RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP
8-K, 1998-10-16
SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                       ________________________________

                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT


                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                       _________________________________

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  October 14, 1998



                        RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
    DELAWARE                         0-23271                    06-1498455
(State or other                    (Commission                 (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of                    File Number)              Identification No.)
Incorporation)

 
             1214 CASTLETON AVENUE, STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK 10310
         (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:       (718) 448-2800


                                NOT APPLICABLE
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

                                       
<PAGE>
 
ITEMS 1 THROUGH 4.      NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

     On October 14, 1998, Richmond County Financial Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("Richmond County"), announced that it and Bayonne Bancshares, Inc.
("Bayonne") had amended and restated their Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated 
as of July 19, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"). The Amended and Restated Merger
Agreement, amended and restated as of October 14, 1998, reflects a change in the
accounting treatment of the proposed transaction from a pooling of interests to
a purchase transaction as well as the termination of the Bayonne Employee Stock
Ownership Plan as of the consummation of the merger.

     Richmond County and Bayonne publicly announced the amendment in a press
release dated October 14, 1998, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1.

     The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Amended and Restated Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1.

ITEM 6.   NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

          a.   Financial Statements of Business Acquired.
               Not Applicable

          b.   Pro Forma Financial Information.
               Not Applicable

          c.   Exhibits: The following Exhibits are filed as part of this
               report:

          EXHIBIT NO.                         DESCRIPTION
          -----------                         -----------

               2.1                  Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of
                                    Merger, amended and restated as of October
                                    14, 1998, by and between Richmond County
                                    Financial Corp. and Bayonne Bancshares, Inc.

              99.1                  Press Release issued October 14, 1998.

ITEM 8.   NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 9.   NOT APPLICABLE.


                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

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

                              RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP.


                              By:  /s/ Michael F. Manzulli
                                   -------------------------------------
                                    Michael F. Manzulli
                                    Chairman of the Board and         
                                     Chief Executive Officer
 

Dated: October 16, 1998


                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                               LIST OF EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT                  DESCRIPTION
- -------                  -----------

  2.1          Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, amended and
               restated as of October 14, 1998, by and between Richmond County
               Financial Corp. and Bayonne Bancshares, Inc.

 99.1          Press Release issued October 14, 1998.


                                       4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     Exhibit 2.1
================================================================================
                            
                             AMENDED AND RESTATED

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER



                AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF OCTOBER 14, 1998



                                 BY AND BETWEEN



                        RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP.



                                      AND



                            BAYONNE BANCSHARES, INC.


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    PAGE NO.
<S>                      <C>                                                                          <C>
Introductory Statement                                                                                 4
 
ARTICLE I
     THE MERGER ..................................................................................     5
     ----------
     Section 1.1.        Structure of the Merger .................................................     5
                         -----------------------
     Section 1.2.        Effect on Outstanding Shares of Bayonne Common Stock ....................     5
                         ----------------------------------------------------
     Section 1.3.        Exchange Procedures .....................................................     6
                         -------------------
     Section 1.4.        Stock Options ...........................................................     8
                         -------------
     Section 1.5.        Bank Merger .............................................................     9
                         -----------
     Section 1.6.        Directors of RCFC after Effective Time ..................................     9
                         --------------------------------------
     Section 1.7.        Alternative Structure ...................................................     9
                         ---------------------
     Section 1.8.        Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation ....     9
                         --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ARTICLE II
     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ..............................................................    10
     ------------------------------
     Section 2.1.        Disclosure Letters ......................................................    10
                         ------------------
     Section 2.2.        Standards ...............................................................    10
                         ---------
     Section 2.3.        Representations and Warranties of Bayonne ...............................    11
                         -----------------------------------------
     Section 2.4.        Representations and Warranties of RCFC ..................................    26
                         --------------------------------------
 
ARTICLE III
     CONDUCT PENDING THE MERGER ..................................................................    38
     --------------------------
     Section 3.1.        Conduct of Bayonne's Business Prior to the Effective Time ...............    38
                         ---------------------------------------------------------
     Section 3.2.        Forbearance by Bayonne ..................................................    39
                         ----------------------
     Section 3.3.        Conduct of RCFC's Business Prior to the Effective Time ..................    42
                         ------------------------------------------------------
 
ARTICLE IV
     COVENANTS ...................................................................................    42
     ---------
     Section 4.1.        Acquisition Proposals ...................................................    42
                         ---------------------
     Section 4.2.        Certain Policies of Bayonne .............................................    44
                         ---------------------------
     Section 4.3.        Access and Information ..................................................    44
                         ----------------------
     Section 4.4.        Certain Filings, Consents and Arrangements ..............................    45
                         ------------------------------------------
     Section 4.5.        Antitakeover Provisions .................................................    46
                         -----------------------
     Section 4.6.        Additional Agreements ...................................................    46
                         ---------------------
     Section 4.7.        Publicity ...............................................................    46
                         ---------
     Section 4.8.        Stockholders Meetings ...................................................    46
                         ---------------------
     Section 4.9.        Proxy Statements; Comfort Letters .......................................    47
                         ---------------------------------
     Section 4.10.       Registration of RCFC Common Stock .......................................    47
                         ---------------------------------
     Section 4.11.       Affiliate Letters .......................................................    48
                         -----------------
     Section 4.12.       Notification of Certain Matters .........................................    48
                         -------------------------------
     Section 4.13.       Employees, Directors and Officers .......................................    49
                         ---------------------------------
     Section 4.14.       Indemnification .........................................................    50
                         ---------------
</TABLE> 

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                    PAGE NO.
<S>                      <C>                                                                          <C>
     Section 4.15.       Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment .......................................    52
                         ---------------------------------
     Section 4.16.       Divisional Board ........................................................    52
                         ----------------
 
ARTICLE V
     CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION ..................................................................    53
     --------------------------
     Section 5.1.        Conditions to Each Party's Obligations ..................................    53
                         --------------------------------------
     Section 5.2.        Conditions to the Obligations of RCFC and RCFC Bank .....................    54
                         ---------------------------------------------------
     Section 5.3.        Conditions to the Obligations of Bayonne and First Savings ..............    56
                         ----------------------------------------------------------
 
ARTICLE VI
     TERMINATION .................................................................................    57
     -----------
     Section 6.1.        Termination .............................................................    57
                         -----------
     Section 6.2.        Effect of Termination ...................................................    61
                         ---------------------
      
ARTICLE VII
     CLOSING, EFFECTIVE DATE AND EFFECTIVE TIME ..................................................    61
     ------------------------------------------
     Section 7.1.        Effective Date and Effective Time .......................................    61
                         ---------------------------------
     Section 7.2.        Deliveries at the Closing ...............................................    61
                         -------------------------
 
ARTICLE VIII
     CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS .......................................................................    61
     ---------------------
     Section 8.1.        Certain Definitions; Interpretation .....................................    61
                         -----------------------------------
     Section 8.2.        Survival ................................................................    62
                         --------
     Section 8.3.        Waiver; Amendment .......................................................    62
                         -----------------
     Section 8.4.        Counterparts ............................................................    62
                         ------------
     Section 8.5.        Governing Law ...........................................................    62
                         -------------
     Section 8.6.        Expenses ................................................................    62
                         --------
     Section 8.7.        Notices .................................................................    63
                         -------
     Section 8.8.        Entire Agreement; etc ...................................................    64
                         ---------------------
     Section 8.9.        Assignment ..............................................................    64
                         ----------

</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
                             AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             --------------------

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                          ----------------------------


          This is an AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, amended
and restated as of the 14th day of October, 1998 ("Agreement"), by and between
Richmond County Financial Corp., a Delaware corporation ("RCFC"), and Bayonne
Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Bayonne").

                             INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

          The Board of Directors of each of RCFC and Bayonne (i) has determined
that this Agreement and the business combination and related transactions
contemplated hereby are in the best interests of RCFC and Bayonne, respectively,
and in the best long-term interests of their respective stockholders, (ii) has
determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are
consistent with, and in furtherance of, its respective business strategies and
(iii) has approved, at meetings of each of such Boards of Directors, this
Agreement.

          Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as
a condition and inducement to RCFC's willingness to enter into this Agreement,
RCFC and Bayonne have entered into a stock option agreement (the "Option
Agreement"), pursuant to which Bayonne has granted to RCFC an option to purchase
shares of Bayonne's common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Bayonne Common
Stock"), upon the terms and conditions therein contained; and Bayonne will use
its best efforts to have certain executive officers and directors of Bayonne,
within twenty-one days of the date of this Agreement, execute in favor of RCFC a
Letter Agreement in the form annexed as Exhibit A.

          The parties hereto intend that the Merger as defined herein shall
qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), for federal income tax
purposes, and that the Merger shall be accounted for as a purchase business
combination for accounting purposes.

          RCFC and Bayonne desire to make certain representations, warranties
and agreements in connection with the business combination and related
transactions provided for herein and to prescribe various conditions to such
transactions.

          In consideration of their mutual promises and obligations hereunder,
the parties hereto adopt and make this Agreement and prescribe the terms and
conditions hereof and the manner and basis of carrying it into effect, which
shall be as follows:

                                       1 
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                                   THE MERGER
                                   ----------

          Section 1.1.   Structure of the Merger.  On the Effective Date (as
                         -----------------------                            
defined in Section 7.1), Bayonne will merge with and into RCFC ("Merger"), with
RCFC being the surviving entity, pursuant to the provisions of, and with the
effect provided in, the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL").  Upon
consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Bayonne shall
cease.  RCFC shall continue to be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware
and its name and separate corporate existence, with all of its rights,
privileges, immunities, powers and franchises, shall continue unaffected by the
Merger.  From and after the Effective Time, RCFC shall possess all of the
properties and rights and subject to all of the liabilities and obligations of
Bayonne, all as more fully described in the DGCL.

          Section 1.2.   Effect on Outstanding Shares of Bayonne Common Stock.
                         ---------------------------------------------------- 

          (a)  By virtue of the Merger, automatically and without any action on
the part of the holder thereof, each share of Bayonne Common Stock issued and
outstanding at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 7.1), other than (i)
shares the holder of which (the "Dissenting Shareholders") pursuant to any
applicable law providing for dissenters' or appraisal rights is entitled to
receive payment in accordance with the provisions of any such law, such holder
to have only the rights provided in any such law (the "Dissenters' Shares"),
(ii) shares held directly or indirectly by RCFC (other than shares held in a
fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted), (iii)
shares held by Bayonne as treasury stock and (iv) unallocated shares held in the
Amended and Restated Bayonne Bancshares, Inc. 1995 Recognition and Retention
Plan ("Bayonne RRP") (such shares referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and
(iv) being referred to herein as the "Excluded Shares") shall become and be
converted into the right to receive 1.05 shares of RCFC Common Stock (the
"Exchange Ratio"); provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, no fraction of a share of RCFC Common Stock and no certificates or scrip
therefor will be issued in the Merger; instead, RCFC shall pay to each holder of
Bayonne Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of
RCFC Common Stock an amount in cash, rounded to the nearest cent, determined by
multiplying such fraction by the RCFC Market Value (as defined herein)
(collectively, the "Merger Consideration").

          (b)  As used herein, "RCFC Market Value" shall be the average of the
closing sales price on that day, as reported on the National Market System of
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq National Market"), for the 15 consecutive
trading days immediately preceding the day on which the last of the required
regulatory approvals, as contemplated by Section 5.1(b), is obtained (such date
being referred to herein as the "Valuation Date").

          (c)  If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time,
the outstanding shares of RCFC Common Stock shall have been changed into a
different number of shares or into a different class by reason of any stock
dividend, subdivision, reclassification, 

                                       2 
<PAGE>
 
recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares (each, a "Stock
Adjustment"), the Merger Consideration shall be adjusted correspondingly to the
extent appropriate to reflect the Stock Adjustment.

          (d)  As of the Effective Time, each Excluded Share, other than
Dissenters' Shares, shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and
no exchange or payment shall be made with respect thereto.  All shares of RCFC
Common Stock and RCFC Preferred Stock (as defined in Section 2.4(b)) that are
held by Bayonne, if any, other than shares held in a fiduciary capacity or in
satisfaction of a debt previously contracted, shall become treasury stock of
RCFC.

          Section 1.3.   Exchange Procedures.
                         ------------------- 

          (a) Appropriate transmittal materials ("Letter of Transmittal") shall
be mailed as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, and in no
event later than 5 business days thereafter, to each holder of record of Bayonne
Common Stock as of the Effective Time.  A Letter of Transmittal will be deemed
properly completed only if accompanied by certificates representing all shares
of Bayonne Common Stock to be converted thereby.

          (b)  At and after the Effective Time, each certificate ("Bayonne
Certificate") previously representing shares of Bayonne Common Stock (except as
specifically set forth in Section 1.2) shall represent only the right to receive
the Merger Consideration.

          (c)  Prior to the Effective Time, RCFC shall deposit, or shall cause
to be deposited, with such bank or trust company that is selected by RCFC and is
reasonably acceptable to Bayonne to act as exchange agent ("Exchange Agent"),
for the benefit of the holders of shares of Bayonne Common Stock, for exchange
in accordance with this Section 1.3, an estimated amount of cash sufficient to
pay the aggregate amount of cash in lieu of fractional shares to be paid
pursuant to Section 1.2, and RCFC shall reserve for issuance with its Transfer
Agent and Registrar a sufficient number of shares of RCFC Common Stock to
provide for payment of the Merger Consideration. On the Closing Date, RCFC shall
have granted the Exchange Agent the requisite power and authority to effect for
and on behalf of RCFC the issuance of the number of shares of RCFC Common Stock
issuable in the share exchange.

          (d)  The Letter of Transmittal shall (i) specify that delivery shall
be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Bayonne Certificates shall pass,
only upon delivery of the Bayonne Certificates to the Exchange Agent, (ii) be in
a form and contain any other provisions as RCFC may reasonably determine and
(iii) include instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Bayonne
Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Upon the proper surrender
of the Bayonne Certificates to the Exchange Agent, together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, the holder of such Bayonne
Certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (m) a certificate
representing that number of whole shares of RCFC Common Stock that such holder
has the right to receive pursuant to Section 1.2 and (n) a

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
check in the amount equal to the cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, that
such holder has the right to receive pursuant to Section 1.2 and any dividends
or other distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Section
1.3. Bayonne Certificates so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. As soon
as practicable, but no later than 10 business days following receipt of the
properly completed Letter of Transmittal and any necessary accompanying
documentation, the Exchange Agent shall distribute RCFC Common Stock and cash as
provided herein. The Exchange Agent shall not be entitled to vote or exercise
any rights of ownership with respect to the shares of RCFC Common Stock held by
it from time to time hereunder, except that it shall receive and hold all
dividends or other distributions paid or distributed with respect to such shares
for the account of the persons entitled thereto. If there is a transfer of
ownership of any shares of Bayonne Common Stock not registered in the transfer
records of Bayonne, the Merger Consideration shall be issued to the transferee
thereof if the Bayonne Certificates representing such Bayonne Common Stock are
presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required, in the
reasonable judgment of RCFC and the Exchange Agent, (x) to evidence and effect
such transfer and (y) to evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have
been paid.

          (e)  No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the
Effective Time with respect to RCFC Common Stock shall be remitted to any person
entitled to receive shares of RCFC Common Stock hereunder until such person
surrenders his or her Bayonne Certificates in accordance with this Section 1.3.
Upon the surrender of such person's Bayonne Certificates, such person shall be
entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions, without interest
thereon, which theretofore had become payable with respect to shares of RCFC
Common Stock represented by such person's Bayonne Certificates.

          (f)  From and after the Effective Time there shall be no transfers on
the stock transfer records of Bayonne of any shares of Bayonne Common Stock.
If, after the Effective Time, Bayonne Certificates are presented to RCFC, they
shall be cancelled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration deliverable in
respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 1.3.

          (g)  Any portion of the aggregate amount of cash to be paid in lieu of
fractional shares pursuant to Section 1.2, any dividends or other distributions
to be paid pursuant to this Section 1.3 or any proceeds from any investments
thereof that remains unclaimed by the stockholders of Bayonne for 6 months after
the Effective Time shall be repaid by the Exchange Agent to RCFC upon the
written request of RCFC. After such request is made, any stockholders of Bayonne
who have not theretofore complied with this Section 1.3 shall look only to RCFC
for the Merger Consideration deliverable in respect of each share of Bayonne
Common Stock such stockholder holds, as determined pursuant to Section 1.2 of
this Agreement, without any interest thereon.  If outstanding Bayonne
Certificates are not surrendered prior to the date on which such payments would
otherwise escheat to or become the property of any governmental unit or agency,
the unclaimed items shall, to the extent permitted by any abandoned property,
escheat or other applicable laws, become the property of RCFC (and, to the
extent not in its possession, 
                                       4

<PAGE>
 
shall be paid over to it), free and clear of all claims or interest of any
person previously entitled to such claims. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
neither the Exchange Agent nor any party to this Agreement (or any affiliate
thereof) shall be liable to any former holder of Bayonne Common Stock for any
amount delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar laws.

          (h)  RCFC and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to rely upon
Bayonne's stock transfer books to establish the identity of those persons
entitled to receive the Merger Consideration, which books shall be conclusive
with respect thereto.  In the event of a dispute with respect to ownership of
stock represented by any Bayonne Certificate, RCFC and the Exchange Agent shall
be entitled to deposit any Merger Consideration represented thereby in escrow
with an independent third party and thereafter be relieved with respect to any
claims thereto.

          (i)  If any Bayonne Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
such Bayonne Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the
Exchange Agent, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as the
Exchange Agent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against it with respect to such Bayonne Certificate, the Exchange Agent will
issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Bayonne Certificate the
Merger Consideration deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to Section 1.2.

          Section 1.4.   Stock Options.
                         ------------- 

          (a)  At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger, and without any
action on the part of any holder of an option, each option to acquire shares of
Bayonne Common Stock granted pursuant to either the 1995 Stock Option Plan or
the 1998 Stock-Based Incentive Plan (a "Bayonne Option") that is then
outstanding and unexercised shall be converted into and become an option to
acquire RCFC Common Stock on the same terms and conditions as are in effect with
respect to the Bayonne Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, except
that (i) the number of shares of RCFC Common Stock subject to such Bayonne
Option shall be equal to the number of shares of Bayonne Common Stock subject to
such Bayonne Option immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio, the product being rounded, if necessary, up or down to the
nearest whole share, and (ii) the per share exercise price of the option shall
be adjusted by dividing the per share exercise price of the Bayonne Option by
the Exchange Ratio, and rounding up to the nearest cent.  It is intended that
the foregoing assumption shall be effected in a manner which is consistent with
the requirements of Section 424 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, as to any Bayonne Option that is an incentive stock option.

