COHOES BANCORP INC
424B3, 1998-12-02
SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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PROSPECTUS
[Logo]
                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.
               (Proposed Holding Company for Cohoes Savings Bank)
      Minimum of 5,950,000 and Maximum of 8,050,000 Shares of Common Stock

   
Cohoes  Savings  Bank  is  converting  from  the  mutual  to the  stock  form of
organization.  As part of the  conversion,  Cohoes  Savings  Bank will  become a
wholly owned subsidiary of Cohoes Bancorp,  Inc. Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. was formed
in September,  1998 and upon  consummation of the conversion will own all of the
shares of Cohoes Savings Bank. The common stock of Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. is being
offered for sale to the public in  accordance  with a plan of  conversion  which
must be approved by the  Superintendent  of Banks of the State of New York,  the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and by a majority of the votes eligible to
be cast by voting  depositors  of Cohoes  Savings Bank and by 75% of the deposit
liabilities represented ^ in person or by proxy at the special meeting called to
vote on the Conversion.
    

                              Terms of the Offering

   
An  independent  appraiser  has  estimated  the pro forma market value of Cohoes
Savings Bank, on a converted  basis, to be between  $59,500,000 and $80,500,000.
Based on this estimate, Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. will offer between 5,950,000 shares
and  8,050,000  shares to  depositors,  trustees and officers of Cohoes  Savings
Bank, the Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan and the public.  In addition,  Cohoes
Bancorp, Inc. intends to issue a number of shares equal to 3% of the shares sold
in the ^  Conversion  to a  charitable  foundation.  Cohoes  Bancorp,  Inc.  may
increase  the  number of shares  offered  up to  9,257,500  shares,  subject  to
regulatory  approval.  Based on these  estimates,  we are making  the  following
offering of shares of common stock:
    

<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>
                                                                                                          Adjusted
                                                         Minimum        Midpoint         Maximum           Maximum
   
Per Share Price.............................              $10.00         $10.00          $10.00            $10.00
Number of Shares............................            5,950,000       7,000,000       8,050,000         9,257,500
Underwriting Commission and Other Expenses..           $ 1,595,000     $ 1,711,000     $ 1,826,000       $ 1,959,000
Net Proceeds to Cohoes Bancorp, Inc.........           $57,905,000     $68,289,000    ^ $78,674,000      $90,616,000
Net Proceeds Per Share......................              $9.73           $9.76           $9.77             $9.79
</TABLE>


Please refer to Risk Factors beginning on page ^ 13 of this document.
    

These  securities are not deposits or accounts and are not insured or guaranteed
by the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation or any other governmental  agency.
These securities are subject to risk, including the loss of investment.


Neither the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  the Superintendent of Banks of
the  State of New York,  the New York  State  Banking  Department,  the  Federal
Deposit Insurance  Corporation,  nor any state securities regulator has approved
or disapproved  these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

For information on how to subscribe for common stock, call the Stock Information
Center at (518) 235-4000.


                          KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
                              --------------------

   
               The date of this Prospectus is ^ November 12, 1998
    


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<PAGE>

                                    GLOSSARY


AICPA                  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
AMTI                   Alternative Minimum Taxable Income.
APB                    Accounting Practice Bulletin.
ARM                    Adjustable Rate Mortgage.
Associate              The term "Associate" of a person is defined to mean
                       (i) any  corporation  or  organization  (other
                       than  the  Bank  or  its  subsidiaries  or the
                       Holding  Company)  of which  such  person is a
                       director, officer, partner or 10% shareholder;
                       (ii) any trust or other  estate in which  such
                       person has a substantial  beneficial  interest
                       or serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary
                       capacity;  provided,  however  that  such term
                       shall not include any employee  stock  benefit
                       plan of the  Holding  Company  or the  Bank in
                       which   such  a  person   has  a   substantial
                       beneficial  interest or serves as a trustee or
                       in a similar fiduciary capacity, and
   
                       (iii) any  relative or spouse of such  person,
                       or relative of such spouse, who either has the
                       same home as such person or who is a ^ trustee
                       or officer  of ^ the Bank or its  subsidiaries
                       or the Holding Company.
ATM                    Automated Teller Machine.
Bank                   Cohoes Savings Bank.
BIF                    Bank Insurance Fund
Board of Directors     Board of Directors of Cohoes Bancorp, Inc.
Board of Trustees      Board of Trustees of Cohoes Savings Bank.
Bylaws                 Bylaws of Cohoes Bancorp, Inc.
    
Code                   The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
   
Conversion             Simultaneous conversion of Cohoes Savings Bank
                       to stock form,  the issuance of Cohoes Savings
                       Bank's  outstanding  capital  stock to  Cohoes
                       Bancorp,  Inc.  and Cohoes ^  Bancorp,  Inc.'s
                       offer  and  sale  of  Holding  Company  Common
                       Stock.
    
Conversion Shares      Shares of Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. offered to complete
                       conversion of Cohoes Savings Bank to stock form.
CRA                    Community Reinvestment Act.
Department             The New York State Banking Department.
DCGL                   Delaware General Corporations Law.
   
Eligible Account       Savings account holders of Cohoes Savings Bank with 
Holders                account balances of at least $100 as of the close
                       of business on March 31, ^ 1997.
    
ERISA                  Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 
                       as amended.
Estimated Valuation    Estimated pro forma market value of the Common 
  Range                Stock ranging from $59,500,000 to $80,500,000.
ESOP                   Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan.


                                       ii

<PAGE>




Exchange Act            Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
FASB                    Financial Accounting Standards Board.
FDIA                    Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
FDIC                    Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
FHLB                    Federal Home Loan Bank.
FHLMC                   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
FNMA                    Federal National Mortgage Association.
Foundation              Cohoes Savings Foundation, Inc. or the Foundation
FRB                     Federal Reserve Board.
Freddie Mac             Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
GAAP                    Generally Accepted Accounting Practices.
HOLA                    Home Owners' Loan Act.
   
Holding Company         Cohoes Bancorp, Inc.
Holding Company Common  Shares of Cohoes Bancorp, Inc.
Stock
IRS                     Internal Revenue ^ Service.
KBW                     Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
NASD                    National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
    
Nasdaq                  National Association of Securities Dealers 
                        Automated Quotation System--National Market.
NPV                     Net portfolio value.
NYBB                    New York Banking Board.
OCC                     Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Offering                The offering of between 5,950,000 and 8,050,000 
                        shares of  Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. common stock at
                        $10.00 per share in the Conversion.
ORE                     Other Real Estate Owned.
OTS                     Office of Thrift Supervision.
Plan                    or Plan of Conversion  Plan of Cohoes  Savings
                        Bank  to  convert  from a New  York  chartered
                        mutual  savings  bank to a New York  chartered
                        stock  savings bank and the issuance of all of
                        Cohoes  Savings  Bank 's  outstanding  capital
                        stock to Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. and the issuance
                        of Cohoes Bancorp,  Inc.'s Common Stock to the
                        public.
QTL                     Qualified thrift lender.
ROA                     Return On Average Assets.
ROE                     Return On Average Equity.


                                       iii

<PAGE>




RP                      Financial RP Financial, LC., independent appraiser.
RRP                     Recognition and Retention Plan to be submitted
                        for  approval  at a  meeting  of  the  Holding
                        Company's stockholders to be held at least six
                        months after the completion of the Conversion.
SAIF                    Savings Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC.
SEC                     Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act          Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
SFAS                    Statement of Financial Accounting Standard.
   
Stock Contribution      Shares contributed by the Holding Company  to
                        Cohoes Savings Foundation, Inc.
Stock Option and        The  Cohoes Bancorp,  Inc.  Stock  Option  and
Incentive Plan          Incentive Plan for directors and officers to be
    
                        submitted  for  approval  at a meeting  of the
                        Holding  Company's  shareholders to be held at
                        least six months after the  completion  of the
                        Conversion.
Subscription            Offering Offering of  non-transferable  rights
                        to subscribe for the Common Stock, in order of
                        priority,  to Eligible  Account  Holders,  the
                        ESOP,  and   Supplemental   Eligible   Account
                        Holders.
Superintendent          Superintendent of Banks of the New York  State
                        Banking Department.
Voting Record Date      The close of business on September
                        30,  1998,  the  date for  determining  voting
                        depositors  entitled  to vote  at the  Special
                        Meeting.




                                       iv

<PAGE>



                                     SUMMARY

         This summary highlights selected information from this document and may
not contain all the  information  that is  important to you. To  understand  the
stock offering fully, you should read this entire document carefully,  including
the financial statements and the notes to the financial  statements.  References
in this document to "Cohoes Savings", the "Bank", "we", "us", and "our" refer to
Cohoes  Savings  Bank  either in its  present  form or as a stock  savings  bank
following the Conversion.  In certain  circumstances  where  appropriate,  "we,"
"us," or "our" refer  collectively  to Cohoes  Savings Bank and Cohoes  Bancorp,
Inc.  References  in this  document  to the  "Holding  Company"  refer to Cohoes
Bancorp,  Inc. All information  contained in this Prospectus with respect to the
Holding Company,  the Bank and its subsidiaries has been supplied by the Holding
Company and the Bank.

The Holding Company:
                              Cohoes Bancorp, Inc.
                                75 Remsen Street
                           Cohoes, New York 12047-2892

         Cohoes Bancorp, Inc. is not an operating company and has not engaged in
any  significant  business  to  date.  It was  formed  in  September,  1998 as a
Delaware-chartered  corporation  to be the  holding  company  for the Bank.  The
holding  company  structure  will  provide  greater   flexibility  in  terms  of
operations, expansion and diversification. See
   
"Cohoes Bancorp, Inc." on page ^ 20.
    

The Bank:
                               Cohoes Savings Bank
                                75 Remsen Street
                           Cohoes, New York 12047-2892

   
         Cohoes Savings Bank was established in Cohoes, New York in 1851. We are
a community and customer oriented New York chartered mutual savings bank serving
primarily  the Cohoes,  New York and  surrounding  area  through 17 full service
banking offices located throughout Albany, Saratoga,  Schenectady and Rensselaer
Counties,  and a portion  of Warren  County in New York.  We  provide  financial
services to individuals,  families and small businesses.  Historically,  we have
emphasized   residential  mortgage  lending,   primarily   originating  one-  to
four-family mortgage loans. Our deposits are insured up to the applicable limits
by the Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation.  At June 30, 1998, we had total
assets of $535.7 million,  deposits of $449.5 million, and total equity of $53.3
million. See "Cohoes Savings Bank" on ^ page 21.
    

         Financial and operational highlights of the Bank include the following:

          o    Focus  on  Residential  lending.  A  cornerstone  of our  lending
               program has long been one- to four-family residential lending. We
               believe that,  in comparison to many other types of assets,  one-
               to  four-family  residential  loans carry  acceptable  yields and
               credit  risk.  In  addition,  such loans  create  strong  ties to
               consumers  which  can  be  utilized  to  market  other  financial
               products.  At June 30, 1998,  we had $258.4  million (or 62.1% of
               total loans) of one- to four-family  residential  loans and $22.0
               million of home equity lines of credit.  See  "Business of Cohoes
               Savings Bank - Lending  Activities." In recent years, in order to
               increase the yield on interest-earning assets and to increase the
               amount of our interest rate sensitive  assets,  we have increased
               originations  of  multi-family  and commercial  real estate loans
               which have adjustable rates and/or shorter terms to maturity than
               one- to  four-family  residential  real estate  loans.  See "Risk
               Factors - Risks Associated with  Multi-Family and Commercial Real
               Estate Loans."

          o    Interest  Rate  Sensitivity.  We, like  virtually  all  financial
               institutions,  are  vulnerable to changes in interest  rates.  In
               managing our  asset/liability  mix, we may, at times,  place more
               emphasis on enhancing our short-term net interest  margin than on
               limiting interest rate risk. At June 30, 1998, based upon certain
               assumptions  utilized by us in assessing  interest rate risk, the
               value of our net portfolio equity would have declined by 7.7% and
               14.8%  if  there  would  have  been  instantaneous  increases  in
               interest  rates of 100 and 200 basis  points,  respectively.  See
               "Risk  Factors - Interest Rate Risk  Exposure" and  "Management's
               Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
               Operations of Cohoes Savings Bank - Asset/Liability Management."


                                        1

<PAGE>



          o    Asset Quality. Our ratio of non-performing assets to total assets
               was 1.15% and our ratio of  non-performing  loans to total  loans
               was 1.36% at June 30, 1998.  Reflecting  our focus on residential
               lending,  our ratio of net charge-offs to average total loans was
               .24%,  .37%,  .10%,  .06% and .01% for fiscal  years 1998,  1997,
               1996, 1995, and 1994,  respectively.  At June 30, 1998, our ratio
               of  allowance  for loan  losses  to total  loans was .85% and our
               ratio of allowance for loan losses to total  non-performing loans
               was  62.54%.  See  "Business   Delinquencies  and  Non-Performing
               Assets."

          o    Commitment  to  Growth.  We  believe  that in order to  remain an
               independent  community-based financial institution in the rapidly
               changing financial services industry, we must be competitive.  In
               order to remain competitive, we are committed to growing the Bank
               through acquisitions although none are currently contemplated and
               through  other  facets  of  our  business,   including  insurance
               services,  which can  increase  noninterest  income  for us.  See
               "Business  of  Cohoes   Savings  Bank  -  Subsidiary   and  Other
               Activities."  During fiscal 1998, we  experienced a 4.7% increase
               in deposit accounts.  In addition, we experienced a $14.5 million
               increase in loans  receivable.  See  "Business of Cohoes  Savings
               Bank - Lending."

The Stock Offering

         We are offering between  5,950,000 and 8,050,000 shares of common stock
at $10.00 per share in the Conversion. We may increase the offering to 9,257,500
shares without  further notice to you. Any increase over 9,257,500  shares would
require the approval of the  Superintendent  and the FDIC. You may not change or
cancel any stock order previously  delivered to us as a result of an increase in
the offering within these limits.

   
         Stock Purchase  Priorities.  The shares of Holding Company Common Stock
will be  offered on the basis of  priorities.  Certain  depositors  and the ESOP
established by us will receive  subscription rights to purchase shares of common
stock.  Any  remaining  shares  not  subscribed  for may be  offered in a direct
community  offering or a public offering.  See "The ^ Offering ^" on pages ^ 100
to ^ 111.
    

         Prohibition  on Transfer of  Subscription  Rights.  You may not sell or
assign  your  subscription  rights.  Any  transfer  of  subscription  rights  is
prohibited by law and may result in the forfeiture of your subscription rights.

   
         Stock  Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued.  We set the  purchase
price per share of the common stock at $10.00.  This is the price most  commonly
used in recent years in stock offerings involving  Conversions of mutual savings
institutions.  The number or range of shares of common stock to be issued in the
offering is based on an  independent  appraisal of the pro forma market value of
the common stock by RP Financial, an appraisal firm experienced in appraisals of
savings  institutions.  RP Financial has estimated that as of September 4, 1998,
and as updated as of October 23, 1998, the estimated  valuation range of Holding
Company Common Stock was between $59,500,000 and $80,500,000 (with a midpoint of
$70,000,000).  The Estimated  Valuation  Range  represents our estimated  market
value after giving  effect to the sale of the common stock in this  offering and
the  issuance  of a number of  shares  equal to 3% of the  shares  issued in the
Conversion to the  Foundation.  Based on this valuation and the $10.00 per share
price,  the number of shares of common  stock that we will issue in the offering
will range from between 5,950,000 shares and 8,050,000 shares. The establishment
of,  and  contribution  to,  the  Cohoes  Savings  Foundation  had the effect of
reducing our market  valuation.  See "Risk Factors - ^ Risks Associated with the
Establishment of the Charitable  Foundation" on pages ^ 18 to 20 and "Comparison
of Valuation and Pro Forma Information With No Foundation" on ^ page 29.

