 60452-3198.  Its telephone number at that address is (708)
687-9400.

                                       30

<PAGE>



                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

       Although the actual net proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock cannot
be determined  until the  Conversion is completed,  it is presently  anticipated
that such net proceeds will be between $12.8 million and $17.5 million (or up to
$20.2  million in the event of an increase  in the  aggregate  pro forma  market
value of the  Common  Stock of up to 15%  above  the  maximum  of the  Estimated
Valuation  Range).  See "Pro Forma Data" and "The  Conversion  Stock Pricing and
Number of  Shares to be  Issued"  as to the  assumptions  used to arrive at such
amounts.

       In exchange  for all of the common stock of Hemlock  Federal  issued upon
conversion,  the Holding  Company will contribute  approximately  50% of the net
proceeds from the sale of the Holding Company's Common Stock to Hemlock Federal.
On an interim  basis,  the proceeds will be invested by the Holding  Company and
Hemlock  Federal in  short-term  investments  similar to those  currently in the
Bank's  portfolio.  The specific types and amounts of short-term  assets will be
determined  based on  market  conditions  at the time of the  completion  of the
Conversion.  In addition, the Holding Company intends to provide the funding for
the ESOP loan.  Based upon the initial  Purchase Price of $10.00 per share,  the
dollar  amount of the ESOP loan would  range from $1.1  million  (based upon the
sale of shares at the minimum of the Estimated  Valuation Range) to $1.4 million
(based upon the sale of shares at the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range).
The interest rate to be charged by the Holding  Company on the ESOP loan will be
based  upon  the  IRS  prescribed   applicable  federal  rate  at  the  time  of
origination.  It is  anticipated  that  the ESOP  will  repay  the loan  through
periodic tax-deductible contributions from the Bank over a ten-year period.

       The net proceeds  received by Hemlock Federal will become part of Hemlock
Federal's  general funds for use in its business and will be used to support the
Bank's  existing  operations,  subject to  applicable  regulatory  restrictions.
Immediately  upon the completion of the Conversion,  it is anticipated  that the
Bank will invest such proceeds into short-term  assets.  Subsequently,  the Bank
will redirect the net proceeds to the  origination  of loans,  subject to market
conditions.  In addition,  the Bank may direct a portion of the proceeds towards
the establishment of a new branch office in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago,
although the Bank had no specific plans  regarding any such new office as of the
date hereof.

       After the completion of the Conversion, the Holding Company will redirect
the  net  proceeds  invested  by it in  short-term  assets  into  a  variety  of
mortgage-backed securities and other securities similar to those already held by
the Bank.  Also,  the Holding  Company may use a portion of the proceeds to fund
the RRP,  subject to  shareholder  approval of such plan.  Compensation  expense
related  to the RRP will be  recognized  as share  awards  vest.  See "Pro Forma
Data."  Following  stockholder  ratification  of the RRP, the RRP will be funded
either with shares  purchased in the open market or with authorized but unissued
shares.  Based upon the initial  Purchase Price of $10.00 per share,  the amount
required  to  fund  the RRP  through  open-market  purchases  would  range  from
approximately  $533,800  (based  upon the sale of shares at the  minimum  of the
Estimated  Valuation  Range) to  approximately  $722,200 (based upon the sale of
shares at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range). In the event that the
per  share  price of the  Common  Stock  increases  above the  $10.00  per share
Purchase Price  following  completion of the Offering,  the amount  necessary to
fund the RRP would also increase. The use

                                       31

<PAGE>


of authorized  but unissued  shares to fund the RRP could dilute the holdings of
stockholders  who  purchase  Common  Stock in the  Conversion.  See  "Business -
Lending  Activities"  and " - Investment  Activities"  and "Management - Benefit
Plans - Employee Stock Ownership Plan" and "- Recognition and Retention Plan."

       The  proceeds may also be utilized by the Holding  Company to  repurchase
(at prices which may be above or below the initial offering price) shares of the
Common Stock through an open market  repurchase  program  subject to limitations
contained in OTS  regulations,  although the Holding  Company  currently  has no
specific  plan to  repurchase  any of its  stock.  In the  future,  the Board of
Directors of the Holding  Company will make  decisions on the  repurchase of the
Common Stock based on its view of the appropriateness of the price of the Common
Stock as well as the Holding Company's and the Bank's  investment  opportunities
and capital needs.  Under current OTS  regulations,  no repurchases  may be made
within  the first year  following  Conversion  except  with OTS  approval  under
"exceptional  circumstances."  During  the  second  and  third  years  following
Conversion,  OTS  regulations  permit,  subject  to  certain  limitations,   the
repurchase of up to five percent of the outstanding  shares of stock during each
twelve-month  period  with a greater  amount  permitted  with OTS  approval.  In
general, the OTS regulations do not restrict repurchases thereafter,  other than
limits on the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Holding Company to fund the
repurchase.  For a  description  of the  restrictions  on the Bank's  ability to
provide the Holding Company with funds through dividends or other distributions,
see "Dividends" and "The Conversion - Restrictions on Repurchase of Stock."

       The Holding Company or Hemlock Federal might consider  expansion  through
the acquisition of other financial services providers (or branches,  deposits or
assets thereof),  although there are no specific plans,  negotiations or written
or oral agreements regarding any acquisitions at this time.

                                    DIVIDENDS

       The Board of Directors may consider a policy of paying cash  dividends on
the Common Stock. Dividends,  when and if paid, will be subject to determination
and declaration by the Board of Directors at its discretion. They will take into
account the  Holding  Company's  consolidated  financial  condition,  the Bank's
regulatory   capital   requirements,   including  the  fully  phased-in  capital
requirements,  tax  considerations,  industry  standards,  economic  conditions,
regulatory  restrictions,  general  business  practices and other  factors.  The
Holding  Company may also  consider  making a one time only special  dividend or
distribution  (including a tax-free return of capital) provided that the Holding
Company  will  make no such  distribution  for at least one year  following  the
completion of the Conversion.

       It is not  presently  anticipated  that the Holding  Company will conduct
significant  operations  independent  of those of Hemlock  Federal for some time
following the  Conversion.  As such, the Holding Company does not expect to have
any  significant  source of income other than  earnings on the net proceeds from
the Conversion  retained by the Holding  Company  (which  proceeds are currently
estimated to range from $6.4  million to $8.7  million  based on the minimum and
the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range,  respectively) and dividends from
Hemlock Federal, if any. Consequently, the ability of the Holding Company to pay
cash dividends to its stockholders will be dependent upon such retained proceeds
and earnings

                                       32

<PAGE>


thereon, and upon the ability of Hemlock Federal to pay dividends to the Holding
Company.  See  "Description  of Capital Stock - Holding  Company Capital Stock -
Dividends." Hemlock Federal, like all savings associations regulated by the OTS,
is subject to certain  restrictions on the payment of dividends based on its net
income,  its capital in excess of the regulatory  capital  requirements  and the
amount  of  regulatory  capital  required  for  the  liquidation  account  to be
established in connection with the Conversion.  See "The Conversion - Effects of
Conversion to Stock Form on  Depositors  and Borrowers of the Bank - Liquidation
Rights in Proposed  Converted  Institution" and "Regulation - Regulatory Capital
Requirements" and "- Limitations on Dividends and Other Capital  Distributions."
Earnings  allocated to Hemlock Federal's "excess" bad debt reserves and deducted
for federal  income tax purposes  cannot be used by Hemlock  Federal to pay cash
dividends  to  the  Holding  Company  without  adverse  tax  consequences.   See
"Regulation - Federal and State Taxation."

                             MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK

       Hemlock Federal, as a mutual thrift institution, and the Holding Company,
as a newly  organized  company,  have never issued capital stock.  Consequently,
there is not at this time an existing  market for the Common  Stock.  The Common
Stock has been preliminarily  approved for trading on the NASDAQ National Market
System under the symbol "____" upon completion of the Conversion. In order to be
quoted on the Nasdaq National  Market,  among other  criteria,  there must be at
least two  market  makers  for the  Common  Stock.  Keefe,  Bruyette & Woods has
agreed, subject to certain conditions,  to act as a market maker for the Holding
Company's Common Stock following the Conversion, and assist in securing a second
market  maker to do the same.  A public  trading  market  having  the  desirable
characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends upon the presence in
the  marketplace  of both willing  buyers and sellers of the Common Stock at any
given time.  Accordingly,  there can be no  assurance  that an active and liquid
market for the Common Stock will develop or be maintained or that resales of the
Common Stock can be made at or above the Purchase  Price.  See "The Conversion -
Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued."

                                 PRO FORMA DATA

       The  following  table  sets forth the  historical  net  income,  retained
earnings and per share data of Hemlock  Federal at and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, and after giving
effect  to  the  Conversion,  the  pro  forma  net  income,  capital  stock  and
stockholders'  equity and per share data of the  Holding  Company at and for the
nine months  ended  September  30, 1996 and the fiscal year ended  December  31,
1995.  The pro forma  data has been  computed  on the  assumptions  that (i) the
specified  number of shares of  Common  Stock was sold at the  beginning  of the
specified  periods and yielded net proceeds to the Holding Company as indicated,
(ii) 50% of such net  proceeds  were  retained  by the  Holding  Company and the
remainder were used to purchase all of the stock of Hemlock  Federal,  and (iii)
such net proceeds, less the amount of the ESOP and RRP funding, were invested by
the Bank and Holding  Company at the beginning of the periods to yield a pre-tax
return of 5.39% for the nine months ended  September  30, 1996 and 5.39% for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. The assumed return is based upon the market
yield rate of one-year  U.S.  Government  Treasury  Securities as of December 6,
1996.  The use of this current rate is viewed to be more relevant in the current
interest rate environment than the use of an arithmetic

                                       33

<PAGE>


average of the weighted average yield earned by the Bank on its interest-earning
assets and the weighted  average rate paid on its deposits  during such periods.
In calculating the  underwriting  fees, the table assumes that (i) no commission
was paid on $124,600 of shares sold to directors,  officers and employees,  (ii)
8% of the  total  shares  sold in the  Conversion  were  sold to the  ESOP at no
commission,  and  (iii) the  remaining  shares  were sold at a 1.5%  commission.
(These  assumptions  represent  management's  estimate as to the distribution of
stock orders in the  Conversion.  However,  there can be no assurance  that such
estimate  will be accurate and that a greater  proportion  of shares will not be
sold at a higher commission,  thus increasing offering expenses.) Fixed expenses
are  estimated to be $335,000.  Actual  Conversion  expenses may be more or less
than those estimated  because the fees paid to KBW and other brokers will depend
upon the categories of purchasers,  the Purchase Price and market conditions and
other factors. The pro forma net income amounts derived from the assumptions set
forth  herein  should not be  considered  indicative  of the  actual  results of
operations  of the Holding  Company that would have been attained for any period
if the Conversion had been actually consummated at the beginning of such period,
and  the  assumptions  regarding  investment  yields  should  not be  considered
indicative  of the  actual  yields  expected  to be  achieved  during any future
period.

       The  total  number  of  shares  to be  issued  in the  Conversion  may be
increased  or  decreased  significantly,  or the price per share  decreased,  to
reflect  changes in market and  financial  conditions  prior to the close of the
Offering.  However,  if the aggregate Purchase Price of the Common Stock sold in
the  Conversion is below  $13,345,000  (the minimum of the  Estimated  Valuation
Range)  or more  than  $20,763,250  (15%  above  the  maximum  of the  Estimated
Valuation  Range),  subscribers  will be offered  the  opportunity  to modify or
cancel their  subscriptions.  See "The  Conversion - Stock Pricing and Number of
Shares to be Issued."

                                       34

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 At or For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
                                                                 --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          15% Above
                                                                  Minimum      Midpoint       Maximum      Maximum
                                                                 1,334,500     1,570,000     1,805,500    2,076,325
                                                                 Shares at     Shares at     Shares at    Shares at
                                                                $10.00 per    $10.00 per    $10.00 per   $10.00 per
                                                                   Share         Share         Share        Share
                                                                   -----         -----         -----        -----
                                                                    (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Amounts)

<S>                                                                 <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>     
Gross proceeds................................................      $ 13,345     $  15,700      $ 18,055     $ 20,763
Less offering expenses and commissions........................         (541)         (573)         (605)        (643)
                                                                   ---------    ----------     ---------   ----------
 Estimated net conversion proceeds............................        12,804        15,127        17,450       20,120
Less ESOP shares..............................................       (1,068)       (1,256)       (1,444)      (1,661)
Less RRP shares...............................................         (534)         (628)         (722)        (831)
                                                                   ---------    ----------    ----------  -----------
 Estimated proceeds available for investment(1)...............      $ 11,202     $  13,243      $ 15,284    $  17,628
                                                                    ========     =========      ========    =========

Net Income:
  Historical..................................................    $    (504)      $  (504)    $    (504)    $   (504)
Pro Forma Adjustments:
   Net earnings from proceeds(2)..............................           277           328           378          437
   ESOP(3)....................................................          (49)          (58)          (66)         (76)
   RRP(4).....................................................          (49)          (58)          (66)         (76)
   Future Foundation contributions(4).........................           ---           ---           ---          ---
                                                                    --------     ---------     ---------   ----------
     Pro forma net income(5)..................................       $ (325)      $  (292)      $  (258)    $   (219)
                                                                     =======      ========      ========    =========

Net Income Per Share:
    Historical(6).............................................     $  (0.41)     $  (0.35)      $ (0.30)       (0.26)
Pro forma Adjustments:
     Net earnings from proceeds...............................         0.22          0.23          0.23         0.23
     ESOP(3)..................................................        (0.04)        (0.04)        (0.04)       (0.04)
     RRP(4)...................................................        (0.04)        (0.04)        (0.04)       (0.04)
     Future Foundation contributions(4).......................          ---           ---           ---          ---
                                                                    --------     ---------      --------     --------
         Pro forma net income per share(4)....................      $ (0.27)      $ (0.20)       $(0.15)      $(0.11)
                                                                    =======       =======        ======       ======

    Ratio of offering price to pro forma net income per share
       (annualized)...........................................       (27.78) x     (37.50)x      (50.00)x     (68.18)x
                                                                   =========      ========       =======      =======
    Number of shares using SOP 93-6...........................     1,235,747     1,453,820     1,671,893    1,922,677

Stockholders' Equity (Book Value)(7):
  Historical..................................................      $ 11,361     $  11,361     $  11,361    $  11,361
Pro Forma Per Share Adjustments:
  Estimated net Conversion proceeds...........................        12,804        15,127        17,450       20,120
  Less common stock acquired by:
   ESOP(3)....................................................       (1,068)       (1,256)       (1,444)      (1,661)
   RRP(4).....................................................         (534)         (628)         (722)        (831)
                                                                   ---------    ----------     ---------   ----------
       Pro forma stockholder's equity(4)......................      $ 22,563     $  24,604      $ 26,645    $  28,989
                                                                    ========     =========      ========    =========

Stockholders' Equity (Book Value)(7):
Per Share(6):
  Historical..................................................      $   8.51       $  7.24      $   6.29      $  5.47
Pro Forma Per Share Adjustments:
  Estimated net Conversion proceeds...........................          9.59          9.64          9.66         9.69
  Less common stock acquired by:
   ESOP(3)....................................................         (0.80)        (0.80)        (0.80)       (0.80)
   RRP(4).....................................................         (0.40)        (0.40)        (0.40)       (0.40)
                                                                   ---------     ---------      --------     --------
       Pro forma book value per share(5)......................      $  16.90      $  15.68       $ 14.75     $  13.96
                                                                    ========      ========       =======     ========

Pro forma price to book value.................................         59.17%        63.78%        67.80%       71.63%
Number of shares..............................................     1,334,500     1,570,000     1,805,500    2,076,325

</TABLE>

                                       35

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     At or For the Year Ended December 31, 1995
                                                                     ------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          15% Above
                                                                  Minimum      Midpoint       Maximum      Maximum
                                                                 1,334,500    1,570,000      1,805,500    2,076,325
                                                                 Shares at     Shares at     Shares at    Shares at
                                                                $10.00 per    $10.00 per    $10.00 per   $10.00 per
                                                                   Share         Share         Share        Share
                                                                   -----         -----         -----        -----
                                                                    (Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Amounts)
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>           <C>          <C>     
Gross proceeds................................................     $  13,345      $ 15,700      $ 18,055     $ 20,763
Less offering expenses and commissions........................          (541)         (573)         (605)        (643)
                                                                  ----------     ---------     ---------    ---------
 Estimated net conversion proceeds............................        12,804        15,127        17,450       20,120
Less ESOP shares..............................................        (1,068)       (1,256)       (1,444)      (1,661)
Less RRP shares...............................................          (534)         (628)         (722)        (831)
                                                                   ---------     ---------     ---------   ----------
 Estimated proceeds available for investment(1)...............      $ 11,202      $ 13,243      $ 15,284     $ 17,628
                                                                    ========      ========      ========     ========
Net Income:
  Historical..................................................    $      952        $  952           952     $    952
Pro Forma Adjustments:
   Net earnings from proceeds(2)..............................           370           437           505          582
   ESOP(3)....................................................           (65)          (77)          (88)        (102)
   RRP(4).....................................................           (65)          (77)          (88)        (102)
   Future Foundation contributions(4).........................          (119)         (124)         (128)        (133)
                                                                  ----------      --------     ---------    ---------
     Pro forma net income(5)..................................     $   1,073       $ 1,111      $  1,153     $  1,197
                                                                   =========       =======      ========     ========
Net Income Per Share:
    Historical(6).............................................     $    0.77          0.65          0.57         0.49
Pro forma Adjustments:
     Net earnings from proceeds...............................          0.30          0.30          0.30         0.30
     ESOP(3)..................................................         (0.05)        (0.05)        (0.05)       (0.05)
     RRP(4)...................................................         (0.05)        (0.05)        (0.05)       (0.05)
     Future Foundation contributions(4).......................         (0.10)        (0.09)        (0.08)       (0.07)
                                                                  ----------      --------      --------     --------
         Pro forma net income per share(4)....................    $     0.87      $   0.76       $  0.69      $  0.62
                                                                  ==========      ========       =======      =======
    Ratio of offering price to pro forma net income per share.         11.49x        13.16x        14.49x       16.13x
                                                                       =====         =====         =====        =====
           Number of shares using SOP 93-6(3).................     1,238,416     1,456,960     1,675,504    1,926,830

Stockholders' Equity (Book Value)(7):
  Historical..................................................      $ 11,877      $ 11,877      $ 11,877    $  11,877
Pro Forma Per Share Adjustments:
  Estimated net Conversion proceeds...........................        12,804        15,127        17,450       20,120
  Less common stock acquired by:
   ESOP(3)....................................................        (1,068)       (1,256)       (1,444)      (1,661)
   RRP(4).....................................................          (534)         (628)         (722)        (831)
                                                                  ----------     ---------    ----------   ----------
       Pro forma book value(4)................................      $ 23,079      $ 25,120      $ 27,161    $  29,505
                                                                    ========      ========      ========    =========
Stockholders' Equity (Book Value)(7):
Per Share(6):
  Historical..................................................     $    8.90        $ 7.56      $   6.58      $  5.72
Pro Forma Per Share Adjustments:
  Estimated net Conversion proceeds...........................          9.59          9.64          9.68         9.69
 Less common stock acquired by:
   ESOP(3)....................................................         (0.80)        (0.80)        (0.80)       (0.80)
   RRP(4).....................................................         (0.40)        (0.40)        (0.40)       (0.40)
                                                                   ---------      --------      --------    ---------
       Pro forma book value per share(5)......................      $  17.29       $ 16.00       $ 15.04     $  14.21
                                                                    ========       =======       =======     ========
Offering Price Per Share as a Percentage of Pro Forma
   Stockholders' Equity Per Share.............................         57.84%        62.50%        66.49%       70.37%
                                                                    ========       =======       =======     ========
Number of shares..............................................     1,334,500     1,570,000     1,805,500    2,076,325

<FN>
- -------------
(1)    Reflects a reduction to net proceeds for the cost of the ESOP and the RRP
       (which is subject to shareholder  ratification)  which it is assumed will
       be funded from the net proceeds retained by the Holding Company.

(2)    No effect has been given to  withdrawals  from  savings  accounts for the
       purpose of  purchasing  Common Stock in the  Conversion.  For purposes of
       calculating pro forma net income,  proceeds  attributable to purchases by
       the ESOP and RRP, which purchases are to be funded by the Holding Company
       and the Bank, have been deducted from net proceeds.
</FN>

                                       36

<PAGE>
<FN>


(3)    It is  assumed  that 8% of the  shares of  Common  Stock  offered  in the
       Conversion  will be purchased by the ESOP. The funds used to acquire such
       shares  will be  borrowed  by the  ESOP  from the net  proceeds  from the
       Conversion  retained by the  Holding  Company.  The Bank  intends to make
       contributions  to the ESOP in amounts at least equal to the principal and
       interest  requirement of the debt. The Bank's payment of the ESOP debt is
       based upon equal  installments  of principal  and interest over a 10-year
       period.  [CONFIRM]  However,  assuming the Holding Company makes the ESOP
       loan, interest income earned by the Holding Company on the ESOP debt will
       offset the interest  paid by the Bank.  Accordingly,  only the  principal
       payments on the ESOP debt are  recorded as an expense  (tax-effected)  to
       the Holding Company on a consolidated  basis.  The amount of ESOP debt is
       reflected as a reduction of stockholders'  equity.  In the event that the
       ESOP were to receive a loan from an  independent  third party,  both ESOP
       expense and  earnings  on the  proceeds  retained by the Holding  Company
       would be expected to increase.

(4)    Adjustments  to both book value and net  earnings  have been made to give
       effect to the  proposed  open  market  purchase  (based  upon an  assumed
       purchase  price of $10.00  per  share)  following  Conversion  by the RRP
       (subject to stockholder ratification of such plan) of an amount of shares
       equal to 4% of the shares of Common Stock sold in the  Conversion for the
       benefit of certain directors,  officers and employees.  Funds used by the
       RRP to purchase the shares will be  contributed to the RRP by the Holding
       Company if the RRP is ratified by stockholders  following the Conversion.
       Therefore,  this funding is assumed to reduce the proceeds  available for
       reinvestment.  For  financial  accounting  purposes,  the  amount  of the
       contribution will be recorded as a compensation  expense (although not an
       actual expenditure of funds) over the period of vesting. These grants are
       scheduled  to vest in equal  annual  installments  over  the  five  years
       following  stockholder  ratification  of the RRP.  However,  all unvested
       grants will be forfeited in the case of  recipients  who fail to maintain
       continuous  service with the Holding Company or its subsidiaries.  In the
       event the RRP is  unable to  purchase  a  sufficient  number of shares of
       Common Stock to fund the RRP, the RRP may issue  authorized  but unissued
       shares of Common  Stock from the  Holding  Company to fund the  remaining
       balance. In the event the RRP is funded by the issuance of authorized but
       unissued  shares  in an  amount  equal  to 4% of the  shares  sold in the
       Conversion,  the interests of existing  stockholders  would be diluted by
       approximately 3.8%.

       In the  event  that the RRP is funded  through  authorized  but  unissued
       shares,  for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996 and year ended
       December  31,  1995,  pro forma net  income per share  would be  $(0.24),
       $(0.18),   $(0.14)  and  $(0.10)  and  $0.84,  $0.74,  $0.60  and  $0.61,
       respectively,  and pro forma  stockholders'  equity  per  share  would be
       $16.66,  $15.45, $14.57 and $13.80 and $17.01, $15.77, $14.85 and $14.04,
       respectively,  in each case at the  minimum,  midpoint,  maximum  and 15%
       above the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range.

   
       The Bank  established  the Hemlock  Federal  Charitable  Foundation as of
       September 30, 1996.  In the future,  the Bank intends to contribute up to
       10% of net income annually  to the Foundation.  The amount of such future
       contributions,  if  any,  will  be  determined  based  upon,  among other
       factors,  an assessment of the Company's then current financial position,
       operations,  and  prospects  and on the need for charitable activities in
       the Bank's market area.  Appropriate after-tax adjustments have therefore
       been made to pro-forma income.
    

(5)    No effect has been given to the shares to be reserved for issuance  under
       the  proposed  Stock  Option  Plan which is expected to be adopted by the
       Holding  Company   following  the  Conversion,   subject  to  stockholder
       approval. In the event the Stock Option Plan is funded by the issuance of
       authorized  but  unissued  shares in an amount equal to 10% of the shares
       sold in the  Conversion,  at $10.00 per share,  the interests of existing
       stockholders would be diluted as follows:  pro forma net income per share
       for the five months ended  September 30, 1996 and the year ended December
       31, 1995 would be $(0.21), $(0.16), $(0.12) and $(0.08) and $0.81, $0.72,
       $0.59 and $0.59,  respectively,  and pro forma  stockholders'  equity per
       share  would be $16.28,  $15.16,  $14.33 and $13.59 and  $16.63,  $15.45,
       $14.58 and $13.82,  respectively,  in each case at the minimum, midpoint,
       maximum and 15% above the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range.  In
       the  alternative,  the Holding  Company may  purchase  shares in the open
       market to fund the Stock Option Plan  following  stockholder  approval of
       such plan. To the extent, the entire 10% of the shares to be reserved for
       issuance  under the Stock  Option  Plan were funded  through  open market
       purchases at the Purchase Price of $10.00 per share,  proceeds  available
       for reinvestment would be reduced by $1,334,500,  $1,570,000,  $1,805,500
       and  $2,078,325  at the  minimum,  midpoint,  maximum  and 15%  above the
       maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range. See "Management - Benefit Plans
       - Stock Option and Incentive Plan."

(6)    Historical  pro forma  per share  amounts  have been  computed  as if the
       shares of Common Stock indicated had been outstanding at the beginning of
       the  periods  or on the  dates  shown,  but  without  any  adjustment  of
       historical  net income or historical  equity to reflect the investment of
       the  estimated  net proceeds of the sale of shares in the  Conversion  as
       described  above.  All ESOP shares have been  considered  outstanding for
       purposes of computing book value per share.  Pro forma share amounts have
       been  computed  by  dividing  the pro forma net  income or  stockholders'
       equity (book value) by the number of shares indicated.

(7)    "Book value" represents the difference  between the stated amounts of the
       Bank's  assets  (based on historical  cost) and  liabilities  computed in
       accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The amounts
       shown do not reflect the effect of the Liquidation  Account which will be
       established for the benefit of Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account
       Holders in the Conversion,  or the federal income tax consequences of the
       restoration  to income of the Bank's special bad debt reserves for income
       tax  purposes   which  would  be  required  in  the  unlikely   event  of
       liquidation. See "The Conversion - Effects of Conversion to Stock Form on
       Depositors and Borrowers of the Bank" and "Regulation - Federal and State
       Taxation."  The amounts shown for book value do not represent fair market
       values or amounts, if any,  distributable to stockholders in the unlikely
       event of liquidation.
[/FN]
</TABLE>

                                       37

<PAGE>



                      PRO FORMA REGULATORY CAPITAL ANALYSIS

          At September  30, 1996,  the Bank would have  exceeded each of the OTS
capital  requirements on both a current and a fully phased-in  basis.  Set forth
below is a summary of the Bank's compliance with the OTS capital standards as of
September  30,  1996 based on  historical  capital  and also  assuming  that the
indicated  number of shares  were  sold as of such  date  using the  assumptions
contained under the caption "Pro Forma Data."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Pro Forma at September 30, 1996
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          2,076,325 Shares
                                                 1,334,500 Shares  1,570,000 Shares   1,805,500 Shares       15% above
                                   Historical        Minimum            Midpoint           Maximum            Maximum
                              ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------
                              Amount  Percent    Amount  Percent    Amount  Percent    Amount  Percent    Amount  Percent
                              ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------    ------  -------
                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                         <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>  
GAAP Capital(2) ..........   $11,361    7.7%     $16,161   10.6%   $17,041   11.1%    $17,920   11.6%    $18,929   12.2%

Tangible Capital(3):
  Capital level ..........    10,842    7.4       15,642   10.3     16,522   10.8      17,401   11.3      18,410   11.9
  Requirement ............     2,213    1.5        2,277    1.5      2,291    1.5       2,304    1.5       2,319    1.5
  Excess .................     8,629    5.9       13,365    8.8     14,231    9.3      15,097    9.8      16,091   10.4

Core Capital(3):
  Capital level ..........    10,842    7.4       15,642   10.3     16,522   10.8      17,401   11.3      18,410   11.9
  Requirement(4) .........     4,426    3.0        4,570    3.0      4,582    3.0       4,608    3.0       4,638    3.0
  Excess .................     6,416    4.4       11,088    7.8     11,940    7.8      12,793    8.3      13,772    8.9

Risk-Based Capital(3):
  Capital level(5) .......    11,461   23.1       16,280   32.2     17,141   33.9      18,020   35.5      19,029   37.3
  Requirement(1) .........     3,960    8.0        4,037    8.0      4,051    8.0       4,065    8.0       4,081    8.0
  Excess .................   $ 7,501   15.1%     $12,224   24.2%   $13,090   25.9%    $13,955   27.5%    $14,948   29.3%
<FN>

- -----------------
(1)  Pro forma  amounts and  percentages  assume net  proceeds  are  invested in
     assets that carry a 20%  risk-weight,  such as short-term  interest-bearing
     deposits.

(2)  Total retained earnings as calculated under generally  accepted  accounting
     principles  ("GAAP").  Assumes  that  the  Bank  receives  50% of  the  net
     proceeds,  offset in part, by the aggregate  Purchase Price of Common Stock
     acquired at a price of $10.00 per share by the ESOP in the  Conversion  and
     the  RRP  (assuming   stockholder   ratification  of  such  plan  following
     completion of the Conversion).

(3)  Tangible  and core  capital  figures  are  determined  as a  percentage  of
     adjusted  total  assets;  risk-based  capital  figures are  determined as a
     percentage of  risk-weighted  assets.  Unrealized  gains and losses on debt
     securities  available  for  sale  are  excluded  from  tangible,  core  and
     risk-based capital.

(4)  In April 1991,  the OTS  proposed a core  capital  requirement  for savings
     associations  comparable to the  requirement for national banks that became
     effective on November 30, 1990.  This  proposed core capital ratio is 3% of
     total  adjusted  assets for thrifts  that  receive the highest  supervisory
     rating for  safety and  soundness  ("CAMEL"  rating),  with a 4% to 5% core
     capital  requirement  for all other thrifts.  See  "Regulation - Regulatory
     Capital Requirements."

(5)  Includes  $670,000  of  general  valuation  allowances,  of which  $619,000
     qualifies as supplementary  capital.  See "Regulation - Regulatory  Capital
     Requirements."

</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       38

<PAGE>



                                 CAPITALIZATION

          Set forth below is the capitalization,  including deposits, of Hemlock
Federal  as of  September  30,  1996,  and the pro forma  capitalization  of the
Holding  Company at the  minimum,  the  midpoint,  the maximum and 15% above the
maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range, after giving effect to the Conversion
and based on other assumptions set forth in the table and under the caption "Pro
Forma Data."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        Holding Company - Pro Forma Based
                                                                          Upon Sale at $10.00 per share
                                                                --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            15% Above
                                                                   Minimum      Midpoint       Maximum       Maximum
                                                    Existing      1,334,500     1,570,000     1,805,500     2,076,325
                                                Capitalization      Shares       Shares         Shares        Shares
                                                --------------      ------       ------         ------        ------
                                                                         (In Thousands)

<S>                                                  <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>     
Deposits(1).................................         $129,159      $129,159     $129,159      $129,159      $129,159
                                                     ========      ========     ========      ========      ========
Stockholders' Equity:
  Serial Preferred Stock ($0.01 par value)
  authorized - 100,000 shares; none to be
  outstanding...............................        $     ---     $     ---    $     ---     $     ---     $     ---
  Common Stock ($0.01 par value authorized
  - 2,500,000 shares to be outstanding (as
  shown)(2).................................              ---            13           15            17            20
  Additional paid-in capital................              ---        12,791       15,112        17,433        20,100
  Retained earnings, substantially
  restricted(3).............................           10,842        10,842       10,842        10,842        10,842

  Net unrealized loss on securities available for
    sale....................................              519           519          519           519           519
Less:
  Common Stock acquired by ESOP(4)..........              ---         1,068        1,256         1,444         1,661
  Common Stock acquired by RRP(4)...........              ---           534          628           722           831
                                                   ----------     ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------
Total Stockholders' Equity..................          $11,361       $22,563      $24,604       $26,645       $28,989
                                                      =======       =======      =======       =======       =======
<FN>
- --------------
(1)  No effect has been  given to  withdrawals  from  deposit  accounts  for the
     purpose of purchasing Common Stock in the Conversion.  Any such withdrawals
     will reduce pro forma deposits by the amount of such withdrawals.

(2)  Does not  reflect  the  shares of Common  Stock  that may be  reserved  for
     issuance pursuant to the Stock Option Plan.

(3)  See  "Dividends"  and  "Regulation  -  Limitations  on Dividends  and Other
     Capital  Distributions"  regarding restrictions on future dividend payments
     and "The Conversion - Effects of Conversion to Stock Form on Depositors and
     Borrowers of the Bank" regarding the liquidation  account to be established
     upon Conversion.

(4)  Assumes that 8% of the shares sold in the  Conversion  will be purchased by
     the ESOP.  The funds used to acquire the ESOP shares will be borrowed  from
     the Holding  Company.  The Bank intends to make  contributions  to the ESOP
     sufficient  to  service  and  ultimately  retire  the  ESOP's  debt  over a
     twelve-year  period.  Also  assumes that an amount of shares equal to 4% of
     the amount of shares  sold in the  Conversion  will be acquired by the RRP,
     following  shareholder  ratification  of such plan after  completion of the
     Conversion.  In the  event  that  the  RRP is  funded  by the  issuance  of
     authorized but unissued  shares in an amount equal to 4% of the shares sold
     in the Conversion,  the interest of existing  stockholders would be diluted
     by approximately 3.8%. The amount to be borrowed by the ESOP and the Common
     Stock  acquired by the RRP is  reflected  as a reduction  of  stockholders'
     equity.  See  "Management - Benefit Plans - Employee Stock  Ownership Plan"
     and "- Recognition and Retention Plan."
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       39

<PAGE>



                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

         The Bank is a financial  intermediary  engaged  primarily in attracting
deposits   from  the  general   public  and  using  such   deposits  to  acquire
mortgage-backed  and  other  securities  and  to  originate  one-to-four  family
residential  mortgage  and,  to a  significantly  lesser  extent,  multi-family,
consumer and other loans  primarily in its market area. The Bank's  revenues are
derived principally from interest earned on mortgage-backed and other securities
and loans.  The operations of the Bank are influenced  significantly  by general
economic  conditions  and  by  policies  of  financial  institution   regulatory
agencies,  including the OTS and FDIC. The Bank's cost of funds is influenced by
interest  rates on competing  investments  and general  market  interest  rates.
Lending  activities  are affected by the demand for financing of real estate and
other types of loans,  which in turn is affected by the interest  rates at which
such financings may be offered.

         The  Bank's  net  interest  income  is  dependent  primarily  upon  the
difference or spread  between the average  yield earned on securities  and loans
receivable,  net and the average rate paid on deposits,  as well as the relative
amounts  of  such  assets  and   liabilities.   The  Bank,   like  other  thrift
institutions,  is  subject  to  interest  rate  risk  to  the  degree  that  its
interest-bearing  liabilities  mature or reprice  at  different  times,  or on a
different basis, than its interest-earning assets.

Financial Condition

Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995

         Total  assets at  September  30, 1996 were $147.0  million  compared to
$145.6  million at December 31, 1995, an increase of $1.4 million,  or 1.0%. The
increase in total  assets was due  primarily  to a $7.9  million  increase of in
loans receivable  resulting from an increased  emphasis on loan  originations as
well as a $3.1 million  increase in cash equivalents and a $2.5 million increase
in  securities  available-for-sale,  offset  by  a  $12.7  million  decrease  in
securities held-to- maturity resulting from repayments on such securities.

   
       Total  liabilities at September 30, 1996 were $135.6 million  compared to
$133.7  million at December 31, 1995, an increase of $1.9 million,  or 1.4%. The
increase  is  primarily  due  to  the  accrual  of  a  $1.0  million  charitable
contribution at September 30, 1996, a $840,000  liability  recorded on September
30, 1996 for the SAIF special  assessment  that was paid in November 1996, and a
$2.1  million  liability  related to the  purchase  of a security  which had not
settled as of September 30, 1996.  These  increases were  partially  offset by a
decrease in deposits of $1.5 million from $130.7 million at December 31, 1995 to
$129.2  million at September  30, 1996 due to  competition  from  non-depository
products such as mutual funds and securities.  Advance payments by borrowers for
taxes and  insurance  decreased  by  $364,000  due to the  payment of the second
installment of real estate taxes in September.
    

                                       40

<PAGE>

       Total equity at September  30, 1996 was $11.4  million  compared to $11.9
million at December 31,  1995,  a decrease of  $516,000,  or 4.3% as a result of
$504,000 net loss for the period combined with a reduction in unrealized gain on
securities  available-for-sale from $531,000 at December 31, 1995 to $519,000 at
September 30, 1996.

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994

   
         Total  assets at  December  31, 1995 were  $145.6  million  compared to
$143.9  million at December 31, 1994, an increase of $1.7 million,  or 1.2%. The
Bank  increased  the amount of net loans  receivable  by $7.5 million from $37.7
million at December 31, 1994 to $45.2  million at December  31, 1995,  primarily
due to lower levels of mortgage  interest rates in 1995, which spurred increased
demand.  During much of the 1980s, as a result of fierce  competition as well as
volatility  in interest  rates and real  estate  values,  the Bank  deemphasized
residential  lending.  However,  in the  early  1990s,  the Bank  determined  to
increase its lending staff and its loan  marketing  efforts in order to increase
its residential loans. The increase in net loans receivable was partially offset
by a $3.5  million  decrease  in cash and cash  equivalents  and a $2.1  million
decrease in securities  from $86.0 million at December 31, 1994 to $83.9 million
at December 31, 1995. In December 1995,  management  transferred $9.3 million of
securities  from   held-to-maturity  to   available-for-sale   as  permitted  by
regulation.
    

         Total  liabilities were $133.7 million at December 31, 1995 compared to
$133.5  million at  December  31,  1994,  an  increase  of  $251,000,  or 0.19%,
primarily due to an increase of $345,000 in other  liabilities  for the deferred
taxes  related  to  the  unrealized  gains  in  securities   available-for-sale,
partially  offset by an $83,000  decrease in advance  payments by borrowers  for
taxes and insurance as a result of changes in federal  regulations  which became
effective  during  1995  reducing  the amount of escrowed  funds  required to be
maintained by the Bank for borrowers.

         Equity at December 31, 1995 was $11.9 million compared to $10.4 million
at December 31, 1994, an increase of $1.5 million,  or 14.4%,  reflecting income
of $952,000 for the year and a change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities
available-for-sale  from  ($15,000) at December 31, 1994 to $531,000 at December
31, 1995.

Results of Operations

         The Bank's results of operations depend primarily upon the level of net
interest income,  which is the difference  between the interest income earned on
its  interest-earning  assets such as securities and loans, and the costs of the
Bank's interest-bearing liabilities,  primarily deposits and borrowings. Results
of  operations  are also  dependent  upon the  level of the  Bank's  noninterest
income,  including fee income and service charges,  and affected by the level of
its noninterest expenses,  including its general  administrative  expenses.  Net
interest  income  depends  upon  the  volume  of  interest-earnings  assets  and
interest-bearing  liabilities  and the  interest  rate  earned  or paid on them,
respectively.

                                       41

<PAGE>

Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and
September 30, 1995

         General.  Net loss for the nine months  ended  September  30,  1996 was
$504,000,  a decrease of $1,237,000,  from net earnings of $733,000 for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1995.  The decrease was primarily due to the accrual
of a  $840,000  FDIC  special  assessment  on SAIF  insured  deposits  effective
September 30, 1996 and a $1.0 million accrued  contribution to the Foundation in
September 1996.

         Interest  Income.  Interest  income for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 was $7.7  million  compared to $7.4  million for the nine months  ended
September 30, 1995, an increase of $308,000, or 4.2%. The increase resulted from
a  combination  of an increase in the average  yield and the average  balance of
interest-earning  assets. The annualized average yield increased 16 basis points
from 7.08% for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1995 to 7.24% for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1996 largely as a result of an increase in the yield
on  mortgage-backed  securities  and an increase in the proportion of the Bank's
assets  consisting  of  loans  receivable.   The  average  annualized  yield  on
mortgage-backed   securities   increased   due  to  the  upward   repricing   of
adjustable-rate   mortgage-backed   securities   and  a   decrease   in  premium
amortization due to slower paydowns of mortgage-backed securities. This increase
was partially  offset by a decrease in the annualized  yield on loans from 8.19%
for the nine months ended  September 30, 1995 to 7.98% for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996. Average  interest-earning  assets increased primarily due to
the shift of funds from cash and due from banks  into  interest-bearing  deposit
accounts  throughout  the  year as well  as a  slight  increase  in  funds  from
deposits.

         Interest Expense.  Interest expense for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 was $4.2  million  compared to $4.0  million for the nine months  ended
September 30, 1995, an increase of $240,000,  or 6.0%.  The increase in interest
expense in part reflects the higher interest rate environment during the period,
as the average  cost of funds  increased 20 basis points from 4.08% for the nine
months ended September 30, 1995 to 4.28% for the nine months ended September 30,
1996.  The  increase  in  interest  expense  was also due to an  increase in the
average balance of interest-bearing liabilities from $130.6 million for the nine
months  ended  September  30, 1995 to $131.8  million for the nine months  ended
September 30, 1996. The average  balance of  certificates  of deposit  increased
from $62.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1995 to $65.3 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. This increase was partially offset
by a decrease in the average  balance of money market accounts from $6.5 million
to $5.6 million for the same  periods.  The  increase in the average  balance of
certificate  of deposit  accounts  resulted from the increased  customer  demand
arising  from  higher  interest  rates  paid by the Bank on these  accounts,  in
response to higher market rates.

         Net Interest Income. Net interest income remained  relatively stable at
$3.4 million for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996 and 1995. The average
net  interest  spread  narrowed  slightly  from 3.00% for the nine months  ended
September 30, 1995 to 2.96% for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996 due to
the increase in the average cost of interest-bearing  liabilities  exceeding the
increase in the average yield on interest-earning assets.

                                       42

<PAGE>

         Provision for Loan Losses.  The Bank  recorded a $75,000  provision for
loan losses for the nine months ended  September  30, 1996  compared to $122,000
for the nine months ended  September 30, 1995. The decrease  resulted  primarily
from a decrease in  non-performing  assets.  At September  30, 1996,  the Bank's
allowance for loan losses totaled  $670,000,  or 1.2% of total loans and 870% of
total  non-performing  loans.  The amount of the  provision  and  allowance  for
estimated losses on loans is influenced by current economic  conditions,  actual
loss  experience,  industry trends and other factors,  such as adverse  economic
conditions,  including  declining real estate values, in the Bank's market area.
In  addition,  various  regulatory  agencies,  as  an  integral  part  of  their
examination  process,  periodically  review the Bank's  allowance  for estimated
losses on loans.  Such agencies may require the Bank to provide additions to the
allowance based upon judgments  which differ from those of management.  Although
management  uses  the  best  information  available  and  maintains  the  Bank's
allowance  for losses at a level it  believes  adequate  to provide  for losses,
future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating,
regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Bank's control.

         Noninterest  Income.  Noninterest  income  for the  nine  months  ended
September  30, 1996 was $321,000  compared to $198,000 for the nine months ended
September  30,  1995,  an increase  of  $123,000,  or 62.1%.  The  increase  was
primarily a result of a decrease in losses on sale of  securities of $80,000 for
the nine months ended September 30, 1996 from $161,000 for the nine months ended
September  30, 1995.  In  addition,  service fee income  increased  $45,000 as a
result of increased  fees on FHA and VA loans on which  applications  were taken
for other lenders.

   
         Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense was $4.5 million for the nine
months  ended  September  30, 1996  compared to $2.3 million for the nine months
ended  September 30, 1996, an increase of $2.2 million,  or 95.7%.  The increase
was  primarily  due to a $840,000  one-time  special  assessment on SAIF insured
deposits resulting from federal  legislation enacted on September 30, 1996. As a
result of the SAIF recapitalization,  the FDIC amended its regulation concerning
the insurance premiums payable by SAIF-insured  institutions.  Effective January
1, 1997,  the SAIF  insurance  premium  will range from 0 to 27 basis points per
$100 of  domestic  deposits.  Additionally,  the FDIC has  imposed  a  Financing
Corporation  (FICO)  assessment  on  SAIF-assessable   deposits  for  the  first
semi-annual  period of 1997 equal to 6.48 basis  points.  In addition,  the Bank
accrued  $1.0  million  during  1996  for  a  contribution   to  the  Foundation
established by the Bank in September  1996. The Bank intends to make payments to
the  Foundation at the full amount that is tax  deductible  until the $1,000,000
contribution has been paid. These payments will be funded from  interest-bearing
deposits with financial  institutions.  The Bank also currently  intends to make
additional  contirbutions  to the  Foundation  of up to 10% of net  income on an
annual basis. Such future  contributions to the Foundation may be made in either
cash or Holding Company Stock.  The Bank also recognized a gain on sale of other
real estate of $223,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 1995 compared
to zero for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.

    

         Income Tax Expense.  The  provision  (benefit) for income taxes totaled
($341,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 compared to $433,000 for
the nine months ended  September  30, 1995.  The decrease was primarily due to a
decrease in income before income taxes of $2.0 million.

                                       43

<PAGE>


Comparison  of  Operating  Results  for the Years  Ended  December  31, 1995 and
December 31, 1994

         General.  Net income for the year ended  December 31, 1995 was $952,000
compared  to  $539,000  for the year ended  December  31,  1994,  an increase of
$413,000,  or 76.6%.  The increase was  primarily a result of an increase in the
Bank's net interest income as discussed more fully below.

         Interest  Income.  Interest income for the year ended December 31, 1995
was $9.9 million  compared to $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1994,
an increase of $1.4 million,  or 16.5%. The contributing  factor in the increase
in  interest  income was the 117 basis  point  increase  in the yield on average
interest-earning assets from 5.98% for the year ended December 31, 1994 to 7.15%
for the year ended  December  31,  1995.  The average  yield on  mortgage-backed
securities  increased  from 5.41% for the year ended  December 31, 1994 to 6.80%
for  the  year  ended  December  31,  1995  due  to  the  upward   repricing  of
adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities coupled with the reduced amortization
of premiums  resulting from a slowdown in  prepayments  from the prior year. The
yield on  average  loans  receivable  decreased  from  8.26% for the year  ended
December 31, 1994 to 8.21% for the year ended  December 31, 1995.  However,  the
average  balance  of  loans   receivable   increased  by  $4.1  million  due  to
management's concerted effort to increase loan originations through the addition
of lending personnel and increased emphasis on loan originations.

         Interest Expense. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1995
was $5.4 million  compared to $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1994,
an increase of $744,000,  or 15.9%.  The increase in interest expense reflects a
higher  interest  rate  environment,  as the  average  cost of  interest-bearing
liabilities  increased by 65 basis points from 3.49% for the year ended December
31, 1994 to 4.14% for the year ended  December  31,  1995.  The  increase in the
average cost of funds was also  attributable to a shift of deposits from savings
accounts to higher  yielding  certificates  of deposit as a result of the higher
prevailing  level of interest rates. The average cost of certificates of deposit
increased  from 4.17% for the year ended December 31, 1994 to 5.23% for the year
ended  December 31, 1995.  This increase was partially  offset by a $3.0 million
decrease  in the average  balance of  interest-bearing  liabilities  from $133.7
million  for the year ended  December  31,  1994 to $130.7  million for the year
ended  December 31, 1995 caused  primarily by  competition  from non  depository
financial products and the repayment of FHLB advances.

         Net Interest  Income.  Net interest income of $4.5 million for the year
ended  December 31, 1995  represented a $690,000  increase from the $3.8 million
reported  for the year ended  December  31,  1994.  The increase in net interest
income was a result of the  increase in the net  interest  spread from 2.49% for
the year ended December 31, 1994 to 3.01% for the year ended December 31, 1995.

         Provision for Loan Losses. The Bank's provision for loan losses for the
year ended  December  31, 1995 was  $134,000  compared to $150,000  for the year
ended December 31, 1994. The allowance for loan losses represented 1.3% and 1.2%
of gross loans  receivable  at December  31,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.  The
amount  of the  provision  and  allowance  for  estimated  losses  on  loans  is
influenced by current economic conditions, actual loss experience,

                                       44

<PAGE>


industry  trends  and  other  factors,  such  as  adverse  economic  conditions,
including  declining real estate values, in the Bank's market area. In addition,
various regulatory  agencies,  as an integral part of their examination process,
periodically  review the Bank's  allowance for estimated  losses on loans.  Such
agencies may require the Bank to provide  additions to the allowance  based upon
judgments which differ from those of management.

         Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income for the year ended December 31,
1995 was $337,000  compared to $383,000 for the year ended  December 31, 1994, a
decrease of $46,000, or 12.0%. The decrease was the result of an increase in the
loss on sale of securities  of $72,000 in 1995 combined with a $30,000  decrease
in rental  income  as a result of the sale of other  real  estate  owned.  These
decreases  were partially  offset by an increase in fees and service  charges of
$44,000 and other income of $11,000.  The  increase in fees and service  charges
was due to servicing  fee income from the  origination  of FHA and VA loans sold
into the secondary market.

         Noninterest  ExpensNoninterest  expense was $3.2 million for both years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994.  Although  noninterest  expense was relatively
stable,  the Bank  recognized  a gain on the sale of other real estate  owned of
$223,000  in 1995  compared  to zero in 1994.  This gain in 1995 was offset by a
$99,000 increase in compensation and employee benefits due to an increase in the
number of loan  personnel,  an increase in occupancy  and  equipment  expense of
$122,000 due largely to increased real estate taxes,  and a $30,000  increase in
advertising and increased emphasis on the promotion of loan activity.

         Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes was $559,000 for the year
ended  December 31, 1995  compared to $343,000  for the year ended  December 31,
1994. The increase was primarily due to a $628,000 increase in pretax income.

Comparison  of  Operating  Results  for the Year  Ended  December  31,  1994 and
December 31, 1993

         General.  The Bank reported net income for the year ended  December 31,
1994 of $539,000  compared to $977,000  for the year ended  December 31, 1993, a
decrease of $438,000,  or 44.8%.  The decrease in net income was  primarily  the
result  of  gains on the  sale of  securities  of  $270,000  for the year  ended
December 31, 1993 compared to losses of $89,000 for the year ended  December 31,
1994,  coupled with a $256,000  cumulative  effect on prior years of a change in
accounting for income taxes in 1993.

         Interest  Income.  Interest  income was $8.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1994 compared to $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1993,
a decrease  of  $314,000,  or 3.6%.  A  contributing  factor in the  decrease in
interest  income  was the 27  basis  point  decrease  in the  yield  on  average
interest-earning assets from 6.25% for the year ended December 31, 1993 to 5.98%
for the year ended  December  31, 1994.  The decrease in interest  income due to
lower  interest  rates  was  partially  mitigated  by the  increase  in  average
interest-earning assets from $141.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1993
to $142.1  million for the year ended  December 31, 1994.  The average  yield on
loans  decreased by 59 basis  points from 8.85% for the year ended  December 31,
1993 to 8.26% for the year ended  December  31,  1994,  primarily as a result of
higher  yielding  loans being repaid and replaced by loans  originated  at lower
prevailing rates.

                                       45

<PAGE>


         Interest Expense. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1994
was $4.7 million  compared to $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1993,
a decrease of  $275,000,  or 5.6%.  The  decrease  in  interest  expense was due
primarily to a 22 basis point  decrease in the average cost of  interest-bearing
liabilities  from 3.71% for the year ended  December  31,  1993 to 3.49% for the
year ended December 31, 1994, as a result of the Bank's decision to reduce rates
paid on its deposits in light of the lower rate environment  experienced  during
1994.

         Net Interest  Income.  Net interest  income for the year ended December
31, 1994 was $3.8 million  compared to $3.9 million for the year ended  December
31, 1993, a decrease of $37,000,  or 1.0%. The decrease resulted  primarily from
the decrease in the net interest  spread from 2.54% for the year ended  December
31, 1993 to 2.49% for the year ended  December 31, 1994. The decrease in the net
interest spread was a result of  interest-earning  assets repricing more rapidly
than interest-bearing liabilities in a declining rate environment during 1994.

         Provision  for Loan Losses.  The Bank's  provision  for loan losses was
$150,000 for the year ended  December 31, 1994 compared to $149,000 for the year
ended  December 31, 1993.  The  allowance for loan losses  represented  1.2% and
0.69% of gross loans at December 31, 1994 and 1993, respectively.  The amount of
the  provision  and  allowance  for  estimated  losses on loans is influenced by
current economic conditions,  actual loss experience,  industry trends and other
factors,  such as adverse economic  conditions,  including declining real estate
values, in the Bank's market area. In addition,  various regulatory agencies, as
an integral part of their examination  process,  periodically  review the Bank's
allowance for estimated  losses on loans.  Such agencies may require the Bank to
provide  additions to the allowance based upon judgments which differ from those
of management.

         Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income was $383,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1994  compared to $727,000 for the year ended  December 31, 1993, a
decrease of $344,000,  or 47.3%.  Noninterest  income  decreased  primarily as a
result  of  losses  on the sale of  securities  of  $89,000  for the year  ended
December 31, 1994  compared to gains on the sale of  securities  of $270,000 for
the year ended  December 31, 1993.  This was partially  offset by an increase in
rental  income of $21,000 as a result of increased  net rental income from other
real estate owned.

         Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense was $3.2 million for the year
ended December 31, 1994 compared to $3.3 million for the year ended December 31,
1993, a decrease of $133,000,  or 4.0%. The decrease in noninterest  expense was
the result of a loss on the sale of other real estate  owned of $121,000 for the
year ended December 31, 1993 compared to $0 in 1994.

         Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes was $343,000 for the year
ended  December 31, 1994  compared to $411,000  for the year ended  December 31,
1993.  The  decrease  was  largely a result of a  decrease  in pretax  income of
$250,000.  In addition,  in 1993,  the Bank  recorded the  cumulative  effect of
adopting a change in accounting for income taxes totaling $256,000.

                                       46

<PAGE>



Analysis of Net Interest Income

         Net interest income  represents the difference  between interest earned
on interest-earning  assets and interest paid on  interest-bearing  liabilities.
Net  interest  income  depends  on the  volumes of  interest-earning  assets and
interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on them.

         The following  table  presents,  for the periods  indicated,  the total
dollar amount of interest  income from average  interest-earning  assets and the
resultant  yields,  as well as the interest expense on average  interest-bearing
liabilities,  expressed both in dollars and rates. No tax equivalent adjustments
were made. All average balances are monthly average balances. Non-accruing loans
have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Nine Months Ended September 30                  Year Ended December 31,
                                 --------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                            1996(3)                       1995(3)                       1995           
                                 --------------------------  ---------------------------  -----------------------------
                                   Average  Interest           Average   Interest            Average   Interest         
                                 Outstanding Earned/  Yield/ Outstanding  Earned/  Yield/  Outstanding  Earned/   Yield/
                                   Balance    Paid     Rate    Balance     Paid     Rate     Balance     Paid      Rate 
                                   -------    ----     ----    -------     ----     ----     -------     ----      ----
                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
   
<S>                               <C>         <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>       <C>     <C>         <C>        <C>  
Loans receivable(1) ............  $ 50,232    $3,008  7.98%   $ 39,972    $2,456    8.19%   $ 41,185    $3,383     8.21%
Mortgage-backed securities .....    66,404     3,556  7.14      73,153     3,658    6.67      72,126     4,904     6.80
Securities(2) ..................    10,750       490  6.08      15,059       698    6.18      14,780       898     6.08
Interest-bearing deposits ......    12,974       566  5.82       9,736       507    6.94      10,028       687     6.85
Other earning assets(4) ........       911        53  7.76         869        46    7.06         872        63     7.22
                                  --------    ------  -----   --------    ------   -----    --------    ------     ----
 Total earning assets(1) .......  $141,271     7,673  7.24    $138,789     7,365    7.08    $138,991     9,935     7.15
                                  ========                    ========                      ========                   
    

Interest-Earning Liabilities:
 Savings deposits ..............  $ 46,245     1,081  3.12    $ 46,579     1,082    3.10    $ 46,425     1,441     3.10
 Demand and NOW ................    13,238       241  2.43      13,168       238    2.41      13,237       321     2.43
 MMDA ..........................     5,552       131  3.15       6,461       153    3.16       6,297       198     3.14
 Certificates of Deposit .......    65,296     2,670  5.45      62,933     2,410    5.11      63,283     3,308     5.23
 Borrowings ....................     1,500       112  9.96       1,500       111    9.87       1,500       148     9.87
                                  --------    ------  -----    --------   ------   -----    --------     -----     ----
  Total interest-bearing
    liabilities ................  $131,831     4,235  4.28    $130,641     3,994    4.08    $130,742     5,416     4.14
                                 =========    ------  ----    ========     -----    ----    ========    ------     ----
Net interest/spread ............              $3,438  2.96%               $3,371    3.00%               $4,519     3.01%
                                              ======  ====                ======    ====                ======     ====
Margin .........................                      3.24%                         3.24%       3.25%
                                                      ====                          ====        ====
Assets to liabilities ..........   107.16%                      106.24%                       106.31%
                                   =======                      ======                        ======

</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                          Year Ended December 31,
                                -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1994                                1993
                                -------------------------------    --------------------------------
                                  Average    Interest                Average     Interest          
                                Outstanding   Earned/    Yield/    Outstanding    Earned/    Yield/
                                  Balance      Paid       Rate       Balance       Paid       Rate   
                                  -------      ----       ----       -------       ----       ----   
                                                          (Dollars in Thousands)
   
<S>                             <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>  
Loans receivable(1) .........   $ 37,112      $3,064     8.26%      $ 35,551      $3,147      8.85%
Mortgage-backed securities ..     83,392       4,508     5.41         93,988       5,138      5.47
Securities(2) ...............      8,881         400     4.50          5,049         327      6.48
Interest-bearing deposits ...     11,811         466     3.95          5,376         142      3.17
Other earning assets(4) .....        898          63     7.02          1,038          61      5.88
                                  ------      ------    -----       --------      ------     -----
 Total earning assets(1) ....   $142,094       8,501     5.98       $141,002       8,815      6.25
                                  ======                            ========                      

Interest-Earning Liabilities:
 Savings deposits ...........   $ 48,932       1,372     2.80       $ 46,600       1,381      2.96
 Demand and NOW .............     13,025         287     2.20         12,579         291      2.31
 MMDA .......................      7,753         210     2.71          8,882         247      2.78
 Certificates of Deposit ....     61,572       2,566     4.17         62,024       2,724      4.39
 Borrowings .................      2,423         237     9.78          3,462         305      8.81
                                  ------      --------              --------       -----
  Total interest-bearing
    liabilities .............   $133,705       4,672     3.49       $133,547       4,948      3.71
                                ========       -----     ----       ========       -----      ----
Net interest/spread .........                 $3,829     2.49%                    $3,867      2.54%
                                              ======     =====                    ======      =====
Margin ......................                            2.69%                                2.74%
                                                         =====                                =====
Assets to liabilities .......     106.27%                             105.58%
                                  ======                              ======
<FN>
- -------------
(1)  Calculated net of deferred loan fees, loan discounts, loans in process and
     loss reserves.
(2)  Calculated based on amortized cost.
(3)  Annualized yield/rate.
(4)  Includes FHLMC and FHLB stock at cost.
</FN>
</TABLE>
    


                                       47

<PAGE>

     The following  table presents the weighted  average yields earned on loans,
securities and other  interest-earning  assets,  and the weighted  average rates
paid on savings  deposits and the  resultant  interest  rate spreads at the date
indicated. Weighted average balances are based on monthly balances.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           At September 30,               At December 31,
                                                           ----------------   ----------------------------------------
                                                            1996     1995     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991
                                                            ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>                                                         <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>  
Weighted average yield on:
 Loans receivable(1)....................................    7.83%    8.12%    8.06%    8.20%    8.30%    9.19%    9.78%
 Mortgage-backed securities(2)..........................    6.50     7.38     8.22     6.42     7.62     6.16     7.77
 Securities(2)..........................................    6.85     4.73     5.10     6.71     5.10     9.16     9.71
 Other interest-earning assets..........................    5.48     5.34     4.26     5.38     3.07     3.89     5.16
   Combined weighted average yield on interest-earning
       assets...........................................    6.88     7.17     7.45     6.78     7.08     6.95     8.21

Weighted average rate paid on:
 Passbook Savings ......................................    3.20     3.20     3.15     3.14     2.60     3.20     5.12
 NOW....................................................    3.14     3.14     3.14     3.14     2.79     3.30     5.13
 MMDA...................................................    2.52     2.52     2.52     2.52     2.27     2.78     4.58
 Certificate accounts...................................    5.47     5.55     5.57     4.65     4.14     4.82     6.49
 Borrowings.............................................    9.72     9.72     9.72     9.72     9.59     9.59     9.59
 Other interest-bearing liabilities.....................     ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
    Combined weighted average rate paid on interest-
      bearing liabilities...............................    4.32     4.34     4.34     3.85     3.50     4.11     5.92

Spread..................................................    2.56%    2.83%    3.11%    2.93%    3.58%    2.84%    2.29%
- ----------
<FN>
(1)  Excluding amortization of deferred loan fees.
(2)  Excluding premium amortization and discount accretion.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       48

<PAGE>

     The  following  schedule  presents the dollar amount of changes in interest
income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning  assets and
interest-bearing  liabilities.  It distinguishes  between the changes related to
outstanding  balances  and that due to the changes in interest  rates.  For each
category   of   interest-earning   assets  and   interest-bearing   liabilities,
information is provided on changes  attributable to (i) changes in volume (i.e.,
changes  in  volume  multiplied  by old rate) and (ii)  changes  in rate  (i.e.,
changes in rate multiplied by old volume).  For purposes of this table,  changes
attributable  to both rate and volume,  which  cannot be  segregated,  have been
allocated  proportionately  to the  change  due to volume  and the change due to
rate.


                                       49

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                September 30,             Year Ended December 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                                                1995 vs. 1996                  1994 vs. 1995                    1993 vs. 1994
                                        ----------------------------   -----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                           Increase                         Increase                        Increase
                                          (Decrease)                      (Decrease)                      (Decrease)
                                            Due to          Total           Due to           Total           Due to         Total
                                        --------------     Increase     ---------------     Increase     --------------    Increase
                                        Volume    Rate    (Decrease)    Volume     Rate    (Decrease)    Volume    Rate   (Decrease)
                                        ------    ----    ----------    ------     ----    ----------    ------    ----    ---------
                                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                     <C>      <C>        <C>           <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>   
Interest-earning assets:
 Loans receivable...................... $(269)   $ 821      $ 552         335       (16)       319         135     218      $ (83)
 Mortgage-backed securities............   366     (468)      (102)       (663)    1,059        396        (573)    (57)      (630)
 Securities............................    54     (262)      (208)        326       172        498         194    (121)        73
                                        -----    -----      -----      ------     -----       -----       -----    -----    -----


   Total interest-earning assets....... $  14    $ 294      $ 308      $  (83)   $1,517     $1,434       $ (25)   $(289)     $(314)
                                        =====    =====      =====      ======    ======     ======       =====    =====      =====

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 Passbook savings......................     9      (10)        (1)        (73)      142         69          67      (76)        (9)
 NOW...................................     1        2          3           5        29         34          10      (14)        (4)
 MMDA..................................     7      (29)       (22)        (43)       31        (12)        (31)      (6)       (37)
 Certificate of Deposit................   135      125        260          73       669        742         (20)    (138)      (158)
 Borrowings............................     1      ---          1         (91)        2        (89)        (99)      31        (68)
                                        -----    -----      -----      ------     -----      -----       -----    -----      -----

   Total interest-bearing liabilities..   153       88        241        (129)      873        744         (73)    (203)      (276)
                                        =====    =====      =====      ======     =====      =====       =====    =====      =====

Net interest/spread.................... $(139)   $ 206      $  67      $   46    $ 644       $ 690       $  48    $ (86)     $ (38)
                                        =====    =====      =====      ======    =====       =====       =====    =====      =====

Interest-bearing deposits .............  (141)     200         59          79      300         221         229       95        324 
Other earning assets ..................     4        3          7          (2)       2         ---         (10)      12          2 

    
</TABLE>

                                       50

<PAGE>

Asset/Liability Management

     In an  attempt  to manage  its  exposure  to  changes  in  interest  rates,
management  monitors  the  Bank's  interest  rate risk.  The Board of  Directors
reviews  at  least   quarterly  the  Bank's  interest  rate  risk  position  and
profitability.  The  Board of  Directors  also  reviews  the  Bank's  portfolio,
formulates  investment  strategies and oversees the timing and implementation of
transactions to assure attainment of the Bank's objectives in the most effective
manner. In addition,  the Board  anticipates  reviewing on a quarterly basis the
Bank's  asset/liability  position,  including  simulations  of the effect on the
Bank's capital of various interest rate scenarios.

     In managing its  asset/liability  mix,  Hemlock  Federal,  depending on the
relationship  between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions and
consumer  preference,  at times  places more  emphasis on managing  net interest
margin than on better  matching the interest rate  sensitivity of its assets and
liabilities  in an effort to enhance net interest  income.  Management  believes
that the increased net interest income resulting from a mismatch in the maturity
of its asset and liability portfolios can, during periods of declining or stable
interest rates, provide high enough returns to justify the increased exposure to
sudden and unexpected increases in interest rates.

     The Bank has taken a  variety  of steps to manage  its  interest  rate risk
level.  First,  the Bank  maintains a significant  portfolio of  mortgage-backed
securities  having  adjustable  rates  and/or  short  or  intermediate  terms to
maturity.  At September  30, 1996,  $53.8  million or 36.6% of the Bank's assets
consisted  of  mortgage-backed  and  related  securities  having  adjustable  or
floating  interest  rates or  anticipated  average  lives of five years or less.
Second, the Bank focuses its lending activities on the origination of adjustable
rate mortgage loans ("ARMs"), seven year balloon loans and fixed rate loans with
terms to maturity of 15 years or less.  Third, the Bank maintains a portfolio of
securities and liquid assets with weighted average lives of three years or less.
At September 30, 1996, the Bank had $7.1 million of securities  with a remaining
average  life of one year.  Finally,  a  substantial  proportion  of the  Bank's
liabilities  consists of NOW and passbook savings accounts which are believed by
management  to  be  somewhat  less  sensitive  to  interest  rate  changes  than
certificate accounts.

     Management  utilizes the net portfolio  value ("NPV")  analysis to quantify
interest rate risk. In essence,  this approach calculates the difference between
the present value of liabilities, expected cash flows from assets and cash flows
from off  balance  sheet  contracts.  Under OTS  regulations,  an  institution's
"normal"  level of interest rate risk in the event of an immediate and sustained
200 basis point change in interest rates is a decrease in the  institution's NPV
in an amount not  exceeding 2% of the present  value of its assets.  Pursuant to
this regulation,  thrift  institutions  with greater than "normal" interest rate
exposure must take a deduction from their total capital  available to meet their
risk-based capital requirement.  The amount of that deduction is one-half of the
difference between (a) the institution's  actual calculated  exposure to the 200
basis point interest rate increase or decrease (whichever results in the greater
pro forma decrease in NPV) and (b) its "normal" level of exposure which is 2% of
the present value of its assets.  Savings institutions,  however, with less than
$300  million  in assets  and a total  capital  ratio in excess of 12%,  will be
exempt from this requirement  unless the OTS determines  otherwise.  The OTS has
postponed the  implementation  of the rule until further notice.  Based upon its
asset size and capital level at September  30, 1996,  the Bank would qualify for
an exemption from this rule;

                                       51

<PAGE>

however,  management  believes  that the Bank  would not be  required  to make a
deduction from capital if it were subject to this rule.

     The following  table sets forth,  at September 30, 1996, an analysis of the
Bank's interest rate risk as measured by the estimated  changes in NPV resulting
from  instantaneous  and  sustained  parallel  shifts in the yield curve (+/-400
basis points,  measured in 100 basis point  increments) as compared to tolerance
limits under the Bank's current policy.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Change in Interest      Estimated      Ratio of NPV      Estimated Increase
      Rates                NPV              to           (Decrease) in NPV
  (Basis Points)         Amount        Total Assets      Amount      Percent
- ------------------      ---------      ------------      ------      -------
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
       <S>               <C>               <C>          <C>            <C>  
       +400              $10,725           7.40%        $(5,980)       (36)%
       +300               12,548           8.52          (4,158)       (25)
       +200               14,310           9.57          (2,395)       (14)
       +100               15,794          10.43            (911)        (5)
        ---               16,705          10.93             ---        ---
       -100               16,969          11.04             263          2
       -200               16,490          10.73            (215)        (1)
       -300               16,780          10.86              75        ---
       -400               17,485          11.22             780          5
</TABLE>

     Certain assumptions  utilized in assessing the interest rate risk of thrift
institutions  were employed in preparing the preceding table.  These assumptions
relate to interest rates,  loan prepayment  rates,  deposit decay rates, and the
market values of certain assets under the various  interest rate  scenarios.  It
was also assumed that  delinquency  rates will not change as a result of changes
in interest rates although there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
Even if  interest  rates  change  in the  designated  amounts,  there  can be no
assurance  that the Bank's  assets and  liabilities  would  perform as set forth
above. In addition,  a change in U.S.  Treasury rates in the designated  amounts
accompanied  by a change in the shape of the  Treasury  yield  curve would cause
significantly different changes to the NPV than indicated above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     The  Bank's  primary  sources  of funds  are  deposits  and  proceeds  from
principal and interest payments on loans and mortgage-backed  securities.  While
maturities and scheduled  amortization  of loans and securities are  predictable
sources of funds,  deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced
by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.  Hemlock Federal
generally  manages the pricing of its  deposits to be  competitive  and increase
core deposit relationships.

     Federal  regulations  require Hemlock Federal to maintain minimum levels of
liquid assets.  The required  percentage has varied from time to time based upon
economic  conditions  and savings flows and is currently 5% of net  withdrawable
savings deposits and borrowings  payable on demand or in one year or less during
the preceding  calendar month.  Liquid assets for purposes of this ratio include
cash, certain time deposits, U.S. Government, government agency

                                       52

<PAGE>

and  corporate  securities  and other  obligations  generally  having  remaining
maturities of less than five years. Hemlock Federal has historically  maintained
its  liquidity  ratio  for  regulatory  purposes  at  levels  in excess of those
required.   At  September  30,  1996,  Hemlock  Federal's  liquidity  ratio  for
regulatory purposes was 19.4%.

     The Bank's cash flows are comprised of three primary classifications:  cash
flows from operating activities,  investing activities and financing activities.
Cash flows provided by operating activities were $973,000 and $1,542,000 for the
nine months  ended  September  30,  1996 and  September  30, 1995  respectively,
$1,965,000,  $2,450,000  and  $3,048,000  for the years ended December 31, 1995,
December 31, 1994, and 1993,  respectively.  Net cash from investing  activities
consisted  primarily of disbursements  for loan originations and the purchase of
investments and mortgage-backed  securities,  offset by principal collections on
loans,  proceeds  from  maturation  and  sales of  securities  and  paydowns  on
mortgage-backed   securities.  Net  cash  from  financing  activities  consisted
primarily of activity in deposit and escrow accounts.

     The Bank's  most liquid  assets are cash and  short-term  investments.  The
levels of these assets are dependent on the Bank's operating, financing, lending
and investing  activities  during any given period.  At September 30, 1996, cash
and short-term  investments totaled $16.4 million. The Bank has other sources of
liquidity if a need for additional funds arises,  including  securities maturing
within one year and the  repayment of loans.  The Bank may also utilize the sale
of securities available-for-sale and Federal Home Loan Bank advances as a source
of funds.

     At September 30, 1996,  the Bank had  outstanding  commitments to originate
loans of $259,000,  of which $154,000 had fixed interest rates.  These loans are
to be secured by  properties  located in its market area.  The Bank  anticipates
that  it  will  have  sufficient  funds  available  to  meet  its  current  loan
commitments.  Certificates  of deposit which are scheduled to mature in one year
or less from September 30, 1996 totaled $49.8 million.  Management believes that
a significant portion of such deposits will remain with the Bank.

     Liquidity  management  is  both a daily  and  long-term  responsibility  of
management.  Hemlock Federal adjusts its investments in liquid assets based upon
management's  assessment  of (i) expected  loan demand,  (ii)  expected  deposit
flows,  (iii) yields  available  on  interest-earning  deposits  and  investment
securities,  and (iv) the objectives of its asset/liability  management program.
Excess liquidity is invested  generally in  interest-earning  overnight deposits
and short-and  intermediate-term  U.S.  Government  and agency  obligations  and
mortgage-backed  securities of short duration. If Hemlock Federal requires funds
beyond its ability to generate  them  internally,  it has  additional  borrowing
capacity with the FHLB of Chicago.

     Hemlock  Federal  is subject to  various  regulatory  capital  requirements
imposed by the OTS. At September  30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal was in  compliance
with  all  applicable  capital  requirements  on a fully  phased-in  basis.  See
"Regulation - Regulatory Capital Requirements" and "Pro Forma Regulatory Capital
Analysis" and Note 12 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

                                       53

<PAGE>

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

     The  financial  statements  and  related  data  presented  herein have been
prepared in accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  which
require the measurement of financial  position and operating results in terms of
historical dollars without  considering changes in the relative purchasing power
of money over time due to  inflation.  The primary  impact of  inflation  on the
operations of the Bank is reflected in increased  operating  costs.  Unlike most
industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of a financial
institution are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates, generally, have
a more  significant  impact on a financial  institution's  performance than does
inflation.  Interest rates do not  necessarily  move in the same direction or to
the same extent as the prices of goods and services.

Impact of New Accounting Standards

     In March 1995, the FASB issued Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards
No. 121 ("SFAS No. 121"),  "Accounting  for the  Impairment of Long Lived Assets
and for Long Lived Assets to be Disposed  Of." SFAS No. 121  requires  that long
lived assets and certain  identifiable  intangibles  be reviewed for  impairment
whenever events or  circumstances  indicate that the carrying amount of an asset
may not be  recoverable.  However,  SFAS No.  121 does  not  apply to  financial
instruments,  core deposit  intangibles,  mortgage and other servicing rights or
deferred  tax  assets.  The  adoption  of SFAS  No.  121 in 1996  did not have a
material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Bank.

     In May 1995, the FASB issued  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
No. 122 ("SFAS No. 122"),  "Accounting for Mortgage  Servicing Rights." SFAS No.
122 requires an  institution  that  purchases or originates  mortgage  loans and
sells or securitizes  those loans with servicing rights retained to allocate the
cost of the  mortgage  loans to the  mortgage  servicing  rights  and the  loans
(without the mortgage  servicing rights) based on their relative fair values. In
addition,  institutions  are required to assess  impairment  of the  capitalized
mortgage servicing  portfolio based on the fair value of those rights.  SFAS No.
122 is effective for fiscal years  beginning  after December 15, 1995.  SFAS No.
122 will be  superseded by Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 125
after  December  31,  1996.  The adoption of SFAS No. 122 in 1996 did not have a
material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Bank.

     In  November  1995,  the FASB  issued  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"),  "Accounting for Stock Based  Compensation,"
("SFAS No. 123"). This statement  establishes  financial accounting standard for
stock-based employee compensation plans. SFAS No. 123 permits the Bank to choose
either a new fair value based  method or the  current  APB Opinion 25  intrinsic
value based method or accounting for its stock-based compensation  arrangements.
SFAS No. 123  requires  pro forma  disclosures  of net earnings and earnings per
share  computed as if the fair value based  method had been applied in financial
statements of companies that continue to follow  current  practice in accounting
for such  arrangements  under Opinion 25. The disclosure  provisions of SFAS No.
123 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. Any effect
that  this  statement  will  have  on the  Bank  will  be  applicable  upon  the
consummation of the Conversion.

                                       54

<PAGE>

     In June 1996, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board released Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 125 ("SFAS No. 125"),  "Accounting  for
Transfers and  Extinguishments of Liabilities." SFAS No. 125 provides accounting
and reporting  standards  for  transfers  and servicing of financial  assets and
extinguishments of liabilities.  SFAS No. 125 requires a consistent  application
of a financial-components approach that focuses on control. Under that approach,
after a transfer of financial  assets,  an entity  recognizes  the financial and
servicing  assets  it  controls  and  the  liabilities  it  has  incurred,   and
derecognizes  liabilities when  extinguished.  SFAS No. 125 also supersedes SFAS
No. 122 and requires  that  servicing  assets and  liabilities  be  subsequently
measured by  amortization  in proportion to and over the period of estimated net
servicing  income  or loss and  requires  assessment  for  asset  impairment  or
increases  obligation  based on their  fair  values.  SFAS No.  125  applies  to
transfers and  extinguishments  occurring  after  December 31, 1996 and early or
retroactive  application  is not  permitted.  Management  anticipates  that  the
adoption  of SFAS  No.  125 will not have a  material  impact  on the  financial
condition or operations of the Bank.


                                    BUSINESS

General

     As a  community-oriented  financial  institution,  Hemlock Federal seeks to
serve the financial needs of communities in its market area.  Hemlock  Federal's
business  involves  attracting  deposits from the general  public and using such
deposits,  together with other funds, to originate primarily one- to four-family
residential mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent,  multi-family,  consumer and
other loans in its market  area.  The Bank also invests in  mortgage-backed  and
other securities and other permissible investments. See "Risk Factors."

     The Bank offers a variety of accounts  having a range of interest rates and
terms.  The Bank's  deposits  include  passbook and NOW  accounts,  money market
accounts and  certificate  accounts with terms of six months to five years.  The
Bank  solicits  deposits  only in its  primary  market  area and does not accept
brokered deposits.

Market Area

     The  Bank's  main  office is located in Oak  Forest,  Illinois  and its two
branch offices are located in Oak Lawn and Chicago, Illinois.

     The Bank's Oak Forest and Oak Lawn  offices  are  located in the  southwest
suburbs of Chicago and generally  serve the Bank's  southwest  suburban  market.
This market area is located  approximately 20-30 miles from downtown Chicago and
includes  Oak Forest and Oak Lawn as well as the  nearby  communities  of Tinley
Park,  Orland Park and Burbank.  While the Bank's  southwestern  suburban market
area consists  primarily of middle  income  bedroom  communities,  it also has a
significant   number  of  retail,   commercial,   office  and  light  industrial
establishments.

     Hemlock Federal's Chicago office is located on the South Side of Chicago in
the "Back of the Yards" community, a mature, low- to moderate-income  inner-city
community where the Bank began its  operations.  The majority of the community's
many businesses are small local

                                       55

<PAGE>

companies,  although  a few  large  corporations  also  have  operations  there.
Residences  within the community  consist primarily of single family and two- to
four-family flats,  although there are some mid-size apartment buildings.  Since
this is a well-established inner-city community, new housing starts are rare.


Lending Activities

     General.  The principal lending activity of the Bank is originating for its
portfolio fixed and to a lesser extent,  adjustable rate ("ARM")  mortgage loans
secured by one- to four-family residences located primarily in the Bank's market
area. To a much lesser extent, Hemlock Federal also originates multi-family real
estate,  consumer and other loans in its market area. At September 30, 1996, the
Bank's loans  receivable,  net totaled $53.1  million.  See "-  Originations  of
Loans" and "Use of Proceeds."

                                       56

<PAGE>

     Loan Portfolio Composition.  The following table sets forth the composition
of the Bank's loan  portfolio  in dollar  amounts and in  percentages  as of the
dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     December 31,
                                 September 30,   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1996            1995             1994             1993             1992             1991
                                ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------
                                Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent
                                ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------
                                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                            <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>   
Real Estate Loans:
One- to four-family........... $47,742   88.65% $39,089   85.08% $30,792   80.45% $28,378   75.59% $21,310   65.67% $20,100   58.61%
Multi-family..................   2,860    5.31    3,386    7.37    3,742    9.78    4,035   10.75    4,787   14.75    6,066   17.69
Commercial....................     586    1.09    1,101    2.40    1,566    4.09    2,020    5.38    2,440    7.52    2,559    7.46
Construction or development...     ---     ---      ---     ---      ---     ---      502    1.34      502    1.55      500    1.46
                               -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------
  Total real estate loans.....  51,188   95.05   43,576   94.85   36,100   94.32   34,935   93.06   29,039   89.49   29,225   85.22

Consumer loans:
Deposit account...............     175    0.32      158    0.34      150    0.39      172    0.46      187    0.58      145    0.42
Automobile....................     289    0.54      229    0.50      120    0.31      223    0.59      360    1.11      529    1.54
Home equity...................   2,201    4.09    1,981    4.31    1,908    4.98    2,211    5.89    2,862    8.82    4,394   12.82
                               -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------
  Total consumer loans........   2,665    4.95    2,368    5.15    2,178    5.68    2,606    6.94    3,409   10.51    5,068   14.78
                               -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------
  Total loans.................  53,853  100.00%  45,944  100.00%  38,278  100.00%  37,541  100.00%  32,448  100.00%  34,293  100.00%
                                        ======           ======           ======           ======           ======           ======

Less:
Loans in process..............     (53)             (28)             ---              (82)             ---             (196)
Deferred fees and discounts...      (9)             (84)            (150)            (184)            (212)            (173)
Allowance for losses..........    (670)            (600)            (469)            (234)            (497)            (174)
                               -------          -------          -------          -------          -------          -------
  Total loans receivable, net. $53,121          $45,232          $37,659          $37,041          $31,739          $33,750
                               =======          =======          =======          =======          =======          =======
</TABLE>

                                       57

<PAGE>

     The following  table shows the  composition of the Bank's loan portfolio by
fixed- and adjustable-rate at the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  December 31,
                                   September 30,   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1996             1995            1994            1993            1992            1991
                                  ---------------  ---------------  --------------  -------------- ---------------  --------------
                                  Amount  Percent  Amount  Percent  Amount Percent  Amount Percent Amount  Percent  Amount Percent
                                  ------  -------  ------  -------  ------ -------  ------ ------- ------  -------  ------ -------
                                                                      (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                             <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>       <C>    <C>
Fixed-Rate Loans:
Real estate:
One- to four-family .........   $ 43,227   80.27%  $36,358  79.14% $28,654  74.86% $25,480  67.87% $17,249  53.16%$ 15,223   44.39%
Multi-family ................      2,860    5.31     3,386   7.37    3,742   9.78    4,035  10.75    4,787  14.75    6,066   17.69
Commercial ..................        586    1.09     1,101   2.40    1,566   4.09    2,020   5.38    2,440   7.52    2,559    7.46
Construction or development .       --       --        --     --       --     --       502   1.34      502   1.55      500    1.46
                                --------   ------   ------  -----   ------  -----   ------   -----   ------ -----   ------   -----
  Total real estate loans ...     46,673   86.67    40,845  88.91   33,962  88.73   32,037  85.34   24,978  76.98   24,348   71.00
Consumer ....................      2,665    4.95     2,368   5.15    2,178   5.68    2,606   6.94    3,409  10.51    5,068   14.78
                                --------   -----    ------  -----   ------  -----   ------  -----   ------  -----   ------   -----
  Total fixed-rate loans ....     49,338   91.62    43,213  94.06   36,140  94.41   34,643  92.28   28,387  87.49   29,416   85.78

Adjustable-Rate Loans
Real estate:
One-to four-family ..........      4,515    8.38     2,731   5.94    2,138   5.59    2,898   7.72    4,061  12.51    4,877   14.22
                                --------   -----    ------  -----   ------  -----   ------  -----   ------  -----   ------   -----
  Total loans ...............     53,853  100.00%   45,944 100.00%  38,278 100.00%  37,541 100.00%  32,448 100.00%  34,293  100.00%
                                          ======           ======          ======          ======          ======           ======
Less:
Loans in process ............        (53)              (28)            --              (82)            --             (196)
Deferred fees and discounts .         (9)              (84)           (150)           (184)           (212)           (173)
Allowance for losses ........       (670)             (600)           (469)           (234)           (497)           (174)
                                --------            ------          ------          ------          ------          ------
  Total loans receivable, net   $ 53,121           $45,232         $37,659         $37,041         $31,739         $33,750
                                  ======            ======          ======          ======          ======          ======
</TABLE>


                                       58

<PAGE>



         The following schedule illustrates the interest rate sensitivity of the
Bank's loan portfolio at September 30, 1996.  Mortgages which have adjustable or
renegotiable interest rates are shown as maturing in the period during which the
contract  is due.  The  schedule  does  not  reflect  the  effects  of  possible
prepayments or enforcement of due-on-sale clauses.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  Real Estate
                          -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Multi-family and
                                                  Commercial Real       Residential
                          One- to four-family        Estate            Construction         Consumer             Total
                          -------------------   -----------------   -----------------   ----------------   -----------------
                                     Weighted            Weighted            Weighted           Weighted            Weighted
                                      Average            Average              Average            Average             Average
                          Amount        Rate    Amount     Rate     Amount      Rate    Amount     Rate    Amount      Rate
                          ------        ----    ------     ----     ------      ----    ------     ----    ------      ----
                      
                                                                             (Dollars in Thousands)
      Due During
     Years Ending
     September 30,
- ----------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>     <C>       <C>         <C>     <C>
1997 .................   $     5      6.76%    $   --        --%    $  --         --%   $   43    9.27%   $   48      9.01%
1998 .................        16      8.53         52      8.51        50       9.00       202    8.81       320      8.78
1999 and 2000 ........        88      9.68         87     12.50       444      10.00       569    8.69     1,188      9.53
2001 to 2005 .........     7,952      7.65        922      8.83        --         --     1,433    8.77    10,307      7.91
2006 to 2020 .........    20,371      7.57      1,494      9.10        92       8.37       418    8.46    22,375      7.69
2021 and following ...    19,310      7.79        305      8.75        --         --        --      --    19,615      7.81
                          ------     ------    ------     -----      ----      -----     -----    ----    ------      ----
   Total .............   $47,742      7.68%    $2,860      9.07%     $586       9.66%   $2,665    8.72%  $53,853      7.82%
                          ======     ======    ======     =====      ====      =====     =====    ====    ======      ====
</TABLE>

         The total  amount of loans due after  September  30,  1997  which  have
predetermined  interest  rates is $49.3  million while the total amount of loans
due after such dates which have  floating or adjustable  interest  rates is $4.5
million.



                                       59

<PAGE>



         Under  federal  law,  the  aggregate  amount of loans  that the Bank is
permitted to make to any one borrower is generally  limited to 15% of unimpaired
capital  and  surplus  (25%  if  the  security  for  such  loan  has a  "readily
ascertainable"  value or 30% for  certain  residential  development  loans).  At
September  30,  1996,  based on the above,  the Bank's  regulatory  loans-to-one
borrower limit was approximately $1.7 million. On the same date, the Bank had no
borrowers with  outstanding  balances in excess of this amount.  As of September
30, 1996, the largest  dollar amount  outstanding or committed to be lent to one
borrower or,  group of related  borrowers,  related to a commercial  real estate
loan totaling $445,000 secured by a motel located in Downers Grove, Illinois. At
September 30, 1996, this loan was performing in accordance with its terms. As of
the same date,  there  were no other  loans  with  carrying  values in excess of
$250,000.

         All of the  Bank's  lending  is  subject  to its  written  underwriting
standards and to loan origination procedures. Decisions on loan applications are
made on the basis of detailed  applications and property valuations  (consistent
with the Bank's appraisal policy).  The loan applications are designed primarily
to determine the borrower's  ability to repay and the more significant  items on
the  application  are  verified   through  use  of  credit  reports,   financial
statements,  tax  returns  or  confirmations.  All loans  originated  by Hemlock
Federal  are  approved by the loan  committee  currently  comprised  of Chairman
Partynski,  President  Stevens,  Director Bucz and Chief Lending  Officer Robert
Upton and ratified by the full Board of Directors.

         The Bank  requires  title  insurance or other  evidence of title on its
mortgage  loans,  as well as fire and extended  coverage  casualty  insurance in
amounts  at least  equal to the  principal  amount  of the loan or the  value of
improvements  on the  property,  depending  on the type of loan.  The Bank  also
requires flood insurance to protect the property  securing its interest when the
property is located in a flood plain.

         One- to Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending. The cornerstone of
the Bank's lending  program is the  origination of loans secured by mortgages on
owner-occupied one- to four-family  residences.  Historically,  the Bank focused
its  residential  lending  activities on fixed rate loans with 30 year terms. In
the 1980s,  in order to reduce the average term to repricing of its assets,  the
Bank began to stress also the origination of 15 year fixed rate loans as well as
adjustable  rate  loans.  Substantially  all of the Bank's  one- to  four-family
residential  mortgage  originations  are  secured by  properties  located in its
market area.  All mortgage loans  currently  originated by the Bank are retained
and  serviced by it,  although  the Bank may  consider  selling a portion of its
residential  loan  originations  in the future.

         The Bank currently  offers  fixed-rate  mortgage loans with  maturities
from 10 to 30 years.  The Bank  also  offers a fixed  rate  seven  year  balloon
product  with a 30 year  amortization  schedule  which is due in seven years but
which,  under certain  circumstances,  may be converted into a fully  amortizing
fixed rate loan for an  additional  term of up to 23 years.  Interest  rates and
fees  charged  on these  fixed-rate  loans are  established  on a regular  basis
according  to market  conditions.  As of September  30, 1996,  the Bank had $6.6
million of fixed rate loans (most of which were seven year  balloon  loans) with
original  terms of less than 10 years,  $19.5  million  of fixed rate loans with
original  terms of 10-15  years and  $20.6  million  of fixed  rate  loans  with
original terms of more than 15 years. See "- Originations of Loans."

                                       60

<PAGE>



         The Bank also  offers  ARMs which carry  interest  rates  which  adjust
annually at a margin (generally 250 basis points) over the yield on the One Year
Average Monthly U.S.  Treasury  Constant  Maturity Index ("one year CMT").  Such
loans may carry  terms to maturity  of up to 30 years.  The ARM loans  currently
offered by the Bank  provide  for up to 200 basis  point  annual  interest  rate
change cap and a lifetime cap  generally 600 basis points over the initial rate.
Initial interest rates offered on the Bank's ARMs may be approximately 100 basis
points below the fully  indexed  rate,  although  borrowers are qualified at the
fully indexed rate. As a result, the risk of default on these loans may increase
as interest rates  increase.  The Bank also originates ARMs which carry interest
rates which are fixed for an initial term of up to three years and  subsequently
adjust  annually to a margin over the year  one-year CMT. The Bank's ARMs do not
permit negative  amortization of principal,  do not contain prepayment penalties
and may be convertible  into  fixed-rate  loans.  At September 30, 1996, one- to
four-family  ARMs  totaled  $4.5  million  or  8.4%  of the  Bank's  total  loan
portfolio.

         Hemlock  Federal  will  generally  lend up to 90% of the  lesser of the
sales price or appraised  value of the security  property on owner occupied one-
to four-family  loans. The loan-to-value  ratio on non-owner  occupied,  one- to
four-family loans is generally 80% of the lesser of the sales price or appraised
value of the security property. Non-owner occupied one- to four-family loans may
pose a  greater  risk  to the  Bank  than  traditional  owner  occupied  one- to
four-family  loans. In underwriting one- to four-family  residential real estate
loans,  the  Bank  currently  evaluates  both  the  borrower's  ability  to make
principal,  interest and escrow  payments,  the value of the property  that will
secure the loan and debt to income ratios.

         Residential loans do not currently include  prepayment  penalties,  are
non-assumable  and do not  produce  negative  amortization.  Although  the  Bank
currently originates mortgage loans only for its portfolio, the Bank's loans are
generally  underwritten to permit their sale in the secondary market, except for
loans with loan to value ratios below 75% which are  underwritten  for portfolio
with an in-house property evaluation rather than an independent appraisal.

         While  the Bank  seeks  to  originate  most of its one- to  four-family
residential  loans in  amounts  which are less  than or equal to the  applicable
Federal Home Loan Mortgage  Corporation maximum (currently  $207,000),  the Bank
does,  on an exception  basis,  make one- to  four-family  residential  loans in
amounts in excess of such  maximum.  The Bank's  delinquency  experience on such
loans has been similar to its experience on its other residential loans.

         The Bank's residential  mortgage loans customarily  include due-on-sale
clauses  giving  the Bank the  right to  declare  the loan  immediately  due and
payable in the event that,  among other things,  the borrower sells or otherwise
disposes of the property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid.

         Multi-family  and Commercial Real Estate Lending.  In order to increase
the  yield  of  its  loan  portfolio  and  to  complement   residential  lending
opportunities, the Bank from time to time originates permanent multi-family real
estate loans secured by properties in its primary  market area.  The Bank made a
strategic  decision in the early 1990s to eliminate its  commercial  real estate
lending program. At September 30, 1996, the Bank had multi-family loans totaling
$2.9  million,  or 5.3% of the Bank's  total loan  portfolio,  and  $586,000  in
commercial real estate loans, representing 1.1% of the total loan portfolio.

                                       61

<PAGE>



         While  the Bank will  consider  making  multi-family  loans as large as
$500,000, the Bank seeks loans secured by eight or fewer units.

         The Bank's permanent  multi-family  real estate loans generally carry a
maximum term of 15 years and have fixed rates. These loans are generally made in
amounts of up to 80% of the lesser of the appraised  value or the purchase price
of the property.  Appraisals on properties securing  multi-family and commercial
real estate loans are performed by an  independent  appraiser  designated by the
Bank at the time the loan is made.  All appraisals on  multi-family  real estate
loans are  reviewed  by the  Bank's  loan  committee.  In  addition,  the Bank's
underwriting  procedures require  verification of the borrower's credit history,
income and financial statements,  banking  relationships,  references and income
projections  for the  property.  The Bank obtains  personal  guarantees on these
loans.

         At September 30, 1996,  the Bank's  largest  commercial  real estate or
multi-family  loan outstanding  totaled $445,000 and was secured by 25% interest
in a motel and a retail store located in Downers Grove, Illinois.

         Multi-family  and  commercial  real  estate  loans may present a higher
level of risk than loans secured by one- to four-family residences. This greater
risk is due to several  factors,  including the  concentration of principal in a
limited  number  of  loans  and  borrowers,  the  effects  of  general  economic
conditions  on income  producing  properties  and the  increased  difficulty  of
evaluating and monitoring  these types of loans.  While the Bank has experienced
losses on several  multi-family and commercial real estate loans in the past, as
of September  30, 1996,  there were no  multi-family  loans or  commercial  real
estate loans delinquent 90 days or more.


         Consumer  Lending.  Management  believes  that  offering  consumer loan
products helps to expand the Bank's customer base and to create stronger ties to
its existing  customer base. In addition,  because consumer loans generally have
shorter terms to maturity and carry higher rates of interest than do residential
mortgage loans, they can be valuable asset/liability  management tools. The Bank
originates a variety of different types of consumer loans, including home equity
loans, automobile and deposit account loans for household and personal purposes.
Due to the tax  advantages  to the borrower of home equity  loans,  the Bank has
focused  its recent  consumer  lending  activities  on home equity  lending.  At
September  30, 1996  consumer  loans totaled $2.7 million or 5.0% of total loans
outstanding.

         Consumer loan terms vary according to the type and value of collateral,
length of contract and  creditworthiness  of the borrower.  The Bank's  consumer
loans are made at fixed interest rates, with terms of up to 10 years.

         The Bank's home equity  loans are written so that the total  commitment
amount,  when  combined  with the balance of the first  mortgage  lien,  may not
exceed 85% of the  appraised  value of the property or $50,000.  These loans are
written with fixed terms of up to 10 years and carry fixed  interest  rates.  At
September  30,  1996,   the  Bank's  home  equity  loans  totaled  $2.2  million
outstanding, or 4.1% of the Bank's total loan portfolio.


                                       62

<PAGE>



         The  underwriting  standards  employed by the Bank for  consumer  loans
include a determination  of the  applicant's  payment history on other debts and
ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. Although
creditworthiness of the applicant is of primary consideration,  the underwriting
process also  includes a  comparison  of the value of the  security,  if any, in
relation to the proposed loan amount.  Consumer  loans may entail greater credit
risk than do residential  mortgage  loans,  particularly in the case of consumer
loans which are unsecured or are secured by rapidly  depreciable assets, such as
automobiles.  In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer
loan may not provide an adequate  source of  repayment of the  outstanding  loan
balance as a result of the greater  likelihood of damage,  loss or depreciation.
In  addition,   consumer  loan  collections  are  dependent  on  the  borrower's
continuing  financial  stability,  and thus are more  likely to be  affected  by
adverse personal circumstances.  Furthermore, the application of various federal
and state laws,  including  bankruptcy and insolvency  laws, my limit the amount
which can be recovered on such loans.

Originations of Loans

         Real estate loans are  originated  by Hemlock  Federal's  staff through
referrals from existing customers or real estate agents. In the early 1990s, the
Bank determined to increase its one- to four-family  residential  loan marketing
activities and to hire several commissioned loan underwriters.  As a result, the
Bank has experienced significant loan growth in recent years.

         The Bank's ability to originate loans is dependent upon customer demand
for loans in its market and to a limited extent,  various  marketing efforts and
its ability to hire commissioned  loan officers.  Demand is affected by both the
local  economy and the interest  rate  environment.  See "- Market  Area." Under
current  policy,  all loans  originated  by Hemlock  Federal are retained in the
Bank's  portfolio.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial
Condition and Results of Operations - Asset/Liability Management."

         In order to  supplement  loan  originations,  the Bank has  acquired  a
substantial  amount  of  mortgage-backed  and other  securities  which are held,
depending   on   the   investment   intent,   in   the   "held-to-maturity"   or
"available-for-sale"  portfolios.  See  Mortgage-Backed and Related Securities -
Investment  Activities"  and Note 2 to the  Notes to  Financial  Statements.  In
addition,  depending  on  market  conditions,  the Bank may  also  consider  the
purchase of residential loans from other lenders, although it has not done so in
the 1990s.

         As a  result  in  large  part of the  Bank's  relatively  low  loans to
deposits ratios since the early 1980s, the Bank has not sold any loans
in the secondary  market for many years. In view of the apparent  success of the
Bank's recent loan origination efforts and the related increases in its loans to
deposits  ratio,  the Bank may consider the sale of a portion of its residential
loan originations in the future.



                                       63

<PAGE>



         The following table shows the loan origination and repayment activities
of the Bank for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Nine Months Ended                           Year Ended
                                                         September 30,                             December 31,
                                                    ----------------------         --------------------------------------
                                                     1996             1995          1995           1994              1993
                                                     ----             ----          ----           ----              ----
                                                                             (In Thousands)
<S>                                                <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>
Originations by type:
Adjustable rate:
  Real estate - one- to four-family.........         $ 2,277        $   771         $ 1,042        $   594         $   347
                                                     -------        -------         -------        -------         -------
        Total adjustable-rate...............           2,277            771           1,042            594             347
                                                     -------       --------         -------       --------        --------
Fixed rate:
  Real estate - one- to four-family.........           9,997          8,203          10,670          5,856          14,691
                - multi-family..............             404            410             534            645             617
  Non-real estate - consumer................           1,104          1,015           1,363            733           1,428
                                                     -------        -------        --------       --------        --------
        Total fixed-rate....................          11,505          9,628          12,567          7,234          16,736
                                                     -------        -------         -------        -------         -------
          Total loans originated............          13,782         10,399          13,609          7,828          17,083
                                                     -------        -------         -------        -------         -------

Principal repayments........................          (5,873)        (4,237)         (5,943)        (7,091)        (11,990)
                                                     -------        -------         -------        -------         -------
        Total reductions....................          (5,873)        (4,237)         (5,943)        (7,091)        (11,990)
Increase (decrease) in other
 items, net.................................             (20)           (66)            (93)          (119)            209
                                                    --------       --------        --------        -------        --------
        Net increase (decrease).............         $ 7,889        $ 6,096         $ 7,573        $   618         $ 5,302
                                                     =======        =======         =======        =======         =======
</TABLE>


Delinquencies and Non-Performing Assets

         Delinquency  Procedures.  When a  borrower  fails  to  make a  required
payment on a loan,  the Bank attempts to cure the  delinquency by contacting the
borrower.  Generally, Bank personnel work with the delinquent borrower on a case
by case basis to solve the delinquency.  Generally, a late notice is sent on all
delinquent   loans  followed  by  a  phone  call  after  the  thirtieth  day  of
delinquency.  Additional  written  and  verbal  contacts  may be made  with  the
borrower between 30 and 60 days after the due date. If the loan is contractually
delinquent for 90 days, the Bank may institute  appropriate  action to foreclose
on the  property.  After 120 days,  foreclosure  procedures  are  initiated.  If
foreclosed,  the  property  is sold at public sale and may be  purchased  by the
Bank.

         Real estate  acquired by Hemlock  Federal as a result of foreclosure or
by deed in lieu of  foreclosure  is  classified as real estate owned until it is
sold.  When property is acquired by foreclosure or deed in lieu of  foreclosure,
it is  recorded  at the lower of cost or  estimated  fair value  less  estimated
selling costs. After acquisition, all costs incurred in maintaining the property
are expensed. Costs relating to the development and improvement of the property,
however, are capitalized.

                                       64

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth the Bank's loan  delinquencies  by type,
by amount and by percentage of type at September 30, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              Loans Delinquent For:
                         ----------------------------------------------------------
                                60-89 Days                    90 Days and Over          Total Delinquent Loans
                         --------------------------     ---------------------------  -----------------------------
                                           Percent                         Percent                        Percent
                                           of Loan                         of Loan                        of Loan
                         Number   Amount   Category     Number   Amount    Category   Number    Amount    Category
                         ------   ------   --------     ------   ------    --------   ------    ------    --------
                                                                (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                     <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Real Estate:
  One- to four-
   family ..............   4       $208      0.44%        1       $77        0.16%       5       $285      0.60%
  Multi-family .........   -        --        --          -        --          --        -        --         --
  Commercial ...........   -        --        --          -        --          --        -        --         --
  Construction or
   development .........   -        --        --          -        --          --        -        --         --
Consumer ...............   2          1      0.04%        -        --          --        2          1      0.04%
                           -       ---       ----         -       ----       ----        -        ---      ----

Total ..................   6       $209      0.39%        1       $77        0.14%       7       $286      0.53%
                           =       ===       ====         =       ====       ====        =        ===      ====

</TABLE>

                                       65

<PAGE>



         Classification of Assets. Federal regulations require that each savings
institution  classify  its own  assets  on a  regular  basis.  In  addition,  in
connection  with  examinations of savings  institutions,  OTS and FDIC examiners
have authority to identify  problem assets and, if appropriate,  require them to
be classified.  There are three classifications for problem assets: Substandard,
Doubtful and Loss.  Substandard  assets have one or more defined  weaknesses and
are  characterized  by the distinct  possibility that the Bank will sustain some
loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Doubtful assets have the weaknesses
of Substandard assets, with the additional  characteristics  that the weaknesses
make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts,
conditions and values questionable,  and there is a high possibility of loss. An
asset classified Loss is considered  uncollectible and of such little value that
continuance  as an  asset  on  the  balance  sheet  of  the  institution  is not
warranted.  Assets classified as Substandard or Doubtful require the institution
to establish prudent general  allowances for loan losses. If an asset or portion
thereof is classified as a loss, the institution charges off such amount against
the loan loss  allowance.  If an  institution  does not agree with an examiner's
classification  of an asset,  it may appeal this  determination  to the District
Director of the OTS.

         On the basis of  management's  review of its assets,  at September  30,
1996, the Bank had no classified assets.



                                       66

<PAGE>


         Non-Performing  Assets.  The table  below  sets forth the  amounts  and
categories of  non-performing  assets in the Bank's loan  portfolio.  Foreclosed
assets include assets acquired in settlement of loans.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           December 31,
                                                    September 30,   -----------------------------------------------------
                                                        1996        1995        1994        1993        1992         1991
                                                    -------------   ----        ----        ----        ----         ----
                                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                <C>             <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>
Non-accruing loans:
  One- to four-family.......................             $77        $110        $ 30       $ 147     $    86     $   175
  Multi-family..............................             ---         ---         108         108         108         108
  Commercial real estate....................             ---         ---         ---         ---         694         791
  Construction or development...............             ---         ---         ---         502         502         500
  Consumer..................................             ---         ---         ---         ---           8         ---
                                                        ----      ------      ------   ---------    --------    --------
       Total................................              77         110         138         757       1,398       1,574

Accruing loans delinquent more than 90
days:
  One- to four-family.......................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
  Multi-family..............................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
  Commercial real estate....................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
  Construction or development...............             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
  Consumer..................................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
                                                        ----      ------      ------     -------     -------     -------
       Total................................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---

Foreclosed assets:
  One- to four-family.......................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---           3
  Multi-family..............................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
  Commercial real estate....................             ---         ---         ---         416         249         416
  Construction or development...............             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
  Consumer..................................             ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
                                                        ----      ------      ------   ---------   ---------    --------
       Total................................             ---         ---         ---         416         249         419

Renegotiated loans..........................             ---         469(1)      479(1)      ---         ---         ---
                                                       -----        ----         ---    --------   ---------   ---------

Total non-performing assets.................             $77        $579        $617      $1,173      $1,647      $1,993
                                                         ===        ====        ====      ======      ======      ======

Total as a percentage of total assets.......            0.05%       0.40%       0.43%       0.80%       1.17%       1.50%
                                                        ====        ====        ====        ====        ====        ====
<FN>
- ----------

(1)  Consisted of a 24% interest in a loan on a  Comfort  Inn located in Downers
     Grove,  Illinois.  The  loan  terms  were   renegotiated  in 1994. The loan
     has been current since the  renegotiation date.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         For the year ended  December  31,  1995 and for the nine  months  ended
September 30, 1996, gross interest income which would have been recorded had the
non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted
to $2,275 and $5,800,  respectively.  The amounts that were included in interest
income on such loans were  $7,956  and  $4,838 for the year ended  December  31,
1995, and for the nine months ended September 30, 1996, respectively.

         Other Loans of Concern.  In addition to the  non-performing  assets set
forth in the table  above,  as of September  30, 1996,  there was one other loan
with respect to which known  information  about the possible  credit problems of
the  borrowers  or  the  cash  flows  of the  security  properties  have  caused
management  to have  concerns as to the ability of the  borrowers to comply with
present  loan  repayment  terms and which may result in the future  inclusion of
such items in the  non-performing  asset categories.  This loan was secured by a
six unit  apartment  building  located in Orland Park,  Illinois and was 30 days
delinquent at September 30, 1996.

         Management considers the Bank's  non-performing and "of concern" assets
in establishing its allowance for loan losses.

                                       67

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth an analysis of the Bank's  allowance for
loan losses.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       Nine Months
                                                          Ended
                                                      September 30,                   Year Ended December 31,
                                                     ---------------    ---------------------------------------------
                                                      1996      1995      1995         1994         1993         1992         1991
                                                    -------  -------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   -------
                                                                                      (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>      <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C> 
Balance at beginning of period....................     $600     $469       $469         $234         $497         $174         $141

Charge-offs:
  One- to four-family.............................        5      ---        ---          ---          ---          ---          ---
  Multi-family....................................      ---      ---        ---          ---          ---          ---          ---
  Commercial real estate..........................      ---      ---        ---          ---          412           34          ---
  Consumer........................................      ---        3          3          ---          ---          ---          ---
                                                      -----    -----      -----       ------       ------       ------       ------
                                                          5        3          3          ---          412           34          ---
                                                      -----    -----      -----      -------        -----       ------       ------

Recoveries:
  One- to four-family.............................      ---      ---        ---          ---          ---          ---          ---
  Multi-family....................................      ---      ---        ---          ---          ---          ---          ---
  Commercial real estate..........................      ---      ---        ---           85          ---          ---          ---
  Consumer........................................      ---      ---        ---          ---          ---          ---          ---
                                                      -----    -----      -----        -----       ------        -----        -----
                                                        ---      ---        ---           85          ---          ---          ---
                                                      -----    -----      -----         ----       ------        -----        -----

Net charge-offs...................................      (5)      (3)        (3)           85        (412)         (34)          ---
Additions charged to operations...................       75      122        134          150          149          357           33
                                                      -----    -----      -----       ------       ------       ------        -----
Balance at end of period..........................     $670     $588       $600         $469         $234         $497         $174
                                                       ====     ====       ====         ====         ====         ====         ====

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) during
  the period to average loans outstanding during
  the period......................................    0.01%    0.01%       0.01%      (0.23)%        1.16%        0.10%        0.00%
                                                      ====     ====        ====        ====          ====         ====         ====

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) during
  the period to average non-performing assets.....    2.84%    2.63%       2.70%     (20.88)%       25.00%        1.91%        0.00%
                                                      ====     ====        ====       =====         =====         ====         ====
</TABLE>


                                       68

<PAGE>



                  The  distribution of the Bank's  allowance for losses on loans
at the dates indicated is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         December 31,
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 September 30, 1996                          1995                                  1994            
                          --------------------------------    ---------------------------------    --------------------------------
                                                   Percent                              Percent                             Percent
                                                  of loans                             of loans                            of loans
                           Amount       Loan       in Each      Amount       Loan      in Each      Amount       Loan      in Each 
                           of loan     Amounts   Category       of loan     Amounts   Category      of loan     Amounts   Category 
                            loss         by       of Total       loss         by       of Total      loss         by       of Total
                          Allowance   Category      Loans      Allowance   Category     Loans      Allowance   Category     Loans  
                          ---------   --------      -----      ---------   --------     -----      ---------   --------     -----  
                                                                              (In Thousands)
<S>                        <C>      <C>            <C>           <C>      <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>   
One- to four-family.....   $239     $47,742        88.65%        $195     $39,089       85.08%     $ 62        $30,792      80.45%
Multi-family............     86       2,860         5.31          102       3,386        7.37        37          3,742       9.78 
Commercial real estate..     29         586         1.09           55       1,101        2.40        47          1,566       4.09 
Construction or             ---         ---          ---          ---         ---         ---       ---            ---        --- 
 development............
Consumer................     14       2,665         4.95           12       2,368        5.15         5          2,178       5.68 
Unallocated.............    302         ---          ---          236         ---         ---       318            ---        --- 
                          -----     -------       -------        -----  ----------     -------    -----        -------     ------ 
     Total..............   $670     $53,853       100.00%        $600     $45,944      100.00%     $469        $38,278     100.00%
                           ====     =======       ======         ====     =======      ======      ====        =======     ====== 

</TABLE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                         December 31,
                                                              ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1993                                   1992                                    1991
                          --------------------------------    ---------------------------------    --------------------------------
                                                  Percent                              Percent                             Percent 
                                                  of loans                             of loans                            of loans
                           Amount       Loan       in Each      Amount       Loan      in Each      Amount       Loan      in Each 
                           of loan     Amounts   Category       of loan     Amounts   Category      of loan     Amounts   Category 
                            loss         by       of Total       loss         by       of Total      loss         by       of Total
                          Allowance   Category      Loans      Allowance   Category     Loans      Allowance   Category     Loans  
                          ---------   --------      -----      ---------   --------     -----      ---------   --------     -----  
                                                                       (In Thousands)
<S>                        <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>   
One- to four-family.....   $ 58      $28,378       75.59%     $ 43        $21,310      65.67%       $ 35       $20,100       58.61%
Multi-family............     40        4,035       10.75        47          4,787      14.75          44         6,066       17.69
Commercial real estate..     81        2,020        5.38       289          2,440       7.52          85         2,559        7.46
Construction or             ---          502        1.34       ---            502       1.55         ---           500        1.46
 development............
Consumer................      7        2,606        6.94         9          3,409      10.51          10         5,068       14.78
Unallocated.............     48          ---         ---       109            ---        ---         ---           ---         ---
                          -----      -------      ------     -----        -------     ------        ----        ------      ------
     Total..............   $234      $37,541      100.00%     $497        $32,448     100.00%       $174       $34,293      100.00%
                           ====      =======      ======      ====        =======     ======        ====        =======     ======
</TABLE>



                                       69

<PAGE>



         The  allowance for loan losses is  established  through a provision for
loan losses  charged to earnings  based on  management's  evaluation of the risk
inherent in its entire loan portfolio. Such evaluation,  which includes a review
of all  loans  of  which  full  collectibility  may not be  reasonably  assured,
considers the market value of the underlying collateral,  growth and composition
of the loan portfolio,  delinquency  trends,  adverse situations that may affect
the borrower's ability to repay,  prevailing and projected  economic  conditions
and  other  factors  that  warrant  recognition  in  providing  for an  adequate
allowance  for loan losses.  In  determining  the general  reserves  under these
policies,  historical charge-offs and recoveries,  changes in the mix and levels
of  the  various  types  of  loans,  net  realizable  values,  the  current  and
prospective loan portfolio and current economic conditions are considered.

         While management  believes that it uses the best information  available
to  determine  the  allowance  for loan losses,  unforeseen  economic and market
conditions could result in adjustments to the allowance for loan losses, and net
earnings could be significantly  affected, if circumstances differ substantially
from the assumptions used in making the final determination.

Investment Activities

         General.  Hemlock  Federal must maintain  minimum levels of investments
and other assets that qualify as liquid assets under OTS regulations.  Liquidity
may  increase  or  decrease   depending  upon  the  availability  of  funds  and
comparative   yields  on  investments  in  relation  to  the  return  on  loans.
Historically,   Hemlock   Federal  has   maintained   liquid  assets  at  levels
significantly above the minimum  requirements imposed by the OTS regulations and
above levels believed  adequate to meet the  requirements of normal  operations,
including  potential deposit outflows.  At September 30, 1996, Hemlock Federal's
liquidity ratio for regulatory purposes was 19.4%. See "Management's  Discussion
and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of Operations - Asset/Liability
Management" and "- Liquidity and Capital Resources."

         Generally,  the investment policy of Hemlock Federal is to invest funds
among   categories  of  investments   and  maturities   based  upon  the  Bank's
asset/liability  management  policies,  investment  quality,  loan  and  deposit
volume, liquidity needs and performance objectives.  Prior to December 31, 1993,
the Bank recorded its investments in its investment  securities portfolio at the
lower of cost or current  market value if held for sale or at amortized  cost if
held for investment.  Unrealized declines in the market value of securities held
to maturity were not reflected in the financial statements;  however, unrealized
losses in the market value of securities held for sale were recorded as a charge
to current earnings.  Effective  December 31, 1993, Hemlock Federal adopted SFAS
115. As required by SFAS 115,  securities are classified into three  categories:
trading, held-to-maturity and available-for-sale. Securities that are bought and
held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified
as trading  securities and are reported at fair value with unrealized  gains and
losses  included in trading  account  activities in the statement of operations.
Securities  that Hemlock  Federal has the positive intent and ability to hold to
maturity are classified as held-to-maturity  and reported at amortized cost. All
other securities not classified as trading or held-to-maturity are classified as
available-for-sale.  At September  30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal had no securities
which were  classified  as trading  and $31.9  million  of  mortgage-backed  and
related   securities   and  no  securities   classified   as   held-to-maturity.
Available-for-sale  securities are reported at fair value with unrealized  gains
and losses included, on an after-tax basis, in a separate component of

                                       70

<PAGE>



retained earnings.  At September 30, 1996, $34.1 million of mortgage-backed  and
related  securities  and $7.1 million of other  securities  were  classified  as
available-for-sale.

         Mortgage-Backed  and Related  Securities.  In order to  supplement  its
lending  activities and achieve its asset liability  management  goals, the Bank
invests in mortgage-backed and related securities. As of September 30, 1996, all
of the  mortgage-backed  and  related  securities  owned by the Bank are issued,
insured or guaranteed  either  directly or indirectly by a federal agency or are
rated "AAA" by a nationally recognized credit rating agency.  However, it should
be noted that, while a (direct or indirect)  federal  guarantee or a high credit
rating may indicate a high degree of  protection  against  default,  they do not
indicate that the  securities  will be protected from declines in value based on
changes in interest rates or prepayment speeds.

         Consistent with its asset/liability  management strategy,  at September
30, 1996,  $44.6  million,  or 67.7% of Hemlock  Federal's  mortgage-backed  and
related  securities had adjustable or floating  interest rates. In addition,  as
discussed  below,  as of the same date,  the Bank had $9.2 million of fixed rate
collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and real estate mortgage investment
conduits  ("REMICs") with  anticipated  average lives of five years or less. For
information regarding the Bank's mortgage-backed  securities portfolio, see Note
2 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

         The Bank's CMOs and REMICs are securities  derived by reallocating  the
cash flows from  mortgage-backed  securities or pools of mortgage loans in order
to create  multiple  classes,  or tranches,  of securities with coupon rates and
average lives that differ from the underlying  collateral as a whole.  The terms
to maturity of any particular  tranche is dependent upon the prepayment speed of
the  underlying  collateral  as well as the structure of the  particular  CMO or
REMIC.  Although a  significant  proportion  of the  Bank's  CMOs and REMICs are
interests in tranches which have been  structured  (through the use of cash flow
priority and "support"  tranches) to give somewhat more  predictable cash flows,
the cash flow and hence the value of CMOs and REMICs is subject to change.

         The Bank invests in CMOs and REMICs as an alternative to mortgage loans
and  conventional  mortgage-backed  securities  as part  of its  asset/liability
management  strategy.   Management  believes  that  CMOs  and  REMICs  represent
attractive investment alternatives relative to other investments due to the wide
variety of maturity and repayment options available through such investments. In
particular, the Bank has from time to time concluded that short and intermediate
duration  CMOs and REMICs  (five year or less  average  life) often  represent a
better  combination of rate and duration than  adjustable  rate  mortgage-backed
securities.

         To  assess  price  volatility,   the  Federal  Financial   Institutions
Examination  Council ("FFIEC") adopted a policy in 1992 which requires an annual
"stress" test of mortgage  derivative  securities.  This policy,  which has been
adopted  by the OTS,  requires  the  Bank to  annually  test its CMOs and  other
mortgage-related   securities  to  determine   whether  they  are  high-risk  or
nonhigh-risk  securities.  Mortgage  derivative products with an average life or
price volatility in excess of a benchmark 30-year, mortgage-backed, pass-through
security are considered high-risk mortgage securities. Under the policy, savings
institutions may generally only invest in low-risk mortgage  securities in order
to reduce  interest rate risk. In addition,  all high-risk  mortgage  securities
acquired after February 9, 1992 which are classified as high risk

                                       71

<PAGE>



at the time of purchase must be carried in the institution's  trading account or
as assets  available-  for-sale.  At  September  30,  1996,  none of the  Bank's
mortgage-backed securities were classified as "high-risk."


                                       72

<PAGE>



         The  following   table  sets  forth  the   composition  of  the  Bank's
mortgage-backed securities at the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                    December 31,
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------------
                                        September 30, 1996         1995                1994                1993
                                        -----------------    ----------------   -----------------   ------------------
                                        Carrying     % of    Carrying   % of    Carrying    % of    Carrying     % of
                                          Value     Total      Value   Total      Value     Total     Value      Total
                                          -----     -----      -----   -----      -----     -----     -----      -----
                                                                          (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>
Mortgage-backed securities
 held-to- maturity:
  GNMA ...............................   $ 3,253     4.93%   $ 3,810     5.54%   $ 4,306     5.80%   $ 5,883     7.22%
  FNMA ...............................    14,671    22.26     17,592    25.60     24,323    32.74     22,617    27.77
  FHLMC ..............................    10,723    16.27     12,954    18.85     19,084    25.69     23,541    28.91
  CMOs ...............................     3,213     4.87      8,750    12.73     18,327    24.67     29,398    36.10
                                         -------   ------    -------   ------    -------   ------    -------   ------
                                          31,860    48.33     43,106    62.72     66,040    88.90     81,439   100.00
Mortgage-backed securities
 available-for- sale:
  GNMA ...............................      --       --         --       --         --       --         --       --
  FNMA ...............................     9,186    13.94      6,050     8.80      1,102     1.48       --       --
  FHLMC ..............................     6,779    10.28      7,415    10.79       --       --         --       --
  CMOs ...............................    18,099    27.45     12,155    17.69      7,142     9.62       --       --
                                         -------   ------    -------   ------    -------   ------    -------   ------
                                          34,064    51.67     25,620    37.28      8,244    11.10       --       --
                                         -------   ------    -------   ------    -------   ------    -------   ------

   Total mortgage-backed securities ..   $65,924   100.00%   $68,726   100.00%   $74,284   100.00%   $81,439   100.00%
                                         =======   ======    =======   ======    =======   ======    =======   ======
</TABLE>



                                       73

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth the contractual maturities of the Bank's
mortgage-backed securities at September 30, 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                   Due in
                                           6 Months  6 Months  1 to     3 to 5   5 to 10   10 to 20   Over 20   Amortized  Carrying
                                            or Less  to 1 Year 3 Years    Years    Years      Years     Years      Cost      Value
                                           -------- --------- -------   ------  --------   --------   -------   --------    ------
                                                                                   (In Thousands)
<S>                                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Federal Home Loan
 Mortgage Corporation ..................    $ --      $1,121    $ --      $ 18    $  333    $ 6,480    $ 9,438    $17,390    $17,502
Federal National Mortgage
 Association ...........................      --         164       832     325       612      2,546     19,262     23,741     23,857
Government National Mortgage
 Association ...........................      --        --        --        34       132        667      2,420      3,253      3,253
CMOs ...................................      --        --         215     213       632      3,243     17,037     21,340     21,312
                                            ------    ------    ------    ----    ------    -------    -------    -------    -------
     Total .............................    $ --      $1,285    $1,047    $590    $1,709    $12,936    $48,157    $65,724    $65,924
                                            ======    ======    ======    ====    ======    =======    =======    =======    =======

   
Weighted average yield .................                6.84      7.75    8.32      8.45       8.27       6.80       7.13
    

</TABLE>

                                       74

<PAGE>



         At  September  30,  1996 the  Bank  did not  have  any  mortgage-backed
securities in excess of 10% of retained earnings except for FNMA, FHLMC and GNMA
issues,   amounting  to  $23.9   million,   $17.5   million  and  $3.3  million,
respectively.

         The market values of a portion of the Bank's mortgage-backed securities
held-to-maturity  have been from time to time lower than their carrying  values.
However, for financial reporting purposes, such declines in value are considered
to be temporary in nature since they have been due to changes in interest  rates
rather  than  credit  concerns.  See  Note  2 of  the  Notes  to  the  Financial
Statements.

         The following table shows mortgage-backed securities purchase, sale and
repayment activities of the Bank for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Nine Months Ended                      Year Ended
                                                   September 30,                       December 31,
                                                -------------------        ------------------------------------
                                                 1996          1995         1995          1994             1993
                                                 ----          ----         ----          ----             ----
                                                                     (In Thousands)
<S>                                            <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>              <C>
Purchases:
  Adjustable-rate........................       $5,430        $8,088       $9,103       $14,768          $ 2,117
  Fixed-rate.............................          ---           ---          ---           ---           22,748
  CMOs...................................       10,152         7,842       11,350        23,498           34,673
                                                ------        ------       ------        ------           ------
         Total purchases.................       15,582        15,930       20,453        38,266           59,538

Sales:
  Adjustable-rate........................          ---           ---          ---           ---            2,629
  Fixed-rate.............................          ---           575          575           ---            2,600
  CMOs...................................          ---         3,071        3,071         4,956            2,678
                                               -------        ------       ------        ------           ------
          Total sales....................          ---         3,646        3,646         4,956            7,907

  Principal repayments...................     (18,103)      (14,200)     (22,440)      (38,476)         (57,663)
  Discount/premium net change............        (125)         (547)        (564)       (1,706)          (2,286)
  Fair value net change..................        (155)           399          639         (283)              ---
                                              -------      ---------     --------    ---------         ---------
         Net increase (decrease).........       $2,802     $ (2,064)     $(5,558)     $ (7,155)        $ (8,318)
                                                ======     ========      =======      ========         ========
</TABLE>


         As a result in part of  competitive  factors,  the Bank's  holdings  of
mortgage-backed   securities  are  larger  than  its  loans  receivable.   Since
pass-through mortgage-backed securities generally carry a yield approximately 50
to 100 basis points below that of the  corresponding  type of  residential  loan
(due  to the  implied  federal  agency  guarantee  fee and  the  retention  of a
servicing  spread by the loan  servicer),  and the Bank's  CMOs and REMICs  also
carry lower yields (due to the implied federal agency guarantee and because such
securities  tend to have shorter actual  durations  than 30 year loans),  in the
event that the proportion of the Bank's assets consisting of mortgage-backed and
related  securities  increases,  the  Bank's  asset  yields  could  be  somewhat
adversely  affected.   The  Bank  will  evaluate   mortgage-backed  and  related
securities  purchases  in the future  based on its  asset/liability  objectives,
market conditions and alternative investment opportunities.


                                       75

<PAGE>



         Securities. Federally chartered savings institutions have the authority
to invest in various types of liquid assets,  including  United States  Treasury
obligations,  securities of various federal  agencies,  certain  certificates of
deposit of insured banks and savings institutions, certain bankers' acceptances,
repurchase  agreements  and  federal  funds.  Subject to  various  restrictions,
federally  chartered  savings  institutions  may also  invest  their  assets  in
commercial  paper,  investment  grade corporate debt securities and mutual funds
whose  assets  conform to the  investments  that a federally  chartered  savings
institution is otherwise authorized to make directly.

         In order to  complement  its  lending  and  mortgage-backed  securities
investment  activities  and to  increase  its  holding of short and medium  term
assets,   the  Bank  invests  in  liquidity   investments  and  in  high-quality
investments, such as U.S. Treasury and agency obligations. At September 30, 1996
and December 31, 1995, the Bank's securities  portfolio totaled $7.1 million and
$14.6  million,  respectively.  At September 30, 1996,  the Bank did not own any
investment  securities  of a single  issuer  which  exceeded  10% of the  Bank's
retained  earnings,  other than federal  agency  obligations.  See Note 2 of the
Notes to the  Financial  Statements  for  additional  information  regarding the
Bank's securities portfolio.



                                       76

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank's securities
and other earning assets at the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                   December 31,
                                                              ----------------------------------------------------------
                                        September 30, 1996            1995                1994                1993
                                        ------------------    -----------------    ----------------    -----------------
                                         Carrying    % of     Carrying     % of    Carrying    % of    Carrying     % of
                                           Value    Total      Value      Total      Value    Total      Value     Total
                                           -----    -----      -----      -----      -----    -----      -----     -----
                                                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                      <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>
Securities held-to-maturity:
  Federal agency obligations ............ $ --        --  %    $ 1,500     10.26%  $ 3,500     30.61%   $6,003     100.00%
                                          ------    ------     -------    ------     -----    ------    -------    ------
                                            --        --         1,500     10.26     3,500     30.61     6,003     100.00
Securities available-for sale:
  Federal agency obligations ............  7,095    100.00      13,125     89.74     7,934     69.39        --        --
                                          ------    ------     -------    ------     -----    ------    -------    ------
                                           7,095    100.00      13,125     89.74     7,934     69.39        --        --
                                          ------    ------     -------    ------     -----    ------    -------    ------

       Total securities ................. $7,095    100.00%    $14,625    100.00%  $11,434    100.00%   $ 6,003    100.00%
                                          ======    ======     =======    ======   =======    ======    =======    ======

Average remaining life of
 securities: ............................ 1 year               3 years              1 year              2 years

Other earning assets:
  Interest-earning deposits
   with banks .......................... $14,800     90.42%    $10,158     87.90%  $14,027     92.31%   $17,372      94.47%
  FHLB stock ...........................     901      5.50         849      7.35       837      5.51        991       5.39
  FHLMC stock ..........................     667      4.08         549      4.75       332      2.18         26       0.14
  Federal funds sold ...................      --        --          --        --        --        --         --        --
                                         -------    ------     -------    ------    -------    ------   -------     ------
        Total .......................... $16,368    100.00%    $11,556    100.00%  $15,196    100.00%   $18,389     100.00%
                                         =======    ======     =======    ======   =======    ======    =======     ======
</TABLE>


                                       77

<PAGE>



         The composition and maturities of the securities  portfolio,  excluding
FHLB stock, are indicated in the following table.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                        September 30, 1996
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Less Than     1 to 5      5 to 10       Over
                                          1 Year        Years       Years      10 years         Total Securities
                                          ------        -----       -----      --------      -----------------------
                                        Book Value   Book Value   Book Value   Book Value    Book Value   Book Value
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------
                                                                     (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                     <C>            <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>             <C>   
   
Federal agency obligations..........      $5,080       $2,006      $   ---    $   ---        $7,086         $7,095
                                         -------      -------     --------    -------       -------         ------
Total investment securities.........      $5,080       $2,006      $   ---    $   ---        $7,086         $7,095
                                          ======       ======      =======    =======        ======         ======
Weighted average yield..............        5.31%        6.17%         ---        ---          5.55%           ---
</TABLE>
    

         See Note 2 of the Notes to the Financial Statements for a discussion of
the Bank's securities portfolio.

Sources of Funds

         General.  The Bank's  primary  sources of funds are deposits,  payments
(including  prepayments)  of  loan  principal,  interest  earned  on  loans  and
securities,  repayments  of  securities,  borrowings  and  funds  provided  from
operations.

         Deposits.  Hemlock Federal offers deposit  accounts having a wide range
of interest rates and terms. The Bank's deposits consist of passbook, NOW, money
market  and  various  certificate   accounts.   The  Bank  relies  primarily  on
competitive  pricing and customer  service to attract and retain these deposits.
The Bank's  customers may access their accounts  through any of the Bank's three
offices and two automated teller machines. In addition, the Bank's customers may
access their accounts  through CIRRUS,  a nationwide ATM network.  The Bank only
solicits  deposits  in its market  area and does not  currently  use  brokers to
obtain deposits.

         The variety of deposit  accounts  offered by the Bank has allowed it to
be competitive in obtaining funds and to respond with  flexibility to changes in
consumer  demand.  As a result,  as  customers  have become more  interest  rate
conscious,  the Bank has become more  susceptible to short-term  fluctuations in
deposit flows.

         The Bank  manages  the  pricing of its  deposits  in  keeping  with its
asset/liability  management,  profitability and growth objectives.  However, the
Bank has found it difficult to increase its deposits on a cost  effective  basis
as a result of intense  competition in the communities in which it operates.  In
order to improve its deposit growth,  the Bank may consider the establishment of
a new branch office in the  southwestern  suburbs of Chicago,  although the Bank
has no specific  plans or  arrangements  regarding any such new office as of the
date hereof.

         Management  believes  that the "core"  portion  of the  Bank's  regular
savings,  NOW and  money  market  accounts  can  have a lower  cost  and be more
resistant to interest rate changes than  certificate  accounts.  These  accounts
decreased  $6.4 million  since  December  31, 1993.  The Bank intends to utilize
customer  service and marketing  initiatives in an effort to maintain the volume
of such deposits. However, there can be no assurance as to whether the Bank will
be

                                       78

<PAGE>

able to  maintain  or increase  its core  deposits  in the  future.  The Bank is
actively  exploring  the  feasibility  of  opening  a new  branch  office in its
contiguous  market  area as a way to build its  deposit  base and  continue  its
existing customer relationships.



                                       79

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth the savings flows at the Bank during the
periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                     Nine Months Ended                    Year Ended
                                       September 30,                      December 31,
                                    -------------------       ------------------------------------
                                     1996        1995         1995           1994           1993
                                     ----        ----         ----           ----           ----
                                                           (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>     
Opening balance.................   $130,741    $130,771      $130,771      $132,583       $128,149
Deposits........................    157,763     159,100       210,667       200,476        202,600
Withdrawals.....................    163,489     163,192       215,972       206,731        202,860
Interest credited...............      4,144       3,892         5,275         4,443          4,694
                                  ---------    --------      --------      --------       --------
Ending balance..................   $129,159    $130,571      $130,741      $130,771       $132,583
                                   ========    ========      ========      ========       ========
Net increase (decrease).........   $ (1,582)    $  (200)     $    (30)     $ (1,812)      $  4,434
                                   ========     =======      ==========    =========      =========
Percent increase (decrease).....      (1.21)%     (0.15)%       (0.02)%       (1.37)%         3.46%
                                      =====       =====         =====         =====           ====
</TABLE>


                                       80

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth the dollar amount of savings deposits in
the  various  types of  deposit  programs  offered  by the Bank as of the  dates
indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   September 30,                                   December 31,
                                      ------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------------
                                            1996               1995                1995               1994             1993
                                      -----------------   ----------------   ---------------    ----------------  ----------------
                                               Percent             Percent            Percent           Percent           Percent
                                      Amount   of Total   Amount  of Total   Amount  of Total   Amount  of Total  Amount  of Total
                                      ------   --------   ------  --------   ------  --------   ------  --------  ------  --------
                                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                 <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
Transactions and Savings Deposits
Passbook Accounts 3.14%............  $ 45,689   35.37%  $ 46,065   35.28%  $ 46,053   35.23%  $ 48,697  37.24%  $ 48,482   36.57%
NOW Accounts 2.52%.................    12,979   10.05     13,616   10.43     14,021   10.72     13,331  10.20     13,202    9.96
Money Market Accounts 3.20%........     5,265    4.08      6,004    4.60      5,999    4.59      7,236   5.53      8,640    6.52
                                     --------  ------   --------  ------   --------  ------  ---------  ------  --------- ------
Total Non-Certificates.............    63,933   49.50     65,685   50.31     66,073   50.54     69,264  52.97     70,324   53.05

Certificates:
0.00 - 3.99%.......................       ---     ---        ---     ---        ---     ---     17,193  13.15     36,925   27.85
4.00 - 5.99%.......................    55,993   43.35     52,656   40.33     54,033   41.33     41,235  31.53     20,356   15.35
6.00 - 7.99%.......................     9,233    7.15     12,230    9.36     10,635    8.13      3,079   2.35      4,978    3.75
                                     --------   -----   --------  ------   --------  ------  ---------  -----  --------- -------
Total Certificates..................   65,226   50.50     64,886   49.69     64,668   49.46     61,507  47.03     62,259   46.95
                                     --------   -----   --------  ------   --------  ------   --------  -----   -------- -------
Total Deposits...................... $129,159  100.00%  $130,571  100.00%  $130,741  100.00%  $130,771 100.00%  $132,583  100.00%
                                     ========   ======   ======== ======   ========  ======   ======== ======   ========  ======
</TABLE>


                                       81

<PAGE>



         The following table shows rate and maturity  information for the Bank's
certificates of deposit as of September 30, 1996.



                          Less Than 1 to 2   2 to 3   3 to 4    4 to 5
                           1 Year    Years    Years    Years     Years   Total
                           ------    -----    -----    -----     -----   -----
                                         (Dollars in Thousands)
4.00 - 4.99% ..........   $ 2,292   $ --     $    3   $ --     $  --     $ 2,295
5.00 - 5.99% ..........    43,712    6,946    2,360      317       363    53,698
6.00 - 6.99% ..........     3,296    2,328    1,291    1,672       146     8,733
7.00 - 7.99% ..........       500     --       --       --        --         500
                          -------   ------   ------   ------   -------   -------
                          $49,800   $9,274   $3,654   $1,989   $   509   $65,226
                          =======   ======   ======   ======   =======   =======


         The following table indicates the amount of the Bank's  certificates of
deposit and other deposits by time remaining  until maturity as of September 30,
1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Maturity
                                                   --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Over            Over
                                                   3 Months         3 to 6          6 to 12         Over
                                                    or Less         Months          Months        12 Months         Total
                                                    -------         ------          ------        ---------         -----
                                                                              (In Thousands)
<S>                                               <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>
Certificates of deposit less than
 $100,000...................................         $13,495        $15,365         $17,309        $13,792         $59,961
Certificates of deposit $100,000
 or more....................................           1,023          1,648             960          1,634           5,265
Public funds................................             ---            ---             ---            ---             ---
                                                     -------        -------         -------        -------         -------
     Total certificates of deposit..........         $14,518        $17,013         $18,269        $15,426         $65,226
                                                     =======        =======         =======        =======         =======
</TABLE>


         For  additional  information  regarding the  composition  of the Bank's
deposits, see Note 6 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.

         Borrowings.  Hemlock Federal's other available sources of funds include
advances from the FHLB of Chicago and other borrowings.  As a member of the FHLB
of Chicago, the Bank is required to own capital stock in the FHLB of Chicago and
is authorized  to apply for advances from the FHLB of Chicago.  Each FHLB credit
program has its own interest rate, which may be fixed or variable,  and range of
maturities.  The FHLB of Chicago may  prescribe  the  acceptable  uses for these
advances,  as well as  limitations  on the size of the  advances  and  repayment
provisions. See Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       82

<PAGE>



         The  following  table  sets forth the  maximum  month-end  balance  and
average  balance of FHLB  advances  for the periods  indicated.  The Bank had no
other outstanding borrowings during the periods shown

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                      Nine Months Ended                         Year Ended
                                                         September 30,                          December 31,
                                                      -------------------            -----------------------------------
                                                      1996           1995            1995           1994            1993
                                                      ----           ----            ----           ----            ----
                                                                            (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
Maximum Balance: 
  FHLB Advances.............................          $1,500         $1,500          $1,500         $3,000          $6,000
Average Balance:
  FHLB Advances.............................          $1,500         $1,500          $1,500         $2,423          $3,462
Weighted average interest rate of
  FHLB advances.............................            9.72%          9.72%           9.72%          9.72%           9.59%
</TABLE>

Subsidiary Activities

         As a federally  chartered savings bank, Hemlock Federal is permitted by
OTS  regulations  to invest up to 2% of its assets in the stock of, or loans to,
service corporation subsidiaries,  and may invest an additional 1% of its assets
in service  corporations  where such additional funds are used for inner-city or
community   development   purposes.   In  addition  to  investments  in  service
corporations,  federal  institutions are permitted to invest an unlimited amount
in operating  subsidiaries  engaged solely in activities which a federal savings
association may engage in directly.  At September 30, 1996,  Hemlock Federal did
not have any subsidiaries.

Competition

         Hemlock  Federal  faces strong  competition  both in  originating  real
estate loans and in attracting deposits.  Competition in originating loans comes
primarily  from  commercial  banks,  credit unions,  mortgage  bankers and other
savings  institutions,  which also make loans secured by real estate  located in
the Bank's market area.  Hemlock Federal  competes for loans  principally on the
basis of the  interest  rates  and loan fees it  charges,  the types of loans it
originates and the quality of services it provides to borrowers.

         Competition for those deposits is principally  from  commercial  banks,
credit unions,  mutual funds,  securities  firms and other savings  institutions
located in the same  communities.  The ability of the Bank to attract and retain
deposits  depends  on its  ability to provide  an  investment  opportunity  that
satisfies the requirements of investors as to rate of return,  liquidity,  risk,
convenient  locations and other factors. The Bank competes for these deposits by
offering  competitive rates,  convenient  business hours and a customer oriented
staff.


                                       83

<PAGE>



Employees

         At September 30, 1996,  the Bank had a total of 59 employees  including
nine part-time  employees.  None of the Bank's  employees are represented by any
collective bargaining agreement.  Management considers its employee relations to
be good.

Properties

   
         The following table sets forth  information  concerning the main office
and each branch office of the Bank at September 30, 1996. At September 30, 1996,
the Bank's premises had an aggregate net book value of approximately $792,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                    Year          Owned or   Net Book Value at
     Location                     Acquired         Leased    December 31, 1995
     --------                     --------         ------    -----------------
                                 (In Thousands)
<S>                               <C>             <C>        <C>
Main Office:

5700 West 159th Street ..........   1974           Owned           $571
Oak Forest, Illinois 60452

Full Service Branches:

8855 South Ridgeland Ave ........   1975          Leased(1)         221
Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453

4646 South Damen Avenue .........   1990          Leased(2)         ---
Chicago, Illinois 60609
<FN>
- ---------------
    

(1)  The land on which the Oak Lawn  branch is built is leased.  Under the terms
     of the  lease,  upon the  expiration  of the  lease  in 2005,  title to the
     building  housing the branch which is currently held by the Bank, will pass
     to the landlord.

(2)  The lease is currently in the process of renegotiation.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         The Bank believes that its current  facilities are adequate to meet the
present and foreseeable future needs of the Bank and the Holding Company.

         The Bank's  depositor and borrower  customer files are maintained by an
independent data processing  company.  The net book value of the data processing
and  computer  equipment  utilized  by  the  Bank  at  September  30,  1996  was
approximately $20,000.

Legal Proceedings

         From  time to  time,  Hemlock  Federal  is  involved  as  plaintiff  or
defendant  in various  legal  proceedings  arising  in the normal  course of its
business.  While the ultimate outcome of these various legal proceedings  cannot
be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution
of  these  legal  actions  should  not have a  material  effect  on the  Holding
Company's and Hemlock Federal's financial position or results of operations.



                                       84

<PAGE>



                                   REGULATION

General

         Hemlock Federal is a federally  chartered savings bank, the deposits of
which are  federally  insured  and  backed by the full  faith and  credit of the
United  States  Government.  Accordingly,  Hemlock  Federal  is subject to broad
federal  regulation  and  oversight  extending  to all its  operations.  Hemlock
Federal  is a member of the FHLB of Chicago  and is  subject to certain  limited
regulation  by the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System  ("Federal
Reserve Board"). As the savings and loan holding company of Hemlock Federal, the
Holding Company also is subject to federal regulation and oversight. The purpose
of the  regulation  of the Holding  Company and other  holding  companies  is to
protect  subsidiary  savings  associations.  Hemlock  Federal is a member of the
Savings Association  Insurance Fund ("SAIF") and the deposits of Hemlock Federal
are  insured  by the FDIC.  As a result,  the FDIC has  certain  regulatory  and
examination authority over Hemlock Federal.

         Certain of these regulatory requirements and restrictions are discussed
below or elsewhere in this document.

Federal Regulation of Savings Associations

         The  OTS  has  extensive  authority  over  the  operations  of  savings
associations.  As part of this  authority,  Hemlock  Federal is required to file
periodic reports with the OTS and is subject to periodic examinations by the OTS
and the FDIC. The last regular OTS and FDIC examinations of Hemlock Federal were
as of March  1996 and  February  1995,  respectively.  Under  agency  scheduling
guidelines,  it is likely that another examination will be initiated in the near
future.  When these  examinations  are  conducted  by the OTS and the FDIC,  the
examiners may require  Hemlock Federal to provide for higher general or specific
loan loss  reserves.  All  savings  associations  are  subject to a  semi-annual
assessment,  based upon the  savings  association's  total  assets,  to fund the
operations of the OTS.

         The OTS also  has  extensive  enforcement  authority  over all  savings
institutions  and their holding  companies,  including  Hemlock  Federal and the
Holding Company.  This enforcement  authority includes,  among other things, the
ability to assess civil money penalties,  to issue cease-  and-desist or removal
orders and to initiate injunctive actions. In general, these enforcement actions
may be initiated for  violations of laws and  regulations  and unsafe or unsound
practices.  Other  actions or  inactions  may provide the basis for  enforcement
action,  including  misleading or untimely  reports  filed with the OTS.  Except
under certain  circumstances,  public disclosure of final enforcement actions by
the OTS is required.

         In addition, the investment, lending and branching authority of Hemlock
Federal is prescribed by federal laws and it is prohibited  from engaging in any
activities not permitted by such laws. For instance,  no savings institution may
invest in  non-investment  grade  corporate debt  securities.  In addition,  the
permissible  level of  investment  by federal  associations  in loans secured by
non-residential real property may not exceed 400% of total capital,  except with
approval of the OTS. Federal savings  associations are also generally authorized
to  branch  nationwide.   Hemlock  Federal  is  in  compliance  with  the  noted
restrictions.

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         Hemlock    Federal's    general    permissible    lending   limit   for
loans-to-one-borrower  is equal to the greater of $500,000 or 15% of  unimpaired
capital  and  surplus  (except  for  loans  fully  secured  by  certain  readily
marketable  collateral,  in  which  case  this  limit  is  increased  to  25% of
unimpaired  capital and  surplus).  At  September  30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal's
lending limit under this restriction was $1.6 million.  Assuming the sale of the
minimum  number of shares in the  Conversion at September  30, 1996,  that limit
would be increased to $2.3 million.  Hemlock  Federal is in compliance  with the
loans-to-one-borrower limitation.

         The OTS, as well as the other  federal  banking  agencies,  has adopted
guidelines  establishing  safety and soundness standards on such matters as loan
underwriting and  documentation,  internal controls and audit systems,  interest
rate risk exposure and compensation and other employee benefits. Any institution
which fails to comply with these  standards  must submit a  compliance  plan.  A
failure to submit a plan or to comply  with an  approved  plan will  subject the
institution to further enforcement action. The OTS and the other federal banking
agencies have also proposed additional  guidelines on asset quality and earnings
standards.  No assurance can be given as to whether or in what form the proposed
regulations will be adopted.

Insurance of Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC

         Hemlock  Federal is a member of the SAIF,  which is administered by the
FDIC.  Deposits  are  insured  up to  applicable  limits  by the  FDIC  and such
insurance  is  backed  by  the  full  faith  and  credit  of the  United  States
Government.  As insurer,  the FDIC  imposes  deposit  insurance  premiums and is
authorized to conduct  examinations of and to require  reporting by FDIC-insured
institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in
any activity the FDIC  determines  by regulation or order to pose a serious risk
to the FDIC.  The FDIC also has the  authority to initiate  enforcement  actions
against savings  associations,  after giving the OTS an opportunity to take such
action,  and may  terminate  the deposit  insurance  if it  determines  that the
institution  has  engaged in unsafe or unsound  practices  or is in an unsafe or
unsound condition.

         The FDIC's deposit insurance premiums are assessed through a risk-based
system under which all insured  depository  institutions  are placed into one of
nine  categories  and  assessed  insurance  premiums  based upon their  level of
capital and supervisory evaluation. Under the system, institutions classified as
well  capitalized  (i.e., a core capital ratio of at least 5%, a ratio of Tier 1
or core capital to  risk-weighted  assets  ("Tier 1  risk-based  capital") of at
least 6% and a risk-based  capital ratio of at least 10%) and considered healthy
pay the  lowest  premium  while  institutions  that  are  less  than  adequately
capitalized (i.e., core or Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios of less than 4% or a
risk-based  capital  ratio  of less  than  8%)  and  considered  of  substantial
supervisory concern pay the highest premium.  Risk classification of all insured
institutions will be made by the FDIC for each semi-annual assessment period.

         The FDIC is authorized to increase  assessment  rates,  on a semiannual
basis, if it determines that the reserve ratio of the SAIF will be less than the
designated  reserve ratio of 1.25% of  SAIF-insured  deposits.  In setting these
increased  assessments,  the FDIC must seek to restore the reserve ratio to that
designated  reserve  level,  or such higher  reserve ratio as established by the
FDIC. The FDIC may also impose special assessments on SAIF members

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to repay  amounts  borrowed  from the United  States  Treasury  or for any other
reason deemed necessary by the FDIC.

         For the  first six  months of 1995,  the  assessment  schedule  for BIF
members and SAIF members  ranged from .23% to .31% of  deposits.  As is the case
with the SAIF, the FDIC is authorized to adjust the insurance  premium rates for
banks that are insured by the BIF of the FDIC in order to  maintain  the reserve
ratio of the BIF at  1.25%  of BIF  insured  deposits.  As a  result  of the BIF
reaching its statutory  reserve ratio the FDIC revised the premium  schedule for
BIF insured  institutions  to provide a range of .04% to .31% of  deposits.  The
revisions  became  effective in the third quarter of 1995. In addition,  the BIF
rates were further revised,  effective January 1996, to provide a range of 0% to
 .27%. The SAIF rates,  however,  were not adjusted. At the time the FDIC revised
the BIF premium schedule, it noted that, absent legislative action (as discussed
below),  the SAIF would not attain its  designated  reserve ratio until the year
2002. As a result,  SAIF insured members would continue to be generally  subject
to higher deposit insurance  premiums than BIF insured  institutions  until, all
things being equal, the SAIF attains its required reserve ratio.

         In order to eliminate this disparity and any  competitive  disadvantage
between  BIF and SAIF  member  institutions  with  respect to deposit  insurance
premiums,  legislation to  recapitalize  the SAIF was enacted in September 1996.
The legislation provides for a one-time assessment to be imposed on all deposits
assessed at the SAIF rates, as of March 31, 1995, in order to  recapitalize  the
SAIF. It also provides for the merger of the BIF and the SAIF on January 1, 1999
if no savings  associations  then exist.  The special  assessment  rate has been
established  at .657% of deposits  and the  assessment  was paid on November 27,
1996.  Based on Hemlock  Federal's  level of SAIF  deposits  at March 31,  1995,
Hemlock Federal's assessment is approximately  $840,000 on a pre-tax basis. This
special assessment will significantly increase noninterest expense and adversely
affect the Bank's results of operations  for the year ended  September 30, 1996.


         Prior  to the  enactment  of the  legislation,  a  portion  of the SAIF
assessment imposed on savings  associations was used to repay obligations issued
by a federally chartered corporation to provide financing ("FICO") for resolving
the thrift  crisis in the 1980s.  Although the FDIC has  proposed  that the SAIF
assessment be equalized with the BIF assessment  schedule,  effective October 1,
1996, SAIF-insured institutions will continue to be subject to a FICO assessment
as a result of this continuing  obligation.  Although the  legislation  also now
requires  assessments  to be made on  BIF-assessable  deposits for this purpose,
effective  January 1, 1997,  that  assessment will be limited to 20% of the rate
imposed on SAIF  assessable  deposits  until the earlier of December 31, 1999 or
when no  savings  association  continues  to exist,  thereby  imposing a greater
burden on SAIF member institutions such as Hemlock Federal. Thereafter, however,
assessments on BIF-member  institutions  will be made on the same basis as SAIF-
member  institutions.  The rates to be established by the FDIC to implement this
requirement for all FDIC-insured institutions is uncertain at this time, but are
anticipated  to be about a 6.5 basis points  assessment on SAIF deposits and 1.5
basis points on BIF deposits until BIF insured institutions participate fully in
the assessment.

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Regulatory Capital Requirements

         Federally insured savings  associations,  such as Hemlock Federal,  are
required  to  maintain  a  minimum  level  of  regulatory  capital.  The OTS has
established  capital  standards,  including a tangible  capital  requirement,  a
leverage  ratio  (or  core  capital)   requirement  and  a  risk-based   capital
requirement applicable to such savings associations.  These capital requirements
must be  generally  as  stringent as the  comparable  capital  requirements  for
national  banks.  The OTS is also  authorized to impose capital  requirements in
excess of these standards on individual associations on a case-by-case basis.

         The capital  regulations  require  tangible capital of at least 1.5% of
adjusted total assets (as defined by  regulation).  Tangible  capital  generally
includes  common   stockholders'   equity  and  retained  income,   and  certain
noncumulative  perpetual  Hemlock Federal stock and related income. In addition,
all  intangible  assets,  other  than a  limited  amount of  purchased  mortgage
servicing  rights,  must be  deducted  from  tangible  capital  for  calculating
compliance with the requirement.  At September 30, 1996, Hemlock Federal did not
have any intangible assets recorded as assets on its financial statements.

         The OTS regulations establish special  capitalization  requirements for
savings associations that own subsidiaries.  In determining  compliance with the
capital requirements,  all subsidiaries engaged solely in activities permissible
for national  banks or engaged in certain other  activities  solely as agent for
its customers are  "includable"  subsidiaries  that are consolidated for capital
purposes in proportion to the association's  level of ownership.  For excludable
subsidiaries the debt and equity  investments in such  subsidiaries are deducted
from assets and capital.

         Assuming   the  Bank  would  have  been  subject  to  the  OTS  capital
requirements,  at September 30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal had tangible  capital of
$10.8 million,  or 7.4% of adjusted total assets,  which is  approximately  $8.6
million above the minimum requirement of 1.5% of adjusted total assets in effect
on that  date.  On a pro forma  basis,  after  giving  effect to the sale of the
minimum,  midpoint and maximum  number of shares of Common Stock  offered in the
Conversion  and investment of 50% of the net proceeds in assets not excluded for
tangible capital purposes, Hemlock Federal would have had tangible capital equal
to 10.3%, 10.8% and 11.3%,  respectively,  of adjusted total assets at September
30, 1996, which is $13.4 million, $14.3 million and $15.1 million, respectively,
above the requirement.

         The capital standards also require core capital equal to at least 3% of
adjusted total assets.  Core capital generally consists of tangible capital plus
certain intangible  assets,  including a limited amount of purchased credit card
relationships.  As a result of the prompt corrective action provisions discussed
below,  however, a savings  association must maintain a core capital ratio of at
least  4%  to  be  considered  adequately  capitalized  unless  its  supervisory
condition  is such to allow it to maintain a 3% ratio.  At  September  30, 1996,
Hemlock Federal had no intangibles which were subject to these tests.

         At September 30, 1996,  Hemlock Federal had core capital equal to $10.8
million,  or 7.4% of adjusted  total  assets,  which is $6.4  million  above the
minimum  leverage  ratio  requirement  of 3% as in effect on that date. On a pro
forma  basis,  after  giving  effect to the sale of the  minimum,  midpoint  and
maximum number of shares of Common Stock offered in the

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Conversion and investment of 50% of the net proceeds in assets not excluded from
core capital,  Hemlock Federal would have had core capital equal to 10.3%, 10.8%
and 11.3%,  respectively,  of adjusted total assets at September 30, 1996, which
is $11.1  million,  $11.9  million and $12.8  million,  respectively,  above the
requirement.

          The OTS risk-based  requirement  requires savings associations to have
total capital of at least 8% of risk-weighted  assets. Total capital consists of
core capital, as defined above, and supplementary capital. Supplementary capital
consists of certain  permanent  and  maturing  capital  instruments  that do not
qualify as core capital and general  valuation loan and lease loss allowances up
to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets. Supplementary capital may be used
to satisfy the risk-based  requirement  only to the extent of core capital.  The
OTS is  also  authorized  to  require  a  savings  association  to  maintain  an
additional  amount of total capital to account for  concentration of credit risk
and the risk of  non-traditional  activities.  At September  30,  1996,  Hemlock
Federal had $619,000 of general  loss  reserves  that  qualify as  supplementary
capital, which was less than 1.25% of risk-weighted assets.

         Certain  exclusions from capital and assets are required to be made for
the purpose of calculating  total  capital.  Such  exclusions  consist of equity
investments  (as  defined  by  regulation)  and that  portion  of land loans and
nonresidential  construction  loans in excess of an 80% loan-to-value  ratio and
reciprocal  holdings of qualifying capital  instruments.  Hemlock Federal had no
such exclusions from capital and assets at September 30, 1996.

         In  determining  the  amount  of  risk-weighted   assets,  all  assets,
including certain  off-balance sheet items, will be multiplied by a risk weight,
ranging from 0% to 100%,  based on the risk  inherent in the type of asset.  For
example,  the OTS has assigned a risk weight of 50% for  prudently  underwritten
permanent  one- to  four-family  first lien mortgage loans not more than 90 days
delinquent  and having a loan to value ratio of not more than 80% at origination
unless insured to such ratio by an insurer approved by the FNMA or FHLMC.

         The  OTS  has  adopted  a  final  rule  that  requires   every  savings
association with more than normal interest rate risk exposure to deduct from its
total capital, for purposes of determining compliance with such requirement,  an
amount equal to 50% of its interest-rate risk exposure multiplied by the present
value of its assets.  This exposure is a measure of the potential decline in the
net  portfolio  value of a savings  association,  greater than 2% of the present
value of its  assets,  based upon a  hypothetical  200 basis  point  increase or
decrease  in  interest  rates  (whichever  results  in a greater  decline).  Net
portfolio  value is the  present  value of  expected  cash  flows  from  assets,
liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. The rule provides for a two quarter
lag between  calculating  interest rate risk and  recognizing any deduction from
capital.  The rule will not become effective until the OTS evaluates the process
by which  savings  associations  may  appeal an  interest  rate  risk  deduction
determination.  It is uncertain as to when this evaluation may be completed. Any
savings  association  with less than $300 million in assets and a total  capital
ratio in excess of 12% is exempt from this requirement unless the OTS determines
otherwise.  Based upon its capital  level and assets size at September 30, 1996,
Hemlock Federal would qualify for an exemption from the requirement.


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         On  September  30,  1996,  Hemlock  Federal had total  capital of $11.4
million  (including  $10.8  million in core capital and  $619,000 in  qualifying
supplementary  capital) and risk-  weighted  assets of $49.5  million;  or total
capital of 23.1% of risk-weighted assets. This amount was $7.5 million above the
8% requirement in effect on that date. On a pro forma basis, after giving effect
to the sale of the  minimum,  midpoint  and  maximum  number of shares of Common
Stock offered in the  Conversion,  the infusion to Hemlock Federal of 50% of the
net Conversion  proceeds and the investment of those proceeds to Hemlock Federal
in 20% risk-weighted government securities, Hemlock Federal would have had total
capital of 32.2%, 33.9% and 35.5%, respectively,  of risk-weighted assets, which
is above the current 8% requirement  by $12.2  million,  $13.1 million and $14.0
million, respectively.

         The OTS and the FDIC are authorized  and,  under certain  circumstances
required, to take certain actions against savings associations that fail to meet
their  capital  requirements.  The OTS is  generally  required to take action to
restrict the activities of an "undercapitalized  association" (generally defined
to be one with less than  either a 4% core  capital  ratio,  a 4% Tier 1 risked-
based capital ratio or an 8% risk-based  capital  ratio).  Any such  association
must  submit a capital  restoration  plan and until such plan is approved by the
OTS may not increase its assets, acquire another institution, establish a branch
or  engage  in  any  new   activities,   and  generally  may  not  make  capital
distributions.  The OTS is authorized to impose the additional restrictions that
are applicable to significantly undercapitalized associations.

          As a condition to the approval of the capital  restoration  plan,  any
company  controlling  an  undercapitalized  association  must agree that it will
enter  into  a  limited  capital  maintenance  guarantee  with  respect  to  the
institution's achievement of its capital requirements.

         Any savings  association  that fails to comply with its capital plan or
is  "significantly  undercapitalized"  (i.e.,  Tier 1 risk-based or core capital
ratios of less than 3% or a  risk-based  capital  ratio of less than 6%) must be
made  subject  to one or more of  additional  specified  actions  and  operating
restrictions  which may cover all aspects of its operations and include a forced
merger  or  acquisition  of  the   association.   An  association  that  becomes
"critically  undercapitalized" (i.e., a tangible capital ratio of 2% or less) is
subject to further mandatory restrictions on its activities in addition to those
applicable to significantly  undercapitalized associations. In addition, the OTS
must appoint a receiver (or conservator  with the concurrence of the FDIC) for a
savings  association,  with certain limited exceptions,  within 90 days after it
becomes critically  undercapitalized.  Any undercapitalized  association is also
subject to the general enforcement  authority of the OTS and the FDIC, including
the appointment of a conservator or a receiver.

         The OTS is also generally  authorized to reclassify an association into
a lower capital category and impose the restrictions applicable to such category
if the institution is engaged in unsafe or unsound  practices or is in an unsafe
or unsound condition.

         The  imposition  by the OTS or the  FDIC of any of  these  measures  on
Hemlock  Federal  may have a  substantial  adverse  effect on Hemlock  Federal's
operations and  profitability and the value of the Common Stock purchased in the
Conversion.  Holding Company  stockholders do not have  preemptive  rights,  and
therefore,  if the  Holding  Company is directed by the OTS or the FDIC to issue
additional shares of Common Stock, such issuance may result in the dilution

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in the  percentage  of  ownership  of  the  Holding  Company  of  those  persons
purchasing shares in the Conversion.