          Section 1.5.   Bank Merger.  Concurrently with or as soon as
                         -----------                                  
practicable after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Richmond County
Savings Bank ("RCFC Bank"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of RCFC, and First Savings
Bank of New Jersey, SLA ("First Savings"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bayonne,
shall enter into the Plan of Bank Merger, in 

                                       5

<PAGE>
 
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, pursuant to which the Bank Merger will be
effected. The parties hereto intend that the Bank Merger shall become effective
on the Effective Date. The Plan of Bank Merger shall provide that the directors
of RCFC Bank as the surviving entity of the Bank Merger shall be all of the
directors of RCFC Bank serving immediately prior to the Bank Merger.

          Section 1.6.   Directors of RCFC after Effective Time.  At the
                         --------------------------------------         
Effective Time, the directors of RCFC shall consist of (a) the directors of RCFC
serving immediately prior to the Effective Time and (b) one additional person
who shall become a director of RCFC in accordance with Section 4.13.  Other than
as provided in Section 4.13, no director of Bayonne shall become a director of
RCFC.

          Section 1.7.   Alternative Structure.  Notwithstanding anything to the
                         ---------------------                                  
contrary contained in this Agreement, prior to the Effective Time, RCFC may
specify that the structure of the transactions contemplated hereby be revised
and the parties shall enter into such alternative transactions as RCFC may
determine to effect the purposes of this Agreement; provided, however, that such
revised structure shall not (i) adversely affect the tax effects or alter or
change the amount or kind of the Merger Consideration or the treatment of
Bayonne Options or the economic benefits of the transactions contemplated hereby
to the holders of Bayonne Common Stock, (ii) diminish the benefits to be
received by the directors, officers or employees of Bayonne or First Savings as
set forth in or as contemplated by this Agreement, and (iii) materially impede
or delay the receipt of any approval referred to in this Agreement (as defined
in Section 7.1). This Agreement and any related documents shall be appropriately
amended in order to reflect any such revised structure.

          Section 1.8.   Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
                         ----------------------------------------------
Surviving Corporation.  The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of RCFC in
- ---------------------                                                         
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the surviving corporation.


                                   ARTICLE II
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------

          Section 2.1.   Disclosure Letters.  On or prior to the execution and
                         ------------------                                   
delivery of this Agreement, Bayonne and RCFC each shall have delivered to the
other a letter (each, its "Disclosure Letter") setting forth, among other
things, facts, circumstances and events the disclosure of which is required or
appropriate in relation to any or all of their respective representations and
warranties (and making specific reference to the Section of this Agreement to
which they relate), other than Section 2.3(g) and Section 2.4(g); provided, that
(a) no such fact, circumstance or event is required to be set forth in the
Disclosure Letter as an exception to a representation or warranty if its absence
is not reasonably likely to result in the related 

                                       6

<PAGE>
 
representation or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect under the standards
established by Section 2.2 and (b) the mere inclusion of a fact, circumstance or
event in a Disclosure Letter shall not be deemed an admission by a party that
such item represents a material exception or that such item is reasonably likely
to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in Section 2.2(b)).

          Section 2.2.   Standards.
                         --------- 

          (a)  No representation or warranty of Bayonne or RCFC contained in
Sections 2.3 or 2.4, respectively, shall be deemed untrue or incorrect, and no
party hereto shall be deemed to have breached a representation or warranty, on
account of the existence of any fact, circumstance or event unless, as a direct
or indirect consequence of such fact, circumstance or event, individually or
taken together with all other facts, circumstances or events inconsistent with
any paragraph of Sections 2.3 or 2.4, as applicable, there is reasonably likely
to exist a Material Adverse Effect.  Bayonne's representations, warranties and
covenants contained in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be untrue or
breached as a result of effects arising solely from actions taken in connection
with this Agreement or in compliance with a written request of RCFC.

          (b)  As used in this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse Effect"
means either (i) an effect which is material and adverse to the business,
financial condition or results of operations of Bayonne or RCFC, as the context
may dictate, and its Subsidiaries (as defined herein) taken as a whole;
provided, however, that any such effect resulting from any (A) changes in laws,
rules or regulations or generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory
accounting requirements or interpretations thereof that apply to both RCFC and
RCFC Bank and Bayonne and First Savings, as the case may be, or to similarly
situated financial and/or depository institutions or (B) changes in economic
conditions affecting financial institutions generally, including but not limited
to, changes in the general level of market interest rates shall not be
considered in determining if a Material Adverse Effect has occurred; or (ii) the
failure of (x) a representation or warranty contained in Section 2.3(a)(i) and
(iv), Section 2.3(c), Section 2.3(g)(iii), Sections 2.4(a)(i) and (iv), Section
2.4(c), Section 2.4(g)(iii) or Section 2.4(l) to be true and correct in all
material respects or (y) a representation or warranty contained in the last
sentence of each of Section 2.3(e) or Section 2.4(e), the second sentence of
each of Section 2.3(f)(i) or Section 2.4(f)(i) and the first two sentences of
each of Section 2.3(aa) or Section 2.4(x) to be true and correct in all material
respects.

          (c)  For purposes of this Agreement, "knowledge" shall mean, with
respect to a party hereto, actual knowledge of the members of the Board of
Directors of that party or any officer of that party with the title ranking not
less than senior vice president.

          Section 2.3.   Representations and Warranties of Bayonne.  Subject to
                         -----------------------------------------             
Sections 2.1 and 2.2, Bayonne represents and warrants to RCFC that, except as
disclosed in Bayonne's Disclosure Letter:

                                       7

<PAGE>
 
          (a)  Organization.  (i)   Bayonne is a corporation duly organized,
               ------------                                                 
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and is duly registered as a savings and loan holding company under the Home
Owners' Loan Act, as amended ("HOLA") . First Savings is a stock savings
association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of New Jersey.  Each Subsidiary (as defined below) of First Savings
is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization.  Each of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to carry on its business as now being conducted.  As used in this Agreement,
unless the context requires otherwise, the term "Subsidiary" when used with
respect to any party means any corporation or other organization, whether
incorporated or unincorporated, which is consolidated with such party for
financial reporting purposes or which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by
such party.

               (ii)  Each of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries has the requisite
corporate power and authority, and is duly qualified and is in good standing, to
do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification necessary.

               (iii)  Bayonne's Disclosure Letter sets forth all of Bayonne's
Subsidiaries and all entities (whether corporations, partnerships or similar
organizations), including the corresponding percentage ownership, in which
Bayonne owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the ownership interests as
of the date of this Agreement and indicates for each of Bayonne's Subsidiaries,
as of such date, its jurisdiction of organization and the jurisdiction(s)
wherein it is qualified to do business. All such Subsidiaries and ownership
interests are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations
relating to direct investments in equity ownership interests.  Bayonne owns,
either directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding capital stock of each of
its Subsidiaries.  No Subsidiary of Bayonne other than First Savings is an
"insured depository institution" as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act, as amended ("FDIA"), and the applicable regulations thereunder. All of the
shares of capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries held by Bayonne or any of
its other Subsidiaries are fully paid, nonassessable and not subject to any
preemptive rights and are owned by Bayonne or a Subsidiary of Bayonne free and
clear of any claims, liens, encumbrances or restrictions (other than those
imposed by applicable federal and state securities laws), and there are no
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting or disposition of any
such shares.

               (iv)  The deposits of First Savings are insured by the Savings
Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF") of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
("FDIC") to the extent provided in the FDIA.

          (b)  Capital Structure.   (i)  The authorized capital stock of Bayonne
               -----------------                                                
consists of 22,000,000 shares of Bayonne Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $.01 per share ("Bayonne Preferred Stock").  As of
the date of this Agreement: 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
(A) 9,094,495 shares of Bayonne Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (B) no
shares of Bayonne Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, (C) no shares of
Bayonne Common Stock were reserved for issuance, except that 945,085 shares of
Bayonne Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Bayonne Option
Plans, (D) no shares of Bayonne Preferred Stock were reserved for issuance and
(E) 194,768 shares of Bayonne Common Stock were held by Bayonne in its treasury
or by its Subsidiaries. The authorized capital stock of First Savings consists
of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share, and 10,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share. As of the date of this
Agreement, 1,000 shares of such common stock were outstanding, no shares of such
preferred stock were outstanding and all outstanding shares of such common stock
were, and as of the Effective Time will be, owned by Bayonne. All outstanding
shares of capital stock of Bayonne and First Savings are duly authorized and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive
rights and, with respect to shares held by Bayonne in its treasury or by its
Subsidiaries, are free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances or
restrictions (other than those imposed by applicable federal and state
securities laws) and there are no agreements or understandings with respect to
the voting or disposition of any such shares. Bayonne's Disclosure Letter sets
forth a complete and accurate list of all options to purchase Bayonne Common
Stock that have been granted pursuant to the Bayonne Option Plans and all
restricted stock grants under the Bayonne RRP, including the dates of grant,
exercise prices, dates of vesting, dates of termination and shares subject to
each grant.

               (ii)  No bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness having
the right to vote on any matters on which stockholders may vote ("Voting Debt")
of Bayonne are issued or outstanding.

               (iii)  As of the date of this Agreement, except for this
Agreement, the Option Agreement and the Bayonne Option Plans, neither Bayonne
nor any of its Subsidiaries has or is bound by any outstanding options,
warrants, calls, rights, convertible securities, commitments or agreements of
any character obligating Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or
sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any additional shares of capital
stock of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries or obligating Bayonne or any of its
Subsidiaries to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call,
right, convertible security, commitment or agreement. As of the date hereof,
there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Bayonne or any of its
Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital
stock of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries.

          (c)  Authority.  Each of Bayonne and First Savings has all requisite
               ---------                                                      
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Plan of Bank
Merger, respectively, and, subject to approval of this Agreement by the
requisite vote of Bayonne's stockholders and receipt of all required regulatory
or governmental approvals, as contemplated by Section 5.1(b) of this Agreement,
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger, and, subject to the approval of
this Agreement by Bayonne's stockholders, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, have been 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions on the part of Bayonne and
First Savings. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Bayonne
and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Bayonne, enforceable in
accordance with its terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and
similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally and subject, as
to enforceability, to general principles of equity, whether applied in a court
of law or a court of equity.

          (d)  Stockholder Approval; Fairness Opinion.  The affirmative vote 
               --------------------------------------             
of a majority of the outstanding shares of Bayonne Common Stock entitled to vote
on this Agreement is the only vote of the stockholders of Bayonne required for
approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the related
transactions contemplated hereby. Bayonne has received the written opinion of
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. to the effect that, as of the date hereof, the
Exchange Ratio to be received by Bayonne's stockholders is fair, from a
financial point of view, to such stockholders.

          (e)  No Violations.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
               -------------                                                  
Agreement and Option Agreement by Bayonne do not, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not, constitute (i) assuming receipt of
all Requisite Regulatory Approvals (as defined below) and requisite stockholder
approvals, a breach or violation of, or a default under, any law, rule or
regulation or any judgment, decree, order, governmental permit or license, or
agreement, indenture or instrument of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries, or to
which Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries (or any of their respective properties)
is subject, (ii) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the certificate
of incorporation or bylaws of Bayonne or the similar organizational documents of
any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) a breach or violation of, or a default under
(or an event which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a
default under), or result in the termination of, accelerate the performance
required by, or result in the creation of any lien, pledge, security interest,
charge or other encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of Bayonne or
any of its Subsidiaries, under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of
any note, bond, indenture, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement,
instrument or obligation to which Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries is a party,
or to which any of their respective properties or assets may be subject; and the
consummation by Bayonne and First Savings of the transactions (including the
Bank Merger) contemplated hereby (exclusive of the effect of any changes
effected pursuant to Section 1.7) will not require any approval, consent or
waiver under any such law, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, order,
governmental permit or license or the approval, consent or waiver of any other
party to any such agreement, indenture or instrument, other than (x) the
approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Bayonne
Common Stock entitled to vote, (y)  the approval of the Office of Thrift
Supervision ("OTS") under HOLA, and (z) the approval of the New Jersey
Department of Banking (the "NJBD") and the approval of the appropriate
regulatory authority under Section 18(c) of the FDIA.  As of the date hereof,
the executive officers of Bayonne know of no reason pertaining to Bayonne why
any of the approvals referred to in this Section 2.3(e) should not be obtained
without the imposition of any material condition or restriction described in the
proviso to Section 5.1(b).


                                      10
<PAGE>
 
          (f)  Reports.  (i)  As of their respective dates, none of the reports
               -------                                                         
or other statements filed by Bayonne or First Savings on or subsequent to March
31, 1998 with the FDIC or the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
(collectively, "Bayonne's Reports"), contained, or will contain, any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Each
of the financial statements of Bayonne included in Bayonne's Reports complied as
to form, as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in all material
respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules
and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto and have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis during the periods involved ("GAAP")(except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto or, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, as
permitted by the SEC).  Each of the consolidated statements of condition
contained or incorporated by reference in Bayonne's Reports (including in each
case any related notes and schedules) and each of the consolidated statements of
operations, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of
changes in stockholders' equity, contained or incorporated by reference in
Bayonne's Reports (including in each case any related notes and schedules)
fairly presented, or will fairly present, as the case may be (A) the financial
position of the entity or entities to which it relates as of its date, and (B)
the results of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows, as the case may
be, of the entity or entities to which it relates for the periods set forth
therein (subject, in the case of unaudited interim statements, to normal year-
end audit adjustments that are not material in amount or effect), in each case
in accordance with GAAP, except as may be noted therein.  Bayonne has made
available to RCFC a true and complete copy of each of Bayonne's Reports filed
with the SEC since March 31, 1998.

               (ii)  Bayonne and each of its Subsidiaries have each timely filed
all material reports, registrations and statements, together with any amendments
required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file since
March 31, 1995 with (A) the NJBD, (B) the FDIC, (C) the OTS, (D) the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), (E) the SEC and (F) any other
self-regulatory organization ("SRO"), and, to Bayonne's knowledge, have paid all
fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith.

          (g)  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as disclosed in
               ------------------------------------                         
Bayonne's Reports filed on or prior to the date of this Agreement, since March
31, 1998, (i) Bayonne and its Subsidiaries have not incurred any liability,
except in the ordinary course of their business consistent with past practice,
(ii) Bayonne and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses
only in the ordinary and usual course of such businesses and (iii) there has not
been any Material Adverse Effect with respect to Bayonne.

          (h)  Absence of Claims.  Except as set forth in Bayonne's Disclosure
               -----------------                                              
Letter, no litigation, proceeding, controversy, claim or action before any court
or governmental agency is pending against Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries
and, to the best of Bayonne's knowledge, no such litigation, proceeding,
controversy, claim or action has been threatened.

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  Absence of Regulatory Actions.  Neither Bayonne nor any of its
               -----------------------------                                 
Subsidiaries is a party to any cease and desist order, written agreement or
memorandum of understanding with, or any commitment letter or similar
undertaking to, or is subject to any action, proceeding, order or directive by,
or is a recipient of any extraordinary supervisory letter from any federal or
state governmental authority charged with the supervision or regulation of
depository institutions or depository institution holding companies or engaged
in the insurance of bank and/or savings and loan deposits ("Government
Regulators"), or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of any
Government Regulator, nor has it been advised by any Government Regulator that
it is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness
of issuing or requesting) any such action, proceeding, order, directive, written
agreement, memorandum of understanding, extraordinary supervisory letter,
commitment letter, board resolutions or similar undertaking.

          (j)  Taxes.  All federal, state, local and foreign tax returns 
               -----         
required to be filed by or on behalf of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries have
been timely filed or requests for extensions have been timely filed and any such
extension shall have been granted and not have expired, and all such filed
returns are complete and accurate in all material respects. All taxes shown on
such returns, all taxes required to be shown on returns for which extensions
have been granted and all other taxes required to be paid by Bayonne or any of
its Subsidiaries have been paid in full or adequate provision has been made for
any such taxes on Bayonne's balance sheet (in accordance with GAAP). For
purposes of this Section 2.3(j), the term "taxes" shall include all income,
franchise, gross receipts, real and personal property, real property transfer
and gains, wage and employment taxes. As of the date of this Agreement, there is
no audit examination, deficiency assessment, tax investigation or refund
litigation with respect to any taxes of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries, and
no claim has been made by any authority in a jurisdiction where Bayonne or any
of its Subsidiaries do not file tax returns that Bayonne or any such Subsidiary
is subject to taxation in that jurisdiction. All taxes, interest, additions and
penalties due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
litigation relating to Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries have been paid in full
or adequate provision has been made for any such taxes on Bayonne's balance
sheet (in accordance with GAAP). Bayonne and its Subsidiaries have not executed
an extension or waiver of any statute of limitations on the assessment or
collection of any material tax due that is currently in effect. Bayonne and each
of its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all taxes required to have been
withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party, and Bayonne
and each of its Subsidiaries has timely complied with all applicable information
reporting requirements under Part III, Subchapter A of Chapter 61 of the Code
and similar applicable state and local information reporting requirements.
Neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has made an election under
Section 341(f) of the Code, (ii) has issued or assumed any obligation under
Section 279 of the Code, any high yield discount obligation as described in
Section 163(i) of the Code or any registration-required obligation within the
meaning of Section 163(f)(2) of the Code that is not in registered form or (iii)
is or has been a United States real property holding corporation within the
meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
          (k)  Agreements.  (i)  Except for the Option Agreement and
               ----------                                                
arrangements made in the ordinary course of business, and except as set forth in
Bayonne's Disclosure Letter, Bayonne and its Subsidiaries are not bound by any
material contract (as defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K) to be
performed after the date hereof that has not been filed with or incorporated by
reference in Bayonne's Report.  Except as disclosed in Bayonne's Disclosure
Letter, neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to an oral or
written (A) consulting agreement (other than data processing, software
programming and licensing contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business) not terminable on 60 days' or less notice, (B) agreement with any
executive officer or other key employee of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries
the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially
altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving Bayonne or any of its
Subsidiaries of the nature contemplated by this Agreement or the Option
Agreement, (C) agreement with respect to any employee or director of Bayonne or
any of its Subsidiaries providing any term of employment or compensation
guarantee extending for a period longer than 60 days or for the payment of in
excess of $30,000 per annum, (D) agreement or plan, including any stock option
plan, phantom stock or stock appreciation rights plan, restricted stock plan or
stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the
vesting or payment of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the
occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Option Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated
on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Option Agreement or (E) agreement containing covenants that limit the ability of
Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries to compete in any line of business or with
any person, or that involve any restriction on the geographic area in which, or
method by which, Bayonne (including any successor thereof) or any of its
Subsidiaries may carry on its business (other than as may be required by law or
any regulatory agency).