         The appraisal  was based both upon our financial  condition and results
of  operations  and upon the effect of the  additional  capital we will raise in
this Offering.  The independent appraisal will be updated before we complete the
Conversion. Changes in market and financial conditions and demand for the common
stock may cause the estimated valuation range to increase by up to 15%, to up to
$92,575,000.  If this occurs,  the maximum  number of shares that can be sold in
this offering can increase to up to 9,257,500 shares (plus the 277,725 shares to
be issued to the Cohoes Savings Foundation). If the Estimated Valuation Range is
either below  $59,500,000  or above  $92,575,000,  then you will be notified and
will have the opportunity to modify or cancel your order.  See "The ^ Offering -
Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued" on pages ^ 100 to ^ 103.
    


                                        2

<PAGE>



         The   independent   valuation   prepared  by  RP  Financial  is  not  a
recommendation  as to the  advisability of purchasing the Holding Company Common
Stock.  Accordingly,  you should not buy the Holding  Company Common Stock based
solely on the independent valuation.

   
         Termination of the Offering.  The subscription  offering will terminate
at ^ 12:00 noon,  Cohoes,  New York time,  on ^ December  16,  1998.  Any direct
community  offering or public offering may terminate at any time without notice,
but no later than ^ January 31, 1999,  without approval by the Superintendent of
Banks of the New York State Banking  Department and the FDIC. If the offering is
not completed by ^ January 31, 1999, all  subscribers  will be notified and will
be given the opportunity to cancel or modify their order.

         Benefits to Management and Employees  from the Offering.  Our employees
will  participate  in the  offering  through  individual  purchases  and through
purchases of stock through our employee stock ownership plan, which is a type of
retirement  plan.  We also  intend to  implement  a RRP and a Stock  Option  and
Incentive Plan, which may benefit the officers,  employees and directors.  If we
adopt the RRP, such  individuals  will be awarded stock at no cost to them.  The
RRP and Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan may not be adopted  until at least six
months after the  Conversion and are subject to  stockholder  approval.  We also
intend to enter into  employment  agreements  with  certain  executive  officers
following  completion of the  offering.  See  "Management  of the Bank - Benefit
Plans" on pages ^ 85 to ^ 88.

         The  Charitable  Foundation.  To further  our  commitment  to the local
community,  we intend to establish the Foundation as part of the Conversion.  We
will  make a  contribution  to the  Foundation,  in the form of shares of common
stock,  equal to 3% of the shares issued in the Conversion.  The Foundation will
be  dedicated   exclusively  to  supporting   charitable  causes  and  community
development  in the Bank's primary market area. Due to the issuance of shares of
common stock to the Foundation,  persons  purchasing shares in the offering will
have their ownership and voting interest in the Holding Company diluted by 2.9%.
We will incur an expense  equal to the full  amount of the  contribution  to the
Foundation,  offset in part by a tax  benefit,  during the  quarter in which the
contribution is made. Such expense will reduce our earnings. See "Risk Factors -
^ Risks Associated with the Establishment of the Charitable Foundation" on pages
^ 18 to 20,  "Pro  Forma  Data" on pages ^ 26 to ^ 28 and  "The  Conversion  - ^
Establishment of Cohoes Savings Foundation" on pages ^ 94 to ^ 98.
    

         Use of the  Proceeds  Raised  from the Sale of Holding  Company  Common
Stock in the Offering.  We will use the net proceeds  received from the offering
as follows. The percentages used are estimates.

          o    50% will be used to buy all of the capital stock of the Bank.
          o    8% will be loaned to the employee  stock  ownership  plan to fund
               its purchase of common stock.
          o    42% will be  retained  and  initially  be  placed  in  short-term
               investments,  which  may  later be used as a  possible  source of
               funds  for  stock  repurchases,   the  payment  of  dividends  to
               stockholders, and for other general corporate purposes.

   
         The proceeds received by the Bank will increase our capital and will be
available for expansion of our retail banking  franchise  through future lending
and investment, in addition to general corporate purposes. See "Use of Proceeds"
on ^ page 22.
    

The Holding Company and the Bank Following the Conversion

         Assuming the  Conversion  had been  consummated as of June 30, 1998, we
would have had, on a pro forma basis at the maximum of the  estimated  valuation
range,  total  consolidated   assets  of  $605.4  million,   total  consolidated
liabilities of $482.4 million,  including $449.5 million of deposits,  and total
consolidated  stockholders'  equity of $123.0 million.  See "Pro Forma Unaudited
Financial  Information." In addition, at June 30, 1998, the Bank would have had,
on a pro forma basis at the maximum of the estimated  valuation range,  leverage
capital  of $82.7  million or 14.7% of  adjusted  total  assets  and  risk-based
capital of $86.2 million or 25.4% of total risk-weighted  assets,  respectively.
See "Regulatory Capital."

         Upon  completion  of the  Conversion,  we will  be a well  capitalized,
independent community-oriented financial institution with 17 full service branch
offices.  Our  business  strategy  will be to  operate as a  community  oriented
financial

                                        3

<PAGE>



institution  dedicated  to  meeting  the  borrowing  and  savings  needs  of our
customers  while  providing  superior  service.  We will seek to implement  this
strategy  by (i)  increasing  our  origination  of loans in our market  area and
emphasizing   retail  banking,   including  the  origination  of   single-family
residential  mortgage loans and consumer  loans;  (ii)  continuing to expand our
insurance  and  investments  activities,  which provide  alternative  sources of
income to our traditional banking  activities;  (iii) maintaining asset quality;
(iv)  maintaining  a high level of capital;  and (v)  continuing  our pattern of
controlled growth.

         As a New York chartered savings bank, we will continue to be subject to
comprehensive  regulation and examination by the  Department,  as our chartering
authority and primary  regulator,  and by the FDIC,  which  administers the Bank
Insurance Fund,  which will insure our deposits to the maximum extent  permitted
by law.  We will be a  member  of the FHLB of New  York,  which is one of the 12
regional  banks which  comprise the FHLB System.  We will be further  subject to
regulations  of the FRB governing  reserves  required to be  maintained  against
deposits and certain  other  matters.  The Holding  Company will be a registered
savings  and  loan  holding  company  and will be  subject  to  examination  and
regulation by both the OTS and the Department  and subject to various  reporting
and other  requirements of the SEC. Our principal  executive  offices  following
consummation of the Conversion will be located at 75 Remsen Street,  Cohoes, New
York, 12047, and our telephone number will be (518) 233-6500.

Dividends

   
         Cohoes Bancorp,  Inc. intends to pay dividends in the future.  However,
the  amount  and  timing  of  such  payments  has  yet  to  be  determined.  The
determination to pay a dividend is dependent upon a number of factors, including
(i) the  amount of the net  proceeds  retained  by the  Holding  Company  in the
Conversion, (ii) investment opportunities available, (iii) capital requirements,
(iv) regulatory limitations,  (v) results of operations and financial condition,
(vi) tax considerations,  and (vii) general economic conditions. See "Dividends"
on ^ page 23.
    

Market for the Common Stock

   
         We  anticipate  the Holding  Company  Common  Stock to be traded on The
Nasdaq  National  Market System under the symbol "COHB".  It is possible that an
active and liquid  trading  market,  however,  may not develop or be maintained.
Investors should have a long-term  investment intent.  Persons purchasing shares
may not be able to sell their  shares  when they  desire or sell them at a price
equal to or above  $10.00.  KBW has  informed  us that it has  agreed  to make a
market in the common stock. KBW will, however,  not be subject to any obligation
with respect to such efforts. See "Market for the Common Stock" on page ^ 23.
    

Prospectus Delivery and Procedures for Common Stock

         To ensure that each person or entity is properly  identified as to such
party's stock purchase priorities,  such party must list all deposit accounts on
the order form  accompanying  this prospectus,  giving all names on each account
and the account numbers at the applicable  date. The failure to provide accurate
and complete account  information on the order form may result in a reduction or
elimination of your order.

   
         Only  orders  submitted  on original  order forms will be accepted  for
processing.  Photocopies  or  facsimile  copies  of  order  forms or the form of
certification  will not be accepted.  Payment by cash, check,  money order, bank
draft or withdrawal  from an existing  account at the Bank must  accompany  your
order form. No wire transfers will be accepted.  See "The ^ Offering - Procedure
for Purchasing  Shares in Subscription and Community  Offerings" on pages 107 to
108.
    

         To ensure that each  purchaser  receives a Prospectus at least 48 hours
prior to the respective  expiration  dates for the Offering,  in accordance with
Rule 15c2-8 of the Exchange Act, as amended,  no Prospectus will be mailed later
than five  days  prior to such date or hand  delivered  any later  than two days
prior to such date.  Execution of the stock order form will  confirm  receipt or
delivery  in  accordance  with  Rule  15c2-8.  Stock  order  forms  will only be
distributed   with  a  Prospectus  and  a  certification   form  requiring  each
prospective  investor to  acknowledge,  among other  things,  that the shares of
Holding  Company Common Stock are not insured by the Bank, the FDIC or any other
governmental  agency and that such  prospective  investor has received a copy of
this Prospectus,  which, among other things, describes the risks involved in the
investment in the Holding Company Common Stock.

                                        4

<PAGE>



Nontransferability of Subscription Rights

         The  subscription  rights of  Eligible  Account  Holders,  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders  and  Employee  Benefit  Plans  are  nontransferable.
Certificates  representing  shares of Common Stock purchased in the Subscription
Offering  must be  registered  in the name of the  Eligible  Account  Holder  or
Supplemental   Eligible  Account  Holder,  as  the  case  may  be.  Joint  stock
registration  will be  allowed  only if the  qualifying  deposit  account  is so
registered.  See "The  Conversion  -  Restrictions  on Transfer of  Subscription
Rights and Shares of Common Stock."

Voting Control of Officers and Directors

   
         Trustees and executive officers of the Bank and the Holding Company are
expected  to  purchase  approximately  ^ 4.4% and ^ 3.2%,  respectively,  of the
shares of Common  Stock  outstanding,  based upon the minimum and the maximum of
the  Estimated  Valuation  Range  including  shares  issued  to the  Foundation.
Additionally,  assuming  the  implementation  of the ESOP,  RRP and Stock Option
Plan,  trustees,  executive officers and employees have the potential to control
the  voting  of  approximately  ^ 26.5%  or ^ 25.5% of the  Common  Stock at the
minimum and the  maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  including  shares
issued to the Foundation, respectively.
    

         Additionally,  the Foundation will hold Common Stock in an amount equal
to 3% of the Common  Stock sold in the  Conversion,  which such shares of Common
Stock may be voted as  directed  by the Board of  Directors  of the  Foundation,
which will  initially  consist of six Directors of whom four will be officers or
trustees of the Bank.  However,  the FDIC and the Superintendent of Banks of the
New York State Banking Department (the "Superintendent") have imposed conditions
regarding  voting of the Common Stock by the  Foundation.  See "The Conversion -
Establishment of Cohoes Savings Foundation."

Role of the Marketing Agent

         The Bank and the Holding  Company have  engaged KBW as a financial  and
marketing  advisor in connection with the offering of the Holding Company Common
Stock and KBW has agreed to use its best  efforts to assist the Holding  Company
with the solicitation of subscriptions and purchase orders for shares of Holding
Company Common Stock in the Offerings.  Based upon negotiations between the Bank
and the  Holding  Company,  KBW will  receive  a fee for  services  provided  in
connection with the Offerings equal to 1.20% of the aggregate  Purchase Price of
Holding Company Common Stock sold in the Offerings.  No fees will be paid to KBW
with  respect to any shares of Holding  Company  Common  Stock  purchased by any
trustee,  director,  executive  officer or  employee  of the Bank or the Holding
Company or members of their immediate  families or any employee  benefit plan of
the Holding Company or the Bank. See "The Offering - Marketing and  Underwriting
Arrangements."

Expiration Date for the Subscription Offering

   
         The Expiration Date for the Subscription Offering is 12:00 noon Eastern
time on ^ December 16, 1998 unless extended by the Bank for an initial period of
up to 45 days after the  Expiration  Date or for one or more  additional  60 day
periods thereafter,  upon approval of the Superintendent,  and if necessary, the
FDIC. The Subscription  Offering may not be extended beyond ^ December 21, 2000.
See "The Conversion - Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights."
    

No Board Recommendations

   
         The  Bank's  Board  of  Trustees  and the  Holding  Company's  Board of
Directors are not making ^ any  recommendations to depositors or other potential
investors  regarding  whether such persons should  purchase the Common Stock. An
investment  in the  Common  Stock  must be  made  pursuant  to  each  investor's
evaluation of his or her best interests.
    

Conversion Center

         If you have any  questions  regarding  the purchase of Holding  Company
Common Stock or the Conversion, call the Conversion Center at (518) 235-4000.

                                        5

<PAGE>



Important Risks in Owning the Holding Company's Common Stock

   
         Before you decide to purchase  stock in the  offering,  you should read
the "Risk Factors"  section on pages ^ 13 to ^ 70 of this document,  in addition
to the other sections of this  Prospectus.  The Holding  Company Common Stock is
subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the principal of your
investment.
    