Limitations on Dividends and Other Capital Distributions

         OTS regulations  impose various  restrictions  on savings  associations
with respect to their ability to make  distributions  of capital,  which include
dividends,  stock  redemptions  or  repurchases,   cash-out  mergers  and  other
transactions  charged to the capital  account.  OTS regulations  also prohibit a
savings  association from declaring or paying any dividends or from repurchasing
any of its stock if, as a result,  the  regulatory  capital  of the  association
would be reduced below the amount  required to be maintained for the liquidation
account established in connection with its mutual to stock conversion.  See "The
Conversion--Effects  of Conversion to Stock Form on Depositors  and Borrowers of
the Bank" and "-Restrictions on Repurchase of Stock."

         Generally,  savings associations,  such as Hemlock Federal, that before
and after the proposed  distribution meet their capital  requirements,  may make
capital  distributions  during any calendar year equal to the greater of 100% of
net  income for the  year-to-date  plus 50% of the amount by which the lesser of
the  association's  tangible,  core or  risk-based  capital  exceeds its capital
requirement  for such  capital  component,  as measured at the  beginning of the
calendar year, or 75% of its net income for the most recent four quarter period.
However,  an association deemed to be in need of more than normal supervision by
the OTS may have its dividend  authority  restricted by the OTS. Hemlock Federal
may pay dividends in accordance with this general authority.

         Savings  associations  proposing to make any capital  distribution need
only  submit  written  notice  to the OTS 30 days  prior  to such  distribution.
Savings  associations  that do not,  or would  not meet  their  current  minimum
capital requirements  following a proposed capital  distribution,  however, must
obtain OTS approval prior to making such distribution. The OTS may object to the
distribution  during that 30-day  period  notice  based on safety and  soundness
concerns. See "- Regulatory Capital Requirements."

         The OTS has proposed  regulations that would revise the current capital
distribution  restrictions.  Under the proposal a savings  association that is a
subsidiary of a holding company may make a capital  distribution  with notice to
the  OTS  provided  that it has a CAMEL  1 or 2  rating,  is not of  supervisory
concern,  and would remain adequately  capitalized (as defined in the OTS prompt
corrective  action  regulations)  following the proposed  distribution.  Savings
associations  that would remain  adequately  capitalized  following the proposed
distribution but do not meet the other noted requirements must notify the OTS 30
days prior to declaring a capital distribution. The OTS stated it will generally
regard as permissible  that amount of capital  distributions  that do not exceed
50% of the  institution's  excess  regulatory  capital  plus net  income to date
during  the  calendar  year.  A  savings  association  may  not  make a  capital
distribution  without  prior  approval  of  the  OTS  and  the  FDIC  if  it  is
undercapitalized  before,  or as a result of, such a distribution.  As under the
current  rule,  the  OTS  may  object  to a  capital  distribution  if it  would
constitute  an unsafe  or  unsound  practice.  No  assurance  may be given as to
whether or in what form the regulations may be adopted.


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Liquidity

         All savings  associations,  including Hemlock Federal,  are required to
maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets equal to a certain percentage
of the sum of its average daily balance of net withdrawable deposit accounts and
borrowings payable in one year or less. For a discussion of what Hemlock Federal
includes  in  liquid  assets,  see  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial   Condition   and  Results  of  Operations  -  Liquidity  and  Capital
Resources."  This  liquid  asset  ratio  requirement  may vary from time to time
(between 4% and 10%) depending upon economic conditions and savings flows of all
savings associations. At the present time, the minimum liquid asset ratio is 5%.

         In  addition,  short-term  liquid  assets  (e.g.,  cash,  certain  time
deposits,  certain  bankers  acceptances  and short-term  United States Treasury
obligations)  currently must constitute at least 1% of the association's average
daily  balance of net  withdrawable  deposit  accounts  and current  borrowings.
Penalties may be imposed upon associations for violations of either liquid asset
ratio requirement. At September 30, 1996, Hemlock Federal was in compliance with
both requirements,  with an overall liquid asset ratio of 19.4% and a short-term
liquid assets ratio of 19.4%

Accounting

         An  OTS  policy  statement   applicable  to  all  savings  associations
clarifies  and  re-emphasizes  that  the  investment  activities  of  a  savings
association  must be in  compliance  with  approved  and  documented  investment
policies and  strategies,  and must be accounted  for in  accordance  with GAAP.
Under the policy  statement,  management must support its  classification of and
accounting   for  loans  and   securities   (i.e.,   whether   held-to-maturity,
available-for-sale or trading) with appropriate  documentation.  Hemlock Federal
is in compliance with these amended rules.

         The OTS has adopted an amendment to its accounting  regulations,  which
may be made more stringent than GAAP by the OTS, to require that transactions be
reported in a manner that best reflects their underlying  economic substance and
inherent risk and that financial  reports must  incorporate any other accounting
regulations or orders prescribed by the OTS.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test

         All savings  associations,  including Hemlock Federal,  are required to
meet a qualified  thrift lender  ("QTL") test to avoid certain  restrictions  on
their operations.  This test requires a savings association to have at least 65%
of  its  portfolio  assets  (as  defined  by  regulation)  in  qualified  thrift
investments  on a monthly  average  for nine out of every 12 months on a rolling
basis.  Such assets primarily  consist of residential  housing related loans and
investments.  At September 30, 1996, Hemlock Federal met the test with 91.12% of
its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments and has always met the test
since its effectiveness.

         Any savings association that fails to meet the QTL test must convert to
a national bank charter, unless it requalifies as a QTL and thereafter remains a
QTL. If an  association  does not  requalify  and  converts  to a national  bank
charter,  it must remain  SAIF-insured  until the FDIC permits it to transfer to
the BIF. If such an association has not yet requalified or converted to

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a  national  bank,  its new  investments  and  activities  are  limited to those
permissible  for both a  savings  association  and a  national  bank,  and it is
limited to national bank branching  rights in its home state.  In addition,  the
association is immediately  ineligible to receive any new FHLB borrowings and is
subject to national  bank limits for payment of dividends.  If such  association
has not requalified or converted to a national bank within three years after the
failure,  it must  divest  of all  investments  and  cease  all  activities  not
permissible  for a  national  bank.  In  addition,  it must repay  promptly  any
outstanding FHLB borrowings,  which may result in prepayment  penalties.  If any
association  that fails the QTL test is  controlled by a holding  company,  then
within one year after the failure,  the holding  company must register as a bank
holding  company  and  become  subject  to  all  restrictions  on  bank  holding
companies. See "- Holding Company Regulation."

Community Reinvestment Act

         Under the  Community  Reinvestment  Act  ("CRA"),  every  FDIC  insured
institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with safe and
sound banking  practices to help meet the credit needs of its entire  community,
including  low and moderate  income  neighborhoods.  The CRA does not  establish
specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it
limit an institution's  discretion to develop the types of products and services
that it believes are best suited to its particular  community,  consistent  with
the CRA. The CRA requires the OTS, in connection with the examination of Hemlock
Federal,  to assess the institution's  record of meeting the credit needs of its
community  and to take such record  into  account in its  evaluation  of certain
applications,  such as a merger or the  establishment  of a branch,  by  Hemlock
Federal. An unsatisfactory  rating may be used as the basis for the denial of an
application by the OTS.

         The federal banking agencies,  including the OTS, have recently revised
the CRA  regulations  and  the  methodology  for  determining  an  institution's
compliance with the CRA. Due to the heightened  attention being given to the CRA
in the past few years,  Hemlock  Federal may be  required  to devote  additional
funds for investment  and lending in its local  community.  Hemlock  Federal was
examined for CRA compliance in March 1995 and received a rating of satisfactory.

Transactions with Affiliates

         Generally,   transactions   between  a  savings   association  and  its
affiliates  are  required  to be on terms as  favorable  to the  association  as
transactions with  non-affiliates.  In addition,  certain of these transactions,
such  as  loans  to  an  affiliate,  are  restricted  to  a  percentage  of  the
association's capital. Affiliates of Hemlock Federal include the Holding Company
and any company which is under common control with Hemlock Federal. In addition,
a savings  association  may not lend to any affiliate  engaged in activities not
permissible  for a bank  holding  company  or  acquire  the  securities  of most
affiliates.

         Certain  transactions with directors,  officers or controlling  persons
are also subject to conflict of interest  regulations enforced by the OTS. These
conflict of interest  regulations and other statutes also impose restrictions on
loans to such persons and their related interests.

                                       93

<PAGE>



Among other things,  such loans must be made on terms  substantially the same as
for loans to unaffiliated individuals.

Holding Company Regulation

         The Holding  Company will be a unitary savings and loan holding company
subject to  regulatory  oversight  by the OTS. As such,  the Holding  Company is
required to register and file reports with the OTS and is subject to  regulation
and examination by the OTS. In addition,  the OTS has enforcement authority over
the Holding  Company and its  non-savings  association  subsidiaries  which also
permits the OTS to restrict or prohibit  activities  that are determined to be a
serious risk to the subsidiary savings association.

         As a unitary  savings and loan  holding  company,  the Holding  Company
generally  is not  subject to  activity  restrictions.  If the  Holding  Company
acquires  control of another savings  association as a separate  subsidiary,  it
would become a multiple savings and loan holding company,  and the activities of
the Holding Company and any of its  subsidiaries  (other than Hemlock Federal or
any  other  SAIF-insured  savings  association)  would  become  subject  to such
restrictions  unless  such  other  associations  each  qualify as a QTL and were
acquired in a supervisory acquisition.

         If Hemlock  Federal fails the QTL test, the Holding Company must obtain
the  approval of the OTS prior to  continuing  after such  failure,  directly or
through its other subsidiaries,  any business activity other than those approved
for  multiple  savings and loan  holding  companies  or their  subsidiaries.  In
addition,  within one year of such failure the Holding Company must register as,
and  will  become  subject  to,  the  restrictions  applicable  to bank  holding
companies. The activities authorized for a bank holding company are more limited
than are the activities  authorized  for a unitary or multiple  savings and loan
holding company. See "- Qualified Thrift Lender Test."

         The Holding Company must obtain approval from the OTS before  acquiring
control of any other SAIF-insured  association.  Such acquisitions are generally
prohibited  if they  result  in a  multiple  savings  and loan  holding  company
controlling  savings  associations  in  more  than  one  state.   However,  such
interstate  acquisitions are permitted based on specific state  authorization or
in a supervisory acquisition of a failing savings association.

Federal Securities Law

         The stock of the Holding  Company is registered  with the SEC under the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act").  The Holding
Company is subject  to the  information,  proxy  solicitation,  insider  trading
restrictions and other requirements of the SEC under the Exchange Act.

         Holding  Company  stock held by persons who are  affiliates  (generally
officers,  directors and principal  stockholders) of the Holding Company may not
be resold without  registration or unless sold in accordance with certain resale
restrictions.  If the Holding Company meets specified current public information
requirements, each affiliate of the Holding Company is able

                                       94

<PAGE>



to sell in the public market,  without registration,  a limited number of shares
in any three-month period.

Federal Reserve System

         The Federal  Reserve  Board  requires all  depository  institutions  to
maintain  non-interest  bearing  reserves  at  specified  levels  against  their
transaction accounts (primarily checking,  NOW and Super NOW checking accounts).
At September  30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal was in  compliance  with these reserve
requirements.  The balances maintained to meet the reserve  requirements imposed
by the Federal Reserve Board may be used to satisfy liquidity  requirements that
may be imposed by the OTS. See "-Liquidity."

         Savings  associations are authorized to borrow from the Federal Reserve
Bank  "discount   window,"  but  Federal  Reserve  Board   regulations   require
associations to exhaust other reasonable alternative sources of funds, including
FHLB borrowings, before borrowing from the Federal Reserve Bank.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

         Hemlock Federal is a member of the FHLB of Chicago,  which is one of 12
regional FHLBs,  that  administers the home financing credit function of savings
associations.  Each FHLB  serves as a reserve  or central  bank for its  members
within its assigned  region.  It is funded  primarily from proceeds derived from
the sale of  consolidated  obligations  of the FHLB  System.  It makes  loans to
members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies and procedures, established
by the board of directors of the FHLB, which are subject to the oversight of the
Federal  Housing  Finance  Board.  All advances from the FHLB are required to be
fully secured by  sufficient  collateral as determined by the FHLB. In addition,
all  long-term  advances  are  required to provide  funds for  residential  home
financing. The aggregate amount of advances cannot exceed 20 times the amount of
FHLB stock held by the institutions.

         As a member, Hemlock Federal is required to purchase and maintain stock
in the FHLB of Chicago.  At September 30, 1996,  Hemlock Federal had $901,000 in
FHLB  stock,  which was in  compliance  with this  requirement.  In past  years,
Hemlock Federal has received  substantial  dividends on its FHLB stock. Over the
past five  calendar  years such  dividends  have averaged 6.0% and were 6.5% for
calendar year 1995. As a result of their  holdings,  the Bank could borrow up to
$18.0 million from the FHLB.

         Under  federal  law the FHLBs are  required  to  provide  funds for the
resolution  of  troubled  savings  associations  and to  contribute  to low- and
moderately priced housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on
advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income  housing
projects.  These  contributions  have  affected  adversely  the  level  of  FHLB
dividends  paid and could continue to do so in the future.  These  contributions
could also have an adverse  effect on the value of FHLB stock in the  future.  A
reduction in value of Hemlock Federal's FHLB stock may result in a corresponding
reduction in Hemlock Federal's capital.


                                       95

<PAGE>



         For the year ended  December  31, 1995,  dividends  paid by the FHLB of
Chicago to Hemlock Federal totaled $55,000,  which constitute a $0 increase from
the amount of dividends  received in calendar  year 1994.  The $44,000  dividend
received for the nine months ended  September  30, 1996  reflects an  annualized
rate of 6.5%, which is equal to the rate for calendar 1995.

Federal and State Taxation

         In August 1996, legislation was enacted that repeals the reserve method
of  accounting  used by many  thrifts to  calculate  their bad debt  reserve for
federal  income tax purposes.  As a result,  small thrifts such as the Bank must
recapture  that  portion of the reserve  that exceeds the amount that could have
been taken under the experience  method for post-1987 tax years. The legislation
also requires  thrifts to account for bad debts for federal  income tax purposes
on the same basis as commercial banks for tax years beginning after December 31,
1995. The recapture will occur over a six-year period, the commencement of which
will be delayed until the first taxable year beginning  after December 31, 1997,
provided the institution meets certain  residential  lending  requirements.  The
management  of the Company  does not believe  that the  legislation  will have a
material impact on the Company or the Bank.

         In addition to the regular income tax, corporations,  including savings
associations such as Hemlock Federal, generally are subject to a minimum tax. An
alternative  minimum tax is imposed at a minimum tax rate of 20% on  alternative
minimum  taxable  income,  which is the sum of a  corporation's  regular taxable
income (with certain  adjustments) and tax preference  items, less any available
exemption.  The alternative  minimum tax is imposed to the extent it exceeds the
corporation's  regular  income tax and net  operating  losses can offset no more
than 90% of alternative  minimum  taxable  income.  For taxable years  beginning
after 1986 and before 1996, corporations, including savings associations such as
Hemlock Federal,  are also subject to an environmental tax equal to 0.12% of the
excess of alternative  minimum  taxable income for the taxable year  (determined
without regard to net operating  losses and the deduction for the  environmental
tax) over $2 million.

         To the extent earnings appropriated to a savings association's bad debt
reserves for  "qualifying  real property  loans" and deducted for federal income
tax purposes  exceed the allowable  amount of such reserves  computed  under the
experience method and to the extent of the association's  supplemental  reserves
for  losses on loans  ("Excess"),  such  Excess  may not,  without  adverse  tax
consequences,   be  utilized  for  the  payment  of  cash   dividends  or  other
distributions   to  a  shareholder   (including   distributions  on  redemption,
dissolution or  liquidation) or for any other purpose (except to absorb bad debt
losses).  As of December 31,  1995,  Hemlock  Federal's  Excess for tax purposes
totaled approximately $3.1 million.

         Hemlock  Federal files its federal and Illinois income tax returns on a
calendar year basis using the accrual method of accounting.  The Holding Company
may file a consolidated federal income tax return with Hemlock Federal.

         Hemlock  Federal  has not  been  audited  by the IRS  with  respect  to
consolidated  federal income tax returns in the past five years. With respect to
years  examined  by the IRS,  either all  deficiencies  have been  satisfied  or
sufficient reserves have been established to satisfy asserted

                                       96

<PAGE>



deficiencies.  In the  opinion  of  management,  any  examination  of still open
returns (including returns of subsidiary and predecessors of, or entities merged
into,  Hemlock  Federal)  would not result in a  deficiency  which  could have a
material  adverse effect on the financial  condition of Hemlock  Federal and its
consolidated subsidiary.

         Illinois Taxation.  For Illinois income tax purposes, the Bank is taxed
at an  effective  rate  equal to 7.18% of  Illinois  taxable  income.  For these
purposes,  "Illinois  Taxable  Income"  generally  means federal taxable income,
subject to certain  adjustments  (including  the addition of interest  income on
state and municipal  obligations  and the exclusion of interest income on United
States Treasury obligations).

         Delaware Taxation.  As a Delaware holding company,  the Holding Company
is exempted from Delaware corporate income tax but is required to file an annual
report with and pay an annual fee to the State of Delaware.  The Holding Company
is also subject to an annual franchise tax imposed by the State of Delaware.

                                   MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers of the Holding Company and of the Bank

         Directors and Executive  Officers of the Holding Company.  The Board of
Directors  of the  Holding  Company  currently  consists of seven  members.  The
directors of the Holding Company are currently comprised of the directors of the
Bank. See "- Directors of the Bank." Directors of the Holding Company will serve
three-year staggered terms so that one-third of the directors will be elected at
each annual meeting of stockholders.  The terms of the current  directors of the
Holding  Company are the same as that of the Bank's board.  The Holding  Company
does not intend to pay directors a fee for board service.  See also "- Directors
and Executive Officers of the Bank." For information regarding stock options and
restricted  stock  proposed  to be awarded to  directors  following  stockholder
ratification of such plans, see "- Benefit Plans."

         The executive  officers of the Holding Company are elected annually and
hold office until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or
until death,  resignation  or removal by the Board of  Directors.  The following
table  sets  forth  information  regarding  executive  officers  of the  Holding
Company.  Each  executive  officer of the  Holding  Company  has held his or her
position since the incorporation of the Holding Company in December 1996.


       Name                                        Title
- ------------------------       -------------------------------------------------
Maureen G. Partynski           Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Michael R. Stevens             President and Director
Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak       Vice-President/Secretary and Director
Jean Thornton                  Vice-President/Controller

         The Holding Company does not initially intend to pay executive officers
any fees in addition to fees payable to such  persons as  executive  officers of
the Bank. For information

                                       97

<PAGE>



regarding  compensation  of directors  and executive  officers of the Bank,  see
"Management   Director   Compensation"  and  "-  Executive   Compensation."  For
information  regarding stock options and restricted stock proposed to be awarded
to directors and executive  officers following  stockholder  ratification of the
Holding Company's stock-based plans, see "- Benefit Plans."

   
         Board of Directors of the Bank. Prior to the Conversion,  the direction
and  control of the Bank,  as a mutual  savings  institution,  was vested in its
Board of  Directors.  Upon  conversion  of the Bank to stock  form,  each of the
directors  of the Bank will  continue  to serve as a director  of the  converted
Bank.  The Board of Directors of the Bank  currently  consists of seven members.
Each  Director  of the Bank has  served as such at least  since  January,  1992,
except for Rosanne  Pastorek-Belczak,  who was appointed in  September,  1996 to
fill the  term of  retiring  Director  Richard  Majdecki.  The  directors  serve
three-year staggered terms so that approximately  one-third of the directors are
elected at each annual  meeting of  members.  As  Chairman  Emeritus,  Joseph P.
Gavron is not elected and he does not vote on matters before the Board.  Because
the Holding Company will own all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Bank after the  Conversion,  directors of the Holding  Company will
elect the directors of the Bank.

    

         The  following  table  sets forth  certain  information  regarding  the
directors of the Bank.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                Position(s) Held               Director   Term
     Name                         With the Bank         Age(1)  Since    Expires
     ----                         -------------         ------  -----    -------
<S>                         <C>                         <C>     <C>      <C> 
Maureen G. Partynski        Chairman of the Board and    36      1984     1999
                             Chief Executive Officer
Michael R. Stevens          President and Director       37      1992     2000
Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak    Vice-President/Secretary     36      1996     1998
                             and Director
Frank A. Bucz               Auditor/Consultant           68      1971     1998
                             and Director
Kenneth J. Bazarnik         Director                     53      1982     2000
Charles Gjondla             Director                     70      1982     1999
G. Gerald Schiera           Director                     57      1992     1998
<FN>
- -------------------
(1)  At September 30, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         The business experience of each director of the Holding Company and the
Chairman  Emeritus  of the Bank for at least  the past  five  years is set forth
below.

         Maureen G.  Partynski.  Ms.  Partynski is the Chairman of the Board and
Chief  Executive  Officer of the Bank, a position she has held since 1994.  From
1989 to 1994,  Ms.  Partynski was the  President of the Bank,  and she served as
Executive  Vice-President  from 1985 to 1989. She has worked with the Bank since
1982, and she has been a Director of the Bank since 1984. Ms. Partynski received
a  Masters  in  Business  Administration  from  Saint  Xaviers  University.  Ms.
Partynski is the sister-in-law of Michael R. Stevens and the daughter of Joseph.
P. Gavron, a director emeritus of the Bank.

         Michael R.  Stevens.  Mr.  Stevens has been  employed at the Bank since
1984 in various  capacities,  including  Executive  Vice-President and Financial
Manager. He has served as the

                                       98

<PAGE>


President  of the Bank since 1994,  and he has been a Director  since 1992.  Mr.
Stevens  received  a  Masters  in  Business   Administration  from  Northwestern
University.  He is the brother-in-law of Maureen G. Partynski and the son-in-law
of Joseph P. Gavron.

         Rosanne  Pastorek-Belczak.  Ms.  Pastorek-Belczak  has  served  in  her
current position as  Vice-President  of Marketing and Human Resources since 1989
and has  acted as  corporate  secretary  since  1996.  She  previously  held the
position  of  marketing  manager  from 1982 to 1989.  Ms.  Pastorek-Belczak  was
appointed a director in 1996.

         Frank A. Bucz.  Mr. Bucz is a retired  data control  supervisor  of CPC
International.  He also  previously  served as  Secretary  of the Bank from 1976
until 1996.

         Kenneth  Bazarnik.  Mr.  Bazarnik is a plant  engineer and  maintenance
manager for  Foote-Jones/Illinois  Gear,  where he has worked since 1989. He has
been a Director of the Bank since 1982.

         Charles  Gjondla.  Mr. Gjondla is a retired worker for Chicago's Midway
Airport. He has been a Director of the Bank since 1982.

         G. Gerald Schiera. Mr. Schiera is owner of the G. Gerald Company, which
specializes in aviation and engineering consultation.  He has served as Director
of the Bank since 1992.

         Joseph P. Gavron.  Mr.  Gavron  served as Chairman and President of the
Bank for 46 years  before  retiring  in 1992.  He  currently  serves as Chairman
Emeritus. He is the father of Maureen Partynski and the father-in-law of Michael
R. Stevens.

         Executive  Officers  Who  Are  Not  Directors.  Each  of the  executive
officers  of the Bank  will  retain  his or her  office in the  converted  Bank.
Officers  are  elected  annually  by the Board of  Directors  of the  Bank.  The
business  experience of the executive officers who are not also directors is set
forth below.

         Jean  M.  Thornton,  age 36.  Ms.  Thornton  is  currently  serving  as
Vice-President,  Controller/Treasurer.  She has worked at the Bank since 1991 as
Chief Accountant, and as Treasurer since 1994.

         Robert  Upton,  age 44. Mr. Upton was recently  named the Chief Lending
Officer of the Bank.  Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Upton worked for a mortgage
banking firm and prior to that he was the  vice-president  of lending at a local
savings bank.

Indemnification

         The Certificate of Incorporation of the Holding Company provides that a
director or officer of the Holding  Company shall be  indemnified by the Holding
Company to the fullest extent  authorized by the General  Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware against all expenses,  liability and loss reasonably  incurred
or suffered by such person in  connection  with his  activities as a director or
officer or as a director  or officer of  another  company,  if the  director  or
officer

                                       99

<PAGE>

held such position at the request of the Holding Company.  Delaware law requires
that such director, officer, employee or agent, in order to be indemnified, must
have acted in good faith and in a manner  reasonably  believed to be not opposed
to the best interests of the Holding Company,  and, with respect to any criminal
action  or  proceeding,  did not have  reasonable  cause to  believe  his or her
conduct was unlawful.

         The Certificate of Incorporation and Delaware law also provide that the
indemnification provisions of such Certificate and the statute are not exclusive
of any other  right  which a person  seeking  indemnification  may have or later
acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws
of the  Holding  Company,  agreement,  vote  of  stockholders  or  disinterested
directors or otherwise.

         These   provisions  may  have  the  effect  of  deterring   shareholder
derivative actions,  since the Holding Company may ultimately be responsible for
expenses for both parties to the action.
A similar effect would not be expected for third-party claims.

         In addition,  the  Certificate of  Incorporation  and Delaware law also
provide that the Holding  Company may  maintain  insurance,  at its expense,  to
protect  itself and any  director,  officer,  employee  or agent of the  Holding
Company or  another  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or other
enterprise  against any expense,  liability or loss,  whether or not the Holding
Company has the power to indemnify such person  against such expense,  liability
or loss under the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law.  The Holding  Company may
obtain such insurance.

Meetings and Committees of Board of Directors

         The Bank. The Bank's Board of Directors  meets on a monthly basis.  The
Board of Directors met 12 times during the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995.
During  fiscal  1995,  no  director of the Bank  attended  fewer than 75% of the
aggregate of the total number of Board meetings and the total number of meetings
held by the committees of the Board of Directors on which he served.

         The Bank has standing Executive,  Audit, Stock Plan and Asset Liability
Committees.

         The Executive  Committee  provides  oversight of Board-related  matters
in-between  regularly  scheduled Board Meetings,  including shortage  reporting,
interest rate reports and resolutions to foreclosure. The Executive Committee is
comprised of Maureen G.  Partynski,  Michael R. Stevens and Rosanne P.  Belczak.
This committee met approximately 12 times during calendar year 1995.

         The Audit Committee is comprised of three outside  directors:  Frank A.
Bucz, G. Gerald Schiera and Charles Gjondla. This Committee oversees and reviews
the Bank's  financial and internal  control  matters.  The Audit  Committee also
reviews the Audited  Financial  Report with the Bank's outside  auditors and the
Report of the Examination with the OTS examiners,  either separately or with the
full Board. This committee meets twice annually.


                                       100

<PAGE>



         The Stock Plan Committee  oversees and reviews the Bank's  compensation
policies  and  sets the  compensation  levels  for  Executive  Management.  This
committee is comprised of Charles Gjondla and Kenneth  Bazarnik and meets once a
year.

         The Asset Liability Committee is composed of two Directors,  Maureen G.
Partynski  and Michael R.  Stevens,  and the  Controller,  Jean  Thornton.  This
committee meets at least once a month to handle the investments for the Bank and
the  implementation of the Business Plan strategy as it relates to interest rate
risk and reinvestment options.

         The Holding  Company.  In December  1996, the Board of Directors of the
Holding Company established standing executive, audit and nominating Committees.
These committees did not meet during fiscal 1995.

Director Compensation

         Directors of the Bank are paid a monthly fee of $675 for service on the
Board of Directors.  Chairman Emeritus Joseph P. Gavron receives $600/month, and
Director Frank Bucz receives an additional $1,250 per month as Audit Consultant.
Directors do not receive any  additional  compensation  for  committee  meetings
attended.

Executive Compensation

         The following table sets forth information  concerning the compensation
accrued for services in all  capacities  to Hemlock  Federal for the fiscal year
ended  December  31,  1995  for the  Bank's/Chairman  and  President.  No  other
executive officer's  aggregate annual compensation  (salary plus bonus) exceeded
$100,000 in fiscal 1995.



                                       101

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
                                                    Summary Compensation Table
                                                    --------------------------
                                                                                      Long Term Compensation
                                                    Annual Compensation(1)                    Awards
                                            -------------------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                                    Other Annual   Restricted Stock   Options/       All Other
Name and Principal Position          Year   Salary($)   Bonus($)   Compensation($)   Award ($)(2)   SARs (#)(2)   Compensation($)
- ---------------------------          ----   ---------  ---------   ---------------   ------------   -----------   ---------------
<S>                                  <C>    <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>
Maureen G. Partynski, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer              1995    $98,250    $8,000        $---              N/A            N/A          $23,727(3)
Michael R. Stevens, President        1995   $121,250    $8,000        $---              N/A            N/A          $28,609(4)
====================================================================================================================================
<FN>
- ----------------
(1)      In  accordance  with  the  transitional  provisions  applicable  to the
         revised rules on executive officer and director compensation disclosure
         adopted  by the SEC,  as  informally  interpreted  by the SEC's  Staff,
         Summary Compensation information is excluded for the fiscal years ended
         December 31, 1994 and 1993.

(2)      Pursuant to the proposed Stock Option Plan, the Holding Company intends
         to grant  Maureen G.  Partynski  and  Michael  R.  Stevens an option to
         purchase  a number  of  shares  equal to 2.5%  and  2.5%,  respectively
         (33,363 and 33,363  shares at the minimum and 45,138 and 45,138  shares
         at the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range) of the total number of
         shares of Common Stock issued in the  Conversion  at an exercise  price
         equal to the market  value per share of the Common Stock on the date of
         grant. See "- Stock Option and Incentive  Plan." In addition,  pursuant
         to the proposed RRP, the Holding  Company  intends to grant to Chairman
         Partynski and President  Stevens a number of shares of restricted stock
         equal to 1.0% and 1.0%,  respectively  (13,345 shares and 13,345 shares
         at the  minimum  and  18,055 and  18,055  shares at the  maximum of the
         Estimated  Valuation  Range)  of the  total  number of shares of Common
         Stock sold in the Conversion. See "- Management Recognition Plan."

(3)      This amount includes  $14,201  received through the 1995 Profit Sharing
         Plan and $9,526  received  through the Bank's  Money  Purchase  Pension
         Plan.

(4)      Includes $17,123 received  through the Bank's  Profit-Sharing  Plan and
         $11,486 received through the Bank's Money Purchase Pension Plan.
</FN>
</TABLE>


         Employment  Agreements  and Severance  Agreements.  The Bank intends to
enter into employment  agreements with Chairman  Partynski and President Stevens
providing  for an initial term of three years.  The  agreements  have been filed
with the OTS as part of the  application of the Holding  Company for approval to
become a savings and loan holding  company.  The  employment  agreements  become
effective  upon  completion  of the  Conversion  and  provide for an annual base
salary in an amount not less than each  individual's  respective  current salary
and  provide for an annual  extension  subject to the  performance  of an annual
formal  evaluation  by  disinterested  members of the Board of  Directors of the
Bank. The agreements also provide for termination upon the employee's death, for
cause  or in  certain  events  specified  by  OTS  regulations.  The  employment
agreements are also terminable by the employee upon 90 days' notice to the Bank.

         The employment agreements provide for payment to Chairman Partynski and
President  Stevens of an amount equal to 299% of their five-year  annual average
base compensation, in the event there is a "change in control" of the Bank where
employment involuntarily terminates in connection with such change in control or
within twelve months thereafter.  For the purposes of the employment agreements,
a "change in control" is defined as any event which would  require the filing of
an  application  for  acquisition  of  control  or notice  of change in  control
pursuant to 12 C.F.R. ss. 574.3 or 4. Such events are generally  triggered prior
to the acquisition or control of 10% of the Holding  Company's common stock. See
"Restrictions   on  Acquisitions  of  Stock  and  Related   Takeover   Defensive
Provisions."  If the employment of Chairman/CEO  Partynski or President  Stevens
had been terminated as of September 30, 1996 under circumstances  entitling them
to severance pay as described above,  they would have been entitled to receive a
lump sum cash payment of approximately $293,800

                                       102

<PAGE>



and  $362,500,  respectively.  The  agreements  also  provide for the  continued
payment to Chairman/CEO  Partynski and President  Stevens of health benefits for
the  remainder  of the term of their  contract in the event such  individual  is
involuntarily terminated in the event of change in control.

   
         The Bank intends to enter into change in control  severance  agreements
with Officers  Rosanne  Pastorek-Belczak,  Jean  Thornton and Robert Upton.  The
agreements become effective upon completion of the Conversion and provide for an
initial term of 24 months. The agreements provide for extensions of one year, on
each  anniversary of the effective  date of the  agreement,  subject to a formal
performance  evaluation  performed  by  disinterested  members  of the  Board of
Directors of the Bank. The agreement  provides for  termination  for cause or in
certain events specified by OTS regulations.

         The  agreements  provide for a lump sum payment to the employee of 200%
of their annual base  compensation  and the continued  payment for the remaining
term of the contract of life and health  insurance  coverage  maintained  by the
Bank in the event there is a "change in  control"  of the Bank where  employment
terminates  involuntarily  within  12 months of such  change  in  control.  This
termination  payment is subject to  reduction to the extent  non-deductible  for
federal income tax purposes.  For the purposes of the  agreements,  a "change in
control"  is  defined  as  any  event  which  would  require  the  filing  of an
application for  acquisition of control or notice of change in control  pursuant
to 12  C.F.R.  ss.  574.3 or 4 or any  successor  regulation.  Such  events  are
generally  triggered prior to the acquisition of control of 10% of the Company's
Common Stock.  See  "Restrictions  on Acquisitions of Stock and Related Takeover
Defensive Provisions."
    

Benefit Plans

         General.  Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings currently provides insurance
benefits  to its  employees,  including  health and life  insurance,  subject to
certain  deductibles  and  copayments.  Hemlock  Federal also maintains a profit
sharing plan for the benefit of its employees.

         Money  Purchase  Pension  Plan.  The Bank  currently  maintains a Money
Purchase  Pension  Plan for the benefit of its  employees.  The Pension Plan was
frozen as of October 31, 1996. The noncontributory  defined benefit pension plan
covered all employees who met certain minimum service  requirements.  See Note 9
to the Notes to Financial  Statements.  The benefits were distributed during the
year.

         Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan.  The Boards of  Directors  of Hemlock
Federal Bank for Savings and the Holding  Company have  approved the adoption of
an ESOP for the benefit of  employees of Hemlock  Federal Bank for Savings.  The
ESOP is also designed to meet the  requirements  of an employee stock  ownership
plan as described at Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code and Section 407(d)(6) of the
Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"),  and, as
such,  the ESOP is  empowered  to borrow in order to  finance  purchases  of the
Common Stock.

         It is  anticipated  that the ESOP will be  funded  with a loan from the
Holding  Company  (not to exceed an amount  equal to 8% of the gross  Conversion
proceeds). The interest rate of the

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ESOP loan will be equal to the applicable federal interest rate as determined by
the  Internal  Revenue  Service  for the  month  in which  the loan is made,  as
calculated pursuant to Section 1274(d) of the Code.

         GAAP  generally  requires  that  any  borrowing  by the  ESOP  from  an
unaffiliated  lender  be  reflected  as a  liability  in the  Holding  Company's
Financial  Statements,  whether  or not such  borrowing  is  guaranteed  by,  or
constitutes a legally binding contribution commitment of, the Holding Company or
the Bank.  The funds used to acquire the ESOP  shares will be borrowed  from the
Holding Company.  Since the Holding Company will finance the ESOP debt, the ESOP
debt will be eliminated through consolidation and no liability will be reflected
on the Holding Company's  financial  statements.  In addition,  shares purchased
with  borrowed  funds will,  to the extent of the  borrowings,  be excluded from
stockholders' equity, representing unearned compensation to employees for future
services not yet performed.  Consequently,  if the ESOP purchases already-issued
shares in the open market, the Holding Company's  consolidated  liabilities will
increase  to the  extent  of the  ESOP's  borrowings,  and  total  and per share
stockholders'  equity will be reduced to reflect  such  borrowings.  If the ESOP
purchases  newly issued  shares from the Holding  Company,  total  stockholders'
equity would neither increase nor decrease,  but per share stockholders'  equity
and per share net income would decrease because of the increase in the number of
outstanding  shares.  In  either  case,  as the  borrowings  used to  fund  ESOP
purchases are repaid, total stockholders' equity will correspondingly increase.

         All employees of the Bank are eligible to participate in the ESOP after
they attain age 21 and complete one year of service.  The Bank's contribution to
the  ESOP is  allocated  among  participants  on the  basis  of  their  relative
compensation.  Each participant's  account will be credited with cash and shares
of Holding Company Common Stock based upon  compensation  earned during the year
with  respect to which the  contribution  is made.  Contributions  credited to a
participant's account become fully vested upon such participant's completing six
years of  service.  Credit  will be given for prior years of service for vesting
purposes.  ESOP  participants are entitled to receive  distributions  from their
ESOP accounts only upon  termination of service.  Distributions  will be made in
cash and in whole  shares of the  Holding  Company's  Common  Stock.  Fractional
shares will be paid in cash. Participants will not incur a tax liability until a
distribution is made.

         Each participating  employee is entitled to instruct the trustee of the
ESOP as to how to vote the shares  allocated to his or her account.  The trustee
will not be  affiliated  with the Holding  Company or Hemlock  Federal  Bank for
Savings.

         The ESOP may be  amended  by the  Board of  Directors,  except  that no
amendment may be made which would reduce the interest of any  participant in the
ESOP trust fund or divert any of the assets of the ESOP trust fund for  purposes
other than the benefit of participants or their beneficiaries.

         Stock  Option  and  Incentive  Plan.  Among  the  benefits  to the Bank
anticipated  from the Conversion is the ability to attract and retain  personnel
through  the  prudent use of stock  options  and other  stock-related  incentive
programs.  The Board of  Directors of the Holding  Company  intends to adopt the
Stock  Option  Plan,  subject to  ratification  by  stockholders  of the Holding
Company at a meeting to be held not earlier than six months after  completion of
the Conversion.

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Under the terms of the proposed Stock Option Plan, stock options covering shares
representing  an  aggregate of up to 10% of the shares of Common Stock issued in
the  Conversion  may be granted to  directors,  officers  and  employees  of the
Holding Company or its subsidiaries under the Stock Option Plan.

         Options  granted under the Stock Option Plan may be either options that
qualify  under  the Code as  "incentive  stock  options"  (options  that  afford
preferable tax treatment to recipients upon compliance with certain restrictions
and that do not normally  result in tax  deductions  to the employer) or options
that do not so qualify.  The exercise  price of stock options  granted under the
Stock  Option Plan is required to be at least equal to the fair market value per
share of the stock on the date of grant. All grants are made in consideration of
past and future services rendered to the Bank, and in an amount deemed necessary
to encourage  the  continued  retention of the  officers and  directors  who are
considered  necessary for the continued success of the Bank. In this regard, all
options are intended to vest in five equal annual  installments  commencing  one
year from the date of grant,  subject to the continued  service of the holder of
such option.

         The  proposed  Stock  Option  Plan  provides  for the  grant  of  stock
appreciation  rights ("SARs") at any time,  whether or not the participant  then
holds  stock  options,  granting  the right to receive  the excess of the market
value of the  shares  represented  by the SARs on the  date  exercised  over the
exercise price.  SARs generally will be subject to the same terms and conditions
and exercisable to the same extent as stock options.

         Limited SARs may be granted at the time of, and must be related to, the
grant of a stock  option or SAR.  The exercise of one will reduce to that extent
the number of shares represented by the other.  Limited SARs will be exercisable
only for the 45 days following the  expiration of the tender or exchange  offer,
during  which  period  the  related  stock  option  or SAR will be  exercisable.
However,  no SAR or Limited SAR will be exercisable  by a 10% beneficial  owner,
director  or senior  officer  within six  months of the date of its  grant.  The
Holding Company has no present intention to grant any SARs or Limited SARs.

         The  proposed  Stock  Option Plan will be  administered  by the Holding
Company's Stock Plan Committee which will consist of at least two  disinterested
directors.  The Stock Plan  Committee  will select the  recipients  and terms of
awards made pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. OTS regulations  limit the amount
of shares that may be awarded  pursuant to stock-based  plans to each individual
officer, each non-employee director and all non-employee directors as a group to
25%, 5% and 30%,  respectively,  of the total shares reserved for issuance under
each such stock-based plan.

         The  Stock  Plan  Committee,   presently   consisting  of  non-employee
Directors  Charles  Gjondla and Kenneth  Bazarnik,  intends to grant  options in
amounts  expressed as a percentage  of the shares issued in the  Conversion,  as
follows:  President  Stevens  - 2.5%,  Chairman  Partynski  -  2.5%,  and to all
executive  officers as a group (5 persons) - 6.6%. In addition,  under the terms
of the Stock Option Plan, each  non-employee  director of the Holding Company at
the time of stockholder ratification of the Stock Option Plan will be granted an
option to purchase shares of Common Stock equal to .4% of the shares sold in the
Conversion.  The remaining  balance of the available  awards is unallocated  and
reserved  for future use.  All options  will expire 10 years after the date such
option was granted, which, for the option grants listed above,

                                      105

<PAGE>

is expected to be the date of stockholder ratification of the Stock Option Plan.
All proposed  option grants to officers are subject to modification by the Stock
Plan Committee based upon its performance evaluation of the option recipients at
the  time  of  stockholder  ratification  of the  Stock  Option  Plan  following
completion of the Conversion.

         After  stockholder  ratification,  the Stock Option Plan will be funded
either with shares  purchased in the open market or with authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock.  The use of authorized  but unissued  shares to fund the
Stock Option Plan could dilute the holdings of stockholders who purchased Common
Stock in the Conversion. See "Pro Forma Data." In no event will the Stock Option
Plan acquire an amount of shares,  which, in the aggregate,  represent more than
10% of the shares issued in the Conversion.

         Under SEC regulations, so long as certain criteria are met, an optionee
may be able to exercise the option at the Purchase  Price and  immediately  sell
the  underlying  shares  at the  then-current  market  price  without  incurring
short-swing profit liability.  This ability to exercise and immediately  resell,
which under the SEC regulations applies to stock option plans in general, allows
the  optionee to realize the benefit of an increase in the market  price for the
stock without the market risk which would be associated with a required  holding
period for the stock after payment of the exercise price. Under SEC regulations,
the  short-swing  liability  period now runs for six months before and after the
option grant. All grants are subject to ratification of the Stock Option Plan by
stockholders of the Holding Company following completion of the Conversion.

         Recognition   and  Retention  Plan.  The  Holding  Company  intends  to
establish the RRP in order to provide  employees with a proprietary  interest in
the Holding  Company in a manner  designed to  encourage  such persons to remain
with the Holding  Company and the Bank. The RRP will be subject to  ratification
by  stockholders  at a meeting to be held not earlier  than six months after the
completion of the Conversion.  The Holding Company will contribute  funds to the
RRP to enable it to acquire in the open market or from  authorized  but unissued
shares (with the decision  between open market or authorized but unissued shares
based  on  the  Holding  Company's  future  stock  price,  alternate  investment
opportunities  and capital needs),  following  stockholder  ratification of such
plan,  an amount of stock equal to 4.0% of the shares of Common  Stock issued in
the Conversion.

   
         The Stock  Plan  Committee  of the Board of  Directors  of the  Holding
Company will  administer  the proposed RRP. Under the terms of the proposed RRP,
awards  ("Awards")  can be  granted  to key  employees  in the form of shares of
Common Stock held by the RRP. Awards are  non-transferable  and  non-assignable.
OTS  regulations  limit the  amount of shares  that may be awarded  pursuant  to
stock-based plans to each individual officer, each non-employee director and all
non-employee directors as a group to 25%, 5% and 30%, respectively, of the total
shares reserved for issuance under each such stock-based plan.
    

         Recipients  will earn (i.e.,  become vested in), over a period of time,
the shares of Common Stock covered by the Award. Awards made pursuant to the RRP
will vest in five equal annual installments commencing one year from the date of
grant. Awards will be 100% vested upon termination of employment due to death or
disability.  In addition,  no awards under the RRP to  directors  and  executive
officers shall vest in any year in which the Bank is not

                                      106

<PAGE>

meeting all of its fully  phased-in  capital  requirements.  When shares  become
vested and are actually  distributed in accordance with the RRP, but in no event
prior to such time,  the  participants  will also receive  amounts  equal to any
accrued  dividends  with  respect  thereto.  Earned  shares are  distributed  to
recipients as soon as practicable following the date on which they are earned.

         The Stock Plan Committee  presently  intends to grant  restricted stock
awards at the Purchase Price, in amounts expressed as a percentage of the shares
sold in the  Conversion,  as  follows:  to  President  Stevens - 1.0%,  Chairman
Partynski - 1.0%,  and to all executive  officers as a group (4 persons) - 2.4%.
Pursuant to the terms of the proposed  RRP,  each  non-employee  director of the
Holding  Company  at the  time of  stockholder  ratification  of the RRP will be
awarded an amount of shares  equal to .1% of the shares sold in the  Conversion.
All proposed RRP awards to officers of the Bank are subject to  modification  by
the Stock Plan  Committee  based upon its  performance  evaluation  of the award
recipients  at  the  time  of  stockholder  ratification  of the  RRP  following
completion of the Conversion.

         After  stockholder  ratification,  the RRP will be funded  either  with
shares  purchased in the open market or with  authorized but unissued  shares of
Common Stock issued to the RRP by the Holding Company. The use of authorized but
unissued  shares to fund the RRP could dilute the holdings of  stockholders  who
had  purchased  Common Stock in the  Conversion.  In the event the RRP purchases
stock in the open market at prices above the initial  Purchase Price,  the total
RRP expense may be above that  disclosed  under the caption "Pro Forma Data." In
no event  will the RRP  acquire  an amount of shares  which,  in the  aggregate,
represent more than 4.0% of the shares issued in the Conversion.

Certain Transactions

         The Bank  follows a policy of granting  loans to the Bank's  directors,
officers and employees.  The loans to executive  officers and directors are made
in the ordinary course of business and on the same terms and conditions as those
of comparable transactions prevailing at the time, in accordance with the Bank's
underwriting  guidelines  and do not  involve  more  than  the  normal  risk  of
collectibility or present other unfavorable features. All loans to directors and
executive  officers  cannot  exceed  $25,000  or 5% of the  Bank's  capital  and
unimpaired  surplus,  whichever  is  greater,  unless a majority of the Board of
Directors  approves  the credit in advance  and the  individual  requesting  the
credit abstains from voting.  Loans to all directors and executive  officers and
their  associates,   including  outstanding  balances  and  commitments  totaled
$312,000 at September 30, 1996,  which was 2.9% of the Bank's retained  earnings
at that date. At September 30, 1996, there were no loans to any single director,
executive officer or their affiliates made at preferential  rates or terms which
in the  aggregate  exceeded  $60,000  during the three years ended  December 31,
1995.


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                                 THE CONVERSION

         The Board of Directors  of the Bank and the OTS have  approved the Plan
of Conversion.  OTS approval does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement
of the Plan of  Conversion.  Certain terms used in the following  summary of the
material terms of the  Conversion are defined in the Plan of Conversion,  a copy
of which may be obtained by contacting Hemlock Federal.

General

         The  Board of  Directors  of the Bank  unanimously  adopted  the  Plan,
subject to  approval  by the OTS and the  members of the Bank.  Pursuant  to the
Plan, the Bank will convert from a federally  chartered mutual savings bank to a
federally  chartered  stock savings  bank,  with the  concurrent  formation of a
holding company.

         The Conversion  will be  accomplished  through  amendment of the Bank's
federal charter to authorize capital stock, at which time the Bank will become a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Holding Company. The Conversion will be accounted
for as a pooling of interests.

         Subscription  Rights have been granted to the Eligible  Account Holders
as of June 30,  1995,  Tax-Qualified  Employee  Plans  of the  Bank and  Holding
Company,  Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holders as of December 31, 1996, Other
Members,  and  directors,  officers,  and  employees of the Bank.  Additionally,
subject  to the  availability  of shares and  market  conditions  at or near the
completion  of the  Subscription  Offering,  the Common Stock may be offered for
sale in a Public Offering and Direct Community Offering to selected persons on a
best-efforts  basis  through  KBW.  See "-  Offering of Holding  Company  Common
Stock."  Subscriptions  for shares  will be subject to the  maximum  and minimum
purchase limitations set forth in the Plan of Conversion.

Business Purposes

         Hemlock Federal has several business  purposes for the Conversion.  The
sale of Holding Company Common Stock will have the immediate result of providing
the Bank with additional equity capital in order to support the expansion of its
existing operations,  subject to market conditions.  See "Business." The sale of
the Common Stock is the most effective means of increasing the Bank's  permanent
capital and does not involve the high interest cost and repayment  obligation of
subordinated  debt. In addition,  investment of that part of the net  Conversion
proceeds  paid by the  Holding  Company  to the  Bank  is  expected  to  provide
additional  operating  income  to  further  increase  the  Bank's  capital  on a
continuing basis.

         The Board of  Directors  of the Bank  believes  that a holding  company
structure  could  facilitate  the  acquisition  of both mutual and stock savings
institutions  in the future as well as other  companies.  If a multiple  holding
company  structure is utilized in a future  acquisition,  the  acquired  savings
institution  would be able to  operate  on a more  autonomous  basis as a wholly
owned  subsidiary of the Holding  Company rather than as a division of the Bank.
For example,  the acquired savings  institution  could retain its own directors,
officers and  corporate  name as well as having  representation  on the Board of
Directors of the Holding Company.  As of the date hereof,  there are no plans or
understandings regarding the acquisition of any other institutions.

                                       108

<PAGE>



         The Board of Directors of the Bank also believes that a holding company
structure can facilitate the diversification of the Bank's business  activities.
While  diversification  will be maximized if a unitary holding company structure
is  utilized  because the types of business  activities  permitted  to a unitary
holding  company are broader than those of a multiple  holding  company,  either
type of holding  company may engage in a broader range of activities  than may a
thrift  institution  directly.  Currently,  there are no plans that the  Holding
Company engage in any material  activities  apart from holding the shares of the
Bank and  investing  the remaining net proceeds from the sale of Common Stock in
the Conversion.

         The preferred stock and additional  common stock of the Holding Company
being authorized in the Conversion will be available for future acquisitions and
for issuance and sale to raise  additional  equity  capital,  generally  without
stockholder approval or ratification, but subject to market conditions. Although
the Holding Company  currently has no plans with respect to future  issuances of
equity securities, the more flexible operating structure provided by the Holding
Company  and the stock  form of  ownership  is  expected  to assist  the Bank in
competing more aggressively  with other financial  institutions in its principal
market area.

         The  Conversion  will  structure the Bank in the stock form used in the
United States by all commercial banks,  most major business  corporations and an
increasing number of savings institutions. The Conversion will permit the Bank's
members to become stockholders of the Holding Company,  thereby allowing members
to own  stock in the  financial  organization  in which  they  maintain  deposit
accounts or with which they have a borrowing relationship. Such ownership should
encourage  stockholders  to promote  the Bank to  potential  customers,  thereby
further contributing to the Bank's earnings potential.

         The Bank is also expected to benefit from its  management and employees
owning  stock,  because  stock  ownership is viewed as an effective  performance
incentive and a means of attracting, retaining and compensating personnel.

Effects of Conversion to Stock Form on Depositors and Borrowers of the Bank

         Voting Rights.  Deposit  account  holders will have no voting rights in
the  converted  Bank or the Holding  Company and will  therefore  not be able to
elect  directors of either entity or to control their affairs.  These rights are
currently  accorded  to  deposit  account  holders  with  regard  to  the  Bank.
Subsequent  to  Conversion,  voting  rights  will be vested  exclusively  in the
Holding  Company as the sole  stockholder  of the Bank.  Voting rights as to the
Holding Company will be held exclusively by its stockholders.  Each purchaser of
Holding  Company  Common  Stock  shall be  entitled to vote on any matters to be
considered by the Holding Company  stockholders.  A stockholder will be entitled
to one vote for each share of Common Stock owned, subject to certain limitations
applicable to holders of 10% or more of the shares of the Common Stock.
See "Description of Capital Stock."

         Deposit  Accounts and Loans.  The general  terms of the Bank's  deposit
accounts,  the  balances  of the  individual  accounts  and  the  existing  FDIC
insurance  coverage  will not be affected by the  Conversion.  Furthermore,  the
Conversion will not affect the loan accounts, the balances of these accounts, or
the obligations of the borrowers under their individual contractual arrangements
with the Bank.

                                       109

<PAGE>



         Tax Effects.  The Bank has received an opinion from Silver,  Freedman &
Taff, L.L.P. with regard to federal income taxation,  and an opinion from Crowe,
Chizek and Company LLP with regard to Illinois taxation,  to the effect that the
adoption and  implementation of the Plan of Conversion set forth herein will not
be taxable  for  federal or  Illinois  tax  purposes  to the Bank or the Holding
Company. See "- Income Tax Consequences."

         Liquidation  Rights. The Bank has no plans to liquidate,  either before
or subsequent to the completion of the Conversion. However, if there should ever
be a complete  liquidation,  either before or after Conversion,  deposit account
holders would  receive the  protection of insurance by the FDIC up to applicable
limits. Subject thereto, liquidation rights before and after Conversion would be
as follows:

         Liquidation  Rights in Present Mutual  Institution.  In addition to the
         protection of FDIC insurance up to applicable limits, in the event of a
         complete  liquidation of the Bank,  each holder of a deposit account in
         the Bank in its present  mutual form would  receive his or her pro rata
         share of any assets of the Bank  remaining  after  payment of claims of
         all creditors  (including the claims of all depositors in the amount of
         the withdrawal value of their  accounts).  Such holder's pro rata share
         of such remaining  assets,  if any, would be in the same  proportion of
         such  assets as the  balance in his or her  deposit  account was to the
         aggregate  balance in all  deposit  accounts in the Bank at the time of
         liquidation.

         Liquidation Rights in Proposed Converted Institution. After Conversion,
         each deposit account holder, in the event of a complete  liquidation of
         the Bank, would have a claim of the same general priority as the claims
         of  all  other  general  creditors  of  the  Bank  in  addition  to the
         protection of FDIC insurance up to applicable limits. Therefore, except
         as described  below, the deposit account holder's claim would be solely
         in the amount of the balance in his or her deposit account plus accrued
         interest.  The holder  would have no interest in the assets of the Bank
         above that amount.

         The Plan of Conversion  provides that there shall be established,  upon
         the completion of the Conversion,  a special "liquidation  account" for
         the benefit of Eligible Account Holders (i.e.,  eligible  depositors at
         June 30, 1995) and Supplemental Account Holders (eligible depositors at
         December  31,  1996) in an amount equal to the net worth of the Bank as
         of the date of its latest consolidated statement of financial condition
         contained  in the final  prospectus  relating  to the sale of shares of
         Holding Company Common Stock in the Conversion.  Each Eligible  Account
         Holder and  Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder would have an initial
         interest in such  liquidation  account for each deposit account held in
         the  Bank on the  qualifying  date.  An  Eligible  Account  Holder  and
         Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder's  interest as to each  deposit
         account  would  be in the  same  proportion  of the  total  liquidation
         account  as the  balance  in his or her  account  on June 30,  1995 and
         December 31, 1996,  respectively,  was to the aggregate  balance in all
         deposit accounts of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental  Eligible
         Account  Holders on such dates.  However,  if the amount in the deposit
         account of an Eligible Account Holder or Supplemental Eligible

                                       110

<PAGE>



         Account  Holder on any annual closing date of the Bank is less than the
         lowest amount in such account on June 30, 1995 or December 31, 1996 and
         on any subsequent  closing date, then the account holder's  interest in
         this  special  liquidation  account  would  be  reduced  by  an  amount
         proportionate to any such reduction,  and the account holder's interest
         would cease to exist if such deposit account were closed.

         In addition,  the  interest in the special  liquidation  account  would
         never be  increased  despite any increase in the balance of the account
         holders' related accounts after Conversion, and would only decrease.

         Any assets  remaining  after the above  liquidation  rights of Eligible
         Account  Holders  and   Supplemental   Eligible  Account  Holders  were
         satisfied  would be  distributed  to the  Holding  Company  as the sole
         stockholder of the Bank.

         No merger,  consolidation,  purchase of bulk assets with  assumption of
         deposit accounts and other liabilities, or similar transaction, whether
         the Bank,  as converted,  or another  SAIF-insured  institution  is the
         surviving  institution,  is deemed  to be a  complete  liquidation  for
         purposes of distribution  of the  liquidation  account and, in any such
         transaction,  the  liquidation  account  would be  assumed  to the full
         extent authorized by regulations of the OTS as then in effect.  The OTS
         has stated that the consummation of a transaction of the type described
         in the  preceding  sentence  in which  the  surviving  entity  is not a
         SAIF-insured  institution would be reviewed on a case-by-case  basis to
         determine  whether  the  transaction   should  constitute  a  "complete
         liquidation"  requiring  distribution of any then remaining  balance in
         the  liquidation   account.   While  the  Bank  believes  that  such  a
         transaction should not constitute a complete liquidation,  there can be
         no assurance that the OTS will not adopt a contrary position.

         Common Stock. For information as to the  characteristics  of the Common
Stock  to  be  issued  under  the  Plan  of  Conversion,   see  "Dividends"  and
"Description of Capital Stock." Common Stock issued under the Plan of Conversion
cannot, and will not, be insured by the FDIC or any other governmental agency.

         The Bank will continue, immediately after completion of the Conversion,
to provide its services to  depositors  and  borrowers  pursuant to its existing
policies and will  maintain the existing  management  and employees of the Bank.
Other than for payment of certain expenses incident to the Conversion, no assets
of the Bank will be distributed in the Conversion. Hemlock Federal will continue
to be a member of the FHLB System,  and its deposit accounts will continue to be
insured by the FDIC. The affairs of Hemlock Federal will continue to be directed
by the existing Board of Directors and management.

Offering of Holding Company Common Stock

         Under  the Plan of  Conversion,  1,805,500  shares of  Holding  Company
Common Stock will be offered for sale, subject to certain restrictions described
below, initially through the

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Offering. Federal conversion regulations require, with certain exceptions,  that
all shares offered in a conversion be sold in order for the conversion to become
effective.

         The Subscription Offering will expire at noon, Chicago,  Illinois time,
on ____________,  1997 (the  "Subscription  Expiration Date") unless extended by
the Bank and the Holding  Company.  Depending on the  availability of shares and
market  conditions at or near the completion of the Subscription  Offering,  the
Holding  Company  may effect a Public  Offering  of shares to  selected  persons
through KBW. To order Common Stock in  connection  with the Public  Offering and
Direct  Community  Offering,  if  any,  an  executed  stock  order  and  account
withdrawal  authorization and certification must be received by KBW prior to the
termination of the Public Offering and Direct  Community  Offering.  The date by
which orders must be received in the Public Offering, if any, will be set by the
Holding Company at the time of such offering.  OTS regulations  require that all
shares to be offered in the  Conversion  be sold within a period ending not more
than 45 days after the  Subscription  Expiration  Date (or such longer period as
may be approved by the OTS) or,  despite  approval of the Plan of  Conversion by
members,  the Conversion will not be effected and Hemlock Federal will remain in
mutual form.  This period expires on _________,  1997,  unless extended with the
approval of the OTS. In addition, if the Offering is extended beyond __________,
1997,  all  subscribers   will  have  the  right  to  modify  or  rescind  their
subscriptions  and to have  their  subscription  funds  returned  promptly  with
interest. In the event that the Conversion is not effected,  all funds submitted
and not previously  refunded  pursuant to the Offering will be promptly refunded
to  subscribers  with  interest  at the  Bank's  current  passbook  rate and all
withdrawal authorizations will be terminated.

Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued

         Federal  regulations  require that the aggregate  purchase price of the
securities of a thrift  institution  sold in connection with its conversion must
be based on an appraised  aggregate market value of the institution as converted
(i.e., taking into account the expected receipt of proceeds from the sale of the
securities  in the  conversion),  as  determined  by an  independent  valuation.
Keller,  which  is  experienced  in the  valuation  and  appraisal  of  business
entities,  including thrift institutions involved in the conversion process, was
retained by the Bank to prepare an appraisal of the  estimated  pro forma market
value of the Bank and the Holding Company upon Conversion.

         Keller will receive a fee of approximately $25,000 for its appraisal in
addition to its reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred in connection with
the appraisal. Keller has also agreed to assist in the preparation of the Bank's
business plan and to perform  certain records  management  services for the Bank
for a separate  fee of $5,000.  The Bank has agreed to  indemnify  Keller  under
certain  circumstances  against  liabilities and expenses (including legal fees)
arising out of, related to, or based upon the Conversion.

         Keller has  prepared an  appraisal  of the  estimated  pro forma market
value of the Bank as converted. The Keller appraisal concluded that, at December
6, 1996,  an  appropriate  range for the estimated pro forma market value of the
Bank and the Holding  Company was from a minimum of  $13,345,000 to a maximum of
$18,055,000 with a midpoint of $15,700,000. Assuming that the shares are sold at
$10.00 per share in the Conversion,  the estimated number of shares to be issued
in the Conversion is expected to be between 1,334,500 and 1,805,500.

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The Purchase Price of $18,055,000 was determined by discussion  among the Boards
of Directors of the Bank, the Holding  Company and Keller,  taking into account,
among other factors,  (i) the requirement  under OTS regulations that the Common
Stock be  offered on a manner  that would  achieve  the widest  distribution  of
shares and (ii) liquidity in the Common Stock subsequent to the Conversion.

         The appraisal  involved a  comparative  evaluation of the operating and
financial  statistics of the Bank with those of other thrift  institutions.  The
appraisal  also took into  account  such other  factors as the market for thrift
institution stocks generally,  prevailing economic  conditions,  both nationally
and in  Illinois,  which  affect  the  operations  of thrift  institutions,  the
competitive  environment  within  which the Bank  operates and the effect of the
Bank  becoming a  subsidiary  of the Holding  Company.  No  detailed  individual
analysis of the  separate  components  of the Holding  Company's  and the Bank's
assets and liabilities was performed in connection with the evaluation. The Plan
of Conversion  requires that all of the shares subscribed for in the Offering be
sold at the same price per share. The Board of Directors reviewed the appraisal,
including the methodology and the appropriateness of the assumptions utilized by
Keller and  determined  that in its opinion the appraisal was not  unreasonable.
The  Estimated  Valuation  Range may be amended  with the approval of the OTS in
connection with changes in the financial  condition or operating  results of the
Bank or market  conditions  generally.  As described  below, an amendment to the
Estimated  Valuation  Range  above  $20,076,325  would  not be  made  without  a
resolicitation of subscriptions and/or proxies except in limited circumstances.

         If, upon  completion  of the Offering,  at least the minimum  number of
shares are subscribed for, Keller,  after taking into account factors similar to
those  involved in its prior  appraisal,  will determine its estimate of the pro
forma market value of the Bank and the Holding  Company upon  Conversion,  as of
the close of the Offering.

         If, based on the  estimate of Keller,  the  aggregate  pro forma market
value is not within the Estimated  Valuation Range,  Keller, upon the consent of
the OTS, will  determine a new Estimated  Valuation  Range  ("Amended  Valuation
Range").  If the  aggregate  pro forma market value of the Bank as converted and
the Holding  Company has increased in the Amended  Valuation  Range to an amount
that does not exceed  $20,763,250  (i.e., 15% above the maximum of the Estimated
Valuation  Range),  then the number of shares to be issued may be  increased  to
accommodate  such increase in value without a  resolicitation  of  subscriptions
and/or proxies.  In such event the Bank and the Holding Company do not intend to
resolicit  subscriptions  and/or proxies unless the Bank and the Holding Company
then determine,  after consultation with the OTS, that  circumstances  otherwise
require such a resolicitation. If, however, the aggregate pro forma market value
of the Holding  Company and the Bank,  as  converted,  at that time is less than
$13,345,000 or more than  $20,763,250,  a resolicitation  of subscribers  and/or
proxies may be made,  the Plan of  Conversion  may be  terminated  or such other
actions as the OTS may permit may be taken. In the event that upon completion of
the  Offering,  the pro forma market value of the Holding  Company and Bank,  as
converted,  is below  $13,345,000 or above $20,763,250 (15% above the maximum of
the Estimated  Valuation Range), the Holding Company intends to file the revised
appraisal with the SEC by post-effective amendment to its Registration Statement
on  Form  S-1.  See  "Additional  Information."  If the  Plan of  Conversion  is
terminated,  all funds would be returned  promptly  with interest at the rate of
the Bank's current  passbook rate, and holds on funds  authorized for withdrawal
from deposit accounts would be

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<PAGE>



released.  If there is a resolicitation  of  subscriptions,  subscribers will be
given the opportunity to cancel or change their  subscriptions and to the extent
subscriptions  are so canceled or reduced,  funds will be returned with interest
at the Bank's current passbook rate and holds on funds authorized for withdrawal
from deposit accounts will be released or reduced.  Stock subscriptions received
by the Holding  Company and the Bank may not be withdrawn by the subscriber and,
if accepted by the Holding Company and the Bank, are final. If the Conversion is
not completed prior to _________,  1999 (two years after the date of the Special
Meeting), the Plan of Conversion will automatically terminate.

         Any  increase  in the total  number  of  shares  of Common  Stock to be
offered  in the  Conversion  will  dilute a  subscriber's  percentage  ownership
interest  and will  reduce the pro forma net income and net worth on a per share
basis.  A decrease in the number of shares to be issued in the  Conversion  will
increase a subscriber's  proportionate ownership interest and will increase both
pro forma net income and net worth on a per share  basis while  decreasing  that
amount on an aggregate basis.

         No sale of the shares will take place  unless,  prior  thereto,  Keller
confirms  to the OTS  that,  to the best of  Keller's  knowledge  and  judgment,
nothing of a material  nature has occurred  which would cause Keller to conclude
that the actual Purchase Price on an aggregate  basis is  incompatible  with its
estimate of the aggregate pro forma market value of the Holding  Company and the
Bank as converted at the time of the sale. If, however, the facts do not justify
such a statement,  the Offering or other sale may be canceled,  a new  Estimated
Valuation Range set and new offering held.

         In  preparing  its  valuation of the pro forma market value of the Bank
and the Holding  Company  upon  Conversion,  Keller  relied upon and assumed the
accuracy and completeness of all financial and statistical  information provided
by the Bank and the Holding Company.  Keller also considered  information  based
upon other publicly  available sources which it believes are reliable.  However,
Keller does not guarantee the accuracy and  completeness of such information and
did not independently verify the financial statements and other data provided by
the  Bank  and  the  Holding  Company  or  independently  value  the  assets  or
liabilities of the Bank and the Holding  Company.  The appraisal is not intended
to be, and must not be interpreted  as, a  recommendation  of any kind as to the
advisability  of voting to approve the  Conversion  or of  purchasing  shares of
Common Stock.  The appraisal  considers  Hemlock Federal and the Holding Company
only as going  concerns and should not be  considered  as any  indication of the
liquidation  value of Hemlock  Federal or the  Holding  Company.  Moreover,  the
appraisal is  necessarily  based on many factors which change from time to time.
There can be no assurance  that persons who  purchase  shares in the  Conversion
will be able to sell such shares at prices at or above the Purchase Price.

Subscription Offering

         In  accordance  with  OTS  regulations,  non-transferable  Subscription
Rights have been granted under the Plan of  Conversion to the following  persons
in the  following  order of priority:  (1)  Eligible  Account  Holders  (deposit
account holders of the Bank  maintaining an aggregate  balance of $50 or more as
of June 30,  1995),  (2) the  Holding  Company  and the  Bank's  Tax-  Qualified
Employee Plans;  provided,  however, that the Tax-Qualified Employee Plans shall
have

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<PAGE>



first priority Subscription Rights to the extent that the total number of shares
of Common  Stock sold in the  Conversion  exceeds the  maximum of the  Estimated
Valuation  Range;] (3) Supplemental  Eligible  Accounts Holders (deposit account
holders  of the Bank  maintaining  a balance of $50 or more as of  December  31,
1996),  (4) Other  Members  (depositors  of the Bank at the close of business on
___________,  the voting record date for the Special  Meeting) and (5) officers,
directors and employees of the Bank. All subscriptions  received will be subject
to the  availability of Holding  Company Common Stock after  satisfaction of all
subscriptions of all persons having prior rights in the  Subscription  Offering,
and to the  maximum and minimum  purchase  limitations  set forth in the Plan of
Conversion.

         Category No. 1 is reserved  for the Bank's  Eligible  Account  Holders.
Subscription  Rights to purchase  shares under this  category  will be allocated
among Eligible  Account Holders to permit each such depositor to purchase shares
in this  Category in an amount equal to the greater of $200,000 of Common Stock,
one-tenth of one percent (.10%) of the total shares  offered in the  Conversion,
or 15 times the  product  (rounded  down to the next whole  number)  obtained by
multiplying  the  total  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock to be issued by a
fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the qualifying  deposits of the
Eligible  Account  Holder  and  the  denominator  is  the  total  amount  of the
qualifying  deposit of the Eligible Account Holders in the Bank, in each case on
the  Eligibility  Record Date. To the extent shares are  oversubscribed  in this
category,  shares shall be allocated first to permit each  subscribing  Eligible
Account Holder to purchase,  to the extent  possible,  100 shares and thereafter
among each  subscribing  Eligible Account Holder pro rata in the same proportion
that his  Qualifying  Deposit  bears to the  total  Qualifying  Deposits  of all
subscribing Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied.

         Category  No. 2 provides  for the  issuance of  Subscription  Rights to
Tax-Qualified Employee Plans to purchase up to 10% of the total amount of shares
of Common Stock issued in the Subscription  Offering on a second priority basis.
However,  such plans shall not, in the aggregate,  purchase more than 10% of the
Holding Company Common Stock issued.  The ESOP intends to purchase a total of 8%
of the Common Stock issued in the Conversion  under this category.  Subscription
Rights  received  pursuant to this category shall be  subordinated to all rights
received by Eligible Account Holders to purchase shares pursuant to Category No.
1;  provided,  however,  that  notwithstanding  any  provision  of the  Plan  of
Conversion to the contrary,  the  Tax-Qualified  Employee Plans shall have first
priority  Subscription  Rights to the extent that the total  number of shares of
Common  Stock  sold in the  Conversion  exceeds  the  maximum  of the  Estimated
Valuation Range.

         Category No. 3 is reserved for the Bank's Supplemental Eligible Account
Holders.  Subscription  Rights to purchase  shares under this  category  will be
allocated  among  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders  to permit  each such
depositor to purchase  shares in this Category in an amount equal to the greater
of $200,000 of Common Stock, one-tenth of one percent (.10%) of the total shares
of Common Stock offered in the Conversion, or 15 times the product (rounded down
to the next whole number)  obtained by multiplying the total number of shares of
Common Stock to be issued by a fraction of which the  numerator is the amount of
the  qualifying  deposit of the  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder and the
denominator  is the total amount of the qualifying  deposit of the  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders in the  converting  Bank in each case on December 31,
1996 (the "Supplemental Eligibility Record Date"), subject

                                       115

<PAGE>



to the  overall  purchase  limitation  after  satisfying  the  subscriptions  of
Eligible Account Holders and Tax Qualified Employee Plans. Any  non-transferable
Subscription  Rights received by an Eligible Account Holder shall reduce, to the
extent thereof,  the  subscription  rights to be distributed to such person as a
Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder. In the event of an  oversubscription  for
shares, the shares available shall be allocated first to permit each subscribing
Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holder,  to the extent  possible,  to purchase a
number of shares  sufficient to make his total allocation  (including the number
of shares,  if any,  allocated in  accordance  with Category No. 1) equal to 100
shares,  and thereafter  among each  subscribing  Supplemental  Eligible Account
Holder pro rata in the same proportion that his Qualifying  Deposit bears to the
total  Qualifying  Deposits of all  subscribing  Supplemental  Eligible  Account
Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied.

         Category No. 4 provides,  to the extent that shares are then  available
after satisfying the  subscriptions  of Eligible Account Holders,  Tax-Qualified
Employee Plans and Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holders,  for the issuance of
Subscription  Rights to Other  Members to  purchase  in this  Category up to the
greater of $200,000 of Common Stock,  or one-tenth of one percent  (.10%) of the
Common Stock offered in the Conversion. In the event of an oversubscription, the
shares available shall be allocated among the subscribing Other Members pro rata
in the same  proportion that his number of votes on the Voting Record Date bears
to the total number of votes on the Voting Record Date of all subscribing  Other
Members on such date.  Such  number of votes  shall be  determined  based on the
Bank's mutual charter and bylaws in effect on the date of approval by members of
this Plan of Conversion.

         Each depositor (including  individual  retirement accounts ("IRAs") and
Keogh account  beneficiaries)  as of ________,  1997 and the date of the Special
Meeting is  entitled  at the  Special  Meeting to cast one vote for each $100 or
fraction thereof,  of the aggregate  withdrawal value of all of such depositor's
savings  accounts in the Bank as of the  applicable  voting record date, up to a
maximum of 1,000 votes.  However,  no member may vote more than 1,000 votes.  In
general,  accounts  held in different  ownership  capacities  will be treated as
separate  memberships  for purposes of applying the 1,000 vote  limitation.  For
example, if two persons hold a $100,000 account in their joint names and each of
the persons  also holds a separate  account for  $100,000 in his own name,  each
person would be entitled to 1,000 votes for each separate account and they would
together be entitled to cast 1,000 votes on the basis of the joint account for a
total of 3,000 votes.

         Category  No. 5 provides  for the  issuance of  Subscription  Rights to
officers,  directors  and employees of the Bank, to purchase in this Category up
to $200,000 of the Common  Stock to the extent that shares are  available  after
satisfying the subscriptions of eligible subscribers in preference Categories 1,
2, 3 and 4. The total number of shares which may be conversion  purchased  under
this  Category  may not exceed  22% of the  number of shares of Holding  Company
Common Stock. In the event of an oversubscription,  the available shares will be
allocated pro rata among all subscribers in this category based on the number of
shares ordered by each subscriber.


                                       116

<PAGE>



Public Offering and Direct Community Offering

         To the  extent  that  shares  remain  available  and  subject to market
conditions at or near the completion of the Subscription  Offering,  the Holding
Company may offer  shares  pursuant to the Plan to selected  persons in a Public
Offering and Direct  Community  Offering on a best-efforts  basis through KBW in
such a manner as to promote a wide  distribution of the Common Stock. Any orders
received in connection with the Public Offering and Direct  Community  Offering,
if  any,  will  receive  a  lower  priority  than  orders  properly  made in the
Subscription  Offering by persons properly  exercising  Subscription  Rights. In
addition depending on market conditions, KBW may utilize selected broker-dealers
("Selected  Dealers")  in  connection  with the  sale of  shares  in the  Public
Offering and Direct Community Offering. Common Stock sold in the Public Offering
and Direct Community Offering will be sold at $10.00 per share and hence will be
sold at the same  price as all  other  shares  in the  Conversion.  The  Holding
Company and the Bank have the right to reject  orders,  in whole or in part,  in
their sole discretion in the Public Offering and Direct Community Offering.

         No person,  together with any  associate or group of persons  acting in
concert, will be permitted to purchase more than $200,000 of Common Stock in the
Public  Offering  and  Direct  Community  Offering.  To  order  Common  Stock in
connection with the Public Offering and Direct  Community  Offering,  if any, an
executed stock order and account withdrawal authorization and certification must
be received by KBW prior to the  termination  of the Public  Offering and Direct
Community  Offering.  The date by which  orders  must be  received in the Public
Offering and Direct Community Offering will be set by the Holding Company at the
time of commencement of the Public Offering;  provided however,  if the Offering
is extended beyond _________, 1997, each subscriber will have the opportunity to
maintain,  modify  or  rescind  his or her  subscription.  In  such  event,  all
subscription  funds will be promptly  returned with interest to each  subscriber
unless he or she affirmatively indicates otherwise.

         It is  estimated  that the  Selected  Dealers will receive a negotiated
commission  of up to 4.5% of the  Common  Stock  sold by the  Selected  Dealers,
payable  by the  Holding  Company,  and KBW will  also  receive a fee of 1.0% of
Common  Stock sold by such  firms.  Such fees in the  aggregate  will not exceed
5.5%. See "- Marketing Arrangements.

         KBW may enter into  agreements  with Selected  Dealers to assist in the
sale of  shares  in the  Public  Offering.  Selected  Dealers  may only  solicit
indications  of interest  from their  customers to place orders with the Holding
Company  as of a certain  date  ("Order  Date")  for the  purchase  of shares of
Conversion Stock with the  authorization of KBW. When and if KBW and the Holding
Company  believe  that  enough  indications  of  interest  and orders  have been
received to consummate the Conversion,  KBW will request,  as of the Order Date,
Selected  Dealers  to  submit  orders to  purchase  shares  for which  they have
received  indications of interest from their  customers.  Selected  Dealers will
send confirmation of the orders to such customers on the next business day after
the  Order  Date.  Customers  who  authorize  Selected  Dealers  to debit  their
brokerage  accounts are required to have the funds for payment in their  account
on but not before the  closing  date of the  Conversion.  On the  closing  date,
Selected  Dealers  will remit  funds to the  account  that the  Holding  Company
established for each Selected Dealer.  Each customer's funds so forwarded to the
Holding Company,  along with all other accounts held in the same title,  will be
insured up to the applicable legal limit. After payment has been received by the
Holding

                                       117

<PAGE>



Company from Selected  Dealers,  funds will earn interest at the Bank's passbook
rate until the  completion of the Offering.  In the event the  Conversion is not
consummated as described above, funds with interest will be returned promptly to
the Selected  Dealers,  who, in turn,  will  promptly  credit  their  customers'
brokerage account.

         In the  event  the  Holding  Company  determines  to  conduct  a Public
Offering  and  Direct  Community  Offering,  persons  to  whom a  prospectus  is
delivered  may  subscribe  for shares of Common Stock by  submitting a completed
stock  order  and  account  withdrawal  authorization  (provided  by KBW) and an
executed  certification  along with  immediately  available  funds (which may be
obtained by debiting a KBW account) to KBW by not later than the public offering
expiration date (as established by the Holding  Company).  Promptly upon receipt
of available  funds,  together with a properly  executed stock order and account
withdrawal  authorization  and  certification,  KBW will  forward  such funds to
Hemlock Federal to be deposited in a subscription escrow account.

         If a subscription in the Public Offering and Direct Community  Offering
is accepted,  promptly after the completion of the Conversion, a certificate for
the  appropriate  amount of shares will be  forwarded  to KBW as nominee for the
beneficial  owner.  In the event  that a  subscription  is not  accepted  or the
Conversion is not  consummated,  the Bank will promptly refund with interest the
subscription  funds to KBW which  will  then  return  the funds to  subscribers'
accounts.  If the  aggregate pro forma market value of the Company and the Bank,
as converted, is less than $13,345,000 or more than $20,763,250, each subscriber
will have the right to modify or rescind his or her subscription.

         If a Public  Offering  and  Direct  Community  Offering  is  held,  the
opportunity  to subscribe  for shares of Common Stock in the Public  Offering is
subject  to the  right of the  Bank  and the  Holding  Company,  in  their  sole
discretion, to accept or reject any such orders in whole or in part.

Additional Purchase Restrictions

         The Plan also provides for certain additional  limitations to be placed
upon the purchase of shares in the  Conversion.  Specifically,  no person (other
than a Tax-Qualified  Employee Plan) by himself or herself or with an associate,
and no group of persons  acting in concert,  may  subscribe for or purchase more
than $900,000 of Common Stock. For purposes of this limitation,  an associate of
a person does not include a  Tax-Qualified  Employee  Plan or Non-Tax  Qualified
Employee  Plan in which the  person has a  substantial  beneficial  interest  or
serves as a trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity.  Moreover,  for purposes
of this paragraph, shares held by one or more Tax Qualified or Non-Tax Qualified
Employee  Plans  attributed  to a person  shall not be  aggregated  with  shares
purchased  directly by or otherwise  attributable to that person except for that
portion of a plan which is self-directed  by a person.  See "- Stock Pricing and
Number of Shares to be  Issued"  regarding  potential  changes  in  Subscription
Rights in the event of a  decrease  in the  number of shares to be issued in the
Conversion. Officers and directors and their associates may not purchase, in the
aggregate,  more  than  32% of the  shares  to be  sold in the  Conversion.  For
purposes of the Plan, the members of the Board of Directors are not deemed to be
acting in concert  solely by reason of their Board  membership.  For purposes of
this  limitation,  an  associate  of an officer or  director  does not include a
Tax-Qualified Employee

                                       118

<PAGE>



Plan. Moreover,  any shares attributable to the officers and directors and their
associates,  but held by a Tax-Qualified  Employee Plan (other than that portion
of a plan which is  self-directed)  shall not be  included  in  calculating  the
number of shares which may be purchased under the limitations in this paragraph.
Shares  purchased by employees who are not officers or directors of the Bank, or
their  associates,  are not subject to this limitation.  The term "associate" is
used above to indicate any of the following relationships with a person: (i) any
corporation  or  organization  (other than the Holding  Company or the Bank or a
majority-owned  subsidiary of the Holding Company or the Bank) of which a person
is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly,  the beneficial owner of
10% or more of any class of equity  security;  (ii) any trust or other estate in
which such  person has a  substantial  beneficial  interest  or as to which such
person  serves as  trustee  or in a similar  fiduciary  capacity;  and (iii) any
relative  or spouse of such  person or any  relative  of such spouse who has the
same home as such person or who is a director or officer of the Holding  Company
or the Bank or any subsidiary of the Holding Company or the Bank.

         The Boards of Directors of the Holding  Company and the Bank,  in their
sole discretion, may increase the maximum purchase limitations referred to above
up to 9.99% of the total  shares to be offered in the  Offering,  provided  that
orders for shares  exceeding  5.0% of the shares  being  offered in the Offering
shall not  exceed,  in the  aggregate,  10% of the shares  being  offered in the
Offering  or  decrease  the maximum  purchase  limitation  to one percent of the
Common Stock offered in the Conversion.  Requests to purchase  additional shares
of  Common  Stock  under  this  provision  will be  allocated  by the  Boards of
Directors on a pro rata basis giving  priority in  accordance  with the priority
rights set forth above. Depending on market and financial conditions, the Boards
of Directors of the Holding  Company and the Bank,  with the approval of the OTS
and without further approval of the members, may increase or decrease any of the
above purchase limitations.

         To the extent that shares are available, each subscriber must subscribe
for a minimum of 25 shares.  In computing  the number of shares to be allocated,
all numbers will be rounded down to the next whole number.

         Common Stock  purchased in the Conversion  will be freely  transferable
except for shares  purchased by executive  officers and directors of the Bank or
the Holding Company.  See "- Restrictions on Transfer of Subscription Rights and
Shares."

Marketing Arrangements

         Hemlock Federal has retained KBW, a  broker-dealer  registered with the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC") and a member of the  National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), to consult with and advise
the Bank and to  assist in the  distribution  of  shares  in the  Offering  on a
best-efforts basis. KBW is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio and its phone number is
(614)  766-8400.  Among the  services  KBW will  perform  are (i)  training  and
educating Hemlock Federal employees,  who will be performing certain ministerial
functions in the Offering,  regarding the mechanics and regulatory  requirements
of the stock sale process,  (ii) keeping  records of orders for shares of Common
Stock, (iii) targeting Hemlock Federal's sales efforts including  preparation of
marketing  materials,  (iv)  assisting in the collection of proxies from Members
for use at the Special Meeting, and (v) providing its registered stock

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<PAGE>



representatives  to staff the Stock  Information  Center  and  meeting  with and
assisting potential  subscribers.  For its services,  KBW will receive a success
fee of  1.5%  of the  aggregate  Purchase  Price  of  Common  Stock  sold in the
Subscription Offering,  excluding Common Stock purchased by directors,  officers
and employees of the  Association,  or members of their  immediate  families and
purchases by tax-qualified  plans. A management fee of $25,000,  payable in four
monthly  installments  of $6,250,  is being  applied  against  this fee.  If the
Subscription and Community Offering is terminated before completion, KBW will be
entitled to retain such monthly payments already accrued or received.

         To the extent  registered  broker-dealers  are  utilized,  the  Holding
Company  will  pay a fee  (to be  negotiated,  but  not to  exceed  4.5%  of the
aggregate  Purchase Price of shares of Common Stock sold in the Public  Offering
and  Direct  Community  Offering)  to  such  Selected  Dealers,   including  any
sponsoring  dealer fees. The Holding  Company will also pay KBW a fee of 1.0% of
the aggregate  Purchase  Price of shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering by
Selected  Dealers,  which  together with the fee to be paid to Selected  Dealers
will result in an  aggregate  fee not to exceed 5.5% of the Common Stock sold in
the Offering.  Fees paid to KBW and to any other  broker-dealer may be deemed to
be underwriting fees, and KBW and such other  broker-dealers may be deemed to be
underwriters. The Holding Company has agreed to reimburse KBW for its reasonable
out-of-pocket  expenses (not to exceed $5,000),  and its legal fees and expenses
(not  to  exceed  $35,000)  and to  indemnify  KBW  against  certain  claims  or
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.

         In the event there is a Public Offering and Direct Community  Offering,
procedures may be implemented to permit a purchaser to pay for his or her shares
with funds held by or deposited  with KBW or a "Selected  Dealer." See "- Public
Offering."

         Directors  and executive  officers of the Holding  Company and the Bank
may, to a limited extent,  participate in the solicitation of offers to purchase
Common Stock.  Sales will be made from a Stock  Information  Center located away
from the publicly  accessible  areas  (including  teller  windows) of the Bank's
office.  Other  employees  of  the  Bank  may  participate  in the  Offering  in
administrative  capacities,   providing  clerical  work  in  effecting  a  sales
transaction or answering  questions of a potential  purchaser  provided that the
content of the employee's responses is limited to information  contained in this
Prospectus or other offering document. Other questions of prospective purchasers
will be directed to executive officers or registered representatives of KBW Such
other  employees have been  instructed not to solicit offers to purchase  Common
Stock or provide  advice  regarding the purchase of Common Stock.  To the extent
permitted under applicable law,  directors and executive officers of the Holding
Company and the Bank may  participate in the  solicitation of offers to purchase
Common Stock,  except in the State of Texas where only a  representative  of KBW
will be able to  offer  and sell  securities  to Texas  residents.  The  Holding
Company will rely on Rule 3a4-1 under the Exchange Act and sales of Common Stock
will be  conducted  within  the  requirements  of Rule  3a4-1,  so as to  permit
officers, directors and employees to participate in the sale of Common Stock. No
officer,  director  or  employee  of the  Holding  Company  or the Bank  will be
compensated in connection with his  participation  by the payment of commissions
or other remuneration based either directly or indirectly on the transactions in
the Common Stock.


                                       120

<PAGE>


   
         A conversion  center will be established  at the Bank's  office,  in an
area separated from the Bank's banking  operations.  No sales activities will be
conducted in the public areas of the Bank's offices, but persons will be able to
obtain a Prospectus  and sales  information  at such places,  and employees will
inform prospective purchasers to direct their questions to the conversion center
and will  provide  such  persons  with the  telephone  number of the  conversion
center.  Completed  stock  orders will be accepted at such  places,  and will be
promptly forwarded to the conversion center for processing. No officer, director
or employee of the Bank will be compensated in connection with his participation
by the payment of commissions  or other  remuneration  based either  directly or
indirectly on the transactions in the Common Stock.

    


         The Bank and the Holding Company will make reasonable efforts to comply
with the  securities  laws of all states in the United  States in which  persons
entitled to subscribe for shares,  pursuant to the Plan of  Conversion,  reside.
However,  no shares will be offered or sold under the Plan of  Conversion to any
such  person who (1)  resides in a foreign  country or (2) resides in a state of
the United  States in which a small  number of  persons  otherwise  eligible  to
subscribe for shares under the Plan of Conversion reside or as to which the Bank
and the Holding  Company  determine that  compliance  with the securities law of
such state would be impracticable  for reasons of cost or otherwise,  including,
but not limited to, a requirement that the Bank or the Holding Company or any of
their officers,  directors or employees  register,  under the securities laws of
such state, as a broker, dealer,  salesmen or agent. No payments will be made in
lieu of the granting of Subscription Rights to any such person.

Method of Payment for Subscriptions

         To purchase shares in the Subscription Offering, an executed order form
and certification  form with the required payment for each share subscribed for,
or with appropriate authorization for withdrawal from the Bank's deposit account
(which may be given by  completing  the  appropriate  blanks in the order form),
must be received by the Bank by noon,  Chicago,  Illinois time, on  ___________,
1997.  Order  forms  which  are  not  received  by  such  time  or are  executed
defectively  or are received  without full  payment (or  appropriate  withdrawal
instructions) are not required to be accepted.

         To order Common Stock in connection with the Public Offering and Direct
Community  Offering,  if any,  an executed  stock  order and account  withdrawal
authorization and certification must be received by KBW prior to the termination
of the Public Offering and Direct Community  Offering.  The date by which orders
must be received in the Public  Offering and Direct  Community  Offering will be
set by the Holding  Company at the time of  commencement  of the Public Offering
and Direct Community  Offering;  provided  however,  if the Offering is extended
beyond January __, 1997,  each subscriber will have the opportunity to maintain,
modify or rescind his or her subscription. In such event, all subscription funds
will be promptly  returned  with  interest to each  subscriber  unless he or she
affirmatively indicates otherwise. In addition, the Holding Company and the Bank
are not obligated to accept orders  submitted on photocopies or facsimile  order
forms.

         The Holding  Company and the Bank have the right to waive or permit the
correction of incomplete or improperly executed forms, but do not represent that
they will do so.  Once  received,  an  executed  order  form or stock  order and
account withdrawal authorization may not

                                      121

<PAGE>



be modified, amended or rescinded without the consent of the Holding Company and
the Bank unless the Conversion has not been completed by _____________, 1997.

         Payment for subscriptions in the Subscription Offering, may be made (i)
in cash if delivered in person at the office of the Bank, (ii) by check or money
order or (iii) by authorization  of withdrawal from deposit accounts  maintained
with the Bank. Interest will be paid on payments made by cash, check, bank draft
or money order, whether or not the Conversion is complete or terminated,  at the
Bank's  current  passbook  rate  from the date  payment  is  received  until the
completion or termination of the Conversion. If payment is made by authorization
of withdrawal from deposit or certificate  accounts,  the funds authorized to be
withdrawn from such account will continue to accrue  interest at the contractual
rates until  completion or  termination  of the  Conversion.  Such funds will be
unavailable to the depositor until completion or termination of the Conversion.

         If a  subscriber  authorizes  the Bank to  withdraw  the  amount of the
Purchase  Price  from his  certificate  account,  the Bank  will do so as of the
effective date of Conversion.  The Bank will waive any applicable  penalties for
early withdrawal from certificate accounts at Hemlock Federal for the purpose of
purchasing  Common Stock. If the remaining  balance in a certificate  account is
reduced below the applicable  minimum  balance  requirement at the time that the
funds actually are  transferred  under the  authorization,  the rate paid on the
remaining  balance  of the  certificate  will  earn  interest  the  then-current
passbook rate.

         Owners of self-directed  IRAs may under certain  circumstances  use the
assets of such IRAs to purchase shares of Common Stock in the Offering, provided
that such IRAs are self-  directed and are not  maintained at the Bank.  Persons
with IRAs  maintained  at the Bank must have their  accounts  transferred  to an
unaffiliated  institution  or broker to purchase  shares of Common  Stock in the
Offering. In addition,  the provisions of the ERISA and Internal Revenue Service
regulations  require  that  officers,  directors  and 10%  stockholders  who use
self-directed  IRA funds to purchase shares of Common Stock in the Offering make
such purchases for the exclusive benefit of the IRAs.

         If the ESOP  subscribes  for shares during the  Subscription  Offering,
such plan will not be required to pay for the shares  subscribed for at the time
it subscribes,  but rather,  may pay for such shares of Common Stock  subscribed
for the Purchase Price upon consummation of the Conversion,  provided that there
is in force from the time of its subscription until such time, a loan commitment
to lend to the ESOP, at such time,  the aggregate  Purchase  Price of the shares
for which it subscribed.

         For  information  regarding the submission of orders in connection with
the Public Offering and Direct  Community  Offering,  see "- Public Offering and
Direct Community
Offering."

         All refunds and any interest due will be paid after  completion  of the
Conversion.  Certificates  representing shares of Common Stock purchased will be
mailed to  purchasers  at the last  address  of such  persons  appearing  on the
records of the Bank,  or to such other  address as may be  specified in properly
completed order forms, as soon as practicable following

                                      122

<PAGE>



consummation  of the  sale of all  shares  of  Common  Stock.  Any  certificates
returned as undeliverable will be disposed of in accordance with applicable law.

         To ensure that each  purchaser  receives a prospectus at least 48 hours
prior to the Expiration  Date in accordance  with Rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange
Act, no prospectus will be mailed any later than five days prior to such date or
hand  delivered  any later than two days prior to such  date.  Execution  of the
order form will  confirm  receipt or delivery in  accordance  with Rule  15c2-8.
Order forms will only be distributed with a prospectus. The Bank will accept for
processing  only  orders  submitted  on  original  order  forms with the form of
certification.  Photocopies or facsimile copies of order forms or certifications
will not be accepted.  Payment by cash, check,  money order, bank draft or debit
authorization  to an existing account at the Bank must accompany the order form.
No wire transfers will be accepted.

         In order to ensure that Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible
Account  Holders and Other  Members are  properly  identified  as to their stock
purchase  priorities,  depositors  as of the  Eligibility  Record Date (June 30,
1995),  Supplemental  Eligibility  Record Date  (December  31,  1996) and/or the
Voting Record Date (___________, 1997) must list all accounts on the stock order
form giving all names on each account and the account number
as of the applicable record date.

         In addition to the foregoing,  if shares are offered  through  Selected
Dealers, a purchaser may pay for his shares with funds held by or deposited with
a Selected  Dealer.  If an order form is executed and  forwarded to the Selected
Dealer or if the  Selected  Dealer is  authorized  to execute  the order form on
behalf of a purchaser, the Selected Dealer is required to forward the order form
and funds to the Bank for deposit in a  segregated  account on or before noon of
the business day  following  receipt of the order form or execution of the order
form  by the  Selected  Dealer.  Alternatively,  Selected  Dealers  may  solicit
indications of interest from their  customers who indicated an interest and seek
their confirmation as to their intent to purchase. Those indicating an intent to
purchase shall forward executed order forms and certifications to their Selected
Dealer or  authorize  the Selected  Dealer to execute  such forms.  The Selected
Dealer will  acknowledge  receipt of the order to its customer in writing on the
following  business  day and will  debit  such  customer's  account on the third
business day after the customer has confirmed his intent to purchase (the "debit
date") and on or before noon of the next  business day  following the debit date
will send order forms and funds to the Bank for deposit in a segregated account.
If such alternative procedure is employed, purchasers' funds are not required to
be in their accounts with Selected Dealers until the debit date.

Restrictions on Transfer of Subscription Rights and Shares

         Prior  to  the  completion  of  the  Conversion,   the  OTS  conversion
regulations prohibit any person with subscription rights, including the Eligible
Account Holders,  Tax-Qualified  Employee Plans,  Supplemental  Eligible Account
Holders, Other Members and employees,  officers and directors, from transferring
or  entering  into any  agreement  or  understanding  to  transfer  the legal or
beneficial  ownership of the  subscription  rights  issued under the Plan or the
shares of Common  Stock to be issued  upon their  exercise.  Such  rights may be
executed  only by the person to whom they are granted and only for his  account.
Each person exercising such subscription rights will be required to certify that
he is purchasing shares solely for his own account and that

                                      123

<PAGE>


he has no  agreement  or  understanding  regarding  the sale or transfer of such
shares.  The OTS regulations also prohibit any person from offering or making an
announcement  of  an  offer  or  intent  to  make  an  offer  to  purchase  such
subscription  rights or shares of Common  Stock prior to the  completion  of the
Conversion.

         The Bank and the  Holding  Company  may  pursue  any and all  legal and
equitable   remedies  in  the  event  they  become  aware  of  the  transfer  of
subscription  rights  and will not honor  orders  known by them to  involve  the
transfer of such rights.

         Except  as to  directors  and  executive  officers  of the Bank and the
Holding  Company,  the  shares of Common  Stock sold in the  Conversion  will be
freely transferable.  Shares purchased by directors, executive officers or their
associates  in the  Conversion  shall be subject to the  restrictions  that said
shares  shall not be sold  during the period of one year  following  the date of
purchase,  except  in the event of the  death of the  stockholder.  Accordingly,
stock  certificates  issued  by the  Holding  Company  to  directors,  executive
officers and their associates shall bear a legend giving  appropriate  notice of
such  restriction  and, in addition,  the Bank and the Holding Company will give
appropriate instructions to the transfer agent for the Common Stock with respect
to the applicable restriction upon transfer of any restricted shares. Any shares
issued at a later date as a stock dividend, stock split or otherwise, to holders
of restricted stock, shall be subject to the same restrictions that may apply to
such restricted stock.  Holding Company stock (like the stock of most companies)
is subject to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act.  Accordingly,  Holding
Company  stock may be  offered  and sold only in  compliance  with  registration
requirements or pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration.

         Holding Company stock received in the Conversion by persons who are not
"affiliates" of the Holding Company may be resold without  registration.  Shares
received by affiliates of the Holding Company (primarily the directors, officers
and principal stockholders of the Holding Company) will be subject to the resale
restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, which are discussed below.

         Rule 144 generally  requires that there be publicly  available  certain
information concerning the Holding Company, and that sales thereunder be made in
routine  brokerage  transactions or through a market maker. If the conditions of
Rule 144 are  satisfied,  each  affiliate (or group of persons acting in concert
with one or more  affiliates) is entitled to sell in the public market,  without
registration,  in any  three-month  period,  a number of shares  which  does not
exceed  the  greater of (i) 1% of the  number of  outstanding  shares of Holding
Company  stock,  or (ii) if the  stock is  admitted  to  trading  on a  national
securities  exchange or reported  through the  automated  quotation  system of a
registered securities bank, the average weekly reported volume of trading during
the four weeks preceding the sale.

Participation by the Board and Executive Officers

         The directors and executive  officers of Hemlock Federal have indicated
their  intention to purchase in the  Conversion  an aggregate of  $1,246,000  of
Common Stock,  equal to 9.3%,  7.9%,  6.9% or 6.0% of the number of shares to be
issued in the  Offering,  at the  minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and 15% above the
maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range, respectively. The following table sets
forth information regarding Subscription Rights to

                                      124

<PAGE>


Common  Stock  intended to be  exercised  by each of the  directors of the Bank,
including members of their immediate family and their IRAs, and by all directors
and executive  officers as a group.  The following  table assumes that 1,570,000
shares,  the  midpoint of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  of Common Stock are
issued at the Purchase Price of $10.00 per share and that sufficient shares will
be available to satisfy the subscriptions  indicated. The table does not include
shares to be purchased  through the ESOP (8% of shares issued in the Conversion)
or awarded  under the  proposed  RRP (an amount of shares  which may be acquired
after stockholder  ratification of such plan equal to 4.0% of the shares sold in
the  Conversion) or proposed Stock Option Plan (an amount of shares which may be
issued after stockholder  ratification of such plan equal to 10.0% of the shares
sold in the Conversion).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Number of
                                                                             Aggregate      Shares at    Percent of
                                                                             Purchase        $10.00       Shares at
       Name                                 Title                              Price      per Share(1)    Midpoint
- --------------------             -------------------------                     -----      ------------    --------
<S>                         <C>                                            <C>               <C>          <C> 
Maureen G. Partynski        Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive       $ 450,000         45,000        2.9%
                             Officer
Michael R. Stevens          President and Director                            450,000         45,000        2.9
Rosanne Pastorak-Belczak    Vice President and Director                       130,000         12,500        0.8
Frank A. Bucz               Director                                           30,000          3,000        0.2
Kenneth J. Bazarnik         Director                                          100,000         10,000        0.6
Charles Gjondla             Director                                            1,000            100        0.01
G. Gerald Schiera           Director                                           25,000          2,500         .2
All other executive                                                            60,000          6,000         .4
 officers as a group
All directors and                                                           1,246,000        124,600        7.9%
 executive officers as a
 group (9 persons)
<FN>
- ---------------
(1)      Does not  include  subscriptions  by the  ESOP,  or  options  which are
         intended  to be  granted  under  the  proposed  Stock  Option  Plan  or
         restricted  stock  awards  which are  intended to be granted  under the
         proposed RRP, subject to stockholder ratification of such plans.
</FN>
</TABLE>


Risk of Delayed Offering

         The completion of the sale of all  unsubscribed  shares in the Offering
will be  dependent,  in part,  upon the  Bank's  operating  results  and  market
conditions at the time of the Offering. Under the Plan of Conversion, all shares
offered in the Conversion must be sold within a period ending 24 months from the
date of the Special Meeting.  While the Bank and the Holding Company  anticipate
completing the sale of shares offered in the Conversion  within this period,  if
the Board of  Directors  of the Bank and the Holding  Company are of the opinion
that  economic  conditions  generally or the market for publicly  traded  thrift
institution  stocks  make  undesirable  a sale of the  Common  Stock,  then  the
Offering may be delayed until such conditions improve.

         A  material  delay in the  completion  of the sale of all  unsubscribed
shares in the Public Offering or otherwise may result in a significant  increase
in the costs of completing  the  Conversion.  Significant  changes in the Bank's
operations and financial condition, the aggregate

                                      125


<PAGE>


market  value of the shares to be issued in the  Conversion  and general  market
conditions may occur during such material  delay. In the event the Conversion is
not  consummated  within 24  months  after the date of the  Special  Meeting  of
Members,  the Bank would charge accrued  Conversion costs to then current period
operations.

Approval, Interpretation, Amendment and Termination

         All  interpretations  of  the  Plan  of  Conversion,  as  well  as  the
completeness and validity of order forms and stock order and account  withdrawal
authorizations,  will be made by the Bank and the  Holding  Company  and will be
final,  subject to the authority of the OTS and the  requirements  of applicable
law. The Plan of Conversion  provides that, if deemed  necessary or desirable by
the  Boards  of  Directors  of the Bank  and the  Holding  Company,  the Plan of
Conversion may be  substantively  amended by the Boards of Directors of the Bank
and the Holding Company, as a result of comments from regulatory  authorities or
otherwise, at any time with the concurrence of the OTS and the SEC. In the event
the Plan of  Conversion  is  substantially  amended,  other than a change in the
maximum purchase limits set forth herein,  the Holding Company intends to notify
subscribers of the change and to refund  subscription funds with interest unless
subscribers  affirmatively  elect  to  increase,   decrease  or  maintain  their
subscriptions.  The Plan of Conversion  will terminate if the sale of all shares
is not  completed  within 24 months  after the date of the  Special  Meeting  of
Members.  The Plan of Conversion may be terminated by the Boards of Directors of
the Holding Company and the Bank with the concurrence of the OTS, at any time. A
specific  resolution approved by a two-thirds vote of the Boards of Directors of
the Holding  Company and the Bank would be  required  to  terminate  the Plan of
Conversion prior to the end of such 24-month period.

Restrictions on Repurchase of Stock

         For a period of three years following  Conversion,  the Holding Company
may not  repurchase  any shares of its capital  stock,  except in the case of an
offer to  repurchase on a pro rata basis made to all holders of capital stock of
the Holding  Company.  Any such offer shall be subject to the prior  approval of
the OTS.  Furthermore,  the Holding  Company may not repurchase any of its stock
(i) if the result thereof would be to reduce the regulatory  capital of the Bank
below the amount required for the liquidation account to be established pursuant
to OTS regulations  and (ii) except in compliance  with the  requirements of the
OTS' capital distribution rule.

         The above  limitations  are subject to the OTS  conversion  rules which
generally  provide that the Holding  Company may  repurchase  its capital  stock
provided (i) no  repurchases  occur  within one year  following  the  Conversion
(subject to certain  exceptions),  (ii) repurchases  during the second and third
year after conversion are part of an open market stock  repurchase  program that
does  not  allow  for a  repurchase  of more  than 5% of the  Holding  Company's
outstanding capital stock during a 12-month period, (iii) the repurchases do not
cause the Bank to become undercapitalized, and (iv) the Holding Company provides
notice to the OTS at lease 10 days  prior to the  commencement  of a  repurchase
program and the OTS does not object to such regulations.  In addition, the above
limitations do not preclude  repurchases of capital stock by the Holding Company
in  the  event  applicable  federal  regulatory   limitations  are  subsequently
liberalized.

                                      126

<PAGE>



Income Tax Consequences

         Consummation  of the  Conversion  is expressly  conditioned  upon prior
receipt  by the Bank of either a ruling  from the IRS or an  opinion  of Silver,
Freedman & Taff,  L.L.P.  with  respect to federal  taxation,  and an opinion of
Crowe,  Chizek and Company LLP with respect to Illinois taxation,  to the effect
that consummation of the Conversion will not be taxable to the converted Bank or
the  Holding  Company.  The full text of the  Silver,  Freedman  & Taff,  L.L.P.
opinion,  the Keller  Letter  (hereinafter  defined)  and the Crowe,  Chizek and
Company LLP opinion,  which opinions are summarized herein,  were filed with the
SEC as exhibits to the Holding Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1. See
"Additional Information."

         An opinion  which is  summarized  below has been  received from Silver,
Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.  with respect to the proposed  Conversion of the Bank to
the stock form. The Silver,  Freedman Taff,  L.L.P.  opinion states that (i) the
Conversion will qualify as a  reorganization  under Section  368(a)(1)(F) of the
Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as  amended,  and no  gain  or  loss  will be
recognized  to the Bank in either its mutual form or its stock form by reason of
the proposed Conversion,  (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized to the Bank in
its stock form upon the receipt of money and other  property,  if any,  from the
Holding  Company  for the  stock  of the  Bank;  and no  gain  or  loss  will be
recognized to the Holding  Company upon the receipt of money for Common Stock of
the  Holding  Company;  (iii) the assets of the Bank in either its mutual or its
stock form will have the same basis  before and after the  Conversion;  (iv) the
holding  period of the  assets of the Bank in its stock  form will  include  the
period during which the assets were held by the Bank in its mutual form prior to
Conversion;  (v) gain,  if any,  will be realized by the  depositors of the Bank
upon the constructive  issuance to them of withdrawable  deposit accounts of the
Bank in its stock form, nontransferable  subscription rights to purchase Holding
Company Common Stock and/or interests in the Liquidation  Account (any such gain
will be  recognized by such  depositors,  but only in an amount not in excess of
the fair  market  value  of the  subscription  rights  and  Liquidation  Account
interests received);  (vi) the basis of the account holder's savings accounts in
the  Bank  after  the  Conversion  will be the  same as the  basis of his or her
savings  accounts in the Bank prior to the  Conversion;  (vii) the basis of each
account  holder's  interest  in the  Liquidation  Account is assumed to be zero;
(viii) based on the Keller  Letter,  as  hereinafter  defined,  the basis of the
subscription  rights will be zero;  (ix) the basis of the Holding Company Common
Stock  to  its  stockholders   will  be  the  purchase  price  thereof;   (x)  a
stockholder's  holding period for Holding Company Common Stock acquired  through
the  exercise  of  subscription  rights  shall  begin on the  date on which  the
subscription  rights are  exercised  and the holding  period for the  Conversion
Stock  purchased in the Offering will commence on the date following the date on
which such stock is  purchased;  (xi) the Bank in its stock form will succeed to
and take into  account  the  earnings  and  profits or deficit in  earnings  and
profits,  of the Bank, in its mutual form, as of the date of  Conversion;  (xii)
the Bank,  immediately after  Conversion,  will succeed to and take into account
the bad debt  reserve  accounts of the Bank,  in mutual  form,  and the bad debt
reserves will have the same character in the hands of the Bank after  Conversion
as if no  Conversion  had occurred;  and (xiii) the creation of the  Liquidation
Account will have no effect on the Bank's taxable income, deductions or addition
to reserve for bad debts either in its mutual or stock form.

         The opinion from Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. is based, among other
things,  on certain  assumptions,  including the  assumptions  that the exercise
price of the Subscription Rights

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to purchase Holding Company Common Stock will be approximately equal to the fair
market  value  of that  stock  at the  time of the  completion  of the  proposed
Conversion.  With respect to the  Subscription  Rights,  the Bank will receive a
letter from Keller (the "Keller  Letter") which,  based on certain  assumptions,
will conclude that the  Subscription  Rights to be received by Eligible  Account
Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and other eligible subscribers do
not have any  economic  value  at the  time of  distribution  or at the time the
Subscription Rights are exercised, whether or not a Public Offering takes place.

         The Bank has also  received  an  opinion  of  Silver,  Freedman & Taff,
L.L.P.  to the effect that,  based in part on the Keller Letter:  (i) no taxable
income  will  be  realized  by  depositors  as  a  result  of  the  exercise  of
non-transferable  Subscription  Rights to  purchase  shares of  Holding  Company
Common Stock at fair market value;  (ii) no taxable income will be recognized by
borrowers,  directors,  officers  and  employees  of the Bank on the  receipt or
exercise of  Subscription  Rights to purchase  shares of Holding  Company Common
Stock at fair market value;  and (iii) no taxable income will be realized by the
Bank or Holding  Company on the  issuance  of  Subscription  Rights to  eligible
subscribers  to purchase  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock at fair market
value.

   
         Notwithstanding  the  Keller  Letter,  if the  Subscription  Rights are
subsequently  found to have a fair market value and are deemed a distribution of
property,  it is Silver,  Freedman & Taff,  L.L.P.'s opinion that gain or income
will be recognized by various recipients of the Subscription  Rights (in certain
cases,  whether or not the rights are exercised) and the Bank and/or the Holding
Company may be taxable on the distribution of the Subscription Rights.

    

         With  respect to Illinois  taxation,  the Bank has  received an opinion
from  Crowe,  Chizek  and  Company  LLP to the  effect  that  the  Illinois  tax
consequences  to the Bank,  in its mutual or stock form,  the  Holding  Company,
eligible  account  holders,   parties  receiving  Subscription  Rights,  parties
purchasing  conversion stock, and other parties  participating in the Conversion
will be the same as the federal income tax consequences described above.

         Unlike a private  letter  ruling,  the  opinions of Silver,  Freedman &
Taff,  L.L.P.  and Crowe,  Chizek and Company LLP, as well as the Keller Letter,
have no binding  effect or official  status,  and no assurance can be given that
the  conclusions  reached in any of those opinions would be sustained by a court
if contested by the IRS or the Delaware or Illinois tax authorities.

                    RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITIONS OF STOCK AND
                      RELATED TAKEOVER DEFENSIVE PROVISIONS

         Although the Boards of  Directors  of the Bank and the Holding  Company
are not aware of any effort that might be made to obtain  control of the Holding
Company after Conversion,  the Board of Directors,  as discussed below,  believe
that it is  appropriate  to include  certain  provisions  as part of the Holding
Company's  certificate of  incorporation to protect the interests of the Holding
Company and its stockholders from takeovers which the Board of Directors of

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the Holding  Company might  conclude are not in the best  interests of the Bank,
the Holding Company or the Holding Company's stockholders.

         The following discussion is a general summary of material provisions of
the Holding Company's  certificate of incorporation and bylaws and certain other
regulatory provisions which may be deemed to have an "anti-takeover" effect. The
following description of certain of these provisions is necessarily general and,
with respect to provisions  contained in the Holding  Company's  certificate  of
incorporation  and bylaws and the Bank's  proposed  stock  charter  and  bylaws,
reference should be made in each case to the document in question, each of which
is part of the Bank's Conversion  Application filed with the OTS and the Holding
Company's   Registration   Statement   filed  with  the  SEC.  See   "Additional
Information."

Provisions of the Holding Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

         Directors.  Certain provisions of the Holding Company's  certificate of
incorporation and bylaws will impede changes in majority control of the Board of
Directors.  The Holding Company's certificate of incorporation provides that the
Board of  Directors of the Holding  Company will be divided into three  classes,
with directors in each class elected for three-year  staggered  terms except for
the initial directors.  Thus, assuming a Board of eight directors, it would take
two annual  elections to replace a majority of the Holding  Company's Board. The
Holding  Company's  certificate of incorporation  also provides that the size of
the Board of Directors may be increased or decreased  only by a majority vote of
the whole Board or by a vote of 80% of the shares eligible to be voted at a duly
constituted  meeting of  stockholders  called for such purpose.  The bylaws also
provide  that any  vacancy  occurring  in the Board of  Directors,  including  a
vacancy  created by an increase in the number of directors,  shall be filled for
the remainder of the unexpired  term by a majority vote of the directors then in
office. Final ly, the bylaws impose certain notice and information  requirements
in connection with the nomi nation by stockholders of candidates for election to
the Board of Directors or the proposal by  stockholders  of business to be acted
upon at an annual meeting of stockholders.

         The certificate of  incorporation  provides that a director may only be
removed for cause by the affirmative vote of 80% of the shares eligible to vote.

         Restrictions   on  Call  of  Special   Meetings.   The  certificate  of
incorporation  of the  Holding  Company  provides  that  a  special  meeting  of
stockholders  may be  called  only  pursuant  to a  resolution  of the  Board of
Directors and for only such business as directed by the Board.
Stockholders are not authorized to call a special meeting.

         Absence of Cumulative  Voting.  The Holding  Company's  certificate  of
incorporation  does not provide for cumulative  voting rights in the election of
directors.

         Authorization  of Preferred  Stock. The certificate of incorporation of
the Holding Company  authorizes  100,000 shares of serial preferred stock,  $.01
par value.  The Holding Company is authorized to issue preferred stock from time
to time in one or more series  subject to applicable  provisions of law, and the
Board of Directors is authorized to fix the  designations,  powers,  preferences
and relative  participating,  optional and other special  rights of such shares,
including  voting  rights  (which could be multiple or as a separate  class) and
conversion rights.

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In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control
of the Holding Company that the Board of Directors does not approve, it might be
possible for the Board of  Directors  to  authorize  the issuance of a series of
preferred stock with rights and preferences  that would impede the completion of
such a  transaction.  If the Holding  Company  issued any preferred  stock which
disparately  reduced the voting rights of the Common Stock within the meaning of
Rule 19c-4  under the  Exchange  Act,  the Common  Stock could be required to be
delisted from the Nasdaq System. An effect of the possible issuance of preferred
stock,  therefore,  may be to  deter a future  takeover  attempt.  The  Board of
Directors  has no  present  plans  or  understandings  for the  issuance  of any
preferred stock and does not intend to issue any preferred stock except on terms
which the Board deems to be in the best interests of the Holding Company and its
stockholders.

         Limitation on Voting Rights.  The certificate of  incorporation  of the
Holding  Company  provides  that in no  event  shall  any  record  owner  of any
outstanding Common Stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
a person who beneficially  owns in excess of 10% of the then outstanding  shares
of Common Stock (the  "Limit"),  be entitled or permitted to any vote in respect
of the shares held in excess of the Limit. This limitation would not inhibit any
person from soliciting (or voting) proxies from other beneficial owners for more
than 10% of the Common Stock or from voting such proxies.  Beneficial  ownership
is to be determined  pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations
of the Exchange Act, and in any event includes shares  beneficially owned by any
affiliate of such person, shares which such person or his affiliates (as defined
in the certificate of incorporation) have the right to acquire upon the exercise
of  conversion  rights or options  and  shares as to which  such  person and his
affiliates have or share investment or voting power but shall not include shares
beneficially  owned by  directors,  officers  and  employees  of the Bank or the
Holding  Company.  This  provision will be enforced by the Board of Directors to
limit the voting  rights of  persons  beneficially  owning  more than 10% of the
stock and thus could be utilized  in a proxy  contest or other  solicitation  to
defeat a proposal that is desired by a majority of the stockholders.

         Procedures for Certain  Business  Combinations.  The Holding  Company's
certificate  of  incorporation   requires  that  certain  business  combinations
(including transactions initiated by management) between the Holding Company (or
any majority-owned  subsidiary thereof) and a 10% or more stockholder either (i)
be approved by at least 80% of the total number of  outstanding  voting  shares,
voting as a single class, of the Holding Company, (ii) be approved by two-thirds
of the continuing  Board of Directors  (i.e.,  persons  serving prior to the 10%
stockholder  becoming such) or (iii) involve  consideration  per share generally
equal to that paid by such 10% stockholder when it acquired its block of stock.

         It should be noted  that,  since the Board and  management  (9 persons)
intend  to  purchase  approximately  $1,091,000  of the  shares  offered  in the
Conversion and may control the voting of additional  shares through the ESOP and
proposed  RRP and Stock  Option Plan,  the Board and  management  may be able to
block the approval of  combinations  requiring an 80% vote even where a majority
of the stockholders vote to approve such combinations.

         Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Amendments to the
Holding Company's  certificate of incorporation  must be approved by the Holding
Company's Board of Directors and also by a majority of the outstanding shares of
the Holding Company's voting

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stock,  provided,  however,  that  approval  by at least 80% of the  outstanding
voting stock is  generally  required for certain  provisions  (i.e.,  provisions
relating to number, classification, election and removal of directors; amendment
of  bylaws;  call  of  special  stockholder  meetings;  offers  to  acquire  and
acquisitions of control;  director  liability;  certain  business  combinations;
power of indemnification; and amendments to provisions relating to the foregoing
in the certificate of incorporation).

         The bylaws may be amended by a majority  vote of the Board of Directors
or the affirmative  vote of at least 80% of the total votes eligible to be voted
at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders.

         Purpose  and  Takeover  Defensive  Effects  of  the  Holding  Company's
Certificate  of  Incorporation  and Bylaws.  The Board of  Directors of the Bank
believes  that the  provisions  described  above are prudent and will reduce the
Holding   Company's   vulnerability  to  takeover  attempts  and  certain  other
transactions  which have not been  negotiated  with and approved by its Board of
Directors.  These provisions will also assist the Bank in the orderly deployment
of the  conversion  proceeds into  productive  assets during the initial  period
after the Conversion.  The Board of Directors  believes these  provisions are in
the best interest of the Bank and of the Holding  Company and its  stockholders.
In the judgment of the Board of Directors,  the Holding  Company's Board will be
in the best  position to determine the true value of the Holding Com pany and to
negotiate  more  effectively  for  what  may be in  the  best  interests  of its
stockholders.  Accordingly,  the Board of Directors  believes  that it is in the
best  interests  of the  Holding  Company  and  its  stockholders  to  encourage
potential  acquirors  to negotiate  directly  with the Board of Directors of the
Holding Company and that these  provisions will encourage such  negotiations and
discourage  hostile  takeover  attempts.  It is also  the  view of the  Board of
Directors that these provisions  should not discourage  persons from proposing a
merger  or other  transaction  at  prices  reflective  of the true  value of the
Holding Company and which is in the best interests of all stockholders.

         Attempts  to  take  over  financial   institutions  and  their  holding
companies have recently become increasingly common. Takeover attempts which have
not been  negotiated  with and  approved  by the Board of  Directors  present to
stockholders  the risk of a takeover on terms which may be less  favorable  than
might otherwise be available.  A transaction which is negotiated and approved by
the  Board of  Directors,  on the  other  hand,  can be  carefully  planned  and
undertaken at an opportune time in order to obtain maximum value for the Holding
Company and its stockholders,  with due  consideration  given to matters such as
the management and business of the acquiring  corporation and maximum  strategic
development of the Holding Company's assets.

         An unsolicited takeover proposal can seriously disrupt the business and
management of a corporation and cause it great expense.  Although a tender offer
or  other  takeover  attempt  may be made at a price  substantially  above  then
current market  prices,  such offers are sometimes made for less than all of the
outstanding  shares  of a  target  company.  As a  result,  stockholders  may be
presented with the alternative of partially  liquidating  their  investment at a
time that may be disadvantageous, or retaining their investment in an enterprise
which is under different  management and whose  objectives may not be similar to
those of the remaining  stockholders.  The concentration of control, which could
result from a tender  offer or other  takeover  attempt,  could also deprive the
Holding Company's  remaining  stockholders of the benefits of certain


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protective  provisions of the Exchange  Act, if the number of beneficial  owners
becomes less than the 300 required for Exchange Act registration.


         Despite  the  belief  of the Bank  and the  Holding  Company  as to the
benefits  to  stock  holders  of  these  provisions  of  the  Holding  Company's
certificate  of  incorporation  and bylaws,  these  provisions may also have the
effect of discouraging a future takeover  attempt which would not be approved by
the Holding  Company's Board,  but pursuant to which  stockholders may receive a
substantial  premium for their  shares over then  current  market  prices.  As a
result,  stockholders  who might desire to participate in such a transaction may
not have any  opportunity to do so. Such provisions will also render the removal
of the Holding  Company's  Board of Directors and of management  more difficult.
The Board will enforce the voting limitation  provisions of the charter in proxy
solicitations and accordingly could utilize these provisions to defeat proposals
that are favored by a majority of the  stockholders.  The Boards of Directors of
the Bank and the Holding  Company,  however,  have  concluded that the potential
benefits outweigh the possible disadvantages.

         Pursuant to  applicable  law,  at any annual or special  meeting of its
stockholders  after the  Conversion,  the Holding  Company may adopt  additional
charter  provisions  regarding  the ac quisition of its equity  securities  that
would be permitted to a Delaware  corporation.  The Holding Company and the Bank
do not presently  intend to propose the adoption of further  restrictions on the
acquisition of the Holding Company's equity securities.

Other Restrictions on Acquisitions of Stock

         Delaware  Anti-Takeover  Statute.  The Delaware General Corporation Law
(the "DGCL")  provides that buyers who acquire more than 15% of the  outstanding
stock of a Delaware  corporation,  such as the Holding  Company,  are prohibited
from completing a hostile takeover of such corporation for three years. However,
the  takeover  can be  completed  if (i)  the  buyer,  while  acquiring  the 15%
interest,  acquires at least 85% of the corporation's outstanding stock (the 85%
requirement  excludes shares held by directors who are also officers and certain
shares held under employee stock plans), or (ii) the takeover is approved by the
target  corporation's  board  of  directors  and  two-thirds  of the  shares  of
outstanding stock of the corporation (excluding shares held by the bidder).

         However,  these  provisions  of the  DGCL  do  not  apply  to  Delaware
corporations with less than 2,000 stockholders or which do not have voting stock
listed on a national exchange or listed for quotation with a registered national
securities  association.  No  prediction  can be made as to whether  the Holding
Company  will be listed on Nasdaq  National  Market or have 2,000  stockholders.
Hemlock  Federal  may exempt  itself  from the  requirements  of the  statute by
adopting an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws electing not
to be governed by this  provision.  At the present time,  the Board of Directors
does not intend to propose any such amendment.

         Federal Regulation.  A federal regulation prohibits any person prior to
the completion of a conversion from transferring, or entering into any agreement
or  understanding  to  transfer,  the  legal  or  beneficial  ownership  of  the
subscription  rights issued under a plan of conversion or the stock to be issued
upon their  exercise.  This  regulation  also  prohibits any person prior to the

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completion of a conversion from offering,  or making an announcement of an offer
or intent to make an offer, to purchase such  subscription  rights or stock. For
three years following conversion,  this regulation prohibits any person, without
the prior  approval of the OTS, from acquiring or making an offer to acquire (if
the offer is opposed by the savings  association)  more than 10% of the stock of
any converted  savings  institution if such person is, or after  consummation of
such acquisition  would be, the beneficial owner of more than 10% of such stock.
In the event that any person, directly or indirectly,  violates this regulation,
the  securities  beneficially  owned by such  person in excess of 10% may not be
counted as shares entitled to vote and may not be voted by any person or counted
as  voting  shares  in  connection  with  any  matter  submitted  to a  vote  of
stockholders.   Like  the  charter  provisions  outlined  above,  these  federal
regulations can make a change in control more difficult,  even if desired by the
holders  of the  majority  of the shares of the  stock.  The Board of  Directors
reserves the right to ask the OTS or other  federal  regulators to enforce these
restrictions  against persons seeking to obtain control of the Holding  Company,
whether in a proxy  solicitation  or otherwise.  The policy of the Board is that
these legal restrictions must be observed in every case,  including instances in
which an acquisition of control of the Holding  Company is favored by a majority
of the stockholders.

         Federal law provides that no company, "directly or indirectly or acting
in concert with one or more  persons,  or through one or more  subsidiaries,  or
through  one  or  more   transactions,"  may  acquire  "control"  of  a  savings
association  at any time  without the prior  approval  of the OTS. In  addition,
federal  regulations  require  that,  prior to  obtaining  control  of a savings
association,  a person, other than a company, must give 60 days' prior notice to
the OTS and have received no OTS objection to such  acquisition of control.  Any
company that acquires such control becomes a "savings and loan holding  company"
subject  to  registration,  examination  and  regulation  as a savings  and loan
holding  company.  Under  federal  law (as well as the  regulations  referred to
below) the term "savings  association"  includes  state and federally  chartered
SAIF- insured  institutions and federally chartered savings banks whose accounts
are insured by the FDIC's BIF and holding companies thereof.

         Control,  as defined  under  federal law, in general  means  ownership,
control  of or holding  irrevocable  proxies  representing  more than 25% of any
class of voting stock,  control in any manner of the election of a majority of a
savings association's directors, or a determination by the OTS that the acquiror
has the power to direct,  or directly or  indirectly  to exercise a  controlling
influence  over, the management or policies of the  institution.  Acquisition of
more than 10% of any  class of a  savings  association's  voting  stock,  if the
acquiror also is subject to any one of eight  "control  factors,"  constitutes a
rebuttable  determination  of control  under the OTS  regulations.  Such control
factors  include the  acquiror  being one of the two largest  stockholders.  The
determination  of control may be rebutted by submission to the OTS, prior to the
acquisition of stock or the occurrence of any other circumstances giving rise to
such  determination,  of a statement setting forth facts and circumstances which
would support a finding that no control  relationship  will exist and containing
certain  undertakings.  The OTS  regulations  provide  that persons or companies
which  acquire  beneficial  ownership  exceeding  10% or more of any  class of a
savings  association's  stock  must file with the OTS a  certification  that the
holder is not in control of such  institution,  is not  subject to a  rebuttable
determination  of  control  and will  take no  action  which  would  result in a
determination or rebuttable  determination of control without prior notice to or
approval of the OTS, as applicable.


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                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Holding Company Capital Stock

         The 3,100,000 shares of capital stock authorized by the Holding Company
certificate  of  incorporation  are  divided  into two  classes,  consisting  of
3,000,000  shares of Common Stock (par value $.01 per share) and 100,000  shares
of serial  preferred  stock (par  value $.01 per  share).  The  Holding  Company
currently  expects to issue between  1,334,500 and 1,805,500  shares (subject to
increase to 2,076,325) of Common Stock in the Conversion and no shares of serial
preferred  stock.  The aggregate par value of the issued shares will  constitute
the capital account of the Holding Company on a consolidated basis. Upon payment
of the  Purchase  Price,  all  shares  issued  in the  Conversion  will  be duly
authorized,  fully paid and nonassessable.  The balance of the purchase price of
Common Stock, less expenses of Conversion,  will be reflected as paid-in capital
on a consolidated basis. See "Capitalization."

         Each share of the Common Stock will have the same  relative  rights and
will be identical in all respects with each other share of the Common Stock. The
Common Stock of the Holding  Company will  represent  non-withdrawable  capital,
will not be of an insurable type and will not
be insured by the FDIC.

         Under  Delaware  law,  the  holders  of the Common  Stock will  possess
exclusive voting power in the Holding Company. Each stockholder will be entitled
to one vote for each  share  held on all  matters  voted  upon by  stockholders,
subject to the limitation discussed under "Restrictions on Acquisitions of Stock
and Related Takeover Defensive  Provisions - Provisions of the Holding Company's
Certificate of  Incorporation  and Bylaws - Limitation on Voting Rights." If the
Holding Company issues preferred stock subsequent to the Conversion,  holders of
the preferred stock may also possess voting powers.

         Liquidation  or   Dissolution.   In  the  event  of  any   liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Bank, the Holding  Company,  as the sole holder
of the Bank's  capital  stock would be entitled  to  receive,  after  payment or
provision for payment of all debts and  liabilities  of the Bank  (including all
deposit  accounts and accrued  interest  thereon) and after  distribution of the
balance in the special liquidation account to Eligible and Supplemental  Account
Holders,  all assets of the Bank  available  for  distribution.  In the event of
liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the Holding  Company,  the holders of
its Common Stock would be entitled to receive,  after  payment or provision  for
payment  of all its  debts and  liabilities,  all of the  assets of the  Holding
Company available for distribution.  See "The Conversion - Effects of Conversion
to Stock Form on Depositors  and  Borrowers of the Bank." If preferred  stock is
issued  subsequent to the  Conversion,  the holders  thereof may have a priority
over the holders of Common Stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.

         No Preemptive Rights.  Holders of the Common Stock will not be entitled
to preemptive rights with respect to any shares which may be issued.  The Common
Stock will not be  subject  to call for  redemption,  and,  upon  receipt by the
Holding  Company of the full purchase price  therefor,  each share of the Common
Stock will be fully paid and nonassessable.

         Preferred  Stock.  After  Conversion,  the  Board of  Directors  of the
Holding Company will be authorized to issue preferred stock in series and to fix
and state the voting powers,

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designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations and
restrictions  thereof.  Preferred stock may rank prior to the Common Stock as to
dividend rights, liquidation preferences,  or both, and may have full or limited
voting  rights.  The  holders of  preferred  stock will be entitled to vote as a
separate  class or series under certain  circumstances,  regardless of any other
voting rights which such holders may have.

         Except as discussed above, the Holding Company has no present plans for
the  issuance of the  additional  authorized  shares of Common  Stock or for the
issuance of any shares of preferred  stock.  In the future,  the  authorized but
unissued and  unreserved  shares of Common  Stock will be available  for general
corporate  purposes,  including  but not limited to  possible  issuance as stock
dividends  or stock  splits,  in future  mergers or  acquisitions,  under a cash
dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan, in a future underwritten or other
public  offering,  or under a stock based  employee  plan.  The  authorized  but
unissued  shares of preferred  stock will similarly be available for issuance in
future mergers or  acquisitions,  in a future  underwritten  public  offering or
private placement or for other general corporate  purposes.  Except as described
herein  or as  otherwise  required  to  approve  the  transaction  in which  the
additional  authorized  shares of common stock or authorized shares of preferred
stock would be issued, no stockholder approval will be required for the issuance
of these  shares.  Accordingly,  the Board of Directors of the Holding  Company,
without  stockholder  approval,  can  issue  preferred  stock  with  voting  and
conversion  rights which could adversely  affect the voting power of the holders
of Common Stock.

         Restrictions  on  Acquisitions.  See  "Restrictions  on Acquisitions of
Stock and Related  Takeover  Defensive  Provisions" for a description of certain
provisions of the Holding  Company's  certificate  of  incorporation  and bylaws
which  may  affect  the  ability  of  the  Holding  Company's   stockholders  to
participate in certain  transactions  relating to acquisitions of control of the
Holding Company.

         Dividends.  The Holding  Company's  Board of  Directors  may consider a
policy of paying cash  dividends on the Common Stock in the future.  No decision
has been made,  however,  as to the amount or timing of such dividends,  if any.
The declaration and payment of dividends are subject to, among other things, the
Holding  Company's then current and projected  consolidated  operating  results,
financial  condition,  regulatory  restrictions,  future  growth plans and other
factors the Board deems relevant.  Therefore, no assurance can be given that any
dividends will be declared.

         The  ability  of the  Holding  Company  to pay  cash  dividends  to its
stockholders  will be  dependent,  in part,  upon the ability of the Bank to pay
dividends  to the Holding  Company.  OTS  regulations  do not permit the Bank to
declare or pay a cash dividend on its stock or repurchase shares of its stock if
the effect thereof would be to cause its regulatory  capital to be reduced below
the amount required for the liquidation account or to meet applicable regulatory
capital  requirements.  See  "Regulation  -  Limitations  on Dividends and Other
Capital  Distributions" for information  regarding OTS regulations governing the
Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Holding Company.

         Delaware law generally  limits  dividends of the Holding  Company to an
amount  equal to the excess of its net assets  over its  paid-in  capital or, if
there is no such excess, to its net

                                       135

<PAGE>



earnings for the current and immediately  preceding fiscal year. In addition, as
the Holding Company does not anticipate,  for the immediate future,  engaging in
activities  other  than  (i)  investing  in  cash,   short-term  securities  and
investment and  mortgage-backed  securities  similar to those invested in by the
Bank and (ii)  holding  the stock of  Hemlock  Federal,  the  Holding  Company's
ability to pay dividends will be limited,  in part, by the Bank's ability to pay
dividends, as set forth above.

         Earnings  appropriated  to the Bank's  "Excess"  bad debt  reserves and
deducted for federal income tax purposes  cannot be used by the Bank to pay cash
dividends  to  the  Holding  Company  without  adverse  tax  consequences.   See
"Regulation - Federal and State Taxation."

                              LEGAL AND TAX MATTERS

         The  legality  of  the  Common   Stock  and  the  federal   income  tax
consequences  of the Conversion  will be passed upon for Hemlock  Federal by the
firm of  Silver,  Freedman  & Taff,  L.L.P.  (a  limited  liability  partnership
including  professional  corporations),  7th Floor,  East  Tower,  1100 New York
Avenue, NW, Washington,  DC 20005. Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. has consented
to the references  herein to its opinions.  The Illinois income tax consequences
of the Conversion  will be passed upon by Crowe,  Chizek and Company LLP. Crowe,
Chizek and Company LLP has  consented to references  herein to its opinion.  KBW
has been represented in the Conversion by Stevens & Lee, #1 Glenhardie Corporate
Center, 1275 Drummers Lane, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087.

                                     EXPERTS

         The financial  statements  of Hemlock  Federal as of December 31, 1995,
1994 and 1993 included in this Prospectus have been audited by Crowe, Chizek and
Company  LLP,  independent  auditors,  as  indicated  in their  report  which is
included herein and has been so included in reliance upon such report, given the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

         Keller has  consented  to the  inclusion  herein of the  summary of its
letter to the Bank  setting  forth its  opinion  as to the  estimated  pro forma
market  value  of the  Holding  Company  and the  Bank as  converted  and to the
reference to its opinion that  subscription  rights received by Eligible Account
Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and other eligible subscribers do
not have any economic value.

                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   
         The  Holding  Company has filed with the SEC a  Registration  Statement
under the  Securities  Act with respect to the Common Stock offered  hereby.  As
permitted by the rules and  regulations  of the SEC,  this  Prospectus  does not
contain all the information set forth in the  Registration  Statement.  However,
the  prospectus  does contain a  description  of the material  provisions of the
documents contained therein.  Such information can be examined without charge at
the public  reference  facilities  of the SEC located at 450 Fifth  Street,  NW,
Washington,  DC 20549,  and copies of such material can be obtained from the SEC
at prescribed  rates. In addition,  the SEC maintains a Web site. The address of
the SEC's Web site is  "http://www.sec.gov."  The statements contained herein as
to the  contents of any  contract or other  document  filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement are, of necessity, brief
    

                                      136

<PAGE>


descriptions  thereof  which  describe  only  the  material  provisions  of such
documents;  each such  statement is  qualified by reference to such  contract or
document.

         The Bank has  filed an  Application  for  Conversion  with the OTS with
respect to the  Conversion.  Pursuant to the rules and  regulations  of the OTS,
this Prospectus omits certain  information  contained in that  Application.  The
Application may be examined at the principal  offices of the OTS, 1700 G Street,
NW,  Washington,  DC 20552 and at the Chicago  District Office of the OTS, Suite
1300, 200 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606, without charge.

         In connection  with the  Conversion,  the Holding Company will register
the Common Stock with the SEC under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and, upon
such registration,  the Holding Company and the holders of its Common Stock will
become  subject to the proxy  solicitation  rules,  reporting  requirements  and
restrictions  on stock  purchases and sales by  directors,  officers and greater
than 10%  stockholders,  the annual and  periodic  reporting  and certain  other
requirements  of the  Exchange  Act.  Under the Plan,  the  Holding  Company has
undertaken that it will not terminate such registration for a period of at least
three years following the Conversion.

         A copy of the  Certificate of  Incorporation  and Bylaws of the Holding
Company are available without charge from the Bank.


                                       137

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                              Oak Forest, Illinois

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)




                                    CONTENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.............................................  F-2


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION.....................................  F-3

     STATEMENTS OF INCOME..................................................  F-4

     STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY.......................................  F-5

     STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS..............................................  F-6

     NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.........................................  F-8


           All schedules are omitted because the required information
                     is not applicable or is included in the
                    Financial Statements and related notes.

              Financial Statements of the Holding Company have not
           been provided because Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation
                  has not conducted any operations to date and
                            has not been capitalized.



                                      F-1

<PAGE>

                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
Oak Forest, Illinois


We have audited the  accompanying  statements of financial  condition of Hemlock
Federal  Bank for  Savings,  as of December  31, 1995 and 1994,  and the related
statements  of income,  changes in  equity,  and cash flows for the years  ended
December  31,  1995,  1994,  and  1993.  These  financial   statements  are  the
responsibility  of the Bank's  management.  Our  responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all  material  respects,  the  financial  position of Hemlock  Federal  Bank for
Savings as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,  and the results of its operations and
its cash  flows for the years  ended  December  31,  1995,  1994,  and 1993,  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements,  the Bank changed its method
of accounting for debt securities as of January 1, 1994, to adopt the provisions
of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 115. As discussed in Note 1
to the financial statements, in 1993,  the Bank changed its method of accounting
for income  taxes to conform  with the  provisions  of  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109.

                                        /s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP

                                        Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP

Oak Brook, Illinois
February 9, 1996

                                      F-2

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                        STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           December 31, 1995 and 1994
                         September 30, 1996 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       (Unaudited)            December 31,
                                                      September 30,   -----------------------------
                                                          1996            1995             1994
                                                          ----            ----             ----
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>              <C>         
ASSETS
Cash and due from bank                                $  1,576,017    $  3,143,758     $  2,799,329
Interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions     14,800,145      10,157,563       14,027,243
                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
   Cash and cash equivalents                            16,376,162      13,301,321       16,826,572
Securities available-for-sale (Note 2)                  41,826,047      39,293,603       16,509,851
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value: 1996 --
  $32,567,314; 1995 -- $45,748,852; 1994 --
  $68,024,680) (Note 2)                                 31,859,466      44,605,765       69,539,968
Loans receivable, net (Note 3)                          53,120,886      45,232,108       37,658,560
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost                      901,000         849,400          836,600
Accrued interest receivable                                845,063       1,106,528          884,389
Premises and equipment, net (Note 5)                     1,035,935       1,044,406        1,082,308
Prepaid expenses and other assets                        1,018,036         193,152          538,921
                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
    Total assets                                      $146,982,595    $145,626,283     $143,877,169
                                                      ============    ============     ============

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Deposits (Note 6)                                     $129,158,919    $130,740,879     $130,770,765
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
  (Note 7)                                               1,500,000       1,500,000        1,500,000
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes
  and insurance                                            287,554         651,687          734,776
Due to broker                                            2,053,472              --               --
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities           2,621,979         856,393          492,677
                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
    Total liabilities                                  135,621,924     133,748,959      133,498,218

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12
  and 13)

   
Equity
    Retained earnings, substantially restricted
      (Notes 10 and 11)                                 10,842,080      11,346,378       10,394,344
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities
      available-for-sale, net of income taxes
      of $331,558, $339,457, and $(5,986) in 1996,
      1995, and 1994, respectively (Note 2)                518,591         530,946          (15,393)
                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
       Total equity                                     11,360,671      11,877,324       10,378,951
                                                      ------------    ------------     ------------
          Total liabilities and equity                $146,982,595    $145,626,283     $143,877,169
                                                      ============    ============     ============
</TABLE>
    

                See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      F-3

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
            Nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           (Unaudited)
                                          September 30,                    December 31,
                                     -----------------------   ------------------------------------
                                        1996         1995         1995         1994         1993
                                        ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
<S>                                  <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
Interest income
   Loans                             $3,008,033   $2,455,533   $3,382,711   $3,064,080   $3,147,221
   Mortgage-backed securities         3,555,947    3,658,078    4,904,228    4,508,129    5,138,005
   Securities                           489,988      698,502      897,783      400,103      326,566
   Other interest-earning assets        619,505      553,174      749,956      528,914      202,624
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
     Total interest income            7,673,473    7,365,287    9,934,678    8,501,226    8,814,416
Interest expense
   Deposits                           4,123,512    3,884,094    5,268,569    4,435,674    4,642,792
   Other borrowings (Note 7)            111,643      110,508      147,749      236,928      305,186
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
     Total interest expense           4,235,155    3,994,602    5,416,318    4,672,602    4,947,978
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Net interest income                   3,438,318    3,370,685    4,518,360    3,828,624    3,866,438

Provision for loan losses (Note 3)       75,000      121,500      133,470      150,000      148,786
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Net interest income after provision
  for loan losses                     3,363,318    3,249,185    4,384,890    3,678,624    3,717,652

Noninterest income
   Fees and service charges             297,488      252,154      352,251      308,179      345,002
   Rental income                         32,480       28,560       39,173       68,715       48,025
   Gain (loss) on sale of securities
     (Note 2)                           (80,313)    (160,680)    (160,680)     (89,099)     269,565
   Miscellaneous income                  71,075       77,938      106,517       95,579       64,403
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
     Total noninterest income           320,730      197,972      337,261      383,374      726,995

Noninterest expense
   Compensation and employee
     benefits (Notes 8 and 9)         1,293,264    1,195,947    1,634,726    1,536,264    1,420,636
   Occupancy and equipment
     expenses                           510,930      450,632      637,172      515,217      681,266
   Data processing                      153,413      151,321      201,561      203,875      234,861
   Federal insurance premiums         1,066,024      223,405      298,137      301,887      232,609
   (Gain) loss on sale of real estate
     owned, including provision for
     losses                                  --     (223,409)    (223,409)          --      120,792
   Advertising and promotion             86,916       82,696      124,001       94,148       86,343
   Charitable foundation contribution 1,000,000           --           --           --           --
   Other                                418,182      400,821      538,759      528,093      536,157
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
     Total noninterest expense        4,528,729    2,281,413    3,210,947    3,179,484    3,312,664
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Income (loss) before provision
  (benefit) for income taxes           (844,681)   1,165,744    1,511,204      882,514    1,131,983

Provision (benefit) for income
  taxes (Note 10)                      (340,383)     432,844      559,170      343,216      411,116
                                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Income before cumulative effect
  of a change in accounting method     (504,298)     732,900      952,034      539,298      720,867

Cumulative effect on prior years
  of a change in accounting
  method for income taxes                    --           --           --           --      256,000
                                      ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Net income (loss)                     $(504,298)    $732,900     $952,034     $539,298     $976,867
                                      ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

                See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      F-4

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                         STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                Nine months ended September 30, 1996 (unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Unrealized
                                                            Gains (Losses)
                                             Retained       on Securities
                                             Earnings     Available-for-Sale     Total
                                             --------     ------------------     -----
<S>                                         <C>               <C>             <C> 
Balance at January 1, 1993                  $ 8,878,179       $      --       $ 8,878,179

Net income for the year ended
  December 31, 1993                             976,867              --           976,867
                                            -----------       ---------       -----------
Balance at December 31, 1993                  9,855,046              --         9,855,046

Effect of adopting SFAS No. 115,
  as of January 1, 1994, net of
  income tax of $161,220 (Note 2)                    --         252,165           252,165

Net income for the year ended
  December 31, 1994                             539,298              --           539,298

   
Decrease in unrealized gain on
  securities available-for-sale, net
  of income tax of $(167,206)                        --        (267,558)         (267,558)
                                            -----------       ---------       -----------
Balance at December 31, 1994                 10,394,344         (15,393)       10,378,951
    

Net income for the year ended
  December 31, 1995                             952,034              --           952,034

Reclassification of securities from,
  held-to-maturity to available-
  for-sale, net of tax of $54,498 (Note 2)           --          86,178            86,178

Change  in unrealized gain (loss) on
  securities available-for-sale, net of
  income tax of $290,945                             --         460,161           460,161
                                            -----------       ---------       -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995                 11,346,378         530,946        11,877,324

Net loss for the nine months
  ended September 30, 1996 (unaudited)         (504,298)             --          (504,298)

Change in unrealized gain (loss)
  on securities available-for-sale,
  net of income tax of $(7,899)                      --         (12,355)          (12,355)
                                            -----------       ---------       -----------
Balance at September 30, 1996 (unaudited)   $10,842,080       $ 518,591       $11,360,671
                                            ===========       =========       ===========
</TABLE>

                See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      F-5

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
            Nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Unaudited
                                              September 30,                            December 31,
                                       ----------------------------     -------------------------------------------
                                           1996             1995            1995            1994            1993
                                           ----             ----            ----            ----            ----
<S>                                    <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>        
Cash flows from operating
  activities
   Net income (loss)                   $  (504,298)     $   732,900     $   952,034     $   539,298     $   976,867
   Adjustments to reconcile net
     income (loss) to net cash
     provided by operating activities
     Cumulative effect of a change
       in accounting method                     --               --              --              --        (256,000)
     Depreciation                          115,830          100,039         133,588         158,146         178,357
     Amortization of premiums
       and discounts on investment
       and mortgage-backed
       securities, net                     122,851          400,100         745,790       1,638,259       2,189,161
     Net (gain) loss on sale of
       securities                           80,313          160,680         160,680          89,099        (269,565)
     Provision for losses on
       real estate owned                        --               --              --              --         120,792
     Provision for loan losses              75,000          121,500         133,470         150,000         148,786
     FHLB stock dividends                  (51,600)         (12,800)        (12,800)             --              --
     Change in deferred income
       taxes                              (702,527)          98,381         112,540           2,517         (67,484)
     Gain on sale of REO                        --         (223,409)       (223,409)             --              --
     (Increase) decrease in accrued
       interest receivable                 261,465         (202,816)       (222,139)        110,391         196,642
     Increase (decrease) in accrued
       interest payable and other
       liabilities                       1,773,485          206,620          18,273        (119,225)       (139,807)
     Decrease in deferred loan fees        (74,951)         (52,896)        (66,432)        (33,200)        (27,979)
     (Increase) decrease in other
       assets                             (122,357)         (81,601)        233,228         (84,790)         (1,303)
                                       -----------      -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
       Net cash provided by
         operating activities              973,211        1,246,698       1,964,823       2,450,495       3,048,467

Cash flows from investing
  activities
   Purchase of securities
     available-for-sale                (21,283,935)     (31,556,919)    (39,682,993)    (29,719,559)             --
   Proceeds from sales of
     available-for-sale securities       2,919,688        4,913,964       4,913,964       4,914,990              --
   Proceeds from sale of invest-
     ment securities                            --               --              --              --       7,900,762
   Proceeds from sales of
     securities held-to-maturity                --          575,152         575,152              --              --
   Principal payments on
     mortgage-backed securities
     and collateralized mortgage
     obligations                        18,103,156       14,200,342      22,439,602      38,475,954      57,663,091
   Purchase of  securities held-
     to-maturity                                --       (4,640,362)     (5,109,961)    (33,254,477)     64,113,570)
   Proceeds from maturities of
     securities                         12,305,000       17,000,000      19,000,000      19,252,875       7,960,000

</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-6

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
            Nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Unaudited
                                              September 30,                            December 31,
                                       ----------------------------     -------------------------------------------
                                           1996             1995            1995            1994            1993
                                           ----             ----            ----            ----            ----
<S>                                    <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>        
Cash flows from investing
  activities (Continued)
   Proceeds from redemption
     of FHLB stock                     $        --      $        --     $        --     $   154,200     $        --
   Proceeds from sale of Federal
     Home Loan Mortgage
     Corporation stock                          --               --              --              --         298,840
   Net increase in loans                (7,888,827)      (6,165,208)     (7,640,586)       (734,594)     (5,750,853)
   Property and equipment
     expenditures                         (107,359)         (90,667)        (95,686)        (54,320)        (13,893)
   Real estate owned expenditures               --               --              --         (56,955)             --
   Proceeds from sale of real estate
     owned                                      --          223,409         223,409         473,292          40,460
                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
     Net cash provided by (used in)
       investing activities               4,047,723      (5,540,289)     (5,377,099)       (548,594)      3,984,837

Cash flows from financing
  activities
   Net increase (decrease) in deposits   (1,581,960)       (199,910)        (29,886)     (1,811,876)      4,433,941
   Increase (decrease) in advance
     payments by borrowers for
     taxes and insurance                   (364,133)        347,273         (83,089)        105,854         232,968
   Repayment of FHLB advances                    --              --              --      (1,500,000)             --
                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
     Net cash provided by (used
       in) financing activities          (1,946,093)        147,363        (112,975)     (3,206,022)      4,666,909
                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash
  and cash equivalents                    3,074,841      (4,146,228)     (3,525,251)     (1,304,121)     11,700,213

Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of year                      13,301,321      16,826,572      16,826,572      18,130,693       6,430,480
                                        -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at
  end of year                           $16,376,162     $12,680,344     $13,301,321     $16,826,572     $18,130,693
                                        ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash
  flow information
   Cash paid during the year for
     Interest                           $ 4,239,073     $ 3,970,772     $ 5,395,870     $ 4,668,130     $ 4,989,976
     Income taxes                           316,000         211,998         370,880         460,864         345,234

Supplemental schedule of noncash
  investing activities
   Transfer of loans to foreclosed
     real estate                                 --              --              --              --         328,630

   Transfer of debt securities to
     available-for-sale from held-to-
     maturity on December 31, 1995               --              --       9,310,934              --              --

   Transfer of debt securities on January 1, 1994 to:
     Held-to-maturity                            --              --              --      70,394,259              --
     Available-for-sale                          --              --              --      17,074,080              --
</TABLE>

                See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                      F-7

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)


NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature  of  Operations:  Hemlock  Federal  Bank  for  Savings  (the  Bank)  is a
federally-chartered mutual savings bank and member of the Federal Home Loan Bank
(FHLB)  system which  maintains  insurance on deposit  accounts with the Savings
Association Insurance Fund (SAIF) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Basis of Presentation: The financial statements for the nine-month periods ended
September  30, 1996 and 1995 are  unaudited,  but in the opinion of  management,
reflect all necessary  adjustments  consisting  only of normal  recurring  items
necessary for fair presentation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements:  The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
requires  management to make estimates and assumptions  that affect the reported
amounts  of assets and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and the reported amounts of
income and expenses  during the reporting  period.  Actual  results could differ
from those estimates.

Securities:  Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when the Bank has the
positive intent and ability to hold those  securities to maturity.  Accordingly,
they are stated at cost,  adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of
discounts.  All other securities are classified as available-for-sale  since the
Bank may  decide to sell  those  securities  in  response  to  changes in market
interest rates,  liquidity needs,  changes in yields or alternative  investments
and  for  other  reasons.  These  securities  are  carried  at fair  value  with
unrealized  gains and losses  charged or  credited,  net of income  taxes,  to a
valuation  allowance included as a separate component of equity.  Realized gains
and  losses  on  disposition  are  based on the net  proceeds  and the  adjusted
carrying  amounts of the  securities  sold,  using the  specific  identification
method.

Loans Receivable: Loans receivable are stated at unpaid principal balances, less
the allowance for loan losses, and deferred loan origination fees and discounts.

   
Allowance  for Loan  Losses:  Because  some loans may not be repaid in full,  an
allowance for loan losses is maintained. Increases to the allowance are recorded
by a provision for loan losses  charged to expense.  Estimating  the risk of the
loss and the amount of loss on any loan is necessarily subjective.  Accordingly,
the allowance is maintained  by  management  at a level  considered  adequate to
cover  losses  that are  currently  anticipated  based on past loss  experience,
general economic  conditions,  information  about specific  borrower  situations
including their financial  position and collateral values, and other factors and
estimates  which  are  subject  to  change  over  time.   While  management  may
periodically  allocate  portions of the  allowance  for  specific  problem  loan
situations,  including  impaired loans discussed  below,  the whole allowance is
available for any charge-offs  that occur.  Loans are charged off in whole or in
part when management's estimate of the undiscounted cash flows from the loan are
less than the  recorded  investment  in the loan,  although  collection  efforts
continue and future recoveries may occur.
    

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-8

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

In May 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment
of a Loan" (SFAS No. 114).  SFAS No. 114 (as modified by No. 118,  effective for
the Bank beginning  January 1, 1995) requires the measurement of impaired loans,
based on the  present  value of  expected  cash flows  discounted  at the loan's
effective interest rate or, as a practical  expedient,  at the loan's observable
market  price  or the  fair  value  of  collateral  if the  loan  is  collateral
dependent.  Under this standard,  loans considered to be impaired are reduced to
the  present  value of  expected  future  cash  flows  or to the  fair  value of
collateral,  by  allocating a portion of the  allowance  for loan losses to such
loans.  If these  allocations  cause the  allowance  for loan  losses to require
increase,  such increase is reported as a provision for loan losses.  The effect
of adopting the Statement was not material to the Bank's consolidated  financial
position or results of operations during 1995.

Smaller balance homogenous loans are defined as residential first mortgage loans
secured by one-to-four family residences,  residential  construction  loans, and
share loans and are  evaluated  collectively  for  impairment.  Commercial  real
estate loans are evaluated  individually for impairment.  Normal loan evaluation
procedures, as described in the second preceding paragraph, are used to identify
loans which must be evaluated for impairment.  In general,  loans  classified as
doubtful or loss are considered  impaired while loans  classified as substandard
are individually evaluated for impairment. Depending on the relative size of the
credit relationship,  late or insufficient  payments of 30 to 90 days will cause
management to reevaluate the credit under its normal loan evaluation procedures.
While the factors which identify a credit for  consideration  for measurement of
impairment, or nonaccrual, are similar, the measurement considerations differ. A
loan is impaired when the economic  value  estimated to be received is less than
the  value  implied  in the  original  credit  agreement.  A loan is  placed  in
nonaccrual  when  payments  are more  than 90 days past due  unless  the loan is
adequately  collateralized  and in the process of collection.  Although impaired
loan and  nonaccrual  loan  balances are  measured  differently,  impaired  loan
disclosures under SFAS Nos. 114 and 118 are not expected to differ significantly
from nonaccrual and renegotiated loan disclosures.

Recognition  of Income on Loans:  Interest on real  estate and certain  consumer
loans is accrued  over the term of the loans  based upon the  principal  balance
outstanding.  Where serious doubt exists as to the collectibility of a loan, the
accrual of interest is  discontinued.  Under SFAS No. 114 as amended by SFAS No.
118, the carrying values of impaired loans are periodically  adjusted to reflect
cash  payments,  revised  estimates of future cash flows,  and  increases in the
present value of expected  cash flows due to the passage of time.  Cash payments
representing  interest  income are  reported as such.  Other cash  payments  are
reported as reductions in carrying  value,  while  increases or decreases due to
changes  in  estimates  of future  payments  and due to the  passage of time are
reported as adjustments to the provision for loan losses.

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-9

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

   
Loan fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are deferred and amortized over
the contractual life of the loan as a yield adjustment.
    

Real Estate  Owned:  Real estate  owned  represents  property  obtained  through
foreclosure or in settlement of debt  obligations and is carried at the lower of
cost (fair value at date of  foreclosure)  or fair value less estimated  selling
expenses.  Valuation  allowances are recognized when the fair value less selling
expenses is less than the cost of the asset.  Changes in the valuation allowance
are charged or credited to income.

Premises  and  Equipment:  Premises  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less
accumulated  depreciation.  Depreciation  is  computed  using the  straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the respective premises and equipment.
Maintenance  and repairs are  charged to expense as  incurred  and  improvements
which extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized.

Income Taxes: Effective January 1, 1993, the Bank adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109 (SFAS No. 109),  "Accounting for Income Taxes". The
adoption  of SFAS No. 109  changed the Bank's  method of  accounting  for income
taxes from the  deferred  method  (APB 11) to an asset and  liability  approach.
Previously, the Bank deferred the past tax effects of timing differences between
financial  reporting  and  taxable  income.  The  asset and  liability  approach
requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected
future tax  consequences of temporary  differences  between the carrying amounts
and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates. The effect
of  adopting  SFAS No.  109 is  shown  as a  cumulative  effect  of a change  in
accounting  principle in the 1993 statement of income in the amount of $256,000,
which represents the effect on prior years.

Statement of Cash Flows: Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts
due from banks,  and daily federal  funds sold.  The Bank reports net cash flows
for customer loan transactions and deposit transactions.

Reclassifications:  Certain 1995, 1994 and 1993 items have been  reclassified to
conform to the September 30, 1996 presentation.


NOTE 2 - SECURITIES

Effective  January 1, 1994,  the Bank  adopted the  provisions  of  Statement of
Financial Accounting  Standards No. 115 (SFAS No. 115),  "Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities".  SFAS No. 115 requires  corporations
to  classify  debt   securities   as  either   held-to-maturity,   trading,   or
available-for-sale.  The net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale at
January 1, 1994,  due to the adoption of SFAS No. 115, is included as a separate
component in the  statement of changes in equity and  represents  primarily  the
effect of adjusting securities available-for-sale to fair value.