               (ii)  Neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default
under or in violation of any provision of any note, bond, indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement to which it is a party
or by which it is bound or to which any of its respective properties or assets
is subject.

               (iii)  Bayonne and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses
valid and binding licenses and other rights to use without payment all patents,
copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, servicemarks and trademarks used in its
businesses, and neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
notice of conflict with respect thereto that asserts the right of others.  Each
of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries has performed all the obligations required to be
performed by it and are not in default under any contact, agreement, arrangement
or commitment relating to any of the foregoing.

          (l)  Labor Matters.  Neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries is or
               -------------                                                    
has ever been a party to, or is or has ever been bound by, any collective
bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor
union or labor organization with respect to its employees, nor is Bayonne or any
of its Subsidiaries the subject of any proceeding asserting that 

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
it has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it or any such
Subsidiary to bargain with any labor organization as to wages and conditions of
employment, nor is there any strike, other labor dispute or organizational
effort involving Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to Bayonne's
knowledge, threatened. Bayonne and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with
applicable laws regarding employment of employees and retention of independent
contractors and are in compliance with applicable employment tax laws.

          (m)  Employee Benefit Plans.  Bayonne's Disclosure Letter contains a
               ----------------------                                         
complete and accurate list of all pension, retirement, stock option, stock
purchase, stock ownership, savings, stock appreciation right, profit sharing,
deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance, severance and other
benefit plans, contracts, agreements and arrangements, including, but not
limited to, "employee benefit plans," as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), incentive and
welfare policies, contracts, plans and arrangements and all trust agreements
related thereto with respect to any present or former directors, officers or
other employees of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Bayonne Employee Plans").  All of the Bayonne Employee Plans
comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements of ERISA, the
Code and other applicable laws; there has occurred no "prohibited transaction"
(as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) which is likely
to result in the imposition of any penalties or taxes under Section 502(i) of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code upon Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries.
Neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries has provided, or is required to
provide, security to any Bayonne Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of
an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.  Neither Bayonne,
its Subsidiaries, nor any ERISA Affiliate has contributed to any "multiemployer
plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, on or after September 26, 1980.
Each Bayonne Employee Plan that is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) and which is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code (a "Bayonne Qualified Plan") has received a favorable
determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), and Bayonne and
its Subsidiaries are not aware of any circumstances likely to result in
revocation of any such favorable determination letter.  There is no pending or,
to Bayonne's knowledge, threatened litigation, administrative action or
proceeding relating to any Bayonne Employee Plan.  There has been no
announcement or commitment by Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries to create an
additional Bayonne Employee Plan, or to amend any Bayonne Employee Plan, except
for amendments required by applicable law which do not materially increase the
cost of such Bayonne Employee Plan; and, except as specifically identified in
Bayonne's Disclosure Letter, Bayonne and its Subsidiaries do not have any
obligations for post-retirement or post-employment benefits under any Bayonne
Employee Plan that cannot be amended or terminated upon 60 days' notice or less
without incurring any liability thereunder, except for coverage required by Part
6 of Title I of ERISA or Section 4980B of the Code, or similar state laws, the
cost of which is borne by the insured individuals.  With respect to Bayonne or
any of its Subsidiaries, for the Employee Plans listed in Bayonne's Disclosure
Letter, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not result in any payment or series of
payments by Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries to any person which is an "excess
parachute 

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
payment" (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), increase or secure (by way of
a trust or other vehicle) any benefits payable under any Bayonne Employee Plan
or accelerate the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit. With respect
to each Bayonne Employee Plan, Bayonne has supplied to RCFC a true and correct
copy of (A) the annual report on the applicable form of the Form 5500 series
filed with the IRS for the most recent three plan years, if required to be
filed, (B) such Bayonne Employee Plan, including amendments thereto, (C) each
trust agreement, insurance contract or other funding arrangement relating to
such Bayonne Employee Plan, including amendments thereto, (D) the most recent
summary plan description and summary of material modifications thereto for such
Bayonne Employee Plan, if the Bayonne Employee Plan is subject to Title I of
ERISA, and (E) the most recent determination letter issued by the IRS if such
Employee Plan is a Qualified Plan.

          (n)  Title to Assets.  Bayonne and each of its Subsidiaries has good
               ---------------                                                
and marketable title to its properties and assets (including any intellectual
property asset such as any trademark, service mark, tradename or copyright) and
property acquired in a judicial foreclosure proceeding or by way of a deed in
lieu of foreclosure or similar transfer, other than property as to which it is
lessee, in which case the related lease is valid and in full force and effect.
Each lease pursuant to which Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries is lessor is
valid and in full force and effect and no lessee under any such lease is in
default or in violation of any provisions of any such lease.  All material
tangible properties of Bayonne and each of its Subsidiaries are in a good state
of maintenance and repair, conform with all applicable ordinances, regulations
and zoning laws and are considered by Bayonne to be adequate for the current
business of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries.

          (o)  Compliance with Laws.  Bayonne and each of its Subsidiaries has
               --------------------                                           
all permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals of, and
has made all filings, applications and registrations with, all federal, state,
local and foreign governmental or regulatory bodies that are required in order
to permit it to carry on its business as it is presently conducted; all such
permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full
force and effect, and, to the best knowledge of Bayonne, no suspension or
cancellation of any of them is threatened. Since the date of its incorporation,
the corporate affairs of Bayonne have not been conducted in violation of any
law, ordinance, regulation, order, writ, rule, decree or approval of any federal
or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over insured depositary
institutions or their holding companies, the SEC, the NASD or any other SRO
(each, a "Governmental Entity").  The businesses of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries
are not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance, regulation, order,
writ, rule,  decree or condition to approval of any Governmental Entity.

          (p)  Fees.  Other than financial advisory services performed for
               ----                                                       
Bayonne by Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., neither Bayonne nor any of its
Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or
agents, has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any
financial advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finder's fees, and no

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
broker or finder has acted directly or indirectly for Bayonne or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.

          (q)  Environmental Matters.  (i)  With respect to Bayonne and each
               ---------------------                                          
of its Subsidiaries:

               (A)  Each of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries, the Participation
Facilities (as defined herein), and, to Bayonne's knowledge, the Loan Properties
(as defined herein) are, and have been, in substantial compliance with, and are
not liable under, all Environmental Laws (as defined herein);

               (B)  There is no suit, claim, action, demand, executive or
administrative order, directive, investigation or proceeding pending or, to
Bayonne's knowledge, threatened, before any court, governmental agency or board
or other forum against it or any of its Subsidiaries or any Participation
Facility (x) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with, or
liability under, any Environmental Law or (y) relating to the presence of or
release (as defined herein) into the environment of any Hazardous Material (as
defined herein), whether or not occurring at or on a site owned, leased or
operated by it or any of its Subsidiaries or any Participation Facility;

               (C)  To Bayonne's knowledge, there is no suit, claim, action,
demand, executive or administrative order, directive, investigation or
proceeding pending or threatened before any court, governmental agency or board
or other forum relating to or against any Loan Property (or Bayonne or any of
its Subsidiaries in respect of such Loan Property) (x) relating to alleged
noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with, or liability under, any
Environmental Law or (y) relating to the presence of or release into the
environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at or on a site
owned, leased or operated by a Loan Property;

               (D)  To Bayonne's knowledge, the properties currently owned or
operated by Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
soil, groundwater or surface water on, under or adjacent to the properties, and
buildings thereon) are not contaminated with and do not otherwise contain any
Hazardous Material other than as permitted under applicable Environmental Law;

               (E)  Neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
notice, demand letter, executive or administrative order, directive or request
for information from any federal, state, local or foreign governmental entity or
any third party indicating that it may be in violation of, or liable under, any
Environmental Law;

               (F)  To Bayonne's knowledge, there are no underground storage
tanks on, in or under any properties owned or operated by Bayonne or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Participation Facility and no underground storage tanks have
been closed or removed from any 

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
properties owned or operated by Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries or any
Participation Facility; and

               (G)  To Bayonne's knowledge, during the period of (l) Bayonne's
or any of its Subsidiaries' ownership or operation of any of their respective
current properties or (m) Bayonne's or any of its Subsidiaries' participation in
the management of any Participation Facility, there has been no contamination by
or release of Hazardous Materials in, on, under or affecting such properties. To
Bayonne's knowledge, prior to the period of (x) Bayonne's or any of its
Subsidiaries' ownership or operation of any of their respective current
properties or (y) Bayonne's or any of its Subsidiaries' participation in the
management of any Participation Facility, there was no contamination by or
release of Hazardous Material in, on, under or affecting such properties.

               (ii)  The following definitions apply for purposes of this
Section 2.3(r) and Section 2.4(r): (w) "Loan Property" means any property in
which the applicable party (or a Subsidiary of it) holds a security interest,
and, where required by the context, includes the owner or operator of such
property, but only with respect to such property; (x) "Participation Facility"
means any facility in which the applicable party (or a Subsidiary of it)
participates in the management (including all property held as trustee or in any
other fiduciary capacity) and, where required by the context, includes the owner
or operator of such property, but only with respect to such property; (y)
"Environmental Law" means (i) any federal, state or local law, statute,
ordinance, rule, regulation, code, license, permit, authorization, approval,
consent, legal doctrine, order, directive, executive or administrative order,
judgment, decree, injunction, legal requirement or agreement with any
governmental entity relating to (A) the protection, preservation or restoration
of the environment (which includes, without limitation, air, water vapor,
surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, structures, soil, surface
land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), or
to human health or safety as it relates to Hazardous Materials, or (B) the
exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation,
transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal
of, Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended and as now in effect. The term
Environmental Law includes all federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations
or requirements relating to the protection of the environment or health and
safety, including, without limitation, (i) the Federal Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act of 1972, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (including, but not limited to,
the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments thereto and Subtitle I relating to
underground storage tanks), the Federal Solid Waste Disposal and the Federal
Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 as it relates to
Hazardous Materials, the Federal Hazardous Substances Transportation Act, the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act,
the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Rivers
and Harbors Appropriation Act or any so-called "Superfund" or "Superlien" law,
each as amended and as now 

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
or hereafter in effect, and (ii) any common law or equitable doctrine
(including, without limitation, injunctive relief and tort doctrines such as
negligence, nuisance, trespass and strict liability) that may impose liability
or obligations for injuries or damages due to, or threatened as a result of, the
presence of or exposure to any Hazardous Material; and (z) "Hazardous Material"
means any substance (whether solid, liquid or gas) which is or could be
detrimental to human health or safety or to the environment, currently or
hereafter listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic,
radioactive or dangerous, or otherwise regulated, under any Environmental Law,
whether by type or by quantity, including any substance containing any such
substance as a component. Hazardous Material includes, without limitation, any
toxic waste, pollutant, contaminant, hazardous substance, toxic substance,
hazardous waste, special waste, industrial substance, oil or petroleum, or any
derivative or by-product thereof, radon, radioactive material, asbestos,
asbestos-containing material, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, lead and
polychlorinated biphenyl.

          (r)  Loan Portfolio; Allowance; Asset Quality.  (i)  With respect to
               ----------------------------------------                         
each loan owned by Bayonne or its Subsidiaries in whole or in part (each, a
"Loan"), to Bayonne's knowledge:

               (A)  the note and the related security documents are each legal,
valid and binding obligations of the maker or obligor thereof, enforceable
against such maker or obligor in accordance with their terms;

               (B)  neither Bayonne nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any prior
holder of a Loan, has modified the note or any of the related security documents
in any material respect or satisfied, canceled or subordinated the note or any
of the related security documents except as otherwise disclosed by documents in
the applicable Loan file;

               (C)  Bayonne or a Subsidiary is the sole holder of legal and
beneficial title to each Loan (or Bayonne's applicable participation interest,
as applicable), except as otherwise referenced on the books and records of
Bayonne;

               (D)  the note and the related security documents, copies of which
are included in the Loan files, are true and correct copies of the documents
they purport to be and have not been suspended, amended, modified, canceled or
otherwise changed except as otherwise disclosed by documents in the applicable
Loan file;

               (E)  there is no pending or threatened condemnation proceeding or
similar proceeding affecting the property that serves as security for a Loan,
except as otherwise referenced on the books and records of Bayonne;

               (F)  there is no litigation or proceeding pending or threatened
relating to the property that serves as security for a Loan that would have a
Material Adverse Effect upon the related Loan; and

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
               (G)  with respect to a Loan held in the form of a participation,
the participation documentation is legal, valid, binding and enforceable.

               (ii)  The allowance for possible losses reflected in Bayonne's
audited statement of condition at March 31, 1998 was, and the allowance for
possible losses shown on the balance sheets in Bayonne's Reports for periods
ending after December 31, 1997 will, in the opinion of management, be adequate,
as of the dates thereof, under generally accepted accounting principles
applicable to stock savings associations consistently applied.

               (iii)  Bayonne's Disclosure Letter sets forth by category the
amounts of all loans, leases, advances, credit enhancements, other extensions of
credit, commitments and interest-bearing assets of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries
that have been classified (whether regulatory or internal) as "Special Mention,"
"Substandard," "Doubtful," "Loss" or words of similar import, and Bayonne and
its Subsidiaries shall promptly after the end of any month inform RCFC of any
such classification arrived at any time after the date hereof.  The other real
estate owned ("OREO")  or words of similar import included in any non-performing
assets of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries is carried net of reserves at the
lower of cost or fair value, less estimated selling costs, based on current
independent appraisals or evaluations or current management appraisals or
evaluations; provided, however, that "current" shall mean within the past 12
months.

          (s)  Deposits.   None of the deposits of Bayonne or any of its
               --------                                                 
Subsidiaries is a "brokered" deposit, except as disclosed in Bayonne's
Disclosure Letter.

          (t)  [RESERVED]

          (u)  Antitakeover Provisions Inapplicable.   Bayonne and its
               ------------------------------------                   
Subsidiaries have taken all actions required to exempt Bayonne, the Agreement,
the Merger and the Option Agreement from any provisions of an antitakeover
nature in their organization certificates and bylaws, and the provisions of any
federal or state "antitakeover," "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
acquisition" or similar laws or regulations.

          (v)  Material Interests of Certain Persons.   Except as disclosed in
               -------------------------------------                          
Bayonne's Disclosure Letter, no officer or director of Bayonne, or any
"associate" (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act")) of any such officer or director, has
any material interest in any material contract or property (real or personal),
tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of Bayonne or any
of its Subsidiaries.  No such interest has been created or modified since the
date of completion of the last regulatory examination of Bayonne or its
Subsidiaries.

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
          (w)  Insurance.  In the opinion of management, Bayonne and its
               ---------                                               
Subsidiaries are presently insured, and since December 31, 1995, have been
insured, for amounts deemed reasonable by management with, to Bayonne's
knowledge, financially sound insurance companies, against such risks as
companies engaged in a similar business would, in accordance with good business
practice, customarily be insured.  All of the insurance policies and bonds
maintained by Bayonne and its Subsidiaries are in full force and effect, Bayonne
and its Subsidiaries are not in default thereunder and all material claims
thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion.

          (x)  Investment Securities; Borrowings.  (i)  Except for investments 
               ---------------------------------                                
in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock, pledges to secure FHLB borrowings, and
reverse repurchase agreements entered into in arms-length transactions pursuant
to normal commercial terms and conditions and entered into in the ordinary
course of business and restrictions that exist for securities to be classified
as "held to maturity," none of the investments reflected in the consolidated
balance sheet of Bayonne for the year ended March 31, 1998, and none of the
investment securities held by it or any of its Subsidiaries since March 31,
1998, is subject to any restriction (contractual or statutory) that would
materially impair the ability of the entity holding such investment freely to
dispose of such investment at any time.

               (ii)  Except as set forth in Bayonne's Disclosure Letter, Bayonne
nor any Subsidiary is a party to or has agreed to enter into an exchange-traded
or over-the-counter equity, interest rate, foreign exchange or other swap,
forward, future, option, cap, floor or collar or any other contract that is a
derivative contract (including various combinations thereof) (each, a
"Derivatives Contract") or owns securities that (A) are referred to generically
as "structured notes," "high risk mortgage derivatives," "capped floating rate
notes" or "capped floating rate mortgage derivatives" or (B) are likely to have
changes in value as a result of interest or exchange rate changes that
significantly exceed normal changes in value attributable to interest or
exchange rate changes.

               (iii)  Set forth in Bayonne's Disclosure Letter is a true and
complete list of Bayonne's borrowed funds (excluding deposit accounts) as of the
date hereof.

          (y)  Indemnification.  Except as provided in Bayonne's Employment
               ---------------                                             
Agreements or the organization certificate or bylaws of Bayonne and its
Subsidiaries, neither Bayonne nor any Subsidiary is a party to any
indemnification agreement with any of its present or future directors, officers,
employees, agents or other persons who serve or served in any other capacity
with any other enterprise at the request of Bayonne (a "Covered Person"), and,
to the best knowledge of Bayonne, there are no claims for which any Covered
Person would be entitled to indemnification under the organization certificate
or bylaws of Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries, under any applicable law or
regulation or under any indemnification agreement.

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
          (z)  Books and Records.  The books and records of Bayonne and its
               -----------------                                           
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis have been, and are being, maintained in
accordance with applicable legal and accounting requirements and reflect in all
material respects the substance of events and transactions that should be
included therein.

          (aa) Corporate Documents.  Bayonne has delivered to RCFC true and
               -------------------                                         
complete copies of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of First
Savings's organization certificate and bylaws.  The minute books of Bayonne and
First Savings constitute a complete and correct record of all actions taken by
their respective boards of directors (and each committee thereof) and their
stockholders.  The minute books of each of Bayonne's Subsidiaries constitutes a
complete and correct record of all actions taken by the respective boards of
directors (and each committee thereof) and the stockholders of each such
Subsidiary.

          (bb) Tax Treatment of the Merger.  As of the date hereof, Bayonne has
               ---------------------------                                     
no knowledge of any fact or circumstance relating to it that would prevent the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement from qualifying as a tax-free
reorganization under the Code.

          (cc) Beneficial Ownership of RCFC Common Stock.  As of the date
               -----------------------------------------                 
hereof, Bayonne beneficially owns no shares of RCFC Common Stock and does not
have any option, warrant or right of any kind to acquire the beneficial
ownership of any shares of RCFC Common Stock.