                                        6

<PAGE>



      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA OF COHOES SAVINGS BANK

         The summary  information  presented below under "Selected  Consolidated
Financial Data" and "Selected Operating Data" for, and as of the end of, each of
the years ended June 30 is derived from the Bank's audited financial statements.
The  following  information  is only a summary and you should read it along with
our financial statements and notes beginning on page F-1.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   At June 30,
                                           1998         1997          1996          1995          1994
                                       ------------ ------------- ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                 (In Thousands)
<S>                                     <C>             <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>

Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
   
     Total assets......................    $535,716      $491,700     $463,363      $459,336      $403,334
     Cash and cash equivalents.........      14,229        16,664        8,900        15,179        15,235
     Loans, net  ......................     412,759       398,530      393,970       379,088       313,419
     Investment securities.............      45,424        25,273       25,969        40,052        48,825
     Securities available-for-sale.....      48,720        35,475       20,886        10,433        13,776
     Deposits..........................     449,541       429,390      404,539       398,963       346,459
     ^ Borrowings......................      19,897           ---        2,116         6,117           105
     Total equity......................      53,282        49,092       44,290        40,130        36,276
     Real estate owned.................         509         1,874          421           396           437
     Nonperforming loans...............       5,649         6,688        7,793         5,063         4,892
    
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30,
                                                           1998         1997          1996          1995          1994
                                                                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>

Selected Operating Data:
     Total interest income.............................  $   38,423    $   36,285   $   35,383    $   32,100    $   27,560
     Interest expense..................................      19,262        17,821       18,164        15,405        12,388
                                                             ------       -------       ------        ------        ------
          Net interest income..........................      19,161        18,464       17,219        16,695        15,172
     Provision for loan losses.........................       1,400         1,325           490           330           750
                                                             ------       -------       ------        ------        ------
          Net interest income after provision 
          for loan losses                                    17,761        17,139       16,729        16,365        14,422
     Noninterest income
          Net gain (loss) on sale of mortgage loans              81           106          (20)         (102)          226
          Other........................................       2,662         2,684        2,487         2,293         2,050
     Noninterest expense...............................      13,767        12,314       11,919        12,152        11,114
                                                             ------       -------       ------        ------        ------
     Income before income taxes........................       6,737         7,615        7,277         6,404         5,584
     Income taxes......................................       2,650         2,972        2,882         2,565         2,194
                                                             ------       -------       ------        ------        ------
          Net income...................................   $   4,087     $   4,643    $   4,395     $   3,839     $   3,390
                                                             ======       =======       ======        ======        ======

Selected Operating Ratios and Other Data:
Performance Ratios:
     Yield on average interest-earning assets..........       7.96%         8.04%        7.98%         7.76%         7.38%
     Rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.        4.33          4.27         4.42          3.99          3.57
     Net interest rate spread..........................        3.63          3.77         3.56          3.77          3.81
     Net interest margin (1)...........................        3.97          4.09         3.89          4.04          4.06
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
           to noninterest expense......................      129.01        139.18       140.36        134.67        129.76
     Noninterest expense as a percent of average assets        2.75          2.62         2.59          2.82          2.86
     Return on average assets (2)......................        0.82          0.99         0.95          0.89          0.87
     Return on average equity (3)......................        7.88          9.87        10.28          9.95          9.85
     Ratio of average equity to average assets.........       10.35         10.03         9.28          8.95          8.85
     Efficiency ratio (4)..............................       62.85         57.94        60.55         64.34         63.70

Asset Quality Ratios:
     Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans...        1.36          1.66         1.96          1.32          1.54
     Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets.        1.15          1.74         1.77          1.19          1.32
     Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans     0.85          0.77         0.82          0.82          0.95
     Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
          nonperforming loans..........................       62.54         46.43        41.69         61.88         61.55

     Net loans charged-off to average loans............        0.24          0.37         0.10          0.06          0.01

Branch Locations:
     Traditional.......................................          7             7            6             5             4
     Supermarket.......................................          9(6)          8            4             4             3
     Public accommodation (5)..........................          1             1            1             1             1
- -----------------
<FN>

(1)  Net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(2)  Ratio of net earnings to average total assets.
(3)  Ratio of net earnings to average total equity.
(4)  The Efficiency Ratio is computed by dividing noninterest expense by the sum
     of net interest income and noninterest income.
(5)  The public accommodation office is expected to become a full service branch
     office on October 1, 1998.
(6)  The Queensbury branch location opened for business in July, 1998.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                        7

<PAGE>



                              RECENT FINANCIAL DATA

         The following  table sets forth selected  financial data of the Bank at
and for the periods  indicated.  Financial data as of September 30, 1998 and for
the three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 are unaudited. In the opinion
of management,  all adjustments  (consisting only of normal recurring  accruals)
necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  The results of operations
and  other  data  for  the  three  months  ended  September  30,  1998,  are not
necessarily  indicative of the results of operations  for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1999.

                                         At September 30           At June 30,
                                              1998                    1998
                                                     (In Thousands)
Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
   
   Total assets                            $551,156                 $535,716
   Cash and cash equivalents                 20,325                   14,229
   Loans, net                               429,029                  412,759
   Investment securities                     45,180                   45,424
   Securities available-for-sale             41,285                   48,720
   Deposits                                 448,648                  449,541
   Borrowings                                39,689                   19,897
   Total equity                              54,452                   53,282
   Real estate owned                            802                      509
   Nonperforming loans                      ^ 5,634                    5,649
    

                                                  For the Three Months Ended

                                                          ^ September 30,

   
                                                   1998                 1997
                                              -----------------  -----------
                                                        (In Thousands)
Selected Operating Data:
Total interest income                           $10,116              $9,485
Interest expense                                  5,209               4,766
                                              ---------              ------
 Net interest income                              4,907               4,719
Provision for loan losses                           180                 150
                                              ---------              ------
 Net interest income after 
    provision for loan losses                     4,727               4,569
Noninterest income
 ^Net gain on sale of mortgage loans                  6                  11
 Other                                              672                 648
Noninterest expense                               3,793               3,232
                                              ---------              ------
Income before income taxes                        1,612               1,996
Income taxes                                        629                 798
                                              ---------              ------
  Net income                                       $983              $1,198
                                              =========              ======


                                                     (footnotes on next page)
    

                                        8

<PAGE>




   
                                                    For the Three Months Ended
                                                            September 30,
                                                       1998             1997
Selected Operating Ratios and Other Data
Performance Ratios:
   Yield on average interest-earning assets            7.67%             7.93%
   Rate paid on average 
         interest-bearing liabilities                  4.28              4.31
   Net interest rate spread                            3.39              3.62
   Net interest margin (1)                             3.72              3.95
   Net interest income after provision 
         for loan losses to noninterest expense      124.62            141.37
   Noninterest expense as a percent of 
         average assets                                2.80              2.62
   Return on average assets (2)                        0.73              0.97
   Return on average equity (3)                        7.26              9.57
   Ratio of average equity to average assets           9.98             10.14
   Efficiency ratio (4)                               67.91             60.10




                                         At September 30,       At June 30,
                                             1998                1998
Asset Quality Ratios:
   Nonperforming loans as a 
       percentage of total loans             ^ 1.30              1.36
   Nonperforming assets as a 
       percentage of total assets             ^1.17              1.15
   Allowance for loan losses as a 
       percentage of total loans               0.84            ^ 0.85
   Allowance for loan losses as a 
       percentage of nonperforming loans     ^64.25             62.54

Branch Locations:
   Traditional                                    8                 7
   Supermarket                                    9                ^9(5)
   Public accommodation                         ---                 1
- ------------------
(1)  Net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(2)  Ratio of net earnings to average total assets.
(3)  Ratio of net earnings to average total equity.
(4)  The Efficiency Ratio is computed by dividing noninterest expense by the sum
     of net interest income and noninterest income.
(5)  The Queensbury branch location opened for business in July, 1998.
    


                                        9

<PAGE>



Nonperforming Assets

         The  following   table  sets  forth  the  amounts  and   categories  of
nonperforming  assets in the Bank's portfolio at September 30, 1998 and June 30,
1998.


                                                At                     At
                                        September 30, 1998        June 30, 1998
                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
   One- to four-family real estate               $2,641               $2,635
   Multi-family and commercial real estate          566                  823
   Conventional second mortgages                     34                   35
   Consumer loans                                   149                  105
   Commercial business loans                        ---                   65
                                               --------              -------
         Total non-accrual loans                  3,390                3,663

Loans contractually past due 90 days or 
       more and still accruing interest:
   Consumer loans                                    57                   57
                                               --------           ----------
       Total loans 90 days or more past 
            due and still accruing interest          57                   57

Troubled debt restructurings                      2,187                1,929
                                                -------              -------
         Total nonperforming loans                5,634                5,649
   
Real estate owned (ORE)                             802                  509
                                               --------             --------
         Total nonperforming ^ assets            $6,436               $6,158
                                                 ======               ======
Allowance for loan losses                        $3,620               $3,533
                                                 ======               ======
Coverage of nonperforming loans                  64.25%               62.54%
                                                 ======               ======
Total nonperforming loans as a percentage
     of total loans                               1.30%                1.36%
                                                =======              =======
Total nonperforming ^ loans as a 
     percentage of total ^ assets                 1.02%                1.05%
                                                =======              =======
    



                                       10

<PAGE>



                MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION OF RECENT FINANCIAL DATA

   
         Recent Development. On October 23, 1998, the Bank terminated ^ a merger
agreement with SFS Bancorp,  Inc. In connection with the  termination,  the Bank
paid an  agreed-upon  breakup  fee of $2.0  million.  The  breakup  fee  will be
recognized  in the quarter  ended  December 31, 1998,  resulting in an after tax
charge to earnings of approximately $1.2 million.
    

         Financial  Condition.  Total assets increased $15.5 million from $535.7
million at June 30, 1998 to $551.2  million at September  30,1998.  The increase
was  primarily due to an increase in the loan  portfolio  which was funded by an
increase in borrowings.

   
         Net Income.  Net income for the three months ended  September  30, 1998
was  $983,000,  down from $1.2 million for the three months ended  September 30,
1997.  The ^ $215,000  decrease was  primarily due to increases in the provision
for loan  losses  and  noninterest  expense  which  was  partially  offset  by ^
increases in net interest income and noninterest income.
    

         Net  Interest  Income.  Net  interest  income  for  the  quarter  ended
September  30,  1998 was $4.9  million,  up  $188,000  from  the  quarter  ended
September  30, 1997.  The increase  was  primarily  the result of an increase of
$48.5  million in average  earning  assets from  $474.6  million for the quarter
ended September 30, 1997 to $523.1 million for the same period in 1998.  Average
interest-bearing  liabilities  also increased  during the same period,  up $43.7
million. The Bank's net interest margin for the quarter ended September 30, 1998
was 3.72%,  down 23 basis points from 3.95% for the quarter ended  September 30,
1997. As a result of the yield on average  earning assets  decreasing from 7.93%
to 7.67%,  while  the rate paid on  average  interest-bearing  liabilities  also
decreased from 4.31% to 4.28%.

   
         Interest  Income.  Interest  income for the quarter ended September 30,
1998 was $10.1 million,  up from $9.5 million for the comparable period in 1997.
The largest component of interest income is interest on loans. Interest on loans
increased  from $8.4 million for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1997 to $8.6
million for the quarter ended  September 30, 1998. The average  balance of loans
increased  $19.4  million to $424.3  million,  while the average  yield on loans
decreased 18 basis points from 8.21% to 8.03%. The increase in interest on loans
was  supplemented by increases in interest on securities  available for sale and
investment  securities.  Interest  income on these  categories of earning assets
increased  $223,000,  and  $296,000,  respectively.  Substantially  all of the ^
increase in interest  income on these assets ^ is attributed to ^ an increase in
volume.  The average  balance of securities  available for sale  increased  from
$29.6 million for the quarter ended  September 30, 1997 to $43.9 million for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998. The average  balance of investment  securities
increased  from $25.4 million in 1997 to $47.8 million in 1998.  The interest on
federal funds sold  decreased  $110,000 as a result of a decrease in the average
balance  of  federal  funds  sold of $8.1  million.  The  changes  in  rates  on
securities available for sale,  investment securities and federal funds sold, as
well as the changes in volume and rate on other  categories of interest  earning
assets, was not significant.
    

         Interest  Expense.  Interest expense increased during the quarter ended
September  30, 1998 to $5.2  million,  up from $4.8  million for the  comparable
period in 1997.  Substantially  all of the Bank's  interest  expense is from the
Bank's  interest-bearing  deposits.  The largest  category  of  interest-bearing
deposits is time  deposits.  Interest on time  deposits  from the quarter  ended
September 30, 1998 was $3.3 million, down $69,000 from the $3.4 million in 1997.
This  decrease is  primarily  the result of a decrease of 8 basis  points in the
average rates paid on these  deposits  from 5.85% in 1997 to 5.77% in 1998.  The
increase in interest  expense is primarily the result of an increase in interest
on  borrowings  for the  quarter  ended  September  30, 1998 to  $373,000.  This
increase  was  entirely  attributable  to an increase in the average  balance of
borrowings,  to $25.0  million in the quarter  ended  September  30,  1998.  The
average balance of other categories of  interest-bearing  liabilities  increased
modestly, while the rates paid remained relatively stable.

         Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses of $180,000 in
the quarter  ended  September  30, 1998  increased  slightly  over the  $150,000
provision in the quarter ended September 30, 1997. The increase in the provision
is attributed to the increase in the average balance of loans outstanding.

         Noninterest  Income.  Total  noninterest  income for the quarter  ended
September 30, 1998 was $678,000,  relatively unchanged from the $659,000 for the
quarter ended September 30, 1997. Service charges on deposits

                                       11

<PAGE>



   
increased  slightly to $198,000 for the quarter ended  September 30, 1998,  from
$193,000 for the quarter  ended  September  30,  1997.  Loan  servicing  revenue
declined  $25,000 from  $131,000 for the quarter  ended  September 30, 1997 to ^
$106,000 for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1998.  The decline  relates to a
reduction in the balance of loans serviced for others.  Other noninterest income
^ increased $43,000 primarily as a result of the establishment of ATM surcharges
in April 1998.

         Noninterest Expense.  Total noninterest expense increased ^ $561,000 to
$3.8 million for the quarter ended  September 30, 1998, up from $3.2 million for
the  comparable  period in 1997.  Increases  in  compensation  and  benefits  of
$188,000,  occupancy of $137,000 and other expenses of $189,000 were the primary
contributors to the overall increase.  The increase in compensation and benefits
resulted from general merit increases and incentive payments for Bank employees.
Occupancy  increased as a result of increases in  depreciation  and  maintenance
services. Other noninterest expense increased as a result of increases in office
supplies and ORE expense.

         Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense decreased from $798,000 for the
quarter  ended  September  30, 1997 to ^ $629,000 for the  comparable  period in
1998.  The  reduction is primarily  the result of less income  before income tax
expense,  $1.6 million in the quarter  ended  September  30, 1998 as compared to
$2.0 million in the same quarter of 1997.
    

         Capital  Requirements.  The  following  table  sets  forth  the  Bank's
historical  compliance with its capital  requirements at September 30, 1998. See
"Regulatory Capital" for information regarding the Bank's capital compliance.


                                         September 30, 1998
                                       Amount         Percent (1)
                                       (Dollars in Thousands)

GAAP Capital                               $54,452            9.88%
                                           =======          ======

Leverage capital
   Actual                                  $54,253            9.97%
   Requirement                              21,763            4.00%
                                          --------          ------
   Excess                                  $32,490            5.97%
                                           =======          ======

Risk-based capital (2)
   Actual                                  $57,873           16.88%
   Requirement                              27,425            8.00%
                                          --------          ------
   Excess                                  $30,448            8.88%
                                           =======          ======

(1)      Adjusted total or adjusted risk-weighted assets, as appropriate.  As of
         September 30, 1998, the adjusted total and risk-weighted  assets of the
         Bank were $544.1 million and $342.8 million, respectively.

(2)      Does not reflect the  interest  rate risk  component to be added to the
         risk-based  capital  requirements  or, in the case of the core  capital
         requirement, the 4.0% requirement to be met in order for an institution
         to be "adequately  capitalized"  under applicable laws and regulations.
         See "Regulation - Regulatory Capital Requirements."


                                       12

<PAGE>



                                  RISK FACTORS

         In addition to other information in this document,  you should consider
carefully the  following  risk factors in evaluating an investment in our common
stock.

Decreased  Return on Average  Equity and Increased  Expenses  Immediately  After
Conversion

         As a result of the Conversion,  our equity will increase substantially.
Expenses are expected to increase due to the costs  associated with our employee
stock  ownership  plan,  our RRP,  and being a public  company.  Because  of the
increases  in our equity and  expenses,  our  return on equity may  decrease  as
compared to our  performance  in previous  years. A lower return on equity could
limit the trading price potential of the Holding Company Common Stock.  See "Use
of Proceeds" and "Pro Forma Data."