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-10

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)


NOTE 2 - SECURITIES (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             September 30, 1996
                                                                (Unaudited)
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Gross          Gross
                                           Amortized      Unrealized     Unrealized        Fair
                                             Cost           Gains         (Losses)         Value
                                             ----           -----         --------         -----
<S>                                       <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>
Securities available-for-sale
    U.S. government agencies              $ 7,086,301     $   18,912     $ (10,508)     $ 7,094,705
    FHLMC certificates                      6,666,932        125,684       (13,714)       6,778,902
    FHLMC stock                                25,740        641,593            --          667,333
    FNMA certificates                       9,069,834        133,064       (16,591)       9,186,307
    Collateralized mortgage obligations    18,127,091         34,436       (62,727)      18,098,800
                                          -----------     ----------     ---------      -----------
                                          $40,975,898     $  953,689     $(103,540)     $41,826,047
                                          ===========     ==========     ==========     ===========

Securities held-to-maturity
    GNMA certificates                     $ 3,252,685     $   44,041     $      --      $ 3,296,726
    FHLMC certificates                     10,722,953        455,987       (16,350)      11,162,590
    FNMA certificates                      14,670,820        240,979       (27,877)      14,883,922
    Collateralized mortgage obligations     3,213,008         26,793       (15,725)       3,224,076
                                          -----------     ----------     ---------      -----------
                                          $31,859,466     $  767,800    $  (59,952)     $32,567,314
                                          ===========     ==========    ===========     ===========

                                                             December 31, 1995
                                         ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Gross          Gross
                                           Amortized      Unrealized     Unrealized        Fair
                                             Cost           Gains         (Losses)         Value
                                             ----           -----         --------         -----
Securities available-for-sale
    U.S. government agencies              $13,132,845     $   31,211     $ (38,945)     $13,125,111
    FHLMC certificates                      7,176,085        239,152          (680)       7,414,557
    FHLMC stock                                25,740        523,022            --          548,762
    FNMA certificates                       5,989,017         64,708        (3,913)       6,049,812
    Collateralized mortgage obligations    12,099,513         69,016       (13,168)      12,155,361
                                          -----------     ----------     ---------      -----------
                                          $38,423,200     $  927,109     $ (56,706)     $39,293,603
                                          ===========     ==========     ==========     ===========

Securities held-to-maturity
    U.S. government agencies              $ 1,500,000     $    4,667     $      --     $ 1,504,667
    GNMA certificates                       3,810,140        140,316            --       3,950,456
    FHLMC certificates                     12,954,233        523,207        (5,499)     13,471,941
    FNMA certificates                      17,591,634        396,545        (2,113)     17,986,066
    Collateralized mortgage obligations     8,749,758         89,175        (3,211)      8,835,722
                                          -----------     ----------     ---------      -----------
                                          $44,605,765     $1,153,910     $ (10,823)    $45,748,852
                                          ===========     ==========    ==========     ===========
</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-11

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES (Continued)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             December 31, 1994
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Gross          Gross
                                           Amortized      Unrealized     Unrealized        Fair
                                             Cost           Gains         (Losses)         Value
                                             ----           -----         --------         -----
<S>                                       <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>
Securities available-for-sale
    U.S. government agencies              $ 7,978,316     $   11,884    $   (56,045)     $ 7,934,155
    FHLMC stock                                25,740        306,146             --          331,886
    FNMA certificates                       1,102,336             --           (846)       1,101,490
    Collateralized mortgage obligations     7,424,838             --       (282,518)       7,142,320
                                          -----------     ----------    -----------      -----------
                                          $16,531,230     $  318,030    $  (339,409)     $16,509,851
                                          ===========     ==========    ===========      ===========

Securities held-to-maturity
    U.S. government agencies              $ 3,500,000     $       --    $   (89,500)     $ 3,410,500
    GNMA certificates                       4,306,116         25,307       (154,434)       4,176,989
    FHLMC certificates                     19,083,742        101,767       (318,322)      18,867,187
    FNMA certificates                      24,323,450         30,674       (637,462)      23,716,662
    Collateralized mortgage obligations    18,326,660         87,254       (560,572)      17,853,342
                                          -----------     ----------    -----------      -----------
                                          $69,539,968     $  245,002    $(1,760,290)     $68,024,680
                                          ===========     ==========    ===========      ===========
</TABLE>

On December 31, 1995, the Bank  reclassified  a portion of its  held-to-maturity
securities to  available-for-sale  in accordance with "A Guide to Implementation
of  Statement  115 on  Accounting  for  Certain  Investments  in Debt and Equity
Securities",  in order to improve the Bank's  flexibility  in meeting  liquidity
needs.  The amortized  cost and  unrealized  gain on securities  transferred  to
available-for-sale were $9,310,934 and $140,676, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated market value of debt securities at December 31,
1995 and September 30, 1996, by contractual maturity,  are shown below. Expected
maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the
right  to  call  or  prepay  obligations  with or  without  call  or  prepayment
penalties.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    (Unaudited)
                                                 September 30, 1996              December 31, 1995
                                             ---------------------------     ---------------------------
                                              Amortized         Fair          Amortized         Fair
                                                Cost            Value            Cost           Value
                                                ----            -----            ----           -----
<S>                                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>        
Securities available-for-sale
    Due in one year or less                  $ 5,080,101     $ 5,089,535     $ 3,293,086     $ 3,293,528
    Due after one year through
      five years                               2,006,200       2,005,170       7,834,456       7,821,685
    Due after five years through
      ten years                                       --              --       2,005,303       2,009,898
                                             -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
                                               7,086,301       7,094,705      13,132,845      13,125,111

    FHLMC stock                                   25,740         667,333          25,740         548,762
    Mortgage-backed securities and
      collateralized mortgage obligations     33,863,855      34,064,009      25,264,615      25,619,730
                                             -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
                                             $40,975,896     $41,826,047     $38,423,200     $39,293,603
                                             ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-12

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    (Unaudited)
                                                 September 30, 1996              December 31, 1995
                                             ---------------------------     ---------------------------
                                              Amortized         Fair          Amortized         Fair
                                                Cost            Value            Cost           Value
                                                ----            -----            ----           -----
<S>                                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>        
Securities held-to-maturity
    Due after one year through
      five years                             $        --     $        --     $ 1,500,000     $ 1,504,667
    Mortgage-backed securities and
      collateralized mortgage obligations     31,859,466      32,567,314      43,105,765      44,244,185
                                             -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
                                             $31,859,466     $32,567,314     $44,605,765     $45,748,852
                                             ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

   
At September 30, 1996, all of the Bank's  mortgage-backed and related securities
were  guaranteed or insured by  quasi-governmental  agencies (e.g.  GNMA,  FNMA,
FHLMC).
    

The carrying value of  mortgage-backed  securities and  collateralized  mortgage
obligations  are  net  of  unamortized  premiums  of  $119,773,  and  unaccreted
discounts of $312,130 at September 30, 1996 (unaudited).

The carrying value of  mortgage-backed  securities and  collateralized  mortgage
obligations  are  net  of  unamortized  premiums  of  $192,818,  and  unaccreted
discounts of $259,665 at December 31, 1995.

The carrying value of  mortgage-backed  securities and  collateralized  mortgage
obligations are net of unamortized premiums of $707,728 and unaccreted discounts
of $127,484 at December 31, 1994.

Sales of available-for-sale securities are summarized as follows:

                       (Unaudited)
                 For the nine months ended       For the years ended
                       September 30,                 December 31,
                 -------------------------     -------------------------
                    1996           1995           1995           1994
                    ----           ----           ----           ----

Proceeds         $2,919,688     $4,913,964     $4,913,964     $4,914,990
Gross gains              --             --             --             --
Gross losses         80,313        156,726        156,726         89,099

Sales of held-to-maturity securities are summarized as follows:

                                                       1995
                                                       ----
             Proceeds                                $575,152
             Gross gains                                2,026
             Gross losses                               5,980

The Bank received  proceeds of  $7,900,762 on the sale of investment  securities
for the year ended  December  31,  1993.  Gross gains and gross  losses on those
sales were $303,632 and $34,067, respectively.

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-13

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)


NOTE 2 - SECURITIES (Continued)

On  February   13,   1995,   the  Bank  sold  six   securities   classified   as
held-to-maturity.  These sales were permissible under the provisions of SFAS No.
115,  since the  securities  had been paid down to less than 15% of the original
par value.


NOTE 3 - LOANS RECEIVABLE

Loans receivable consist of the following at:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    (Unaudited)            December 31,
                                                   September 30,    ---------------------------
                                                       1996            1995            1994
                                                       ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>        
First mortgage loans
    Principal balances:
       Secured by one-to-four family residences     $47,742,823     $39,088,166     $30,791,642
       Secured by multifamily                         2,860,211       3,386,466       3,742,471
       Secured by commercial real estate                585,594       1,101,429       1,565,654
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                     51,188,628      43,576,061      36,099,767
    Less:
       Loans in process                                  53,431          27,639              --
       Net deferred loan origination fees                 8,965          83,916         150,348
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
           Total first mortgage loans                51,126,232      43,464,506      35,949,419
Consumer and other loans
    Principal balances:
       Home equity loans                              2,200,939       1,980,641       1,907,907
       Loans on deposits                                174,691         157,703         150,437
       Automobile loans                                 289,109         229,258         119,923
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
           Total consumer and other loans             2,664,739       2,367,602       2,178,267
    Less allowance for loan losses                      670,085         600,000         469,126
                                                    -----------     -----------     -----------
                                                    $53,120,886     $45,232,108     $37,658,560
                                                    ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

Nonaccrual and renegotiated loans totaled  approximately $77,000 and $579,000 at
September  30,  1996  (unaudited)  and  December  31,  1995,  respectively.  The
approximate  amounts of interest  income that would have been recorded under the
original  terms of such loans and the interest  income  actually  recognized are
summarized below:

                            (Unaudited)
                            For the nine
                            months ended               December 31,
                            September 30,  ------------------------------------
                                1996         1995          1994          1993
                                ----         ----          ----          ----
Interest that would have
  been recorded               $ 5,800      $ 55,855      $ 60,972      $ 67,460
Interest income recognized     (4,838)      (50,057)      (45,269)         (995)
                              -------      --------      --------      --------
  Interest income forgone     $   962      $  5,798      $ 15,703      $ 66,465
                              =======      ========      ========      ========

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-14

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)


NOTE 3 - LOANS RECEIVABLE (Continued)

The Bank is not committed to lend  additional  funds to debtors whose loans have
been modified.

   
There were no impaired  loans at September 30, 1996  (unaudited) or December 31,
1995.

Loans serviced for others  consisted of  approximately  $2,018,144,  $2,729,130,
$2,539,000,   $3,165,000,   and  $4,206,984  at  September  30,  1996  and  1995
(unaudited)  and December 31, 1995,  1994, and 1993,  respectively.  These loans
were sold to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
    

The Bank's lending  activities have been concentrated  primarily in Cook County,
Illinois,  where its main office is located.  The largest  portion of the Bank's
loans  are  originated  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  borrowers  to  purchase
residential  real estate  property  secured by first liens on such property.  At
December  31,  1995,  approximately  85% of the  Bank's  loans  were  secured by
owner-occupied,  one-to-four  family  residential  property.  The Bank  requires
collateral on all loans and generally maintains  loan-to-value  ratios of 80% or
less.

Activity in the allowance for loan losses is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      (Unaudited)
                               For the nine months ended          For the years ended
                                     September 30,                    December 31,
                                 ---------------------     ----------------------------------
                                   1996         1995         1995         1994         1993
                                   ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
<S>                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>     
Balance at beginning of year     $600,000     $469,126     $469,126     $234,480     $497,365
Provision charged to income        75,000      121,500      133,470      150,000      148,786
Charge-offs                        (5,315)      (2,596)      (2,596)          --     (412,143)
Recoveries                            400           --           --       84,646          472
                                 --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                 $670,085     $588,030     $600,000     $469,126     $234,480
                                 ========     ========     ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

NOTE 4 - REAL ESTATE OWNED

Activity in the  allowance for losses for  foreclosed  real estate for the years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 is summarized below:

                                             1994           1993
                                             ----           ----
     Balance at beginning of year         $ 827,363       $713,461
     Provision charged to income                 --        120,792
     Charge-offs, net of recoveries        (827,363)        (6,890)
                                          ---------       --------
        Balance at end of year            $      --       $827,363
                                          =========       ========

There was no activity during 1995 or 1996 (unaudited).

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-15

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)


NOTE 5 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment consists of the following at:

                                       (Unaudited)          December 31,
                                      September 30,   -------------------------
                                           1996           1995           1994
                                           ----           ----           ----
Land                                   $   76,730     $   76,730     $   76,730
Building and landscaping                1,464,915      1,521,237      1,532,684
Leasehold improvements                         --             --         46,370
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment        440,374        509,260        564,561
                                       ----------     ----------     ----------
   Total cost                           1,982,019      2,107,227      2,220,345

Accumulated depreciation                 (946,084)    (1,062,821)    (1,138,037)
                                       ----------     -----------    ----------
                                       $1,035,935     $1,044,406     $1,082,308
                                       ==========     ==========     ==========


NOTE 6 - DEPOSITS

Savings and certificate of deposit  accounts with balances greater than $100,000
totaled  $5,265,000  at  September  30,  1996  (unaudited)  and  $6,532,000  and
$4,538,000 at December 31, 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  Deposits  greater than
$100,000 are not insured.

At September  30, 1996  (unaudited),  scheduled  maturities of  certificates  of
deposit are as follows:

          September 30, 1997                    $49,799,929
          September 30, 1998                      9,273,901
          September 30, 1999                      3,653,814
          September 30, 2000                      1,989,064
          September 30, 2001 and thereafter         509,167
                                                -----------
                                                $65,225,875
                                                ===========

At December 31, 1995,  scheduled  maturities of  certificates  of deposit are as
follows:

          December 31, 1996                     $46,869,103
          December 31, 1997                      10,832,895
          December 31, 1998                       3,908,872
          December 31, 1999                       1,625,498
          December 31, 2000 and thereafter        1,431,110
                                                -----------
                                                $64,667,478
                                                ===========

                                  (Continued)

                                      F-16

<PAGE>

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
                     September 30, 1996 and 1995 (unaudited)

   
NOTE 6 - DEPOSITS (Continued)

Interest Expense on deposits is summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               (Unaudited)
                        For the nine months ended          For the years ended
                                September 30                    December 31
                         ------------------------  ------------------------------------
                             1996         1995         1995         1994         1993
                             ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
Passbook savings         $1,080,666   $1,082,307   $1,441,611   $1,371,690   $1,380,845
NOW and money market        372,455      391,204      518,766      497,957      538,427
Certificates of deposit   2,670,391    2,410,583    3,308,192    2,566,027    2,723,520
                          ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                         $4,123,512    3,884,094    5,268,569    4,435,674    4,642,792
                         ==========    =========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>

    


NOTE 7 - ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago were as follows:

                    Interest     (Unaudited)
 Maturity Date        Rate          1996            1995           1994
 -------------        ----          ----            ----           ----
August 19, 1997       9.72%      $1,500,000      $1,500,000     $1,500,000
                                 ==========      ==========     ==========

Interest expense on advances was $111,643 and $110,508 at September 30, 1996 and
1995  (unaudited) and for the years ended December 31, 1995,  1994, and 1993 was
$147,749, $236,928, and $305,186, respectively.

The Bank  maintains a collateral  pledge  agreement  covering  secured  advances
whereby  the Bank has  agreed  to at all times  keep on hand,  free of all other
pledges,  liens,  and  encumbrances,  whole  first  mortgage  loans on  improved
residential  property not more than 90-days delinquent  aggregating no less than
167% of the  outstanding  secured  advances  from the Federal  Home Loan Bank of
Chicago.


NOTE 8 - EMPLOYEE PROFIT SHARING PLAN

An employee profit sharing plan was approved by the Board of Directors effective
January 1, 1985. The plan covers  employees having over one year of service (one
thousand  working hours) and who are at least 21 years of age.  Contributions to
the profit sharing plan are determined and approved annually by the Bank's Board
of Directors. Contributions of $103,230 and $82,282 were approved and funded for
the nine months ended  September  30, 1996 and 1995  (unaudited),  respectively.
Contributions of $132,347,  $114,885,  and $106,117 were approved and funded for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively.

                                      F-17

<PAGE>

NOTE 9 - MONEY PURCHASE PLAN

A money purchase plan was approved by the Board of Directors  effective  January
1, 1993. The plan covers employees having over one year of service (one thousand
working  hours) and who are at least 21 years of age.  The Bank  contributes  an
amount equal to ten percent of participants' salaries.  Contributions of $70,873
and $58,219  were funded for the nine months ended  September  30, 1996 and 1995
(unaudited), respectively, and $90,863, $81,490, and $74,824 were funded for the
years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively.

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES

An analysis of the provision for income taxes consists of the following:

                     (Unaudited)
              For the nine months ended           For the years ended
                    September 30,                     December 31,
                ----------------------     ----------------------------------
                  1996          1995         1995         1994         1993
                  ----          ----         ----         ----         ----
Current
    Federal     $ 330,793     $302,207     $413,908     $332,179     $420,600
    State          31,351       32,256       32,722        8,520       58,000
Deferred         (702,527)      98,381      112,540        2,517      (67,484)
                ---------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                $(340,383)    $432,844     $559,170     $343,216     $411,116
                =========     ========     ========     ========     ========

The  provision  for income  taxes  differs from that  computed at the  statutory
corporate tax rate as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             (Unaudited)          
                                      For the nine months ended   
                                            September 30,         
                                        ----------------------    
                                                  1996                        1995         
                                                  ----                        ----         
<S>                                     <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>     
   
Provision for federal income taxes
  computed at statutory rate of 34%     $(287,192)   (34.0)%          $396,353    34.0%   
State income taxes, net of federal
  tax effect                              (63,370)    (7.5)             21,289     1.8     
Other                                      10,179      1.2              15,202     1.3     
                                        ---------    ------           --------   -----     
                                        $(340,383)   (40.3)%          $432,844    37.1%    
                                        =========    ======           ========   =====     
</TABLE>
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           For the years ended
                                                           -------------------
                                              1995                1994                 1993  
                                              ----                ----                 ----  
Provision for federal income taxes                                         
<S>                                   <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>
   
  computed at statutory rate of 34%   $513,809    34.0%    $300,055    34.0%    $384,874    34.0% 
State income taxes, net of federal                                                              
  tax effect                            27,420     1.8       24,194     2.7       35,460     3.1   
Other                                   17,941     1.2       18,967     2.2       (9,218)   (0.8)   
                                      --------   -----     --------   -----     --------   -----    
                                      $559,170    37.0%    $343,216    38.9%    $411,116    36.3% 
                                      ========   =====     ========   =====     ========   =====   
    
              
</TABLE>

                                      F-18

<PAGE>

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:
                                                                    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     (Unaudited)         December 31,
                                                    September 30,   ----------------------
                                                         1996         1995          1994
                                                         ----         ----          ----
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>     
Charitable contributions                              $ 387,400     $      --     $     --
Special SAIF assessment                                 325,288            --           --
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale             --            --        5,986
Deferred loan fees                                           --        22,208       58,082
Loans, principally due to allowance for loan losses     134,495       107,344      181,701
Other                                                        --            --        1,280
                                                      ---------     ---------     --------
     Total deferred tax assets                          847,183       129,552      247,049

Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale       (331,558)     (339,457)          --
Depreciation                                            (42,139)      (48,843)     (57,782)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends                  (62,372)      (42,382)     (37,423)
Deferred loan fees                                       (6,827)           --           --
Other                                                        --        (5,009)          --
                                                      ---------     ---------     --------
     Total deferred tax liabilities                    (442,896)     (435,691)     (95,205)
                                                      ---------     ---------     --------
         Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)        $ 404,287     $(306,139)    $151,844
                                                      =========     =========     ========
</TABLE>


NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES (Continued)

Management has not recorded a valuation  allowance  based on taxes paid in prior
years.

The Bank has  qualified  under  provisions  of the  Internal  Revenue Code which
permit it to deduct from taxable  income a provision for bad debts which differs
from the  provision  charged  to income on the  financial  statements.  Retained
earnings at  September  30, 1996  (unaudited)  and  December  31, 1995 and 1994,
include  approximately  $3,114,000  for which no  deferred  federal  income  tax
liability has been recorded.  Tax legislation passed in August 1996 now requires
all thrift  institutions  to deduct a provision  for bad debts for tax  purposes
based on actual  loss  experience  and  recapture  the excess  bad debt  reserve
accumulated  in the tax years after 1986.  The  related  amount of deferred  tax
liability  which mush be  recaptured  is $126,000 and is payable over a six-year
period.

                                      F-19

<PAGE>

NOTE 11 - REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital  requirements  administered by
the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital  requirements can
initiate certain mandatory,  and possibly additional  discretionary,  actions by
regulators  that,  if  undertaken,  could have a direct  material  effect on the
Bank's  financial   statements.   Under  capital  adequacy  guidelines  and  the
regulatory  framework for prompt corrective  action, the Bank must meet specific
capital  guidelines  that involve  quantitative  measures of the Bank's  assets,
liabilities,  and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting  practices.  The Bank's capital amounts and  classification  are also
subject to  qualitative  judgments  by the  regulators  about  components,  risk
weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative  measures  established  by  regulation to ensure  capital  adequacy
require  the Bank to  maintain  minimum  amounts  and ratios of total and Tier I
capital as defined in the regulations to risk-weighted assets as defined, and of
Tier  I  capital  to  average  assets  as  defined.  As of  September  30,  1996
(unaudited),  the most recent notification from the Office of Thrift Supervision
categorized  the Bank as well  capitalized  under the  regulatory  framework for
prompt corrective  action. To be categorized as well capitalized,  the Bank must
maintain  minimum  total risk-  based,  Tier I  risk-based,  and Tier I leverage
ratios.  There  are  no  conditions  or  events  since  that  notification  that
management believes have changed the institution's category.

   
As of  September  30, 1996  (unaudited),  the Bank's  total  risk-based,  Tier I
risk-based,  and Tier I leverage  ratios  exceeded the  regulatory  minimums for
being considered well capitalized. The total risk-based capital ratio was 23.83%
and exceeded the well capitalized standard of 10.0% by approximately $6,828,000.
Tier I risk-based  capital was 22.59% and was greater than the well  capitalized
minimum  of 6.0% by  approximately  $8,187,000.  The Tier I  leverage  ratio was
7.63%,  approximately  $3,846,000  greater than the well capitalized  minimum of
5.0%.
    

Current regulations also require savings institutions to have minimum regulatory
tangible  capital equal to 1.5% of total assets, a core capital ratio of 3%, and
a risk-based  capital  ratio equal to 8% of  risk-adjusted  assets as defined by
regulation.

The following is a reconciliation of capital under generally accepted accounting
principles  (GAAP) to regulatory  capital at September 30, 1996  (unaudited) and
December 31, 1995 (in thousands).

                                      F-20

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           September 30, 1996
                                                              (Unaudited)
                                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               % of                     %  of       Risk-    % of Risk-
                                Tangible     Tangible      Core       Tangible      based     adjusted
                                Capital       Assets      Capital      Assets      Capital     Assets
                                -------       ------      -------      ------      -------     ------
<S>                             <C>            <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>   
   
GAAP capital                    $11,361        7.77%      $11,361       7.77%      $11,361     22.95%
Regulatory general
  valuation allowances                -           -             -          -           619      1.25
Unrealized gain on
  securities available-
  for-sale                         (519)      (0.36)         (519)     (0.36)         (519)    (1.05)
                                -------       -----       -------      -----       -------     -----
Regulatory capital -
  computed                       10,842        7.41        10,842       7.41        11,461     23.15
    

Minimum capital
  requirement                     2,213        1.50         4,426       3.00         3,960      8.00
                                -------       -----       -------      -----       -------     -----
     Excess regulatory
       capital over minimum      $8,629        5.91%      $ 6,416       4.41%      $ 7,501     15.15%
                                 ======       =====       =======      =====       =======     =====
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           December 31, 1995
                                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               % of                     %  of       Risk-    % of Risk-
                                Tangible     Tangible      Core       Tangible      based     adjusted
                                Capital       Assets      Capital      Assets      Capital     Assets
                                -------       ------      -------      ------      -------     ------
<S>                             <C>            <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>   
GAAP capital                    $11,877        8.13%      $11,877       8.13%      $11,877     25.65%
Regulatory general
  valuation allowances               --          --            --         --           619      1.25
Unrealized gain on
  securities available-
  for-sale                         (531)       (.36)         (531)      (.36)         (531)    (1.15)
                                -------       -----       -------      -----       -------     -----
Regulatory capital -
  computed                       11,346        7.77        11,346       7.77        11,925     25.75

Minimum capital
  requirement                     2,191        1.50         4,382       3.00         3,704      8.00
                                -------       -----       -------      -----       -------     -----
     Excess regulatory
       capital over minimum      $9,155        6.27%      $ 6,964       4.77%      $ 8,221     17.75%
                                 ======       =====       =======      =====       =======     =====
</TABLE>


Accordingly,  management  considers the capital  requirements  to have been met.
FIRREA also includes  restrictions  on loans to one  borrower,  certain types of
investments and loans,  loans to officers,  directors,  brokered  deposits,  and
transactions with affiliates. The Bank is in compliance with these restrictions.

                                      F-21

<PAGE>

Federal  regulations  require the Bank to comply with a Qualified  Thrift Lender
(QTL) test which  requires that 65% of assets be  maintained in  housing-related
finance  and other  specified  assets.  If the QTL test is not met,  limits  are
placed on growth,  branching,  new investment,  FHLB advances, and dividends, or
the institution must convert to a commercial bank charter.  Management considers
the QTL test to have been met.

NOTE 12 - OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK AND CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

The Bank is party to financial  instruments with  off-balance-sheet  risk in the
normal course of business of meeting the financing needs of its customers. These
financial  instruments include commitments to fund loans and previously approved
unused  lines of credit.  The  Bank's  exposure  to credit  loss in the event of
nonperformance  by the parties to these financial  instruments is represented by
the contractual amount of the instruments.  The Bank uses the same credit policy
for  commitments  as  it  uses  for  on-balance-sheet   items.  These  financial
instruments are summarized as follows:


                                                       Contract Amount
                                              ----------------------------------
                                               (Unaudited)      December 31,
                                              September 30, --------------------
                                                  1996        1995        1994
                                                  ----        ----        ----
Financial instruments whose contract amounts
  represent credit risk
     Commitments to extend credit, including
       loans in process                         $259,000    $615,000    $590,000

At September 30, 1996 (unaudited) and December 31, 1995 and 1994, commitments to
extend credit, including loans in process, consisted of $154,000,  $615,000, and
$408,000,  respectively, in fixed rate commitments. These commitments are due to
expire  within 30 to 45 days of issuance  and have rates  ranging  from 7.75% to
8.00% in 1996, 6.875% to 7.75% in 1995, and 8.75% to 9.375% in 1994.

Financial  instruments which  potentially  subject the Bank to concentrations of
credit  risk  include  interest-bearing  deposit  accounts  in  other  financial
institutions  and loans. At September 30, 1996 (unaudited) and December 31, 1995
and 1994,  the Bank had deposit  accounts with balances  totaling  approximately
$14,676,000, $10,039,000 and $13,915,000, respectively, at the Federal Home Loan
Bank of Chicago. Concentrations of loans are described in Note 3.

                                      F-22

<PAGE>

NOTE 13 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Bank is,  from time to time,  a party to  certain  lawsuits  arising  in the
ordinary  course of its business.  The Bank believes that none of these lawsuits
would, if adversely determined,  have a material adverse effect on its financial
condition, results of operations, or capital.

At  September  30, 1996 and  December 31,  1995,  the Bank was  obligated  under
noncancelable  operating  leases  for  office  space.  Net rent  expenses  under
operating leases,  including the proportionate  share of taxes,  insurance,  and
maintenance  costs,  were  approximately  $70,000 for both the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995  (unaudited) and $93,000,  $91,280,  and $78,677 for
the years ended  December 31, 1995,  1994,  and 1993,  respectively.  The leases
expire January 31, 1996 and April 1, 1997.  Projected  minimum  rental  payments
under the terms of the leases, not including taxes, insurance,  and maintenance,
are as follows:

                              (Unaudited)
                             September 30,      December 31,
                                 1996               1995
                                 ----               ----
     1996                       $10,500            $47,415
     1997                        10,500             10,500
                                -------            -------
                                $21,000            $57,915
                                =======            =======

The deposits of savings  associations  such as the Bank are presently insured by
the  Savings  Association  Insurance  Fund  (SAIF),  which,  along with the Bank
Insurance  Fund (BIF),  is one of the two insurance  funds  administered  by the
Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  (FDIC).  However,  it is not anticipated
that SAIF will be  adequately  recapitalized  until 2002,  absent a  substantial
increase in premium  rates or the  imposition  of special  assessments  or other
significant developments, such as a merger of the SAIF and the BIF. Accordingly,
a recapitalization plan was signed into law on September 30, 1996 which provides
for a  special  assessment  of an  estimated  .65% of all  SAIF-insured  deposit
balances as of March 31, 1995. The Bank's liability for the special  assessment,
estimated to total approximately $514,000 (unaudited) net of taxes, was recorded
in the third quarter of 1996.

   
The Bank established the Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings Charitable Foundation,
Inc.  (the   Foundation).   The  Foundation  is  a  not-for-profit   corporation
incorporated  in the state of Illinois.  The Bank accrued a firm  commitment  to
make a $1,000,000  contribution  during the  quarter  ended  September 30,  1996
(unaudited).
    

                                      F-23

<PAGE>

NOTE 14 - FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The   approximate   carrying  amount  and  estimated  fair  value  of  financial
instruments consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         (In thousands)
                                             (Unaudited)
                                          September 30, 1996        December 31, 1995 
                                        -----------------------  -----------------------
                                        Approximate              Approximate 
                                          Carrying   Estimated     Carrying   Estimated                          
                                           Amount    Fair Value     Amount    Fair Value
                                           ------    ----------     ------    ----------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>      
Financial Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                $16,376     $16,376      $13,301     $13,301  
  Securities                                73,686      74,394       83,900      85,042 
  Loans, net of allowance for loan losses   53,121      52,741       45,232      46,338
  Federal Home Loan Bank stock                 901         901          849         849
  Accrued interest receivable                  845         845        1,107       1,107

Financial Liabilities
  Interest-bearing demand deposits        $(18,244)   $(18,244)    $(20,020)   $(20,020)
  Savings deposits                         (45,689)    (45,689)     (46,054)    (46,054)
  Time deposits                            (65,226)    (65,284)     (64,667)    (64,841)
  Advances from Federal Home
    Loan Bank                               (1,500)     (1,500)      (1,500)     (1,593)
  Advance payments by borrowers
    for taxes and insurance                   (288)       (288)        (652)       (652)
  Accrued interest payable                    (112)       (112)        (116)       (116)
</TABLE>

For purposes of the above, the following assumptions were used:

Cash  and  Cash  Equivalents:  The  estimated  fair  values  for  cash  and cash
equivalents are based on their carrying  values due to the short-term  nature of
these assets.

Securities  and  Mortgage-backed  Securities:  The fair values of investment and
mortgage-backed  securities  are  based  on the  quoted  market  value  for  the
individual security or its equivalent.

Loans: The estimated fair value for loans has been determined by calculating the
present  value of future  cash flows  based on the  current  rate the Bank would
charge for similar loans with similar maturities,  applied for an estimated time
period until the loan is assumed to be repriced or repaid.

                                      F-24

<PAGE>

Deposit  Liabilities:  The  estimated  fair  value  for time  deposits  has been
determined  by  calculating  the  present  value of future  cash flows  based on
estimates  of rates the Bank would pay on such  deposits,  applied  for the time
period until maturity. The estimated fair values of interest-bearing  demand and
savings deposits are assumed to approximate  their carrying values as management
establishes  rates on these  deposits  at a level  that  approximates  the local
market area. Additionally, these deposits can be withdrawn on demand.

Advances  from Federal  Home Loan Bank:  The fair value of the Federal Home Loan
Bank advance was  determined  by  calculating  the present  value of future cash
flows using the current rate for an advance with a similar length to maturity.

Accrued Interest: The fair values of accrued interest receivable and payable are
assumed to equal their carrying values.

Off-Balance-Sheet  Instruments:  Off-balance-sheet  items consist principally of
unfunded loan commitments. The fair value of these commitments is not material.

Other assets and  liabilities of the Bank not defined as financial  instruments,
such as property and equipment, are not included in the above disclosures.  Also
not included are nonfinancial  instruments typically not recognized in financial
statements such as the value of core deposits,  loan servicing rights,  customer
goodwill, and similar items.

While  the  above  estimates  are  based on  management's  judgment  of the most
appropriate  factors,  there is no assurance  that if the Bank disposed of these
items on September 30, 1996 or December 31, 1995, the fair value would have been
achieved,  because the market value may differ  depending on the  circumstances.
The estimated fair values at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 should not
necessarily be considered to apply at subsequent dates.


NOTE 15 - ADOPTION OF PLAN OF CONVERSION (UNAUDITED)

On September 10, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Bank, subject to regulatory
approval and approval by the members of the Bank,  adopted a Plan of  Conversion
to convert from a federal  mutual  savings bank to a federal  stock savings bank
with the concurrent formation of a holding company and the adoption of a federal
thrift  charger.  The  conversion  is  expected to be  accomplished  through the
amendment  of the Bank's  charter and the sale of the holding  company's  common
stock in an  amount  equal to the  consolidated  pro forma  market  value of the
holding  company  and  the  Bank  after  giving  effect  to  the  conversion.  A
subscription offering of the shares of common stock will be offered initially to
the Bank's eligible deposit account holders,  then to other members of the Bank.
Any shares of the holding  company's  common stock not sold in the  subscription
offering will be offered for sale to the general  public,  giving  preference to
the Bank's market area.

                                      F-25

<PAGE>

The Board of  Directors  of the Bank or the holding  company  intend to adopt an
Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan and various stock option and  incentive  plans,
subject  to  ratification  by the  stockholders  of the  holding  company  after
conversion,  if such  stockholder  approval is required by any  regulatory  body
having  jurisdiction  to  require  such  approval.  In  addition,  the  Board of
Directors is authorized to enter into employment contracts with key employees.

At the time of conversion,  the Bank will establish a liquidation  account in an
amount  equal to its total net worth as of the  latest  statement  of  financial
condition  appearing in the final  prospectus.  The liquidation  account will be
maintained for the benefit of eligible depositors who continue to maintain their
accounts  at the Bank after the  conversion.  The  liquidation  account  will be
reduced  annually to the extent that  eligible  depositors  have  reduced  their
qualifying  deposits.  Subsequent increases will not restore an eligible account
holder's  interest  in the  liquidation  account.  In the  event  of a  complete
liquidation,  each eligible depositor will be entitled to receive a distribution
from the liquidation account in an amount  proportionate to the current adjusted
qualifying  balances for accounts then held. The liquidation  account balance is
not available for payment of dividends.

Conversion  costs will be deferred and deducted  from the proceeds of the shares
sold in the  conversion.  If the conversion is not completed,  all costs will be
charged to expense. At September 30, 1996, $26,000 has been deferred.


                                      F-26



<PAGE>


================================================================================

        No person has been  authorized  to give any  information  or to make any
representation other than as contained in this Prospectus in connection with the
offering  made  hereby,  and,  if given  or  made,  such  other  information  or
representation  must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Holding
Company or the Bank.  This  Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation  of an offer to buy any of the  securities  offered  hereby  to any
person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized
or in which the person making such offer or  solicitation is not qualified to do
so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful  to make such offer or  solicitation
in such  jurisdiction.  Neither  the  delivery of this  Prospectus  nor any sale
hereunder shall under any  circumstances  create any implication  that there has
been no change in the  affairs of the  Holding  Company or the Bank since any of
the dates as of which information is furnished herein or since the date hereof.

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

   
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                        Page
                                                                        ----
Prospectus Summary........................................                4
Selected Financial Information............................               15
Recent Financial Data.....................................               18
Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation.....................               24
Hemlock Federal...........................................               24
Use of Proceeds...........................................               25
Dividends.................................................               26
Market for Common Stock...................................               27
Pro Forma Data............................................               27
Pro Forma Regulatory Capital Analysis.....................               32
Capitalization............................................               33
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
   Condition and Results of Operations....................               34
Business .................................................               48
Regulation................................................               78
Management ...............................................               90
The Conversion............................................              101
Restrictions on Acquisitions of Stock and Related
   Takeover Defensive Provisions..........................              121
Description of Capital Stock..............................              127
Legal and Tax Matters.....................................              129
Experts...................................................              129
Additional Information....................................              129
Index to Financial Statements.............................              F-1
    


     Until the later of  ________,  1997 or 25 days  after  commencement  of the
offering of Common Stock, all dealers  effecting  transactions in the registered
securities,  whether or not participating in this distribution,  may be required
to deliver a  prospectus.  This is in addition to the  obligation  of dealers to
deliver a  prospectus  when  acting as  underwriters  and with  respect to their
unsold allotments or subscriptions.

================================================================================

================================================================================


                                1,805,500 Shares



                           HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL
                                  CORPORATION
        (Proposed Holding Company for Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings)


                                  COMMON STOCK

                                 ______________

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 ______________


                             CHARLES WEBB & COMPANY
                  A Division of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.


                              ______________, 1997

================================================================================

<PAGE>
                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 13.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

     Set forth below is an estimate  of the amount of fees and  expenses  (other
than underwriting  discounts and coimmissions) to be incurred in connection with
the issuance of the shares.

SEC registration fees..............................................     $  6,292
NASD fee...........................................................        2,576
Nasdaq registration fee............................................       15,382
OTS filing fees....................................................        8,400
Counsel fees and expenses..........................................      105,000
Accounting fees and expenses.......................................       75,000
Appraisal and business plan fees and expenses......................       40,000
Conversion agent fees and expenses.................................       15,000
Marketing agent's expenses.........................................       20,000
Marketing agent's counsel fees and expenses........................       25,000
Printing, postage and mailing......................................       50,000
Blue sky fees and expenses.........................................        5,000
Other expenses.....................................................        7,350
                                                                           -----

     TOTAL.........................................................    $ 375,000
                                                                         =======


- -------------------
(1) Based on maximum of  Estimated  Valuation  Range and  assumptions  set forth
under "Pro Forma Data" in the Prospectus.

Item 14.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers

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

     Section  145 of the  General  Corporation  Law of  the  State  of  Delaware
authorizes a  corporation's  Board of Directors to grant indemnity under certain
circumstances  to directors and  officers,  when made, or threatened to be made,
parties to certain  proceedings  by reason of such status with the  corporation,
against judgments, fines, settlements and expenses, including

                                      II-1

<PAGE>



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

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

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

Item 15.  Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

     The Registrant is newly  incorporated,  solely for the purpose of acting as
the holding company of Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings  pursuant to the Plan of
Conversion  (filed as Exhibit 2  herein),  and no sales of its  securities  have
occurred to date.

                                      II-2

<PAGE>



Item 16.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(a)      Exhibits:
          <S>         <C>
   
          1.1         Letter Agreement regarding marketing and consulting services*
          1.2         Form of Agency Agreement
          2           Plan of Conversion*
          3.1         Certificate of Incorporation of the Holding Company*
          3.2         Bylaws of the Holding Company*
          3.3         Charter of Hemlock Federal in stock form
          3.4         Bylaws of Hemlock Federal in stock form
          4           Form of Stock Certificate of the Holding Company*
          5           Opinion of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. with respect to legality of stock*
          8.1         Opinion of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. with respect to Federal income
                      tax consequences of the Conversion
          8.2         Opinion of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP with respect to Illinois income
                      tax consequences of the Conversion
          8.3         Opinion of Keller & Company, Inc. with respect to Subscription Rights*
         10.1         Form of Proposed Stock Option and Incentive Plan*
         10.2         Form of Employment Agreement with Maureen G. Partynski
         10.3         Form of Employment Agreement with Michael R. Stevens
         10.4         Form of Change-In-Control Severance Agreement with Rosanne Pastorek-
                      Belczak
         10.5         Form of Change-In-Control Severance Agreement with Jean M. Thornton
         10.6         Form of Change-In-Control Severance Agreement with Robert Upton
         10.7         Employee Stock Ownership Plan*
         10.8         Form of Proposed Recognition and Retention Plan
         10.9         Hemlock Federal's Defined Contribution Plan and Trust
         22           Subsidiaries*
         24.1         Consent of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.
         24.2         Consent of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
         24.3         Consent of Keller & Company, Inc.*
         25           Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)
         99.1         Appraisal
         99.2         Proxy Statement and form of proxy to be furnished to Hemlock Federal
                      account holders*
         99.3         Stock Order Form and Order Form Instructions*
         99.4         Certification*
         99.5         Question and Answer Brochure
         99.6         Advertising, Training and Community Informational Meeting Materials*


<FN>

*  Previously filed.
</FN>
    
</TABLE>

                                      II-3

<PAGE>



Item 17.  Undertakings

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

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

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

(ii)         To reflect in the  Prospectus any facts or events arising after the
             effective  date of the  Registration  Statement (or the most recent
             post-effective  amendment  thereof)  which,  individually or in the
             aggregate,  represent a fundamental  change in the  information set
             forth in the Registration Statement; and

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

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

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

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the Registrant in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification  by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and it will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:

     (1) For purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of
1933, the information  omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
Registration  Statement  in reliance  upon Rule 430A and  contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant

                                      II-4

<PAGE>


to Rule  424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the  Securities Act shall be deemed to
be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

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

                                      II-5
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this  Registration  Statement  to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned,  thereunto duly  authorized in the City of Oak Forest,  Illinois on
February __, 1997.

                                           HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION




                                            By: /s/ Maureen G. Partynski
                                                ------------------------
                                                Maureen G. Partynski,
                                                Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer
                                                  (Duly Authorized
                                                     Representative)




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

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


/s/ Maureen G. Partynski                           /s/ Michael R. Stevens
- -------------------------------------              -----------------------------
Maureen G. Partynski, Chairman of the              Michael R. Stevens, 
Board and Chief Executive Officer                  President and Director
(Principal Executive and Operating Officer)

Date: February __, 1997                                Date: February __, 1997


                                      II-6

<PAGE>




/s/ Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak                   /s/ Frank A. Bucz
- -----------------------------------------      ---------------------------------
Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak, Vice President,      Frank A. Bucz, Auditor/Consultant
Secretary and Director                         and Director

Date: February __, 1997                        Date: February __, 1997



/s/ Kenneth J. Bazarnik                        /s/ Charles Gjondla
- -----------------------------                  -------------------------
Kenneth J. Bazarnik, Director                  Charles Gjondla, Director

Date: February __, 1997                        Date: February __, 1997



/s/ G. Gerald Schiera                          /s/ Jean M. Thornton
- ---------------------------                    ---------------------------------
G. Gerald Schiera, Director                    Jean M. Thornton, Vice President
                                               and Controller/Treasurer
                                               (Principal Financial and
                                               Accounting Officer:

Date: February __, 1997                        Date: February __, 1997


                                      II-7

<PAGE>

   
    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February __, 1997


                                                   Registration No. 333-18895







                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549








                                 EXHIBITS TO THE

                     PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. ONE TO THE

                                    FORM S-1

                                      UNDER

                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

    








                      HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                             5700 West 159th Street
                         Oak Forest, Illinois 60452-3198



<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




Exhibits:
   
<S>                  <C>
1.1                  Letter Agreement regarding marketing and consulting services*
1.2                  Form of Agency Agreement
2                    Plan of Conversion*
3.1                  Certificate of Incorporation of the Holding Company*
3.2                  Bylaws of the Holding Company*
3.3                  Charter of Hemlock Federal in stock form
3.4                  Bylaws of Hemlock Federal in stock form
4                    Form of Stock Certificate of the Holding Company*
5                    Opinion of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. with Respect to Legality of Stock*
8.1                  Opinion of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. with respect to Federal income tax
                     consequences of the Conversion
8.2                  Opinion of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP with respect to Illinois income tax
                     consequences of the Conversion
8.3                  Opinion of Keller & Company, Inc. with respect to Subscription Rights*
10.1                 Form of Proposed Stock Option and Incentive Plan*
10.2                 Form of Employment Agreement with Maureen G. Partynski
10.3                 Form of Employment Agreement with Michael R. Stevens
10.4                 Form of Change-In-Control Severance Agreement with Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak
10.5                 Form of Change-In-Control Severance Agreement with Jean M. Thornton
10.6                 Form of Change-In-Control Severance Agreement with Robert Upton
10.7                 Employee Stock Ownership Plan*
10.8                 Form of Proposed Recognition and Retention Plan
10.9                 Hemlock Federal's Defined Contribution Plan and Trust
22                   Subsidiaries*
24.1                 Consent of Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.
24.2                 Consent of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
24.3                 Consent of Keller & Company, Inc.*
25                   Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)
99.1                 Appraisal
99.2                 Proxy Statement and form of proxy to be furnished to Hemlock Federal account
                     holders*
99.3                 Stock Order Form and Order Form Instructions*
99.4                 Certification*
99.5                 Question and Answer Brochure
99.6                 Advertising, Training and Community Informational Meeting Materials*
<FN>
    
*  Previously Filed.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                      HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            (a Delaware Corporation)
                                1,805,500 Shares
                  (Subject to Increase up to 2,076,325 Shares)

                          COMMON STOCK ($.01 Par Value)
                       Subscription Price $10.00 Per Share

                                AGENCY AGREEMENT
                                ----------------

                               __________ __, 1997



Charles Webb & Company
211 Bradenton Avenue
Dublin, Ohio 43017

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Hemlock  Federal  Financial  Corporation  (the  "Holding  Company") and
Hemlock  Federal Bank for Savings (the "Bank")  hereby  confirm their  agreement
with  Charles  Webb & Company  ("Webb" or the  "Agent"),  a  Division  of Keefe,
Bryette & Woods, Inc., as follows:

         Section  1.  The  Offering.  The  Holding  Company  is  offering  up to
1,805,500  shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock")
(subject to an increase up to 2,076,325  shares),  in a concurrent  subscription
offering (the  "Subscription  Offering") and community  offering (the "Community
Offering")  (together the "Subscription  and Community  Offering") in connection
with the conversion of the Bank from a federally  chartered  mutual savings bank
to a  federally  chartered  stock  savings  bank and the  issuance of all of the
Bank's  outstanding  common  stock to the  Holding  Company  (the  "Conversion")
pursuant to the Bank's plan of conversion (the "Plan").  Non-transferable rights
to subscribe for the Common Stock  ("Subscription  Rights") will be granted,  in
the following priority in the Subscription  Offering:  (1) the Bank's depositors
with account  balances of $50.00 or more as of June 30, 1995 ("Eligible  Account
Holders");  (2) tax-qualified employee benefit plans of the Bank and the Holding
Company ("Tax-Qualified Employee Plans"); (3) the Bank's depositors with account
balances  of $50.00 or more as of  December  31,  1996  ("Supplemental  Eligible
Account Holders"); (4) members and certain borrowers of the Bank at the close of
business on ____________; and (5) employees, officers and directors of the Bank.
The Holding  Company  will issue such number of shares of its Common  Stock upon
the  Conversion  as is  subscribed  for, up to 1,805,500  shares (the  "Shares")
(subject to increase up to 2,076,325  shares) at a purchase  price of $10.00 per
share (the "Purchase Price"). The Holding Company is simultaneously offering all
shares of Common Stock not subscribed for in the Subscription  Offering, if any,
in a direct Community


                                        1

<PAGE>



Offering  to members of the  general  public.  Depending  on market  conditions,
shares may be offered in the Community Offering by approved  broker-dealer firms
which are  members of the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.
("NASD")  ("Assisting  Brokers").  If the  number  of  Shares  is  increased  or
decreased in accordance with the Plan, the term "Shares" shall mean such greater
or lesser number, where applicable.

         The Holding  Company has filed with the U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  (the  "Commission")  a Registration  Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-18895)  containing a prospectus  relating to the  Subscription and Community
Offering for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933  Act"),  and has filed such  amendments  thereto as have been
required to the date hereof (the "Registration  Statement").  The prospectus, as
amended,  included in the Registration Statement at the time it initially became
effective is hereinafter called the "Prospectus,"  except that if any prospectus
is  filed  by  the  Holding  Company  pursuant  to  Rule  424(b)  or  (c) of the
regulations of the  Commission  under the 1933 Act differing from the prospectus
included  in  the  Registration  Statement  at the  time  it  initially  becomes
effective, the term "Prospectus" shall refer to the prospectus filed pursuant to
Rule  424(b) or (c) from and after the time said  prospectus  is filed  with the
Commission and shall include any  supplements  and  amendments  thereto from and
after their dates of effectiveness or use, respectively.

         The Bank has filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision, Department of
the Treasury (the "OTS")  pursuant to Title 12, Part 563b of the Code of Federal
Regulations (the "Conversion Regulations") an Application for Conversion on Form
AC, including the Prospectus,  and has filed  amendments  thereto as required by
the OTS (as so amended, the "Application"). The Application has been approved by
the OTS.  The  Holding  Company has filed with the OTS its  application  on Form
H-(e)1-S (the "Holding Company  Application") to acquire the Bank under the Home
Owners  Loan  Act,  as  amended,  and  the  regulations  promulgated  thereunder
("HOLA").

         Section  2.  Appointment  of  the  Agent.  Subject  to  the  terms  and
conditions of this  Agreement,  the Holding  Company and the Bank hereby appoint
Webb as their financial  advisor and marketing agent to utilize its best efforts
to solicit  subscriptions for Shares of the Company's Common Stock and to advise
and assist the Company and the Bank with  respect to the  Company's  sale of the
Shares in the Offering.

         On the basis of the  representations  and warranties and subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement,  the Agent accepts such  appointment and
agrees to consult with and advise the Company and the Bank as to the matters set
forth in the letter  agreement  ("Letter  Agreement"),  dated September 2, 1996,
between the Bank and Webb (a copy of which is attached  hereto as Exhibit A). It
is  acknowledged by the Holding Company and the Bank that the Agent shall not be
obligated to purchase any Shares


                                        2

<PAGE>



and shall not be  obligated to take any action  which is  inconsistent  with any
applicable law, regulation,  decision or order. Subscriptions will be offered by
means of Order Forms as described in the  Prospectus.  Except as provided in the
paragraph  below,  the  appointment of the Agent  hereunder shall terminate upon
completion of the Subscription and Community Offering.

         Webb  agrees to act as  financial  advisor to the Bank and the  Holding
Company for a period of one year  following the  consummation  of the Conversion
for no additional fee to render general advice on financial  matters,  including
dividend  policy,  and share  repurchase  programs,  assistance with shareholder
reporting  and  shareholder  relations  matters,  general  advice on mergers and
acquisitions,  and other  related  financial  matters  which are  brought to the
attention of the Bank or the Holding Company. Thereafter, if the parties wish to
continue  the  relationship,  a fee will be  negotiated  and an  agreement  with
respect to specific  advisory services will be entered into at that time. Should
discussions  commence for a specific  acquisition  transaction by, or a sale of,
the Bank or the Holding  Company  during the period in which the Agent is acting
as financial advisor to the Bank and the Holding Company,  the general financial
advisory relationship as set forth in this paragraph will terminate with respect
to the specific  transaction.  If the Bank or the Holding  Company and the Agent
wish  to  have  the  Agent  initiate,   negotiate   and/or  process  a  specific
transaction, an appropriate fee will be negotiated at that time.

         Section 3. Refund of Purchase  Price.  In the event that the Conversion
is not consummated for any reason, including but not limited to the inability to
sell the Common Stock during the Subscription and Community Offering  (including
any permitted extension thereof), this Agreement shall terminate and any persons
who have subscribed for any of the shares of Common Stock shall have refunded to
them the full amount which has been  received  from such person,  together  with
interest at the Bank's current  passbook rate, from the date payment is received
as provided in the Prospectus.  Upon termination of this Agreement,  neither the
Agent nor the Bank and the  Holding  Company  shall have any  obligation  to the
other except that (i) the Holding  Company and the Bank,  as  applicable,  shall
remain  liable for any amounts  due  pursuant  to  Sections  4(a),  8, 10 and 11
hereof, unless the transaction is not consummated due to the breach by the Agent
of a warranty,  representation  or  covenant;  and (ii) the Agent  shall  remain
liable for any amount due  pursuant  to  Sections  10 and 11 hereof,  unless the
transaction is not  consummated due to the breach by the Holding Company or Bank
of a warranty, representation or covenant.

         Section 4. Fees.  In addition to the  expenses  specified  in Section 8
hereof, as compensation for the Agent's services as agents under this Agreement,
the Agent will receive the following fees from the Holding Company and the Bank.


                                        3

<PAGE>




                  (a) A management fee to Webb in the amount of $25,000  payable
         in four consecutive monthly installments of $6,250, commencing with the
         signing of the Letter Agreement. Such fees shall be deemed to be earned
         when due.  Should  the  Conversion  be  terminated  for any  reason not
         attributable  to the action or inaction  of the Agent,  the Agent shall
         have earned and be entitled to be paid fees accruing  through the stage
         at which point the termination occurred.

                  (b) A fee of  1.5%  of the  aggregate  Purchase  Price  of the
         Shares sold in the  Subscription  Offering and the Community  Offering,
         excluding those shares purchased by the Bank's  officers,  directors or
         employees  (or  members  of  their   immediate   families)  or  by  any
         Tax-Qualified  Employee  Plan  (except  IRA's)  created  by the Bank or
         Holding Company for some or all of its directors or employees.

                  (c) Should an  extension  of the  Subscription  and  Community
         Offering period be required,  the Agent shall be paid a ____% marketing
         fee of the  aggregate  Purchase  Price of the  shares  sold  during any
         extension of the  Offering,  other than those  shares sold  pursuant to
         paragraph 4(d).

                  (d) A fee not to exceed 5.5% of the aggregate  Purchase  Price
         of the  Shares  sold  by  Assisting  Brokers  in any  extension  of the
         Offerings  and the Agent will pay Assisting  Brokers which  assisted in
         the  subscription  or  purchase of Shares in the  Syndicated  Community
         Offering,  a fee competitive with gross underwriting  discounts charged
         at such time for comparable amounts of stock sold at a comparable price
         per share in a similar  market  environment.  The  decision  to utilize
         Assisting  Brokers  will be made  jointly by the Agent on the one hand,
         and the Bank and the Holding Company,  on the other hand. In the event,
         with  respect to any stock  purchases,  fees are paid  pursuant to this
         subsection (d), such fees shall be paid in lieu of, and not in addition
         to, payments to the Agent pursuant to subsection (b).

         The fees specified in subsections  (b), (c) and (d) shall be payable in
same-day funds on the Closing Date.

         Section 5. Closing. If the minimum number of the shares of Common Stock
permitted to be sold-in the  Conversion on the basis of the most recent  updated
Conversion  appraisal are  subscribed  for at or before the  termination  of the
Subscription  and Community  Offering and the other conditions to the completion
of the  Conversion  are  satisfied,  the Holding  Company agrees to issue on the
Closing  Date the shares of Common  Stock which have been sold  against  payment
therefor from the escrow or other accounts maintained for the subscribers as set
forth in the Plan  and to  deliver  certificates  evidencing  ownership  of such
shares of Common Stock in such authorized  denominations  and registered in such
names as may be  indicated  on the  subscription  Order  Forms  directly  to the
purchasers thereof as promptly as practicable


                                        4

<PAGE>



after the Closing  Date.  The Closing shall be held at the offices of counsel to
the  Holding  Company,  or at such other place as shall be agreed upon among the
Holding Company, the Bank and the Agent at 10:00 a.m. on a business day selected
by the Holding  Company  which  business  day shall be no less than two business
days following the giving of prior notice by the Holding Company to the Agent or
at such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Holding Company,  the Bank and
the Agent. At the Closing, the Bank and the Holding Company shall deliver to the
Agent in same- day funds the  commissions,  fees and expenses owing to the Agent
as set forth in  Sections 4 and 8 hereof and the  opinions  required  hereby and
other documents deemed  reasonably  necessary by the Agent shall be executed and
delivered to effect the sale of the shares as  contemplated  hereby and pursuant
to the terms of the  Prospectus.  The Holding  Company shall notify the Agent by
telephone,  confirmed  in writing,  when funds shall have been  received for the
minimum  number of shares of the Common  Stock.  The date upon which the Holding
Company  shall  release  the Shares for  delivery in  accordance  with the terms
hereof is referred to herein as the "Closing Date."

         Section 6.A.  Representations and Warranties of the Holding Company and
the Bank. The Holding  Company and the Bank jointly and severally  represent and
warrant to the Agent that:

                  (a) The  Holding  Company  and the Bank  have all such  power,
         authority,  authorizations,  approvals and orders as may be required to
         enter into this  Agreement,  to carry out the provisions and conditions
         hereof  and to  issue  and sell  the  capital  stock of the Bank to the
         Holding  Company  and the Shares to be sold by the  Holding  Company as
         provided herein and as described in the Prospectus. The consummation of
         the  Conversion,  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
         Agreement and the consummation of the transactions  herein contemplated
         have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action
         on the part of the Holding  Company and the Bank and this Agreement has
         been validly executed and delivered by the Holding Company and the Bank
         and is the valid,  legal and binding  agreement of the Holding  Company
         and the Bank  enforceable in accordance  with its terms,  except to the
         extent, if any, that the provisions of Sections 10 and 11 hereof may be
         unenforceable  as against public policy,  and except to the extent that
         such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy laws, insolvency laws,
         or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally,
         or the rights of creditors of savings  institutions insured by the FDIC
         (including the laws relating to the rights of the  contracting  parties
         to equitable remedies).

                  (b) As of the Closing Date,  the Bank shall have completed all
         conditions  precedent to the Conversion in accordance with the Plan and
         shall have  complied in all material  respects  with  applicable  laws,
         regulations  (except  as  modified  or waived in  writing  by the OTS),
         decisions and orders, including all terms, conditions, requirements and
         provisions precedent to


                                        5

<PAGE>



         the   Conversion   imposed   upon  it  by  the  OTS  as  set  forth  in
         correspondence received from the OTS. The Plan has been approved by the
         OTS, and to the best knowledge of the Bank, no person has challenged or
         sought to obtain judicial review of the actions of the OTS in approving
         the Conversion  pursuant to Section 5(i)(2)(B) of the HOLA or any other
         statute or regulation.

                  (c) The Registration  Statement was declared  effective by the
         Commission on __________,  1997; and no stop order has been issued with
         respect  thereto and no proceedings  therefor have been initiated or to
         the best  knowledge of the Bank  threatened by the  Commission.  At the
         time the  Registration  Statement,  including the Prospectus  contained
         therein  (including  any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto),   became
         effective,  the  Registration  Statement  complied  as to  form  in all
         material  respects  with  the  requirements  of the  1933  Act  and the
         regulations  promulgated  thereunder  and  the  Registration  Statement
         including the Prospectus  contained therein (including any amendment or
         supplement thereto),  any Blue Sky Application or any Sales Information
         (as such terms are  defined in  Section  10 hereof)  authorized  by the
         Holding Company or the Bank for use in connection with the Subscription
         and  Community  Offering  did not  contain  an  untrue  statement  of a
         material  fact or omit to state a material  fact  required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein,  in light of the
         circumstances  under which they were made, not  misleading,  and at the
         time any Rule 424(b) or (c)  Prospectus was filed with or mailed to the
         Commission for filing and at the Closing Date referred to in Section 5,
         the Registration  Statement including the Prospectus  contained therein
         (including  any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto)  and any  Blue Sky
         Application or any Sales Information  authorized by the Holding Company
         or the Bank for use in connection with the  Subscription  and Community
         Offering  will not contain an untrue  statement  of a material  fact or
         omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
         therein,  in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
         misleading;  provided, however, that the representations and warranties
         in this Section 6A shall not apply to statements  or omissions  made in
         reliance upon and in conformity with written  information  furnished to
         the Holding  Company or the Bank by the Agent  expressly  regarding the
         Agent  for  use  under  the  caption   "The   Conversion   -  Marketing
         Arrangements"  or  written  statements  or  omissions  from  any  sales
         information or information  filed pursuant to state  securities or blue
         sky laws or regulations regarding the Agent.

                  (d) The Application, including the Prospectus, was approved by
         the OTS on __________,  1997;  and the Proxy  Statement of the Bank and
         the  Prospectus  have been  approved for use by the OTS. At the time of
         the approval of the Application,  including the Prospectus,  by the OTS
         (including  any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto)  and at all  times
         subsequent  thereto until the Closing Date, the Application,  including
         the  Prospectus,  will comply as to form in all material  respects with
         the Conversion Regulations


                                        6

<PAGE>



         and any other  applicable  rules and  regulations of the OTS (except as
         modified or waived in writing by the OTS). The  Application,  including
         the Prospectus  (including any amendment or supplement  thereto),  does
         not include any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state
         any material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary to make
         the statements  therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
         were made, not misleading;  provided,  however, that representations or
         warranties  in this  subsection  (d) shall not apply to  statements  or
         omissions  made  in  reliance  upon  and  in  conformity  with  written
         information  furnished to the Bank by the Agent expressly regarding the
         Agent for use in the Prospectus  contained in the Application under the
         caption  "The   Conversion  --  Marketing   Arrangements"   or  written
         statements or omissions from any sales information or information filed
         pursuant to state securities or blue sky laws or regulations  regarding
         the Agent.

                  (e) No order has been issued by the OTS, the Commission or the
         FDIC (and hereinafter reference to the FDIC shall include the SAIF), or
         any state regulatory authority, preventing or suspending the use of the
         Prospectus  and no action by or before  any such  government  entity to
         revoke any approval, authorization or order of effectiveness related to
         the  Conversion  is, to the best  knowledge  of the Bank or the Holding
         Company, pending or threatened.

                  (f) At the Closing  Date,  the Plan will have been  adopted by
         the Board of  Directors of both the Holding  Company and the Bank,  the
         Holding  Company  and the  Bank  will  have  completed  all  conditions
         precedent  to the  Conversion  specified  in the Plan and the offer and
         sale of the Shares will have been conducted in all material respects in
         accordance  with  the  Plan,  the  Conversion  Regulations  (except  as
         modified or waived in writing by the OTS) and with all other applicable
         laws,   regulations,   decisions  and  orders,   including  all  terms,
         conditions,  requirements  and  provisions  precedent to the Conversion
         imposed upon the Holding Company or the Bank by the OTS, the Commission
         or any other  regulatory  authority and in the manner  described in the
         Prospectus.  At the Closing Date, to the best  knowledge of the Holding
         Company and the Bank,  no person  will have sought to obtain  review of
         the final action of the OTS in approving  the Plan or in approving  the
         Conversion or the Holding Company  Application  pursuant to the HOLA or
         any other statute or regulation.

                  (g) The  Holding  Company  has filed with the OTS the  Holding
         Company Application and has received,  as of the Closing Date, approval
         of its acquisition of the Bank from the OTS.

                  (h) Keller & Company, Inc., which prepared the appraisal,  has
         advised  the  Holding  Company  and  the  Bank  in  writing  that it is
         independent  with respect to each within the meaning of the  Conversion
         Regulations.



                                        7

<PAGE>



                  (i) Crowe,  Chizek and Company  which  certified the financial
         statements  filed  as  part  of  the  Registration  Statement  and  the
         Application,  have advised the Holding  Company and the Bank in writing
         that  they are,  with  respect  to the  Holding  Company  and the Bank,
         independent  certified  public  accountants  within  the  meaning of 12
         C.F.R.  Sections  563c.3 and 571.2(c)(3) and under the 1933 Act and the
         regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (j) The  financial  statements  and the  schedules  and  notes
         thereto which are included in the Registration  Statement and which are
         a part of the  Prospectus  present  fairly the  financial  position and
         retained earnings of the Bank as of the dates indicated and the results
         of operations and cash flows for the periods  specified.  The financial
         statements   comply  in  all  material  respects  with  the  applicable
         accounting  requirements of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations
         and generally  accepted  accounting  principles  ("GAAP")  applied on a
         consistent basis during the periods presented except as otherwise noted
         therein and present  fairly in all material  respects  the  information
         required to be stated therein and are  consistent  with the most recent
         financial  statements  and other reports filed by the Bank with the OTS
         and the FDIC except that accounting principles employed in such filings
         conform to  requirements  of such  authorities  and not  necessarily to
         GAAP. The other  financial,  statistical and pro forma  information and
         related notes included in the Prospectus fairly present the information
         shown  therein on a basis  consistent  with the audited  and  unaudited
         financial  statements  included  in the  Prospectus,  and as to the pro
         forma  adjustments,  the  adjustments  made therein have been  properly
         applied on the basis described therein.

                  (k)  Since the  respective  dates as of which  information  is
         given in the  Registration  Statement,  including the  Prospectus:  (i)
         there  has not  been  any  material  adverse  change  in the  financial
         condition or in the earnings,  capital,  properties or business affairs
         of the Holding  Company or the Bank or of the  Holding  Company and the
         Bank  considered  as one  enterprise,  whether  or not  arising  in the
         ordinary  course of  business;  (ii)  there  has not been any  material
         increase in the aggregate  amount of loans past due ninety (90) days or
         more, real estate acquired by foreclosure or loans characterized as "in
         substance  foreclosure" or any change in total assets of the Bank in an
         amount  greater  than  $___  million;  nor  has  the  Bank  issued  any
         securities or incurred any liability or obligation for borrowings other
         than in the ordinary course of business;  (iii) there have not been any
         material  transactions entered into by the Holding Company or the Bank,
         other  than  those in the  ordinary  course of  business;  and (iv) the
         capitalization,  liabilities,  assets,  properties  and business of the
         Holding  Company and the Bank conform in all  material  respects to the
         descriptions  thereof contained in the Prospectus and, neither the Bank
         nor the  Holding  Company  has any  material  liabilities  of any kind,
         contingent or


                                        8

<PAGE>



         otherwise,  except as set forth in or contemplated by the  Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus.

                  (l) The Holding Company is a corporation duly organized and in
         good standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware,  with corporate
         power and authority to own its  properties  and to conduct its business
         as  described  in the  Prospectus,  and is duly  qualified  to transact
         business  and is in good  standing  in each  jurisdiction  in which the
         conduct of its business requires such qualification  unless the failure
         to  qualify  in one or more  of such  jurisdictions  would  not  have a
         material adverse effect on the financial condition,  earnings, capital,
         properties  or  business  affairs of the  Holding  Company and the Bank
         considered as a whole.

                  (m)  The  Bank  is  a  duly  organized  and  validly  existing
         federally chartered savings bank in mutual form and upon the Conversion
         will become a duly organized and validly existing  federally  chartered
         savings  bank in stock  form,  in both  instances  duly  authorized  to
         conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;  the activities of
         the Bank are permitted by the rules,  regulations  and practices of the
         OTS; the Bank has obtained all licenses, permits and other governmental
         authorizations  currently  required  for the  conduct  of its  business
         except those that individually or in the aggregate would not materially
         adversely affect the financial condition of the Holding Company and the
         Bank  taken  as  a  whole;   all  such  licenses,   permits  and  other
         governmental  authorizations  are in full force and effect and the Bank
         is in good  standing  under the laws of the  United  States and is duly
         qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  to  transact  business  in  each
         jurisdiction  in which  failure  to so  qualify  would  have a material
         adverse  effect  upon  the  financial  condition,   earnings,  capital,
         properties  or  business  affairs  of the Bank;  all of the  issued and
         outstanding capital stock of the Bank after the Conversion will be duly
         and validly  issued and fully paid and  nonassessable;  and the Holding
         Company will  directly own all of such capital  stock free and clear of
         any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or restriction. The Bank
         does not own  equity  securities  or any equity  interest  in any other
         business enterprise except as described in the Prospectus.

                  (n) The Bank is a member  of the  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank of
         Chicago  ("FHLB of  Chicago");  the  deposit  accounts  of the Bank are
         insured by the FDIC up to applicable  limits;  and upon the Conversion,
         the liquidation account for the benefit of Eligible Account Holders and
         Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders  will be duly  established  in
         accordance with the Conversion Regulations.

                  (o) Upon  Conversion,  the authorized,  issued and outstanding
         equity  capital of the  Holding  Company  will be as  described  in the
         Prospectus under the caption  "Capitalization," and no shares of Common
         Stock have been or will be issued and outstanding  prior to the Closing
         Date;  the  shares  of  Common  Stock  to  be  subscribed  for  in  the
         Subscription and Community Offering


                                        9

<PAGE>



         have been duly and validly authorized for issuance, and when issued and
         delivered by the Holding  Company  pursuant to the Plan against payment
         of the  consideration  calculated  as set  forth  in the  Plan  and the
         Prospectus,  will be  duly  and  validly  issued  and  fully  paid  and
         nonassessable;  the  issuance  of the  shares  of  Common  Stock is not
         subject  to  preemptive  rights;  and the terms and  provisions  of the
         shares of Common  Stock will  conform in all  material  respects to the
         description  thereof contained in the Prospectus.  Upon issuance of the
         Shares,  good title to the Shares will be transferred  from the Holding
         Company to the purchaser thereof against payment  therefor,  subject to
         such claims as may be asserted against the purchasers  thereof by third
         party claimants.

                  (p) As of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date,  neither
         the Holding  Company nor the Bank is in violation of its certificate of
         incorporation  or  charter,  respectively,  or its bylaws (and the Bank
         will not be in violation of its charter or bylaws in capital stock form
         as of the Closing Date) or in material  default in the  performance  or
         observance  of  any  obligation,   agreement,  covenant,  or  condition
         contained in any contract,  lease,  loan agreement,  indenture or other
         instrument  to  which  it is a  party  or by  which  it,  or any of its
         property,  may be bound which would result in a material adverse change
         in  the  condition   (financial  or  otherwise),   earnings,   capital,
         properties  or  business   affairs  of  the  Holding  Company  or  Bank
         considered  as one  enterprise or which would  materially  affect their
         properties  or assets.  The  consummation  of the  transactions  herein
         contemplated  will not (i) conflict  with or constitute a breach of, or
         default  under,  the  certificate  of  incorporation  and bylaws of the
         Holding  Company,  the charter and bylaws of the Bank (in either mutual
         or capital  stock form),  or  materially  conflict with or constitute a
         material  breach of, or default under any material  contract,  lease or
         other  instrument  to  which  the  Holding  Company  or the  Bank has a
         beneficial interest,  or any applicable law, rule,  regulation or order
         that is material to the financial  condition of the Holding Company and
         the Bank on a  consolidated  basis;  (ii)  violate  any  authorization,
         approval,   judgment,   decree,  order,  statute,  rule  or  regulation
         applicable  to  the  Holding  Company  or  the  Bank  except  for  such
         violations  which  would  not have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
         financial  condition and results of  operations of the Holding  Company
         and the Bank on a  consolidated  basis;  or (iii) with the exception of
         the liquidation  account  established in the Conversion,  result in the
         creation of any material lien,  charge or encumbrance upon any property
         of the Holding Company or the Bank.

                  (q) No  material  default  exists,  and no event has  occurred
         which  with  notice  or lapse of time,  or  both,  would  constitute  a
         material default on the part of the Holding Company or the Bank, in the
         due  performance  and observance of any term,  covenant or condition of
         any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  note,  bank loan or credit
         agreement or any other  material  instrument  or agreement to which the
         Holding Company or the Bank


                                       10

<PAGE>



         is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is bound or
         affected in any  respect  which,  in any such case,  is material to the
         Holding  Company or the Bank  considered  as one  enterprise,  and such
         agreements are in full force and effect; and no other party to any such
         agreements  has  instituted  or, to the best  knowledge  of the Holding
         Company or the Bank,  threatened  any action or proceeding  wherein the
         Holding  Company or the Bank is  alleged  to be in  default  thereunder
         under  circumstances  where such action or  proceeding,  if  determined
         adversely to the Holding Company or the Bank, as the case may be, would
         have a material  adverse  effect upon the Holding  Company and the Bank
         considered as one enterprise.

                  (r) The Holding  Company and the Bank have good and marketable
         title to all assets  which are  material to the business of the Holding
         Company and the Bank and to those assets described in the Prospectus as
         owned  by  them  free  and  clear  of  all  material  liens,   charges,
         encumbrances,   restrictions  or  other  claims,  except  such  as  are
         described  in the  Prospectus  or which do not have a material  adverse
         effect on the  business of the Holding  Company and the Bank taken as a
         whole;  and all of the leases and  subleases  which are material to the
         business  of the  Holding  Company and the Bank,  as  described  in the
         Registration Statement or Prospectus, are in full force and effect.

                  (s) Except as described in the Prospectus, the Holding Company
         and the Bank are not in material  violation of any  directive  from the
         OTS, the FDIC,  the Commission or any other agency to make any material
         change in the method of conducting  their  respective  businesses;  the
         Holding  Company and the Bank have conducted and are  conducting  their
         respective businesses so as to comply in all material respects with all
         applicable  statutes and regulations  (including,  without  limitation,
         regulations,   decisions,   directives  and  orders  of  the  OTS,  the
         Commission  and the FDIC) and,  except as set forth in the  Prospectus,
         there is no charge, investigation, action, suit or proceeding before or
         by any  court,  regulatory  authority  or  governmental  agency or body
         pending or, to the best knowledge of either the Holding  Company or the
         Bank, threatened,  which would reasonably be expected to materially and
         adversely affect the Conversion,  the performance of this Agreement, or
         the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  in the  Plan  as
         described in the Registration  Statement,  or which would reasonably be
         expected  to result in any  material  adverse  change in the  financial
         condition or in the earnings,  capital,  properties or business affairs
         of the Holding Company and the Bank considered as one enterprise.

                  (t) Bank has  received  an  opinion  of its  special  counsel,
         Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. with respect to the federal income tax
         consequences  of the  Conversion of the Bank from mutual to stock form,
         as described in the Registration  Statement and the Prospectus,  and an
         opinion from Crowe, Chizek and Company with respect to the Illinois tax
         consequences of the


                                       11

<PAGE>



         proposed transaction; and the facts and representations upon which such
         opinions are based are truthful, accurate and complete, and neither the
         Bank  nor  the  Holding  Company  will  take  any  action  inconsistent
         therewith.

                  (u) The Holding  Company  and the Bank have  timely  filed all
         required  federal and state tax returns,  have paid all taxes that have
         become  due and  payable  in  respect  of such  returns,  except  where
         permitted  to be  extended,  have made  adequate  reserves  for similar
         future tax liabilities and no deficiency has been asserted with respect
         thereto by any taxing authority.

                  (v) No approval, authorization,  consent or other order of any
         regulatory or supervisory or other public authority is required for the
         execution  and  delivery  by the  Holding  Company and the Bank of this
         Agreement,  or the  issuance of the Shares,  except for the approval of
         the OTS and the Commission (which have been received) and any necessary
         qualification,  notification,  or  registration  or exemption under the
         securities  or blue sky laws of the various  states in which the shares
         are to be  offered  and except as may be  required  under the rules and
         regulations of the NASD and/or the Nasdaq.

                  (w) The  Holding  Company  and the Bank have made  appropriate
         arrangements  for placing the funds  received  from  subscriptions  for
         Shares in special  interest  bearing  accounts  with the Bank until all
         Shares  are  sold  and paid  for,  with  provision  for  refund  to the
         purchasers  in the  event  that the  Conversion  is not  completed  for
         whatever  reason or for  delivery to the Holding  Company if all Shares
         are sold.

                  (x) Prior to the  Conversion,  the Bank was not  authorized to
         issue shares of capital  stock and neither the Holding  Company nor the
         Bank has: (i) issued any  securities  within the last 18 months (except
         for  notes  to  evidence  other  bank  loans  and  reverse   repurchase
         agreements or other  liabilities);  (ii) had any material dealings with
         respect to sales of  securities  within the 12 months prior to the date
         hereof  with any  member  of the  NASD,  or any  person  related  to or
         associated  with such  member,  other  than  discussions  and  meetings
         relating  to the  proposed  Subscription  and  Community  Offering  and
         routine  purchases  and sales of U.S.  government  and agency and other
         securities;  (iii)  entered into a financial or  management  consulting
         agreement  except  as  contemplated  hereunder;  or  (iv)  engaged  any
         intermediary  between the Agent and the Holding Company and the Bank in
         connection  with  the  offering  of  Shares,  and no  person  is  being
         compensated in any manner for such service.

                  (y) To the best knowledge of the Holding Company and the Bank,
         neither the Holding Company,  the Bank nor the employees of the Holding
         Company  or the Bank  have  made any  payment  of funds of the  Holding
         Company  or the Bank as a loan to any person  for the  purchase  of the
         Shares.


                                       12

<PAGE>




         Any  certificates  signed by an officer of the  Holding  Company or the
Bank and  delivered  to the Agent or its  counsel  that refer to this  Agreement
shall be deemed to be a  representation  and warranty by the Holding  Company or
the Bank to the Agent as to the matters  covered thereby with the same effect as
if such representation and warranty were set forth herein.

         Section 6.B.  Representations and Warranties of the Agent.
Webb represents and warrants to the Company and the Bank that:

                  (a) Webb is a  corporation  and is  validly  existing  in good
         standing  under  the laws of the  State of Ohio  with  full  power  and
         authority  to provide the  services to be furnished to the Bank and the
         Holding Company hereunder.

                  (b) The  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  and the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
         validly  authorized  by all necessary  action on the part of Webb,  and
         this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Webb
         and is the legal,  valid and binding agreement of Webb,  enforceable in
         accordance with its terms.

                  (c) Each of Webb and its employees, agents and representatives
         who  shall  perform  any  of  the  services  hereunder  shall  be  duly
         authorized  and empowered,  and shall have all licenses,  approvals and
         permits necessary to perform such services.

                  (d) The execution and delivery of this  Agreement by Webb, the
         consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and compliance
         with the terms and provisions  hereof will not conflict with, or result
         in a breach of,  any of the  terms,  provisions  or  conditions  of, or
         constitute  a default  (or event  which with notice or lapse of time or
         both  would   constitute  a  default)   under,   the   certificate   of
         incorporation  of Webb or any agreement,  indenture or other instrument
         to which Webb is a party or by which it or its property is bound.

                  (e) No action,  suit,  charge or proceeding is pending,  or to
         the  knowledge of Webb  threatened,  against Webb which,  if determined
         adversely  to Webb,  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  upon the
         ability of Webb to perform obligations under this Agreement.

                  (f) No approval, authorization,  consent or other order of any
         regulatory or supervisory or other public authority is required for the
         execution  and delivery by Webb of this  Agreement,  except as may have
         been received.



                                       13

<PAGE>



         Section 7.A. Covenants of the Holding Company and the Bank. The Holding
Company and the Bank hereby  jointly and  severally  covenant  with the Agent as
follows:

                  (a) The Holding Company has filed the  Registration  Statement
         with the  Commission.  The Holding  Company will not, at any time after
         the date the  Registration  Statement is declared  effective,  file any
         amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement without providing
         the Agent and its counsel an  opportunity  to review such  amendment or
         file any amendment or  supplement  to which  amendment the Agent or its
         counsel shall reasonably object.

                  (b) The Bank has filed the Application  with the OTS. The Bank
         will not, at any time after the date the Application is approved,  file
         any amendment or supplement to the  Application  without  providing the
         Agent and its  counsel  an  opportunity  to review  such  amendment  or
         supplement or file any  amendment or  supplement to which  amendment or
         supplement the Agent or its counsel shall reasonably object.

                  (c) The  Holding  Company  and the Bank  will use  their  best
         efforts  to cause  any  post-effective  amendment  to the  Registration
         Statement  to  be  declared   effective  by  the   Commission  and  any
         post-effective  amendment to the Application to be approved by the OTS,
         and will  immediately  upon receipt of any  information  concerning the
         events  listed  below  notify  the  Agent  (i)  when  the  Registration
         Statement, as amended, has become effective; (ii) when the Application,
         as amended,  has been approved by the OTS;  (iii) of the receipt of any
         comments  from  the  Commission,   the  OTS,  the  FDIC  or  any  other
         governmental  entity with respect to the Conversion or the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement;  (iv) of any request by the Commission,
         the OTS, the FDIC or any other governmental entity for any amendment or
         supplement  to the  Registration  Statement or the  Application  or for
         additional information; (v) of the issuance by the Commission, the OTS,
         the FDIC or any other governmental  agency of any order or other action
         suspending the  Subscription  and Community  Offering or the use of the
         Registration  Statement  or the  Prospectus  or any other filing of the
         Holding Company and the Bank under the Conversion  Regulations or other
         applicable law, or the threat of any such action;  (vi) of the issuance
         by the Commission, the OTS, the FDIC or any state authority of any stop
         order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration  Statement or of
         the initiation or threat of initiation or threat of any proceedings for
         that  purpose;  or (vii) of the  occurrence  of any event  mentioned in
         paragraph (g) below.  The Holding  Company and the Bank will make every
         reasonable  effort to prevent the issuance by the Commission,  the OTS,
         the FDIC or any state  authority  of any such  order  and,  if any such
         order shall at any time be issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the
         earliest possible time.



                                       14

<PAGE>



                  (d) The Holding  Company  and the Bank will  provide the Agent
         and its counsel notice of its intention to file, and reasonable time to
         review  prior to filing any  amendment  or  supplement  to the  Holding
         Company  Application and will not file any such amendment or supplement
         to which the Agent shall reasonably object or which shall be reasonably
         disapproved by its counsel.

                  (e) The Holding Company and the Bank will deliver to the Agent
         and to its counsel conformed copies of each of the following documents,
         with all exhibits: the Application and the Holding Company Application,
         as originally  filed and of each amendment or supplement  thereto,  and
         the  Registration  Statement,  as originally  filed and each  amendment
         thereto.  Further,  the Holding  Company and the Bank will deliver such
         additional copies of the foregoing documents to counsel to the Agent as
         may be required for any NASD filings. In addition,  the Holding Company
         and the Bank will also  deliver to the Agent  such  number of copies of
         the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as the Agent may reasonably
         request.

                  (f) The  Holding  Company  and the  Bank  will  comply  in all
         material respects with any and all terms, conditions,  requirements and
         provisions  with  respect  to  the  Conversion  and  the   transactions
         contemplated thereby imposed by the Commission, by applicable state law
         and  regulations,  and by the 1933 Act, the Securities  Exchange Act of
         1934 (the "1934 Act") and the rules and  regulations  of the Commission
         promulgated  under  such  statutes,  to be  complied  with  prior to or
         subsequent to the Closing Date;  and when the Prospectus is required to
         be  delivered,  the  Holding  Company  and the Bank will  comply in all
         material respects, at their own expense, with all material requirements
         imposed upon them by the OTS,  the  Conversion  Regulations  (except as
         modified or waived in writing by the OTS), the FDIC, the Commission, by
         applicable  state law and regulations and by the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act
         and the rules and regulations of the Commission  promulgated under such
         statutes,  in  each  case as from  time  to  time in  force,  so far as
         necessary  to permit the  continuance  of sales or dealing in shares of
         Common  Stock  during such  period in  accordance  with the  provisions
         hereof and the Prospectus.

                  (g) If any event relating to or affecting the Holding  Company
         or the Bank shall occur,  as a result of which it is necessary,  in the
         reasonable  opinion of counsel for the  Holding  Company or the Bank or
         for the Agent, to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the
         Prospectus  in  order  to make  them  not  misleading  in  light of the
         circumstances  existing at the time of their use,  the Holding  Company
         and the Bank will, at their expense,  forthwith prepare,  file with the
         Commission and the OTS, and furnish to the Agent,  a reasonable  number
         of  copies  of an  amendment  or  amendments  of,  or a  supplement  or
         supplements to, the Registration  Statement and the Prospectus (in form
         and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Agent after a


                                       15

<PAGE>



         reasonable  time  for  review)  which  will  amend  or  supplement  the
         Registration  Statement  and/or  the  Prospectus  so that as amended or
         supplemented it will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
         or omit to  state a  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to make  the
         statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing at the time,
         not misleading. For the purpose of this subsection, the Holding Company
         and the Bank each will furnish such  information with respect to itself
         as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

                  (h)  Pursuant to the terms of the Plan,  the  Holding  Company
         will endeavor in good faith, in cooperation with the Agent, to register
         or to qualify  the Shares for  offering  and sale under the  applicable
         securities laws of the jurisdictions in which the Subscription Offering
         and Community Offering will be conducted;  provided,  however, that the
         Holding  Company shall not be obligated to file any general  consent to
         service of process or to qualify to do business in any  jurisdiction in
         which it is not so  qualified.  In each  jurisdiction  where any of the
         Shares shall have been registered or qualified as above  provided,  the
         Holding  Company will make and file such statements and reports in each
         year as are or may be required by the laws of such jurisdictions.

                  (i) The liquidation account for the benefit of account holders
         as of June 30, 1995 and December 31, 1996 will be duly  established and
         maintained in  accordance  with the  requirements  of the OTS, and such
         Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders who
         continue to maintain  their  savings  accounts in the Bank will have an
         inchoate interest in their pro rata portion of the liquidation  account
         which  shall have a priority  superior to that of the holders of shares
         of Common Stock in the event of a complete liquidation of the Bank.

                  (j) The  Holding  Company and the Bank will not sell or issue,
         contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, for a period of 90 days after
         the date  hereof,  without the Agent's  prior  written  consent,  which
         consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld, any shares of Common Stock
         other than in connection with any plan or arrangement  described in the
         Prospectus.

                  (k) For the  period  of  three  years  from  the  date of this
         Agreement,  the Holding  Company will furnish to the Agent upon request
         (i) a copy of each report of the Holding Company  furnished to or filed
         with the  Commission  under  the 1934  Act or any  national  securities
         exchange  or system on which any  class of  securities  of the  Holding
         Company is listed or quoted,  (ii) a copy of each report of the Holding
         Company  mailed to holders of Common Stock or  non-confidential  report
         filed  with  the  Commission  or the OTS or any  other  supervisory  or
         regulatory  authority or any national  securities exchange or system on
         which any class of the  securities of the Holding  Company is listed or
         quoted,  and (iii)  from time to time,  such other  publicly  available
         information  concerning  the Holding  Company and the Bank as the Agent
         may reasonably request.


                                       16

<PAGE>




                  (l) The Holding Company and the Bank will use the net proceeds
         from  the  sale of the  Common  Stock in the  manner  set  forth in the
         Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds."

                  (m) Prior to the Closing  Date,  the  Holding  Company and the
         Bank will inform the Agent of any event or circumstances of which it is
         aware  as  a  result  of  which  the   Registration   Statement  and/or
         Prospectus,  as then  supplemented or amended,  would include an untrue
         statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
         in order to make the statements therein not misleading.

                  (n) The  Holding  Company  and the Bank  will  distribute  the
         Prospectus or other offering  materials in connection with the offering
         and sale of the Common  Stock only in  accordance  with the  Conversion
         Regulations,  the  1933  Act  and  the  1934  Act  and  the  rules  and
         regulations  promulgated under such statutes, and the laws of any state
         in which the shares are qualified for sale.

                  (o) The Holding  Company shall register its Common Stock under
         Section 12(g) of the 1934 Act,  concurrent  with the effective  date of
         the  Registration  Statement.  The Holding  Company shall  maintain the
         effectiveness  of such  registration  for not less than three  years or
         such shorter period as permitted by the OTS.

                  (p) For so long  as the  Holding  Company's  Common  Stock  is
         registered  under the 1934 Act, the Holding Company will furnish to its
         stockholders  as soon as practicable  after the end of each fiscal year
         such reports and other  information  as are required to be furnished to
         its stockholders under the 1934 Act (including  consolidated  financial
         statements of the Holding  Company and its  subsidiaries,  certified by
         independent public accountants).

                  (q) The Holding  Company  will comply with the  provisions  of
         Rule 158 of the 1933 Act.

                  (r) The Holding  Company  will file with the  Commission  such
         reports on Form SR as may be  required  pursuant  to Rule 463 under the
         1933 Act.

                  (s)  Holding  Company  will use its  best  efforts  to  obtain
         approval for and  maintain  quotation of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq
         National Market effective on or prior to the Closing Date.

                  (t)  The  Bank  will  maintain  appropriate  arrangements  for
         depositing all funds received from persons mailing subscriptions for or
         orders to purchase Shares in the Subscription and Community Offering on
         an interest bearing basis at the rate described in the Prospectus until
         the Closing Date and  satisfaction  of all conditions  precedent to the
         release of the  Bank's  obligation  to refund  payments  received  from
         persons


                                       17

<PAGE>



         subscribing  for or ordering Shares in the  Subscription  and Community
         Offering in accordance  with the Plan as described in the Prospectus or
         until  refunds  of such funds  have been made to the  persons  entitled
         thereto or withdrawal  authorizations  canceled in accordance  with the
         Plan and as described in the  Prospectus.  The Bank will  maintain such
         records of all funds received to permit the funds of each subscriber to
         be separately insured by the FDIC (to the maximum extent allowable) and
         to enable the Bank to make the appropriate refunds of such funds in the
         event that such refunds are required to be made in accordance  with the
         Plan and as described in the Prospectus.

                  (u) The Holding  Company will  promptly  register as a savings
         and loan holding company under the HOLA.

                  (v) The Holding  Company  and the Bank will take such  actions
         and furnish such  information as are reasonably  requested by the Agent
         in order for the Agent to ensure compliance with the "Interpretation of
         the Board of Governors of the NASD on Free Riding and Withholding."

                  (w) The  Holding  Company  and the  Bank  will  conduct  their
         businesses in compliance in all material  respects with all  applicable
         federal and state laws, rules, regulations,  decisions,  directives and
         orders  including,   all  decisions,   directives  and  orders  of  the
         Commission, the OTS and the FDIC.

                  (x) The Bank  will not amend  the Plan of  Conversion  without
         notifying the Agent prior thereto.

                  (y) The  Holding  Company  shall  provide  the Agent  with any
         information  necessary to carry out the allocation of the Shares in the
         event of an oversubscription and such information shall be accurate and
         reliable.

                  (z) The Holding  Company will not deliver the Shares until the
         Holding  Company and the Bank have  satisfied or caused to be satisfied
         each condition set forth in Section 9A hereof, unless such condition is
         waived in writing by the Agent.

         Section 7.B.  Covenants of Agent.  Webb hereby covenants
with the Company and the Bank as follows:

                  (a) During the period when the  Prospectus is used,  Webb will
         comply,  in all  material  respects  and at its own  expense,  with all
         requirements  imposed upon it by the OTS and, to the extent applicable,
         by the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  (b) Webb will distribute any Prospectus or offering  materials
         in  connection  with the  offering and sale of the Common Stock only in
         accordance with the Conversion  Regulations and the requirements of the
         1933  Act and  1934  Act  and the  rules  and  regulations  promulgated
         thereunder; and


                                       18

<PAGE>




                  (c) Webb shall perform the calculations  process in connection
         with the allocation of shares in the event of an over- subscription.

         Section  8.  Payment of  Expenses.  Whether  or not the  Conversion  is
completed or the sale of the Shares by the Holding Company is  consummated,  the
Holding  Company  and  the  Bank  will  pay  for all  expenses  incident  to the
performance of this Agreement, including without limitation: (a) the preparation
and filing of the Application;  (b) the preparation,  printing, filing, delivery
and shipment of the Registration  Statement,  including the Prospectus,  and all
amendments  and  supplements  thereto;  (c) all  filing  fees  and  expenses  in
connection  with the  qualification  or registration of the Shares for offer and
sale by the Holding  Company under the securities or "blue sky" laws,  including
without  limitation  filing fees,  reasonable  legal fees and  disbursements  of
counsel in connection  therewith,  and in connection  with the  preparation of a
blue sky law  survey;  (d) the filing fees of the NASD;  and (e) the  reasonable
expenses of the Agent, including without limitation, accounting, communications,
legal and travel  expenses.  Any such  expense  incurred  by the Agent  shall be
reimbursed by the Holding  Company and the Bank. If this Agreement is terminated
in accordance with the provisions of Sections 3, 9, or 13, the Bank will pay the
Agent the fees earned pursuant to Section 4 and will reimburse the Agent for the
reasonable  expenses  of the Agent,  including  without  limitation  accounting,
communication,  legal and travel expenses.  Non-legal  expenses shall not exceed
$5,000 without the prior approval of the Holding Company or the Bank. Legal fees
and expenses shall not exceed $35,000  without the prior approval of the Holding
Company or the Bank.

         Section 9.A. Conditions to the Agent's Obligations.  The obligations of
the Agent  hereunder and the  occurrence of the Closing and the  Conversion  are
subject to the  condition  that all  representations  and  warranties  and other
statements of the Holding Company and the Bank herein contained are at and as of
the commencement of the Subscription and Community Offering and at and as of the
Closing Date, true and correct in all material respects,  the condition that the
Holding  Company and the Bank shall have performed in all material  respects all
of their  obligations  hereunder  to be performed on or before such dates and to
the following further conditions:

                  (a)  The  Registration  Statement  shall  have  been  declared
         effective by the Commission and the Application approved by the OTS not
         later than 5:30 p.m. on the date of this  Agreement,  and no stop order
         or  other  action  suspending  the  effectiveness  of the  Registration
         Statement  shall  have been  issued  under the 1933 Act or  proceedings
         therefor  initiated or, to the Company's or the Bank's best  knowledge,
         threatened  by the  Commission  or any state  authority and no order or
         other action  suspending the authorization for use of the Prospectus or
         the consummation of the Conversion shall have been issued or


                                       19

<PAGE>



         proceedings  therefor  initiated  or, to the  Company's  or Bank's best
         knowledge,  threatened  by  the  OTS,  the  Commission,  or  any  other
         governmental body.

                  (b) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall have received:

                           (1) The  favorable  opinion,  dated as of the Closing
                  Date, of Silver, Freedman & Taff, LLP, special counsel for the
                  Holding   Company  and  the  Bank,   in  form  and   substance
                  satisfactory to counsel for the Agent to the effect that:

                                             (i)  The   Holding   Company  is  a
                                    corporation   duly   organized  and  validly
                                    existing and in good standing under the laws
                                    of the  State of  Delaware,  with  corporate
                                    power and  authority  to own its  properties
                                    and to conduct its  business as described in
                                    the   Prospectus,   and  to  such  counsel's
                                    knowledge  is  duly  qualified  to  transact
                                    business  and is in  good  standing  in each
                                    jurisdiction  in which  the  conduct  of its
                                    business requires such  qualification and in
                                    which the  failure to  qualify  would have a
                                    material  adverse  effect  on the  financial
                                    condition,  earnings, capital, properties or
                                    business affairs of the Holding Company.

                                             (ii) The  Bank is a duly  organized
                                    and  validly  existing  federally  chartered
                                    mutual  savings  bank  and,  at the  Closing
                                    Date,  upon  satisfaction  of the conditions
                                    set  forth in the Plan,  will  become a duly
                                    organized  and  validly  existing  federally
                                    chartered stock savings bank with full power
                                    and authority to own its  properties  and to
                                    conduct  its  business as  described  in the
                                    Prospectus  and to enter into this Agreement
                                    and perform its obligations  hereunder;  the
                                    activities  of the Bank as  described in the
                                    Prospectus   are  permitted  by  the  rules,
                                    regulations  and  practices  of the OTS; the
                                    issuance  and sale of the  capital  stock of
                                    the  Bank to the  Holding  Company  has been
                                    duly and validly authorized by all necessary
                                    corporate  action on the part of the Holding
                                    Company  and  the  Bank  and,  upon  payment
                                    therefor in accordance with the terms of the
                                    Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and
                                    nonassessable;  and will be owned of  record
                                    and  beneficially  by the  Holding  Company,
                                    free  and  clear  of any  mortgage,  pledge,
                                    lien, encumbrance, claim or restriction.

                                             (iii)  The Bank is a member  of the
                                    FHLB of Chicago and the savings  accounts of
                                    the Bank are  insured  by the FDIC up to the
                                    maximum  amount  allowed  by law and to such
                                    counsel's  knowledge no proceedings  for the
                                    termination  or revocation of such insurance
                                    are   pending   or   threatened;   and   the
                                    description  of the  liquidation  account as
                                    set  forth  in  the  Prospectus   under  the
                                    caption   "The   Conversion   -  Effects  of
                                    Conversion to Stock Form on  Depositors  and
                                    Borrowers of the Bank - Liquidation  Rights"
                                    has been  reviewed by such  counsel  and, to
                                    the extent that such information constitutes
                                    matters  of law  or  legal  conclusions,  is
                                    accurate in all material respects.

                                       20

<PAGE>



                                             (iv)    Upon    Conversion,     the
                                    authorized,  issued and outstanding  capital
                                    stock of the  Holding  Company  and the Bank
                                    will be as set forth in the Prospectus under
                                    the caption  "Capitalization," and no shares
                                    of Common  Stock have been or will be issued
                                    and  outstanding  prior to the Closing Date;
                                    the  shares of Common  Stock of the  Holding
                                    Company   to  be   subscribed   for  in  the
                                    Subscription  and  Community  Offering  have
                                    been  duly  and   validly   authorized   for
                                    issuance,  and when issued and  delivered by
                                    the  Holding  Company  pursuant  to the Plan
                                    against   payment   of   the   consideration
                                    calculated as set forth in the Plan, will be
                                    fully  paid  and   nonassessable;   and  the
                                    issuance  of the  shares of Common  Stock is
                                    not subject to preemptive rights, except for
                                    the subscription rights under the Plan.

                                             (v) The  execution  and delivery of
                                    this Agreement and the  consummation  of the
                                    transactions  contemplated  hereby have been
                                    duly  authorized by all necessary  action on
                                    the  part  of the  Holding  Company  and the
                                    Bank;  and  this  Agreement   constitutes  a
                                    valid,  legal and binding obligation of each
                                    of  the   Holding   Company  and  the  Bank,
                                    enforceable  in  accordance  with its terms,
                                    except to the extent that the  provisions of
                                    Sections   10   and   11   hereof   may   be
                                    unenforceable as against public policy,  and
                                    except    to   the    extent    that    such
                                    enforceability  may be limited by bankruptcy
                                    laws,   insolvency   laws,   or  other  laws
                                    affecting  the   enforcement  of  creditors'
                                    rights generally, or the rights of creditors
                                    of savings  institutions insured by the FDIC
                                    (including  the laws  relating to the rights
                                    of  the  contracting  parties  to  equitable
                                    remedies).

                                             (vi) The Plan has been duly adopted
                                    as required by the  directors of the Holding
                                    Company  and the  Bank  and  members  of the
                                    Bank.

                                             (vii)  Subject to the  satisfaction
                                    of the  conditions to the OTS's  approval of
                                    the  Conversion  and  the  Holding   Company
                                    Application  to acquire the Bank, no further
                                    approval,    registration,    authorization,
                                    consent  or  other   order  of  any  federal
                                    regulatory  agency,  public board or body is
                                    required in  connection  with the  execution
                                    and delivery of this  Agreement,  the offer,
                                    sale  and  issuance  of the  Shares  and the
                                    consummation  of the Conversion  (other than
                                    compliance with state securities or Blue Sky
                                    laws as to which such  counsel  need express
                                    no opinion and other than as may be required
                                    under the rules and  regulations of the NASD
                                    or the Nasdaq System).

                                             (viii) The  Application,  including
                                    the  Prospectus  as filed with the OTS,  has
                                    been approved by the OTS. The OTS has issued
                                    its order of approval  under the savings and
                                    loan holding company provisions of the HOLA,
                                    and the  purchase by the Holding  Company of
                                    all of the  issued and  outstanding  capital
                                    stock of the Bank has been authorized by the
                                    OTS and no  action  has been  taken,  or, to
                                    such  counsel's  knowledge,  is  pending  or
                                    threatened, to revoke any such authorization
                                    or approval.

                                       21

<PAGE>



                                             (ix) The Registration Statement has
                                    become effective under the 1933 Act, no stop
                                    order  suspending the  effectiveness  of the
                                    Registration Statement has been issued, and,
                                    to the best of such counsel's knowledge,  no
                                    proceedings   for  that  purpose  have  been
                                    instituted or threatened.

                                             (x) The material  tax  consequences
                                    of  the  Conversion  are  set  forth  in the
                                    Prospectus    under   the    caption    "The
                                    Conversion-Income   Tax  Consequences."  The
                                    information  in  the  Prospectus  under  the
                                    caption    "The     Conversion-Income    Tax
                                    Consequences"  has  been  reviewed  by  such
                                    counsel and fairly  describes  such opinions
                                    rendered by Silver  Freedman & Taff,  L.L.P.
                                    and Crowe, Chizek and Company to the Holding
                                    Company  and the Bank with  respect  to such
                                    matters.

                                             (xi) The  terms and  provisions  of
                                    the  shares of Common  Stock  conform to the
                                    description   thereof   contained   in   the
                                    Registration  Statement  and the  Prospectus
                                    and  such   description   describes  in  all
                                    material  respects the rights of the holders
                                    thereof,  the  information in the Prospectus
                                    under   the   captions    "Restrictions   on
                                    Acquisitions  of Stock and Related  Takeover
                                    Defensive  Provisions"  and  "Description of
                                    Capital  Stock,"  to the  extent  that  they
                                    constitute   matters   of   law   or   legal
                                    conclusions,   has  been  prepared  by  such
                                    counsel  and is  accurate  in  all  material
                                    respects;  and  the  forms  of  certificates
                                    proposed to be used to  evidence  the shares
                                    of Common Stock are in due and proper form.

                                             (xii) At the time the  Application,
                                    including the Prospectus  contained therein,
                                    was approved, the Application (as amended or
                                    supplemented)  complied  as to  form  in all
                                    material  respects with the  requirements of
                                    the Conversion Regulation and all applicable
                                    laws,  rules and  regulations  and decisions
                                    and orders of the OTS, except as modified or
                                    waived in  writing by the OTS,  (other  than
                                    the financial statements, notes to financial
                                    statements,   financial   tables  and  other
                                    financial  and  statistical   data  included
                                    therein and the  appraisal  valuation  as to
                                    which  counsel need express no opinion).  To
                                    such  counsel's  knowledge,  no  person  has
                                    sought  to  obtain  regulatory  or  judicial
                                    review  of  the  final  action  of  the  OTS
                                    approving  the  Application  or in approving
                                    the Holding Company Application.

                                             (xiii)   At  the   time   that  the
                                    Registration  Statement became effective (i)
                                    the  Registration  Statement  (as amended or
                                    supplemented)   (other  than  the  financial
                                    statements,  notes to financial  statements,
                                    financial  tables  or  other  financial  and
                                    statistical  data  included  therein and the
                                    appraisal valuation as to which counsel need
                                    express no opinion),  complied as to form in
                                    all material  respects with the requirements
                                    of  the   1933   Act  and  the   rules   and
                                    regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii)
                                    the  Prospectus  (other  than the  financial
                                    statements,  notes to financial  statements,
                                    financial  tables  and other  financial  and
                                    statistical  data  included  therein and the
                                    appraisal  valuation,  as to  which  counsel
                                    need express no opinion) complied


                                       22

<PAGE>



                                    as to form in all material respects with the
                                    requirements  of the 1933 Act and the  rules
                                    and regulations promulgated thereunder,  the
                                    Conversion    Regulations,     the    rules,
                                    regulations  and decisions and orders of the
                                    OTS, except as modified or waived in writing
                                    by the OTS.

                                             (xiv) To the best of such counsel's
                                    knowledge,    there    are   no   legal   or
                                    governmental    proceedings    pending,   or
                                    threatened  (i) asserting the  invalidity of
                                    this  Agreement  or (ii)  seeking to prevent
                                    the   Conversion  or  the  offer,   sale  or
                                    issuance of the Shares.

                                             (xv)   The   information   in   the
                                    Prospectus under the captions  "Regulation,"
                                    "The Conversion" and "Legal Matters," to the
                                    extent that it  constitutes  matters of law,
                                    summaries  of legal  matters,  documents  or
                                    proceedings, or legal conclusions,  has been
                                    prepared by such  counsel and is accurate in
                                    all  material  respects  (except  as to  the
                                    financial  statements  and  other  financial
                                    data  included  therein  as  to  which  such
                                    counsel need express no opinion).

                                             (xvi)  To  the  best  of  counsel's
                                    knowledge,  the Holding Company and the Bank
                                    have obtained all material licenses, permits
                                    and   other   governmental    authorizations
                                    required for the conduct of their respective
                                    businesses as described in the  Registration
                                    Statement and the  Prospectus,  except where
                                    the failure to obtain such licenses, permits
                                    and other governmental  authorizations would
                                    not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
                                    financial  condition of the Holding  Company
                                    or the Bank considered as one enterprise, or
                                    on  the  earnings,  capital,  properties  or
                                    business  affairs of the Holding  Company or
                                    the Bank considered as one  enterprise,  and
                                    all  such   licenses,   permits   and  other
                                    governmental   authorizations  are  in  full
                                    force and effect and the Holding Company and
                                    the  Bank  are  in  all  material   respects
                                    complying therewith.

                                             (xvii) Neither the Holding  Company
                                    nor  the  Bank  is  in   violation   of  its
                                    certificate of incorporation or its charter,
                                    respectively,  or its  bylaws  (and the Bank
                                    will not be in  violation  of its charter or
                                    bylaws in stock  form upon  consummation  of
                                    the  Conversion)  or to  the  best  of  such
                                    counsel's  knowledge,  in  violation  of any
                                    material obligation,  agreement, covenant or
                                    condition    contained   in   any   material
                                    contract,    indenture,    mortgage,    loan
                                    agreement,  note,  lease or other instrument
                                    to which it is a party or by which it or its
                                    property may be bound, which violation would
                                    have  a  material   adverse  effect  on  the
                                    financial  condition of the Holding  Company
                                    or the Bank considered as one enterprise, or
                                    on  the  earnings,  capital,  properties  or
                                    business  affairs of the Holding Company and
                                    the Bank considered as one  enterprise;  the
                                    execution and delivery of this  Agreement by
                                    the  Holding   Company  and  the  Bank,  the
                                    incurrence  of the  obligations  herein  set
                                    forth   and   the    consummation   of   the
                                    transactions  contemplated  herein, will not
                                    materially   conflict  with,   constitute  a
                                    material breach of, or


                                       23

<PAGE>



                                    default under,  or result in the creation or
                                    imposition of any material  lien,  charge or
                                    encumbrance  upon any  property or assets of
                                    the  Holding  Company  or the Bank which are
                                    material to their business considered as one
                                    enterprise,   pursuant   to  any   contract,
                                    indenture,  mortgage, loan agreement,  note,
                                    lease  or  other  instrument  to  which  the
                                    Holding Company or the Bank is a party or by
                                    which any of them may be bound,  or to which
                                    any of the property or assets of the Holding
                                    Company or the Bank is subject. In addition,
                                    such action will not result in any  material
                                    violation   of   the   provisions   of   the
                                    certificate  of  incorporation  or bylaws of
                                    the  Holding  Company  or  the  Bank  or any
                                    material  violation of any  applicable  law,
                                    act,   regulation   or  to  such   counsel's
                                    knowledge,   order  or  court  order,  writ,
                                    injunction or decree.

                                             (xviii)  To the  best of  counsel's
                                    knowledge,  the Holding Company and the Bank
                                    are not in violation in any material respect
                                    of any directive from the OTS or the FDIC to
                                    make any  material  change in the  method of
                                    conducting their business.

                           (2) The  letter of Silver,  Freedman & Taff,  L.L.P.,
                  special  counsel for the Holding Company and the Bank, in form
                  and substance to the effect that:

                                    In addition,  during the  preparation of the
                           Registration  Statement and the  Prospectus,  Silver,
                           Freedman  & Taff  participated  in  conferences  with
                           certain officers of and other  representatives of the
                           Bank and the Holding  Company,  counsel to the Agent,
                           representatives of the independent public accountants
                           for  the   Bank   and   the   Holding   Company   and
                           representatives of the Agent at which the contents of
                           the  Registration  Statement and the  Prospectus  and
                           related matters were discussed and,  although Silver,
                           Freedman  & Taff is not  passing  upon  and  does not
                           assume the  accuracy of the  statements  contained in
                           the  Registration  Statement and  Prospectus,  on the
                           basis   of   the   foregoing   without    independent
                           verification (relying as to materiality as to factual
                           matters on certificates of officers and other factual
                           representations by the Bank and the Holding Company),
                           nothing  has  come  to  Silver,   Freedman  &  Taff's
                           attention  that  caused  Silver,  Freedman  & Taff to
                           believe that the  Registration  Statement at the time
                           it  was   declared   effective  by  the  SEC  or  the
                           Prospectus as of its date,  contained or contains any
                           untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omitted to
                           state any material fact required to be stated therein
                           or necessary to make the statements therein, in light
                           of the circumstances  under which they were made, not
                           misleading  (it being  understood  that  counsel need
                           express no comment  or  opinion  with  respect to the
                           financial  statements,  schedules and other financial
                           and  statistical  data  included,  or  statistical or
                           appraisal  methodology  employed, in the Registration
                           Statement or Prospectus).

                                    The  opinion  shall be  limited  to  matters
                           governed  by the  laws of the  United  States  or the
                           State of Delaware. In rendering such


                                       24

<PAGE>



                           opinion,  such  counsel  may rely  (A) as to  matters
                           involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction
                           other  than the  United  States or  Delaware,  to the
                           extent such  counsel  deems  proper and  specified in
                           such  opinion,  upon the opinion of other  counsel of
                           good   standing,   as  long  as  such  other  opinion
                           indicates that the Agent may rely on the opinion, and
                           (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent such counsel
                           deems proper, on certificates of responsible officers
                           of the  Company  and the Bank and  public  officials;
                           provided   copies   of   any   such   opinion(s)   or
                           certificates of public officials are delivered to you
                           together with the opinion to be rendered hereunder by
                           special  counsel  to the  Company  and the Bank.  The
                           opinion of such  counsel for the Company  shall state
                           that it has no  reason to  believe  that the Agent is
                           not justified in relying thereon.

                           (3) The  favorable  opinion,  dated as of the Closing
                  Date,  of Stevens & Lee,  P.C.,  counsel  for the Agent,  with
                  respect to such matters as the Agent may  reasonably  require,
                  such opinion may rely as to matters of fact, upon certificates
                  of officers and directors of the Holding  Company and the Bank
                  delivered  pursuant  hereto or as such counsel may  reasonably
                  request.

                  (c)  Concurrently  with the execution of this  Agreement,  the
         Agent shall receive a letter from Crowe, Chizek and Company,  dated the
         date hereof and addressed to the Agent, (i) such letter confirming that
         Crowe,  Chizek and Company is a firm of independent  public accountants
         within the meaning of the Code of  Professional  Ethics of the American
         Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants,  the  1933  Act  and the
         regulations  promulgated  thereunder and 12 C.F.R. Section 571.2(c)(3),
         and no information concerning its relationship with or interests in the
         Holding  Company or the Bank is required by the  Application or Item 10
         of the  Registration  Statement,  and  stating in effect that in Crowe,
         Chizek and  Company's  opinion  the  financial  statements  of the Bank
         included in the Prospectus  comply as to form in all material  respects
         with the applicable  accounting  requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934
         act and the related  published  rules and regulations of the Commission
         thereunder  and  the  Conversion  Regulations  and  generally  accepted
         accounting  principles;  (ii) stating in effect  that,  on the basis of
         certain  agreed  upon  procedures  (but  not an  audit  examination  in
         accordance with generally accepted auditing standards)  consisting of a
         reading of the latest available unaudited interim financial  statements
         of the Bank  prepared  by the Bank,  a reading  of the  minutes  of the
         meetings of the Board of Directors and members of the Bank, a review of
         interim financial  information in accordance with Statement on Auditing
         Standards  No.  71,  and  consultations   with  officers  of  the  Bank
         responsible for financial and accounting matters, nothing came to their
         attention  which  caused  them to  believe  that:  (A)  such  unaudited
         financial statements, including Recent Developments, if any, are not in
         conformity with generally accepted  accounting  principles applied on a
         basis  substantially  consistent  with  that of the  audited  financial
         statements included in the Prospectus;


                                       25

<PAGE>



         or (B)  during  the  period  from  the  date  of the  latest  unaudited
         consolidated  financial  statements  included  in the  Prospectus  to a
         specified  date not more  than  five  business  days  prior to the date
         hereof,  there was any  material  increase  in  borrowings  (defined as
         advances  from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago,  securities  sold
         under  agreements to  repurchase  and any other form of debt other than
         deposits)  of the Holding  Company or the Bank (other than as disclosed
         in the Prospectus or in the ordinary course of business);  or (C) there
         was any  decrease in retained  earnings of the Bank at the date of such
         letter as compared with amounts shown in the latest unaudited statement
         of condition  included in the  Prospectus  or there was any decrease in
         net  income or net  interest  income of the Bank for the number of full
         months  commencing  immediately  after the period covered by the latest
         unaudited income statement  included in the Prospectus and ended on the
         latest month end prior to the date of the  Prospectus or in such letter
         as compared to the  corresponding  period in the  preceding  year;  and
         (iii) stating that, in addition to the audit examination referred to in
         its  opinion  included in the  Prospectus  and the  performance  of the
         procedures referred to in clause (ii) of this subsection (f), they have
         compared  with the general  accounting  records of the Holding  Company
         and/or the Bank,  as  applicable,  which are  subject  to the  internal
         controls  of the  Holding  Company  and/or  the  Bank,  as  applicable,
         accounting system and other data prepared by the Holding Company and/or
         the Bank, as applicable,  directly from such accounting records, to the
         extent  specified in such letter,  such amounts and/or  percentages set
         forth in the Prospectus as the Agent may reasonably  request,  and they
         have found such amounts and  percentages  to be in agreement  therewith
         (subject to rounding).

                  (d) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall receive  letters from
         Crowe,  Chizek and Company  dated the Closing  Date,  addressed  to the
         Agent,  confirming  the statements  made by its letter  delivered by it
         pursuant to  subsection  (f) of this Section 9A, the  "specified  date"
         referred to in clause  (ii)(B)  thereof to be a date  specified in such
         letter,  which shall not be more than five  business  days prior to the
         Closing Date.

                  (e) At the Closing Date,  counsel to the Agent shall have been
         furnished with such documents and opinions as counsel for the Agent may
         require  for the  purpose  of  enabling  them to advise  the Agent with
         respect  to the  issuance  and  sale  of the  Common  Stock  as  herein
         contemplated  and  related  proceedings,  or in order to  evidence  the
         accuracy  of  any  of  the  representations  and  warranties,   or  the
         fulfillment of any of the conditions herein contained.

                  (f) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall receive a certificate
         of the Chief Executive  Officer and Chief Financial  Officer of each of
         the Holding Company and the Bank, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
         that (i) they have  carefully  examined the  Prospectus and at the time
         the Prospectus  became authorized for final use, the Prospectus did not
         contain an untrue statement


                                       26

<PAGE>



         of a material fact or omit to state a material fact  necessary in order
         to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
         which they were made, not  misleading;  (ii) there has not been,  since
         the  respective  dates  as  of  which   information  is  given  in  the
         Prospectus,  any material adverse change in the financial  condition or
         in the earnings,  capital,  properties,  business prospects or business
         affairs  of  the  Holding  Company  or  the  Bank,  considered  as  one
         enterprise,  whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business;
         (iii) the  representations  and  warranties  contained in Section 6A of
         this  Agreement  are true and correct with the same force and effect as
         though made at and as of the Closing Date; (iv) the Holding Company and
         the Bank have  complied  in all  material  respects  with all  material
         agreements  and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or
         satisfied  at or prior to the Closing  Date  including  the  conditions
         contained  in this Section 9A; (v) no stop order has been issued or, to
         the best of their  knowledge,  is threatened,  by the Commission or any
         other  governmental body; (vi) no order suspending the Subscription and
         Community  Offering,  the  Conversion,  the  acquisition  of all of the
         shares of the Bank by the Holding Company or the  effectiveness  of the
         Prospectus  has been  issued  and to the best of  their  knowledge,  no
         proceedings  for any such purpose have been  initiated or threatened by
         the OTS,  the  Commission,  the  FDIC,  or any other  federal  or state
         authority;  (vii) to the best of their knowledge,  no person has sought
         to obtain  regulatory  or  judicial  review of the action of the OTS in
         approving the Plan or to enjoin the Conversion.

                  (g) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall receive a letter from
         Keller & Company,  Inc.  dated as of the Closing Date,  confirming  its
         appraisal.

                  (h) The Holding  Company or the Bank shall not have  sustained
         since the date of the latest audited financial  statements  included in
         the  Registration  Statement  and  Prospectus,  any  material  loss  or
         interference  with its business  from fire,  explosion,  flood or other
         calamity,  whether  or not  covered  by  insurance,  or from any  labor
         dispute or court or  governmental  action,  order or decree,  otherwise
         than as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and
         since  the  respective  dates as of which  information  is given in the
         Registration  Statement and the  Prospectus,  there shall not have been
         any material change in the long-term debt of the Holding Company or the
         Bank other than debt  incurred in relation to the purchase of Shares by
         the Holding  Company's or Bank's  tax-qualified  employee plans, or any
         material change,  or any development  involving a prospective  material
         change in, or affecting the general affairs of,  management,  financial
         position,  stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Holding
         Company or the Bank, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the
         Registration Statement and the Prospectus,  the effect of which, in any
         such  case  described  above,  is in the  Agent's  reasonable  judgment
         sufficiently  material  and  adverse  as to  make it  impracticable  or
         inadvisable to proceed with the Subscription


                                       27

<PAGE>



         and  Community  Offering or the delivery of the Shares on the terms and
         in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

                  (i) Prior to and at the Closing  Date:  (i) in the  reasonable
         opinion of the Agent,  there shall have been no material adverse change
         in the financial condition or in the earnings,  capital,  properties or
         business affairs of the Holding Company or the Bank  independently,  or
         of the Holding Company and the Bank, considered as one enterprise, from
         that as of the latest dates as of which such  condition is set forth in
         the  Prospectus,  except as referred to therein;  (ii) there shall have
         been no material  transaction  entered into by the Holding  Company and
         the Bank,  considered  as one  enterprise,  from the latest  date as of
         which the financial condition of the Holding Company or the Bank is set
         forth  in  the  Prospectus  other  than  transactions  referred  to  or
         contemplated  therein;  (iii) the Holding Company or the Bank shall not
         have received from the OTS or the FDIC any direction  (oral or written)
         to make any material change in the method of conducting  their business
         with  which  it has  not  complied  in  all  material  respects  (which
         direction,  if any,  shall have been  disclosed to the Agent) and which
         would  reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse  effect on
         the condition  (financial  or  otherwise) or on the earnings,  capital,
         properties  or  business  affairs  of the  Holding  Company or the Bank
         considered as one enterprise;  (iv) neither the Holding Company nor the
         Bank  shall have been in  default  (nor  shall an event  have  occurred
         which,  with  notice  or  lapse  of time or both,  would  constitute  a
         default) under any provision of any agreement or instrument relating to
         any  material  outstanding   indebtedness;   (v)  no  action,  suit  or
         proceeding,  at law or in equity or before or by any  federal  or state
         commission,  board or other administrative agency, shall be pending or,
         to the knowledge of the Holding Company or the Bank, threatened against
         the Holding  Company or the Bank or affecting  any of their  properties
         wherein an unfavorable decision,  ruling or finding would reasonably be
         expected  to  have a  material  and  adverse  effect  on the  financial
         condition or on the earnings,  capital,  properties or business affairs
         of the Holding Company or the Bank,  considered as one enterprise;  and
         (vi) the Shares have been qualified or registered for offering and sale
         under the securities or blue sky laws of the  jurisdictions as to which
         the Holding Company and the Agent shall have agreed.

                  (j) At or prior to the Closing  Date,  the Agent shall receive
         (i) a copy  of the  letter  from  the  OTS  authorizing  the use of the
         Prospectus and approving the Application, (ii) a copy of the order from
         the Commission declaring the Registration Statement effective,  (iii) a
         copy of  certificate  of  existence  for the Bank from the OTS,  (iv) a
         certificate of good standing from the State of Delaware  evidencing the
         good standing of the Holding  Company and (v) a copy of the letter from
         the OTS approving the Holding Company Application.


                                       28

<PAGE>



                  (k) As soon as  available  after the Closing  Date,  the Agent
         shall receive a certified copy of the Bank's stock charter.

                  (l)  Subsequent  to the  date  hereof,  there  shall  not have
         occurred  any of the  following:  (i) a  suspension  or  limitation  in
         trading  in  securities  generally  on the New York Stock  Exchange  or
         American  Stock  Exchange  or  in  the   over-the-counter   market,  or
         quotations  halted generally on the Nasdaq Stock Market,  or minimum or
         maximum  prices for  trading  have been  fixed,  or maximum  ranges for
         prices for securities have been required by either of such exchanges or
         the  NASD or by  order  of the  Commission  or any  other  governmental
         authority;  (ii) a general  moratorium on the  operations of commercial
         banks or other  federally-insured  financial  institutions  or  general
         moratorium on the withdrawal of deposits from commercial banks or other
         federally-insured  financial institutions declared by either federal or
         state  authorities;  (iii)  the  engagement  by the  United  States  in
         hostilities  which have  resulted in the  declaration,  on or after the
         date hereof, of a national emergency or war; or (iv) a material decline
         in the price of equity or debt  securities  if the effect of any of (i)
         through  (iv)  herein,  in the Agent's  reasonable  judgment,  makes it
         impracticable  or  inadvisable  to proceed  with the  Subscription  and
         Community  Offering  or the  delivery of the Shares on the terms and in
         the  manner   contemplated  in  the  Registration   Statement  and  the
         Prospectus.

         Section  9.B.   Conditions  to  the  Holding  Company  and  the  Bank's
Obligations.  The  obligations of the Holding Company and the Bank hereunder are
subject to the accuracy of the representations,  warranties and covenants of the
Agent, to the  performance by the Agent of its obligations  hereunder and to the
satisfaction  of  the  conditions  contained  in  Paragraph  (a) of  Section  9A
hereunder.


         Section 10.  Indemnification.

                  (a) The Holding  Company and the Bank agree to  indemnify  and
         hold harmless the Agent, its officers,  directors, agents, servants and
         employees  and each  person,  if any, who controls the Agent within the
         meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act,
         against  any  and  all  loss,  liability,   claim,  damage  or  expense
         whatsoever (including but not limited to settlement expenses), joint or
         several, that the Agent or any of them may suffer or to which the Agent
         and any such persons may become  subject under all  applicable  federal
         and state laws or  otherwise,  and to promptly  reimburse the Agent and
         any such  persons  upon  written  demand  for any  reasonable  expenses
         (including fees and  disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Agent or
         any of them in connection  with  investigating,  preparing or defending
         any actions, proceedings or claims (whether commenced or threatened) to
         the extent such losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities  or actions (i)
         arise out of or are based upon any untrue  statement or alleged  untrue
         statement of a


                                       29

<PAGE>



         material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
         or  supplement  thereto),  preliminary  or  final  Prospectus  (or  any
         amendment or  supplement  thereto),  the  Application,  or any blue sky
         application or other  instrument or document of the Holding  Company or
         the Bank or based upon  written  information  supplied  by the  Holding
         Company or the Bank filed in any state or  jurisdiction  to register or
         qualify  any or all of the Shares  under the  securities  laws  thereof
         (collectively, the "Blue Sky Application"), or any application or other
         document,   advertisement,   or  communication   ("Sales  Information")
         prepared,  made or executed  by or on behalf of the Holding  Company or
         the Bank with its consent or based upon written  information  furnished
         by or on behalf of the  Holding  Company  or the Bank,  whether  or not
         filed in any  jurisdiction  in order to qualify or register  the Shares
         under the securities laws thereof,  (ii) arise out of or based upon the
         omission or alleged omission to state in any of the foregoing documents
         or  information,  a  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein or
         necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
         under which they were made, not misleading; (iii) arise from any theory
         of liability  whatsoever  relating to or arising from or based upon the
         Registration  Statement  (or  any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto),
         preliminary  or  final  Prospectus  (or  any  amendment  or  supplement
         thereto),   the   Application,   any  Blue  Sky  Application  or  Sales
         Information or other  documentation  distributed in connection with the
         Conversion;  provided,  however,  that no  indemnification  is required
         under this  paragraph (a) to the extent such losses,  claims,  damages,
         liabilities  or  actions  arise  out of or are  based  upon any  untrue
         material  statements  or  alleged  untrue  material  statements  in, or
         material  omission or alleged material  omission from, the Registration
         Statement (or any amendment or supplement  thereto) or the  preliminary
         or final  Prospectus  (or any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto)  the
         Application,  the Blue Sky  Application  or Sales  Information or other
         documentation  distributed in connection  with the  Conversion  made in
         reliance upon and in conformity with written  information  furnished to
         the Holding  Company or the Bank by the Agent with respect to the Agent
         expressly  for use in the  Registration  Statement (or any amendment or
         supplement  thereto) or  Prospectus  (or any  amendment  or  supplement
         thereto)  under the caption "The  Conversion - Marketing  Arrangements"
         therein  or  statistical  information  regarding  the  Holding  Company
         prepared  by the  Agent  for use in the Sales  Information  except  for
         information  derived from the Prospectus.  Provided  further,  that the
         Holding  Company  and the Bank  will not be  responsible  for any loss,
         liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent they result primarily
         from actions  taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent in bad faith or
         from the Agent's gross negligence, and the Agent agrees to repay to the
         Holding  Company any amounts  advanced by it to the Agent in connection
         with  matters  as to which  the Agent is found  not to be  entitled  to
         indemnification   hereunder.   Notwithstanding   the   foregoing,   the
         indemnification  provided for in this  paragraph (a) shall not apply to
         the Bank to the extent that such indemnification by the


                                       30

<PAGE>



         Bank would  constitute a covered  transaction  under Section 23A of the
         Federal Reserve Act.

                  (b) The  Agent  agrees  to  indemnify  and hold  harmless  the
         Holding  Company,  its  directors and  officers,  agents,  servants and
         employees  and each person,  if any,  who controls the Holding  Company
         within the  meaning  of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section  20(a) of
         the 1934 Act  against  any and all loss,  liability,  claim,  damage or
         expense whatsoever  (including but not limited to settlement expenses),
         joint or  several  which  they,  or any of  them,  in  connection  with
         investigating,  preparing or  defending  any  actions,  proceedings  or
         claims  (whether  commenced or  threatened)  to the extent such losses,
         claims, damages,  liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon
         any untrue  statement or alleged  untrue  statement of a material  fact
         contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment of supplement
         thereto), the Application,  the Holding Company Application or any Blue
         Sky Application or Sales  Information or are based upon the omission or
         alleged omission to state in any of the foregoing  documents a material
         fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein,  in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
         not misleading;  provided,  however, that the Agent's obligations under
         this Section 10(b) shall exist only if and only to the extent that such
         untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue  statement  was made in, or such
         material  fact  or  alleged   material  fact  was  omitted  from,   the
         Registration  Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the
         Prospectus  (or any amendment or  supplement  thereto) in reliance upon
         and in  conformity  with written  information  furnished to the Holding
         Company  by  the  Agent  expressly  for  use  under  the  caption  "The
         Conversion   --   Marketing   Arrangements"   therein  or   statistical
         information regarding the Holding Company prepared by the Agent for use
         in the  Sales  information  except  for  information  derived  from the
         Prospectus.

                  (c) Each indemnified party shall give prompt written notice to
         each  indemnifying  party of any  action,  proceeding,  claim  (whether
         commenced or threatened),  or suit instituted  against it in respect of
         which  indemnity may be sought  hereunder,  but failure to so notify an
         indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may
         have on account of this Section 10 or otherwise.  An indemnifying party
         may  participate  at its own expense in the defense of such action.  In
         addition,  if it so elects  within a reasonable  time after  receipt of
         such notice, an indemnifying party, jointly with any other indemnifying
         parties  receiving such notice,  may assume defense of such action with
         counsel chosen by it and approved by the  indemnified  parties that are
         defendants in such action,  unless such indemnified  parties reasonably
         object  to such  assumption  on the  ground  that  there  may be  legal
         defenses  available to them that are  different  from or in addition to
         those available to such  indemnifying  party. If an indemnifying  party
         assumes the defense of such action, the indemnifying  parties shall not
         be liable  for any fees and  expenses  of counsel  for the  indemnified
         parties


                                       31

<PAGE>



         incurred  thereafter  in  connection  with such action,  proceeding  or
         claim, other than reasonable costs of investigation.  In no event shall
         the  indemnifying  parties be liable for the fees and  expenses of more
         than one separate firm of attorneys (and any special  counsel that said
         firm may retain) for all indemnified parties in connection with any one
         action, proceeding or claim or separate but similar or related actions,
         proceedings or claims in the same jurisdiction  arising out of the same
         general allegations or circumstances.

                  (d) The agreements contained in this Section 10 and in Section
         11 hereof and the representations and warranties of the Holding Company
         and the Bank set forth in this Agreement shall remain  operative and in
         full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on
         behalf of the Agent or its officers,  directors or controlling persons,
         agents or  employees  or by or on behalf of the Holding  Company or the
         Bank or any  officers,  directors  or  controlling  persons,  agents or
         employees of the Holding Company or the Bank or any controlling person,
         director or officer of the Holding  Company or the Bank;  (ii) delivery
         of and payment  hereunder for the Shares;  or (iii) any  termination of
         this Agreement.

         Section 11.  Contribution.

                  (a) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
         circumstances in which the  indemnification  provided for in Section 10
         is due in  accordance  with its terms but is for any  reason  held by a
         court to be unavailable  from the Holding  Company and the Bank, or the
         Agent,  as the case may be, the Holding  Company  and the Bank,  or the
         Agent,  as the case may be, shall  contribute to the aggregate  losses,
         claims, damages and liabilities (including any investigation, legal and
         other expenses incurred in connection  therewith and any amount paid in
         settlement of any action,  suit or  proceeding of any claims  asserted,
         but after  deducting any  contribution  received by the Holding Company
         and the Bank or the Agent,  as the case may be from persons  other than
         the other party thereto,  who may also be liable for  contribution)  in
         such  proportion  so that the  Agent is  responsible  for that  portion
         represented by the percentage  that the fees paid to the Agent pursuant
         to Section 4 of this Agreement (not  including  expenses)  bears to the
         gross  proceeds  received by the Holding  Company  from the sale of the
         Shares in the  Subscription  and  Community  Offering  and the  Holding
         Company and the Bank shall be responsible for the balance. If, however,
         the allocation  provided above is not permitted by applicable law or if
         the indemnified  party failed to give the notice required under Section
         10 above, then each indemnifying  party shall contribute to such amount
         paid or  payable by such  indemnified  party in such  proportion  as is
         appropriate  to reflect  not only such  relative  fault of the  Holding
         Company  and the  Bank on the one hand  and the  Agent on the  other in
         connection  with the  statements  or omissions  which  resulted in such
         losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  (or actions,  proceedings or
         claims in


                                       32

<PAGE>



         respect  thereof),  but  also the  relative  benefits  received  by the
         Holding  Company  and Bank on the one hand and the  Agent on the  other
         from  the   offering,   as  well  as  any  other   relevant   equitable
         considerations.  The relative  benefits received by the Holding Company
         and the Bank on the one hand and the Agent on the other shall be deemed
         to be in the same  proportion  as the  total  gross  proceeds  from the
         Subscription  and  Community   Offering  (before  deducting   expenses)
         received by the Holding  Company bear to the total fees (not  including
         expenses) received by the Agent. The relative fault shall be determined
         by  reference  to,  among other  things,  whether the untrue or alleged
         untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
         to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Holding
         Company  and/or  the Bank on the one hand or the Agent on the other and
         the  parties  relative  intent,  good  faith,   knowledge,   access  to
         information  and  opportunity  to correct or prevent such  statement or
         omission.  The Holding Company and the Agent agree that it would not be
         just and  equitable  if  contribution  pursuant to this Section 11 were
         determined by pro-rata  allocation or by any other method of allocation
         which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to
         above in this Section 11. The amount paid or payable by an  indemnified
         party as a result of the losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  (or
         action,  proceedings or claims in respect thereof) referred to above in
         this Section 11 shall be deemed to include any legal or other  expenses
         reasonably  incurred  by such  indemnified  party  in  connection  with
         investigating or defending any such action,  proceeding or claim. It is
         expressly  agreed  that the Agent  shall  not be  liable  for any loss,
         liability,  claim,  damage or expense or be required to contribute  any
         amount  which in the  aggregate  exceeds  the  amount  paid  (excluding
         reimbursable  expenses)  to  the  Agent  under  this  Agreement.  It is
         understood that the above-stated limitation on the Agent's liability is
         essential  to the Agent and that the Agent would not have  entered into
         this Agreement if such limitation had not been agreed to by the parties
         to  this   Agreement.   No  person  found  guilty  of  any   fraudulent
         misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act)
         shall be  entitled  to  contribution  from any person who was not found
         guilty of such  fraudulent  misrepresentation.  The  obligations of the
         Holding  Company,  the Bank,  and the Agent  under this  Section 11 and
         under  Section  10 shall be in  addition  to any  liability  which  the
         Holding  Company,  the  Bank,  and the Agent may  otherwise  have.  For
         purposes of this Section 11, each of the Agent's, the Holding Company's
         and the Bank's  officers and  directors  and each  person,  if any, who
         controls  the Agent or the  Holding  Company  and the Bank  within  the
         meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act shall have the same  rights to
         contribution as the Holding Company,  the Bank and the Agent. Any party
         entitled  to   contribution,   promptly  after  receipt  of  notice  of
         commencement  of any action,  suit,  claim or  proceeding  against such
         party in respect of which a claim for  contribution may be made against
         another  party under this  Section 11, will notify such party from whom
         contribution  may be sought,  but the  omission to so notify such party
         shall not relive the party from whom contribution may


                                       33

<PAGE>



         be sought from any other  obligation it may have hereunder or otherwise
         than under this Section 11.

         Section 12.  Representations,  Warranties  and  Indemnities  to Survive
Delivery.  All representations,  warranties and indemnities and other statements
contained in this  Agreement,  or contained in  certificates  of officers of the
Holding  Company  and the Bank or the Agent  submitted  pursuant  hereto,  shall
remain operative and in full force and effect,  regardless of any termination or
cancellation of this Agreement or any investigation  made by or on behalf of the
Agent or controlling  person,  or by or on behalf of the Holding Company and the
Bank and shall survive the issuance of the Shares, and any legal representative,
successor  or assign of the Agent,  the Bank and the  Holding  Company,  and any
indemnified   person  shall  be  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  the  respective
agreements, indemnities, warranties and representations.

         Section 13.  Termination.  Webb may terminate  this Agreement by giving
the notice  indicated  below in this  Section  at any time after this  Agreement
becomes effective as follows:

                  (a) In the event the Holding Company fails to sell the minimum
         number of the Shares within the period specified in accordance with the
         provisions of the Plan or as required by the Conversion Regulations and
         applicable  law, this Agreement shall terminate upon refund by the Bank
         to each person who has  subscribed for or ordered any of the Shares the
         full amount which it may have received from such person,  together with
         interest in accordance  with Section 3, and no party to this  Agreement
         shall have any obligation to the other  hereunder,  except as set forth
         in Sections 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11 hereof.

                  (b) If any of the conditions specified in Section 9A shall not
         have been fulfilled when and as required by this  Agreement,  or by the
         Closing Date, or waived in writing by the Agent, this Agreement and all
         of the Agent's  obligations  hereunder  may be canceled by the Agent by
         notifying  the Bank of such  cancellation  in writing or by telegram at
         any time at or prior to the Closing  Date,  and, any such  cancellation
         shall be without  liability  of any party to any other party  except as
         otherwise provided in Sections 3, 4, 8, 10 and 11 hereof.

                  (c) If Webb elects to terminate  this Agreement as provided in
         this Section, the Holding Company and the Bank shall be notified by the
         Agent as provided in Section 14 hereof.

         Section 14.  Notices.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder
shall be in  writing  and shall be  deemed to have been duly  given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication.  Notices to Webb shall be
directed to Charles Webb & Company at 211 Bradenton Avenue,  Dublin, Ohio 43017,
Attention: Mr. Charles R. Webb (with a copy to David W. Swartz, Esquire, Stevens
& Lee, One Glenhardie Corporate Center,


                                       34

<PAGE>



1275 Drummers Lane, P.O. Box 236, Wayne,  Pennsylvania 19087- 0236), and notices
to the Holding Company and the Bank shall be directed to 5700 West 159th Street,
Oak Forest, Illinois 60452- 3198, Attention:  Maureen G. Partynski,  Chairman of
the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer (with a copy to Kip A.  Weissman,  P.C.,
Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. 1100 New York Avenue,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.
20005).

         Section 15.  Parties.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be  binding  upon the  Agent and the  Holding  Company  and the Bank,  and their
respective  successors.  Nothing  expressed or  mentioned  in this  Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to give any person,  firm or  corporation,  other
than the parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and the  controlling
persons and officers and  directors  referred to in Sections 10 and 11 and their
heirs and legal  representatives,  any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under or in respect of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained.  It is
understood and agreed that this Agreement is the exclusive  agreement  among the
parties,  supersedes any prior Agreement among the parties and may not be varied
except by a writing signed by all parties.

         Section 16. Partial Invalid.  In the event that any term,  provision or
covenant herein or the  application  thereof to any  circumstances  or situation
shall be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remainder hereof and
the application of said term, provision or covenant to any other circumstance or
situation shall not be affected  thereby,  and each term,  provision or covenant
herein shall be valid and enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.

         Section  17.  Construction.   This  Agreement  shall  be  construed  in
accordance with the laws of the State of [Illinois].

         If the  foregoing  is in  accordance  with  your  understanding  of our
agreement,  please sign and return to us a counterpart  hereof,  whereupon  this


                                       35

<PAGE>


instrument along with all counterparts will become a binding  agreement  between
you and us in accordance with its terms.

                                                     Very truly yours,

HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR                             HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL
SAVINGS                                              CORPORATION


By:________________________                    By:_____________________________
   Maureen G. Partynski,                          Maureen G. Partynski,
   Chairman of the Board                          Chairman of the Board
   and Chief Executive Officer                    and Chief Executive Officer


The foregoing  Agency  Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date
first set and above written.


                                                     CHARLES WEBB & COMPANY

                                               By:______________________________
                                                  Patricia A. McJoynt,
                                                  Executive Vice President and
                                                  Chief Operating Officer




                                       36

<PAGE>



                      HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            (A Delaware Corporation)

                             Up to __________ Shares

                           (Par Value $.0l Per Share)


                           SELECTED DEALERS' AGREEMENT
                           ---------------------------


                              _______________, 1997


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have agreed to assist Hemlock  Federal  Financial  Corporation  (the
"Company"), a Delaware corporation,  in connection with the offer and sale of up
to  ______________  shares of the Company's  common stock,  $0.01 par value (the
"Common  Stock"),  to be issued in  connection  with the  conversion  of Hemlock
Federal  Bank  for  Savings  ("Hemlock  Federal"  or the  "Bank"),  a  federally
chartered  mutual savings bank in accordance  with the Plan of Conversion of the
Bank (the "Plan") and the sale of all the Bank's issued and  outstanding  common
stock to the Company (the "Conversion"). The price per share of the Common Stock
has been fixed at $10.00.  The Common Stock and certain of the terms on which it
is being  offered,  are more fully  described in the enclosed  prospectus  dated
______________, 1997 (the "Prospectus").

         In connection with the  Conversion,  the Company is offering the Common
Stock in a Subscription Offering (to the Eligible Account Holders, Tax-qualified
Employee Plans,  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders,  Other Members of the
Bank,  and to directors,  officers and employees of the Bank) and in a Community
Offering to members of the general public (Other Subscribers).  The Common Stock
is also  being  offered  in  accordance  with  the  Plan by a  selling  group of
broker-dealers.

         We are  offering  the  selected  dealers  (of  which  you are  one) the
opportunity to participate in the solicitation of offers to buy the Common Stock
and we will pay you a fee in the  amount of  _______  percent  (______%)  of the
dollar  amount of the  Common  Stock sold on behalf of the  Company  by you,  as
evidenced by the authorized  designation of your firm on the order form or forms
for such Common Stock accompanying the funds transmitted for payment therefor to
the special  account  established  by the Bank for the  purpose of holding  such
funds.  Any purchase of Common Stock made pursuant to this  Agreement is subject
to a maximum purchase  limitation of $200,000 of the Common Stock offered in the
Conversion  exclusive  of an  increase  in the total  number  of  shares  issued
pursuant  to an  increase in the  Estimated  Valuation  Range (as defined in the
Plan). It is understood, of course,



                                        1

<PAGE>



that  payment of your fee will be made to you  directly  by the  Company for the
Common Stock sold on behalf of the Company by you, as  evidenced  in  accordance
with the preceding  sentence.  As soon as practicable  after the closing date of
the  offering,  the Company will remit to you the fees to which you are entitled
hereunder.

         Each order  form for the  purchase  of Common  Stock must set forth the
identity  and  address of each person to whom the  certificates  for such Common
Stock should be issued and delivered.  Such order form should  clearly  identify
your firm.  You shall  instruct any subscriber who elects to send his order form
to you to make any accompanying check payable to the Bank.

         This offer is made subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth
and  contained  in the Plan and is made  only to  selected  dealers  who are (i)
members in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(the "NASD") who are to comply with all applicable rules of the NASD, including,
without  limitation,  the NASD's  Interpretation With Respect to Free-Riding and
Withholding  and Section 24 of Article III of the NASD's Rules of Fair Practice,
or (ii) foreign  dealers not eligible for  membership  in the NASD who agree (A)
not to sell any Common  Stock  within  the United  States,  its  territories  or
possessions or to persons who are citizens  thereof or resident  therein and (B)
in making other sales to comply with the  above-mentioned  NASD  Interpretation,
Sections  8, 24 and 36 of the  above-mentioned  Article III as if they were NASD
members and Section 25 of such Article III as it applies to  non-member  brokers
or dealers in a foreign country.

         Orders for Common Stock will be strictly  subject to  confirmation  and
we,  acting on  behalf of the  Company,  reserve  the right in our  uncontrolled
discretion  to reject any order in whole or in part,  to accept or reject orders
in the order of their  receipt or otherwise,  and to allot.  Neither you nor any
other person is  authorized by the Company or by us to give any  information  or
make any  representations  other  than  those  contained  in the  Prospectus  in
connection  with the sale of any of the  Common  Stock.  No  selected  dealer is
authorized to act as agent for us when soliciting offers to buy the Common Stock
from the public or otherwise. No selected dealer shall engage in any stabilizing
(as defined in Rule 10b-7 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
with respect to the Company's Common Stock during the offering.

         We and each selected dealer  assisting in selling Common Stock pursuant
hereto  agree to  comply  with the  applicable  requirements  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and applicable state rules and regulations. In addition, we
and each selected  dealer confirm that the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
interprets Rule 15c2-8 promulgated under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 as
requiring that a Prospectus be


                                        2

<PAGE>



supplied to each person who is  expected  to receive a  confirmation  of sale 48
hours prior to delivery of such person's order form.

         We and each  selected  dealer  within the meaning of Rule  15c3-1(a)(1)
further  agree to the extent  that our  customers  desire to pay for shares with
funds held by or to be deposited with us, in accordance with the  interpretation
of the Securities and Exchange  Commission of Rule 15c2-4  promulgated under the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  either (a) upon receipt of an executed  order
form or  direction  to execute an order form on behalf of a customer  to forward
the offering  price for the Common Stock ordered on or before twelve noon of the
business day  following  receipt or execution of an order form by us to the Bank
for deposit in a segregated account or (b) to solicit indications of interest in
which event (i) we will subsequently contact any customer indicating interest to
confirm the interest and give  instructions  to execute and return an order form
or to receive  authorization to execute the order form on the customer's behalf,
(ii) we will  mail  acknowledgements  of  receipt  of  orders  to each  customer
confirming  interest on the business day following such  confirmation,  (iii) we
will debit  accounts of such  customers  on the fifth  business  day (the "debit
date")  following  receipt of the  confirmation  referred to in (i), and (iv) we
will forward  completed  order forms  together with such funds to the Bank on or
before twelve noon on the next business day following the debit date for deposit
in a segregated  account.  We and each selected dealer  acknowledge  that if the
procedure  in (b) is adopted,  our  customers'  funds are not  required to be in
their accounts until the debit date.

         Unless earlier  terminated by us, this Agreement  shall  terminate upon
the closing  date of this  offering.  We may  terminate  this  Agreement  or any
provisions  hereof at any time by  written  or  telegraphic  notice  to you.  Of
course,  our obligations  hereunder are subject to the successful  completion of
the offering.

         You agree that at any time or times  prior to the  termination  of this
Agreement  you will,  upon our  request,  report  to us the  number of shares of
Common Stock sold on behalf of the Company by you under this Agreement.


         We shall  have  full  authority  to take  such  actions  as we may deem
advisable  in respect of all matters  pertaining  to the  offering.  We shall be
under no  liability  to you except  for lack of good  faith and for  obligations
expressly assumed by us in this Agreement.

         Upon application to us, we will inform you as to the states in which we
believe the Common Stock has been  qualified for sale under,  or are exempt from
the requirements of, the respective blue sky laws of such states,  but we assume
no  responsibility  or  obligation as to your rights to sell Common Stock in any
state.


                                        3

<PAGE>




         Additional copies of the Prospectus and any supplements thereto will be
supplied in reasonable quantities upon request.

         Any  notice  from us to you shall be deemed to have been duly  given if
mailed, telephoned, or telegraphed to you at the address to which this Agreement
is mailed.

         This  Agreement  shall be construed in accordance  with the laws of the
State of Ohio.

         Please  confirm  your  agreement  hereto by signing and  returning  the
confirmation  accompanying  this letter at once to us at Charles Webb & Company,
211  Bradenton,  Dublin,  Ohio  43017-3514.  The  enclosed  duplicate  copy will
evidence the agreement between us.

                                                     CHARLES WEBB & COMPANY


                                               By:______________________________
                                                  Patricia A. McJoynt
                                                  Executive Vice President

Agreed and accepted as of ________________, 1997

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

By:________________________


                                        4





                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.3

   
                                   Charter of
    

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS


   
         SECTION 1. Corporate  title.  The full  corporate  title of the bank is
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings.
    

         SECTION 2. Office.  The home office of the bank shall be located in the
City of Oak Forest, County of Cook, in the State of Illinois.

         SECTION 3. Duration. The duration of the bank is perpetual.

   
         SECTION 4. Purpose and Powers. The purpose of the bank is to pursue any
or all of the lawful  objectives of a federal bank chartered  under section 5 of
the Home  Owners'  Loan Act and to exercise  all of the  express,  implied,  and
incidental  powers  conferred  thereby  and by all acts  amendatory  thereof and
supplemental thereto,  subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States
as they are now in effect,  or as they may hereafter be amended,  and subject to
all lawful and applicable rules, regulations, and orders of the Office of Thrift
Supervision ("Office").

         SECTION 5. Capital Stock.  The total number of shares of all classes of
the capital  stock which the bank has the  authority  to issue is three  million
(3,000,000)  of which two million five  hundred  thousand  (2,500,000)  shall be
common stock of par value of $.01 per share,  and of which five hundred thousand
(500,000)  shall be serial  preferred  stock of par value  $.01 per  share.  The
shares may be issued from time to time as  authorized  by the board of directors
without further approval of stockholders,  except as otherwise  provided in this
Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by governing law, rule
or regulation. The consideration for the issuance of the shares shall be paid in
full before  their  issuance  and shall not be less than the par value.  Neither
promissory  notes nor future services shall  constitute  payment or part payment
for the issuance of shares of the bank. The  consideration  for the shares shall
be cash,  tangible or intangible  property (to the extent  direct  investment in
such  property  would be  permitted  to the savings  bank),  labor,  or services
actually  performed for the bank or any  combination  of the  foregoing.  In the
absence of actual fraud in the transaction,  the value of such property,  labor,
or services,  as  determined  by the board of  directors  of the bank,  shall be
conclusive.  Upon payment of such consideration,  such shares shall be deemed to
be fully paid and nonassessable.  In the case of a stock dividend,  that part of
the surplus of the bank which is transferred to stated capital upon the issuance
of shares as a share dividend shall be deemed to be the  consideration for their
issuance.
    

         Except for shares  issuable in  connection  with the  conversion of the
bank from the  mutual to the stock  form of  organization,  no shares of capital
stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of other
securities) shall be issued, directly or indirectly, to officers,  directors, or
controlling persons of the bank other than as part of a general public

                                        

<PAGE>



offering or as  qualifying  shares to a director,  unless their  issuance or the
plan under  which they would be issued has been  approved  by a majority  of the
total votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting.

   
         Nothing contained in this Section 5 (or in any  supplementary  sections
hereto)  shall  entitle the  holders of any class or series of capital  stock to
vote as a separate class or series,  or to more than one vote per share,  except
as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors: Provided, That this
restriction on voting separately by class or series shall not apply:
    

            (i)   To  any  provision   which  would  authorize  the  holders  of
                  preferred  stock,  voting as a class or series,  to elect some
                  members  of the  board  of  directors,  less  than a  majority
                  thereof,  in the event of default in the payment of  dividends
                  on any class or series of preferred stock;

   
           (ii)   To any provision  which would require the holders of preferred
                  stock,  voting as a class or series,  to approve the merger or
                  consolidation  of the bank  with  another  corporation  or the
                  sale,  lease, or conveyance (other than by mortgage or pledge)
                  of  properties  or business in exchange  for  securities  of a
                  corporation  other  than  the bank if the  preferred  stock is
                  exchanged for securities of such other corporation:  Provided,
                  That no provision may require such  approval for  transactions
                  undertaken with the assistance or pursuant to the direction of
                  the Office; or the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation.
    

          (iii)   To any  amendment  which would  adversely  change the specific
                  terms of any class or series of capital  stock as set forth in
                  this  Section  5 (or in any  supplementary  sections  hereto),
                  including  any  amendment  which  would  create or enlarge any
                  class  or  series   ranking   prior   thereto  in  rights  and
                  preferences.  An  amendment  which  increases  the  number  of
                  authorized  shares of any class or series of capital stock, or
                  substitutes  the surviving  bank in a merger or  consolidation
                  for the bank,  shall not be  considered  to be such an adverse
                  change.

         A  description  of the  different  classes  and  series (if any) of the
bank's  capital  stock and a statement  of the  designations,  and the  relative
rights, preferences,  and limitations of the shares of each class and series (if
any) of capital stock are as follows:

   
         A.  Common  Stock.  Except  as  provided  in this  Section 5 (or in any
supplementary   sections   thereto)  the  holders  of  the  common  stock  shall
exclusively  possess all voting  power.  Each  holder of shares of common  stock
shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by such  holder,  except as to
the cumulation of votes for the election of directors.
    

         Whenever  there  shall have been paid,  or  declared  and set aside for
payment,  to the holders of the outstanding  shares of any class of stock having
preference over the common stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount
of dividends and of sinking fund, retirement fund, or other retirement payments,
if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in

                                        2

<PAGE>



preference to the common stock,  then  dividends may be paid on the common stock
and on any class or series of stock  entitled  to  participate  therewith  as to
dividends out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends.

         In the event of any  liquidation,  dissolution,  or  winding  up of the
bank, the holders of the common stock (and the holders of any class or series of
stock  entitled to  participate  with the common  stock in the  distribution  of
assets) shall be entitled to receive, in cash or in kind, the assets of the bank
available for distribution remaining after: (i) Payment or provision for payment
of the  bank's  debts and  liabilities;  (ii)  distributions  or  provision  for
distributions in settlement of its liquidation  account; and (iii) distributions
or  provisions  for  distributions  to  holders  of any class or series of stock
having  preference  over the common stock in the  liquidation,  dissolution,  or
winding up of the bank.  Each share of common stock shall have the same relative
rights as and be identical  in all respects  with all the other shares of common
stock.

         B. Preferred Stock.  The bank may provide in supplementary  sections to
its  charter  for one or  more  classes  of  preferred  stock,  which  shall  be
separately identified. The shares of any class may be divided into and issued in
series,  with each series separately  designated so as to distinguish the shares
thereof  from the  shares of all other  series  and  classes.  The terms of each
series shall be set forth in a supplementary  section to the charter. All shares
of the same class shall be identical except as to the following  relative rights
and preferences, as to which there may be variations between different series:

         (a)      The  distinctive  serial  designation and the number of shares
                  constituting such series;

         (b)      The dividend rate or the amount of dividends to be paid on the
                  shares of such series,  whether  dividends shall be cumulative
                  and,  if so,  from which  date(s),  the  payment  date(s)  for
                  dividends,  and the  participating or other special rights, if
                  any, with respect to dividends;

         (c)      The voting powers,  full or limited, if any, of shares of such
                  series;

   
         (d)      Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable  and, if
                  so, the  price(s) at which,  and the terms and  conditions  on
                  which, such shares may be redeemed;
    

         (e)      The  amount(s)  payable  upon the shares of such series in the
                  event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or
                  winding up of the bank;

         (f)      Whether  the shares of such  series  shall be  entitled to the
                  benefit of a sinking or  retirement  fund to be applied to the
                  purchase or redemption of such shares, and if so entitled, the
                  amount  of  such  fund  and  the  manner  of its  application,
                  including the price(s) at which such shares may be redeemed or
                  purchased through the application of such fund;


                                        3

<PAGE>



         (g)      Whether the shares of such series shall be  convertible  into,
                  or  exchangeable  for, shares of any other class or classes of
                  stock of the bank and, if so, the conversion price(s),  or the
                  rate(s) of exchange,  and the adjustments  thereof, if any, at
                  which such  conversion or exchange may be made,  and any other
                  terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;

         (h)      The price or other  consideration for which the shares of such
                  series shall be issued; and

         (i)      Whether  the  shares  of such  series  which are  redeemed  or
                  converted  shall have the status of  authorized  but  unissued
                  shares of serial  preferred  stock and whether such shares may
                  be  reissued  as  shares  of the same or any  other  series of
                  serial preferred stock.

         Each share of each series of serial preferred stock shall have the same
relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of
the same series.

         The board of directors shall have authority to divide,  by the adoption
of supplementary charter sections,  any authorized class of preferred stock into
series,  and, within the limitations set forth in this section and the remainder
of this charter,  fix and determine the relative  rights and  preferences of the
shares of any series so established.

         Prior to the issuance of any preferred  shares of a series  established
by a supplementary  charter section adopted by the board of directors,  the bank
shall file with the  Secretary to the Office a dated copy of that  supplementary
section of this charter  established  and  designating the series and fixing and
determining the relative rights and preferences thereof.

   
         SECTION 6. Preemptive Rights.  Holders of the capital stock of the bank
shall not be entitled  to  preemptive  rights with  respect to any shares of the
bank which may be issued.

         SECTION 7.  Liquidation  Account.  Pursuant to the  requirements of the
Office's regulations (12 C.F.R. Part 563b) the bank shall establish and maintain
a  liquidation  account  for the benefit of its  savings  account  holders as of
December 31, 1993 ("eligible savers") and March 31, 1995 ("supplemental eligible
savers").  In the event of a complete  liquidation  of the bank, it shall comply
with  such  regulations  with  respect  to the  amount  and  the  priorities  on
liquidation of each eligible saver's and supplemental  eligible saver's inchoate
interest in the  liquidation  account,  to the extent it is still in  existence:
Provided,  That an eligible saver's and  supplemental  eligible saver's inchoate
interest in the  liquidation  account shall not entitle such  eligible  saver or
supplemental  eligible  saver to any  voting  rights at  meetings  of the bank's
stockholders.

         SECTION   8.   Certain   Provisions    Applicable   for   Five   Years.
Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in the  bank's  charter  or  bylaws to the
contrary, for a period of five years from the
    

                                        4

<PAGE>



date of completion of the  conversion of the bank from mutual to stock form, the
following provisions shall apply:

   
         A.  Beneficial  Ownership  Limitation.  No  person  shall  directly  or
indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10%
of any class of an equity security of the bank. This limitation  shall not apply
to a transaction in which the bank forms a holding company without change in the
respective  beneficial  ownership  interests  of  its  stockholders  other  than
pursuant to the exercise of any dissenter and appraisal rights,  the purchase of
shares by underwriters in connection with a public offering,  or the purchase of
shares by a  tax-qualified  employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the
approval requirements under Section 574.3(c)(1)(vi) of the Office's regulations.
    

         In the event  shares are  acquired in  violation of this Section 8, all
shares  beneficially  owned by any  person in excess of 10% shall be  considered
"excess  shares"  and shall not be counted as shares  entitled to vote and shall
not be voted by any person or counted as voting  shares in  connection  with any
matters submitted to the stockholders for a vote.

         For purposes of this Section 8, the following definitions apply:

   
         (1) The  term  "person"  includes  an  individual,  a group  acting  in
concert, a corporation,  a partnership,  a bank, a joint stock company, a trust,
an  unincorporated  organization  or similar  company,  a syndicate or any other
group  formed for the purpose of  acquiring,  holding or disposing of the equity
securities of the bank.
    

         (2) The term "offer" includes every offer to buy or otherwise  acquire,
solicitation of an offer to sell, tender offer for, or request or invitation for
tenders of, a security or interest in a security for value.

         (3) The term  "acquire"  includes  every type of  acquisition,  whether
effected by purchase, exchange, operation of law or otherwise.

         (4) The term "acting in concert" means (a) knowing  participation  in a
joint activity or conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not
pursuant to an express  agreement,  or (b) a combination or pooling of voting or
other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose  pursuant to
any  contract,  understanding,  relationship,  agreement or other  arrangements,
whether written or otherwise.

   
         B. Cumulative Voting Limitation. Stockholders shall not be permitted to
cumulate their votes for election of directors.

         C. Call for Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders relating
to changes in control of the bank or  amendments  to its charter shall be called
only upon direction of the board of directors.
    


                                        5

<PAGE>



         SECTION 9. Directors.  The bank shall be under the direction of a board
of  directors.  The  authorized  number of  directors,  as stated in the  bank's
bylaws, shall not be fewer than five nor more than fifteen except when a greater
number is approved by the Director of the Office.

   
         SECTION 10.  Amendment of charter.  Except as provided in Section 5, no
amendment,  addition,  alteration,  change,  or repeal of this charter  shall be
made,  unless such is first proposed by the board of directors of the bank, then
preliminarily  approved by the Office, which preliminary approval may be granted
by the Office pursuant to regulations specifying preapproved charter amendments,
and  thereafter  approved by the  stockholders  by a majority of the total votes
eligible to be cast at a legal  meeting.  Any amendment,  addition,  alteration,
change,  or repeal so acted upon shall be effective  upon filing with the Office
in accordance with regulatory procedures or on such other date as the Office may
specify in its preliminary approval.
    

                                        6

<PAGE>


                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS




ATTEST:                                     By:
           ------------------------            ---------------------------------
           Rosanne Pastorek-Belcazk         Maureen G. Partynski
           Secretary                        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



                            DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
                               THRIFT SUPERVISION



ATTEST:                                      By:
        ---------------------------------       --------------------------------
        Secretary of the Office of Thrift       Director of the Office
        Supervision                             of Supervision




Declared effective this ____ day of ____________.199__




                                        7






                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.4

                                    BYLAWS OF

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   HOME OFFICE

         The home office of the bank shall be in the City of Oak Forest,  in the
County of Cook, in the State of Illinois.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                  SHAREHOLDERS

   
         Section  1. Place of  Meetings.  All annual  and  special  meetings  of
shareholders shall be held at the home office of the bank or at such other place
in the State in which the principal  place of business of the bank is located as
the board of directors may determine.
    

         Section 2. Annual  Meeting.  A meeting of  shareholders of the bank for
the election of directors and for the  transaction  of any other business of the
bank shall be held  annually  within 120 days after the end of the bank's fiscal
year on the fourth  Wednesday of each April,  if not a legal  holiday,  and if a
legal holiday,  then on the next day following which is not a legal holiday,  at
2:00 p.m.,  or at such other date and time  within  such  120-day  period as the
board of directors may determine.

   
         Section 3. Special  Meetings.  Special meetings of the shareholders for
any purpose or purposes,  unless otherwise  prescribed by the regulations of the
Office  of  Thrift  Supervision  ("Office"),  may be  called  at any time by the
Chairman of the Board,  the  president, or a majority of the board of directors,
and  shall be  called  by the  Chairman  of the  Board,  the  president,  or the
secretary upon the written  request of the holders of not less than one-tenth of
all of the out  standing  capital  stock  of the  bank  entitled  to vote at the
meeting. Such written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting
and shall be delivered to the home office of the bank  addressed to the Chairman
of the Board, the president, or the secretary.

         Section 4. Conduct of Meetings.  Annual and special  meetings  shall be
conducted in accordance with the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order
unless  otherwise  prescribed by regulations of the Office or these bylaws.  The
board of directors  shall  designate,  when present,  either the chairman of the
board or the president to preside at such meetings.

         Section 5. Notice of Meetings.  Written notice  stating the place, day,
and hour of the meeting and the purpose(s) for which the meeting is called shall
be  delivered  not fewer  than 10 nor more than 50 days  before  the date of the
meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the
    



<PAGE>



direction of the chairman of the board, the president,  or the secretary, or the
directors calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at
such  meeting.  If mailed,  such  notice  shall be deemed to be  delivered  when
deposited in the mail, addressed to the shareholder at the address as it appears
on the  stock  transfer  books  or  records  of the bank as of the  record  date
prescribed  in  Section 6 of this  Article  II with  postage  prepaid.  When any
shareholders'  meeting,  either  annual or special,  is adjourned for 30 days or
more,  notice  of the  adjourned  meeting  shall  be  given as in the case of an
original  meeting.  It shall not be necessary to give any notice of the time and
place of any meeting  adjourned  for less than 30 days or of the  business to be
transacted at the meeting,  other than an  announcement  at the meeting at which
such adjournment is taken.

         Section  6.  Fixing of Record  Date.  For the  purpose  of  determining
shareholders  entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or
any adjournment,  or shareholders  enti tled to receive payment of any dividend,
or in  order  to make a  determination  of  shareholders  for any  other  proper
purpose,  the board of directors  shall fix in advance a date as the record date
for any such  determination of shareholders.  Such date in any case shall be not
more than 60 days and, in case of a meeting of  shareholders,  not fewer than 10
days  prior  to  the  date  on  which  the  particular  action,  requiring  such
determination  of  shareholders,  is  to  be  taken.  When  a  determination  of
shareholders  entitled to vote at any meeting of  shareholders  has been made as
provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment.

   
         Section 7. Voting  Lists.  At least 20 days before each  meeting of the
shareholders, the officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for
shares of the bank shall make a complete  list of the  shareholders  entitled to
vote at such meeting,  or any adjournment,  arranged in alphabetical order, with
the  address and the number of shares  held by each.  This list of  shareholders
shall be kept on file at the home  office  of the bank and shall be  subject  to
inspection  by any  shareholder  at any time during usual  business  hours for a
period of 20 days prior to such  meeting.  Such list shall also be produced  and
kept  open at the time  and  place  of the  meeting  and  shall  be  subject  to
inspection  by any  shareholder  during  the  entire  time of the  meeting.  The
original  stock  transfer  book shall  constitute  prima  facie  evidence of the
shareholders  entitled to examine such list or transfer  books or to vote at any
meeting of  shareholders.  