          (dd) Year 2000 Matters.  Bayonne has completed a review of its
               -----------------                                        
computer systems to identify systems that could be affected by the "Year 2000"
issue and reasonably believes it has identified all such Year 2000 problems.
Bayonne's management has developed and commenced implementation of a plan which
is designed to complete any required initial changes to its computer systems and
to complete testing of those changes by December 31, 1998. Between the date of
this Agreement and the Effective Time, Bayonne shall use commercially
practicable efforts to implement and/or continue to undertake such plan.  Year
2000 issues have not had, and are not reasonably expected to have, a Material
Adverse Effect on Bayonne and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (ee) Registration Statement.  The information regarding Bayonne to be
               ----------------------                                          
supplied by Bayonne for inclusion in (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-4
and/or such other form(s) as may be appropriate to be filed under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), with the SEC by RCFC for the purpose
of, among other things, registering the RCFC Common Stock to be issued to
Bayonne's stockholders in the Merger (as amended or supplemented from time to
time, the "Registration Statement"), or (ii) the proxy statement to be filed
with the SEC by RCFC and Bayonne under the Exchange Act and distributed in
connection with Bayonne's meeting of stockholders and RCFC's meeting of
stockholders to vote upon this Agreement (as amended or supplemented from time
to time, the "Proxy Statement," and together with the prospectus included in the
Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Proxy
Statement-Prospectus") will not, at the time such Registration Statement 

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
becomes effective, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are
made, not misleading.

          (ff) Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") Compliance.  First Savings is
               ---------------------------------------------                   
in material compliance with the applicable provisions of the CRA and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, and First Savings currently has a CRA rating
of satisfactory or better.  To Bayonne's knowledge, there is no fact or
circumstance or set of facts or circumstances that would cause First Savings to
fail to comply with such provisions or cause the CRA rating of First Savings to
fall below satisfactory.

          Section 2.4.   Representations and Warranties of RCFC.  Subject to
                         --------------------------------------             
Sections 2.1 and 2.2, RCFC represents and warrants to Bayonne that, except as
specifically disclosed in RCFC's Disclosure Letter:

          (a)  Organization.  (i)   RCFC is a corporation duly organized,
               ------------                                              
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and is duly registered as a savings and loan holding company under HOLA.  RCFC
Bank is a stock savings bank duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of New York.  Each Subsidiary of RCFC Bank
is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization.  Each of RCFC and its Subsidiaries has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

               (ii)  RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries has the requisite
corporate power and authority, and is duly qualified and is in good standing, to
do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification necessary.

               (iii)  RCFC's Disclosure Letter sets forth all of RCFC's
Subsidiaries and all entities (whether corporations, partnerships or similar
organizations), including the corresponding percentage ownership, in which RCFC
owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the ownership interests as of the
date of this Agreement and indicates for each of RCFC's Subsidiaries, as of such
date, its jurisdiction of organization and the jurisdiction(s) wherein it is
qualified to do business.  All such Subsidiaries and ownership interests are in
compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to direct
investments in equity ownership interests.  RCFC owns, either directly or
indirectly, all of the outstanding capital stock of each of its Subsidiaries.
No Subsidiary of RCFC other than RCFC Bank is an "insured depository
institution" as defined in the FDIA and the applicable regulations thereunder.
All of the shares of capital stock of each of the Subsidiaries held by RCFC or
any of its other Subsidiaries are fully paid, nonassessable and not subject to
any preemptive rights and are owned by RCFC or a Subsidiary of RCFC free and
clear of any claims, liens, encumbrances or restrictions (other than 

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
those imposed by applicable federal and state securities laws) and there are no
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting or disposition of any
such shares.

               (iv)  The deposits of RCFC Bank are insured by the Bank Insurance
Fund ("BIF") of the FDIC and the SAIF of the FDIC to the extent provided in the
FDIA.

          (b)  Capital Structure.  (i)  The authorized capital stock of RCFC
               -----------------                                            
consists of 75,000,000 shares of RCFC Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $.01 per share ("RCFC Preferred Stock").  As of the
date of this Agreement, (A) 26,423,600 shares of RCFC Common Stock were issued
and outstanding, (B) no shares of RCFC Preferred Stock were outstanding, (C) no
shares of RCFC Common Stock were reserved for issuance, except that 2,642,360
shares of RCFC Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant to the RCFC 1998
Stock-Based Incentive Plan and (D) no shares of RCFC Common Stock were held by
RCFC in its treasury or by its Subsidiaries.  The authorized capital stock of
RCFC Bank consists of 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share.  As of
the date of this Agreement, 1,000 shares of such common stock were outstanding,
no shares of such preferred stock were outstanding and all outstanding shares of
such common stock were, and as of the Effective Time will be, owned by RCFC.
All outstanding shares of capital stock of RCFC and RCFC Bank are validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to any preemptive rights
and, with respect to shares held by RCFC in its treasury or by its Subsidiaries,
are free and clear of all liens, encumbrances or restrictions (other than those
imposed by applicable federal or state securities laws) and there are no
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting or disposition of any
such shares.

               (ii)  No Voting Debt of RCFC is issued or outstanding.
 
               (iii)  As of the date of this Agreement, except for this
Agreement and as set forth in RCFC's Disclosure Letter, neither RCFC nor any of
its Subsidiaries has or is bound by any outstanding options, warrants, calls,
rights, convertible securities, commitments or agreements of any character
obligating RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause
to be issued, delivered or sold, any additional shares of capital stock of RCFC
or any of its Subsidiaries or obligating RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries to
grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, convertible
security, commitment or agreement. As of the date hereof, there are no
outstanding contractual obligations of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of RCFC or
any of its Subsidiaries.

          (c)  Authority.   Each of RCFC and RCFC Bank has the requisite
               ---------                                                
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Option Agreement
and the Plan of Bank Merger, respectively and, subject to approval of this
Agreement, by the requisite vote of RCFC's stockholders and receipt of all
required regulatory or governmental approvals, as contemplated by Section 5.1(b)
of this Agreement, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Option Agreement, and, subject
to the approval of this Agreement by RCFC's stockholders, the consummation of
the transactions contemplated 

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
hereby, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions on the part
of RCFC and RCFC Bank. This Agreement and the Option Agreement have been duly
executed and delivered by RCFC and constitutes a valid and binding obligations
of RCFC, enforceable in accordance with its terms subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies
generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity,
whether applied in a court of law or a court of equity.

          (d)  Stockholder Approval; Fairness Opinion.  The affirmative vote of
               --------------------------------------                           
a majority of the outstanding shares of RCFC Common Stock entitled to vote on
this Agreement is the only vote of the stockholders of RCFC required for
approval of the Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the related
transactions contemplated hereby.  RCFC has received the opinion of Tucker
Anthony Incorporated, to the effect that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange
Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to RCFC's stockholders.

          (e)  No Violations.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
               -------------                                                  
Agreement by RCFC does not, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not, constitute (i) assuming receipt of all Requisite
Regulatory Approvals and requisite stockholder approvals, a breach or violation
of, or a default under, any law, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree,
order, governmental permit or license, or agreement, indenture or instrument of
RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, or to which RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries (or
any of their respective properties) is subject, (ii) a breach or violation of,
or a default under, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of RCFC or the
similar organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) a breach or
violation of, or a default under (or an event which, with due notice or lapse of
time or both, would constitute a default under), or result in the termination
of, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any
lien, pledge, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any of the
properties or assets of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, under, any of the
terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, indenture, deed of trust,
loan agreement or other agreement, instrument or obligation to which RCFC or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party, or to which any of their respective properties
or assets may be subject; and the consummation of the transactions (including
the Bank Merger) contemplated hereby (exclusive of the effect of any changes
effected pursuant to Section 1.7) will not require any approval, consent or
waiver under any such law, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, order,
governmental permit or license or the approval, consent or waiver of any other
party to any such agreement, indenture or instrument, other than (x) the
approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of RCFC Common
Stock, (y) the approval of the Banking Board of the State of New York ("Banking
Board") under Section 143-b of the Banking Law of the Sate of New York ("Banking
Law"), the approval of the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New York (the
"Superintendent") under Section 601 of the Banking Law and any other requirement
of the Banking Board or the Superintendent, the approval of the OTS, under HOLA,
the approval of the NJBD and the approval of the appropriate regulatory
authority under Section 18(c) of the FDIC (collectively, the "Requisite
Regulatory Approvals") and (z) such approvals, consents or waivers as are
required under the federal and state securities or "blue sky" laws in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  As of the date hereof,
the executive officers of 

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
RCFC know of no reason pertaining to RCFC why any of the approvals referred to
in this Section 2.4(e) should not be obtained without the imposition of any
material condition or restriction described in the proviso to Section 5.1(b).

          (f)  Reports.  (i)  As of their respective dates, none of the reports
               -------                                                         
or other statements filed by RCFC or RCFC Bank on or subsequent to December 31,
1997, with the FDIC or the SEC (collectively, "RCFC's Reports"), contained, or
will contain, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.  Each of the financial statements of RCFC included in
RCFC's Reports complied as to form, as of their respective dates of filing with
the SEC, in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and
with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto and
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the
notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited financial statements, as permitted by
Form 10-Q of the SEC).  Each of the consolidated statements of condition
contained or incorporated by reference in RCFC's Reports (including in each case
any related notes and schedules) and each of the statements of operations,
consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of changes in
stockholders' equity, contained or incorporated by reference in RCFC's Reports
(including in each case any related notes and schedules) fairly presented, or
will fairly present, as the case may be, (A) the financial position of the
entity or entities to which it relates as of its date,  and (B) the results of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows, as the case may be, of the
entity or entities to which it relates for the periods set forth therein
(subject, in the case of unaudited interim statements, to normal year-end audit
adjustments that are not material in amount or effect), in each case in
accordance with GAAP, except as may be noted therein.  RCFC has made available
to Bayonne a true and complete copy of each of RCFC's Reports filed with the SEC
since December 31, 1997.

               (ii)  RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries have each timely filed
all material reports, registrations and statements, together with any amendments
required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file since
December 31, 1993 with (A) the FDIC, (B) the SEC, (C) the NASD, (D) the NYBD and
(E) any other SRO, and, to RCFC's knowledge, have paid all fees and assessments
due and payable in connection therewith.

          (g)  Absence of Certain Changes or Events.   Except as disclosed in
               ------------------------------------                          
RCFC's Reports filed on or prior to the date of this Agreement, since December
31, 1997, (i) RCFC and its Subsidiaries have not incurred any liability, except
in the ordinary course of their business consistent with past practice, (ii)
RCFC and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in the
ordinary and usual course of such businesses and (iii) there has not been any
Material Adverse Effect with respect to RCFC.

          (h)  Absence of Claims.  Except as set forth in RCFC's Disclosure
               -----------------                                           
Letter, no litigation, proceeding, controversy, claim or action before any court
or governmental agency is 

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
pending against RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, and, to the best of RCFC's
knowledge, no such litigation, proceeding, controversy, claim or action has been
threatened.

          (i)  Absence of Regulatory Actions.  Neither RCFC nor any of its
               -----------------------------                              
Subsidiaries is a party to any cease and desist order, written agreement or
memorandum of understanding with, or  any commitment letter or similar written
undertaking to, or is subject to any action, proceeding, order or directive by,
or is a recipient of any extraordinary supervisory letter from any Government
Regulator, or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of any Government
Regulator, nor has it been advised by any Governmental Regulator that it is
contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of
issuing or requesting) any such action, proceeding, order, directive, written
agreement, memorandum of understanding, extraordinary supervisory letter,
commitment letter, board resolutions  or similar written undertaking.

          (j)  Taxes.  All federal, state, local and foreign tax returns 
               -----        
required to be filed by or on behalf of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries have
been timely filed or requests for extensions have been timely filed and any such
extension shall have been granted and not have expired, and all such filed
returns are complete and accurate in all material respects. All taxes shown on
such returns, all taxes required to be shown on returns for which extensions
have been granted and all other taxes required to be paid by RCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries have been paid in full or adequate provision has been made for any
such taxes on RCFC's balance sheet (in accordance with GAAP). For purposes of
this Section 2.4(j), the term "taxes" shall include all income, franchise, gross
receipts, real and personal property, real property transfer and gains, wage and
employment taxes. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no audit
examination, deficiency assessment, tax investigation or refund litigation with
respect to any taxes of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, and no claim has been
made by any authority in a jurisdiction where RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries do
not file tax returns that RCFC or any such Subsidiary is subject to taxation in
that jurisdiction. All taxes, interest, additions and penalties due with respect
to completed and settled examinations or concluded litigation relating to RCFC
or any of its Subsidiaries have been paid in full or adequate provision has been
made for any such taxes on RCFC's balance sheet (in accordance with GAAP).
Except as set forth in RCFC's Disclosure Letter, RCFC and its Subsidiaries have
not executed an extension or waiver of any statute of limitations on the
assessment or collection of any material tax due that is currently in effect.
RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all taxes required to
have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any
employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party,
and RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries has timely complied with all applicable
information reporting requirements under Part III, Subchapter A of Chapter 61 of
the Code and similar applicable state and local information reporting
requirements. Neither RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has made an election
under Section 341(f) of the Code, (ii) has issued or assumed any obligation
under Section 279 of the Code, any high yield discount obligation as described
in Section 163(i) of the Code or any registration-required obligation within the
meaning of Section 163(f)(2) of the Code that is not in registered form or 

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
(iii) is or has been a United States real property holding corporation within
the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.

          (k)  Agreements.  (i)  Except for arrangements made in the ordinary
               ----------                                                       
course of business, and except as set forth in RCFC's Disclosure Letter, RCFC
and its Subsidiaries are not bound by any material contract (as defined in Item
601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K) to be performed after the date hereof that has not
been filed with or incorporated by reference in RCFC's Reports.  Except as
disclosed in RCFC's Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, neither
RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to an oral or written (A) consulting
agreement (other than data processing, software programming and licensing
contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business) not terminable on 60
days' or less notice, (B) agreement with any executive officer or other key
employee of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries the benefits of which are
contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence of
a transaction involving RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries of the nature
contemplated by this Agreement, (C) agreement with respect to any employee or
director of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries providing any term of employment or
compensation guarantee extending for a period longer than 60 days or for the
payment of in excess of $100,000 per annum, (D) agreement or plan, including any
stock option plan, phantom stock or stock appreciation rights plan, restricted
stock plan or stock purchase plan, any of the benefits of which will be
increased, or the vesting or payment of the benefits of which will be
accelerated, by the occurrence of a transaction involving RCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries of the nature contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of
the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of a transaction of the
nature contemplated by this Agreement or (E) agreement containing covenants that
limit the ability of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries to compete in any line of
business or with any person, or that involve any restriction on the geographic
area in which, or method by which, RCFC (including any successor thereof) or any
of its Subsidiaries may carry on its business (other than as may be required by
law or any regulatory agency).

               (ii)  Neither RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default
under or in violation of any provision of any note, bond, indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement to which it is a party
or by which it is bound or to which any of its respective properties or assets
is subject.

               (iii)  RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses
valid and binding licenses and other rights to use without payment all patents,
copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, servicemarks and trademarks used in its
businesses, and neither RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice
of conflict with respect thereto that asserts the right of others.  Each of RCFC
and its Subsidiaries has performed all the obligations required to be performed
by it and are not in default under any contract, agreement, arrangement or
commitment relating to any of the foregoing.

          (l)  RCFC Common Stock.  The shares of RCFC Common Stock to be issued
               -----------------                                               
pursuant to this Agreement, when issued in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, will be 

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and subject to no
preemptive rights.

          (m)  Labor Matters.  Neither RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries is or 
               -------------        
has ever been a party to, or is or has ever been bound by, any collective
bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor
union or labor organization with respect to its employees, nor is RCFC or any of
its Subsidiaries the subject of any proceeding asserting that it has committed
an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries to
bargain with any labor organization as to wages and conditions of employment,
nor is there any strike, other labor dispute or organizational effort involving
RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to RCFC's knowledge, threatened.
RCFC and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable laws regarding
employment of employees and retention of independent contractors and are in
compliance with applicable employment tax laws.

          (n)  Employee Benefit Plans.  RCFC's Disclosure Letter contains a
               ----------------------                                      
complete and accurate list of all pension, retirement, stock option, stock
purchase, stock ownership, savings, stock appreciation right, profit sharing,
deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance, severance and other
benefit plans, contracts, agreements and arrangements, including, but not
limited to, "employee benefit plans," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA,
incentive and welfare policies, contracts, plans and arrangements and all trust
agreements related thereto with respect to any present or former directors,
officers or other employees of RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries (hereinafter
referred to collectively as the "RCFC Employee Plans").  All of the RCFC
Employee Plans comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements
of ERISA, the Code and other applicable laws; there has occurred no "prohibited
transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code)
which is likely to result in the imposition of any penalties or taxes under
Section 502(i) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code upon RCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries.  No liability to the PBGC has been or is expected by RCFC or any
of its Subsidiaries to be incurred with respect to any RCFC Employee Plan which
is subject to Title IV of ERISA ("RCFC Pension Plan"), or with respect to any
"single-employer plan" (as defined in Section 4001(a) of ERISA) currently or
formerly maintained by RCFC or any entity which is considered one employer with
RCFC under Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code (an "ERISA
Affiliate").  No RCFC Pension Plan had an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, as of the last day of
the end of the most recent plan year ending prior to the date hereof; the fair
market value of the assets of each RCFC Pension Plan exceeds the present value
of the "benefit liabilities" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA) under
such RCFC Pension Plan as of the end of the most recent plan year with respect
to the respective RCFC Pension Plan ending prior to the date hereof, calculated
on the basis of the actuarial assumptions used in the most recent actuarial
valuation for such RCFC Pension Plan as of the date hereof; and no notice of a
"reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) for which the 30-day
reporting requirement has not been waived has been required to be filed for any
RCFC Pension Plan within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof. Neither
RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has provided, or is required to provide,
security to any RCFC Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an 

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code. Neither RCFC, its
Subsidiaries, nor any ERISA Affiliate has contributed to any "multiemployer
plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, on or after September 26, 1980.
Each RCFC Employee Plan that is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as defined
in Section 3(2) of ERISA) and which is intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code (an "RCFC Qualified Plan") has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS, and RCFC and its Subsidiaries are not aware
of any circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
determination letter. Each RCFC Qualified Plan that is an "employee stock
ownership plan" (as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code) has satisfied all
of the applicable requirements of Sections 409 and 4975(e)(7) of the Code and
the regulations thereunder in all respects and any assets of any such RCFC
Qualified Plan that are not allocated to participants' individual accounts are
pledged as security for, and may be applied to satisfy, any securities
acquisition indebtedness. There is no pending or, to RCFC's knowledge,
threatened litigation, administrative action or proceeding relating to any RCFC
Employee Plan. There has been no announcement or commitment by RCFC or any of
its Subsidiaries to create an additional RCFC Employee Plan, or to amend any
RCFC Employee Plan, except for amendments required by applicable law which do
not materially increase the cost of such RCFC Employee Plan; and, except as
specifically identified in RCFC's Disclosure Letter, RCFC and its Subsidiaries
do not have any obligations for post-retirement or post-employment benefits
under any RCFC Employee Plan that cannot be amended or terminated upon 60 days'
notice or less without incurring any liability thereunder, except for coverage
required by Part 6 of Title I of ERISA or Section 4980B of the Code, or similar
state laws, the cost of which is borne by the insured individuals. With respect
to RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, for the Employee Plans listed in RCFC's
Disclosure Letter, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in any
payment or series of payments by RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries to any person
which is an "excess parachute payment" (as defined in Section 280G of the Code),
increase or secure (by way of a trust or other vehicle) any benefits payable
under any RCFC Employee Plan or accelerate the time of payment or vesting of any
such benefit. With respect to each RCFC Employee Plan, RCFC has supplied to
Bayonne a true and correct copy of (A) the annual report on the applicable form
of the Form 5500 series filed with the IRS for the most recent three plan years,
if required to be filed, (B) such RCFC Employee Plan, including amendments
thereto, (C) each trust agreement, insurance contract or other funding
arrangement relating to such RCFC Employee Plan, including amendments thereto,
(D) the most recent summary plan description and summary of material
modifications thereto for such RCFC Employee Plan, if the RCFC Employee Plan is
subject to Title I of ERISA, (E) the most recent actuarial report or valuation
if such RCFC Employee Plan is an RCFC Pension Plan and any subsequent changes to
the actuarial assumptions contained therein and (F) the most recent
determination letter issued by the IRS if such RCFC Employee Plan is a Qualified
Plan.