         In addition, we intend to initially invest the additional capital being
raised  through the offering  into  shorter-term,  lower-yielding  assets (i.e.,
federal  funds  sold)  and  gradually   reinvest  the  additional  capital  into
longer-term,   higher-yielding   loans   and   mortgage-backed   securities   as
opportunities arise. Until the additional capital can be effectively reinvested,
our return on equity is expected to decrease from the Bank's historic levels.

Dilutive Effect of Issuance of Additional Shares

         If the RRP is approved by stockholders of the Holding Company,  the RRP
intends to acquire an amount of Holding  Company Common Stock equal to 4% of the
Shares sold in the Conversion and including shares issued to the Foundation.  If
such shares are acquired at a per share price equal to the purchase  price,  the
cost of such shares would be $3.3  million,  assuming  the number of  Conversion
Shares  sold are equal to the  maximum of the  Estimated  Offering  Range.  Such
shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock may be acquired in the open market with
funds provided by the Holding  Company,  if permissible,  or from authorized but
unissued  shares of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock.  In the event that the RRP
acquires authorized but unissued shares of Holding Company Common Stock from the
Holding  Company,  the  interests  of  existing  stockholders  will be  diluted.
Assuming the issuance of 8,050,000  Shares in the Offering and the  contribution
of  241,500  shares of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock to the  Foundation,  the
issuance of authorized  but unissued  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock to
such  plan  in an  amount  equal  to 4% of the  Conversion  Shares  sold  in the
Conversion  would  dilute the  voting  interests  of  existing  stockholders  by
approximately 3.6%, and net income per share and stockholders'  equity per share
would  be  decreased  by  a  corresponding   amount.  Awards  made  to  eligible
participants  pursuant to the RRP will be awarded at no cost to the participant.
See "Pro Forma Unaudited Financial  Information - Additional Pro Forma Data" and
"Management Benefits - Recognition and Retention Plan."

         If a Stock Option and Incentive Plan is approved by stockholders of the
Holding  Company,  the Holding  Company  intends to reserve for future  issuance
pursuant to such plan a number of shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock equal
to an aggregate of 10% of the Conversion  Shares and the  contribution of shares
to the  Foundation  (829,150  shares,  based  on  the  issuance  of the  maximum
8,050,000 shares and the contribution of 241,500 shares to the Foundation). Such
shares may be authorized  but previously  unissued  shares,  treasury  shares or
shares  purchased  by the  Holding  Company in the open  market or from  private
sources.   Assuming  the  issuance  of  8,050,000   Conversion  Shares  and  the
contribution   of  241,500  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  to  the
Foundation,  if only  authorized but previously  unissued  shares are used under
such plan, the issuance of the total number of shares  available under such plan
would dilute the voting  interests  of existing  stockholders  by  approximately
9.1%,  and net income  per share and  stockholders'  equity  per share  would be
decreased  by  a  corresponding  amount.  See  "Pro  Forma  Unaudited  Financial
Information - Additional Pro Forma Data" and "Management - Benefits."

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

         The Bank's  profitability  is  dependent to a large extent upon its net
interest  income,  which is the  difference  between its  interest  and dividend
income on  earning  assets,  such as loans  and  investments,  and its  interest
expense  on  interest-bearing  liabilities,  such as  deposits  and  borrowings.
Changes in the level of interest rates affect the amount of loans  originated by
the Bank as well as the market  value of the Bank's  earning  assets.  Moreover,
increases in interest rates also can result in  disintermediation,  which is the
flow of funds away from savings institutions into other

                                       13

<PAGE>



investments,  such as corporate securities and other investment vehicles,  which
generally  pay higher  rates of return than  savings  institutions.  Finally,  a
flattening of the "yield curve" (i.e., a decline in the difference  between long
and short term  interest  rates) or an inverted  yield curve (i.e.,  where short
term interest rates are higher than long term interest  rates),  could adversely
impact net  interest  income.  As a result of a decline  in the yield  earned on
average  interest-earning assets that exceeded a decline in the rate paid on its
average  liabilities,  the Bank's  average  interest rate spread  decreased from
3.77% for 1997 to 3.63% for 1998.  No  assurance  can be given  that the  Bank's
average  interest rate spread will not decrease  further in future periods.  Any
such decrease in the Bank's average  interest rate spread could adversely affect
the Bank's net interest  income.  See  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  of  Cohoes  Savings  Bank  -
Asset/Liability Management."

         If an  institution's  interest-earning  assets  have  longer  effective
maturities than its interest-bearing liabilities, the yield on the institution's
interest-earning  assets  generally will adjust more slowly than the cost of its
interest-bearing  liabilities and, as a result,  the  institutions' net interest
income generally would be adversely affected by material and prolonged increases
in interest  rates and  positively  affected by comparable  declines in interest
rates.  The Bank  attempts  to reduce the  vulnerability  of its  operations  to
changes in interest  rates by maintaining  significant  amounts of liquid assets
and assets with relatively short estimated lives. Changes in interest rates also
can affect the average life of loans and  mortgage-related and other securities.
Decreases  in  interest  rates in recent  periods  have  resulted  in  increased
prepayments of loans and mortgage backed securities,  as borrowers refinanced to
reduce  borrowing  costs.  Under  these  circumstances,  the bank is  subject to
reinvestment risk to the extent that it is not able to reinvest such prepayments
at rates which are  comparable to the rates on the maturing loans or securities.
See "Business of Cohoes Savings Bank Lending Activities."

Risks Related to  Multi-Family  and  Commercial  Real Estate  Loans;  Geographic
Concentration of Loans

         The Bank  originates  multi-family  and  commercial  real estate loans,
which  amounted to $93.2  million (or 22.4% of the Bank's loan  portfolio) as of
June 30, 1998.  Multi-family  and commercial  real estate  lending  generally is
considered  to involve a higher  degree of risk than  single-family  residential
lending due to a variety of factors,  including  generally larger loan balances,
the dependency on successful operation of the project for repayment,  loan terms
which  often do not  require  full  amortization  of the loan  over its term and
successfully  developing  and/or  selling the property.  See "Business of Cohoes
Savings Bank - Lending  Activities."  As of June 30, 1998, the Bank had $823,000
of  non-performing  multi-family  and  commercial  real estate loans  (excluding
restructured loans which are performing under the restructured terms).

         In addition, the Bank had $25.9 million of commercial real estate loans
secured by property  located in New York City as of June 30, 1998. At that date,
the entire  commercial  real estate loan portfolio  located in New York City was
performing in accordance with its respective terms. However, no assurance can be
made that the New York City economy will continue at current levels or that such
loans will continue to perform in accordance with their terms in the future.

Competition

         The Bank experiences  significant  competition in its local market area
in both  originating real estate and other loans and attracting  deposits.  This
competition  arises from other savings  institutions  as well as credit  unions,
mortgage banks, commercial banks, mutual funds and national and local securities
firms.  Due to their size, many  competitors  can achieve  certain  economies of
scale and as a result offer a broader  range of products  and services  than the
Bank.  The Bank  attempts to mitigate the effect of such factors by  emphasizing
customer service and community  outreach.  Such competition may limit the Bank's
growth in the future. See "Business of the Bank - Competition."

Takeover Defensive Provisions

         Holding Company and Bank Governing  Instruments.  Certain provisions of
the Holding  Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation  and Bylaws and the Bank's
Restated Organization  Certificate and Bylaws assist the Holding Company and the
Bank in  maintaining  its status as an independent  publicly owned  corporation.
However,  such provisions may also block stockholders from approving a potential
takeover of the Holding Company which a majority of such stockholders believe to
be in their best interests.  These  provisions  provide for, among other things,
limiting voting rights

                                       14

<PAGE>



of  beneficial  owners of more than 10% of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock,
staggered terms for directors, noncumulative voting for directors, limits on the
calling of special  meetings,  a fair  price/supermajority  vote requirement for
certain  business  combinations  and certain notice  requirements.  The 10% vote
limitation  would  not  affect  the  ability  of an  individual  who is not  the
beneficial owner of more than 10% of the Holding Company Common Stock to solicit
revocable proxies in a public  solicitation for proxies for a particular meeting
of stockholders and to vote such proxies.
 Any or all of these  provisions  may  discourage  potential  proxy contests and
other takeover attempts,  particularly those which have not been negotiated with
the Board of  Directors.  In  addition,  the Holding  Company's  certificate  of
incorporation  also  authorizes  preferred stock with terms to be established by
the Board of Directors  which may rank prior to the Holding Company Common Stock
as to  dividend  rights,  liquidation  preferences,  or both,  may have  full or
limited voting rights and may have a dilutive effect on the ownership  interests
of holders of the Holding Company Common Stock. See "Restrictions on Acquisition
of the Holding Company and the Bank."

         Provisions  in  Management   Contracts  and  Benefit   Plans.   Certain
provisions contained in the proposed management contracts and benefit plans that
provide for cash payments or the vesting of benefits upon a change of control of
the  Holding  Company  or the Bank may have an  anti-takeover  effect  and could
discourage an acquisition of the Holding Company.  See "Management of the Bank -
Employment Agreements."

   
         Voting  Control of Directors and Executive  Officers.  The trustees and
executive  officers (13 persons) of the Bank propose to purchase an aggregate of
approximately ^ 261,000 shares,  representing approximately ^ 4.4% of the shares
offered in the Conversion at the minimum of the Estimated Valuation Range, and ^
3.2% of the shares  offered in the  Conversion  at the maximum of the  Estimated
Valuation  Range,  exclusive of shares that may be attributable to directors and
officers  through the RRP,  the Stock  Option and  Incentive  Plan and the ESOP,
which may give  directors,  executive  officers and  employees  the potential to
control the voting of  additional  Holding  Company  Common Stock and  including
shares issued to the Foundation. A number of shares equal to 4% of the shares of
Holding Company Common Stock issued in the Conversion,  including  shares issued
to the Foundation,  will be available for issuance under the RRP (331,660 shares
at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range),  and a number of shares equal
to 10% of the shares issued in the  Conversion,  including  shares issued to the
Foundation,  will be available for issuance under the Stock Option and Incentive
Plan (829,150  shares at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range).  It is
intended that the ESOP will purchase 8% of the shares issued in the  Conversion,
including shares issued to the Foundation  (663,320 shares at the maximum of the
Estimated  Valuation Range).  In connection with the Conversion,  the Foundation
will receive  241,500  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock at the maximum of
the  Estimated  Valuation  Range  which,  if a waiver of the voting  restriction
imposed on such Holding  Company  Common Stock is obtained from the FDIC and the
Superintendent,  may be voted as  determined  by the Board of  Directors  of the
Foundation who will initially  consist of four Directors of the Holding  Company
and the  Bank  and two  outside  directors.  Thus,  after  the  Conversion,  the
aggregate  number of shares which may be  controlled  by directors and executive
officers of the Holding Company,  including those to be issued to the Foundation
and those that may be issued under the Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan and the
RRP totaled ^ 1,663,310 at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range,  or ^
18.2% of the total  number of shares at the maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation
Range,  including  shares  issued to the  Foundation,  on a fully  diluted basis
(including  shares  available for issuance  under the Stock Option and Incentive
Plan and RRP).  Management's  voting  control  could,  together with  additional
stockholder  support,  defeat  proposals  requiring a minimum of 80% approval of
stockholders.  As a result,  this voting control may preclude  takeover attempts
that  certain  stockholders  deem  to be in  their  best  interest  and  tend to
perpetuate existing management.  See "Restrictions on Acquisition of the Holding
Company and the  Bank--Restrictions  in the  Holding  Company's  Certificate  of
Incorporation and Bylaws."
    

Post-Conversion Compensation and Other Expense

         After completion of the Conversion,  the Holding Company's  noninterest
expense is likely to increase as a result of the financial accounting, legal and
tax  expenses  usually  associated  with  operating  as a  public  company.  See
"Regulation"  and "Taxation" and "Additional  Information."  In addition,  it is
currently  anticipated that the Holding Company will record  additional  expense
based on the proposed  RRP. See "Pro Forma Data" and  "Management  of the Bank -
Benefit  Plans" and "-- RRP."  Finally,  the  Holding  Company  will also record
additional  expense as a result of the adoption of the ESOP. See  "Management of
the Bank - Benefit Plans - Employee Stock Ownership Plan."

         Statement of Position 93-6  "Employers'  Accounting  for Employee Stock
Ownership  Plans"  ("SOP  93-6")  requires an  employer  to record  compensation
expense in an amount equal to the fair value of shares committed to be

                                       15

<PAGE>



released to employees from an employee stock ownership plan.  Assuming shares of
common stock appreciate in value over time, SOP 93-6 would increase compensation
expense  relating  to  the  ESOP  to  be  established  in  connection  with  the
Conversion.  It is not  possible  to  determine  at this time the extent of such
impact on future net  income.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations  - Impact  of New  Accounting
Standards" and "Pro Forma Data."

         In addition,  the Holding Company will experience additional expense in
the quarter in which the  Conversion is completed as a result of the shares that
are  contributed by the Holding Company to the charitable  foundation.  See "The
Conversion -- Establishment of ^ Cohoes Savings Foundation."

         Subsequent  to June  30,  1998,  Cohoes  Savings  Bank  terminated  its
proposed  merger  with SFS  Bancorp,  Inc.  and paid an agreed  upon fee of $2.0
million to SFS  Bancorp,  Inc.  The payment of this fee is not  reflected in any
historical or pro forma information presented.

Absence of Active Market for the Common Stock

         The Holding  Company,  as a newly organized  company,  has never issued
capital stock and, consequently,  there is no established market for the Holding
Company Common Stock at this time. The Holding Company has received  approval to
have its common stock listed on The Nasdaq  National  Market System (the "Nasdaq
NMS") under the symbol "COHB" conditioned on the consummation of the Conversion.
The Nasdaq NMS requires a minimum of three market makers in order to be eligible
for  inclusion on the Nasdaq NMS.  Keefe  Bruyette and Woods has  indicated  its
intention  to make a market in the  Holding  Company's  Common  Stock  following
completion  of the  Conversion.  The Company  believes  it will have  additional
market makers and will meet the  eligibility  requirements  for inclusion on the
Nasdaq NMS. A public  trading  market  having the desirable  characteristics  of
depth,  liquidity and  orderliness  depends upon the existence of willing buyers
and  sellers at any given time,  the  presence  of which is  dependent  upon the
individual  decisions  of buyers and  sellers  over which  neither  the  Holding
Company nor any market maker has control. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that an active and liquid  trading  market for the Holding  Company Common Stock
will develop or that, if developed,  will  continue,  nor is there any assurance
that  purchasers of the Holding  Company Common Stock will be able to sell their
shares at or above the purchase price for Holding  Company Common Stock.  In the
event a liquid market for the Holding  Company  Common Stock does not develop or
market makers for the Holding Company Common Stock discontinue their activities,
such  occurrences  may have an adverse  impact on the  liquidity  of the Holding
Company  Common Stock and the market value of the Holding  Company Common Stock.
See "Market for Common Stock."

Year 2000 Compliance

   
         General.  The year  2000  ("Y2K")  issue  confronting  the Bank and its
suppliers,  customers,  customers'  suppliers  and  competitors  centers  on the
inability of computer systems to recognize the year 2000. Many existing computer
programs  and systems  originally  were  programmed  with six ^ digit dates that
provided only two digits to identify the calender  year in the date field.  With
the impending new  millennium,  these programs and computers will recognize "00"
as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.