         In lieu of making the  shareholder  list  available  for  inspection by
shareholders as provided in the preceding paragraph,  the board of directors may
elect to follow the  procedures  prescribed in Section  552.6(d) of the Office's
regulations as now or hereafter in effect.
    

         Section 8.  Quorum.  A majority of the  outstanding  shares of the bank
entitled to vote,  represented in person or by proxy,  shall constitute a quorum
at a meeting of shareholders.  If less than a majority of the outstanding shares
is represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn
the meeting from time to time without further notice.  At such adjourned meeting
at  which a  quorum  shall  be  present  or  represented,  any  business  may be
transacted  which  might  have been  transacted  at the  meeting  as  originally
notified.  The shareholders  present at a duly organized meeting may continue to
transact business until  adjournment,  notwithstanding  the withdrawal of enough
shareholders to constitute less than a quorum.

                                        2

<PAGE>



         Section 9. Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders,  a shareholder may
vote by proxy  executed  in  writing  by the  shareholder  or by his or her duly
authorized attorney in fact. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management shall
be voted as directed by the shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, as
determined by a majority of the board of directors. No proxy shall be valid more
than eleven  months from the date of its  execution  except for a proxy  coupled
with an interest.

         Section 10. Voting of Shares in the Name of Two or More  Persons.  When
ownership  stands in the name of two or more persons,  in the absence of written
directions to the bank to the contrary,  at any meeting of the  shareholders  of
the bank any one or more of such  shareholders  may cast, in person or by proxy,
all votes to which such  ownership is entitled.  In the event an attempt is made
to cast  conflicting  votes,  in person or by proxy,  by the several  persons in
whose names shares of stock stand,  the vote or votes to which those persons are
enti tled shall be cast as directed by a majority  of those  holding  such stock
and  present in person or by proxy at such  meeting,  but no votes shall be cast
for such stock if a majority cannot agree.

         Section 11. Voting of Shares by Certain Holders. Shares standing in the
name of another corporation may be voted by any officer,  agent, or proxy as the
bylaws of such corporation may prescribe,  or, in the absence of such provision,
as the board of directors of such  corporation may determine.  Shares held by an
administrator,  executor,  guardian,  or conservator may be voted by him or her,
either in person or by proxy,  without a transfer of such shares into his or her
name.  Shares  standing  in the  name of a  trustee  may be voted by him or her,
either in person or by proxy,  but no trustee  shall be  entitled to vote shares
held by him or her  without  a  transfer  of such  shares  into his or her name.
Shares  standing in the name of a receiver  may be voted by such  receiver,  and
shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such  receiver
without the transfer  into his or her name if authority to do so is contained in
an  appropriate  order of the  court or other  public  authority  by which  such
receiver was appointed.

         A  shareholder  whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such
shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee,  and
thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

         Neither  treasury  shares of its own stock  held by the bank nor shares
held by another  corporation,  if a majority of the shares  entitled to vote for
the election of directors of such other  corporation are held by the bank, shall
be  voted  at any  meeting  or  counted  in  determining  the  total  number  of
outstanding shares at any given time for purposes of any meeting.

         Section 12. Cumulative Voting. Unless otherwise provided in the charter
of the bank,  every  shareholder  entitled to vote at an election for  directors
shall have the right to vote, in person or by proxy,  the number of shares owned
by the  shareholder for as many persons as there are directors to be elected and
for whose election the shareholder has a right to vote, or to cumulate the votes
by giving one  candidate  as many votes as the  number of such  directors  to be
elected  multiplied by the number of shares shall equal or by distributing  such
votes on the same principle among any number of candidates.

                                        3

<PAGE>



   
         Section  13.  Inspectors  of  Election.  In advance  of any  meeting of
shareholders, the board of directors may appoint any persons other than nominees
for office as inspectors of election to act at such meeting or any  adjournment.
The  number of  inspectors  shall be either one or three.  Any such  appointment
shall not be  altered at the  meeting.  If  inspectors  of  election  are not so
appointed,  the chairman of the board or the president may, or on the request of
not fewer than 10% of the votes  represented  at the  meeting  shall,  make such
appointment  at the meeting.  If  appointed at the meeting,  the majority of the
votes  present  shall  determine  whether  one  or  three  inspectors  are to be
appointed. In case any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or
refuses  to act,  the  vacancy  may be  filled  by  appointment  by the board of
directors  in advance of the  meeting or at the  meeting by the  chairman of the
board or the president.

         Unless otherwise prescribed by regulations of the Office, the duties of
such inspectors  shall include:  determining the number of shares and the voting
power of each share, the shares  represented at the meeting,  the existence of a
quorum, and the authenticity,  validity and effect of proxies;  receiving votes,
ballots or consents; hearing and determining all challenges and questions in any
way arising in connection  with the rights to vote;  counting and tabulating all
votes or  consents;  determining  the result;  and such acts as may be proper to
conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.
    

         Section 14. Nominating Committee. The board of directors shall act as a
nominating  committee  for  selecting  the  management  nominees for election as
directors.  Except in the case of a nominee substituted as a result of the death
or other  incapacity of a management  nominee,  the nominating  committee  shall
deliver written  nominations to the secretary at least 20 days prior to the date
of the annual  meeting.  Upon delivery,  such  nominations  shall be posted in a
conspicuous  place in each  office of the bank.  No  nominations  for  directors
except those made by the nominating  committee shall be voted upon at the annual
meeting  unless  other  nominations  by  shareholders  are made in  writing  and
delivered  to the  secretary of the bank at least five days prior to the date of
the  annual  meeting.  Upon  delivery,  such  nominations  shall be  posted in a
conspicuous  place in each office of the bank.  Ballots bearing the names of all
the persons nominated by the nominating  committee and by shareholders  shall be
provided for use at the annual  meeting.  However,  if the nominating  committee
shall  fail or  refuse  to act at least 20 days  prior  to the  annual  meeting,
nominations  for directors may be made at the annual meeting by any  shareholder
entitled to vote and shall be voted upon.

         Section 15. New Business.  At an annual  meeting of  shareholders  only
such new business  shall be conducted,  and only such  proposals  shall be acted
upon,  as shall  have been  properly  brought  before the  meeting.  For any new
business  proposed  by  management  to be  properly  brought  before  the annual
meeting,  such new business shall be approved by the board of directors,  either
directly  or  through  its  approval  of proxy  solicitation  materials  related
thereto, and shall be stated in writing and filed with the secretary of the bank
at least 20 days  before the date of the annual  meeting,  and all  business  so
stated,  proposed  and filed  shall be  considered  at the annual  meeting.  Any
shareholder  may make any other  proposal at the annual meeting and the same may
be discussed and considered, but unless properly brought before the meeting such

                                        4

<PAGE>



   
proposal  shall not be acted upon at the meeting.  For a proposal to be properly
brought  before an annual meeting by a shareholder,  the  shareholder  must have
given  timely  notice  thereof in writing to the  secretary  of the bank.  To be
timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or received at the principal
executive  offices  of the  bank,  not less than 20 days  prior to the  meeting;
provided,  however,  that in the event that less than 30 days notice of the date
of the meeting is given to shareholders  (which notice shall be accompanied by a
proxy or information statement which describes each matter proposed by the board
of directors to be acted upon at the meeting),  notice by the  shareholder to be
timely must be so received  not later than the close of business on the 10th day
following  the day on which such  notice of the date of the annual  meeting  was
mailed.  A  shareholder's  notice  to the  secretary  shall set forth as to each
matter the shareholder  proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (a) a brief
description of the proposal desired to be brought before the annual meeting; (b)
the name and address of the  shareholder  proposing  such  business; and (c) the
class  and  number  of  shares  of the bank  which  are  owned of  record by the
shareholder. Notwithstanding anything in the bylaws to the contrary, no business
shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this Section 15.
    

         Section 16. Informal Action by Shareholders.  Any action required to be
taken at a meeting of shareholders,  or any other action which may be taken at a
meeting of  shareholders,  may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing,
setting  forth the  action so taken,  shall be given by all of the  shareholders
entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter.


                                   ARTICLE III

                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         Section 1. General  Powers.  The business and affairs of the bank shall
be under the direction of its board of directors.  The board of directors  shall
annually  elect a chairman of the board and a  president  from among its members
and shall  designate,  when  present,  either the  chairman  of the board or the
president to preside at its meetings.

         Section 2. Number and Term.  The board of  directors  shall  consist of
five members and shall be divided  into three  classes as nearly equal in number
as  possible.  The  members of each class  shall be elected  for a term of three
years and until their  successors are elected and qualified.  One class shall be
elected by ballot annually.

         Section  3.  Regular  Meetings.  A  regular  meeting  of the  board  of
directors shall be held without other notice than this bylaw immediately  after,
and at the same  place as,  the annual  meeting  of  shareholders.  The board of
directors  may provide,  by  resolution,  the time and place,  within the bank's
normal lending territory, for the holding of additional regular meetings without
other notice than such resolution.


                                        5

<PAGE>



         Section  4.  Qualification.  Each  director  shall at all  times be the
beneficial owner of not less than 100 shares of capital stock of the bank unless
the bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company.

   
         Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors
may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board,  the president,
or one-third of the directors.  The persons  authorized to call special meetings
of the board of directors may fix any place,  within the bank's  normal  lending
territory,  as the  place  for  holding  any  special  meeting  of the  board of
directors called by such persons.
    

         Members of the board of directors may  participate in special  meetings
by means of conference  telephone or similar  communications  equipment by which
all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation
shall constitute presence in person but shall not constitute  attendance for the
purpose of compensation pursuant to Section 12 of this Article.

         Section 6. Notice. Written notice of any special meeting shall be given
to each director at least two days prior thereto when delivered personally or by
telegram  or at least  five days prior  thereto  when  delivered  by mail at the
address at which the director is most likely to be reached. Such notice shall be
deemed to be delivered  when  deposited in the mail so  addressed,  with postage
prepaid  if  mailed  or  when  delivered  to the  telegraph  company  if sent by
telegram.  Any director may waive notice of any meeting by a writing  filed with
the  secretary.  The  attendance of a director at a meeting  shall  constitute a
waiver of notice of such meeting,  except where a director attends a meeting for
the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business  because the
meeting  is  not  lawfully  called  or  convened.  Neither  the  business  to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the board of directors need be
specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

         Section 7.  Quorum.  A majority  of the  number of  directors  fixed by
Section 2 of this Article III shall  constitute a quorum for the  transaction of
business  at any  meeting  of the  board of  directors;  but if less  than  such
majority  is present  at a meeting,  a majority  of the  directors  present  may
adjourn the meeting from time to time.  Notice of any adjourned meeting shall be
given in the same manner as prescribed by Section 6 of this Article III.

         Section 8. Manner of Acting.  The act of the majority of the  directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present  shall be the act of the board
of directors,  unless a greater number is prescribed by regulation of the Office
or by these bylaws.

         Section 9. Action Without a Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted
to be taken by the  board of  directors  at a  meeting  may be taken  without  a
meeting if a consent in  writing,  setting  forth the action so taken,  shall be
signed by all of the directors.

         Section 10. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by sending
a written notice of such resignation to the home office of the bank addressed to
the chairman of the board

                                        6

<PAGE>



or the president. Unless otherwise specified, such resignation shall take effect
upon  receipt by the  chairman  of the board or the  president.  More than three
consecutive  absences from regular  meetings of the board of  directors,  unless
excused by resolution of the board of directors,  shall automatically constitute
a  resignation,  effective  when such  resignation  is  accepted by the board of
directors.

         Section 11. Vacancies.  Any vacancy occurring on the board of directors
may be filled by the affirmative  vote of a majority of the remaining  directors
although  less than a quorum of the board of  directors.  A director  elected to
fill a vacancy shall be elected to serve until the next election of directors by
the shareholders.  Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the
number of directors  may be filled by election by the board of  directors  for a
term of office  continuing  only until the next  election  of  directors  by the
shareholders.

         Section  12.  Compensation.  Directors,  as such,  may receive a stated
salary for their services. By resolution of the board of directors, a reasonable
fixed sum, and  reasonable  expenses of  attendance,  if any, may be allowed for
actual  attendance at each regular or special meeting of the board of directors.
Members  of  either   standing  or  special   committees  may  be  allowed  such
compensation  for  actual  attendance  at  committee  meetings  as the  board of
directors may determine.

         Section  13.  Presumption  of  Assent.  A  director  of the bank who is
present  at a meeting  of the  board of  directors  at which  action on any bank
matter is taken shall be presumed to have  assented to the action  taken  unless
his or her dissent or abstention  shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting
or unless he or she shall file a written  dissent to such action with the person
acting as the secretary of the meeting before the  adjournment  thereof or shall
forward such dissent by registered mail to the secretary of the bank within five
days after the date a copy of the minutes of the meeting is received. Such right
to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

         Section 14. Removal of Directors.  At a meeting of shareholders  called
expressly for that  purpose,  any director may be removed for cause by a vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares then  entitled to vote at an election of
directors.  If less  than  the  entire  board  is to be  removed,  no one of the
directors  may be  removed  if the  votes  cast  against  the  removal  would be
sufficient to elect a director if then cumulatively  voted at an election of the
class of directors of which such director is a part. Whenever the holders of the
shares  of any  class  are  entitled  to  elect  one or  more  directors  by the
provisions of the charter or supplemental  sections  thereto,  the provisions of
this section  shall apply,  in respect to the removal of a director or directors
so elected,  to the vote of the holders of the outstanding  shares of that class
and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole.


                                        7

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IV

                         EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

         Section 1. Appointment.  The board of directors,  by resolution adopted
by a majority of the full board,  may designate the chief executive  officer and
two or more of the other  directors to  constitute an executive  committee.  The
designation  of any committee  pursuant to this Article IV and the delegation of
authority shall not operate to relieve the board of directors,  or any director,
of any responsibility imposed by law or regulation.

         Section  2.  Authority.  The  executive  committee,  when the  board of
directors is not in session, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of
the board of directors  except to the extent,  if any, that such authority shall
be limited by the resolution appointing the executive committee; and except also
that the  executive  committee  shall  not have the  authority  of the  board of
directors with reference to: the declaration of dividends;  the amendment of the
charter or bylaws of the bank, or  recommending  to the  shareholders  a plan of
merger,  consolidation,  or conversion; the sale, lease, or other disposition of
all or  substantially  all of the property and assets of the bank otherwise than
in the usual and regular course of its business; a voluntary  dissolution of the
bank; a revocation of any of the foregoing;  or the approval of a transaction in
which any member of the executive  committee,  directly or  indirectly,  has any
material beneficial interest.

         Section  3.  Tenure.  Subject  to the  provisions  of Section 8 of this
Article IV, each member of the executive  committee  shall hold office until the
next  regular  annual  meeting of the board of  directors  following  his or her
designation  and until a successor is  designated  as a member of the  executive
committee.

         Section 4. Meetings. Regular meetings of the executive committee may be
held without notice at such times and places as the executive  committee may fix
from time to time by resolution. Special meetings of the executive committee may
be called by any member  thereof upon not less than one day's notice stating the
place,  date, and hour of the meeting,  which notice may be written or oral. Any
member of the executive  committee may waive notice of any meeting and no notice
of any meeting  need be given to any member  thereof who attends in person.  The
notice of a  meeting  of the  executive  committee  need not state the  business
proposed to be transacted at the meeting.

         Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the members of the executive committee
shall  constitute  a quorum  for the  transaction  of  business  at any  meeting
thereof,  and  action  of the  executive  committee  must be  authorized  by the
affirmative  vote of a majority of the  members  present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present.

         Section 6. Action Without a Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted
to be taken by the  executive  committee  at a  meeting  may be taken  without a
meeting if a consent in writing,

                                        8

<PAGE>



setting forth the action so taken,  shall be signed by all of the members of the
executive committee.

         Section 7.  Vacancies.  Any vacancy in the  executive  committee may be
filled by a resolution adopted by a majority of the full board of directors.

         Section  8.  Resignations  and  Removal.  Any  member of the  executive
committee may be removed at any time with or without cause by resolution adopted
by a  majority  of the full  board of  directors.  Any  member of the  executive
committee may resign from the executive  committee at any time by giving written
notice to the president or secretary of the bank.  Unless  otherwise  specified,
such  resignation  shall take effect upon its receipt;  the  acceptance  of such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

         Section 9. Procedure.  The executive  committee shall elect a presiding
officer from its members and may fix its own rules of procedure  which shall not
be  inconsistent  with  these  bylaws.  It shall  keep  regular  minutes  of its
proceedings and report the same to the board of directors for its information at
the meeting held next after the proceedings shall have occurred.

   
         Section 10. Other Committees.  The board of directors may by resolution
establish an audit,  loan,  or other  committee  composed of directors as it may
determine to be necessary or appropriate  for the conduct of the business of the
bank and may prescribe the duties, constitution and procedures thereof.
    


                                    ARTICLE V

                                    OFFICERS

   
         Section 1.  Positions.  The  officers of the bank shall be a president,
one or more vice presidents,  a secretary and a chief financial officer, each of
whom shall be elected by the board of directors. The Board of Directors may also
designate the Chairman of the Board as an officer.  The  president  shall be the
chief executive officer,  unless the Board of Directors  designates the Chairman
of the Board as chief  executive  officer.  The president shall be a director of
the bank. The offices of the secretary and chief  financial  officer may be held
by the same person and a vice  president may also be either the secretary or the
chief financial  officer.  The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice
presidents as executive  vice president or senior vice  president.  The Board of
Directors may also elect or authorize the  appointment of such other officers as
the business of the bank may require. The officers shall have such authority and
perform such duties as the board of directors may from time to time authorize or
determine.  In the  absence of action by the board of  directors,  the  officers
shall  have such  powers  and duties as  generally  pertain to their  respective
offices.
    

         Section 2. Election and Term of Office.  The officers of the bank shall
be elected  annually at the first  meeting of the board of directors  held after
each annual meeting of the

                                        9

<PAGE>



shareholders.  If the  election of officers  is not held at such  meeting,  such
election shall be held as soon  thereafter as possible.  Each officer shall hold
office  until a  successor  has been duly  elected  and  qualified  or until the
officer's death,  resignation,  or removal in the manner  hereinafter  provided.
Election or  appointment  of an  officer,  employee or agent shall not of itself
create  contractual  rights.  The board of directors  may  authorize the bank to
enter  into  an  employment   contract  with  any  officer  in  accordance  with
regulations  of the Office;  but no such contract  shall impair the right of the
board of directors to remove any officer at any time in accordance  with Section
3 of this Article V.

         Section  3.  Removal.  Any  officer  may be  removed  by the  board  of
directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the bank will be served
thereby,  but such removal,  other than for cause, shall be without prejudice to
the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.

         Section  4.  Vacancies.  A  vacancy  in any  office  because  of death,
resignation, removal, disqualification,  or otherwise may be filled by the board
of directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

         Section 5.  Remuneration.  The  remuneration  of the officers  shall be
fixed from time to time by the board of directors.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                      CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

         Section 1.  Contracts.  To the extent  permitted by  regulations of the
Office,  and except as  otherwise  prescribed  by these  bylaws with  respect to
certificates  for shares,  the board of di rectors may  authorize  any  officer,
employee, or agent of the bank to enter into any contract or execute and deliver
any  instrument in the name of and on behalf of the bank.  Such authority may be
general or confined to specific instances.

         Section 2. Loans.  No loans shall be  contracted  on behalf of the bank
and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by
the board of  directors.  Such  authority may be general or confined to specific
instances.

   
         Section 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts, or other orders for
the payment of money,  notes, or other  evidences of indebtedness  issued in the
name of the bank shall be signed by one or more officers,  employees,  or agents
of the bank in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the board
of directors.
    

         Section 4. Deposits. All funds of the bank not otherwise employed shall
be deposited from time to time to the credit of the bank in any duly  authorized
depositories as the board of directors may select.

                                       10

<PAGE>




                                   ARTICLE VII

                   CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

   
         Section 1. Certificates for Shares. Certificates representing shares of
capital  stock of the bank shall be in such form as shall be  determined  by the
board of directors and approved by the Office. Such certificates shall be signed
by the chief executive officer or by any other officer of the bank authorized by
the board of directors, attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary, and
sealed with the corporate  seal or a facsimile  thereof.  The signatures of such
offi cers upon a certificate  may be facsimiles if the  certificate  is manually
signed on behalf of a transfer  agent or a registrar  other than the bank itself
or one of its employees.  Each  certificate for shares of capital stock shall be
consecutively  numbered  or  otherwise  identified.  The name and address of the
person to whom the  shares  are  issued,  with the  number of shares and date of
issue,  shall  be  entered  on  the  stock  transfer  books  of  the  bank.  All
certificates  surrendered to the bank for transfer shall be cancelled and no new
certificate  shall be issued until the former  certificate  for a like number of
shares has been surrendered and cancelled,  except that in the case of a lost or
destroyed  certificate,  a new  certificate  may be issued  upon such  terms and
indemnity to the bank as the board of directors may prescribe.
    

         Section 2.  Transfer of Shares.  Transfer of shares of capital stock of
the bank  shall be made only on its stock  transfer  books.  Authority  for such
transfer  shall be given  only by the  holder  of  record or by his or her legal
representative,  who shall furnish proper evidence of such authority,  or by his
or her attorney  authorized by a duly executed  power of attorney and filed with
the bank. Such transfer shall be made only on surrender for  cancellation of the
certificate  for such shares.  The person in whose name shares of capital  stock
stand on the  books of the bank  shall be deemed by the bank to be the owner for
all purposes.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                            FISCAL YEAR; ANNUAL AUDIT

         The fiscal  year of the bank shall end on the last day of  December  of
each year.  The bank  shall be  subject to an annual  audit as of the end of its
fiscal year by independent  public  accountants  appointed by and responsible to
the board of directors.  The appointment of such accountants shall be subject to
annual ratification by the shareholders.



                                       11

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    DIVIDENDS

         Subject  to the terms of the bank's  charter  and the  regulations  and
orders of the Office,  the board of directors  may, from time to time,  declare,
and the bank may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares of capital stock.


                                    ARTICLE X

                                 CORPORATE SEAL

         The board of  directors  shall  provide a bank seal which  shall be two
concentric  circles  between  which  shall be the name of the bank.  The year of
incorporation or an emblem may appear in the center.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                   AMENDMENTS

         These bylaws may be amended in a manner consistent with the regulations
of the Office at any time by a majority of the full board of  directors  or by a
majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the bank at any legal meeting.

                                       12





                                  EXHIBIT 8.1


                      [SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF LETTERHEAD]


                                                           January 27, 1997

Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
5700 W. 159th Street
Oak Forest, Illinois 60452-3198

               RE:  Federal  Income Tax Opinion  Relating To The  Conversion  Of
                    Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings From A  Federally-Chartered
                    Mutual Savings Bank To A  Federally-Chartered  Stock Savings
                    Bank Under Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code
                    of 1986, As Amended

Gentlemen:

                  In accordance  with your request set forth  hereinbelow is the
opinion of this firm  relating to the  federal  income tax  consequences  of the
conversion   of   Hemlock   Federal   Bank  for   Savings   ("Mutual")   from  a
federally-chartered  mutual savings bank to a federally-chartered  stock savings
bank ("Stock Bank")  pursuant to the provisions of Section  368(a)(1)(F)  of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

                  Capitalized  terms used herein which are not expressly defined
herein shall have the meaning  ascribed to them in the Plan of Conversion  dated
September 10, 1996 (the "Plan").

                  The following  assumptions  have been made in connection  with
our opinions hereinbelow:

                  1. The Conversion is implemented in accordance  with the terms
of the  Plan  and all  conditions  precedent  contained  in the  Plan  shall  be
performed or waived prior to the consummation of the Conversion.



<PAGE>


Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
January 27, 1997
Page 2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  2. No amount of the savings  accounts  and deposits of Mutual,
as of the Eligibility  Record Date or the Supplemental  Eligibility Record Date,
will be excluded from participating in the liquidation account of Stock Bank. To
the best of the knowledge of the management of Mutual there is not now, nor will
there be at the time of the  Conversion,  any plan or intention,  on the part of
the depositors in Mutual to withdraw their  deposits  following the  Conversion.
Deposits  withdrawn  immediately  prior  to or  immediately  subsequent  to  the
Conversion  (other  than  maturing  deposits)  are  considered  in making  these
assumptions.

                  3.  Holding  Company  and  Stock  Bank  each  have  no plan or
intention to redeem or otherwise  acquire any of the Holding Company  Conversion
Stock to be issued in the proposed transaction.

                  4.  Immediately  following  the  consummation  of the proposed
transaction,  Stock Bank will possess the same assets and  liabilities as Mutual
held immediately prior to the proposed  transaction,  plus  substantially all of
the net proceeds from the sale of its stock to Holding Company except for assets
used to pay expenses of the  Conversion.  The  liabilities  transferred to Stock
Bank were incurred by Mutual in the ordinary course of business.

                  5. No cash  or  property  will be  given  to  deposit  account
holders in lieu of Subscription Rights or an interest in the liquidation account
of Stock Bank.

                  6.  Following  the  Conversion,  Stock Bank will  continue  to
engage in its  business in  substantially  the same manner as Mutual  engaged in
business  prior to the  Conversion,  and it has no plan or  intention to sell or
otherwise  dispose  of any of its  assets,  except  in the  ordinary  course  of
business.

                                                                                
                  7.  There  is no  plan  or  intention  for  Stock  Bank  to be
liquidated or merged with another corporation  following the consummation of the
Conversion.

                  8.  The fair  market  value of each  savings  account  plus an
interest in the  liquidation  account of Stock Bank will, in each  instance,  be
approximately  equal to the fair market value of each savings  account of Mutual
plus the  interest  in the  residual  equity of Mutual  surrendered  in exchange
therefor.

                  9. Mutual  utilizes a reserve for bad debts in accordance with
Section 593 of the Code and following the Conversion,  Stock Bank shall likewise
continue to utilize a reserve for bad debts in  accordance  with  Section 593 of
the Code.



<PAGE>


Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
January 27, 1997
Page 3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  10.   Mutual,   Stock  Bank  and  Holding   Company  are  each
corporations  within the meaning of Section  7701(a)(3) of the Code.  Mutual and
Stock Bank are  domestic  building and loan  associations  within the meaning of
Section 7701(a)(19)(C) of the Code.

                  11.  Holding  Company  has no  plan  or  intention  to sell or
otherwise  dispose of the stock of Stock  Bank  received  by it in the  proposed
transaction.

                  12.  Both  Stock  Bank  and  Holding  Company  have no plan or
intention,  either  currently or at the time of Conversion,  to issue additional
shares of common stock  following  the proposed  transaction,  other than shares
that may be issued to  employees  and/or  directors  pursuant  to certain  stock
option  and stock  incentive  plans or that may be issued  to  employee  benefit
plans.

                  13.  If all of the net  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  Holding
Company  Conversion  Stock had been contributed by Holding Company to Stock Bank
in exchange  for common  stock of Stock Bank in the  transaction,  as opposed to
Holding  Company  retaining  a  portion  of such  net  proceeds  (the  "retained
proceeds"),  and Stock Bank  immediately  thereafter  made a distribution of the
retained proceeds to Holding Company,  Stock Bank would have sufficient  current
and accumulated earnings and profits for tax purposes such that the distribution
would not result in the  recapture  of any  portion of the bad debt  reserves of
Stock Bank under Section 593(e) of the Code.

                  14.  Assets  used to pay  expenses of the  Conversion  and all
distributions  (except for regular,  normal interest payments and other payments
in the  normal  course of  business  made by Mutual  immediately  preceding  the
transaction) will in the aggregate  constitute less than 1% of the net assets of
Mutual and any such expenses and  distributions  will be paid by Stock Bank from
the proceeds of the sale of Holding Company Conversion Stock.

                  15.  All  distributions  to deposit  account  holders in their
capacity  as deposit  account  holders  (except  for  regular,  normal  interest
payments made by Mutual), will, in the aggregate, constitute less than 1% of the
fair market value of the net assets of Mutual.

                  16. At the time of the proposed  transaction,  the fair market
value of the assets of Mutual on a going concern basis  (including  intangibles)
will  equal  or  exceed  the  amount  of its  liabilities  plus  the  amount  of
liabilities  to which  such  assets  are  subject.  Mutual  will have a positive
regulatory net worth at the time of the Conversion.

                  17. Mutual is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title
11 or similar case within the meaning of Section  368(a)(3)(A)  of the Code. The
proposed transaction does not involve


<PAGE>



Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
January 27, 1997
Page 4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




a receivership,  foreclosure,  or similar  proceeding  before a federal or state
agency involving a financial institution to which Section 585 or 593 of the Code
applies.

                  18.  Mutual's   Eligible   Account  Holders  and  Supplemental
Eligible Account Holders will pay expenses of the Conversion solely attributable
to them, if any.

                  19. The  liabilities  of Mutual assumed by Stock Bank plus the
liabilities,  if any, to which the transferred  assets are subject were incurred
by Mutual in the ordinary  course of its business  and are  associated  with the
assets being transferred.

                  20.  There will be no purchase  price  advantage  for Mutual's
deposit account holders who purchase Holding Company Conversion Stock.

                  21. Neither Mutual nor Stock Bank is an investment  company as
defined in Sections 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code.

                  22.  None of the  compensation  to be  received by any deposit
account  holder-  employees  of  Mutual  or  Holding  Company  will be  separate
consideration for, or allocable to, any of their deposits in Mutual. No interest
in the liquidation account of Stock Bank will be received by any deposit account
holder-employees  as separate  consideration for, or will otherwise be allocable
to, any employment agreement,  and the compensation paid to each deposit account
holder-employee,  during the twelve-month  period preceding or subsequent to the
Conversion, will be for services actually rendered and will be commensurate with
amounts  paid to the  third  parties  bargaining  at  arm's-length  for  similar
services.  No shares of Holding  Company  Conversion  Stock will be issued to or
purchased by any deposit account holder-employee of Mutual or Holding Company at
a discount or as compensation in the proposed transaction.

                  23. No creditors of Mutual or the  depositors in their role as
creditors,  have  taken any steps to  enforce  their  claims  against  Mutual by
instituting  bankruptcy  or  other  legal  proceedings,  in  either  a court  or
appropriate regulatory agency, that would eliminate the proprietary interests of
the Members prior to the Conversion of Mutual including depositors as the equity
holders of Mutual.

                  24. The proposed  transaction  does not involve the payment to
Stock Bank or Mutual of financial  assistance  from federal  agencies within the
meaning of Notice 89-102, 1989-40 C.B. 1.



<PAGE>



Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
January 27, 1997
Page 5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  25.  On a per  share  basis,  the  purchase  price of  Holding
Company Conversion Stock will be equal to the fair market value of such stock at
the time of the completion of the proposed transaction.

                  26. Mutual has received or will receive an opinion from Keller
& Co. ("Appraiser's  Opinion"),  which concludes that the Subscription Rights to
be received by Eligible Account Holders,  Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders
and other eligible  subscribers do not have any ascertainable fair market value,
since they are acquired by the recipients without cost, are non-transferable and
of short  duration,  and afford the recipients a right only to purchase  Holding
Company  Conversion  Stock at a price equal to its estimated  fair market value,
which  will be the same  price as the  Public  Offering  Price for  unsubscribed
shares of Holding Company Conversion Stock.

                  27.  Mutual will not have any net  operating  losses,  capital
loss carryovers or built- in losses at the time of the Conversion.

                                     OPINION

                  Based solely on the assumptions set forth  hereinabove and our
analysis  and  examination  of  applicable  federal  income  tax laws,  rulings,
regulations,  judicial  precedents and the  Appraiser's  Opinion,  we are of the
opinion that if the  transaction  is  undertaken  in  accordance  with the above
assumptions:

                  (1) The Conversion will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section  368(a)(1)(F) of the Code. Neither Mutual nor Stock Bank will
recognize any gain or loss as a result of the  transaction  (Rev.  Rul.  80-105,
1980-1 C.B. 78). Mutual and Stock Bank will each be a party to a  reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.

                  (2) Stock Bank will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt
of money and other  property,  if any, in the  Conversion,  in exchange  for its
shares. (Section 1032(a) of the Code.)

                  (3) No gain or loss will be recognized by Holding Company upon
the receipt of money for Holding Company  Conversion Stock.  (Section 1032(a) of
the Code.)

                  (4) The basis of  Mutual's  assets in the hands of Stock  Bank
will be the same as the basis of those assets in the hands of Mutual immediately
prior to the transaction. (Section 362(b) of the Code.)



<PAGE>



Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
January 27, 1997
Page 6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  (5) Stock Bank's  holding  period of the assets of Mutual will
include the period  during  which such  assets were held by Mutual  prior to the
Conversion. (Section 1223(2) of the Code).

                  (6) Stock Bank, for purposes of Section 381 of the Code,  will
be treated as if there had been no reorganization.  The tax attributes of Mutual
enumerated  in Section  381(a) of the Code will be taken  into  account by Stock
Bank as if there had been no reorganization. Accordingly, the tax year of Mutual
will not end on the effective date of the  Conversion.  The part of the tax year
of Mutual before the Conversion will be includible in the tax year of Stock Bank
after the Conversion.  Therefore,  Mutual will not have to file a federal income
tax return for the portion of the tax year prior to the  Conversion.  (Rev. Rul.
57-276, 1957-1 C.B. 126).

                  (7)   Depositors   will  realize   gain,   if  any,  upon  the
constructive  issuance to them of withdrawable  deposit  accounts of Stock Bank,
Subscription  Rights and/or interests in the liquidation  account of Stock Bank.
Any gain resulting  therefrom  will be recognized,  but only in an amount not in
excess of the fair market value of the liquidation  accounts and/or Subscription
Rights received. The liquidation accounts will have nominal, if any, fair market
value. Based solely on the accuracy of the conclusion reached in the Appraiser's
Opinion, and our reliance on such opinion,  that the Subscription Rights have no
value at the time of distribution or exercise,  no gain or loss will be required
to be recognized  by depositors  upon receipt or  distribution  of  Subscription
Rights.  (Section  1001 of the  Code);  See  Paulsen v.  Commissioner,  469 U.S.
131,139  (1985).  Likewise,  based  solely  on the  accuracy  of  the  aforesaid
conclusion reached in the Appraiser's Opinion, and our reliance thereon, we give
the  following  opinions:  (a) no  taxable  income  will  be  recognized  by the
borrowers,  directors, officers and employees of Mutual upon the distribution to
them of  Subscription  Rights or upon the exercise or lapse of the  Subscription
Rights to acquire Holding Company  Conversion Stock at fair market value; (b) no
taxable  income will be realized by the  depositors of Mutual as a result of the
exercise  or  lapse of the  Subscription  Rights  to  purchase  Holding  Company
Conversion Stock at fair market value.  Rev. Rul.  56-572,  1956-2 C.B. 182; and
(c) no taxable income will be realized by Mutual,  Stock Bank or Holding Company
on the issuance or distribution  of Subscription  Rights to depositors of Mutual
to purchase  shares of Holding  Company  Conversion  Stock at fair market value.
(Section 311 of the Code.)

                  Notwithstanding  the Appraiser's  Opinion, if the Subscription
Rights  are  subsequently  found  to have a fair  market  value,  income  may be
recognized by various  recipients of the Subscription  Rights (in certain cases,
whether or not the rights are exercised)  and Holding  Company and/or Stock Bank
may be taxable on the distribution of the Subscription  Rights.  (Section 311 of
the Code).  In this regard,  the  Subscription  Rights may be taxed partially or
entirely at ordinary income tax rates.


<PAGE>



Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
January 27, 1997
Page 7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  (8) The creation of the liquidation  account on the records of
Stock  Bank will have no effect on  Mutual's  or Stock  Bank's  taxable  income,
deductions,  or additions to the reserve for bad debts under  Section 593 of the
Code, or distributions to shareholders under Section 593(e).

                  (9)  Pursuant to the  provisions  of Section  381(c)(4) of the
Code and Section  1.381(c)(4)-1(a)(1)(ii)  of the Income Tax Regulations,  Stock
Bank  will   succeed   to  and  take  into   account,   immediately   after  the
reorganization,  the dollar amounts of those accounts of Mutual which  represent
bad debt reserves in respect of which Mutual has taken a bad debt  deduction for
taxable years ending on or before the date of the  reorganization.  The bad debt
reserves  will not be  required  to be  restored  to the gross  income of either
Mutual or Stock Bank as a result of the  Conversion  for the taxable year of the
reorganization,  and such bad debt reserves will have the same  character in the
hands  of  Stock  Bank as they  would  have had in the  hands  of  Mutual  if no
reorganization had occurred. No opinion is being expressed as to whether the bad
debt  reserves  will be required  to be  restored to the gross  income of either
Mutual or Stock Bank for the  taxable  year of the  transfer  if Mutual or Stock
Bank fails to meet the requirements of Section 593(a)(2) of the Code during such
taxable year.

                  (10) A depositor's basis in the savings deposits of Stock Bank
will be the same as the basis of his savings  deposits in Mutual.  (Section 1012
of the Code). Based upon the Appraiser's  Opinion, the basis of the Subscription
Rights will be zero.  The basis of the  interest in the  liquidation  account of
Stock Bank  received  by Eligible  Account  Holders  and  Supplemental  Eligible
Account  Holders  will be  equal to the cost of such  property,  i.e.,  the fair
market value of the proprietary interest in Mutual, which in this transaction we
assume to be zero.

                  (11) The  basis of  Holding  Company  Conversion  Stock to its
shareholders will be the purchase price thereof. (Section 1012 of the Code).

                  (12)  A  shareholder's  holding  period  for  Holding  Company
Conversion Stock acquired through the exercise of the Subscription  Rights shall
begin on the date on which  the  Subscription  Rights  are  exercised.  (Section
1223(6) of the Code).  The  holding  period for the Holding  Company  Conversion
Stock purchase  pursuant to the direct  community  offering,  public offering or
under other purchase  arrangements  will commence on the date following the date
on which such stock is purchased. (Rev. Rul. 70-598, 1970-2 C.B. 168).

                  (13)  Regardless  of any  book  entries  that are made for the
establishment of a liquidation account, the reorganization will not diminish the
accumulated  earnings  and  profits  of  Mutual  available  for  the  subsequent
distribution  of  dividends,  within the  meaning  of  Section  316 of the Code.
Section  1.312-11(b) and (c) of the Regulations.  Stock Bank will succeed to and
take into


<PAGE>



Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
January 27, 1997
Page 8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



account the earnings  and profits or deficit in earnings and profits,  of Mutual
as of the date of Conversion.

                  The above  opinions are effective to the extent that Mutual is
solvent.  No opinion is expressed  about the tax treatment of the transaction if
Mutual is insolvent.  Whether or not Mutual is solvent will be determined at the
end of the taxable year in which the transaction is consummated.

                  No  opinion  is  expressed  as to  the  tax  treatment  of the
transaction  under the  provisions of any of the other  sections of the Code and
Income  Tax  Regulations  which may also be  applicable  thereto,  or to the tax
treatment of any conditions  existing at the time of, or effects resulting from,
the  transaction  which are not  specifically  covered by the opinions set forth
above.

                                                 Respectfully submitted,

                                                 SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.


                                                 /s/ Barry P. Taff, P.C.
                                                 -------------------------------




                                  EXHIBIT 8.2


January 27, 1997



Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Savings Bank
5700 W. 159th Street
Oak Forest, IL 60452

   RE:   Illinois  Income Tax  Opinion  relating  to the  conversion  of Hemlock
         Federal Bank for Savings from a Federally-Chartered Mutual Savings Bank
         to a Federally-Chartered  Stock Savings Bank under Section 368(a)(1)(F)
         of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

In accordance with your request,  we render our opinion relating to the Illinois
income tax consequences of the conversion of Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings.

Statement of Facts

The facts and  circumstances  surrounding  the proposed  charter  conversion are
quite  detailed and are  described at length in the Plan of  Conversion  and the
federal tax opinion issued by Silver,  Freedman, & Taff, L.L.P, which are hereby
incorporated herein. However, a brief summary of the proposed Plan of Conversion
is as follows:

Hemlock  Federal  Savings Bank for Savings  ("Mutual") is a federally  chartered
mutual savings bank. As a mutual savings bank,  Mutual has no authorized  stock.
For what are stated to be valid  business  reasons,  Mutual  wishes to amend its
charter to permit it to continue operations in the form of a federally-chartered
stock savings bank ("Stock  Bank").  The fair market value of Stock Bank deposit
accounts  received by Mutual deposit  account  holders will be equal to the fair
market  value  of  Mutual  deposit  accounts  surrendered  as a  result  of  the
conversion process.

Opinion

You have  provided  us with a copy of the  federal  income  tax  opinion  of the
transaction  prepared by Silver,  Freedman,  & Taff,  L.L.P.,  dated January 27,
1997,  in which  they have  opined  that the  Conversion  will be a  transaction
described  in Section  368(a)(1)(F)  of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as
amended.




<PAGE>



Our opinion  regarding the Illinois tax  consequences  is based on the facts and
assumptions  and  incorporates  the  capitalized  terms contained in the Silver,
Freedman,  & Taff, L.L.P.  federal tax opinion.  Our opinion on the Illinois tax
consequences  assumes  that the final  federal  income tax  consequences  of the
proposed transaction are those outlined in the Silver,  Freedman, & Taff, L.L.P.
federal tax opinion.

Should it  finally  be  determined  that the facts and the  federal  income  tax
consequences are not as outlined in the Silver, Freedman, & Taff, L.L.P. federal
tax opinion,  the Illinois  tax  consequences  and our Illinois tax opinion will
differ  from what is  contained  herein.  Our  opinion  is based on the  current
Illinois tax law which is subject to change.

Our opinion adopts and relies upon the facts,  assumptions,  and  conclusions as
set forth in the Silver,  Freedman,  & Taff, L.L.P.  federal tax opinion letter.
Based upon that information, we render the following opinion with respect to the
Illinois income tax consequences of the Conversion.

     (1)  No gain or loss  shall be  recognized  by  Mutual  or Stock  Bank as a
          result of the Conversion. ITA Sec. 403(a)(35 ILCS 5/403(a))

     (2)  Stock Bank will  recognize  no gain or loss upon the  receipt of money
          and other  property,  if any, in the  Conversion,  in exchange for its
          stock. ITA Sec. 403(a)(35 ILCS 5/403(a))

     (3)  No gain or loss will be  recognized  by the Holding  Company  upon the
          receipt  of money  for  Holding  Company  Conversion  Stock.  ITA Sec.
          403(a)(35 ILCS 5/403(a)).

     (4)  The basis of  Mutual's  assets in the hands of Stock  Bank will be the
          same as the basis of those  assets in the hands of Mutual  immediately
          prior to the transaction. ITA Sec. 403(a)(35 ILCS 5/403(a))

     (5)  Stock Bank's  holding  period of the assets of Mutual will include the
          period  during  which  such  assets  were held by Mutual  prior to the
          Conversion. ITA Sec. 403(a)(35 ILCS 5/403(a))

     (6)  The tax  attributes of Mutual will be taken into account by Stock Bank
          as if there had been no reorganization.  Accordingly,  the tax year of
          Mutual will not end on the effective date of the Conversion.  The part
          of the tax year of Mutual before the conversion  will be includable in
          the tax year of Stock Bank  after the  conversion.  Therefore,  Mutual
          will not have to file a Illinois  income tax return for the portion of
          the  tax  year  prior  to the  conversion.  ITA  Sec.  401(a)(35  ILCS
          5/401(a))

     (7)  Depositors will realize gain, if any, upon the  constructive  issuance
          to them of withdrawable  deposit accounts of Stock Bank,  Subscription
          Rights and/or interests in the liquidation  account of Stock Bank. Any
          gain resulting therefrom will be recognized, but only in an amount not
          in excess of the fair market value of the liquidation  accounts and/or
          Subscription  Rights  received.  The  liquidation  accounts  will have
          nominal,  if any, fair market  value.  Based solely on the accuracy of
          the conclusion reached in the Appraiser's Opinion, and our reliance on
          such opinion, that the Subscription Rights have



<PAGE>



Board of Directors
January 27, 1997
Page 3




          no value at the time of distribution or exercise,  no gain or loss was
          required to be recognized by depositors  upon receipt or  distribution
          of Subscription Rights.  Likewise, based solely on the accuracy of the
          aforesaid  conclusion  reached  in the  Appraiser's  Opinion,  and our
          reliance  thereon,  we give the  following  opinions:  (a) no  taxable
          income will be recognized by the borrowers,  directors,  officers, and
          employees  of Mutual  upon the  distribution  to them of  Subscription
          Rights or upon the  exercise  or lapse of the  Subscription  Rights to
          acquire Holding Company  Conversion Stock at fair market value; (b) no
          taxable  income  will be  realized  by the  depositors  of Mutual as a
          result of the exercise or lapse of the Subscription Rights to purchase
          Holding  Company  Conversion  Stock at fair market  value;  and (c) no
          taxable  income  will be  realized  by  Mutual  or  Stock  Bank on the
          issuance or  distribution  of  Subscription  Rights to  depositors  of
          Mutual to purchase shares of Holding Company  Conversion Stock at fair
          market value. ITA Sec. 203(a)(1)(35 ILCS 5/203(a)(1))

Notwithstanding  the  Appraiser's   Opinion,  if  the  Subscription  Rights  are
subsequently  found to have a fair market  value,  income may be  recognized  by
various recipients of the Subscription Rights (in certain cases,  whether or not
the rights are exercised)  and Holding  Company and/or Stock Bank may be taxable
on the distribution of the Subscription Rights.

     (8)  The creation of the  liquidation  account on the records of Stock Bank
          will  have no effect  on  Mutual's  or Stock  Bank's  taxable  income,
          deductions, or additions to the reserve for bad debts or distributions
          to shareholders. ITA Sec. 403(a)(35 ILCS 5/403(a))

     (9)  Stock Bank will succeed to and take into  account,  immediately  after
          the  reorganization,  the dollar  amounts of those  accounts of Mutual
          which represent bad debt reserves in respect of which Mutual had taken
          a bad debt deduction for taxable years ending on or before the date of
          the  reorganization.  The bad debt reserves will not be required to be
          restored  to the  gross  income of  either  Mutual or Stock  Bank as a
          consequence   of  the   Conversion   for  the  taxable   year  of  the
          reorganization,  and  such  bad  debt  reserves  will  have  the  same
          character  in the hands of Stock  Bank as they  would  have had in the
          hands of Mutual if no reorganization had occurred.  ITA Sec. 402(a)(35
          ILCS  5/402(a))  No opinion is being  expressed  as to whether the bad
          debt  reserves  will be required to be restored to the gross income of
          either  Mutual or Stock Bank for the taxable  year of the  transfer if
          Mutual  or  Stock  Bank  fails  to meet the  requirements  of  Section
          593(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code during such taxable year.

     (10) A depositor's  basis in the savings deposits of Stock Bank will be the
          same as the basis of his savings  deposits  in Mutual.  Based upon the
          Appraiser's  Opinion,  the basis of the  Subscription  Rights  will be
          zero.  The basis of the interest in the  liquidation  account of Stock
          Bank received by Eligible  Account Holders and  Supplemental  Eligible
          Account Holders will be equal to the cost of such  proprietary;  i.e.,
          the fair market value of the proprietary  interest in Mutual, which in
          this  transaction  we assumed to be zero. ITA Sec.  203(a)(1)(35  ILCS
          5/203(a)(1))




<PAGE>



Board of Directors
January 27, 1997
Page 4




     (11) The basis of Holding Company Conversion Stock to its shareholders will
          be the purchase price thereof. ITA Sec. 203(a)(1)(35 ILCS 5/203(a)(1))

     (12) A shareholder's  holding period for Holding Company  Conversion  Stock
          acquired through the exercise of the  Subscription  Rights shall begin
          on the  date on which  the  Subscription  Rights  are  exercised.  The
          holding  period for the Holding  Company  Conversion  Stock  purchased
          pursuant to the direct community offering,  public offering,  or under
          other  purchase  arrangements  will commence on the date following the
          date on which  such stock is  purchased.  ITA Sec.  203(a)(1)(35  ILCS
          5/203(a)(1))

     (13) Regardless of any book entries that were made for the establishment of
          a  liquidation  account,  the  reorganization  will not  diminish  the
          accumulated   earnings  and  profits  of  Mutual   available  for  the
          subsequent  distribution of dividends.  Stock Bank will succeed to and
          take into account the earnings and profits, or deficit in earnings and
          profits,  of Mutual as of the date of Conversion.  ITA Sec.  403(a)(35
          ILCS 5/403(a))

The above  opinions  are  effective  to the extent that  Mutual is  solvent.  No
opinion is expressed  about the tax  treatment of the  transaction  if Mutual is
insolvent. Whether or not Mutual is solvent will be determined at the end of the
taxable year in which the transaction is consummated.

Our  opinion  is  based  upon  legal  authorities  currently  in  effect,  which
authorities  are subject to  modification  or  challenge at any time and perhaps
with retroactive  effect.  Further, no opinion is expressed under the provisions
of any of the other  sections of the  Illinois  Code and Income Tax  Regulations
which may also be applicable  thereto, or to the tax treatment of any conditions
existing at the time of, or effects  resulting from, the  transaction  which are
not specifically covered by the opinions set forth above.

If any fact  contained in this opinion letter or the Silver,  Freedman,  & Taff,
L.L.P.  federal tax opinion  changes to alter the federal tax  treatment,  it is
imperative  we be notified to determine  the affect on the  Illinois  income tax
consequences, if any.

Very truly yours,


/s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP

Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP




                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.2

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT  ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
this  ________  day of  ______________________,  1996,  by and  between  Hemlock
Federal  Bank for  Savings  (hereinafter  referred  to as the "Bank"  whether in
mutual or stock form), and Maureen G.
Partynski (the "Employee").

         WHEREAS, the Employee is currently serving as Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of the Bank; and

         WHEREAS,  the Bank has  adopted a plan of  conversion  whereby the Bank
will  convert  to  capital  stock  form as the  subsidiary  of  Hemlock  Federal
Financial  Corporation (the "Holding  Company"),  subject to the approval of the
Bank's members and the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "Conversion"); and

         WHEREAS,  the board of  directors  of the Bank  ("Board of  Directors")
recognizes that, as is the case with publicly held corporations  generally,  the
possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company  and/or the Bank may
exist and that such possibility,  and the uncertainty and questions which it may
raise  among  management,  may result in the  departure  or  distraction  of key
management personnel to the detriment of the Bank, the Holding Company and their
respective stockholders; and

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of
the Bank to enter  into  this  Agreement  with the  Employee  in order to assure
continuity  of  management  of the  Bank  and to  reinforce  and  encourage  the
continued  attention  and  dedication  of the  Employee to his  assigned  duties
without distraction in the face of potentially disruptive  circumstances arising
from the  possibility of a change in control of the Holding Company or the Bank,
although no such change is now contemplated; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Board of  Directors  has  approved  and  authorized  the
execution  of this  Agreement  with the  Employee  to take  effect  as stated in
Section 2 hereof;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein, it is AGREED as follows:

         1.  Definitions.

         (a) The term  "Change in  Control"  means (1) an event of a nature that
(i) results in a change in control of the Bank or the Holding Company within the
meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 and 12 C.F.R. Part 574 as in effect
on the date hereof; or (ii) would be required to be reported in response to Item
1 of the current  report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof,  pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the  "Exchange
Act");  (2) any person (as the term is used in  Sections  13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange  Act),  directly or  indirectly  of  securities  of the Bank or the
Holding Company  representing 20% or more of the Bank's or the Holding Company's
outstanding  securities;  (3)  individuals  who  are  members  of the  board  of
directors


<PAGE>



   
of the Bank or the Holding  Company on the date hereof (the  "Incumbent  Board")
cease for any reason to  constitute at least a majority  thereof,  provided that
any person becoming a director  subsequent to the date hereof whose election was
approved by a vote of at least  three-quarters  of the directors  comprising the
Incumbent  Board,  or whose  nomination  for  election by the Holding  Company's
stockholders was approved by the nominating committee serving under an Incumbent
Board,  shall  be  considered  a  member  of  the  Incumbent  Board;  or  (4)  a
reorganization,  merger, consolidation,  sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Bank or the Holding Company or a similar  transaction in which the
Bank or the Holding  Company is not the  resulting  entity.  The term "change in
control" shall not include an  acquisition of securities by an employee  benefit
plan of the Bank or the Holding  Company or the acquisition of securities of the
Bank  by  the  Holding  Company  in  connection  with  the  Conversion.  In  the
application  of 12 C.F.R.  Part 574 to a  determination  of a Change in Control,
determinations  to be made by the OTS or its  Director  under  such  regulations
shall be made by the Board of Directors.
    

         (b) The term  "Commencement  Date" means the date of  completion of the
Conversion.

         (c) The term "Date of  Termination"  means the  earlier of (1) the date
upon which the Bank  gives  notice to the  Employee  of the  termination  of his
employment with the Bank or (2) the date upon which the Employee ceases to serve
as an Employee of the Bank.

         (d) The  term  "Involuntarily  Termination"  means  termination  of the
employment of Employee without his express written consent,  and shall include a
material   diminution   of  or   interference   with  the   Employee's   duties,
responsibilities  and  benefits  as  Chairman  of the Board and Chief  Executive
Officer of the Bank, including (without limitation) any of the following actions
unless  consented to in writing by the  Employee:  (1) a change in the principal
workplace  of the  Employee  to a location  outside of a 30 mile radius from the
Bank's  headquarters  office as of the date hereof;  (2) a material reduction in
the number or seniority of other Bank  personnel  reporting to the Employee or a
material  reduction in the frequency with which, or in the nature of the matters
with respect to which such  personnel are to report to the Employee,  other than
as part of a Bank- or Holding  Company-wide  reduction in staff;  (3) a material
adverse  change in the  Employee's  salary,  perquisites,  benefits,  contingent
benefits or vacation, other than as part of an overall program applied uniformly
and with equitable effect to all members of the senior management of the Bank or
the Holding Company;  (4) a material permanent increase in the required hours of
work or the  workload  of the  Employee;  and  (5) a  material  demotion  of the
Employee.  The term "Involuntary  Termination" does not include  Termination for
Cause or  termination  of employment  due to  retirement,  death,  disability or
suspension  or temporary  or permanent  prohibition  from  participation  in the
conduct of the Bank's affairs under Section 8 of the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Act ("FDIA").

         (e) The terms  "Termination  for Cause" and "Terminated for Cause" mean
termination of the employment of the Employee because of the Employee's personal
dishonesty,  incompetence,  willful  misconduct,  breach  of  a  fiduciary  duty
involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful
violation of any law,  rule,  or  regulation  (other than traffic  violations or
similar  offenses) or final  cease-and-desist  order,  or material breach of any
provision  of this  Agreement.  The  Employee  shall  not be deemed to have been
Terminated  for Cause  unless and until there shall have been  delivered  to the
Employee a copy of a  resolution,  duly adopted by the  affirmative  vote of not
less than a majority of the entire  membership  of the Board of Directors of the
Bank at a  meeting  of the  Board  called  and  held  for  such  purpose  (after
reasonable notice to the Employee and an

                                        2

<PAGE>



opportunity for the Employee,  together with the Employee's counsel, to be heard
before  the  Board),  stating  that in the good  faith  opinion of the Board the
Employee  has engaged in the conduct  described  in the  preceding  sentence and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

         2. Term.  The term of this  Agreement  shall be a period of three years
commencing on the Commencement Date, subject to earlier  termination as provided
herein.   Beginning  on  the  first  annual   anniversary   date  following  the
Commencement Date, and on each annual  anniversary date thereafter,  the term of
this  Agreement  shall be  extended  for a period of one year in addition to the
then-remaining  term,  provided  that (1) the Bank has not  given  notice to the
Employee in writing at least 90 days prior to such renewal date that the term of
this  Agreement  shall not be extended  further;  and (2) prior to such  renewal
date,  the Board of Directors of the Bank has  explicitly  reviewed and approved
the extension.  Reference  herein to the term of this  Agreement  shall refer to
both such initial term and such extended terms.

         3.  Employment.  The  Employee is employed as Chairman of the Board and
Chief  Executive  Officer  of the  Bank.  As  Chairman  of the  Board  and Chief
Executive  Officer,  Employee  shall render such  administrative  and management
services as are customarily  performed by persons situated in similar  executive
capacities,  and shall  have such  other  powers and duties of an officer of the
Bank as the Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time.

         4.  Compensation.

         (a) Salary. The Bank agrees to pay the Employee during the term of this
Agreement the salary  established  by the Board of Directors,  which shall be at
least the Employee's salary in effect as of the Commencement Date. The amount of
the Employee's salary shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors, beginning not
later than the first anniversary of the Commencement Date. Adjustments in salary
or other compensation shall not limit or reduce any other obligation of the Bank
under this Agreement.  The Employee's  salary in effect from time to time during
the term of this Agreement shall not thereafter be reduced.

         (b)   Discretionary   Bonuses.   The  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to
participate in an equitable manner with all other executive officers of the Bank
in discretionary bonuses as authorized and declared by the Board of Directors to
its executive  employees.  No other compensation  provided for in this Agreement
shall be deemed a substitute  for the  Employee's  right to  participate in such
bonuses when and as declared by the Board of Directors.

         (c)  Expenses.  The  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Employee in performing
services  under this  Agreement in accordance  with the policies and  procedures
applicable  to the  executive  officers of the Bank,  provided that the Employee
accounts for such expenses as required under such policies and procedures.



                                        3

<PAGE>

         5.  Benefits.


         (a)  Participation  in  Retirement  and  Employee  Benefit  Plans.  The
Employee  shall be entitled  to  participate  in all plans  relating to pension,
thrift,  profit-sharing,  group life  insurance,  medical  and dental  coverage,
education,   cash  bonuses,   and  other  retirement  or  employee  benefits  or
combinations  thereof,  in which the Bank's executive officers  participate.  In
addition, the Employee shall be entitled to be considered for benefits under all
of the stock and stock  option  related  plans  adopted  for the  benefit of the
Bank's executive or other employees.

         (b) Fringe Benefits.  The Employee shall be eligible to participate in,
and receive  benefits  under,  any other fringe  benefit  plans which are or may
become applicable to the Bank's executive officers.

         6.  Vacations;  Leave.  The  Employee  shall be entitled to annual paid
vacation in  accordance  with the  policies  established  by the Bank's Board of
Directors for executive  employees  and to voluntary  leave of absence,  with or
without  pay,  from time to time at such times and upon such  conditions  as the
Board of Directors of the Bank may determine in its discretion.

         7.  Termination of Employment.

         (a) Involuntary  Termination.  The Board of Directors may terminate the
Employee's  employment at any time,  but,  except in the case of Termination for
Cause,  termination of employment  shall not prejudice the  Employee's  right to
compensation or other benefits under this Agreement. In the event of Involuntary
Termination  other than in connection  with or within twelve (12) months after a
Change in Control,  (1) the Bank shall pay to the Employee  during the remaining
term of this Agreement,  his salary at the rate in effect  immediately  prior to
the Date of Termination, payable in such manner and at such times as such salary
would have been  payable to the  Employee  under  Section 2 if the  Employee had
continued  to be  employed  by the Bank,  and (2) the Bank shall  provide to the
Employee  during  the  remaining  term  of this  Agreement  health  benefits  as
maintained  by the Bank for the benefit of its  executive  officers from time to
time during the remaining term of the Agreement.

         (b) Termination  for Cause. In the event of termination for cause,  the
Bank shall pay the Employee his salary through the date of termination,  and the
Bank shall have no further obligation to the Employee under this Agreement.

         (c) Voluntary Termination. The Employee's employment may be voluntarily
terminated  by the Employee at any time upon 90 days written  notice to the Bank
or upon such  shorter  period as may be agreed upon between the Employee and the
Board of Directors of the Bank. In the event of such voluntary termination,  the
Bank shall be  obligated to continue to pay the Employee his salary and benefits
only through the date of termination, at the time such payments are due, and the
Bank shall have no further obligation to the Employee under this Agreement.

         (d)  Change in  Control.  In the event of  Involuntary  Termination  in
connection  with or within 12 months  after a change in control  which occurs at
any time while the Employee is employed  under this  Agreement,  the Bank shall,
subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, (1) pay to the Employee in a lump sum in
cash within 25 business  days after the Date of  Termination  an amount equal to
299% of the Employee's  "base amount" as defined in Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code");  and (2) provide to the Employee
during the remaining term of this

                                        4

<PAGE>



Agreement such health  benefits as are maintained for executive  officers of the
Bank from time to time during the remaining term of this Agreement.

         (e) Death; Disability.  In the event of the death of the Employee while
employed  under this Agreement and prior to any  termination of employment,  the
Employee's estate, or such person as the Employee may have previously designated
in  writing,  shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the Bank the  salary  of the
Employee  through the last day of the calendar month in which the Employee died.
If the  Employee  becomes  disabled  as  defined  in  the  Bank's  then  current
disability  plan or if the Employee is otherwise  unable to serve in his present
capacity,  the Employee shall be entitled to receive group and other  disability
income benefits of the type then provided by the Bank for executive officers. In
the event of such  disability,  this Agreement shall not be suspended.  However,
the  Bank  shall be  obligated  to pay the  Employee  compensation  pursuant  to
Sections 4(a) and (b) hereof only to the extent the  Employee's  salary,  in the
absence of such disability,  would exceed (on an after tax basis) the disability
income benefits received pursuant to this paragraph. In addition, the Bank shall
have the  right,  upon  resolution  of its Board,  to  discontinue  paying  cash
compensation  pursuant to Sections 4(a) and (b) beginning six months following a
determination  that  Employee  qualifies  for the  foregoing  disability  income
benefits.

         (f) Temporary  Suspension or Prohibition.  If the Employee is suspended
and/or  temporarily  prohibited from  participating in the conduct of the Bank's
affairs by a notice  served  under  Section  8(e)(3)  or (g)(1) of the FDIA,  12
U.S.C. ss.  1818(e)(3) and (g)(1),  the Bank's  obligations under this Agreement
shall be  suspended  as of the date of  service,  unless  stayed by  appropriate
proceedings.  If the  charges in the notice are  dismissed,  the Bank may in its
discretion (1) pay the Employee all or part of the  compensation  withheld while
its obligations  under this Agreement were suspended and (ii) reinstate in whole
or in part any of its obligations which were suspended.

         (g)  Permanent  Suspension or  Prohibition.  If the Employee is removed
and/or  permanently  prohibited from  participating in the conduct of the Bank's
affairs by an order  issued  under  Section  8(e)(4)  or (g)(1) of the FDIA,  12
U.S.C.  ss.  1818(e)(4)  and  (g)(1),  all  obligations  of the Bank  under this
Agreement  shall  terminate as of the  effective  date of the order,  but vested
rights of the contracting parties shall not be affected.

         (h)  Default  of the Bank.  If the Bank is in  default  (as  defined in
Section  3(x)(1) of the  FDIA),  all  obligations  under  this  Agreement  shall
terminate  as of the date of default,  but this  provision  shall not affect any
vested rights of the contracting parties.

   
         (i)  Termination by Regulators.  All  obligations  under this Agreement
shall be terminated,  except to the extent  determined that continuation of this
Agreement  is necessary  for the  continued  operation  of the Bank:  (1) by the
Director  of the Office of Thrift  Supervision  (the  "Director")  or his or her
designee,  at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation enters into an
agreement to provide  assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority
contained  in Section  13(c) of the FDIA;  or (2) by the  Director or his or her
designee, at the time the Director or his or her designee approves a supervisory
merger to resolve  problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is
determined by the Director to be in an unsafe or unsound  condition.  Any rights
of the parties that have already vested,  however,  shall not be affected by any
such action.
    


                                        5

<PAGE>



         (j) Section 563.39(b). So long as 12 C.F.R. ss. 563.39(b)(1995) remains
in effect and  applicable to the Bank, in the event that any of the  termination
provisions of this Agreement  conflict with 12 C.F.R. ss.  563.39(b)(1995),  the
latter shall prevail.

         8.  Certain Reduction of Payments by the Bank.

         (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, if payments
under  this  Agreement,  together  with any  other  payments  received  or to be
received by the Employee in connection  with a Change in Control would cause any
amount to be nondeductible by the Bank or the Holding Company for federal income
tax purposes  pursuant to Section  280G of the Code,  then  benefits  under this
Agreement shall be reduced (not less than zero) to the extent necessary so as to
maximize  payments  to  the  Employee  without  causing  any  amount  to  become
nondeductible by the Bank or the Holding  Company.  The Employee shall determine
the allocation of such reduction among payments to the Employee.

         (b) Any payments made to the Employee  pursuant to this  Agreement,  or
otherwise,  are subject to and conditioned  upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C.
1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

         (c)  Notwithstanding  any other provisions of this Agreement,  payments
under Section 7 of this  Agreement  shall not exceed three times the  Employee's
average annual compensation based on the most recent five taxable years.

         9. No  Mitigation.  The Employee  shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any salary or other payment or benefit  provided for in this Agreement
by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or
benefit provided for in this Agreement be reduced by any compensation  earned by
the Employee as the result of  employment  by another  employer,  by  retirement
benefits after the date of termination or otherwise.

         10.  Attorneys  Fees.  In the  event  the Bank  exercises  its right of
Termination for Cause, but it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
or by an  arbitrator  pursuant  to  Section 18 that cause did not exist for such
termination, or if in any event it is determined by any such court or arbitrator
that the Bank has  failed to make  timely  payment  of any  amounts  owed to the
Employee under this Agreement,  the Employee shall be entitled to  reimbursement
for all reasonable  costs,  including  attorneys' fees,  incurred in challenging
such  termination or collecting  such amounts.  Such  reimbursement  shall be in
addition to all rights to which the  Employee is otherwise  entitled  under this
Agreement.

         11.  No Assignments.

   
         (a) This Agreement  is  personal  to each of the  parties  hereto,  and
neither party may assign or delegate any of its rights or obligations  hereunder
without  first  obtaining  the  written  consent of the other  party;  provided,
however,  that the Bank shall require any successor or assign (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially  all of the business  and/or  assets of the Bank, by an assumption
agreement  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Employee,  to expressly
assume and agree to perform  this  Agreement  in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Bank would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  or
assignment had
    

                                        6

<PAGE>



taken place. Failure of the Bank to obtain such an assumption agreement prior to
the effectiveness of any such succession or assignment shall be a breach of this
Agreement  and shall entitle the Employee to  compensation  from the Bank in the
same amount and on the same terms as the  compensation  pursuant to Section 7(d)
hereof.  For purposes of implementing  the provisions of this Section 12(a), the
date on which any such succession  becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of
Termination.

         (b) This Agreement and all rights of the Employee hereunder shall inure
to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  Employee's  personal  and legal
representatives,  executors,  administrators,  successors,  heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees.  If the Employee should die while any amounts would still
be payable to the Employee  hereunder if the Employee had continued to live, all
such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement to the Employee's devisee, legatee or other designee
or if there is no such designee, to the Employee's estate.

   
         12. Notice.  For the purposes of this Agreement,  notices and all other
communications  provided for in the  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when  personally  delivered  or sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid, to the Bank at its home office
to the  attention of the Board of Directors  with a copy to the Secretary of the
Bank, or, if to the Employee,  to such home or other address as the Employee has
most recently provided in writing to the Bank.
    

         13.  Amendments.  No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be
binding unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein otherwise
provided.

         14. Paragraph  Headings.  The paragraph headings used in this Agreement
are  included  solely  for  convenience  and  shall  not  affect,  or be used in
connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

         15.  Severability.  The  provisions of this  Agreement  shall be deemed
severable and the  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision  shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

         16.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
United States to the extent applicable and otherwise by the laws of the State of
Illinois.

         17.  Arbitration.  Any  dispute  or  controversy  arising  under  or in
connection  with this Agreement  shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration in
accordance  with the rules of the  American  Arbitration  Bank  then in  effect.
Judgment  may  be  entered  on  the  arbitrator's  award  in  any  court  having
jurisdiction.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                                        7

<PAGE>


         THIS AGREEMENT  CONTAINS A BINDING  ARBITRATION  PROVISION WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.

ATTEST:                                                 HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR
                                                        SAVINGS




___________________________________                    By: _____________________
Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak, Secretary                        Michael R. Stevens
                                                      Its: President



                                                       EMPLOYEE


                                                       _________________________


                                        8


                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.3


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT  ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
this  ________  day of  ______________________,  1996,  by and  between  Hemlock
Federal  Bank for  Savings  (hereinafter  referred  to as the "Bank"  whether in
mutual or stock form), and Michael R.
Stevens (the "Employee").

         WHEREAS,  the  Employee is  currently  serving as the  President of the
Bank; and

         WHEREAS,  the Bank has  adopted a plan of  conversion  whereby the Bank
will  convert  to  capital  stock  form as the  subsidiary  of  Hemlock  Federal
Financial  Corporation (the "Holding  Company"),  subject to the approval of the
Bank's members and the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "Conversion"); and

         WHEREAS,  the board of  directors  of the Bank  ("Board of  Directors")
recognizes that, as is the case with publicly held corporations  generally,  the
possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company  and/or the Bank may
exist and that such possibility,  and the uncertainty and questions which it may
raise  among  management,  may result in the  departure  or  distraction  of key
management personnel to the detriment of the Bank, the Holding Company and their
respective stockholders; and

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of
the Bank to enter  into  this  Agreement  with the  Employee  in order to assure
continuity  of  management  of the  Bank  and to  reinforce  and  encourage  the
continued  attention  and  dedication  of the  Employee to his  assigned  duties
without distraction in the face of potentially disruptive  circumstances arising
from the  possibility of a change in control of the Holding Company or the Bank,
although no such change is now contemplated; and

         WHEREAS,  the  Board of  Directors  has  approved  and  authorized  the
execution  of this  Agreement  with the  Employee  to take  effect  as stated in
Section 2 hereof;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein, it is AGREED as follows:

         1.  Definitions.

         (a) The term  "Change in  Control"  means (1) an event of a nature that
(i) results in a change in control of the Bank or the Holding Company within the
meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933 and 12 C.F.R. Part 574 as in effect
on the date hereof; or (ii) would be required to be reported in response to Item
1 of the current  report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof,  pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the  "Exchange
Act");  (2) any person (as the term is used in  Sections  13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange  Act),  directly or  indirectly  of  securities  of the Bank or the
Holding Company  representing 20% or more of the Bank's or the Holding Company's
outstanding  securities;  (3)  individuals  who  are  members  of the  board  of
directors


<PAGE>



   
of the Bank or the Holding  Company on the date hereof (the  "Incumbent  Board")
cease for any reason to  constitute at least a majority  thereof,  provided that
any person becoming a director  subsequent to the date hereof whose election was
approved by a vote of at least  three-quarters  of the directors  comprising the
Incumbent  Board,  or whose  nomination  for  election by the Holding  Company's
stockholders was approved by the nominating committee serving under an Incumbent
Board,  shall  be  considered  a  member  of  the  Incumbent  Board;  or  (4)  a
reorganization,  merger, consolidation,  sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Bank or the Holding Company or a similar  transaction in which the
Bank or the Holding  Company is not the  resulting  entity.  The term "change in
control" shall not include an  acquisition of securities by an employee  benefit
plan of the Bank or the Holding  Company or the acquisition of securities of the
Bank  by  the  Holding  Company  in  connection  with  the  Conversion.  In  the
application  of 12 C.F.R.  Part 574 to a  determination  of a Change in Control,
determinations  to be made by the OTS or its  Director  under  such  regulations
shall be made by the Board of Directors.
    

         (b) The term  "Commencement  Date" means the date of  completion of the
Conversion.

         (c) The term "Date of  Termination"  means the  earlier of (1) the date
upon which the Bank  gives  notice to the  Employee  of the  termination  of his
employment with the Bank or (2) the date upon which the Employee ceases to serve
as an Employee of the Bank.

         (d) The  term  "Involuntarily  Termination"  means  termination  of the
employment of Employee without his express written consent,  and shall include a
material   diminution   of  or   interference   with  the   Employee's   duties,
responsibilities  and  benefits as  President  of the Bank,  including  (without
limitation) any of the following  actions unless  consented to in writing by the
Employee:  (1) a change in the principal workplace of the Employee to a location
outside of a 30 mile radius from the Bank's  headquarters  office as of the date
hereof;  (2) a  material  reduction  in the  number or  seniority  of other Bank
personnel  reporting  to the Employee or a material  reduction in the  frequency
with which, or in the nature of the matters with respect to which such personnel
are to  report  to the  Employee,  other  than as part  of a  Bank-  or  Holding
Company-wide reduction in staff; (3) a material adverse change in the Employee's
salary,  perquisites,  benefits,  contingent benefits or vacation, other than as
part of an overall  program applied  uniformly and with equitable  effect to all
members of the  senior  management  of the Bank or the  Holding  Company;  (4) a
material permanent increase in the required hours of work or the workload of the
Employee;  and (5) a material  demotion of the Employee.  The term  "Involuntary
Termination" does not include Termination for Cause or termination of employment
due to  retirement,  death,  disability  or suspension or temporary or permanent
prohibition  from  participation  in the  conduct  of the Bank's  affairs  under
Section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA").

         (e) The terms  "Termination  for Cause" and "Terminated for Cause" mean
termination of the employment of the Employee because of the Employee's personal
dishonesty,  incompetence,  willful  misconduct,  breach  of  a  fiduciary  duty
involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful
violation of any law,  rule,  or  regulation  (other than traffic  violations or
similar  offenses) or final  cease-and-desist  order,  or material breach of any
provision  of this  Agreement.  The  Employee  shall  not be deemed to have been
Terminated  for Cause  unless and until there shall have been  delivered  to the
Employee a copy of a  resolution,  duly adopted by the  affirmative  vote of not
less than a majority of the entire  membership  of the Board of Directors of the
Bank at a  meeting  of the  Board  called  and  held  for  such  purpose  (after
reasonable notice to the Employee and an

                                        2

<PAGE>



opportunity for the Employee,  together with the Employee's counsel, to be heard
before  the  Board),  stating  that in the good  faith  opinion of the Board the
Employee  has engaged in the conduct  described  in the  preceding  sentence and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

         2. Term.  The term of this  Agreement  shall be a period of three years
commencing on the Commencement Date, subject to earlier  termination as provided
herein.   Beginning  on  the  first  annual   anniversary   date  following  the
Commencement Date, and on each annual  anniversary date thereafter,  the term of
this  Agreement  shall be  extended  for a period of one year in addition to the
then-remaining  term,  provided  that (1) the Bank has not  given  notice to the
Employee in writing at least 90 days prior to such renewal date that the term of
this  Agreement  shall not be extended  further;  and (2) prior to such  renewal
date,  the Board of Directors of the Bank has  explicitly  reviewed and approved
the extension.  Reference  herein to the term of this  Agreement  shall refer to
both such initial term and such extended terms.

         3.  Employment.  The Employee is employed as the President of the Bank.
As President,  Employee shall render such administrative and management services
as  are  customarily   performed  by  persons  situated  in  similar   executive
capacities,  and shall  have such  other  powers and duties of an officer of the
Bank as the Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time.

         4.  Compensation.

         (a) Salary. The Bank agrees to pay the Employee during the term of this
Agreement the salary  established  by the Board of Directors,  which shall be at
least the Employee's salary in effect as of the Commencement Date. The amount of
the Employee's salary shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors, beginning not
later than the first anniversary of the Commencement Date. Adjustments in salary
or other compensation shall not limit or reduce any other obligation of the Bank
under this Agreement.  The Employee's  salary in effect from time to time during
the term of this Agreement shall not thereafter be reduced.

         (b)   Discretionary   Bonuses.   The  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to
participate in an equitable manner with all other executive officers of the Bank
in discretionary bonuses as authorized and declared by the Board of Directors to
its executive  employees.  No other compensation  provided for in this Agreement
shall be deemed a substitute  for the  Employee's  right to  participate in such
bonuses when and as declared by the Board of Directors.

         (c)  Expenses.  The  Employee  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  prompt
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Employee in performing
services  under this  Agreement in accordance  with the policies and  procedures
applicable  to the  executive  officers of the Bank,  provided that the Employee
accounts for such expenses as required under such policies and procedures.

         5.  Benefits.

         (a)  Participation  in  Retirement  and  Employee  Benefit  Plans.  The
Employee  shall be entitled  to  participate  in all plans  relating to pension,
thrift,  profit-sharing,  group life  insurance,  medical  and dental  coverage,
education,   cash  bonuses,   and  other  retirement  or  employee  benefits  or
combinations  thereof,  in which the Bank's executive officers  participate.  In
addition, the Employee shall be

                                        3

<PAGE>



entitled to be considered  for benefits  under all of the stock and stock option
related  plans  adopted  for  the  benefit  of the  Bank's  executive  or  other
employees.

         (b) Fringe Benefits.  The Employee shall be eligible to participate in,
and receive  benefits  under,  any other fringe  benefit  plans which are or may
become applicable to the Bank's executive officers.

         6.  Vacations;  Leave.  The  Employee  shall be entitled to annual paid
vacation in  accordance  with the  policies  established  by the Bank's Board of
Directors for executive  employees  and to voluntary  leave of absence,  with or
without  pay,  from time to time at such times and upon such  conditions  as the
Board of Directors of the Bank may determine in its discretion.

         7.  Termination of Employment.

         (a) Involuntary  Termination.  The Board of Directors may terminate the
Employee's  employment at any time,  but,  except in the case of Termination for
Cause,  termination of employment  shall not prejudice the  Employee's  right to
compensation or other benefits under this Agreement. In the event of Involuntary
Termination  other than in connection  with or within twelve (12) months after a
Change in Control,  (1) the Bank shall pay to the Employee  during the remaining
term of this Agreement,  his salary at the rate in effect  immediately  prior to
the Date of Termination, payable in such manner and at such times as such salary
would have been  payable to the  Employee  under  Section 2 if the  Employee had
continued  to be  employed  by the Bank,  and (2) the Bank shall  provide to the
Employee  during  the  remaining  term  of this  Agreement  health  benefits  as
maintained  by the Bank for the benefit of its  executive  officers from time to
time during the remaining term of the Agreement.

         (b) Termination  for Cause. In the event of termination for cause,  the
Bank shall pay the Employee his salary through the date of termination,  and the
Bank shall have no further obligation to the Employee under this Agreement.

         (c) Voluntary Termination. The Employee's employment may be voluntarily
terminated  by the Employee at any time upon 90 days written  notice to the Bank
or upon such  shorter  period as may be agreed upon between the Employee and the
Board of Directors of the Bank. In the event of such voluntary termination,  the
Bank shall be  obligated to continue to pay the Employee his salary and benefits
only through the date of termination, at the time such payments are due, and the
Bank shall have no further obligation to the Employee under this Agreement.

         (d)  Change in  Control.  In the event of  Involuntary  Termination  in
connection  with or within 12 months  after a change in control  which occurs at
any time while the Employee is employed  under this  Agreement,  the Bank shall,
subject to Section 8 of this Agreement, (1) pay to the Employee in a lump sum in
cash within 25 business  days after the Date of  Termination  an amount equal to
299% of the Employee's  "base amount" as defined in Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code");  and (2) provide to the Employee
during  the  remaining  term of  this  Agreement  such  health  benefits  as are
maintained  for  executive  officers  of the Bank from time to time  during  the
remaining term of this Agreement.


                                        4

<PAGE>



         (e) Death; Disability.  In the event of the death of the Employee while
employed  under this Agreement and prior to any  termination of employment,  the
Employee's estate, or such person as the Employee may have previously designated
in  writing,  shall be  entitled  to  receive  from the Bank the  salary  of the
Employee  through the last day of the calendar month in which the Employee died.
If the  Employee  becomes  disabled  as  defined  in  the  Bank's  then  current
disability  plan or if the Employee is otherwise  unable to serve in his present
capacity,  the Employee shall be entitled to receive group and other  disability
income benefits of the type then provided by the Bank for executive officers. In
the event of such  disability,  this Agreement shall not be suspended.  However,
the  Bank  shall be  obligated  to pay the  Employee  compensation  pursuant  to
Sections 4(a) and (b) hereof only to the extent the  Employee's  salary,  in the
absence of such disability,  would exceed (on an after tax basis) the disability
income benefits received pursuant to this paragraph. In addition, the Bank shall
have the  right,  upon  resolution  of its Board,  to  discontinue  paying  cash
compensation  pursuant to Sections 4(a) and (b) beginning six months following a
determination  that  Employee  qualifies  for the  foregoing  disability  income
benefits.

         (f) Temporary  Suspension or Prohibition.  If the Employee is suspended
and/or  temporarily  prohibited from  participating in the conduct of the Bank's
affairs by a notice  served  under  Section  8(e)(3)  or (g)(1) of the FDIA,  12
U.S.C. ss.  1818(e)(3) and (g)(1),  the Bank's  obligations under this Agreement
shall be  suspended  as of the date of  service,  unless  stayed by  appropriate
proceedings.  If the  charges in the notice are  dismissed,  the Bank may in its
discretion (1) pay the Employee all or part of the  compensation  withheld while
its obligations  under this Agreement were suspended and (ii) reinstate in whole
or in part any of its obligations which were suspended.

         (g)  Permanent  Suspension or  Prohibition.  If the Employee is removed
and/or  permanently  prohibited from  participating in the conduct of the Bank's
affairs by an order  issued  under  Section  8(e)(4)  or (g)(1) of the FDIA,  12
U.S.C.  ss.  1818(e)(4)  and  (g)(1),  all  obligations  of the Bank  under this
Agreement  shall  terminate as of the  effective  date of the order,  but vested
rights of the contracting parties shall not be affected.

         (h)  Default  of the Bank.  If the Bank is in  default  (as  defined in
Section  3(x)(1) of the  FDIA),  all  obligations  under  this  Agreement  shall
terminate  as of the date of default,  but this  provision  shall not affect any
vested rights of the contracting parties.

   
         (i)  Termination by Regulators.  All  obligations  under this Agreement
shall be terminated,  except to the extent  determined that continuation of this
Agreement  is necessary  for the  continued  operation  of the Bank:  (1) by the
Director  of the Office of Thrift  Supervision  (the  "Director")  or his or her
designee,  at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation enters into an
agreement to provide  assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority
contained  in Section  13(c) of the FDIA;  or (2) by the  Director or his or her
designee, at the time the Director or his or her designee approves a supervisory
merger to resolve  problems related to operation of the Bank or when the Bank is
determined by the Director to be in an unsafe or unsound  condition.  Any rights
of the parties that have already vested,  however,  shall not be affected by any
such action.
    

         (j) Section 563.39(b). So long as 12 C.F.R. ss. 563.39(b)(1995) remains
in effect and  applicable to the Bank, in the event that any of the  termination
provisions of this Agreement  conflict with 12 C.F.R. ss.  563.39(b)(1995),  the
latter shall prevail.

                                        5

<PAGE>



         8.  Certain Reduction of Payments by the Bank.

         (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, if payments
under  this  Agreement,  together  with any  other  payments  received  or to be
received by the Employee in connection  with a Change in Control would cause any
amount to be nondeductible by the Bank or the Holding Company for federal income
tax purposes  pursuant to Section  280G of the Code,  then  benefits  under this
Agreement shall be reduced (not less than zero) to the extent necessary so as to
maximize  payments  to  the  Employee  without  causing  any  amount  to  become
nondeductible by the Bank or the Holding  Company.  The Employee shall determine
the allocation of such reduction among payments to the Employee.

         (b) Any payments made to the Employee  pursuant to this  Agreement,  or
otherwise,  are subject to and conditioned  upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C.
1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

         (c)  Notwithstanding  any other provisions of this Agreement,  payments
under Section 7 of this  Agreement  shall not exceed three times the  Employee's
average annual compensation based on the most recent five taxable years.

         9. No  Mitigation.  The Employee  shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any salary or other payment or benefit  provided for in this Agreement
by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or
benefit provided for in this Agreement be reduced by any compensation  earned by
the Employee as the result of  employment  by another  employer,  by  retirement
benefits after the date of termination or otherwise.

         10.  Attorneys  Fees.  In the  event  the Bank  exercises  its right of
Termination for Cause, but it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
or by an  arbitrator  pursuant  to  Section 17 that cause did not exist for such
termination, or if in any event it is determined by any such court or arbitrator
that the Bank has  failed to make  timely  payment  of any  amounts  owed to the
Employee under this Agreement,  the Employee shall be entitled to  reimbursement
for all reasonable  costs,  including  attorneys' fees,  incurred in challenging
such  termination or collecting  such amounts.  Such  reimbursement  shall be in
addition to all rights to which the  Employee is otherwise  entitled  under this
Agreement.

         11.  No Assignments.

   
         (a) This  Agreement is  personal  to each of the  parties  hereto,  and
neither party may assign or delegate any of its rights or obligations  hereunder
without  first  obtaining  the  written  consent of the other  party;  provided,
however,  that the Bank shall require any successor or assign (whether direct or
indirect,   by  purchase,   merger,   consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  all  or
substantially  all of the business  and/or  assets of the Bank, by an assumption
agreement  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Employee,  to expressly
assume and agree to perform  this  Agreement  in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Bank would be required  to perform it if no such  succession  or
assignment  had taken  place.  Failure of the Bank to obtain such an  assumption
agreement prior to the  effectiveness of any such succession or assignment shall
be a breach of this  Agreement  and shall  entitle the Employee to  compensation
from the  Bank in the same  amount  and on the  same  terms as the  compensation
pursuant to Section 7(d) hereof.  For purposes of implementing the provisions of
this
    

                                        6

<PAGE>



Section 12(a), the date on which any such succession  becomes effective shall be
deemed the Date of Termination.

         (b) This Agreement and all rights of the Employee hereunder shall inure
to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  Employee's  personal  and legal
representatives,  executors,  administrators,  successors,  heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees.  If the Employee should die while any amounts would still
be payable to the Employee  hereunder if the Employee had continued to live, all
such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement to the Employee's devisee, legatee or other designee
or if there is no such designee, to the Employee's estate.

   
         12. Notice.  For the purposes of this Agreement,  notices and all other
communications  provided for in the  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when  personally  delivered  or sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested,  postage prepaid, to the Bank at its home office
to the  attention of the Board of Directors  with a copy to the Secretary of the
Bank, or, if to the Employee,  to such home or other address as the Employee has
most recently provided in writing to the Bank.
    

         13.  Amendments.  No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be
binding unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein otherwise
provided.

         14. Paragraph  Headings.  The paragraph headings used in this Agreement
are  included  solely  for  convenience  and  shall  not  affect,  or be used in
connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

         15.  Severability.  The  provisions of this  Agreement  shall be deemed
severable and the  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision  shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

         16.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
United States to the extent applicable and otherwise by the laws of the State of
Illinois.

         17.  Arbitration.  Any  dispute  or  controversy  arising  under  or in
connection  with this Agreement  shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration in
accordance  with the rules of the  American  Arbitration  Bank  then in  effect.
Judgment  may  be  entered  on  the  arbitrator's  award  in  any  court  having
jurisdiction.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                                        7

<PAGE>


         THIS AGREEMENT  CONTAINS A BINDING  ARBITRATION  PROVISION WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.


ATTEST:                                       HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR
                                              SAVINGS




___________________________________          By:   _____________________________
Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak, Secretary                Maureen G. Partynski
                                             Its:  Chairman and Chief Executive
                                                   Officer





                                             EMPLOYEE



                                             ___________________________________



                                        8



                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.4


                      CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

       THIS  CHANGE IN CONTROL  SEVERANCE  AGREEMENT  ("Agreement")  is made and
entered into as of this _______ day of __________________,  1996, by and between
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings (hereinafter  referred to as the "Bank" whether
in mutual or stock form), and Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak (the "Employee").

       WHEREAS,  the  Employee  is  currently  serving  as  Vice  President  and
       Secretary  of the  Bank;  and  WHEREAS,  the Bank has  adopted  a plan of
       conversion whereby the Bank will convert to capital
stock form as the  subsidiary  of Hemlock  Federal  Financial  Corporation  (the
"Holding Company"), subject to the approval of the Bank's members and the Office
of Thrift Supervision (the "Conversion"); and

       WHEREAS,  the  board of  directors  of the Bank  ("Board  of  Directors")
recognizes that, as is the case with publicly held corporations  generally,  the
possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company  and/or the Bank may
exist and that such possibility,  and the uncertainty and questions which it may
raise  among  management,  may result in the  departure  or  distraction  of key
management personnel to the detriment of the Bank, the Holding Company and their
respective stockholders; and

       WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors  believes it is in the best interests of
the Bank to enter  into  this  Agreement  with the  Employee  in order to assure
continuity  of  management  of the  Bank  and to  reinforce  and  encourage  the
continued  attention and dedication of the Employee to the  Employee's  assigned
duties without distraction in the face of potentially  disruptive  circumstances
arising from the  possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company or
the Bank, although no such change is now contemplated; and

       WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has approved and authorized the execution
of this  Agreement  with the  Employee  to take  effect as  stated in  Section 2
hereof;

       NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein, it is AGREED as follows:

<PAGE>



       1.     Definitions.

       (a)    The term  "Change in Control"  means (1) an event of a nature that
              (i)  results  in a change in  control  of the Bank or the  Holding
              Company  within the meaning of the Home  Owners'  Loan Act of 1933
              and 12 C.F.R.  Part 574 as in effect on the date  hereof;  or (ii)
              would be  required  to be  reported  in  response to Item 1 of the
              current  report  on Form 8-K,  as in  effect  on the date  hereof,
              pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of
              1934 (the "Exchange  Act"); (2) any person (as the term is used in
              Section  13(d) and 14(d) of the  Exchange  Act) is or becomes  the
              beneficial  owner (as  defined  in Rule 13d-3  under the  Exchange
              Act),  directly or  indirectly  of  securities  of the Bank or the
              Holding  Company  representing  20% or more of the  Bank's  or the
              Holding Company's outstanding securities;  (3) individuals who are
              members  of the  board of  directors  of the  Bank or the  Holding
              Company on the date hereof (the  "Incumbent  Board") cease for any
              reason to  constitute at least a majority  thereof,  provided that
              any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
              election was approved by a vote of at least  three-quarters of the
              directors  comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for
              election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved by the
              nominating  committee  serving under an Incumbent Board,  shall be
              considered   a  member   of  the   Incumbent   Board;   or  (4)  a
              reorganization,    merger,   consolidation,   sale   of   all   or
              substantially all of the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company
              or a similar  transaction in which the Bank or the Holding Company
              is not the resulting  entity.  The term "Change in Control"  shall
              not include an  acquisition  of securities by an employee  benefit
              plan of the Bank or the  Holding  Company  or the  acquisition  of
              securities of the Bank by the Holding  Company in connection  with
              the Conversion.


                                        2

<PAGE>



   
       (b)    The term  "Commencement  Date" means the date of completion of the
              Bank's conversion to stock form.
    

       (c)    The term "Date of  Termination"  means the earlier of (1) the date
              upon  which  the  Bank  gives   notice  to  the  Employee  of  the
              termination of the Employee's  employment with the Bank or (2) the
              date upon which the Employee ceases to serve as an employee of the
              Bank.

       (d)    The term  "Involuntarily  Termination"  means  termination  of the
              employment  of Employee  without the  Employee's  express  written
              consent,   and  shall,  subject  to  the  last  sentence  in  this
              paragraph,  include a material  diminution of or interference with
              the  Employee's  duties,  responsibilities  and  benefits  as Vice
              President   and   Secretary  of  the  Bank,   including   (without
              limitation)  any of the following  actions unless  consented to in
              writing by the Employee:  (1) a change in the principal  workplace
              of the Employee to a location outside of a 30 mile radius from the
              Bank's  headquarters  office as of the date hereof; (2) a material
              demotion of the Employee;  (3) a material  reduction in the number
              or seniority of other Bank personnel  reporting to the Employee or
              a material reduction in the frequency with which, or in the nature
              of the matters with respect to which, such personnel are to report
              to the  Employee,  other  than  as  part  of a  Bank-  or  Holding
              Company-wide  reduction in staff; (4) a material adverse change in
              the Employee's  salary,  other than as part of an overall  program
              applied  uniformly and with equitable effect to all members of the
              senior  management of the Bank or the Holding  Company;  and (5) a
              material  permanent  increase in the required hours of work or the
              workload of the Employee. The term "Involuntary  Termination" does
              not include Termination for Cause or termination of employment due
              to  retirement,  death,  disability  or suspension or temporary or
              permanent  prohibition  from  participation  in the conduct of the
              Bank's  affairs under Section 8 of the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
              Act  ("FDIA")  and shall not include a material  diminution  of or
              interference with the Employee's duties,

                                        3

<PAGE>



              responsibilities  and  benefits  unless the  employee  or the Bank
              submits written notice of involuntary  termination within 120 days
              thereof.

       (e)    The terms  "Termination for Cause" and "Terminated For Cause" mean
              termination  of the  employment  of the  Employee  because  of the
              Employee's personal dishonesty,  incompetence, willful misconduct,
              breach of a fiduciary duty involving personal profit,  intentional
              failure to perform  stated duties,  willful  violation of any law,
              rule,  or  regulation  (other than traffic  violations  or similar
              offenses) or final  cease-and-desist  order, or material breach of
              any  provision  of  this  Agreement.

       2.  Term.  The term of this  Agreement  shall be a  period  of two  years
commencing on the Commencement Date, subject to earlier  termination as provided
herein. Beginning on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, and on each
anniversary  thereafter  until the first  anniversary of the  Commencement  Date
after the Employee  reaches age 65, the term of this Agreement shall be extended
for a period of one year in addition to the then-remaining  term, provided that,
prior to such anniversary, the Board of Directors of the Bank explicitly reviews
and approves the extension. Reference herein to the term of this Agreement shall
refer to both such initial term and such extended terms.

       3. Severance Benefits; Regulatory Provisions.

       (a)    Involuntary Termination in Connection With a Change in Control. In
              the event of Involuntary  Termination in connection with or within
              24 months after a Change in Control  which occurs  during the term
              of this  Agreement,  the Bank shall,  subject to Section 4 of this
              Agreement, (1) pay to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 25
              business  days after the Date of  Termination  an amount  equal to
              200% of the Employee's "base amount" as defined in Section 280G of
              the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code");  and
              (2)  provide to the  Employee  during the  remaining  term of this
              Agreement such health  insurance  benefits as the Bank  maintained
              for executive officers at the Date of Termination on terms

                                        4

<PAGE>



              as   favorable   to  the  Employee  as  applied  at  the  Date  of
              Termination.  The total of  payments  to the  Employee  under this
              section shall not exceed three times his average compensation from
              the Bank over the five most recent  taxable years (or, if employed
              by  the  Bank  for a  shorter  period,  over  the  period  of  his
              employment by the Bank).

       (b)    Temporary Suspension or Prohibition.  If the Employee is suspended
              and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of
              the Bank's  affairs by a notice  served under  Section  8(e)(3) or
              (g)(1) of the FDIA, 12 U.S.C.ss. 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1), the Bank's
              obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date
              of  service,  unless  stayed by  appropriate  proceedings.  If the
              charges  in  the  notice  are  dismissed,  the  Bank  may  in  its
              discretion  (i) pay the Employee  all or part of the  compensation
              withheld while its obligations under this Agreement were suspended
              and (ii)  reinstate  in  whole  or in part any of its  obligations
              which were suspended.

       (c)    Permanent  Suspension or  Prohibition.  If the Employee is removed
              and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of
              the Bank's  affairs by an order  issued under  Section  8(e)(4) or
              (g)(1) of the FDIA,  12 U.S.C.  ss.  1818(e)(4)  and  (g)(1),  all
              obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of
              the  effective  date  of  the  order,  but  vested  rights  of the
              contracting parties shall not be affected.

       (d)    Default  of the Bank.  If the Bank is in  default  (as  defined in
              Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA), all obligations under this Agreement
              shall  terminate  as of the date of  default,  but this  provision
              shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.

       (e)    Termination by Regulators.  All  obligations  under this Agreement
              shall  be  terminated,   except  to  the  extent  determined  that
              continuation  of this  Agreement  is necessary  for the  continued
              operation of the Bank: (1) by the Director of the Office of Thrift
              Supervision (the  "Director") or his or her designee,  at the time
              the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation or the Resolution Trust
              Corporation  enters into an agreement to provide  assistance to or
              on

                                        5

<PAGE>



              behalf of the Bank under the authority  contained in Section 13(c)
              of the FDIA; or (2) by the Director or his or her designee, at the
              time the  Director or his or her designee  approves a  supervisory
              merger to resolve  problems  related to  operation  of the Bank or
              when the Bank is  determined by the Director to be in an unsafe or
              unsound  condition.  Any rights of the parties  that have  already
              vested, however, shall not be affected by any such action.

       4.     Certain Reduction of Payments by the Bank.

       (a)    Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Agreement,  if the
              value and amounts of benefits under this Agreement,  together with
              any other  amounts  and the value of  benefits  received  or to be
              received by the  Employee in  connection  with a Change in Control
              would  cause  any  amount to be  nondeductible  by the Bank or the
              Holding  Company  for  federal  income tax  purposes  pursuant  to
              Section 280G of the Code,  then  amounts and  benefits  under this
              Agreement  shall be  reduced  (not less than  zero) to the  extent
              necessary  so as to maximize  amounts and the value of benefits to
              the Employee without causing any amount to become nondeductible by
              the Bank or the Holding  Company  pursuant to or by reason of such
              Section 280G. The Employee shall  determine the allocation of such
              reduction among payments and benefits to the Employee.

       (b)    Any payments made to the Employee  pursuant to this Agreement,  or
              otherwise,  are subject to and conditioned  upon their  compliance
              with  12  U.S.C.  ss.  1828(k)  and  any  regulations  promulgated
              thereunder.

       5. No  Mitigation.  The  Employee  shall not be required to mitigate  the
amount of any salary or other payment or benefit  provided for in this Agreement
by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or
benefit provided for in this Agreement be reduced by any compensation  earned by
the Employee as the result of  employment  by another  employer,  by  retirement
benefits after the date of termination or otherwise.

                                        6

<PAGE>



       6. Attorneys  and/or Fees. If the Employee is purportedly  Terminated for
Cause and the Bank denies  payments  and/or  benefits under Section 3(a) of this
Agreement  on the basis  that the  Employee  experienced  Termination  for Cause
rather  than  Involuntary  Termination,  but  it is  determined  by a  court  of
competent  jurisdiction or by an arbitrator pursuant to Section 13 that cause as
contemplated  by Section 2(e) of this Agreement did not exist for termination of
the Employee's employment, or if in any event it is determined by any such court
or arbitrator  that the Bank has failed to make timely payment of any amounts or
provision  of any  benefits  owed to the  Employee  under  this  Agreement,  the
Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable costs,  including
attorneys'  fees,  incurred in  challenging  such  termination  of employment or
collecting such amounts or benefits.  Such reimbursement shall be in addition to
all rights to which the Employee is otherwise entitled under this Agreement.

       7. No Assignments.

       (a)    This  Agreement  is personal to each of the  parties  hereto,  and
              neither  party  may  assign  or  delegate  any  of its  rights  or
              obligations  hereunder without first obtaining the written consent
              of the other party; provided, however, that the Bank shall require
              any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,
              merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
              the business and/or assets of the Bank, by an assumption agreement
              in form and substance  satisfactory to the Employee,  to expressly
              assume and agree to perform this  Agreement in the same manner and
              to the same  extent  that the Bank would be required to perform it
              if no such  succession or assignment  had taken place.  Failure of
              the  Bank to  obtain  such an  assumption  agreement  prior to the
              effectiveness  of any such  succession  or  assignment  shall be a
              breach  of this  Agreement  and  shall  entitle  the  Employee  to
              compensation  from  the Bank in the  same  amount  and on the same
              terms as the  compensation  pursuant to Section 3(a)  hereof.  For
              purposes of implementing the provisions of this

                                        7

<PAGE>



              Section  7(a),  the date on  which  any  such  succession  becomes
              effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination.

       (b)    This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Employee  hereunder  shall
              inure  to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  Employee's
              personal  and legal  representatives,  executors,  administrators,
              successors,  heirs,  distributees,  devisees and legatees.  If the
              Employee  should die while any  amounts  would still be payable to
              the Employee  hereunder if the Employee had continued to live, all
              such amounts,  unless otherwise provided herein,  shall be paid in
              accordance  with the  terms of this  Agreement  to the  Employee's
              devisee,  legatee  or  other  designee  or if  there  is  no  such
              designee, to the Employee's estate.

       8.  Notice.  For the  purposes of this  Agreement,  notices and all other
communications  provided for in the  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when  personally  delivered  or sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the Bank at its home office,
to the  attention of the Board of Directors  with a copy to the Secretary of the
Bank, or, if to the Employee,  to such home or other address as the Employee has
most recently provided in writing to the Bank.

       9.  Amendments.  No  amendments or additions to this  Agreement  shall be
binding unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein otherwise
provided.

       10. Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are included solely for
convenience  and  shall  not  affect,   or  be  used  in  connection  with,  the
interpretation of this Agreement.

       11.  Severability.  The  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall be  deemed
severable and the  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision  shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

   
       12.  Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the laws of the
United States to the extent applicable and otherwise by the laws of the State of
Illinois.
    

                                        8

<PAGE>


       13.  Arbitration.   Any  dispute  or  controversy  arising  under  or  in
connection  with this Agreement  shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration in
accordance  with the rules of the  American  Arbitration  Bank  then in  effect.
Judgment  may  be  entered  on  the  arbitrator's  award  in  any  court  having
jurisdiction.

       IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this  Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

       THIS  AGREEMENT  CONTAINS A BINDING  ARBITRATION  PROVISION  WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.


ATTEST:                                         HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS


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

Michael R. Stevens, President                  By:      Maureen G. Partynski
- -----------------------------------------

                                               Its:     Chairman and Chief
                                                        Executive Officer


                                               EMPLOYEE



                                               _________________________________



                                        9






                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.5


                      CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

       THIS  CHANGE IN CONTROL  SEVERANCE  AGREEMENT  ("Agreement")  is made and
entered into as of this _______ day of __________________,  1996, by and between
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings (hereinafter  referred to as the "Bank" whether
in mutual or stock form), and Jean M. Thornton (the "Employee").

       WHEREAS,  the  Employee  is  currently  serving  as  Vice  President  and
Controller/Treasurer of the Bank; and

       WHEREAS,  the Bank has adopted a plan of conversion whereby the Bank will
convert to capital  stock form as the  subsidiary of Hemlock  Federal  Financial
Corporation  (the  "Holding  Company"),  subject to the  approval  of the Bank's
members and the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "Conversion"); and

       WHEREAS,  the  board of  directors  of the Bank  ("Board  of  Directors")
recognizes that, as is the case with publicly held corporations  generally,  the
possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company  and/or the Bank may
exist and that such possibility,  and the uncertainty and questions which it may
raise  among  management,  may result in the  departure  or  distraction  of key
management personnel to the detriment of the Bank, the Holding Company and their
respective stockholders; and

       WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors  believes it is in the best interests of
the Bank to enter  into  this  Agreement  with the  Employee  in order to assure
continuity  of  management  of the  Bank  and to  reinforce  and  encourage  the
continued  attention and dedication of the Employee to the  Employee's  assigned
duties without distraction in the face of potentially  disruptive  circumstances
arising from the  possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company or
the Bank, although no such change is now contemplated; and

       WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has approved and authorized the execution
of this  Agreement  with the  Employee  to take  effect as  stated in  Section 2
hereof;


<PAGE>



       NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein, it is AGREED as follows:

       1. Definitions.

       (a)    The term  "Change in Control"  means (1) an event of a nature that
              (i)  results  in a change in  control  of the Bank or the  Holding
              Company  within the meaning of the Home  Owners'  Loan Act of 1933
              and 12 C.F.R.  Part 574 as in effect on the date  hereof;  or (ii)
              would be  required  to be  reported  in  response to Item 1 of the
              current  report  on Form 8-K,  as in  effect  on the date  hereof,
              pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of
              1934 (the "Exchange  Act"); (2) any person (as the term is used in
              Section  13(d) and 14(d) of the  Exchange  Act) is or becomes  the
              beneficial  owner (as  defined  in Rule 13d-3  under the  Exchange
              Act),  directly or  indirectly  of  securities  of the Bank or the
              Holding  Company  representing  20% or more of the  Bank's  or the
              Holding Company's outstanding securities;  (3) individuals who are
              members  of the  board of  directors  of the  Bank or the  Holding
              Company on the date hereof (the  "Incumbent  Board") cease for any
              reason to  constitute at least a majority  thereof,  provided that
              any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
              election was approved by a vote of at least  three-quarters of the
              directors  comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for
              election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved by the
              nominating  committee  serving under an Incumbent Board,  shall be
              considered   a  member   of  the   Incumbent   Board;   or  (4)  a
              reorganization,    merger,   consolidation,   sale   of   all   or
              substantially all of the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company
              or a similar  transaction in which the Bank or the Holding Company
              is not the resulting  entity.  The term "Change in Control"  shall
              not include an  acquisition  of securities by an employee  benefit
              plan of the Bank or the Holding Company or the

                                        2

<PAGE>



              acquisition  of securities  of the Bank by the Holding  Company in
              connection with the Conversion.

   
       (b)    The term  "Commencement  Date" means the date of completion of the
              Bank's conversion to stock form.
    

       (c)    The term "Date of  Termination"  means the earlier of (1) the date
              upon  which  the  Bank  gives   notice  to  the  Employee  of  the
              termination of the Employee's  employment with the Bank or (2) the
              date upon which the Employee ceases to serve as an employee of the
              Bank.

       (d)    The term  "Involuntarily  Termination"  means  termination  of the
              employment  of Employee  without the  Employee's  express  written
              consent,   and  shall,  subject  to  the  last  sentence  in  this
              paragraph,  include a material  diminution of or interference with
              the  Employee's  duties,  responsibilities  and  benefits  as Vice
              President and Controller/Treasurer of the Bank, including (without
              limitation)  any of the following  actions unless  consented to in
              writing by the Employee:  (1) a change in the principal  workplace
              of the Employee to a location outside of a 30 mile radius from the
              Bank's  headquarters  office as of the date hereof; (2) a material
              demotion of the Employee;  (3) a material  reduction in the number
              or seniority of other Bank personnel  reporting to the Employee or
              a material reduction in the frequency with which, or in the nature
              of the matters with respect to which, such personnel are to report
              to the  Employee,  other  than  as  part  of a  Bank-  or  Holding
              Company-wide  reduction in staff; (4) a material adverse change in
              the Employee's  salary,  other than as part of an overall  program
              applied  uniformly and with equitable effect to all members of the
              senior  management of the Bank or the Holding  Company;  and (5) a
              material  permanent  increase in the required hours of work or the
              workload of the Employee. The term "Involuntary  Termination" does
              not include Termination for Cause or termination of employment due
              to  retirement,  death,  disability  or suspension or temporary or
              permanent prohibition from participation in the

                                        3

<PAGE>



              conduct  of the  Bank's  affairs  under  Section 8 of the  Federal
              Deposit  Insurance  Act  ("FDIA") and shall not include a material
              diminution  of  or  interference   with  the  Employee's   duties,
              responsibilities  and  benefits  unless the  employee  or the Bank
              submits written notice of involuntary  termination within 120 days
              thereof.

       (e)    The terms  "Termination for Cause" and "Terminated For Cause" mean
              termination  of the  employment  of the  Employee  because  of the
              Employee's personal dishonesty,  incompetence, willful misconduct,
              breach of a fiduciary duty involving personal profit,  intentional
              failure to perform  stated duties,  willful  violation of any law,
              rule,  or  regulation  (other than traffic  violations  or similar
              offenses) or final  cease-and-desist  order, or material breach of
              any provision of this Agreement.


       2.  Term.  The term of this  Agreement  shall be a  period  of two  years
commencing on the Commencement Date, subject to earlier  termination as provided
herein. Beginning on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, and on each
anniversary  thereafter  until the first  anniversary of the  Commencement  Date
after the Employee  reaches age 65, the term of this Agreement shall be extended
for a period of one year in addition to the then-remaining  term, provided that,
prior to such anniversary, the Board of Directors of the Bank explicitly reviews
and approves the extension. Reference herein to the term of this Agreement shall
refer to both such initial term and such extended terms.


       3. Severance Benefits; Regulatory Provisions.

       (a)    Involuntary Termination in Connection With a Change in Control. In
              the event of Involuntary  Termination in connection with or within
              24 months after a Change in Control  which occurs  during the term
              of this  Agreement,  the Bank shall,  subject to Section 4 of this
              Agreement, (1) pay to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 25
              business  days after the Date of  Termination  an amount  equal to
              200% of the Employee's "base amount" as defined in Section 280G of
              the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code");  and
              (2)

                                        4

<PAGE>



              provide  to  the  Employee  during  the  remaining  term  of  this
              Agreement such health  insurance  benefits as the Bank  maintained
              for  executive  officers  at the Date of  Termination  on terms as
              favorable to the  Employee as applied at the Date of  Termination.
              The total of payments to the Employee under this section shall not
              exceed three times his average compensation from the Bank over the
              five most recent  taxable years (or, if employed by the Bank for a
              shorter period, over the period of his employment by the Bank).
      
       (b)    Temporary Suspension or Prohibition.  If the Employee is suspended
              and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of
              the Bank's  affairs by a notice  served under  Section  8(e)(3) or
              (g)(1) of the FDIA, 12 U.S.C.ss. 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1), the Bank's
              obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date
              of  service,  unless  stayed by  appropriate  proceedings.  If the
              charges  in  the  notice  are  dismissed,  the  Bank  may  in  its
              discretion  (i) pay the Employee  all or part of the  compensation
              withheld while its obligations under this Agreement were suspended
              and (ii)  reinstate  in  whole  or in part any of its  obligations
              which were suspended.

       (c)    Permanent  Suspension or  Prohibition.  If the Employee is removed
              and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of
              the Bank's  affairs by an order  issued under  Section  8(e)(4) or
              (g)(1) of the FDIA,  12 U.S.C.  ss.  1818(e)(4)  and  (g)(1),  all
              obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of
              the  effective  date  of  the  order,  but  vested  rights  of the
              contracting parties shall not be affected.

       (d)    Default  of the Bank.  If the Bank is in  default  (as  defined in
              Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA), all obligations under this Agreement
              shall  terminate  as of the date of  default,  but this  provision
              shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.

       (e)    Termination by Regulators.  All  obligations  under this Agreement
              shall  be  terminated,   except  to  the  extent  determined  that
              continuation  of this  Agreement  is necessary  for the  continued
              operation of the Bank: (1) by the Director of the Office of Thrift
              Supervision (the

                                        5

<PAGE>



              "Director")  or his or her  designee,  at  the  time  the  Federal
              Deposit Insurance  Corporation or the Resolution Trust Corporation
              enters into an agreement to provide  assistance to or on behalf of
              the Bank under the  authority  contained  in Section  13(c) of the
              FDIA; or (2) by the Director or his or her  designee,  at the time
              the Director or his or her designee approves a supervisory  merger
              to resolve  problems  related to operation of the Bank or when the
              Bank is  determined  by the Director to be in an unsafe or unsound
              condition.  Any rights of the parties  that have  already  vested,
              however, shall not be affected by any such action.

       4.     Certain Reduction of Payments by the Bank.

       (a)    Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Agreement,  if the
              value and amounts of benefits under this Agreement,  together with
              any other  amounts  and the value of  benefits  received  or to be
              received by the  Employee in  connection  with a Change in Control
              would  cause  any  amount to be  nondeductible  by the Bank or the
              Holding  Company  for  federal  income tax  purposes  pursuant  to
              Section 280G of the Code,  then  amounts and  benefits  under this
              Agreement  shall be  reduced  (not less than  zero) to the  extent
              necessary  so as to maximize  amounts and the value of benefits to
              the Employee without causing any amount to become nondeductible by
              the Bank or the Holding  Company  pursuant to or by reason of such
              Section 280G. The Employee shall  determine the allocation of such
              reduction  among  payments and benefits to the  Employee.

       (b)    Any payments made to the Employee  pursuant to this Agreement,  or
              otherwise,  are subject to and conditioned  upon their  compliance
              with  12  U.S.C.  ss.  1828(k)  and  any  regulations  promulgated
              thereunder.

       5. No  Mitigation.  The  Employee  shall not be required to mitigate  the
amount of any salary or other payment or benefit  provided for in this Agreement
by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or
benefit provided for in this Agreement be reduced by any

                                        6

<PAGE>



compensation  earned by the  Employee  as the  result of  employment  by another
employer, by retirement benefits after the date of termination or otherwise.

       6. Attorneys  and/or Fees. If the Employee is purportedly  Terminated for
Cause and the Bank denies  payments  and/or  benefits under Section 3(a) of this
Agreement  on the basis  that the  Employee  experienced  Termination  for Cause
rather  than  Involuntary  Termination,  but  it is  determined  by a  court  of
competent  jurisdiction or by an arbitrator pursuant to Section 13 that cause as
contemplated  by Section 2(e) of this Agreement did not exist for termination of
the Employee's employment, or if in any event it is determined by any such court
or arbitrator  that the Bank has failed to make timely payment of any amounts or
provision  of any  benefits  owed to the  Employee  under  this  Agreement,  the
Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable costs,  including
attorneys'  fees,  incurred in  challenging  such  termination  of employment or
collecting such amounts or benefits.  Such reimbursement shall be in addition to
all rights to which the Employee is otherwise entitled under this Agreement.

       7. No Assignments.

       (a)    This  Agreement  is personal to each of the  parties  hereto,  and
              neither  party  may  assign  or  delegate  any  of its  rights  or
              obligations  hereunder without first obtaining the written consent
              of the other party; provided, however, that the Bank shall require
              any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,
              merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
              the business and/or assets of the Bank, by an assumption agreement
              in form and substance  satisfactory to the Employee,  to expressly
              assume and agree to perform this  Agreement in the same manner and
              to the same  extent  that the Bank would be required to perform it
              if no such  succession or assignment  had taken place.  Failure of
              the  Bank to  obtain  such an  assumption  agreement  prior to the
              effectiveness  of any such  succession  or  assignment  shall be a
              breach  of this  Agreement  and  shall  entitle  the  Employee  to
              compensation  from  the Bank in the  same  amount  and on the same
              terms as the compensation

                                        7

<PAGE>



              pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof.  For purposes of implementing the
              provisions  of this  Section  7(a),  the  date on  which  any such
              succession   becomes   effective  shall  be  deemed  the  Date  of
              Termination.

       (b)    This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Employee  hereunder  shall
              inure  to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  Employee's
              personal  and legal  representatives,  executors,  administrators,
              successors,  heirs,  distributees,  devisees and legatees.  If the
              Employee  should die while any  amounts  would still be payable to
              the Employee  hereunder if the Employee had continued to live, all
              such amounts,  unless otherwise provided herein,  shall be paid in
              accordance  with the  terms of this  Agreement  to the  Employee's
              devisee,  legatee  or  other  designee  or if  there  is  no  such
              designee, to the Employee's estate.

       8.  Notice.  For the  purposes of this  Agreement,  notices and all other
communications  provided for in the  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when  personally  delivered  or sent by certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the Bank at its home office,
to the  attention of the Board of Directors  with a copy to the Secretary of the
Bank, or, if to the Employee,  to such home or other address as the Employee has
most recently provided in writing to the Bank.

       9.  Amendments.  No  amendments or additions to this  Agreement  shall be
binding unless in writing and signed by both parties, except as herein otherwise
provided.

       10. Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are included solely for
convenience  and  shall  not  affect,   or  be  used  in  connection  with,  the
interpretation of this Agreement.

       11.  Severability.  The  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall be  deemed
severable and the  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any provision  shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.


                                        8

<PAGE>


   
       12.  Governing Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the laws of the
United States to the extent applicable and otherwise by the laws of the State of
Illinois.
    

       13.  Arbitration.   Any  dispute  or  controversy  arising  under  or  in
connection  with this Agreement  shall be settled  exclusively by arbitration in
accordance  with the rules of the  American  Arbitration  Bank  then in  effect.
Judgment  may  be  entered  on  the  arbitrator's  award  in  any  court  having
jurisdiction.

       IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this  Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

       THIS  AGREEMENT  CONTAINS A BINDING  ARBITRATION  PROVISION  WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.



ATTEST:                                    HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS

___________________________________        _____________________________________

Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak, Secretary        By:     Maureen G. Partynski
                                    
                                           Its:    Chairman and Chief
                                                   Executive Officer


                                           EMPLOYEE



                                           _____________________________________



                                        9




                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                      CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
                      -------------------------------------

       THIS  CHANGE IN CONTROL  SEVERANCE  AGREEMENT  ("Agreement")  is made and
entered into as of this _______ day of __________________,  1996, by and between
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings (hereinafter  referred to as the "Bank" whether
in mutual or stock form), and Robert Upton (the "Employee").

       WHEREAS,  the Employee is currently  serving as Chief Lending  Officer of
       the Bank; and

       WHEREAS,  the Bank has adopted a plan of conversion whereby the Bank will
convert to capital  stock form as the  subsidiary of Hemlock  Federal  Financial
Corporation  (the  "Holding  Company"),  subject to the  approval  of the Bank's
members and the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "Conversion"); and

       WHEREAS,  the  board of  directors  of the Bank  ("Board  of  Directors")
recognizes that, as is the case with publicly held corporations  generally,  the
possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company  and/or the Bank may
exist and that such possibility,  and the uncertainty and questions which it may
raise  among  management,  may result in the  departure  or  distraction  of key
management personnel to the detriment of the Bank, the Holding Company and their
respective stockholders; and

       WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors  believes it is in the best interests of
the Bank to enter  into  this  Agreement  with the  Employee  in order to assure
continuity  of  management  of the  Bank  and to  reinforce  and  encourage  the
continued  attention and dedication of the Employee to the  Employee's  assigned
duties without distraction in the face of potentially  disruptive  circumstances
arising from the  possibility  of a change in control of the Holding  Company or
the Bank, although no such change is now contemplated; and

       WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has approved and authorized the execution
of this  Agreement  with the  Employee  to take  effect as  stated in  Section 2
hereof;

       NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing and of the respective
covenants and agreements of the parties herein, it is AGREED as follows:

                                        1

<PAGE>

1.     Definitions.

       (a)    The term  "Change in Control"  means (1) an event of a nature that
              (i)  results  in a change in  control  of the Bank or the  Holding
              Company  within the meaning of the Home  Owners'  Loan Act of 1933
              and 12 C.F.R.  Part 574 as in effect on the date  hereof;  or (ii)
              would be  required  to be  reported  in  response to Item 1 of the
              current  report  on Form 8-K,  as in  effect  on the date  hereof,
              pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of
              1934 (the "Exchange  Act"); (2) any person (as the term is used in
              Section  13(d) and 14(d) of the  Exchange  Act) is or becomes  the
              beneficial  owner (as  defined  in Rule 13d-3  under the  Exchange
              Act),  directly or  indirectly  of  securities  of the Bank or the
              Holding  Company  representing  20% or more of the  Bank's  or the
              Holding Company's outstanding securities;  (3) individuals who are
              members  of the  board of  directors  of the  Bank or the  Holding
              Company on the date hereof (the  "Incumbent  Board") cease for any
              reason to  constitute at least a majority  thereof,  provided that
              any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
              election was approved by a vote of at least  three-quarters of the
              directors  comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for
              election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved by the
              nominating  committee  serving under an Incumbent Board,  shall be
              considered   a  member   of  the   Incumbent   Board;   or  (4)  a
              reorganization,    merger,   consolidation,   sale   of   all   or
              substantially all of the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company
              or a similar  transaction in which the Bank or the Holding Company
              is not the resulting  entity.  The term "Change in Control"  shall
              not include an  acquisition  of securities by an employee  benefit
              plan of the Bank or the  Holding  Company  or the  acquisition  of
              securities of the Bank by the Holding  Company in connection  with
              the Conversion.

   
       (b)    The term  "Commencement  Date" means the date of completion of the
              Bank's conversion to stock form.
    

                                        2

<PAGE>

       (c)    The term "Date of  Termination"  means the earlier of (1) the date
              upon  which  the  Bank  gives   notice  to  the  Employee  of  the
              termination of the Employee's  employment with the Bank or (2) the
              date upon which the Employee ceases to serve as an employee of the
              Bank.

       (d)    The term  "Involuntarily  Termination"  means  termination  of the
              employment  of Employee  without the  Employee's  express  written
              consent,   and  shall,  subject  to  the  last  sentence  in  this
              paragraph,  include a material  diminution of or interference with
              the  Employee's  duties,  responsibilities  and  benefits as Chief
              Lending Officer of the Bank, including (without limitation) any of
              the  following  actions  unless  consented  to in  writing  by the
              Employee:  (1) a change in the principal workplace of the Employee
              to a  location  outside  of a  30  mile  radius  from  the  Bank's
              headquarters office as of the date hereof; (2) a material demotion
              of  the  Employee;  (3) a  material  reduction  in the  number  or
              seniority of other Bank  personnel  reporting to the Employee or a
              material  reduction in the frequency with which,  or in the nature
              of the matters with respect to which, such personnel are to report
              to the  Employee,  other  than  as  part  of a  Bank-  or  Holding
              Company-wide  reduction in staff; (4) a material adverse change in
              the Employee's  salary,  other than as part of an overall  program
              applied  uniformly and with equitable effect to all members of the
              senior  management of the Bank or the Holding  Company;  and (5) a
              material  permanent  increase in the required hours of work or the
              workload of the Employee. The term "Involuntary  Termination" does
              not include Termination for Cause or termination of employment due
              to  retirement,  death,  disability  or suspension or temporary or
              permanent  prohibition  from  participation  in the conduct of the
              Bank's  affairs under Section 8 of the Federal  Deposit  Insurance
              Act  ("FDIA")  and shall not include a material  diminution  of or
              interference  with the  Employee's  duties,  responsibilities  and
              benefits unless the employee or the Bank submits written notice of
              involuntary termination within 120 days thereof.
 
                                        3

<PAGE>

       (e)    The terms  "Termination for Cause" and "Terminated For Cause" mean
              termination  of the  employment  of the  Employee  because  of the
              Employee's personal dishonesty,  incompetence, willful misconduct,
              breach of a fiduciary duty involving personal profit,  intentional
              failure to perform  stated duties,  willful  violation of any law,
              rule,  or  regulation  (other than traffic  violations  or similar
              offenses) or final  cease-and-desist  order, or material breach of
              any  provision  of  this  Agreement.

2.     Term.  The  term  of  this  Agreement  shall  be a  period  of two  years
       commencing on the Commencement  Date,  subject to earlier  termination as
       provided herein.  Beginning on the first  anniversary of the Commencement
       Date, and on each anniversary  thereafter until the first  anniversary of
       the Commencement Date after the Employee reaches age 65, the term of this
       Agreement  shall be extended  for a period of one year in addition to the
       then-remaining term, provided that, prior to such anniversary,  the Board
       of Directors of the Bank  explicitly  reviews and approves the extension.
       Reference  herein to the term of this Agreement  shall refer to both such
       initial term and such extended terms. 3. Severance  Benefits;  Regulatory
       Provisions.

       (a)    Involuntary Termination in Connection With a Change in Control. In
              the event of Involuntary  Termination in connection with or within
              24 months after a Change in Control  which occurs  during the term
              of this  Agreement,  the Bank shall,  subject to Section 4 of this
              Agreement, (1) pay to the Employee in a lump sum in cash within 25
              business  days after the Date of  Termination  an amount  equal to
              200% of the Employee's "base amount" as defined in Section 280G of
              the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code");  and
              (2)  provide to the  Employee  during the  remaining  term of this
              Agreement such health  insurance  benefits as the Bank  maintained
              for  executive  officers  at the Date of  Termination  on terms as
              favorable to the  Employee as applied at the Date of  Termination.
              The total of payments to the Employee under this section shall not
              exceed three times his average compensation

                                        4

<PAGE>

              from the  Bank over  the five  most recent  taxable years  (or, if
              employed by the  Bank for a shorter period, over the period of his
              employment by the Bank).

       (b)    Temporary Suspension or Prohibition.  If the Employee is suspended
              and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of
              the Bank's  affairs by a notice  served under  Section  8(e)(3) or
              (g)(1) of the FDIA, 12 U.S.C.ss. 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1), the Bank's
              obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date
              of  service,  unless  stayed by  appropriate  proceedings.  If the
              charges  in  the  notice  are  dismissed,  the  Bank  may  in  its
              discretion  (i) pay the Employee  all or part of the  compensation
              withheld while its obligations under this Agreement were suspended
              and (ii)  reinstate  in  whole  or in part any of its  obligations
              which were suspended.

       (c)    Permanent  Suspension or  Prohibition.  If the Employee is removed
              and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of
              the Bank's  affairs by an order  issued under  Section  8(e)(4) or
              (g)(1) of the FDIA,  12 U.S.C.  ss.  1818(e)(4)  and  (g)(1),  all
              obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of
              the  effective  date  of  the  order,  but  vested  rights  of the
              contracting  parties  shall not be  affected.

       (d)    Default  of the Bank.  If the Bank is in  default  (as  defined in
              Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA), all obligations under this Agreement
              shall  terminate  as of the date of  default,  but this  provision
              shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.

       (e)    Termination by Regulators.  All  obligations  under this Agreement
              shall  be  terminated,   except  to  the  extent  determined  that
              continuation  of this  Agreement  is necessary  for the  continued
              operation of the Bank: (1) by the Director of the Office of Thrift
              Supervision (the  "Director") or his or her designee,  at the time
              the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation or the Resolution Trust
              Corporation  enters into an agreement to provide  assistance to or
              on behalf of the Bank  under the  authority  contained  in Section
              13(c) of the FDIA;  or (2) by the Director or his or her designee,
              at the time the Director or his or her designee approves a

                                        5

<PAGE>

              supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the
              Bank or when the Bank is  determined by  the Director to  be in an
              unsafe or unsound condition.  Any rights of the parties  that have
              already vested, however, shall not be affected by any such action.

4.     Certain Reduction of Payments by the Bank.
       
       (a)    Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Agreement,  if the
              value and amounts of benefits under this Agreement,  together with
              any other  amounts  and the value of  benefits  received  or to be
              received by the  Employee in  connection  with a Change in Control
              would  cause  any  amount to be  nondeductible  by the Bank or the
              Holding  Company  for  federal  income tax  purposes  pursuant  to
              Section 280G of the Code,  then  amounts and  benefits  under this
              Agreement  shall be  reduced  (not less than  zero) to the  extent
              necessary  so as to maximize  amounts and the value of benefits to
              the Employee without causing any amount to become nondeductible by
              the Bank or the Holding  Company  pursuant to or by reason of such
              Section 280G. The Employee shall  determine the allocation of such
              reduction  among  payments and benefits to the  Employee.

       (b)    Any payments made to the Employee  pursuant to this Agreement,  or
              otherwise,  are subject to and conditioned  upon their  compliance
              with  12  U.S.C.  ss.  1828(k)  and  any  regulations  promulgated
              thereunder.

5.     No Mitigation.  The Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount
       of any salary or other payment or benefit  provided for in this Agreement
       by seeking other  employment  or  otherwise,  nor shall the amount of any
       payment  or  benefit  provided  for in this  Agreement  be reduced by any
       compensation  earned  by the  Employee  as the  result of  employment  by
       another employer, by retirement benefits after the date of termination or
       otherwise.

6.     Attorneys  and/or Fees.  If the Employee is  purportedly  Terminated  for
       Cause and the Bank denies  payments and/or benefits under Section 3(a) of
       this Agreement on the basis that the Employee experienced Termination for
       Cause rather than Involuntary Termination, but it is determined by a

                                        6

<PAGE>


       court of competent  jurisdiction or by an arbitrator  pursuant to Section
       13 that cause as  contemplated  by Section 2(e) of this Agreement did not
       exist for termination of the Employee's employment, or if in any event it
       is determined by any such court or arbitrator that the Bank has failed to
       make timely  payment of any amounts or provision of any benefits  owed to
       the Employee  under this  Agreement,  the  Employee  shall be entitled to
       reimbursement  for  all  reasonable  costs,  including  attorneys'  fees,
       incurred in challenging such termination of employment or collecting such
       amounts or  benefits.  Such  reimbursement  shall be in  addition  to all
       rights to which the Employee is otherwise  entitled under this Agreement.

7.     No  Assignments.

       (a)    This  Agreement  is personal to each of the  parties  hereto,  and
              neither  party  may  assign  or  delegate  any  of its  rights  or
              obligations  hereunder without first obtaining the written consent
              of the other party; provided, however, that the Bank shall require
              any successor or assign (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase,
              merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
              the business and/or assets of the Bank, by an assumption agreement
              in form and substance  satisfactory to the Employee,  to expressly
              assume and agree to perform this  Agreement in the same manner and
              to the same  extent  that the Bank would be required to perform it
              if no such  succession or assignment  had taken place.  Failure of
              the  Bank to  obtain  such an  assumption  agreement  prior to the
              effectiveness  of any such  succession  or  assignment  shall be a
              breach  of this  Agreement  and  shall  entitle  the  Employee  to
              compensation  from  the Bank in the  same  amount  and on the same
              terms as the  compensation  pursuant to Section 3(a)  hereof.  For
              purposes of implementing  the provisions of this Section 7(a), the
              date on  which  any such  succession  becomes  effective  shall be
              deemed the Date of Termination.

       (b)    This  Agreement  and all rights of the  Employee  hereunder  shall
              inure  to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  Employee's
              personal and legal representatives, executors,

                                        7

<PAGE>

              administrators,  successors,  heirs,  distributees,  devisees  and
              legatees. If the Employee should die while any amounts would still
              be payable to the Employee hereunder if the Employee had continued
              to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall
              be paid in  accordance  with the  terms of this  Agreement  to the
              Employee's  devisee,  legatee or other  designee or if there is no
              such designee, to the Employee's estate.

8.     Notice.  For  the  purposes  of this  Agreement,  notices  and all  other
       communications  provided  for in the  Agreement  shall be in writing  and
       shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or sent
       by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the Bank
       at its home office,  to the  attention  of the Board of Directors  with a
       copy to the Secretary of the Bank,  or, if to the Employee,  to such home
       or other address as the Employee has most recently provided in writing to
       the Bank.

9.     Amendments. No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be binding
       unless in writing and signed by both parties,  except as herein otherwise
       provided.

10.    Headings.  The headings used in this  Agreement  are included  solely for
       convenience  and shall not affect,  or be used in  connection  with,  the
       interpretation  of this Agreement.

11.    Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable
       and the invalidity or  unenforceability of any provision shall not affect
       the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

   
12.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United
       States to the extent applicable and otherwise by the laws of the State of
       Illinois.
    

13.    Arbitration.  Any dispute or  controversy  arising under or in connection
       with this  Agreement  shall be  settled  exclusively  by  arbitration  in
       accordance  with  the  rules of the  American  Arbitration  Bank  then in
       effect.  Judgment may be entered on the  arbitrator's  award in any court
       having  jurisdiction.

                                        8

<PAGE>

       IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this  Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

       THIS  AGREEMENT  CONTAINS A BINDING  ARBITRATION  PROVISION  WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.


ATTEST:                                HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS



- -----------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak, Secretary    By:  Maureen G. Partynski
                                       Its: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                       EMPLOYEE



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



                                        9





                                                                    Exhibit 10.8

                      HEMLOCK FEDERAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                       1997 RECOGNITION AND RETENTION PLAN


     1. Plan  Purpose.  The  purpose  of the Plan is to  promote  the  long-term
interests  of the  Corporation  and its  stockholders  by  providing a means for
attracting  and  retaining  directors,  executive  officers and employees of the
Corporation and its Affiliates.

     2. Definitions. The following definitions are applicable to the Plan:

     "Award" - means  the grant of  Restricted  Stock  pursuant  to the terms of
Section 12 of the Plan or by the Committee, as provided in the Plan.

     "Affiliate" - means any "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation" of
the  Corporation,  as  such  terms  are  defined  in  Section  424(e)  and  (f),
respectively, of the Code.

     "Bank" - means Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings, a savings  institution and
its successors.

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

     "Code" - means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     "Committee"  -  means  the  Committee  of the  Board  of  Directors  of the
Corporation referred to in Section 6 hereof.

     "Continuous Service" - means the absence of any interruption or termination
of  service as a  director,  director  emeritus,  advisory  director,  executive
officer or employee of the  Corporation or any  Affiliate.  Service shall not be
considered  interrupted  in the case of sick leave,  military leave or any other
leave of absence  approved by the Corporation or any Affiliate or in the case of
transfers  between  payroll  locations of the  Corporation  or its Affiliates or
between the  Corporation,  its Affiliates or its successor.  With respect to any
director  emeritus  or  advisory   director,   continuous   service  shall  mean
availability to perform such functions as may be required of such individuals.

     "Conversion"  - means the  conversion  of the Bank  from the  mutual to the
stock form of organization.

     "Corporation" - means Hemlock  Federal  Financial  Corporation,  a Delaware
corporation.

     "Disability" - means any physical or mental  impairment  which qualifies an
employee,  director,  director  emeritus  or  advisor  director  for  disability
benefits under any applicable  long-term  disability plan maintained by the Bank
or an Affiliate,  or, if no such plan applies to such individual,  which renders
such employee or director,  in the judgment of the Committee,  unable to perform
his customary duties and responsibilities.

     "ERISA" - means the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974,  as
amended.

     "Non-Employee  Director"  - means a  director  who a) is not  currently  an
officer or  employee  of the  Corporation;  b) is not a former  employee  of the
Corporation  who receives  compensation  for prior  services  (other than from a
tax-qualified  retirement  plan); c) has not been an officer of the Corporation;
d) does not receive remuneration from the Corporation in any capacity other than
as a director; and e) does not possess

                                        1

<PAGE>

an  interest  in  any  other  transactions  or  is  not  engaged  in a  business
relationship  for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) or (b) of
Regulation S-K.

     "Participant" - means any director,  director emeritus,  advisory director,
executive  officer  or  employee  of the  Corporation  or any  Affiliate  who is
selected by the  Committee  to receive an Award or a director  who is granted an
award pursuant to Section 12.

     "Plan" - means the 1997 Recognition and Retention Plan of the Corporation.

     "Restricted  Period" - means the period of time  selected by the  Committee
for the purpose of determining  when  restrictions are in effect under Section 3
hereof with respect to Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan.

     "Restricted Stock" - means Shares which have been contingently awarded to a
Participant by the Committee subject to the restrictions  referred to in Section
3 hereof, so long as such restrictions are in effect.

     "Shares"  - means the  common  stock,  par value  $0.01 per  share,  of the
Corporation.

     3. Terms and Conditions of Restricted  Stock. The Committee shall have full
and complete authority,  subject to the limitations of the Plan, to grant Awards
and, in addition to the terms and conditions contained in paragraphs (a) through
(f) of this  Section 3, to provide such other terms and  conditions  (which need
not be identical among  Participants) in respect of such Awards, and the vesting
thereof,  as  the  Committee  shall  determine,  subject  to  Office  of  Thrift
Supervision Regulations.

(a)  At the time of an award of Restricted  Stock, the Committee shall establish
     for each Participant a Restricted Period, during which or at the expiration
     of which,  as the  Committee  shall  determine and provide in the agreement
     referred  to in  paragraph  (d) of this  Section 3, the  Shares  awarded as
     Restricted  Stock  shall  vest,  and  subject to any such  other  terms and
     conditions as the Committee shall provide,  shares of Restricted  Stock may
     not be sold, assigned, transferred,  pledged, voted or otherwise encumbered
     by the Participant,  except as hereinafter provided,  during the Restricted
     Period. Except for such restrictions, and subject to paragraphs (c) and (e)
     of this Section 3 and Section 4 hereof,  the  Participant  as owner of such
     shares shall have all the rights of a stockholder.

     No  director  who is not an employee  of the  Corporation  shall be granted
     Awards  with  respect  to more than 5% of the total  shares  subject to the
     Plan. All non-employee directors of the Corporation,  in the aggregate, may
     not be granted  Awards  with  respect to more than 30% of the total  shares
     subject to the Plan and no individual  shall be granted Awards with respect
     to more than 25% of the total shares  subject to the Plan.  No Awards shall
     begin  vesting  earlier than one year from the date the Plan is approved by
     stockholders of the Corporation and no Award shall vest at a rate in excess
     of 20% per year,  except in the event of death or disability.  In the event
     Office  of  Thrift  Supervision   Regulations  are  amended  (the  "Amended
     Regulations") to permit shorter vesting periods, any Award made pursuant to
     this  Plan,  which  Award is subject to the  requirements  of such  Amended
     Regulations,  may  vest,  at  the  sole  discretion  of the  Committee,  in
     accordance with such Amended Regulations.

     Subject to compliance with Office of Thrift  Supervision  Regulations,  the
     Committee shall have the authority,  in its  discretion,  to accelerate the
     time at which any or all of the restrictions shall lapse with respect to an
     Award,  or to  remove  any or all of  such  restrictions,  whenever  it may
     determine  that  such  action  is  appropriate  by  reason  of  changes  in
     applicable tax or other laws or other changes in circum  stances  occurring
     after the commencement of such Restricted Period.

(b)  Except as provided in Section 5 hereof, if a Participant ceases to maintain
     Continuous Service for any reason (other than death or disability),  unless
     the Committee shall  otherwise  determine,  all Shares of Restricted  Stock
     theretofore  awarded  to such  Participant  and  which  at the time of such
     termination of

                                        2

<PAGE>

     Continuous Service are subject to the restrictions imposed by paragraph (a)
     of this  Section 3 shall upon such  termination  of  Continuous  Service be
     forfeited  and  returned to the  Corporation.  If a  Participant  ceases to
     maintain  Continuous  Service by reason of death or disability,  Restricted
     Stock then still subject to  restrictions  imposed by paragraph (a) of this
     Section 3 will be free of those restrictions.

(c)  Each certificate in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the
     Plan shall be  registered in the name of the  Participant  and deposited by
     the  Participant,  together with a stock power endorsed in blank,  with the
     Corporation and shall bear the following (or a similar) legend:

               The  transferability  of this certificate and the shares of stock
          represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions  (including
          forfeiture)  contained in the 1996  Recognition  and Retention Plan of
          Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation. Copies of such Plan are on file
          in  the  offices  of  the  Secretary  of  Hemlock  Federal   Financial
          Corporation, 5700 W. 159th Street, Oak Forest, Illinois 60452-3198.

(d)  At the time of any Award,  the  Participant  shall enter into an  Agreement
     with the Corporation in a form specified by the Committee,  agreeing to the
     terms and  conditions of the Award and such other matters as the Committee,
     in its sole discretion, shall determine (the "Restricted Stock Agreement").

(e)  The payment to the Participant of dividends or other distributions declared
     or paid on such  shares  by the  Corporation  shall be  deferred  until the
     lapsing of the restrictions  imposed under paragraph (a) of this Section 3,
     and such dividends or other  distributions shall be held by the Corporation
     for the account of the Participant until such time. There shall be credited
     at the end of each year (or portion thereof)  interest on the amount of the
     deferred  dividends  or  other  distributions  at a rate  per  annum as the
     Committee, in its discretion, may determine.  Payment of deferred dividends
     or other  distributions,  together with interest accrued thereon,  shall be
     made upon the earlier to occur of the lapsing of the  restrictions  imposed
     under  paragraph  (a) of this Section 3 or upon death or  disability of the
     Participant.

(f)  At the lapsing of the restrictions imposed by paragraph (a) of this Section
     3, the Corporation  shall deliver to the Participant (or where the relevant
     provision  of  paragraph  (b) of this  Section 3  applies  in the case of a
     deceased Participant, to his legal representative, beneficiary or heir) the
     certificate(s)  and stock power deposited with it pursuant to paragraph (c)
     of this Section 3 and the Shares represented by such  certificate(s)  shall
     be free of the restrictions referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 3.

     4. Adjustments Upon Changes in  Capitalization.  In the event of any change
in the outstanding Shares subsequent to the effective date of the Plan by reason
of  any   reorganization,   recapitalization,   stock  split,   stock  dividend,
combination or exchange of shares,  merger,  consolidation  or any change in the
corporate  structure or Shares of the Corporation,  the maximum aggregate number
and class of shares as to which  Awards  may be  granted  under the Plan and the
number and class of shares with  respect to which Awards  theretofore  have been
granted under the Plan shall be appropriately  adjusted by the Committee,  whose
determination  shall be  conclusive.  Any  shares  of stock or other  securities
received as a result of any of the  foregoing by a  Participant  with respect to
Restricted   Stock   shall  be  subject  to  the  same   restrictions   and  the
certificate(s)  or other  instruments  representing or evidencing such shares or
securities  shall be legended and deposited  with the  Corporation in the manner
provided in Section 3 hereof.

     5. Assignments and Transfers.  During the Restricted  Period,  no Award nor
any  right  or  interest  of a  Participant  under  the  Plan in any  instrument
evidencing  any Award under the Plan may be assigned,  encumbered or transferred
except  (i) in the event of the death of a  Participant,  by will or the laws of
descent and  distribution,  or (ii) pursuant to a qualified  domestic  relations
order as defined in the Code or Title I of ERISA or the rules thereunder.

                                        3

<PAGE>

   
      6.  Administration.   The  Plan  shall  be  administered  by  a  Committee
consisting  of two or  more  members,  each  of  whom  shall  be a  Non-Employee
Director.  The  members  of the  Committee  shall be  appointed  by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation. Except as limited by the express provisions of the
Plan,  the  Committee  shall have sole and complete  authority  and  discretion,
subject to Office of Thrift Supervision Regulations,  to (i) select Participants
and grant Awards;  (ii) determine the number of Shares to be subject to types of
Awards  generally,  as well as individual  Awards granted under the Plan;  (iii)
determine the terms and conditions  upon which Awards shall be granted under the
Plan;  (iv) prescribe the form and terms of instruments  evidencing such grants;
and (v) establish from time to time  regulations for the  administration  of the
Plan,  interpret  the Plan,  and make all  determinations  deemed  necessary  or
advisable for the  administration  of the Plan. The Committee may maintain,  and
update from time to time as appropriate,  a list designating  selected directors
as  Non-Employee  Directors.  The purpose of such list shall be to evidence  the
status of such individuals as Non-Employee Directors, and the Board of Directors
may  appoint  to  the  Committee  any  individual   actually   qualifying  as  a
Non-Employee Director, regardless of whether identified as such on said list.
    

     A majority of the Committee  shall  constitute a quorum,  and the acts of a
majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present,  or
acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee without a meeting, shall
be acts of the Committee.

     7.  Shares  Subject to Plan.  Subject to  adjustment  by the  operation  of
Section 4 hereof,  the maximum number of Shares with respect to which Awards may
be made  under the Plan is 4% of the total  Shares  issued in the  Association's
Conversion.  The Shares with  respect to which Awards may be made under the Plan
may be either  authorized  and unissued  Shares or issued  Shares  heretofore or
hereafter  reacquired  and  held as  treasury  Shares.  An  Award  shall  not be
considered  to have been made under the Plan with  respect to  Restricted  Stock
which is forfeited  and new Awards may be granted under the Plan with respect to
the number of Shares as to which such forfeiture has occurred.

     The  Corporation's  obligation  to deliver  Shares with respect to an Award
shall,  if the  Committee  so  requests,  be  conditioned  upon the receipt of a
representation  as to the investment  intention of the  Participant to whom such
Shares are to be delivered,  in such form as the Committee shall determine to be
necessary or advisable to comply with the  provisions of the  Securities  Act of
1933 or any other Federal,  state or local securities legislation or regulation.
It may be provided that any representation  requirement shall become inoperative
upon a registration  of the Shares or other action  eliminating the necessity of
such representation  under such Securities Act or other securities  legislation.
The Corporation shall not be required to deliver any Shares under the Plan prior
to (i) the  admission  of such shares to listing on any stock  exchange on which
Shares may then be listed, and (ii) the completion of such registration or other
qualification of such Shares under any state or Federal law, rule or regulation,
as the Committee shall determine to be necessary or advisable.

     8. Employee Rights Under the Plan. No director, director emeritus, advisory
director, officer or employee shall have a right to be selected as a Participant
nor,  having been so  selected,  to be selected  again as a  Participant  and no
director,  officer, employee or other person shall have any claim or right to be
granted an Award under the Plan or under any other  incentive or similar plan of
the  Corporation  or any  Affiliate.  Neither  the  Plan  nor any  action  taken
thereunder  shall be construed as giving any officer or employee any right to be
retained in the employ of the Corporation, the Bank or any Affiliate.

     9.  Withholding  Tax. Upon the  termination of the  Restricted  Period with
respect to any shares of Restricted Stock (or at such earlier time, if any, that
an election is made by the  Participant  under Section 83(b) of the Code, or any
successor  provision  thereto,  to include  the value of such  shares in taxable
income), the Corporation may, in its sole discretion,  withhold from any payment
or distribution  made under this Plan sufficient  Shares or withhold  sufficient
cash to cover any applicable  withholding and employment  taxes. The Corporation
shall have the right to deduct from all dividends paid with respect to shares of
Restricted Stock

                                        4

<PAGE>

the amount of any taxes which the  Corporation  is  required  to  withhold  with
respect to such  dividend  payments.  No discretion or choice shall be conferred
upon any Participant with respect to the form,  timing or method of any such tax
withholding.

     10. Amendment or Termination. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may
amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time, subject
to Office of Thrift Supervision Regulations,  but (except as provided in Section
4 hereof) no amendment shall be made without approval of the stockholders of the
Corporation which shall (i) increase the aggregate number of Shares with respect
to which  Awards  may be made  under  the Plan,  (ii)  materially  increase  the
benefits  accruing to Participants,  (iii) materially change the requirements as
to eligibility for participation in the Plan or (iv) change the class of persons
eligible to participate in the Plan; provided,  however, that no such amendment,
suspension or termination  shall impair the rights of any  Participant,  without
his consent, in any Award theretofore made pursuant to the Plan.

     11. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become  effective upon its ratification by
the stockholders of the  Corporation.  It shall continue in effect for a term of
ten years unless sooner terminated under Section 11 hereof.

     12. Director Awards. By, and simultaneously  with, the ratification of this
Plan by the  stockholders  of the  Corporation,  each  member  of the  Board  of
Directors of the Corporation who is not a full-time employee of the Corporation,
is hereby granted an Award equal to _____% of the shares sold in the Conversion.
Each of the  Awards  granted  in this  Section  12 shall be earned in five equal
annual installments, with the first installment vesting on the first anniversary
of the date of grant, as long as the director maintains  Continuous Service with
the Corporation or its  affiliates,  provided,  however,  that no Award shall be
earned  in any  fiscal  year in which  the Bank  fails to meet all of its  fully
phased-in capital requirements.

                                        5





                    HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS DEFINED
                           CONTRIBUTION PLAN AND TRUST


                                  Sponsored By


                          HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

                                Chicago, Illinois


                             BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT #02








                                                                      JULY 1995




Copyright 1995 McKAY HOCHMAN CO., INC.


<PAGE>



THIS  DOCUMENT  IS  COPYRIGHTED  UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED  STATES.  ITS USE,
DUPLICATION  OR  REPRODUCTION,   INCLUDING  THE  USE  OF  ELECTRONIC  MEANS,  IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW WITHOUT THE EXPRESS CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------

PARAGRAPH                                                                   PAGE
- ---------                                                                   ----

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

  1.1       Adoption Agreement                                                 1
  1.2       Annual Additions                                                   1
  1.3       Annuity Starting Date                                              1
  1.4       Applicable Calendar Year                                           1
  1.5       Applicable Life Expectancy                                         2
  1.6       Break In Service                                                   2
  1.7       Code                                                               2
  1.8       Compensation                                                       2
  1.9       Custodian                                                          4
  1.10      Defined Benefit Plan                                               4
  1.11      Defined Benefit (Plan) Fraction                                    4
  1.12      Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation                             4
  1.13      Defined Contribution Plan                                          4
  1.14      Defined Contribution (Plan) Fraction                               4
  1.15      Designated Beneficiary                                             5
  1.16      Disability                                                         5
  1.17      Distribution Calendar Year                                         5
  1.18      Early Retirement Age                                               5
  1.19      Earned Income                                                      5
  1.20      Effective Date                                                     5
  1.21      Election Period                                                    5
  1.22      Eligible Retirement Plan                                           5
  1.23      Eligible Rollover Distribution                                     5
  1.24      Employee                                                           6
  1.25      Employer                                                           6
  1.26      Entry Date                                                         6
  1.27      ERISA                                                              6
  1.28      Excess Amount                                                      6
  1.29      First Distribution Calendar Year                                   6
  1.30      Fund                                                               6
  1.31      Highest Average Compensation                                       6
  1.32      Hour Of Service                                                    7
  1.33      Key Employee                                                       8
  1.34      Leased Employee                                                    8
  1.35      Limitation Year                                                    8
  1.36      Mandatory Contribution                                             8
  1.37      Master Or Prototype Plan                                           8
  1.38      Maximum Permissible Amount                                         8
  1.39      Named Fiduciary                                                    8
  1.40      Net Profit                                                         8
  1.41      Normal Retirement Age                                              9
  1.42      Owner-Employee                                                     9
  1.43      Paired Plans                                                       9
  1.44      Participant                                                        9


<PAGE>



  1.45      Participant's Benefit                                              9
  1.46      Permissive Aggregation Group                                       9
  1.47      Plan                                                               9
  1.48      Plan Administrator                                                 9
  1.49      Plan Year                                                          9
  1.50      Present Value                                                      9
  1.51      Projected Annual Benefit                                           9
  1.52      Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan                              10
  1.53      Qualified Domestic Relations Order                                10
  1.54      Qualified Early Retirement Age                                    10
  1.55      Qualified Joint And Survivor Annuity                              10
  1.56      Qualified Voluntary Contribution                                  10
  1.57      Required Aggregation Group                                        10
  1.58      Required Beginning Date                                           10
  1.59      Rollover Contribution                                             10
  1.60      Self-Employed Individual                                          10
  1.61      Service                                                           11
  1.62      Shareholder Employee                                              11
  1.63      Simplified Employee Pension Plan                                  11
  1.64      Sponsor                                                           11
  1.65      Spouse (Surviving Spouse)                                         11
  1.66      Super Top-Heavy Plan                                              11
  1.67      Taxable Wage Base                                                 11
  1.68      Top-Heavy Determination Date                                      11
  1.69      Top-Heavy Plan                                                    11
  1.70      Top-Heavy Ratio                                                   11
  1.71      Transfer Contribution                                             13
  1.72      Trust                                                             13
  1.73      Trustee                                                           13
  1.74      Valuation Date                                                    13
  1.75      Vested Account Balance                                            13
  1.76      Voluntary Contribution                                            13
  1.77      Welfare Benefit Fund                                              13
  1.78      Year Of Service                                                   14

                                   ARTICLE II
                            ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  2.1       Participation                                                     15
  2.2       Change In Classification Of Employment                            15
  2.3       Computation Period                                                15
  2.4       Employment Rights                                                 15
  2.5       Service With Controlled Groups                                    15
  2.6       Owner-Employees                                                   15
  2.7       Leased Employees                                                  16

                                   ARTICLE III
                             EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS

  3.1       Amount                                                            17
  3.2       Expenses And Fees                                                 17
  3.3       Responsibility For Contributions                                  17
  3.4       Return Of Contributions                                           17



<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IV
                             EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS

  4.1       Voluntary Contributions                                           18
  4.2       Qualified Voluntary Contributions                                 18
  4.3       Rollover Contribution                                             18
  4.4       Transfer Contribution                                             19
  4.5       Employer Approval Of Transfer Contributions                       19
  4.6       Direct Rollover Of Benefits                                       19

                                    ARTICLE V
                              PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS

  5.1       Separate Accounts                                                 20
  5.2       Adjustments To Participant Accounts                               20
  5.3       Allocating Employer Contributions                                 20
  5.4       Allocating Investment Earnings And Losses                         21
  5.5       Participant Statements                                            21

                                   ARTICLE VI
                      RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

  6.1       Normal Retirement Benefits                                        22
  6.2       Early Retirement Benefits                                         22
  6.3       Benefits On Termination Of Employment                             22
  6.4       Restrictions On Immediate Distributions                           23
  6.5       Normal Form Of Payment                                            24
  6.6       Commencement Of Benefits                                          24
  6.7       Claims Procedures                                                 25
  6.8       In-Service Withdrawals                                            25
  6.9       Hardship Withdrawals                                              26
  6.10      Determination Of Qualified Domestic 
                 Relations Order (QDRO)                                       27
  6.11      Participant Loans                                                 28
  6.12      Insurance Policies                                                29

                                   ARTICLE VII
                            DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS

  7.1       Joint And Survivor Annuity Requirements                           32
  7.2       Minimum Distribution Requirements                                 32
  7.3       Limits On Distribution Periods                                    32
  7.4       Required Distributions On Or After The
                 Required Beginning Date                                      32
  7.5       Required Beginning Date                                           33
  7.6       Transitional Rule                                                 34
  7.7       Designation Of Beneficiary For Death Benefit                      35
  7.8       Nonexistence Of Beneficiary                                       35
  7.9       Distribution Beginning Before Death                               35
  7.10      Distribution Beginning After Death                                35




<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE VIII
                     JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY REQUIREMENTS

  8.1       Applicability Of Provisions                                       37
  8.2       Payment Of Qualified Joint And Survivor
                 Annuity                                                      37
  8.3       Payment of Qualified Pre-Retirement
                 Survivor Annuity                                             37
  8.4       Qualified Election                                                37
  8.5       Notice Requirements For Qualified Joint
                 And Survivor Annuity                                         38
  8.6       Notice Requirements For Qualified Pre-Retirement
                 Survivor Annuity                                             38
  8.7       Special Safe-Harbor Exception For
                 Certain Profit-Sharing Plans                                 38
  8.8       Transitional Joint And Survivor
                 Annuity Rules                                                39
  8.9       Automatic Joint And Survivor Annuity
                 And Early Survivor Annuity                                   39
  8.10      Annuity Contracts                                                 40

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                     VESTING

  9.1       Employee Contributions                                            41
  9.2       Employer Contributions                                            41
  9.3       Computation Period                                                41
  9.4       Requalification Prior To Five Consecutive
                 One-Year Breaks In Service                                   41
  9.5       Requalification After Five Consecutive
                 One-Year Breaks In Service                                   41
  9.6       Calculating Vested Interest                                       41
  9.7       Forfeitures                                                       42
  9.8       Amendment Of Vesting Schedule                                     42
  9.9       Service With Controlled Groups                                    42
  9.10      Restoration Of Benefit                                            42

                                    ARTICLE X
                           LIMITATIONS ON ALLOCATIONS

 10.1       Participation In This Plan Only                                   43
 10.2       Disposition Of Excess Annual Additions                            43
 10.3       Participation In This Plan And Another Master
                 Or Prototype Defined Contribution Plan,
                 Welfare Benefit Fund, Or Individual Medical
                 Under Two Plans                                              44
 10.5       Participation In This Plan And Another
                 Defined Contribution Plan Which Is Not
                 A Master Or Prototype Plan                                   45
 10.6       Participation In This Plan And A Defined
                 Benefit Plan                                                 45



<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE XI
                                 ADMINISTRATION

 11.1       Plan Administrator                                                46
 11.2       Trustee                                                           46
 11.3       Administrative Fees And Expenses                                  48
 11.4       Division Of Duties And Indemnification                            48
 11.5       Co-Fiduciary Liability                                            49

                                   ARTICLE XII
                                   TRUST FUND

 12.1       The Fund                                                          50
 12.2       Control Of Plan Assets                                            50
 12.3       Exclusive Benefit Rules                                           50
 12.4       Assignment And Alienation Of Benefits                             50

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                   INVESTMENTS

 13.1       Fiduciary Standards                                               51
 13.2       Funding Arrangement                                               51
 13.3       Investment And Administrative
                 Powers Of The Trustee                                        51
 13.4       Employer Investment Directions                                    54
 13.5       Investment Manager Directions                                     54
 13.6       Employee Investment Direction                                     55
 13.7       Voting Of Proxies On Employer Stock                               56

                                   ARTICLE XIV
                              TOP-HEAVY PROVISIONS

 14.1       Applicability Of Rules                                            58
 14.2       Minimum Contribution                                              58
 14.3       Minimum Vesting                                                   59
 14.4       Limitations On Allocations                                        59

                                   ARTICLE XV
                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 15.1       Amendment By Sponsor                                              60
 15.2       Amendment By Employer                                             60
 15.3       Termination                                                       60
 15.4       Qualification Of Employer's Plan                                  61
 15.5       Mergers And Consolidations                                        61
 15.6       Resignation And Removal                                           61
 15.7       Qualification Of Prototype                                        62

                                   ARTICLE XVI
 GOVERNING LAW                                                                63




<PAGE>




                  PROTOTYPE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN AND TRUST

                                  Sponsored By

                          HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

The Sponsor hereby establishes the following Prototype Retirement Plan and Trust
for use by those of its  customers  who  qualify  and wish to adopt a  qualified
retirement  program.   Any  Plan  and  Trust  established   hereunder  shall  be
administered for the exclusive  benefit of Participants and their  beneficiaries
under the following terms and conditions:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS


1.1     Adoption  Agreement   The  document  attached  to  this Plan by which an
Employer elects to  establish  a qualified  retirement  plan and trust under the
terms of this Prototype Plan and Trust.

1.2     Annual Additions   The  sum  of  the  following  amounts  credited  to a
Participant's account for the Limitation Year:

        (a)  Employer contributions,

        (b)  Employee contributions (under Article IV),

        (c)  forfeitures,

        (d)  amounts allocated after  March 31,  1984 to an  individual  medical
             account, as defined in Code Section  415(l)(2),  which is part of a
             pension  or annuity plan maintained by the  Employer (these amounts
             are  treated as Annual  Additions  to a Defined  Contribution  Plan
             though they arise under a Defined Benefit Plan), and

        (e)  amounts derived from contributions  paid or accrued  after 1985, in
             taxable years ending after 1985, which are either  attributable  to
             post-retirement medical benefits, allocated to the account of a Key
             Employee,  or a Welfare Benefit Fund maintained by the Employer are
             also treated as Annual Additions to a Defined Contribution Plan.For
             purposes of this  paragraph, an Employee is a Key Employee if he or
             she meets the requirements of paragraph 1.33 at any time during the
             Plan  Year  or  any  preceding  Plan  Year. Welfare Benefit Fund is
             defined at paragraph 1.77.

Excess Amounts  applied in a Limitation  Year to reduce  Employer  contributions
will be considered  Annual Additions for such Limitation  Year,  pursuant to the
provisions of Article X.

1.3     Annuity Starting Date   The first day of the first  period  for which an
amount is paid as an annuity or any other form.

1.4     Applicable Calendar Year   The First Distribution Calendar Year,  and in
the event of the recalculation of  life  expectancy,  each  succeeding  calendar
year.  If  payments  commence  in  accordance  with  paragraph 7.4(e) before the
Required Beginning Date, the Applicable Calendar Year  is the year such payments
commence.  If

                                        1

<PAGE>



distribution  is in  the  form  of an  immediate  annuity  purchased  after  the
Participant's death with the Participant's  remaining  interest,  the Applicable
Calendar Year is the year of purchase.

1.5     Applicable Life Expectancy   Used in determining  the  required  minimum
distribution.  The life  expectancy  (or  joint  and last  survivor  expectancy)
calculated using the attained age of the Participant (or Designated Beneficiary)
as of the Participant's (or Designated Beneficiary's) birthday in the Applicable
Calendar  Year reduced by one for each calendar year which has elapsed since the
date  life  expectancy  was  first  calculated.  If  life  expectancy  is  being
recalculated,  the Applicable Life Expectancy shall be the life expectancy as so
recalculated.  The  life  expectancy  of a  non-Spouse  Beneficiary  may  not be
recalculated.

1.6     Break In Service   A  12 - consecutive  month  period  during  which  an
Employee fails to complete more than 500 Hours of Service.

1.7     Code   The Internal Revenue  Code  of  1986,  including  any  amendments
thereto.

1.8     Compensation   The Employer  may  select  one  of  the  following  three
safe-harbor definitions of Compensation in the Adoption Agreement.  Compensation
shall only include amounts earned while a Participant if Plan Year is chosen  as
the applicable computation period.