          (o)  Title to Assets.  RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries has good and
               ---------------                                                 
marketable title to its properties and assets (including any intellectual
property asset such as any trademark, service mark, tradename or copyright) and
property acquired in a judicial foreclosure proceeding or by way of a deed in
lieu of foreclosure or similar transfer, other than property as to 

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
which it is lessee, in which case the related lease is valid and in full force
and effect. Each lease pursuant to which RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries is
lessor is valid and in full force and effect and no lessee under any such lease
is in default or in violation of any provisions of any such lease. All material
tangible properties of RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries are in a good state of
maintenance and repair, conform with all applicable ordinances, regulations and
zoning laws and are considered by RCFC to be adequate for the current business
of RCFC and its Subsidiaries.

          (p)  Compliance with Laws.  RCFC and each of its Subsidiaries has all
               --------------------                                            
permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals of, and has
made all filings, applications and registrations with, all federal, state, local
and foreign governmental or regulatory bodies that are required in order to
permit it to carry on its business as it is presently conducted; all such
permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full
force and effect, and, to the best knowledge of RCFC, no suspension or
cancellation of any of them is threatened.  Since the date of its incorporation,
the corporate affairs of RCFC have not been conducted in violation of any law,
ordinance, regulation, order, writ, rule, decree or approval of any Governmental
Entity.  The businesses of RCFC and its Subsidiaries are not being conducted in
violation of any law, ordinance, regulation, order, writ, rule, decree or
condition to approval of any Governmental Entity.  The businesses of RCFC and
its Subsidiaries are not being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance,
regulation, order, writ, rule, decree or condition to approve of any Government
Entity.

          (q)  Fees.  Other than the financial advisory services performed for
               ----                                                           
RCFC by Tucker Anthony Incorporated pursuant to an agreement with RCFC dated
July 19, 1998, a true and complete copy of which has been previously delivered
to Bayonne, neither RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents, has employed any broker or
finder or incurred any liability for any financial advisory fees, brokerage
fees, commissions or finder's fees, and no broker or finder has acted directly
or indirectly for RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (r)  Environmental Matters.  With respect to RCFC and each of its
               ---------------------                                       
Subsidiaries:

               (i)  Each of RCFC and its Subsidiaries, the Participation
Facilities and, to RCFC's knowledge, the Loan Properties are, and have been, in
substantial compliance with, and are not liable under, all Environmental Laws;

               (ii)  There is no suit, claim, action, demand, executive or
administrative order, directive, investigation or proceeding pending or, to
RCFC's knowledge, threatened, before any court, governmental agency or board or
other forum against it or any of its Subsidiaries or any Participation Facility
(x) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with, or liability
under, any Environmental Law or (y) relating to the presence of or release into
the environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at or on a
site owned, leased or operated by it or any of its Subsidiaries or any
Participation Facility;

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
               (iii)  To RCFC's knowledge, there is no suit, claim, action,
demand, executive or administrative order, directive, investigation or
proceeding pending or threatened before any court, governmental agency or board
or other forum relating to or against any Loan Property (or RCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries in respect of such Loan Property) (x) relating to alleged
noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with, or liability under, any
Environmental Law or (y) relating to the presence of or release into the
environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at or on a site
owned, leased or operated by a Loan Property;

               (iv)  To RCFC's knowledge, the properties currently owned or
operated by RCFC or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
soil, groundwater or surface water on, under or adjacent to the properties, and
buildings thereon) are not contaminated with and do not otherwise contain any
Hazardous Material other than as permitted under applicable Environmental Law;

               (v)  Neither RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
notice, demand letter, executive or administrative order, directive or request
for information from any federal, state, local or foreign governmental entity or
any third party indicating that it may be in violation of, or liable under, any
Environmental Law;

               (vi)  To RCFC's knowledge, there are no underground storage tanks
on, in or under any properties owned or operated by RCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Participation Facility and no underground storage tanks have
been closed or removed from any properties owned or operated by RCFC or any of
its Subsidiaries or any Participation Facility; and

               (vii)  To RCFC's knowledge, during the period of (l) RCFC's or
any of its Subsidiaries' ownership or operation of any of their respective
current properties or (m) RCFC's or any of its Subsidiaries' participation in
the management of any Participation Facility, there has been no contamination by
or release of Hazardous Materials in, on, under or affecting such properties.
To RCFC's knowledge, prior to the period of (x) RCFC's or any of its
Subsidiaries' ownership or operation of any of their respective current
properties or (y) RCFC's or any of its Subsidiaries' participation in the
management of any Participation Facility, there was no contamination by or
release of Hazardous Material in, on, under or affecting  such property,
Participation Facility or Loan Property.

          (s)  Loan Portfolio; Allowance; Asset Quality.  (i)  With respect to
               ----------------------------------------                        
each Loan owned by RCFC or its Subsidiaries in whole or in part, to RCFC's best
knowledge:

               (A)  the note and the related security documents are each legal,
valid and binding obligations of the maker or obligor thereof, enforceable
against such maker or obligor in accordance with their terms;

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
               (B)  neither RCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any prior
holder of a Loan has modified the note or any of the related security documents
in any material respect or satisfied, canceled or subordinated the note or any
of the related security documents except as otherwise disclosed by documents in
the applicable Loan file;

               (C)  RCFC or a Subsidiary is the sole holder of legal and
beneficial title to each Loan (or RCFC Bank's applicable participation interest,
as applicable); except as otherwise referenced on the books and records of RCFC;

               (D)  the note and the related security documents, copies of which
are included in the Loan files, are true and correct copies of the documents
they purport to be and have not been suspended, amended, modified, canceled or
otherwise changed except as otherwise disclosed by documents in the applicable
Loan file;

               (E)  there is no pending or threatened condemnation proceeding or
similar proceeding affecting the property that serves as security for a Loan;
except as otherwise referenced on the books and records of RCFC;

               (F)  there is no litigation or proceeding pending or threatened
relating to the property that serves as security for a Loan that would have a
Material Adverse Effect upon the related Loan; and

               (G)  with respect to a Loan held in the form of a participation,
the participation documentation is legal, valid, binding and enforceable.

               (ii)  The allowance for possible losses reflected in RCFC Bank's
audited statement of condition at June 30, 1997 was, and the allowance for
possible losses shown on the balance sheets in RCFC's Reports for periods ending
after June 30, 1997 will, in the opinion of management, be adequate, as of the
dates thereof, under generally accepted accounting principles applicable to
stock savings associations consistently applied.

               (iii)  RCFC's Disclosure Letter sets forth by category the
amounts of all loans, leases, advances, credit enhancements, other extensions of
credit, commitments and interest-bearing assets of RCFC and its Subsidiaries
that have been classified (whether regulatory or internal) as "Other Loans
Specially Mentioned," "Special Mention," "Substandard," "Doubtful," "Loss,"
"Classified," "Criticized," "Credit Risk Assets," "Concerned Loans" (in the
latter two cases, to the extent available) or words of similar import, and RCFC
and its Subsidiaries shall promptly after the end of any month inform Bayonne of
any such classification arrived at any time after the date hereof. The OREO or
words of similar import included in any non-performing assets of RCFC or any of
its Subsidiaries is carried net of reserves at the lower of cost or fair value,
less estimated selling costs, based on current independent appraisals or
evaluations or current management appraisals or evaluations; provided, however,
that "current" shall mean within the past 12 months.

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
          (t)  [RESERVED]

          (u)  Investment Securities; Borrowing.  (i)  Except for investments in
               --------------------------------                                 
FHLB Stock and pledges to secure FHLB borrowings and reverse repurchase
agreements entered into in arms-length transactions pursuant to normal
commercial terms and conditions and entered into in the ordinary course of
business and restrictions that exist for securities to be classified as "held to
maturity," none of the investments reflected in the consolidated balance sheet
of RCFC included in RCFC's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997, and none of the investment securities held by it or any of its
Subsidiaries since December 31, 1997 is subject to any restriction (contractual
or statutory) that would materially impair the ability of the entity holding
such investment freely to dispose of such investment at any time.

               (ii)  Except as set forth in RCFC's Disclosure Letter, neither
RCFC nor any Subsidiary is a party to or has agreed to enter into any
Derivatives Contract or owns securities that (A) are referred to generically as
"structured notes," "high risk mortgage derivatives," "capped floating rate
notes" or "capped floating rate mortgage derivatives" or (B) are likely to have
changes in value as a result of interest or exchange rate changes that
significantly exceed normal changes in value attributable to interest or
exchange rate changes, except for those Derivatives Contracts and other
instruments legally purchased or entered into in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with safe and sound banking practices and regulatory
guidance, and listed (as of the date hereof) in RCFC's Disclosure Letter or
disclosed in RCFC's Report filed on or prior to the date hereof.

               (iii)  Set forth in RCFC's Disclosure Letter is a true and
complete list of RCFC's borrowed funds (excluding deposit accounts) as of the
date hereof.

          (v)  Registration Statement.  The information regarding RCFC to be
               ----------------------                                       
supplied by RCFC for inclusion in (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the Proxy
Statement or (iii) any other documents to be filed with any Regulatory Authority
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will not, at the time
such Registration Statement becomes effective, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.  All documents that
RCFC is responsible for filing in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of
applicable law.

          (w)  Books and Records.  The books and records of RCFC and its
               -----------------                                        
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis have been, and are being, maintained in
accordance with applicable legal 

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
and accounting requirements and reflect in all material respects the substance
of events and transactions that should be included therein.

          (x)  Corporate Documents.  RCFC has delivered to Bayonne true and
               -------------------                                         
complete copies of its organization certificate and bylaws and of RCFC Bank's
organization certificate and bylaws.  The minute books of RCFC and RCFC Bank
constitute a complete and correct record of all actions taken by their
respective boards of directors (and each committee thereof) and their
stockholders.  The minute books of each of RCFC's Subsidiaries constitutes a
complete and correct record of all actions taken by the respective boards of
directors (and each committee thereof) and the stockholders of each such
Subsidiary.

          (y)  Beneficial Ownership of Bayonne Common Stock.  As of the date
               --------------------------------------------                 
hereof, RCFC beneficially owns 442,500 shares of Bayonne Common Stock and, other
than as contemplated by the Option Agreement, does not have any option, warrant
or right of any kind to acquire the beneficial ownership of any shares of
Bayonne Common Stock.

          (z)  Tax Treatment of the Merger.  As of the date hereof, RCFC has no
               ---------------------------                                     
knowledge of any fact or circumstance relating to it that would prevent the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement from qualifying as a tax-free
reorganization under the Code.

          (aa) Year 2000 Matters.  RCFC has completed a review of its computer
               -----------------                                              
systems to identify systems that could be affected by the "Year 2000" issue and
reasonably believes it has identified all Year 2000 problems.  RCFC's management
has developed and commenced implementation of a plan which is designed to
complete any required initial changes to its computer systems and to complete
testing of those changes by December 31, 1998. Between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time, RCFC shall use commercially practicable
efforts to implement and/or continue to undertake such plan.  Year 2000 issues
have not had, and are not reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect
on RCFC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (bb) Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") Compliance.  RCFC Bank is in
               ---------------------------------------------                  
material compliance with the applicable provisions of the CRA and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, and RCFC Bank currently has a CRA rating of
satisfactory or better.  To RCFC's knowledge, there is no fact or circumstance
or set of facts or circumstances that would cause RCFC Bank to fail to comply
with such provisions or cause the CRA rating of RCFC Bank to fall below
satisfactory.


                                  ARTICLE III
                           CONDUCT PENDING THE MERGER
                           --------------------------

          Section 3.1.  Conduct of Bayonne's Business Prior to the Effective
                        ----------------------------------------------------
Time.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, during the period from 
- ----                                                                            
the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Bayonne shall, and shall cause
its Subsidiaries to, use 

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
commercially reasonable efforts to (i) conduct its business in the regular,
ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice; (ii) maintain and
preserve intact its business organization, properties, leases, employees and
advantageous business relationships and retain the services of its officers and
key employees, (iii) take no action which would adversely affect or delay the
ability of Bayonne or RCFC to perform their respective covenants and agreements
on a timely basis under this Agreement, (iv) take no action which would
adversely affect or delay the ability of Bayonne, First Savings, RCFC or RCFC
Bank to obtain any necessary approvals, consents or waivers of any governmental
authority required for the transactions contemplated hereby or which would
reasonably be expected to result in any such approvals, consents or waivers
containing any material condition or restriction, and (v) take no action that
results in or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Bayonne
or First Savings.

          Section 3.2.  Forbearance by Bayonne.  Without limiting the covenants
                        ----------------------                                 
set forth in Section 3.1 hereof, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement
and except to the extent required by law or regulation or any Government
Regulators, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time, Bayonne shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
without the prior consent of RCFC, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld:

          (a)  unless required by applicable law or regulation or regulatory
directive, change any provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws
of Bayonne or the similar governing documents of its Subsidiaries;

          (b)  issue any shares of capital stock or change the terms of any
outstanding stock options or warrants or issue, grant or sell any option,
warrant, call, commitment, stock appreciation right, right to purchase or
agreement of any character relating to the authorized or issued capital stock of
Bayonne except pursuant to the exercise of stock options or warrants outstanding
as of the date of this Agreement;

          (c)  other than regular quarterly dividends, make, declare or pay any
cash or stock dividend or make any other distribution on, or directly or
indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital
stock or any securities or obligations convertible into or exchangeable for any
shares of its capital stock.  As promptly as practicable following the date of
this Agreement, the Board of Directors of Bayonne shall cause its regular
quarterly dividend record dates and payment dates to be the same as RCFC's
regular quarterly dividend record dates and payments dates for RCFC Common
Stock, and Bayonne shall not thereafter change its regular dividend payment
dates and record dates.  Nothing contained in this Section 3.2(c) or in any
other Section of this Agreement shall be construed to permit holders of shares
of Bayonne Common Stock to receive two dividends from either Bayonne or from
Bayonne and RCFC in any one quarter.  Subject to applicable regulatory
restrictions, if any, First Savings may pay a cash dividend that is, in the
aggregate, sufficient to fund any dividend by Bayonne permitted hereunder;

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, (i) sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of
any of its material properties, leases or assets to any individual, corporation
or other entity other than a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of
Bayonne or (ii) cancel, release or assign any indebtedness of any such
individual, corporation or other entity;

          (e)  except to the extent required by law or as specifically provided
for elsewhere herein, increase in any manner the compensation or fringe benefits
of any of its employees or directors, other than general increases in
compensation for non-executive officer employees in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice that do not cause the annualized
compensation of any of Bayonne's non-executive officer employees following such
increase to exceed by more than 5% the total annual compensation expenses of
Bayonne with respect to such person for the twelve-month period ended March 31,
1998 and that do not cause the annual rate of base salary of any of Bayonne's
non-executive officer employees to increase by more than 5% over such person's
base salary at March 31, 1998; pay, unless approved in advance by RCFC, any
reasonable "stay in place" pay where necessary or appropriate to retain key
employees; pay any pension or retirement allowance not required by any existing
plan or agreement to any such employees or directors, or become a party to,
amend or commit itself to fund or otherwise establish any trust or account
related to any Bayonne Employee Plan (as defined in Section 2.3(m)) with or for
the benefit of any employee or director; voluntarily accelerate the vesting of
any stock options or other compensation or benefit; make any discretionary
continuation to any Employee Plan; hire any employee with an annual total
compensation payment in excess of $35,000 or enter into any employment contract;
terminate or materially increase the costs to Bayonne or any Subsidiary of any
Employee Plan;

          (f)  except as contemplated by Section 4.2, change its method of
accounting as in effect at March 31, 1998, except as required by changes in GAAP
as concurred in by Bayonne's independent auditors;

          (g)  settle any claim, action or proceeding involving any liability of
Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries for money damages in excess of $50,000 or
impose material restrictions upon the operations of Bayonne or any of its
Subsidiaries;

          (h)  acquire or agree to acquire, by merging or consolidating with, or
by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or a substantial portion of the
assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or division thereof or otherwise
acquire or agree to acquire any assets, in each case which are material,
individually or in the aggregate, to Bayonne, except in satisfaction of debts
previously contracted;

          (i)  except pursuant to commitments existing at the date hereof which
have previously been disclosed to RCFC, make any real estate loans secured by
undeveloped land or real estate located outside the State of New Jersey (other
than real estate secured by one-to-four 

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
family homes) or make any construction loan (other than construction loans
secured by one-to-four family homes) outside the State of New Jersey;

          (j)  establish or commit to the establishment of any new branch or
other office facilities other than those for which all regulatory approvals have
been obtained except as disclosed in the Bayonne Disclosure Schedule;

          (k)  [RESERVED];

          (l)  other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice in individual amounts not to exceed $50,000 and other than
investments for Bayonne's portfolio made in accordance with Section 3.2(m), make
any investment either by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to
capital, property transfers, or purchase of any property or assets of any other
individual, corporation or other entity;

          (m)  make any investment in any debt security, including mortgage-
backed and mortgage-related securities, other than US government and US
government agency securities with final maturities not greater than five years,
mortgage-backed or mortgage related securities which would not be considered
"high risk" securities pursuant to Thrift Bulletin Number 52 issued by the OTS
or securities of the FHLB, in each case that are purchased in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

          (n)  enter into or terminate any contract or agreement, or make any
change in any of its leases or contracts, other than with respect to those
involving aggregate payments of less than, or the provision of goods or services
with a market value of less than, $20,000 per annum and other than contracts or
agreements covered by Section 3.2(g);

          (o)  make, renegotiate, renew, increase, extend or purchase any 
(i) loan, lease (credit equivalent), advance, credit enhancement or other
extension of credit, or make any commitment in respect of any of the foregoing,
except (A) in conformity with existing lending practices in amounts not to
exceed $500,000 to any individual borrower or (B) loans or advances as to which
Bayonne has a binding obligation to make such loan or advances as of the date
hereof and a description of which has been provided by Bayonne in the Bayonne
Disclosure Schedule;

          (p)  incur any additional borrowings beyond those set forth in the
Bayonne Disclosures Schedule other than short-term (six months or less) FHLB
borrowings and reverse repurchase agreements consistent with past practice, or
pledge any of its assets to secure any borrowings other than as required
pursuant to the terms of borrowings of Bayonne or any Subsidiary in effect at
the date hereof or in connection with borrowings or reverse repurchase
agreements permitted hereunder.  Deposits shall not be deemed to be borrowings
within the meaning of this paragraph;

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
          (q)  make any capital expenditures in excess of $20,000 per
expenditure from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Date other than
pursuant to binding commitments existing on the date hereof disclosed in the
Bayonne Disclosure Schedule, other than expenditures necessary to maintain
existing assets in good repair or to make payment of necessary taxes;

          (r)  organize, capitalize, lend to or otherwise invest in any
subsidiary (other than securities of the FHLB that are purchased in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice);

          (s)  elect to any senior executive office any person who is not a
member of the senior executive officer team of Bayonne as of the date of this
Agreement or elect to the Board of Directors of Bayonne any person who is not a
member of the Board of Directors of Bayonne;

          (t)  agree or make any commitment to take any action that is
prohibited by this Section 3.2.