         Financial institution  regulators recently have ^ increased their focus
upon  Y2K   compliance   issues  and  have  issued   guidance   concerning   the
responsibilities  of senior  management  and  directors.  The Federal  Financial
Institutions  Examination  Council  ("FFIEC")  has  issued  several  interagency
statements  on  Y2K  Project  Management  Awareness.  These  statements  require
financial  institutions to, among other things,  examine the Y2K implications of
their  reliance on vendors and with respect to data  exchange and the  potential
impact of the Y2K  issue on their  customers,  suppliers  and  borrowers.  These
statements also require each federally regulated financial institution to survey
its  exposure,  measure  risk and  prepare a plan to address  the Y2K issue.  In
addition,  the  federal  banking  regulators  have issued  safety and  soundness
guidelines to be followed by insured depository institutions,  such as the Bank,
to assure  resolution of any Y2K  problems.  The federal  banking  agencies have
asserted that Y2K testing and  certification is a key safety and soundness issue
in conjunction with regulatory  examinations  and, thus, that an ^ institution's
failure to  address  appropriately  the Y2K issue  could  result in  supervisory
action, including the reduction of the ^ institution's  supervisory ratings, the
denial of applications for approval of mergers or acquisitions or the imposition
of civil money penalties.
    


                                       16

<PAGE>



   
         Risk. Like most financial institutions service providers,  the Bank and
its  operations  may be  significantly  affected  by the  Y2K  issue  due to its
dependence on technology and date-sensitive data. Computer software and hardware
and other equipment, both within and outside the Bank's direct control and third
parties  with  whom  the  Bank  electronically  or  ^  operationally  interfaces
(including  without limitation its customers and third party vendors) are likely
to be  affected.  If computer  systems  are not  modified in order to be able to
identify  the  year  2000,  many  computer  applications  could  fail or  create
erroneous  results.  As a result,  many  calculations  which  rely on date field
information,  such  as  interest,  payment  or due  dates  and  other  operating
functions,  could generate results which are  significantly  misstated,  and the
Bank could experience an inability to process  transactions,  prepare statements
or engage  in  similar  normal  business  activities.  Likewise,  under  certain
circumstances,  a failure to  adequately  address the Y2K issue could  adversely
affect  the   viability  of  the  Bank's   suppliers   and   creditors  and  the
creditworthiness of its borrowers.  Thus, if not adequately  addressed,  the Y2K
issue could result in a significant adverse impact on the Bank's operations and,
in turn, its financial condition and ^ results of operations.
    

         State of Readiness.  During November 1997, the Bank formulated its plan
to address  the Y2K issue.  Since  that time,  the Bank has taken the  following
steps:

          o    Established    senior    management     advisory    and    review
               responsibilities;

          o    Completed  a  Bank-wide  inventory  of  applications  and  system
               software;

          o    Built an internal  tracking  database for  application and vendor
               software;

          o    Developed  compliance  plans  and  schedules  for  all  lines  of
               business;

          o    Initiated vendor compliance verification;

          o    Begun  awareness and education  activities for employees  through
               existing internal communication channels; and

          o    Developed a process to respond to customer  inquiries  as well as
               help educate customers on the Y2K issue.

The following paragraphs summarize the phases of the Bank's Y2K plan:

         Awareness Phase.  The Bank formally  established a Y2K plan headed by a
senior  manager,  and a project team was  assembled  for  management  of the Y2K
project.  The project  team created a plan of action that  includes  milestones,
budget estimates,  strategies,  and methodologies to track and report the status
of the  project.  Members of the  project  team also  attended  conferences  and
information  sharing  sessions  to gain  more  insight  into the Y2K  issue  and
potential strategies for addressing it. This phase is substantially complete.

         Assessment  Phase.  The Bank's  strategies were further  developed with
respect  to how the  objectives  of the Y2K plan  would be  achieved,  and a Y2K
business  risk  assessment  was made to  quantify  the  extent of the Bank's Y2K
exposure. A corporate inventory (which is periodically updated as new technology
is acquired and as systems progress through  subsequent phases) was developed to
identify and monitor Y2K readiness for information systems (hardware,  software,
utilities  and  vendors) as well as  environmental  systems  (security  systems,
facilities,  etc.).  Systems  were  prioritized  based on  business  impact  and
available  alternatives.  Mission  critical  systems  supplied  by vendors  were
researched to determine Y2K readiness. If Y2K-ready versions were not available,
the Bank began identifying functional  replacements which were either upgradable
or currently Y2K- ready,  and a formal plan was developed to repair,  upgrade or
replace all mission critical systems. This phase is substantially complete.

         Beginning in October 1998, all unsecured  credits greater than $100,000
were sent a questionnaire developed by the Bank's credit administration staff to
evaluate Y2K exposure.  The Bank also contacted its most  significant  borrowers
informing them of the Y2K issue.  Because the Bank's loan portfolio is primarily
real  estate-based  and is diversified  with regard to individual  borrowers and
types of businesses,  and the Bank's  primary  market area is not  significantly
dependent on one employer or industry,  the Bank does not expect any significant
or prolonged Y2K-related

                                       17

<PAGE>



difficulties  that will affect net earnings or cash flow. As part of the current
credit approval process, all new and renewed loans are evaluated for Y2K risk.

         Renovation  Phase.  The Bank's  corporate  inventory  revealed that Y2K
upgrades were available for all vendor supplied  mission critical  systems,  and
all these Y2K-ready  versions have been delivered and placed into production and
have entered the validation  process (with the exception of hardware upgrades to
certain of the Bank's  automated  teller  machines and the voice  response  unit
("vru") which are expected to be completed by December 31, 1998).

         Validation  Phase. The validation phase is designed to test the ability
of hardware and software to accurately  process date  sensitive  data.  The Bank
currently  is in the  process of  validation  testing of each  mission  critical
system,  with the degree of completion of such testing ranging from 25% to 100%.
The Bank's  validation  phase is expected to be  completed by March 31, 1999 for
all mission critical systems.  During the validation testing process to date, no
significant  Y2K  problems  have been  identified  relating  to any  modified or
upgraded mission critical systems.

         Implementation  Phase. The Bank's plan calls for putting Y2K-ready code
into  production  before  having  actually  completed  Y2K  validation  testing.
Y2K-ready  modified or upgraded  versions  have been  installed  and placed into
production with respect to all mission  critical  systems (with the exception of
the  Bank's  automated  teller  machine  network  and vru as to  which  hardware
upgrades are expected to be completed and in production by December 31, 1998).

         Bank Resources Invested.  The Bank's Y2K project team has been assigned
the task of ensuring that all systems across the Bank are  identified,  analyzed
for Y2K  compliance,  corrected,  if  necessary,  tested,  and  changes put into
service  by the  end of  1998.  The  Y2K  project  team  members  represent  all
functional  areas  of  the  Bank,  including  branches,  data  processing,  loan
administration, accounting, item processing and operations, compliance, internal
audit,  human resources,  and marketing.  The team is headed by a vice president
who  reports  directly to a member of the Bank's  senior  management  team.  The
Bank's  Board of  Directors  oversees  the Y2K plan and  provides  guidance  and
resources to, and receives quarterly updates from, the Y2K project team.

         The Bank expenses all costs associated with the required system changes
as those costs are incurred,  and such costs are being funded through  operating
cash  flows.  The  total  cost of the Y2K  conversion  project  for the  Bank is
estimated  to be $109,000,  all of which were  incurred and expensed by the Bank
through June 30, 1998. The Bank does not expect significant  increases in future
data processing costs related to Y2K compliance.

         Contingency  Plans.  During  the  assessment  phase,  the Bank began to
develop back-up or contingency  plans for each of its mission critical  systems.
Virtually all of the Bank's  mission  critical  systems are dependent upon third
party  vendors  or  service  providers,  therefore,  contingency  plans  include
selecting a new vendor or service  provider and  converting to their system.  In
the event a current  vendor's system fails during the validation phase and it is
determined  that the vendor is unable or unwilling  to correct the failure,  the
Bank will  convert  to a new  system  from a  pre-selected  list of  prospective
vendors.  In each such case,  realistic  trigger dates have been  established to
allow for orderly and  successful  conversions.  For some  systems,  contingency
plans consist of using spreadsheet software or reverting to manual systems until
system problems can be corrected.  Although the Bank has been informed that each
of its primary vendors  anticipates that all mission critical systems either are
or will timely be Y2K-ready, no warranties have been received from such vendors.

Risks Associated with the Establishment of the Charitable Foundation

         Pursuant to the Plan of  Conversion,  the Holding  Company and the Bank
intend to voluntarily  establish a charitable  foundation in connection with the
Conversion.  The  Foundation  has  been  incorporated  under  Delaware  law as a
non-stock corporation and will be funded with the Stock Contribution.  The Stock
Contribution  will  be  dilutive  to  the  ownership  and  voting  interests  of
stockholders  and will have an adverse  impact on the  earnings  of the  Holding
Company on a consolidated basis in the period the Foundation is established.

         As a  condition  to  receiving  the  non-objection  of the  FDIC to the
Conversion  and  the  approval  of the  Conversion  by the  Superintendent,  the
Foundation  will commit in writing to the FDIC and the  Superintendent  that all
shares of Holding  Company Common Stock held by the Foundation  will be voted in
the same ratio as all other  shares of the Holding  Company  Common Stock on all
proposals considered by stockholders of the Holding Company;

                                       18

<PAGE>



provided,  however,  that,  consistent  with  the  condition,  the  FDIC and the
Superintendent may waive this voting restriction under certain  circumstances if
compliance with the voting  restriction would: (i) cause a violation of the laws
of the State of  Delaware;  (ii)  cause the  Foundation  to lose its  tax-exempt
status,  or cause the IRS to deny the  Foundation's  request for a determination
that it is an exempt  organization  or otherwise have a material and adverse tax
consequence on the Foundation; or (iii) cause the Foundation to be subject to an
excise  tax  under  Section  4941 of the  Code.  In  order  for the FDIC and the
Superintendent  to waive such voting  restriction,  the Holding Company's or the
Foundation's  legal counsel must render an opinion  satisfactory to FDIC and the
Superintendent that compliance with the voting restriction would have the effect
described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above.  Under those  circumstances,  the
FDIC and the  Superintendent  may grant a waiver of the voting  restriction upon
submission of such opinion(s) by the Holding Company or the Foundation which are
satisfactory to the FDIC and the Superintendent. There can be no assurances that
a legal opinion addressing these issues will be rendered,  or if rendered,  that
the FDIC and the Superintendent will grant an unconditional waiver of the voting
restriction.  As of the date hereof,  no event has occurred  which would require
the Holding Company to seek a waiver from the FDIC and the Superintendent of the
voting restriction.

         Adverse Impact on Earnings. The Stock Contribution will have an adverse
impact on the Holding Company's earnings.  The Holding Company will recognize an
expense in the amount of $2.4 million ($1.4 million net of taxes) in the quarter
in which the  Conversion  is  completed  based on the  issuance of shares at the
maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  which is expected to be the second
quarter of fiscal 1999. Such expense will have a material  adverse impact on the
Holding Company's earnings in the fiscal quarter and year recorded.  The Holding
Company has been advised by its legal counsel that the Stock Contribution should
be tax deductible, subject to a limitation based on 10% of the Holding Company's
annual taxable income. If the Stock Contribution had been made at June 30, 1998,
the Bank would have  reported  net income of $2.7  million  for the fiscal  year
rather than net income of $4.1 million.

         In the future, the Holding Company may make additional contributions to
the Foundation,  although the Holding Company has no current plans regarding the
amount  or  timing  of any such  future  contributions.  The  amount  of  future
contributions,  if any, will be determined based upon,  among other factors,  an
assessment of the Holding Company's then current financial position, operations,
and  prospects  and on the need for  charitable  activities in the Bank's market
area. Any such contributions,  regardless of form, will result in an increase in
other operating expense and thus a reduction in net earnings.  In addition,  any
contributions  of authorized  but unissued  shares would dilute the interests of
outstanding  stockholders.  However,  the Holding Company currently  anticipates
that any future  contributions  of shares by it to the Foundation will be funded
through shares repurchased in the open market.

         Dilution  of  Stockholders'  Interests.  The  Stock  Contribution  will
involve  the  donation  of a number of shares  equal to 3% of the  shares of the
Holding Company Common Stock issued in the Conversion or up to 241,500 shares of
Holding  Company  Common Stock,  par value $0.01 per share,  or the sale of such
shares  for their  aggregate  par value of $2,415  based on the  maximum  of the
Estimated Valuation Range, to the Foundation.  Upon completion of the Conversion
and the Stock  Contribution,  the Holding  Company  will have  8,291,500  shares
issued and outstanding at the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range, of which
the Foundation will own 241,500 shares, or 3.0%. As a result, persons purchasing
shares in the Conversion  will have their share ownership and voting interest in
the Holding Company diluted by 2.9%. See "Pro Forma Data."

         Possible  Nondeductibility  of the Stock  Contribution.  It is expected
that the IRS will rule that the  Foundation  is exempt from  federal  income tax
under  Section  501(a)  of the  Code as an  organization  described  in  Section
501(c)(3)  of the Code.  As such,  the  Holding  Company  will be  entitled to a
deduction  in the  amount  of  the  Stock  Contribution,  subject  to an  annual
limitation  based on 10% of the Holding  Company's  annual taxable  income.  The
Holding Company,  however,  would be able to carry forward any unused portion of
the deduction for five years  following the Stock  Contribution  for Federal and
New York income tax purposes. Based on present information,  the Holding Company
currently  estimates that the Stock Contribution  should be fully deductible for
Federal and New York income tax purposes.  However,  no assurances  can be given
that the Holding Company will have sufficient  pre-tax income over the five-year
period  following  the year in which the Stock  Contribution  is made to utilize
fully the carryover related to the excess contribution.

         Potential Change in Valuation and Capital if the Stock  Contribution is
Not Made.  The Stock  Contribution  was taken into  account by RP  Financial  in
determining the estimated pro forma market value of the Holding Company. The

                                       19

<PAGE>



aggregate  price of the shares of Holding  Company Common Stock being offered in
the Offering is based upon the Appraisal.  The pro forma  aggregate price of the
shares being  offered for sale in the  Conversion  is currently  estimated to be
between $59.5 million and $80.5 million, with a midpoint of $70.0 million.

   
         If the Stock Contribution is not part of the Conversion,  the Estimated
Valuation  Range of the shares being  offered is  estimated to be between  $62.9
million and $85.1  million.  This  represents an increase of $4.0 million at the
midpoint of the Estimated Valuation Range. In such event the estimated pro forma
stockholders'  equity of the Holding  Company  would be  approximately  ^ $116.6
million at the midpoint  based on a pro forma price to book ratio of ^ 63.5% and
a pro forma price to earnings ratio of ^ 12.2x. See "Comparison of Valuation and
Pro Forma Information with No Stock Contribution."
    

         The  decrease  in the  amount of Holding  Company  Common  Stock  being
offered  for  sale  as a  result  of the  Stock  Contribution  will  not  have a
significant effect on the Holding Company's or the Bank's capital position.  The
Bank's regulatory  capital is significantly in excess of its regulatory  capital
requirements and will further exceed such requirements following the Conversion.
See  "Comparison  of  Valuation  and  Pro  Forma   Information   with  No  Stock
Contribution."