        (a)  Code Section 3401(a) Wages. Compensation is defined as wages within
             the meaning of Code  Section 3401(a)  for the  purposes  of Federal
             income  tax withholding at the source but determined without regard
             to any rules that limit the remuneration included in wages based on
             the nature or location of the employment or the services  performed
             [such as the exception  for  agricultural  labor  in  Code  Section
             3401(a)(2)].

        (b)  Code Section 6041 and 6051 Wages.  Compensation is defined as wages
             as defined in  Code  Section  3401(a)  and  all  other  payments of
             Compensation to an Employee by the  Employer  (in the course of the
             Employer's trade or business) for which the Employer is required to
             furnish the Employee a written statement under Code Section 6041(d)
             and 6051(a)(3).  Compensation  must be determined without regard to
             any rules under  Code  Section  3401(a) that limit the remuneration
             included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment
             or the services performed [such as the  exception  for agricultural
             labor in  Code Section 3401(a)(2)].

        (c)  Code  Section 415  Compensation.   For  purposes  of  applying  the
             limitations of Article X and Top-Heavy minimums,  the definition of
             Compensation  shall  be  Code  Section 415  Compensation defined as
             follows:  a Participant's Earned Income, wages, salaries, and  fees
             for  professional  services  and  other  amounts  received (without
             regard to whether  or  not  an amount is paid in cash) for personal
             services actually rendered  in  the  course  of employment with the
             Employer maintaining the Plan to the extent  that  the  amounts are
             includible  in  gross  income  [including,   but  not  limited  to,
             commissions paid salesmen, Compensation for  services  on the basis
             of a percentage of  profits,  commissions  on  insurance  premiums,
             tips, bonuses,  fringe benefits and reimbursements or other expense
             allowances  under a nonaccountable plan (as described in Regulation
             1.62-2(c)], and excluding the following:

             (1)   Employer contributions  to  a  plan  of deferred compensation
                   which are not  includible  in the Employee's gross income for
                   the   taxable   year  in  which  contributed,   or   Employer
                   contributions  under a  Simplified  Employee  Pension Plan or
                   any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation,

                                              2

<PAGE>




             (2)   Amounts  realized from the exercise of a non-qualified  stock
                   option, or when  restricted  stock  (or property) held by the
                   Employee  either becomes freely  transferable or is no longer
                   subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture,

             (3)   Amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition
                   of stock acquired under a qualified stock option; and

             (4)   other  amounts  which  received  special  tax  benefits,   or
                   contributions made by the Employer (whether  or not  under  a
                   salary  reduction  agreement)  towards  the  purchase  of  an
                   annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b) (whether or
                   not the contributions are actually  excludible from the gross
                   income of the Employee).

For purposes of applying the  limitations  of Article X and Top-Heavy  minimums,
the definition of Compensation shall be Code Section 415 Compensation  described
in this  paragraph  1.8(c).  Also,  for purposes of applying the  limitations of
Article X, Compensation for a Limitation Year is the Compensation  actually paid
or made available  during such Limitation  Year.  Notwithstanding  the preceding
sentence,  Compensation for a Participant in a Defined  Contribution Plan who is
permanently  and totally  disabled [as defined in Code Section  22(e)(3)] is the
Compensation such Participant would have received for the Limitation Year if the
Participant had been paid at the rate of Compensation  paid  immediately  before
becoming  permanently and totally  disabled.  Such imputed  Compensation for the
disabled  Participant may be taken into account only if the Participant is not a
highly   compensated   employee  [as  defined  in  Code   Section   414(q)]  and
contributions made on behalf of such Participant are nonforfeitable when made.

If the Employer fails to pick the applicable  period in the Adoption  Agreement,
the Plan Year shall be used.  Unless otherwise  specified by the Employer in the
Adoption Agreement, Compensation shall be determined as provided in Code Section
3401(a) [as  defined in this  paragraph  1.8(a)].  In  Nonstandardized  Adoption
Agreements  003 and 004,  the  Employer  may  choose  to  eliminate  or  exclude
categories of Compensation  which do not violate the provisions of Code Sections
401(a)(4), 414(s) the regulations thereunder and Revenue Procedure 89-65.

Beginning  with 1989 Plan Years,  the annual  Compensation  of each  Participant
which may be taken into account for determining all benefits  provided under the
Plan  (including  benefits  under  Article  XIV) for any year  shall not  exceed
$200,000, as adjusted under Code Section 415(d). In determining the Compensation
of a  Participant  for  purposes of this  limitation,  the rules of Code Section
414(q)(6)  shall apply,  except in applying such rules,  the term "family" shall
include only the Spouse of the  Participant  and any lineal  descendants  of the
Participant who have not attained age 19 before the end of the Plan Year. If, as
a result of the  application of such rules the adjusted  $200,000  limitation is
exceeded,  then (except for purposes of determining  the portion of Compensation
up to the integration level if this Plan provides for permitted disparity),  the
limitation  shall be prorated  among the affected  individuals  in proportion to
each such  individual's  Compensation as determined  under this section prior to
the application of this limitation.

If a Plan has a Plan Year that contains fewer than 12 calendar months,  then the
annual  Compensation limit for that period is an amount equal to the $200,000 as
adjusted  for the  calendar  year  in  which  the  Compensation  period  begins,
multiplied  by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of full months in
the short Plan Year and the denominator of which is 12. If Compensation  for any
prior Plan Year is taken into account in determining an Employee's contributions
or  benefits  for the  current  year,  the  Compensation  for such prior year is
subject to the  applicable  annual  Compensation  limit in effect for that prior
year.  For this  purpose,  for years  beginning  before  January  1,  1990,  the
applicable annual Compensation limit is $200,000. For Plan Years beginning on or
after January 1, 1994, the annual  Compensation of each  Participant  taken into
account for determining  all benefits  provided under the Plan for any Plan Year
shall not exceed $150,000, as adjusted for increases in the cost-of-living

                                        3

<PAGE>



in accordance with Code Section  401(a)(17).  The  cost-of-living  adjustment in
effect for a calendar year applies to any determination period beginning in such
calendar year.

Compensation  shall not include deferred  compensation  other than contributions
through a salary  reduction  agreement  to a cash or  deferred  plan  under Code
Section  401(k),   a  Simplified   Employee  Pension  Plan  under  Code  Section
402(h)(1)(B),  a cafeteria plan under Code Section 125 or a tax-deferred annuity
under Code  Section  403(b).  Unless  elected  otherwise  by the Employer in the
Adoption  Agreement,  these deferred  amounts will be considered as Compensation
for Plan purposes.  These deferred  amounts are not counted as Compensation  for
purposes of Articles X and XIV. When applicable to a  Self-Employed  Individual,
Compensation shall mean Earned Income.

1.9     Custodian   The Sponsor  of  this  Prototype  may  serve  as a Custodian
pursuant to a separate agreement.

1.10    Defined Benefit Plan   A Plan under which  a  Participant's  benefit  is
determined  by a formula  contained in the Plan and no  individual  accounts are
maintained for Participants.

1.11    Defined Benefit (Plan) Fraction   A fraction,  the  numerator  of  which
is the sum of the Participant's Projected Annual Benefits  under all the Defined
Benefit Plans (whether or not terminated) maintained by the  Employer,  and  the
denominator  of which is the  lesser of 125  percent  of the  dollar  limitation
determined  for the  Limitation  Year under Code Sections  415(b) and (d) or 140
percent of the Highest Average  Compensation,  including any  adjustments  under
Code Section 415(b).

Transitional  Rule:   Notwithstanding  the  above,  if  the  Participant  was  a
Participant as of the first day of the first  Limitation  Year  beginning  after
1986, in one or more Defined Benefit Plans maintained by the Employer which were
in existence on May 6, 1986,  the  denominator of this fraction will not be less
than 125  percent of the sum of the annual  benefits  under such plans which the
Participant  had accrued as of the close of the last  Limitation  Year beginning
before 1987,  disregarding  any changes in the terms and  conditions of the Plan
after May 5, 1986. The preceding  sentence  applies only if the Defined  Benefit
Plans  individually  and in the aggregate  satisfied the requirements of Section
415 for all Limitation Years beginning before 1987.

1.12    Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation Thirty thousand dollars ($30,000)
or if greater,  one-fourth of the defined  benefit  dollar  limitation set forth
in Code Section 415(b)(1) as in effect for the Limitation Year.

1.13    Defined Contribution Plan   A Plan under which individual  accounts  are
maintained  for  each  Participant  to  which  all  contributions,  forfeitures,
investment income and gains or losses, and expenses are credited or deducted.  A
Participant's  benefit  under such Plan is based solely on the fair market value
of his or her account balance.

1.14    Defined Contribution (Plan) Fraction  A fraction, the numerator of which
is the sum of the Annual Additions to the  Participant's  account  under all the
Defined  Contribution  Plans  (whether  or  not  terminated)  maintained  by the
Employer for the current and all prior  Limitation  Years  (including the Annual
Additions attributable to the Participant's nondeductible Employee contributions
to all Defined  Benefit  Plans,  whether or not  terminated,  maintained  by the
Employer, and the Annual Additions attributable to all Welfare Benefit Funds, as
defined in paragraph 1.77 and individual  medical  accounts,  as defined in Code
Section 415(1)(2),  maintained by the Employer), and the denominator of which is
the  sum of the  maximum  aggregate  amounts  for  the  current  and  all  prior
Limitation  Years of Service with the Employer  (regardless of whether a Defined
Contribution Plan was maintained by the Employer).  The maximum aggregate amount
in the  Limitation  Year is the lesser of 125  percent of the dollar  limitation
determined  under  Code  Sections  415(b) and (d) in effect  under Code  Section
415(c)(1)(A) or 35 percent of the Participant's Compensation for such year.

Transitional  Rule: If the Employee was a Participant as of the end of the first
day of the first  Limitation  Year beginning  after 1986, in one or more Defined
Contribution  Plans maintained by the Employer which were in existence on May 6,
1986,  the  numerator  of  this  fraction  will be  adjusted  if the sum of this
fraction and the Defined

                                        4

<PAGE>



Benefit  Fraction would otherwise exceed 1.0 under the terms of this Plan. Under
the  adjustment,  an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess of the sum of
the  fractions  over 1.0  times (2) the  denominator  of this  fraction  will be
permanently  subtracted  from the numerator of this fraction.  The adjustment is
calculated  using the  fractions  as they would be computed as of the end of the
last Limitation Year beginning  before 1987, and disregarding any changes in the
terms and  conditions of the Plan made after May 6, 1986,  but using the Section
415  limitation  applicable to the first  Limitation  Year beginning on or after
January 1, 1987. The Annual  Addition for any Limitation  Year beginning  before
1987,  shall not be  re-computed to treat all Employee  contributions  as Annual
Additions.

1.15    Designated  Beneficiary    The  individual  who  is  designated  as  the
beneficiary under the Plan  in accordance  with Code Section  401(a)(9)  and the
regulations thereunder.

1.16    Disability   An illness  or  injury  of  a potentially permanent nature,
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12  months,  certified
by a physician  selected  by or  satisfactory  to the  Employer  which  prevents
the Employee  from  engaging  in any  occupation  for wage or  profit  for which
the Employee is reasonably fitted by training, education or experience.

1.17    Distribution  Calendar  Year   A  calendar  year  for  which  a  minimum
distribution is required.

1.18    Early Retirement Age   The  age  set  by  the  Employer  in the Adoption
Agreement  (but  not  less  than  55),  which  is  the  earliest  age at which a
Participant may retire and receive his or her benefits under the Plan.

1.19    Earned Income    Net  earnings  from  self-employment  in  the  trade or
business  with  respect  to which the Plan is  established,  determined  without
regard to items not included in gross income  and  the  deductions  allocable to
such items, provided that personal services of the individual  are  a   material
income-producing factor. Earned Income shall be reduced by contributions made by
an Employer to a qualified plan to the extent deductible under Code Section 404.
For tax years beginning after 1989, net earnings shall be determined taking into
account the  deduction  for  one-half of  self-employment  taxes  allowed to the
Employer under Code Section 164(f) to the extent deductible.

1.20    Effective Date   With respect to the Employer's  Plan, the date on which
the Plan or amendment to such Plan becomes effective as provided in the Adoption
Agreement.  For amendments  reflecting statutory and regulatory changes post Tax
Reform  Act of 1986,  the  Effective  Date will be the  earlier of the date upon
which such amendment is first  administratively  applied or the first day of the
Plan Year following the date of adoption of such amendment.  With respect to the
Trustee,  the  date  of the  appointment  of the  Trustee  as  indicated  by the
Trustee's  acceptance  of the  Employer's  Plan  as  provided  in  the  Adoption
Agreement.

1.21    Election Period   The period which begins on the first day of  the  Plan
Year in which the Participant attains age  35  and  ends  on  the  date  of  the
Participant's death. If a Participant  separates from Service prior to the first
day of the Plan Year in which age 35 is  attained,  the  Election  Period  shall
begin on the date of separation,  with respect to the account  balance as of the
date of separation.

1.22    Eligible Retirement Plan   An individual  retirement  account  (IRA)  as
described in Code Section  408(a),  an  individual  retirement  annuity (IRA) as
described in Code Section  408(b),  an annuity plan as described in Code Section
403(a), or a qualified trust as described in Code Section 401(a),  which accepts
Eligible  Rollover  Distributions.  However in the case of an Eligible  Rollover
Distribution to a Surviving Spouse, an Eligible Retirement Plan is an individual
retirement account or individual retirement annuity.

1.23    Eligible Rollover Distribution   Any distribution of all or any  portion
of the balance to the credit of the Participant except that an Eligible Rollover
Distribution does not include:


                                        5

<PAGE>



        (a)  any distribution that is one of a  series  of  substantially  equal
             periodic payments (not less  frequently than annually) made for the
             life (or life expectancy) of the Participant or the joint lives (or
             joint life expectancies) of the Participant  and the  Participant's
             Designated Beneficiary, or for a  specified  period of ten years or
             more;

        (b)  any  distribution to the extent such distribution is required under
             Code Section 401(a)(9); and

        (c)  the portion of any distribution that is  not  includible  in  gross
             income   (determined  without  regard  to  the  exclusion  for  net
             unrealized appreciation with respect to Employer securities).

A Direct  Rollover  is a payment  by the Plan to the  Eligible  Retirement  Plan
specified by the Participant.

1.24    Employee   Any person employed by the Employer (including  Self-Employed
Individuals  and partners),  all Employees of a member of an affiliated  service
group [as defined in Code Section  414(m)],  Employees of a controlled  group of
corporations  [as defined in Section  414(b) of the Code],  all Employees of any
incorporated or  unincorporated  trade or business which is under common control
[as defined in Section 414(c) of the Code], Leased Employees [as defined in Code
Section  414(n)] and any  Employee  required to be  aggregated  by Code  Section
414(o). All such Employees shall be treated as employed by a single Employer.

1.25    Employer The Self-Employed Individual, partnership, corporation or other
organization  which  adopts  this  Plan  including  any firm that  succeeds  the
Employer  and adopts  this Plan.  For  purposes  of  Article X,  Limitations  on
Allocations,  Employer  shall mean the Employer  that adopts this Plan,  and all
members of a controlled group of corporations [as defined in Code Section 414(b)
as modified by Section 415(h)], all commonly controlled trades or businesses [as
defined in Section 414(c) as modified by Section  415(h)] or affiliated  service
groups [as defined in Section 414(m)] of which the adopting  Employer is a part,
and other  entity  required  to be  aggregated  with the  Employer  pursuant  to
regulations under Code Section 414(o).

1.26    Entry Date  The date on which an Employee commences participation in the
Plan as  determined  by the  Employer  in the  Adoption  Agreement.  Unless  the
Employer  specifies  otherwise  in the Adoption  Agreement,  entry into the Plan
shall be on the first day of the Plan Year or the first day of the seventh month
of the Plan Year  coinciding  with or  following  the date on which an  Employee
meets the eligibility requirements.

1.27    ERISA   The Employee Retirement Income Security  Act  of 1974, including
any amendments.

1.28    Excess Amount   The excess of the Participant's Annual Additions for the
Limitation Year over the Maximum Permissible Amount.

1.29    First Distribution Calendar Year  For distributions beginning before the
Participant's  death, the First Distribution  Calendar Year is the calendar year
immediately  preceding  the  calendar  year  which  contains  the  Participant's
Required  Beginning Date. For  distributions  beginning after the  Participant's
death,  the  First  Distribution  Calendar  Year is the  calendar  year in which
distributions are required to begin pursuant to paragraph 7.10.

1.30    Fund   All contributions received by the Trustee  under  this  Plan  and
Trust, investments thereof and earnings  and  appreciation  thereon.   All  such
contributions and the earnings thereon less payments made under the terms of the
Plan, shall constitute the Fund.


                                        6

<PAGE>



1.31    Highest Average Compensation   The average  Compensation  for the  three
consecutive  Years of  Service  with the  Employer  that  produces  the  highest
average. A Year of Service with the Employer is the 12-consecutive  month period
defined in the Adoption Agreement.

1.32    Hour Of Service

        (a)  Each hour for which an Employee is paid,  or entitled  to  payment,
             for the performance of duties for the Employer.  These hours  shall
             be credited to the Employee for the computation period in which the
             duties are performed; and

        (b)  Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to payment, by
             the Employer on  account of a period of time during which no duties
             are performed (irrespective of whether the employment  relationship
             has  terminated)  due  to  vacation,  holiday,  illness, incapacity
             (including Disability), layoff, jury duty, military  duty  or leave
             of absence.  No more than 501 Hours of Service  shall  be  credited
             under this paragraph for any single continuous period  (whether  or
             not such period occurs in a single computation period). Hours under
             this paragraph shall be calculated and credited pursuant to Section
             2530.200b-2  of  the  Department  of  Labor  Regulations  which are
             incorporated herein by this reference; and

        (c)  Each  hour  for  which  back  pay,  irrespective  of  mitigation of
             damages, is either awarded or agreed to by the  Employer.  The same
             Hours of Service shall not be credited both under  paragraph (a) or
             paragraph (b),  as the case may be, and under this  paragraph  (c).
             These hours shall be credited to the Employee  for the  computation
             period or periods to which the award or agreement  pertains  rather
             than  the  computation  period  in  which  the  award, agreement or
             payment is made.

        (d)  Hours of Service shall be credited for employment with the Employer
             and with other members  of  an affiliated service group [as defined
             in Code Section 414(m)], a controlled  group  of  corporations  [as
             defined in Code Section 414(b)], or a group of trades or businesses
             under common control [as defined in  Code Section 414(c)]  of which
             the adopting Employer is a member, and any other entity required to
             be aggregated with the Employer pursuant to Code Section 414(o) and
             the regulations thereunder. Hours of Service shall also be credited
             for any individual considered an Employee for purposes of this Plan
             under  Code  Section  414(n)   or   Code  Section  414(o)  and  the
             regulations thereunder.

        (e)  Solely  for  purposes of determining whether a Break in Service, as
             defined in paragraph 1.6, for participation  and  vesting  purposes
             has occurred in a computation period, an individual  who  is absent
             from work for maternity or paternity reasons  shall  receive credit
             for the Hours of Service which would otherwise  have  been credited
             to such individual but for such absence, or  in  any  case in which
             such hours cannot be determined, 8 Hours of Service per day of such
             absence.  For purposes of this paragraph, an absence from work  for
             maternity or paternity reasons means an absence by  reason  of  the
             pregnancy of the individual, by reason of a birth of a child of the
             individual,  by  reason  of  the  placement  of  a  child  with the
             individual in connection with the  adoption  of such  child by such
             individual, or for purposes of caring for such  child  for a period
             beginning immediately  following such birth or placement. The Hours
             of Service credited under this paragraph  shall  be credited in the
             computation period in which the absence  begins  if  the  crediting
             is necessary to prevent a Break in  Service  in  that period, or in
             all other cases, in the following computation period.  No more than
             501 hours will be credited under this paragraph.

                                        7

<PAGE>




        (f)  Unless specified otherwise  in the  Adoption  Agreement,  Hours  of
             Service shall be determined  on the basis of the  actual  hours for
             which an Employee is paid or entitled to payment.

1.33    Key Employee   Any Employee or former Employee (and the beneficiaries of
such Employee) who at any time during the determination period was an officer of
the Employer if such individual's annual Compensation  exceeds 50% of the dollar
limitation under Code Section  415(b)(1)(A)  (the defined benefit maximum annual
benefit), an owner (or considered an owner under Code Section 318) of one of the
ten largest interests in the Employer if such individual's  Compensation exceeds
100% of the dollar limitation under Code Section 415(c)(1)(A), a 5% owner of the
Employer,  or a 1% owner of the Employer who has an annual  Compensation of more
than  $150,000.  For  purposes  of  determining  who is a Key  Employee,  annual
Compensation  shall mean  Compensation  as defined for Article X, but  including
amounts deferred through a salary reduction agreement to a cash or deferred plan
under Code Section 401(k), a Simplified Employee Pension Plan under Code Section
402(h)(1)(B),  a cafeteria plan under Code Section 125 or a tax-deferred annuity
under Code Section 403(b). The determination  period is the Plan Year containing
the  Determination  Date and the four preceding Plan Years. The determination of
who is a Key Employee will be made in accordance with Code Section 416(i)(1) and
the regulations thereunder.

1.34    Leased Employee   Any person (other than an Employee  of the  recipient)
who  pursuant  to  an  agreement  between  the  recipient  and  any other person
("leasing organization")  has  performed  services for the recipient [or for the
recipient and related persons determined in accordance with Code Section  414(n)
(6)] on a substantially full-time basis for a period of at least  one  year, and
such services are of a type historically performed by  Employees in the business
field of the recipient Employer.

1.35 Limitation Year The calendar year or such other 12-consecutive month period
designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement for purposes of determining
the maximum Annual  Addition to a  Participant's  account.  All qualified  plans
maintained by the Employer must use the same Limitation  Year. If the Limitation
Year is amended to a different  12-consecutive  month period, the new Limitation
Year must begin on a date within the  Limitation  Year in which the amendment is
made.

1.36    Mandatory Contribution   An Employee contribution  which  was  not  tax-
deductible when made and which was required for participation in the Plan. These
contributions  may no longer be made to the Plan, for Plan Years beginning after
the Plan Year in which this Plan is adopted (or restated) by the Employer.

1.37    Master Or Prototype Plan   A plan, the form of which is the subject of a
favorable opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service.

1.38    Maximum Permissible Amount   The maximum  Annual  Addition  that  may be
contributed  or  allocated  to a  Participant's  account  under the Plan for any
Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of:

        (a)  the Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation, or

        (b)  25% of the Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year.

The  Compensation  limitation  referred  to  in  (b)  shall  not  apply  to  any
contribution  for medical benefits [within the meaning of Code Section 401(h) or
Code Section  419A(f)(2)] which is otherwise treated as an Annual Addition under
Code  Section  415(l)(1) or  419(d)(2).  If a short  Limitation  Year is created
because  of  an  amendment   changing  the   Limitation   Year  to  a  different
12-consecutive  month period, the Maximum Permissible Amount will not exceed the
Defined  Contribution  Dollar Limitation  multiplied by the following  fraction:
number of months in the short Limitation Year divided by 12.


                                        8

<PAGE>



1.39   Named Fiduciary  The "named fiduciary" (as defined or described in ERISA)
with respect to the Plan shall be the Plan Administrator.

1.40   Net Profit The current and accumulated operating earnings of the Employer
before Federal and state income taxes,  excluding  nonrecurring or unusual items
of income, and before  contributions to this and any other qualified plan of the
Employer. Alternatively, the Employer may fix another definition in the Adoption
Agreement.

1.41    Normal Retirement Age   The age set by  the  Employer  in  the  Adoption
Agreement  at which a  Participant  may retire and  receive his or her  benefits
under the Plan.

1.42    Owner-Employee   A sole proprietor, or a partner owning more than 10% of
either the capital or profits interest of the partnership.

1.43    Paired Plans   Two or more Plans maintained by the  Sponsor  designed so
that a single or any combination of Plans adopted by an Employer  will  meet the
antidiscrimination  rules,  the contribution  and benefit  limitations,  and the
Top-Heavy provisions of the Code.

1.44    Participant   Any Employee who has met the eligibility requirements  and
is participating in the Plan.

1.45    Participant's Benefit  The account balance as of the last Valuation Date
in the  calendar year immediately  preceding  the  Distribution   Calendar  Year
(valuation  calendar  year),  increased  by the amount of any  contributions  or
forfeitures  allocated to the account  balance as of the dates in the  valuation
calendar year after the Valuation  Date and decreased by  distributions  made in
the valuation calendar year after the Valuation Date. A special exception exists
for the second  distribution  Calendar Year. For purposes of this paragraph,  if
any portion of the minimum distribution for the First Distribution Calendar Year
is made in the  second  Distribution  Calendar  Year on or before  the  Required
Beginning  Date,  the  amount of the  minimum  distribution  made in the  second
distribution  calendar  year  shall be  treated  as if it had  been  made in the
immediately preceding Distribution Calendar Year.

1.46    Permissive Aggregation Group  Used for Top-Heavy testing purposes, it is
the  Required  Aggregation  Group  of  plans plus any other plan or plans of the
Employer which, when considered as a group with the Required Aggregation  Group,
would continue to satisfy the  requirements of Code Sections  401(a)(4) and 410.
1.47 Plan The Employer's retirement plan as embodied herein and in the  Adoption
Agreement.

1.48    Plan Administrator   The  Administrator  of  the  Plan  (as  defined  or
described in ERISA) shall be the Employer.

1.49    Plan Year  The 12-consecutive month period designated by the Employer in
the Adoption Agreement.

1.50    Present Value   When determining the Present  Value of accrued benefits,
with respect to any Defined  Benefit Plan  maintained  by the Employer for  Top-
Heavy test and limitation on allocation  purposes,  interest and mortality rates
shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the respective plan. If
applicable,  interest and mortality  assumptions will be specified in Section 10
of Adoption  Agreements 001 through 004 and Section 7 of Adoption Agreements 005
and 006.

1.51    Projected Annual Benefit   Used to test the maximum benefit which may be
obtained from a combination  of retirement  plans,  it is the annual  retirement
benefit  (adjusted  to an  actuarial  equivalent  straight  life annuity if such
benefit is expressed  in a form other than a straight  life annuity or Qualified
Joint and Survivor Annuity) to which the Participant would be entitled under the
terms of a Defined Benefit Plan or plans, assuming:

        (a)  the Participant will continue  employment  until  Normal Retirement
             Age under the Plan (or current age, if later), and

                                        9

<PAGE>




        (b)  the Participant's Compensation for the current  Limitation Year and
             all  other  relevant  factors  used to determine benefits under the
             plan will remain constant for all future Limitation Years.

1.52    Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan  Any pension, profit-sharing, stock
bonus,  or other plan  which  meets the  requirements  of Code  Section  401 and
includes a trust exempt from tax under Code  Section  501(a) or any annuity plan
described in Code Section 403(a).

1.53   Qualified Domestic Relations Order  A QDRO is a signed Domestic Relations
Order  issued by a State  Court  which  creates,  recognizes  or  assigns  to an
alternate  payee(s)  the right to receive  all or part of a  Participant's  Plan
benefit and which meets the  requirements of Code Section  414(p).  An alternate
payee is a Spouse,  former Spouse, child, or other dependent who is treated as a
beneficiary under the Plan as a result of the QDRO.

1.54    Qualified Early Retirement  Age For purposes of paragraph 8.9, Qualified
Early Retirement Age is the latest of:

        (a)  the earliest date, under the Plan, on which the Participant may
             elect to receive retirement benefits,

        (b)  the first day of the 120th month beginning before the Participant
             reaches Normal Retirement Age, or

        (c)  the date the Participant begins participation.

1.55   Qualified Joint And Survivor Annuity An immediate annuity for the life of
the Participant with a survivor annuity for the life of the Participant's Spouse
which is at least 50% of but not more than the  amount  of the  annuity  payable
during the joint lives of the  Participant  and the  Participant's  Spouse.  The
exact amount of the  Survivor  Annuity is to be specified by the Employer in the
Adoption Agreement. If not designated by the Employer, the Survivor Annuity will
be 50% of the amount paid to the  Participant  during his or her  lifetime.  The
Qualified Joint and Survivor  Annuity will be the amount of benefit which can be
provided by the Participant's Vested Account Balance.

1.56    Qualified Voluntary Contribution   A  tax-deductible Voluntary  Employee
Contribution.  These contributions may no longer be made to the Plan.

1.57    Required Aggregation Group   Used  for  Top-Heavy  testing  purposes, it
consists of:

        (a)  each qualified plan of the  Employer  in  which  at  least  one Key
             Employee   participates or participated  at  any  time  during  the
             determination  period  (regardless  of   whether   the   plan   has
             terminated), and

        (b)  any other qualified  plan  of the  Employer  which  enables  a plan
            described in (a) to meet the requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4)
             or 410.

1.58    Required Beginning Date   The date on which a Participant is required to
take his  or  her first  minimum  distribution under the Plan. The rules are set
forth at paragraph 7.5.

1.59    Rollover Contribution  A contribution made by a Participant of an amount
distributed to such Participant  from another  Qualified  Deferred  Compensation
Plan in accordance with Code Sections 402(a)(5), (6), and (7).


                                       10

<PAGE>



1.60    Self-Employed Individual   An individual who has Earned  Income  for the
taxable  year from the  trade or  business  for  which  the Plan is  established
including an  individual  who would have had Earned Income but for the fact that
the trade or business had no Net Profits for the taxable year.

1.61    Service  The period of current or prior employment with the Employer. If
the Employer  maintains  a  plan of a predecessor employer,   service  for  such
predecessor shall be treated as Service for the Employer.

1.62    Shareholder Employee   An Employee  or  officer  who owns [or is consid-
ered as owning within the meaning of Code Section 318(a)(i)],  on any day during
the taxable year of an electing small business (S Corporation) corporation, more
than 5% of such corporation's outstanding stock.

1.63    Simplified Employee Pension Plan  An individual retirement account which
meets the  requirements of Code Section 408(k),  and to which the Employer makes
contributions  pursuant to a written  formula.  These plans are  considered  for
contribution limitation and Top-Heavy testing purposes.

1.64    Sponsor The Sponsor of this Prototype Plan which is the Harris Trust and
Savings Bank, or any of its successor(s) or assign(s).

1.65    Spouse  (Surviving  Spouse)  The  Spouse  or  Surviving  Spouse  of  the
Participant,  provided  that a former  Spouse  will be  treated as the Spouse or
Surviving  Spouse  and a current  Spouse  will not be  treated  as the Spouse or
Surviving  Spouse to the extent  provided under a Qualified  Domestic  Relations
Order as described in Code Section 414(p).

1.66    Super Top-Heavy Plan   A Plan described at paragraph 1.69  hereof  under
which the Top-Heavy Ratio [as defined at paragraph 1.70] exceeds 90%.

1.67    Taxable Wage Base  For plans with an allocation formula which takes into
account the Employer's  contribution  under the Federal Insurance  Contributions
Act (FICA),  the maximum  amount of earnings  which may be considered  wages for
such Plan Year under the Social  Security Act [Code Section  3121(a)(1)]  or the
amount selected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

1.68    Top-Heavy Determination Date   For any Plan Year subsequent to the first
Plan Year, the last day of the preceding Plan Year. For the first Plan Year, the
last day of that year.

1.69    Top-Heavy Plan   For any Plan Year beginning  after 1983, the Employer's
Plan is Top-Heavy if any of the following conditions exist:

        (a)  If the Top-Heavy Ratio for the Employer's Plan exceeds 60% and this
             Plan is not part of any  Required  Aggregation Group or  Permissive
             Aggregation Group of Plans.

        (b)  If the Employer's Plan is a part of a Required Aggregation Group of
             plans  but  not  part  of a  Permissive  Aggregation Group and  the
             Top-Heavy Ratio for the group of plans exceeds 60%.

        (c)  If the Employer's Plan is a part of a  Required  Aggregation  Group
             and part of a Permissive  Aggregation  Group of plans and the  Top-
             Heavy Ratio for the Permissive Aggregation Group exceeds 60%.

1.70    Top-Heavy Ratio


                                       11

<PAGE>



        (a)  If the Employer maintains  one or more Defined  Contribution  plans
             (including any Simplified Employee Pension Plan) and  the  Employer
             has not maintained any Defined Benefit Plan which during the 5-year
             period  ending on the  Determination Date(s) has or has had accrued
             benefits, the Top-Heavy  Ratio  for  this  Plan  alone,  or for the
             Required or Permissive  Aggregation  Group  as  appropriate,  is  a
             fraction,

             (1)  the numerator of which is the sum of the account  balances  of
                  all Key Employees as of the  Determination  Date(s) [including
                  any  part  of  any  account  balance distributed in the 5-year
                  period ending on the Determination Date(s)], and

             (2)  the denominator of which is the sum of  all  account  balances
                  [including  any part of any account balance distributed in the
                  5-year  period  ending  on  the  Determination Date(s)],  both
                  computed  in  accordance  with  Code   Section  416   and  the
                  regulations thereunder.

             Both the  numerator  and  denominator  of the  Top-Heavy  Ratio are
             increased to reflect any  contribution  not actually made as of the
             Determination  Date, but which is required to be taken into account
             on that date under Code Section 416 and the regulations thereunder.

        (b)  If the  Employer maintains one or more Defined  Contribution  Plans
             (including  any Simplified Employee  Pension Plan) and the Employer
             maintains or has maintained one or more Defined Benefit Plans which
             during the 5-year period ending on the Determination Date(s) has or
             has had any accrued benefits, the Top-Heavy Ratio for any  Required
             or Permissive Aggregation Group as appropriate is a fraction,

             (1)  the  numerator  of  which is the sum of account balances under
                  the aggregated Defined Contribution Plan  or Plans for all Key
                  Employees, determined in  accordance  with (a) above,  and the
                  Present Value of accrued benefits under the aggregated Defined
                  Benefit  Plan  or  Plans  for  all  Key  Employees  as  of the
                  Determination Date(s), and

             (2)  the denominator of which is the sum of  the  account  balances
                  under  the  aggregated Defined  Contribution Plan or Plans for
                  all Participants, determined in accordance with (a) above, and
                  the PresentValue of accrued benefits under the Defined Benefit
                  Plan  or  Plans  for all Participants as of the  Determination
                  Date(s),  all  determined  in accordance with Code Section 416
                  and the regulations thereunder.

                  The accrued benefits under a Defined Benefit Plan in both  the
                  numerator and denominator of the Top-Heavy Ratio are increased
                  for any distribution of an accrued benefit  made in the 5-year
                  period ending on the Determination Date.

         (c)  For purposes of (a) and (b) above,  the  value of account balances
              and the Present Value of accrued benefits will be determined as of
              the most recent Valuation Date that falls within or ends with  the
              12-month  period  ending  on  the  Determination  Date,  except as
              provided in Code Section 416 and the  regulations  thereunder  for
              the  first  and  second Plan Years of a Defined Benefit Plan.  The
              account balances  and accrued benefits of a Participant (1) who is
              not a Key Employee  but who was a Key Employee in a prior year, or
              (2) who has not been credited with at least

                                       12

<PAGE>



              one Hour of Service with any Employer  maintaining the Plan at any
              time during the 5-year  period ending on the  Determination  Date,
              will be disregarded.  The calculation of the Top-Heavy  Ratio, and
              the extent to which  distributions,  rollovers,  and transfers are
              taken into account,  will be made in accordance  with Code Section
              416 and the regulations  thereunder.  Qualified Voluntary Employee
              Contributions  will not be taken  into  account  for  purposes  of
              computing the Top-Heavy Ratio.  When aggregating  plans, the value
              of account  balances and accrued  benefits will be calculated with
              reference  to the  Determination  Dates that fall  within the same
              calendar year. The accrued  benefit of a Participant  other than a
              Key Employee shall be determined under(1) the method, if any, that
              uniformly  applies for accrual  purposes under all Defined Benefit
              Plans  maintained  by the  Employer,  or (2) if  there  is no such
              method,  as if such  benefit  accrued  not more  rapidly  than the
              slowest  accrual rate permitted  under the fractional rule of Code
              Section 411(b)(1)(C).

1.71 Transfer  Contribution A non-taxable  transfer of a  Participant's  benefit
directly from a Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan to this Plan.

1.72 Trust The Trust established pursuant to the Trust document to implement and
carry out the provisions of the Plan.

1.73 Trustee The Sponsor of this Prototype Plan shall serve as Trustee.

1.74  Valuation  Date The last day of the Plan Year or such other date as agreed
to by the Employer and the Trustee on which Participant accounts are revalued in
accordance with Article V hereof. For Top-Heavy  purposes,  the date selected by
the Employer as of which the Top-Heavy Ratio is calculated.

1.75 Vested  Account  Balance The aggregate  value of the  Participant's  Vested
Account  Balances  derived from Employer and Employee  contributions  (including
Rollovers),  whether  vested  before or upon death,  including  the  proceeds of
insurance  contracts,  if any, on the  Participant's  life.  The  provisions  of
Article VIII shall apply to a Participant who is vested in amounts  attributable
to Employer contributions, Employee contributions (or both) at the time of death
or distribution.

For purposes of paragraph 8.7, Vested Account Balance shall mean, in the case of
a money  purchase  pension plan,  the  Participant's  separate  account  balance
attributable  solely to Qualified  Voluntary  Contributions.  For profit-sharing
plans the above definition shall apply.

1.76  Voluntary   Contribution  An  Employee  contribution  which  is  not  tax-
deductible  and which is not required as a condition  for  participation  in the
Plan. Such  contributions are no longer permitted under this Prototype Plan, for
Plan  Years  beginning  after the Plan Year in which  this Plan is  adopted  (or
restated) by the Employer.

1.77 Welfare  Benefit Fund Any fund that is part of a plan of the  Employer,  or
has the effect of a plan,  through which the Employer  provides welfare benefits
to Employees or their beneficiaries.  For these purposes, Welfare Benefits means
any benefit other than those with respect to which Code Section 83(h)  (relating
to transfers of property in connection with the  performance of services),  Code
Section 404 (relating to deductions for  contributions to an Employees' trust or
annuity and  Compensation  under a deferred  payment  plan),  Code  Section 404A
(relating to certain  foreign  deferred  compensation  plans),  and the election
under Code  Section 463  (relating  to the accrual of vacation  pay) apply.  For
purposes  of this  paragraph  a "Fund" is any social  club,  voluntary  employee
benefit association,  supplemental unemployment benefit trust or qualified group
legal service organization

                                       13

<PAGE>



described in Code Section 501(c)(7),  (9), (17) or (20); any trust, corporation,
or other  organization  not exempt from income tax, or to the extent provided in
regulations, any account held for an Employer by any person.

1.78 Year Of Service A  12-consecutive  month period during which an Employee is
credited  with not less than 1,000 (or such lesser  number as  specified  by the
Employer in the Adoption Agreement) Hours of Service.


                                       14

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE II

                            ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS


2.1  Participation  Employees  who  meet  the  eligibility  requirements  in the
Adoption  Agreement on the Effective Date of the Plan shall become  Participants
as of the Effective  Date of the Plan. If so elected in the Adoption  Agreement,
all Employees  employed on the Effective Date of the Plan may participate,  even
if they have not satisfied the Plan's specified eligibility requirements.  Other
Employees shall become  Participants on the Entry Date specified in the Adoption
Agreement.  Depending on the Plan's eligibility requirements, the Entry Date may
actually  be  earlier  than  the  date  on  which  the  Employee  satisfies  the
eligibility requirements. The Employee must satisfy the eligibility requirements
specified in the Adoption  Agreement and be employed on the Entry Date to become
a  Participant  in the Plan. In the event an Employee who is not a member of the
eligible  class of  Employees  becomes  a member  of the  eligible  class,  such
Employee  shall  participate  immediately  if such  Employee has  satisfied  the
minimum  age and  Service  requirements  and  would  have  previously  become  a
Participant had he or she been in the eligible class. A former Participant shall
again become a Participant  upon  returning to the employ of the Employer at the
next  Entry Date or if  earlier,  the next  Valuation  Date.  For this  purpose,
Participant's Compensation and Service shall be considered from date of rehire.

2.2 Change In  Classification  Of Employment In the event a Participant  becomes
ineligible to participate because he or she is no longer a member of an eligible
class of Employees, such Employee shall participate upon his or her return to an
eligible class of Employees.

2.3  Computation  Period To determine Years of Service and Breaks in Service for
purposes of eligibility,  the 12-consecutive  month period shall commence on the
date on which an Employee first performs an Hour of Service for the Employer and
each anniversary thereof,  such that the succeeding  12-consecutive month period
commences  with the  Employee's  first  anniversary of employment and so on. If,
however,   the  period  so  specified  is  one  year  or  less,  the  succeeding
12-consecutive  month  period  shall  commence on the first day of the Plan Year
prior to the  anniversary  of the date they first  performed  an Hour of Service
regardless  of whether the  Employee  is entitled to be credited  with 1,000 (or
such lesser number as specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement) Hours
of Service during their first employment year.

2.4  Employment  Rights  Participation  in the  Plan  shall  not  confer  upon a
Participant  any employment  rights,  nor shall it interfere with the Employer's
right to terminate the employment of any Employee at any time.

2.5 Service With Controlled  Groups All Years of Service with other members of a
controlled group of corporations [as defined in Code Section 414(b)],  trades or
businesses under common control [as defined in Code Section 414(c)],  or members
of an  affiliated  service  group [as defined in Code Section  414(m)]  shall be
credited for purposes of determining an Employee's eligibility to participate.

2.6  Owner-Employees If this Plan provides  contributions or benefits for one or
more  Owner-Employees  who  control  both the  business  for which  this Plan is
established  and one or more other trades or businesses,  this Plan and the plan
established  for other  trades or  businesses  must,  when looked at as a single
plan,  satisfy Code  Sections  401(a) and (d) for the  Employees of this and all
other trades or businesses.

If the Plan provides  contributions or benefits for one or more  Owner-Employees
who control one or more other trades or  businesses,  the Employees of the other
trades or businesses  must be included in a plan which  satisfies  Code Sections
401(a) and (d) and which provides  contributions and benefits not less favorable
than provided for Owner-Employees under this Plan.


                                       15

<PAGE>



If an individual is covered as an Owner-Employee  under the plans of two or more
trades or businesses  which are not  controlled  and the  individual  controls a
trade or business, then the contributions or benefits of the Employees under the
plan of the trades or businesses  which are  controlled  must be as favorable as
those  provided for him under the most  favorable  plan of the trade or business
which is not controlled.

For  purposes of the  preceding  sentences,  an  Owner-Employee,  or two or more
Owner-Employees,  will be  considered  to  control  a trade or  business  if the
Owner-Employee, or two or more Owner-Employees together:

          (a)  own the entire interest in an  unincorporated  trade or business,
               or

          (b)  in the case of a  partnership,  own more than 50% of  either  the
               capital interest or the profits interest in the partnership.

For  purposes  of the  preceding  sentence,  an  Owner-Employee,  or two or more
Owner-Employees  shall be treated as owning any interest in a partnership  which
is owned, directly or indirectly, by a partnership which such Owner-Employee, or
such two or more  Owner-Employees,  are considered to control within the meaning
of the preceding sentence.

2.7 Leased  Employees Any Leased Employee shall be treated as an Employee of the
recipient Employer,  however,  contributions or benefits provided by the leasing
organization  which are  attributable  to services  performed  for the recipient
Employer  shall be treated  as  provided  by the  recipient  Employer.  A Leased
Employee  shall not be  considered an Employee of the recipient if such Employee
is covered by a money purchase pension plan providing:

          (a)  a non-integrated  Employer  contribution  rate of at least 10% of
               Compensation, [as defined in Code Section 415(c)(3) but including
               amounts,  contributed  by  the  Employer  pursuant  to  a  salary
               reduction  agreement,  which are  excludable  from the Employee's
               gross income under a cafeteria  plan covered by Code Section 125,
               a cash or deferred profit-sharing plan under Code Section 401(k),
               a   Simplified   Employee   Pension   Plan  under  Code   Section
               402(h)(1)(B)  and a  tax-sheltered  annuity  under  Code  Section
               403(b)],

          (b)  immediate participation, and

          (c)  full and immediate vesting.

This exclusion is only available if Leased Employees do not constitute more than
twenty percent (20%) of the recipient's non-highly compensated work force.


                                       16

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE III

                             EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS


3.1 Amount The Employer  intends to make periodic  contributions  to the Plan in
accordance  with the formula or formulas  selected  in the  Adoption  Agreement.
However,  the Employer's  contribution for any Plan Year shall be subject to the
limitations on allocations contained in Article X.

3.2 Expenses And Fees The Employer  shall also be  authorized  to reimburse  the
Fund for all expenses  and fees  incurred in the  administration  of the Plan or
Trust and paid out of the assets of the Fund.  Such expenses shall include,  but
shall not be limited to, fees for professional  services,  printing and postage.
Brokerage commissions may not be reimbursed.

3.3 Responsibility  For Contributions  Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor shall
be required to  determine  if the  Employer  has made a  contribution  or if the
amount contributed is in accordance with the Adoption Agreement or the Code. The
Employer  shall have sole  responsibility  in this regard.  The Trustee shall be
accountable  solely for contributions  actually received by it within the limits
of Article XI.

3.4 Return Of Contributions Contributions made to the Fund by the Employer shall
be irrevocable except as provided below:

          (a)  Any contribution forwarded to the Trustee because of a mistake of
               fact,  may  be  returned  to  the  Employer   provided  that  the
               contribution  is returned to the Employer  within one year of the
               date the contribution is made.

          (b)  In the event that the Commissioner of Internal Revenue determines
               that the  Plan is not  initially  qualified  under  the  Internal
               Revenue  Code,  any  contribution  made  incident to that initial
               qualification  by the  Employer  must be returned to the Employer
               within  one year  after  the date the  initial  qualification  is
               denied, but only if the application for the qualification is made
               by the time  prescribed by law for filing the  Employer's  return
               for the taxable year in which the Plan is adopted,  or such later
               date as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.

          (c)  Contributions  forwarded  to  the  Trustee  are  presumed  to  be
               deductible   and  are   conditioned   on   their   deductibility.
               Contributions  which are determined to not be deductible  will be
               returned to the Employer,  provided that the contribution (to the
               extent  determined  to  not be  deductible)  is  returned  to the
               Employer within one year of the date of such determination.

The Trustee shall return to the Employer any  contribution  (or portion thereof)
meeting the  requirements of this paragraph 3.4 only as directed by the Employer
in writing and the Trustee may rely upon the  certification of the Employer that
the applicable one-year period has not elapsed.



                                       17

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IV

                             EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS


4.1  Voluntary   Contributions   An  Employee  may  no  longer  make   Voluntary
Contributions to the Plan  established  hereunder for Plan Years beginning after
the Plan  Year in which  this  Plan is  adopted  or  restated  by the  Employer.
Employee  contributions  for Plan Years beginning after 1986,  together with any
matching  contributions as defined in Code Section 401(m), will be limited so as
to meet the  antidiscrimination  test of Code Section 401(m).  Voluntary  and/or
Mandatory Contributions already made may stay in the Trust Fund.

4.2 Qualified Voluntary Contributions A Participant may no longer make Qualified
Voluntary Contributions to the Plan. Amounts already contributed may stay in the
Trust Fund until distributed to the Participant. Such amounts will be maintained
in a separate  account which will be  nonforfeitable  at all times.  The account
will share in the gains and losses of the Trust in the same manner as  described
at paragraph 5.4 of the Plan. No part of the  Qualified  Voluntary  Contribution
account will be used to purchase life insurance.  Subject to Article VIII, Joint
and Survivor Annuity Requirements (if applicable),  the Participant may withdraw
any part of the  Qualified  Voluntary  Contribution  account by making a written
application to the Plan Administrator.

4.3 Rollover Contribution Unless provided otherwise in the Adoption Agreement, a
Participant may make a Rollover  Contribution to any Defined  Contribution  Plan
established   hereunder  of  all  or  any  part  of  an  amount  distributed  or
distributable  to  him  or  her  from a  Qualified  Deferred  Compensation  Plan
provided:

          (a)  the amount  distributed  to the  Participant  is deposited to the
               Plan no later than the sixtieth day after such  distribution  was
               received by the Participant;

          (b)  the amount  distributed  is not one of a series of  substantially
               equal periodic payments made for the life (or life expectancy) of
               the  Participant or the joint lives (or joint life  expectancies)
               of the Participant and the Participant's  Designated Beneficiary,
               or for a specified period of ten years or more;

          (c)  the  amount  distributed  is  not  required  under  Code  Section
               401(a)(9);

          (d)  if the amount  distributed  included  property  such  property is
               rolled  over,  or if sold the  proceeds of such  property  may be
               rolled over; and

          (e)  the  amount   distributed  is  not  includible  in  gross  income
               (determined  without  regard to the exclusion for net  unrealized
               appreciation with respect to Employer securities).

In addition, if the Adoption Agreement allows Rollover  Contributions,  the Plan
will also accept any  Eligible  Rollover  Distribution  (as defined at paragraph
1.23) directly to the Plan.

Rollover Contributions,  which relate to distributions prior to January 1, 1993,
must be made in accordance with paragraphs (a) through (e) and additionally meet
the requirements of paragraph (f):

          (f)  The distribution  from the Qualified  Deferred  Compensation Plan
               constituted  the  Participant's  entire interest in such Plan and
               was distributed within one taxable year to the Participant:

               (1)  on account of separation from Service,  a Plan  termination,
                    or in the case of a  profit-sharing  or stock bonus plan,  a
                    complete discontinuance

                                       18

<PAGE>



                    of contributions  under such plan within the meaning of Code
                    Section 402(a)(6)(A), or

               (2)  in one or more  distributions  which  constitute a qualified
                    lump sum  distribution  within the  meaning of Code  Section
                    402(e)(4)(A),  determined without reference to subparagraphs
                    (B) and (H).

Such Rollover  Contribution  may also be made through an  Individual  Retirement
Account  qualified  under Code  Section  408 where the IRA was used as a conduit
from the Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, the Rollover Contribution is made
in accordance  with the rules provided under  paragraphs (a) through (e) and the
Rollover  Contribution  does not  include  any  regular  IRA  contributions,  or
earnings  thereon,  which the  Participant  may have  made to the IRA.  Rollover
Contributions,  which relate to  distributions  prior to January 1, 1993, may be
made through an IRA in accordance with paragraphs (a) through (f) and additional
requirements as provided in the previous sentence. The Trustee shall not be held
responsible for  determining  the tax-free  status of any Rollover  Contribution
made under this Plan.

4.4 Transfer  Contribution Unless provided otherwise in the Adoption Agreement a
Participant  may,  subject to the  provisions of paragraph 4.5, also arrange for
the direct transfer of his or her benefit from a Qualified Deferred Compensation
Plan  to this  Plan.  For  accounting  and  record  keeping  purposes,  Transfer
Contributions shall be treated in the same manner as Rollover Contributions.

In the event the Employer accepts a Transfer  Contribution  from a plan in which
the Employee was directing the  investments of his or her account,  the Employer
may  continue  to permit  the  Employee  to  direct  his or her  investments  in
accordance with paragraph 13.6 with respect only to such Transfer  Contribution.
Notwithstanding  the above,  the  Employer  may refuse to accept  such  Transfer
Contributions.

4.5  Employer  Approval Of Transfer  Contributions  The Employer  maintaining  a
safe-harbor  Profit-Sharing  Plan in accordance with the provisions of paragraph
8.7, acting in a nondiscriminatory  manner, may in its sole discretion refuse to
allow Transfer  Contributions to its profit-sharing  plan, if such contributions
are directly or  indirectly  being  transferred  from a Defined  Benefit Plan, a
money  purchase  pension plan  (including a target  benefit plan), a stock bonus
plan, or another  profit-sharing  plan which would otherwise  provide for a life
annuity form of payment to the Participant.

4.6 Direct Rollover Of Benefits Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the
contrary  that  would  otherwise  limit  a  Participant's  election  under  this
paragraph, for distributions made on or after January 1, 1993, a Participant may
elect, at the time and in the manner  prescribed by the Plan  Administrator,  to
have any  portion of an  Eligible  Rollover  Distribution  paid  directly  to an
Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Participant in a Direct Rollover.  Any
portion of a distribution  which is not paid directly to an Eligible  Retirement
Plan shall be distributed to the Participant.  For purposes of this paragraph, a
Surviving  Spouse or a Spouse or former Spouse who is an alternate payee under a
Qualified  Domestic  Relations Order as defined in Code Section 414(p),  will be
permitted to elect to have any Eligible  Rollover  Distribution paid directly to
an  individual  retirement  account (IRA) or an  individual  retirement  annuity
(IRA).

The Plan provisions otherwise  applicable to distributions  continue to apply to
Rollover and Transfer Contributions.



                                       19

<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE V

                              PARTICIPANT ACCOUNTS


5.1  Separate  Accounts  The  Employer  shall  establish a separate  bookkeeping
account for each  Participant  showing the total value of his or her interest in
the Fund. Each Participant's account shall be separated for bookkeeping purposes
into the following sub-accounts:

          (a)  Employer contributions.

          (b)  Mandatory Contributions (if previously accepted).

          (c)  Voluntary Contributions (if previously accepted),  and additional
               amounts  including,  if  applicable,  either  repayments of loans
               previously defaulted on and treated as "deemed distributions" [on
               which a tax report has been issued],  and amounts paid out upon a
               separation  from Service  which have been  included in income and
               which are repaid after being re-hired by the Employer.

          (d)  Qualified Voluntary Contributions (if previously accepted).

          (e)  Rollover Contributions and Transfer Contributions.

5.2  Adjustments To Participant  Accounts As of each Valuation Date of the Plan,
the Employer shall add to each account:

          (a)  the  Participant's  share  of  the  Employer's  contribution  and
               forfeitures as determined in the Adoption Agreement,

          (b)  any  Voluntary,  Rollover or Transfer  Contributions  made by the
               Participant,

          (c)  any  repayment of amounts  previously  paid out to a  Participant
               upon a  separation  from  Service  and repaid by the  Participant
               since the last Valuation Date, and

          (d)  the Participant's  proportionate share of any investment earnings
               and  increase in the fair market value of the Fund since the last
               Valuation Date, as determined at paragraph 5.4.


The Employer shall deduct from each account:

          (e)  any withdrawals or payments made from the  Participant's  account
               since the last Valuation Date, and

          (f)  the Participant's proportionate share of any decrease in the fair
               market  value  of the Fund  since  the last  Valuation  Date,  as
               determined at paragraph 5.4.

5.3  Allocating  Employer  Contributions  The Employer's  contribution  shall be
allocated to Participants in accordance with the allocation  formula selected by
the  Employer  in the  Adoption  Agreement,  and the  minimum  contribution  and
allocation  requirements for Top-Heavy Plans.  Beginning with the 1990 Plan Year
and thereafter,  for Plans on Standardized Adoption Agreements 001, 002, 005 and
006,  Participants  who are credited  with more than 500 Hours of Service or are
employed on the last day of the Plan Year must receive a full allocation of

                                       20

<PAGE>



Employer  contributions.  In  Nonstandardized  Adoption  Agreements 003 and 004,
Employer  contributions  shall be  allocated  to the  accounts  of  Participants
employed  by the  Employer  on the last day of the Plan  Year.  In the case of a
non-Top-Heavy,  Nonstandardized  Plan,  Participants  must also have completed a
Year of Service  unless  otherwise  specified  in the  Adoption  Agreement.  For
Nonstandardized Adoption Agreements 003 and 004, the Employer may only apply the
last day of the Plan Year and Year of Service requirements if the Plan satisfies
the  requirements  of Code Sections  401(a)(26)  and 410(b) and the  regulations
thereunder.  If when applying the last day and Year of Service  requirements the
Plan fails to satisfy the aforementioned  requirements,  additional Participants
will be eligible to receive an  allocation of Employer  contributions  until the
requirements  are  satisfied.  Participants  who  are  credited  with a Year  of
Service,  but not employed at Plan Year end are the first category of additional
Participants  eligible to receive an allocation.  If the  requirements are still
not  satisfied,  Participants  credited  with more than 500 Hours of Service and
employed  at Plan Year end are the next  category  of  Participants  eligible to
receive and allocation.  Finally, if necessary to satisfy the said requirements,
any  Participant  credited  with more than 500 Hours of Service will be eligible
for an allocation of Employer contributions.

5.4  Allocating   Investment  Earnings  And  Losses  A  Participant's  share  of
investment earnings and any increase or decrease in the fair market value of the
Fund shall be based on the  proportionate  value of all active  accounts  (other
than accounts with  segregated  investments)  as of the last Valuation Date less
withdrawals  since the last Valuation Date. If Employer  contributions  are made
monthly,  quarterly,  or on some other  systematic  basis, the adjusted value of
such  accounts for  allocation  of  investment  income and gains or losses shall
include  one-half  the  Employer  contributions  for such  period.  If  Employer
contributions  are not made on a systematic  basis,  it is assumed that they are
made at the end of the  valuation  period  and  therefore  will not  receive  an
allocation of investment  earnings and gains or losses for such period.  Account
balances  not yet  forfeited  shall  receive an  allocation  of earnings  and/or
losses.  Accounts with segregated  investments  shall receive only the income or
loss on such segregated investments.

Alternatively,  at the Plan Administrator's  option, all Employer  contributions
will be credited with an allocation of the actual investment  earnings and gains
and losses from the actual date of deposit of each such  contribution  until the
end of the period.  Accounts with segregated  investments shall receive only the
income or loss on such segregated  investments.  In no event shall the selection
of a method of allocating  gains and losses be used to  discriminate in favor of
the highly compensated employees.

5.5 Participant  Statements Upon completing the allocations  described above for
the Valuation Date  coinciding with the end of the Plan Year, the Employer shall
prepare  a  statement  for  each  Participant   showing  the  additions  to  and
subtractions  from his or her account since the last such statement and the fair
market value of his or her account as of the current  Valuation Date.  Employers
so choosing may prepare Participant statements for each Valuation Date.


                                       21

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE VI

                      RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


6.1 Normal  Retirement  Benefits A Participant  shall be entitled to receive the
balance held in his or her account from  Employer  contributions  upon  reaching
Normal Retirement Age or at such earlier dates as the provisions of this Article
VI may allow.  If the  Participant  elects to continue  working  past his or her
Normal  Retirement  Age, he or she will continue as an active Plan  Participant.
Unless the Employer  elects  otherwise in the Adoption  Agreement,  distribution
shall  be made to such  Participant  at his or her  request  prior to his or her
actual  retirement  date.  Settlement  shall be made in the normal  form,  or if
elected, in one of the optional forms of payment provided below.

6.2 Early  Retirement  Benefits If the  Employer  so  provides  in the  Adoption
Agreement, an early retirement benefit will be available to individuals who meet
the age and Service  requirements.  An individual who meets the Early Retirement
Age  requirements  and  separates  from  Service,   will  become  fully  vested,
regardless of any vesting schedule which otherwise might apply. If a Participant
separates from Service before  satisfying the age requirement,  but after having
satisfied the Service requirement,  the Participant will be entitled to elect an
Early Retirement benefit upon satisfaction of the age requirement.

6.3       Benefits On Termination Of Employment

          (a)  If a Participant terminates employment prior to Normal Retirement
               Age,  such  Participant  shall be  entitled to receive the vested
               balance held in his or her account  payable at Normal  Retirement
               Age in the normal  form,  or if elected,  in one of the  optional
               forms of payment  provided  hereunder.  If applicable,  the Early
               Retirement  Benefit  provisions may be elected.  Unless  provided
               otherwise in the Adoption  Agreement,  a former  Participant  may
               make application to the Employer  requesting early payment of any
               deferred vested and nonforfeitable benefit due.

          (b)  If a  Participant  terminates  employment,  and the value of that
               Participant's  Vested Account  Balance  derived from Employer and
               Employee   contributions   is  not  greater  than   $3,500,   the
               Participant  may receive a lump sum  distribution of the value of
               the  entire  vested  portion  of  such  account  balance  and the
               non-vested portion will be treated as a forfeiture.  The Employer
               shall  continue  to follow  their  consistent  policy,  as may be
               established,  regarding  immediate  cash-outs  of Vested  Account
               Balances of $3,500 or less. For purposes of this Article,  if the
               value of a  Participant's  Vested  Account  Balance is zero,  the
               Participant  shall be deemed to have received a  distribution  of
               such Vested Account Balance  immediately  following  termination.
               Likewise,  if the Participant is reemployed  prior to incurring 5
               consecutive  1-year Breaks in Service they will be deemed to have
               immediately  repaid such  distribution.  For Plan Years beginning
               prior to 1989, a  Participant's  Vested Account Balance shall not
               include Qualified  Voluntary  Contributions.  Notwithstanding the
               above,  if the Employer  maintains or has  maintained a policy of
               not  distributing  any  amounts  until the  Participant's  Normal
               Retirement Age, the Employer can continue to uniformly apply such
               policy.

          (c)  If a Participant terminates Service with a Vested Account Balance
               derived from  Employer and  Employee  contributions  in excess of
               $3,500,  and elects (with his or her Spouse's consent) to receive
               100% of the value of his or her Vested Account  Balance in a lump
               sum,  the  non-vested  portion  will be treated as a  forfeiture.
               Except as provided at paragraph 6.4(c),  the Participant (and his
               or her Spouse) must consent to any distribution,

                                       22

<PAGE>



               when the Vested Account Balance described above exceeds $3,500 or
               if at the time of any prior  distribution it exceeded $3,500. For
               purposes of this  paragraph,  for Plan Years  beginning  prior to
               1989, a  Participant's  Vested Account  Balance shall not include
               Qualified Voluntary Contributions.

          (d)  Distribution  of  less  than  100%  of the  Participant's  Vested
               Account  Balance  shall only be permitted if the  Participant  is
               fully vested upon termination of employment.

          (e)  If a Participant  who is not 100% vested receives or is deemed to
               receive a distribution  pursuant to subsection (a), (b) or (c) of
               this  paragraph,  and such  Participant's  non-vested  benefit is
               forfeited  hereunder,  and if such Participant resumes employment
               covered under this Plan, the Participant  shall have the right to
               repay  to  the  Plan  the  full   amount   of  the   distribution
               attributable to Employer  contributions  on or before the earlier
               of the date  that the  Participant  incurs 5  consecutive  1-year
               Breaks in  Service  following  the date of  distribution  or five
               years  after  the  first  date  on  which  the   Participant   is
               subsequently   reemployed.   In  such  event,  the  Participant's
               forfeiture  shall be  restored  to his or her  account  as of the
               Valuation  Date at the end of the Plan Year following the date on
               which repayment of the  distribution is received.  Restoration of
               the forfeiture  amount shall be  accomplished  in accordance with
               the procedure selected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

          (f)  A Participant  shall also have the option, to postpone payment of
               his or her Plan benefits  until the first day of April  following
               the  calendar  year in which he or she attains  age  70-1/2.  Any
               balance  of a  Participant's  account  resulting  from his or her
               Employee  contributions not previously withdrawn,  if any, may be
               withdrawn by the  Participant  immediately  following  separation
               from Service.

          (g)  If a Participant ceases to be an active Employee as a result of a
               Disability as defined at paragraph 1.16, such  Participant  shall
               be  able  to  make an  application  for a  Disability  retirement
               benefit payment. The Participant's account balance will be deemed
               "immediately  distributable"  as set forth in paragraph  6.4, and
               will be fully vested pursuant to paragraph 9.2.

6.4       Restrictions On Immediate Distributions

          (a)  An account  balance is immediately  distributable  if any part of
               the account  balance could be distributed to the  Participant (or
               Surviving  Spouse) before the Participant  attains (or would have
               attained if not deceased) the later of the Normal  Retirement Age
               or age 62.

          (b)  If the value of a  Participant's  Vested Account  Balance derived
               from Employer and Employee  contributions exceeds (or at the time
               of any  prior  distribution  exceeded)  $3,500,  and the  account
               balance is immediately distributable,  the Participant and his or
               her Spouse (or where  either  the  Participant  or the Spouse has
               died,  the  survivor)  must consent to any  distribution  of such
               account  balance.  The consent of the  Participant and the Spouse
               shall be obtained in writing  within the 90-day  period ending on
               the Annuity  Starting  Date,  which is the first day of the first
               period  for which an amount  is paid as an  annuity  or any other
               form. The Plan Administrator shall notify the Participant and the
               Participant's Spouse of the right to defer any distribution until
               the later of the date on which the Participant  attains (or would
               have attained if not deceased) the Normal  Retirement  Age or age
               62. Such notification shall include a general  description of the
               material  features,  and an explanation of the relative values of
               the optional forms of

                                       23

<PAGE>



               benefit  available under the Plan, in a manner that would satisfy
               the notice  requirements of Code Section 417(a)(3),  and shall be
               provided  no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days  prior to
               the Annuity Starting Date.

          (c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  only the Participant need consent
               to the  commencement of a distribution in the form of a Qualified
               Joint  and  Survivor   Annuity  while  the  account   balance  is
               immediately distributable. Furthermore, if payment in the form of
               a  Qualified  Joint and  Survivor  Annuity is not  required  with
               respect to the Participant pursuant to paragraph 8.7 of the Plan,
               only the  Participant  need  consent  to the  distribution  of an
               account  balance that is immediately  distributable.  Neither the
               consent of the Participant nor the Participant's  Spouse shall be
               required to the extent that a distribution is required to satisfy
               Code Section  401(a)(9)  or Code  Section 415. In addition,  upon
               termination  of this Plan,  if the Plan does not offer an annuity
               option (purchased from a commercial provider),  the Participant's
               account  balance  may,  without  the  Participant's  consent,  be
               distributed to the  Participant or transferred to another Defined
               Contribution Plan [other than an employee stock ownership plan as
               defined in Code Section  4975(e)(7)]  within the same  controlled
               group.

          (d)  For purposes of determining  the  applicability  of the foregoing
               consent  requirements to distributions  made before the first day
               of the first Plan Year beginning  after 1988,  the  Participant's
               Vested Account Balance shall not include amounts  attributable to
               Qualified Voluntary Contributions.

          (e)  If a  distribution  is one to which Code Sections  401(a)(11) and
               417 do not apply,  such  distribution  may commence  less than 30
               days  after  the  notice  required  under   Regulations   Section
               1.411(a)-11(c) is given, provided that:

               (1)  the Participant is clearly informed of his or her right to a
                    period of at least 30 days  after  receiving  the  notice to
                    consider   the  decision  of  whether  or  not  to  elect  a
                    distribution (and, if applicable,  a particular distribution
                    option), and

               (2)  the Participant,  after receiving the notice,  affirmatively
                    elects to receive a distribution.

6.5 Normal Form Of Payment The normal form of payment for a profit- sharing plan
satisfying the  requirements of paragraph 8.7 hereof shall be a lump sum with no
option for annuity  payments.  For all other  plans,  the normal form of payment
hereunder  shall be a Qualified  Joint and  Survivor  Annuity as provided  under
Article VIII. A Participant  whose Vested Account  Balance derived from Employer
and  Employee  contributions  exceed  $3,500,  or if at the  time  of any  prior
distribution it exceeded  $3,500,  shall (with the consent of his or her Spouse)
have the  right  to  receive  his or her  benefit  in a lump sum or in  monthly,
quarterly,  semi-annual  or annual  payments  from the Fund over any  period not
extending  beyond  the  life  expectancy  of  the  Participant  and  his  or her
Designated Beneficiary. For purposes of this paragraph, for Plan Years beginning
prior  to 1989,  a  Participant's  Vested  Account  Balance  shall  not  include
Qualified  Voluntary  Contributions.   The  normal  form  of  payment  shall  be
automatic,  unless the  Participant  files a written  request  with the Employer
prior to the date on which the benefit is automatically payable, electing a lump
sum or installment payment option. No amendment to the Plan may eliminate one of
the optional distribution forms listed above.

6.6        Commencement Of Benefits


                                       24

<PAGE>



          (a)  Unless the Participant elects otherwise, distribution of benefits
               will begin no later than the 60th day after the close of the Plan
               Year in which the latest of the following events occurs:

               (1)  the Participant  attains age 65 (or Normal Retirement Age if
                    earlier),

               (2)  the tenth  anniversary of the year in which the  Participant
                    commenced participation in the Plan, or

               (3)  the Participant terminates Service with the Employer.

          (b)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the failure of a Participant and
               Spouse  (if  necessary)  to  consent  to a  distribution  while a
               benefit  is  immediately  distributable,  within  the  meaning of
               paragraph  6.4  hereof,  shall be  deemed  an  election  to defer
               commencement of payment of any benefit sufficient to satisfy this
               paragraph.

          (c)  Unless the Employer provides otherwise in the Adoption Agreement,
               distributions  of benefits will be made within 60 days  following
               the  close  of the  Plan  Year  during  which a  distribution  is
               requested or otherwise becomes payable.

6.7 Claims Procedures Upon retirement,  death, or other severance of employment,
the  Participant  or his or  her  representative  may  make  application  to the
Employer  requesting  payment of benefits  due and the manner of payment.  If no
application  for benefits is made,  the  Employer  shall  automatically  pay any
vested  benefit  due  hereunder  in the normal  form at the time  prescribed  at
paragraph  6.5. If an  application  for  benefits is made,  the  Employer  shall
accept,  reject,  or modify such  request and shall  notify the  Participant  in
writing  setting  forth the response of the Employer and in the case of a denial
or modification the Employer shall:

          (a)  state the specific reason or reasons for the denial,

          (b)  provide specific  reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which
               the denial is based,

          (c)  provide a description of any  additional  material or information
               necessary for the  Participant or his  representative  to perfect
               the claim and an  explanation of why such material or information
               is necessary, and

          (d)  explain the Plan's  claim  review  procedure as contained in this
               paragraph.

In the event the request is rejected or modified,  the Participant or his or her
representative  may  within 60 days  following  receipt  by the  Participant  or
representative  of such rejection or modification,  submit a written request for
review by the Employer of its initial  decision.  Within 60 days  following such
request for review,  the Employer  shall render its final decision in writing to
the Participant or representative stating specific reasons for such decision. If
the  Participant or  representative  is not satisfied with the Employer's  final
decision, the Participant or representative can institute an action in a Federal
court of competent  jurisdiction;  for this purpose,  process would be served on
the Employer.

6.8 In-Service  Withdrawals An Employee may withdraw all or any part of the fair
market value of his or her  Mandatory  Contributions,  Voluntary  Contributions,
Qualified  Voluntary  Contributions  or  Rollover  Contributions,  upon  written
request to the Employer.  Transfer  Contributions,  which  originate from a Plan
meeting the safe-harbor provisions of paragraph 8.7, may also be withdrawn by an
Employee  upon  written  request to the  Employer.  Transfer  Contributions  not
meeting the safe-harbor provisions may only be withdrawn upon retirement, death,
Disability,  termination  or  termination  of the Plan,  and will be  subject to
Spousal consent requirements

                                       25

<PAGE>



contained in Code Sections 411(a)(11) and 417. No such withdrawals are permitted
from a money purchase plan until the Participant  reaches Normal Retirement Age.
Such request shall include the  Participant's  address,  social security number,
birthdate,  and  amount  of the  withdrawal.  If at the time a  distribution  of
Qualified  Voluntary  Contributions is received the Participant has not attained
age  59-1/2  and is not  disabled,  as defined  at Code  Section  22(e)(3),  the
Participant  will be  subject  to a  Federal  income  tax  penalty,  unless  the
distribution  is rolled over to a qualified plan or individual  retirement  plan
within 60 days of the date of  distribution.  A Participant  may withdraw all or
any part of the fair market value of his or her pre-1987 Voluntary Contributions
with  or  without  withdrawing  the  earnings  attributable  thereto.  Post-1986
Voluntary  Contributions  may only be  withdrawn  along  with a  portion  of the
earnings  thereon.  The amount of the earnings to be withdrawn is  determined by
using the formula:  DA[1-(V / V + E)], where DA is the distribution amount, V is
the  amount of  Voluntary  Contributions  and V + E is the  amount of  Voluntary
Contributions plus the earnings attributable thereto. A Participant  withdrawing
his or her other contributions prior to attaining age 59-1/2, will be subject to
a Federal tax penalty to the extent that the withdrawn amounts are includible in
income.  Unless the Employer provides otherwise in the Adoption  Agreement,  any
Participant  in a  profit-sharing  plan who is 100%  fully  vested in his or her
Employer  contributions may withdraw all or any part of the fair market value of
any of such contributions that have been in the account at least two years, plus
the investment  earnings thereon,  after attaining age 59-1/2 without separation
from  Service.  Such  distributions  shall not be eligible for  redeposit to the
Fund. A withdrawal under this paragraph shall not prohibit such Participant from
sharing  in any  future  Employer  contribution  he or she  would  otherwise  be
eligible to share in. A request to withdraw  amounts  pursuant to this paragraph
must if applicable,  be consented to by the  Participant's  Spouse.  The consent
shall  comply with the  requirements  of  paragraph  6.4  relating to  immediate
distributions.

6.9 Hardship Withdrawals If permitted by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement,
a Participant in a profit-sharing  plan may request a hardship  withdrawal prior
to attaining age 59-1/2.  If the  Participant  has not attained age 59-1/2,  the
Participant  may be subject to a Federal income tax penalty.  Such request shall
be in writing to the  Employer  who shall have sole  authority  to  authorize  a
hardship  withdrawal,  pursuant to the rules  below.  Hardship  withdrawals  are
subject  to  the  Spousal  consent  requirements   contained  in  Code  Sections
411(a)(11)  and 417.  Only the  following  reasons are valid to obtain  hardship
withdrawal:

          (a)  medical  expenses  [within the meaning of Code Section 213(d)] of
               the   Participant,   his  or  her  Spouse,   children  and  other
               dependents,

          (b)  the  purchase  (excluding  mortgage  payments)  of the  principal
               residence for the Participant,

          (c)  payment of tuition and related educational  expenses for the next
               twelve  (12)   months  of   post-secondary   education   for  the
               Participant, his or her Spouse, children or other dependents, or

          (d)  the  need  to  prevent   eviction  of  the  Employee  from  or  a
               foreclosure  on  the  mortgage  of,  the   Employee's   principal
               residence.

Furthermore,  the  distribution  may  not  be in  excess  of the  amount  of the
immediate and heavy financial need [(a) through (d)] above. The Participant must
certify that other assets are not available to meet the hardship.

If a  distribution  is made at a time when a  Participant  has a  nonforfeitable
right  to  less  than  100%  of  the  account   balance  derived  from  Employer
contributions and the Participant may, by virtue of continuing Service, increase
the nonforfeitable percentage in the account:

          (e)  a separate  account  will be  established  for the  Participant's
               interest in the Plan as of the time of the distribution, and


                                       26

<PAGE>



          (f)  at any relevant time the Participant's  nonforfeitable portion of
               the separate  account will be equal to an amount ("X") determined
               by the formula:

                         X = P [AB + (R X D)] - (R X D)

For purposes of applying the formula:  "P" is the  nonforfeitable  percentage at
the relevant time,  "AB" is the account balance at the relevant time, "D" is the
amount of the  distribution  and "R" is the ratio of the account  balance at the
relevant time to the account balance after distribution.

6.10  Determination  Of Qualified  Domestic  Relations  Order (QDRO) A Qualified
Domestic  Relations Order shall specifically state all of the following in order
to be deemed a QDRO:

          (a)  The  name  and  last  known  mailing  address  (if  any)  of  the
               Participant  and of each  alternate  payee  covered by the Order.
               However, if the QDRO does not specify the current mailing address
               of  the  alternate   payee,  but  the  Plan   Administrator   has
               independent  knowledge  of that  address,  the QDRO will still be
               valid.

          (b)  The dollar amount or percentage of the  Participant's  benefit to
               be paid by the Plan to each  alternate  payee,  or the  manner in
               which the amount or percentage will be determined.

          (c)  The number of payments or period for which the order applies.

          (d)  The specific plan (by name) to which the order applies.

The order shall not be deemed a QDRO if it requires the Plan to provide:

          (e)  any type or form of benefit,  or any option not already  provided
               for in the Plan;

          (f)  increased  benefits,  or benefits in excess of the  Participant's
               vested rights;

          (g)  payment of a benefit  earlier than allowed by the Plan's earliest
               retirement  provisions or in the case of a  profit-sharing  plan,
               prior to the allowability of in-service withdrawals; or

          (h)  payment of benefits to an  alternate  payee which are required to
               be paid to another alternate payee under another QDRO.

Promptly,  upon  receipt of a Domestic  Relations  Order which may or may not be
"Qualified",  the  Plan  Administrator  shall  notify  the  Participant  and any
alternate  payee(s)  named in the Order of such  receipt,  and include a copy of
this paragraph 6.10. The Plan Administrator  shall then forward the Order to the
Plan's  legal  counsel  for an opinion as to whether or not the Order is in fact
"Qualified" as defined in Code Section  414(p).  Within a reasonable  time after
receipt of the Order, not to exceed 60 days, the Plan's legal counsel shall make
a  determination  as to its  "Qualified"  status  and  the  Participant  and any
alternate payee(s) shall be promptly notified in writing of the determination.

If the "Qualified" status of the Order is in question,  there will be a delay in
any payout to any payee including the Participant, until the status is resolved.
In such event, the Plan Administrator shall segregate the amount that would have
been payable to the  alternate  payee(s) if the Order had been deemed a QDRO. If
the Order is not Qualified,  or the status is not resolved (for example,  it has
been sent back to the Court for clarification or modification)  within 18 months
beginning with the date the first payment would have to be made under the Order,
the Plan Administrator

                                       27

<PAGE>



shall pay the  segregated  amounts plus interest to the person(s) who would have
been entitled to the benefits had there been no Order. If a determination  as to
the Qualified  status of the Order is made after the 18-month  period  described
above, then the Order shall only be applied on a prospective basis. If the Order
is determined to be a QDRO, the Participant  and alternate  payee(s) shall again
be notified promptly after such  determination.  Once an Order is deemed a QDRO,
the Plan  Administrator  shall pay to the alternate payee(s) all the amounts due
under  the QDRO,  including  segregated  amounts  plus  interest  which may have
accrued during a dispute as to the Order's qualification.

Unless specified  otherwise in the Adoption  Agreement,  the earliest retirement
age with regard to the  Participant  against whom the Order is entered  shall be
the date the Order is determined  to be Qualified.  This will only allow payouts
to alternate payee(s) and not the Participant.

6.11 Participant Loans If permitted by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a
Plan Participant may make application to the Employer requesting a loan from the
Fund.  The  Employer  shall  have the sole  right to  approve  or  disapprove  a
Participant's  application  provided  that loans shall be made  available to all
Participants on a reasonably equivalent basis. Loans shall not be made available
to Highly Compensated Employees [as defined in Code Section 414(q)] in an amount
greater  than the amount made  available  to other  Employees.  Any loan granted
under the Plan shall be made subject to the following rules:

          (a)  No  loan,  when  aggregated  with  any  outstanding   Participant
               loan(s),  shall  exceed the lesser of (i) $50,000  reduced by the
               excess,  if any,  of the  highest  outstanding  balance  of loans
               during the one year  period  ending on the day before the loan is
               made, over the outstanding  balance of loans from the Plan on the
               date the loan is made or (ii)  one-half of the fair market  value
               of a Participant's  Vested Account Balance built up from Employer
               contributions,     Voluntary    Contributions,    and    Rollover
               Contributions.  If the  Participant's  Vested Account  Balance is
               $20,000 or less,  the maximum loan shall not exceed the lesser of
               $10,000 or 100% of the Participant's  Vested Account Balance. For
               the purpose of the above limitation,  all loans from all Plans of
               the Employer and other members of a group of employers  described
               in Code Sections 414(b),  414(c),  and 414(m) are aggregated.  An
               assignment or pledge of any portion of the Participant's interest
               in the Plan and a loan, pledge, or assignment with respect to any
               insurance contract purchased under the Plan, will be treated as a
               loan under this paragraph.

          (b)  All  applications  must be made on forms provided by the Employer
               and must be signed by the Participant.

          (c)  Any loan shall bear interest at a rate  reasonable at the time of
               application,  considering  the  purpose  of the loan and the rate
               being  charged by  representative  commercial  banks in the local
               area  for a  similar  loan  unless  the  Employer  sets  forth  a
               different  method for determining loan interest rates in its loan
               procedures.  The  loan  agreement  shall  also  provide  that the
               payment of principal and interest be amortized in level  payments
               not less than quarterly.

          (d)  The term of such loan shall not exceed  five years  except in the
               case of a loan for the purpose of acquiring any house, apartment,
               condominium, or mobile home (not used on a transient basis) which
               is  used  or is to be  used  within  a  reasonable  time  as  the
               principal  residence  of the  Participant.  The term of such loan
               shall be  determined  by the  Employer  considering  the maturity
               dates quoted by representative commercial banks in the local area
               for a similar loan.


                                       28

<PAGE>



          (e)  The principal  and interest  paid by a Participant  on his or her
               loan shall be  credited to the Fund in the same manner as for any
               other Plan  investment.  If elected  in the  Adoption  Agreement,
               loans may be treated as segregated  investments of the individual
               Participants.  This  provision  is not  available if its election
               will result in discrimination in operation of the Plan.

          (f)  If a Participant's  loan application is approved by the Employer,
               such  Participant   shall  be  required  to  sign  a  note,  loan
               agreement,  and  assignment  of 50% of his or her interest in the
               Fund as collateral for the loan. The  Participant,  except in the
               case of a  profit-sharing  plan  satisfying the  requirements  of
               paragraph  8.7 must obtain the  consent of his or her Spouse,  if
               any,  within the 90 day period before the time his or her account
               balance  is used as  security  for the  loan.  A new  consent  is
               required  if the account  balance is used for any  renegotiation,
               extension,  renewal or other  revision of the loan,  including an
               increase in the amount thereof. The consent must be written, must
               acknowledge  the effect of the loan,  and must be  witnessed by a
               Plan   representative  or  notary  public.   Such  consent  shall
               subsequently be binding with respect to the consenting  Spouse or
               any subsequent Spouse.

          (g)  If  a  valid   Spousal   consent   has   been   obtained,   then,
               notwithstanding  any other provision of this Plan, the portion of
               the  Par-ticipant's  Vested  Account  Balance  used as a security
               interest held by the Plan by reason of a loan  outstanding to the
               Participant   shall  be  taken  into   account  for  purposes  of
               determining the amount of the account balance payable at the time
               of death or  distribution,  but only if the  reduction is used as
               repayment  of the loan.  If less  than 100% of the  Participant's
               Vested  Account  Balance   (determined   without  regard  to  the
               preceding  sentence) is payable to the Surviving Spouse, then the
               account  balance  shall be adjusted by first  reducing the Vested
               Account  Balance by the amount of the security  used as repayment
               of the loan,  and then  determining  the  benefit  payable to the
               Surviving Spouse.

          (h)  The Employer may also require  additional  collateral in order to
               adequately secure the loan.

          (i)  A Participant's  loan shall immediately become due and payable if
               such Participant terminates employment for any reason or fails to
               make a principal  and/or interest payment as provided in the loan
               agreement.   If  such  Participant  terminates  employment,   the
               Employer  shall  immediately  request  payment of  principal  and
               interest  on  the  loan.  If  the  Participant   refuses  payment
               following   termination,    the   Employer   shall   reduce   the
               Participant's  Vested Account Balance by the remaining  principal
               and  interest  on his or her loan.  If the  Participant's  Vested
               Account  Balance is less than the amount due, the Employer  shall
               take  whatever  steps are  necessary  to collect  the balance due
               directly from the  Participant.  However,  no  foreclosure on the
               Participant's  note or  attachment of the  Participant's  account
               balance  will occur  until a  distributable  event  occurs in the
               Plan.

          (j)  No loans will be made to Owner-Employees (as defined in paragraph
               2.6) or  Shareholder  Employees  (as defined in paragraph  1.62),
               unless the Employer  obtains a prohibited  transaction  exemption
               from the Department of Labor.

6.12 Insurance Policies If permitted by the Employer in the Adoption  Agreement,
Employees may elect the purchase of life  insurance  policies under the Plan. If
elected, the maximum annual premium for a whole life policy shall not exceed 50%
of  the  aggregate  Employer  contributions   allocated  to  the  account  of  a
Participant.  For profit-sharing plans the 50% test need only be applied against
Employer contributions allocated in the last two years.

                                       29

<PAGE>



Whole life  policies are policies  with both  nondecreasing  death  benefits and
nonincreasing  premiums.  The  maximum  annual  premium  for term  contracts  or
universal  life policies and all other  policies  which are not whole life shall
not exceed 25% of aggregate Employer contributions allocated to the account of a
Participant.  The two-year  rule for  profit-sharing  plans again  applies.  The
maximum  annual  premiums  for a  Participant  with both a whole life and a term
contract or universal  life  policies  shall be limited to one-half of the whole
life premium plus the term  premium,  but shall not exceed 25% of the  aggregate
Employer contributions allocated to the account of a Participant, subject to the
two year rule for  profit-sharing  plans. Any policies purchased under this Plan
shall be held subject to the following rules:

          (a)  The Trustee shall be applicant and owner of any policies issued.

          (b)  All policies or contracts purchased hereunder,  shall be endorsed
               as  nontransferable,  and  must  provide  that  proceeds  will be
               payable to the Trustee; however, the Trustee shall be required to
               pay over  all  proceeds  of the  contracts  to the  Participant's
               Designated  Beneficiary in accordance  with the directions of the
               Employer.  Under no circumstances shall the Trust retain any part
               of the proceeds.

          (c)  Each  Participant  shall be entitled to  designate a  beneficiary
               under the terms of any contract issued; however, such designation
               will be given to the Trustee which must be the named  beneficiary
               on any policy.  Such  designation  shall  remain in force,  until
               revoked by the Participant, by filing a new beneficiary form with
               the  Trustee.  A  Participant's  Spouse  will  be the  Designated
               Beneficiary  of  the  proceeds  in  all  circumstances  unless  a
               Qualified  Election has been made in  accordance  with  paragraph
               8.4. The beneficiary of a deceased  Participant shall receive, in
               addition to the proceeds of the Participant's policy or policies,
               the amount credited to such Participant's investment account.

          (d)  A  Participant  who is  uninsurable  or insurable at  substandard
               rates,  may elect to receive a reduced  amount of  insurance,  if
               available, or may waive the purchase of any insurance.

          (e)  All dividends or other returns  received on any policy  purchased
               shall be applied to reduce the next  premium due on such  policy,
               or if no further premium is due, such amount shall be credited to
               the Fund as part of the account of the  Participant  for whom the
               policy is held.

          (f)  If Employer  contributions  are inadequate to pay all premiums on
               all insurance policies,  the Trustee may, at the direction of the
               Employer,  utilize other amounts remaining in each  Participant's
               account to pay the  premiums on his or her  respective  policy or
               policies,  allow the policies to lapse,  reduce the policies to a
               level at which  they may be  maintained,  or borrow  against  the
               policies on a prorated  basis,  provided that the borrowing  does
               not  discriminate  in  favor  of the  policies  on the  lives  of
               officers, Shareholders, and highly compensated Employees.

          (g)  On retirement or termination of employment of a Participant,  the
               Employer   shall  direct  the  Trustee  to  cash   surrender  the
               Participant's  policy  and  credit  the  proceeds  to  his or her
               account for  distribution  under the terms of the Plan.  However,
               before so doing,  the Company  shall  direct the Trustee to first
               offer to transfer  ownership of the policy to the  Participant in
               exchange for payment by the  Participant of the cash value of the
               policy at the time of transfer. Such payment shall be credited to
               the Participant's account for distribution under the terms of the
               Plan. All  distributions  resulting from the  application of this
               paragraph  shall be  subject  to the Joint and  Survivor  Annuity
               Rules of Article VIII, if applicable.

                                       30

<PAGE>




          (h)  The  Employer  shall be  solely  responsible  to see  that  these
               insurance provisions are administered  properly and that if there
               is any  conflict  between  the  provisions  of this  Plan and any
               insurance  contracts  issued  that the  terms of this  Plan  will
               control.



                                       31

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE VII

                            DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS


7.1 Joint And Survivor  Annuity  Requirements All  distributions  made under the
terms of this Plan must comply with the provisions of Article VIII including, if
applicable, the safe-harbor provisions thereunder.

7.2 Minimum  Distribution  Requirements  All  distributions  required under this
Article shall be determined and made in accordance with the minimum distribution
requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9) and the regulations thereunder, including
the minimum distribution incidental benefit rules found at Section 1.401(a)(9)-2
of the Regulations. The entire interest of a Participant must be distributed, or
begin to be  distributed,  no later than the  Participant's  Required  Beginning
Date.  Life  expectancy and joint and last survivor life expectancy are computed
by using the  expected  return  multiples  found in  Tables V and VI of  Section
1.72-9 of the Income Tax Regulations.

7.3 Limits On Distribution  Periods As of the First Distribution  Calendar Year,
distributions,  if not made in a single  sum,  may only be made  over one of the
following periods (or a combination thereof):

          (a)  the life of the Participant,

          (b)  the life of the Participant and a Designated Beneficiary,

          (c)  a period certain not extending  beyond the life expectancy of the
               Participant, or

          (d)  a period certain not extending beyond the joint and last survivor
               expectancy of the Participant and a Designated Beneficiary.

7.4  Required Distributions On Or After The Required Beginning Date

          (a)  If a Participant's  account balance is to be distributed over (1)
               a  period  not  extending  beyond  the  life  expectancy  of  the
               Participant or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the
               Participant and the Participant's Designated Beneficiary or (2) a
               period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Designated
               Beneficiary,  the  amount  required  to be  distributed  for each
               calendar  year,   beginning  with  distributions  for  the  First
               Distribution  Calendar  Year,  must at least  equal the  quotient
               obtained by dividing  the  Participant's  account  balance by the
               Applicable Life Expectancy.

          (b)  For calendar years  beginning  before 1989, if the  Participant's
               Spouse  is  not  the  Designated   Beneficiary,   the  method  of
               distribution selected must have required that at least 50% of the
               Present Value of the amount  available for distribution was to be
               paid within the life expectancy of the Participant.

          (c)  For  calendar  years  beginning  after  1988,  the  amount  to be
               distributed each year, beginning with distributions for the First
               Distribution  Calendar  Year shall not be less than the  quotient
               obtained by dividing the  Participant's  benefit by the lesser of
               (1) the Applicable  Life  Expectancy or (2) if the  Participant's
               Spouse is not the Designated Beneficiary,  the applicable divisor
               determined   from  the  table  set  forth  in  Q&A-4  of  Section
               1.401(a)(9)-2 of the Income Tax Regulations.  Distributions after
               the  death of the  Participant  shall be  distributed  using  the
               Applicable Life Expectancy as the relevant divisor without regard
               to Regulations Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.


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          (d)  The minimum  distribution  required for the  Participant's  First
               Distribution  Calendar  Year  must  be  made  on  or  before  the
               Participant's  Required Beginning Date. The minimum  distribution
               for other calendar years,  including the minimum distribution for
               the  Distribution   Calendar  Year  in  which  the  Participant's
               Required  Beginning  Date  occurs,  must  be  made  on or  before
               December 31 of that Distribution Calendar Year.

          (e)  If the  Participant's  benefit is  distributed  in the form of an
               annuity  purchased  from  an  insurance  company,   distributions
               thereunder  shall be made in accordance with the  requirements of
               Code Section 401(a)(9) and the regulations thereunder.

          (f)  For   purposes  of   determining   the  amount  of  the  required
               distribution  for each  Distribution  Calendar  Year, the account
               balance to be used is the account  balance  determined  as of the
               last valuation  preceding the  Distribution  Calendar Year.  This
               balance will be increased by the amount of any  contributions  or
               forfeitures  allocated to the account balance after the valuation
               date in such preceding  calendar year.  Such balance will also be
               decreased by distributions  made after the valuation date in such
               preceding calendar year.

          (g)  For  purposes  of  subparagraph  7.4(f),  if any  portion  of the
               minimum distribution for the First Distribution  Calendar Year is
               made in the second  Distribution  Calendar  Year on or before the
               Required  Beginning Date, the amount of the minimum  distribution
               made in the second Distribution Calendar Year shall be treated as
               if it had been  made in the  immediately  preceding  Distribution
               Calendar Year.

7.5        Required Beginning Date

          (a)  General Rule. The Required Beginning Date of a Participant is the
               first day of April of the calendar  year  following  the calendar
               year in which the Participant attains age 70-1/2.

          (b)  Transitional  Rules. The Required Beginning Date of a Participant
               who  attained  age 70-1/2  before 1988,  shall be  determined  in
               accordance with (1) or (2) below:

               (1)  Non-5-percent  owners.  The  Required  Beginning  Date  of a
                    Participant who is not a 5-percent owner is the first day of
                    April of the calendar  year  following  the calendar year in
                    which the later of  retirement  or  attainment of age 70-1/2
                    occurs.  In the case of a Participant who is not a 5-percent
                    owner who  attains  age 70-1/2  during  1988 and who has not
                    retired as of January 1, 1989,  the Required  Beginning Date
                    is April 1, 1990.

               (2)  5-percent   owners.   The  Required   Beginning  Date  of  a
                    Participant  who  is  a  5-percent  owner  during  any  year
                    beginning  after 1979,  is the first day of April  following
                    the later of:

                    (i)  the calendar year in which the Participant  attains age
                         70-1/2, or

                    (ii) the earlier of the  calendar  year with or within which
                         ends the Plan Year in which the  Participant  becomes a
                         5-percent  owner,  or the  calendar  year in which  the
                         Participant retires.

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          (c)  A  Participant  is treated as a 5-percent  owner for  purposes of
               this  paragraph  if such  Participant  is a  5-percent  owner  as
               defined in Code Section  416(i)  (determined  in accordance  with
               Section 416 but without  regard to whether the Plan is Top-Heavy)
               at any time  during  the Plan  Year  ending  with or  within  the
               calendar  year in which  such  owner  attains  age  66-1/2 or any
               subsequent Plan Year.

          (d)  Once  distributions  have begun to a  5-percent  owner under this
               paragraph,  they must  continue  to be  distributed,  even if the
               Participant ceases to be a 5-percent owner in a subsequent year.

7.6       Transitional Rule

          (a)  Notwithstanding  the  other  requirements  of  this  Article  and
               subject to the  requirements of Article VIII,  Joint and Survivor
               Annuity  Requirements,  distribution  on behalf of any  Employee,
               including a 5-percent  owner,  may be made in accordance with all
               of  the   following   requirements   (regardless   of  when  such
               distribution commences):

               (i)  The  distribution  by the Trust is one which  would not have
                    disqualified  such Trust under Code Section  401(a)(9) as in
                    effect prior to amendment  by the Deficit  Reduction  Act of
                    1984.

               (ii) The   distribution   is  in  accordance  with  a  method  of
                    distribution  designated by the Employee  whose  interest in
                    the  Trust is  being  distributed  or,  if the  Employee  is
                    deceased, by a beneficiary of such Employee.

               (iii)Such designation was in writing,  was signed by the Employee
                    or the beneficiary, and was made before 1984.

               (iv) The  Employee  had  accrued a  benefit  under the Plan as of
                    December 31, 1983.

               (v)  The method of distribution designated by the Employee or the
                    beneficiary  specifies the time at which  distribution  will
                    commence,  the period over which distributions will be made,
                    and in the  case of any  distribution  upon  the  Employee's
                    death, the  beneficiaries of the Employee listed in order of
                    priority.

          (b)  A   distribution   upon   death  will  not  be  covered  by  this
               transitional  rule  unless  the  information  in the  designation
               contains the required information described above with respect to
               the distributions to be made upon the death of the Employee.

          (c)  For any  distribution  which commences before 1984, but continues
               after  1983,  the  Employee,  or the  beneficiary,  to whom  such
               distribution  is being made,  will be presumed to have designated
               the method of distribution  under which the distribution is being
               made if the method of  distribution  was specified in writing and
               the  distribution  satisfies the  requirements  in  subparagraphs
               (a)(i) and (v) above.

          (d)  If a designation  is revoked,  any subsequent  distribution  must
               satisfy  the  requirements  of  Code  Section  401(a)(9)  and the
               regulations thereunder. If a designation is revoked subsequent to
               the date  distributions  are  required  to begin,  the Trust must
               distribute by the

                                       34

<PAGE>



               end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
               revocation  occurs  the total  amount not yet  distributed  which
               would have been required to have been distributed to satisfy Code
               Section  401(a)(9) and the  regulations  thereunder,  but for the
               Section   242(b)(2)   election  of  the  Tax  Equity  and  Fiscal
               Responsibility  Act of 1982. For calendar years  beginning  after
               1988,  such  distributions  must  meet the  minimum  distribution
               incidental benefit  requirements in Section  1.401(a)(9)-2 of the
               Income Tax  Regulations.  Any changes in the designation  will be
               considered to be a revocation of the  designation.  However,  the
               mere  substitution  or addition of another  beneficiary  (one not
               named  in the  designation)  under  the  designation  will not be
               considered to be a revocation of the designation, so long as such
               substitution  or  addition  does not alter the period  over which
               distributions  are to be made under the designation,  directly or
               indirectly  (for  example,  by altering  the  relevant  measuring
               life).  In the case in which an amount is  transferred  or rolled
               over from one plan to another plan,  the rules in Q&A J-2 and Q&A
               J-3 of the regulations shall apply.

7.7 Designation Of Beneficiary For Death Benefit Each  Participant  shall file a
written  designation  of  beneficiary  with the  Employer  upon  qualifying  for
participation  under this Plan.  Such  designation  shall  remain in force until
revoked by the Participant by filing a new  beneficiary  form with the Employer.
The  Participant  may  elect to have a  portion  of his or her  account  balance
invested in an insurance  contract.  If an insurance contract is purchased under
the  Plan  the  Trustee  must be named as  beneficiary  under  the  terms of the
contract.  However, the Participant shall designate a beneficiary to receive the
proceeds of the contract  after  settlement is received by the Trustee.  Under a
profit-sharing plan satisfying the requirements of paragraph 8.7, the Designated
Beneficiary  shall be the  Participant's  Surviving  Spouse, if any, unless such
Spouse properly consents otherwise.

7.8  Nonexistence  Of Beneficiary  Any portion of the amount  payable  hereunder
which is  undisposed  of because of the  Participant's  or former  Participant's
failure  to  designate  a   beneficiary,   or  because  all  of  the  Designated
Beneficiaries  predeceased the Participant,  shall be paid to his or her Spouse.
If the Participant has no Spouse at the time of death,  payment shall be made to
the personal representative of his or her estate in a lump sum.

7.9   Distribution   Beginning  Before  Death  If  the  Participant  dies  after
distribution  of his or her interest has begun,  the  remaining  portion of such
interest will continue to be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method
of distribution being used prior to the Participant's death.

7.10  Distribution   Beginning  After  Death  If  the  Participant  dies  before
distribution of his or her interest  begins,  distribution of the  Participant's
entire  interest  shall  be  completed  by  December  31 of  the  calendar  year
containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant's death except to the extent
that an election is made to receive  distributions in accordance with (a) or (b)
below:

          (a)  if any  portion  of the  Participant's  interest  is payable to a
               Designated  Beneficiary,  distributions may be made over the life
               or over a period certain not greater than the life  expectancy of
               the Designated Beneficiary commencing on or before December 31 of
               the calendar  year  immediately  following  the calendar  year in
               which the Participant died;

          (b)  if the  Designated  Beneficiary  is the  Participant's  Surviving
               Spouse,   the  date   distributions  are  required  to  begin  in
               accordance  with (a) above shall not be earlier than the later of
               (1) December 31 of the calendar  year  immediately  following the
               calendar year in which the Participant died or (2) December 31 of
               the calendar  year in which the  Participant  would have attained
               age 70-1/2.

If the Participant  has not made an election  pursuant to this paragraph 7.10 by
the time of his or her death,  the  Participant's  Designated  Beneficiary  must
elect the method of distribution no later than the earlier of (1) December

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<PAGE>



31 of the calendar year in which  distributions would be required to begin under
this section,  or (2) December 31 of the calendar year which  contains the fifth
anniversary of the date of death of the  Participant.  If the Participant has no
Designated Beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not elect a method
of distribution,  then distribution of the Participant's entire interest must be
completed by December 31 of the calendar year  containing the fifth  anniversary
of the Participant's death.

For  purposes  of  this  paragraph,  if the  Surviving  Spouse  dies  after  the
Participant,  but before  payments to such Spouse begin,  the provisions of this
paragraph with the exception of paragraph (b) herein, shall be applied as if the
Surviving  Spouse were the  Participant.  For the purposes of this paragraph and
paragraph 7.9 distribution of a Participant's interest is considered to begin on
the  Participant's  Required  Beginning  Date (or, if the preceding  sentence is
applicable, the date distribution is required to begin to the Surviving Spouse).
If  distribution  in the  form  of an  annuity  described  in  paragraph  7.4(e)
irrevocably commences to the Participant before the Required Beginning Date, the
date  distribution  is  considered  to begin is the date  distribution  actually
commences.

For purposes of  paragraph  7.9 and this  paragraph,  if an amount is payable to
either a minor or an individual who has been declared incompetent,  the benefits
shall be paid to the legally appointed guardian for the benefit of said minor or
incompetent  individual,  unless the court  which  appointed  the  guardian  has
ordered otherwise.


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<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE VIII

                     JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY REQUIREMENTS


8.1  Applicability  Of Provisions  The provisions of this Article shall apply to
any  Participant  who is  credited  with at least one Hour of  Service  with the
Employer on or after August 23, 1984 and such other  Participants as provided in
paragraph 8.8.

8.2 Payment Of Qualified  Joint And Survivor  Annuity Unless an optional form of
benefit is selected  pursuant to a Qualified  Election  within the 90-day period
ending on the Annuity  Starting  Date, a married  Participant's  Vested  Account
Balance will be paid in the form of a Qualified  Joint and Survivor  Annuity and
an unmarried  Participant's Vested Account Balance will be paid in the form of a
life annuity.  The Participant may elect to have such annuity  distributed  upon
attainment of the Early Retirement Age under the Plan.

8.3 Payment Of Qualified Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity Unless an optional form
of benefit has been selected  within the Election Period pursuant to a Qualified
Election,  if a  Participant  dies  before  benefits  have  commenced  then  the
Participant's  Vested Account  Balance shall be paid to the Surviving  Spouse in
the form of a life annuity.  The Surviving Spouse may elect to have such annuity
distributed within a reasonable period after the Participant's death.

A Participant who does not meet the age 35 requirement set forth in the Election
Period  as of the end of any  current  Plan  Year may make a  special  Qualified
Election to waive the qualified  pre-retirement  survivor annuity for the period
beginning  on the date of such  election and ending on the first day of the Plan
Year in which the  Participant  will attain age 35. Such  election  shall not be
valid unless the  Participant  receives a written  explanation  of the qualified
pre-retirement  survivor  annuity  in  such  terms  as  are  comparable  to  the
explanation  required under  paragraph 8.4.  Qualified  pre-retirement  survivor
annuity  coverage  will be  automatically  reinstated as of the first day of the
Plan Year in which the  Participant  attains  age 35. Any new waiver on or after
such date shall be subject to the full requirements of this Article.

8.4  Qualified  Election A Qualified  Election is an election to either  waive a
Qualified  Joint and  Survivor  Annuity or a qualified  pre-retirement  survivor
annuity. Any such election shall not be effective unless:

          (a)  the Participant's Spouse consents in writing to the election;

          (b)  the election  designates a specific  beneficiary,  including  any
               class of beneficiaries or any contingent beneficiaries, which may
               not be changed without  spousal consent (or the Spouse  expressly
               permits  designations  by the  Participant  without  any  further
               spousal consent);

          (c)  the Spouse's consent acknowledges the effect of the election; and

          (d)  the Spouse's  consent is witnessed  by a Plan  representative  or
               notary public.

Additionally, a Participant's waiver of the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity
shall not be effective unless the election  designates a form of benefit payment
which may not be  changed  without  spousal  consent  (or the  Spouse  expressly
permits designations by the Participant without any further spousal consent). If
it is established to the satisfaction of the Plan Administrator that there is no
Spouse or that the Spouse cannot be located, a waiver will be deemed a Qualified
Election.   Any  consent  by  a  Spouse   obtained   under  this  provision  (or
establishment  that  the  consent  of a  Spouse  may not be  obtained)  shall be
effective only with respect to such Spouse. A consent that permits  designations
by the  Participant  without any  requirement of further  consent by such Spouse
must acknowledge

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<PAGE>



that the Spouse has the right to limit consent to a specific beneficiary,  and a
specific  form of benefit  where  applicable,  and that the  Spouse  voluntarily
elects to  relinquish  either or both of such rights.  A  revocation  of a prior
waiver may be made by a  Participant  without  the  consent of the Spouse at any
time before the commencement of benefits. The number of revocations shall not be
limited.  No consent  obtained  under this  provision  shall be valid unless the
Participant has received notice as provided in paragraphs 8.5 and 8.6 below.

8.5 Notice  Requirements  For  Qualified  Joint And  Survivor  Annuity  The Plan
Administrator shall provide each Participant a written explanation of:

          (a)  the terms  and  conditions  of a  Qualified  Joint  and  Survivor
               Annuity;

          (b)  the Participant's  right to make and the effect of an election to
               waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity form of benefit;

          (c)  the rights of a Participant's Spouse; and

          (d)  the right to make,  and the effect of, a revocation of a previous
               election to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity.

Such  notice  shall be  provided  not less than 30 days and no more than 90 days
prior to the Annuity Starting date.


8.6 Notice Requirements For Qualified  Pre-Retirement  Survivor Annuity The Plan
Administrator  shall  provide  each  Participant  a written  explanation  of the
qualified  pre-retirement  survivor  annuity in such terms and in such manner as
would be comparable to the explanation  provided for meeting the requirements of
paragraph  8.5  applicable  to a  Qualified  Joint and  Survivor  Annuity.  Such
explanation  shall be provided  within  whichever of the following  periods ends
last:

          (a)  the period beginning with the first day of the Plan Year in which
               the  Participant  attains age 32 and ending with the close of the
               Plan  Year  preceding  the  Plan  Year in which  the  Participant
               attains age 35;

          (b)  a  reasonable  period  ending  after  the  individual  becomes  a
               Participant; or

          (c)  a reasonable  period  ending after this Article  first applies to
               the Participant.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  notice must be
               provided within a reasonable  period ending after separation from
               Service in the case of a Participant  who separates  from Service
               before attaining age 35.

For purposes of applying the  preceding  paragraph,  a reasonable  period ending
after the  events  described  in (b) and (c) is the end of the  two-year  period
beginning one year prior to the date the applicable event occurs, and ending one
year after that date.  In the case of a Participant  who separates  from Service
before  the Plan  Year in which age 35 is  attained,  notice  shall be  provided
within the two-year period beginning one year prior to separation and ending one
year after separation.  If such a Participant subsequently returns to employment
with  the  Employer,  the  applicable  period  for  such  Participant  shall  be
re-determined.

8.7       Special Safe-Harbor Exception For Certain Profit-Sharing Plans

          (a)  This paragraph  shall apply to a Participant in a  profit-sharing
               plan, and to any  distribution  made on or after the first day of
               the  first  Plan  Year  beginning  after  1988,  from or  under a
               separate  account  attributable  solely  to  Qualified  Voluntary
               Contributions, as maintained

                                       38

<PAGE>



               on behalf of a  Participant  in a money  purchase  pension  plan,
               (including a target benefit plan) if the following conditions are
               satisfied:

               (1)  the  Participant  does not or cannot  elect  payments in the
                    form of a life annuity; and

               (2)  on the  death of a  Participant,  the  Participant's  Vested
                    Account Balance will be paid to the Participant's  Surviving
                    Spouse,  but if  there  is no  Surviving  Spouse,  or if the
                    Surviving  Spouse has consented in a manner  conforming to a
                    Qualified  Election,  then to the  Participant's  Designated
                    Beneficiary.

               The Surviving Spouse may elect to have distribution of the Vested
               Account Balance  commence within the 90-day period  following the
               date of the  Participant's  death.  The account  balance shall be
               adjusted for gains or losses  occurring  after the  Participant's
               death in accordance with the provisions of the Plan governing the
               adjustment of account balances for other types of  distributions.
               These  safe-harbor rules shall not be operative with respect to a
               Participant in a profit-sharing  plan if that plan is a direct or
               indirect  transferee of a Defined  Benefit Plan,  money  purchase
               pension  plan,  a target  benefit  plan,  stock  bonus  plan,  or
               profit-sharing  plan  which is subject  to the  survivor  annuity
               requirements of Code Section 401(a)(11) and Code Section 417, and
               would  therefore have a Qualified  Joint and Survivor  Annuity as
               its normal form of benefit.

          (b)  The Participant may waive the spousal death benefit  described in
               this  paragraph at any time provided that no such waiver shall be
               effective  unless  it  satisfies  the  conditions  (described  in
               paragraph  8.4) that would apply to the  Participant's  waiver of
               the qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity.

          (c)  If this paragraph 8.7 is operative,  then all other provisions of
               this Article other than paragraph 8.8 are inoperative.

8.8 Transitional Joint And Survivor Annuity Rules Special transition rules apply
to Participants who are not receiving benefits on August 23, 1984.

          (a)  Any living Participant not receiving benefits on August 23, 1984,
               who would  otherwise  not receive the benefits  prescribed by the
               previous   paragraphs  of  this   Article,   must  be  given  the
               opportunity to elect to have the prior paragraphs of this Article
               apply if such  Participant  is credited with at least one Hour of
               Service  under  this  Plan or a  predecessor  Plan in a Plan Year
               beginning on or after January 1, 1976 and such Participant had at
               least 10 Years of Service  for  vesting  purposes  when he or she
               separated from Service.

          (b)  Any living Participant not receiving benefits on August 23, 1984,
               who was  credited  with at least one Hour of  Service  under this
               Plan or a predecessor Plan on or after September 2, 1974, and who
               is not  otherwise  credited  with  any  Service  in a  Plan  Year
               beginning  on or  after  January  1,  1976,  must  be  given  the
               opportunity  to have his or her benefits paid in accordance  with
               paragraph 8.9.

          (c)  The  respective  opportunities  to elect [as described in (a) and
               (b)  above]  must be  afforded  to the  appropriate  Participants
               during the period commencing on August 23, 1984 and ending on the
               date benefits would otherwise commence to said Participants.


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8.9  Automatic  Joint And  Survivor  Annuity  And  Early  Survivor  Annuity  Any
Participant who has elected pursuant to paragraph 8.8(b) and any Participant who
does not elect under paragraph 8.8(a) or who meets the requirements of paragraph
8.8(a),  except that such Participant does not have at least 10 years of vesting
Service when he or she separates  from  Service,  shall have his or her benefits
distributed  in accordance  with all of the following  requirements  if benefits
would have been payable in the form of a life annuity.

          (a)  Automatic Joint and Survivor Annuity.  If benefits in the form of
               a life annuity become payable to a married Participant who:

               (1)  begins to receive payments under the Plan on or after Normal
                    Retirement Age, or

               (2)  dies on or after Normal  Retirement  Age while still working
                    for the Employer, or

               (3)  begins to receive  payments on or after the Qualified  Early
                    Retirement Age, or

               (4)  separates  from  Service  on  or  after   attaining   Normal
                    Retirement (or the Qualified Early Retirement Age) and after
                    satisfying the eligibility  requirements  for the payment of
                    benefits under the Plan and thereafter dies before beginning
                    to receive such benefits,

               then such benefits  will be received  under this Plan in the form
               of a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity, unless the Participant
               has elected  otherwise during the Election  Period.  The Election
               Period  must  begin  at  least 6 months  before  the  Participant
               attains  Qualified Early  Retirement Age and end not more than 90
               days before the commencement of benefits.  Any election hereunder
               will be in writing and may be changed by the  Participant  at any
               time.

          (b)  Election of Early Survivor Annuity. A Participant who is employed
               after attaining the Qualified Early  Retirement Age will be given
               the opportunity to elect,  during the Election Period,  to have a
               survivor annuity payable on death. If the Participant  elects the
               survivor  annuity,  payments  under such annuity must not be less
               than the payments  which would have been made to the Spouse under
               the Qualified  Joint and Survivor  Annuity if the Participant had
               retired on the day before his or her death.  Any  election  under
               this  provision  will be in  writing  and may be  changed  by the
               Participant at any time. The Election  Period begins on the later
               of:

               (1)  the 90th day before the  Participant  attains the  Qualified
                    Early Retirement Age, or

               (2)  the date on which participation begins,

               and ends on the date the Participant terminates employment.

8.10  Annuity  Contracts  Any  annuity  contract  distributed  herefrom  must be
nontransferable.  The terms of any annuity contract purchased and distributed by
the Plan to a Participant or Spouse shall comply with the  requirements  of this
Plan.


                                       40

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     VESTING


9.1 Employee  Contributions  A  Participant  shall always have a 100% vested and
nonforfeitable  interest  in  his  or  her  Mandatory  Contributions,  Voluntary
Contributions,  Qualified Voluntary Contributions,  Rollover Contributions,  and
Transfer  Contributions  plus the earnings  thereon.  No  forfeiture of Employer
related contributions  (including any minimum contributions made under paragraph
14.2 hereof) will occur solely as a result of an  Employee's  withdrawal  of any
Employee contributions.

9.2  Employer   Contributions   A   Participant   shall  acquire  a  vested  and
nonforfeitable   interest  in  his  or  her  account  attributable  to  Employer
contributions  in accordance with the table selected in the Adoption  Agreement,
provided  that if a Participant  is not already  fully  vested,  he or she shall
become so upon attaining  Normal  Retirement Age, Early Retirement Age, on death
prior to normal retirement,  on retirement due to Disability,  or on termination
of the Plan.

9.3 Computation  Period The computation period for purposes of determining Years
of Service and Breaks in Service  for  purposes  of  computing  a  Participant's
nonforfeitable  right  to his or  her  account  balance  derived  from  Employer
contributions shall be determined by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  If
the  Employer  provides for other than full and  immediate  vesting and does not
designate otherwise, the computation period shall be the Plan Year. In the event
a former Participant with no vested interest in his or her Employer contribution
account  requalifies  for  participation  in the Plan after incurring a Break in
Service,  such Participant  shall be credited for vesting with all pre-break and
post-break Service.

9.4  Requalification  Prior To Five  Consecutive  One-Year Breaks In Service The
account balance of such Participant shall consist of any undistributed amount in
his or her account as of the date of re-employment plus any future contributions
added to such account plus the  investment  earnings on the account.  The Vested
Account  Balance of such  Participant  shall be  determined by  multiplying  the
Participant's account balance (adjusted to include any distribution or redeposit
made under paragraph 6.3 hereof) by such Participant's  vested  percentage.  All
Service of the  Participant,  both prior to and  following  the break,  shall be
counted when computing the Participant's vested percentage.

9.5  Requalification  After Five Consecutive  One-Year Breaks In Service If such
Participant  is not fully  vested upon  re-employment,  a new  account  shall be
established  for such  Participant  to separate his or her  deferred  vested and
nonforfeitable  account,  if any, from the account to which new allocations will
be made. The  Participant's  deferred  account to the extent  remaining shall be
fully  vested and shall  continue to share in  earnings  and losses of the Fund.
When  computing  the  Participant's  vested  portion  of the  new  account,  all
pre-break and post-break Service shall be counted. However, notwithstanding this
provision,  no such former  Participant  who has had five  consecutive  one-year
Breaks in Service shall acquire a larger vested and  nonforfeitable  interest in
his or her prior account balance as a result of requalification hereunder.

9.6  Calculating  Vested  Interest A  Participant's  vested  and  nonforfeitable
interest shall be calculated by multiplying  the fair market value of his or her
account  attributable to Employer  contributions on the Valuation Date preceding
distribution by the decimal equivalent of the vested percentage as of his or her
termination date. The amount attributable to Employer contributions for purposes
of the calculation  includes  amounts  previously paid out pursuant to paragraph
6.3 and not repaid. The Participant's vested and nonforfeitable  interest,  once
calculated above,  shall be reduced to reflect those amounts previously paid out
and  not  repaid.  The  Participant's  vested  and  nonforfeitable  interest  so
determined  shall continue to share in the investment  earnings and any increase
or  decrease  in the fair  market  value of the  Fund up to the  Valuation  Date
preceding or coinciding with payment.


                                       41

<PAGE>



9.7  Forfeitures  Any balance in the account of a Participant  who has separated
from Service to which he or she is not entitled under the foregoing  provisions,
shall be  forfeited  and applied as provided in the Adoption  Agreement.  If not
specified otherwise in the Adoption Agreement,  forfeitures will be allocated to
Participants in the same manner as the Employer's contribution. A forfeiture may
only occur if the  Participant  has received a distribution  from the Plan or if
the  Participant  has  incurred  five  consecutive  one-year  Breaks in Service.
Forfeitures  shall inure only to the  accounts of  Participants  of the adopting
Employer's  Plan.  If  not  specified   otherwise  in  the  Adoption  Agreement,
forfeitures  shall be  allocated  at the end of the Plan Year  during  which the
former Participant incurs five consecutive one-year Breaks in Service.

9.8 Amendment Of Vesting Schedule No amendment to the Plan shall have the effect
of decreasing a Participant's  vested interest determined without regard to such
amendment  as of the later of the date such  amendment is adopted or the date it
becomes effective.  Further,  if the vesting schedule of the Plan is amended, or
the  Plan  is  amended  in any way  that  directly  or  indirectly  affects  the
computation of any Participant's  nonforfeitable  percentage,  or if the Plan is
deemed amended by an automatic change to or from a Top-Heavy  vesting  schedule,
each  Participant  with at least three Years of Service  with the  Employer  may
elect, within a reasonable period after the adoption of the amendment or change,
to have his or her  nonforfeitable  percentage  computed  under the Plan without
regard to such amendment or change.  For  Participants  who do not have at least
one Hour of  Service  in any Plan  Year  beginning  after  1988,  the  preceding
sentence  shall be applied by  substituting  "Five Years of Service"  for "Three
Years of Service"  where such  language  appears.  The period  during  which the
election may be made shall  commence  with the date the  amendment is adopted or
deemed to be made and shall end on the later of:

          (a)  60 days after the amendment is adopted;

          (b)  60 days after the amendment becomes effective; or

          (c)  60 days after the  Participant  is issued  written  notice of the
               amendment by the Employer or the Trustee. If the Trustee is asked
               to so notify, the Fund will be charged for the costs thereof.

No amendment to the Plan shall be effective to the extent that it has the effect
of decreasing a Participant's  accrued  benefit.  Notwithstanding  the preceding
sentence, a Participant's account balance may be reduced to the extent permitted
under Code Section 412(c)(8) (relating to financial hardships).  For purposes of
this  paragraph,  a  Plan  amendment  which  has  the  effect  of  decreasing  a
Participant's  account balance or eliminating an optional form of benefit,  with
respect to  benefits  attributable  to Service  before  the  amendment  shall be
treated as reducing an accrued benefit.

9.9 Service With Controlled  Groups All Years of Service with other members of a
controlled group of corporations [as defined in Code Section 414(b)],  trades or
businesses under common control [as defined in Code Section 414(c)],  or members
of an  affiliated  service  group [as defined in Code Section  414(m)]  shall be
considered   for  purposes  of   determining  a   Participant's   nonforfeitable
percentage.

9.10 Restoration Of Benefit If all or any portion of a distribution  required to
be paid to a Participant  or  beneficiary  remains  unpaid solely because of the
inability of the Plan Administrator,  after sending a registered letter,  return
receipt requested, to the last known address of such Participant or beneficiary,
and after exhausting all other  reasonable  efforts to ascertain the whereabouts
of such Participant or beneficiary, the amount so distributable shall be treated
as  a  forfeiture  under  paragraph  9.7.  In  the  event  such  Participant  or
beneficiary is subsequently  located, his or her benefit under the Plan shall be
restored as provided in the Adoption Agreement.



                                       42

<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE X

                           LIMITATIONS ON ALLOCATIONS


10.1 Participation In This Plan Only If the Participant does not participate in,
and has never participated in another qualified plan, a Welfare Benefit Fund (as
defined in paragraph 1.77) or an individual medical account,  as defined in Code
Section 415(l)(2), maintained by the adopting Employer, which provides an Annual
Addition as defined in paragraph 1.2, the amount of Annual  Additions  which may
be credited to the Participant's account for any Limitation Year will not exceed
the lesser of the Maximum  Permissible Amount or any other limitation  contained
in this Plan. If the Employer  contribution  that would otherwise be contributed
or allocated to the  Participant's  account would cause the Annual Additions for
the  Limitation  Year to exceed  the  Maximum  Permissible  Amount,  the  amount
contributed  or allocated  will be reduced so that the Annual  Additions for the
Limitation Year will equal the Maximum Permissible Amount.  Prior to determining
the Participant's  actual Compensation for the Limitation Year, the Employer may
determine the Maximum  Permissible  Amount for a  Participant  on the basis of a
reasonable estimation of the Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year,
uniformly  determined for all  Participants  similarly  situated.  As soon as is
administratively  feasible  after the end of the  Limitation  Year,  the Maximum
Permissible  Amount for the  Limitation  Year will be determined on the basis of
the Participant's actual Compensation for the Limitation Year.

10.2  Disposition Of Excess Annual Additions If pursuant to paragraph 10.1 or as
a result of the allocation of forfeitures, there is an Excess Amount, the excess
will be  disposed of under one of the  following  methods as  determined  in the
Adoption Agreement. If no election is made in the Adoption Agreement then method
"(a)" below shall apply.

          (a)  Suspense Account Method

               (1)  Any nondeductible Employee Voluntary  Contributions,  to the
                    extent they would reduce the Excess Amount, will be returned
                    to the Participant;

               (2)  If after the  application  of paragraph (1) an Excess Amount
                    still exists,  and the Participant is covered by the Plan at
                    the end of the  Limitation  Year,  the Excess  Amount in the
                    Participant's  account  will  be  used  to  reduce  Employer
                    contributions  (including any allocation of forfeitures) for
                    such  Participant  in the  next  Limitation  Year,  and each
                    succeeding Limitation Year if necessary;

               (3)  If after the  application  of paragraph (1) an Excess Amount
                    still exists, and the Participant is not covered by the Plan
                    at the end of the Limitation Year, the Excess Amount will be
                    held unallocated in a suspense account. The suspense account
                    will be  applied  to reduce  future  Employer  contributions
                    (including  allocation of any forfeitures) for all remaining
                    Participants   in  the  next   Limitation   Year,  and  each
                    succeeding Limitation Year if necessary;

               (4)  If a suspense account is in existence at any time during the
                    Limitation  Year  pursuant  to this  paragraph,  it will not
                    participate  in  the  allocation  of  investment  gains  and
                    losses.  If a suspense  account is in  existence at any time
                    during a  particular  Limitation  Year,  all  amounts in the
                    suspense  account  must  be  allocated  and  reallocated  to
                    Participants'

                                       43

<PAGE>



                    accounts before any Employer  contributions or any Voluntary
                    Contributions  may be made to the Plan  for that  Limitation
                    Year.  Excess Amounts may not be distributed to Participants
                    or former Participants.

          (b)  Spillover Method

               (1)  Any Excess Amount which would be allocated to the account of
                    an  individual   Participant  under  the  Plan's  allocation
                    formula will be  reallocated  to other  Participants  in the
                    same  manner  as  other  Employer  contributions.   No  such
                    reallocation shall be made to the extent that it will result
                    in an Excess Amount being created in such  Participant's own
                    account.

               (2)  To the extent that amounts cannot be  reallocated  under (1)
                    above,  the suspense  account  provisions  of (a) above will
                    apply.

10.3  Participation  In This  Plan  And  Another  Master  Or  Prototype  Defined
Contribution Plan, Welfare Benefit Fund Or Individual Medical Account Maintained
By The Employer The Annual  Additions  which may be credited to a  Participant's
account  under this Plan for any  Limitation  Year will not  exceed the  Maximum
Permissible  Amount reduced by the Annual Additions  credited to a Participant's
account under the other Master or Prototype Defined  Contribution Plans, Welfare
Benefit  Funds,  and  individual  medical  accounts  as defined in Code  Section
415(l)(2),  maintained  by the  Employer,  which  provide an Annual  Addition as
defined in paragraph 1.2, for the same Limitation Year. If the Annual Additions,
with  respect to the  Participant  under other  Defined  Contribution  Plans and
Welfare  Benefit Funds  maintained  by the  Employer,  are less than the Maximum
Permissible  Amount  and the  Employer  contribution  that  would  otherwise  be
contributed  or allocated  to the  Participant's  account  under this Plan would
cause the Annual  Additions for the Limitation  Year to exceed this  limitation,
the amount contributed or allocated will be reduced so that the Annual Additions
under all such plans and funds for the  Limitation  Year will equal the  Maximum
Permissible  Amount.  If the Annual  Additions  with respect to the  Participant
under such other  Defined  Contribution  Plans and Welfare  Benefit Funds in the
aggregate are equal to or greater than the Maximum Permissible Amount, no amount
will be  contributed or allocated to the  Participant's  account under this Plan
for  the  Limitation  Year.  Prior  to  determining  the  Participant's   actual
Compensation  for the  Limitation  Year,  the Employer may determine the Maximum
Permissible  Amount for a Participant in the manner described in paragraph 10.1.
As soon as  administratively  feasible after the end of the Limitation Year, the
Maximum  Permissible  Amount for the  Limitation  Year will be determined on the
basis of the Participant's actual Compensation for the Limitation Year.

10.4  Disposition  Of Excess Annual  Additions  Under Two Plans If,  pursuant to
paragraph 10.3 or as a result of forfeitures,  a Participant's  Annual Additions
under  this Plan and such other  plans  would  result in an Excess  Amount for a
Limitation  Year,  the  Excess  Amount  will be deemed to  consist of the Annual
Additions last allocated except that Annual Additions  attributable to a Welfare
Benefit Fund or individual  medical account as defined in Code Section 415(l)(2)
will be deemed to have been allocated first regardless of the actual  allocation
date. If an Excess Amount was allocated to a Participant  on an allocation  date
of this Plan which coincides with an allocation date of another plan, the Excess
Amount attributed to this Plan will be the product of:

          (a)  the total Excess Amount allocated as of such date, times

          (b)  the ratio of:

               (1)  the Annual  Additions  allocated to the  Participant for the
                    Limitation Year as of such date under the Plan, to

                                       44

<PAGE>




               (2)  the total Annual Additions  allocated to the Participant for
                    the  Limitation  Year as of such date under this and all the
                    other  qualified  Master or Prototype  Defined  Contribution
                    Plans.

Any Excess  Amount  attributed  to this Plan will be  disposed  of in the manner
described in paragraph 10.2.

10.5  Participation In This Plan And Another Defined  Contribution Plan Which Is
Not A Master Or  Prototype  Plan If the  Participant  is covered  under  another
qualified  Defined  Contribution  Plan maintained by the Employer which is not a
Master  or  Prototype  Plan,  Annual  Additions  which  may be  credited  to the
Participant's account under this Plan for any Limitation Year will be limited in
accordance  with  paragraphs 10.3 and 10.4 as though the other plan was a Master
or  Prototype  Plan,  unless the  Employer  provides  other  limitations  in the
Adoption Agreement.

10.6  Participation  In This Plan And A  Defined  Benefit  Plan If the  Employer
maintains,  or at any time maintained,  a qualified  Defined Benefit Plan (other
than Paired Plan #04001,  #04002,  #04003 or #04004) covering any Participant in
this Plan,  the sum of the  Participant's  Defined  Benefit  Plan  Fraction  and
Defined  Contribution  Plan Fraction will not exceed 1.0 in any Limitation Year.
For any Plan Year during which the Plan is  Top-Heavy,  the Defined  Benefit and
Defined  Contribution Plan Fractions shall be calculated in accordance with Code
Section 416(h).  The Annual Additions which may be credited to the Participant's
account  under this Plan for any  Limitation  Year will be limited in accordance
with the Adoption Agreement.


                                       45

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE XI

                                 ADMINISTRATION


11.1 Plan  Administrator The Employer shall be the Plan  Administrator  which is
the Named Fiduciary. The duties of the Plan Administrator shall include:

          (a)  appointing the Plan's attorney, accountant, actuary, or any other
               party needed to administer the Plan,

          (b)  directing the Trustee with respect to payments from the Fund,

          (c)  communicating  with Employees  regarding their  participation and
               benefits  under the Plan,  including  the  administration  of all
               claims procedures,

          (d)  filing any returns and reports with the Internal Revenue Service,
               Department of Labor, or any other governmental agency,

          (e)  reviewing  and  approving  any  financial   reports,   investment
               reviews,  or other reports prepared by any party appointed by the
               Employer under paragraph (a),

          (f)  establishing   a  funding   policy  and   investment   objectives
               consistent  with  the  purposes  of the  Plan  and  the  Employee
               Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and

          (g)  construing and resolving any question of Plan interpretation. The
               Plan Administrator's  interpretation of Plan provisions including
               eligibility  and benefits under the Plan is final,  and unless it
               can be shown to be arbitrary and  capricious  will not be subject
               to "de novo" review.

11.2  Trustee  The  Trustee  shall be  responsible  for the  administration  and
protection of the Fund, and its duties and responsibilities  shall include those
provided for below:

          (a)  The Employer shall, from time to time, make  contributions to the
               Trustee as provided in the Plan. The Employer shall also remit to
               the  Trustee  the   contributions   paid  by  the   participating
               Employees.  The Trustee shall be  accountable to the Employer for
               all  contributions  received from the  Employer,  but the Trustee
               shall have no duty to see that the contributions  received comply
               with the provisions of the Plan, nor shall the Trustee be obliged
               or have any right to enforce or collect any contribution from the
               Employer or otherwise see that the funds are deposited  according
               to  the  provisions  of  the  Plan.  The  Trustee  shall  not  be
               responsible for establishing a funding policy for the Plan.

          (b)  Payments of  benefits  under the Plan shall be made from the Fund
               by the Trustee or a paying agent to such persons or accounts,  in
               such  manner,  at such times and in such  amounts as the Employer
               may in writing  from time to time  direct.  The Trustee  shall be
               fully  protected in making payments out of the Fund in accordance
               with  such  written   directions.   The  Trustee   shall  not  be
               responsible for the application of any payments it is directed to
               make or for the  adequacy of the Fund to meet and  discharge  any
               and all liabilities under the Plan.


                                       46

<PAGE>



               If any payment of  benefits  directed to be made from the Fund by
               the Trustee is not claimed, the Trustee shall notify the Employer
               of that fact promptly. The Employer shall use its best efforts to
               ascertain the whereabouts of the payee or distributee of benefits
               returned unclaimed. The Trustee shall dispose of such payments as
               the Employer  shall direct.  The Trustee shall have no obligation
               to  search  for or  ascertain  the  whereabouts  of any  payee or
               distributee  of benefits from the Fund.  The Trustee shall not be
               liable for any payment  made by it in good faith  without  actual
               knowledge of the changed  status or  condition  of any  recipient
               thereof.

               The Employer may either  directly or through the appointment of a
               sub-agent assume the  responsibility  for making benefit payments
               under the Plan as an agent of the  Trustee by  written  agreement
               between the  parties.  If the Employer or its  sub-agent  assumes
               such  responsibility,  the Employer or its sub-agent shall open a
               commercial  banking  account  in the  name  of the  Trust  in any
               federally insured banking institution, including one which may be
               the Trustee, for the exclusive purpose of making benefit payments
               in accordance  with the Plan. The Employer or its sub-agent shall
               authorize one or more of its  officers,  or their  designees,  to
               sign, manually or by facsimile signature, all checks, drafts, and
               orders, including orders of direction in informal or letter form,
               against any funds in such checking  account.  The Employer or its
               sub-agent shall keep accurate and detailed  records  covering all
               receipts  and  disbursements  made  from the  account  and  shall
               prepare an appropriate accounting and reconciliation with respect
               thereto on a monthly basis.  The Employer or its sub-agent shall,
               on an annual  basis,  supply the Trustee a summary of the account
               records and a certification  that all disbursements were properly
               made. The Employer or its sub-agent shall pay, prepare,  file and
               furnish all local,  state and Federal tax  deposits,  returns and
               reports  required  by any  government  agency or  authority  with
               respect to distributions  from qualified plans. The Trustee shall
               make deposits from the Trust to the checking  account as directed
               in writing  from time to time by the  Employer or its  sub-agent,
               and the Trustee  shall have no duty to question the  propriety of
               any such  direction  or  account  for the  funds  retained  in or
               disbursed by or on behalf of the Employer or its  sub-agent,  but
               until so  disbursed  said  funds  shall be held in Trust for such
               purposes.

          (c)  The Trustee  shall  maintain  accurate and  detailed  records and
               accounts of all investments,  receipts,  disbursements  and other
               transactions  hereunder;  and all  accounts,  books  and  records
               relating  thereto  shall  be  open  at all  reasonable  times  to
               inspection  and audit by such  person or persons as the  Employer
               may  designate.  The Trustee shall submit to the auditors for the
               Employer or to anyone the Employer  designates,  such valuations,
               reports or other information as they may reasonably require.

               All monies and other property and the income  therefrom  shall be
               held and invested as a single Fund.  The Trustee shall  establish
               and maintain for operational  and accounting  purposes such other
               accounts  and  records as the  Employer  and the Trustee may from
               time  to  time  consider   necessary.   In  no  event  shall  the
               maintenance of any account or record by the Trustee mean that any
               person shall have an interest in any specific asset of the Fund.

               Within ninety (90) days following the close of each calendar year
               (or  following  the close of such other  annual  period as may be
               agreed upon by the Trustee and the  Employer)  or  following  the
               resignation  or  removal  of the  Trustee,  and as  often  as may
               reasonably be requested by the  Employer,  the Trustee shall file
               with the Employer a written  account  setting forth a description
               of all securities and other property  purchased and sold, and all
               receipts,  disbursements  and other  transactions  effected by it
               hereunder upon its own

                                       47

<PAGE>



               authority  or  pursuant to the  directions  of the  Employer,  an
               investment  manager or Participant  during such annual or shorter
               period,  and showing the securities and other  properties held at
               the end of such period, and their fair market value.

               The  Employer may approve such  accounting  by written  notice of
               approval  delivered  to the  Trustee  or by  failure  to  express
               objection to such accounting in writing  delivered to the Trustee
               within six (6) months from the date upon which the accounting was
               delivered to the Employer. Upon the receipt of a written approval
               of the  accounting,  or upon the  passage  of the  period of time
               within which  objection may be filed without  written  objections
               having been delivered to the Trustee,  such  accounting  shall be
               deemed to be  approved,  and the Trustee  shall be  released  and
               discharged as to all items,  matters and things set forth in such
               account,  as fully as if such  accounting  had been  settled  and
               allowed  by decree  of a court of  competent  jurisdiction  in an
               action or proceeding  in which the Trustee,  the Employer and all
               persons  having or claiming  to have any  interest in the Fund or
               under the Plan were  parties.  If the  Trustee  and the  Employer
               cannot agree with respect to any act or  transaction  reported in
               any  statement,  the  Trustee  shall  have the  right to have its
               accounts settled by judicial proceedings, in which event only the
               Trustee and the Employer shall be necessary parties.

11.3 Administrative Fees And Expenses All reasonable costs, charges and expenses
incurred  by the Trustee in  connection  with its duties  under this  Agreement,
including such reasonable compensation of the Trustee as may be agreed upon from
time to time between the  Employer and the Trustee,  shall be paid from the Fund
unless  paid or  advanced  by the  Employer.  The Trustee may deduct such costs,
charges,  expenses and  compensation  from the Fund upon  written  notice to the
Employer.  When directed in writing by the Employer,  the Trustee also shall pay
from the Fund all expenses in connection with the  administration of the Plan to
the extent the Employer  does not itself pay such  expenses.  In  addition,  the
Employer  may direct the Trustee in writing to  reimburse  the  Employer for any
reasonable,  direct Plan expenses which have been properly and actually incurred
and for which the Employer has not been  otherwise  reimbursed.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  no compensation  other than  reimbursement for expenses shall be
paid to a Plan  Administrator who is the Employer or a full-time Employee of the
Employer.  In the event any part of the Trust becomes  subject to tax, all taxes
incurred shall be paid from the Fund unless the Plan  Administrator  or Employer
directs the Trustee not to pay such tax and the Employer indemnifies the Trustee
to its  satisfaction.  The Trustee shall be fully  protected in making  payments
under this paragraph.

11.4      Division Of Duties And Indemnification

          (a)  The Trustee  shall not be obligated to inquire  whether any payee
               of  funds  or  any  distributee  of  benefits  designated  by the
               Employer is entitled  thereto or whether any payment,  allocation
               or distribution directed or authorized by the Employer is proper,
               or within the terms of the Plan, and shall not be accountable for
               any payment,  allocation or  distribution  made by the Trustee in
               good faith on the order or direction of the Employer.

          (b)  The  Trustee  shall be fully  protected  for any action  taken or
               omitted pursuant to any direction, consent, certificate, or other
               document which the person acting in reliance thereon may consider
               pertinent, reliable and genuine, and to have been signed, made or
               presented by the proper party or parties.  All  directions by the
               Employer, the Plan Administrator or other authorized person shall
               be in writing,  except  investment  directions may be provided to
               the Trustee  through a telephone  operated voice response  system
               pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 13.6 below.  The Employer
               shall  deliver  to  the  Trustee   certificates   evidencing  the
               individual or  individuals  authorized to act as set forth in the
               Adoption Agreement or as the Employer may subsequently inform the
               Trustee in

                                       48

<PAGE>



               writing  and shall  deliver  to the  Trustee  specimens  of their
               signatures.  The Trustee shall not recognize or take notice of an
               appointment  of  any  representative  of  the  Employer  or  Plan
               Administrator  unless and until the Employer  shall have notified
               the Trustee in writing of such appointment and the extent of such
               representative's  authority.  The  Trustee  may assume  that such
               appointment  and  authority  continue in effect until it receives
               written  notice to the  contrary  from the  Employer.  Any action
               taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee by  authority  of any
               representative of the Employer or Plan  Administrator  within the
               scope of his  authority  shall be as  effective  for all purposes
               hereof as if such action or nonaction had been  authorized by the
               Employer or Plan Administrator. The Trustee, the Employer and any
               representative  of the Employer or the Plan  Administrator  shall
               each be fully  protected  in acting and relying upon any evidence
               described in this paragraph.

          (c)  The Trustee  shall have no power,  authority or duty with respect
               to the determination of the rights or interests of any persons in
               and to the  Fund or  under  the  Plan  nor to  examine  into  the
               determination of any right or interest.

          (d)  The Employer has allocated  fiduciary  responsibility  to various
               fiduciaries  according  to the  terms of the Plan and this  Trust
               document. In carrying out its  responsibilities,  the Trustee and
               each fiduciary  hereunder shall act solely in the interest of the
               Participants and beneficiaries and with the care, skill, prudence
               and diligence  under the  circumstances  then  prevailing  that a
               prudent  man acting in a like  capacity  and  familiar  with such
               matters  would  use in the  conduct  of an  enterprise  of a like
               character and with like aims.

          (e)  The  Trustee  shall be  indemnified  and  saved  harmless  by the
               Employer,  from and against any and all liability,  including all
               expenses reasonably incurred in its defense, to which the Trustee
               shall be  subjected  by reason of 1) any  action  taken  upon the
               direction of the Employer,  the Plan Administrator,  Participant,
               an  investment  manager or any other  authorized  person;  2) any
               action taken or omitted or any investment or  disbursement of any
               part  of the  Fund  made by the  Trustee  at the  direction  of a
               Participant  or an  investment  manager,  or  any  inaction  with
               respect  to  the  Fund  in  the  absence  of  directions  from  a
               Participant or an investment manager;  and 3) any action taken by
               the Trustee pursuant to a notification of an order to purchase or
               sell  securities  issued by an investment  manager  directly to a
               broker  or  dealer  under a power  of  attorney.  The  costs  and
               expenses of enforcing this right of indemnification shall be paid
               by the Employer. In addition, to the extent the Effective Date of
               the  appointment  of the Trustee is later than the Effective Date
               of the amended  Plan,  the Trustee will have no liability for the
               acts or the  omissions of any prior  trustee or prior  custodian.
               The Employer agrees to hold the Trustee  harmless with respect to
               the  prior  acts or  omissions  of any  prior  trustee  or  prior
               custodian.

11.5 Co-Fiduciary Liability A fiduciary,  with respect to the Plan, shall not be
liable  for a breach of  fiduciary  responsibility  of  another  fiduciary  with
respect to the Plan except to the extent that:

          (a)  it participates knowingly in, or knowingly undertakes to conceal,
               an act or omission of such other  fiduciary,  knowing such act or
               omission is a breach; or

          (b)  it has knowledge of a breach by such other  fiduciary,  unless it
               makes  reasonable  efforts under the  circumstances to remedy the
               breach.


                                       49

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE XII

                                   TRUST FUND


12.1 The Fund  The Fund  shall  consist  of all  contributions  received  by the
Trustee,  made under  Article III and Article IV of the Plan and the  investment
thereof and earnings  thereon.  All such  contributions and the earnings thereon
less payments made under the terms of the Plan,  shall  constitute the Fund. The
Fund shall be administered as provided in this document.

12.2  Control Of Plan  Assets The assets of the Fund or  evidence  of  ownership
shall be held by the Trustee under the terms of the Plan and Trust document.  If
the assets  represent  amounts  transferred  from another trustee under a former
plan, the Trustee named  hereunder shall not be responsible for the propriety of
any investment under the former plan.

12.3 Exclusive  Benefit Rules No part of the Fund shall be used for, or diverted
to,  purposes  other  than for the  exclusive  benefit of  Participants,  former
Participants  with a vested  interest,  and the beneficiary or  beneficiaries of
deceased Participants having a vested interest in the Fund at death.

12.4 Assignment And Alienation Of Benefits No right or claim to, or interest in,
any part of the  Fund,  or any  payment  from  the  Fund,  shall be  assignable,
transferable, or subject to sale, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,  commutation,
anticipation,  garnishment,  attachment,  execution,  or levy of any  kind.  The
Trustee  shall not recognize any attempt to assign,  transfer,  sell,  mortgage,
pledge,  hypothecate,  commute,  or  anticipate  the same,  except to the extent
required  by law.  The  preceding  sentences  shall also apply to the  creation,
assignment,  or recognition of a right to any benefit  payable with respect to a
Participant  pursuant  to a  domestic  relations  order,  unless  such  order is
determined by the Plan Administrator to be a Qualified Domestic Relations Order,
as defined in Code Section  414(p),  or any  domestic  relations  order  entered
before January 1, 1985 which the Plan Administrator deems to be qualified.



                                       50

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                   INVESTMENTS


13.1  Fiduciary  Standards The Trustee  shall invest and reinvest  principal and
income of the Fund in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this  Article and in
accordance with the investment objectives established by the Employer,  provided
that:

          (a)  such investments are prudent under the Employee Retirement Income
               Security Act of 1974 and the regulations promulgated thereunder;

          (b)  such  investments  are  sufficiently  diversified to minimize the
               risk of large losses unless under the circumstances it is clearly
               prudent not to do so; and

          (c)  in  determining   whether  the   requirements   of  prudence  and
               diversification   stated  in  Sections   404(a)(1)(B)   and  (C),
               respectively,  of ERISA have been met, all the investments of the
               Fund  shall be  considered  in their  entirety,  and the  portion
               managed by the Trustee  hereunder shall be only one consideration
               in making such a  determination.  If the Employer  maintains  the
               right to direct the Trustee regarding investments of the Trust or
               if one or more investment managers in addition to the Trustee are
               appointed,   the  Employer  so  acting  or  appointing  shall  be
               responsible   for   seeing   that  the   requirement   of  proper
               diversification of the total Plan assets mentioned above has been
               met,  and neither the Trustee nor any  investment  manager  shall
               have any such responsibility therefor.

13.2 Funding Arrangement  Pursuant to execution of the Adoption  Agreement,  the
Employer appoints the Sponsor to serve as Trustee of the Fund. The Fund shall be
invested in any of the  investment  alternatives  available to the Trustee under
paragraph 13.3 as provided herein.

13.3  Investment  And  Administrative  Powers Of The  Trustee  Unless  otherwise
provided  pursuant to  paragraphs  13.4,  13.5 and 13.6,  the  Trustee  shall be
responsible  for  the  investment  and  reinvestment  of the  Fund,  subject  to
investment  objectives as may be  established  from time to time by the Employer
and communicated to the Trustee in writing.  Subject to the preceding  sentence,
the Trustee shall have the following powers and rights with respect to the Fund,
in addition to those vested in it elsewhere in this Agreement or by law:

          (a)  To invest the Fund in such bonds, notes,  debentures,  mortgages,
               equipment  trust  certificates,  investment  trust  certificates,
               insurance  and  annuity  contracts,  preferred  or  common  stock
               (including common stock of the Employer),  registered  investment
               companies (including,  specifically,  the HT Insight Funds, Inc.,
               provided  that  the   requirements   of  Prohibited   Transaction
               Exemption  77-4  are  met) or in  such  other  property,  real or
               personal, as the Trustee may deem advisable;

          (b)  To deposit any part or all of the money and  property of the Fund
               in  any  common,  group  or  collective  investment  trust  which
               provides  for the pooling or  commingling  of the assets of plans
               described in Code  Section  401(a) and exempt from tax under Code
               Section  501(a),  or any  comparable  provisions  of  any  future
               legislation   that  amends,   supplements  or  supersedes   those
               sections,  including  any such trust which is  maintained  by the
               Trustee, an investment manager, or a bank as trustee, pursuant to
               all the terms and conditions of such common,  group or collective
               investment trust, the provisions of which are hereby incorporated
               in and made a part of this agreement. In addition, the Trustee is
               specifically  authorized  to deposit any part or all of the money
               and property of the Fund with

                                       51

<PAGE>



               HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, Chicago,  Illinois,  as trustee of
               the HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK TRUST FOR COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT
               OF EMPLOYEE  BENEFIT  ACCOUNTS,  restated by Declaration of Trust
               effective August 31, 1993, and as amended (the "Harris Collective
               Trust");

          (c)  To hold a  reasonable  portion of the Fund in cash to provide for
               the payment of current  expenses and benefits  under the Plan and
               Trust and otherwise as permitted by law, and may deposit any cash
               so held in its banking  department  without liability to the Fund
               for  interest  thereon;  the Harris  Trust and Savings  Bank,  as
               Trustee, shall have the power and authority to invest Plan assets
               in deposits in itself or in its affiliates,  which deposits shall
               bear a reasonable rate of interest;

          (d)  To manage,  sell,  contract to sell,  grant  options to purchase,
               convey,  exchange,  transfer,  abandon,  improve, repair, insure,
               lease  for any term  even  though  commencing  in the  future  or
               extending  beyond the term of the Trust,  and otherwise deal with
               all  property,  real  or  personal,  in  such  manner,  for  such
               consideration and on such terms and conditions as the Trustee may
               decide;  and no person dealing with the Trustee shall be required
               to see to the  application of any money or property  delivered to
               the Trustee or to inquire  into the  validity or propriety of any
               transaction with the Trustee;

          (e)  To borrow  such sum or sums from time to time from such person or
               entity (including the Trustee) as the Trustee considers necessary
               or desirable and in the best  interest of the Fund,  and for that
               purpose to mortgage or pledge any part of the Fund;

          (f)  To compromise, contest, arbitrate or abandon claims or demands by
               or against the Fund;

          (g)  To have,  with  respect  to the  Fund,  all of the  rights  of an
               individual  owner,  including  the  power  to  give  proxies,  to
               participate   in   voting   trusts,   mergers,    consolidations,
               foreclosures, reorganizations or liquidations, and to exercise or
               sell stock subscription or conversion rights (except that proxies
               and other matters  associated with shares of Employer Stock shall
               be given as provided in paragraph 13.7;

          (h)  To hold  any  securities  or  other  property  in the name of the
               Trustee or a nominee,  or in such form as it deems best,  with or
               without disclosing the trust relationship;

          (i)  To retain any funds or property  subject to any  dispute  without
               liability  for payment of  interest,  and to withhold  payment or
               delivery  thereof  until final  adjudication  of the dispute by a
               court of competent jurisdiction;

          (j)  To  begin,   maintain  or  defend  any  litigation  necessary  in
               connection with the  administration of the Plan or the Trust, and
               the Employer shall indemnify the Trustee against all expenses and
               liabilities  sustained  or  anticipated  by it by reason  thereof
               (including reasonable attorneys' fees);

          (k)  To pay out of any benefit distributable from the Fund any estate,
               inheritance,   income  or  other   tax,   charge  or   assessment
               attributable  thereto,  but the Trustee  shall give the  Employer
               notice of its  intention to make such  payments as far in advance
               as may be  practicable,  and shall  defer  such  payments  if the
               Employer  so  requests  and   indemnifies   the  Trustee  to  its
               satisfaction.  The Employer and the  Trustee,  or either,  before
               making payment of any benefit,  may require such release or other
               documents  from any lawful taxing  authority  and such  indemnity
               from the intended payee as they respectively  consider  necessary
               for their protection;

                                       52

<PAGE>




          (l)  To buy, sell, and exercise call and put options on stocks,  fixed
               income securities,  stock and fixed income indices,  market index
               and interest rate futures contracts,  and to buy and sell futures
               contracts;

          (m)  To engage in the lending of securities pursuant to regulations of
               the  Department  of Labor  and any  other  applicable  regulatory
               authority;

          (n)  To deposit  securities with a clearing  corporation as defined in
               Article  8  of  the  Illinois   Uniform   Commercial   Code.  The
               certificates  representing securities,  including those in bearer
               form,  may be held in bulk form  with,  and may be  merged  into,
               certificates   of  the  same  class  of  the  same  issuer  which
               constitute   assets  of  other   accounts   or  owners,   without
               certification  as to the  ownership  attached.  Utilization  of a
               book-entry  system  may be made for the  transfer  or  pledge  of
               securities held by the Trustee or by a clearing corporation.  The
               Trustee  shall at all times,  however,  maintain  a separate  and
               distinct record of the securities owned by the Trust;

          (o)  To participate in and use the Federal  Book-Entry Account System,
               a service  provided  by the Federal  Reserve  Bank for its member
               banks for deposit of eligible securities;

          (p)  To employ  (and pay)  agents,  experts  and  counsel  (who may be
               counsel to the Employer) and to delegate discretionary powers to,
               and reasonably rely upon information and advice furnished by such
               agents, experts and counsel;

          (q)  To invest any portion of the Fund as directed by the Employer, or
               an  investment  manager  or  Participant,  if  permitted  by  the
               Employer (for purposes of this sub-section,  hereinafter referred
               to together as  "authorized  persons"),  by making  deposits from
               time to time with an insurance  company or companies under one or
               more insurance  contracts,  policies or agreements or combination
               thereof and to exercise any and all rights,  privileges,  options
               and  elections  thereunder  only to the  extent  directed  by the
               Employer or other authorized  persons.  The Trustee shall have no
               duty to inquire into the terms and provisions of any  application
               or other documents  executed by it upon direction of the Employer
               or other authorized persons or of any insurance contract,  policy
               or  agreement  acquired by or delivered to it nor to see that the
               terms and the provisions of the Plan in respect thereof have been
               complied with;

          (r)  To make loans to Participants as directed by the Employer;

          (s)  To invest any portion of the Fund as directed by the Employer (or
               an  investment  manager  or  Participant,  if  permitted  by  the
               Employer) in the common  stock,  debt  obligations,  or any other
               securities  issued  by the  Employer  or by an  affiliate  of the
               Employer within the limitations provided under Sections 406, 407,
               and 408 of the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974,
               and further  provided that such  investment does not constitute a
               prohibited transaction under Code Section 4975. If the investment
               of a portion of the Fund in  Employer  securities  is directed by
               the Employer pursuant to this sub-section,  the Employer shall be
               responsible to determine the propriety of such  investment of the
               Fund, and, if the investment of a portion of the Fund in Employer
               securities is directed by an investment manager or a Participant,
               the Employer shall be responsible  for  determining the propriety
               of establishing such investment fund; and

          (t)  To perform any and all other acts in its  judgment  necessary  or
               appropriate   for  the   proper  and   advantageous   management,
               investment and distribution of the Fund.

                                       53

<PAGE>




13.4 Employer Investment Directions  Notwithstanding  anything in this Agreement
to the contrary,  the Employer  shall have the right from time to time to direct
the  Trustee  with  respect  to  the  acquisition,   retention,  management  and
disposition of the assets from time to time comprising the Fund. If the Employer
exercises this right, it shall also direct the Trustee to segregate that portion
of the Fund to be managed by the Employer into one or more accounts, to be known
as "Employer directed accounts".  The Trustee shall follow all directions of the
Employer  with respect to the assets of an Employer  directed  account and shall
have no duty or  obligation  to review the assets from time to time so acquired,
nor to make any recommendations with respect to the investment,  reinvestment or
retention thereof. The Trustee shall vote the proxies associated with the assets
held in an employer  directed  account as directed by the Employer.  The Trustee
shall have no  liability  to the  Employer or any  beneficiary  of the Trust for
acting  without  question  on the  direction  of, or for  failure  to act in the
absence of directions  from the Employer.  The Trustee shall be indemnified  and
held  harmless by the Employer  from and against any and all loss,  liability or
expense to which the Trustee  shall be  subjected  by reason of carrying out any
directions  of the  Employer  made  pursuant to this  paragraph,  including  all
expenses  reasonably  incurred in its defense if the  Employer  fails to provide
such  defense  as well as all costs,  fees and  expenses,  including  reasonable
attorneys'   fees  the   Trustee   may  incur  in   enforcing   its   rights  to
indemnification.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Trustee, without
further  prior  approval  from the  Employer  shall  have the  power,  right and
authority  to invest  cash  balances  held by it from time to time as part of an
Employer  directed account and,  further,  the Trustee is hereby directed by the
Employer to exercise  this power,  right and  authority by  investing  such cash
balances in short-term cash equivalents having ready  marketability,  including,
but not limited to, savings accounts, certificates of deposit (including savings
accounts and  certificates of deposit with the Trustee in its banking  capacity,
so long as such  accounts  bear a  reasonable  rate  of  interest),  the  Harris
Collective  Trust,  United States treasury bills,  commercial paper, and similar
types of securities,  and the Trustee  without prior approval or direction shall
have the power,  right and authority to sell such short-term  investments as may
be  necessary  to carry out the  instructions  of the  Employer  with respect to
investing  the funds managed by the Employer.  In addition,  pending  receipt of
directions from the Employer, reasonable amounts of cash received by the Trustee
may be  retained  by the  Trustee,  in its  discretion,  in  cash,  without  any
liability for interest for any funds managed by the Employer.

13.5 Investment Manager Directions Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, the Employer shall have the right from time to time to appoint and
remove an investment manager and to direct the segregation of any part or all of
the Fund into one or more accounts, to be known as "investment manager accounts"
and if it does so, it shall appoint an individual, partnership or corporation as
investment  manager to manage the portion or portions of the Fund so segregated.
An "investment  manager" is a fiduciary other than an ERISA "named fiduciary" or
the Trustee under this instrument who: (i) has the power to manage,  acquire, or
dispose of any portion of the Fund; (ii) is registered as an investment  adviser
under the Investment  Advisers Act of 1940, is a bank as defined in that Act, or
is an insurance company  qualified to perform the service described herein;  and
(iii) has  acknowledged  in writing  that it is a fiduciary  with respect to the
Plan.  Written  notice of any such  appointment or removal shall be given to the
Trustee  and the  investment  manager so  appointed.  As long as the  investment
manager is acting,  such  investment  manager shall direct the Trustee to invest
and the Trustee  shall invest the assets of the  investment  manager  account in
such  bonds,  notes,  debentures,   mortgages,   equipment  trust  certificates,
preferred or common  stocks,  registered  investment  companies,  insurance  and
annuity  contracts,  or in  such  other  property,  real  or  personal,  as  the
investment  manager  deems  advisable.  The  investment  manager shall have full
authority  and the  responsibility  to direct the  Trustee  with  respect to the
acquisition,  retention,  management,  and disposition of all of the assets from
time to time  comprising  the investment  manager  account being managed by such
investment manager and the voting of proxies thereon, and the Trustee shall have
no duty or  obligation  to review the assets from time to time  comprising  such
investment  manager  account,  to  make  recommendations  with  respect  to  the
investment,  reinvestment,  or retention thereof, nor with respect to the voting
of proxies thereon,  nor to determine whether any direction from such investment
manager is proper or within the terms of this Agreement.

Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions,  the Trustee,  without further prior
approval of the Employer or direction  from the investment  manager,  shall have
the power,  right and  authority to invest cash balances held by it from time to
time as part of an  investment  manager  account  and,  further,  the Trustee is
hereby directed by the Employer to

                                       54

<PAGE>



exercise  this power,  right and  authority by investing  such cash  balances in
short-term cash equivalents having ready marketability, including, specifically,
the Harris Collective  Trust, in addition to, savings accounts,  certificates of
deposit (including savings accounts and certificates of deposit with the Trustee
in its banking  capacity,  so long as such  accounts  bear a reasonable  rate of
interest),  United States treasury bills, commercial paper, and similar types of
securities,  and the Trustee  without prior approval or direction shall have the
power,  right  and  authority  to sell  such  short-term  investments  as may be
necessary to carry out the  instructions of the investment  manager with respect
to investing the investment  manager  account.  In addition,  pending receipt of
directions from the investment  manager,  reasonable amounts of cash received by
the Trustee from time to time for any investment manager account may be retained
by the Trustee, in its discretion, in cash, without any liability for interest.

The  Trustee  shall  have the  right to  request  that  some  part or all of the
directions made by an investment manager pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
be in  writing  and shall  assume no  liability  hereunder  for  failure  to act
pursuant to directions which fail to conform to such request.

It is  understood  and agreed by the parties that while the Trustee will perform
certain  ministerial and custodial  duties with respect to the assets held in an
investment  manager account,  such duties will be performed in the normal course
by  officers  and other  Employees  of the Trustee  who may be  unfamiliar  with
investment management, and that such duties will not include the exercise of any
discretionary  authority  or  other  authority  to  manage  and  control  assets
comprising the investment  manager account.  The Trustee shall have no liability
or  responsibility  to the Employer or any  beneficiary  of the Trust for acting
without  question on the  direction  of, or for failure to act in the absence of
directions  from the  investment  manager  for any  investment  manager  account
previously  established,  and the appointment of any investment manager for that
account shall  continue in force until receipt of written notice to the contrary
from the  Employer.  In addition,  the Trustee shall have no  responsibility  to
invest or manage  any asset  held in an  investment  manager  account  until the
Trustee is (1)  notified by the  Employer in writing of the  termination  of the
investment  manager's authority over the assets of such account and (2) directed
in writing to  terminate  the  investment  manager  account and to transfer  the
assets of such account to the Fund.

If the  Employer  appoints  an  investment  manager  (including  a bank or trust
company) which decides to invest in a collective  investment  fund it advises or
maintains,  then,  upon direction of the Employer,  the Trustee shall enter into
those  agreements  necessary  for the purpose of  investing  in such  collective
investment fund.

13.6 Employee  Investment  Direction If approved by the Employer in the Adoption
Agreement,  Participants  shall be given the option to direct the  investment of
their personal contributions,  their share of the Employer's contributions,  and
their existing account balance among alternative investment funds established by
the  Employer as part of the  overall  Fund.  If such option is made  available,
Participants  shall provide said investment  directions to the Employer who will
then instruct the Trustee with respect to the Employee's investment  directions,
or, if the  Employer  so  elects,  Participants  shall have the option of either
providing such investment  directions to the Employer who will then instruct the
Trustee,  or to the Trustee directly through a telephone operated voice response
system  provided  by the  Trustee.  Any  investment  direction  received  from a
Participant  which is provided to the Trustee  through a voice  response  system
shall  be  deemed  to be a  direction  of the  Employer,  as to that  investment
direction,  in the  event  such  direction  is  determined  not  to be a  proper
Participant direction.  The following rules shall apply to the administration of
such funds.