          In the event that RCFC does not respond in writing to Bayonne within 
3 business days of receipt by RCFC of a written request for Bayonne to engage in
any of the actions for which RCFC's prior written consent is required pursuant
to this Section 3.2, RCFC shall be deemed to have consented to such action. Any
request by Bayonne or response thereto by RCFC shall be made in accordance with
the notice provisions of Section 8.7, shall note that it is a request pursuant
to this Section 3.2 and shall state that a failure to respond within 3 business
days shall constitute consent.

          Section 3.3.  Conduct of RCFC's Business Prior to the Effective Time.
                        ------------------------------------------------------
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, during the period from the date
of this Agreement to the Effective Time, RCFC shall, and shall cause its
Subsidiaries to,  use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) conduct its
business in the regular, ordinary and usual course consistent with past
practice; (ii) maintain and preserve intact its business organization,
properties, leases, employees and advantageous business relationships and retain
the services of its officers and key employees; (iii) take no action which would
materially adversely affect or delay the ability of Bayonne or RCFC to perform
their respective covenants and agreements on a timely basis under this
Agreement, (iv) take no action which would adversely affect or delay the ability
of Bayonne, RCFC, First Savings or RCFC Bank to obtain any necessary approvals,
consents or waivers of any governmental authority required for the transactions
contemplated hereby or which would reasonably be expected to result in any such
approvals, consents or waivers containing any material condition or restriction,
and (v) take no action that results in or is reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on RCFC.

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   COVENANTS
                                   ---------

          Section 4.1.  Acquisition Proposals.  From and after the date hereof
                        ---------------------                                 
until the termination of this Agreement, neither Bayonne or First Savings, nor
any of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents
or affiliates (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney or
accountant retained by Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries), will, directly or
indirectly, initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage (including by way of
furnishing non-public information or assistance), or facilitate knowingly, any
inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be
expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal (as defined below), or enter into
or maintain or continue discussions or negotiate with any person or entity in
furtherance of such inquiries or to obtain an Acquisition Proposal or agree to
or endorse any Acquisition Proposal, or authorize or permit any of its officers,
directors or employees or any of its Subsidiaries or any investment banker,
financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other representative retained by any
of its Subsidiaries to take any such action, and Bayonne shall notify RCFC
orally (within 1 business day) and in writing (as promptly as practicable) of
such inquiries and proposals which it or any of its subsidiaries or any such
officer, director, employee, investment banker, financial advisor, attorney,
accountant or other representative may receive relating to any of such matters
and if such inquiry or proposal is in writing, Bayonne shall deliver to RCFC a
copy of such inquiry or proposal promptly; provided, however, that nothing
contained in this Section 4.1 shall prohibit the Board of Directors of Bayonne
from (i) furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations
with any, person or entity that makes an unsolicited written, bona fide proposal
to acquire Bayonne pursuant to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business
combination, tender or exchange offer or other similar transaction, if, and only
to the extent that, (A) the Board of Directors of Bayonne receives a written
opinion from its independent financial advisor that such proposal may be
superior to the Merger from a financial point-of-view to Bayonne's stockholders,
(B) the Board of Directors of Bayonne, after consultation with independent legal
counsel, determines in good faith that such action is necessary for the Board of
Directors of Bayonne to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders under
applicable law (such proposal that satisfies (A) and (B) being referred to
herein as a "Superior Proposal") and (C) prior to furnishing such information
to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity,
Bayonne (x) provides reasonable notice to RCFC to the effect that it is
furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with,
another partyand (y) receives from such person or entity an executed
confidentiality agreement in reasonably customary form, (ii) complying with Rule
14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to a tender or exchange
offer or (iii) failing to make or withdrawing or modifying its recommendation
and entering into a Superior Proposal if there exists a Superior Proposal and
the Board of Directors of Bayonne, after consultation with independent legal
counsel, determines in good faith that such action is necessary for the Board of
Directors of Bayonne to comply with its fiduciary duties to stockholders under
applicable law.  For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" shall
mean any of the following (other than the transactions contemplated hereunder)
involving Bayonne or any of its Subsidiaries:  (i) any merger, consolidation,
share exchange, business 

                                      39
<PAGE>
 
combination, or other similar transaction; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 15% or more of the assets of
Bayonne or First Savings, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or series of
transactions; (iii) any tender offer or exchange offer for 10% or more of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of Bayonne or the filing of a registration
statement under the Securities Act in connection therewith; or (iv) any public
announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the foregoing or any
agreement to engage in any of the foregoing.

          Section 4.2.   Certain Policies of Bayonne.
                         --------------------------- 

          (a)  At the request of RCFC, Bayonne shall cause First Savings to
modify and change its loan, litigation and real estate valuation policies and
practices (including loan classifications and levels of reserves) and investment
and asset/liability management policies and practices after the date on which
all Requisite Regulatory Approvals and stockholder approvals are received, and
after receipt of written confirmation from RCFC that it is not aware of any fact
or circumstance that would prevent completion of the Merger, and prior to the
Effective Time so as to be consistent on a mutually satisfactory basis with
those of RCFC Bank; provided, however, that Bayonne shall not be required to
take such action more than 30 days prior to the Effective Date; and provided,
further, that such policies and procedures are not prohibited by GAAP or any
applicable laws and regulations.

          (b)  Bayonne's representations, warranties and covenants contained in
this Agreement shall not be deemed to be untrue or breached in any respect for
any purpose as a consequence of any modifications or changes undertaken solely
on account of this Section 4.2. RCFC agrees to hold harmless, indemnify and
defend Bayonne and its Subsidiaries, and their respective directors, officers
and employees, for any loss, claim, liability or other damage caused by or
resulting from compliance with this Section 4.2.

          Section 4.3.   Access and Information.
                         ---------------------- 

          (a)  Upon reasonable notice, Bayonne and RCFC shall (and shall cause
their respective Subsidiaries to) afford to the other and their respective
representatives (including, without limitation, directors, officers and
employees of such party and its affiliates and counsel, accountants and other
professionals retained by such party) such reasonable access during normal
business hours throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to the books,
records (including, without limitation, tax returns and work papers of
independent auditors), properties, personnel and to such other information as
either party may reasonably request; provided, however, that no investigation
pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall affect or be deemed to modify any
representation or warranty made herein.  In furtherance, and not in limitation
of the foregoing, Bayonne shall make available to RCFC all information necessary
or appropriate for the preparation and filing of all real property and real
estate transfer tax returns and reports required by reason of the Merger or the
Bank Merger.  RCFC and Bayonne will not, and will cause their respective
representatives not to, use any information obtained pursuant to this 
Section 4.3 for any purpose unrelated to the

                                      40
<PAGE>
 
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to the
requirements of applicable law, each of RCFC and Bayonne will keep confidential,
and will cause their respective representatives to keep confidential, all
information and documents obtained pursuant to this Section 4.3 unless such
information (i) was already known to such party or an affiliate of such party,
other than pursuant to a confidentiality agreement or other confidential
relationship, (ii) becomes available to such party or an affiliate of such party
from other sources not known by such party to be bound by a confidentiality
agreement or other obligation of secrecy, (iii) is disclosed with the prior
written approval of the other party or (iv) is or becomes readily ascertainable
from published information or trade sources. In the event that this Agreement is
terminated or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall otherwise
fail to be consummated, each party shall promptly cause all copies of documents
or extracts thereof containing information and data as to another party hereto
(or an affiliate of any party hereto) to be returned to the party that furnished
the same.

          (b)  During the period of time beginning on the day application
materials for the Bank Merger are initially filed with the OTS, the FDIC, the
NYBD and the NJBD and continuing to the Effective Time, including weekends and
holidays, Bayonne shall cause First Savings to provide RCFC, RCFC Bank and their
authorized agents and representatives full access to First Savings's offices
after normal business hours for the purpose of installing necessary wiring and
equipment to be utilized by RCFC Bank after the Effective Time; provided, that:

               (i)  reasonable advance notice of each entry shall be given to
First Savings and First Savings approves of each entry, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld;

               (ii)  First Savings shall have the right to have its employees or
contractors present to inspect the work being done;

               (iii)  to the extent practicable, such work shall be done in a
manner that will not interfere with First Savings's business conducted at any
affected branch offices;

               (iv)  all such work shall be done in compliance with all
applicable laws and government regulations, and RCFC Bank shall be responsible
for the procurement, at RCFC Bank's expense, of all required governmental or
administrative permits and approvals;

               (v)  RCFC Bank shall maintain appropriate insurance satisfactory
to First Savings in connection with any work done by RCFC Bank's agents and
representatives pursuant to this Section 4.3;

               (vi)  RCFC Bank shall reimburse First Savings for any material
out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred by First Savings in connection with
this undertaking; and

                                      41

<PAGE>
 
               (vii)  in the event this Agreement is terminated in accordance
with Article VI hereof, RCFC Bank, within a reasonable time period and at its
sole cost and expense, will restore such offices to their condition prior to the
commencement of any such installation.

          Section 4.4.   Certain Filings, Consents and Arrangements.   RCFC
                         ------------------------------------------        
shall (a) as soon as practicable and in cooperation with Bayonne (and in any
event within 45 days after the date hereof) make, or cause to be made, any
filings and applications and provide any notices required to be filed or
provided in order to obtain all approvals, consents and waivers of governmental
authorities and third parties necessary or appropriate for the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) cooperate with one another in promptly
(i) determining what filings and notices are required to be made or approvals,
consents or waivers are required to be obtained under any relevant federal or
state law or regulation or under any relevant agreement or other document and
(ii) making any such filings and notices, furnishing information required in
connection therewith and seeking timely to obtain any such approvals, consents
or waivers; and (c) deliver to the other copies of the publicly available
portions of all such filings, notices and applications prior to filing.

          Section 4.5.   Antitakeover Provisions.  Bayonne and its Subsidiaries
                         -----------------------                               
shall take all steps required by any relevant federal or state law or regulation
or under any relevant agreement or other document to exempt or continue to
exempt RCFC, the Agreement, the Merger, the Bank Merger and the Option Agreement
from any provisions of an antitakeover nature in Bayonne's or its Subsidiaries'
organization certificates and bylaws and the provisions of any federal or state
antitakeover laws.

          Section 4.6.   Additional Agreements.   Subject to the terms and
                         ---------------------                            
conditions herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all
reasonable efforts to take promptly, or cause to be taken promptly, all actions
and to do promptly, or cause to be done promptly, all things necessary, proper
or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Bank
Merger, as expeditiously as possible, including using efforts to obtain all
necessary actions or non-actions, extensions, waivers, consents and approvals
from all applicable governmental entities, effecting all necessary
registrations, applications and filings (including, without limitation, filings
under any applicable state securities laws) and obtaining any required
contractual consents and regulatory approvals.

          Section 4.7.   Publicity.   The initial press release announcing this
                         ---------                                             
Agreement shall be a joint press release and thereafter Bayonne and RCFC shall
consult with each other in issuing any press releases or otherwise making public
statements with respect to the Merger and any other transaction contemplated
hereby and in making any filings with any governmental entity or with any
national securities exchange with respect thereto.

          Section 4.8.   Stockholders Meetings.   RCFC and Bayonne shall take
                         ---------------------                               
all action necessary, in accordance with applicable law and their respective
corporate documents, to 

                                      42
<PAGE>
 
convene a meeting of their respective stockholders (each, a "Stockholder
Meeting") as promptly as practicable for the purpose of considering and voting
on approval and adoption of the transactions provided for in this Agreement.
Except to the extent legally required for the discharge by the Board of
Directors of its fiduciary duties as advised by such Board's counsel, the Board
of Directors of each of RCFC and Bayonne shall (a) recommend at its Stockholder
Meeting that the stockholders vote in favor of and approve the transactions
provided for in this Agreement and (b) use its best efforts to solicit such
approvals. RCFC and Bayonne, in consultation with each other, shall each employ
professional proxy solicitors to assist in contacting stockholders in connection
with soliciting favorable votes on the Merger. RCFC and Bayonne shall coordinate
and cooperate with respect to the timing of their respective stockholders
meetings.

          Section 4.9.   Proxy Statements; Comfort Letters.  (i) As soon as
                         ---------------------------------                 
practicable after the date hereof, RCFC shall, in cooperation with Bayonne,
prepare a Proxy Statement-Prospectus for the purpose of taking stockholder
action on the Merger and this Agreement and subject to the provisions of Section
4.4, file the Proxy Statement-Prospectus with the SEC, respond to comments of
the staff of the SEC and, promptly after the Registration Statement is declared
effective by the SEC, mail the Proxy Statement-Prospectus to the respective
holders of record (as of the applicable record date) of shares of voting stock
of each of Bayonne and RCFC.  RCFC and Bayonne each represents and covenants to
the other that the Proxy Statement-Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement
thereto, with respect to the information pertaining to it or its Subsidiaries at
the date of mailing to its stockholders and the date of its Stockholder Meeting
will be in compliance with the Exchange Act and all relevant rules and
regulations of the SEC.

               (ii)  RCFC shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause Ernst &
Young LLP, its independent public accounting firm, to deliver to Bayonne, and
Bayonne shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
its independent public accounting firm, to deliver to RCFC and to its officers
and directors who sign the Registration Statement for this transaction, a
"comfort letter" or "agreed upon procedures" letter, in the form customarily
issued by such accountants at such time in transactions of this type, dated 
(a) the date of the mailing of the Proxy Statement-Prospectus for the
Stockholders Meeting of Bayonne and the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement
for the Stockholders meeting of RCFC, respectively, and (b) a date not earlier
than fourteen days preceding the date of the Closing (as defined in 
Section 7.1).

          Section 4.10.  Registration of RCFC Common Stock.
                         --------------------------------- 

          (a)  RCFC shall, as promptly as practicable following the preparation
thereof, file the Registration Statement in which the Proxy Statement-Prospectus
will be included (including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments or
supplements thereto) with the SEC under the Securities Act in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and RCFC and Bayonne shall use
all reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective
under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing.  RCFC
will advise 

                                      43
<PAGE>
 
Bayonne promptly after RCFC receives notice of the time when the Registration
Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of
the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of the
shares of capital stock issuable pursuant to the Registration Statement, or the
initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request
by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Registration Statement or for
additional information. RCFC will provide Bayonne with as many copies of such
Registration Statement and all amendments thereto promptly upon the filing
thereof as Bayonne may reasonably request.

          (b)  RCFC shall use its best efforts to obtain, prior to the effective
date of the Registration Statement, all necessary state securities laws or "blue
sky" permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

          (c)  RCFC shall use its best efforts to list, prior to the Effective
Time, on the Nasdaq National Market, or on such other exchange as RCFC Common
Stock shall then be trading, subject only to official notice of issuance, the
shares of RCFC Common Stock to be issued by RCFC in exchange for the shares of
Bayonne Common Stock.

          Section 4.11.  Affiliate Letters.   Promptly, but in any event within
                         -----------------                                     
7 days after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Bayonne shall deliver
to RCFC a letter identifying all persons who, to the knowledge of Bayonne, may
be deemed to be "affiliates" of Bayonne under Rule 145 of the Securities Act
including, without limitation, all directors and executive officers of Bayonne.
Within 21 days after delivery of such letter, Bayonne shall use its best efforts
to deliver executed letter agreements, each substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A, executed by each such person so identified as an affiliate
of Bayonne agreeing (i) to comply with Rule 145.

          Section 4.12.  Notification of Certain Matters.   Each party shall
                         -------------------------------                    
give prompt notice to the others of: (a) any event or notice of, or other
communication relating to, a default or event that, with notice or lapse of time
or both, would become a default, received by it or any of its Subsidiaries
subsequent to the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time, under
any contract material to the financial condition, properties, businesses or
results of operations of each party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to
which each party or any Subsidiary is a party or is subject; and (b) any event,
condition, change or occurrence which individually or in the aggregate has, or
which, so far as reasonably can be foreseen at the time of its occurrence, is
reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Event.  Each of Bayonne and
RCFC shall give prompt notice to the other party of any notice or other
communication from any third party alleging that the consent of such third party
is or may be required in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.