         Potential Anti-Takeover Effect. Upon completion of the Conversion,  the
Foundation  would own 2.9% of the Holding  Company's  outstanding  shares.  Such
shares will be owned solely by the Foundation;  however pursuant to the terms of
the Stock  Contribution  as  mandated  by the FDIC and the  Superintendent,  the
shares of Holding  Company Common Stock must be voted in the same  proportion as
all other shares of Holding Company Common Stock on all proposals  considered by
the Holding  Company's  stockholders.  See "The  Conversion -  Establishment  of
Cohoes Savings  Foundation."  In the event that the FDIC and the  Superintendent
were to waive this voting restriction, the Foundation's Board of Directors would
exercise  sole  voting  power over such shares and would no longer be subject to
the voting restriction.  However,  the FDIC and the Superintendent  could impose
additional  conditions  at that  time on the  composition  of the  Board  of the
Foundation  or which  otherwise  relate to control  of the  Common  Stock of the
Holding Company held by the Foundation.  See "The Conversion - Establishment  of
The  Cohoes  Savings  Foundation."  If a waiver of the voting  restriction  were
granted  by the FDIC  and the  Superintendent  and no  further  conditions  were
imposed on the  Foundation at that time,  management of the Holding  Company and
the Bank  could  benefit  to the  extent  that the  Board  of  Directors  of the
Foundation determines to vote the shares of Holding Company Common Stock held by
the  Foundation in favor of proposals  supported by the Holding  Company and the
Bank.  Furthermore,  when the  Foundation's  shares  are  combined  with  shares
purchased  directly by executive  officers and directors of the Holding Company,
shares issued  pursuant to proposed stock benefit plans,  and shares held in the
Bank's  ESOP,  the  aggregate  of such  shares  could  exceed 20% of the Holding
Company's  outstanding  Common  Stock,  which could enable  management to defeat
proposals  requiring 80%  stockholder  approval.  Consequently,  this  potential
voting control might preclude takeover attempts that other  stockholders deem to
be in their best interest,  and might tend to perpetuate  management.  Since the
ESOP shares are  allocated to eligible  employees of the Bank,  any  unallocated
shares  will be voted in a manner  calculated  to most  accurately  reflect  the
instructions  received from participants  regarding the allocated shares so long
as such vote is in accordance  with the provisions of ERISA,  and because awards
under the proposed  stock benefit  plans may be granted to employees  other than
executive  officers and  directors,  management of the Holding  Company does not
expect to have voting  control of all shares held or to be allocated by the ESOP
or other stock benefit plans. See "-- Takeover Defensive Provisions."

         There are no  agreements  or  understandings,  written  or tacit,  with
respect to the exercise of either direct or indirect control over the management
or policies  of the  Holding  Company by the  Foundation,  including  agreements
related to voting,  acquisition  or  disposition  of the Holding  Company Common
Stock.  Finally,  as the Foundation  sells its shares of Holding  Company Common
Stock over time, its ownership  interest and voting power in the Holding Company
is expected to decrease.


                              COHOES BANCORP, INC.

         The  Holding  Company  was  formed  at the  direction  of the  Bank  in
September  1998 for the purpose of becoming a savings and loan  holding  company
and owning all of the  outstanding  stock of the Bank issued in the  Conversion.
The Holding Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The
Holding Company is authorized to do

                                       20

<PAGE>



business in the State of New York,  and generally is authorized to engage in any
activity that is permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The business
of the Holding Company  initially will consist only of the business of the Bank.
The holding company  structure will,  however,  provide the Holding Company with
greater  flexibility  than the Bank has to diversify  its  business  activities,
through  existing  or newly  formed  subsidiaries,  or through  acquisitions  or
Mergers of stock financial institutions,  as well as, other companies.  Although
there are no current  arrangements,  understandings or agreements  regarding any
such activity or  acquisition,  the Holding  Company will be in a position after
the  Conversion,  subject to regulatory  restrictions,  to take advantage of any
favorable acquisition opportunities that may arise.

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

         The  executive  office of the  Holding  Company is located at 75 Remsen
Street,  Cohoes,  New York  12047-2892.  Its telephone number at that address is
(518) 233-6500.


                               COHOES SAVINGS BANK

         The Bank serves the financial  needs of  communities in its market area
through  its main  office  and 16 other  full  service  branch  offices  located
throughout  the Bank's  primary  market  area.  Its  deposits  are insured up to
applicable  limits by the FDIC.  At June 30, 1998,  the Bank had total assets of
$535.7 million, deposits of $449.5 million and total equity of $53.3 million (or
9.95% of total assets).

         The Bank has been,  and  intends  to  continue  to be, an  independent,
community   oriented  financial   institution.   The  Bank's  business  involves
attracting  deposits from the general public and using such  deposits,  together
with other funds, to originate  primarily  residential  mortgage loans, and to a
lesser extent,  commercial and multi-family real estate, consumer and commercial
business  loans.  The Bank  originates its loans  primarily in the Bank's market
area and to a lesser  extent,  it has in the past  originated  multi-family  and
commercial  real estate loans in New York City.  However,  depending upon market
conditions  and as a result of the  somewhat  depressed  economy  in the  Bank's
primary  market area,  the Bank may explore  lending  opportunities  outside its
primary market area in the future. At June 30, 1998, $258.4 million,  or 62.07%,
of the Bank's total loan portfolio consisted of residential  mortgage loans. See
"Business of the Bank - Lending Activities." The Bank also invests in government
agency and corporate debt  securities  and other  permissible  investments.  See
"Business of the Bank - Investment Activities."

         The  executive  office  of the Bank is  located  at 75  Remsen  Street,
Cohoes,  New York  12047-2892.  Its  telephone  number at that  address is (518)
233-6500.

                                       21

<PAGE>



                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         Although the actual net proceeds from the sale of the Conversion Shares
cannot  be  determined  until  the  Conversion  is  completed,  it is  presently
anticipated  that such net  proceeds  will be between  $57.9  million  and $76.7
million (or up to $90.6 million in the event of an increase in the aggregate pro
forma  market value of the Holding  Company  Common Stock of up to 15% above the
maximum  of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range).  See "Pro  Forma  Data"  and "The
Conversion  - Stock  Pricing"  and  "--Number  of Shares to be Issued" as to the
assumptions used to arrive at such amounts.

         In  exchange  for all of the  common  stock of the Bank  issued  in the
Conversion,  the Holding  Company will contribute  approximately  50% of the net
proceeds  from the sale of the  Conversion  Shares  to the Bank.  On an  interim
basis,  the  proceeds  will be invested  by the Holding  Company and the Bank in
short-term  investments similar to those currently in the Bank's portfolio.  The
specific  types and amounts of  short-term  assets will be  determined  based on
market conditions at the time of the completion of the Conversion.  In addition,
the Holding Company intends to provide the funding for the ESOP loan. Based upon
the initial  purchase  price of $10.00 per share,  the dollar amount of the ESOP
loan would range from $4.9 million (based upon the sale of shares at the minimum
of the Estimated Valuation Range) to $6.6 million (based upon the sale of shares
at the  maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range).  The  interest  rate to be
charged  by the  Holding  Company  on the ESOP loan will be based upon the prime
rate  of  interest  as  reported  in the  Wall  Street  Journal  at the  time of
origination.  It is  anticipated  that  the ESOP  will  repay  the loan  through
periodic tax-deductible contributions from the Bank over a fifteen-year period.

         The net  proceeds  received  by the Bank will become part of the Bank's
general  funds for use in its  business  and will be used to support  the Bank's
existing operations, subject to applicable regulatory restrictions.  Immediately
upon the  completion of the  Conversion,  it is  anticipated  that the Bank will
invest such proceeds into short-term assets.  Subsequently,  the Bank intends to
redirect  the net  proceeds  to the  origination  of  loans,  subject  to market
conditions.

         After the  completion  of the  Conversion,  the  Holding  Company  will
redirect the net proceeds  invested by it in short-term assets into a variety of
securities  similar  to those  already  held by the Bank,  as well as in deposit
accounts  with the Bank.  Also,  the  Holding  Company  may use a portion of the
proceeds  to fund  the  RRP,  subject  to  stockholder  approval  of such  plan.
Compensation expense related to the RRP will be recognized as share awards vest.
See "Pro Forma Data."  Following  stockholder  ratification  of the RRP, the RRP
will  be  funded  either  with  shares  purchased  in the  open  market  or with
authorized but unissued shares.  Based upon the initial purchase price of $10.00
per share,  the amount  required to fund the RRP through  open-market  purchases
would range from  approximately  $2.5 million  (based upon the sale of shares at
the minimum of the Estimated  Valuation Range and including shares issued to the
Foundation) to approximately  $3.3 million (based upon the sale of shares at the
maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range). In the event that the per share price
of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  increases  above the  $10.00  per share
purchase price  following  completion of the Offering,  the amount  necessary to
fund the RRP would also increase.  The use of authorized but unissued  shares to
fund the RRP could dilute the  holdings of  stockholders  who  purchase  Holding
Company Common Stock in the Conversion  and who receive  Exchange  Shares in the
Merger.  See  "Business  of the Bank - Lending  Activities"  and " -  Investment
Activities"  and  "Management  of the  Bank -  Benefit  Plans -  Employee  Stock
Ownership Plan" and "- RRP."

         The proceeds may also be utilized by the Holding  Company to repurchase
(at prices which may be above or below the initial offering price) shares of the
Holding Company Common Stock through an open market  repurchase  program subject
to  applicable  regulations,  although  the  Holding  Company  currently  has no
specific  plan to  repurchase  any of its  stock.  In the  future,  the Board of
Directors of the Holding  Company will make  decisions on the  repurchase of the
Holding  Company  Common Stock based on its view of the  appropriateness  of the
price of the Holding  Company Common Stock as well as the Holding  Company's and
the Bank's investment opportunities and capital needs.

         The Bank may use a portion of the  proceeds to fund the creation of one
or more new branch  offices  within its primary  market area.  In addition,  the
Holding Company or the Bank might consider  expansion through the acquisition of
other financial  services  providers (or branches,  deposits or assets thereof),
although there are no specific plans, negotiations or written or oral agreements
regarding any acquisitions at this time.



                                       22

<PAGE>



                                    DIVIDENDS

         The Holding  Company  currently  plans to pay  dividends in the future.
However,  the  amount  and  timing of such  payments  has yet to be  determined.
Dividends, when and if paid, will be subject to determination and declaration by
the Board of Directors at its  discretion.  The Board will take into account the
Holding  Company's  consolidated  financial  condition,  the  Bank's  regulatory
capital   requirements,   tax  considerations,   industry  standards,   economic
conditions,  regulatory  restrictions,  general  business  practices  and  other
factors.

         It is not presently  anticipated  that the Holding Company will conduct
significant  operations independent of those of the Bank for some time following
the  Conversion.  As such,  the  Holding  Company  does not  expect  to have any
significant  source of income other than  earnings on the net proceeds  from the
Conversion  retained  by the  Holding  Company  (which  proceeds  are  currently
estimated to range from $57.9  million to $76.7 million based on the minimum and
the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range,  respectively or $28.9 million to
$38.4 million  after the purchase of the stock of the Bank) and  dividends  from
the Bank, if any.  Consequently,  the ability of the Holding Company to pay cash
dividends to its stockholders  will be dependent upon such retained proceeds and
earnings  thereon,  and upon the  ability  of the Bank to pay  dividends  to the
Holding  Company.  See  "Description  of Capital Stock - Holding Company Capital
Stock - Dividends."  The Bank,  like all savings banks regulated by the FDIC, is
subject to certain  restrictions  on the payment of  dividends  based on its net
income,  its capital in excess of the regulatory  capital  requirements  and the
amount  of  regulatory  capital  required  for  the  liquidation  account  to be
established in connection with the Conversion. In addition, under New York state
banking  law,  a New York  chartered  stock  savings  bank may  declare  and pay
dividends out of its net profits,  unless there is an impairment of capital, but
approval  of the  Superintendent  is  required  if the  total  of all  dividends
declared in a calendar  year would  exceed the total of its net profits for that
year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years,  subject
to certain  adjustments.  See "The Conversion - Effects of Conversion -- Deposit
Accounts and Loans" and "Regulation - The Bank -- Capital  Requirements"  and "-
Limitations on Dividends."  Earnings  allocated to the Bank's  "excess" bad debt
reserves and deducted for federal income tax purposes cannot be used by the Bank
to pay cash dividends to the Holding Company without adverse tax consequences.
See "Regulation" and "Taxation."


                             MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK

         The Bank, as a mutual savings bank, and the Holding Company, as a newly
organized company, have never issued capital stock.  Consequently,  there is not
at this time an  existing  market for the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock.  The
Holding  Company has been  approved  for listing of the Holding  Company  Common
Stock  on the  Nasdaq  NMS  under  the  symbol  "COHB"  upon  completion  of the
Conversion. In order to be quoted on the Nasdaq NMS, among other criteria, there
must be at least three market makers for the Holding  Company Common Stock.  KBW
has  agreed  to act as a market  maker  for the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock
following the Conversion,  and assist in securing additional market makers to do
the same. A public trading market having the desirable characteristics of depth,
liquidity and  orderliness  depends upon the presence in the marketplace of both
willing  buyers and sellers of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock at any given
time.  Accordingly,  there can be no assurance  that an active and liquid market
for the Holding  Company  Common  Stock will  develop or be  maintained  or that
resales of the Holding Company Common Stock can be made at or above the purchase
price.  See "The  Conversion  - Stock  Pricing"  and "--  Number of Shares to be
Issued."