          (a)  At the time an Employee  becomes  eligible to  participate in the
               Plan,  he or she  shall  file  with the  Employer  an  investment
               designation  form provided by the Employer stating the percentage
               of his or  her  contributions  to be  invested  in the  available
               funds, or if approved by the Employer, the Employee may designate
               such  percentages of his or her  contributions  to be invested in
               the available funds by using a telephone  operated voice response
               system provided by the Trustee.


                                       55

<PAGE>



          (b)  In  accordance  with  the  procedures  established  by  the  Plan
               Administrator,  a Participant may change his or her election with
               respect to future contributions by filing with the Employer a new
               investment  designation  form  provided by the  Employer,  or, if
               approved by the Employer,  the  Participant  may  designate  such
               changes  by using a  telephone  operated  voice  response  system
               provided by the Trustee.

          (c)  In  accordance  with  the  procedures  established  by  the  Plan
               Administrator, a Participant may elect to transfer all or part of
               his or her balance from one investment  fund to another by filing
               with the Employer an investment  designation form provided by the
               Employer,  or, if approved by the Employer,  the  Participant may
               designate  such  transfers  by using a telephone  operated  voice
               response system provided by the Trustee.

          (d)  The Employer shall be responsible when transmitting  Employee and
               Employer  contributions  to show the dollar amount to be credited
               to each investment fund for each Employee.

          (e)  Except as  otherwise  provided in the Plan,  neither the Trustee,
               nor the  Employer,  nor any fiduciary of the Plan shall be liable
               to a Participant or any of his or her  beneficiaries for any loss
               resulting from action taken at the direction of such  Participant
               either  directly  to the  Employer  or to the  Trustee  through a
               telephone operated voice response system.

          (f)  Except for proxies and other  matters  associated  with shares of
               Employer  Stock  which  shall  be  voted  or  given  pursuant  to
               paragraph  13.7,  all proxies and other matters  associated  with
               assets  of the  Fund  subject  to  the  investment  direction  of
               Participants, shall be voted or given by the Trustee.

13.7 Voting Of Proxies On Employer Stock Each Participant under the Plan is, for
purposes of this  section,  hereby  designated  a "named  fiduciary"  within the
meaning of ERISA  Section  403(a)(1),  with respect to shares of common stock of
the  Employer  ("Employer  Stock")  held in his account and with  respect to his
"proportionate  share" [as  determined  in  subparagraphs  (a) and (b) below] of
unallocated shares of Employer Stock and, for purposes of voting rights,  shares
of Employer Stock held in the accounts of Participants for which the Trustee has
not received voting instructions  ("non-voted  Employer Stock"). For purposes of
this section, the term "Participant" shall include the beneficiary of a deceased
Participant  who is  entitled  to  receive  amounts  held in such  Participant's
accounts under the terms of the Plan.

          (a)  Voting Shares of Employer Stock.  Each Participant shall have the
               right to  instruct  the  Trustee  in  writing as to the manner in
               which to cast the votes  attributable  to all shares of  Employer
               Stock allocated to his account. The Trustee shall vote, in person
               or by proxy,  shares of such stock held by the Trustee  which are
               allocated  to  a   Participant's   account  in  accordance   with
               instructions  received from such  Participant.  Each  Participant
               shall also be deemed to have  instructed  the Trustee to vote, in
               accordance with his vote on shares of Employer Stock allocated to
               his account, his "proportionate share" (as determined in the last
               sentence of this  subparagraph) of the votes  attributable to all
               shares of non-voted  Employer Stock and all unallocated shares of
               Employer Stock. The Employer shall use its best efforts to timely
               distribute or cause to be  distributed  to each  Participant  the
               information  distributed  to  stockholders  of  the  Employer  in
               connection with any stockholders'  meeting,  together with a form
               requesting  confidential  instructions to the Trustee on how such
               votes  attributable  to shares of Employer Stock shall be cast on
               each such matter.  Upon timely receipt of such instructions,  the
               Trustee  shall,  on  each  such  matter,  cast  as  directed  the
               appropriate  number of votes  attributable  to shares  (including
               fractional  shares) of Employer Stock. The instructions  received
               by the Trustee

                                       56

<PAGE>



               from  individual  Participants  shall be held by the  Trustee  in
               strict  confidence  and shall not be  divulged or released to any
               person,  including  Employees,  officers  and  directors  of  the
               Employer;  provided,  however,  that, to the extent necessary for
               the operation of the Plan, such  instructions  may be released by
               the Trustee to a recordkeeper,  auditor or other person providing
               services  to  the  Plan.   The   "proportionate   share"  of  any
               Participant of the votes  attributable to all shares of non-voted
               Employer Stock and all unallocated shares of Employer Stock shall
               be a  fraction,  the  numerator  of which  shall be the number of
               votes attributable to shares of the Employer Stock which are held
               in such Participant's account as of the record date for such vote
               for  which  he  provides  instructions  to the  Trustee  and  the
               denominator of which shall be the number of votes attributable to
               all  shares  of  Employer  Stock  held for the Plan  (other  than
               unallocated  shares)  on such  date for  which  instructions  are
               received by the Trustee.

          (b)  Tender  Offers  Relating  To  Shares  Of  Employer  Stock.   Each
               Participant  shall  have the right to  instruct  the  Trustee  in
               writing  as to the  manner  in which to  respond  to a tender  or
               exchange offer (including,  but not limited to, a tender offer or
               exchange  offer within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1934,
               as  amended)  with  respect  to  all  shares  of  Employer  Stock
               allocated  to his  account.  The  Trustee  shall  respond to such
               tender or exchange  offer in respect of shares of Employer  Stock
               allocated  to  a   Participant's   account  in  accordance   with
               instructions  received from such  Participant.  Each  Participant
               shall  also be deemed to have  instructed  the  Trustee as to the
               manner in which to  respond  to a tender or  exchange  offer,  in
               accordance  with his  instructions  given or  deemed to have been
               given with respect to shares of Employer  Stock  allocated to his
               accounts,  with  respect  to  his  "proportionate  share"  of all
               unallocated  shares of Employer Stock. The Employer shall use its
               best efforts to timely  distribute or cause to be  distributed to
               each  Participant the information  distributed to stockholders of
               the  Employer in  connection  with any tender or exchange  offer,
               together with a form requesting confidential  instructions to the
               Trustee  on how to respond to such  tender or  exchange  offer on
               behalf  of  the   Participant.   Upon  timely   receipt  of  such
               instructions,  the  Trustee  shall  respond  to  such  tender  or
               exchange offer as instructed by the  Participant.  If, and to the
               extent that,  the Trustee shall not receive  timely  instructions
               from a  Participant  given a right to  instruct  the  Trustee  to
               tender or exchange  with  respect to the shares  described in the
               first sentence of this  subparagraph,  such Participant  shall be
               deemed to have  timely  instructed  the  Trustee not to tender or
               exchange such shares of Employer Stock. The instructions received
               by the Trustee from Participants  shall be held by the Trustee in
               strict  confidence  and shall not be  divulged or released to any
               person,  including  Employees,  officers  and  directors  of  the
               Employer;  provided,  however,  that, to the extent necessary for
               the operation of the Plan, such  instructions  may be released by
               the Trustee to a recordkeeper,  auditor or other person providing
               services  to  the  Plan.   The   "proportionate   share"  of  any
               Participant of all the unallocated shares of Employer Stock shall
               be a  fraction,  the  numerator  of which  shall be the number of
               votes  attributable to shares of Employer Stock which are held in
               such Participant's  account as of the date of the announcement of
               the tender or exchange  offer and the  denominator of which shall
               be the number of votes  attributable  to all  shares of  Employer
               Stock held for the Plan (other than  unallocated  shares) on such
               date.


                                       57

<PAGE>




                                  ARTICLE XIV

                              TOP-HEAVY PROVISIONS


14.1 Applicability Of Rules If the Plan is or becomes Top-Heavy in any Plan Year
beginning  after  1983,  the  provisions  of this  Article  will  supersede  any
conflicting provisions in the Plan or Adoption Agreement.

14.2 Minimum Contribution  Notwithstanding any other provision in the Employer's
Plan, for any Plan Year in which the Plan is Top-Heavy,  the aggregate  Employer
contributions  and forfeitures  allocated on behalf of any Participant  (without
regard  to any  Social  Security  contribution)  under  this  Plan and any other
Defined Contribution Plan of the Employer shall be determined as follows:

          (a)  When the Employer  maintains one Plan or a combination  of Paired
               or non-paired  Defined  Contribution Plans and no Defined Benefit
               Plans which are Top-Heavy or Super  Top-Heavy,  the Employer will
               contribute the lesser of 3% of such Participant's Compensation or
               the largest percentage of Employer contributions and forfeitures,
               as a percentage  of the first  $200,000,  as adjusted  under Code
               Section 415(d), of the Key Employee's Compensation,  allocated on
               behalf of any Key Employee for that year.

          (b)  Minimum Top-Heavy  Contributions for Paired Defined  Contribution
               and  Defined   Benefit  Plans  where  the  Plans  are  not  Super
               Top-Heavy:

               (1)  If an Employee  participates in Paired Defined  Contribution
                    Plan  #02001  or  #02002  and also  participates  in  Paired
                    Defined Benefit Plan #04001,  #04002,  #04003 or #04004, the
                    Employer shall provide a minimum  non-integrated  benefit of
                    3% of the highest  5-consecutive  year average  Compensation
                    for each non-Key  Employee who  participates in such Defined
                    Benefit Plan, not to exceed a cumulative  accrued benefit of
                    30%.

               (2)  If an Employee  participates in Paired Defined  Contribution
                    Plan #02001 or #02002,  but does not  participate  in Paired
                    Defined Benefit Plan #04001,  #04002,  #04003 or #04004, the
                    Employer shall make a minimum  non-integrated  allocation of
                    Employer  contributions  and  forfeitures  (in the aggregate
                    under all Defined Contribution Plans) of 4% of each eligible
                    Participant's Top-Heavy Compensation.

          (c)  Minimum Top-Heavy  Contributions for Paired Defined  Contribution
               and Defined Benefit Plans where the Plans are Super Top-Heavy:

               (1)  If an Employee  participates  in Defined  Contribution  Plan
                    #02001 or #02002 and in Paired Defined  Benefit Plan #04001,
                    #04002,  #04003 or  #04004,  the  Employer  shall  provide a
                    minimum   non-integrated   benefit  of  2%  of  the  highest
                    5-consecutive  year  average  Compensation  for each non-Key
                    Employee who  participates in such Defined Benefit Plan, not
                    to exceed a cumulative accrued benefit of 20%.

               (2)  If an Employee  participates  in Defined  Contribution  Plan
                    #02001 or #02002, but does not participate in Paired Defined
                    Benefit Plan #04001,  #04002,  #04003 or #04004, the minimum
                    contribution  requirements  at  paragraph  14.2(b)(2)  shall
                    apply  except  that the  minimum  non-integrated  allocation
                    percentage shall be 3% instead of 4%.


                                       58

<PAGE>



          (d)  If the Employer  maintains or  maintained a Defined  Benefit Plan
               which  is not  paired,  the  provisions  of the  "Limitations  on
               Allocations" section of the Adoption Agreement shall apply.

Each  Participant  who is employed  by the  Employer on the last day of the Plan
Year shall be  entitled  to  receive an  allocation  of the  Employer's  minimum
contribution  for such Plan Year.  The minimum  allocation  applies  even though
under other Plan provisions the  Participant  would not otherwise be entitled to
receive an allocation,  or would have received a lesser  allocation for the year
because the Participant  fails to make Mandatory  Contributions to the Plan, the
Participant's  Compensation  is less than a stated  amount,  or the  Participant
fails to complete  1,000 Hours of Service (or such lesser  number  designated by
the  Employer  in the  Adoption  Agreement  during  the  Plan  Year.)  A  Paired
profit-sharing  Plan  designated to provide the minimum  Top-Heavy  contribution
must do so regardless of profits. Unless the Employer specifies otherwise in the
Adoption Agreement,  the minimum Top-Heavy contribution will be allocated to the
accounts of all eligible Participants, even if they are Key Employees.

For  purposes of  computing  the  minimum  allocation,  Compensation  shall mean
Compensation as defined in paragraph 1.8(c) of the Plan.

The Top-Heavy  minimum  contribution  does not apply to any  Participant  to the
extent the  Participant  is covered  under any other plan(s) of the Employer and
the Employer has provided in the Adoption  Agreement that the minimum allocation
or benefit  requirements  applicable to Top-Heavy Plans will be met in the other
plan(s).

14.3  Minimum  Vesting  For any Plan Year in which this Plan is  Top-Heavy,  the
minimum vesting schedule elected by the Employer in the Adoption  Agreement will
automatically  apply  to the  Plan.  If the  vesting  schedule  selected  by the
Employer in the Adoption Agreement is less liberal than the allowable  schedule,
the schedule will  automatically be modified.  If the vesting schedule under the
Employer's  Plan shifts in or out of the  Top-Heavy  schedule for any Plan Year,
such shift is an amendment to the vesting schedule and the election in paragraph
9.8 of the Plan applies.  The minimum vesting  schedule  applies to all benefits
within the  meaning of Code  Section  411(a)(7)  except  those  attributable  to
Employee contributions,  including benefits accrued before the effective date of
Code Section 416 and benefits accrued before the Plan became Top-Heavy. Further,
no  reduction  in vested  benefits  may occur in the event the Plan's  status as
Top-Heavy changes for any Plan Year.  However,  this paragraph does not apply to
the account  balances of any Employee who does not have an Hour of Service after
the Plan  initially  becomes  Top-Heavy  and  such  Employee's  account  balance
attributable  to  Employer  contributions  and  forfeitures  will be  determined
without regard to this paragraph.

14.4  Limitations On  Allocations In any Plan Year in which the Top-Heavy  Ratio
exceeds 90% (i.e.,  the Plan becomes Super  Top-Heavy),  the denominators of the
Defined Benefit Fraction (as defined in paragraph 1.11) and Defined Contribution
Fraction  (as defined in  paragraph  1.14)  shall be computed  using 100% of the
dollar limitation instead of 125%.


                                       59

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE XV

                            AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION


15.1  Amendment By Sponsor The Sponsor may amend any or all  provisions  of this
Plan and Trust at any time  without  obtaining  the  approval  or consent of any
Employer which has adopted this Plan and Trust provided that no amendment  shall
authorize  or permit any part of the corpus or income of the Fund to be used for
or diverted to purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of Participants and
their beneficiaries,  or eliminate an optional form of distribution. In the case
of a mass-submitted  plan, the mass-submitter  shall amend the Plan on behalf of
the Sponsor.

15.2  Amendment  By Employer  The  Employer may amend any option in the Adoption
Agreement, and may include language as permitted in the Adoption Agreement,

          (a)  to satisfy Code Section 415, or

          (b)  to avoid duplication of minimums under Code Section 416,

because of the required aggregation of multiple plans.

The Employer may add certain model amendments  published by the Internal Revenue
Service which  specifically  provide that their adoption will not cause the Plan
to be treated as individually designed.

If the  Employer  amends  the Plan  and  Trust  other  than as  provided  above,
including  providing for a waiver of minimum  funding under Code Section 412(d),
the Employer's Plan shall no longer  participate in this Prototype Plan and will
be considered an individually designed plan for which the Employer must obtain a
separate determination letter.

15.3    Termination    This Trust shall terminate upon the first to occur of the
following:

          (a)  Thirty  (30) days  after the  receipt  by the  Trustee of written
               notice of such termination from the Employer;

          (b)  The dissolution, consolidation or reorganization of the Employer,
               or the sale by the  Employer of all or  substantially  all of its
               assets without  provision for continuing this Trust,  except that
               in any such event  provision may be made for the  continuance  of
               this Trust by any  successor to the Employer or any  purchaser of
               all or  substantially  all of its assets,  and in that event such
               successor  or  purchaser  shall be  substituted  for the Employer
               hereunder.

               Upon  termination  of this Trust the Trustee  shall first reserve
               such  reasonable  amounts as it may deem necessary to provide for
               the payment of any expenses or fees then or thereafter chargeable
               to the Fund.  Subject to such  reserve,  the  balance of the Fund
               shall be liquidated and  distributed by the Trustee to or for the
               benefit of the Employees or former Employees of the Employer,  or
               their beneficiaries, as directed by the Employer after compliance
               with  applicable  requirements  of ERISA, as amended from time to
               time, or other applicable law accompanied by a certification that
               the  disposition is in accordance  with the terms of the Plan and
               the   Trustee   need  not   question   the   propriety   of  such
               certification. The Employer shall have full responsibility to see
               that such distribution is proper and within the terms of the Plan
               and this Trust. The Employer

                                       60

<PAGE>



               shall  secure  any  necessary   governmental  approval  for  such
               termination,  and  shall  send a copy  of  such  approval  to the
               Trustee before any  disbursements are made. Such disbursement may
               be effected  by payment in cash,  the  maintenance  of another or
               substituted   trust  fund,   by  the  purchase  of  annuities  or
               otherwise.  The Employer shall have no beneficial interest in the
               Fund either during its  continuance  or upon  termination of this
               Trust except as permitted by applicable law.

               Upon  termination  of this Trust,  the Trustee shall  continue to
               have  such  of the  powers  provided  in  this  Agreement  as are
               necessary  or   desirable   for  the  orderly   liquidation   and
               distribution of the Fund.

15.4  Qualification Of Employer's Plan If the adopting  Employer fails to attain
or retain Internal Revenue Service qualification,  such Employer's Plan shall no
longer participate in this Prototype Plan and will be considered an individually
designed plan.

15.5     Mergers And Consolidations

          (a)  In the case of any merger or consolidation of the Employer's Plan
               with, or transfer of assets or liabilities of the Employer's Plan
               to, any other plan,  Participants in the Employer's Plan shall be
               entitled  to  receive  benefits  immediately  after  the  merger,
               consolidation, or transfer which are equal to or greater than the
               benefits  they would have been  entitled  to receive  immediately
               before the  merger,  consolidation,  or  transfer if the Plan had
               then terminated.

          (b)  Any corporation  into which the Trustee or any successor  trustee
               may be  merged  or  with  which  it may be  consolidated,  or any
               corporation  resulting from any merger or  consolidation to which
               the  Trustee  or any  successor  trustee  may be a party,  or any
               corporation to which all or substantially  all the trust business
               of the Trustee or any successor trustee may be transferred, shall
               be the  successor  of such  Trustee  without  the  filing  of any
               instrument or performance of any further act, before any court.

15.6     Resignation And Removal

          (a)  The  Trustee  may  resign at any time by giving  sixty (60) days'
               prior written  notice to the Employer.  Upon such  resignation of
               the Trustee,  the  Employer  agrees to promptly  discontinue  its
               participation  in this  Prototype  Plan and Trust as  provided in
               paragraph 15.6(b) below.

          (b)  The Employer may discontinue its  participation in this Prototype
               Plan and Trust  effective  upon  sixty  (60) days  prior  written
               notice to the Sponsor.  In such event, the Employer shall,  prior
               to the effective  date  thereof,  amend the Plan to eliminate any
               reference  to  this  Prototype  Plan  and  Trust  and  appoint  a
               successor  trustee or arrange  for  another  funding  agent.  The
               Employer  may appoint a successor  trustee in writing by delivery
               to the  removed  or  resigning  Trustee of (i) an  instrument  in
               writing  executed  by  the  Employer  appointing  such  successor
               trustee,  and  (ii) an  acceptance  in  writing  executed  by the
               successor  trustee so appointed.  If the Employer  fails to amend
               the Plan and appoint a successor  trustee or other  funding agent
               within the said sixty (60)  days,  or such  longer  period as the
               Trustee  may  specify  in  writing,  the  Plan  shall  be  deemed
               individually  designed and the Employer shall be deemed to be the
               successor  trustee.  In such event,  the Employer must obtain its
               own determination letter regarding the Plan.


                                       61

<PAGE>



          (c)  The  Employer's  obligation  to indemnify  the Trustee under this
               Agreement  shall  survive the  termination  of the  Trustee  with
               respect to any act or omission by the Trustee arising under or in
               connection with its duties under this Agreement.

          (d)  Upon the  appointment  of a  successor  trustee,  the  removed or
               resigning  Trustee  shall  transfer and deliver the assets of the
               Fund to such successor after reserving such reasonable amounts as
               it shall deem  necessary to provide for any  expenses,  fees,  or
               taxes  then or  thereafter  chargeable  against  the  Fund.  Each
               successor  trustee  shall succeed to the title to the Fund vested
               in its predecessor,  without the signing or filing of any further
               instrument,  but any  resigning or removed  Trustee shall execute
               all  documents  and do all acts  necessary  to vest such title of
               record in any successor  trustee.  Each  successor  trustee shall
               have and enjoy all powers, both discretionary and ministerial, of
               its predecessor.  No successor trustee shall be personally liable
               for any act or failure to act of any  predecessor  Trustee;  and,
               upon  the  approval  by  the  Employer  of the  account  rendered
               pursuant to Article XI of this Agreement, a successor trustee may
               accept the account  rendered and the property  delivered to it by
               its  predecessor  Trustee as a full and compete  discharge to the
               predecessor   Trustee   without   incurring   any   liability  or
               responsibility for so doing.

15.7  Qualification  Of Prototype The Sponsor  intends that this  Prototype Plan
will meet the requirements of the Code as a qualified Prototype  Retirement Plan
and Trust.  Should the  Commissioner of Internal  Revenue or any delegate of the
Commissioner  at any time  determine  that the Plan and Trust  fails to meet the
requirements  of the Code, the Sponsor will amend the Plan and Trust to maintain
its qualified status.


                                       62

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE XVI

                                  GOVERNING LAW


Construction,  validity and  administration of the Prototype Plan and Trust, and
any  Employer  Plan  and  Trust  as  embodied  in  the  Prototype  document  and
accompanying Adoption Agreement,  shall be governed by Federal law to the extent
applicable   and  to  the   extent   not   applicable   by  the   laws   of  the
State/Commonwealth in which the principal office of the Sponsor is located.



                                       63



                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1




                               CONSENT OF COUNSEL



         We  consent  to the  use  of our  opinions,  to  the  incorporation  by
reference of such  opinions as an exhibits to the Form S-1 and to the  reference
to our firm under the headings "The  Conversion - Income Tax  Consequences"  and
"Legal and Tax Matters" in the  Prospectus  included in this Form S-1. In giving
this  consent,  we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose
consent is required  under Section 7 of the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
thereunder.




                                             /s/ Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.

                                                 SILVER, FREEDMAN & TAFF, L.L.P.

Washington, D.C.
February __, 1997



                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.2




               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



The Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings


We consent to the use in this Registration  Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission and Form AC filed with the Office of Thrift
Supervision  on February 3, 1997, of our report dated  February 9, 1996, on the
financial  statements  of Hemlock  Federal  Bank for  Savings for the year ended
December  31, 1995.  We also  consent to the  reference to us under the headings
"The  Conversion  - Income  Tax  Consequences",  "Experts",  and  "Legal and Tax
Matters" in this Registration Statement on Forms S-1 and AC.



                                                /s/Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
                                                --------------------------------
                                                   Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP

Oak Brook, Illinois
February 3, 1997








                     CONVERSION VALUATION APPRAISAL REPORT

                                 Prepared for:

                     Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation
                                      and
                        Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
                              Oak Forest, Illinois

                                     As Of:
                                December 6, 1996

                                  Prepared By:
                             Keller & Company, Inc.
                             555 Metro Place North
                                   Suite 524
                               Dublin, Ohio 43017
                                 (614)766-1426


                                KELLER & COMPANY


<PAGE>


                     CONVERSION VALUATION APPRAISAL REPORT

                                 Prepared for:

                     Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation
                                      and
                        Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
                              Oak Forest, Illinois

                                     As Of:
                                December 6, 1996

                                  Prepared By:
                               Michael R. Keller
                                   President


<PAGE>


                             KELLER & COMPANY, INC.
                             555 METRO PLACE NORTH
                                   SUITE 524
                               DUBLIN, OHIO 43017
                                 (614) 766-1426
                               (614) 766-1459 FAX

December 30, 1996




Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
5700 West 159th Street
Oak Forest, IL  60452

Gentlemen:

We hereby submit an  independent  appraisal of the pro forma market value of the
to-be-issued stock of Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation (the "Corporation"),
which is the newly formed holding  company of Hemlock  Federal Bank for Savings,
Oak Forest,  Illinois  ("Hemlock  Federal" or the "Bank").  The Corporation will
hold all of the  shares of the  common  stock of the Bank.  Such  stock is to be
issued in  connection  with the Bank's  conversion  from a  federally  chartered
mutual  savings bank to a federally  chartered  stock savings bank in accordance
with the Bank's Plan of Conversion.  This appraisal was prepared and provided to
the Bank in accordance with the conversion  requirements  and regulations of the
Office of Thrift Supervision of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Keller & Company, Inc. is an independent  financial institution  consulting firm
that  serves  both banks and  thrift  institutions.  The firm is a  full-service
consulting organization,  as described in more detail in Exhibit A, specializing
in market studies,  business and strategic plans,  stock valuations,  conversion
appraisals,  and fairness  opinions for thrift  institutions and banks. The firm
has affirmed its  independence in this  transaction  with the preparation of its
Affidavit of Independence, a copy of which is included as Exhibit C.

Our appraisal is based on the assumption that the data provided to us by Advance
and the material  provided by the independent  auditor,  Crowe Chizek & Company,
Oakbrook Terrace,  Illinois,  are both accurate and complete. We did not proceed
to  verify  the  financial  statements  provided  to  us,  nor  did  we  conduct
independent  valuations of the Bank's assets and liabilities.  We have also used
information from other public sources, but we cannot assure the accuracy of such
material.




<PAGE>


Board of Directors
Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
December 30, 1996

Page 2


In the completion of this appraisal,  we held discussions with the management of
Advance,  with the law firm of Silver,  Freedman and Taff,  L.L.P.,  Washington,
D.C., the Bank's conversion counsel,  and with Crowe Chizek & Company.  Further,
we viewed the Bank's local economy and primary market area.

This valuation must not be considered as a recommendation  as to the purchase of
stock in the Corporation,  and we can provide no guarantee or assurance that any
person who purchases shares of the  Corporation's  stock in this conversion will
be able to later sell such shares at a price  equivalent to the price designated
in this appraisal.

Our valuation will be updated as required and will give consideration to any new
developments  in the  Bank's  operation  that have an impact  on  operations  or
financial  condition.  Further,  we will give  consideration  to any  changes in
general  market   conditions   and  to  specific   changes  in  the  market  for
publicly-traded  thrift  institutions.  Based on the material impact of any such
changes on the pro forma market value of the Bank as determined by this firm, we
will proceed to make necessary adjustments to the Bank's appraised value in such
appraisal update.

It is our opinion  that as of December 6, 1996,  the pro forma  market  value or
appraised  value of the Corporation is  $15,700,000.  Further,  a range for this
valuation is from a minimum of $13,345,000 to a maximum of  $18,055,000,  with a
super-maximum of $20,763,250.

Very truly yours,

KELLER & COMPANY, INC.




Michael R. Keller
President


<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            PAGE

INTRODUCTION                                                                   1

  I.     Description of Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
         General                                                               4
         Performance Overview                                                  8
         Income and Expense                                                   10
         Yields and Costs                                                     16
         Interest Rate Sensitivity                                            18
         Lending Activities                                                   20
         Non-Performing Assets                                                24
         Investments                                                          26
         Deposit Activities                                                   26
         Borrowings                                                           27
         Subsidiaries                                                         28
         Office Properties                                                    28
         Management                                                           28

 II.     Description of Primary Market Area                                   29

III.     Comparable Group Selection
         Introduction                                                         34
         General Parameters
           Merger/Acquisition                                                 35
           Mutual Holding Companies                                           36
           Trading Exchange                                                   36
           IPO Date                                                           37
           Geographic Location                                                37
           Asset Size                                                         38
         Balance Sheet Parameters
           Introduction                                                       39
           Cash and Investments to Assets                                     39
           Mortgage-Backed Securities to Assets                               40
           One- to Four-Family Loans to Assets                                40
           Total Net Loans to Assets                                          41
           Total Net Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities to Assets           41
           Borrowed Funds to Assets                                           41
           Equity to Assets                                                   42
         Performance Parameters
           Introduction                                                       43


<PAGE>



                            TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)

                                                                            PAGE

III.     Comparable Group Selection (cont.)
         Performance Parameters (cont.)
           Return on Average Assets                                           43
           Return on Average Equity                                           44
           Net Interest Margin                                                44
           Operating Expenses to Assets                                       45
           Noninterest Income to Assets                                       45
         Asset Quality Parameters
           Introduction                                                       46
           Nonperforming Assets to Asset Ratio                                46
           Repossessed Assets to Assets                                       47
           Loans Loss Reserves to Assets                                      47
         The Comparable Group                                                 47
         Summary of Comparable Group Institutions                             49

 IV.     Analysis of Financial Performance                                    51

  V.     Market Value Adjustments
         Earnings Performance                                                 54
         Market Area                                                          58
         Financial Condition                                                  59
         Dividend Payments                                                    60
         Subscription Interest                                                61
         Liquidity of Stock                                                   62
         Management                                                           62
         Marketing of the Issue                                               63

VI.      Valuation Methods                                                    65
         Price to Book Value Ratio Method                                     66
         Price to Earnings Method                                             67
         Price to Net Assets Method                                           68
         Valuation Conclusion                                                 69


<PAGE>



                                LIST OF EXHIBITS



NUMERICAL                                                                   PAGE
EXHIBITS

  1     Statements of Financial Condition - September 30,
          1996 and December 31, 1995                                          70
  2     Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1991
          through 1994                                                        71
  3     Consolidated Statements of Income - Nine Months Ended
          September 30, 1995 and 1996 and December 31, 1995                   72
  4     Consolidated Statements of Income - December 31,
          1992 through 1995                                                   73
  5     Selected Financial Condition Data                                     74
  6     Income and Expense Trends                                             75
  7     Normalized Earnings Trend                                             76
  8     Performance Indicators                                                77
  9     Volume/Rate Analysis                                                  78
 10     Yield and Cost Trends                                                 79
 11     Interest Rate Sensitivity of Net Portfolio Value (NPV)                80
 12     Loan Portfolio Composition                                            81
 13     Loan Maturity Schedule                                                82
 14     Loan Originations                                                     83
 15     Delinquent Loans                                                      84
 16     Nonperforming Assets                                                  85
 17     Classified Assets                                                     86
 18     Allowance for Loan Losses                                             87
 19     Investment Portfolio Composition                                      88
 20     Mix of Deposits                                                       89
 21     Deposit Activity                                                      90
 22     Borrowed Funds Activity                                               91
 23     Offices of Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings                           92
 24     List of Key Officers and Directors                                    93
 25     Key Demographic Data and Trends                                       94
 26     Key Housing Data                                                      95
 27     Major Sources of Employment by Industry Group                         96
 28     Unemployment Rates                                                    97
 29     Market Share of Deposits                                              98
 30     National Interest Rates by Quarter                                    99
 31     Thrift Stock Prices and Pricing Ratios                               100
 32     Key Financial Data and Ratios                                        111
 33     Recently Converted Thrift Institutions                               123
 34     Acquisitions and Pending Acquisitions                                125



<PAGE>



                            LIST OF EXHIBITS (cont.)



NUMERICAL                                                                   PAGE
EXHIBITS



 35      Thrift Stock Prices and Pricing Ratios -
         Mutual Holding Companies                                            127
 36      Key Financial Data and Ratios -
         Mutual Holding Companies                                            128
 37      Balance Sheets Parameters -
         Comparable Group Selection                                          129
 38      Operating Performance and Asset Quality Parameters -
         Comparable Group Selection                                          133
 39      Balance Sheet Ratios -
         Final Comparable Group                                              138
 40      Operation Performance and Asset Quality Ratios
         Final Comparable Group                                              139
 41      Balance Sheet Totals - Final Comparable Group                       140
 42      Market Area Comparison - Final Comparable Group                     141
 43      Balance Sheet - Asset Composition
         Most Recent Quarter                                                 142
 44      Balance Sheet - Liability and Equity
         Most Recent Quarter                                                 143
 45      Income and Expense Comparison
         Trailing Four Quarters                                              144
 46      Income and Expense Comparison as a Percent of
         Average Assets - Trailing Four Quarters                             145
 47      Yields, Costs & Earnings Ratios
         Trailing Four Quarters                                              146
 48      Dividends, Reserves and Supplemental Data                           147
 49      Valuation Analysis and Conclusions                                  148
 50      Market Pricings and Financial Ratios - Stock Prices
         Comparable Group                                                    149
 51      Pro Forma Mid-Point Valuation                                       150
 52      Pro Forma Minimum Valuation                                         151
 53      Pro Forma Maximum Valuation                                         152
 54      Pro Forma Superrange Valuation                                      153
 55      Summary of Valuation Premium or Discount                            154


<PAGE>



ALPHABETICAL EXHIBITS                                                       PAGE

  A      Background and Qualifications                                       155
  B      RB 20 Certification                                                 159
  C      Affidavit of Independence                                           160


<PAGE>



INTRODUCTION

         Keller & Company,  Inc. is an independent  appraisal firm for financial
institutions  and has prepared this Conversion  Appraisal  Report  ("Report") to
provide the pro forma market value of the  to-be-issued  common stock of HEMLOCK
FEDERAL  FINANCIAL  CORPORATION  (the  "Corporation"),  a Delaware  corporation,
formed  as a holding  company  to own all of the  to-be-issued  shares of common
stock of Hemlock  Federal  Bank for  Savings,  Oak  Forest,  Illinois  ("Hemlock
Federal" or the "Bank"). The stock is to be issued in connection with the Bank's
Application for Approval of Conversion from a federally chartered mutual savings
bank to a federally chartered stock savings bank. The Application is being filed
with the Office of Thrift Supervision  ("OTS") of the Department of the Treasury
and the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC").  In accordance  with the
Bank's conversion, there will be a simultaneous issuance of all the Bank's stock
to the  Corporation,  which  will be formed by the Bank.  Such  Application  for
Conversion  has been  reviewed  by us,  including  the  Prospectus  and  related
documents,  and discussed with the Bank's  management and the Bank's  conversion
counsel, Silver, Freedman & Taff, Washington, D.C.

         This conversion appraisal was prepared based on the guidelines provided
by OTS entitled  "Guidelines for Appraisal  Reports for the Valuation of Savings
Institutions  Converting  from the  Mutual to Stock  Form of  Organization,"  in
accordance with the OTS application  requirements of Regulation  ss.563b and the
OTS's Revised Guidelines for Appraisal Reports,  and represents a full appraisal
report.  The Report provides detailed  exhibits based on the Revised  Guidelines
and a discussion on each of the fourteen factors that need to be considered. Our
valuation  will be updated in accordance  with the Revised  Guidelines  and will
consider any changes in market conditions for thrift institutions.

         The pro forma  market  value is defined as the price at which the stock
of the Corporation after conversion would change hands between a typical willing
buyer and a


                                        1

<PAGE>



Introduction  (cont.)

typical  willing  seller when the former is not under any  compulsion to buy and
the latter is not under any  compulsion  to sell,  and with both parties  having
reasonable  knowledge  of  relevant  facts in an  arms-length  transaction.  The
appraisal  assumes the Bank is a going concern and that the shares issued by the
Corporation in the conversion are sold in non- control blocks.

         In preparing this  conversion  appraisal,  we have reviewed the audited
financial  statements  for the five fiscal years ended December 31, 1991 through
1995, as well as the unaudited  financial  statements  for the nine months ended
September  30,  1995  and  1996,  and  discussed  them  with  Hemlock  Federal's
management and with Hemlock Federal's  independent  auditors,  Crowe, Chizek and
Company,  LLP.  We have  also  discussed  and  reviewed  with  management  other
financial matters and have reviewed internal  projections.  We have reviewed the
Corporation's  preliminary  Form  S-1 and  the  Bank's  preliminary  Form AC and
discussed them with management and with the Bank's conversion counsel.

         We have visited Hemlock Federal's home office and two branches and have
traveled the  surrounding  area.  We have  studied the economic and  demographic
characteristics  of the  primary  market  area,  the larger  lending  area,  and
analyzed  the Bank's  primary  market area  relative to Illinois  and the United
States.  We have also  examined the  competitive  market  within  which  Hemlock
Federal  operates,  giving  consideration  to  the  area's  presence,   numerous
financial   institution   offices  and  credit  union   offices  and  other  key
characteristics, both positive and negative.

         We have given  consideration to the market conditions for securities in
general and for  publicly-traded  thrift stocks in particular.  We have examined
the performance of selected publicly-traded thrift institutions and compared the
performance of Hemlock Federal to those selected institutions.

                                        2

<PAGE>



Introduction  (cont.)

         Our valuation is not intended to represent and must not be  interpreted
to be a  recommendation  of any kind as to the  desirability  of purchasing  the
to-be-outstanding   shares  of   common   stock  of  the   Corporation.   Giving
consideration  to the fact that this appraisal is based on numerous factors that
can change over time, we can provide no assurance  that any person who purchases
the  stock  of  the   Corporation  in  this   mutual-to-stock   conversion  will
subsequently  be able to sell such  shares at  prices  similar  to the pro forma
market value of the Corporation as determined in this conversion appraisal.

                                        3

<PAGE>



I.     DESCRIPTION OF HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS

GENERAL

         Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings, Oak Forest,  Illinois,  was chartered
in 1904 as a state  chartered  savings and loan  association.  In 1959, the Bank
converted to a federally chartered institution,  and in 1983, the Bank converted
to a  federally-chartered  savings  bank and adopted its current name of Hemlock
Federal Bank for Savings.

         Hemlock  Federal  conducts  its  business  from its home  office in Oak
Forest,  Illinois and its two branch offices,  located in southwest  Chicago and
Oak Lawn.  The Bank's  retail  deposit  market  includes  parts of Cook and Will
Counties,  with its lending  market  extending  farther into these two counties.
Hemlock  Federal's  deposits are insured up to applicable  limits by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") in the Savings Association Insurance Fund
("SAIF").  The Bank is also subject to certain reserve requirements of the Board
of Governors  of the Federal  Reserve  Bank (the  "FRB").  Hemlock  Federal is a
member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (the "FHLB") of Chicago and is regulated by
the OTS, and by the FDIC. As of September 30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal had assets
of $146,983,000, deposits of $129,159,000 and equity of $10,842,000.

         Hemlock  Federal  is a  community-oriented  institution  which has been
principally engaged in the business of serving the financial needs of the public
in its local  communities  and  throughout its market area.  Hemlock  Federal is
currently actively involved in the origination of residential mortgage loans for
the purchase of one- to four-family  dwellings,  comprising  89.1 percent of its
loan  originations  during the nine months ended  September  30, 1996,  and 86.1
percent of its loan originations during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
At September 30, 1996,  88.7 percent of its gross loans consisted of residential
real estate loans on one- to four-family dwellings compared to a much lower 58.6
percent at December  31,  1991,  with the primary  sources of funds being retail
deposits from residents in its local communities and FHLB advances. The Bank has
been an  originator of  commercial  real estate  loans,  and is an originator of
multi-family loans, construction

                                        4

<PAGE>



General  (cont.)

and land loans and consumer  loans.  Consumer  loans include  automobile  loans,
loans on savings  accounts and home equity loans.  Consumer loans  represented a
moderate  5.0 percent  share of the Bank's  total gross loans at  September  30,
1996.

         The Bank had $17.0  million,  or 11.6 percent of its assets in cash and
investments  including  FHLB stock and FHLMC stock.  The Bank had an  additional
$65.9 million, or 44.9 percent of its assets in mortgage-backed securities, with
the combined total of investment securities, mortgage-backed securities and cash
and cash  equivalents  being $82.9  million or a strong 56.5  percent of assets.
Deposits,  FHLB advances and retained  earnings have been the primary sources of
funds for the Bank's lending and investment activities.

         The management of Hemlock Federal is aware of the emphasis being placed
on matching the maturities of assets and  liabilities  and monitoring the Bank's
interest rate  sensitivity  position and market value of portfolio  equity.  The
Bank  understands  the nature of interest rate risk and the  potential  earnings
impact during times of rapidly changing rates, either rising or falling. Hemlock
Federal also  recognizes the need and importance of attaining a competitive  net
interest  margin due to its  dependence  on net  interest  income as its primary
source of income.

         The Bank's  gross  amount of stock to be sold in the  subscription  and
community  offering  will be  $15,700,000  or 1,570,000  shares at $10 per share
based on the midpoint of the appraised  value,  with net conversion  proceeds of
$15,126,944 reflecting conversion expenses of $573,056. The actual cash proceeds
to the Bank of $7.6 million will  represent  fifty percent of the net conversion
proceeds.  The ESOP will  represent  8.0 percent of the gross  shares  issued or
125,600  shares,  representing  $1,256,000  at $10 per  share.  The  Bank's  net
proceeds will be invested in adjustable-rate  and fixed-rate  mortgage loans and
initially invested in short term investments. The Bank may also use the proceeds
to expand services,  expand operations or other financial service organizations,
diversification


                                        5

<PAGE>



General  (cont.)

into other businesses,  or for any other purposes authorized by law. The Holding
Company  will use its  proceeds  to fund the ESOP and to invest  in  short-  and
intermediate-term government securities.

         Hemlock  Federal has seen modest  overall  deposit growth over the past
four fiscal years with deposits  increasing  8.3 percent from December 31, 1991,
to December 31, 1995,  or an average of 2.1 percent per year.  From December 31,
1995, to September 30, 1996,  deposits  decreased by 1.2 percent or 1.6 percent,
annualized,  compared  to a 0.02  percent  decrease  in  fiscal  1995.  The Bank
anticipates  modest growth in the future. The Bank has focused on increasing its
residential  real estate loan portfolio  during the past four years,  increasing
its  investment,  decreasing  its dollar  level of  mortgage-backed  securities,
monitoring its earnings and maintaining  its capital to assets ratio.  Equity to
assets  increased  from 6.09  percent of assets at December  31,  1991,  to 7.79
percent at December 31, 1995, and to 7.30 percent at September 30, 1996.

         Hemlock  Federal's  primary  lending  strategy has been to focus on the
origination and retention of adjustable-rate and fixed-rate residential mortgage
loans,  resulting in a higher level of one- to four-family  residential mortgage
loans.

         Hemlock Federal's share of one- to four-family mortgage loans has risen
significantly, increasing from 58.6 percent of gross loans at December 31, 1991,
to 88.7 percent as of September 30, 1996.  Construction and land loans decreased
from 1.5 percent of gross loans at December 31, 1991,  to zero at September  30,
1996. Multi- family loans decreased from 17.7 percent of gross loans at December
31, 1991 to 5.3 percent at  September  30,  1996.  Commercial  real estate loans
decreased  from 7.5 percent at December 31, 1991 to 1.1 percent at September 30,
1996.  The Bank's share of consumer  loans  witnessed a decrease in its share of
loans from 14.8  percent at December  31, 1991 to 5.0 percent at  September  30,
1996.



                                        6

<PAGE>



General  (cont.)

         Management's  internal  strategy  has  also  included  an  emphasis  on
maintaining an adequate and  appropriate  allowance for loan losses  relative to
total loans in recognition of the Bank's increase in loan originations, its past
experience with problem loans,  and the more stringent  requirements  within the
industry  to  establish  and  maintain  a  higher  level  of  general  valuation
allowances.  At December 31, 1991, Hemlock Federal had $174,000 in its loan loss
allowance  or 0.52  percent  of net  loans,  which  increased  to  $670,000  and
represented a higher 1.26 percent of net loans at September 30, 1996.

         Interest  income  from  loans  and  investments  has been the  basis of
earnings with the net interest margin being the key determinant of net earnings.
With a dependence on net interest margin for earnings,  current  management will
focus on  strengthening  the  Bank's net  interest  margin  without  undertaking
excessive credit risk and will not pursue any significant change in its interest
rate risk position.


                                        7

<PAGE>



PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

         Hemlock Federal's  financial position for the past five fiscal years of
December 31,  1991,  through  December  31, 1995,  and for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, is highlighted through the use of selected financial data in
Exhibit 5. Hemlock  Federal has focused on  strengthening  its equity  position,
controlling  its overhead  ratio,  increasing  its savings and loan levels,  and
strengthening its net interest margin.  Hemlock Federal has experienced a modest
rise in assets from 1991 to 1995 and a smaller rate of increase in deposits with
a smaller than average  increase in equity over the past four fiscal years.  Due
to the Bank's minimal growth, the resultant impact has been a modest increase in
the Bank's equity to assets ratio from 1991 to 1995.

         Hemlock  Federal  witnessed a total increase in assets of $12.4 million
or 9.3 percent for the period of  December  31,  1991,  to  December  31,  1995,
representing an average annual  increase in assets of 2.3 percent.  For the year
ended December 31, 1995,  assets increased $1.7 million or 1.2 percent.  For the
nine months ended  September 30, 1996, the Bank's assets  increased $1.4 million
or 0.9 percent.  Over the past four fiscal  periods,  the Bank  experienced  its
largest  dollar  rise in  assets of $7.9  million  in fiscal  year  1992,  which
represented a 6.0 percent increase in assets funded by a rise in deposits.  This
increase was  succeeded  by a $5.5 million or 3.9 percent  increase in assets in
fiscal year 1993, a decrease in 1994 and an increase of 1.2 percent in 1995. For
the nine months ended September 30, 1996,  assets  increased $1.4 million or 0.9
percent.

         The  Bank's  net  loan   portfolio,   including   mortgage   loans  and
non-mortgage loans,  increased from $33.8 million at December 31, 1991, to $53.1
million at  September  30,  1996,  and  represented  a total  increase  of $19.4
million,  or 57.4 percent.  The average annual  increase  during that period was
12.08  percent.   That  increase  was  the  result  of  higher  levels  of  loan
originations of one- to four-family loans. For the year ended December 31, 1995,
loans  increased  $7.6  million  or 20.1  percent.  For the  nine  months  ended
September  30, 1996,  net loans then  increased  $7.9  million or 17.4  percent,
representing 23.3 percent, annualized.

                                        8

<PAGE>



Performance Overview (cont.)

         Hemlock  Federal has pursued  obtaining funds through deposit growth in
accordance  with the  demand  for loans  and has also made use of FHLB  advances
during the past five  years.  The Bank's  competitive  rates for  savings in its
local market in conjunction with its focus on services have been the sources for
attracting  retail deposits.  Deposits  increased  moderately from 1991 to 1992,
followed by a modest increase in fiscal year 1993 and then minimal  decreases in
1994 and in 1995,  with an average  annual rate of increase of 2.1 percent  from
December 31, 1991, to December 31, 1995. For the nine months ended September 30,
1996,  deposits  decreased by $1.6 million or 1.2 percent.  The Bank's strongest
fiscal year deposit growth was in fiscal year 1992, when deposits increased $7.4
million or 6.2 percent.

         Hemlock  Federal has been able to increase  its equity each fiscal year
from 1991 through 1995.  At December 31, 1991,  the Bank had equity (GAAP basis)
of $8.1 million  representing a 6.09 percent equity to assets ratio,  increasing
to $11.3 million at December 31, 1995, and representing a 7.65 percent equity to
assets ratio.  At September  30, 1996,  equity was a lower $10.8 million or 7.38
percent  of assets  with the  decrease  due to the impact of the  one-time  SAIF
assessment and the Bank's  establishment of a $1.0 million  foundation,  Hemlock
Federal Bank for Savings Charitable Foundation, Inc. ("Foundation").  The modest
rise in the equity to assets ratio is the result of the Bank's  steady  earnings
performance  in 1991 through 1995.  Equity  increased 39.8 percent from December
31, 1991, to December 31, 1995,  representing an average annual increase of 10.0
percent and decreased 4.44 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
or 5.92 percent, annualized.







                                        9

<PAGE>



INCOME AND EXPENSE

         Exhibit  6  presents  selected  operating  data  for  Hemlock  Federal,
reflecting the Bank's income and expense  trends.  This table provides  selected
audited  income and  expense  figures in  dollars  for the fiscal  years of 1991
through 1995 and unaudited  income and expense figures for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995 and 1996.

         Hemlock  Federal  has  witnessed  a  decrease  in its  dollar  level of
interest income from December 31, 1991,  through December 31, 1995, ranging from
a high of $10.8 million in 1991 to a low of $8.5 million in 1994, followed by an
increase to $9.9 million in 1995 and  representing  a four year  decrease of 8.0
percent,  or an average decrease of 2.0 percent per year. This overall trend was
a  combination  of a decrease from 1991 to 1994 followed by an increase in 1995.
In fiscal year 1995,  interest income increased $1.4 million, or 16.9 percent to
$9.9 million.  For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, interest income was
$7.7 million,  compared to $7.4 million for the nine months ended  September 30,
1995,  suggesting a  continuation  of the fiscal 1996 rising trend.  The overall
increase in interest income was due primarily to the Bank's increase in its loan
portfolio.

         The Bank's interest expense  experienced a similar declining trend from
fiscal  year 1991 to 1994,  followed by a moderate  increase  in 1995.  Interest
expense decreased $2.9 million, or 38.1 percent,  from 1991 to 1994, compared to
a decrease in interest  income of $2.3 million,  or 21.3  percent,  for the same
time period.  Interest expense then increased $744,000 or 15.9 percent from 1994
to 1995,  compared to an increase  in  interest  income of $1.4  million or 16.7
percent.  Such  increase in interest  income,  notwithstanding  the  increase in
interest expense,  resulted in a moderate dollar increase in annual net interest
income to $690,000 for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995, and an increase
in net interest margin. Net interest income increased from $3,256,000 in 1991 to
its highest level of $4,519,000 in 1995. For the nine months ended September 30,
1996,   Hemlock  Federal's  actual  net  interest  income  was  $3,438,000,   or
$4,584,000, annualized, which was higher than the $4,519,000 for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995.



                                       10

<PAGE>



Income and Expense  (cont.)

         The Bank has made  provisions  for loan losses in each of the past five
fiscal years of 1991  through  1995 and also in the nine months ended  September
30, 1996. The amounts of those  provisions were determined in recognition of the
Bank's current levels of nonperforming  assets and delinquent loans,  historical
experience with problem loans,  the Bank's rise in lending  activity and current
industry norms. The loan loss provisions were $33,000 in 1991, $357,000 in 1992,
$149,000 in 1993,  $150,000  in 1994,  $134,000 in 1995 and $75,000 for the nine
months ended  September 30, 1996.  The impact of these loan loss  provisions has
been to provide Hemlock Federal with a general  valuation  allowance of $670,000
at  September  30,  1996,  or 1.24  percent of gross loans and 870.1  percent of
nonperforming assets.

         Total other income or noninterest  income indicated  volatile levels in
fiscal  years 1991 to 1995,  due  primarily to the impact of gains and losses on
securities.  The highest level of noninterest  income was in fiscal year 1992 at
$896,000  or 0.63  percent  of  assets  with  $466,000  in  gains on the sale of
securities.  The lowest level of $337,000 was in 1995, representing 0.23 percent
of assets and reflects a $161,000  loss on the sale of  securities.  The average
noninterest  income  level for the past five fiscal  years was  $630,400 or 0.44
percent of average  assets using actual  noninterest  income.  When one excludes
gains and losses on securities,  the average level of  noninterest  income was a
lower  $468,400 or 0.33  percent of average  assets.  In the nine  months  ended
September 30, 1996, noninterest income was $321,000 or 0.29 percent of assets on
an annualized basis.  Noninterest  income consists primarily of fees and service
charges.

         The Bank's general and administrative  expenses or noninterest expenses
increased  from  $3,100,000  for the fiscal year of 1991 to  $3,211,000  for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. The dollar increase in noninterest expenses
was  $111,000  from 1991 to 1995,  representing  an average  annual  increase of
$27,750 or 1.0 percent. The average annual increase in other expenses was due to
the Bank's  normal  rise in  overhead  expenses.  On a percent of assets  basis,
operating  expenses  increased  from a higher 2.44 percent of average assets for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, to a lower 2.16 percent for

                                       11

<PAGE>



Income and Expense  (cont.)

the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, then up to 2.23 percent in 1995,  which
was modestly lower than current industry averages of approximately 2.35 percent.
For the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996,  Hemlock  Federal's  ratio of
operating  expenses to average  assets was a much higher 3.68 percent due to the
impact  of  the  one-time  SAIF  assessment  and  the  Bank's  formation  of the
Foundation.  When one  excludes  these  one-time  expenses,  the Bank's ratio of
operating  expenses to assets  decreases  to 2.44  percent,  which is similar to
industry norms.

         The net earnings  position of Hemlock Federal has indicated  profitable
performance  in each of the past five  fiscal  years  ended  December  31,  1991
through 1995,  but a loss for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996,  due to
the one-time SAIF  assessment and the cost of establishing  the Foundation.  The
annual net income  figures for the past five fiscal years of 1991,  1992,  1993,
1994 and 1995 have been  $568,000,  $764,000,  $977,000,  $539,000 and $952,000,
representing  returns on average  assets of 0.45  percent,  0.65  percent,  0.68
percent,  0.37 percent,  and 0.66 percent,  respectively.  The average return on
assets for the past five  fiscal  years was 0.56  percent.  For the nine  months
ended  September 30, 1996, the Bank had a net loss of $504,000,  representing an
annualized return on assets of (0.46) percent.

         Exhibit 7 provides the Bank's normalized  earnings or core earnings for
fiscal years 1993 to 1995 and for the twelve  months ended  September  30, 1996.
The Bank's  normalized  earnings  eliminate any nonrecurring  income and expense
items. There were no adjustments for fiscal years 1993 to 1995, however, the net
income in 1993 does exclude an  accounting  adjustment  of  $256,000,  which was
recognized  on net income  after taxes and  resulted in net income of  $977,000.
There were two  adjustments to net income for the twelve months ended  September
30, 1996. There were two negative noninterest expense adjustments of $898,000 to
adjust  for the one time  SAIF  assessment  and a  negative  adjustment  of $1.0
million to adjust for the establishment of the Foundation.



                                       12

<PAGE>



Income and Expense  (cont.)

         The key performance  indicators comprised of selected operating ratios,
asset  quality  ratios and capital  ratios are shown in Exhibit 8 to reflect the
results of performance.  The Bank's return on assets increased from 0.45 percent
in fiscal  year 1991 to its highest  level of 0.68  percent in fiscal year 1993,
decreasing  its lowest level of 0.37 percent in fiscal year 1994, and then up to
0.66  percent in 1995.  Its lowest  level for any period was for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996, and was (0.46) percent.

         The Bank's average net interest rate spread increased from 2.38 percent
in fiscal year 1991 to 2.68 percent in fiscal year 1992,  then  declined  during
the next two fiscal  years to 2.49  percent in 1994 and then  increased  to 3.01
percent in fiscal  1995.  For the nine months  ended  September  30,  1996,  net
interest  spread was a lower 2.96 percent,  annualized.  The Bank's net interest
margin  indicated a similar trend,  increasing  from 2.65 percent in fiscal year
1991 to 2.90  percent in fiscal year 1992,  then  decreasing  to 2.69 percent by
fiscal 1994,  and then  increasing to 3.25 percent for fiscal year 1995 and then
decreasing to 3.24 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. Hemlock
Federal's  net  interest  rate spread  increased 30 basis points in 1992 to 2.68
percent from 2.38 percent in 1991 and then  decreased 14 basis points in 1993 to
2.54 percent.  Net interest rate spread decreased 5 basis points to 2.49 percent
for fiscal year 1994 and then  increased 52 basis points to 3.01 percent for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995. The Bank's net interest  margin  followed a
similar  trend,  increasing  25 basis  points to 2.90  percent  in 1992 and then
decreasing  16 basis  points  to 2.74  percent  in  1993.  Net  interest  margin
decreased  another 5 basis points to 2.69 percent in 1994 and then  increased 56
basis points to 3.25 percent in 1995.  For the nine months ended  September  30,
1996, Hemlock Federal's annualized net interest spread was a slightly lower 2.96
percent, and its net interest margin was a lower 3.24 percent.

         The Bank's return on average  equity  increased  from 1991 to 1993, but
decreased from 1993 through 1995.  The return on average  equity  increased from
7.20 percent in 1991 to 10.40 percent in fiscal year 1993, and then decreased to
5.27 percent in fiscal year

                                       13

<PAGE>



Income and Expense  (cont.)

1994.  The return on equity then  increased to 8.72 percent in fiscal year 1995.
For the nine months ended  September  30, 1996,  return on average  equity was a
negative 5.80 percent, annualized.

         Hemlock Federal's ratio of interest-earning  assets to interest-bearing
liabilities  increased  gradually  from 104.53  percent at December 31, 1991, to
106.3 percent at December 31, 1995, to a greater 107.16 percent at September 30,
1996.

         The Bank's ratio of operating expenses to average assets decreased from
2.44  percent in fiscal year 1991 to 2.18  percent in 1992,  increasing  to 2.23
percent in fiscal 1995. For the nine months ended September 30, 1996,  operating
expenses to assets  increased  to 4.13  percent as a result of the impact of the
one-time SAIF assessment and the cost of establishing  the Foundation.  When one
excludes these two items,  the Bank's  operating  expenses to assets decrease to
2.44 percent.  Another key noninterest  expense ratio  reflecting  efficiency of
operation  is the ratio of  noninterest  expenses  to net  interest  income  and
noninterest  income referred to as the "efficiency  ratio." The industry norm is
60.0 percent with the lower ratio  indicating  higher  efficiency.  The Bank has
been  characterized  with a lower level of  efficiency  reflected  in its higher
efficiency ratio, which decreased from 76.26 percent in 1991 to 66.12 percent in
1995, more in line with industry norms.

         Earnings  performance can be affected by an institution's asset quality
position.  The ratio of nonperforming  assets to total assets is a key indicator
of  asset  quality.  Hemlock  Federal  witnessed  a  moderate  decrease  in  its
nonperforming  asset ratio from 1991 to 1995.  Nonperforming  assets  consist of
loans  delinquent 90 days or more,  nonaccruing  loans,  renegotiated  loans and
repossessed  assets. The ratio of nonperforming  assets to total assets was 1.50
percent at December  31,  1991,  and  decreased  to 1.17 percent at December 31,
1992. The ratio continued to decrease during the next three fiscal years to 0.80
percent in 1993,  0.43 percent in 1994 and to 0.40 percent in 1995. At September
30,  1996,  Hemlock  Federal's  ratio of  nonperforming  assets to total  assets
decreased to 0.05 percent, due to the

                                       14

<PAGE>



Income and Expense  (cont.)

elimination of renegotiated loans. The Bank's allowance for loan losses was 0.51
percent of loans at December 31, 1991,  and increased  significantly  during the
next four fiscal years,  resulting  primarily from the increase in allowance for
loan losses to 1.31 percent in 1995 and 1.24 percent at September 30, 1996. As a
percentage of nonperforming assets,  Hemlock Federal's allowance for loan losses
increased from 8.73 percent in 1991, to 19.95 percent in 1993 and then to 103.63
percent in 1995.  During the nine months ended  September  30,  1996,  the ratio
increased to 870.13 percent  reflective of the decrease in nonperforming  assets
from $579,000 in 1995 to $77,000 at September 30, 1996.

         Exhibit 9 provides the changes in net  interest  income due to rate and
volume  changes for the past two fiscal  years of 1994 and 1995 and for the nine
months ended  September  30,  1996.  In fiscal year 1994,  net  interest  income
decreased $38,000, due to a decrease in interest income of $314,000 reduced by a
$276,000 decrease in interest  expense.  The decrease in interest income was due
to a decrease  due to a change in volume of $317,000  reduced by an increase due
to rate of $3,000. The decrease in interest expense was due to a decrease due to
rate of $99,000 reduced by an increase due to a change in volume of $31,000.

         In fiscal year 1995, net interest income increased  $690,000,  due to a
$1,434,000  increase  in  interest  income  reduced  by a $744,000  increase  in
interest  expense.  The  increase  in  interest  income was due to a  $1,520,000
increase due to volume reduced by a $986,000  decrease due to rate. The increase
in interest  expense was due to a $873,000  increase due to volume  reduced by a
$129,000 decrease due to rate.

         For the nine months  ended  September  30,  1996,  compared to the nine
months ended September 30, 1995, net interest income increased  $67,000 due to a
$308,000  increase in interest income reduced by a $241,000 increase in interest
expense.  The rise in interest income was due to a $297,000 increase due to rate
accented by an $11,000 increase due to volume.  The rise in interest expense was
due to an increase due to volume of $153,000 accented by an increase due to rate
of $88,000.

                                       15

<PAGE>



YIELDS AND COSTS

         The overview of yield and cost trends for the years ended  December 31,
1993 to 1995,  for the nine months ended  September 30, 1995,  and September 30,
1996,  and at  September  30,  1996,  can be seen in Exhibit 10,  which offers a
summary of key yields on  interest-earning  assets and costs of interest-bearing
liabilities.

         Hemlock  Federal's   weighted  average  yield  on  its  loan  portfolio
decreased  64 basis  points from fiscal year 1993 to 1995,  from 8.85 percent to
8.21  percent,  and then  decreased 23 basis points to 7.98 percent for the nine
months  ended  September  30,  1996.  The  yield on  mortgage-backed  securities
increased  133 basis  points from fiscal year 1993 to 1995 from 5.47  percent to
6.80  percent and then  increased  34 basis  points to 7.14 percent for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996. The yield on investment securities decreased 40
basis points from 6.48 percent in 1993 to 6.08 percent in 1995 and then remained
at 6.08 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. The yield on other
earning  assets  increased  372 basis  points from 3.16  percent in 1993 to 6.88
percent in 1995 and then  decreased 94 basis points to 5.94 percent for the nine
months ended  September  30, 1996.  The combined  weighted  average yield on all
interest-earning  assets  increased 90 basis points to 7.15 percent from 1993 to
1995. The yield on  interest-earning  assets for the nine months ended September
30, 1996, was a higher 7.24 percent,  while the yield at September 30, 1996, was
a lower 6.88 percent.

         Hemlock Federal's weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities
decreased 22 basis  points to 3.49 percent from fiscal year 1993 to 1994,  which
was less than the Bank's 27 basis  point  decrease  in yield,  resulting  in the
decline in the Bank's  interest  rate spread of 5 basis points from 2.54 percent
to 2.49 percent from 1993 to 1994. The Bank's  average cost of  interest-bearing
liabilities  then increased from 1994 to 1995 by 65 basis points to 4.14 percent
compared to a 117 basis point increase in yield on interest-earning  assets. The
result was an increase in the Bank's  interest rate spread of 52 basis points to
3.01 percent for fiscal year 1995. For the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
the Bank's cost of funds increased 14 basis points to 4.28 percent,  compared to
a 9 basis point  increase in yield on  interest-earning  assets,  resulting in a
lower net interest rate spread by

                                       16

<PAGE>



Yields and Costs (cont.)

5 basis  points to 2.96  percent  compared  to 3.01  percent for the fiscal year
ended  December 31, 1995.  At September  30, 1996,  the Bank's net interest rate
spread  decreased  another  40 basis  points to 2.56  percent.  The  Bank's  net
interest margin  decreased from 2.74 percent in fiscal year 1993 to 2.69 percent
in fiscal year 1994, then increasing to 3.25 percent for the year ended December
31, 1995. The Bank's net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30,
1996, decreased 1 basis point to 3.24 percent.



                                       17

<PAGE>



INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

         Hemlock  Federal has monitored its interest rate  sensitivity  position
due to its higher share of fixed rate  mortgage  loans by  maintaining  a higher
level of liquid assets, which was 19.37 percent of assets at September 30, 1996,
and  purchasing a higher level of adjustable  rate  mortgage-backed  securities.
Hemlock Federal recognized the thrift industry's  significant interest rate risk
exposure in the 1980's,  which  caused a negative  impact on earnings and market
value of portfolio  equity as a result of significant  fluctuations  in interest
rates, specifically rising rates. Such exposure was due to the disparate rate of
maturity and/or repricing of assets relative liabilities commonly referred to as
an institution's  "gap." The larger an  institution's  gap, the greater the risk
(interest  rate risk) of earnings loss due to a decrease in net interest  margin
and a decrease in market value of equity or portfolio  loss.  In response to the
potential impact of interest rate volatility and negative earnings impact,  many
institutions have taken steps in the 1990's to minimize their gap position. This
frequently  results in a decline in the  institution's  net interest  margin and
overall earnings performance. Hemlock Federal has responded to the interest rate
sensitivity  issue by purchasing  adjustable  rate  mortgage-backed  securities,
while retaining its fixed-rate mortgage loans.

         The Bank  measures  its  interest  rate risk through the use of its net
portfolio value ("NPV") of the expected cash flows from interest-earning  assets
and  interest-bearing  liabilities and any off-balance sheet contracts.  The NPV
for the Bank is calculated on a quarterly basis, both internally and by the OTS,
as well as the change in the NPV for the Bank under rising and falling  interest
rates.  Such changes in NPV under  changing  rates is  reflective  of the Bank's
interest  rate risk  exposure.  The Bank also  calculates  its gap position on a
quarterly basis.




                                       18

<PAGE>



Interest Rate Sensitivity (cont.)

         There  are  numerous  factors  which  have a  measurable  influence  on
interest  rate  sensitivity  in addition to changing  interest  rates.  Such key
factors to consider when analyzing  interest rate  sensitivity  include the loan
payoff schedule,  accelerated principal payments,  deposit maturities,  interest
rate caps on adjustable-rate mortgage loans, deposit withdrawals, etc.

         Exhibit 11 provides  the Bank's NPV as of September  30, 1996,  and the
change in the  Bank's  NPV under  rising  and  declining  interest  rates.  Such
calculations  are provided by OTS, and the focus of this exposure table is a 200
basis points change in interest rates either up or down.

         The Bank's change in its NPV at September 30, 1996,  based on a rise in
interest rates of 200 basis points was a 14.0 percent  decrease,  representing a
dollar decrease in equity value of $2,395,000.  In contrast,  based on a decline
in interest rates of 200 basis points,  the Bank's NPV was estimated to decrease
1.0 percent or $215,000 at September 30, 1996. The Bank's  exposure at September
30, 1996,  increases to a 36.0 percent  decrease under a 400 basis point rise in
rates,  and the NPV is estimated  to increase  5.0 percent  based on a 400 basis
point decrease in rates.

         The Bank is aware of its moderate  interest  rate risk  exposure  under
rapidly rising rates and minimal exposure under falling rates.

                                       19

<PAGE>



LENDING ACTIVITIES

         Hemlock Federal has focused its lending  activity on the origination of
conventional mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family dwellings. Exhibit 12
provides  a summary of  Hemlock  Federal's  loan  portfolio,  by loan  type,  at
December 31, 1991 through 1995, and at September 30, 1996.

         Residential loans secured by one- to four-family  dwellings,  excluding
residential  construction  loans  was  the  primary  loan  type  representing  a
significant  88.7 percent of the Bank's  gross loans as of  September  30, 1996.
This share has seen a strong  increase  from 58.6  percent at December 31, 1991.
The  second  largest  real  estate  loan  type as of  September  30,  1996,  was
multi-family  loans,  which  comprised 5.3 percent of gross loans  compared to a
much larger 17.7 percent as of December 31, 1991. The multi-family loan category
was also the second  largest  real estate loan type in 1991.  The third key real
estate loan type was commercial real estate loans, which represented 1.1 percent
of gross loans as of  September  30,  1996,  compared to a larger 7.5 percent at
December 31,  1991.  Commercial  real estate  loans were the third  largest real
estate loan type at December 31, 1991.  These three real estate loan  categories
represented  95.1  percent of gross loans at September  30, 1996,  compared to a
smaller 83.8 percent of gross loans at December  31,  1991.  Construction  loans
were the fourth real estate loan category in 1991 and represented 1.5 percent of
gross loans compared to zero percent at September 30, 1996.

         The consumer loan category was the remaining loan type at September 30,
1996,  and  represented  4.95 percent of gross loans compared to 14.8 percent at
December 31, 1991.  Consumer  loans were the third largest  overall loan type at
September  30,  1996,  and also the third  largest  loan type in 1991.  The Bank
originates  savings account loans,  automobile  loans and home equity loans. The
overall mix of loans has  witnessed a  significant  change from fiscal  year-end
1991 to September 30, 1996, with the Bank having  increased its share of one- to
four-family loans to offset its decrease in consumer loans,  multi-family  loans
and commercial real estate loans.



                                       20

<PAGE>



Lending Activities  (cont.)

         The emphasis of Hemlock  Federal's  lending activity is the origination
of conventional mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family  residences.  Such
residences are located in Hemlock  Federal's  lending market area. The Bank also
originates interim  construction loans on single-family  residences primarily to
individual owners and to developers and residential land loans. At September 30,
1996,  88.7 percent of Hemlock  Federal's gross loans consisted of loans secured
by one- to four-family  residential  properties,  excluding  construction loans.
Construction and land loans were zero at September 30, 1996.

         The Bank  originates  adjustable-rate  mortgage  loans,  ("ARMs")  with
adjustment/maturity  periods of one and three years.  The interest rates on ARMs
are indexed to the one year average  monthly U. S.  Treasury  Constant  Maturity
Index  ("CMT").  ARMs have a maximum  rate  adjustment  of 2.0  percent  at each
adjustment period and a 6.0 percent maximum adjustment over the life of the loan
with payments  based on up to a 30 year loan term. The Bank retains all the ARMs
which it originates.

         The  majority  of ARMs have  terms of 15 years or less,  and fixed rate
loans have normal terms of up to 30 years. The Bank originates and retains fixed
rate mortgage  loans which include seven year balloon  mortgage  loans with a 30
year  amortization  period.  Historically,  the  majority  of Hemlock  Federal's
mortgage loan portfolio has been fixed-rate  mortgage loans,  which  represented
90.6 percent of mortgage loans at September 30, 1997.  All of Hemlock  Federal's
commercial  real estate loans,  multi-family  loans and consumer loans are fixed
rate.  Overall,  91.6 percent of Hemlock  Federal loans due after  September 30,
1997, are fixed-rate with 8.4 percent adjustable rate.

         The  normal  loan to value  ratio for  conventional  mortgage  loans to
purchase or refinance one-to four-family  dwellings generally does not exceed 80
percent at Hemlock  Federal,  even though the Bank will grant loans with up to a
90 percent loan to value ratio.



                                       21

<PAGE>



Lending Activities  (cont.)

Mortgage loans originated by the Bank include  due-on-sale  clauses enabling the
Bank to declare the loan  immediately  due and payable in the event the borrower
sells or disposes of the property  subject to the mortgage,  and the loan is not
repaid. The Bank normally exercises its rights under these clauses.

         Hemlock Federal has also been an originator of multi-family  loans, and
has been less active in commercial  real estate loans in the past. The Bank will
continue to make  multi-family  loans but no longer  originates  commercial real
estate  loans.  The Bank had a total of $2.9  million in  multi-family  loans at
September 30, 1996,  or 5.3 percent of gross loans,  compared to $6.1 million or
17.7 percent of gross loans at December 31, 1991.  Commercial  real estate loans
have  decreased  from $2.6 million or 7.5 percent of gross loans at December 31,
1991, to $586,000 or 1.1 percent of gross loans at September 30, 1996. The major
portion of commercial  real estate loans is secured by a motel and is located in
the Bank's lending market.

         Hemlock  Federal has also been involved in consumer  lending.  Consumer
loans consist of automobile  loans, home equity loans, and savings account loans
and  represented a combined total of 5.0 percent of gross loans at September 30,
1996,  down from 14.8 percent in 1991.  At September  30, 1996,  consumer  loans
totaled $2.7 million.

         Exhibit 13 provides a loan maturity  schedule and breakdown and summary
of Hemlock Federal's fixed- and adjustable-rate loans,  indicating a majority of
fixed-rate  loans. At September 30, 1996, 91.6 percent of the Bank's total loans
due  after   September  30,  1997,   were   fixed-rate   and  8.4  percent  were
adjustable-rate.  While  most  loans  are  fixed-rate,  it is  evident  that all
consumer  loans are  fixed-rate and a lesser 90.6 percent of one- to four-family
residential mortgage loans are fixed-rate.  The Bank has a moderate 22.0 percent
of its loans at September  30, 1996,  due in 10 years or less and an  additional
41.5 percent due in 11 to 23 years.



                                       22

<PAGE>



Lending Activities  (cont.)

         As indicated in Exhibit 14, Hemlock  Federal  experienced a significant
decrease  in both its  one-to  four-family  loan  originations  and  total  loan
originations  from fiscal year 1993 to 1994 and then a  significant  increase in
1995. Total loan originations in fiscal year 1995 were $13.6 million compared to
$7.8  million in fiscal year 1994,  with fiscal  year 1993  indicating  a higher
$17.1 million,  reflective of higher levels of one- to four-family  originations
in 1993.  The  decrease  in fixed  rate  one- to  four-family  residential  loan
originations  from 1993 to 1994  constituted  95.5  percent of the $9.3  million
aggregate   decrease  in  total  loan  originations  from  1993  to  1994.  Loan
originations  then  increased from $7.8 million in 1994 to $13.6 million in 1995
with 83.3 percent of the $5.8 million increase due to the increase in fixed rate
one-to-four-family  mortgage loans.  Loan originations for the nine months ended
September  30,  1996,  were $13.8  million,  up from $10.4  million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1995. On an annualized basis, loan originations would
be $18.4 million in 1996 compared to $13.6 million in 1995.

         Loan  originations on one- to four-family  residences  represented 88.0
percent of total loan originations in fiscal year 1993, compared to a lower 82.4
percent in fiscal year 1994 and a higher 86.1 percent in fiscal year 1995.  One-
to  four-family  loan  originations  increased  to 89.1  percent  of total  loan
originations  for the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1996.  Overall,  loan
originations  exceeded  principal payments and repayments in fiscal 1993 by $5.3
million,  exceeded reductions in fiscal year 1994 by $618,000, and then exceeded
reductions  in fiscal 1995 by a much higher  $7.6  million.  For the nine months
ended September 30, 1996, originations exceeded reductions by $7.9 million.


                                       23

<PAGE>



NONPERFORMING ASSETS

         Hemlock  Federal   understands   asset  quality  risk  and  the  direct
relationship of such risk to delinquent loans and nonperforming assets including
real estate owned and  renegotiated  loans. The quality of assets has been a key
concern to financial  institutions  throughout  many  regions of the country.  A
sharp  increase  in  nonperforming  assets  has often been  related to  specific
regions of the  country  and has  frequently  been  associated  with higher risk
loans, including purchased nonresidential real estate loans. Hemlock Federal has
been faced with such problems  historically  and has made a concerted  effort to
reduce its nonperforming assets during the past five years.

         Exhibit 15 provides a summary of Hemlock Federal's  delinquent loans at
September  30,  1996,  indicating  a modest  level of  delinquent  loans.  Loans
delinquent  90 days or more  totaled  $77,000 at  September  30,  1996,  or 0.14
percent of loans with  delinquent  loans of 60 to 89 days  totaling  $209,000 or
0.39 percent of gross loans. At September 30, 1996,  total delinquent loans were
$286,000 or 0.53 percent of gross loans.

         Hemlock Federal's  management reviews all delinquent loans on a monthly
basis,  to assess their  collectibility  and to initiate any direct contact with
the  borrower.  When a loan is  delinquent  30 days or more,  the Bank sends the
borrower a late payment  notice.  The Bank then  initiates both written and oral
communication  with the borrower if the loan remains  delinquent.  When the loan
becomes  delinquent  at least  90  days,  the  Bank  will  consider  foreclosure
proceedings.  Most loans  delinquent 90 days or more are placed on a non-accrual
status,  and after 120 days, the Bank pursues  foreclosure  procedures.  Hemlock
Federal had no real estate owned as of September  30, 1996, or December 31, 1994
and 1995.

         Exhibit 16 provides a summary of Hemlock Federal's nonperforming assets
at September  30, 1996,  and at December  31, 1991 through  1995.  Nonperforming
assets consist of non-accrual  loans, which includes loans delinquent 90 days or
more, real estate owned and renegotiated  loans. The Bank has recently carried a
lower than average level of nonperforming assets when compared to its peer group
and the thrift industry in

                                       24

<PAGE>



Nonperforming Assets  (cont.)

general.  Hemlock  Federal's  level of  nonperforming  assets ranged from a high
dollar  amount of  $1,993,000  or 1.50  percent of total  assets at December 31,
1991,  to a low fiscal year dollar  amount of $579,000 or 0.40 percent of assets
at December 31, 1995. At September  30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal's  nonperforming
assets consisted of $77,000 in nonaccrual loans with no real estate owned and no
renegotiated  loans  representing 0.05 percent of assets,  its lowest ratio over
the past five years.

         Hemlock  Federal's  level of  nonperforming  assets is higher  than its
level of classified  assets.  The Bank's level of classified assets were zero at
September 30, 1996 (reference  Exhibit 17). The Bank did have $267,000 in assets
classified as special mention.

         Exhibit  18  shows  Hemlock  Federal's  allowance  for loan  losses  at
September  30,  1996,  and for fiscal years 1991 through  1995,  indicating  the
activity and the resultant balances. Hemlock Federal has witnessed a significant
increase in its balance of  allowance  for loan losses from  $174,000 in 1991 to
$670,000 at September 30, 1996, with provisions of $33,000 in 1991,  $357,000 in
1992, $149,000 in 1993, $150,000 in 1994 and $134,000 in fiscal 1995. During the
nine months ended  September 30, 1996, the Bank had  provisions of $75,000.  The
Bank had net charge-offs of $34,000 in 1992,  $412,000 in 1993,  $3,000 in 1995,
and $5,000 for the nine months ended  September 30, 1996, with a net recovery of
$85,000 in 1994.  The Bank's ratio of  allowance  for loan losses to gross loans
increased  from 0.51 percent at December  31, 1991,  to 1.31 percent at December
31, 1995, due to an increase in allowances with a significant increase in loans.
The  allowance  for loan  losses to gross  loans was a lesser  1.27  percent  at
September 30, 1996.  Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming  assets was 8.73
percent at December 31, 1991,  and a much higher 870.13 percent at September 30,
1996,  reflecting  the increase in allowances  and the  significant  decrease in
nonperforming assets.


                                       25

<PAGE>



INVESTMENTS

         The  investment and  securities  portfolio of Hemlock  Federal has been
comprised   of   Federal   agency   securities,    mortgage-backed   securities,
interest-earning  deposits  with banks,  FHLMC stock and FHLB stock.  Exhibit 19
provides a summary of Hemlock  Federal's  investment  portfolio  at December 31,
1993 through 1995,  and at September  30, 1996.  Investment  securities  totaled
$23.5 million at September  30, 1996,  compared to $26.2 million at December 31,
1995,  and $24.4  million  at  December  31,  1993.  The  primary  component  of
investment securities at September 30, 1996, was interest-earning  deposits with
banks  representing  63.1  percent of  investments,  followed by Federal  agency
obligations  representing 30.2 percent.  The securities portfolio had a weighted
average yield of 6.00 percent, and the mortgage-backed securities had a weighted
average yield of 7.14 percent at September 30, 1996.

         The  Bank had  mortgage-backed  securities  with a book  value of $65.9
million at September 30, 1996,  which  decreased  from $68.7 million at December
31, 1995, and decreased from $81.4 million at December 31, 1993. Mortgage-backed
securities  are included with total  investments  and shown in Exhibit 19. Total
investment and  mortgage-backed  securities  were $89.4 million or a strong 60.8
percent of assets at September 30, 1996,  down from 72.2 percent at December 31,
1993.


DEPOSIT ACTIVITIES

         The change in the mix of deposits  from December 31, 1993, to September
30, 1996,  is provided in Exhibit 20. There has been a relatively  modest change
in both total  deposits and in the deposit mix during this period.  Certificates
of deposit  witnessed a  relatively  small  increase in their share of deposits,
rising from a modest 47.0  percent of deposits  at December  31,  1993,  to 50.5
percent of deposits at September 30, 1996. The major  component of  certificates
had rates between 4.00 percent and 5.99 percent and represented  85.8 percent of
certificates at September 30, 1996. At December 31, 1993, the major component of
certificates was the 3.99 percent and under category with 59.3

                                       26

<PAGE>



Deposit Activities (cont.)

percent of certificates.  Passbook accounts  decreased modestly in dollar amount
from $48.5 million to $45.7 million, and their share decreased from 36.6 percent
to 35.4 percent from December 31, 1993, to September 30, 1996, respectively. NOW
accounts  indicated a minimal  dollar  decrease  declining from $13.2 million at
December 31, 1993, to $13.0  million at September  30, 1996,  and their share of
deposits stayed basically  constant at 10.0 percent.  MMDA accounts  witnessed a
decrease in deposits  from $8.6 million at December 31, 1993, to $5.3 million at
September 30, 1996, with their share  decreasing from 6.5 percent to 4.1 percent
over that time period.

         Exhibit 21 shows the Bank's deposit  activity for the three years ended
December 31, 1993 to 1995, and for the nine months ended  September 30, 1995 and
1996. Excluding interest credited,  withdrawals exceeded deposits during each of
the periods.  Including interest credited,  there was a net increase in deposits
of $4.4  million or 3.5 percent in fiscal  1993,  followed by a $1.8 million net
decrease or 1.4 percent in 1994. In fiscal year 1995, a net decrease in deposits
of $30,000 resulted in a 0.02 percent decrease in deposits,  including  interest
credited.  For the nine months  ended  September  30,  1996,  the Bank had a net
decrease in deposits of $1.6 million or 1.2 percent.


BORROWINGS

         Hemlock  Federal has relied on retail deposits as its primary source of
funds but is also  making  use of FHLB  advances.  Exhibit  22 shows the  Bank's
borrowed  funds activity for the past three fiscal years and for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996. The Bank had a maximum of FHLB advances  totaling $6.0
million in fiscal 1993,  representing  4.1 percent of assets with such  advances
having  decreased to $1.5 million at September 30, 1996,  and  representing  1.1
percent of assets.  The cost of FHLB advances has actually  increased  from 9.60
percent at December 31, 1993, to 9.72 percent at September 30, 1996.


                                       27

<PAGE>



SUBSIDIARIES
         Hemlock Federal has no wholly-owned subsidiary.


OFFICE PROPERTIES

         Hemlock  Federal has three full service  offices,  with the home office
located in Oak Forest and branches in Oak Lawn and Southwest Chicago. (reference
Exhibit 23).  Hemlock Federal owns its home office,  leases the land for its Oak
Lawn branch and leases its Chicago branch.  The Bank's  investment in its office
premises,  excluding furniture,  fixtures and equipment, totaled $1.0 million or
 .68 percent of assets at September 30, 1996.

MANAGEMENT

         The  chairman  of the board  and chief  executive  officer  of  Hemlock
Federal  is  Maureen  G.  Partynski,  who has held  that  position  since  1994,
previously serving as president of the Bank from 1989 to 1994 and executive vice
president from 1985 to 1989.  Ms.  Partynski has been employed by the Bank since
1982 and a  director  since  1984.  Ms.  Partynski  has a  Masters  in  Business
Administration from Saint Xaviers  University.  The president of Hemlock Federal
is Michael R. Stevens,  who has held that position  since 1994. Mr.  Stevens,  a
director since 1992, has been employed by Hemlock  Federal since 1984 in various
positions, including executive vice president and financial manager. Mr. Stevens
has a Masters in  business  Administration  from  Northwestern  University.  Mr.
Stevens is the  brother-in-law  of Ms. Partynski and the son-in-law of Joseph P.
Gavron, chairman emeritus.

                                       28

<PAGE>



 II.     DESCRIPTION OF PRIMARY MARKET AREA

         Hemlock Federal's primary market area includes southern Cook County and
northeastern Will County,  Illinois,  including a portion of the city of Chicago
("market  area").  The Bank's  home  office is located in Oak Forest and its two
branches are in Oak Lawn and southwest Chicago,  with the market area focused on
Chicago's  southwest  suburbs.  The  Chicago  branch is  actually  located  in a
low-to-moderate-income  inner-city  community  referred  to as the  "Back of the
Yards" community and was originally the location of the Bank's home office.

         The Bank's  market  area  trends  and  economic  performance  have been
basically  dependent on the overall economic trends in the market area counties.
The market area is  characterized  by dense population and similar levels of per
capita  income  and median  household  income to those of  Illinois,  as well as
significant  deposit  levels.  The  market  area  counties'  employment  base is
strongest in the category of services, followed by wholesale/retail,  with these
two  categories  totaling 59.9 percent of employment in the market area counties
in 1994.  The Bank's  immediately  surrounding  area  represents the core of the
Bank's deposit customers, while the Bank's lending activity extends farther into
Cook County.

         Exhibit 25  provides a summary of key  demographic  data and trends for
the market area  counties,  Illinois,  and the United  States for the periods of
1990,  1996,  and 2001.  From 1990 to 1996,  the market area  counties  showed a
smaller  increase  in  population  than  Illinois or the United  States,  with a
majority of the 1.9 percent  increase  occurring  in Will County.  Overall,  the
period of 1990 to 1996 was  characterized  by a rise in the national  population
level by 5.6 percent  compared to an  increase in  population  of 3.5 percent in
Illinois and a smaller  increase of 0.6 percent in Cook County,  which increased
from  5,105,067  residents  to  5,136,877  residents.   Will  County,   however,
experienced a strong population  increase of 19.4 percent during those six years
from 357,313 residents to 426,597  residents.  During the period of 1996 through
2001,  population  is projected to continue to rise in the United  States by 5.5
percent,  in Illinois by 0.9 percent,  in Cook County by 0.5 percent and in Will
County by a much higher 13.0 percent. The five year

                                       29

<PAGE>



Description of Primary Market Area  (cont.)

combined population increase for the market area counties is projected to be 1.5
percent,  reflecting  a  total  increase  of  79,795  residents  from  5,563,474
residents in 1996 to 5,643,269 residents in 2001.

         From 1990 to 1996,  the market area  increased  its  households  by 2.1
percent  from  1,996,421  to  2,038,407.  By the  year  2001,  the  market  area
households  are  projected  to increase  by a smaller  1.5 percent to  2,068,929
households.  Illinois and the United  States  witnessed  increases in households
(families) of 3.4 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively,  from 1990 to 1996, and
that trend is  projected to slow  modestly  from 1996 to 2001.  Those  increases
exceed the market area counties' increases in households for the same periods.

         Hemlock  Federal's market area had a per capita income level lower than
Illinois  but higher  than the United  States in 1990.  By 1996,  the per capita
income in the Bank's market area  exceeded that of Illinois and remained  higher
than the United  States.  Cook  County's per capita  income was $18,013 and Will
County's per capita income was $17,559 in 1996, compared to $17,337 for Illinois
and $16,738 for the United States.  In 1996, the per capita income of the Bank's
market area was 3.7 percent higher than Illinois and 7.4 percent higher than the
United States.  From 1990 to 1996,  the market area counties  exhibited a higher
rate of median  household  income growth than Illinois but a slightly lower rate
of  growth  than the  United  States.  In  1990,  the  market  area had a median
household income of $29,536 compared to $31,424 in Illinois,  and $28,255 in the
United States.  By 1996, the ranking  remained the same, with the market area at
$35,964,  Illinois at $36,318,  and the United  States at $34,530,  although the
market area  experienced  a 21.8 percent  growth rate  compared to Illinois at a
lower 15.6  percent  increase  and the United  States at a similar  22.2 percent
increase.  In 2001,  the market area's median  household  income is projected to
decrease by 7.6 percent,  while the median household income for Illinois and the
United  States  is  projected  to  decrease  by 6.4  percent  and  3.9  percent,
respectively.


                                       30

<PAGE>



Description of Primary Market Area  (cont.)

         Exhibit  26  provides a summary of 1990 key  housing  data for  Hemlock
Federal's  market area counties,  Illinois,  and the United  States.  The Bank's
market area was characterized by a lower share of owner-occupied housing at 56.8
percent  compared  to both  Illinois  and the  United  States  at 64.2  percent.
Reciprocally,  the market area  supported a rate of  renter-occupied  housing of
43.2 percent compared to a lower 35.8 percent in Illinois and the United States.
The  median  housing  value for the  market  area was  $100,253,  which was 25.2
percent higher than Illinois'  value of $80,100 and 27.7 percent higher than the
United  States  median  housing  value of $79,098.  The Bank's market area had a
median  rent of $477,  which was  higher  than  Illinois  at $445 and the United
States at $447.

         The mix of personal  income  sources by industry  groups for the market
area was similar to the mix in Illinois and the United States, in that the three
were dominated by the services  industry.  The major business source of personal
income by industry group in Hemlock  Federal's  market area,  Illinois,  and the
United  States,  based  on  number  of  employees,  was  the  services  industry
representing 35.3 percent, 32.8 percent, 34.1 percent,  respectively  (reference
Exhibit  27).  The  wholesale/retail  sector  was the  second  major  source  of
employment  in all three  geographical  categories at 24.6 percent in the market
area,  26.9 percent in  Illinois,  and 27.5  percent in the United  States.  The
manufacturing sector was the third major source of employment in the market area
at 19.1  percent,  in Illinois at 20.8 percent and in the United  States at 19.2
percent.  The remaining employment sectors combined to represent 19.2 percent of
employment in the market area,  19.5 percent in Illinois and 19.2 percent in the
United  States.  The  marker  area had a smaller  share of  employment  from the
agricultural  and mining  sector than either  Illinois or the United  States and
larger  higher share of employment  from the finance,  insurance and real estate
sector and the transportation and utilities sector.

         The  unemployment  rate is another key economic  indicator.  Exhibit 28
shows  the  average  unemployment  rates  for  Hemlock  Federal's  market  area,
Illinois,  and the United States in 1994, 1995, and September,  1996. The market
area had a modestly higher

                                       31

<PAGE>



Description of Primary Market Area  (cont.)

unemployment  rate than  Illinois  in 1994 and 1995,  and an  identical  rate to
Illinois  in  September,  1996.  The market area  experienced  a decrease in its
unemployment  rate from 5.9 percent in 1994 to 5.2 percent in  September,  1996,
which was lower than the United  States at 5.8 percent and identical to Illinois
at 5.2 percent.  Unemployment  in the Bank's  market area  declined 11.9 percent
from 5.9 percent in 1994 to 5.2 percent in  September,  1996,  compared to a 3.7
percent  decrease in Illinois  and a 4.9 percent  decrease in the United  States
during that time period.

         Exhibit 29 provides  deposit data for banks,  thrifts and credit unions
in the Bank's market area counties.  The Bank's market penetration in the market
area was $130.6 million or 4.3 percent of thrift deposits and 1.2 percent of all
financial  institution and credit union deposits,  which totaled $113.0 billion.
Given the size and the  population of the market area  counties,  however,  such
modest market share of deposits is not necessarily an accurate representation of
the Bank's strength in its immediate area.

         Exhibit 30 provides  interest  rate data for each quarter for the years
1992 through 1995 and for the first three  quarters of 1996.  The interest rates
tracked are the prime rate, as well as 90-day, one-year and thirty-year Treasury
bills. Interest rates experienced a declining trend in the first two quarters of
1992,  but then  began to rise in the  second  half of the year.  In 1993  rates
experienced  slight volatility until the last two quarters,  which indicated the
beginning of a rising trend. This rising trend continued  throughout all of 1994
and into  the  first  quarter  of 1995  with  prime  at 9.00  percent.  However,
throughout the remainder of 1995, interest rates saw dramatic decreases,  as the
prime  rate  fell to its 1994  year end level of 8.50  percent.  The prime  rate
decreased again to 8.25 percent in the first quarter of 1996 and has remained at
that level  through the third  quarter of the year.  Rates on T-bills,  however,
experienced moderate  fluctuation in 1996,  increasing in the first two quarters
but indicating a moderating  trend in the third quarter,  with 30-Year  Treasury
Bills witnessing the widest fluctuation.



                                       32

<PAGE>



SUMMARY

         To summarize,  the market area counties represent a large and basically
stable market in all aspects,  including population,  income levels,  employment
and housing  values.  The population,  the number of households,  the per capita
income level, and the median household income level in the market area displayed
a trend of modest  growth in the mid 1990's.  The market area  counties also had
higher  median rents and median  housing  values  compared to state and national
averages,  which generally correspond to high mortgage loan levels. Further, the
market area counties have a strongly competitive  financial  institution market,
dominated by banks,  with a strong deposit base of approximately  $113.0 billion
in deposits.


                                       33

<PAGE>



III.     COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

Introduction

         Integral to the valuation of Hemlock Federal  Financial  Corporation is
the selection of an appropriate group of  publicly-traded  thrift  institutions,
hereinafter  referred to as the "comparable  group". This section identifies the
comparable  group and  describes  each  parameter  used in the selection of each
institution in the group, resulting in a comparable group based on such specific
and detailed  parameters,  current  financials  and recent trading  prices.  The
various  characteristics  of the selected  comparable  group provide the primary
basis for making the necessary  adjustments to the Corporation's pro forma value
relative to the comparable group.  There is also a recognition and consideration
of financial comparisons with all publicly-traded,  SAIF- insured thrifts in the
United States and all  publicly-traded,  SAIF-insured thrifts in the Midwest and
Illinois.

         Exhibits 31 and 32 present  Thrift Stock Prices and Pricing  Ratios and
Key Financial Data and Ratios, respectively, both individually and in aggregate,
for the  universe  of 332  publicly-traded,  SAIF-insured  thrifts in the United
States  ("all  thrifts"),  excluding  mutual  holding  companies,  used  in  the
selection of the comparable group and other financial  comparisons.  Exhibits 31
and 32 also subclassify all thrifts by region, including the 152 publicly-traded
Midwest  thrifts  ("Midwest  thrifts")  and the 27  publicly-traded  thrifts  in
Illinois  ("Illinois  thrifts"),  and by trading  exchange.  Exhibit 33 presents
prices,  pricing  ratios  and  price  trends  for  the 49  SAIF-insured  thrifts
completing their conversions between January 1, 1996, and December 6, 1996.

         The selection of the comparable group was based on the establishment of
both  general and  specific  parameters  using  financial,  operating  and asset
quality  characteristics  of Hemlock Federal as determinants  for defining those
parameters.  The determination of parameters was also based on the uniqueness of
each parameter as a normal indicator of




                                       34

<PAGE>



Introduction (cont.)

a thrift  institution's  operating  philosophy and  perspective.  The parameters
established  and defined are considered to be both  reasonable and reflective of
Hemlock Federal's basic operation. Inasmuch as the comparable group must consist
of at  least  ten  institutions,  the  parameters  relating  to  asset  size and
geographic  location  have been  expanded as  necessary in order to fulfill this
requirement.


GENERAL PARAMETERS

Merger/Acquisition

         The comparable  group will not include any  institution  that is in the
process  of a merger or  acquisition  due to the price  impact of such a pending
transaction.  The  thrift  institutions  that were  potential  comparable  group
candidates   but  were  not   considered   due  to   their   involvement   in  a
merger/acquisition or a potential merger/acquisition include the following:

         Institution                                State
         -----------                                -----
         Marshalltown Financial Corp.               Iowa
         FCB Financial Corporation                  Wisconsin
         OSB Financial Corporation                  Wisconsin

         Four other  thrift  institutions  in  Hemlock  Federal's  market  area,
although  not   comparable   group   candidates,   are  currently   involved  in
merger/acquisition  activity or have been recently so involved,  as indicated in
Exhibit 34.


                                       35

<PAGE>



Mutual Holding Companies

         The  comparable  group will not include any mutual  holding  companies.
Mutual holding companies  typically  demonstrate  higher price to book valuation
ratios  that are the  result  of their  minority  ownership  structure  that are
inconsistent with those of conventional,  publicly-traded institutions.  Exhibit
35 presents pricing ratios and Exhibit 36 presents key financial data and ratios
for the 19 publicly-traded,  SAIF-insured mutual holding companies in the United
States.  The following  thrift  institutions  were  potential  comparable  group
candidates, but were not considered due to their mutual holding company form:

         Institution                                 State
         -----------                                 -----
         Jacksonville Savings Bank, MHC              Illinois
         Wayne Savings & Loan Co., MHC               Illinois
         Webster City Federal Savings Bank, MHC      Iowa
         Guaranty Federal Savings Bank, MHC          Missouri
         Pulaski Bank, Savings Bank, MHC             Missouri


Trading Exchange

         It is necessary that each institution in the comparable group be listed
on one of the three  major stock  exchanges,  the New York Stock  Exchange,  the
American  Stock  Exchange,  or the  over-the-counter  ("OTC")  and listed on the
National   Association  of  Securities   Dealers   Automated   Quotation  System
("NASDAQ").   Such  a  listing   indicates  that  an  institution's   stock  has
demonstrated  trading  activity and is responsive  to normal market  conditions,
which are requirements for listing.  Of the 351  publicly-traded,  SAIF- insured
institutions,  including 19 mutual holding  companies,  14 are traded on the New
York Stock  Exchange,  17 are traded on the American  Stock Exchange and 320 are
listed on NASDAQ.



                                       36

<PAGE>



IPO Date

         Another general  parameter for the selection of the comparable group is
the initial public offering  ("IPO") date, which must be at least four quarterly
periods prior to the trading date of December 6, 1996,  used in this report,  in
order to  insure  at least  four  consecutive  quarters  of  reported  data as a
publicly-traded  institution.  The  resulting  parameter  is a required IPO date
prior to June 30, 1995.


Geographic Location

         The geographic location of an institution is a key parameter due to the
impact of various economic and thrift industry conditions on the performance and
trading prices of thrift institution  stocks.  Although  geographic location and
asset size are the two  parameters  that have been  developed  incrementally  to
fulfill the comparable group requirements, the geographic location parameter has
definitely  eliminated  regions of the United States distant to Hemlock Federal,
including the western and southwestern  states, the southeastern  states and the
New England states.

         The geographic location parameter consists of Illinois, its surrounding
states of Indiana, Kentucky,  Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin, as well as the state
of Ohio, for a total of seven states. To extend the geographic  parameter beyond
those states could result in the selection of similar thrift  institutions  with
regard to financial conditions and operating characteristics, but with different
pricing  ratios due to their  geographic  regions.  The result  could then be an
unrepresentative   comparable  group  with  regard  to  price  relative  to  the
parameters and, therefore, an inaccurate value.


                                       37

<PAGE>



Asset Size

         Asset size was  another  key  parameter  used in the  selection  of the
comparable  group. The range of total assets for any potential  comparable group
institution was $400 million or less, due to the greater similarity of asset mix
and operating strategies of institutions in this asset range compared to Hemlock
Federal, with assets of approximately $147 million. Such an asset size parameter
was necessary to obtain a comparable group of at least ten institutions.

         In  connection  with  asset  size,  we did not  consider  the number of
offices  or  branches  in  selecting  or  eliminating   candidates   since  this
characteristic is directly related to operating  expenses,  which are recognized
as an operating performance parameter.


SUMMARY

         Exhibits 37 and 38 show the 63  institutions  considered  as comparable
group  candidates after applying the general  parameters,  with the shaded lines
denoting the institutions ultimately selected for the comparable group using the
balance  sheet,  performance  and asset quality  parameters  established in this
section.



                                       38

<PAGE>



BALANCE SHEET PARAMETERS

Introduction

         The balance sheet  parameters  focused on seven balance sheet ratios as
determinants  for selecting a comparable  group, as presented in Exhibit 37. The
balance sheet ratios consist of the following:

              1.   Cash and Investments/Assets
              2.   Mortgage-Backed Securities/Assets
              3.   One- to Four-Family Loans/Assets
              4.   Total Net Loans/Assets
              5.   Total Net Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities/Assets
              6.   Borrowed Funds/Assets
              7.   Equity/Assets

         The  parameters  enable the  identification  and  elimination of thrift
institutions that are distinctly and functionally different from Hemlock Federal
with  regard  to asset  mix.  The  balance  sheet  parameters  also  distinguish
institutions  with a  significantly  different  capital  position  from  Hemlock
Federal.  The ratio of deposits  to assets was not used as a parameter  as it is
directly related to and affected by an  institution's  equity and borrowed funds
ratios, which are separate parameters.


Cash and Investments to Assets

         Hemlock  Federal's  level of cash and  investments  to assets  was 16.4
percent  at  September  30,  1996,  and  reflects  the  Bank's  lower  level  of
investments than national and regional averages.  The Bank's investments consist
primarily of Federal agency securities,  equity securities,  FHLB time deposits,
deposits with other institutions and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs).
During  its  last  five  fiscal  years,  Hemlock  Federal's  ratio  of cash  and
investments  excluding  mortgage-backed  securities  to assets has ranges from a
high of 31.5  percent in 1994 to a low of 11.0 percent in 1991,  averaging  21.3
percent. It should be noted that Federal Home Loan Bank stock is not included in
cash and


                                       39

<PAGE>



Cash and Investments to Assets  (cont.)

investments,  but rather is part of other assets in order to be consistent  with
reporting requirements and sources of statistical and comparative analysis.

         The  parameter  range  for cash  and  investments  is broad  due to the
volatility of this  parameter and to prevent the  elimination  of otherwise good
potential  comparable  group  candidates.  The  range has been  defined  as 40.0
percent  or less of  assets,  with a midpoint  of 20.0  percent,  similar to the
Bank's five year average.


Mortgage-Backed Securities to Assets

         At  September  30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal's  ratio of  mortgage-backed
securities  to assets  was 44.9  percent,  much  higher  than both the  regional
average of 10.0 percent and the national  average of 12.4  percent.  Recognizing
the Bank's higher share of mortgage-backed securities and that many institutions
purchase  mortgage-backed  securities as an alternative  to lending  relative to
cyclical loan demand and prevailing interest rates, this parameter is moderately
broad at 45.0 percent or less of assets and a midpoint of 22.5 percent.


One- to Four-Family Loans to Assets

         Hemlock  Federal's  lending  activity is focused on the  origination of
residential  mortgage  loans  secured by one- to  four-family  dwellings,  which
constituted  88.7 percent of the Bank's total loans at September 30, 1996.  One-
to  four-family  loans  represented  32.5  percent of the Bank's total assets at
September 30, 1996,  which is below  industry  averages.  The parameter for this
characteristic  requires  any  comparable  group  institution  to have from 25.0
percent  to 65.0  percent  of its  assets in one- to  four-family  loans  with a
midpoint of 45.0 percent.


                                       40

<PAGE>



Total Net Loans to Assets

         At September 30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal had a ratio of total net loans
to assets of 36.1 percent and a five fiscal year average of 26.1 percent,  which
is  considerably  lower than the national and regional  averages of 65.9 percent
and  68.5  percent,  respectively.  The  parameter  for  the  selection  of  the
comparable  group is from 30.0  percent to 80.0  percent with a midpoint of 55.0
percent.  The wider  range is simply  due to the fact  that,  as the  referenced
national and regional averages  indicate,  many institutions  purchase a greater
volume of investment securities and/or mortgage-backed  securities as a cyclical
alternative to lending, but may otherwise be similar to Hemlock Federal.


Total Net Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities to Assets

         As discussed  previously,  Hemlock Federal's shares of  mortgage-backed
securities  to assets and total net loans to assets  were 44.9  percent and 36.1
percent,  respectively,  for a combined share of 81.0 percent.  Recognizing  the
industry and regional ratios of 12.4 percent and 10.0 percent,  respectively, of
mortgage-backed  securities to assets,  the parameter  range for the  comparable
group in this category is 55.0 percent to 95.0 percent,  with a midpoint of 75.5
percent.


Borrowed Funds to Assets

         Hemlock  Federal had FHLB  advances  of $1.5  million or 1.0 percent of
total assets at September 30, 1996, which is the same as its balance at December
31, 1995 and 1994,  but lower than its balance of $3.0  million at December  31,
1991  through  1993.  For its most  recent five  fiscal  years,  the Bank had an
average  ratio of  borrowed  funds to assets  of 1.7  percent,  with only  minor
fluctuation, from a high of 2.3 percent at December 31,


                                       41

<PAGE>



Borrowed Funds to Assets  (cont.)

1991, to a low of 1.0 percent at December 31, 1995. The use of borrowed funds by
some thrift  institutions  indicates an alternative  to retail  deposits and may
provide a source of term funds for  lending.  The federal  insurance  premium on
deposits has also increased the  attractiveness of borrowed funds,  although the
lower premium beginning in 1997 may result in some moderation of that trend.

         The public demand for longer term funds increased in 1995 and the first
half of 1996 due to the higher  cost of  deposits.  The  result was  competitive
rates on longer  term  Federal  Home  Loan Bank  advances,  and an  increase  in
borrowed funds by many  institutions as an alternative to higher cost, long term
certificates.  The  ratio of  borrowed  funds  to  assets,  therefore,  does not
typically  indicate  higher risk or more  aggressive  lending,  but primarily an
alternative to retail deposits.

         The range of  borrowed  funds to total  assets is 25.0  percent or less
with a  midpoint  of 12.5  percent,  similar  to the  national  average  of 14.5
percent.


Equity to Assets

         Hemlock  Federal's equity to assets ratio as of September 30, 1996, was
7.73 percent.  After conversion,  based on the midpoint value of $15,700,000 and
net proceeds to the Bank of approximately $7.6 million, Hemlock Federal's equity
is projected  to  stabilize in the area of 13.0 percent to 14.0.  Based on those
historical  and pro forma  equity  ratios,  we have  defined  the  equity  ratio
parameter  to be 5.0  percent  to 18.0  percent  with a  midpoint  ratio of 11.5
percent.


                                       42

<PAGE>



PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS

Introduction

         Exhibit 38 presents five  parameters  identified  as key  indicators of
Hemlock Federal's earnings  performance and the basis for such performance.  The
primary  performance  indicator is the Bank's return on average assets ("ROAA").
The  second  performance  indicator  is the  Bank's  return  on  average  equity
("ROAE"). To measure the Bank's ability to generate net interest income, we have
used net  interest  margin.  The  supplemental  source of income for the Bank is
noninterest income, and the parameter used to measure this factor is noninterest
income to assets.  The final  performance  indicator that has been identified is
the  Bank's  ratio  of  operating  expenses,  also  referred  to as  noninterest
expenses,  to  assets,  a  key  factor  in  distinguishing  different  types  of
operations,  particularly  institutions  that are aggressive in secondary market
activities,  which often  results in much higher  operating  costs and  overhead
ratios.


Return on Average Assets

         The key  performance  parameter is the ROAA. As a result of the special
SAIF  assessment  realized  in the third  quarter  of 1996 and the  Bank's  $1.0
million  contribution  to the charitable  foundation it established in that same
quarter, both categorized as non-recurring expense items, Hemlock Federal's ROAA
will  incorporate core income,  rather than net income,  and will be compared to
the core ROAA of candidate  comparable group institutions.  The Bank's core ROAA
was 0.58 percent for the twelve months ended  September 30, 1996,  based on core
earnings  after  taxes,  as detailed in Item I of this report and  presented  in
Exhibit  7. The  Bank's  ROAA  over the past  five  fiscal  years,  based on net
earnings,  has  ranged  from a low of  0.37  percent  in  1991 to a high of 0.68
percent in 1993 with an average ROAA of 0.56 percent.


                                       43

<PAGE>



Return on Average Assets  (cont.)

         Considering the historical and current earnings  performance of Hemlock
Federal, the range for the ROAA parameter based on core or normalized income has
been  defined as 0.30  percent to a high of 1.00 percent with a midpoint of 0.65
percent.


Return on Average Equity

         The  ROAE,  also  using  core  income,  has  been  used as a  secondary
parameter to eliminate any institutions  with an unusually high or low ROAE that
is  inconsistent  with the Bank's  position.  This parameter does not provide as
much meaning for a newly converted thrift institution as it does for established
stock  institutions,  due to the newness of the capital  structure  of the newly
converted  thrift and the inability to accurately  reflect a mature ROAE for the
newly converted thrift relative to other stock institutions.

         The pro forma  consolidated  ROAE for the Bank and the  Corporation for
the  year  following  conversion  be  approximately  7.00  percent  based on the
midpoint  valuation.  Prior to conversion,  the Bank's ROAE was 7.52 percent for
the twelve months ended  September 30, 1996,  based on core income,  with a five
year average net ROAE of 8.11 percent.  The parameter  range for the  comparable
group,  based on net income, is from 2.0 percent to 12.0 percent with a midpoint
of 7.0 percent.


Net Interest Margin

         Hemlock  Federal had a net interest margin of 3.17 percent based on the
twelve month period ended  September 30, 1996.  The Bank's range of net interest
margin  for the past five  fiscal  years has been from a low of 2.29  percent in
1991 to a high of 3.58 percent in 1993 with an average of 2.85 percent.


                                       44

<PAGE>



Net Interest Margin  (cont.)

         The parameter range for the selection of the comparable group is from a
low of 2.75 percent to a high of 3.75 percent with a midpoint of 3.25 percent.


Operating Expenses to Assets

         Net of non-recurring  items,  Hemlock Federal had a higher than average
2.42 percent ratio of operating  expenses to average assets ratio for the twelve
months ended  September 30, 1996.  For its five most recent  fiscal  years,  the
Bank's operating  expenses have been stable and generally lower than in its most
recent four  quarters,  ranging  from a low of 2.16 percent in 1994 to a high of
2.44  percent in 1991 with an average of 2.26  percent,  similar to the  current
industry average of 2.32 percent.

         The operating expense, net of non-recurring expense to assets parameter
for the  selection  of the  comparable  group is from a low of 1.75 percent to a
high of 3.25 percent with a midpoint of 2.50 percent.


Noninterest Income to Assets

         For its most  recent  four  quarters,  Hemlock  Federal  experienced  a
somewhat  lower than average  dependence  on  noninterest  income as a source of
additional income. The Bank's noninterest income,  including gains and losses on
the sale of assets,  to average  assets was 0.31  percent for the twelve  months
ended  September 30, 1996,  which is below the industry  average of 0.44 percent
for that period. Hemlock Federal's ratio of noninterest income to average assets
has declined  significantly  and consistently  during its past five fiscal years
from 0.66 percent in 1991 to 0.23 percent in 1995, averaging 0.46 percent.



                                       45

<PAGE>



Noninterest Income to Assets  (cont.)

         The range for this parameter for the selection of the comparable  group
is 0.80 percent or less of average assets, with a midpoint of 0.40 percent.


ASSET QUALITY PARAMETERS

Introduction

         The final set of  financial  parameters  used in the  selection  of the
comparable  group are asset  quality  parameters,  also shown in Exhibit 38. The
purpose of these  parameters  is to insure  that any thrift  institution  in the
comparable  group  has an asset  quality  position  similar  to that of  Hemlock
Federal.   The  three  defined  asset  quality  parameters  are  the  ratios  of
nonperforming  assets to total  assets,  repossessed  assets to total assets and
loan loss reserves to total assets at the end of the most recent period.


Nonperforming Assets to Assets Ratio

         Hemlock  Federal's  ratio of  nonperforming  assets to assets  was 0.05
percent at September 30, 1996,  which is lower than the national average of 0.87
percent,  lower than the Midwest regional average of 0.59 percent and lower than
its ratio of 0.40 percent at December 31, 1995.  For the five fiscal years ended
December  31,  1991 to 1995,  the  Bank's  ratio  decreased  from a high of 1.50
percent at December  31,  1991,  to a low of 0.40  percent at December 31, 1995,
with a five year average of 0.86 percent.

         The parameter range for nonperforming assets to assets has been defined
as 1.00 percent of assets or less with a midpoint of 0.50 percent.




                                       46

<PAGE>



Repossessed Assets to Assets

         Hemlock  Federal was absent  repossessed  assets at September 30, 1996,
and at December 31, 1995 and 1994.  The Bank's ratios of  repossessed  assets to
total  assets were 0.28  percent,  0.18 percent and 0.31 percent at December 31,
1993,  1992 and 1991,  respectively,  for a five year  average of 0.15  percent.
National and regional averages were 0.56 percent and 0.47 percent, respectively,
at September 30, 1996.

         The range for the repossessed  assets to total assets parameter is 0.25
percent of assets or less with a midpoint of 0.13 percent.


Loans Loss Reserves to Assets

         Hemlock Federal had a loan loss reserve or allowance for loan losses of
$670,000,  representing  a loan loss  allowance  to total  assets  ratio of 0.46
percent at September 30, 1996, which is higher than its ratio of 0.41 percent at
December 31, 1995. For its last five fiscal years,  the Bank's loan loss reserve
averaged  0.28 percent of assets from a low of 0.13 percent in 1991 to a high of
0.41 percent in 1995.

         The  loan  loss  allowance  to  assets  parameter  range  used  for the
selection of the  comparable  group focused on a minimum  required ratio of 0.15
percent of assets.


THE COMPARABLE GROUP

         With  the  application  of the  parameters  previously  identified  and
applied,  the final comparable  group represents ten institutions  identified in
Exhibits 39, 40 and 41. The  comparable  group  institutions  range in size from
$76.4 million to $390.9 million with an average asset size of $198.3 million and
have an average of 5.7 offices per institution  compared to Hemlock Federal with
assets of $147.0 million and three offices. One of the


                                       47

<PAGE>



The Comparable Group  (cont.)

comparable  group  institutions  was converted in 1990,  three in 1992, three in
1993, two in 1994, and one in 1995.

         Exhibit 42  presents a  comparison  of Hemlock  Federal's  market  area
demographic data with that of each of the institutions in the comparable group.


                                       48

<PAGE>



SUMMARY OF COMPARABLE GROUP INSTITUTIONS

         Community  Bank Shares of Indiana,  Inc., New Albany,  Indiana,  is the
holding company for Community  Savings Bank,  F.S.B.  Community Savings operates
seven full service  offices in Floyd and Clark Counties,  Indiana,  and offers a
full range of mortgage,  consumer and commercial  loans.  At the end of its most
recent  quarter,  the Bank had  assets of  $234.6  million  and  equity of $25.5
million,  and  reported  a core ROAA of 0.89  percent  for its four most  recent
quarters.

         First Financial  Bancorp,  Inc.,  Belvidere,  Illinois,  is the holding
company for First Federal  Savings Bank of Belvidere.  The Bank serves Boone and
Winnebago  Counties in Illinois with two full service offices in Belvidere and a
loan  origination  office in  Rockford,  Illinois.  The Bank has assets of $97.1
million and equity of $7.5 million, and reported a core ROAA of 0.36 percent.

         Glenway Financial Corp.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio, is the holding company for
Centennial  Savings Bank.  The Bank serves the Hamilton  County market area from
its six full service offices. The Bank has total assets of $283.7 million, total
equity of $26.3 million, and a core ROAA of 0.60 percent.

         Harvest Home Financial  Corporation,  Cincinnati,  Ohio, is the holding
company for Harvest Home Savings Bank,  which operates three offices serving the
Greater  Cincinati  area. The Bank had assets of 76.4 million and equity of 12.8
million at the end of its most recent quarter,  and reported a core ROAA of 0.75
percent for its trailing four quarters.

         Horizon Financial Services Corporation, Oskaloosa, Iowa, is the holding
company for Horizon Federal Savings Bank, which converted to stock form in June,
1994.  Horizon  Federal  has total  assets of $76.7  million  and equity of $8.2
million,  and  indicated  a core ROAA of 0.33  percent in its most  recent  four
quarters.


                                       49

<PAGE>



Summary of Comparable Group Institutions  (cont.)


         Kankakee  Bancorp,  Kankakee,  Illinois,  is  the  holding  company  of
Kankakee Federal Savings Bank and is located near the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
It  operates  nine  offices,  seven of which are in Kankakee  County.  One other
office is in nearby Champaign,  Illinois, and another is located near St. Louis,
Missouri, in Carlyle,  Illinois. The Bank has total assets of $352.9 million and
equity of $35.4 million. For its most recent four quarters,  the Bank reported a
core ROAA of 0.59 percent.

         Mid-Iowa  Financial  Corp.,  Newton,  Iowa, is the holding  company for
Mid-Iowa Savings Bank, FSB. The Bank operates 6 offices in the central Iowa area
and focuses its lending activity on one-to-four  family mortgage loans. The Bank
has total assets of $115.2  million,  total  equity of $10.8  million and a core
ROAA of 0.93 percent.

         Midwest Bancshares,  Inc., Burlington, Iowa, is the holding company for
Midwest  Federal  Savings  and Loan  Association.  The  Association  serves  its
customers through five offices in Des Moines, Lee and Louisa Counties, Iowa. The
Bank has total  assets of $137.7  million,  total  equity of $9.1  million,  and
reported a core ROAA of 0.72 percent for its most recent four quarters.

         OHSL Financial Corp., Cincinnati,  Ohio, is the holding company for Oak
Hills  Savings and Loan  Company,  F.A.  The  Company's  headquarters  and three
offices  are  all  in  Hamilton  County,   and  serve  the  Greater   Cincinnati
Metropolitan  Area. The Company has total assets of $217.6 million and equity of
$25.2 million, and reported a core ROAA of 0.85 percent for its (new)most recent
four quarters.

         SuburbFed Financial  Corporation,  Flossmoor,  Illinois, is the holding
company for Suburban Federal Savings,  a federal savings bank. The Bank operates
12 offices located in Chicago's Southland and northwest Indiana.  With assets of
$390.0  million and equity of $25.4  million,  the Bank  reported a core ROAA of
0.48 percent for its most recent four quarters.

                                       50

<PAGE>



 IV.     ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

         This section reviews and compares the financial  performance of Hemlock
Federal  to  all  thrifts,  regional  thrifts,  Illinois  thrifts  and  the  ten
institutions  constituting  Hemlock Federal's  comparable group, as selected and
described in the previous section. The comparative analysis focuses on financial
condition,  earning  performance  and  pertinent  ratios as shown in Exhibits 43
through 48.

         As  presented in Exhibits 43 and 44, at  September  30,  1996,  Hemlock
Federal's total equity of 7.73 percent of assets was lower than the 9.93 percent
for the comparable group, the 12.94 for all thrifts, the 14.43 percent ratio for
Midwest thrifts,  and the 14.61 percent ratio for Illinois thrifts. The Bank had
a 36.14 percent share of net loans in its asset mix, considerably lower than the
comparable group at 64.10 percent, and also much lower than all thrifts at 65.93
percent, Midwest thrifts at 68.49 percent and Illinois thrifts at 66.10 percent.
Hemlock  Federal's  share of net loans,  lower than  industry  averages,  is the
result of its much higher level of  mortgage-backed  securities at 44.85 percent
of total  assets.  The  comparable  group  had a lower  12.84  percent  share of
mortgage-backed  securities,  and a  higher  20.48  percent  share  of cash  and
investments compared to the Bank at 16.42 percent. All thrifts had 12.40 percent
of  assets  in  mortgage-backed   securities  and  18.15  percent  in  cash  and
investments.   Hemlock   Federal's  share  of  deposits  of  87.87  percent  was
significantly  higher  than  the  comparable  group  and  the  three  geographic
categories,  reflecting  the Bank's minimal 1.02 percent share of FHLB advances.
The  comparable  group had  deposits of 75.17  percent and  borrowings  of 13.72
percent.  All  thrifts  averaged a 70.87  percent  share of  deposits  and 14.48
percent of borrowed  funds,  while Midwest  thrifts had a 69.41 percent share of
deposits and an 14.57 percent share of borrowed funds. Illinois thrifts averaged
a 71.78 percent  share of deposits and a 12.32 percent share of borrowed  funds.
Hemlock  Federal was absent  goodwill  and other  intangibles,  compared to 0.10
percent for the comparable group, 0.20 percent for all thrifts, 0.15 percent for
Midwest thrifts and 0.14 percent for Illinois thrifts.



                                       51

<PAGE>



Analysis of Financial Performance  (cont.)

         Operating  performance  indicators are summarized in Exhibits 45 and 46
and  provide a  synopsis  of key  sources of income  and key  expense  items for
Hemlock Federal in comparison to the comparable group, all thrifts, and regional
thrifts for the trailing four quarters.

         As shown in Exhibit 47, for the twelve months ended September 30, 1996,
Hemlock  Federal had a yield on average  interest-earning  assets lower than the
comparable  group and also lower  than the three  geographical  categories.  The
Bank's  yield on  interest-earning  assets  was  7.07  percent  compared  to the
comparable group at 7.48 percent,  all thrifts at 7.71 percent,  Midwest thrifts
at 7.70 percent and Illinois thrifts at 7.51 percent.

         The Bank's  cost of funds for the twelve  months  ended  September  30,
1996,  was also  lower  than the  comparable  group and the  three  geographical
averages. Hemlock Federal had an average cost of interest-bearing liabilities of
4.31 percent compared to 4.87 percent for the comparable group, 4.89 percent for
all thrifts, 4.97 percent for Midwest thrifts and 4.82 for Illinois thrifts. The
Bank's interest income and interest  expense ratios resulted in an interest rate
spread of 2.76  percent,  which was  higher  than the  comparable  group at 2.61
percent,  slightly  lower than all  thrifts  at 2.82  percent,  and higher  than
Midwest  thrifts at 2.72 percent and Illinois  thrifts at 2.69 percent.  Hemlock
Federal demonstrated a net interest margin of 3.17 percent for the twelve months
ended September 30, 1996, based on average  interest-earning  assets,  which was
higher than the comparable group at 3.07 percent.  All thrifts averaged a higher
3.39 percent net interest margin for the trailing four quarters,  as did Midwest
thrifts at 3.36 percent and Illinois thrifts at 3.33 percent.

         Hemlock  Federal's major source of income is interest  earnings,  as is
evidenced  by the  operations  ratios  presented in Exhibit 46. The Bank made an
$87,000  provision for loan losses during the twelve months ended  September 30,
1996, representing 0.06 percent

                                       52

<PAGE>



Analysis of Financial Performance  (cont.)

of average assets. The comparable group indicated a provision  representing 0.09
percent of assets,  with all thrifts at 0.13  percent  and  Midwest  thrifts and
Illinois thrifts both at 0.09 percent.

         The Bank's  non-interest income was $461,000 or 0.31 percent of average
assets for the twelve months ended September 30, 1996. Such non-interest  income
was moderately lower than the comparable  group at 0.41 percent,  all thrifts at
0.44 percent,  Midwest thrifts at 0.41 percent and Illinois thrifts at 0.40. For
the twelve months ended September 30, 1996, Hemlock Federal's  operating expense
ratio,  net  of  non-recurring  expense,  was  2.42  percent,  higher  than  the
comparable group and the three  geographical  averages.  The comparable  group's
operating  expense  ratio was 2.31  percent,  while all  thrifts  averaged  2.32
percent,  Midwest thrifts  averaged 2.31 percent and Illinois  thrifts  averaged
2.30  percent.  It  should  be noted  that the 65.7  basis  point  special  SAIF
assessment is reflected as a non-recurring  expense in the range of 0.45 percent
to 0.50 percent of average assets for most institutions.  Hemlock Federal's SAIF
assessment  of  $898,000,  together  with its $1.0 million  contribution  to the
charitable  foundation  established  by the Bank in the third  quarter  of 1996,
constituted the Bank's total non-recurring expense of $1,898,000 or 1.29 percent
of average assets.

         The overall  impact of Hemlock  Federal's  income and expense ratios is
reflected in the Bank's core income and return on assets.  The Bank had an ROAA,
based on core income,  of 0.58 percent for the twelve months ended September 30,
1996. For its most recent four quarters,  the comparable group had a higher ROAA
of 0.65 percent based on core income. All thrifts averaged a higher core ROAA of
0.79 percent,  while Midwest thrifts and Illinois thrifts averaged a higher 0.77
percent and 0.80 percent, respectively.

                                       53

<PAGE>



  V.     MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENTS

         This is a conclusive  section where  adjustments  are made to determine
the pro forma  market  value or appraised  value of the  Corporation  based on a
comparison of Hemlock Federal with the comparable group.  These adjustments will
take into  consideration  such key items as earnings  performance,  market area,
financial condition, dividend payments,  subscription interest, liquidity of the
stock to be issued, management, and market conditions or marketing of the issue.
It must be noted,  however, that all of the institutions in the comparable group
have their differences, and as a result, such adjustments become necessary.


EARNINGS PERFORMANCE

         In analyzing earnings performance, consideration was given to the level
of net interest income, the level and volatility of interest income and interest
expense  relative to changes in market area conditions and to changes in overall
interest  rates,  the quality of assets as it relates to the presence of problem
assets which may result in  adjustments  to  earnings,  the level of current and
historical  classified  assets and real  estate  owned,  the level of  valuation
allowances to support any problem assets or nonperforming  assets, the level and
volatility of non-interest income, and the level of non-interest expenses.

         As discussed  earlier,  the Bank's historical  business  philosophy has
focused on  strengthening  its net interest  income and maintaining a stable net
earnings  level,  maintaining  its  current low ratio of  nonperforming  assets,
strengthening  its level of  interest  sensitive  assets  relative  to  interest
sensitive  liabilities  and thereby  improving its  sensitivity  measure and its
overall interest rate risk,  maintaining an adequate level of loan loss reserves
to reduce  the impact of any  unforeseen  losses,  and  closely  monitoring  and
striving to reduce its current level of overhead  expenses.  The Bank's  current
philosophy will


                                       54

<PAGE>



Earnings Performance  (cont.)

continue to focus on increasing its net interest spread and net interest margin,
increasing  its net income and return on  assets,  and  increasing  its level of
mortgage loans to assets.

         Earnings  are often  related to an  institution's  ability to  generate
loans. The Bank was an active  originator of mortgage loans in fiscal years 1993
and 1995, with 1994 indicating a lower level of origination activity. During the
twelve months ended September 30, 1996,  originations of $17.0 million  exceeded
those in 1995 by $3.3 million or 24.9 percent,  with such increase  constituting
approximately  half each of  adjustable-rate  and fixed-rate one- to four-family
mortgage loans.  Originations of multi-family  and consumer loans were generally
similar to 1995. Total originations during the twelve months ended September 30,
1996,  were more than twice those in 1994 and very similar to the $17.1  million
of  originations  in 1993. The Bank's net increase in loans  outstanding for the
twelve months ended  September 30, 1996, was higher than in both 1995 and due to
the higher  level of  originations,  and also higher than in 1993 due to a lower
level of principal repayments.

         Hemlock Federal experienced a significant decreasing trend in principal
repayment  levels in 1994 and 1995.  Notwithstanding  an increase  in  principal
repayments  during  the twelve  months  ended  September  30,  1996,  related to
moderating  interest  rates in late  1995,  which  was more  than  offset by the
previously mentioned increase in originations during that period, the Bank's net
loans  increased by $16.1  million or 43.4 percent  from  December 31, 1993,  to
September 30, 1996.  The Bank's focus in fiscal years 1993,  1994 and 1995,  and
for the twelve months ended  September 30, 1996, was on the  origination of one-
to  four-family  mortgage  loans,  with that  loan  category  constituting  86.0
percent,  82.3 percent,  86.1 percent and 88.3 percent of total  origination  in
those four  periods,  respectively.  In those four periods,  the second  largest
category of originations was consumer loans, with  multi-family  loans being the
third largest.  The impact of these primary lending efforts has been to generate
a yield on average interest-earning assets of

                                       55

<PAGE>



Earnings Performance  (cont.)

7.07 percent for Hemlock Federal for the twelve months ended September 30, 1996,
compared to 7.48 percent for the comparable  group, 7.71 percent for all thrifts
and 7.70 for Midwest  thrifts.  The Bank's  level of interest  income to average
assets was 7.16 percent for the twelve months ended  September  30, 1996,  which
was lower than the  comparable  group at 7.27 percent,  Midwest  thrifts at 7.25
percent and all thrifts at 7.42 percent for their most recent four quarters.

         The  Bank's  net  interest  margin of 3.17  percent,  based on  average
interest-earning  assets for the twelve  months ended  September  30, 1996,  was
higher than the  comparable  group at 3.07 percent but lower than all thrifts at
3.39 percent.  Hemlock  Federal's cost of  interest-bearing  liabilities of 4.31
percent for the twelve  months  ended  September  30,  1996,  was lower than the
comparable group at 4.87 percent, lower than Midwest thrifts at 4.97 percent and
lower than all thrifts at 4.89 percent. Hemlock Federal's net interest spread of
2.76 percent for the twelve months ended  September 30, 1996,  was very modestly
higher than the  comparable  group at 2.61 percent and Midwest  thrifts at 2.72,
but lower than all thrifts at 2.82 percent.

         The Bank's ratio of  noninterest  income to assets was 0.31 percent for
the twelve months ended September 30, 1996,  lower than the comparable  group at
0.41 percent,  all thrifts at 0.44 percent and Midwest  thrifts at 0.41 percent.
The Bank has  indicated  recent  noninterest  income  lower than the  comparable
group, but its recent operating  expenses have nevertheless been higher than the
comparable  group as well as all  thrifts and  Midwest  thrifts.  For the twelve
months ended September 30, 1996,  Hemlock  Federal had an operating  expenses to
assets ratio of 2.42 percent, net of non-recurring expense,  compared to a lower
2.31  percent for the  comparable  group,  2.32 percent for all thrifts and 2.31
percent for Midwest thrifts.

         For the  twelve  months  ended  September  30,  1996,  Hemlock  Federal
generated  lower levels of  noninterest  income,  higher  levels of  noninterest
expenses,  and a slightly  higher net interest margin relative to its comparable
group. As a result, the Bank's core

                                       56

<PAGE>



Earnings Performance  (cont.)

income  level was lower than its  comparable  group for the twelve  months ended
September 30, 1996,  and also lower than all thrifts and Midwest  thrifts during
that time period. Based on net earnings, the Bank had a return on average assets
of 0.45  percent in 1991,  0.65  percent  in 1992,  0.68  percent in 1993,  0.37
percent in 1994 and 0.66 percent in 1996,  and had a return on average assets of
0.58 percent for the twelve months ended September 30, 1996. For its most recent
four  quarters,  the  comparable  group had a higher core ROAA of 0.65  percent,
while all thrifts  indicated  an even higher  0.79  percent.  The Bank's core or
normalized  earnings,  as shown in Exhibit 7, were higher than its net  earnings
due to both the special SAIF  assessment  realized in the third  quarter of 1996
and the contribution to the charitable foundation,  also in the third quarter of
1996,  as  previously  discussed.  The  Bank's  permitted  contributions  to the
foundation  of up to ten  percent of net income on an annual  basis will  impact
earnings in the future.

         Hemlock Federal's earnings stream will continue to be dependent on both
the overall trends in interest rates and also on the consistency and reliability
of its non-interest income, the latter indicating a considerable  decrease since
1993,  due to losses rather than gains on the sale of securities  and a decrease
in other noninterest  income.  The Bank's cost of  interest-bearing  liabilities
will continue to adjust upward as deposits  reprice at higher rates and continue
their gradual movement toward medium term  instruments.  This upward pressure on
savings costs is likely to continue based on current rates, although the rate of
increase  may  subside  somewhat  during  the next few  years.  It has also been
recognized that in addition to Hemlock  Federal's  current ROAA being lower than
that of its comparable  group for the most recent four  quarters,  the Bank also
experienced  a  generally  flat  trend  in  its  ROAA,  with  moderate  downward
fluctuation,  from 1991 to 1995 and for the twelve  months ended  September  30,
1996.  The Bank's net  interest  margin and net  interest  spread for the twelve
months ended September 30, 1996, are higher than at December 31, 1991,  although
they  also  indicated  moderate  intervening  fluctuation  and a slower  rate of
increase in 1994 and 1995 than in the prior three years.  In  recognition of the
foregoing earnings related factors, a moderate downward adjustment has been made
to Hemlock Federal's pro forma market value for earnings performance.

                                       57

<PAGE>



MARKET AREA

         Hemlock  Federal's  primary market area for retail deposits consists of
portions  of Cook and Will  Counties,  Illinois,  the  former  county  being the
location of the Bank's  home  office and two branch  offices.  As  discussed  in
Section II, this market area has evidenced  similar  rates of population  growth
and  unemployment  compared  to the  comparable  group  markets,  the  state  of
Illinois,  and the United States.  The  unemployment  rate in Hemlock  Federal's
market area  counties  averaged 5.2 percent in September,  1996,  compared to an
identical  5.2 percent for Illinois and 5.8 percent for the United  States.  The
per capita income level in Hemlock Federal's market area is similar to the state
average,  and higher than the national average and the comparable group average.
The median  household  income in the Bank's market area is modestly  higher than
the comparable  group,  slightly  higher than the Illinois  average and modestly
higher  than the  national  average.  The market area is also  characterized  by
median housing values higher than the comparable group,  Illinois and the United
States.  The market area is  generally  urban and  suburban,  with the  services
sector  being  the  major  business  and  employment  sector,  followed  by  the
wholesale/retail  sector  and  then  the  manufacturing  sector.  The  level  of
financial  competition in the Bank's market area is intense and dominated by the
banking industry, with the additional presence of credit unions. Hemlock Federal
had net  decreases  in  deposits in fiscal  years 1994,  1995 and for the twelve
months ended September 30, 1996, as withdrawals,  including  interest,  exceeded
deposits.  In recognition of all these factors, we believe that no adjustment is
warranted for the Bank's market area.


                                       58

<PAGE>



FINANCIAL CONDITION

         The  financial  condition of Hemlock  Federal is discussed in Section I
and shown in Exhibits 1, 2, 5, 15, 16 and 17, and is compared to the  comparable
group in Exhibits 41, 43 and 44. The Bank's total equity ratio before conversion
was 7.73 percent at  September  30,  1996,  which was lower than the  comparable
group at 9.93 percent, all thrifts at 12.94 percent and Midwest thrifts at 14.43
percent.  With a conversion at the midpoint,  the Corporation's pro forma equity
to assets ratio will increase to approximately 14.5 percent,  and the Bank's pro
forma equity to assets ratio will increase to approximately 11.2 percent.

         The Bank's mix of assets indicates some areas of significant  variation
from its  comparable  group.  Hemlock  Federal had a lower share of net loans at
36.14 percent of total assets at September 30, 1996,  compared to the comparable
group at 64.10  percent and all thrifts at 65.93  percent.  The Bank's  share of
mortgage-backed  securities was a significantly higher 44.85 percent compared to
12.84 percent for the  comparable  group and 12.40 percent for all thrifts.  The
Bank's 87.87  percent  share of deposits  was lower than that of the  comparable
group at 75.17,  reflecting  Hemlock  Federal's much lower 1.02 percent share of
borrowed funds, compared to the comparable group at 13.72 percent.

         The Bank was absent both repossessed  assets and goodwill,  compared to
minimal  shares  of  0.04  percent  and  0.10  percent,  respectively,  for  the
comparable group. All thrifts indicated  repossessed  assets of 0.56 percent and
goodwill and other intangible assets of 0.20 percent. The financial condition of
Hemlock Federal is further affected by its low level of nonperforming  assets at
0.05 percent of assets at September 30, 1996,  compared to a higher 0.41 percent
for the  comparable  group.  It should be recognized,  however,  that the Bank's
historical  ratio of  nonperforming  assets to total assets  decreased from 1.50
percent at December 31,  1991,  to 0.40 at December  31,  1995,  averaging  0.86
percent for those five years, before decreasing to its September 30, 1996, level
of 0.05 percent.


                                       59

<PAGE>



Financial Condition  (cont.)

         The  Bank had a lower  share of high  risk  real  estate  loans at 2.34
percent  compared to 9.42 percent for the comparable group and 13.19 percent for
all  thrifts.  Hemlock  Federal had  $670,000 in  allowances  for loan losses or
870.13 percent of  nonperforming  assets at September 30, 1996,  compared to the
comparable group's lower 128.08 percent,  with Midwest thrifts at 150.96 percent
and all thrifts at a lower 92.70 percent.  The Bank's ratio is reflective of its
historically  higher  levels of  non-performing  assets  and  classified  loans.
Hemlock Federal has also  experienced  moderate levels of interest rate risk, as
reflected by its exposure under conditions of rising interest rates.

         Overall, we believe that a minimum downward adjustment is warranted for
Hemlock Federal's current financial condition.


DIVIDEND PAYMENTS

         Hemlock  Federal has not indicated its intention to pay an initial cash
dividend.  The future  payment of cash  dividends  will be  dependent  upon such
factors as earnings performance,  capital position, growth level, and regulatory
limitations.  Nine of the ten  institutions  in the  comparable  group  pay cash
dividends  for an  average  dividend  yield  of  2.52  percent  for  those  nine
institutions,  and an  average  dividend  yield  of  2.27  percent  for  all ten
institutions.

         Currently,  many thrifts are not committing to initial cash  dividends,
similar to the absence of such a dividend  commitments  in 1995. In our opinion,
no adjustment to the pro forma market value is warranted at this time related to
dividend payments.


                                       60

<PAGE>



SUBSCRIPTION INTEREST

         The general interest in thrift conversion offerings was often difficult
to gauge in 1995.  Based  upon  recent  offerings,  subscription  and  community
interest weakened  significantly in early 1995 but regained some strength by the
second half of the year.  In the first half of 1996,  interest in new issues was
mixed,  with the number of conversions  decreasing from the same period in 1995.
The third quarter of 1996 suggests  some renewed  interest in thrift  conversion
offerings.  Overall,  such  interest  has appears to be directly  related to the
financial performance and condition of the thrift institution converting and the
strength  of the  local  economy,  as  well as  general  market  conditions  and
aftermarket price trends.

         Hemlock  Federal will focus its offering to depositors and residents in
the market area.  The board of  directors  and  officers  anticipate  purchasing
approximately  $1.2 million or approximately 8.0 percent of the conversion stock
based on the  appraised  midpoint  valuation.  Hemlock  Federal will form an 8.0
percent  ESOP,   which  plans  to  purchase  stock  in  the  initial   offering.
Additionally,  the  Prospectus  restricts to $175,000  the amount of  conversion
stock that may be purchased by a single account  holder,  or by such persons and
associates acting in concert.

         As  previously  discussed,  in the  third  quarter  of  1996,  the Bank
established  a  charitable  foundation  through  the cash  contribution  of $1.0
million,  which was in excess of net earnings and resulted in a reduction in the
Bank's  retained  earnings.  The foundation is intended to  demonstrate  Hemlock
Federal's commitment to its community, but also will have the effect of diluting
the equity per share of the initial  shareholders.  At the midpoint  value,  the
$1.0  million  contribution  will  reduce  the  book  value  of  each  share  by
approximately  $0.64 or 6.4  percent,  based  on an  initial  offering  of $15.7
million at $10.00 per share.


                                       61

<PAGE>



Subscription Interest (cont.)

         The Bank has secured the services of Charles Webb & Company, a division
of Keefe,  Bruyette and Woods,  Inc. ("KBW") to assist the Bank in the marketing
and sale of the  conversion  stock.  Based on the size of the offering,  current
market conditions,  local market interest and the terms of the offering, and the
establishment  of the  charitable  foundation,  we believe that no adjustment is
warranted for the Bank's anticipated subscription interest.


LIQUIDITY OF THE STOCK

         Hemlock Federal will offer its shares through  concurrent  subscription
and community  offerings  with the  assistance  of KBW. If  necessary,  KBW will
conduct a syndicated  community offering upon the completion of the subscription
and community  offering.  Hemlock Federal will pursue at least two market makers
for the stock.  The Bank's offering is similar in size to that of the comparable
group. Therefore, we believe that no adjustment to the pro forma market value is
warranted at this time relative to the liquidity of the stock.


MANAGEMENT

         The  chairman  of the board  and chief  executive  officer  of  Hemlock
Federal  is  Maureen  G.  Partynski,  who has held  that  position  since  1994,
previously serving as president of the Bank from 1989 to 1994 and executive vice
president from 1985 to 1989.  Ms.  Partynski has been employed by the Bank since
1982 and a director since 1984.  The president of Hemlock  Federal is Michael R.
Stevens,  who has held that position since 1994. Mr.  Stevens,  a director since
1992,  has been  employed by Hemlock  Federal  since 1984 in various  positions,
including executive vice president and financial manager.   Mr. Stevens  has  an
M.B.A. from Northwestern University.


                                       62

<PAGE>




Management  (cont.)

         Ms.  Partynski,  Mr. Stevens and senior  management of Hemlock  Federal
have been able to increase lending activity,  as well as the Bank's equity level
and equity  ratio,  over the past few years and the  Bank's  asset  quality  has
improved  significantly  since  1991.  Earnings,  however,  have shown  moderate
fluctuation  and the  Bank's  return on assets  has been  fairly  flat with some
downward  fluctuation,  remaining  lower than the comparable  group and industry
averages.  Net interest margin is currently  slightly above the comparable group
average,  but below the  industry  average.  The  Bank's  level of  non-interest
expense is currently  higher than the comparable  group, all thrifts and Midwest
thrifts,  and  non-interest  income has indicated a  considerable  decline since
1993.  It is our opinion  that no  adjustment  to the pro forma  market value is
warranted for management.


MARKETING OF THE ISSUE

         The  response  to a  newly  issued  thrift  institution  stock  is more
difficult to predict, due to the volatility of new thrift stocks.  Further, with
each  conversion,  there is a high level of uncertainty with regard to the stock
market  particularly  thrift  institution  stocks and interest rate trends.  The
impact of recent increases in interest rates has made it more difficult for more
thrift institutions to strengthen their earnings and resulted in downward market
prices.  Recent conflicts of opinion on interest rate trends and the recent rise
in interest rates have resulted in some significant stock  volatility.  Further,
the impact of the difference in a thrift's premium level on deposits compared to
BIF-insured  institutions  is  another  key  concern,  along  with  the one time
assessment of SAIF-insured  thrifts to increase the  capitalization  of the SAIF
insurance fund.

         The  necessity to build a new issue  discount into the stock price of a
converting  thrift has prevailed in the thrift industry in recognition of higher
uncertainty among investors as a result of the thrift  industry's  dependence on
interest rate trends.  We believe that a new issue discount applied to the price
to book  valuation  approach  continues and is  considered to be reasonable  and
necessary in the pricing of the Corporation, and we have

                                       63

<PAGE>



Marketing of the Issue  (cont.)

made a maximum downward  adjustment to the  Corporation's pro forma market value
in recognition of the new issue discount.

                                       64

<PAGE>



 VI.     VALUATION METHODS

         Under normal stock market  conditions,  the most frequently used method
for  determining  the  pro  forma  market  value  of  common  stock  for  thrift
institutions by this firm is the price to book value ratio method.  The focus on
the price to book  value  method is due to the  volatility  of  earnings  in the
thrift industry.  As earnings in the thrift industry improved in late 1993, 1994
and 1995,  there has been more emphasis placed on the price to earnings  method,
but the price to book value method continues to be the primary valuation method.
These two  pricing  methods  have both  been used in  determining  the pro forma
market value of the Corporation.

         In  recognition  of the  volatility  and  variance in  earnings  due to
fluctuations in interest rates, the continued differences in asset and liability
repricing and the frequent disparity in value between the price to book approach
and the price to earnings approach,  a third valuation method has been used, the
price to net assets  method.  The price to net assets  method is used less often
for valuing ongoing  institutions;  however,  this method becomes more useful in
valuing   converting   institutions   when  the  equity  position  and  earnings
performance of the institutions under consideration are different.

         In addition to the pro forma market value,  we have defined a valuation
range with the minimum of the range being 85.0  percent of the pro forma  market
value,  the  maximum of the range being  115.0  percent of the pro forma  market
value,  and a super maximum  being 115.0  percent of the maximum.  The pro forma
market  value or  appraised  value  will also be  referred  to as the  "midpoint
value".



                                       65

<PAGE>



PRICE TO BOOK VALUE METHOD

         The  price to book  value  method  focuses  on a  thrift  institution's
financial   condition,   and  does  not  give  as  much   consideration  to  the
institution's performance as measured by net earnings. Therefore, this method is
sometimes  considered  less  meaningful  for  institutions  that  do  provide  a
consistent earnings trend. Due to the earnings volatility of many thrift stocks,
the price to book value method is  frequently  used by investors  who rely on an
institution's financial condition rather than earnings performance.

         Consideration  was given to the  adjustments  to the  Bank's  pro forma
market value  discussed in Section V. A minimum  upward  adjustment was made for
management.  Minimum downward  adjustments were made for financial condition and
market  area.  A moderate  downward  adjustment  was made for Hemlock  Federal's
earnings  performance  and a  maximum  downward  adjustment  was  made  for  the
marketing  of  the  issue.  No  adjustment  was  made  for  dividend   payments,
subscription interest and the liquidity of the Bank's stock.

         Exhibit 50 shows the average and median  price to book value ratios for
the comparable  group which were 93.54 percent and 98.18 percent,  respectively.
The total  comparable  group  indicated a moderately  wide range,  from a low of
72.29 percent  (Harvest Home Financial  Corporation) to a high of 104.05 percent
(Midwest Bancshares, Inc.). This variance cannot be attributed to any one factor
such as the institution's  equity ratio or earnings  performance.  Excluding the
low and the high in this group, the price to book value range narrowed  modestly
from a low of 81.32 percent to a high of 100.52 percent.

         Taking into  consideration  all of the  previously  mentioned  items in
conjunction  with the  adjustments  made in Section V, we have  determined a pro
forma price to book value ratio of 63.72 percent at the midpoint, ranging from a
low of 59.04  percent  at the  minimum  to a high of 71.53  percent at the super
maximum for the Corporation.



                                       66

<PAGE>



Price to Book Value Method  (cont.)

         The  Corporation's  price to book  value  ratio  of  63.72 is  strongly
influenced  by the Bank's  financial  condition,  local market and  subscription
interest in thrift stocks. Further, the Bank's equity to assets after conversion
will be approximately  11.00 percent compared to 9.93 percent for the comparable
group.  Based  on this  price to book  value  ratio  and the  Bank's  equity  of
$11,361,000  at September 30, 1996, the indicated pro forma market value for the
Bank using this approach is $15,702,027 at the midpoint (reference Exhibit 51).


PRICE TO EARNINGS METHOD

         The focal point of this  method is the  determination  of the  earnings
base to be used and  secondly,  the  determination  of an  appropriate  price to
earnings multiple.  The recent earnings position of Hemlock Federal is displayed
in  Exhibit 3,  indicating  an after tax net loss for the  twelve  months  ended
September  30, 1996,  of $285,000.  Exhibit 7 indicates  the  derivation  of the
Bank's  identical core or normalized  earnings of $856,000 for the twelve months
ended September 30, 1996. To arrive at the pro forma market value of the Bank by
means of the  price  to  earnings  method,  we  deemed  net  earnings  to be not
meaningful and used the core earnings base of $856,000.

         In  determining  the price to core earnings  multiple,  we reviewed the
range of price to core  earnings  multiples  for the  comparable  group  and all
publicly-traded  thrifts.  The average price to core  earnings  multiple for the
comparable group was 15.93,  while the median was 15.10. The comparable  group's
price  to  core   earnings   multiple   was  lower  than  the  average  for  all
publicly-traded,  SAIF-insured  thrifts of 17.68, but slightly higher than their
median  of  15.38.  The range in the  price to core  earnings  multiple  for the
comparable group was from a low of 10.38 (Midwest Bancshares, Inc.) to a high of
26.68 (Horizon Financial Services Corp.). The primary range in the price to core
earnings multiple for the comparable  group,  excluding the high and low ranges,
was from a low price to core earnings multiple of 10.63 to a high of 22.36 times
earnings for eight of the ten institutions in the group.

                                       67

<PAGE>



Price to Earnings Method  (cont.)

         Consideration  was given to the  adjustments to the  Corporation's  pro
forma market value discussed in Section V. In recognition of these  adjustments,
we have  determined a price to core earnings  multiple of 14.40 at the midpoint,
based on Hemlock  Federal's  core  earnings of $856,000 for twelve  months ended
September  30,  1996.  Based  on the  Bank's  core  earnings  base  of  $856,000
(reference  Exhibit 49), the pro forma market value of the Corporation using the
price to earnings method is $15,705,384 at the midpoint.


PRICE TO NET ASSETS METHOD

         The final  valuation  method is the price to net  assets  method.  This
method is not as frequently  used due to the fact that it does not focus as much
on  an  institution's  equity  position  or  earnings  performance.  Exhibit  50
indicates  that the average price to net assets ratio for the  comparable  group
was 9.09 percent and the median was 9.02 percent.  The range in the price to net
assets  ratios  for the  comparable  group  varied  from a low of  6.53  percent
(SuburbFed  Financial  Corp.) to a high of 12.08 percent (Harvest Home Financial
Corp.). It narrows very modestly with the elimination of the two extremes in the
group to a low of 6.85 percent and a high of 11.45 percent.

         Based on the adjustments made previously for Hemlock Federal, it is our
opinion that an  appropriate  price to net assets ratio for the  Corporation  is
9.68 percent at the midpoint, which is slightly higher than the comparable group
at 9.09  percent and ranges  from a low of 8.35  percent at the minimum to 12.42
percent at the super maximum. Based on the Bank's September 30, 1996, asset base
of $146,983,000,  the indicated pro forma market value of the Corporation  using
the price to net assets method is $15,698,882 at the midpoint (reference Exhibit
49).

                                       68

<PAGE>



VALUATION CONCLUSION

         Exhibit 55 provides a summary of the valuation  premium or discount for
each of the valuation ranges when compared to the comparable group based on each
of the  valuation  approaches.  At the midpoint  value,  the price to book value
ratio of 63.72  percent  for the  Corporation  represents  a  discount  of 31.88
percent  relative to the comparable  group and decreases to 23.53 percent at the
super maximum.  The price to core earnings multiple of 14.40 for the Corporation
at the  midpoint  value  indicates  a discount  of 9.57  percent,  changing to a
premium of 11.57 percent at the super maximum.  The price to assets ratio at the
midpoint represents a premium of 6.51 percent,  increasing to a premium of 36.66
percent at the super maximum.

         It is our opinion  that as of December  6, 1996,  the pro forma  market
value of the Corporation is $15,700,000 at the midpoint,  representing 1,570,000
shares at $10.00 per share.  The pro forma valuation range of the Corporation is
from a minimum  of  $13,345,000  or  1,334,500  shares at $10.00  per share to a
maximum of $18,055,000 or 1,805,500 shares at $10.00 per share,  with such range
being defined as 15 percent  below the  appraised  value to 15 percent above the
appraised  value. The super maximum is $20,763,250 or 2,076,325 shares at $10.00
per share (reference Exhibits 51 to 54).

          The appraised  value of Hemlock  Federal  Financial  Corporation as of
December 6, 1996, is $15,700,000 at the midpoint.

                                       69


<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT A


                               PROFILE OF THE FIRM

KELLER  &  COMPANY,  INC.  is  a  full  service  consulting  firm  to  financial
institutions,  serving  clients  throughout the United States from its office in
Dublin,  Ohio.  The firm  consults  primarily  in the  areas of  regulatory  and
compliance matters,  financial analysis and strategic planning, stock valuations
and  appraisals,   mergers  and  acquisitions,   mutual  to  stock  conversions,
conversion/mergers and branching.  Since its inception in 1985, KELLER & COMPANY
has  provided  a wide  range  of  consulting  services  to  over  100  financial
institutions including thrifts, banks, mortgage companies and holding companies.
KELLER & COMPANY is an  affiliate  member of the  Community  Bankers of America,
Community   Bankers   Association   of  Ohio,   the  Ohio  League  of  Financial
Institutions, and the Tri State League of Financial Institutions.

Each of the  firm's  senior  consultants  has over  eighteen  years  front  line
experience and accomplishment in various areas of the financial  institution and
real estate industries. Each consultant provides to clients distinct and diverse
areas of  expertise.  Specific  services and projects  have  included  financial
institution  charter  and  deposit  insurance   applications,   market  studies,
institutional   mergers  and   acquisitions,   branch  sales  and  acquisitions,
operations  and  performance  analyses,   business  plans,  strategic  planning,
financial  projections  and  modeling,  stock  valuations,   fairness  opinions,
conversion appraisals,  capital plans, policy development and revision, lending,
underwriting and investment criteria, data processing and management information
systems, and incentive compensation programs.

It is the goal of KELLER & COMPANY to provide specific and ongoing services that
are pertinent and responsive to the needs of the individual  client  institution
within  the  changing  industry  environment,  and to offer  those  services  at
reasonable fees on a timely basis. In recent years,  KELLER & COMPANY has become
one of the leading consulting firms in the nation.



<PAGE>



                             CONSULTANTS IN THE FIRM


MICHAEL R.  KELLER has over  twenty  years  experience  as a  consultant  to the
financial  institution  industry.  Immediately  following  his  graduation  from
college, he was employed by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, working
for two years in the  northeastern  Ohio  district as an  examiner of  financial
institutions before pursuing graduate studies at the Ohio State University.

Mr.  Keller  later  worked as an  associate  for a  management  consulting  firm
specializing in services to financial institutions.  During his eight years with
the firm, he specialized in mergers and  acquisitions,  branch  acquisitions and
sales, branch feasibility studies, stock valuations,  charter applications,  and
site  selection  analyses.  By the time of his  departure,  he had  attained the
position  of vice  president,  with  experience  in almost all facets of banking
operations.

Prior to forming Keller & Company, Mr. Keller also worked as a senior consultant
in a larger  consulting firm. In that position,  he broadened his activities and
experience,  becoming more involved with institutional operations,  business and
strategic planning,  regulatory policies and procedures,  conversion appraisals,
and fairness  opinions.  Mr.  Keller  established  the firm in November  1985 to
better serve the needs of the financial institution industry.

Mr. Keller  graduated from Wooster College with a B.A. in Economics in 1972, and
later received an M.B.A. in Finance in 1976 from the Ohio State University where
he took two courses in corporate stock valuations.



<PAGE>


Consultants in the Firm (cont.)


JOHN A.  SHAFFER has over twenty  years  experience  in banking,  finance,  real
estate lending, and development.

From 1971 to 1974,  Mr.  Shaffer was employed by a large real estate  investment
trust as a lending officer,  specializing in construction and development loans.
By 1974, having gained experience in loan underwriting,  management and workout,
he joined Chemical  Association of New York and was appointed Vice President for
Loan Administration of Chemical Mortgage Company in Columbus, Ohio. At Chemical,
he managed all  commercial  and  residential  loan  servicing,  administering  a
portfolio  in excess of $1  billion.  His  responsibilities  also  included  the
analysis, management and workout of problem commercial loans and properties, and
the  structuring,  negotiation,  acquisition  and  sale  of loan  servicing  and
mortgage and equity securities.

Mr.  Shaffer later formed an  independent  real estate and financial  consulting
firm,  serving  corporate and institutional  clients,  and also investing in and
developing  real estate.  His primary  activities  have  included the  planning,
analysis, financing, implementation, and administration of real estate projects,
as well as financial  projection and modeling,  cost and profit  analysis,  loan
management, budgeting, cash flow management and project design.

Mr.  Shaffer  graduated  from  Syracuse  University  with  a  B.S.  in  Business
Administration,  later  receiving an M.B.A.  in Finance and a Ph.D. in Economics
from New York University.


<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT B



                                      RB 20
                                  CERTIFICATION



I hereby  certify  that I have not been the  subject of any  criminal,  civil or
administrative  judgments,  consents,   undertakings  or  orders,  or  any  past
administrative  proceedings (excluding routine or customary audits,  inspections
and investigation) issued by any federal or state court, any department, agency,
or  commission  of  the  U.S.  Government,   any  state  or  municipality,   any
self-regulatory trade or professional organization, or any foreign government or
governmental entity, which involve:

     (i)  commission of a felony,  fraud, moral turpitude,  dishonesty or breach
          of trust;

     (ii) violation of securities or commodities laws or regulations;

     (iii) violation of depository institution laws or regulations;

     (iv) violation of housing authority laws or regulations;

     (v)  violation of the rules,  regulations,  codes or conduct or ethics of a
          self-regulatory trade or professional organization;

     (vi) adjudication of bankruptcy or insolvency or appointment of a receiver,
          conservator, trustee, referee, or guardian.

I hereby certify that the  statements I have made herein are true,  complete and
correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                           Conversion Appraiser


- ------------------------------            -------------------------------------
                  Date                                        Michael R. Keller

                                       159

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT C



                            AFFIDAVIT OF INDEPENDENCE


STATE OF OHIO,

COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, ss:


     I,  Michael R. Keller,  being first duly sworn hereby  depose and say that:
The fee which I received  directly from the applicant,  Hemlock Federal Bank for
Savings, Oak Forest,  Illinois,  in the amount of $17,000 for the performance of
my appraisal was not related to the value determined in the appraisal;  that the
undersigned  appraiser is independent  and has fully  disclosed to the Office of
Thrift Supervision any relationships  which may have a material bearing upon the
question of my independence; and that any indemnity agreement with the applicant
has been  fully  disclosed  in a  written  statement  to the  Office  of  Thrift
Supervision. Further, affiant sayeth naught.


                                                              MICHAEL R. KELLER


     Sworn to before me and subscribed in my presence this 30th day of December,
1996.