                                      44
<PAGE>
 
          Section 4.13.  Employees, Directors and Officers.
                         --------------------------------- 

          (a)  All persons who are employees of First Savings immediately prior
to the Effective Time ("Bayonne's Employees") and whose employment is not
specifically terminated at or prior to the Effective Time (a "Continuing
Employee") shall, at the Effective Time, become employees of RCFC or RCFC Bank,
respectively; provided, however, that in no event shall any of Bayonne's
Employees be officers of RCFC or RCFC Bank, or have or exercise any power or
duty conferred upon such an officer, unless and until duly elected or appointed
to such position in accordance with the bylaws of RCFC or RCFC Bank.  Subject to
paragraph (e) of this Section 4.13, all of Bayonne's Employees who remain
following the Effective Date shall be employed at the will of RCFC or RCFC Bank
and no contractual right to employment shall inure to such employees because of
this Agreement.  Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 4.13, no
employee of Bayonne will become a contractual employee of RCFC or RCFC Bank
unless such contract is in writing and executed by the President or Chief
Executive Officer of RCFC or RCFC Bank.

          (b)  Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (c), (f) and (g) of
this Section 4.13, appropriate steps shall be taken to terminate all Bayonne
Employee Plans as of the Effective Time or as promptly as practical thereafter.
Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section 4.13, immediately following
the Effective Time, each Continuing Employee shall be eligible to participate in
RCFC Employee Plans, on the same basis as any newly-hired employee of RCFC or
RCFC Bank (it being understood that inclusion of Continuing Employees in RCFC
Employee Plans may occur at different times with respect to different plans);
provided, however, that with respect to each RCFC Employee Plan, other than the
Richmond County Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "RCFC Bank
ESOP") and the Retirement Plan of Richmond County Savings Bank in RSI Trust (the
"RCFC Bank Retirement Plan"), for purposes of determining eligibility to
participate, vesting, and entitlement to benefits, service with Bayonne or First
Savings shall be treated as service with RCFC or RCFC Bank; provided further
however, that such service shall not be recognized to the extent such
recognition would result in a duplication of benefits.  Such service shall also
apply for purposes of satisfying any waiting periods, evidence of insurability
requirements, or the application of any preexisting condition limitation with
respect to any RCFC or RCFC Bank welfare benefit plan.  For purposes of
determining eligibility to participate, vesting, and entitlement to benefits
(including accrual of benefits) under the RCFC Bank ESOP or RCFC Bank Retirement
Plan, Continuing Employees shall be treated as newly-hired employees of RCFC or
RCFC Bank as of the Effective Date and credit for service shall begin accruing
as of that date.

          (c)  As of the Effective Time, each Bayonne Employee who is a
participant in the Bayonne 401(k) Plan (the "Bayonne 401(k) Plan") shall become
fully vested in his or her account balance in the Bayonne 401(k) Plan and the
Bayonne 401(k) Plan will either be merged into the Richmond County Savings Bank
401(k) Savings Plan (the "RCFC Bank 401(k) Plan") effective as of a date
following the Effective Time selected by RCFC Bank or, if so elected by RCFC
Bank, terminated immediately prior to, on, or after the Effective Time.  The
determination 

                                      45
<PAGE>
 
as to whether the Bayonne Savings Plan shall be terminated or merged into the
RCFC Bank 401(k) Plan shall be made by RCFC Bank. Effective as of the date of
the merger of the Bayonne 401(k) Plan into the RCFC 401(k) Plan, if applicable,
or the termination of the Bayonne 401(k) Plan (or the Effective Time, if
subsequent to such termination), if applicable, Bayonne Employees who are then
participating in the Bayonne 401(k) Plan shall become participants in the RCFC
Bank 401(k) Plan.

          (d)  RCFC agrees to honor existing employment agreements, including
the change in control provisions of such agreements, between Bayonne and First
Savings and certain employees, stock option plans and restricted stock plans,
and other benefit plans as set forth in Bayonne's Disclosure Letter
(collectively "Employment Agreements") and to the payment of benefits by Bayonne
as of the Effective Time or earlier as agreed to by Bayonne and RCFC under such
agreements and plans as described in the Bayonne Disclosure Schedule. Payments
under the Employment Agreements may be made by Bayonne if so agreed to by RCFC.

          (e)  At the Effective Time, RCFC Bank shall enter into an employment
agreement with Michael A. Nilan, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D.

          (f)  Prior to the Effective Time, Bayonne shall terminate the Bayonne
ESOP by proper action of the Board of Directors of Bayonne.  As soon as 
administratively practicable after the Effective Time and subject to such 
conditions as may be necessary to qualify the Merger as a tax-free 
reorganization, the ESOP shall convert to cash a sufficient number of shares of 
RCFC Common Stock as may be received by the ESOP with respect to unallocated 
shares of Bayonne Common Stock held by the ESOP at the Effective Time and apply 
such cash to the repayment in full of the outstanding ESOP indebtedness.  Any 
surplus of RCFC Common Stock remaining after repayment of such indebtedness 
shall be allocated as investment earnings of the ESOP to the accounts of ESOP 
participants (and, if required, to the accounts of former participants or their 
beneficiaries) in proportion to their account balances in a manner consistent 
with the terms of the ESOP Plan document.

          (g)  Immediately following execution of this Agreement, Bayonne shall
take all appropriate steps necessary to "freeze" benefit accruals under the tax-
qualified defined benefit plan sponsored by Bayonne.

          (h)  RCFC shall cause its Board of Directors to be increased by one
member and shall appoint Patrick F.X. Nilan as the nominee to fill such vacancy
on RCFC's Board of Directors created by such increase.  The term for Mr. Patrick
F.X. Nilan shall expire in the year 2000 and he shall receive only RCFC Board
fees and no Divisional Board fees during this term.

          (i)  Immediately upon execution of this Agreement, the Board of
Directors of Bayonne shall provide notice to Patrick F.X. Nilan of termination
of the consulting agreement between Bayonne and Patrick F.X. Nilan.  Such notice
of termination shall be effective as of the Effective Date.  Consideration to be
paid pursuant to the termination of the consulting agreement is to be made as
disclosed in the Bayonne Disclosure Letter.

          (j)  Upon request, Bayonne shall supply RCFC with all documentation
regarding all actions taken in accordance with this Section 4.13.

          Section 4.14.  Indemnification.
                         --------------- 

          (a)  From and after the Effective Time through the sixth anniversary
of the Effective Date, RCFC (and any successor) agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each present and former director, officer and employee of Bayonne and
its Subsidiaries and each officer or employee of Bayonne and its Subsidiaries
that is serving or has served as a director or trustee of 

                                      46
<PAGE>
 
another entity expressly at Bayonne's request or direction (each, an
"Indemnified Party"), against any costs or expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, amount paid in settlement, losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (collectively, "Costs") incurred in connection with any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, arising out of matters existing or occurring at
or prior to the Effective Time (including the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement), whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective
Time, and to advance any such Costs to each Indemnified Party as they are from
time to time incurred, in each case to the fullest extent such Indemnified Party
would have been indemnified as a director, officer or employee of Bayonne and
its Subsidiaries and as then permitted under the DGCL.

          (b)  Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
Section 4.14(a), upon learning of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, shall promptly notify RCFC thereof, but the failure to so notify
shall not relieve RCFC of any liability it may have hereunder to such
Indemnified Party if such failure does not materially and substantially
prejudice the indemnifying party.  In the event of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, (i) RCFC shall have the right to assume the defense
thereof with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party and RCFC
shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal expenses of other
counsel subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the
defense thereof, except that if RCFC does not elect to assume such defense
within a reasonable time or counsel for the Indemnified Party at any time
advises that there are issues which raise conflicts of interest between RCFC and
the Indemnified Party (and counsel for RCFC does not disagree), the Indemnified
Party may retain counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and RCFC shall
remain responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel as set
forth above, to be paid promptly as statements therefor are received; provided,
however, that RCFC shall be obligated pursuant to this paragraph (b) to pay for
only one firm of counsel for all Indemnified Parties in any one jurisdiction
with respect to any given claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation
unless the use of one counsel for such Indemnified Parties would present such
counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the Indemnified Party will reasonably
cooperate in the defense of any such matter; and (iii) RCFC shall not be liable
for any settlement effected by an Indemnified Party without its prior written
consent, which consent may not be withheld unless such settlement is
unreasonable in light of such claims, actions, suits, proceedings or
investigations against, or defenses available to, such Indemnified Party.

          (c)  RCFC shall pay all reasonable Costs, including attorneys' fees,
that may be incurred by any Indemnified Party in successfully enforcing the
indemnity and other obligations provided for in this Section 4.14 to the fullest
extent permitted under the DGCL.  The rights of each Indemnified Party hereunder
shall be in addition to any other rights such Indemnified Party may have under
applicable law.

          (d)  RCFC shall maintain Bayonne's existing directors and officers'
insurance policy (or provide a policy providing comparable coverage and amounts
on terms no less favorable to the persons currently covered by Bayonne's
existing policy, including RCFC's 

                                      47
<PAGE>
 
existing policy if its meets the foregoing standard) covering persons who are
currently covered by such insurance for a period of 3 years after the effective
date.

          (e)  In the event RCFC or any of its successors or assigns 
(i) consolidates with or merges into any other person or entity and shall not be
the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties
and assets to any person or entity, then, and in each such case, to the extent
necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of
RCFC assume the obligations set forth in this Section 4.14.

          (f)  The provisions of this Section 4.14 are intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her
representatives.

          Section 4.15.  Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment.   Prior to the 
                         ----------------------------------
Effective Time, neither RCFC nor Bayonne shall intentionally take, fail to take,
or cause to be taken or not taken, or cause or permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to take, fail to take, or cause to be taken or not taken, any
action within its control that would disqualify the Merger as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Subsequent to the Effective
Time, RCFC shall not take any action within its control that would disqualify
the Merger as a reorganization under the Code.

          Section 4.16.  Divisional Board.  RCFC shall, promptly following the
                         ----------------                                     
Effective Time, cause all of the members of Bayonne's Board of Directors as of
the date of this Agreement, who are willing to so serve, to be elected to or
appointed as members of RCFC's divisional board ("Divisional Board"), the
function of which shall be to advise RCFC with respect to deposit and lending
activities in Bayonne's market area and to maintain and develop customer
relationships. The members of the Board who are willing to so serve shall be
elected to serve a term not to exceed April 30, 2003.  Beginning immediately
after the Effective Time, each member of the Divisional Board shall receive an
annual retainer fee of $12,000 and a $1,000 attendance fee for each board
meeting attended.  Each member of the Divisional Board shall be prohibited from
competing with RCFC for the duration of the term for which they were elected or
appointed. Such Divisional Board annual retainer fee shall be payable in
quarterly installments or in one lump sum at any time in advance at the option
of RCFC.  The responsibilities and obligations of members of the Divisional
Board shall be determined by RCFC.  Service on the Divisional Board shall be
deemed to constitute service for purposes of the vesting provisions of the
Bayonne Option Plans and the Bayonne RRP.  In the event RCFC or any of its
successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person or
entity and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of
such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially
all of its properties and assets to any person or entity, then, and in each such
case, to the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of RCFC assume the obligations set forth in this 
Section 4.16.

                                      48
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                           CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION
                           --------------------------

          Section 5.1.   Conditions to Each Party's Obligations.  The respective
                         --------------------------------------                 
obligations of each party to effect the Merger, the Bank Merger and any other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions:

          (a)  this Agreement shall have been approved by the requisite vote of
Bayonne's and RCFC's stockholders in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations;

          (b)  the Requisite Regulatory Approvals and any waivers with respect
to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
obtained and shall remain in full force and effect, and all statutory waiting
periods shall have expired; and all other consents, waivers and approvals of any
third parties which are necessary to permit the consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained or made
except for those the failure to obtain would not have a Material Adverse Effect
(i) on Bayonne and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii) on RCFC and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.  No such approval or consent shall have imposed
any condition or requirement that would so materially and adversely impact the
economic or business benefits to RCFC or Bayonne of the transactions
contemplated hereby that, had such condition or requirement been known, such
party would not, in its reasonable judgment, have entered into this Agreement.

          (c)  no party hereto shall be subject to any order, decree or
injunction of a court or agency of competent jurisdiction which enjoins or
prohibits the consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger or any other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

          (d)  no statute, rule or regulation shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated, interpreted, applied or enforced by any governmental authority
which prohibits, restricts or makes illegal consummation of the Merger, the Bank
Merger or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

          (e)  the Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by
the SEC and no proceedings shall be pending or threatened by the SEC to suspend
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement; RCFC shall have received all
required approvals by state securities or "blue sky" authorities with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

          (f)  [RESERVED]

          (g)  [RESERVED]

                                      49
<PAGE>
 
          (h)  RCFC shall have caused to be listed on the Nasdaq National
Market, or on such other market on which shares of RCFC Common Stock shall then
be trading, subject only to official notice of issuance, the shares of RCFC
Common Stock to be issued by RCFC in exchange for the shares of Bayonne Common
Stock.

          Section 5.2.   Conditions to the Obligations of RCFC and RCFC Bank.
                         --------------------------------------------------- 
The obligations of RCFC and RCFC Bank to effect the Merger, the Bank Merger and
any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be further subject
to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any one or more of
which may be waived by RCFC:

          (a)  each of the obligations of Bayonne and First Savings,
respectively, required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement shall have been duly performed and complied with
in all material respects and the representations and warranties of Bayonne and
First Savings contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct, subject to
Sections 2.1 and 2.2, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective
Time as though made at and as of the Effective Time (except as to any
representation or warranty which specifically relates to an earlier date).  RCFC
shall have received a certificate to the foregoing effect signed by the chief
executive officer and the chief financial or principal accounting officer of
Bayonne;

          (b)  all action required to be taken by, or on the part of, Bayonne
and First Savings to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation by Bayonne and First Savings of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been duly and validly taken by the Board of
Directors and stockholders of Bayonne or First Savings, as the case may be, and
RCFC shall have received certified copies of the resolutions evidencing such
authorization;

          (c)  Bayonne shall have obtained the consent or approval of each
person (other than the governmental approvals or consents referred to in Section
5.1(b)) whose consent or approval shall be required in order to permit the
succession by the surviving corporation pursuant to the Merger to any
obligation, right or interest of Bayonne or its Subsidiaries under any loan or
credit agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, license or other agreement
or instrument to which Bayonne or its Subsidiaries is a party or is otherwise
bound, except those for which failure to obtain such consents and approvals
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on
RCFC (after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby) or upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (d)  RCFC shall have received certificates (such certificates to be
dated as of a day as close as practicable to the Closing Date) from appropriate
authorities as to the corporate existence and good standing of Bayonne and its
Subsidiaries;

                                      50
<PAGE>
 
          (e)  RCFC shall have received an opinion of Muldoon, Murphy &
Faucette, counsel to RCFC, dated as of the Effective Date, in form and substance
customary in transactions of the type contemplated hereby, and reasonably
satisfactory to RCFC, substantially to the effect that on the basis of the
facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion which are
consistent with the state of facts existing at the Effective Time, the Merger
will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and that accordingly:

               (i)  No gain or loss will be recognized by RCFC, RCFC Bank,
Bayonne or First Savings as a result of the Merger;

               (ii)  Except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of a
fractional share interest in RCFC Common Stock, no gain or loss will be
recognized by the stockholders of Bayonne who exchange their Bayonne Common
Stock for RCFC Common Stock pursuant to the Merger;

               (iii)  The tax basis of RCFC Common Stock received by
stockholders who exchange their Bayonne Common Stock for RCFC Common Stock in
the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of Bayonne Common Stock surrendered
pursuant to the Merger, reduced by any amount allocable to a fractional share
interest for which cash is received and increased by any gain recognized on the
exchange; and

               (iv)  The holding period of RCFC Common Stock received by each
stockholder in the Merger will include the holding period of Bayonne Common
Stock exchanged therefor, provided that such stockholder held such Bayonne
Common Stock as a capital asset on the Effective Date.

          Such opinion may be based on, in addition to the review of such
matters of fact and law as Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette considers appropriate, 
(x) representations made at the request of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette by RCFC,
RCFC Bank, Bayonne, First Savings, stockholders of RCFC or Bayonne, or any
combination of such persons and (y) certificates provided at the request of
Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette by officers of RCFC, RCFC Bank, Bayonne, First
Savings and other appropriate persons.

          Section 5.3.   Conditions to the Obligations of Bayonne and First
                         --------------------------------------------------
Savings.  The obligations of Bayonne and First Savings to effect the Merger, the
- -------                                                                         
Bank Merger and any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be
further subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any
one or more of which may be waived by Bayonne:

          (a)  each of the obligations of RCFC and RCFC Bank, respectively,
required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement shall have been duly performed and complied with in all
material respects and the representations and warranties of RCFC and RCFC Bank
contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct, subject to Sections 2.1
and 2.2, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as 

                                      51
<PAGE>
 
though made at and as of the Effective Time (except as to any representation or
warranty which specifically relates to an earlier date). Bayonne shall have
received a certificate to the foregoing effect signed by the chief executive
officer and the chief financial or principal accounting officer of RCFC;

          (b)  all action required to be taken by, or on the part of, RCFC and
RCFC Bank to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the consummation by RCFC and RCFC Bank of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been duly and validly taken by the Board of Directors and
stockholders of RCFC or RCFC Bank, as the case may be, and Bayonne shall have
received certified copies of the resolutions evidencing such authorization;

          (c)  RCFC shall have obtained the consent or approval of each person
(other than the governmental approvals or consents referred to in Section
5.1(b)) whose consent or approval shall be required in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby under any loan or credit agreement, note,
mortgage, indenture, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which
RCFC or its Subsidiaries is a party or is otherwise bound, except those for
which failure to obtain such consents and approvals would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on RCFC (after giving effect to
the transactions contemplated hereby) or upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

          (d)  Bayonne shall have received certificates (such certificates to be
dated as of a day as close as practicable to the Closing Date) from appropriate
authorities as to the corporate existence and good standing of RCFC and its
Subsidiaries;

          (e)  Bayonne shall have received an opinion of Breyer & Aguggia LLP,
counsel to Bayonne, dated as of the Effective Date, in form and substance
customary in transactions of the type contemplated hereby, and reasonably
satisfactory to Bayonne, substantially to the effect that on the basis of the
facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion which are
consistent with the state of facts existing at the Effective Time, the Merger
will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and that accordingly:

               (i)  No gain or loss will be recognized by RCFC, RCFC Bank,
Bayonne or First Savings as a result of the Merger;

               (ii)  Except to the extent of any cash received in lieu of a
fractional share interest in RCFC Common Stock, no gain or loss will be
recognized by the stockholders of Bayonne who exchange their Bayonne Common
Stock for RCFC Common Stock pursuant to the Merger;

               (iii) The tax basis of RCFC Common Stock received by
stockholders who exchange their Bayonne Common Stock for RCFC Common Stock in
the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of Bayonne Common Stock surrendered
pursuant to the Merger, 

                                      52
<PAGE>
 
reduced by any amount allocable to a fractional share interest for which cash is
received and increased by any gain recognized on the exchange; and

               (iv)  The holding period of RCFC Common Stock received by each
stockholder in the Merger will include the holding period of Bayonne Common
Stock exchanged therefor, provided that such stockholder held such Bayonne
Common Stock as a capital asset on the Effective Date.