                                       23

<PAGE>




                               REGULATORY CAPITAL

         At June 30,  1998,  the Bank  exceeded  all of the  regulatory  capital
requirements  applicable  to it.  The table  below  sets  forth  the  historical
regulatory  capital  of the Bank at June 30,  1998 and the pro forma  regulatory
capital of the Bank after giving effect to the  Conversion,  based upon the sale
of the number of shares  shown in the table.  The pro forma  regulatory  capital
amounts  reflect the receipt by the Bank of 50% of the net Conversion  proceeds,
minus the amounts to be loaned to the ESOP and  contributed  to the RRP. The pro
forma  risk-based  capital  amounts  assume the  investment  of the net proceeds
received by the Bank in assets which have a risk-weight of 20% under  applicable
regulations, as if such net proceeds had been received at June 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Pro Forma at June 30, 1998 Based on
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Cohoes Savings Bank       Minimum                Midpoint             Maximum           Maximum As Adjusted
                          Historical at      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          June 30, 1998
                                         Conversion Shares Sold Conversion Shares Sold Conversion Shares Sold Conversion Shares Sold
                                           at $10.00 Per Share   at $10.00 Per Share     at $10.00 Per Share    at $10.00 Per Share
                                          --------------------- ----------------------  --------------------- -------------------
                                Percent of        Percent of             Percent of              Percent of               Percent of
                         Amount Assets(1)  Amount Assets(1)      Amount  Assets(1)      Amount   Assets (1)     Amount    Assets (1)
                        ------- ---------- ------ ---------      ------  ----------     ------   ----------     ------    ----------
                                                                          (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                     <C>      <C>     <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>

GAAP Capital.....       $53,282    9.95%  $74,880    13.32%    $78,775       13.86%     $82,669     14.46%     $87,148     15.10%
                        =======   =====   =======    =====     =======       =====      =======     =====      =======     =====

Leverage capital:
   
   Actual........       $53,270  ^10.13%  $74,868    13.56%    $78,763       14.14%     $82,657     14.71%     $87,136     15.36%
   Requirement...        21,033    4.00    22,093     4.00      22,283        4.00       22,474      4.00%      22,693      4.00
                        -------  ------   -------   ------     -------      ------     --------    ------     --------     -----
   Excess........       $32,237    6.13%  $52,775     9.56%    $56,479       10.14%     $60,183     10.71%     $64,443     11.36%
                        =======  ======   =======   ======     =======       =====      =======     =====      =======     =====
    
Risk-based capital(2):
   Actual........       $56,803   17.08%  $78,401    23.21%    $82,296       24.29%     $86,190     25.37%     $90,669     26.60%
   Requirement...        26,601    8.00    27,025     8.00      27,101        8.00       27,177      8.00       27,265      8.00
                        -------  ------   -------   ------     -------      ------     --------    ------     --------     -----
   Excess........       $30,202    9.08%  $51,376    15.21%    $55,194       16.29%     $59,013     17.37%     $63,404     18.60%
                        =======  ======   =======    =====     =======       =====      =======     =====      =======     =====
- --------------
<FN>

(1)  Adjusted total or adjusted risk-weighted assets, as appropriate. As of June
     30, 1998,  the  adjusted  total and  risk-weighted  assets of the Bank were
     $525.8 million and $332.5 million, respectively.

(2)  Does not  reflect  the  interest  rate  risk  component  to be added to the
     risk-based  capital  requirements  or,  in the  case  of the  core  capital
     requirement,  the 4.0% requirement to be met in order for an institution to
     be "adequately  capitalized"  under  applicable laws and  regulations.  See
     "Regulation - Regulatory Capital Requirements."
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       24

<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

         The following table presents the historical  capitalization of the Bank
at June 30, 1998 and the pro forma  consolidated  capitalization  of the Holding
Company after giving effect to the Conversion,  based upon the sale of shares at
the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range and the other assumptions set forth
under "Pro Forma Unaudited Financial Information - Additional Pro Forma Data."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              The Holding Company - Pro Forma Consolidated
                                                                    Based Upon Sale at $10.00 Per Share
                                                        ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        9,257,500
                                                         5,950,000     7,000,000         8,050,000      Shares(1)
                                         Cohoes Savings    Shares       Shares            Shares       (15% above
                                              Bank      (Minimum of   (Midpoint of      (Maximum of     Maximum of
                                           Historical      Range)        Range)            Range)         Range)
                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      (In Thousands)
<S>                                        <C>          <C>           <C>              <C>              <C>

Deposits (2)..............................  $449,541     $449,541      $449,541         $449,541         $449,541
Borrowings................................    19,897       19,897        19,897           19,897           19,897
                                            --------     --------      --------        ---------        ---------
Total deposits and borrowings.............  $469,438     $469,438      $469,438         $469,438         $469,438
                                            ========     ========      ========         ========         ========
Stockholders' equity:
 Serial preferred stock, $0.01 par value..
   
 ^ 5,000,000 shares authorized............
    
   none to be outstanding.................   $   ---     $   ---        $   ---          $   ---         $   ---
 Common stock, $0.01 par value,
   
 ^ 25,000,000 shares authorized
   shares to                      
    
   be issued as reflected (3).............       ---           61            72               83               95
 Additional paid-in capital...............       ---       59,629        70,317           81,006           93,298
 Retained earnings (4)(5).................    53,270       52,199        52,010           51,821           51,604
 Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale
   securities, net of taxes...............        12           12            12               12               12
Less:
     Common stock held or to be acquired
          by the ESOP (6).................       ---       (4,903)       (5,768)          (6,633)          (7,628)
     Common stock to be acquired by the
         RRP (7)..........................       ---       (2,451)       (2,884)          (3,317)          (3,814)
                                             -------     --------       -------           ------          -------
Total stockholders' equity................   $53,282     $104,547      $113,759         $122,972         $133,567
                                             =======     ========      ========         ========         ========
- ----------
<FN>

(1) As adjusted  to give  effect to an  increase  in the number of shares  which
    could occur due to an increase in the Estimated Valuation Range of up to 15%
    to  reflect  changes  in  market  and  financial  conditions  following  the
    commencement of the Offerings.
(2) Does not reflect  withdrawals  from  deposit  accounts  for the  purchase of
    Holding Company Common Stock in the Offerings. Such withdrawals would reduce
    pro forma deposits by the amount of such withdrawals.
(3) Reflects the issuance of the  Conversion  Shares to be sold in the Offering.
    No effect has been given to the  issuance  of  additional  shares of Holding
    Company  Common Stock  pursuant to the proposed  Stock Option and  Incentive
    Plan. See "Pro Forma Unaudited  Financial  Information  Additional Pro Forma
    Data" and  "Management - Benefits - Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan." Also
    reflects  issuance of additional  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock to
    the Foundation.
(4) The retained earnings of the Bank will be substantially restricted after the
    Conversion  by  virtue  of the  liquidation  account  to be  established  in
    connection with the Conversion.  See "The Conversion - Liquidation  Rights."
    In addition,  certain distributions from the Bank's retained earnings may be
    treated as being from its  accumulated  bad debt  reserve for tax  purposes,
    which would cause the Bank to have additional taxable income.
    See "Taxation."
(5) Pro forma stockholders'  equity includes the effect of an estimated one-time
    expense of approximately $1.8 million,  $2.1 million,  $2.4 million and $2.8
    million ($1.1 million,  $1.3 million,  $1.5 million and $1.7 million, net of
    tax) relating to the contribution of 178,500,  210,000,  245,000 and 277,725
    shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock to the  Foundation  at the minimum,
    midpoint,  maximum and maximum as adjusted of the valuation range. Since the
    estimated expense non-recurring,  it has not been reflected in the pro forma
    combined income statement and related per share calculations. The expense is
    expected  to  be  incurred  shortly  following  the  Conversion.  Pro  forma
    stockholders'  equity does not  include  the effect of the $2.0  million fee
    ($1.2  million  net of tax)  paid to SFS  Bancorp,  Inc.  as a result of the
    termination  of the  proposed  merger  between the  Holding  Company and SFS
    Bancorp, Inc.
(6) Assumes that an amount equal to 8% of the Holding  Company Common Stock sold
    in the  Offerings  will be  purchased  by the ESOP,  which is reflected as a
    reduction of  stockholders'  equity.  The ESOP shares will be purchased with
    funds loaned to the ESOP by the Holding  Company.  See "Pro Forma  Unaudited
    Financial  Information  -  Additional  Pro  Forma  Data" and  "Management  -
    Benefits - Employee Stock Ownership Plan."
(7) The  Holding  Company  intends  to adopt the RRP and to submit  such plan to
    stockholders at an annual or special  meeting of stockholders  held at least
    six months  following the  consummation  of the  Conversion.  If the plan is
    approved by  stockholders,  the Holding Company intends to purchase a number
    of shares of Holding Company Common Stock equal to 4% of the Holding Company
    Common Stock sold in the  Offering.  Assumes that  stockholder  approval had
    been obtained and that the shares have been  purchased in the open market at
    the  purchase  price.  However,  in the event  the  Holding  Company  issues
    authorized but unissued shares of Holding Company Common Stock to the RRP in
    the amount of 4% of the Holding  Company  Common  Stock sold in the Offering
    (including  shares  issued  to the  Foundation),  the  voting  interests  of
    existing  stockholders  would be diluted  approximately  2.8%  (assuming the
    issuance of  8,050,000  Conversion  Shares and the  contribution  of 241,500
    shares of Holding  Company Common Stock to the  Foundation).  The shares are
    reflected as a reduction of  stockholders'  equity.  See "Pro Form Unaudited
    Financial  Information  -  Additional  Pro  Forma  Data" and  "Management  -
    Benefits - Recognition and Retention Plan."
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                       25

<PAGE>



                                 PRO FORMA DATA

         The following  tables provide  unaudited pro forma data with respect to
the Holding  Company's  stockholders'  equity,  net income and related per share
amounts based upon the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and 15% above the maximum of
the  Estimated  Valuation  Range.  The actual net proceeds  from the sale of the
Conversion  Shares  cannot be  determined  until the  Conversion  is  completed.
However,  net proceeds are  currently  estimated to be between $57.9 million and
$78.7 million (or $90.6 million in the event the  Estimated  Valuation  Range is
increased  by 15%)  based upon the  following  assumptions:  (i) all  Conversion
Shares will be sold in the  Subscription  Offering;  (ii) KBW will receive a fee
equal to 1.20% of the  aggregate  purchase  price for sales in the  Subscription
Offering  (excluding  the sale of shares to the ESOP,  employee  benefit  plans,
officers, directors and their immediate families and the Foundation);  (iii) the
Holding  Company will  contribute to the  Foundation a number of shares equal to
3.0% of the shares of Holding Company Common Stock issued in the Conversion from
authorized but unissued shares; and (iv) total expenses, including the marketing
fees paid to KBW,  of the  Conversion  will be  between  $1.6  million  and $1.8
million (or $2.0 million in the event the Estimated Valuation Range is increased
by 15%). Actual expenses may vary from those estimated.  It is also assumed that
Conversion  Shares  had been sold at the  beginning  of the  period  and the net
proceeds from the Offering had been invested at 5.37% which represents the yield
on one-year U.S.  Government  securities at June 30, 1998. The yield on one-year
U.S.  Government  securities was used rather than the arithmetic  average of the
average  yield on total  interest-earning  assets and the  average  rate paid on
deposits, because the yields on one-year U.S. Government securities are believed
to be more reflective of market interest rates.  The effect of withdrawals  from
deposit  accounts  at the Bank for the  purchase  of  Conversion  Shares  in the
Offering has not been reflected.  A combined  effective federal and state income
tax rate of 40.0% has been  assumed for the period,  resulting  in an  after-tax
yield of 3.22% for the year ended June 30, 1998.

         The following pro forma  unaudited  information  is based,  in part, on
historical  information  related to the Holding  Company and  assumptions  as to
future events.  For these and other reasons,  the pro forma unaudited  financial
data may not be representative of the financial effects of the Conversion at the
dates on which  such  transactions  actually  occur and  should  not be taken as
indicative  of future  results of  operations.  Pro forma  stockholders'  equity
represents the difference between the stated amount of assets and liabilities of
the Holding Company computed in accordance with GAAP.

         Subsequent  to June  30,  1998,  Cohoes  Savings  Bank  terminated  its
proposed  merger  with SFS  Bancorp,  Inc.  and paid an agreed  upon fee of $2.0
million to SFS  Bancorp,  Inc.  The payment of this fee is not  reflected in any
historical or pro forma information presented.

         The following  tables give effect to the issuance of a number of shares
equal to 3.0% of the Common Stock of the Holding  Company sold in the Conversion
from  authorized  but unissued  shares to the Foundation  concurrently  with the
completion of the Conversion. The pro forma stockholders' equity is not intended
to represent the fair market value of the Holding  Company  Common Stock and may
be  different  than  amounts  that  would  be  available  for   distribution  to
stockholders in the event of liquidation.



                                       26

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        At or For the Year Ended June 30, 1998
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------

                                                             5,950,000       7,000,000       8,050,000       9,257,500
                                                            Conversion      Conversion      Conversion      Conversion
                                                          Shares Sold at  Shares Sold at  Shares Sold at  Shares Sold at
                                                            $10.00 Per      $10.00 Per      $10.00 Per   $10.00 Per Share
                                                          Share (Minimum  Share (Midpoint Share (Maximum    (15% above
                                                             of Range)       of Range)       of Range)   Maximum of Range)
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
<S>                                                     <C>                <C>           <C>                  <C>

Gross proceeds................................             $  59,500         $ 70,000        $ 80,500          $  92,575
Plus: Shares acquired by Foundation...........                 1,785            2,100           2,415              2,777
                                                           ---------         --------        --------           --------
     Pro forma market capitalization..............         $  61,285         $ 72,100        $ 82,915           $ 95,352
                                                           =========         ========        ========           ========
Gross proceeds................................             $  59,500         $ 70,000        $ 80,500           $ 92,575
Less offering expenses and commissions........                 1,595            1,711           1,826              1,959
                                                           ---------         --------        --------           --------
     Estimated net proceeds...................             $  57,905         $ 68,289        $ 78,674           $ 90,616
Less: Shares purchased by the ESOP............                (4,903)          (5,768)         (6,633)            (7,628)
     Shares purchased by the RRP....                          (2,451)          (2,884)         (3,317)            (3,814)
                                                           ---------         --------        --------           --------
Total estimated net proceeds, as adjusted(1)......         $  50,551         $ 59,637        $ 68,724           $ 79,174
                                                           =========         ========        ========           ========
Net income(2):
     Historical...............................             $   4,087         $  4,087        $  4,087           $  4,087
     Pro forma income on net proceeds, as adjusted             1,629            1,922           2,214              2,551
     Pro forma ESOP adjustment(3).................              (196)            (231)           (265)              (305)
     Pro forma RRP adjustment(4)...........                     (294)            (346)           (398)              (458)
                                                           ---------         --------        --------          ---------
     Pro forma net income.....................             $   5,226         $  5,432        $  5,638           $  5,875
                                                           =========         ========        ========          =========
Diluted net income per share(2)(5):
     Historical...............................                 $0.72            $0.61           $0.53              $0.46
     Pro forma income on net proceeds, as adjusted              0.29             0.29            0.29               0.29
     Pro forma ESOP adjustment(3).................            (0.03)           (0.03)          (0.03)             (0.03)
     Pro forma RRP adjustment(4)...........                   (0.05)           (0.05)          (0.05)             (0.05)
                                                           --------          -------         -------           --------
     Pro forma diluted net income per share(4)(6)          $   0.93         $   0.82         $  0.74            $  0.67
                                                           ========         ========         =======            =======
Offering price to pro forma diluted net income 
     per share(5)                                             10.75x           12.20x          13.51x             14.93x
                                                           ========         ========         =======            =======
Stockholders' equity:
     Historical...............................             $  53,282        $  53,282        $ 53,282           $ 53,282
     Estimated net proceeds...................                57,905           68,289          78,674             90,616
     Plus:  Shares issued to Foundation.......                 1,785            2,100           2,415              2,777
     Less:  Contribution to Foundation........                (1,785)          (2,100)         (2,415)            (2,777)
     Plus:  Tax benefit of contribution to Foundation            714              840             966              1,111
     Less:  Common stock acquired by the ESOP(3)..            (4,903)          (5,768)         (6,633)            (7,628)
            Common stock to be acquired by the RRP(4)         (2,451)          (2,884)         (3,317)            (3,814)
                                                           ---------        ---------        --------           --------
     Pro forma stockholders' equity(4)(6)(7)......         $ 104,547        $ 113,759        $122,972           $133,567
                                                            ========         ========        ========           ========
Stockholders' equity per share(5):
     Historical...............................             $    8.69        $    7.39        $   6.43           $   5.59
     Estimated net proceeds...................                  9.45             9.47            9.49               9.50
     Plus:  Shares issued to Foundation.......                  0.29             0.29            0.29               0.29
     Less:  Contribution to Foundation........                 (0.29)           (0.29)          (0.29)             (0.29)
     Plus:  Tax benefit of contribution to Foundation           0.12             0.12            0.12               0.12
     Less:  Common stock acquired by the ESOP(3)..             (0.80)           (0.80)          (0.80)             (0.80)
               Common stock to be acquired by the RRP(4)       (0.40)           (0.40)          (0.40)             (0.40)
                                                            --------        ---------        --------           --------
     Pro forma stockholders' equity per share(4)(6)(7)     $   17.06        $   15.78        $  14.84           $  14.01
                                                           =========        =========        ========           ========
Purchase price as a percentage of pro forma
          stockholders' equity per share(5).......            58.62%           63.37%          67.39%             71.38%
                                                              =====            =====           =====              =====
- ----------------------
<FN>

(1)  Estimated net proceeds, as adjusted,  consist of the estimated net proceeds
     from the Offering  minus (i) the proceeds  attributable  to the purchase by
     the ESOP;  and (ii) the value of the  shares  to be  purchased  by the RRP,
     subject  to  stockholder  approval,  after  the  Conversion  at an  assumed
     purchase price of $10.00 per share.