                                                                  NOTARY PUBLIC

<PAGE>

                                    NUMERICAL


                                    EXHIBITS


<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT 1


                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                              OAK FOREST, ILLINOIS

                        Statements of Financial Condition
                 At September 30, 1996, and at December 31, 1995

                                 (In thousands)

                                                     (Unaudited)
                                                     September 30,  December 31,
                                                         1996          1995
                                                         ----          ----
ASSETS
Cash and due from bank ...........................     $  1,576       $  3,144
Interest-bearing deposits in
  financial institutions .........................       14,800         10,157
                                                       --------       --------
    Cash and cash equivalents ....................       16,376         13,301
Securities available-for-sale ....................       41,826         39,294
Securities held-to-maturity
  (fair value: 1995 $45,748,852) .................       31,860         44,606
Loans receivable, net ............................       53,121         45,232
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost ............          901            849
Accrued interest receivable ......................          845          1,107
Premises and equipment, net ......................        1,036          1,044
Prepaid expenses and other assets ................        1,018            193
                                                       --------       --------
    Total assets .................................     $146,983       $145,626
                                                       ========       ========

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
Deposits .........................................     $129,159       $130,741
Advances from Federal Home
  Loan Bank ......................................        1,500          1,500
Advance payments by borrowers for
  taxes and insurance ............................          288            652
Due to broker ....................................        2,053           --
Accrued interest payable and other
  liabilities ....................................        2,622            856
                                                       --------       --------

    Total liabilities ............................      135,622        133,749

MEMBERS' EQUITY
    Retained earnings, substantially
      restricted .................................       10,842         11,346
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on
      securities available-for-sale ..............          519            531
                                                       --------       --------
    Total members' equity ........................       11,361         11,877
                                                       --------       --------
                                                       $146,983       $145,626
                                                       ========       ========

Source: Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings' audited and unaudited 
        financial statements


                                       70
<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT 2

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                              OAK FOREST, ILLINOIS

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                        At December 31, 1991 through 1994

                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       1994          1993         1992         1991
                                                                       ----          ----         ----         ----
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
Assets
Cash and due from bank ........................................... $     938      $    759     $    934     $    753
Interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions ..............    15,888        17,372        5,496        5,687
                                                                      ------        ------        -----        -----
    Cash and cash equivalents ....................................    16,826        18,131        6,430        6,440
Securities available-for-sale ....................................    16,510            --           --           --
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value: 1995
    $45,748,852; 1994 $68,024,680) ...............................    69,514            --           --           --
Investment securities (market value:  1993 - $6,000,000; .........        --         6,003        9,291        1,717
    1992 - $9,482,000; 1991 - $1,788,000)
Mortgage-backed securities (market value: 1993 -
    $83,285,000; 1992 - $91,242,000; 1991 - $88,148,000) .........        --        81,439       89,757       86,980
Real estate owned ................................................         0           416          249          419
Loans receivable, net ............................................    37,659        37,041       31,739       33,750
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost ............................       837           991          991          939
Federal Home Loan mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)
    stock ........................................................        26            26           49          106
Accrued interest receivable ......................................       884           995        1,191        1,246
Premises and equipment, net ......................................     1,082         1,186        1,351        1,465
Prepaid expenses and other assets ................................       539           450          126          177
                                                                   ---------      --------     --------     --------
                                                                    $143,877      $146,678     $141,174     $133,239
                                                                   =========      ========     ========     ========
Liabilities and Members' Equity
Deposits .........................................................   130,771       132,250      127,660      120,105
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank .............................     1,500         3,000        3,000        3,000
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance ............       735           853          884          978
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities ...................       492           720          752        1,042
                                                                         ---           ---          ---        -----
                                                                     133,498       136,823      132,296      125,125
                                                                     -------       -------      -------      -------
Members' equity
    Retained earnings, substantially restricted ..................    10,394         9,855        8,878        8,114
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-
        for-sale, net of income taxes of $339,457 and
        $5,986 in 1995 and 1994, respectively ....................       (15)           --           --           --
                                                                   ---------      --------     --------     --------
                                                                      10,379         9,855        8,878        8,114
                                                                   ---------      --------     --------     --------
                                                                    $143,877      $146,678     $141,174     $133,239
                                                                   =========      ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

Source:  Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings' audited financial statements


                                       71
<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT 3


                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                              OAK FOREST, ILLINOIS

                        Consolidated Statements of Income
           For the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, and
                      For the year ended December 31, 1995
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   For the nine months    Year ended
                                                   ended September 30,   December 31,
                                                      1996       1995       1995
                                                      ----       ----       ----
                                                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest income:
   Loans .......................................   $ 3,008    $ 2,456    $ 3,382
   Mortgage-backed securities ..................     3,556      3,658      4,904
   Securities ..................................       490        698        898
   Other interest-earning assets ...............       619        553        750
                                                       ---        ---        ---
         Total interest income .................     7,673      7,365      9,934

Interest expense:
   Deposits ....................................     4,123      3,884      5,268
   Other borrowings ............................       112        110        148
                                                       ---        ---        ---
         Total interest expense ................     4,235      3,994      5,416
                                                     -----      -----      -----

        Net interest income ....................     3,438      3,370      4,518

Provision for loan losses ......................        75        121        133
                                                        --        ---        ---

        Net interest income after
          provision for loan losses ............     3,363      3,249      4,385

Noninterest income
   Fees and service charges ....................       298        252        352
   Rental income ...............................        32         28         39
   Gain (loss) on sale of securities ...........       (80)      (161)      (160)
   Miscellaneous income ........................        71         78        106
                                                        --         --        ---
        Total noninterest income ...............       321        197        337

Noninterest expense
   Compensation and employee benefits ..........     1,293      1,196      1,635
   Occupancy and equipment expenses ............       511        451        637
   Data processing .............................       153        151        201
   Federal insurance premiums ..................     1,066        223        298
   Gain on sale of real estate owned ...........        --       (223)      (223)
   Advertising and promotion ...................        87         82        124
   Charitable Foundation .......................       418         --         --
   Other .......................................     1,000        401        538
                                                     -----        ---        ---
        Total noninterest expense ..............     4,528      2,281      3,210
        Income before provision for income taxes      (844)     1,165      1,511
        Provision (benefit) for income taxes ...      (340)       433        559
                                                      ----        ---        ---
        Net income (loss) ......................   $  (504)   $   732    $   952
                                                   -------    -------    -------


Source:  Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings' audited and unaudited financial statements

</TABLE>
                                       72
<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT 4

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                              OAK FOREST, ILLINOIS

                        Consolidated Statements of Income
                   Years ended December 31, 1992 through 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Year ended December 31,
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        1994             1993              1992               1991
                                                                        ----             ----              ----               ----
                                                                                              (In thousands)
<S>                                                                <C>               <C>             <C>                <C>
Interest income:
     Loans ...................................................      $ 3,064,080       $3,147,221      $  3,115,754       $ 3,473,700
     Mortgage-backed securities ..............................        4,508,129        5,138,005         6,051,373         6,115,501
     Securities ..............................................          929,017          529,190           892,557
     Interest and dividends on investments ...................                                                             1,171,187
                                                                      ---------        ---------        ----------         ---------
           Total interest income .............................        8,501,226        8,814,416        10,059,684        10,760,388
                                                                      ---------        ---------        ----------        ----------
Interest expense:
     Deposits ................................................        4,435,674        4,642,792         5,903,226         7,250,551
     Other borrowings ........................................          236,928          305,186           292,541           291,741
                                                                        -------          -------           -------           -------
           Total interest expense ............................        4,672,602        4,947,978         6,195,767         7,542,292
                                                                      ---------        ---------         ---------         ---------
           Net interest income ...............................        3,828,624        3,866,438         3,863,917         3,218,096

Provision for loan losses ....................................          150,000          148,786           356,655            33,510
                                                                        -------          -------           -------            ------
          Net interest income after provision
               for loan losses ...............................        3,678,624        3,717,652         3,507,262         3,184,586

Noninterest income:
     Fees and service charges ................................          308,179          122,743           111,005            39,725
     Insurance commissions ...................................                                                                21,394
     Rental income ...........................................           68,715           48,025            43,998            51,527
     Gain (loss) on sale of securities .......................          (89,099)         269,565           466,195           418,152
     Gain on sale of insurance customer list .................                                                                53,252
                                                                      ---------        ---------          --------            ------
     Miscellaneous income ....................................           95,579          286,662           275,395           272,039
                                                                         ------          -------           -------           -------
          Total noninterest income ...........................          383,374          726,995           896,593           856,089
                                                                        -------          -------           -------           -------
Noninterest expense
     Compensation and employee benefits ......................        1,536,264        1,420,636         1,295,022         1,310,855
     Occupancy and equipment expenses ........................          515,217          681,266           671,380           655,646
     Data processing .........................................          203,875          234,861           237,276           193,360
     Federal insurance premiums ..............................          301,887          275,625           304,650           283,594
     Provision for losses on real estate owned, net
          of gains from sales ................................               --          120,792           (10,230)          123,444
     Advertising and promotion ...............................           94,148           86,343            92,263           125,820
     Other ...................................................          528,093          493,141           442,810           415,881
                                                                        -------          -------           -------           -------
          Total noninterest expenses .........................        3,179,484        3,312,664         3,033,171         3,108,600
                                                                      ---------        ---------         ---------         ---------
          Income before provision for income taxes ...........          882,514        1,131,983         1,370,684           932,075

Provision for income taxes ...................................          343,216          411,116           606,250           363,916
                                                                        -------          -------           -------           -------

       Net income before cumulative effect of a
          change in accounting method ........................      $   539,298       $  720,867      $    764,434       $   568,159

Cumulative effect on prior years of a change in
     accounting method for income taxes ......................               --          256,000                --                --
                                                                        -------          -------           -------           -------
          Net income .........................................      $   539,298       $  976,867      $    764,434       $   568,159
                                                                    ===========       ==========      ============       ===========


</TABLE>

Source:  Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings audited financial statements

                                       73
<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT 5



                        Selected Financial Condition Data
          At September 30, 1996, and at December 31, 1991 through 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    September 30,                               December 31,
                                                    ------------      --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       1996(1)           1995         1994         1993          1992           1991
                                                       -------           ----         ----         ----          ----           ----
                                                                                     (In thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Selected Financial Condition Data:

Total assets ...................................      $146,983      $145,626      $143,877      $146,679      $141,175      $133,239
Cash and cash equivalents ......................        16,376        13,301        16,827        18,131         6,430         6,440
Loans receivable, net(2) .......................        53,121        45,232        37,659        37,041        31,739        33,750
Mortgage-backed securities:(3)
  Held-to-maturity .............................        31,860        43,106        66,040        81,439        89,757        86,980
  Available for sale ...........................        34,064        25,620         8,244            --            --            --
Investment securities:(3)
  Held-to-maturity .............................            --         1,500         3,500         6,003         9,291         1,717
  Available for sale ...........................         7,095        13,125         7,934            --            --            --
FHLMC stock ....................................           667           549           332            26            49           106
Deposits .......................................       129,159       130,741       130,771       132,583       128,149       120,703
Total borrowings ...............................         1,500         1,500         1,500         3,000         3,000         3,000
Retained earnings -
  substantially restricted .....................        10,842        11,346        10,394         9,855         8,878         8,114

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

(1)  Financial  information at September 30, 1996 and for the nine month periods
     ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 is derived from unaudited financial data,
     but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only
     of normal recurring  adjustments) which are necessary to present fairly the
     results  for such  interim  periods.  Interim  results  at and for the nine
     months  ended  September  30, 1996 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the
     results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1996.

(2)  The  allowance  for loan losses at September  30, 1996,  December 31, 1995,
     1994,  1993,  1992 and 1991 was  $670,000,  $600,000,  $469,000,  $234,000,
     $497,000 and $174,000, respectively.

(3)  The Bank adopted Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No.
     115,  "Accounting for Certain  Investments in Debt and Equity  Securities,"
     effective  as of January 1, 1994.  Prior to the  adoption  of SFAS No. 115,
     investment  securities and  mortgage-backed  securities  held for sale were
     carried at the lower of  amortized  cost or market  value,  as adjusted for
     amortization  of premiums and  accretion of  discounts  over the  remaining
     terms of the securities from the dates of purchase.
</FN>
</TABLE>



Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       74
<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT 6


                            Income and Expense Trends
          For the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1991 through 1995 and
              For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    Nine Months Ended                                Year Ended
                                                     September 30,(1)                                December 31,
                                                    -----------------         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996         1995          1995         1994       1993        1992       1991
                                                    ----         ----          ----         ----       ----        ----       ----
                                                                                      (In thousands)
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>
Selected Operations Data:
Total interest income .......................     $ 7,673      $ 7,365      $ 9,935      $ 8,501      $8,815     $10,060     $10,798
Total interest expense ......................       4,235        3,994        5,416        4,672       4,948       6,196       7,542
                                                    -----        -----        -----        -----       -----       -----       -----
  Net interest income .......................       3,438        3,371        4,519        3,829       3,867       3,864       3,256
Provision for loan losses ...................          75          122          134          150         149         357          33
                                                       --          ---          ---          ---         ---         ---          --
  provision for loan losses .................       3,363        3,249        4,385        3,679       3,718       3,507       3,223
Fees and service charges ....................         297          252          352          308         345         326         226
Gain (loss) on sales of
  morgage-backed securities
  and investment securities .................         (80)        (161)        (161)         (89)        270         466         324
Other non-interest income ...................         104          107          146          164         112         104         259
                                                      ---          ---          ---          ---         ---         ---         ---
Total non-interest income ...................         321          198          337          383         727         896         809
Total non-interest expense ..................       4,529        2,281        3,211        3,180       3,313       3,033       3,100
                                                    -----        -----        -----        -----       -----       -----       -----
Income (loss) before taxes
  and cumulative effect .....................        (845)       1,166        1,511          882       1,132       1,370         932
Income tax provision (benefit) ..............        (341)         433          559          343         411         606         364
Cumulative effect ...........................          --           --           --           --         256          --          --
                                                  -------      -------      -------      -------      ------     -------     -------
Net income (loss) ...........................     $  (504)     $   733      $   952      $   539      $  977     $   764     $   568
                                                  =======      =======      =======      =======      ======     =======     =======
<FN>

- -------------
(1)  Financial  information at September 30, 1996 and for the nine month periods
     ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 is derived from unaudited financial data,
     but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only
     of normal recurring  adjustments) which are necessary to present fairly the
     results  for such  interim  periods.  Interim  results  at and for the nine
     months  ended  September  30, 1996 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the
     results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1996.
</FN>
</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus

                                       75

<PAGE>


                                              EXHIBIT 7


                                      Normalized Earnings Trend
                         For the Twelve Months Ended September 30, 1996, and
                     For the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Twelve months
                                              Ended        Fiscal years ended
                                          September 30,       December 31,
                                          -------------    ---------------------
                                               1996        1995    1994    1993
                                               ----        ----    ----    ----
                                                  (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                        <C>           <C>      <C>    <C>

Net income after taxes ..................   $  (285)      $  952   $539   $  977

Net income before taxes and effect
    of accounting adjustments ...........      (500)       1,511    882    1,132

Income adjustments ......................        --           --     --       --

Expense adjustments
    SAIF assessment .....................      (898)          --     --       --
    Foundation ..........................    (1,000)          --     --       --

Normalized earnings before taxes ........     1,398        1,511    882    1,132

Taxes ...................................       542(1)       559    343      411
                                                -----        ---    ---      ---

Normalized earnings after taxes .........   $   856       $  952   $539   $  721
                                            -------       ------   ----   ------
<FN>

- ------------
(1) Based on tax rate of 38.74 percent
</FN>
</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings' audited and unaudited
         financial statements

                                       76
<PAGE>


                                                               EXHIBIT 8


                             Performance Indicators
              For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996
            For the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1991 through 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                     September 30, (1)                   Years ended December 31
                                                     -----------------     ------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996        1995       1995       1994       1993       1992       1991
                                                    ----        ----       ----       ----       ----       ----       ----
<S>                                               <C>          <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:

Performance Ratios:
Return on assets (ratio of net
    income to average total assets) .............. (0.46)%      0.68%      0.66%      0.37%      0.68%      0.65%      0.45%
Return on equity (ratio of net
    income to average equity) (3) ................ (5.80)%      9.05%      8.72%      5.27%     10.40%      8.95%      7.20%

Interest rate spread information:
    Average during period ........................  2.96%       3.00%      3.01%      2.49%      2.54%      2.68%      2.38%
    End of period ................................  2.56%       2.83%      3.11%      2.93%      3.58%      2.84%      2.29%
    Net interest margin(2) .......................  3.24%       3.24%      3.25%      2.69%      2.74%      2.90%      2.65%
    Ratio of operating expense to average
        total assets .............................  4.13%       2.12%      2.23%      2.16%      2.30%      2.18%      2.44%
    Ratio of average interest-earning assets
        to average interest-bearing
        liabilities ............................. 107.16%     106.24%    106.31%    106.27%    105.58%    104.84%    104.53%

Quality Ratios:
    Non-performing assets to total assets
        at end of period ........................   5.05%       0.32%      0.40%      0.43%      0.80%      1.17%      1.50%
    Allowance for loan losses to
        non-performing loans .................... 870.13%     125.11%    103.63%     76.01%     19.95%     30.18%      8.73%
    Allowance for loan losses to gross loans
        receivable ..............................   1.24%       1.32%      1.31%      1.23%      0.62%      1.53%      0.51%

Capital Ratios: (3)
    Equity to total assets at end of period .....   7.38%       7.65%      7.79%      7.22%      6.72%      6.29%      6.09%
    Average equity to average assets ............   7.94%       7.53%      7.59%      7.01%      6.51%      6.14%      6.21%

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

(1) Ratios for the nine-month periods have been annualized.
(2) Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
(3) Ratios are exclusive of SFAS 115 valuation.
</FN>
</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s Prospectus

                                       77
<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT 9


                              Volume/Rate Analysis
              For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995
          For the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Nine Months Ended                                Year ended December 31,
                                                    September 30,             ------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996 vs. 1995                    1995 vs. 1994                1994 vs. 1993
                                                ---------------------------   ---------------------------   ------------------------
                                                     Increase                   Increase                      Increase
                                                    (Decrease)                 (Decrease)                    (Decrease)
                                                      Due to       Total         Due to          Total         Due to       Total
                                                ----------------  Increase    --------------    Increase    -------------  Increase
                                                 Volume     Rate  (Decrease   Volume    Rate   (Decrease)   Volume   Rate (Decrease)
                                                 ------     ----  ---------   ------    ----   ----------   ------   ---- ----------
                                                                                        (In thousands)
<S>                                              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>
Earning Assets
  Loans receivable ............................   $(269)   $ 821    $ 552    $   (16)   $ 335    $   319    $(218)   $ 135    $ (83)
  Mortgage-backed securities ..................     366     (468)    (102)     1,059     (663)       396      (57)    (573)    (630)
  Securities ..................................      54     (262)    (208)       172      326        498     (121)     194       73
  Other interest earning assets ...............    (140)     206       66        305      (84)       221       79      247      326
                                                   ----      ---       --        ---      ---        ---       --      ---      ---
      Total interest-earning
        assets ................................   $  11    $ 297    $ 308    $ 1,520    $ (86)   $ 1,434    $(317)   $   3    $(314)
                                                  =====    =====    =====    =======    =====    =======    =====    =====    ===== 

Interest bearing liabilities:
  Passbook savings ............................   $   9    $ (10)   $  (1)   $   142    $ (73)   $    69    $ (76)   $  67    $  (9)
  NOW .........................................       1        2        3         29        5         34      (14)      10       (4)
  MMDA ........................................       7      (29)     (22)        31      (43)       (12)      (6)     (31)     (37)
  Certificates of Deposit .....................     135      125      260        669       73        742     (138)     (20)    (158)
  Borrowings ..................................       1       --        1          2      (91)       (89)      31      (99)     (68)
                                                   ----    -----    -----    -------      ---        ---       --      ---      --- 
      Total interest-bearing
        liabilities ...........................   $ 153    $  88    $ 241    $   873    $(129)   $   744    $(203)   $ (73)   $(276)
                                                  =====    =====    =====    =======    =====    =======    =====    =====    ===== 
Net interest income ...........................   $(142)   $ 209    $  67    $   647    $  43    $   690    $(114)   $  76    $ (38)
                                                  =====    =====    =====    =======    =====    =======    =====    =====    ===== 
</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       78

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 10


                              Yield and Cost Trends
                                At October 31 and
            For the Four Months Ended October 31, 1996 and 1995, and
              For the Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 1996 through 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                   Four Months Ended
                                                      At              October 31,                 Year ended June 30,
                                                  October 31,    ----------------------   -----------------------------------
                                                     1996          1996(3)      1995(3)      1996         1995         1994
                                                  ----------     ----------   ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                   Average        Average      Average     Average      Average      Average
                                                     Rate           Rate        Rate        Rate         Rate         Rate
                                                  ----------     ----------   ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Interest-earning assets:
   Loans receivable(1) .........................    7.92%         8.04%         8.25%         8.17%         7.78%         7.32%
   Interest-bearing deposits ...................    5.45%         5.70%         5.32%         5.57%         5.28%         2.92%
   Investment securities(2) ....................    5.59%         5.24%         5.47%         5.45%         5.33%         5.43%
   FHLB stock ..................................    7.04%         7.14%         6.72%         7.03%         6.43%         4.86%
                                                    ----          ----          ----          ----          ----          ---- 
     Total interest-earning
      assets ...................................    7.83%         7.90%         8.01%         7.91%         7.60%         6.98%

Interest-earning liabilities:
   Savings deposits ............................    3.05%         3.05%         3.08%         3.05%         3.09%         3.09%
   Demand and NOW deposits .....................    2.42%         2.38%         2.34%         2.36%         2.45%         2.41%
   Certificate accounts ........................    6.00%         5.83%         5.79%         5.84%         5.02%         4.53%
   Borrowings ..................................      --          5.68%           --            --            --            --
                                                    ----          ----          ----          ----          ----          -----
     Total interest-bearing
      liabilities ..............................    5.17%         5.00%         4.88%         4.94%         4.30%         3.93%

Net interest rate spread(3) ....................    2.66%         2.90%         3.13%         2.97%         3.30%         3.05%

Net yield on average
 interest-earning assets(4) ....................      --          3.32%         3.55%         3.41%         3.66%         3.35%

<FN>

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

(1)  Amount is net of loans in process,  net deferred loan  origination fees and
     allowance for loan losses and includes non-performing loans.

(2)  Includes unamortized discounts and premiums.

(3)  Net interest rate spread  represents  the  difference  between the yield on
     interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities

(4)  Net  interest  margin  represents  net interest  income  divided by average
     interest-earning assets.
</FN>
</TABLE>


Source:  Peoples Sidney Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       79

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 11


             Interest Rate Sensitivity of Net Portfolio Value (NPV)
                             At September 30, 1996



                                                          Estimated Increase
        Change in       Estimated       Ratio of          (Decrease) in NPV
       Interest Rates      NPV           NPV to          ---------------------
       (Basis Points)    Amount        Total Assets     Amount        Percent
       --------------    ------        ------------     ------        -------
                               (Dollars in Thousands)

         +400          $ 10,725          7.40%      $ (5,980)       (36.00)%
         +300            12,548          8.52%        (4,158)       (25.00)%
         +200            14,310          9.57%        (2,395)       (14.00)%
         +100            15,794         10.43%          (911)        (5.00)%
           --            16,705         10.93%            --            --
         -100            16,969         11.04%           263          2.00%
         -200            16,490         10.73%          (215)        (1.00)%
         -300            16,780         10.86%            75          0.00%
         -400            17,485         11.22%           780          5.00%



Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       80


<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 12

                           Loan Portfolio Composition
          At September 30, 1996, and at December 31, 1991 through 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                At September 30,                              At December 31,
                              ---------------------  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1996                   1995                    1994                   1993        
                              ---------------------  ----------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                                Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent      Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent 
                              ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ---------
                                                                     (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                           <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>
Real Estate Loans:
One- to four-family ........   $ 47,742     88.65%   $ 39,089      85.08%     $30,792     80.45%    $ 28,378      75.59%
Multi-family ...............      2,860      5.31%      3,386       7.37%       3,742      9.78%       4,035      10.75%
Commercial .................        586      1.09%      1,101       2.40%       1,566      4.09%       2,020       5.38%
Construct./devel ...........         --        --          --         --           --        --          502       1.34%
                               --------    ----------  -------     ------     -------    -------    --------     -------
  Total real estate
   loans ...................     51,188     95.05%     43,576      94.85%      36,100     94.32%      34,935      93.06%
                               --------    ----------  -------     ------     -------    -------    --------     -------
Other Loans:
Consumer loans:
  Deposit account ..........        175      0.32%        158       0.34%         150      0.39%         172       0.46%
  Automobile ...............        289      0.54%        229       0.50%         120      0.31%         223       0.59%
  Home equity ..............      2,201      4.09%      1,981       4.31%       1,908      4.98%       2,211       5.89%
                               --------    ----------  -------     ------     -------    -------    --------     -------
  Total consumer loans .....      2,665      4.95%      2,368       5.15%       2,178      5.68%       2,606       6.94%
                               --------    ----------  -------     ------     -------    -------    --------     -------
  Total other loans ........     53,853    100.00%     45,944     100.00%      38,278    100.00%      37,541     100.00%
                                           =========              =======                =======                 =======
Less:
Loans in process ...........        (53)                  (28)                     --                    (82)
                                                                               ------
Deferred fees and
  discounts ................         (9)                  (84)                   (150)                  (184)
Allowance for losses .......       (670)                 (600)                   (469)                  (234)
                                -------               --------                  ------                -------
 Total loans
   receivable, net .........   $ 53,121               $45,232                 $37,659                 $37,041
                               ========               ========                =======                 =======
</TABLE>

                                        At December 31,
                           -----------------------------------------
                                1992                   1991
                           -----------------      ------------------
                           Amount    Percent      Amount     Percent
                           ------    -------      ------     -------
                                       (Dollars in thousands)
Real Estate Loans:
One- to four-family ...   $ 21,310    65.67%     $20,100    58.61%
Multi-family ..........      4,787    14.75%       6,066    17.69%
Commercial ............      2,440     7.52%       2,559     7.46%
Construct./devel ......        502     1.55%         500     1.46%
                          --------    ------     -------    ------
  Total real estate
   loans ..............     29,039    89.49%      29,225    85.22%
                          --------    ------     -------    ------
Other Loans:
Consumer loans:
  Deposit account .....        187     0.58%         145     0.42%
  Automobile ..........        360     1.11%         529     1.54%
  Home equity .........      2,862     8.82%       4,394    12.82%
                          --------    ------     -------    ------
  Total consumer loans      3,409     10.51%       5,068    14.78%
                          --------    ------     -------    ------
  Total other loans ...    32,448    100.00%      34,293   100.00%
                                     =======               =======
Less:
Loans in process ......        --                   (196)
                          --------
Deferred fees and
  discounts ...........      (212)                  (173)
Allowance for losses ..      (497)                  (174)
                          --------               --------
 Total loans
   receivable, net ....  $ 31,739               $ 33,750
                          ========              =========

Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus

                                       81
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 13


                             Loan Maturity Schedule
                              At September 30, 1996


                                           At September 30, 1996
                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                     Multi-
                                     Family
                          One- to      and
                           Four-    Commercial    Residential
                           Family   Real Estate  Construction  Consumer   Total 
                          --------  -----------  ------------  --------  -------
                                              (In thousands)
Amounts due:
    1997 ................  $     5    $    0      $     0      $   43    $    48
    1998 ................       16        52           50         202        320
    1999 and 2000 .......       88        87          444         569      1,188
    2001 to 2005 ........    7,952       922            0       1,433     10,307
    2006 to 2020 ........   20,371     1,494           92         418     22,375
    2021 and following ..   19,310       305            0           0     19,615
                           -------    ------      -------      ------    -------
              Total .....  $47,742    $2,860      $   586      $2,665    $53,853
                           =======    ======      =======      ======    =======


Fixed rate loans ........  $49,338
Adjustable rate loans ...    4,515
                           -------
              Total .....  $53,853
                           =======


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       82

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 14


                                Loan Originations
           For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, and
               For the Years Ended December 31, 1993 through 1995

                                     For the
                                nine months ended          For the years  
                              --------------------          December 31,
                              Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,  ---------------------------
                                1996        1995      1995      1994      1993
                              --------    --------   ------    ------    ------
                                               (In thousands)
Originations by type:
Adjustable rate:
  Real estate:
    One- to four-family ....  $ 2,277    $   771    $ 1,042    $  594   $   347

  Total adjustable-rate ....    2,277        771      1,042       594       347

Fixed rate
  Real estate:
    One- to four-family ....    9,997      8,203     10,670     5,856    14,691
    Multi-family ...........      404        410        534       645       617
  Non-real estate:
    Consumer ...............   1,104       1,015      1,363       733     1,428
  Total fixed-rate .........  11,505       9,628     12,567     7,234    16,736
                             -------     -------    -------    ------   -------
    Total loans originated .  13,782      10,399     13,609     7,828    17,083
                             -------     -------    -------    ------   -------

Sales and Repayments:
 Principal repayments .....  (5,873)     (4,237)     (5,943)   (7,091)  (11,990)
 Increase (decrease) in
   other items, net .......     (20)        (66)        (93)     (119)      209
                            -------     -------     -------    ------   -------
  Net increase (decrease) . $ 7,889     $ 6,096     $ 7,573    $  618   $ 5,302
                            =======     =======     =======    ======   =======



Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       83

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 15


                                Delinquent Loans
                              At September 30, 1996



                                         Loans Delinquent For:
                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                  60-89 Days                90 Days and Over
                            ------------------------   -------------------------
                                             Percent                     Percent
                                             of Loan                     of Loan
                            Number  Amount  Category    Number  Amount  Category
                            ------  ------  --------    ------  ------  --------
                                         (Dollars in thousands)
Real Estate:
 One- to Four-family .....      4    $208     0.44%         1    $ 77      0.16%
 Multi-family ............     --      --       --         --      --        --
 Commercial ..............     --      --       --         --      --        --
 Construction or 
   development ...........     --      --       --         --      --        --

Consumer .................      2       1     0.04%        --      --        --
Commercial business ......     --      --       --         --      --        --
                            ------  ------  -------     ------  ------   -------
       Total .............      6   $ 209     0.39%         1    $ 77      0.14%
                            ======  ======  =======     ======  ======   =======



                            Total Delinquent Loans
                           -------------------------
                                             Percent
                                             of Loan
                           Number  Amount   Category
                           ------  ------   --------
Real Estate:
 One- to Four-family ....      5    $ 285      0.60%
 Multi-family ...........     --       --        --
 Commercial .............     --       --        --
 Construction or
   development ..........     --       --        --

Consumer ................      2        1      0.04%
Commercial business .....     --       --        --
                           ------  ------    -------
       Total ............      7    $ 286      0.53%
                           ======  =======   =======


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       84


<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 16


                              Nonperforming Assets
          At September 30, 1996, and at December 31, 1991 through 1995

                                                         December 31,
                              September 30,   -------------------------------
                                  1996        1995   1994   1993    1992    1991
                              -------------   ----   ----   ----    ----    ----
                                         (Dollars in thousands)
Non-accruing loans:
  One- to four-family ......    $  77        $110   $ 30   $  147  $   86  $ 175
  Multi-family .............       --          --    108      108     108    108
  Commercial real estate ...       --          --     --       --     694    791
  Construction or
    development ............       --          --     --      502     502    500
  Consumer .................       --          --     --       --       8     --
                                 -----       ----   ----    -----   -----  -----
    Total ..................       77         110    138      757   1,398  1,574

Accruing loans delinquent more than 90 days:
  One- to four-family ......       --          --     --       --      --     --
  Multi-family .............       --          --     --       --      --     --
  Commercial real estate ...       --          --     --       --      --     --
  Construction or
    development.............       --          --     --       --      --     --
  Consumer .................       --          --     --       --      --     --
                                 -----        ----  ----    -----   -----  -----
    Total ..................       --          --     --       --      --     --
                                 -----        ----  ----    -----   -----  -----

Foreclosed assets:
  One- to four-family ......       --          --     --       --      --      3
  Multi-family .............       --          --     --       --      --     --
  Commercial real estate ...       --          --     --      416     249    416
  Construction or
    development ............       --          --     --       --      --     --
  Consumer .................       --          --     --       --      --     --
                                 -----        ----  ----    -----   -----  -----
    Total ..................       --          --     --      416     249    419
                                 -----        ----  ----    -----   -----  -----

Renegotiated loans .........       --          469   479       --      --     --

Total non-performing assets.     $  77        $579  $617  $1,173  $1,647  $1,993
                                 =====        ====  ====  ======  ======  ======

Total as a percentage 
  of total assets ..........      0.05%       0.40% 0.43%   0.80%   1.17%  1.50%
                                 =====        ====  ====    ====    ====   =====


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus

                                       85

<PAGE>



                    EXHIBIT 17


                 Classified Assets
               At September 30, 1996

              (Dollars in thousands)



Special Mention Assets                          267

Classified Assets:
    Substandard                           $      -
    Doubtful                                     -
    Loss                                         -
                                          ---------
        Total classified assets           $       0
                                          =========

    General loss allowance                $     670
                                          =========

    Specific loss allowance               $      -
                                          =========

    Charge-offs                           $      -
                                          =========




Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus


                                       86

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 18


                            Allowance for Loan Losses
            For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 and
            For the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 1991 through 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         Nine Months Ended
                                            September 30,                             Year Ended December 31,
                                       ---------------------   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          1996       1995         1995          1994          1993           1992           1991
                                       ----------  ---------   ----------   ------------  ------------   ------------  -------------
                                                                                     (Dollars in thousands)

<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>        
Balance at beginning of period         $      600  $     469   $      469    $       234    $      497    $       174    $       141
Charge-offs
   One- to four-family                          5        ---          ---            ---           ---            ---            ---
   Multi-family                               ---        ---          ---            ---           ---            ---            ---
   Commercial real estate                     ---        ---          ---            ---           412             34            ---
   Construction or development                ---        ---          ---            ---           ---            ---            ---
   Consumer                                   ---          3            3            ---           ---            ---            ---
                                       ----------  ---------   ----------   ------------  ------------   ------------  -------------
                                                5          3            3            ---           412             34            ---
                                       ----------  ---------   ----------   ------------  ------------   ------------  -------------
Recoveries:
   One- to four-family                        ---        ---          ---            ---           ---            ---            ---
   Multi-family                               ---        ---          ---            ---           ---            ---            ---
   Commercial real estate                     ---        ---          ---             85           ---            ---            ---
   Construction or development                ---        ---          ---            ---           ---            ---            ---
   Consumer                                   ---        ---          ---            ---           ---            ---            ---
                                       ----------  ---------   ----------   ------------  ------------   ------------  -------------
                                              ---        ---          ---             85           ---            ---            ---
                                       ----------  ---------   ----------   ------------  ------------   ------------  -------------

Net charge-offs                               (5)        (3)          (3)             85         (412)           (34)            ---
Additions charged to operations                75        122          134            150           149            357             33
                                       ----------  ---------   ----------   ------------  ------------   ------------  -------------
Balance at end of period               $      670  $     588   $      600   $        469  $        234   $        497  $         174
                                       ==========  =========   ==========   ============  ============   ============  =============

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries)
  during the period to average loans
  outstanding                               0.01%      0.01%        0.01%          0.23%         1.16%          0.10%          0.00%
                                       ==========  =========   ==========   ============  ============   ============  =============

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries)
  during the period to average 
  non-performing assets                     2.84%      2.63%        2.70%         20.88%        25.00%          1.91%          0.00%
                                       ==========  =========   ==========   ============  ============   ============  =============

</TABLE>

Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 19


                        Investment Portfolio Composition
                           At September 30, 1996, and
                        At December 31, 1993 through 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    At December 31,
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                       At September 30,             1995                  1994                  1993
                                             1996
                                     --------------------   --------- ----------  --------- ----------  --------------------
                                     Carrying     % of      Carrying     % of     Carrying     % of     Carrying     % of
                                       Value      Total       Value      Total      Value      Total      Value      Total
                                     ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                      (Dollars in thousands)

<S>                                  <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Securities held-to-maturity:
   U.S. government securities        $  ---        ---      $  ---        ---     $  ---        ---     $  ---        ---
   Federal agency obligations           ---        ---         1,500     10.26%      3,500     30.61%      6,003    100.00%
                                     ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                        ---        ---         1,500     10.26%   $  3,500     30.61%   $  6,003    100.00%
Securities available-for-sale:
   U.S. government securities           ---        ---         ---        ---        ---        ---        ---        ---
   Federal agency obligations           7,095    100.00%      13,125     89.74%      7,934     69.39%      ---        ---
                                     ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

        Total securities                7,095    100.00%    $ 14,625    100.00%   $ 11,434     69.39%   $  6,003    100.00%
                                     =========              =========             =========  =========  =========

Other interest-earning assets:
   Interest-bearing deposits
   with banks                      $    14,800     90.42%    $ 10,158     87.90%   $ 14,027     92.31%   $ 17,372     94.47%
   FHLB Stock                              901      5.50%         849      7.35%   $    837      5.51%        991      5.39%
   FHLMC Stock                             667      4.08%         549      4.75%   $    332      2.18%         26      0.14%
                                     ---------              ---------
        Total                      $    16,368     100.0%    $ 11,556    100.00%   $ 15,196    100.00%   $ 18,389    100.00%
                                     =========              =========             =========             =========

Mortgage-backed securities
   held-to-maturity:
   GNMA                            $     3,253      4.93%   $   3,810      5.54%  $   4,306      5.80%      5,883      7.22%
   FNMA                                 14,671     22.26%      17,592     25.60%     24,323     32.74%     22,617     27.77%
   FHLMC                                10,723     16.27%      12,954     18.85%     19,084     25.69%     23,541     28.91%
   CMOs/REMICs                           3,213      4.87%       8,750     12.73%     18,327     24.67%     29.398     36.10%
                                     ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                   $    31,860     48.33%   $  43,106     62.72%  $  66,040     88.90%  $  81,439    100.00%
Mortgage-backed securities
   available-for-sale:
   GNMA                            $      ---        ---    $    ---        ---   $    ---              $    ---        ---
   FNMA                                  9,186     13.94%       6,050      8.80%      1,102      1.48%       ---        ---
   FHLMC                                 6,779     10.28%       7,415     10.79%       ---        ---        ---        ---
   CMOs/REMICs                          18,099     27.45%      12,155     17.69%  $   7,142      9.62%       ---        ---
                                     ---------  ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                        34,064     51.67%      25,620     37.28%  $   8,244     11.10%  $    ---        ---

  Total mortgage-backed securities     $65,924    100.00%    $ 68,726    100.00%   $ 74,284    100.00%  $  81,439    100.00%
                                     =========              =========             =========             =========

</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s Prospectus

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 20


                                 Mix of Deposits
      At September 30, 1995 and 1996, and at December 31, 1993 through 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                      September 30,                                        December 31,
                         ----------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------
                                 1996                1995                 1995                1994               1993
                         -------------------- -------------------  ------------------- ------------------  ------------------
                                      Percent            Percent              Percent             Percent             Percent
                            Amount   of Total   Amount  of Total    Amount   of Total   Amount   of Total   Amount   of Total
                         -------------------- -------------------  ------------------- ------------------  ------------------
                                                                 (Dollars in thousands)
Transaction and Savings Deposits
- --------------------------------

<S>                       <C>          <C>    <C>          <C>     <C>          <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>         <C>   
   Passbook Accounts      $  45,689    35.37% $  46,065    35.28%  $ 46,053     35.23% $  48,697   37.24%  $ 48,482    36.57%
   NOW accounts              12,979    10.05%    13,616    10.43%    14,021     10.72%    13,331   10.20%    13,202     9.96%
   Money Market Accounts      5,265     4.08%     6,004     4.60%     5,999      4.59%     7,236    5.53%     8,640     6.52%
                         ----------  -------- --------- ---------  --------  --------- ------------------  --------  --------

Total  Non-Certificates   $  63,933    49.50% $  65,685    50.31%  $ 66,073     50.54% $  69,264   52.97%  $ 70,324    53.05%


Certificates:
   0.00 - 3.99%                  -         -         -         -         -          -     17,193   13.15%    36,925    27.85%
   4.00 - 5.99%              55,993    43.35%    52,656    40.33%    54,033     41.33%    41,235   31.53%    20,356    15.35%
   6.00 - 7.99%               9,233     7.15%    12,230     9.36%  $ 10,635      8.13%     3,079    2.35%     4,978     3.75%
                         ----------  -------- --------- ---------  --------  --------- --------- --------  --------  --------

Total Certificates           65,226    50.50%    64,886    49.69%  $ 64,668     49.46%    61,507   47.03%    62,259    46.95%
                         ----------  -------- --------- ---------  --------  --------- --------- --------  --------  --------

Total Deposits             $129,159   100.00%  $130,571   100.00%  $130,741    100.00%  $130,771  100.00%  $132,583   100.00%
                         ==========           =========            ========            =========           ========


</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp's Prospectus


<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 21


                                Deposit Activity
             For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996,
               For the Years Ended December 31, 1993 through 1995


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     Nine Months
                                  Ended September 30,          Year ended December 31,
                                -----------------------   ----------------------------------
                                    1996        1995         1995        1994        1993
                                -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                    (Dollars in thousands)

<S>                              <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>       
Opening balance                  $  130,741  $  130,771   $  130,771  $  132,583  $  128,149
Deposits                            157,763     159,100      210,667     200,476     202,600
Withdrawals                         163,489     163,192      215,972     206,731     202,860
Interest credited                     4,144       3,892        5,275       4,443       4,694
                                -----------  ----------   ----------  ----------  ----------

Ending balance                   $  129,159  $  130,571   $  130,741  $  130,771  $  132,583
                                ===========  ==========   ==========  ==========  ==========

Net increase (decrease)          $  (1,582)  $    (200)   $     (30)  $  (1,812)  $    4,434
                                ===========  ==========   ==========  ==========  ==========

Percent increase (decrease)         (1.21)%     (1.50)%      (0.02)%     (1.37)%       3.46%
                                ===========  ==========   ==========  ==========  ==========


</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 22

                             Borrowed Funds Activity
            For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 and
              For The Years Ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            Nine Months Ended                  Year Ended
                                              September 30,                   December 31,
                                          ---------------------      ------------------------------
                                            1996        1995           1995       1994       1993
                                          ---------------------      --------   --------   --------
                                                           (Dollars in thousands)

Maximum Balance:

<S>                                         <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>   
   FHLB Advances                            $1,500     $1,500         $1,500     $3,000     $6,000

Average Balance:

   FHLB Advances                            $1,500     $1,500         $1,500     $2,423     $3,462





                                            Nine Months Ended                  Year Ended
                                              September 30,                   December 31,
                                          ---------------------      ------------------------------
                                            1996        1995           1995       1994       1993
                                          ---------------------      --------   --------   --------
                                                           (Dollars in thousands)

FHLB Advances                              $1,500      $1,500         $1,500     $1,500     $3,000
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase   -           -              -          -          -
Other borrowings                                -           -              -          -          -
                                          --------    ---------      --------   --------   --------

      Total borrowings                     $1,500      $1,500         $1,500     $1,500     $3,000
                                          ========    =========      ========   ========   ========

Weighted average interest rate of
   FHLB advances                            9.72%       9.72%          9.72%      9.72%      9.60%

</TABLE>


Source:  Hemlock Federal Financial Corp's Prospectus



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 23


                   OFFICES OF HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                              OAK FOREST, ILLINOIS




                                                                       Date
      Description/Address                Leased/Owned                Acquired
- -------------------------------      --------------------      -----------------


Main Office:
5700 West 159th Street                      Owned                      1974
Oak Forest, Illinois
60452


Branch Offices
8855 South Ridgeland Ave.                 Leased(1)                    1975
Oak Lawn, Illinois
60453

4646 South Damen Ave.                     Leased(2)                    1990
Chicago, Illinois
60609

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


(1)  The land on which the Oak Lawn  branch is built is leased.  Under the terms
     of the lease,  title to the building  housing the branch which is currently
     held by the Bank will pass to the landlord.

(2)  The lease is currently in the process of renegotiation.





Source: Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s prospectus

                                       92

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 24

                       LIST OF KEY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
                              At September 30, 1996



                           Position(s)                        Director   Term
Name                       Held with the Bank         Age(1)   Since    Expires
- ------------------------   -------------------------  ------  --------  -------
Maureen G. Partynski       Chairman of the Board,
                             Chief Executive Officer    36     1984       1999

Michael R. Stevens         President and Director       37     1992       1997

Rosanne Pastorek-Belczak   Vice-President/
                             Secretary and Director     36     1996       1998

Frank A. Bucz              Auditor/
                             Consultant and Director    68     1971       1998

Kenneth J. Bazarnik        Director                     53     1982       1997

Charles Gjondla            Director                     70     1982       1999

G. Gerald Schiera          Director                     57     1982       1998




(1)  At September 30, 1996



Source: Hemlock Federal Financial Corp.'s Prospectus


                                       93


<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 25


                         Key Demographic Data and Trends
      Market Area, Cook County, Will County, Illinois and the United States
                               1990, 1995 and 2000




                        1990           1996      %Chg.         2001      % Chg.
                        ----           ----      -----         ----      ------
Population
- ----------
Market Area           5,462,380     5,563,474     1.9%       5,643,269     1.4%
Cook County           5,105,067     5,136,877     0.6%       5,161,249     0.5%
Will County             357,313       426,597    19.4%         482,020    13.0%
Illinois             11,430,602    11,829,940     3.5%       5,181,677     0.9%
United States       248,718,291   262,755,270     5.6%     277,083,635     5.5%



Households
- ----------
Market Area           1,996,421     2,038,407     2.1%       2,068,929     1.5%
Cook County           1,879,488     1,898,703     1.0%       1,911,022     0.6%
Will County             116,933       139,704    19.5%         157,907    13.0%
Illinois              4,202,240     4,344,448     3.4%       4,481,231     3.1%
United States        91,947,410    97,069,804     5.6%     102,201,641     5.3%



Per Capita Income
- -----------------
Market Area            $ 12,860      $ 17,978    39.8%         ---          ---
Cook County              12,882        18,013    39.8%         ---          ---
Will County              12,552        17,559    39.9%         ---          ---
Illinois                 13,705        17,337    26.5%         ---          ---
United States            12,313        16,738    35.9%         ---          ---



Median 
 Household Income
- -----------------
Market Area            $ 29,536      $ 35,964    21.8%        $ 33,247    (7.6)%
Cook County              30,060        36,764    22.3%          34,136    (7.1)%
Will County              21,109        25,094    18.9%          22,483   (10.4)%
Illinois                 31,424        36,318    15.6%          34,009    (6.4)%
United States            28,255        34,530    22.2%          33,189    (3.9)%






Source:   Data Users Center and CACI

                                       94

<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 26


                  Major Sources of Employment by Industry Group
     Market Area, Cook County, Will County, Illinois and the United States
                                      1994




                                   Market                      United
Industry Group                      Area        Illinois       States
- --------------                     ------       --------       ------
Agriculture/Mining                   0.4%          0.8%          1.3%
Construction                         3.6%          4.0%          4.8%
Manufacturing                       19.1%         20.8%         19.2%
Transportation/Utilities             7.1%          6.2%          5.8%
Wholesale/Retail                    24.6%         26.9%         27.5%
Finance, Insurance, &
     Real Estate                     9.9%          8.5%          7.3%
Services                            35.3%         32.8%         34.1%






Source:   Bureau of the Census



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 27


                                Key Housing Data
      Market Area, Cook County, Will County, Illinois and the United States
                                      1990



Occupied Housing Units
- ----------------------
Market Area                                                1,996,421
Illinois                                                   4,202,240
United States                                             91,947,410


Occupancy Type
- --------------
Market Area
       Owner-Occupied                                          56.8%
       Renter-Occupied                                         43.2%

Illinois
       Owner-Occupied                                          64.2%
       Renter-Occupied                                         35.8%

United States
       Owner-Occupied                                          64.2%
       Renter-Occupied                                         35.8%


Median Housing Values
- ---------------------
Market Area                                                $ 100,253
Illinois                                                      80,100
United States                                                 78,500


Median Rent
- -----------
Market Area                                                    $ 477
Illinois                                                         445
United States                                                    447




Source:   Bureau of the Census



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 28

                               Unemployment Rates
                   Market Area, Illinois and the United States
                               1994, 1995 and 1996




Location                          1994              1995              1996*
- --------                          ----              ----              ----

Market Area                       5.9%              5.6%              5.2%

Illinois                          5.4%              5.2%              5.2%

United States                     6.1%              5.2%              5.8%


* September, 1996






Source:   Illinois Bureau of Employment Services



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 29

                            Market Share of Deposits
                        Cook and Will Counties, Illinois
                                  June 30, 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                             Market                Hemlock               Hemlock
                              Area                Federal's             Federal's
                            Deposits                Share                 Share
                             ($000)                ($000)                  (%)
                         ---------------      -----------------     -----------------

<S>                      <C>                           <C>                   <C>
Banks                    $ 78,832,482                 -0-                   -0-
Thrifts                    30,107,999             $ 130,639                 4.3%
Credit Unions               4,027,097                 -0-                   -0-
                         ---------------      -----------------     -----------------
   Total deposits        $112,967,578             $ 130,639                 1.2%



</TABLE>



Source:   Sheshunoff



<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 30

                       National Interest Rates by Quarter
                                    1992-1996


                           1st Qtr.   2nd Qtr.  3rd Qtr.  4th Qtr.
                             1992       1992      1992      1992
                             ----       ----      ----      ----

Prime Rate                  6.50%      6.50%     6.00%     6.00%
90-Day Treasury Bills       4.14%      3.63%     2.73%     3.13%
1-Year Treasury Bills       4.49%      4.03%     3.04%     3.57%
30-Year Treasury Bills      7.98%      7.78%     7.67%     7.39%


                           1st Qtr.   2nd Qtr.  3rd Qtr.  4th Qtr.
                             1993       1993      1993      1993
                             ----       ----      ----      ----

Prime Rate                  6.00%      6.00%     6.00%     6.00%
90-Day Treasury Bills       2.93%      3.07%     2.96%     3.05%
1-Year Treasury Bills       3.27%      3.43%     3.35%     3.58%
30-Year Treasury Bills      6.92%      6.67%     6.03%     6.35%


                           1st Qtr.   2nd Qtr.  3rd Qtr.  4th Qtr.
                             1994       1994      1994      1994
                             ----       ----      ----      ----

Prime Rate                  6.25%      7.25%     7.75%     8.50%
90-Day Treasury Bills       3.54%      4.23%     5.14%     5.66%
1-Year Treasury Bills       4.40%      5.49%     6.13%     7.15%
30-Year Treasury Bills      7.11%      7.43%     7.82%     7.88%


                           1st Qtr.   2nd Qtr.  3rd Qtr.  4th Qtr.
                             1995       1995      1995      1995
                             ----       ----      ----      ----

Prime Rate                  9.00%      9.00%     8.75%     8.50%
90-Day Treasury Bills       5.66%      5.58%     5.40%     5.06%
1-Year Treasury Bills       6.51%      5.62%     5.45%     5.14%
30-Year Treasury Bills      7.43%      6.71%     5.69%     5.97%


                           1st Qtr.   2nd Qtr.  3rd Qtr.
                             1996       1996      1996
                             ----       ----      ----

Prime Rate                  8.25%      8.25%     8.25%
90-Day Treasury Bills       5.18%      5.25%     5.16%
1-Year Treasury Bills       5.43%      5.91%     5.38%
30-Year Treasury Bills      6.73%      7.14%     6.47%


Source:  The Wall Street Journal

<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT 31

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
PLE     Pinnacle Bank                 AL      AMSE       17.000   19.250     4.000    -3.55     -3.55    16.65  215.39    0.72
SRN     Southern Banc Company, Inc    AL      AMSE       13.500   13.750    11.375    -1.82      1.89    14.22   78.06      NA
SZB     SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc.   AL      AMSE       12.875   16.000    10.625     5.10      0.98    15.12  104.89    2.48
FFBH    First Federal Bancshares
           of AR                      AR     NASDAQ      16.000   16.375    12.750     1.59      6.67    16.17   98.88      NA
FTF     Texarkana First Financial
           Corp                       AR      AMSE       14.250   16.875    10.000    -0.87      0.88    16.93   84.04      NA
AHM     Ahmanson & Company (H.F.)     CA      NYSE       31.750   33.500     2.688     1.60     25.12    18.86  479.53    0.88
AFFFZ   America First Financial Fund  CA     NASDAQ      29.125   30.750    14.500     0.43     -3.72    24.84  370.61    1.60
BPLS    Bank Plus Corp.               CA     NASDAQ      11.250   14.000     5.000     1.12     12.50     8.62  182.16    0.00
BVFS    Bay View Capital Corp.        CA     NASDAQ      39.000   41.500    11.250    -2.50      3.65    29.17  516.27    0.60
BYFC    Broadway Financial Corp.      CA     NASDAQ       9.250   11.000     9.000   -11.90     -5.13    14.12  131.35      NA
CAL     Cal Fed Bancorp, Inc.         CA      NYSE       24.250  200.000     6.250     4.30      5.43    13.24  285.81    0.00
CFHC    California Financial Holding  CA     NASDAQ      29.000   29.000     5.909    24.06     27.12    18.32  283.71    0.44
CENF    CENFED Financial Corp.        CA     NASDAQ      28.750   30.375     5.000     7.48     18.56    21.35  423.62    0.34
CSA     Coast Savings Financial       CA      NYSE       34.750   36.375     1.625     4.12     10.76    22.24  460.03    0.00
DSL     Downey Financial Corp.        CA      NYSE       27.875   29.000     2.081     9.31     12.63    22.60  291.90    0.47
FSSB    First FS&LA of San
           Bernardino                 CA     NASDAQ       9.000   14.500     6.875    -5.26     -8.86    14.34  305.62    0.00
FED     FirstFed Financial Corp.      CA      NYSE       22.250   26.600     1.125     3.49     21.09    17.49  399.02    0.00
GLN     Glendale Federal Bank, FSB    CA      NYSE       21.250  589.500     5.250    11.84     21.43    14.72  320.24    0.00
GDW     Golden West Financial         CA      NYSE       64.250   67.500     3.875    -0.39     16.82    39.57  645.07    0.38
GWF     Great Western Financial       CA      NYSE       30.000   31.125     3.950     8.11     20.00    17.84  316.87    0.96
HTHR    Hawthorne Financial Corp.     CA     NASDAQ       7.375   35.500     2.250    -6.35     -1.67    12.25  318.47    0.00
HEMT    HF Bancorp, Inc.              CA     NASDAQ      11.000   11.375     8.188     1.15     17.33    12.70  159.88    0.00
HBNK    Highland Federal Bank FSB     CA     NASDAQ      17.250   17.500    11.000     3.76     21.05    14.57  204.34    0.00
MBBC    Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.    CA     NASDAQ      14.750   15.625     8.750    -1.67     11.32    15.14  100.37    0.05
PFFB    PFF Bancorp, Inc.             CA     NASDAQ      14.125   14.125    10.375    11.33     21.51    14.46  125.30      NA
PROV    Provident Financial Holdings  CA     NASDAQ      13.875   14.250    10.125     7.77     23.33    16.57  113.20      NA
QCBC    Quaker City Bancorp, Inc.     CA     NASDAQ      16.375   17.500     7.500    -6.43     14.41    17.54  194.18    0.00
REDF    RedFed Bancorp Inc.           CA     NASDAQ      13.156   14.500     7.750     7.40     29.94     9.86  122.31    0.00
SGVB    SGV Bancorp, Inc.             CA     NASDAQ      11.000   11.625     7.750     8.64     24.82    12.06  133.08    0.00
WES     Westcorp                      CA      NYSE       22.500   23.875     3.703    -4.26      7.78    12.10  122.43    0.38
FFBA    First Colorado Bancorp, Inc.  CO     NASDAQ      16.875   17.750     3.189     5.47     20.54    11.79   79.58      NA
MORG    Morgan Financial Corp.        CO     NASDAQ      12.000   13.000     6.750     6.67     -7.69    12.18   96.43    0.88
EGFC    Eagle Financial Corp.         CT     NASDAQ      30.250   30.500     6.198    14.15     19.80    22.31  310.23    0.92
FFES    First Federal of East
           Hartford                   CT     NASDAQ      22.750   23.750     4.000    18.18     16.67    22.05  360.52    0.59
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
PLE     Pinnacle Bank                   15.89      102.10      7.89      10.06
SRN     Southern Banc Company, Inc         NA       94.94     17.29         NA
SZB     SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc.     21.82       85.15     12.27      37.87
FFBH    First Federal Bancshares
           of AR                           NA       98.95     16.18         NA
FTF     Texarkana First Financial
           Corp                            NA       84.17     16.96         NA
AHM     Ahmanson & Company (H.F.)       63.50      168.35      6.62      16.45
AFFFZ   America First Financial Fund    16.93      117.25      7.86      11.47
BPLS    Bank Plus Corp.                    NM      130.51      6.18         NM
BVFS    Bay View Capital Corp.             NM      133.70      7.55      15.98
BYFC    Broadway Financial Cor p.          NA       65.51      7.04         NA
CAL     Cal Fed Bancorp, Inc.           24.74      183.16      8.48      15.54
CFHC    California Financial Holding    29.29      158.30     10.22      17.26
CENF    CENFED Financial Corp.          13.69      134.66      6.79      11.06
CSA     Coast Savings Financial         68.14      156.25      7.55      16.87
DSL     Downey Financial Corp.          23.42      123.34      9.55      14.44
FSSB    First FS&LA of San
           Bernardino                      NM       62.76      2.94         NM
FED     FirstFed Financial Corp.        96.74      127.22      5.58      19.69
GLN     Glendale Federal Bank, FSB         NM      144.36      6.64      21.68
GDW     Golden West Financial           10.60      162.37      9.96       8.69
GWF     Great Western Financial         22.39      168.16      9.47      14.35
HTHR    Hawthorne Financial Corp.       13.41       60.20      2.32      12.72
HEMT    HF Bancorp, Inc.                   NM       86.61      6.88      32.35
HBNK    Highland Federal Bank FSB          NM      118.39      8.44      33.17
MBBC    Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.     105.36       97.42     14.70      36.88
PFFB    PFF Bancorp, Inc.                  NA       97.68     11.27         NA
PROV    Provident Financial Holdings       NA       83.74     12.26         NA
QCBC    Quaker City Bancorp, Inc.       44.26       93.36      8.43      18.40
REDF    RedFed Bancorp Inc.                NM      133.43     10.76         NM
SGVB    SGV Bancorp, Inc.                  NM       91.21      8.27      31.43
WES     Westcorp                        17.44      185.95     18.38      42.45
FFBA    First Colorado Bancorp, Inc.       NA      143.13     21.21         NA
MORG    Morgan Financial Corp.          18.75       98.52     12.44      14.29
EGFC    Eagle Financial Corp.           10.47      135.59      9.75      16.99
FFES    First Federal of East
           Hartford                     15.07      103.17      6.31       9.93
</TABLE>

                                      100


<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
NTMG    Nutmeg Federal S&LA           CT     NASDAQ       7.250    8.000     4.645     0.00      0.00     7.08  131.98    0.08
WBST    Webster Financial  
           Corporation                CT     NASDAQ      37.125   37.625     3.864     9.19     16.02    24.86  491.39    0.66
IFSB    Independence Federal Savings  DC     NASDAQ       7.625   10.250     0.250     1.67      7.02    13.02  193.66    0.22
BANC    BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc.    FL     NASDAQ      12.625   13.750     0.223    -4.72      2.02     9.49  147.45    0.14
BKUNA   BankUnited Financial Corp.    FL     NASDAQ       9.000   12.750     2.320     2.86     18.03     7.85  144.48    0.00
FFFG    F.F.O. Financial Group, Inc.  FL     NASDAQ       2.750   10.000     0.563     0.00      0.00     2.23   36.90    0.00
FFLC    FFLC Bancorp, Inc.            FL     NASDAQ      20.000   20.750    12.750     0.00      9.59    21.58  133.05    0.36
FFML    First Family Financial Corp.  FL     NASDAQ      22.500   23.000     5.000     3.45      4.65    15.97  313.24    0.12
FFPB    First Palm Beach Bancorp,
           Inc.                       FL     NASDAQ      24.875   25.500    14.000     4.19      8.74    21.17  293.34    0.40
FFPC    Florida First Bancorp, Inc    FL     NASDAQ      11.375   11.500     0.750     2.25      2.25     6.12   87.53    0.24
CCFH    CCF Holding Company           GA     NASDAQ      14.500   15.125    10.750     1.75     17.17    14.86   70.15      NA
EBSI    Eagle Bancshares              GA     NASDAQ      15.000   19.000     1.875    -2.84     -6.25    12.62  141.06    0.56
FGHC    First Georgia Holding, Inc.   GA     NASDAQ       8.000    8.000     1.222    18.52     14.29     5.92   71.17    0.07
FLFC    First Liberty Financial Corp. GA     NASDAQ      20.063   21.500     2.667     9.93     32.28    11.39  165.11    0.35
FLAG    FLAG Financial Corp.          GA     NASDAQ      11.125   15.000     3.200     1.14      5.95     9.89  112.38    0.32
NFSL    Newnan Holdings, Inc.         GA     NASDAQ      25.250   26.750     2.955     0.00     12.22    14.52  161.25    0.30
CASH    First Midwest Financial, Inc. IA     NASDAQ      24.750   24.750    13.250     1.02      6.45    21.94  192.34    0.41
GFSB    GFS Bancorp, Inc.             IA     NASDAQ      20.750   21.000    11.000     0.61     -1.19    19.61  169.53    0.35
HZFS    Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.  IA     NASDAQ      14.938   16.375    10.375     1.27      3.02    18.37  171.12    0.32
MFCX    Marshalltown Financial Corp.  IA     NASDAQ      15.250   16.750     8.500    -1.61     -6.15    13.70   87.98    0.00
MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.      IA     NASDAQ       6.375    7.875     2.474     2.00     -1.92     6.42   68.49    0.08
MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.      IA     NASDAQ      27.000   27.125    11.750     0.00     10.20    25.95  394.15    0.54
FFFD    North Central Bancshares,
           Inc.                       IA     NASDAQ      13.375   13.438     8.071     3.88     12.63    13.98   51.94      NA
PMFI    Perpetual Midwest Financial   IA     NASDAQ      19.063   22.000    10.000     0.33     10.51    17.68  206.43    0.30
SFFC    StateFed Financial   
           Corporation                IA     NASDAQ      16.500   19.750    10.500    -2.94      3.13    18.47  102.67    0.40
AVND    Avondale Financial Corp.      IL     NASDAQ      16.875   17.125    11.500    18.42     19.47    16.31  170.09    0.00
CBCI    Calumet Bancorp, Inc.         IL     NASDAQ      32.750   33.875    10.333    11.97     16.96    33.48  207.31    0.00
CBSB    Charter Financial, Inc.       IL     NASDAQ      13.000   13.000     6.361     1.96     11.83    13.08   75.29      NA
CNBA    Chester Bancorp, Inc.         IL     NASDAQ      13.250   13.750    12.625     4.95        NA       NA      NA      NA
CBK     Citizens First Financial
           Corp.                      IL      AMSE       13.625   13.875     9.500    14.74     25.29    14.31   94.56      NA
CSBF    CSB Financial Group, Inc.     IL     NASDAQ      10.000   10.125     8.810    -0.63      9.59    12.40   40.12      NA
DFIN    Damen Financial Corp.         IL     NASDAQ      12.250   12.875    11.000     3.70      7.69    14.02   62.20      NA
EGLB    Eagle BancGroup, Inc.         IL     NASDAQ      13.500   13.750    10.500     1.89     13.68    16.76  125.69      NA
FBCI    Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.        IL     NASDAQ      17.000   17.250     9.500     0.74      1.49    17.04  166.03    0.24
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
NTMG    Nutmeg Federal S&LA             27.88      102.40      5.49      21.97
WBST    Webster Financial  
           Corporation                  16.88      149.34      7.56      13.45
IFSB    Independence Federal Savings    29.33       58.56      3.94      19.55
BANC    BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc.      13.15      133.03      8.56      13.29
BKUNA   BankUnited Financial Corp.      90.00      114.65      6.23      18.37
FFFG    F.F.O. Financial Group, Inc.    34.38      123.32      7.45      12.50
FFLC    FFLC Bancorp, Inc.              25.32       92.68     15.03      16.39
FFML    First Family Financial Corp.    18.91      140.89      7.18      18.44
FFPB    First Palm Beach Bancorp,
           Inc.                         42.89      117.50      8.48      31.49
FFPC    Florida First Bancorp, Inc      21.06      185.87     13.00      14.58
CCFH    CCF Holding Company                NA       97.58     20.67         NA
EBSI    Eagle Bancshares                14.56      118.86     10.63      11.45
FGHC    First Georgia Holding, Inc.     13.79      135.14     11.24      14.81
FLFC    First Liberty Financial Corp.   13.65      176.15     12.15      16.45
FLAG    FLAG Financial Corp.               NM      112.49      9.90     111.25
NFSL    Newnan Holdings, Inc.           10.56      173.90     15.66      10.61
CASH    First Midwest Financial, Inc.   14.14      112.81     12.87      14.31
GFSB    GFS Bancorp, Inc.               14.41      105.81     12.24      11.59
HZFS    Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.    67.90       81.32      8.73      26.68
MFCX    Marshalltown Financial Corp.       NM      111.31     17.33      46.21
MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.        10.63       99.30      9.31      10.63
MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.        11.64      104.05      6.85      10.38
FFFD    North Central Bancshares,
           Inc.                            NA       95.67     25.75         NA
PMFI    Perpetual Midwest Financial     59.57      107.82      9.23      26.11
SFFC    StateFed Financial
           Corporation                  17.93       89.33     16.07      13.87
AVND    Avondale Financial Corp.        29.61      103.46      9.92      27.22
CBCI    Calumet Bancorp, Inc.           18.30       97.82     15.80      14.18
CBSB    Charter Financial, Inc.            NA       99.39     17.27         NA
CNBA    Chester Bancorp, Inc.              NA          NA        NA         NA
CBK     Citizens First Financial
           Corp.                           NA       95.21     14.41         NA
CSBF    CSB Financial Group, Inc.          NA       80.65     24.93         NA
DFIN    Damen Financial Corp.              NA       87.38     19.69         NA
EGLB    Eagle BancGroup, Inc.              NA       80.55     10.74         NA
FBCI    Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.          23.61       99.77     10.24      15.89
</TABLE>

                                      101

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc. IL     NASDAQ      15.875   16.250     9.000     2.42      2.42    16.60  214.77    0.00
FMBD    First Mutual Bancorp, Inc.    IL     NASDAQ      14.375   14.750    11.125     4.55     10.04    16.40   82.29    0.29
FFDP    FirstFed Bancshares           IL     NASDAQ      17.000   17.625     8.000     0.00      3.03    15.76  183.98    0.33
GTPS    Great American Bancorp        IL     NASDAQ      14.750   15.125    11.875     0.85      9.26    18.05   63.52    0.48
HNFC    Hinsdale Financial Corp.      IL     NASDAQ      25.875   27.750     9.000    11.29     10.11    20.58  241.51    0.00
HBEI    Home Bancorp of Elgin, Inc.   IL     NASDAQ      12.875   13.125    11.813     4.04        NA    14.12   52.86      NA
HMCI    HomeCorp, Inc.                IL     NASDAQ      18.000   19.875     5.000    -5.26     -1.37    18.10  301.66    0.00
KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.        IL      AMSE       24.750   26.375    13.625    10.00     22.22    24.99  249.43    0.40
LBCI    Liberty Bancorp, Inc.         IL     NASDAQ      24.250   30.625    12.750     2.11      1.04    25.55  268.11    0.60
MAFB    MAF Bancorp, Inc.             IL     NASDAQ      34.750   35.250     2.727    12.10     31.13    23.06  301.62    0.33
NBSI    North Bancshares, Inc.        IL     NASDAQ      16.000   16.500    11.000    -1.54      1.59    16.50  109.02    0.30
PFED    Park Bancorp, Inc.            IL     NASDAQ      11.750   12.500    10.188    -2.08     13.93    15.38   65.42      NA
PSFI    PS Financial, Inc.            IL     NASDAQ      11.625   11.875    11.625       NA        NA       NA      NA      NA
SWBI    Southwest Bancshares          IL     NASDAQ      18.500   18.833     7.833     0.00      3.25    14.71  141.73    0.72
SPBC    St. Paul Bancorp, Inc.        IL     NASDAQ      27.625   28.750     3.833     2.31      5.24    20.55  236.49    0.40
STND    Standard Financial, Inc.      IL     NASDAQ     19.875    20.125     9.125     3.92     22.31    16.26  144.45    0.24
SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.     IL     NASDAQ     20.375    20.500     6.667     4.49     18.12    20.27  312.10    0.32
WCBI    Westco Bancorp                IL     NASDAQ     21.500    22.250     7.667     0.00      0.00    18.34  118.32    0.47
FBCV    1ST Bancorp                   IN     NASDAQ     30.500    34.286     4.190     1.24     -3.17    31.54  384.65    0.40
AMFC    AMB Financial Corp.           IN     NASDAQ     12.500    12.938     9.750    -0.99     19.75    14.40   74.32      NA
ASBI    Ameriana Bancorp              IN     NASDAQ     15.750    16.000     2.750     6.78     18.87    13.27  121.95    0.55
ATSB    AmTrust Capital Corp.         IN     NASDAQ     10.375    11.250     7.750     6.41     15.28    13.54  136.60    0.00
CBCO    CB Bancorp, Inc.              IN     NASDAQ     23.000    25.500     7.125    -7.07     21.05    16.67  172.08    0.00
CBIN    Community Bank Shares         IN     NASDAQ     12.500    14.750    12.000     0.00     -2.91    12.84  118.26    0.33
FFWC    FFW Corp.                     IN     NASDAQ     20.750    21.500    12.500    -1.19      6.41    22.04  220.14    0.54
FFED    Fidelity Federal Bancorp      IN     NASDAQ     10.000    14.773     1.534    -4.76     -9.09     5.03  105.01    0.85
FISB    First Indiana Corporation     IN     NASDAQ     25.375    26.000     1.797     3.57     10.62    16.30  179.09    0.54
HFGI    Harrington Financial Group    IN     NASDAQ     10.125    11.000     9.875     0.00     -3.57     7.13  164.14    0.00
HBFW    Home Bancorp                  IN     NASDAQ     18.500    19.000    12.500     2.78     12.98    16.96  109.43    0.05
HBBI    Home Building Bancorp         IN     NASDAQ     18.000    21.250    10.000     2.86     -1.37    18.84  136.56    0.30
HOMF    Home Federal Bancorp          IN     NASDAQ     35.250    35.250     3.222    13.71     34.29    23.20  284.51    0.48
HWEN    Home Financial Bancorp        IN     NASDAQ     13.125    13.750     9.875     0.96      2.94    15.31   76.46      NA
INCB    Indiana Community Bank, SB    IN     NASDAQ     15.500    16.750    11.000    -3.13     16.98    12.10   98.37    3.35
IFSL    Indiana Federal Corporation   IN     NASDAQ     21.750    23.000     4.000    10.13      8.75    14.76  170.80    0.81
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc.   72.16       95.63      7.39      22.36
FMBD    First Mutual Bancorp, Inc.      46.37       87.65     17.47      29.95
FFDP    FirstFed Bancshares             44.74      107.87      9.24      34.69
GTPS    Great American Bancorp          70.24       81.72     23.22      38.82
HNFC    Hinsdale Financial Corp.        23.52      125.73     10.71      16.80
HBEI    Home Bancorp of Elgin, Inc.        NA       91.18     24.36         NA
HMCI    HomeCorp, Inc.                  64.29       99.45      5.97      19.35
KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.          25.26       99.04      9.92      17.31
LBCI    Liberty Bancorp, Inc.           31.09       94.91      9.04      16.06
MAFB    MAF Bancorp, Inc.               17.29      150.69     11.52      12.11
NBSI    North Bancshares, Inc.          48.48       96.97     14.68      26.67
PFED    Park Bancorp, Inc.                 NA       76.40     17.96         NA
PSFI    PS Financial, Inc.                 NA          NA        NA         NA
SWBI    Southwest Bancshares            19.07      125.76     13.05      13.70
SPBC    St. Paul Bancorp, Inc.          21.92      134.43     11.68      13.88
STND    Standard Financial, Inc.        27.23      122.23     13.76      19.11
SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.       32.34      100.52      6.53      15.44
WCBI    Westco Bancorp                  20.48      117.23     18.17      14.73
FBCV    1ST Bancorp                      4.39       96.70      7.93         NM
AMFC    AMB Financial Corp.                NA       86.81     16.82         NA
ASBI    Ameriana Bancorp                23.51      118.69     12.92      15.44
ATSB    AmTrust Capital Corp.           28.82       76.62      7.60      69.17
CBCO    CB Bancorp, Inc.                13.29      137.97     13.37      11.22
CBIN    Community Bank Shares           18.94       97.35     10.57      12.63
FFWC    FFW Corp.                       11.53       94.15      9.43       9.52
FFED    Fidelity Federal Bancorp        34.48      198.81      9.52      26.32
FISB    First Indiana Corporation       16.37      155.67     14.17      20.46
HFGI    Harrington Financial Group      23.01      142.01      6.17      16.07
HBFW    Home Bancorp                    21.02      109.08     16.91      21.02
HBBI    Home Building Bancorp              NM       95.54     13.18         NM
HOMF    Home Federal Bancorp            13.45      151.94     12.39      11.75
HWEN    Home Financial Bancorp             NA       85.73     17.17         NA
INCB    Indiana Community Bank, SB     110.71      128.10     15.76      32.98
IFSL    Indiana Federal Corporation     20.52      147.36     12.73      14.50
</TABLE>

                                      102

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
LOGN    Logansport Financial Corp.    IN     NASDAQ      11.750   14.750    11.250   -20.34    -16.07    12.04   60.28    3.40
MARN    Marion Capital Holdings       IN     NASDAQ      20.500   21.500    14.250    -0.61      1.23    21.50   94.75    0.76
MFBC    MFB Corp.                     IN     NASDAQ      17.000   19.250    10.500     3.03      9.68    19.09  106.67    0.00
NEIB    Northeast Indiana Bancorp     IN     NASDAQ      13.500   14.000    11.250     4.85     10.20    14.29   81.92    0.30
PFDC    Peoples Bancorp               IN     NASDAQ      20.500   22.500     5.375     3.80      3.14    18.35  120.41    0.56
PERM    Permanent Bancorp, Inc.       IN     NASDAQ      18.500   19.250     9.750     5.71     12.12    18.73  197.93    0.23
SOBI    Sobieski Bancorp, Inc.        IN     NASDAQ      15.000   15.000    10.000     9.09     25.00    15.62   91.22    0.00
FFSL    First Independence Corp.      KS     NASDAQ      19.625   21.250    10.875    -1.88      3.29    22.29  186.04    0.38
LARK    Landmark Bancshares, Inc.     KS     NASDAQ      16.500   17.000     9.750     1.54      5.60    17.48  115.35    0.40
MCBS    Mid Continent Bancshares Inc. KS     NASDAQ      23.375   23.375     9.750    23.03     22.22    19.06  168.45    0.40
CKFB    CKF Bancorp, Inc.             KY     NASDAQ      19.750   20.750    11.375     0.00      0.00    16.80   63.63    0.42
CLAS    Classic Bancshares, Inc.      KY     NASDAQ      11.875   12.125    10.375     3.26      0.00    14.21  103.00      NA
FFKY    First Federal Financial Corp. KY     NASDAQ      20.250   22.000     3.063    -4.71     -3.57    11.73   85.14    0.47
FLKY    First Lancaster Bancshares    KY     NASDAQ      16.000   16.250    13.125    10.34     10.34    14.08   39.47      NA
FTSB    Fort Thomas Financial Corp.   KY     NASDAQ      14.250   17.750    11.250     1.79      1.79    13.75   56.47    0.25
FKKY    Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc. KY     NASDAQ      11.375   15.875    10.000     1.11      5.81     9.84   37.42    4.36
GWBC    Gateway Bancorp, Inc.         KY     NASDAQ      14.000   16.250    11.000    -1.75      5.66    15.64   62.39    1.50
GTFN    Great Financial Corporation   KY     NASDAQ      29.297   29.875    13.875    -0.27      4.63    19.27  199.57    0.46
HFFB    Harrodsburg First Fin
           Bancorp                    KY     NASDAQ      18.250   19.000    12.375     0.00     12.31    15.47   50.75      NA
KYF     Kentucky First Bancorp, Inc.  KY      AMSE       11.500   15.250    11.250   -22.69    -15.60    13.78   61.94    0.38
SFNB    Security First Network Bank   KY     NASDAQ      12.625   41.500    11.000   -17.21    -54.50     5.98   13.62      NA
ANA     Acadiana Bancshares, Inc.     LA      AMSE       14.625   15.125    11.690     2.63      9.86    17.03   97.05      NA
CZF     CitiSave Financial Corp       LA      AMSE       13.500   16.500    12.750    -1.82     -3.57    12.61   78.61    2.30
ISBF    ISB Financial Corporation     LA     NASDAQ      17.125   18.500    12.938     5.38     15.13    17.09   97.26    0.32
MERI    Meritrust Federal SB          LA     NASDAQ      31.500   34.000    13.500     1.61      2.44    21.67  298.46    0.60
TSH     Teche Holding Co.             LA      AMSE       13.000   14.500    11.375    -3.70      0.00    14.76  107.20    0.50
AFCB    Affiliated Community Bancorp  MA     NASDAQ      22.625   23.000    16.060     5.23      4.62    19.47  197.35      NA
BFD     BostonFed Bancorp, Inc.       MA      AMSE       14.750   15.125    10.000     7.27     13.46    14.42  120.93      NA
ANBK    American National Bancorp     MD     NASDAQ      12.125   12.625     4.639     3.19      5.43    12.93  135.04    0.03
EQSB    Equitable Federal Savings
           Bank                       MD     NASDAQ      27.500   27.500    11.250     1.85     11.11    23.64  446.29    0.00
FCIT    First Citizens Financial
           Corp.                      MD     NASDAQ      18.438   19.091     0.375    -2.96     10.91    13.51  228.36    0.00
FFWM    First Financial-W. Maryland   MD     NASDAQ      31.750   32.250     7.167    10.92     32.29    19.00  162.64    0.48
HRBF    Harbor Federal Bancorp, Inc.  MD     NASDAQ      15.500   15.875     9.750     3.33      8.77    15.66  121.87    0.35
MFSL    Maryland Federal Bancorp      MD     NASDAQ      33.500   33.500     4.329     6.59     19.24    29.02  360.37    0.60
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
LOGN    Logansport Financial Corp.      16.55       97.59     19.49      13.99
MARN    Marion Capital Holdings         20.50       95.35     21.64      16.02
MFBC    MFB Corp.                       23.94       89.05     15.94      24.64
NEIB    Northeast Indiana Bancorp       18.24       94.47     16.48      15.17
PFDC    Peoples Bancorp                 14.96      111.72     17.03      11.45
PERM    Permanent Bancorp, Inc.         71.15       98.77      9.35      23.42
SOBI    Sobieski Bancorp, Inc.         150.00       96.03     16.44      34.88
FFSL    First Independence Corp.        14.32       88.04     10.55      12.50
LARK    Landmark Bancshares, Inc.       22.92       94.39     14.30      17.37
MCBS    Mid Continent Bancshares Inc.   14.70      122.64     13.88      12.05
CKFB    CKF Bancorp, Inc.               24.09      117.56     31.04      24.38
CLAS    Classic Bancshares, Inc.           NA       83.57     11.53         NA
FFKY    First Federal Financial Corp.   19.66      172.63     23.78      17.31
FLKY    First Lancaster Bancshares         NA      113.64     40.54         NA
FTSB    Fort Thomas Financial Corp.     17.38      103.64     25.23      17.38
FKKY    Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc.   33.46      115.60     30.40      25.28
GWBC    Gateway Bancorp, Inc.           26.92       89.51     22.44      26.92
GTFN    Great Financial Corporation     23.63      152.03     14.68      22.71
HFFB    Harrodsburg First Fin 
           Bancorp                         NA      117.97     35.96         NA
KYF     Kentucky First Bancorp, Inc.    20.54       83.45     18.57      16.20
SFNB    Security First Network Bank        NM      211.12     92.69         NM
ANA     Acadiana Bancshares, Inc.          NA       85.88     15.07         NA
CZF     CitiSave Financial Corp         19.85      107.06     17.17      15.34
ISBF    ISB Financial Corporation       22.83      100.20     17.61      16.63
MERI    Meritrust Federal SB            20.59      145.36     10.55      12.60
TSH     Teche Holding Co.               19.12       88.08     12.13      13.27
AFCB    Affiliated Community Bancorp       NA      116.20     11.46         NA
BFD     BostonFed Bancorp, Inc.            NA      102.29     12.20         NA
ANBK    American National Bancorp       71.32       93.77      8.98      18.37
EQSB    Equitable Federal Savings
           Bank                          8.76      116.33      6.16       8.79
FCIT    First Citizens Financial
           Corp.                        20.49      136.48      8.07      14.29
FFWM    First Financial-W. Maryland     24.42      167.11     19.52      17.54
HRBF    Harbor Federal Bancorp, Inc.    53.45       98.98     12.72      25.00
MFSL    Maryland Federal Bancorp        13.40      115.44      9.30      16.75
</TABLE>

                                      103

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
WSB     Washington Savings Bank, FSB  MD      AMSE        4.938    6.917     0.281     6.77     -3.65     5.10   58.47    0.14
WHGB    WHG Bancshares Corp.          MD     NASDAQ      12.688   13.750    10.875    -2.87     10.33    14.36   60.23      NA
MCBN    Mid-Coast Bancorp, Inc.       ME     NASDAQ      18.750   20.250     8.095    -3.85     -1.32    21.36  243.20    0.50
BWFC    Bank West Financial Corp.     MI     NASDAQ      11.000   12.250     8.500     4.76      0.00    12.21   70.41    0.28
CFSB    CFSB Bancorp, Inc.            MI     NASDAQ      18.250   21.818     3.169     0.00      0.00    13.03  168.26    0.43
DNFC    D & N Financial Corp.         MI     NASDAQ      14.875   18.875     2.500     0.85     14.42    10.16  185.59    0.00
MSBF    MSB Financial, Inc.           MI     NASDAQ      19.250   19.750    10.750     1.32      6.94    19.27   96.13    0.45
MSBK    Mutual Savings Bank, FSB      MI     NASDAQ       5.750   25.500     3.000    12.20      0.00     9.23  158.53    0.00
OFCP    Ottawa Financial Corp.        MI     NASDAQ      16.750   16.750    10.250     3.47      3.08    14.55  159.73    0.33
SJSB    SJS Bancorp                   MI     NASDAQ      25.250   25.875    10.810    10.99     27.04    17.24  165.52    0.41
SFB     Standard Federal Bancorp      MI      NYSE       56.125   58.000     4.750     5.15     30.90    28.72  492.23    0.76
THR     Three Rivers Financial Corp.  MI      AMSE       13.625   14.375    11.375     4.81      4.81    14.86  102.64    0.30
BDJI    First Federal Bancorporation  MN     NASDAQ      17.875   18.000    10.625    10.00     21.19    17.59  153.10    0.00
FFHH    FSF Financial Corp.           MN     NASDAQ      14.250   14.438     7.750     3.16     18.75    15.50  101.96    0.50
HMNF    HMN Financial, Inc.           MN     NASDAQ      18.000   18.250     9.313     2.86     12.94    17.90  120.97    0.00
MIVI    Mississippi View Holding Co.  MN     NASDAQ      12.750   12.750     8.500     4.08      8.51    14.02   76.20    0.16
QCFB    QCF Bancorp, Inc.             MN     NASDAQ      16.250   17.000    11.000     3.17      8.33    18.34  104.00    0.00
TCB     TCF Financial Corp.           MN      NYSE       43.000   45.000     2.813     8.18     13.16    14.98  204.03    0.69
WEFC    Wells Financial Corp.         MN     NASDAQ      12.563   13.250     9.000    -2.42      2.56    13.36   96.87    0.00
CMRN    Cameron Financial Corp        MO     NASDAQ      15.625   15.625    10.688     4.17      7.76    16.26   61.69    0.28
CAPS    Capital Savings Bancorp, Inc. MO     NASDAQ      13.500   14.750     6.125    11.34     40.26    10.41  123.26    0.18
CBES    CBES Bancorp, Inc.            MO     NASDAQ      14.000   14.250    12.625     4.67        NA    16.56   94.36      NA
CNSB    CNS Bancorp, Inc.             MO     NASDAQ      14.625   14.625    11.000     6.36     14.71    14.60   59.82      NA
FBSI    First Bancshares, Inc.        MO     NASDAQ      16.500   17.000    10.250     7.32     -1.49    18.89  127.91    0.20
FTNB    Fulton Bancorp, Inc.          MO     NASDAQ      14.125   14.750    12.500    -0.88        NA       NA      NA      NA
GSBC    Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.  MO     NASDAQ      16.750   17.750     1.146    -2.90     17.54     7.63   75.33    0.36
HFSA    Hardin Bancorp, Inc.          MO     NASDAQ      12.000   13.000    11.000    -2.04      6.67    14.66   87.36    0.30
JSBA    Jefferson Savings Bancorp     MO     NASDAQ      23.500   30.750    13.250     2.17      0.00    21.59  269.82    0.24
JOAC    Joachim Bancorp, Inc.         MO     NASDAQ      14.500   15.250    11.500     3.57     13.73    14.05   47.51      NA
LXMO    Lexington B&L Financial Corp. MO     NASDAQ      12.875   12.875     9.500     5.10     27.94    14.81   48.45      NA
MBLF    MBLA Financial Corp.          MO     NASDAQ      20.000   26.000    12.750    -6.98     -8.05    20.67  167.95    0.40
NASB    North American Savings Bank   MO     NASDAQ      31.000   33.750     2.500    -1.59     -1.59    22.21  326.41    0.56
NSLB    NS&L Bancorp, Inc.            MO     NASDAQ      14.000   14.000    11.750     4.67     16.67    15.83   67.92    0.45
PCBC    Perry County Financial Corp.  MO     NASDAQ      17.250   21.500    12.375     0.00     -1.43    17.70   94.30    0.30
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
WSB     Washington Savings Bank, FSB     9.50       96.82      8.45      10.29
WHGB    WHG Bancshares Corp.               NA       88.36     21.07         NA
MCBN    Mid-Coast Bancorp, Inc.         24.04       87.78      7.71      13.99
BWFC    Bank West Financial Corp.       25.00       90.09     15.62      44.00
CFSB    CFSB Bancorp, Inc.              17.06      140.06     10.85      12.76
DNFC    D & N Financial Corp.           12.29      146.41      8.01       9.79
MSBF    MSB Financial, Inc.             15.52       99.90     20.02      12.50
MSBK    Mutual Savings Bank, FSB        52.27       62.30      3.63         NM
OFCP    Ottawa Financial Corp.          35.64      115.12     10.49      17.45
SJSB    SJS Bancorp                     97.12      146.46     15.25      32.79
SFB     Standard Federal Bancorp        37.67      195.42     11.40      14.85
THR     Three Rivers Financial Corp.    26.72       91.69     13.27      17.03
BDJI    First Federal Bancorporation    42.56      101.62     11.68      19.43
FFHH    FSF Financial Corp.             29.69       91.94     13.98      21.27
HMNF    HMN Financial, Inc.             19.15      100.56     14.88      16.67
MIVI    Mississippi View Holding Co.    12.50       90.94     16.73      14.01
QCFB    QCF Bancorp, Inc.               13.77       88.60     15.63      10.76
TCB     TCF Financial Corp.             18.53      287.05     21.08      15.64
WEFC    Wells Financial Corp.           23.26       94.03     12.97      13.96
CMRN    Cameron Financial Corp          15.63       96.09     25.33      15.94
CAPS    Capital Savings Bancorp, Inc.   20.45      129.68     10.95      13.37
CBES    CBES Bancorp, Inc.                 NA       84.54     14.84         NA
CNSB    CNS Bancorp, Inc.                  NA      100.17     24.45         NA
FBSI    First Bancshares, Inc.          20.89       87.35     12.90      14.22
FTNB    Fulton Bancorp, Inc.               NA          NA        NA         NA
GSBC    Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.    17.09      219.53     22.24      14.96
HFSA    Hardin Bancorp, Inc.            32.43       81.86     13.74      17.65
JSBA    Jefferson Savings Bancorp       36.15      108.85      8.71      13.66
JOAC    Joachim Bancorp, Inc.              NA      103.20     30.52         NA
LXMO    Lexington B&L Financial Corp.      NA       86.93     26.57         NA
MBLF    MBLA Financial Corp.            24.69       96.76     11.91      18.52
NASB    North American Savings Bank      8.49      139.58      9.50       8.99
NSLB    NS&L Bancorp, Inc.              20.59       88.44     20.61      23.73
PCBC    Perry County Financial Corp.    20.29       97.46     18.29      18.35
</TABLE>

                                      104

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
RFED    Roosevelt Financial Group     MO     NASDAQ      18.625   19.750     2.167     5.67      2.76    10.76  214.61    0.61
SMFC    Sho-Me Financial Corp.        MO     NASDAQ      21.625   22.000     9.375    -1.70      8.13    19.96  177.43    0.00
SMBC    Southern Missouri Bancorp,
          Inc                         MO     NASDAQ      14.188   17.500     8.875     1.34     -0.44    15.39   97.77    0.50
CFTP    Community Federal Bancorp     MS     NASDAQ      17.250   17.250    12.250     7.81     28.97    15.67   47.64      NA
FFBS    FFBS BanCorp, Inc.            MS     NASDAQ      23.000   24.250    12.000     4.55      6.98    16.62   80.06    0.45
MGNL    Magna Bancorp, Inc.           MS     NASDAQ     18.500    22.500     0.844     0.00    -11.90     9.16   94.77    0.35
GBCI    Glacier Bancorp, Inc.         MT     NASDAQ     24.500    25.250     1.495    -2.00      2.08    11.54  122.11    0.61
SFBM    Security Bancorp              MT     NASDAQ     30.250    30.250     4.250     2.76     39.08    20.83  257.50    0.69
UBMT    United Financial Corp.        MT     NASDAQ     19.750    22.500     5.625     6.76      5.33    19.89   88.24    0.87
WSTR    WesterFed Financial Corp.     MT     NASDAQ     18.625    18.750    11.375    10.37     23.14    17.81  128.80    0.38
CFNC    Carolina Fincorp, Inc.        NC     NASDAQ     13.000    13.375    13.000       NA        NA       NA      NA      NA
COOP    Cooperative Bankshares, Inc.  NC     NASDAQ     20.750    22.500     3.467     7.79      9.21    16.90  219.35    0.00
SOPN    First Savings Bancorp, Inc.   NC     NASDAQ     18.500    21.000    13.500     1.37      8.82    17.90   70.30    0.69
GSFC    Green Street Financial Corp.  NC     NASDAQ     15.500    16.125    12.125     1.64     10.71    14.47   41.00      NA
HFNC    HFNC Financial Corp.          NC     NASDAQ     17.438    18.250    13.125    -3.12     -1.06    14.41   49.15      NA
KSAV    KS Bancorp, Inc.              NC     NASDAQ     20.875    22.000    11.625     8.44      4.38    20.83  144.97    1.10
MBSP    Mitchell Bancorp, Inc.        NC     NASDAQ     13.875    13.875    10.190     9.90     14.43    15.02   35.70      NA
PDB     Piedmont Bancorp, Inc.        NC      AMSE      17.875    19.125    12.000    10.00     19.17    13.54   48.01      NA
SSB     Scotland Bancorp, Inc         NC      AMSE      14.000    14.125    11.625     8.74     13.13    13.47   37.29      NA
SSFC    South Street Financial Corp.  NC     NASDAQ     14.000    14.625    12.125    14.29        NA       NA      NA      NA
SSM     Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.    NC      AMSE      19.500    20.125    16.250     0.00     12.23    20.49   58.28      NA
UFRM    United Federal Savings Bank   NC     NASDAQ      8.375     8.750     1.750     3.87     15.52     6.44   86.00    0.19
CFB     Commercial Federal
           Corporation                NE      NYSE      45.750    48.500     1.625     5.78     15.82    25.96  481.20    0.50
EBCP    Eastern Bancorp               NH     NASDAQ     22.125    24.000     3.000    -7.81     14.94    17.41  237.89    0.49
NHTB    New Hampshire Thrift Bncshrs  NH     NASDAQ     11.750    13.375     1.750    -2.08     18.99    11.31  155.47    0.50
FBER    1st Bergen Bancorp            NJ     NASDAQ     12.000    12.125     9.000     2.13     20.00    13.41   78.76      NA
CJFC    Central Jersey Financial      NJ     NASDAQ     37.500    39.250     2.645     4.17     13.21    21.04  174.07    0.80
COFD    Collective Bancorp, Inc.      NJ     NASDAQ     33.375    36.375     1.351     3.89     24.19    17.87  257.83    0.90
FSPG    First Home Bancorp, Inc.      NJ     NASDAQ     18.250    19.000     2.531    -2.67      1.39    15.50  240.00    0.48
FSFI    First State Financial
           Services                   NJ     NASDAQ     15.000    15.375     1.625    10.09     15.38    10.17  169.47    0.22
FMCO    FMS Financial Corporation     NJ     NASDAQ     17.125    17.750     1.500     2.82     10.48    13.71  210.13    0.20
IBSF    IBS Financial Corp.           NJ     NASDAQ     15.438    16.250     8.409    -3.51      7.39    13.42   69.00    0.24
LVSB    Lakeview Financial            NJ     NASDAQ     23.250    24.318     7.335     0.00     12.42    19.47  190.05    0.22
LFBI    Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.    NJ     NASDAQ     12.500    13.500     9.500     6.38     20.48    14.45   97.11      NA
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
RFED    Roosevelt Financial Group       23.58      173.09      8.68      10.96
SMFC    Sho-Me Financial Corp.          19.84      108.34     12.19      15.45
SMBC    Southern Missouri Bancorp,
          Inc                           21.50       92.19     14.51      15.42
CFTP    Community Federal Bancorp          NA      110.08     36.21         NA
FFBS    FFBS BanCorp, Inc.              26.14      138.39     28.73      20.18
MGNL    Magna Bancorp, Inc.             15.04      201.97     19.52      12.17
GBCI    Glacier Bancorp, Inc.           15.12      212.31     20.06      13.46
SFBM    Security Bancorp                23.45      145.22     11.75      18.79
UBMT    United Financial Corp.          18.63       99.30     22.38      15.43
WSTR    WesterFed Financial Corp.       24.83      104.58     14.46      17.41
CFNC    Carolina Fincorp, Inc.             NA          NA        NA         NA
COOP    Cooperative Bankshares, Inc.       NM      122.78      9.46         NM
SOPN    First Savings Bancorp, Inc.     22.29      103.35     26.32      17.96
GSFC    Green Street Financial Corp.       NA      107.12     37.80         NA
HFNC    HFNC Financial Corp.               NA      121.01     35.48         NA
KSAV    KS Bancorp, Inc.                19.33      100.22     14.40      12.89
MBSP    Mitchell Bancorp, Inc.             NA       92.38     38.87         NA
PDB     Piedmont Bancorp, Inc.             NA      132.02     37.23         NA
SSB     Scotland Bancorp, Inc              NA      103.93     37.54         NA
SSFC    South Street Financial Corp.       NA          NA        NA         NA
SSM     Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.         NA       95.17     33.46         NA
UFRM    United Federal Savings Bank     38.07      130.05      9.74      20.43
CFB     Commercial Federal
           Corporation                  17.07      176.23      9.51      11.95
EBCP    Eastern Bancorp                 25.43      127.08      9.30      19.75
NHTB    New Hampshire Thrift Bncshrs    19.58      103.89      7.56      13.20
FBER    1st Bergen Bancorp                 NA       89.49     15.24         NA
CJFC    Central Jersey Financial        27.37      178.23     21.54      20.05
COFD    Collective Bancorp, Inc.        14.97      186.77     12.94      12.18
FSPG    First Home Bancorp, Inc.         8.82      117.74      7.60       8.00
FSFI    First State Financial
           Services                        NM      147.49      8.85         NM
FMCO    FMS Financial Corporation       16.79      124.91      8.15       9.90
IBSF    IBS Financial Corp.             35.90      115.04     22.37      22.37
LVSB    Lakeview Financial              10.67      119.41     12.23      15.50
LFBI    Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.         NA       86.51     12.87         NA
</TABLE>

                                      105

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
OCFC    Ocean Financial Corp.         NJ     NASDAQ      25.875   26.500    19.625     3.50     15.00    27.23  131.37      NA
PBCI    Pamrapo Bancorp, Inc.         NJ     NASDAQ      18.875   26.125     2.563    -0.66     -3.82    16.91  112.34    0.95
PFSB    PennFed Financial Services,   
           Inc                        NJ     NASDAQ      20.125   20.750     9.063    -0.62     15.00    20.23  235.41    0.00
PULS    Pulse Bancorp                 NJ     NASDAQ      16.000   18.000     4.000    -4.48     -5.19    12.61  164.76    0.70
SFIN    Statewide Financial Corp.     NJ     NASDAQ      13.938   14.000    11.250     9.85     11.50    13.09  132.56      NA
WYNE    Wayne Bancorp, Inc.           NJ     NASDAQ      14.188   14.750    10.750     1.34      5.10    16.10  107.38      NA
WWFC    Westwood Financial
           Corporation                NJ     NASDAQ      15.250   16.000    10.250    10.91     40.23    14.76  144.82      NA
AABC    Access Anytime Bancorp, Inc.  NM     NASDAQ       5.750   10.417     1.750     0.00      4.55     6.82  148.75    0.00
GUPB    GFSB Bancorp, Inc.            NM     NASDAQ      15.250   15.250    12.875     6.55      7.96    16.36   88.44    0.80
AFED    AFSALA Bancorp, Inc.          NY     NASDAQ      12.000   12.125    11.313     0.00        NA       NA      NA      NA
ALBK    ALBANK Financial Corporation  NY     NASDAQ      31.625   32.750     9.167    12.95      6.97    23.97  267.91    0.46
ALBC    Albion Banc Corp.             NY     NASDAQ      17.375   18.750    10.500     2.96      2.21    23.06  239.39    0.31
ASFC    Astoria Financial Corporation NY     NASDAQ      35.000   37.750    12.688     4.09     30.84    26.32  337.78    0.42
BFSI    BFS Bankorp, Inc.             NY     NASDAQ      49.500   55.000     2.500    -1.00     -4.81    30.70  393.26    0.00
CARV    Carver Bancorp, Inc.          NY     NASDAQ       8.000   10.750     6.250     1.59      0.78    14.96  157.73    0.00
FIBC    Financial Bancorp, Inc.       NY     NASDAQ      14.500   16.250     8.500     3.57     -3.33    14.40  148.98    0.28
HAVN    Haven Bancorp, Inc.           NY     NASDAQ      28.688   28.875    10.000     4.80      6.00    21.73  361.96    0.50
LISB    Long Island Bancorp, Inc.     NY     NASDAQ      30.750   32.875    12.090     1.65      8.85    21.06  217.65    0.40
NYB     New York Bancorp Inc.         NY      NYSE       33.625   36.250     2.425    -7.24     11.16    13.69  264.98    0.80
PEEK    Peekskill Financial Corp.     NY     NASDAQ      13.375   14.500    11.125    -4.46      4.90    14.39   48.83      NA
PKPS    Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, FS NY     NASDAQ       5.125   26.750     0.875     0.00      3.79     5.59   68.58    0.10
RELY    Reliance Bancorp, Inc.        NY     NASDAQ      18.625   19.500     8.875     2.76      3.47    16.78  205.28    0.49
SFED    SFS Bancorp, Inc.             NY     NASDAQ      15.000   16.000    11.000    -2.44     15.38    16.56  129.87    0.06
TPNZ    Tappan Zee Financial, Inc.    NY     NASDAQ      14.000   14.125    11.250     4.18     15.46    13.96   77.88      NA
YFCB    Yonkers Financial Corporation NY     NASDAQ      12.125   13.000     9.310    -6.73      4.30    13.72   72.68      NA
ASBP    ASB Financial Corp.           OH     NASDAQ      17.750   18.250    11.375    21.37     22.41    15.82   66.69    0.35
CAFI    Camco Financial Corporation   OH     NASDAQ      16.000   19.286    12.245    -3.03     -8.57    13.81  182.15    0.43
COFI    Charter One Financial         OH     NASDAQ      41.000   44.000     3.281    -2.38     11.46    19.48  295.65    0.82
CTZN    CitFed Bancorp, Inc.          OH     NASDAQ      28.250   32.500     6.167    -6.87     13.00    20.39  320.17    0.19
CIBI    Community Investors Bancorp   OH     NASDAQ      16.500   18.250    10.750    -8.33      4.76    16.99  142.29    0.22
DCBI    Delphos Citizens Bancorp,
           Inc.                       OH     NASDAQ      11.875   12.500    11.875       NA        NA       NA      NA      NA
EFBI    Enterprise Federal Bancorp    OH     NASDAQ      15.750   18.000    11.250     6.78     22.33    15.23  103.11    3.00
FFDF    FFD Financial Corp.           OH     NASDAQ      13.500   13.750    10.000    11.91     32.51    14.72   58.73      NA
FFYF    FFY Financial Corp.           OH     NASDAQ      25.750   25.875    12.250     4.57      7.01    19.98  117.75    0.60
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
OCFC    Ocean Financial Corp.              NA       95.02     19.70         NA
PBCI    Pamrapo Bancorp, Inc.           20.30      111.62     16.80      13.78
PFSB    PennFed Financial Services,
           Inc                          18.81       99.48      8.55      11.50
PULS    Pulse Bancorp                   17.02      126.88      9.71      11.35
SFIN    Statewide Financial Corp.          NA      106.48     10.51         NA
WYNE    Wayne Bancorp, Inc.                NA       88.12     13.21         NA
WWFC    Westwood Financial
           Corporation                     NA      103.32     10.53         NA
AABC    Access Anytime Bancorp, Inc.       NM       84.31      3.87         NM
GUPB    GFSB Bancorp, Inc.              24.60       93.22     17.24      19.30
AFED    AFSALA Bancorp, Inc.               NA          NA        NA         NA
ALBK    ALBANK Financial Corporation    18.60      131.94     11.80      14.44
ALBC    Albion Banc Corp.                  NM       75.35      7.26      39.49
ASFC    Astoria Financial Corporation   22.01      132.98     10.36      14.77
BFSI    BFS Bankorp, Inc.                9.46      161.24     12.59       8.08
CARV    Carver Bancorp, Inc.               NM       53.48      5.07      19.51
FIBC    Financial Bancorp, Inc.         22.66      100.69      9.73      12.39
HAVN    Haven Bancorp, Inc.             14.86      132.02      7.93       9.53
LISB    Long Island Bancorp, Inc.       23.12      146.01     14.13      19.10
NYB     New York Bancorp Inc.           12.55      245.62     12.69      11.48
PEEK    Peekskill Financial Corp.          NA       92.95     27.39         NA
PKPS    Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, FS    5.39       91.68      7.47       3.46
RELY    Reliance Bancorp, Inc.          21.16      111.00      9.07      12.76
SFED    SFS Bancorp, Inc.               27.78       90.58     11.55      14.85
TPNZ    Tappan Zee Financial, Inc.         NA      100.29     17.98         NA
YFCB    Yonkers Financial Corporation      NA       88.37     16.68         NA
ASBP    ASB Financial Corp.             45.51      112.20     26.62      29.10
CAFI    Camco Financial Corporation     12.12      115.86      8.78      10.53
COFI    Charter One Financial           77.36      210.47     13.87      12.54
CTZN    CitFed Bancorp, Inc.            20.93      138.55      8.82      13.45
CIBI    Community Investors Bancorp     18.75       97.12     11.60      12.50
DCBI    Delphos Citizens Bancorp,
           Inc.                            NA          NA        NA         NA
EFBI    Enterprise Federal Bancorp      16.76      103.41     15.27      24.23
FFDF    FFD Financial Corp.                NA       91.71     22.99         NA
FFYF    FFY Financial Corp.             26.82      128.88     21.87      17.40
</TABLE>

                                      106

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
FFOH    Fidelity Financial of Ohio    OH     NASDAQ      11.188   11.500     3.112     6.55     14.75    12.46   62.76      NA
FDEF    First Defiance Financial      OH     NASDAQ      12.250   12.500     5.790     7.69     13.95    12.17   52.89      NA
FFBZ    First Federal Bancorp, Inc.   OH     NASDAQ      14.750   15.500     3.125    11.32     11.32     8.25  117.49    0.21
FFHS    First Franklin Corporation    OH     NASDAQ      17.000   17.500     3.500     4.62     11.48    17.06  188.47    0.30
FFSW    FirstFederal Financial Svcs   OH     NASDAQ      37.750   39.000     2.232     3.42     24.79    15.07  307.48    0.46
GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.       OH     NASDAQ      19.875   23.333    15.419     7.43     -1.85    22.88  246.43    0.65
HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corp.  OH     NASDAQ       9.875   13.750     8.750     5.33      0.00    13.66   81.72    0.40
HVFD    Haverfield Corporation        OH     NASDAQ      19.250   19.750     5.165     0.00     12.41    14.47  183.89    0.54
INBI    Industrial Bancorp            OH     NASDAQ      12.500   16.000     9.875     1.01     19.05    10.92   57.68    3.90
LONF    London Financial Corporation  OH     NASDAQ      13.000   13.500     9.750    13.04     20.93    15.02   70.30      NA
MFFC    Milton Federal Financial
           Corp.                      OH     NASDAQ      14.625   17.125    10.000    14.71      6.36    14.76   79.71    1.43
OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.          OH     NASDAQ      20.375   22.000    11.500    -5.23      0.62    20.58  177.96    0.74
PFFC    Peoples Financial Corp.       OH     NASDAQ      13.000   13.250    10.875     8.33        NA       NA      NA      NA
PTRS    Potters Financial Corp.       OH     NASDAQ      18.906   19.000     9.000     3.59     16.34    20.35  247.93    0.29
PVFC    PVF Capital Corp.             OH     NASDAQ      14.500   15.750     4.316    -3.33      7.41     9.67  148.61    0.00
SFSL    Security First Corp.          OH     NASDAQ      15.500   17.250     1.625    -3.13     16.98    11.19  120.64    0.42
SSBK    Strongsville Savings Bank     OH     NASDAQ      22.500   22.500    15.500     5.88      7.14    16.56  214.24    0.46
SBCN    Suburban Bancorporation, Inc. OH     NASDAQ      15.250   18.500    10.500    -3.17     -5.43    17.76  142.34    0.55
WOFC    Western Ohio Financial Corp.  OH     NASDAQ      20.313   24.375    14.750    -2.11     -1.51    24.34  159.01    1.00
WEHO    Westwood Homestead Fin. Corp. OH     NASDAQ      11.500   11.875    10.375     4.55        NA    15.10   45.82      NA
WFCO    Winton Financial Corp.        OH     NASDAQ      11.500   15.000     3.750   -14.81      2.22    10.61  142.40    0.41
FFWD    Wood Bancorp, Inc.            OH     NASDAQ      16.375   17.250     8.000    -3.68     12.93    13.40  101.74    0.24
KFBI    Klamath First Bancorp         OR     NASDAQ      14.875   15.063    12.500     5.31      3.48    14.98   57.87      NA
BRFC    Bridgeville Savings Bank      PA     NASDAQ      16.000   16.000    11.750     4.92      6.67    14.12   48.78    0.59
CVAL    Chester Valley Bancorp Inc.   PA     NASDAQ      18.500   20.000     3.879    -7.50      2.78    15.36  173.84    0.37
CMSB    Commonwealth Bancorp, Inc.    PA     NASDAQ      14.125   14.500     5.790     6.60     29.89    12.67  116.13      NA
FSBI    Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.        PA     NASDAQ      19.750   20.500     3.756     3.95     10.49    15.86  231.49    0.32
FBBC    First Bell Bancorp, Inc.      PA     NASDAQ      17.063   17.375    10.000     8.34     22.98    13.71   74.37    0.20
FKFS    First Keystone Financial      PA     NASDAQ      19.250   20.875    10.250    -1.28      8.45    17.86  227.65    0.00
SHEN    First Shenango Bancorp, Inc.  PA     NASDAQ      22.875   23.750    12.750     3.98     10.24    20.42  170.09    0.44
GAF     GA Financial, Inc.            PA      AMSE       14.750   15.375    10.250     9.26     19.19    15.50   66.17      NA
HARL    Harleysville Savings Bank     PA     NASDAQ      18.250   20.000     3.535    -2.01      2.82    15.18  244.21    0.40
LARL    Laurel Capital Group, Inc.    PA     NASDAQ      16.000   16.500     3.627     0.00      3.23    13.87  133.34    0.35
MLBC    ML Bancorp, Inc.              PA     NASDAQ      14.625   14.750     6.219     4.93     13.59    12.55  159.14    0.34
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
FFOH    Fidelity Financial of Ohio         NA       89.79     17.83         NA
FDEF    First Defiance Financial           NA      100.66     23.16         NA
FFBZ    First Federal Bancorp, Inc.     17.56      178.79     12.55      13.05
FFHS    First Franklin Corporation      35.42       99.65      9.02      15.89
FFSW    FirstFederal Financial Svcs     22.60      250.50     12.28      17.40
GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.         30.58       86.87      8.07      13.43
HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corp.    15.67       72.29     12.08      15.67
HVFD    Haverfield Corporation          26.37      133.03     10.47      13.85
INBI    Industrial Bancorp              27.78      114.47     21.67      14.88
LONF    London Financial Corporation       NA       86.55     18.49         NA
MFFC    Milton Federal Financial
           Corp.                        29.85       99.09     18.35      23.21
OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.            21.91       99.00     11.45      14.76
PFFC    Peoples Financial Corp.            NA          NA        NA         NA
PTRS    Potters Financial Corp.            NM       92.90      7.63      21.48
PVFC    PVF Capital Corp.               13.68      149.95      9.76       7.29
SFSL    Security First Corp.            15.35      138.52     12.85      10.92
SSBK    Strongsville Savings Bank       17.58      135.87     10.50      13.55
SBCN    Suburban Bancorporation, Inc.   69.32       85.87     10.71      19.55
WOFC    Western Ohio Financial Corp.    32.24       83.46     12.77      33.86
WEHO    Westwood Homestead Fin. Corp.      NA       76.16     25.10         NA
WFCO    Winton Financial Corp.           9.27      108.39      8.08      11.06
FFWD    Wood Bancorp, Inc.              19.97      122.20     16.09      14.75
KFBI    Klamath First Bancorp              NA       99.30     25.70         NA
BRFC    Bridgeville Savings Bank        32.00      113.31     32.80      24.62
CVAL    Chester Valley Bancorp Inc.     18.69      120.44     10.64      12.59
CMSB    Commonwealth Bancorp, Inc.         NA      111.48     12.16         NA
FSBI    Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.          21.01      124.53      8.53      12.12
FBBC    First Bell Bancorp, Inc.        17.06      124.46     22.94      14.71
FKFS    First Keystone Financial        26.01      107.78      8.46      12.26
SHEN    First Shenango Bancorp, Inc.    19.89      112.02     13.45      20.80
GAF     GA Financial, Inc.                 NA       95.16     22.29         NA
HARL    Harleysville Savings Bank       15.47      120.22      7.47       9.61
LARL    Laurel Capital Group, Inc.      12.12      115.36     12.00       9.36
MLBC    ML Bancorp, Inc.                13.42      116.53      9.19      14.34
</TABLE>

                                      107

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
PVSA    Parkvale Financial
           Corporation                PA     NASDAQ      26.250   26.500     2.150     7.14     16.15    16.96  228.71    0.44
PBIX    Patriot Bank Corp.            PA     NASDAQ      13.500   13.854    10.258    -0.92      8.00    12.94  109.83      NA
PWBC    PennFirst Bancorp, Inc.       PA     NASDAQ      13.500   15.915     4.019    -0.92     -1.82    12.52  179.28    0.86
PWBK    Pennwood Savings Bank         PA     NASDAQ      12.500   12.500     9.000     4.17     25.00    15.17   75.76      NA
PHFC    Pittsburgh Home Financial
           Corp                       PA     NASDAQ      13.250   13.250     9.500    11.58     26.19    13.92   89.51      NA
PRBC    Prestige Bancorp, Inc.        PA     NASDAQ      12.875   13.750     9.750     5.10     19.77    15.77  108.39      NA
PSAB    Prime Bancorp, Inc.           PA     NASDAQ      19.375   20.682     3.194     0.32      0.65    15.44  181.82    0.68
PFNC    Progress Financial
           Corporation                PA     NASDAQ       8.500   18.750     0.750     7.94     33.33     5.01   98.44    0.02
SVRN    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.       PA     NASDAQ      12.750   13.625     1.005     7.93     17.91     7.76  189.82    0.08
THRD    TF Financial Corporation      PA     NASDAQ      15.875   16.250     9.750     0.79      8.55    18.10  154.64    0.30
THBC    Troy Hill Bancorp, Inc.       PA     NASDAQ      20.000   20.063    10.250     0.00     46.79    16.87   93.14    0.40
WVFC    WVS Financial Corporation     PA     NASDAQ      23.000   23.500    13.000     1.10      5.75    19.72  153.04    2.10
YFED    York Financial Corp.          PA     NASDAQ      16.750   18.409     4.301    -2.90     15.16    12.37  155.68    0.52
AMFB    American Federal Bank, FSB    SC     NASDAQ      19.000   19.453     0.625     5.56     12.59     9.90  127.32    0.44
CFCP    Coastal Financial Corp.       SC     NASDAQ      20.000   22.000     1.918    -8.05      2.56     8.04  131.77    0.41
FFCH    First Financial Holdings Inc. SC     NASDAQ      23.000   24.250     4.000     8.24     22.67    14.91  243.20    0.64
FSFC    First Southeast Financial
           Corp                       SC     NASDAQ       9.625   20.250     9.125    -8.33      1.32     7.55   75.05   10.40
PALM    Palfed, Inc.                  SC     NASDAQ      14.500   18.500     3.500    10.48      3.57    10.10  126.23    0.06
SCCB    S. Carolina Community   
           Bancshrs                   SC     NASDAQ      15.250   20.500    12.625     1.67     -1.61    16.84   58.79    0.60
HFFC    HF Financial Corp.            SD     NASDAQ      17.250   17.500     5.500     2.99     12.65    16.46  190.48    0.34
TWIN    Twin City Bancorp             TN     NASDAQ      17.500   18.250    10.500     2.94      1.45    15.58  124.41    0.77
BNKU    Bank United Corp.             TX     NASDAQ      27.125   27.375    22.500     8.50     12.44    16.81  339.05      NA
CBSA    Coastal Bancorp, Inc.         TX     NASDAQ      23.750   24.750     9.875     6.15     21.02    18.04  576.05    0.38
ETFS    East Texas Financial Services TX     NASDAQ      16.125   16.750    11.000     7.50     11.21    19.24  101.72    0.10
FBHC    Fort Bend Holding Corp.       TX     NASDAQ      25.250   25.500    10.375    24.69     49.63    21.24  343.87    0.28
LOAN    Horizon Bancorp               TX     NASDAQ      18.500   18.500     7.250     2.78     27.59     7.99  101.33    0.15
JXVL    Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.    TX     NASDAQ      14.500   15.000     7.141     9.43     26.09    13.34   82.33      NA
BFSB    Bedford Bancshares, Inc.      VA     NASDAQ      17.750   18.750    10.250    -1.39      7.58    16.95  111.36    0.39
CNIT    CENIT Bancorp, Inc.           VA     NASDAQ      39.000   40.500    10.875    -1.89     -3.11    29.55  419.95    0.60
CFFC    Community Financial Corp.     VA     NASDAQ      21.250   22.500     4.250    -4.49     -1.16    17.59  126.40    0.48
ESX     Essex Bancorp, Inc.           VA      AMSE        2.000   19.250     0.750     3.20      6.67    -0.16  162.92    0.00
FFFC    FFVA Financial Corp.          VA     NASDAQ      20.500   21.750     8.250     2.50     18.84    16.87  105.54    0.38
FFRV    Fidelity Financial Bankshares VA     NASDAQ      24.563   25.250     2.381     4.52      7.97    12.07  143.23    0.18
GSLC    Guaranty Financial Corp.      VA     NASDAQ       8.750    9.500     6.313     2.94      2.94     6.89  125.36    0.05
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
PVSA    Parkvale Financial
           Corporation                  16.61      154.78     11.48      11.82
PBIX    Patriot Bank Corp.                 NA      104.33     12.29         NA
PWBC    PennFirst Bancorp, Inc.         19.01      107.83      7.53      13.37
PWBK    Pennwood Savings Bank              NA       82.40     16.50         NA
PHFC    Pittsburgh Home Financial 
           Corp                            NA       95.19     14.80         NA
PRBC    Prestige Bancorp, Inc.             NA       81.64     11.88         NA
PSAB    Prime Bancorp, Inc.             16.28      125.49     10.66      12.19
PFNC    Progress Financial 
           Corporation                  14.41      169.66      8.63      11.64
SVRN    Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.         15.55      164.30      6.72      16.14
THRD    TF Financial Corporation        20.89       87.71     10.27      14.84
THBC    Troy Hill Bancorp, Inc.         22.99      118.55     21.47      19.80
WVFC    WVS Financial Corporation       13.07      116.63     15.03      11.50
YFED    York Financial Corp.            17.27      135.41     10.76      13.29
AMFB    American Federal Bank, FSB      15.32      191.92     14.92      12.18
CFCP    Coastal Financial Corp.         16.13      248.76     15.18      18.35
FFCH    First Financial Holdings Inc.   20.72      154.26      9.46      12.43
FSFC    First Southeast Financial
           Corp                            NM      127.48     12.82      13.56
PALM    Palfed, Inc.                    32.22      143.56     11.49      19.86
SCCB    S. Carolina Community
           Bancshrs                     29.33       90.56     25.94      22.43
HFFC    HF Financial Corp.              16.12      104.80      9.06      12.87
TWIN    Twin City Bancorp               18.62      112.32     14.07      14.34
BNKU    Bank United Corp.                  NM      161.36      8.00         NM
CBSA    Coastal Bancorp, Inc.           18.13      131.65      4.12      10.75
ETFS    East Texas Financial Services   19.20       83.81     15.85      21.22
FBHC    Fort Bend Holding Corp.         42.80      118.88      7.34      16.40
LOAN    Horizon Bancorp                 16.37      231.54     18.26      21.02
JXVL    Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.         NA      108.70     17.61         NA
BFSB    Bedford Bancshares, Inc.        15.17      104.72     15.94      11.91
CNIT    CENIT Bancorp, Inc.             24.84      131.98      9.29      16.12
CFFC    Community Financial Corp.       16.60      120.81     16.81      12.88
ESX     Essex Bancorp, Inc.                NM          NM      1.23         NM
FFFC    FFVA Financial Corp.            20.50      121.52     19.42      16.14
FFRV    Fidelity Financial Bankshares   26.70      203.50     17.15      18.33
GSLC    Guaranty Financial Corp.        17.50      127.00      6.98      14.58
</TABLE>

                                      108

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>     <C>                           <C>    <C>         <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
LIFB    Life Bancorp, Inc.            VA     NASDAQ      18.000   18.000     8.313     5.69     12.94    14.77  142.66    0.44
VABF    Virginia Beach Fed. Financial VA     NASDAQ       9.375    9.938     1.625     5.63     17.19     8.03  121.60    0.16
VFFC    Virginia First Financial
           Corp.                      VA     NASDAQ      12.750   14.625     1.250    -5.56      0.99    10.64  136.05    0.08
CASB    Cascade Financial Corp.       WA     NASDAQ      14.375   17.500     2.662    -4.17    -15.44    10.04  165.99    0.00
FWWB    First SB of Washington
           Bancorp                    WA     NASDAQ      18.375   19.000    12.375     8.89      8.09    14.84   87.05      NA
IWBK    InterWest Bancorp, Inc.       WA     NASDAQ      32.250   33.000     8.478     5.31     16.22    14.02  216.23    0.48
MSEA    Metropolitan Bancorp          WA     NASDAQ      19.250   19.500     3.636    10.00     11.19    14.01  207.23    0.00
STSA    Sterling Financial Corp.      WA     NASDAQ      13.750   15.000     1.878     0.00     -3.51    10.53  276.54    0.00
WFSL    Washington Federal, Inc.      WA     NASDAQ      25.750   27.500     1.723     7.29     15.73    14.20  125.69    0.90
AADV    Advantage Bancorp, Inc.       WI     NASDAQ      31.750   34.500    10.600     1.60     -3.79    25.08  299.58    0.29
ABCW    Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin      WI     NASDAQ      34.875   36.250     9.800     0.36     -2.11    23.88  408.68    0.39
FCBF    FCB Financial Corp.           WI     NASDAQ      19.250   19.500    10.000     4.05      8.45    18.93  109.48    0.66
FFEC    First Fed Bncshrs Eau Claire  WI     NASDAQ      18.375   18.375     8.375     1.73     20.49    14.27  106.31    0.24
FTFC    First Federal Capital Corp.   WI     NASDAQ      24.000   24.000     1.449     5.49     14.29    15.10  238.20    0.60
FFHC    First Financial Corp.         WI     NASDAQ      28.000   30.250     1.392     3.23     21.74    13.41  187.05    0.57
FNGB    First Northern Capital Corp.  WI     NASDAQ      16.000   18.625     3.063   -13.51      1.59    15.84  138.77    0.59
HALL    Hallmark Capital Corp.        WI     NASDAQ      17.500   17.750     9.875     2.94     16.67    18.82  268.67    0.00
MWFD    Midwest Federal Financial     WI     NASDAQ      21.500   24.500     4.167    -1.15     22.86    10.19  121.39    0.22
NWEQ    Northwest Equity Corp.        WI     NASDAQ      11.250   12.250     6.875    -2.17      9.76    13.55  102.77    0.37
OSBF    OSB Financial Corp.           WI     NASDAQ      27.000   27.000    14.500    12.50     13.68    27.93  215.89    0.60
RELI    Reliance Bancshares, Inc.     WI     NASDAQ       7.000   10.125     6.750   -30.00    -16.42    11.43   18.73      NA
SECP    Security Capital Corporation  WI     NASDAQ      71.000   71.500    25.000     7.58     14.98    56.90  379.63    0.60
STFR    St. Francis Capital Corp.     WI     NASDAQ      26.500   28.000    12.625     2.91      2.91    23.12  256.44    0.40
FOBC    Fed One Bancorp               WV     NASDAQ      15.875   16.625     5.358     0.79      2.42    16.62  137.01    0.55
CRZY    Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp     WY     NASDAQ      11.500   12.000    10.000    -2.13      5.75    14.62   48.69      NA
TRIC    Tri-County Bancorp, Inc.      WY     NASDAQ      18.250   19.000    11.375    -3.95     -0.68    20.81  130.55    0.50
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>     <C>                            <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
LIFB    Life Bancorp, Inc.              23.68      121.87     12.62      15.65
VABF    Virginia Beach Fed. Financial  187.50      116.75      7.71      34.72
VFFC    Virginia First Financial
           Corp.                         7.24      119.83      9.37      13.14
CASB    Cascade Financial Corp.         21.46      143.18      8.66      19.97
FWWB    First SB of Washington 
           Bancorp                         NA      123.82     21.11         NA
IWBK    InterWest Bancorp, Inc.         20.41      230.03     14.91      15.07
MSEA    Metropolitan Bancorp            18.33      137.40      9.29      12.03
STSA    Sterling Financial Corp.           NM      130.58      4.97      20.22
WFSL    Washington Federal, Inc.        13.70      181.34     20.49      12.32
AADV    Advantage Bancorp, Inc.         38.25      126.59     10.60      14.77
ABCW    Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin        15.36      146.04      8.53      12.11
FCBF    FCB Financial Corp.             20.48      101.69     17.58      16.45
FFEC    First Fed Bncshrs Eau Claire    25.17      128.77     17.28      19.34
FTFC    First Federal Capital Corp.     16.55      158.94     10.08      14.55
FFHC    First Financial Corp.           17.07      208.80     14.97      12.28
FNGB    First Northern Capital Corp.    24.62      101.01     11.53      15.38
HALL    Hallmark Capital Corp.          17.50       92.99      6.51      13.16
MWFD    Midwest Federal Financial       19.72      210.99     17.71      20.09
NWEQ    Northwest Equity Corp.          16.54       83.03     10.95      13.72
OSBF    OSB Financial Corp.            245.45       96.67     12.51      26.73
RELI    Reliance Bancshares, Inc.          NA       61.24     37.37         NA
SECP    Security Capital Corporation    23.83      124.78     18.70      17.53
STFR    St. Francis Capital Corp.       14.56      114.62     10.33      14.80
FOBC    Fed One Bancorp                 17.84       95.52     11.59      12.03
CRZY    Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp          NA       78.66     23.62         NA
TRIC    Tri-County Bancorp, Inc.        24.01       87.70     13.98      17.55
</TABLE>

                                      109

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PER SHARE
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Latest  All Time  All Time  Monthly  Quarterly   Book          12 Month
                                                          Price    High      Low      Change    Change   Value  Assets    Div.
                                     State  Exchange       ($)      ($)      ($)       (%)       (%)      ($)     ($)     ($)
                                     -----  --------     ------  --------  --------  -------  ---------  -----  ------  --------
<S>                                                      <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>       <C> 
ALL THRIFTS
        AVERAGE                                          18.656   22.585     8.027     2.69      9.80    16.07  163.61    0.49
        MEDIAN                                           16.750   18.250     9.146     2.78      9.26    15.37  133.21    0.38
        HIGH                                             71.000  589.500    25.000    24.69     49.63    56.90  645.07   10.40
        LOW                                               2.000    6.917     0.223   -30.00    -54.50    -0.16   13.62    0.00

AVERAGE FOR STATE
        IL                                               18.222   19.026     9.370     4.11     10.76    18.10  161.14    0.28

AVERAGE BY REGION
        MIDWEST                                          18.726   20.380     8.905     2.26      8.56    16.77  150.20    0.50
        NEW ENGLAND                                      20.819   21.736     6.401     4.48     11.46    17.81  249.88    0.53
        MID ATLANTIC                                     18.637   20.212     7.183     2.47     11.91    16.04  167.78    0.39
        SOUTHEAST                                        16.310   18.287     7.153     2.73      7.64    13.48  124.28    0.67
        SOUTHWEST                                        17.658   18.861    10.331     5.46     13.15    15.13  175.74    0.57
        WEST                                             21.438   43.024     6.556     3.20     12.04    16.65  234.68    0.33

AVERAGE BY EXCHANGE
        NYSE                                             35.183   94.248     3.243     3.85     16.32    20.15  366.41    0.45
        AMEX                                             13.892   16.218     9.929     2.67      6.86    14.31  101.44    0.80
        OTC/NASDAQ                                       18.228   19.871     8.119     2.64      9.69    15.99  158.43    0.48
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PRICING RATIOS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       Price/      Price/    Price/   Price/Core
                                      Earnings   Bk. Value   Assets    Earnings
                                        (X)         (%)       (%)        (X)
                                      --------   ---------   ------   ----------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>  
ALL THRIFTS
        AVERAGE                         27.25      118.20     14.29      17.68
        MEDIAN                          20.49      108.70     12.29      15.38
        HIGH                           245.45      287.05     92.69     111.25
        LOW                              4.39       53.48      1.23       3.46

AVERAGE FOR STATE
        IL                              35.333     102.066    13.907     20.459

AVERAGE BY REGION
        MIDWEST                         29.65      114.13     15.49      18.24
        NEW ENGLAND                     19.91      114.19      8.59      15.61
        MID ATLANTIC                    20.24      116.06     12.64      14.68
        SOUTHEAST                       27.85      126.63     16.60      19.44
        SOUTHWEST                       22.22      118.78     13.23      16.08
        WEST                            31.73      127.82     11.20      19.07

AVERAGE BY EXCHANGE
        NYSE                            34.40      178.73     10.53      17.24
        AMEX                            19.84       96.60     17.08      17.17
        OTC/NASDAQ                      27.13      116.77     14.29      17.72
</TABLE>

                                      110
<PAGE>


KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 32

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>   
PLE      Pinnacle Bank                     AL         191,659       14,819        14,298          0.50     0.79      6.40     10.08 
SRN      Southern Banc Company, Inc        AL         107,874       19,654        19,444          0.22     0.57      1.20      3.13 
SZB      SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc.       AL          90,542       13,050        13,050          0.57     0.32      3.50      1.96 
FFBH     First Federal Bancshares of AR    AR         509,605       83,339        83,339            NA       NA        NA        NA 
FTF      Texarkana First Financial Corp    AR         164,064       33,043        33,043          1.83     1.83      9.59      9.59 
AHM      Ahmanson & Company (H.F.)         CA      50,588,224    2,472,634     2,151,546          0.23     0.53      3.96      9.13 
AFFFZ    America First Financial Fund      CA       2,227,591      153,517       150,376          0.45     0.75      6.61     11.07 
BPLS     Bank Plus Corp.                   CA       3,323,209      158,009       157,665         -1.98    -1.64    -34.45    -28.61 
BVFS     Bay View Capital Corp.            CA       3,428,175      193,695       182,821         -0.08     0.55     -1.22      8.20 
BYFC     Broadway Financial Corp.          CA         117,253       13,515        13,515         -0.16     0.21     -1.73      2.22 
CAL      Cal Fed Bancorp, Inc.             CA      14,126,700      654,600       654,600          0.40     0.60      7.55     11.41 
CFHC     California Financial Holding      CA       1,339,378       86,475        86,228          0.37     0.62      5.47      9.24 
CENF     CENFED Financial Corp.            CA       2,160,973      108,930       108,715          0.51     0.64     10.40     13.01 
CSA      Coast Savings Financial           CA       8,549,032      413,326       406,818          0.12     0.46      2.40      9.23 
DSL      Downey Financial Corp.            CA       4,954,337      383,644       377,337          0.43     0.69      5.28      8.46 
FSSB     First FS&LA of San Bernardino     CA         100,334        4,709         4,498         -1.07    -1.24    -19.94    -23.18 
FED      FirstFed Financial Corp.          CA       4,196,726      183,941       181,029          0.06     0.29      1.28      6.22 
GLN      Glendale Federal Bank, FSB        CA      15,104,367      937,937       880,008          0.06     0.47      0.88      7.34 
GDW      Golden West Financial             CA      37,011,423    2,270,144     2,270,144          1.00     1.22     15.60     19.04 
GWF      Great Western Financial           CA      43,548,593    2,616,781     2,321,357          0.48     0.72      7.57     11.45 
HTHR     Hawthorne Financial Corp.         CA         827,784       43,442        43,442          0.89     0.63     17.24     12.18 
HEMT     HF Bancorp, Inc.                  CA       1,004,374       79,809            NA         -0.08     0.26     -0.71      2.37 
HBNK     Highland Federal Bank FSB         CA         469,165       33,450        33,450         -0.09     0.21     -1.27      3.02 
MBBC     Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.        CA         327,127       45,762        45,339          0.13     0.39      0.91      2.66 
PFFB     PFF Bancorp, Inc.                 CA       2,485,552      286,860       283,663         -0.06     0.31     -0.57      3.08 
PROV     Provident Financial Holdings      CA         580,166       84,931        84,931            NA       NA        NA        NA 
QCBC     Quaker City Bancorp, Inc.         CA         737,999       66,669        66,445          0.22     0.49      2.24      5.02 
REDF     RedFed Bancorp Inc.               CA         866,269       69,868        69,868         -0.77    -0.47    -12.78     -7.86 
SGVB     SGV Bancorp, Inc.                 CA         344,852       31,261        31,261         -0.01     0.27     -0.06      2.62 
WES      Westcorp                          CA       3,181,347      314,304       313,353          1.09     0.44     11.09      4.51 
FFBA     First Colorado Bancorp, Inc.      CO       1,514,552      224,416       221,593          0.84     1.16      5.50      7.66 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                   ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
PLE      Pinnacle Bank                     AL      12/17/86      AMSE          889,824       16.35
SRN      Southern Banc Company, Inc        AL      10/05/95      AMSE        1,382,013       17.97
SZB      SouthFirst Bancshares, Inc.       AL      02/14/95      AMSE          863,200       11.01
FFBH     First Federal Bancshares of AR    AR      05/03/96     NASDAQ       5,153,751       77.31
FTF      Texarkana First Financial Corp    AR      07/07/95      AMSE        1,952,263       30.75
AHM      Ahmanson & Company (H.F.)         CA      10/25/72      NYSE      105,496,154     2953.89
AFFFZ    America First Financial Fund      CA         NA        NASDAQ       6,010,589      181.82
BPLS     Bank Plus Corp.                   CA         NA        NASDAQ      18,242,965      193.83
BVFS     Bay View Capital Corp.            CA      05/09/86     NASDAQ       6,640,242      236.56
BYFC     Broadway Financial Corp.          CA      01/09/96     NASDAQ         892,688        8.82
CAL      Cal Fed Bancorp, Inc.             CA      03/01/83      NYSE       49,427,074     1149.18
CFHC     California Financial Holding      CA      04/01/83     NASDAQ       4,720,970      109.76
CENF     CENFED Financial Corp.            CA      10/25/91     NASDAQ       5,101,260      126.26
CSA      Coast Savings Financial           CA      12/23/85      NYSE       18,583,617      594.68
DSL      Downey Financial Corp.            CA      01/01/71      NYSE       16,972,905      428.57
FSSB     First FS&LA of San Bernardino     CA      02/02/93     NASDAQ         328,296        3.20
FED      FirstFed Financial Corp.          CA      12/16/83      NYSE       10,517,597      207.72
GLN      Glendale Federal Bank, FSB        CA      10/01/83      NYSE       47,165,668      837.19
GDW      Golden West Financial             CA      05/29/59      NYSE       57,375,909     3349.32
GWF      Great Western Financial           CA         NA         NYSE      137,431,563     3641.94
HTHR     Hawthorne Financial Corp.         CA         NA        NASDAQ       2,599,275       18.84
HEMT     HF Bancorp, Inc.                  CA      06/30/95     NASDAQ       6,281,875       60.46
HBNK     Highland Federal Bank FSB         CA         NA        NASDAQ       2,295,983       32.72
MBBC     Monterey Bay Bancorp, Inc.        CA      02/15/95     NASDAQ       3,259,063       43.59
PFFB     PFF Bancorp, Inc.                 CA      03/29/96     NASDAQ      19,837,500      245.49
PROV     Provident Financial Holdings      CA      06/28/96     NASDAQ       5,125,215       64.71
QCBC     Quaker City Bancorp, Inc.         CA      12/30/93     NASDAQ       3,800,600       55.11
REDF     RedFed Bancorp Inc.               CA      04/08/94     NASDAQ       7,082,781       85.88
SGVB     SGV Bancorp, Inc.                 CA      06/29/95     NASDAQ       2,591,276       24.94
WES      Westcorp                          CA      05/01/86      NYSE       25,985,142      561.93
FFBA     First Colorado Bancorp, Inc.      CO      01/02/96     NASDAQ      19,030,844      294.98
</TABLE>

                                      111
<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426


                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
MORG     Morgan Financial Corp.            CO           75,053        9,480         9,480         0.74     0.97      5.10      6.67 
EGFC     Eagle Financial Corp.             CT        1,406,583      101,148        74,158         1.00     0.61     13.82      8.49 
FFES     First Federal of East Hartford    CT          942,648       57,665        57,538         0.44     0.67      6.89     10.44 
NTMG     Nutmeg Federal S&LA               CT           93,924        5,488         5,488         0.32     0.38      5.13      6.05 
WBST     Webster Financial Corporation     CT        3,984,454      216,667       171,059         0.55     0.68      9.77     11.91 
IFSB     Independence Federal Savings      DC          247,888       16,672        14,440         0.13     0.19      1.98      2.94 
BANC     BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc.        FL        2,170,480      139,727       129,822         0.85     0.86     11.95     12.04 
BKUNA    BankUnited Financial Corp.        FL          824,360       69,111        66,654         0.36     0.60      4.31      7.14 
FFFG     F.F.O. Financial Group, Inc.      FL          311,028       18,805        18,805         0.21     0.64      3.28      9.97 
FFLC     FFLC Bancorp, Inc.                FL          335,993       54,495        54,495         0.63     0.96      3.72      5.65 
FFML     First Family Financial Corp.      FL          170,718        8,704         8,704         0.41     0.42      7.37      7.57 
FFPB     First Palm Beach Bancorp, Inc.    FL        1,494,020      107,825       105,000         0.22     0.30      2.78      3.80 
FFPC     Florida First Bancorp, Inc.       FL          297,244       20,797        20,797         0.59     0.87      8.60     12.65 
CCFH     CCF Holding Company               GA           79,325       16,807        16,807         0.97     0.92      4.91      4.68 
EBSI     Eagle Bancshares                  GA          642,136       57,438        57,438         0.65     0.86      7.78     10.29 
FGHC     First Georgia Holding, Inc.       GA          144,022       11,955        10,646         0.89     0.83     10.65      9.96 
FLFC     First Liberty Financial Corp.     GA          991,226       75,953        65,464         1.03     0.87     13.29     11.17 
FLAG     FLAG Financial Corp.              GA          228,914       20,149        20,149        -0.07     0.10     -0.75      1.11 
NFSL     Newnan Holdings, Inc.             GA          255,946       23,042        17,832         2.09     2.10     18.60     18.70 
CASH     First Midwest Financial, Inc.     IA          342,095       39,029        36,450         1.06     1.05      8.14      8.05 
GFSB     GFS Bancorp, Inc.                 IA           85,206        9,855         9,855         0.91     1.12      7.59      9.36 
HZFS     Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.      IA           76,652        8,227         8,227         0.13     0.33      1.13      2.83 
MFCX     Marshalltown Financial Corp.      IA          124,183       19,338        19,338         0.06     0.39      0.39      2.56 
MIFC     Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.          IA          115,260       10,807        10,791         0.93     0.93     10.00     10.00 
MWBI     Midwest Bancshares, Inc.          IA          137,707        9,068         9,068         0.66     0.72      9.51     10.36 
FFFD     North Central Bancshares, Inc.    IA          197,921       56,069        56,069         1.52     1.79      6.51      7.71 
PMFI     Perpetual Midwest Financial       IA          395,707       33,890        33,890         0.18     0.38      1.92      4.06 
SFFC     StateFed Financial Corporation    IA           81,059       14,583        14,583         0.98     1.25      4.97      6.35 
AVND     Avondale Financial Corp.          IL          612,840       58,773        58,773         0.39     0.40      3.69      3.86 
CBCI     Calumet Bancorp, Inc.             IL          492,779       79,583        79,583         0.99     1.25      5.97      7.58 
CBSB     Charter Financial, Inc.           IL          366,983       63,777        59,323         1.18     1.17      7.39      7.36 

</TABLE>


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
MORG     Morgan Financial Corp.            CO     01/11/93     NASDAQ           778,314        8.95
EGFC     Eagle Financial Corp.             CT     02/03/87     NASDAQ         4,534,067      123.55
FFES     First Federal of East Hartford    CT     06/23/87     NASDAQ         2,614,711       52.29
NTMG     Nutmeg Federal S&LA               CT        NA        NASDAQ           711,634        5.07
WBST     Webster Financial Corporation     CT     12/12/86     NASDAQ         8,108,472      285.82
IFSB     Independence Federal Savings      DC     06/06/85     NASDAQ         1,280,030        9.60
BANC     BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc.        FL     11/29/83     NASDAQ        14,720,333      198.72
BKUNA    BankUnited Financial Corp.        FL     12/11/85     NASDAQ         5,705,716       44.22
FFFG     F.F.O. Financial Group, Inc.      FL     10/13/88     NASDAQ         8,430,000       22.66
FFLC     FFLC Bancorp, Inc.                FL     01/04/94     NASDAQ         2,525,337       46.40
FFML     First Family Financial Corp.      FL     10/22/92     NASDAQ           545,000       11.72
FFPB     First Palm Beach Bancorp, Inc.    FL     09/29/93     NASDAQ         5,093,096      118.41
FFPC     Florida First Bancorp, Inc.       FL     11/06/86     NASDAQ         3,395,815       37.78
CCFH     CCF Holding Company               GA     07/12/95     NASDAQ         1,130,738       13.85
EBSI     Eagle Bancshares                  GA     04/01/86     NASDAQ         4,552,200       72.84
FGHC     First Georgia Holding, Inc.       GA     02/11/87     NASDAQ         2,023,711       13.66
FLFC     First Liberty Financial Corp.     GA     12/06/83     NASDAQ         6,003,285       88.05
FLAG     FLAG Financial Corp.              GA     12/11/86     NASDAQ         2,036,990       21.90
NFSL     Newnan Holdings, Inc.             GA     03/01/86     NASDAQ         1,587,297       37.30
CASH     First Midwest Financial, Inc.     IA     09/20/93     NASDAQ         1,778,577       39.13
GFSB     GFS Bancorp, Inc.                 IA     01/06/94     NASDAQ           502,600       10.30
HZFS     Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.      IA     06/30/94     NASDAQ           447,937        6.72
MFCX     Marshalltown Financial Corp.      IA     03/31/94     NASDAQ         1,411,475       22.94
MIFC     Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.          IA     10/14/92     NASDAQ         1,682,880       10.10
MWBI     Midwest Bancshares, Inc.          IA     11/12/92     NASDAQ           349,379        9.08
FFFD     North Central Bancshares, Inc.    IA     03/21/96     NASDAQ         3,810,505       47.63
PMFI     Perpetual Midwest Financial       IA     03/31/94     NASDAQ         1,916,897       38.34
SFFC     StateFed Financial Corporation    IA     01/05/94     NASDAQ           789,485       12.93
AVND     Avondale Financial Corp.          IL     04/07/95     NASDAQ         3,602,968       51.79
CBCI     Calumet Bancorp, Inc.             IL     02/20/92     NASDAQ         2,377,028       67.45
CBSB     Charter Financial, Inc.           IL     12/29/95     NASDAQ         4,874,380       55.76
</TABLE>



                                      112
<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
CNBA     Chester Bancorp, Inc.             IL         154,771       12,055        12,055            NA       NA        NA        NA 
CBK      Citizens First Financial Corp.    IL         266,411       40,329        40,329          0.21     0.50      2.02      4.82 
CSBF     CSB Financial Group, Inc.         IL          41,524       12,837        12,837          0.89     0.89      3.67      3.67 
DFIN     Damen Financial Corp.             IL         234,555       52,870        52,870          0.76     0.97      3.21      4.11 
EGLB     Eagle BancGroup, Inc.             IL         163,740       21,829        21,829            NA       NA        NA        NA 
FBCI     Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.            IL         475,862       48,828        48,670          0.50     0.75      4.08      6.08 
FFBI     First Financial Bancorp, Inc.     IL          97,143        7,510         7,510          0.12     0.36      1.28      3.97 
FMBD     First Mutual Bancorp, Inc.        IL         316,381       63,066        63,066          0.46     0.71      1.89      2.94 
FFDP     FirstFed Bancshares               IL         602,914       51,633        49,216          0.23     0.29      2.63      3.23 
GTPS     Great American Bancorp            IL         123,866       31,731        31,731          0.37     0.67      1.31      2.39 
HNFC     Hinsdale Financial Corp.          IL         650,897       55,471        53,868          0.46     0.64      5.69      7.94 
HBEI     Home Bancorp of Elgin, Inc.       IL         370,532       98,960        98,960            NA       NA        NA        NA 
HMCI     HomeCorp, Inc.                    IL         340,449       20,424        20,424          0.10     0.33      1.57      5.34 
KNK      Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.            IL         352,926       35,356        32,905          0.42     0.59      4.16      5.87 
LBCI     Liberty Bancorp, Inc.             IL         664,114       63,281        63,124          0.32     0.61      3.30      6.33 
MAFB     MAF Bancorp, Inc.                 IL       3,162,622      241,843       206,905          0.54     0.94      8.11     14.13 
NBSI     North Bancshares, Inc.            IL         116,881       17,686        17,686          0.34     0.61      1.97      3.52 
PFED     Park Bancorp, Inc.                IL         176,732       41,544        41,544            NA       NA        NA        NA 
PSFI     PS Financial, Inc.                IL          53,520       11,724        11,724          2.01     2.17      9.49     10.26 
SWBI     Southwest Bancshares              IL         376,277       39,057        39,057          0.82     1.13      6.79      9.32 
SPBC     St. Paul Bancorp, Inc.            IL       4,276,208      371,631       370,353          0.59     0.90      6.44      9.74 
STND     Standard Financial, Inc.          IL       2,339,731      263,329       262,852          0.55     0.75      4.39      6.01 
SFSB     SuburbFed Financial Corp.         IL         390,910       25,390        25,254          0.23     0.48      3.21      6.81 
WCBI     Westco Bancorp                    IL         307,772       47,700        47,700          0.99     1.33      6.33      8.54 
FBCV     1ST Bancorp                       IN         257,960       21,150        21,150          1.74    -0.22     22.20     -2.75 
AMFC     AMB Financial Corp.               IN          83,542       16,184        16,184          0.49     0.76      3.00      4.66 
ASBI     Ameriana Bancorp                  IN         399,721       43,495        43,440          0.61     0.91      5.10      7.67 
ATSB     AmTrust Capital Corp.             IN          72,108        7,148         7,069          0.26     0.11      2.45      1.08 
CBCO     CB Bancorp, Inc.                  IN         200,008       19,380        19,380          1.11     1.31     11.67     13.77 
CBIN     Community Bank Shares             IN         234,600       25,464        25,410          0.59     0.89      5.03      7.63 
FFWC     FFW Corp.                         IN         154,551       15,474        15,474          0.89     1.07      8.31     10.00 
</TABLE>




<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
CNBA     Chester Bancorp, Inc.             IL     10/08/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
CBK      Citizens First Financial Corp.    IL     05/01/96      AMSE          2,817,500       32.40
CSBF     CSB Financial Group, Inc.         IL     10/09/95     NASDAQ         1,035,000        9.57
DFIN     Damen Financial Corp.             IL     10/02/95     NASDAQ         3,770,778       45.72
EGLB     Eagle BancGroup, Inc.             IL     07/01/96     NASDAQ         1,302,705       16.77
FBCI     Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.            IL     12/15/93     NASDAQ         2,866,108       46.57
FFBI     First Financial Bancorp, Inc.     IL     10/04/93     NASDAQ           452,309        7.01
FMBD     First Mutual Bancorp, Inc.        IL     07/05/95     NASDAQ         3,844,600       51.12
FFDP     FirstFed Bancshares               IL     07/01/92     NASDAQ         3,277,016       54.07
GTPS     Great American Bancorp            IL     06/30/95     NASDAQ         1,950,112       26.81
HNFC     Hinsdale Financial Corp.          IL     07/07/92     NASDAQ         2,695,085       63.33
HBEI     Home Bancorp of Elgin, Inc.       IL     09/27/96     NASDAQ         7,009,250       83.23
HMCI     HomeCorp, Inc.                    IL     06/22/90     NASDAQ         1,128,579       20.74
KNK      Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.            IL     01/06/93      AMSE          1,414,918       29.54
LBCI     Liberty Bancorp, Inc.             IL     12/24/91     NASDAQ         2,477,022       58.83
MAFB     MAF Bancorp, Inc.                 IL     01/12/90     NASDAQ        10,485,480      270.00
NBSI     North Bancshares, Inc.            IL     12/21/93     NASDAQ         1,072,131       16.89
PFED     Park Bancorp, Inc.                IL     08/12/96     NASDAQ         2,701,441       30.56
PSFI     PS Financial, Inc.                IL     11/27/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
SWBI     Southwest Bancshares              IL     06/24/92     NASDAQ         2,654,909       47.57
SPBC     St. Paul Bancorp, Inc.            IL     05/18/87     NASDAQ        18,081,846      474.65
STND     Standard Financial, Inc.          IL     08/01/94     NASDAQ        16,197,116      263.20
SFSB     SuburbFed Financial Corp.         IL     03/04/92     NASDAQ         1,252,519       20.35
WCBI     Westco Bancorp                    IL     06/26/92     NASDAQ         2,601,143       55.92
FBCV     1ST Bancorp                       IN     04/07/87     NASDAQ           670,643       20.29
AMFC     AMB Financial Corp.               IN     04/01/96     NASDAQ         1,124,125       12.37
ASBI     Ameriana Bancorp                  IN     03/02/87     NASDAQ         3,277,852       48.35
ATSB     AmTrust Capital Corp.             IN     03/28/95     NASDAQ           527,859        4.75
CBCO     CB Bancorp, Inc.                  IN     12/28/92     NASDAQ         1,162,263       24.12
CBIN     Community Bank Shares             IN     04/10/95     NASDAQ         1,983,722       24.30
FFWC     FFW Corp.                         IN     04/05/93     NASDAQ           702,060       13.91
</TABLE>



                                      113


<PAGE>


KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
FFED     Fidelity Federal Bancorp          IN         261,834       12,546        12,546          0.31     0.40      5.90      7.62 
FISB     First Indiana Corporation         IN       1,485,436      135,162       133,316          0.90     1.04     10.11     11.59 
HFGI     Harrington Financial Group        IN         534,576       23,230        23,230          0.25     0.41      5.91      9.81 
HBFW     Home Bancorp                      IN         315,901       48,974        48,974          0.84     0.84      4.99      4.99 
HBBI     Home Building Bancorp             IN          42,560        5,498         5,498         -0.32    -0.01     -2.37     -0.07 
HOMF     Home Federal Bancorp              IN         633,395       51,656        49,783          0.99     1.13     11.96     13.66 
HWEN     Home Financial Bancorp            IN          38,683        7,746         7,746          0.51     0.77      4.68      7.05 
INCB     Indiana Community Bank, SB        IN          90,697       11,157        11,157          0.15     0.48      1.02      3.38 
IFSL     Indiana Federal Corporation       IN         809,123       69,957        65,277          0.69     0.98      7.20     10.25 
LOGN     Logansport Financial Corp.        IN          79,726       15,926        15,926          1.24     1.48      4.78      5.71 
MARN     Marion Capital Holdings           IN         174,597       39,608        39,608          1.13     1.42      4.76      5.96 
MFBC     MFB Corp.                         IN         210,559       37,691        37,691          0.73     0.72      3.71      3.63 
NEIB     Northeast Indiana Bancorp         IN         160,032       27,916        27,916          1.02     1.22      4.97      5.96 
PFDC     Peoples Bancorp                   IN         280,012       42,677        42,677          1.15     1.50      7.50      9.77 
PERM     Permanent Bancorp, Inc.           IN         421,658       39,907        39,460          0.15     0.43      1.39      4.15 
SOBI     Sobieski Bancorp, Inc.            IN          80,648       13,807        13,807          0.11     0.46      0.61      2.52 
FFSL     First Independence Corp.          KS         108,539       13,003        13,003          0.78     0.89      6.20      7.10 
LARK     Landmark Bancshares, Inc.         KS         213,734       32,389        32,389          0.70     0.93      4.20      5.54 
MCBS     Mid Continent Bancshares Inc.     KS         339,731       36,807        36,785          1.07     1.31      8.54     10.41 
CKFB     CKF Bancorp, Inc.                 KY          59,898       15,104        15,104          1.28     1.27      4.70      4.67 
CLAS     Classic Bancshares, Inc.          KY         136,218       18,798        15,712          0.40     0.67      1.67      2.83 
FFKY     First Federal Financial Corp.     KY         357,281       49,307        46,102          1.25     1.41      8.80      9.97 
FLKY     First Lancaster Bancshares        KY          37,842       13,502        13,502            NA       NA        NA        NA 
FTSB     Fort Thomas Financial Corp.       KY          88,874       21,638        21,638          1.33     1.33      5.39      5.39 
FKKY     Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc.     KY         128,710       33,855        33,855          0.79     1.06      2.44      3.28 
GWBC     Gateway Bancorp, Inc.             KY          69,496       17,425        17,425          0.84     1.14      3.30      4.50 
GTFN     Great Financial Corporation       KY       2,830,684      273,377       262,063          0.71     0.72      6.48      6.56 
HFFB     Harrodsburg First Fin Bancorp     KY         109,578       30,828        30,828          1.17     1.17      4.52      4.52 
KYF      Kentucky First Bancorp, Inc.      KY          86,009       19,134        19,134          0.89     1.17      3.68      4.84 
SFNB     Security First Network Bank       KY         110,432       50,521        49,939        -18.24   -14.37    -56.67    -44.64 
ANA      Acadiana Bancshares, Inc.         LA         265,079       46,521        46,521            NA       NA        NA        NA 

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
FFED     Fidelity Federal Bancorp          IN     08/31/87     NASDAQ         2,493,516       28.05
FISB     First Indiana Corporation         IN     08/02/83     NASDAQ         8,294,482      203.21
HFGI     Harrington Financial Group        IN        NA        NASDAQ         3,256,738       32.97
HBFW     Home Bancorp                      IN     03/30/95     NASDAQ         2,886,815       44.02
HBBI     Home Building Bancorp             IN     02/08/95     NASDAQ           311,660        5.30
HOMF     Home Federal Bancorp              IN     01/23/88     NASDAQ         2,226,282       65.12
HWEN     Home Financial Bancorp            IN     07/02/96     NASDAQ           505,926        6.20
INCB     Indiana Community Bank, SB        IN     12/15/94     NASDAQ           922,039       13.83
IFSL     Indiana Federal Corporation       IN     02/04/87     NASDAQ         4,737,130       95.93
LOGN     Logansport Financial Corp.        IN     06/14/95     NASDAQ         1,322,500       19.51
MARN     Marion Capital Holdings           IN     03/18/93     NASDAQ         1,842,642       37.77
MFBC     MFB Corp.                         IN     03/25/94     NASDAQ         1,973,980       27.14
NEIB     Northeast Indiana Bancorp         IN     06/28/95     NASDAQ         1,953,586       25.15
PFDC     Peoples Bancorp                   IN     07/07/87     NASDAQ         2,325,494       44.77
PERM     Permanent Bancorp, Inc.           IN     04/04/94     NASDAQ         2,130,336       35.15
SOBI     Sobieski Bancorp, Inc.            IN     03/31/95     NASDAQ           884,060       11.27
FFSL     First Independence Corp.          KS     10/08/93     NASDAQ           583,421       11.08
LARK     Landmark Bancshares, Inc.         KS     03/28/94     NASDAQ         1,852,996       30.34
MCBS     Mid Continent Bancshares Inc.     KS     06/27/94     NASDAQ         2,016,750       38.32
CKFB     CKF Bancorp, Inc.                 KY     01/04/95     NASDAQ           941,300       18.36
CLAS     Classic Bancshares, Inc.          KY     12/29/95     NASDAQ         1,322,500       15.54
FFKY     First Federal Financial Corp.     KY     07/15/87     NASDAQ         4,196,569       82.88
FLKY     First Lancaster Bancshares        KY     07/01/96     NASDAQ           958,812       13.30
FTSB     Fort Thomas Financial Corp.       KY     06/28/95     NASDAQ         1,573,775       27.54
FKKY     Frankfort First Bancorp, Inc.     KY     07/10/95     NASDAQ         3,440,000       36.98
GWBC     Gateway Bancorp, Inc.             KY     01/18/95     NASDAQ         1,113,872       15.87
GTFN     Great Financial Corporation       KY     03/31/94     NASDAQ        14,183,732      402.46
HFFB     Harrodsburg First Fin Bancorp     KY     10/04/95     NASDAQ         2,159,085       33.20
KYF      Kentucky First Bancorp, Inc.      KY     08/29/95      AMSE          1,388,625       18.92
SFNB     Security First Network Bank       KY        NA        NASDAQ         8,110,007      188.56
ANA      Acadiana Bancshares, Inc.         LA     07/16/96      AMSE          2,731,250       37.55

</TABLE>



                                      114



<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
CZF      CitiSave Financial Corp           LA          75,635       12,101        12,097          0.78     1.03      4.30      5.69 
ISBF     ISB Financial Corporation         LA         685,827      112,314       108,960          0.80     1.08      4.34      5.84 
MERI     Meritrust Federal SB              LA         231,058       16,774        16,774          0.55     0.90      7.33     12.04 
TSH      Teche Holding Co.                 LA         379,590       52,282        52,282          0.72     1.05      4.29      6.20 
AFCB     Affiliated Community Bancorp      MA       1,005,416       98,062        97,373          0.64     0.93      6.11      8.78 
BFD      BostonFed Bancorp, Inc.           MA         796,885       88,838        88,838          0.32     0.51      2.67      4.27 
ANBK     American National Bancorp         MD         486,639       44,533        44,533          0.15     0.53      1.44      5.20 
EQSB     Equitable Federal Savings Bank    MD         267,776       14,182        14,182          0.78     0.78     14.98     14.89 
FCIT     First Citizens Financial Corp.    MD         668,459       39,548        39,548          0.45     0.65      7.38     10.54 
FFWM     First Financial-W. Maryland       MD         345,505       40,368        40,368          0.86     1.19      7.00      9.68 
HRBF     Harbor Federal Bancorp, Inc.      MD         213,804       27,482        27,482          0.27     0.56      1.73      3.55 
MFSL     Maryland Federal Bancorp          MD       1,130,517       91,046        89,622          0.74     0.59      8.98      7.15 
WSB      Washington Savings Bank, FSB      MD         246,742       21,505        21,505          0.91     0.84     11.60     10.70 
WHGB     WHG Bancshares Corp.              MD          97,570       23,264        23,264            NA       NA        NA        NA 
MCBN     Mid-Coast Bancorp, Inc.           ME          55,956        4,915         4,915          0.34     0.58      3.83      6.45 
BWFC     Bank West Financial Corp.         MI         139,516       24,189        24,189          0.66     0.36      3.39      1.86 
CFSB     CFSB Bancorp, Inc.                MI         811,964       62,854        62,854          0.70     0.93      8.52     11.29 
DNFC     D & N Financial Corp.             MI       1,408,131       78,149        77,110          0.71     0.92     12.54     16.27 
MSBF     MSB Financial, Inc.               MI          62,832       12,596        12,596          1.40     1.70      6.19      7.49 
MSBK     Mutual Savings Bank, FSB          MI         677,577       39,468        39,468          0.07    -0.04      1.26     -0.80 
OFCP     Ottawa Financial Corp.            MI         827,275       75,351        59,565          0.40     0.81      3.11      6.28 
SJSB     SJS Bancorp                       MI         151,881       15,817        15,817          0.17     0.48      1.50      4.16 
SFB      Standard Federal Bancorp          MI      15,353,682      895,703       728,964          0.34     0.86      5.22     13.19 
THR      Three Rivers Financial Corp.      MI          87,369       12,651        12,597          0.52     0.78      3.43      5.15 
BDJI     First Federal Bancorporation      MN         107,256       12,323        12,323          0.31     0.68      2.20      4.82 
FFHH     FSF Financial Corp.               MN         354,636       47,649        47,649          0.51     0.71      3.25      4.50 
HMNF     HMN Financial, Inc.               MN         565,385       83,669        83,669          0.81     0.93      4.92      5.68 
MIVI     Mississippi View Holding Co.      MN          69,322       12,752        12,752          1.31     1.16      6.73      5.96 
QCFB     QCF Bancorp, Inc.                 MN         148,321       26,161        26,161          1.24     1.53      6.18      7.65 
TCB      TCF Financial Corp.               MN       7,114,466      522,515       500,478          1.19     1.40     16.00     18.89 
WEFC     Wells Financial Corp.             MN         201,316       27,768        27,768          0.56     0.93      3.82      6.38 

</TABLE>


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
CZF      CitiSave Financial Corp           LA    07/14/95      AMSE            962,207       13.47
ISBF     ISB Financial Corporation         LA    04/07/95     NASDAQ         7,051,260      109.29
MERI     Meritrust Federal SB              LA       NA        NASDAQ           774,176       23.81
TSH      Teche Holding Co.                 LA    04/19/95      AMSE          3,541,000       47.80
AFCB     Affiliated Community Bancorp      MA    10/19/95     NASDAQ         5,094,666      103.80
BFD      BostonFed Bancorp, Inc.           MA    10/24/95      AMSE          6,589,617       87.31
ANBK     American National Bancorp         MD    10/31/95     NASDAQ         3,603,646       42.34
EQSB     Equitable Federal Savings Bank    MD    09/10/93     NASDAQ           600,000       14.85
FCIT     First Citizens Financial Corp.    MD    12/17/86     NASDAQ         2,927,170       53.42
FFWM     First Financial-W. Maryland       MD    02/11/92     NASDAQ         2,124,336       57.36
HRBF     Harbor Federal Bancorp, Inc.      MD    08/12/94     NASDAQ         1,754,420       25.00
MFSL     Maryland Federal Bancorp          MD    06/02/87     NASDAQ         3,137,062       90.00
WSB      Washington Savings Bank, FSB      MD       NA         AMSE          4,220,206       22.16
WHGB     WHG Bancshares Corp.              MD    04/01/96     NASDAQ         1,620,062       18.02
MCBN     Mid-Coast Bancorp, Inc.           ME    11/02/89     NASDAQ           230,086        4.37
BWFC     Bank West Financial Corp.         MI    03/30/95     NASDAQ         1,981,475       22.29
CFSB     CFSB Bancorp, Inc.                MI    06/22/90     NASDAQ         4,825,541       86.86
DNFC     D & N Financial Corp.             MI    02/13/85     NASDAQ         7,587,453      108.12
MSBF     MSB Financial, Inc.               MI    02/06/95     NASDAQ           653,601       11.93
MSBK     Mutual Savings Bank, FSB          MI    07/17/92     NASDAQ         4,274,154       22.97
OFCP     Ottawa Financial Corp.            MI    08/19/94     NASDAQ         5,179,279       84.81
SJSB     SJS Bancorp                       MI    02/16/95     NASDAQ           917,622       19.73
SFB      Standard Federal Bancorp          MI    01/21/87      NYSE         31,192,373     1427.05
THR      Three Rivers Financial Corp.      MI    08/24/95      AMSE            851,240       10.96
BDJI     First Federal Bancorporation      MN    04/04/95     NASDAQ           700,566       11.38
FFHH     FSF Financial Corp.               MN    10/07/94     NASDAQ         3,478,194       44.35
HMNF     HMN Financial, Inc.               MN    06/30/94     NASDAQ         4,673,690       74.78
MIVI     Mississippi View Holding Co.      MN    03/24/95     NASDAQ           909,714       10.58
QCFB     QCF Bancorp, Inc.                 MN    04/03/95     NASDAQ         1,426,200       21.39
TCB      TCF Financial Corp.               MN    06/17/86      NYSE         34,870,195     1311.99
WEFC     Wells Financial Corp.             MN    04/11/95     NASDAQ         2,078,125       27.02