          (f)  RCFC shall have provided to the Exchange Agent (i) certificates
representing at least the aggregate number of shares of RCFC Common Stock to be
issued to the shareholders of Bayonne pursuant to the terms hereof, and (ii)
sufficient cash to pay Bayonne shareholders their fractional share interest as
provided herein.

          Such opinion may be based on, in addition to the review of such
matters of fact and law as Breyer & Aguggia, LLP considers appropriate, (x)
representations made at the request of Breyer & Aguggia LLP by RCFC, RCFC Bank,
Bayonne, First Savings, stockholders of RCFC or Bayonne, or any combination of
such persons and (y) certificates provided at the request of Breyer & Aguggia
LLP by officers of RCFC, RCFC Bank, Bayonne and other appropriate persons.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  TERMINATION
                                  -----------

          Section 6.1.   Termination.   This Agreement may be terminated, and
                         -----------                                         
the Merger abandoned, at or prior to the Effective Date, either before or after
any requisite stockholder approval:

          (a)  by the mutual consent of RCFC and Bayonne in a written
instrument, if the Board of Directors of each so determines by vote of a
majority of the members of its entire Board; or

          (b)  by RCFC or Bayonne, if its Board of Directors so determines by
vote of a majority of the members of its entire Board, in the event of the
failure of the stockholders of Bayonne or RCFC to approve the Agreement at its
Stockholder Meeting called to consider such approval; provided, however, that
Bayonne or RCFC, as the case may be, shall only be entitled to terminate the
Agreement pursuant to this clause if it has complied in all material respects
with its obligations under Section 4.8; or

          (c)  by RCFC or Bayonne, by written notice to the other party, if
either (i) any approval, consent or waiver of a governmental agency required to
permit consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
denied or (ii) any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have
issued a final, unappealable order enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or

                                      53
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  by RCFC or Bayonne, if its Board of Directors so determines by
vote of a majority of the members of its entire Board, in the event that the
Merger is not consummated by April 30, 1999 ("Initial Termination Date");
provided, that if, as of such date, all necessary regulatory or governmental
approvals, consents or waivers required to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby shall not have been obtained but all other conditions to the
consummation of the Merger (other than the delivery of executed documents at the
Closing) shall be fulfilled, the Initial Termination Date shall be extended to
July 31, 1999, unless the failure to so consummate by such time is due to the
breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement
by the party seeking to terminate; or

          (e)  by RCFC, if the Board of Directors of Bayonne does not publicly
recommend in the Proxy Statement that Bayonne's stockholders approve and adopt
this Agreement or if, after recommending in the Proxy that stockholders approve
and adopt this Agreement, the Board of Directors of Bayonne shall have
withdrawn, modified or amended such recommendation in any respect materially
adverse to RCFC; or

          (f)  by RCFC or Bayonne by written notice to the other party in the
event that there has occurred since the date of this Agreement an event,
condition, change or occurrence which, individually or in the aggregate, has had
or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on
Bayonne or RCFC as the case may be; provided that each party shall have given
the other 30 calendar days prior written notice of such termination, and such
party shall not have remedied such event, condition, change or occurrence by the
end of such 30-day period;

          (g)  by Bayonne, if its Board of Directors so determines by the
requisite vote of members of its entire board, at any time during the 5-day
period commencing with the Valuation Date, if both of the following conditions
are satisfied:

               (i) Richmond Market Value is less than $15.41, adjusted as
          indicated in the last sentence of this Section 6.1(g); and

               (ii) (A) the number obtained by dividing Richmond Market Value on
          such Valuation Date by the Initial RCFC Market Value (the "Richmond
          Ratio") is less than (B) the number obtained by dividing the Final
          Index Price by the Initial Index Price and subtracting 0.15 from the
          quotient in this clause (ii)(B) (the "Index Ratio");

subject, however, to the following three sentences: (1) if Bayonne elects to
exercise its termination right pursuant to this Section 6.1(g), it shall give
prompt written notice to Richmond (provided, further, that such notice of
election to terminate may be withdrawn at any time during the 5-day period); (2)
for a period of 7 days commencing with its receipt of such notice, RCFC shall
have the option to increase the consideration to be received by the holders of
Bayonne 

                                      54
<PAGE>
 
Common Stock hereunder, by adjusting the Exchange Ratio to equal the lesser of
(x) a number equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is 1.05 multiplied by
the Initial RCFC Market Value multiplied by .85 and the denominator of which is
the Richmond Market Value, and (y) a number equal to a fraction, the numerator
of which is the Index Ratio multiplied by 1.05 and the denominator of which is
Richmond Ratio; and (3) if RCFC so elects it shall give prompt written notice to
Bayonne of such election and the adjusted Merger Consideration, whereupon no
termination shall have occurred pursuant to this Section 6.1(g) and this
Agreement shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms (except as the
Merger Consideration shall have been so adjusted).

     For purposes of this Section 6.1(g), the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated below:

          "Final Index Price" means the sum of the Final Prices for each company
     comprising the Index Group multiplied by the applicable weighting.

          "Final Price," with respect to any company being a member of the Index
     Group, means the average of the daily closing sales prices of a share of
     common stock of such company, as reported on the consolidated transaction
     reporting system for the market or exchange on which such common stock is
     principally traded, during the period of 15 trading days ending on the
     Valuation Date, adjusted as indicated in the last sentence of this Section
     6.1(g).

          "Index Group" means the 14 financial institution holding companies
     listed below, the common stock of all of which are publicly traded and as
     to which there have not been any publicly announced proposal at any time
     during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the
     Valuation Date for any such company to be acquired. In the event that the
     common stock of any such company ceases to be publicly traded or a proposal
     to acquire any such company is announced at any time during the period
     beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the Valuation Date,
     such company shall be removed from the Index Group, and the weights
     attributed to the remaining companies shall be adjusted proportionately for
     purposes of determining the Final Index Price and the Initial Index Price.
     The 14 financial institution holding companies and the weights attributed
     to them are as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
          Holding Company                      Weighting
          ---------------                      ---------
          <S>                                  <C>
          GreenPoint Financial Corp.             27.71%
          Astoria Financial Corp.                11.20%
          Independence Community Bank Corp.       9.97%
          Staten Island Bancorp, Inc.             8.14%
          Webster Financial Corp.                 7.16%
          St. Paul Bancorp, Inc.                  6.61%
          Queens County Bancorp, Inc.             5.13%
</TABLE> 

                                      55
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
          Holding Company                      Weighting
          ---------------                      ---------
          <S>                                  <C>
          Bay View Capital Corp.                  4.96%
          JSB Financial, Inc.                     4.52%
          MAF Bancorp                             4.24%
          Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin                3.03%
          InterWest Bancorp                       2.88%
          Reliance Bancorp, Inc.                  2.76%
          Haven Bancorp, Inc.                     1.69%
</TABLE> 

          "Initial Index Price" means the sum of each per share closing price of
     the common stock of each company comprising the Index Group multiplied by
     the applicable weighting, as such prices are reported on the consolidated
     transactions reporting system for the market or exchange on which such
     common stock is principally traded on the trading day immediately preceding
     the public announcement of this Agreement.

          "Initial RCFC Market Value" means the closing sales price of RCFC
     Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, on the trading day
     immediately preceding the public announcement of this Agreement, adjusted
     as indicated in the last Section 6.1(e).

          "Richmond Market Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
     1.2(c) hereof.

          "Valuation Date" means the Valuation Date, as defined in Section
     1.2(c) hereof.

If RCFC or any company belonging to the Index Group declares or effects a stock
dividend, reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of
shares or similar transaction between the date of this Agreement and the
Valuation Date, the prices for the common stock of such company shall be
appropriately adjusted, in the manner specified in Section 1.2(b) of this
Agreement, for the purposes of applying this Section 6.1(g).

          (h)  by RCFC or Bayonne (provided that the party seeking termination
is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
other agreement contained herein), in the event of (i) a failure to perform or
comply by the other party with any covenant or agreement of such other party
contained in this Agreement, which failure or non-compliance is material in the
context of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) subject to
Section 2.2(b), any inaccuracies, omissions or breach in the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements of the other party contained in this
Agreement the circumstances as to which either individually or in the aggregate
have, or reasonably could be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect on such
other party; in either case which has not been or cannot be cured within 30
calendar days after written notice thereof is given by the party seeking to
terminate to such other party.

                                      56
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  by Bayonne, if the Board of Directors of RCFC does not publicly
recommend in the Proxy Statement-Prospectus that RCFC's stockholders approve and
adopt this Agreement or if, after recommending in the Proxy Statement-Prospectus
that stockholders approve and adopt this Agreement, the Board of Directors of
RCFC shall have withdrawn, modified or amended such recommendation in any
respect materially adverse to Bayonne.

          (j)  by Bayonne, if the Board of Directors of Bayonne reasonably
determines that a proposal made by a third party to acquire, directly or
indirectly, including pursuant to a tender offer, exchange offer, merger,
consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution
or similar transaction, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities,
more than 65% of the combined voting power of the shares of Bayonne Common Stock
then outstanding or all or substantially all of the assets of Bayonne
constitutes a Superior Proposal and that such proposal must be accepted;
provided, however, that prior to any such termination, Bayonne shall use its
reasonable efforts to negotiate in good faith with RCFC to make such adjustments
in the terms and conditions of this agreement a would enable Bayonne to proceed
with the transactions contemplated herein.

          Section 6.2.   Effect of Termination.  In the event of termination of
                         ---------------------                                 
this Agreement by either RCFC or Bayonne as provided in Section 6.1, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect except (i) Sections
4.3(a), 8.6 and 8.7, shall survive any termination of this Agreement, (ii) that
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no party
shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its
willful breach of any provision of this Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                   CLOSING, EFFECTIVE DATE AND EFFECTIVE TIME
                   ------------------------------------------

          Section 7.1.   Effective Date and Effective Time.  The closing of the
                         ---------------------------------                     
transactions contemplated hereby ("Closing") shall take place at the offices of
Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette, 5101 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.  20016,
unless another place is agreed to by RCFC and Bayonne, on a date ("Closing
Date") that is no later than 14 days following the date on which the expiration
of the last applicable waiting period in connection with notices to and
approvals of governmental authorities shall occur and all conditions to the
consummation of this Agreement are satisfied or waived, or on such other date as
may be agreed to by the parties. Prior to the Closing Date, RCFC and Bayonne
shall execute a Certificate of Merger in accordance with all appropriate legal
requirements, which shall be filed as required by law on the Closing Date, and
the Merger provided for therein shall become effective upon such filing or on
such date as may be specified in such Certificate of Merger.  The date of such
filing or such later effective date as specified in the Certificate of Merger is
herein referred to as the "Effective Date."  The "Effective Time" of the Merger
shall be as set forth in the Certificate of Merger.

                                      57
<PAGE>
 
          Section 7.2.   Deliveries at the Closing.   Subject to the provisions
                         -------------------------                             
of Articles V and VI, on the Closing Date there shall be delivered to RCFC and
Bayonne the documents and instruments required to be delivered under Article V.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                             CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS
                             ---------------------

          Section 8.1.   Certain Definitions; Interpretation.   As used in this
                         -----------------------------------                   
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

          "material" means material to RCFC or Bayonne (as the case may be) and
     its respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          "person" includes an individual, corporation, limited liability
     company, partnership, association, trust or unincorporated organization.

          When a reference is made in this Agreement to Sections, Exhibits or
Schedules, such reference shall be to a Section of, Exhibit or Schedule to, this
Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  The table of contents and headings
contained in this Agreement are for ease of reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Whenever the words "include,"
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed
followed by the words "without limitation."  Any singular term in this Agreement
shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular.  Any
reference to gender in this Agreement shall be deemed to include any other
gender.

          Section 8.2.   Survival.   Only those agreements and covenants of the
                         --------                                              
parties that are by their terms applicable in whole or in part after the
Effective Time, including Sections 4.3(a), 4.13,  4.14, 4.15, 4.16 and 8.6 of
this Agreement, shall survive the Effective Time.  All other representations,
warranties, agreements and covenants shall be deemed to be conditions of the
Agreement and shall not survive the Effective Time.

          Section 8.3.   Waiver; Amendment.   Prior to the Effective Time, any
                         -----------------                                    
provision of this Agreement may be: (i) waived in writing by the party
benefitted by the provision or (ii) amended or modified at any time (including
the structure of the transaction) by an agreement in writing between the parties
hereto except that, after the vote by the stockholders of Bayonne or RCFC, no
amendment or modification may be made that would reduce the amount or alter or
change the kind of consideration to be received by holders of Bayonne Common
Stock or contravene any provision of the DGCL or the federal banking laws, rules
and regulations.

          Section 8.4.   Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in
                         ------------                                     
counterparts each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                      58
<PAGE>
 
          Section 8.5.   Governing Law.   This Agreement shall be governed by,
                         -------------                                        
and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without
regard to conflicts of laws principles.

          Section 8.6.   Expenses.   Each party hereto will bear all expenses
                         --------                                            
incurred by it in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby; provided, however, that RCFC shall pay all printing and
mailing expenses and filing fees associated with the registrations and approvals
required hereunder.

          Section 8.7.   Notices.   All notices, requests, acknowledgments and
                         -------                                              
other communications hereunder to a party shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, overnight courier or
facsimile transmission (confirmed in writing) to such party at its address or
facsimile number set forth below or such other address or facsimile transmission
as such party may specify by notice (in accordance with this provision) to the
other party hereto.

          If to Bayonne, to:

                    Bayonne Bancshares, Inc.
                    586 Broadway
                    Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
                    Facsimile:  (201) 437-2912

                    Attention:  Patrick F.X. Nilan
                                Chairman of the Board

          With copies to:

                    Bayonne Bancshares, Inc.
                    586 Broadway
                    Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
                    Facsimile:  (201) 437-5958

                    Attention:  Thomas M. Coughlin
                                Corporate Secretary

          and

                    Paul M. Aguggia, Esq.
                    Breyer & Aguggia LLP
                    1300 I Street, N.W., Suite 470 East
                    Washington, DC  20005
                    Facsimile:  (201) (737-7979)

                                      59
<PAGE>
 
          If to RCFC, to:

                    Richmond County Financial Corp.
                    1214 Castleton Avenue
                    Staten Island, New York  10310
                    Facsimile:  (718) 390-0224

                    Attention:  Michael F. Manzulli
                                Chairman of the Board and
                                  Chief Executive Officer

          With copies to:

                    Richmond County Financial Corp.
                    1214 Castleton Avenue
                    Staten Island, New York  10310
                    Facsimile:  (718) 390-0224

                    Attention:  Thomas R. Cangemi
                                Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                  Officer and Secretary

          and

                    Douglas P. Faucette, Esq.
                    Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette
                    5101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
                    Washington, D.C.  20016
                    Facsimile: (202) 966-9409


          Section 8.8.   Entire Agreement; etc.   This Agreement, together with
                         ---------------------                                 
the Plan of Bank Merger, Option Agreement and the Disclosure Letters, represents
the entire understanding of the parties hereto with reference to the
transactions contemplated hereby and supersedes any and all other oral or
written agreements heretofore made. All terms and provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns.  Except for Section 4.13, 4.14 and
4.16, which confer rights on the parties described therein, nothing in this
Agreement is intended to confer upon any other person any rights or remedies of
any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

          Section 8.9.   Assignment.   This Agreement may not be assigned by
                         ----------                                         
either party hereto without the written consent of the other party.

                                      60
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the 14th day of October,
1998.

                            RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP.


                            By: /s/ Michael F. Manzulli
                                -----------------------------------
                                Michael F. Manzulli
                                Chairman of the Board and
                                   Chief Executive Officer


                            BAYONNE BANCSHARES, INC.


                            By: /s/ Patrick F.X. Nilan
                                --------------------------------------
                                Patrick F.X. Nilan
                                Chairman of the Board

                                      61

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 99.1
================================================================================
                            






                                 PRESS RELEASE

                            Issued October 4, 1998






================================================================================

<PAGE>
 
         [LETTERHEAD OF RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP. APPEARS HERE]

         RICHMOND COUNTY FINANCIAL CORP. AND BAYONNE BANCSHARES, INC. 
                            AMEND MERGER AGREEMENT.

             "ACQUISITION ACCOUNTED FOR AS A PURCHASE TRANSACTION"

Staten Island, New York, October 14, 1998

Richmond County Financial Corp. (NASDAQ/NMS: RCBK) ("Richmond") based in Staten
Island, New York, the holding company for Richmond County Savings Bank, and
Bayonne Bancshares, Inc., NJ (NASDAQ/NMS: FSNJ) ("Bayonne"), based in Bayonne,
New Jersey, the holding company of First Savings Bank of New Jersey, SLA,
jointly announced today that they have amended the previously announced
definitive merger agreement to reflect, among other things, a change in the
accounting treatment of the proposed transaction from a pooling of interests to
a purchase transaction.

Additionally, due to the substantial decline in industry wide share prices,
including the current market valuation of both Richmond and Bayonne, both
companies believe that having the flexibility to repurchase shares through stock
repurchase programs is an attractive means to manage its current and pro forma
capital position. Both companies are reviewing their options to implement stock
repurchase programs under current regulatory requirements.
<PAGE>
 
As amended, Richmond expects that the transaction will be immediately accretive
to both cash and GAAP earnings per share in 1999.  The merger is expected to be
completed in the first quarter of calendar year 1999, and remains subject to the
approval by shareholders of each company and regulatory authorities.

Richmond County Financial Corp. is the holding company for Richmond County
Savings Bank, a state chartered savings bank, organized in 1886 which operates
12 full service banking offices on Staten Island, one full service banking
office in Brooklyn and a multifamily loan processing center in Jericho, Long
Island. As of June 30, 1998, total assets were $1.6 billion, deposits were
$950.8 million and total stockholders' equity was $328.6 million.

Bayonne operates 4 full service banking offices in Bayonne, New Jersey, and is a
community oriented savings institution holding approximately 40% of all deposits
held in Bayonne and approximately 6% of such deposits held in Hudson County.  As
of June 30, 1998, total assets of Bayonne were $700.2 million, deposits were
$421.7 million and total stockholders' equity was $95.9 million.

Statements contained in this news release contains certain forward-looking
statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business of Richmond following the consummation of the merger that are subject
to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
such projections or estimates.  Such factors include, but are not limited to,
the possibility that anticipated cost savings and revenue enhancements might not
be realized and that adverse general economic conditions or adverse interest
rate environment could develop.


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