</TABLE>


                                      115


<PAGE>





KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426
                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
CMRN     Cameron Financial Corp            MO        175,841       46,337        46,337          1.60     1.56      5.77      5.64  
CAPS     Capital Savings Bancorp, Inc.     MO        231,245       19,524        19,524          0.63     0.93      6.28      9.31  
CBES     CBES Bancorp, Inc.                MO         96,716       16,977        16,977            NA       NA        NA        NA  
CNSB     CNS Bancorp, Inc.                 MO         98,898       24,129        24,129            NA       NA        NA        NA  
FBSI     First Bancshares, Inc.            MO        154,306       22,789        22,750          0.67     0.95      4.00      5.73  
FTNB     Fulton Bancorp, Inc.              MO         85,496        9,117         9,117          0.75     0.70      7.00      6.58  
GSBC     Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.      MO        657,659       66,553        66,548          1.36     1.55     13.40     15.21  
HFSA     Hardin Bancorp, Inc.              MO         87,807       14,737        14,737          0.44     0.78      2.39      4.25  
JSBA     Jefferson Savings Bancorp         MO      1,128,339       81,681        67,311          0.23     0.60      3.21      8.43  
JOAC     Joachim Bancorp, Inc.             MO         36,127       10,681        10,681          0.41     0.70      1.49      2.51  
LXMO     Lexington B&L Financial Corp.     MO         61,294       18,738        18,738            NA       NA        NA        NA  
MBLF     MBLA Financial Corp.              MO        227,391       27,986        27,986          0.58     0.76      4.07      5.33  
NASB     North American Savings Bank       MO        740,298       50,380        48,478          1.26     1.19     17.33     16.38  
NSLB     NS&L Bancorp, Inc.                MO         57,288       13,351        13,351          0.97     0.83      4.08      3.50  
PCBC     Perry County Financial Corp.      MO         80,394       15,088        15,088          0.88     0.98      4.36      4.81  
RFED     Roosevelt Financial Group         MO      9,047,562      505,867       482,922          0.42     0.85      7.88     15.83  
SMFC     Sho-Me Financial Corp.            MO        292,094       29,800        29,800          0.69     0.89      5.95      7.63  
SMBC     Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc    MO        160,124       25,204        25,204          0.67     0.94      4.04      5.68  
CFTP     Community Federal Bancorp         MS        204,022       67,139        67,139          1.15     1.42      4.38      5.42  
FFBS     FFBS BanCorp, Inc.                MS        125,727       24,631        24,631          1.09     1.41      5.51      7.11  
MGNL     Magna Bancorp, Inc.               MS      1,302,239      125,821       119,855          1.37     1.69     13.79     16.99  
GBCI     Glacier Bancorp, Inc.             MT        412,042       38,926        38,889          1.36     1.53     14.25     16.00  
SFBM     Security Bancorp                  MT        382,309       30,930        26,638          0.53     0.63      6.21      7.37  
UBMT     United Financial Corp.            MT        107,945       24,320        24,320          1.20     1.45      5.24      6.34  
WSTR     WesterFed Financial Corp.         MT        566,109       78,289        78,289          0.58     0.83      4.25      6.09  
CFNC     Carolina Fincorp, Inc.            NC         94,110        8,641         8,641          0.64     0.61      7.01      6.74  
COOP     Cooperative Bankshares, Inc.      NC        327,198       25,207        25,207         -1.14    -0.09    -12.26     -0.98  
SOPN     First Savings Bancorp, Inc.       NC        263,203       67,014        67,014          1.27     1.57      4.89      6.01  
GSFC     Green Street Financial Corp.      NC        176,231       62,180        62,180          1.23     1.53      3.31      4.13  
HFNC     HFNC Financial Corp.              NC        845,074      247,764       247,764          1.04     1.30      3.52      4.40  
KSAV     KS Bancorp, Inc.                  NC         96,150       13,815        13,803          0.82     1.15      5.30      7.40 


</TABLE>

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
CMRN     Cameron Financial Corp            MO    04/03/95     NASDAQ         2,850,180       39.19
CAPS     Capital Savings Bancorp, Inc.     MO    12/29/93     NASDAQ         1,876,000       21.11
CBES     CBES Bancorp, Inc.                MO    09/30/96     NASDAQ         1,024,958       12.94
CNSB     CNS Bancorp, Inc.                 MO    06/12/96     NASDAQ         1,653,125       21.49
FBSI     First Bancshares, Inc.            MO    12/22/93     NASDAQ         1,206,376       19.30
FTNB     Fulton Bancorp, Inc.              MO    10/18/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
GSBC     Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.      MO    12/14/89     NASDAQ         8,730,104      130.95
HFSA     Hardin Bancorp, Inc.              MO    09/29/95     NASDAQ         1,005,100       11.94
JSBA     Jefferson Savings Bancorp         MO    04/08/93     NASDAQ         4,181,795       94.09
JOAC     Joachim Bancorp, Inc.             MO    12/28/95     NASDAQ           760,437       10.27
LXMO     Lexington B&L Financial Corp.     MO    06/06/96     NASDAQ         1,265,000       12.65
MBLF     MBLA Financial Corp.              MO    06/24/93     NASDAQ         1,353,961       28.77
NASB     North American Savings Bank       MO    09/27/85     NASDAQ         2,267,984       66.91
NSLB     NS&L Bancorp, Inc.                MO    06/08/95     NASDAQ           843,424       10.54
PCBC     Perry County Financial Corp.      MO    02/13/95     NASDAQ           852,566       14.92
RFED     Roosevelt Financial Group         MO    01/23/87     NASDAQ        42,157,516      721.95
SMFC     Sho-Me Financial Corp.            MO    07/01/94     NASDAQ         1,646,290       32.51
SMBC     Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc    MO    04/13/94     NASDAQ         1,637,813       23.95
CFTP     Community Federal Bancorp         MS    03/26/96     NASDAQ         4,282,339       58.35
FFBS     FFBS BanCorp, Inc.                MS    07/01/93     NASDAQ         1,570,443       34.55
MGNL     Magna Bancorp, Inc.               MS    03/13/91     NASDAQ        13,741,018      271.39
GBCI     Glacier Bancorp, Inc.             MT    03/30/84     NASDAQ         3,374,282       80.98
SFBM     Security Bancorp                  MT    11/20/86     NASDAQ         1,484,682       42.50
UBMT     United Financial Corp.            MT    09/23/86     NASDAQ         1,223,312       22.63
WSTR     WesterFed Financial Corp.         MT    01/10/94     NASDAQ         4,395,108       70.87
CFNC     Carolina Fincorp, Inc.            NC    11/25/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
COOP     Cooperative Bankshares, Inc.      NC    08/21/91     NASDAQ         1,491,698       27.60
SOPN     First Savings Bancorp, Inc.       NC    01/06/94     NASDAQ         3,744,000       67.39
GSFC     Green Street Financial Corp.      NC    04/04/96     NASDAQ         4,298,125       66.89
HFNC     HFNC Financial Corp.              NC    12/29/95     NASDAQ        17,192,500      309.47
KSAV     KS Bancorp, Inc.                  NC    12/30/93     NASDAQ           663,263       13.02


</TABLE>



                                      116


<PAGE>





KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426
                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
MBSP     Mitchell Bancorp, Inc.            NC         34,980       14,718        14,718            NA       NA        NA        NA  
PDB      Piedmont Bancorp, Inc.            NC        132,067       37,236        37,236          1.25     1.54      4.77      5.86  
SSB      Scotland Bancorp, Inc             NC         68,622       24,791        24,791          1.18     1.50      4.31      5.49  
SSFC     South Street Financial Corp.      NC        217,954       20,867        20,867          0.27     0.56      2.47      5.11  
SSM      Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.        NC        106,373       37,381        37,381            NA       NA        NA        NA  
UFRM     United Federal Savings Bank       NC        263,582       19,736        19,736          0.27     0.49      3.38      6.13  
CFB      Commercial Federal Corporation    NE      6,667,758      359,656       321,307          0.61     0.87     10.29     14.70  
EBCP     Eastern Bancorp                   NH        868,678       63,580        60,052          0.40     0.53      5.20      7.00  
NHTB     New Hampshire Thrift Bncshrs      NH        264,016       19,201        19,201          0.40     0.60      5.25      7.87  
FBER     1st Bergen Bancorp                NJ        249,986       42,563        42,563          0.11     0.57      0.93      4.77  
CJFC     Central Jersey Financial          NJ        464,472       56,144        52,534          0.81     1.11      6.79      9.33  
COFD     Collective Bancorp, Inc.          NJ      5,252,483      364,049       340,790          0.89     1.10     12.81     15.76  
FSPG     First Home Bancorp, Inc.          NJ        487,209       31,456        30,761          0.91     1.00     14.00     15.37  
FSFI     First State Financial Services    NJ        665,937       39,955        37,756          0.02    -0.12      0.23     -1.74  
FMCO     FMS Financial Corporation         NJ        518,540       33,826        33,071          0.52     0.87      7.86     13.11  
IBSF     IBS Financial Corp.               NJ        742,051      144,284       144,284          0.61     0.99      2.98      4.81  
LVSB     Lakeview Financial                NJ        472,698       48,415        38,569          1.24     0.85     11.87      8.17  
LFBI     Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.        NJ        280,601       41,767        38,460          0.15     0.42      1.36      3.71  
OCFC     Ocean Financial Corp.             NJ      1,190,063      246,702       246,702            NA       NA        NA        NA  
PBCI     Pamrapo Bancorp, Inc.             NJ        362,975       54,628        54,173          0.85     1.25      5.44      8.01  
PFSB     PennFed Financial Services,Inc    NJ      1,142,473       90,148        72,354          0.53     0.84      5.83      9.12  
PULS     Pulse Bancorp                     NJ        502,500       38,459        38,459          0.74     1.12      7.02     10.55  
SFIN     Statewide Financial Corp.         NJ        662,067       65,357        65,198          0.38     0.87      3.41      7.88  
WYNE     Wayne Bancorp, Inc.               NJ        239,611       35,925        35,925            NA       NA        NA        NA  
WWFC     Westwood Financial Corporation    NJ         93,648        9,546         8,367            NA       NA        NA        NA  
AABC     Access Anytime Bancorp, Inc.      NM        108,912        4,991         4,991         -0.57    -0.22    -12.00     -4.61  
GUPB     GFSB Bancorp, Inc.                NM         79,708       14,745        14,745          0.80     1.02      3.53      4.50  
AFED     AFSALA Bancorp, Inc.              NY        133,046        8,195         8,126            NA       NA        NA        NA  
ALBK     ALBANK Financial Corporation      NY      3,509,729      314,038       269,641          0.76     0.97      7.71      9.82  
ALBC     Albion Banc Corp.                 NY         59,860        5,767         5,767         -0.10     0.20     -1.00      1.91  
ASFC     Astoria Financial Corporation     NY      7,266,185      566,244       463,735          0.50     0.71      6.03      8.51  

</TABLE>


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
MBSP     Mitchell Bancorp, Inc.            NC    07/12/96     NASDAQ           979,897       12.25
PDB      Piedmont Bancorp, Inc.            NC    12/08/95      AMSE          2,750,800       42.64
SSB      Scotland Bancorp, Inc             NC    04/01/96      AMSE          1,840,000       25.53
SSFC     South Street Financial Corp.      NC    10/03/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
SSM      Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.        NC    04/01/96      AMSE          1,825,050       32.85
UFRM     United Federal Savings Bank       NC    07/01/80     NASDAQ         3,065,064       23.75
CFB      Commercial Federal Corporation    NE    12/31/84      NYSE         13,856,566      595.83
EBCP     Eastern Bancorp                   NH    11/17/83     NASDAQ         3,651,534       75.77
NHTB     New Hampshire Thrift Bncshrs      NH    05/22/86     NASDAQ         1,698,136       21.01
FBER     1st Bergen Bancorp                NJ    04/01/96     NASDAQ         3,174,000       35.31
CJFC     Central Jersey Financial          NJ    09/01/84     NASDAQ         2,668,269       92.39
COFD     Collective Bancorp, Inc.          NJ    02/07/84     NASDAQ        20,372,024      580.60
FSPG     First Home Bancorp, Inc.          NJ    04/20/87     NASDAQ         2,030,009       36.54
FSFI     First State Financial Services    NJ    12/18/87     NASDAQ         3,929,455       51.08
FMCO     FMS Financial Corporation         NJ    12/14/88     NASDAQ         2,467,763       38.25
IBSF     IBS Financial Corp.               NJ    10/13/94     NASDAQ        10,754,467      159.97
LVSB     Lakeview Financial                NJ    12/22/93     NASDAQ         2,487,274       58.14
LFBI     Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.        NJ    01/05/96     NASDAQ         2,889,663       33.23
OCFC     Ocean Financial Corp.             NJ    07/03/96     NASDAQ         9,059,124      216.29
PBCI     Pamrapo Bancorp, Inc.             NJ    11/14/89     NASDAQ         3,230,964       61.39
PFSB     PennFed Financial Services,Inc    NJ    07/15/94     NASDAQ         4,853,020       88.27
PULS     Pulse Bancorp                     NJ    09/18/86     NASDAQ         3,049,878       51.47
SFIN     Statewide Financial Corp.         NJ    10/02/95     NASDAQ         4,994,545       65.55
WYNE     Wayne Bancorp, Inc.               NJ    06/27/96     NASDAQ         2,231,383       30.68
WWFC     Westwood Financial Corporation    NJ    06/07/96     NASDAQ           646,672        8.41
AABC     Access Anytime Bancorp, Inc.      NM    08/08/86     NASDAQ           732,198        4.39
GUPB     GFSB Bancorp, Inc.                NM    06/30/95     NASDAQ           901,313       12.84
AFED     AFSALA Bancorp, Inc.              NY    10/01/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
ALBK     ALBANK Financial Corporation      NY    04/01/92     NASDAQ        13,100,163      376.63
ALBC     Albion Banc Corp.                 NY    07/26/93     NASDAQ           250,051        4.13
ASFC     Astoria Financial Corporation     NY    11/18/93     NASDAQ        21,511,444      623.83

</TABLE>


                                      117



<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426
                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
BFSI     BFS Bankorp, Inc.                 NY         643,180       50,214        50,214          1.58     1.85     20.12     23.60 
CARV     Carver Bancorp, Inc.              NY         365,056       34,612        33,049         -0.03     0.24     -0.32      2.52 
FIBC     Financial Bancorp, Inc.           NY         266,763       25,787        25,644          0.47     0.86      4.31      7.88 
HAVN     Haven Bancorp, Inc.               NY       1,564,697       93,923        93,380          0.58     0.85      9.07     13.40 
LISB     Long Island Bancorp, Inc.         NY       5,363,791      519,094       519,094          0.64     0.78      6.16      7.44 
NYB      New York Bancorp Inc.             NY       2,940,907      151,903       151,903          1.16     1.27     20.26     22.19 
PEEK     Peekskill Financial Corp.         NY         186,510       54,950        54,950          1.06     1.37      3.65      4.72 
PKPS     Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, FSB    NY         860,853       70,129        70,129          1.48     2.34     17.88     28.26 
RELY     Reliance Bancorp, Inc.            NY       1,829,440      149,552       100,979          0.50     0.80      5.19      8.31 
SFED     SFS Bancorp, Inc.                 NY         166,030       21,174        21,174          0.45     0.80      3.22      5.79 
TPNZ     Tappan Zee Financial, Inc.        NY         119,865       21,478        21,478          0.69     0.94      3.93      5.33 
YFCB     Yonkers Financial Corporation     NY         259,534       48,999        48,999          0.66     0.99      4.65      6.97 
ASBP     ASB Financial Corp.               OH         114,298       25,353        25,353          0.57     0.89      2.45      3.83 
CAFI     Camco Financial Corporation       OH         378,078       28,673        28,673          0.78     0.89      9.63     10.96 
COFI     Charter One Financial             OH      13,826,085      910,786       841,393          0.19     1.14      2.92     17.07 
CTZN     CitFed Bancorp, Inc.              OH       2,747,617      175,029       153,260          0.46     0.73      6.79     10.65 
CIBI     Community Investors Bancorp       OH          94,799       11,319        11,319          0.68     0.98      5.03      7.23 
DCBI     Delphos Citizens Bancorp, Inc.    OH          88,022       10,799        10,799          1.10     1.10      8.94      8.94 
EFBI     Enterprise Federal Bancorp        OH         213,876       31,594        31,536          0.92     0.64      5.39      3.74 
FFDF     FFD Financial Corp.               OH          85,434       21,416        21,416          0.69     0.94      3.78      5.18 
FFYF     FFY Financial Corp.               OH         602,557      102,228       102,228          0.83     1.27      4.59      7.03 
FFOH     Fidelity Financial of Ohio        OH         255,870       50,786        50,786          0.60     0.90      3.45      5.18 
FDEF     First Defiance Financial          OH         524,247      120,608       120,608          0.92     1.20      3.71      4.81 
FFBZ     First Federal Bancorp, Inc.       OH         184,467       13,998        13,979          0.81     1.09     10.65     14.28 
FFHS     First Franklin Corporation        OH         218,329       19,766        19,599          0.28     0.61      2.94      6.47 
FFSW     FirstFederal Financial Svcs       OH       1,110,723       82,384        71,473          0.92     1.00     11.57     12.57 
GFCO     Glenway Financial Corp.           OH         283,727       26,340        25,816          0.25     0.60      2.66      6.26 
HHFC     Harvest Home Financial Corp.      OH          76,399       12,769        12,769          0.75     0.75      4.14      4.14 
HVFD     Haverfield Corporation            OH         350,603       27,593        27,552          0.40     0.78      4.77      9.23 
INBI     Industrial Bancorp                OH         320,372       60,641        60,641          0.73     1.35      3.31      6.15 
LONF     London Financial Corporation      OH          37,189        7,945         7,945            NA       NA        NA        NA 

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
BFSI     BFS Bankorp, Inc.                 NY    05/12/88     NASDAQ         1,635,488       85.05
CARV     Carver Bancorp, Inc.              NY    10/25/94     NASDAQ         2,314,375       18.23
FIBC     Financial Bancorp, Inc.           NY    08/17/94     NASDAQ         1,790,622       27.75
HAVN     Haven Bancorp, Inc.               NY    09/23/93     NASDAQ         4,322,904      110.51
LISB     Long Island Bancorp, Inc.         NY    04/18/94     NASDAQ        24,644,157      711.60
NYB      New York Bancorp Inc.             NY    01/28/88      NYSE         11,098,800      351.00
PEEK     Peekskill Financial Corp.         NY    12/29/95     NASDAQ         3,819,563       52.52
PKPS     Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, FSB    NY    11/19/85     NASDAQ        12,551,825       64.33
RELY     Reliance Bancorp, Inc.            NY    03/31/94     NASDAQ         8,911,739      167.10
SFED     SFS Bancorp, Inc.                 NY    06/30/95     NASDAQ         1,278,472       17.74
TPNZ     Tappan Zee Financial, Inc.        NY    10/05/95     NASDAQ         1,539,062       19.24
YFCB     Yonkers Financial Corporation     NY    04/18/96     NASDAQ         3,570,750       45.08
ASBP     ASB Financial Corp.               OH    05/11/95     NASDAQ         1,713,960       23.78
CAFI     Camco Financial Corporation       OH       NA        NASDAQ         2,075,641       38.92
COFI     Charter One Financial             OH    01/22/88     NASDAQ        46,764,869     1870.59
CTZN     CitFed Bancorp, Inc.              OH    01/23/92     NASDAQ         8,581,791      215.98
CIBI     Community Investors Bancorp       OH    02/07/95     NASDAQ           666,246       10.66
DCBI     Delphos Citizens Bancorp, Inc.    OH    11/21/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
EFBI     Enterprise Federal Bancorp        OH    10/17/94     NASDAQ         2,074,328       29.04
FFDF     FFD Financial Corp.               OH    04/03/96     NASDAQ         1,454,750       15.64
FFYF     FFY Financial Corp.               OH    06/28/93     NASDAQ         5,117,198      122.81
FFOH     Fidelity Financial of Ohio        OH    03/04/96     NASDAQ         4,076,964       40.77
FDEF     First Defiance Financial          OH    10/02/95     NASDAQ         9,911,932      105.31
FFBZ     First Federal Bancorp, Inc.       OH    07/13/92     NASDAQ         1,570,116       21.59
FFHS     First Franklin Corporation        OH    01/26/88     NASDAQ         1,158,434       16.51
FFSW     FirstFederal Financial Svcs       OH    03/31/87     NASDAQ         3,612,349      109.27
GFCO     Glenway Financial Corp.           OH    11/30/90     NASDAQ         1,151,335       21.01
HHFC     Harvest Home Financial Corp.      OH    10/10/94     NASDAQ           934,857       11.69
HVFD     Haverfield Corporation            OH    03/19/85     NASDAQ         1,906,591       36.23
INBI     Industrial Bancorp                OH    08/01/95     NASDAQ         5,554,500       68.04
LONF     London Financial Corporation      OH    04/01/96     NASDAQ           529,000        5.55

</TABLE>


                                      118


<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426
                         KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
MFFC     Milton Federal Financial Corp.    OH        180,831       33,479        33,479          0.67     0.86      3.28      4.22  
OHSL     OHSL Financial Corp.              OH        217,627       25,167        25,167          0.57     0.85      4.60      6.85  
PFFC     Peoples Financial Corp.           OH         78,252       10,080        10,080            NA       NA        NA        NA  
PTRS     Potters Financial Corp.           OH        125,497       10,301        10,301          0.03     0.40      0.27      4.19  
PVFC     PVF Capital Corp.                 OH        345,279       22,463        22,463          0.94     1.21     14.18     18.25  
SFSL     Security First Corp.              OH        599,822       55,612        54,531          0.90     1.27      9.69     13.68  
SSBK     Strongsville Savings Bank         OH        542,191       41,919        41,099          0.64     0.83      7.74     10.11  
SBCN     Suburban Bancorporation, Inc.     OH        209,942       25,386        25,386          0.17     0.56      1.28      4.36  
WOFC     Western Ohio Financial Corp.      OH        347,704       53,223        49,994          0.52     0.49      2.63      2.47  
WEHO     Westwood Homestead Fin. Corp.     OH        119,866       39,489        39,489            NA       NA        NA        NA  
WFCO     Winton Financial Corp.            OH        282,833       21,083        20,544          0.94     0.80     12.39     10.50  
FFWD     Wood Bancorp, Inc.                OH        152,374       20,068        20,068          0.89     1.14      6.32      8.10  
KFBI     Klamath First Bancorp             OR        671,969      153,411       153,411          0.99     1.43      3.69      5.31  
BRFC     Bridgeville Savings Bank          PA         54,835       15,869        15,869          0.97     1.23      3.38      4.29  
CVAL     Chester Valley Bancorp Inc.       PA        284,386       25,122        25,122          0.60     0.89      6.55      9.72  
CMSB     Commonwealth Bancorp, Inc.        PA      2,084,922      227,440       174,590          0.46     0.66      4.77      6.75  
FSBI     Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.            PA        317,874       21,778        21,734          0.42     0.73      6.00     10.42  
FBBC     First Bell Bancorp, Inc.          PA        576,981      106,362       106,362          1.40     1.63      6.71      7.77  
FKFS     First Keystone Financial          PA        294,241       23,084        23,084          0.32     0.68      3.92      8.33  
SHEN     First Shenango Bancorp, Inc.      PA        384,088       46,118        46,118          0.75     1.02      5.65      7.63  
GAF      GA Financial, Inc.                PA        588,912      126,906       126,906          0.74     1.07      4.52      6.54  
HARL     Harleysville Savings Bank         PA        315,495       19,617        19,617          0.55     0.88      8.07     12.97  
LARL     Laurel Capital Group, Inc.        PA        201,911       21,008        21,008          1.06     1.40     10.00     13.22  
MLBC     ML Bancorp, Inc.                  PA      1,888,847      138,067       133,614          0.75     0.70      9.17      8.62  
PVSA     Parkvale Financial Corporation    PA        924,365       68,560        68,323          0.73     1.02     10.23     14.28  
PBIX     Patriot Bank Corp.                PA        489,558       51,401        51,401          0.40     0.67      3.05      5.10  
PWBC     PennFirst Bancorp, Inc.           PA        700,794       48,949        44,382          0.42     0.61      5.47      7.88  
PWBK     Pennwood Savings Bank             PA         46,225        9,254         9,254            NA       NA        NA        NA  
PHFC     Pittsburgh Home Financial Corp    PA        195,330       30,372        30,372          0.44     0.71      3.77      6.11  
PRBC     Prestige Bancorp, Inc.            PA        104,379       15,186        15,186            NA       NA        NA        NA  
PSAB     Prime Bancorp, Inc.               PA        677,306       57,515        53,986          0.73     0.94      7.97     10.32  

</TABLE>

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
MFFC     Milton Federal Financial Corp.    OH    10/07/94     NASDAQ         2,268,569       30.63
OHSL     OHSL Financial Corp.              OH    02/10/93     NASDAQ         1,222,879       23.85
PFFC     Peoples Financial Corp.           OH    09/13/96     NASDAQ                NA          NA
PTRS     Potters Financial Corp.           OH    12/31/93     NASDAQ           506,169        7.97
PVFC     PVF Capital Corp.                 OH    12/30/92     NASDAQ         2,323,338       36.01
SFSL     Security First Corp.              OH    01/22/88     NASDAQ         4,971,820       71.47
SSBK     Strongsville Savings Bank         OH       NA        NASDAQ         2,530,800       56.94
SBCN     Suburban Bancorporation, Inc.     OH    09/30/93     NASDAQ         1,474,932       24.34
WOFC     Western Ohio Financial Corp.      OH    07/29/94     NASDAQ         2,186,669       43.19
WEHO     Westwood Homestead Fin. Corp.     OH    09/30/96     NASDAQ         2,615,905       28.12
WFCO     Winton Financial Corp.            OH    08/04/88     NASDAQ         1,986,152       28.30
FFWD     Wood Bancorp, Inc.                OH    08/31/93     NASDAQ         1,497,636       23.40
KFBI     Klamath First Bancorp             OR    10/05/95     NASDAQ        11,612,470      165.48
BRFC     Bridgeville Savings Bank          PA    10/07/94     NASDAQ         1,124,125       17.14
CVAL     Chester Valley Bancorp Inc.       PA    03/27/87     NASDAQ         1,635,885       30.67
CMSB     Commonwealth Bancorp, Inc.        PA    06/17/96     NASDAQ        17,953,361      213.20
FSBI     Fidelity Bancorp, Inc.            PA    06/24/88     NASDAQ         1,373,151       26.09
FBBC     First Bell Bancorp, Inc.          PA    06/29/95     NASDAQ         7,758,150      115.40
FKFS     First Keystone Financial          PA    01/26/95     NASDAQ         1,292,500       23.59
SHEN     First Shenango Bancorp, Inc.      PA    04/06/93     NASDAQ         2,258,197       47.42
GAF      GA Financial, Inc.                PA    03/26/96      AMSE          8,900,000      116.81
HARL     Harleysville Savings Bank         PA    08/04/87     NASDAQ         1,291,895       23.25
LARL     Laurel Capital Group, Inc.        PA    02/20/87     NASDAQ         1,514,285       24.04
MLBC     ML Bancorp, Inc.                  PA    08/11/94     NASDAQ        11,869,210      166.92
PVSA     Parkvale Financial Corporation    PA    07/16/87     NASDAQ         4,041,607       92.96
PBIX     Patriot Bank Corp.                PA    12/04/95     NASDAQ         4,457,447       53.86
PWBC     PennFirst Bancorp, Inc.           PA    06/13/90     NASDAQ         3,908,944       52.77
PWBK     Pennwood Savings Bank             PA    07/15/96     NASDAQ           610,128        6.64
PHFC     Pittsburgh Home Financial Corp    PA    04/01/96     NASDAQ         2,182,125       25.91
PRBC     Prestige Bancorp, Inc.            PA    06/27/96     NASDAQ           963,023       11.56
PSAB     Prime Bancorp, Inc.               PA    11/21/88     NASDAQ         3,725,066       69.84

</TABLE>


                                      119



<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
PFNC     Progress Financial Corporation    PA         367,171       18,687        18,568          0.60     0.73     11.58     14.22 
SVRN     Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.           PA       9,364,636      460,081       345,557          0.57     0.76     10.88     14.45 
THRD     TF Financial Corporation          PA         663,092       71,697        62,221          0.63     0.87      4.49      6.22 
THBC     Troy Hill Bancorp, Inc.           PA          99,470       18,013        18,013          1.02     1.20      4.84      5.66 
WVFC     WVS Financial Corporation         PA         265,820       34,250        34,250          1.24     1.42      8.69      9.93 
YFED     York Financial Corp.              PA       1,154,446       91,752        91,752          0.61     0.82      7.21      9.73 
AMFB     American Federal Bank, FSB        SC       1,394,874      108,255       100,060          1.04     1.30     12.99     16.17 
CFCP     Coastal Financial Corp.           SC         452,809       27,641        27,641          1.04     0.92     17.09     15.04 
FFCH     First Financial Holdings Inc.     SC       1,546,149       94,795        94,795          0.48     0.80      7.55     12.56 
FSFC     First Southeast Financial Corp    SC         329,336       33,125        33,125         -0.03     0.82     -0.19      4.81 
PALM     Palfed, Inc.                      SC         659,902       52,804        50,339          0.37     0.59      4.46      7.22 
SCCB     S. Carolina Community Bancshrs    SC          43,232       12,386        12,386          0.85     1.14      2.96      3.94 
HFFC     HF Financial Corp.                SD         554,139       49,809        49,664          0.59     0.75      6.55      8.22 
TWIN     Twin City Bancorp                 TN         107,067       13,411        13,411          0.78     0.99      5.78      7.33 
BNKU     Bank United Corp.                 TX      10,712,377      531,043       514,121          1.14     1.11     16.53     16.03 
CBSA     Coastal Bancorp, Inc.             TX       2,859,448       90,627        74,659          0.24     0.40      7.11     11.93 
ETFS     East Texas Financial Services     TX         115,339       21,815        21,815          0.81     0.74      4.17      3.82 
FBHC     Fort Bend Holding Corp.           TX         281,694       17,397        16,067          0.27     0.58      3.81      8.24 
LOAN     Horizon Bancorp                   TX         140,524       11,629        11,272          1.46     1.13     16.45     12.71 
JXVL     Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.        TX         217,702       35,277        35,277          0.68     1.02      5.13      7.63 
BFSB     Bedford Bancshares, Inc.          VA         127,360       18,227        18,227          1.10     1.40      6.98      8.91 
CNIT     CENIT Bancorp, Inc.               VA         685,962       48,274        43,971          0.40     0.62      5.61      8.57 
CFFC     Community Financial Corp.         VA         160,791       22,380        22,380          1.02     1.29      7.45      9.42 
ESX      Essex Bancorp, Inc.               VA         171,498       14,834        14,597         -2.57    -1.56    -38.94    -23.61 
FFFC     FFVA Financial Corp.              VA         530,095       78,740        77,102          0.99     1.25      6.28      7.91 
FFRV     Fidelity Financial Bankshares     VA         329,233       27,747        27,736          0.66     0.95      7.73     11.00 
GSLC     Guaranty Financial Corp.          VA         115,229        6,337         6,337          0.44     0.51      7.22      8.39 
LIFB     Life Bancorp, Inc.                VA       1,404,760      145,446       140,652          0.65     0.93      4.87      7.02 
VABF     Virginia Beach Fed. Financial     VA         604,060       39,878        39,878          0.03     0.21      0.51      3.26 
VFFC     Virginia First Financial Corp.    VA         781,358       61,113        59,254          1.43     0.81     17.98     10.16 
CASB     Cascade Financial Corp.           WA         340,380       20,586        20,586          0.49     0.49      7.75      7.73 
</TABLE>

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
PFNC     Progress Financial Corporation    PA        07/18/83     NASDAQ         3,730,000       24.01
SVRN     Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.           PA        08/12/86     NASDAQ        49,333,762      542.67
THRD     TF Financial Corporation          PA        07/13/94     NASDAQ         4,288,078       63.25
THBC     Troy Hill Bancorp, Inc.           PA        06/27/94     NASDAQ         1,067,917       21.43
WVFC     WVS Financial Corporation         PA        11/29/93     NASDAQ         1,736,960       37.56
YFED     York Financial Corp.              PA        02/01/84     NASDAQ         7,415,656      118.82
AMFB     American Federal Bank, FSB        SC        01/19/89     NASDAQ        10,955,485      193.09
CFCP     Coastal Financial Corp.           SC        09/26/90     NASDAQ         3,436,403       61.17
FFCH     First Financial Holdings Inc.     SC        11/10/83     NASDAQ         6,357,549      127.15
FSFC     First Southeast Financial Corp    SC        10/08/93     NASDAQ         4,388,231       41.14
PALM     Palfed, Inc.                      SC        12/15/85     NASDAQ         5,227,739       70.57
SCCB     S. Carolina Community Bancshrs    SC        07/07/94     NASDAQ           735,410       11.03
HFFC     HF Financial Corp.                SD        04/08/92     NASDAQ         2,909,108       45.82
TWIN     Twin City Bancorp                 TN        01/04/95     NASDAQ           860,576       14.84
BNKU     Bank United Corp.                 TX           NA        NASDAQ        31,595,596      785.94
CBSA     Coastal Bancorp, Inc.             TX           NA        NASDAQ         4,963,859       97.42
ETFS     East Texas Financial Services     TX        01/10/95     NASDAQ         1,133,890       16.58
FBHC     Fort Bend Holding Corp.           TX        06/30/93     NASDAQ           819,198       15.77
LOAN     Horizon Bancorp                   TX           NA        NASDAQ         1,386,757       12.13
JXVL     Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.        TX        04/01/96     NASDAQ         2,644,405       33.72
BFSB     Bedford Bancshares, Inc.          VA        08/22/94     NASDAQ         1,143,669       19.30
CNIT     CENIT Bancorp, Inc.               VA        08/06/92     NASDAQ         1,633,438       64.52
CFFC     Community Financial Corp.         VA        03/30/88     NASDAQ         1,272,048       26.08
ESX      Essex Bancorp, Inc.               VA           NA         AMSE          1,052,637        2.37
FFFC     FFVA Financial Corp.              VA        10/12/94     NASDAQ         5,022,552       92.92
FFRV     Fidelity Financial Bankshares     VA        05/01/86     NASDAQ         2,298,647       52.87
GSLC     Guaranty Financial Corp.          VA           NA        NASDAQ           919,168        8.27
LIFB     Life Bancorp, Inc.                VA        10/11/94     NASDAQ         9,846,840      157.55
VABF     Virginia Beach Fed. Financial     VA        11/01/80     NASDAQ         4,967,465       43.16
VFFC     Virginia First Financial Corp.    VA        01/01/78     NASDAQ         5,743,372       78.97
CASB     Cascade Financial Corp.           WA        09/16/92     NASDAQ         2,050,581       32.81

</TABLE>



                                      120

<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>      <C>                              <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
FWWB     First SB of Washington Bancorp    WA         946,986      149,348       137,105          1.02     1.23      5.22      6.32 
IWBK     InterWest Bancorp, Inc.           WA       1,712,151      111,021       108,152          0.82     1.10     11.48     15.51 
MSEA     Metropolitan Bancorp              WA         753,052       50,902        46,229          0.52     0.79      7.68     11.69 
STSA     Sterling Financial Corp.          WA       1,531,295       84,320        73,508          0.14     0.37      2.45      6.39 
WFSL     Washington Federal, Inc.          WA       5,114,978      577,702       550,245          1.63     1.81     13.85     15.38 
AADV     Advantage Bancorp, Inc.           WI       1,016,385       88,867        81,965          0.31     0.80      3.18      8.22 
ABCW     Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin          WI       1,891,584      110,522       107,583          0.68     0.93      9.99     13.68 
FCBF     FCB Financial Corp.               WI         269,285       46,554        46,554          0.91     1.11      4.92      6.02 
FFEC     First Fed Bncshrs Eau Claire      WI         728,822       97,828        94,090          0.69     0.91      4.78      6.27 
FTFC     First Federal Capital Corp.       WI       1,469,422       93,175        87,850          0.71     0.78     10.18     11.21 
FFHC     First Financial Corp.             WI       5,595,612      401,102       387,461          0.91     1.27     12.54     17.55 
FNGB     First Northern Capital Corp.      WI         607,977       69,407        69,407          0.53     0.82      4.25      6.56 
HALL     Hallmark Capital Corp.            WI         387,671       27,181        27,181          0.41     0.55      5.33      7.11 
MWFD     Midwest Federal Financial         WI         194,707       16,340        15,621          1.04     1.02     11.26     10.99 
NWEQ     Northwest Equity Corp.            WI          95,501       11,591        11,591          0.71     0.91      5.18      6.70 
OSBF     OSB Financial Corp.               WI         250,465       31,046        31,046          0.03     0.45      0.27      3.60 
RELI     Reliance Bancshares, Inc.         WI          47,987       29,299            NA            NA       NA        NA        NA 
SECP     Security Capital Corporation      WI       3,494,427      555,207       555,207          0.84     1.14      4.99      6.76 
STFR     St. Francis Capital Corp.         WI       1,404,116      125,179       119,345          0.81     0.79      8.04      7.90 
FOBC     Fed One Bancorp                   WV         341,528       39,875        37,833          0.70     1.00      5.72      8.10 
CRZY     Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp         WY          51,517       15,469        15,469          0.79     1.05      3.10      4.10 
TRIC     Tri-County Bancorp, Inc.          WY          79,475       12,670        12,670          0.66     0.92      3.82      5.27 

</TABLE>


<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>      <C>                              <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
FWWB     First SB of Washington Bancorp    WA     11/01/95     NASDAQ        10,878,482      180.85
IWBK     InterWest Bancorp, Inc.           WA        NA        NASDAQ         7,918,074      233.58
MSEA     Metropolitan Bancorp              WA     01/09/90     NASDAQ         3,633,905       63.14
STSA     Sterling Financial Corp.          WA        NA        NASDAQ         5,537,328       75.45
WFSL     Washington Federal, Inc.          WA     11/17/82     NASDAQ        40,695,450      961.43
AADV     Advantage Bancorp, Inc.           WI     03/23/92     NASDAQ         3,392,694      110.26
ABCW     Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin          WI     07/16/92     NASDAQ         4,628,574      152.74
FCBF     FCB Financial Corp.               WI     09/24/93     NASDAQ         2,459,614       42.43
FFEC     First Fed Bncshrs Eau Claire      WI     10/12/94     NASDAQ         6,855,379      123.40
FTFC     First Federal Capital Corp.       WI     11/02/89     NASDAQ         6,168,777      138.80
FFHC     First Financial Corp.             WI     12/24/80     NASDAQ        29,915,306      717.97
FNGB     First Northern Capital Corp.      WI     12/29/83     NASDAQ         4,381,147       73.38
HALL     Hallmark Capital Corp.            WI     01/03/94     NASDAQ         1,442,950       24.17
MWFD     Midwest Federal Financial         WI     07/08/92     NASDAQ         1,603,980       30.07
NWEQ     Northwest Equity Corp.            WI     10/11/94     NASDAQ           929,267       10.45
OSBF     OSB Financial Corp.               WI     07/01/92     NASDAQ         1,160,134       27.12
RELI     Reliance Bancshares, Inc.         WI     04/19/96     NASDAQ         2,562,344       22.10
SECP     Security Capital Corporation      WI     01/03/94     NASDAQ         9,204,798      596.01
STFR     St. Francis Capital Corp.         WI     06/21/93     NASDAQ         5,475,509      140.99
FOBC     Fed One Bancorp                   WV     01/19/95     NASDAQ         2,492,799       38.64
CRZY     Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp         WY     03/29/96     NASDAQ         1,058,000       12.17
TRIC     Tri-County Bancorp, Inc.          WY     09/30/93     NASDAQ           608,749       11.11
</TABLE>


                                      121

<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
                   PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED INSTITUTIONS
                      (EXCLUDING MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES)
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             ASSETS AND EQUITY                              PROFITABILITY           
                                                  -------------------------------------------    ---------------------------------- 
                                                      Total        Total         Total                    Core                Core  
                                                     Assets       Equity       Tang. Equity      ROAA     ROAA      ROAE      ROAE  
                                           State     ($000)       ($000)         ($000)           (%)      (%)       (%)      (%)   
                                           -----     --------     ------        -----------      ----     ----      ----      ----  
<S>                                       <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>    
ALL THRIFTS
         AVERAGE                                    1,357,746      100,859        95,327          0.57     0.79      5.26      7.28 
         MEDIAN                                       317,128       37,536        37,309          0.65     0.85      5.03      7.11 
         HIGH                                      50,588,224    2,616,781     2,321,357          2.09     2.34     22.20     28.26 
         LOW                                           34,980        4,709         4,498        -18.24   -14.37    -56.67    -44.64 

AVERAGE FOR STATE
         IL                                           649,235       69,564        67,783          0.59     0.80      4.29      6.25 

AVERAGE BY REGION
         MIDWEST                                      923,766       81,157        76,084          0.56     0.79      5.34      7.23 
         NEW ENGLAND                                  850,598       85,826        81,930          0.53     0.62      5.18      6.17 
         MID ATLANTIC                                 585,732       59,717        57,138          0.63     0.87      5.45      7.57 
         SOUTHEAST                                    744,862       57,108        54,722          0.71     0.89      6.78      8.45 
         SOUTHWEST                                  1,235,862       83,786        71,876          0.39     0.65      3.54      6.24 
         WEST                                       5,735,022      336,615       323,077          0.28     0.52      2.20      5.48 

AVERAGE BY EXCHANGE
         NYSE                                      16,410,582      936,699       866,065          0.55     0.76      8.26     11.98 
         AMEX                                         232,125       36,135        35,942          0.53     0.78      1.97      4.16 
         OTC/NASDAQ                                   774,936       68,630        65,392          0.57     0.79      5.31      7.24 



</TABLE>

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number of    Mkt. Value
                                                    IPO                      Shares      of Shares
                                          State     Date      Exchange       Outstg.        ($M)
                                          -----     ----      --------      ---------    ----------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>       
ALL THRIFTS
         AVERAGE                                                           5,948,974      133.91
         MEDIAN                                                            2,509,427       38.33
         HIGH                                                            137,431,563    3,641.94
         LOW                                                                 230,086        2.37

AVERAGE FOR STATE
         IL                                                                4,077,678       75.99

AVERAGE BY REGION
         MIDWEST                                                           4,866,044      115.54
         NEW ENGLAND                                                       7,026,144      140.95
         MID ATLANTIC                                                      3,892,094       72.31
         SOUTHEAST                                                         4,135,628       74.24
         SOUTHWEST                                                         7,734,871       91.47
         WEST                                                             16,588,197      432.84

AVERAGE BY EXCHANGE
         NYSE                                                             43,074,889    1,339.25
         AMEX                                                              2,554,019       33.13
         OTC/NASDAQ                                                        4,510,313       86.62


</TABLE>



                                      122


<PAGE>


KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 33


              RECENTLY CONVERTED, SAIF-INSURED THRIFT INSTITUTIONS
                            PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  PRO FORMA RATIOS                       CURRENT RATIOS             
                                                           --------------------------------    ----------------------------------   
                                                                   Price/   Price/                       Price/   Price/            
                                                           Price/   Book  Tang. Bk. Price/     Price/    Book    Tang. Bk. Price/   
                                                  IPO    Earnings   Value   Value   Assets    Earnings   Value    Value    Assets   
                                                 Date       (X)      (%)     (%)     (%)        (X)      (%)       (%)      (%)     
                                               ---------- -------- ------- -------- -------    -------- ------- --------  --------  
<S>     <C>                             <C>   <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>        
FFBA    First Colorado Bancorp, Inc.     CO     01/02/96      NA      NA        NA     NA        NM     143.13   144.97    21.21    
LFBI    Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.       NJ     01/05/96   31.90   71.40     71.43  13.40        NM      86.51    93.91    12.87    
BYFC    Broadway Financial Corp.         CA     01/09/96   13.30   68.50     68.48   8.00        NM      65.51    65.51     7.04    
FFOH    Fidelity Financial of Ohio       OH     03/04/96      NA      NA        NA     NA        NM      89.79    89.79    17.83    
FFFD    North Central Bancshares, Inc.   IA     03/21/96      NA      NA        NA     NA     25.72      95.67    95.67    25.75    
CFTP    Community Federal Bancorp        MS     03/26/96   14.00   71.40     71.35  22.20     61.61     110.08   110.08    36.21    
GAF     GA Financial, Inc.               PA     03/26/96   13.80   70.50     70.52  15.70     28.37      95.16    95.16    22.29    
CRZY    Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp        WY     03/29/96   16.40   69.70     69.72  22.00     57.50      78.66    78.66    23.62    
PFFB    PFF Bancorp, Inc.                CA     03/29/96   26.60   69.00     68.99   9.50        NM      97.68    98.78    11.27    
WHG     WHG Bancshares Corp.             MD     04/01/96   15.50   71.10     71.08  16.00        NA      88.36    88.36    21.07    
SSB     Scotland Bancorp, Inc            NC     04/01/96   16.20   74.80     74.83  24.20     50.00     103.93   103.93    37.54    
PHFC    Pittsburgh Home Financial Corp   PA     04/01/96   17.50   72.80     72.83  12.20        NM      95.19    95.19    14.80    
JXVL    Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.       TX     04/01/96      NA      NA        NA     NA        NM     108.70   108.70    17.61    
LONF    London Financial Corporation     OH     04/01/96   22.40   68.50     68.46  13.40        NA      86.55    86.55    18.49    
SSM     Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.       NC     04/01/96   19.70   74.90     74.92  24.40     32.50      95.17    95.17    33.46    
AMFC    AMB Financial Corp.              IN     04/01/96   18.20   70.80     70.83  14.00        NM      86.81    86.81    16.82    
FBER    1st Bergen Bancorp               NJ     04/01/96   21.70   74.80     74.81  12.50        NM      89.49    89.49    15.24    
FFDF    FFD Financial Corp.              OH     04/03/96   17.40   69.90     69.87  19.80        NM      91.71    91.71    22.99    
GSFC    Green Street Financial Corp.     NC     04/04/96   14.80   71.00     71.03  22.20     43.06     107.12   107.12    37.80    
YFCB    Yonkers Financial Corporation    NY     04/18/96   16.10   74.90     74.93  14.60    101.04      88.37    88.37    16.68    
RELI    Reliance Bancshares, Inc.        WI     04/19/96   22.50   72.50     72.47  38.90     29.17      61.24       NA    37.37    
CBK     Citizens First Financial Corp.   IL     05/01/96   15.30   73.10     73.10  11.00        NM      95.21    95.21    14.41    
FFBH    First Federal Bancshares of AR   AR     05/03/96    9.80   63.40     63.39  10.20        NM      98.95    98.95    16.18    
LXMO    Lexington B&L Financial Corp.    MO     06/06/96   14.40   69.10     69.10  20.20        NA      86.93    86.93    26.57    
WWF     Westwood Financial Corporation   NJ     06/07/96      NA      NA        NA     NA        NM     103.32   117.85    10.53    
CNSB    CNS Bancorp, Inc.                MO     06/12/96   26.10   69.30     69.35  16.20        NM     100.17   100.17    24.45    
CMS     Commonwealth Bancorp, Inc.       PA     06/17/96      NA      NA        NA     NA        NM     111.48   145.17    12.16    
PRBC    Prestige Bancorp, Inc.           PA     06/27/96   24.60   61.90     61.90   9.50        NM      81.64    81.64    11.88    
WYN     Wayne Bancorp, Inc.              NJ     06/27/96   16.70   60.90     60.94   9.70        NM      88.12    88.12    13.21    
PROV    Provident Financial Holdings     CA     06/28/96   18.20   60.90     60.87   8.20        NM      83.74    83.74    12.26    
EGLB    Eagle BancGroup, Inc.            IL     07/01/96   58.10   57.10     57.11   7.90        NA      80.55    80.55    10.74    
FLKY    First Lancaster Bancshares       KY     07/01/96   19.00   72.50     72.51  21.30        NA     113.64   113.64    40.54    
HWE     Home Financial Bancorp           IN     07/02/96   12.40   66.20     66.23  13.10        NA      85.73    85.73    17.17    
OCFC    Ocean Financial Corp.            NJ     07/03/96   13.80   69.20     69.21  13.90        NA      95.02    95.02    19.70    
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                         PRICES AND TREND FROM IPO DATE              
                                                           ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1 Day          1 Week            1 Mo.         
                                                             IPO      After           After            After         
                                                  IPO       Price      IPO     %       IPO      %       IPO      %   
                                                  Date       ($)       ($)  Change     ($)   Change     ($)   Change 
                                                --------   ------   ------- -------  ------  -------  ------  -------
<S>     <C>                             <C>    <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     
FFBA    First Colorado Bancorp, Inc.     CO     01/02/96      NA     11.44     NA    11.63      NA    12.00      NA  
LFBI    Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.       NJ     01/05/96   10.00     11.31  13.13    11.38   13.75    11.00   10.00  
BYFC    Broadway Financial Corp.         CA     01/09/96   10.00     10.38   3.75    10.25    2.50    10.25    2.50  
FFOH    Fidelity Financial of Ohio       OH     03/04/96      NA     10.50     NA    10.00      NA    10.13      NA  
FFFD    North Central Bancshares, Inc.   IA     03/21/96      NA     10.88     NA    10.69      NA    10.44      NA  
CFTP    Community Federal Bancorp        MS     03/26/96   10.00     12.63  26.25    12.88   28.75    12.63   26.25  
GAF     GA Financial, Inc.               PA     03/26/96   10.00     11.38  13.75    11.50   15.00    11.00   10.00  
CRZY    Crazy Woman Creek Bancorp        WY     03/29/96   10.00        NA     NA    10.75    7.50    10.50    5.00  
PFFB    PFF Bancorp, Inc.                CA     03/29/96   10.00     11.38  13.75    11.63   16.25    11.63   16.25  
WHG     WHG Bancshares Corp.             MD     04/01/96   10.00     11.13  11.25    11.06   10.60    11.25   12.50  
SSB     Scotland Bancorp, Inc            NC     04/01/96   10.00     12.25  22.50    12.50   25.00    11.75   17.50  
PHFC    Pittsburgh Home Financial Corp   PA     04/01/96   10.00     11.00  10.00    11.00   10.00    10.63    6.25  
JXVL    Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.       TX     04/01/96      NA     11.11     NA     9.63      NA     9.88      NA  
LONF    London Financial Corporation     OH     04/01/96   10.00     10.81   8.12    10.63    6.25    10.13    1.25  
SSM     Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.       NC     04/01/96   15.00     17.50  16.67    18.00   20.00    17.75   18.33  
AMFC    AMB Financial Corp.              IN     04/01/96   10.00     10.50   5.00    10.50    5.00    10.50    5.00  
FBER    1st Bergen Bancorp               NJ     04/01/96   10.00     10.00   0.00     9.50   (5.00)    9.63   (3.75) 
FFDF    FFD Financial Corp.              OH     04/03/96   10.00     10.50   5.00    10.50    5.00    10.31    3.10  
GSFC    Green Street Financial Corp.     NC     04/04/96   10.00     12.88  28.75    12.25   22.50    12.31   23.10  
YFCB    Yonkers Financial Corporation    NY     04/18/96   10.00      9.75  (2.50)   10.13    1.25     9.94   (0.60) 
RELI    Reliance Bancshares, Inc.        WI     04/19/96    8.00      8.38   4.69     8.25    3.13     7.94   (0.75) 
CBK     Citizens First Financial Corp.   IL     05/01/96   10.00     10.50   5.00    10.00    0.00    10.13    1.25  
FFBH    First Federal Bancshares of AR   AR     05/03/96   10.00     13.00  30.00    13.25   32.50    13.69   36.90  
LXMO    Lexington B&L Financial Corp.    MO     06/06/96   10.00      9.50  (5.00)    9.75   (2.50)   10.13    1.25  
WWF     Westwood Financial Corporation   NJ     06/07/96      NA     10.75     NA    10.38      NA    10.63      NA  
CNSB    CNS Bancorp, Inc.                MO     06/12/96   10.00     11.00  10.00    11.63   16.25    11.50   15.00  
CMS     Commonwealth Bancorp, Inc.       PA     06/17/96      NA     10.50     NA    10.75      NA    10.00      NA  
PRBC    Prestige Bancorp, Inc.           PA     06/27/96   10.00     10.38   3.75    10.25    2.50     9.75   (2.50) 
WYN     Wayne Bancorp, Inc.              NJ     06/27/96   10.00     11.13  11.25    11.38   13.75    11.25   12.50  
PROV    Provident Financial Holdings     CA     06/28/96   10.00     10.97   9.70    10.81    8.10    10.13    1.25  
EGLB    Eagle BancGroup, Inc.            IL     07/01/96   10.00     11.25  12.50    11.25   12.50    11.13   11.25  
FLKY    First Lancaster Bancshares       KY     07/01/96   10.00     13.50  35.00    13.38   33.75    13.75   37.50  
HWE     Home Financial Bancorp           IN     07/02/96   10.00     10.25   2.50     9.88   (1.25)   10.50    5.00  
OCFC    Ocean Financial Corp.            NJ     07/03/96   20.00     21.25   6.25    20.13    0.63    21.00    5.00  
</TABLE>



                                      123

<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

              RECENTLY CONVERTED, SAIF-INSURED THRIFT INSTITUTIONS
                            PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  PRO FORMA RATIOS                       CURRENT RATIOS             
                                                           --------------------------------    ----------------------------------   
                                                                   Price/   Price/                       Price/   Price/            
                                                           Price/   Book  Tang. Bk. Price/     Price/    Book    Tang. Bk. Price/   
                                                  IPO    Earnings   Value   Value   Assets    Earnings   Value    Value    Assets   
                                                 Date       (X)      (%)     (%)     (%)        (X)      (%)       (%)      (%)     
                                               ---------- -------- ------- -------- -------    -------- ------- --------  --------  
<S>     <C>                             <C>   <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>        
MBSP    Mitchell Bancorp, Inc.           NC    07/12/96    94.50   68.10    68.13   25.80           NA   92.38    92.38    38.87    
PWB     Pennwood Savings Bank            PA    07/15/96    13.30   65.80    65.76   12.80           NA   82.40    82.40    16.50    
ANA     Acadiana Bancshares, Inc.        LA    07/16/96       NA   69.90    69.92   12.70           NA   85.88    85.88    15.07    
PFED    Park Bancorp, Inc.               IL    08/12/96    17.80   64.90    64.93   14.50           NA   76.40    76.40    17.96    
PFFC    Peoples Financial Corp.          OH    09/13/96    26.70   62.70    62.69   16.00           NA      NA       NA       NA    
HBEI    Home Bancorp of Elgin, Inc.      IL    09/27/96    17.40   70.60    70.59   18.70           NA   91.18    91.18    24.36    
CBES    CBES Bancorp, Inc.               MO    09/30/96    13.20   61.10    61.06   10.60           NA   84.54    84.54    14.84    
WEH     Westwood Homestead Fin. Corp.    OH    09/30/96    92.80   71.70    71.71   22.70           NA   76.16    76.16    25.10    
AFED    AFSALA Bancorp, Inc.             NY    10/01/96    14.10   69.70    69.73    9.90           NA      NA       NA       NA    
SSFC    South Street Financial Corp.     NC    10/03/96    27.00   74.10    74.06   21.20           NA      NA       NA       NA    
CNBA    Chester Bancorp, Inc.            IL    10/08/96    14.10   70.10    70.08   13.90           NA      NA       NA       NA    
FTNB    Fulton Bancorp, Inc.             MO    10/18/96    15.50   70.50    70.48   16.70           NA      NA       NA       NA    
DCBI    Delphos Citizens Bancorp, Inc.   OH    11/21/96    12.10   70.20    70.20   18.80           NA      NA       NA       NA    
CFNC    Carolina Fincorp, Inc.           NC    11/25/96    17.70   74.70    74.68   16.40           NA      NA       NA       NA    
PSFI    PS Financial, Inc.               IL    11/27/96    14.50   69.90    69.92   29.00           NA      NA       NA       NA    

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                         PRICES AND TREND FROM IPO DATE              
                                                           ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1 Day          1 Week            1 Mo.         
                                                             IPO      After           After            After         
                                                  IPO       Price      IPO     %       IPO      %       IPO      %   
                                                  Date       ($)       ($)  Change     ($)   Change     ($)   Change 
                                                --------   ------   ------- -------  ------  -------  ------  -------
<S>     <C>                             <C>    <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     
MBSP    Mitchell Bancorp, Inc.           NC    07/12/96    10.00        NA     NA    10.63    6.25    11.00    10.00 
PWB     Pennwood Savings Bank            PA    07/15/96    10.00      9.50  (5.00)    9.13   (8.75)    9.63    (3.75)
ANA     Acadiana Bancshares, Inc.        LA    07/16/96    12.00     12.00   0.00    11.75   (2.08)   12.38     3.13 
PFED    Park Bancorp, Inc.               IL    08/12/96    10.00     10.25   2.50    10.44    4.38    10.50     5.00 
PFFC    Peoples Financial Corp.          OH    09/13/96    10.00     10.88   8.75    11.50   15.00    12.75    27.50 
HBEI    Home Bancorp of Elgin, Inc.      IL    09/27/96    10.00     11.81  18.13    12.50   25.00    12.63    26.25 
CBES    CBES Bancorp, Inc.               MO    09/30/96    10.00     12.63  26.25    13.44   34.38    13.25    32.50 
WEH     Westwood Homestead Fin. Corp.    OH    09/30/96    10.00     10.75   7.50    10.63    6.25    10.50     5.00 
AFED    AFSALA Bancorp, Inc.             NY    10/01/96    10.00     11.38  13.75    11.31   13.13    11.56    15.63 
SSFC    South Street Financial Corp.     NC    10/03/96    10.00        NA     NA    12.50   25.00    12.38    23.75 
CNBA    Chester Bancorp, Inc.            IL    10/08/96    10.00     12.94  29.38    12.63   26.25    12.63    26.25 
FTNB    Fulton Bancorp, Inc.             MO    10/18/96    10.00     12.50  25.00    12.88   28.75    14.75    47.50 
DCBI    Delphos Citizens Bancorp, Inc.   OH    11/21/96    10.00     12.13  21.25    12.13   21.25       NA       NA 
CFNC    Carolina Fincorp, Inc.           NC    11/25/96    10.00     13.00  30.00    13.00   30.00       NA       NA 
PSFI    PS Financial, Inc.               IL    11/27/96    10.00     11.64  16.41    11.69   16.88       NA       NA 

</TABLE>


                                      124

<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 34

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426



               RECENT THRIFT ACQUISITIONS AND PENDING ACQUISITIONS
         COUNTY, CITY OR MARKET AREA OF HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS




         1.Target institution:
             Name                Barrington Bancorp
             City and state      Barrington, IL
             Asset size               $69,700,000

           Acquiring institution:
             Name                First Chicago NBD
             City and state      Chicago, IL
             Asset size          $115,500,000,000

           Transaction:
             Purchase price           $17,100,000
             Price/earnings (x)             61.00
             Price/book value (%)           148.6
             Date completed              06/06/96




         2.Target institution:
             Name                N.S. Bancorp
             City and state      Chicago, IL
             Asset size            $1,160,200,000

           Acquiring institution:
             Name                MAF Bancorp
             City and state      Clarendon Hills, IL
             Asset size            $1,870,000,000

           Transaction:
             Purchase price          $267,000,000
             Price/earnings (x)             12.50
             Price/book value (%)          107.00
             Date completed              05/30/96



<PAGE>




         3.Target institution:
             Name                DeerBank Corp.
             City and state      Chicago, IL
             Asset size              $757,800,000

           Acquiring institution:
             Name                NBD
             City and state      Detroit, MI
             Asset size           $48,500,000,000

           Transaction:
             Purchase price          $106,000,000
             Price/earnings (x)             14.20
             Price/book value (%)          186.00
             Date completed              07/01/95




         4.Target institution:
             Name                Financial Security Corp
             City and state      Chicago, IL
             Asset size              $258,500,000

           Acquiring institution:
             Name                Pinnacle Banc Group, Inc.
             City and state      Oak Brook, IL
             Asset size              $830,700,000

           Transaction:
             Purchase price           $43,000,000
             Price/earnings (x)             20.70
             Price/book value (%)          109.00
             Date completed              09/30/96



<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                     THRIFT STOCK PRICES AND PRICING RATIOS
             PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    PER SHARE                             
                                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                                    Latest  All Time  All Time Monthly Quarterly   Book          12 Month 
                                                    Price     High      Low    Change   Change    Value   Assets    Div.  
                                    State Exchange   ($)      ($)       ($)     (%)      (%)       ($)     ($)      ($)   
                                    ----- --------   ---      ---       ---     ---      ---       ---     ---     -----  
<S>   <C>                          <C>    <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>    <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>

PFSL  Pocahontas FS&LA, MHC           AR  NASDAQ   17.250   17.250     9.500  13.11    18.97     13.97   234.87    0.77   
CMSV  Community Savings, MHC          FL  NASDAQ   18.375   19.375    10.000   8.09    13.95     15.39   128.32    0.70   
FFFL  Fidelity FSB of Florida, MHC    FL  NASDAQ   17.250   18.000     9.091   4.55    15.97     11.94   127.51    0.65   
HARB  Harbor Federal Savings Bk, MHC  FL  NASDAQ   33.000   34.250    11.875   5.60    14.78     17.19   214.30    1.13   
FFSX  First Fed SB of Siouxland, MHC  IA  NASDAQ   28.000   29.250     8.239   5.66    19.61     19.39   243.28    0.65   
WCFB  Webster City Federal SB, MHC    IA  NASDAQ   13.500   13.500     8.813   0.00     1.89     10.30    45.00    0.70   
JXSB  Jacksonville Savings Bank, MHC  IL  NASDAQ   12.000   14.250    10.000   4.35    -2.04     13.01   112.95    0.40   
LFED  Leeds Federal Savings Bk, MHC   MD  NASDAQ   15.250   16.750     9.875   8.93    16.19     12.81    79.51    0.65   
GFED  Guaranty Federal SB, MHC        MO  NASDAQ   11.000   12.500     8.000  -2.22    12.82      8.49    58.61    0.32   
PULB  Pulaski Bank, Savings Bk, MHC   MO  NASDAQ   14.750   16.500    10.500   0.00    14.56     10.93    85.70    0.80   
FSLA  First Savings Bank, MHC         NJ  NASDAQ   18.000   18.500     5.072  10.00    22.79     12.59   136.03    0.35   
FSNJ  First Savings Bk of NJ, MHC     NJ  NASDAQ   17.000   19.500    10.750   6.25    13.33     15.53   212.17    0.50   
SBFL  SB of the Finger Lakes, MHC     NY  NASDAQ   13.500   17.000     8.125  -3.57    -8.47     11.22   110.61    0.40   
WAYN  Wayne Savings & Loan Co. MHC    OH  NASDAQ   23.000   24.000    11.255   8.24    18.71     15.04   167.49    0.87   
GDVS  Greater Delaware Valley SB, MHC PA  NASDAQ   10.125   13.000     9.250   8.00     1.25      8.30    70.97    0.36   
HARS  Harris Savings Bank, MHC        PA  NASDAQ   18.500   20.500    12.750  13.85    24.37     13.15   153.68    0.57   
NWSB  Northwest Savings Bank, MHC     PA  NASDAQ   13.250   13.750     7.375  11.58    20.45      8.01    81.35    0.31   
PERT  Perpetual Bank, MHC             SC  NASDAQ   21.375   21.625    20.250   4.27       NA     19.33   139.46      NA   
RVSB  Riverview Savings Bank, MHC     WA  NASDAQ   16.750   17.250     9.711   3.08    15.52     10.73    99.84    0.21   


ALL MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES
      AVERAGE                                      17.467   18.776    10.023   5.78    13.04     13.02   131.66    0.57
      MEDIAN                                       17.000   17.250     9.711   5.66    15.15     12.81   127.51    0.61
      HIGH                                         33.000   34.250    20.250  13.85    24.37     19.39   243.28    1.13
      LOW                                          10.125   12.500     5.072  -3.57    -8.47      8.01    45.00    0.21


</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     PRICING RATIOS          
                                          ---------------------------------- 
                                           Price/   Price/   Price/ Price/Core
                                         Earnings Bk. Value  Assets  Earnings
                                            (X)       (%)     (%)      (X)   
                                            ---       ---     ---      ---   
<S>                                       <C>      <C>        <C>     <C>     
PFSL  Pocahontas FS&LA, MHC               14.87    123.48     7.34    11.13   
CMSV  Community Savings, MHC              17.01    119.40    14.32    16.70   
FFFL  Fidelity FSB of Florida, MHC        36.70    144.47    13.53    22.12   
HARB  Harbor Federal Savings Bk, MHC      18.86    191.97    15.40    14.04   
FFSX  First Fed SB of Siouxland, MHC      29.17    144.40    11.51    16.97   
WCFB  Webster City Federal SB, MHC        33.75    131.07    30.00    34.62   
JXSB  Jacksonville Savings Bank, MHC      57.14     92.24    10.62    22.64   
LFED  Leeds Federal Savings Bk, MHC       25.00    119.05    19.18    17.73   
GFED  Guaranty Federal SB, MHC            30.56    129.56    18.77    37.93   
PULB  Pulaski Bank, Savings Bk, MHC       19.41    134.95    17.21    23.41   
FSLA  First Savings Bank, MHC             29.51    142.97    13.23    16.36   
FSNJ  First Savings Bk of NJ, MHC            NM    109.47     8.01    32.69   
SBFL  SB of the Finger Lakes, MHC            NM    120.32    12.21   112.50   
WAYN  Wayne Savings & Loan Co. MHC        53.49    152.93    13.73    22.55   
GDVS  Greater Delaware Valley SB, MHC        NM    121.99    14.27   144.64   
HARS  Harris Savings Bank, MHC               NM    140.68    12.04    28.46   
NWSB  Northwest Savings Bank, MHC         25.00    165.42    16.29    15.77   
PERT  Perpetual Bank, MHC                 22.50    110.58    15.33    16.19   
RVSB  Riverview Savings Bank, MHC         17.45    156.10    16.78    15.23   


ALL MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES
      AVERAGE                             28.69    134.27    14.72    32.72
      MEDIAN                              25.00    131.07    14.27    22.12
      HIGH                                57.14    191.97    30.00   144.64
      LOW                                 14.87     92.24     7.34    11.13

</TABLE>



                                      127


<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                          KEY FINANCIAL DATA AND RATIOS
             PUBLICLY-TRADED, SAIF INSURED MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES
                             AS OF DECEMBER 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        ASSETS AND EQUITY                       PROFITABILITY           
                                                        -----------------                       -------------           
                                                  Total       Total       Total                 Core            Core    
                                                  Assets      Equity   Tang. Equity     ROAA    ROAA    ROAE    ROAE    
                                      State       ($000)      ($000)      ($000)         (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)    
                                      -----       ------      ------      ------         ---     ---     ---     ---    

<S>                                     <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>      
PFSL    Pocahontas FS&LA, MHC           AR        381,562     22,689      22,689        0.54    0.72    8.98   11.96    
CMSV    Community Savings, MHC          FL        626,045     75,066      75,066        0.88    0.90    7.10    7.25    
FFFL    Fidelity FSB of Florida, MHC    FL        857,366     80,316      79,486        0.39    0.65    3.90    6.42    
HARB    Harbor Federal Savings Bk, MHC  FL      1,057,443     84,832      81,245        0.91    1.22   10.51   14.12    
FFSX    First Fed SB of Siouxland, MHC  IA        458,154     36,514      36,166        0.40    0.70    4.82    8.34    
WCFB    Webster City Federal SB, MHC    IA         94,492     21,628      21,628        0.87    1.19    3.88    5.30    
JXSB    Jacksonville Savings Bank, MHC  IL        143,710     16,555      16,513        0.19    0.46    1.57    3.87    
LFED    Leeds Federal Savings Bk, MHC   MD        274,696     44,241      44,241        0.77    1.10    4.69    6.75    
GFED    Guaranty Federal SB, MHC        MO        183,150     26,538      26,538        0.61    0.50    4.23    3.42    
PULB    Pulaski Bank, Savings Bk, MHC   MO        179,457     22,881      22,881        0.88    0.74    7.15    5.95    
FSLA    First Savings Bank, MHC         NJ        974,771     90,227      79,066        0.47    0.85    4.98    8.94    
FSNJ    First Savings Bk of NJ, MHC     NJ        649,720     47,551      47,551       -0.60    0.25   -7.63    3.12    
SBFL    SB of the Finger Lakes, MHC     NY        197,437     20,020      20,020       -0.06    0.11   -0.51    1.00    
WAYN    Wayne Savings & Loan Co. MHC    OH        250,856     22,527      22,527        0.25    0.61    2.70    6.50    
GDVS    Greater Delaware Valley SB, MHC PA        232,264     27,151      27,151       -0.21    0.10   -1.73    0.81    
HARS    Harris Savings Bank, MHC        PA      1,723,684    147,474     124,398        0.03    0.48    0.24    4.51    
NWSB    Northwest Savings Bank, MHC     PA      1,901,532    187,167     178,037        0.70    1.06    6.49    9.90    
PERT    Perpetual Bank, MHC             SC        209,827     29,091          NA        0.73    1.02    6.02    8.39    
RVSB    Riverview Savings Bank, MHC     WA        219,224     23,566      21,074        0.99    1.16    9.05   10.60    



ALL MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES
        AVERAGE                                   558,705     54,002      52,571        0.46    0.73    4.02    6.69    
        MEDIAN                                    274,696     29,091      31,659        0.54    0.72    4.69    6.50    
        HIGH                                    1,901,532    187,167     178,037        0.99    1.22   10.51   14.12    
        LOW                                        94,492     16,555      16,513       -0.60    0.10   -7.63    0.81    

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                CAPITAL ISSUES
                                                                --------------
                                                                        Number of  Mkt. Value
                                                     IPO                 Shares    of Shares
                                      State         Date    Exchange     Outstg.      ($M)
                                      -----         ----    --------     -------      ----

<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>  
PFSL    Pocahontas FS&LA, MHC           AR        04/05/94   NASDAQ     1,624,594     25.18
CMSV    Community Savings, MHC          FL        10/24/94   NASDAQ     4,878,888     78.06
FFFL    Fidelity FSB of Florida, MHC    FL        01/07/94   NASDAQ     6,724,052    104.22
HARB    Harbor Federal Savings Bk, MHC  FL        01/06/94   NASDAQ     4,934,454    146.18
FFSX    First Fed SB of Siouxland, MHC  IA        07/13/92   NASDAQ     1,883,240     43.44
WCFB    Webster City Federal SB, MHC    IA        08/15/94   NASDAQ     2,100,000     27.83
JXSB    Jacksonville Savings Bank, MHC  IL        04/21/95   NASDAQ     1,272,300     15.35
LFED    Leeds Federal Savings Bk, MHC   MD        05/02/94   NASDAQ     3,454,736     46.21
GFED    Guaranty Federal SB, MHC        MO        04/10/95   NASDAQ     3,125,000     32.03
PULB    Pulaski Bank, Savings Bk, MHC   MO        05/11/94   NASDAQ     2,094,000     29.32
FSLA    First Savings Bank, MHC         NJ        07/10/92   NASDAQ     7,165,594    107.48
FSNJ    First Savings Bk of NJ, MHC     NJ        01/09/95   NASDAQ     3,062,321     46.70
SBFL    SB of the Finger Lakes, MHC     NY        11/11/94   NASDAQ     1,785,000     25.88
WAYN    Wayne Savings & Loan Co. MHC    OH        06/25/93   NASDAQ     1,497,746     28.46
GDVS    Greater Delaware Valley SB, MHC PA        03/03/95   NASDAQ     3,272,500     32.73
HARS    Harris Savings Bank, MHC        PA        01/25/94   NASDAQ    11,216,400    168.25
NWSB    Northwest Savings Bank, MHC     PA        11/07/94   NASDAQ    23,376,000    286.36
PERT    Perpetual Bank, MHC             SC        10/26/93   NASDAQ     1,504,601        NA
RVSB    Riverview Savings Bank, MHC     WA        10/26/93   NASDAQ     2,195,781     32.94



ALL MUTUAL HOLDING COMPANIES
        AVERAGE                                                         4,587,748     70.92
        MEDIAN                                                          3,062,321     38.19
        HIGH                                                           23,376,000    286.36
        LOW                                                             1,272,300     15.35

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

                            BALANCE SHEET PARAMETERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000                                                        Total      Total
                                                                 Cash &          1-4 Fam.  Net     Net Loans  Borrowed
                                                        Total   Invest./  MBS/    Loans/  Loans/     & MBS/    Funds/   Equity/
                                                        Assets   Assets  Assets   Assets  Assets     Assets    Assets   Assets
                                            IPO Date    ($000)     (%)    (%)      (%)      (%)       (%)        (%)      (%)
                                            --------    ------     ---    ---      ---      ---       ---        ---      ---
<S>     <C>                            <C>  <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>        <C> 
        HEMLOCK FEDERAL                        --      146,983   16.42   44.85    32.48    36.14     80.99      1.02     7.73

        DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to                              25.00-   30.00 -   55.00-              5.00-
        INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000  <40.00  <45.00    65.00    80.00     95.00    <25.00    18.00

HBBI    Home Building Bancorp           IN  02/08/95    42,560   17.52   13.56    49.43    66.04     79.60      9.34    12.92
NSLB    NS&L Bancorp, Inc.              MO  06/08/95    57,288   35.89    9.79    47.86    51.87     61.66      0.00    23.31
CKFB    CKF Bancorp, Inc.               KY  01/04/95    59,898   10.11    0.01    68.82    88.19     88.20      0.44    25.22
GWBC    Gateway Bancorp, Inc.           KY  01/18/95    69,496   30.79   41.82    23.19    26.10     67.93      0.00    25.07
ATSB    AmTrust Capital Corp.           IN  03/28/95    72,108      NA      NA    39.62    71.79        NA     23.44     9.91
HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corp.    OH  10/10/94    76,399   32.87   10.04    48.65    54.89     64.93      6.54    16.71
HZFS    Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.    IA  06/30/94    76,652   30.92    0.00    42.30    65.98     65.98     16.50    10.73
LOGN    Logansport Financial Corp.      IN  06/14/95    79,726   18.29    9.06    48.64    69.77     78.83      3.76    19.98
PCBC    Perry County Financial Corp.    MO  02/13/95    80,394   45.57   39.07    12.83    13.81     52.88      3.11    18.77
SOBI    Sobieski Bancorp, Inc.          IN  03/31/95    80,648    9.92   19.25    56.26    67.39     86.64      7.07    17.12
SFFC    StateFed Financial Corporation  IA  01/05/94    81,059   13.14    0.00    51.37    81.80     81.80     23.44    17.99
GFSB    GFS Bancorp, Inc.               IA  01/06/94    85,206    7.20    3.85    57.85    87.53     91.38     22.66    11.57
FTSB    Fort Thomas Financial Corp.     KY  06/28/95    88,874   10.73    0.97    67.98    85.44     86.42      5.07    24.35
INCB    Indiana Community Bank, SB      IN  12/15/94    90,697   11.77    3.35    43.34    81.20     84.56      0.00    12.30
CIBI    Community Investors Bancorp     OH  02/07/95    94,799   22.89    2.30    54.85    73.37     75.67     13.05    11.94
NWEQ    Northwest Equity Corp.          WI  10/11/94    95,501    7.46    8.14    54.85    80.65     88.79     21.64    12.14
FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc.   IL  10/04/93    97,143   15.02    7.29    59.20    75.18     82.47     23.21     7.73
ASBP    ASB Financial Corp.             OH  05/11/95   114,298   27.24    9.00    43.01    60.90     69.90      2.11    22.18
MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.        IA  10/14/92   115,260   19.74   25.74    39.55    52.80     78.54     20.82     9.38
</TABLE>


                                      129
<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

                            BALANCE SHEET PARAMETERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000                                                        Total      Total
                                                                 Cash &          1-4 Fam.  Net     Net Loans  Borrowed
                                                        Total   Invest./  MBS/    Loans/  Loans/     & MBS/    Funds/   Equity/
                                                        Assets   Assets  Assets   Assets  Assets     Assets    Assets   Assets
                                            IPO Date    ($000)     (%)    (%)      (%)      (%)       (%)        (%)      (%)
                                            --------    ------     ---    ---      ---      ---       ---        ---      ---
<S>     <C>                            <C>  <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>        <C> 
        HEMLOCK FEDERAL                        --      146,983   16.42   44.85    32.48    36.14     80.99      1.02     7.73

        DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to                              25.00-   30.00-    55.00-              5.00-
        INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000  <40.00  <45.00    65.00    80.00     95.00    <25.00    18.00

NBSI    North Bancshares, Inc.          IL  12/21/93   116,881   31.40    6.77    52.69    59.88     66.65     20.32    15.13
GTPS    Great American Bancorp          IL  06/30/95   123,866      NA      NA    36.10    73.52        NA      0.00    25.62
PTRS    Potters Financial Corp.         OH  12/31/93   125,497   31.55   20.89    32.08    44.68     65.57     12.67     8.21
MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.        IA  11/12/92   137,707   15.67   22.42    46.16    58.88     81.29     18.81     6.58
FFWD    Wood Bancorp, Inc.              OH  08/31/93   152,374   16.97    3.19    58.74    77.99     81.18     11.10    13.17
FBSI    First Bancshares, Inc.          MO  12/22/93   154,306   17.21    0.59    61.06    79.51     80.10     13.32    14.77
FFWC    FFW Corp.                       IN  04/05/93   154,551   18.80   12.01    42.56    66.94     78.95     24.46    10.01
NEIB    Northeast Indiana Bancorp       IN  06/28/95   160,032   10.95    0.00    60.91    86.98     86.98     33.12    17.44
SMBC    Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc  MO  04/13/94   160,124      NA      NA    42.42    62.22        NA      7.84    15.74
MARN    Marion Capital Holdings         IN  03/18/93   174,597    9.87    0.02    50.24    83.09     83.12      3.40    22.69
CMRN    Cameron Financial Corp          MO  04/03/95   175,841   13.19    0.01    60.19    83.88     83.89      1.85    26.35
LSBI    LSB Financial Corp.             IN  02/03/95   177,840    6.65    2.16    52.73    87.76     89.92     24.87     9.40
MFFC    Milton Federal Financial Corp.  OH  10/07/94   180,831   23.41    9.51    56.53    64.56     74.07      9.67    18.51
FFBZ    First Federal Bancorp, Inc.     OH  07/13/92   184,467    7.94    0.90    54.46    86.90     87.80     20.58     7.59
MWFD    Midwest Federal Financial       WI  07/08/92   194,707   14.76    8.89    30.97    72.43     81.32     11.35     8.39
CBCO    CB Bancorp, Inc.                IN  12/28/92   200,008   45.53    4.34    37.50    45.14     49.49     22.00     9.69
SBCN    Suburban Bancorporation, Inc.   OH  09/30/93   209,942    5.34   13.00    56.98    79.74     92.74     26.93    12.09
MFBC    MFB Corp.                       IN  03/25/94   210,559   20.81   11.77    64.12    65.90     77.67      8.31    17.90
EFBI    Enterprise Federal Bancorp      OH  10/17/94   213,876   18.97   13.55    48.21    65.28     78.83     18.70    14.77
</TABLE>


                                      130


<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

                            BALANCE SHEET PARAMETERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000                                                        Total      Total
                                                                 Cash &          1-4 Fam.  Net     Net Loans  Borrowed
                                                        Total   Invest./  MBS/    Loans/  Loans/     & MBS/    Funds/   Equity/
                                                        Assets   Assets  Assets   Assets  Assets     Assets    Assets   Assets
                                            IPO Date    ($000)     (%)    (%)      (%)      (%)       (%)        (%)      (%)
                                            --------    ------     ---    ---      ---      ---       ---        ---      ---
<S>     <C>                            <C>  <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>        <C> 
        HEMLOCK FEDERAL                        --      146,983   16.42   44.85    32.48    36.14     80.99      1.02     7.73

        DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to                              25.00-   30.00-    55.00-              5.00-
        INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000  <40.00  <45.00    65.00    80.00     95.00    <25.00    18.00

OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.            OH  02/10/93   217,627   19.82    6.55    47.73    71.52     78.06      9.33    11.56
FFHS    First Franklin Corporation      OH  01/26/88   218,329   11.02   18.62    53.72    68.05     86.67      3.28     9.05
MBLF    MBLA Financial Corp.            MO  06/24/93   227,391   41.49    8.98    43.39    48.79     57.77     49.27    12.31
CAPS    Capital Savings Bancorp, Inc.   MO  12/29/93   231,245    9.84   12.18    63.34    76.11     88.29     22.92     8.44
CBIN    Community Bank Shares           IN  04/10/95   234,600   37.91    1.73    38.16    57.76     59.49      9.13    10.85
FBCV    1ST Bancorp                     IN  04/07/87   257,960   27.18    1.02    58.93    67.93     68.94     38.34     8.20
FFED    Fidelity Federal Bancorp        IN  08/31/87   261,834    4.75    4.55    43.91    85.17     89.72     24.60     4.79
PFDC    Peoples Bancorp                 IN  07/07/87   280,012   18.77    0.23    71.92    79.64     79.87      0.00    15.24
WFCO    Winton Financial Corp.          OH  08/04/88   282,833    8.68    4.40    48.24    84.63     89.03     15.69     7.45
GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.         OH  11/30/90   283,727    6.81   10.21    64.42    79.88     90.09      8.45     9.28
SMFC    Sho-Me Financial Corp.          MO  07/01/94   292,094    7.81    2.87    63.97    86.57     89.44     28.25    10.20
WCBI    Westco Bancorp                  IL  06/26/92   307,772   27.05    0.00    57.07    71.33     71.33      0.00    15.50
HBFW    Home Bancorp                    IN  03/30/95   315,901   22.44    0.00    72.55    75.91     75.91      0.00    15.50
HMCI    HomeCorp, Inc.                  IL  06/22/90   340,449    7.53    6.09    41.90    80.02     86.11      2.44     6.00
CASH    First Midwest Financial, Inc.   IA  09/20/93   342,095   22.44    9.67    22.10    65.12     74.78     27.85    11.41
PVFC    PVF Capital Corp.               OH  12/30/92   345,279    6.68    3.50    31.80    88.46     91.95     12.76     6.51
WOFC    Western Ohio Financial Corp.    OH  07/29/94   347,704      NA      NA    56.23    74.64        NA     28.70    15.31
HVFD    Haverfield Corporation          OH  03/19/85   350,603   13.75    0.60    65.36    82.89     83.49      8.84     7.87
KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.          IL  01/06/93   352,926   21.28    8.78    43.23    66.70     75.48      8.79    10.02
FFKY    First Federal Financial Corp.   KY  07/15/87   357,281    8.28    0.74    67.91    86.79     87.54     11.13    13.80
</TABLE>



                                      131

<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426


                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

                            BALANCE SHEET PARAMETERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000                                                        Total      Total
                                                                 Cash &          1-4 Fam.  Net     Net Loans  Borrowed
                                                        Total   Invest./  MBS/    Loans/  Loans/     & MBS/    Funds/   Equity/
                                                        Assets   Assets  Assets   Assets  Assets     Assets    Assets   Assets
                                            IPO Date    ($000)     (%)    (%)      (%)      (%)       (%)        (%)      (%)
                                            --------    ------     ---    ---      ---      ---       ---        ---      ---
<S>     <C>                            <C>  <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>        <C> 
        HEMLOCK FEDERAL                        --      146,983   16.42   44.85    32.48    36.14     80.99      1.02     7.73

        DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to                              25.00-   30.00-    55.00-              5.00-
        INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000  <40.00  <45.00    65.00    80.00     95.00    <25.00    18.00

SWBI    Southwest Bancshares           IL   06/24/92   376,277   19.33    6.50    42.63    69.08     75.58     14.13    10.38
HALL    Hallmark Capital Corp.         WI   01/03/94   387,671   20.57   15.15    44.61    62.62     77.78     26.64     7.01
SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.      IL   03/04/92   390,910    4.74   35.65    38.16    57.42     93.07     15.62     6.50
PMFI    Perpetual Midwest Financial    IA   03/31/94   395,707   13.64    6.97    33.56    76.14     83.11     19.80     8.56
ASBI    Ameriana Bancorp               IN   03/02/87   399,721   15.53   10.13    55.53    71.27     81.40     10.67    10.88
</TABLE>


                                      132

<PAGE>


KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

               OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND ASSET QUALITY PARAMETERS
                            Most Recent Four Quarters

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000
                                                                           OPERATING PERFORMANCE                  ASSET QUALITY (1)
                                                               --------------------------------------------- -----------------------
                                                                               Net     Operating  Noninterest
                                                     Total     Core    Core   Interest  Expenses/   Income/   NPA/   REO/  Reserves/
                                                     Assets    ROAA    ROAE   Margin(2)  Assets(3)  Assets   Assets Assets  Assets
                                          IPO Date   ($000)    (%)      (%)     (%)        (%)        (%)      (%)    (%)     (%)
                                          --------   ------    ---      ---     ---        ---        ---      ---    ---     ---
<S>  <C>                            <C>  <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
      HEMLOCK FEDERAL
         BANK FOR SAVINGS                      --    146,983   0.58     7.52     3.17       2.42      0.31    0.05    0.00   0.46

      DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to             0.30-    2.00-    2.75-      1.75-
      INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000   1.00    12.00     3.75       3.25     <0.80   <1.00   <0.25  >0.15

HBBI  Home Building Bancorp           IN  02/08/95    42,560  -0.01    -0.07     3.57       2.51      0.28    0.35    0.00   0.18
NSLB  NS&L Bancorp, Inc.              MO  06/08/95    57,288   0.83     3.50     3.26       2.22      0.28    0.02    0.00   0.08
CKFB  CKF Bancorp, Inc.               KY  01/04/95    59,898   1.27     4.67     3.78       1.82      0.08    1.47    0.00   0.20
GWBC  Gateway Bancorp, Inc.           KY  01/18/95    69,496   1.14     4.50     2.95       1.20      0.02    0.45    0.00   0.12
ATSB  AmTrust Capital Corp.           IN  03/28/95    72,108   0.11     1.08     2.85       2.97      0.57    2.58    0.06   0.69
HHFC  Harvest Home Financial Corp.    OH  10/10/94    76,399   0.75     4.14     3.12       1.98      0.06    0.19    0.00   0.15
HZFS  Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.    IA  06/30/94    76,652   0.33     2.83     3.42       2.66      0.43    0.92    0.24   0.50
LOGN  Logansport Financial Corp.      IN  06/14/95    79,726   1.48     5.71     3.94       1.63      0.13    0.36    0.00   0.29
PCBC  Perry County Financial Corp.    MO  02/13/95    80,394   0.98     4.81     2.78       1.23      0.03     NA      NA    0.01
SOBI  Sobieski Bancorp, Inc.          IN  03/31/95    80,648   0.46     2.52     3.28       2.67      0.21    0.11    0.00   0.25
SFFC  StateFed Financial Corporation  IA  01/05/94    81,059   1.25     6.35     3.74       1.67      0.07    1.27    0.00   0.30
GFSB  GFS Bancorp, Inc.               IA  01/06/94    85,206   1.12     9.36     3.39       1.73      0.13    1.63    0.00   0.81
FTSB  Fort Thomas Financial Corp.     KY  06/28/95    88,874   1.33     5.39     4.14       2.42      0.40    1.27    0.00   0.36
INCB  Indiana Community Bank, SB      IN  12/15/94    90,697   0.48     3.38     4.34       3.92      0.97     NA      NA     NA
CIBI  Community Investors Bancorp     OH  02/07/95    94,799   0.98     7.23     3.76       2.11      0.12    0.88    0.11   0.47
NWEQ  Northwest Equity Corp.          WI  10/11/94    95,501   0.91     6.70     4.02       2.69      0.43    1.19    0.17   0.47
</TABLE>


                                      133


<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

               OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND ASSET QUALITY PARAMETERS
                            Most Recent Four Quarters

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000
                                                                           OPERATING PERFORMANCE                  ASSET QUALITY (1)
                                                               --------------------------------------------- -----------------------
                                                                               Net     Operating  Noninterest
                                                     Total     Core    Core   Interest  Expenses/   Income/   NPA/   REO/  Reserves/
                                                     Assets    ROAA    ROAE   Margin(2)  Assets(3)  Assets   Assets Assets  Assets
                                          IPO Date   ($000)    (%)      (%)     (%)        (%)        (%)      (%)    (%)     (%)
                                          --------   ------    ---      ---     ---        ---        ---      ---    ---     ---
<S>  <C>                            <C>  <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
      HEMLOCK FEDERAL
         BANK FOR SAVINGS                      --    146,983   0.58     7.52    3.17      2.42       0.31     0.05    0.00   0.46

      DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to             0.30-    2.00-   2.75-     1.75-
      INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000   1.00    12.00    3.75      3.25      <0.80    <1.00   <0.25  >0.15

FFBI  First Financial Bancorp, Inc.  IL   10/04/93    97,143   0.36     3.97    3.06      2.85       0.43     0.43    0.00   0.46
ASBP  ASB Financial Corp.            OH   05/11/95   114,298   0.89     3.83    3.53      2.20       0.16     1.89    0.58   0.77
MIFC  Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.       IA   10/14/92   115,260   0.93    10.00    2.83      2.15       0.80     0.05    0.00   0.24
NBSI  North Bancshares, Inc.         IL   12/21/93   116,881   0.61     3.52    3.32      2.51       0.17     0.00    0.00   0.18
GTPS  Great American Bancorp         IL   06/30/95   123,866   0.67     2.39    4.87      3.62       0.41     0.13    0.00   0.26
PTRS  Potters Financial Corp.        OH   12/31/93   125,497   0.40     4.19    3.28      2.62       0.20     2.20    0.00   1.67
MWBI  Midwest Bancshares, Inc.       IA   11/12/92   137,707   0.72    10.36    2.94      1.87       0.16     0.47    0.03   0.49
FFWD  Wood Bancorp, Inc.             OH   08/31/93   152,374   1.14     8.10    4.32      2.50       0.23     0.29    0.02   0.35
FBSI  First Bancshares, Inc.         MO   12/22/93   154,306   0.95     5.73    3.46      2.06       0.24     0.65    0.00   0.34
FFWC  FFW Corp.                      IN   04/05/93   154,551   1.07    10.00    3.11      1.75       0.32     0.10    0.03   0.32
NEIB  Northeast Indiana Bancorp      IN   06/28/95   160,032   1.22     5.96    3.94      1.92       0.17     0.20    0.00   0.64
SMBC  Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc MO   04/13/94   160,124   0.94     5.68    3.15      2.02       0.34     0.71    0.10   0.40
MARN  Marion Capital Holdings        IN   03/18/93   174,597   1.42     5.96    4.18      2.22       0.18     0.95    0.10   1.15
CMRN  Cameron Financial Corp         MO   04/03/95   175,841   1.56     5.64    4.19      1.67       0.13     0.96    0.05   0.72
LSBI  LSB Financial Corp.            IN   02/03/95   177,840   0.45     4.33    3.52      2.43       0.28     1.37    0.00   0.96
MFFC  Milton Federal Financial Corp. OH   10/07/94   180,831   0.86     4.22    3.51      2.15       0.13     0.34    0.02   0.27

 </TABLE>


                                      134

<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

               OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND ASSET QUALITY PARAMETERS
                            Most Recent Four Quarters

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000
                                                                           OPERATING PERFORMANCE                  ASSET QUALITY (1)
                                                               --------------------------------------------- -----------------------
                                                                               Net     Operating  Noninterest
                                                     Total     Core    Core   Interest  Expenses/   Income/   NPA/   REO/  Reserves/
                                                     Assets    ROAA    ROAE   Margin(2)  Assets(3)  Assets   Assets Assets  Assets
                                          IPO Date   ($000)    (%)      (%)     (%)        (%)        (%)      (%)    (%)     (%)
                                          --------   ------    ---      ---     ---        ---        ---      ---    ---     ---
<S>  <C>                            <C>  <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
      HEMLOCK FEDERAL
         BANK FOR SAVINGS                      --    146,983   0.58     7.52    3.17      2.42       0.31     0.05    0.00   0.46

      DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to             0.30-    2.00-   2.75-     1.75-
      INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000   1.00    12.00    3.75      3.25      <0.80    <1.00   <0.25  >0.15

FFBZ  First Federal Bancorp, Inc.    OH   07/13/92   184,467   1.09    14.28    4.04      2.44       0.45     0.50    0.00   0.87
MWFD  Midwest Federal Financial      WI   07/08/92   194,707   1.02    10.99    4.13      2.98       0.87     0.24    0.00   0.76
CBCO  CB Bancorp, Inc.               IN   12/28/92   200,008   1.31    13.77    4.30      2.11       0.68     1.70    1.42   0.93
SBCN  Suburban Bancorporation, Inc.  OH   09/30/93   209,942   0.56     4.36    2.99      2.31       0.21     0.13    0.10   1.49
MFBC  MFB Corp.                      IN   03/25/94   210,559   0.72     3.63    3.07      1.95       0.16     0.06    0.00   0.16
EFBI  Enterprise Federal Bancorp     OH   10/17/94   213,876   0.64     3.74    2.99      1.98       0.05     0.04    0.00   0.18
OHSL  OHSL Financial Corp.           OH   02/10/93   217,627   0.85     6.85    3.33      2.10       0.13     0.22    0.00   0.24
FFHS  First Franklin Corporation     OH   01/26/88   218,329   0.61     6.47    2.76      1.92       0.18     0.52    0.11   0.42
MBLF  MBLA Financial Corp.           MO   06/24/93   227,391   0.76     5.33    2.02      0.78       0.00     0.19    0.01   0.24
CAPS  Capital Savings Bancorp, Inc.  MO   12/29/93   231,245   0.93     9.31    3.33      2.14       0.38     0.20    0.03   0.29
CBIN  Community Bank Shares          IN   04/10/95   234,600   0.89     7.63    3.02      2.06       0.59     0.22    0.03   0.26
FBCV  1ST Bancorp                    IN   04/07/87   257,960  -0.22    -2.75    2.40      2.85       0.33     0.44    0.18   0.35
FFED  Fidelity Federal Bancorp       IN   08/31/87   261,834   0.40     7.62    2.39      3.24       0.22     0.17    0.03   0.71
PFDC  Peoples Bancorp                IN   07/07/87   280,012   1.50     9.77    3.79      1.59       0.23     0.40    0.04   0.32
WFCO  Winton Financial Corp.         OH   08/04/88   282,833   0.80    10.50    3.35      2.21       0.13     0.44    0.18   0.31
GFCO  Glenway Financial Corp.        OH   11/30/90   283,727   0.60     6.26    3.07      2.22       0.22     0.41    0.06   0.21

</TABLE>


                                      135

<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

               OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND ASSET QUALITY PARAMETERS
                            Most Recent Four Quarters

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000
                                                                           OPERATING PERFORMANCE                  ASSET QUALITY (1)
                                                               --------------------------------------------- -----------------------
                                                                               Net     Operating  Noninterest
                                                     Total     Core    Core   Interest  Expenses/   Income/   NPA/   REO/  Reserves/
                                                     Assets    ROAA    ROAE   Margin(2)  Assets(3)  Assets   Assets Assets  Assets
                                          IPO Date   ($000)    (%)      (%)     (%)        (%)        (%)      (%)    (%)     (%)
                                          --------   ------    ---      ---     ---        ---        ---      ---    ---     ---
<S>  <C>                            <C>  <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
      HEMLOCK FEDERAL
         BANK FOR SAVINGS                      --    146,983   0.58     7.52    3.17      2.42       0.31     0.05    0.00   0.46

      DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to             0.30-    2.00-   2.75-     1.75-
      INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000   1.00    12.00    3.75      3.25      <0.80    <1.00   <0.25  >0.15

SMFC  Sho-Me Financial Corp.          MO  07/01/94   292,094   0.89     7.63    3.27      2.10       0.38     0.06    0.00   0.61
WCBI  Westco Bancorp                  IL  06/26/92   307,772   1.33     8.54    3.61      1.72       0.24     0.53    0.00   0.29
HBFW  Home Bancorp                    IN  03/30/95   315,901   0.84     4.99    2.91      1.51       0.07     0.04    0.00   0.44
HMCI  HomeCorp, Inc.                  IL  06/22/90   340,449   0.33     5.34    2.99      2.63       0.52     3.64    2.86   0.43
CASH  First Midwest Financial, Inc.   IA  09/20/93   342,095   1.05     8.05    3.50      2.07       0.39     0.20    0.03   0.53
PVFC  PVF Capital Corp.               OH  12/30/92   345,279   1.21    18.25    4.09      2.50       0.37     0.68    0.00   0.73
WOFC  Western Ohio Financial Corp.    OH  07/29/94   347,704   0.49     2.47    3.31      2.36       0.08       NA      NA   0.41
HVFD  Haverfield Corporation          OH  03/19/85   350,603   0.78     9.23    3.68      3.00       0.60     0.28    0.00   0.79
KNK   Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.          IL  01/06/93   352,926   0.59     5.87    3.07      2.46       0.37     0.90    0.05   0.67
FFKY  First Federal Financial Corp.   KY  07/15/87   357,281   1.41     9.97    4.14      2.23       0.56     0.54    0.06   0.50
SWBI  Southwest Bancshares            IL  06/24/92   376,277   1.13     9.32    3.53      1.91       0.19     0.22    0.01   0.21
HALL  Hallmark Capital Corp.          WI  01/03/94   387,671   0.55     7.11    2.45      1.72       0.29     0.05    0.01   0.35
SFSB  SuburbFed Financial Corp.       IL  03/04/92   390,910   0.48     6.81    2.88      2.79       0.72     0.28    0.00   0.24
PMFI  Perpetual Midwest Financial     IA  03/31/94   395,707   0.38     4.06    2.64      2.15       0.30     0.46    0.00   0.68
ASBI  Ameriana Bancorp                IN  03/02/87   399,721   0.91     7.67    3.18      2.18       0.53     0.48    0.03   0.28

<FN>
- ------------------
(1)  Asset quality  ratios  reflect  balance sheet totals at the end of the most
     recent quarter.

(2)  Based on average interest-earning assets.

(3)  Net of non-recurring expense.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                      136

<PAGE>


KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                           COMPARABLE GROUP SELECTION

               OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND ASSET QUALITY PARAMETERS
                            Most Recent Four Quarters

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

General Parameters:
           States: IA IL IN KY MO OH WI
           IPO Date: <= 06/30/95
           Asset size: <= $400,000
                                                                           OPERATING PERFORMANCE                  ASSET QUALITY (1)
                                                               --------------------------------------------- -----------------------
                                                                               Net     Operating  Noninterest
                                                     Total     Core    Core   Interest  Expenses/   Income/   NPA/   REO/  Reserves/
                                                     Assets    ROAA    ROAE   Margin(2)  Assets(3)  Assets   Assets Assets  Assets
                                          IPO Date   ($000)    (%)      (%)     (%)        (%)        (%)      (%)    (%)     (%)
                                          --------   ------    ---      ---     ---        ---        ---      ---    ---     ---
<S>  <C>                            <C>  <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>    <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
      HEMLOCK FEDERAL
         BANK FOR SAVINGS                      --    146,983   0.58     7.52    3.17      2.42        0.31    0.05   0.00    0.46


      DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR              Prior to             0.30-    2.00-   2.75-     1.75-
      INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP       06/30/95  <400,000   1.00    12.00    3.75      3.25       <0.80   <1.00  <0.25   >0.15


<FN>
- ------------------
(1)  Asset quality  ratios  reflect  balance sheet totals at the end of the most
     recent quarter.

(2)  Based on average interest-earning assets.

(3)  Net of non-recurring expense.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      137

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio                    EXHIBIT 39
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                             FINAL COMPARABLE GROUP

                              BALANCE SHEET RATIOS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                       Cash &                  1-4 Fam.    Total Net
                                                                           Total      Invest./       MBS/       Loans/       Loans/ 
                                                                           Assets      Assets       Assets      Assets       Assets 
                                                           IPO Date        ($000)         (%)          (%)         (%)          (%) 
                                                         -----------  --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                    


<S>                                                        <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>  
            HEMLOCK FEDERAL                                   --           146,983       16.42        44.85       32.48       36.14

            DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR                         Prior to                                               25.00-      30.00-
            INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP                  06/30/95       <400,000      <40.00       <45.00       65.00       80.00

HHFC        Harvest Home Financial Corp.           OH      10/10/94         76,399       32.87        10.04       48.65       54.89
HZFS        Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.           IA      06/30/94         76,652       30.92         0.00       42.30       65.98
FFBI        First Financial Bancorp, Inc.          IL      10/04/93         97,143       15.02         7.29       59.20       75.18
MIFC        Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.               IA      10/14/92        115,260       19.74        25.74       39.55       52.80
MWBI        Midwest Bancshares, Inc.               IA      11/12/92        137,707       15.67        22.42       46.16       58.88
OHSL        OHSL Financial Corp.                   OH      02/10/93        217,627       19.82         6.55       47.73       71.52
CBIN        Community Bank Shares                  IN      04/10/95        234,600       37.91         1.73       38.16       57.76
GFCO        Glenway Financial Corp.                OH      11/30/90        283,727        6.81        10.21       64.42       79.88
KNK         Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                 IL      01/06/93        352,926       21.28         8.78       43.23       66.70
SFSB        SuburbFed Financial Corp.              IL      03/04/92        390,910        4.74        35.65       38.16       57.42


                                                 AVERAGE                   198,295       20.48        12.84       46.76       64.10
                                                  MEDIAN                   177,667       19.78         9.41       44.70       62.43
                                                    HIGH                   390,910       37.91        35.65       64.42       79.88
                                                     LOW                    76,399        4.74         0.00       38.16       52.80





                                                             Total                          
                                                          Net Loans   Borrowed             
                                                            & MBS/     Funds/     Equity/  
                                                            Assets     Assets     Assets  
                                                              (%)        (%)        (%)    
                                                            ----------------------------
                  -                
                                   
                                   
<S>                                                          <C>         <C>        <C> 
            HEMLOCK FEDERAL                                  80.99       1.02       7.73
                                                                                        
            DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR                           55.00-                 5.00-
            INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP                    95.00     <25.00      18.00
                                                                                        
HHFC        Harvest Home Financial Corp.           OH        64.93       6.54      16.71
HZFS        Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.           IA        65.98      16.50      10.73
FFBI        First Financial Bancorp, Inc.          IL        82.47      23.21       7.73
MIFC        Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.               IA        78.54      20.82       9.38
MWBI        Midwest Bancshares, Inc.               IA        81.29      18.81       6.58
OHSL        OHSL Financial Corp.                   OH        78.06       9.33      11.56
CBIN        Community Bank Shares                  IN        59.49       9.13      10.85
GFCO        Glenway Financial Corp.                OH        90.09       8.45       9.28
KNK         Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                 IL        75.48       8.79      10.02
SFSB        SuburbFed Financial Corp.              IL        93.07      15.62       6.50
                                   
                                   
                                                AVERAGE      76.94      13.72       9.94
                                                 MEDIAN      78.30      12.48       9.70
                                                   HIGH      93.07      23.21      16.71
                                                    LOW      59.49       6.54       6.50

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio                      EXHIBIT 40
614-766-1426

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                             FINAL COMPARABLE GROUP

                 OPERATING PERFORMANCE AND ASSET QUALITY RATIOS
                            Most Recent Four Quarters

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        OPERATING PERFORMANCE  
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                               Net       Operating  
                                                                      Total           Core         Core      Interest    Expenses/
                                                                      Assets          ROAA         ROAE     Margin (2)   Assets (3) 
                                                        IPO Date      ($000)           (%)          (%)         (%)          (%)    
                                                      -----------  -------------- -----------  ----------- -----------  ------------


               HEMLOCK FEDERAL
               BANK FOR SAVINGS                              --        146,983        0.58         7.52        3.17         2.42    

            DEFINED PARAMETERS FOR                     Prior to                       0.30-        2.00-       2.75-        1.75-
            INCLUSION IN COMPARABLE GROUP              06/30/95       <400,000        1.00        12.00        3.75         3.25    

<S>                                                    <C>              <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>     
HHFC        Harvest Home Financial Corp.        OH     10/10/94         76,399        0.75         4.14        3.12         1.98    
HZFS        Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.        IA     06/30/94         76,652        0.33         2.83        3.42         2.66    
FFBI        First Financial Bancorp, Inc.       IL     10/04/93         97,143        0.36         3.97        3.06         2.85    
MIFC        Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.            IA     10/14/92        115,260        0.93        10.00        2.83         2.15    
MWBI        Midwest Bancshares, Inc.            IA     11/12/92        137,707        0.72        10.36        2.94         1.87    
OHSL        OHSL Financial Corp.                OH     02/10/93        217,627        0.85         6.85        3.33         2.10    
CBIN        Community Bank Shares               IN     04/10/95        234,600        0.89         7.63        3.02         2.06    
GFCO        Glenway Financial Corp.             OH     11/30/90        283,727        0.60         6.26        3.07         2.22    
KNK         Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.              IL     01/06/93        352,926        0.59         5.87        3.07         2.46    
SFSB        SuburbFed Financial Corp.           IL     03/04/92        390,910        0.48         6.81        2.88         2.79    


                                             AVERAGE                   198,295        0.65         6.47        3.07         2.31    
                                              MEDIAN                   177,667        0.66         6.54        3.07         2.19    
                                                HIGH                   390,910        0.93        10.36        3.42         2.85    
                                                 LOW                    76,399        0.33         2.83        2.83         1.87    


                                                    OPERATING 
                                                   PERFORMANCE                 ASSET QUALITY (1)            
                                                       
                                                    Noninterest                                            
                                                      Income/             NPA/       REO/    Reserves/  
                                                      Assets             Assets     Assets    Assets           
                                                       (%)                (%)        (%)        (%)            
                                                   ----------         --------------------------------        
                                                       
                                                       
               HEMLOCK FEDERAL                                                                                 
               BANK FOR SAVINGS                           0.31               0.05       0.00      0.46        
                                                                                                            
                                                                             
                                                         <0.80              <1.00      <0.25     >0.15       
                                                                                                            
<S>                                                       <C>                <C>        <C>       <C>         
HHFC        Harvest Home Financial Corp.           OH     0.06               0.19       0.00      0.15        
HZFS        Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.           IA     0.43               0.92       0.24      0.50        
FFBI        First Financial Bancorp, Inc.          IL     0.43               0.43       0.00      0.46        
MIFC        Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.               IA     0.80               0.05       0.00      0.24        
MWBI        Midwest Bancshares, Inc.               IA     0.16               0.47       0.03      0.49        
OHSL        OHSL Financial Corp.                   OH     0.13               0.22       0.00      0.24        
CBIN        Community Bank Shares                  IN     0.59               0.22       0.03      0.26        
GFCO        Glenway Financial Corp.                OH     0.22               0.41       0.06      0.21        
KNK         Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                 IL     0.37               0.90       0.05      0.67        
SFSB        SuburbFed Financial Corp.              IL     0.72               0.28       0.00      0.24        
                                                       
                                                        
                                                AVERAGE   0.39               0.41       0.04      0.35        
                                                 MEDIAN   0.40               0.35       0.02      0.25        
                                                   HIGH   0.80               0.92       0.24      0.67        
                                                    LOW   0.06               0.05       0.00      0.15        
                                                       
<FN>

(1)  Asset quality ratios reflect balance sheet totals at the end of the most recent quarter. 
(2)  Based on average interest-earning assets.                                                
(3)  Net of non-recurring expense.                                                            

</FN>
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 41


                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
            COMPARABLE GROUP CHARACTERISTICS AND BALANCE SHEET TOTALS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                           Most Recent Quarter
                                                                                                           -------------------
                                                                                                                   Int.     Total  
                                                                         Number        Conversion       Total    Earning     Net   
                                                                           of             (IPO)         Assets    Assets    Loans  
                                                                        Offices Exchange  Date          ($000)    ($000)    ($000) 
                                                                        -----------------------------------------------------------

SUBJECT
           HEMLOCK FEDERAL
              BANK FOR SAVINGS                     Oak Forest     IL       3       NA       NA          146,983   144,294    53,121


COMPARABLE GROUP
<S>                                                                        <C>   <C>     <C>            <C>       <C>       <C>    
   CBIN    Community Bank Shares of Indiana, Inc.  New Albany     IN       7     NASDAQ  04/10/95       234,600   225,480   135,514
   FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc.           Belvidere      IL       2     NASDAQ  10/04/93        97,143    93,505    73,030
   GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.                 Cincinnati     OH       6     NASDAQ  11/30/90       283,727   270,506   226,628
   HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corporation      Cheviot        OH       3     NASDAQ  10/10/94        76,399    73,037    41,936
   HZFS    Horizon Financial Services Corporation  Oskaloosa      IA       3     NASDAQ  06/30/94        76,652    69,421    50,577
   KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                  Kankakee       IL       9     AMSE    01/06/93       352,926   341,020   235,401
   MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.                Newton         IA       6     NASDAQ  10/14/92       115,260   115,316    60,862
   MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.                Burlington     IA       4     NASDAQ  11/12/92       137,707   134,573    81,076
   OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.                    Cincinnati     OH       5     NASDAQ  02/10/93       217,627   211,726   155,643
   SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.               Flossmoor      IL      12     NASDAQ  03/04/92       390,910   372,623   224,476
 
           Average                                                       5.7                            198,295   190,721   128,514
           Median                                                        5.5                            177,667   173,150   108,295
           High                                                         12.0                            390,910   372,623   235,401
           Low                                                           2.0                             76,399    69,421    41,936

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Most Recent Quarter
                                                                            -------------------

                                                                         Goodwill
                                                                           and      Total      Total
                                                                         Intang.   Deposits    Equity
                                                                          ($000)    ($000)     ($000)
                                                                        -----------------------------

SUBJECT
           HEMLOCK FEDERAL
              BANK FOR SAVINGS                     Oak Forest     IL         0     129,159     11,361


COMPARABLE GROUP
<S>                                                                         <C>    <C>         <C>   
   CBIN    Community Bank Shares of Indiana, Inc.  New Albany     IN        54     184,940     25,464
   FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc.           Belvidere      IL         0      65,884      7,510
   GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.                 Cincinnati     OH       524     227,910     26,340
   HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corporation      Cheviot        OH         0      58,226     12,769
   HZFS    Horizon Financial Services Corporation  Oskaloosa      IA         0      55,210      8,227
   KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                  Kankakee       IL     2,451     283,899     35,356
   MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.                Newton         IA        16      78,705     10,807
   MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.                Burlington     IA         0     101,297      9,068
   OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.                    Cincinnati     OH         0     169,221     25,167
   SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.               Flossmoor      IL       136     298,622     25,390
 
           Average                                                         318     152,391     18,610
           Median                                                            8     135,259     18,968
           High                                                          2,451     298,622     35,356
           Low                                                               0      55,210      7,510

</TABLE>

                                      140

<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 42

                        HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR SAVINGS
                     COMPARABLE GROUP MARKET  AREA COMPARISON

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                     1990-1996                 Median      Median                
                                                                    Population  Per Capita    Household    Housing     Median    
                                                       1996           Growth      Income       Income       Value       Rent     
                                                    Population          (%)         ($)          ($)         ($)         ($)     
                                                    ----------          ---         ---          ---         ---         ---     
SUBJECT
            HEMLOCK FEDERAL
               BANK FOR SAVINGS                      5,563,474          1.6        17,977       35,948     100,253       477     


COMPARABLE GROUP

<S>                                                     <C>             <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>     
     CBIN   Community Bk Shares of Indiana   IN         71,031          8.8        15,037       31,764      57,600       267     
     FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.    IL      5,144,275          0.8        17,825       36,543     102,100       478     
     GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.          OH        866,222          1.2        18,004       34,401      72,243       304     
     HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.     OH        866,222          1.2        18,004       34,401      72,243       304     
     HZFS   Horizon Financial Services Corp. IA         21,869          1.6        11,303       24,119      36,410       209     
     KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.           IL        101,379          5.3        14,444       32,382      54,700       376     
     MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.         IA         35,197          0.2        13,732       29,685      46,000       240     
     MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.         IA         43,075          1.1        13,959       29,170      41,576       242     
     OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.             OH        866,222          1.2        18,004       34,401      72,243       304     
     SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.        IL      5,144,275          0.8        17,825       36,543     102,100       478     

            Average                                  1,315,977          2.2        15,814       32,341      65,722       320     
            Median                                     483,801          1.2        16,431       33,392      64,922       304     
            High                                     5,144,275          8.8        18,004       36,543     102,100       478     
            Low                                         21,869          0.2        11,303       24,119      36,410       209     

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        High                    Below
                                                       School       College    Poverty
                                                      Graduates    Graduates    Level
                                                         (%)          (%)        (%)
                                                         ---          ---        ---
SUBJECT
            HEMLOCK FEDERAL
               BANK FOR SAVINGS                          74.9         23.7       13.8


COMPARABLE GROUP

<S>                                                      <C>          <C>         <C>
     CBIN   Community Bk Shares of Indiana   IN          73.2         15.1        8.8
     FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.    IL          73.4         22.8       14.2
     GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.          OH          75.6         23.7       13.3
     HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.     OH          75.6         23.7       13.3
     HZFS   Horizon Financial Services Corp. IA          74.8         13.1       13.0
     KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.           IL          73.1         11.9       13.3
     MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.         IA          77.6         12.7        7.0
     MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.         IA          78.9         12.7        9.1
     OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.             OH          75.6         23.7       13.3
     SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.        IL          73.4         22.8       14.2

            Average                                      75.1         18.2       12.0
            Median                                       75.2         19.0       13.3
            High                                         78.9         23.7       14.2
            Low                                          73.1         11.9        7.0


</TABLE>

                                      141
<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426


                                   EXHIBIT 43


                                  BALANCE SHEET
                     ASSET COMPOSITION - MOST RECENT QUARTER

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         As a Percent of Total Assets
                                                                         ----------------------------
                                                                                        Loan     Real                               
                                                 Total        Cash &             Net    Loss    Estate  Goodwill  Other   High Risk 
                                                 Assets       Invest.   MBS     Loans  Reserves  Owned  & Intang. Assets  R.E. Loans
                                                 ($000)         (%)     (%)      (%)     (%)      (%)      (%)     (%)      (%)     
                                                 ------         ---     ---      ---     ---      ---      ---     ---      ---     

SUBJECT
           HEMLOCK FEDERAL
              BANK FOR SAVINGS                   146,983       16.42   44.85    36.14    0.46     0.00     0.00    2.59     2.34    


COMPARABLE GROUP
<S>                                              <C>           <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>     
    CBIN   Community Bank Shares                 234,600       37.91    1.73    57.76    0.26     0.03     0.02    2.55     6.70    
    FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.          97,143       15.02    7.29    75.18    0.46     0.00     0.00    2.42     6.56    
    GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.               283,727        6.81   10.21    79.88    0.21     0.06     0.18    3.73    13.40    
    HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.           76,399       32.87   10.04    54.89    0.15     0.00     0.00    2.20     6.48    
    HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.           76,652       30.92    0.00    65.98    0.50     0.24     0.00    2.29     7.73    
    KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                352,926       21.28    8.78    66.70    0.67     0.05     0.69    2.49    12.35    
    MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.              115,260       19.74   25.74    52.80    0.24     0.00     0.01    1.68     7.24    
    MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.              137,707       15.67   22.42    58.88    0.49     0.03     0.00    3.01     7.49    
    OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.                  217,627       19.82    6.55    71.52    0.24     0.00     0.00    2.09    20.39    
    SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.             390,910        4.74   35.65    57.42    0.24     0.00     0.03    2.12     5.86    


           Average                               198,295       20.48   12.84    64.10    0.35     0.04     0.10    2.46     9.42    
           Median                                177,667       19.78    9.41    62.43    0.25     0.02     0.01    2.36     7.37    
           High                                  390,910       37.91   35.65    79.88    0.67     0.24     0.69    3.73    20.39    
           Low                                    76,399        4.74    0.00    52.80    0.15     0.00     0.00    1.68     5.86    



ALL THRIFTS  (332)                                                                                                               
           Average                             1,357,746       18.15   12.40    65.93    0.56     0.56     0.20    2.61    13.19 
                                                                                                                                 
MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)                                                                                                           
           Average                               790,095       18.12   10.01    68.49    0.47     0.47     0.15    2.56    12.32  
                                                                                                                                 
ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)                                                                                                            
           Average                               649,235       18.87   10.47    66.10    0.40     0.16     0.14    2.55     9.88  
                                                                                                                                   
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                     As a Percent of Total Assets
                                                     ----------------------------
                                                          Interest   Interest  Capitalized               
SUBJECT                                        Non-Perf.  Earning    Bearing      Loan        
           HEMLOCK FEDERAL                      Assets     Assets   Liabilities Servicing     
              BANK FOR SAVINGS                   (%)        (%)         (%)        (%)        
                                                 ---        ---         ---        ---                                      
COMPARABLE GROUP                                                               
<S>                                              <C>       <C>         <C>         <C> 
    CBIN   Community Bank Shares                 0.22      96.11       87.47       0.00
    FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.         0.43      96.26       87.39       0.09
    GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.               0.41      95.34       88.20       0.00
    HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.          0.19      95.60       80.39       0.00
    HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.          0.92      90.57       86.28       0.00
    KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                0.90      96.63       90.29       0.00
    MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.              0.05     100.05       91.11       0.00
    MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.              0.47      97.72       92.48       0.00
    OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.                  0.22      97.29       86.04       0.01
    SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.             0.28      95.32       86.91       0.02
                                                                               
                                                                               
           Average                               0.41      96.09       87.66       0.01
           Median                                0.35      96.18       87.43       0.00
           High                                  0.92     100.05       92.48       0.09
           Low                                   0.05      90.57       80.39       0.00
                                                                            

ALL THRIFTS  (332)
           Average                               0.87      94.92       83.40       0.12

MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)
           Average                               0.59      95.01       82.27       0.08

ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)
           Average                               0.61      94.68       82.82       0.02


</TABLE>

                                      142


<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 44



                            BALANCE SHEET COMPARISON
                  LIABILITIES AND EQUITY - MOST RECENT QUARTER

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       As a Percent of Assets
                                                                       ----------------------
                                                                                                                        FASB 115    
                                                Total      Total       Total    Total       Other   Preferred  Common  Unrealized   
                                             Liabilities  Equity     Deposits Borrowings Liabilities Equity    Equity     Gain   
                                                ($000)    ($000)        (%)      (%)         (%)      (%)       (%)        (%)      
                                                ------    ------        ---      ---         ---      ---       ---        ---      
SUBJECT                                                                                   
               HEMLOCK FEDERAL                                                            
                  BANK FOR SAVINGS             135,622    11,361       87.87     1.02        3.38     --         --         0.35    
                                                                                                               
COMPARABLE GROUP                                                                                               
<S>                                            <C>        <C>          <C>      <C>                                        
    CBIN   Community Bank Shares               209,136    25,464       78.83     9.13        1.18     0.00      10.85       0.00    
    FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.        89,633     7,510       67.82    23.21        1.23     0.00       7.73     (0.53)    
    GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.             257,387    26,340       80.33     8.45        1.94     0.00       9.28       0.00    
    HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.         63,630    12,769       76.21     6.54        0.53     0.00      16.71     (0.11)    
    HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.         68,425     8,227       72.03    16.50        0.74     0.00      10.73     (0.26)    
    KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.              317,570    35,356       80.44     8.79        0.75     0.00      10.02     (0.23)    
    MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.            104,453    10,807       68.28    20.82        1.52     0.00       9.38       0.02    
    MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.            128,639     9,068       73.56    18.81        1.05     0.00       6.58     (0.14)    
    OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.                192,460    25,167       77.76     9.33        1.35     0.00      11.56     (0.08)    
    SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.           365,520    25,390       76.39    15.62        1.49     0.00       6.50     (0.15)    
                                                                                                               
           Average                             179,685    18,610       75.17    13.72        1.18     0.00       9.94     (0.15)    
           Median                              160,550    18,968       76.30    12.48        1.21     0.00       9.70     (0.12)    
           High                                365,520    35,356       80.44    23.21        1.94     0.00      16.71       0.02    
           Low                                  63,630     7,510       67.82     6.54        0.53     0.00       6.50     (0.53)    
                                              
ALL THRIFTS  (332)                           
           Average                           1,256,887   100,859       70.87    14.48        1.71     0.08      12.86     (0.03)   
                                                                                                                                    
MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)                                                                                                             
           Average                             721,289    68,806       69.41    14.57        1.60     0.03      14.40     (0.04)   
                                                                                                                                    
ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)                                                                                                        
           Average                             579,671    69,564       71.78    12.32        1.59     0.00      14.30     (0.12)   
                                             

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           As a Percent of Assets
                                                           ----------------------
                                                                            Reg.        Reg.        Reg.
                                         Retained    Total      Tangible    Core      Tangible   Risk-Based
                                         Earnings    Equity      Equity    Capital    Capital     Capital
                                            (%)        (%)         (%)       (%)        (%)         (%)
                                            ---        ---         ---       ---        ---         ---
SUBJECT                                   
               HEMLOCK FEDERAL            
                  BANK FOR SAVINGS         7.38       7.73        7.38      7.38       7.38        20.80
                                                                                                
COMPARABLE GROUP                                                                                
<S>                                        <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>  
    CBIN   Community Bank Shares           5.83      10.85       10.83     10.83       9.79        20.41
    FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.   5.12       7.73        7.73      7.21       7.21        15.21
    GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.         4.58       9.28        9.12      8.10         NA           NA
    HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.    5.26      16.71       16.71        NA         NA           NA
    HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.    5.93      10.73       10.73      7.80       7.80        17.08
    KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.          6.64      10.02        9.39      8.10       8.10        15.25
    MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.        6.27       9.38        9.36      7.94       7.94        22.09
    MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.        3.57       6.58        6.58      6.09       6.09        16.17
    OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.            6.47      11.56       11.56      9.55       9.55        20.47
    SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.       5.00       6.50        6.46      5.85       5.84        13.90
                                                                                                
           Average                         5.47       9.93        9.85      7.94       7.79        17.57
           Median                          5.54       9.70        9.38      7.94       7.87        16.63
           High                            6.64      16.71       16.71     10.83       9.79        22.09
           Low                             3.57       6.50        6.46      5.85       5.84        13.90

ALL THRIFTS  (332)                        
           Average                         6.22      12.94       12.62     10.69      10.45        23.82
                                                                                         
MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)                                                                   
           Average                         6.92      14.43       13.99     11.51      11.43        25.70
                                                                                         
ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)                                                                   
           Average                         7.20      14.30       14.18     11.29      10.28        22.55

</TABLE>
                                       143

<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426


                                   EXHIBIT 45


                          INCOME AND EXPENSE COMPARISON
                             TRAILING FOUR QUARTERS
                                     ($000)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                              Net                 Gain     Total     Goodwill     Net        Total
                                        Interest  Interest  Interest  Provision  (Loss)    Non-Int.  & Intang.  Real Est.   Non-Int.
                                         Income    Expense   Income    for Loss  on Sale   Income      Amtz.     Expense    Expense
                                         ------    -------   ------    --------  -------   ------      -----     -------    -------
<S>       <C>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>
SUBJECT
          HEMLOCK FEDERAL
             BANK FOR SAVINGS            10,242    5,657    4,586        87       (79)      461         0          0         3,559

COMPARABLE GROUP
   CBIN   Community Bank Shares          15,686    9,221    6,465        45        84     1,383         1         (1)        4,561
   FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.   6,039    3,493    2,546       125        91       418         0          0         2,442
   GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.        20,203   12,004    8,199        63        44       628       217         (6)        6,146
   HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.    5,054    2,872    2,182         3         0        43         0          0         1,417
   HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.    5,562    3,173    2,389       417       109       326         0         66         1,946
   KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.         25,542   15,094   10,448        77       757     1,304       200        (31)        8,699
   MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.        8,025    4,916    3,109        33         0       920         1        (29)        2,415
   MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.       10,110    6,206    3,904        48         0       221         0         (8)        2,565
   OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.           15,889    9,137    6,752         3        42       278         0          0         4,340
   SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.      25,643   15,348   10,295       165       360     2,827        50          0        10,261

          Average                        13,775    8,146    5,629        98       149       835        47         (1)        4,479
          Median                         12,898    7,672    5,185        56        64       523         1         (1)        3,453
          High                           25,643   15,348   10,448       417       757     2,827       217         66        10,261
          Low                             5,054    2,872    2,182         3         0        43         0        (31)        1,417

ALL THRIFTS  (332)
          Average                       101,902   62,463   39,439     3,004     1,018     7,035       696        580        27,418

MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)
          Average                        59,761   35,780   23,981       679       525     4,894       373       (106)       16,575

ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)
          Average                        47,498   28,016   19,482       507       560     3,445        87       (389)       14,225

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Net                Net Inc.
                                              Non-       Income               Before
                                            Recurring    Before    Income    Extraord.   Extraord.    Net         Core
                                             Expense     Taxes     Taxes      Items       Items      Income      Income
                                             -------     -----     -----      -----       -----      ------      ------
<S>       <C>                               <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
SUBJECT
          HEMLOCK FEDERAL
             BANK FOR SAVINGS                1,898       (500)     (215)      (285)        0          (285)        856

COMPARABLE GROUP
   CBIN   Community Bank Shares              1,123      2,203       894      1,309         0         1,309       1,985
   FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.        417         71       (30)       101         0           101         313
   GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.            1,504      1,158       456        702         0           702       1,651
   HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.           0        805       270        535         0           535         535
   HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.         331        130        34         96         0            96         241
   KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.             1,700      2,033       545      1,488         0         1,488       2,101
   MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.               0      1,582       534      1,048         0         1,048       1,048
   MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.             675      1,389       487        902         0           902         983
   OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.                 927      1,802       627      1,175         0         1,175       1,750
   SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.          1,790      1,266       435        831         0           831       1,761

          Average                              847      1,244       425        819         0           819       1,237
          Median                               801      1,328       472        867         0           867       1,350
          High                               1,790      2,203       894      1,488         0         1,488       2,101
          Low                                    0         71       (30)        96         0            96         241

ALL THRIFTS  (332)
          Average                            6,546     10,626     3,004      7,622      (161)        7,461      11,146

MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)
          Average                            4,558      7,616     2,643      4,973      (321)        4,652       7,577

ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)
          Average                            3,220      5,566     1,916      3,650       (21)        3,629       5,359


</TABLE>


                                      144

<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 46


                          INCOME AND EXPENSE COMPARISON
                        AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE ASSETS
                             TRAILING FOUR QUARTERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              Net                 Gain     Total     Goodwill     Net        Total
                                        Interest  Interest  Interest  Provision  (Loss)    Non-Int.  & Intang.  Real Est.   Non-Int.
                                         Income    Expense   Income    for Loss  on Sale   Income      Amtz.     Expense    Expense
                                           (%)        (%)      (%)       (%)        (%)     (%)         (%)         (%)       (%)
                                         ------    -------   ------    --------  -------   ------      -----     -------    -------
<S>       <C>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>
SUBJECT                                 
          HEMLOCK FEDERAL               
             BANK FOR SAVINGS             6.97      3.85      3.12       0.06     (0.05)     0.31      0.00        0.00     2.42
                                        
COMPARABLE GROUP                                                                                     
   CBIN   Community Bank Shares           7.07      4.16      2.91       0.02      0.04      0.62      0.00       (0.00)    2.06
   FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.   7.04      4.07      2.97       0.15      0.11      0.49      0.00        0.00     2.85
   GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.         7.29      4.33      2.96       0.02      0.02      0.23      0.08       (0.00)    2.22
   HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.    7.07      4.02      3.05       0.00      0.00      0.06      0.00        0.00     1.98
   HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.    7.61      4.34      3.27       0.57      0.15      0.45      0.00        0.09     2.66
   KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.          7.23      4.27      2.96       0.02      0.21      0.37      0.06       (0.01)    2.46
   MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.        7.15      4.38      2.77       0.03      0.00      0.82      0.00       (0.03)    2.15
   MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.        7.37      4.52      2.85       0.03      0.00      0.16      0.00       (0.01)    1.87
   OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.            7.68      4.42      3.26       0.00      0.02      0.13      0.00        0.00     2.10
   SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.       6.98      4.18      2.80       0.04      0.10      0.77      0.01        0.00     2.79
                                        
          Average                         7.25      4.27      2.98       0.09      0.06      0.41      0.01        0.00     2.31
          Median                          7.19      4.30      2.96       0.03      0.03      0.41      0.00       (0.00)    2.19
          High                            7.68      4.52      3.27       0.57      0.21      0.82      0.08        0.09     2.85
          Low                             6.98      4.02      2.77       0.00      0.00      0.06      0.00       (0.03)    1.87
                                                                                                     
ALL THRIFTS  (332)                                                                                   
          Average                         7.41      4.16      3.25       0.13      0.10      0.44      0.03        0.00     2.32
                                                                                                     
MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)                                                                               
          Average                         7.42      4.18      3.24       0.09      0.11      0.41      0.02       (0.01)    2.31
                                                                                                     
ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)                                                                               
          Average                         7.24      4.03      3.20       0.09      0.09      0.40      0.01       (0.04)    2.30
                                                                                                   

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Net                Net Inc.
                                              Non-       Income               Before
                                            Recurring    Before    Income    Extraord.   Extraord.    Net         Core
                                             Expense     Taxes     Taxes      Items       Items      Income      Income
                                               (%)         (%)      (%)         (%)        (%)         (%)        (%)
                                             -------     -----     -----      -----       -----      ------      ------
<S>       <C>                               <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
SUBJECT
          HEMLOCK FEDERAL
             BANK FOR SAVINGS                 1.29      (0.34)    (0.15)      (0.19)       0.00      (0.19)       0.58
                                                                                             
COMPARABLE GROUP                                                                             
   CBIN   Community Bank Shares                                                              
   FFBI   First Financial Bancorp, Inc.       0.51       0.99      0.40        0.59        0.00       0.59        0.89
   GFCO   Glenway Financial Corp.             0.49       0.08     (0.03)       0.12        0.00       0.12        0.36
   HHFC   Harvest Home Financial Corp.        0.54       0.42      0.16        0.25        0.00       0.25        0.60
   HZFS   Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.        0.00       1.13      0.38        0.75        0.00       0.75        0.75
   KNK    Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.              0.45       0.18      0.05        0.13        0.00       0.13        0.33
   MIFC   Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.            0.48       0.58      0.15        0.42        0.00       0.42        0.59
   MWBI   Midwest Bancshares, Inc.            0.00       1.41      0.48        0.93        0.00       0.93        0.93
   OHSL   OHSL Financial Corp.                0.49       1.01      0.36        0.66        0.00       0.66        0.72
   SFSB   SuburbFed Financial Corp.           0.45       0.87      0.30        0.57        0.00       0.57        0.85
                                              0.49       0.34      0.12        0.23        0.00       0.23        0.48

          Average                             0.39       0.70      0.24        0.46        0.00       0.46        0.65
          Median                              0.48       0.72      0.23        0.49        0.00       0.49        0.66
          High                                0.54       1.41      0.48        0.93        0.00       0.93        0.93
          Low                                 0.00       0.08     (0.03)       0.12        0.00       0.12        0.33

ALL THRIFTS  (332)                          
          Average                                                                            
                                              0.45       0.90      0.33        0.57       (0.00)      0.57        0.79
MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)                      
          Average                                                                            
                                              0.45       0.91      0.36        0.56       (0.00)      0.55        0.77
ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)                      
          Average                             0.43       0.89      0.30        0.59       (0.00)      0.58        0.80

</TABLE>


                                      145

<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 47


                        YIELDS, COSTS AND EARNINGS RATIOS
                             TRAILING FOUR QUARTERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         Yield on      Cost of       Net        Net
                                       Int. Earning  Int. Bearing  Interest   Interest                  Core                    Core
                                          Assets     Liabilities   Spread      Margin *     ROAA        ROAA        ROAE        ROAE
                                           (%)           (%)         (%)         (%)         (%)         (%)         (%)         (%)
                                           ---           ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
<S>        <C>                            <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
SUBJECT
           HEMLOCK FEDERAL
              BANK FOR SAVINGS               7.07        4.31       2.76        3.17       (0.19)       0.58       (2.49)       7.52

COMPARABLE GROUP
   CBIN    Community Bank Shares             7.32        4.77       2.55        3.02        0.59        0.89        5.03        7.63
   FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc.     7.27        4.66       2.61        3.06        0.12        0.36        1.28        3.97
   GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.           7.56        4.90       2.66        3.07        0.25        0.60        2.66        6.26
   HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corp.      7.23        4.95       2.28        3.12        0.75        0.75        4.14        4.14
   HZFS    Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.      7.95        4.97       2.98        3.42        0.13        0.33        1.13        2.83
   KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.            7.52        4.80       2.72        3.07        0.42        0.59        4.16        5.87
   MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.          7.30        4.90       2.40        2.83        0.93        0.93       10.00       10.00
   MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.          7.60        4.94       2.66        2.94        0.66        0.72        9.51       10.36
   OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.              7.84        5.14       2.70        3.33        0.57        0.85        4.60        6.85
   SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.         7.18        4.65       2.53        2.88        0.23        0.48        3.21        6.81

           Average                           7.48        4.87       2.61        3.07        0.47        0.65        4.57        6.47
           Median                            7.42        4.90       2.64        3.07        0.50        0.66        4.15        6.54
           High                              7.95        5.14       2.98        3.42        0.93        0.93       10.00       10.36
           Low                               7.18        4.65       2.28        2.83        0.12        0.33        1.13        2.83

ALL THRIFTS  (332)
           Average                           7.71        4.89       2.82        3.39        0.57        0.79        5.26        7.28

MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)
           Average                           7.70        4.97       2.72        3.36        0.55        0.77        5.12        6.87

ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)
           Average                           7.51        4.82       2.69        3.33        0.59        0.80        4.29        6.25

<FN>
- -----------
*    Based on average interest-earning assets.

</FN>
</TABLE>

                                      146

<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 48


                    DIVIDENDS, RESERVES AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       DIVIDENDS                 RESERVES AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA - MOST RECENT PERIOD
                                         -------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------
                                                   12 Month           12 Month                             Net
                                         12 Month   Common   Current  Dividend    Reserves/ Reserves/  Chargeoffs/   Provisions/
                                         Preferred   Div./  Dividend   Payout       Gross   Non-Perf.    Average         Net    
                                         Dividends   Share    Yield    Ratio        Loans    Assets       Loans      Chargeoffs 
                                          ($000)      ($)      (%)      (%)          (%)       (%)         (%)           (%)    
                                            ---       ---      ---      ---          ---       ---         ---           ---    
<S>        <C>                            <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>      <C>         <C>           <C>      
SUBJECT                                
           HEMLOCK FEDERAL             
              BANK FOR SAVINGS               NA        NA       NA       NA          1.24    870.13        0.01       1,740.00
                                       
                                       
COMPARABLE GROUP                       
   CBIN    Community Bank Shares              0      0.33     2.72    50.00          0.46    117.84        0.00             NM
   FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc.      0      0.00     0.00     0.00          0.61    106.97        0.02             NM
   GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.            0      0.66     3.42    99.63          0.27     52.03        0.06          54.55
   HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corp.       0      3.40     4.05    63.49          0.26     75.00        0.00             NM
   HZFS    Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.       0      0.32     2.14   145.45          0.76     45.26        0.21         365.38
   KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.             0      0.40     1.62    40.82          0.99     74.47        0.08          51.11
   MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.           0      0.08     1.26    13.33          0.44    513.21       -0.01             NM
   MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.           0      0.54     2.22    23.28          0.82    103.85        0.00             NM
   OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.               0      0.76     3.73    79.57          0.33    107.97        0.01        -100.00
   SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.          0      0.32     1.57    50.79          0.42     84.20       -0.11             NM
                                       
           Average                            0      0.68     2.27    56.64          0.54    128.08        0.03          92.76
           Median                             0      0.37     2.18    50.40          0.45     94.03        0.01          52.83
           High                               0      3.40     4.05   145.45          0.99    513.21        0.21         365.38
           Low                                0      0.00     0.00     0.00          0.26     45.26       -0.11        -100.00
                                       
ALL THRIFTS  (332)                     
           Average                          324      0.38     1.35    43.19          0.63     92.70        0.10         113.68
                                       
MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)                 
           Average                           46      0.54     1.86    75.69          0.68    150.96        0.06         228.83
                                       
ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)                 
           Average                            0      0.22     1.22    50.11          0.61    122.23        0.08         144.34

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         RESERVES AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA-
                                              MOST RECENT PERIOD
                                        ---------------------------------
                                         1 Year                  Total
                                        Repricing   Effective    Assets/
                                            Gap     Tax Rate    Employee
                                            (%)        (%)       ($000)
                                        ---------   ---------    -------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>          <C>
SUBJECT                                                                       
           HEMLOCK FEDERAL                                                    
              BANK FOR SAVINGS               NA       42.97       3,340       

COMPARABLE GROUP
   CBIN    Community Bank Shares             NA          NM       2,861       
   FFBI    First Financial Bancorp, Inc   -9.43          NM       2,776       
   GFCO    Glenway Financial Corp.           NA          NM          NA       
   HHFC    Harvest Home Financial Corp.      NA       32.85       4,494       
   HZFS    Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.      NA          NM          NA       
   KNK     Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.          7.36          NM       3,208       
   MIFC    Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.       (3.02)      34.73       3,202       
   MWBI    Midwest Bancshares, Inc.       -4.61          NM       3,624       
   OHSL    OHSL Financial Corp.              NA          NM       3,510       
   SFSB    SuburbFed Financial Corp.         NA          NM       2,589       

           Average                        -2.43       33.79       3,283      
           Median                         -3.82       33.79       3,205      
           High                            7.36       34.73       4,494       
           Low                            (9.43)      32.85       2,589       
                                                                         
ALL THRIFTS  (332)                                                       
           Average                        (2.28)      14.69       4,124       
                                                                         
MIDWEST THRIFTS  (154)                                                   
           Average                        (5.31)      25.41       3,987       
                                                                         
ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)                                                   
           Average                        (6.12)      -4.08       3,819       

</TABLE>


                                      147


<PAGE>


KELLER & COMPANY                          
Columbus, Ohio                            
614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 49


                       VALUATION ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS

        Hemlock Federal Financial Corp./Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
                       Stock Prices as of December 6, 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Valuation assumptions:                                                    Comparable Group                       All Thrifts
                                      Symbol             Value         Average        Median        Average         Median
                                      ------             -----         -------        ------        -------         ------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>            <C>
Post conv. price to earnings            P/E                  NM          30.70          23.59         27.25          20.49
Post conv. price to book value          P/B               63.81%         93.54%         98.18%       118.20%        108.70%
Post conv. price to assets              P/A                9.68%          9.09%          9.02%        14.29%         12.29%
Post conv. price to core earnings       P/E               14.45          15.93          15.10         17.68          15.38
Pre conversion net earnings ($)                    $   (285,000)      For the twelve months ended September 30, 1996.
Pre conversion book value ($)            B         $ 11,361,000       At September 30, 1996.
Pre conversion assets ($)                A         $146,983,000       At September 30, 1996.
Pre conversion core earnings ($)         Y         $    856,000       For the twelve months ended September 30, 1996.
Conversion expense ($)                   X         $    573,056
Proceeds not reinvested ($)              Z         $  1,256,000
ESOP borrowings ($)                      E         $  1,256,000
ESOP cost of borrowings, net (%)         S                 5.83%
ESOP term of borrowings (yrs.)           T                   10
RRP amount ($)                           M         $    628,000
RRP expense ($)                          N         $    125,600
Tax rate (%)                            TAX               38.75%
Investment rate of return, net (%)       R                 3.30%
Investment rate of return, pretax (%)                      5.39%

</TABLE>


Formulae to indicate value after conversion:

1. P/E method: Value = P/E(Y-R(X+Z)-ES-(1-TAX)E/T-(1-TAX)N))   =    $15,705,384
                       -------------------------------------
                                      1-(P/E)R

2. P/B method: Value = P/B(B-X-E-M)                            =    $15,702,027
                       ------------
                           1-P/B

3.P/A method:  Value = P/A(A-X)                                =    $15,698,882
                      --------
                        1-P/A

VALUATION CORRELATION AND CONCLUSIONS:


                                Number of           Price           TOTAL
                                 Shares           Per Share         VALUE
                              -------------     --------------    ---------

Appraised value - midrange     1,570,000           $10.00         $15,700,000

Minimum - 85% of midrange      1,334,500           $10.00         $13,345,000
Maximum - 115% of midrange     1,805,500           $10.00         $18,055,000
Superrange - 115% of maximum   2,076,325           $10.00         $20,763,250


                                      148

<PAGE>




KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426


                                   EXHIBIT 50


              COMPARABLE GROUP MARKET, PRICING AND FINANCIAL RATIOS
                       Stock Prices as of December 6, 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Market Data                            Pricing Ratios              
                                          -------------------------------  -----------------------------------------  
                                                                  Book              Price/          Price/    Price/  
                                          Market  Price/  12 Mo. Value/    Price/    Book   Price/   Tang.     Core   
                                           Value   Share   EPS    Share   Earnings  Value   Assets  Bk. Val. Earnings 
                                            ($M)     ($)    ($)     ($)     (X)      (%)      (%)    (%)       (%)    
                                            ----     ---    ---     ---     ---      ---      ---    ---       ---    
<S>       <C>                              <C>      <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>
HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR
SAVINGS
         Appraised value - midpoint         15.70   10.00   -0.03  15.67        NM   63.81    9.68   63.81   14.45    
         Minimum of range                   13.35   10.00   -0.07  16.91        NM   59.14    8.35   59.14   12.70    
         Maximum of range                   18.06   10.00   -0.01  14.76        NM   67.76   10.98   67.76   16.07    
         Superrange maximum                 20.76   10.00    0.01  13.96        NM   71.62   12.43   71.62   17.82    

ALL THRIFTS  (332)
         Average                           143.91   18.66    0.88  16.07     27.25  118.20   14.29  122.65   17.68    
         Median                             39.40   16.75    0.84  15.37     20.49  108.70   12.29  112.02   15.38    

ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)
         Average                            81.37   18.22    0.80  18.10     35.33  102.07   13.91  104.11   20.46    
         Median                             48.72   16.88    0.73  16.60     28.42   99.04   13.05   99.45   17.06    

COMPARABLE GROUP  (10)
         Average                            17.59   17.19    0.78  18.26     30.70   93.54    9.09   94.55   15.93    
         Median                             16.73   17.88    0.64  19.32     23.59   98.18    9.02   98.29   15.10    

COMPARABLE GROUP
   CBIN  Community Bank Shares              24.80   12.50    0.66  12.84     18.94   97.35   10.57   97.58   12.63    
   FFBI  First Financial Bancorp, Inc.       7.18   15.88    0.22  16.60     72.16   95.63    7.39   95.63   22.36    
   GFCO  Glenway Financial Corp.            22.88   19.88    0.65  22.88     30.58   86.87    8.07   88.65   13.43    
   HHFC  Harvest Home Financial Corp.        9.23    9.88    0.63  13.66     15.67   72.29   12.08   72.29   15.67    
   HZFS  Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.        6.36   14.94    0.22  18.37     67.90   81.32    8.73   81.32   26.68    
   KNK   Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.             35.02   24.75    0.98  24.99     25.26   99.04    9.92  106.41   17.31    
   MIFC  Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.           10.57    6.38    0.60   6.42     10.63   99.30    9.31   99.45   10.63    
   MWBI  Midwest Bancshares, Inc.            9.43   27.00    2.32  25.95     11.64  104.05    6.85  104.05   10.38    
   OHSL  OHSL Financial Corp.               24.92   20.38    0.93  20.58     21.91   99.00   11.45   99.00   14.76    
   SFSB  SuburbFed Financial Corp.          25.52   20.38    0.63  20.27     32.34  100.52    6.53  101.07   15.44    

</TABLE>
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Dividends                Financial Ratios
                                                 ---------------------------     ----------------------
                                                 Div./    Dividend    Payout     Equity/
                                                 Share     Yield      Ratio      Assets    ROAA    ROAE
                                                  ($)       (%)        (%)        (%)       (%)     (%)
                                                 -----    --------   -------     -------   -----  -----
<S>      <C>                                    <C>      <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>    <C>
HEMLOCK FEDERAL BANK FOR
SAVINGS
         Appraised value - midpoint               0.00      0.00      0.00       15.18    -0.03   -0.22
         Minimum of range                         0.00      0.00      0.00       14.12    -0.06   -0.40
         Maximum of range                         0.00      0.00      0.00       16.20    -0.01   -0.07
         Superrange maximum                       0.00      0.00      0.00       17.35     0.01    0.08

ALL THRIFTS  (332)
         Average                                  0.50      1.81     62.33       12.94     0.57    5.26
         Median                                   0.32      1.89     34.94       10.25     0.65    5.03

ILLINOIS THRIFTS  (27)
         Average                                  0.22      1.22     50.11       14.30     0.59    4.29
         Median                                   0.24      1.51     37.08       11.25     0.46    3.69

COMPARABLE GROUP  (10)
         Average                                  0.68      2.27     56.64        9.93     0.47    4.57
         Median                                   0.37      2.18     50.40        9.70     0.50    4.15

COMPARABLE GROUP
   CBIN  Community Bank Shares                    0.33      2.72     50.00       10.85     0.59    5.03
   FFBI  First Financial Bancorp, Inc.            0.00      0.00      0.00        7.73     0.12    1.28
   GFCO  Glenway Financial Corp.                  0.66      3.42     99.63        9.28     0.25    2.66
   HHFC  Harvest Home Financial Corp.             3.40      4.05     63.49       16.71     0.75    4.14
   HZFS  Horizon Financial Svcs Corp.             0.32      2.14    145.45       10.73     0.13    1.13
   KNK   Kankakee Bancorp, Inc.                   0.40      1.62     40.82       10.02     0.42    4.16
   MIFC  Mid-Iowa Financial Corp.                 0.08      1.26     13.33        9.38     0.93   10.00
   MWBI  Midwest Bancshares, Inc.                 0.54      2.22     23.28        6.58     0.66    9.51
   OHSL  OHSL Financial Corp.                     0.76      3.73     79.57       11.56     0.57    4.60
   SFSB  SuburbFed Financial Corp.                0.32      1.57     50.79        6.50     0.23    3.21

</TABLE>


                                      149


<PAGE>




       KELLER & COMPANY
       Columbus, Ohio
       614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 51


                     PROJECTED EFFECT OF CONVERSION PROCEEDS
        Hemlock Federal Financial Corp./Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
                          At the MIDPOINT of the Range


  1.  Gross Conversion Proceeds

      Midpoint market value                             $15,700,000
         Less:  Estimated conversion expenses               573,056

      Net conversion proceeds                           $15,126,945


  2.  Generation of Additional Income

      Net conversion proceeds                           $15,126,945
              Less:  Proceeds not invested  (1)           1,256,000
      Total conversion proceeds invested                $13,870,945

      Investment rate of return                                3.30%

      Earnings increase - return on  proceeds invested  $   457,932
              Less:  Estimated cost of ESOP borrowings       73,225
              Less:  Amortization of ESOP borrowings,
                       net of taxes                          76,930
              Less:  RRP expense, net of taxes               76,930

      Net earnings increase                             $   230,847

  3.  Comparative Earnings
                                                           Regular       Core
                                                        ------------   ---------

      Before conversion - 12 months ended 09/30/96      $  -285,000     856,000
      Net earnings increase                                 230,847     230,847
      After conversion                                  $   -54,153   1,086,847

  4.  Comparative Net Worth  (2)

      Before conversion - 09/30/96       $11,361,000
      Conversion proceeds                 13,242,945
      After conversion                   $24,603,945


  5.  Comparative Net Assets

      Before conversion - 09/30/96        $146,983,000
      Conversion proceeds                   15,126,945
      After conversion                    $162,109,945

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


      (1)  Represents ESOP borrowings.
      (2)  ESOP borrowings and RRP are omitted from net worth.

                                      150


<PAGE>



       KELLER & COMPANY
       Columbus, Ohio
       614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 52


                     PROJECTED EFFECT OF CONVERSION PROCEEDS
        Hemlock Federal Financial Corp./Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
                           At the MINIMUM of the Range


   1.  Gross Conversion Proceeds

       Minimum market value                             $13,345,000
               Less:  Estimated conversion expenses         540,545

       Net conversion proceeds                          $12,804,455

   2.  Generation of Additional Income

       Net conversion proceeds                          $12,804,455
               Less:  Proceeds not invested  (1)          1,067,600
       Total conversion proceeds invested               $11,736,855

       Investment rate                                         3.30%

       Earnings increase - return on  proceeds invested   $ 387,478
               Less:  Estimated cost of ESOP borrowings      62,241
               Less:  Amortization of ESOP borrowings,
                        net of taxes                        65,391
               Less:  RRP expense, net of taxes             65,391

       Net earnings increase                            $  194,456

   3.  Comparative Earnings
                                                           Regular       Core
                                                         ----------   ----------

       Before conversion - 12 months ended 09/30/96       $-285,000     856,000
       Net earnings increase                                194,456     194,456
       After conversion                                   $ -90,544   1,050,456


   4.  Comparative Net Worth  (2)

       Before conversion - 09/30/96            $11,361,000
       Conversion proceeds                      11,203,055
       After conversion                        $22,564,055


   5.  Comparative Net Assets

       Before conversion - 09/30/96            $146,983,000
       Conversion proceeds                       12,804,455
       After conversion                        $159,787,455

- ------------
   (1)  Represents ESOP borrowings.
   (2)  ESOP borrowings and RRP are omitted from net worth.


                                      151
<PAGE>




   KELLER & COMPANY
   Columbus, Ohio
   614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 53


                     PROJECTED EFFECT OF CONVERSION PROCEEDS
        Hemlock Federal Financial Corp./Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
                           At the MAXIMUM of the Range


   1.  Gross Conversion Proceeds

       Maximum market value                            $18,055,000
               Less:  Estimated conversion expenses        605,472

       Net conversion proceeds                         $17,449,528


   2.  Generation of Additional Income

       Net conversion proceeds                          $17,449,528
               Less:  Proceeds not invested  (1)          1,444,400
       Total conversion proceeds invested               $16,005,128

       Investment rate                                         3.30%

       Earnings increase - return on  proceeds invested    $528,389
               Less:  Estimated cost of ESOP borrowings      84,209
               Less:  Amortization of ESOP borrowings,
                        net of taxes                        88,470
               Less:  RRP expense, net of taxes             88,470

       Net earnings increase                              $267,242


   3.  Comparative Earnings
                                                          Regular        Core
                                                        ----------    ----------

       Before conversion - 12 months ended 09/30/96      $-285,000       856,000
       Net earnings increase                               267,242       267,242
       After conversion                                  $ -17,758     1,123,242

   4.  Comparative Net Worth  (2)

       Before conversion - 09/30/96       $11,361,000
       Conversion proceeds                 15,282,928
       After conversion                   $26,643,928


   5.  Comparative Net Assets

       Before conversion - 09/30/96       $146,983,000
       Conversion proceeds                  17,449,528
       After conversion                   $164,432,528

- -------------
       (1)  Represents ESOP borrowings.
       (2)  ESOP borrowings and RRP are omitted from net worth.


                                      152


<PAGE>



   KELLER & COMPANY
   Columbus, Ohio
   614-766-1426

                                   EXHIBIT 54


                     PROJECTED EFFECT OF CONVERSION PROCEEDS
        Hemlock Federal Financial Corp./Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings
                            At the SUPERRANGE Maximum


   1.  Gross Conversion Proceeds

       Superrange market value                           $20,763,250
               Less:  Estimated conversion expenses          642,846

       Net conversion proceeds                           $20,120,404


   2.  Generation of Additional Income

       Net conversion proceeds                           $20,120,404
               Less:  Proceeds not invested  (1)           1,661,060
       Total conversion proceeds invested                $18,459,344

       Investment rate                                         3.30%

       Earnings increase - return on  proceeds invested  $   609,412
               Less:  Estimated cost of ESOP borrowings       96,840
               Less:  Amortization of ESOP borrowings,
                         net of taxes                        101,740
               Less:  RRP expense, net of taxes              101,740

       Net earnings increase                             $   309,093


   3.  Comparative Earnings
                                                            Regular      Core
                                                          ----------   ---------

       Before conversion - 12 months ended 09/30/96      $  -285,000     856,000
       Net earnings increase                                 309,093     309,093
       After conversion                                  $    24,093   1,165,093

   4.  Comparative Net Worth  (2)

       Before conversion - 09/30/96         $ 11,361,000
       Conversion proceeds                    17,628,814
       After conversion                     $ 28,989,814


   5.  Comparative Net Assets

       Before conversion - 09/30/96         $146,983,000
       Conversion proceeds                    20,120,404
       After conversion                     $167,103,404

- --------------
       (1)  Represents ESOP borrowings.
       (2)  ESOP borrowings and RRP are omitted from net worth.


                                      153


<PAGE>



KELLER & COMPANY
Columbus, Ohio
614-766-1426


                                   EXHIBIT 55


                    SUMMARY OF VALUATION PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT

                                                     Premium or (discount)
                                                     from comparable group
                                                     ---------------------
                               Hemlock Federal       Average        Median
                               ---------------       -------        ------

  Midpoint:
     Price/earnings                 NM                   NM            NM
     Price/book value            63.81%*             (31.78)%      (35.00)%
     Price/assets                 9.68%                 6.54%         7.36%
     Price/tangible book value   63.81%              (32.51)%      (35.08)%
     Price/core earnings         14.45x               (9.30)%       (4.32)%


  Minimum of range:
     Price/earnings                 NM                   NM            NM
     Price/book value            59.14%*             (36.77)%      (39.76)%
     Price/assets                 8.35%               (8.12)%       (7.41)%
     Price/tangible book value   59.14%              (37.44)%      (39.83)%
     Price/core earnings         12.70x              (20.25)%      (15.87)%


  Maximum of range:
     Price/earnings                 NM                   NM            NM
     Price/book value            67.76%*             (27.55)%      (30.98)%
     Price/assets                10.98%                20.79%        21.73%
     Price/tangible book value   67.76%              (28.33)%      (31.06)%
     Price/core earnings         16.07x                 0.91%         6.45%


  Super maximum of range:
     Price/earnings                 NM                   NM            NM
     Price/book value            71.62%*             (23.43)%      (27.05)%
     Price/assets                12.43%                36.69%        37.75%
     Price/tangible book value   71.62%              (24.24)%      (27.13)%
     Price/core earnings         17.82x                11.88%        18.02%

- ------------
   *   Represents pricing ratio associated with primary valuation method.



                                      154


                                                                    Exhibit 99.5

FACTS ABOUT CONVERSION


The Board of Directors of Hemlock Federal Bank for Savings  ("Hemlock  Federal")
unanimously  adopted  a Plan  of  Conversion  (the  "Plan")  to  convert  from a
federally  chartered mutual savings bank to a federally  chartered stock savings
bank.

This brochure answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the Plan
and about your opportunity to invest in Hemlock Federal  Financial  Corporation,
(the "Holding Company"), the newly formed corporation that will serve as holding
company for Hemlock Federal following the conversion.

   
Investment  in the  stock of  Hemlock  Federal  Financial  Corporation  involves
certain risks.  For a discussion of these risks,  other factors,  and a complete
description  of the  offerings  investors  are  urged to read  the  accompanying
Prospectus, especially the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors".
    

WHY IS THE BANK CONVERTING TO STOCK FORM?
- -----------------------------------------

The  stock  form of  ownership  is used by  most  business  corporations  and an
increasing number of savings  institutions.  Through the sale of stock,  Hemlock
Federal will raise additional capital enabling it to:

o    support and expand its current financial and
     other services.

o    allow customers and friends to purchase stock
     and share in the Holding Company's and
     Hemlock Federal's future.

WILL THE PLAN AFFECT ANY OF MY DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS OR LOANS?
- ---------------------------------------------------------

No. The Plan will have no effect on the balance or terms of any savings  account
or loan, and your deposits will continue to be federally  insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance  Corporation ("FDIC") to the maximum legal limit. Your savings
account is not being converted to stock.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE STOCK IN THE SUBSCRIPTION OFFERING?
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

Certain  past and present  depositors  and  borrowers  of Hemlock  Federal,  and
Hemlock Federal's Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

HOW MANY SHARES OF STOCK ARE BEING OFFERED AND AT WHAT PRICE?
- -------------------------------------------------------------

Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation is offering up to XXX,000 shares of common
stock,  subject to  adjustment  as  described in the  Prospectus,  at a price of
$10.00 per share through the Prospectus.

HOW MUCH STOCK MAY I BUY?
- -------------------------

The minimum order is 25 shares.  No person may purchase more than $__________ of
common stock and no person,  together with  associates of and persons  acting in
concert with such person, may purchase more than $_________of common stock.

DO MEMBERS HAVE TO BUY STOCK?
- -----------------------------

No. However,  the Plan will allow Hemlock Federal's  depositors and borrowers an
opportunity to buy stock and become charter  shareholders of the holding company
for the local financial institution with which they do business.

<PAGE>

HOW DO I ORDER STOCK?
- ---------------------

You must complete the enclosed Stock Order
Form and the Certification Form.  Instructions

for  completing  your Stock Order Form and  Certification  Form are contained in
this packet. Your order must be received by Noon, Oak Forest, Illinois, Time, on
March __, 1997.

HOW MAY I PAY FOR MY SHARES OF STOCK?
- -------------------------------------

First,  you may pay for stock by check,  cash or money order.  Interest  will be
paid by Hemlock Federal on these funds at the current passbook rate from the day
the funds are received until the completion or termination of the Plan.  Second,
you may authorize us to withdraw funds from your Hemlock Federal savings account
or certificate  of deposit for the amount of funds you specify for payment.  You
will not have  access to these  funds from the day we receive  your order  until
completion or termination of the Plan.

CAN I PURCHASE SHARES USING FUNDS IN MY BANK IRA ACCOUNT?
- ---------------------------------------------------------

Federal regulations do not permit the purchase of
conversion stock from your existing Bank IRA
account.  Please call our Conversion Information
Center for additional information.

WILL THE STOCK BE INSURED?
- --------------------------

No.  Like any other common stock, the Holding
Company's stock will not be insured.


WILL DIVIDENDS BE PAID ON THE STOCK?
- ------------------------------------

The Board of Directors of the Holding  Company intends to pay a cash dividend in
the future, subject to regulatory limits and requirements.  No decision has been
made as to the amount or timing of such dividends, if any.

HOW WILL THE STOCK BE TRADED?
- -----------------------------

The Company's  stock will trade on the Nasdaq  National  Market under the symbol
"XXXX". However, no assurance can be given that an active and liquid market will
develop.

ARE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE BANK PLANNING TO PURCHASE STOCK?
- ------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes!  Hemlock Federal's officers and directors
plan to purchase, in the aggregate, $______worth
of stock or approximately X.X% of the stock
offered at the midpoint of the offering range.

MUST I PAY A COMMISSION?
- ------------------------

No.  You will not be charged a commission or fee
on the purchase of shares in the Plan.

SHOULD I VOTE?
- --------------

Yes.  Your "YES" vote is very important!

PLEASE VOTE, SIGN AND RETURN ALL
PROXY CARDS!

WHY DID I GET SEVERAL PROXY CARDS?
- ----------------------------------

If you have more than one account,  you could  receive more than one proxy card,
depending on the ownership structure of your accounts.

HOW MANY VOTES DO I HAVE?
- -------------------------

Your  proxy  card(s)  show(s)  the  number of votes you  have.  Every  depositor
entitled  to vote may cast one vote for  each  $100,  or  fraction  thereof,  on
deposit as of the voting record date.

<PAGE>

MAY I VOTE IN PERSON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING?
- --------------------------------------------

Yes,  but we would  still  like you to sign and mail your  proxy  today.  If you
decide  to revoke  your  proxy  you may do so by  giving  notice at the  special
meeting.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU
MAY CALL OUR STOCK INFORMATION
CENTER BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 5:00
P.M. MONDAY, TUESDAY, OR
THURSDAY, FRIDAY BETWEEN 9:00 A.M.
AND 7:00 P.M. OR SATURDAY BETWEEN
9:00 AM AND 1:00 PM.


                  CONVERSION INFORMATION CENTER (708) XXX-XXXX

                      Hemlock Federal Financial Corporation
                             5700 West 159th Street
                              Oak Forest, Illinois
                              Phone (708) 687-9400
                               Fax (708) 687-9490


                                 --------------
                                 STOCK OFFERING
                                   QUESTIONS
                                  AND ANSWERS
                                 --------------

                                 Hemlock Federal
                              Financial Corporation


                      THE STOCK OFFERED IN THE CONVERSION
                      IS NOT A DEPOSIT OR ACCOUNT AND IS
                      NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR
                      GUARANTEED.  THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO
                      SELL OR A SOLICIATION OF AN OFFER TO
                      BUY STOCK.  THE OFFER WILL BE MADE
                      ONLY BY THE PROSPECTUS ACCOMPANIED
                      BY A STOCK ORDER FORM AND
                      CERTIFICATION FORM.



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