(2)  Does not give effect to the  non-recurring  expense that will be recognized
     in 1998 as a result of the  establishment of the Foundation or the one-time
     payment  of $2.0  million  to SFS  Bancorp,  Inc.  in  connection  with the
     termination  of its merger with Cohoes  Savings Bank.  The Holding  Company
     will recognize an after-tax  expense for the amount of the  contribution to
     the  Foundation  which is expected to be $1.1 million,  $1.3 million,  $1.4
     million and $1.7 million at the minimum,  midpoint, maximum and maximum, as
     adjusted.  Assuming the  contribution to the Foundation was expensed during
     the year ended June 30, 1998, pro forma net earnings (loss) per share would
     be $0.73,  $0.63,  $0.55 and $0,48, at the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and
     maximum, as adjusted,  respectively.  Per share net income data is based on
     5,654,563,  6,652,427,  7,650,291 and 8,797,834  shares  outstanding  which
     represents  Conversion Shares sold in the Offering,  shares  contributed to
     the Foundation and shares to be allocated or distributed under the ESOP and
     RRP for the period presented.

                                              (Footnotes continued on next page)


                                       27

<PAGE>



(3)  It is assumed that 8.0% of the Conversion  Shares sold in the Offering will
     be  purchased  by the ESOP with funds  loaned by the Holding  Company.  The
     Holding  Company and the Bank intend to make  annual  contributions  to the
     ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest  requirement
     of the debt.  The pro forma net  earnings  assumes (i) that the loan to the
     ESOP is payable over 15 years,  with the ESOP shares having an average fair
     value of $10.00 per share in accordance with SOP 93-6, entitled "Employers'
     Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership  Plans," of the AICPA, and (ii) the
     effective tax rate was 40.0% for the period.  See  "Management - Benefits -
     Employee Stock Ownership Plan."

(4)  It is assumed that the RRP will purchase, following stockholder approval of
     such plan, a number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock equal to 4.0%
     of the Conversion Shares for issuance to directors, officers and employees.
     Funds used by the RRP to purchase the shares  initially will be contributed
     to the RRP by the Holding  Company.  It is further  assumed that the shares
     were acquired by the RRP at the  beginning of the period  presented in open
     market  purchases  at the  purchase  price  and that  20.0%  of the  amount
     contributed,  net of taxes, was an amortized  expense during the year ended
     June 30, 1998.  The issuance of authorized  but unissued  shares of Holding
     Company  Common  Stock  pursuant  to the RRP in the  amount  of 4.0% of the
     Conversion Shares sold in the Offering would dilute the voting interests of
     existing  stockholders by approximately  3.0% and under such  circumstances
     pro forma net  earnings per share for the year ended June 30, 1998 would be
     $0.90,  $0.80, $0.72 and $0.65, at the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and 15%
     above the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range,  respectively,  and pro
     forma  stockholders'  equity  per share at June 30,  1998  would be $16.79,
     $15.56, $14.15 and $13.85 at the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and 15% above
     the maximum of such range, respectively. There can be no assurance that the
     actual  purchase price of shares  purchased by or issued to the RRP will be
     equal to the purchase  price.  See "Management - Benefits - Recognition and
     Retention Plan."

(5)  The diluted per share  calculations  are determined by adding the number of
     Conversion Shares assumed to be issued in the Conversion, as well as shares
     of Holding  Company Common Stock to be  contributed to the Foundation  and,
     for purposes of  calculating  earnings per share,  in  accordance  with SOP
     93-6,  subtracting  473,937  shares,  557,573 shares,  641,209 shares,  and
     737,391 shares,  respectively,  representing the ESOP shares which have not
     been  committed  for  release  during  the year ended  June 30,  1998.  The
     calculation of ESOP shares released assumes that such shares are earned and
     released ratably over the year, using a 15-year  amortization period. Thus,
     it is assumed at June 30, 1998 that  5,654,563,  6,652,427,  7,650,291  and
     8,797,8341  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock are  outstanding at the
     minimum,  midpoint,  maximum  and 15% above the  maximum  of the  Estimated
     Valuation  Range,  respectively.  Assuming the uncommitted ESOP shares were
     not  subtracted  from the number of shares of Holding  Company Common Stock
     outstanding at June 30, 1998, the offering price as a multiple of pro forma
     net  earnings per share would be 11.73x,  13.27x,  14.71x and 16.23x at the
     minimum,  midpoint,  maximum  and 15% above the  maximum  of the  Estimated
     Valuation  Range,  respectively.  For  purposes  of  calculating  pro forma
     stockholders' equity per share, it is assumed that shares outstanding total
     6,128,500,  7,210,000,  8,291,500  and  9,535,225  shares  at the  minimum,
     midpoint,  maximum  and 15% above the  maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation
     Range.

(6)  No effect has been given to the  issuance of  additional  shares of Holding
     Company Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Option and Incentive Plan, which
     will be  adopted  by the  Holding  Company  following  the  Conversion  and
     presented for approval by  stockholders  at an annual or special meeting of
     stockholders  of the  Holding  Company  held no  earlier  than  six  months
     following  the  consummation  of the  Conversion.  If the Stock  Option and
     Incentive Plan is approved by the  stockholders,  an amount equal to 10% of
     the Conversion Shares sold in the Offering,  including shares issued to the
     Foundation, or 612,850, 721,000, 829,150 and 953,522 shares at the minimum,
     midpoint,  maximum  and 15% above the  maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation
     Range, respectively, will be reserved for future issuance upon the exercise
     of options to be granted  under the Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan.  The
     issuance  of Holding  Company  Common  Stock  pursuant  to the  exercise of
     options  under the  Stock  Option  and  Incentive  Plan will  result in the
     dilution of existing stockholders' interests. Assuming stockholder approval
     of the  Stock  Option  and  Incentive  Plan,  that all these  options  were
     exercised at the beginning of the period at an exercise price of $10.00 per
     share and that the shares to fund the RRP are acquired thorough open market
     purchases at the purchase  price,  pro forma diluted net earnings per share
     for the year ended June 30, 1998 would be $0.87,  $0.77, $0.70 and $0.63 at
     the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and 15% above the maximum of the Estimated
     Valuation Range, respectively, and pro forma stockholders' equity per share
     at June 30, 1998 would be $16.42, $15.25, $14.39 and $13.64 at the minimum,
     midpoint,  maximum and 15% above the  maximum of such range,  respectively.
     See "Management - Benefits - Stock Option and Incentive Plan."

(7)  The retained  earnings of the Bank will be  substantially  restricted after
     the  Conversion by virtue of the  liquidation  account to be established in
     connection with the Conversion. See "Dividend Policy" and "The Conversion -
     Effects of the  Conversion - Effects on  Liquidation  Rights." In addition,
     certain  distributions  from the Bank's retained earnings may be treated as
     begin from its accumulated  bad debt reserve for tax purposes,  which would
     cause the Bank to have additional  taxable income.  See "Taxation - Federal
     Taxation."  Pro forma  stockholders'  equity  and pro  forma  stockholders'
     equity per share (i) reflect certain nonrecurring  charges, net of tax (see
     Note 5 to the Pro  Forma  Unaudited  Consolidated  Statement  of  Financial
     Condition)  and (ii) do not give effect to the  liquidation  account or the
     bad debt reserves  established  by the Bank for federal income tax purposes
     in the event of a liquidation of the Bank.

(8)  As adjusted  to give  effect to an  increase in the number of shares  which
     could occur due to an increase in the  Estimated  Valuation  Range of up to
     15% to reflect  changes in market and  financial  conditions  following the
     commencement of the Offering.
</FN>
</TABLE>





                                       28

<PAGE>



                COMPARISON OF VALUATION AND PRO FORMA INFORMATION
                               WITH NO FOUNDATION

         In the event that the Foundation were not being  established as part of
the Conversion,  RP Financial has estimated that the pro forma aggregate  market
capitalization  of the Holding Company would be  approximately  $85.1 million at
the maximum,  which is  approximately  $2.2  million  greater than the pro forma
aggregate  market  capitalization  of the Holding  Company if the  Foundation is
included,  and would result in an  approximately  $4.6  million  increase in the
amount of Holding Company Common Stock offered for sale in the  Conversion.  The
pro forma  price to book ratio and pro forma  price to  earnings  ratio would be
approximately  the same under both the current appraisal and the estimate of the
value of the Holding  Company  without the  Foundation.  Further,  assuming  the
maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range, pro forma  stockholders'  equity per
share and pro forma earnings per share would be substantially the same at $14.84
and $14.84, respectively, and $0.74 and $0.74 respectively,  with the Foundation
or without the  Foundation.  The pro forma price to book ratio and the pro forma
price to  earnings  ratio  are  substantially  the same  with  and  without  the
Foundation  at the  maximum at 67.39% and 67.39%,  respectively,  and 13.51x and
13.51x, respectively. There is no assurance that in the event the Foundation was
not formed that the appraisal prepared at the time would have concluded that the
pro  forma  market  value  of the  Holding  Company  would  be the  same as that
estimated  herein.  Any  appraisals  prepared at that time would be based on the
facts and  circumstances  existing at the time,  including,  among other things,
market and economic conditions.

         For  comparative  purposes  only,  set forth below are certain  pricing
ratios and  financial  data and ratios,  at the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and
maximum, as adjusted,  of the Estimated Valuation Range, assuming the Conversion
was completed at June 30, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                           At the Maximum
                                         At the Minimum      At the Midpoint     At the Maximum               As Adjusted      
                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       With        No       With         No        With         No         With         No
                                    Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation  Foundation  Foundation  Foundation
                                                           (Dollars in thousands, except    per share amounts)
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>

Estimated offering amount..........  $ 59,500   $ 62,900   $70,000   $ 74,000   $ 80,500    $ 85,100     $ 92,575   $  97,865
Pro forma market capitalization....    61,285     62,900    72,100     74,000     82,915      85,100       95,352      97,865
Total assets.......................   586,981    589,434   596,193    599,079    605,406     608,724      616,001     619,817
Total liabilities..................   482,434    482,434   482,434    482,434    482,434     482,434      482,434     482,434
Pro forma stockholders' equity.....   104,547    107,000   113,759    116,645    122,972     126,290      133,567     137,383
Pro forma consolidated net earnings     5,226      5,315     5,432      5,537      5,638       5,759        5,875       6,014
Pro forma stockholders' 
  equity per share                      17.06      17.01     15.78      15.76      14.84       14.84        14.01       14.03
Pro forma consolidated net earnings
  per share                              0.93       0.92      0.82       0.82       0.74        0.74         0.67        0.67

Pro forma pricing ratios:
   Offering price as a percentage
     of pro forma stockholders'
     equity per share                   58.62%     58.79%    63.37%     63.45%     67.39%      67.39%       71.38%      71.28%
   
   Offering price to pro forma 
     net earnings ^ per share(1)....    10.75x     10.87x    12.20x     12.20x     13.51x      13.51x       14.93x      14.93x
    

   Pro forma market capitalization
     to assets                          10.44%     10.67%    12.09%     12.35%     13.70%      13.98%       15.48%      15.79%
Pro forma financial ratios:
   Return on assets (2).............    0.89%      0.90%     0.91%      0.92%      0.93%       0.95%        0.96%       0.97%
   Return on stockholders' equity (3)   5.00%      4.97%     4.78%      4.75%      4.58%       4.56%        4.40%       4.38%
   Stockholders' equity to assets..    17.81%     18.15%    19.08%     19.47%     20.31%      20.75%       21.68%      22.17%
- ---------------
<FN>

(1)  If the  contribution  to the Foundation  had been expensed  during the year
     ended June 30, 1998, the offering price to pro forma net earnings per share
     would have been 13.58x, 15.90x, 18.20x and 20.81x at the minimum, midpoint,
     maximum and maximum, as adjusted, respectively.

(2)  If the  contribution  to the Foundation  had been expensed  during the year
     ended June 30,1998,  return on assets would have been 0.71%,  0.70%,  0.69%
     and 0.69% at the  minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and  maximum,  as  adjusted,
     respectively.

(3)  If the  contribution  to the Foundation  had been expensed  during the year
     ended June 30,1998,  return on stockholders'  equity would have been 3.99%,
     3.68%, 3.42% and 3.17% at the minimum,  midpoint,  maximum and maximum,  as
     adjusted, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       29

<PAGE>



                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

         The  following  Consolidated  Statements  of Operations of the Bank for
each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 1998 have been audited
by Arthur  Andersen LLP,  whose report thereon  appears  elsewhere  herein.  The
Consolidated  Statements of Operations  should be read in  conjunction  with the
other  financial  statements  and  notes  thereto  included  elsewhere  in  this
Prospectus.



                                       30

<PAGE>


                      COHOES SAVINGS BANK AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
                                 (000's omitted)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       1998            1997              1996
                                                                       ----            ----              ----
INTEREST INCOME:
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>               <C>          
    Interest and fees on mortgage loans ......................  $      28,793   $      28,236     $      26,587
    Consumer and other loans .................................          4,780           4,930             5,516
    Investment securities and securities available for sale ..          4,108           2,847             3,096
    Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits .........            742             272               184
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Total interest income .......................         38,423          36,285            35,383
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------

INTEREST EXPENSE:
    Deposits (Note 11) .......................................         18,816          17,568            17,741
    Mortgagors' escrow deposits ..............................            114             120               126
    Borrowings ...............................................            332             133               297
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Total interest expense ......................         19,262          17,821            18,164
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Net interest income .........................         19,161          18,464            17,219

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES (Note 7) ...........................          1,400           1,325               490
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Net interest income after provision 
                   for loan losses ...........................         17,761          17,139            16,729
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
NONINTEREST INCOME:
    Service charges on deposits ..............................            746             765               741
    Loan servicing revenue ...................................            495             568               605
    Net gain (loss) on sale of mortgage loans ................             81             106               (20)
    Other ....................................................          1,421           1,351             1,141
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Total noninterest income ....................          2,743           2,790             2,467
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
    Compensation and benefits ................................          7,322           6,253             6,286
    Occupancy ................................................          2,686           2,493             2,247
    FDIC deposit insurance premium ...........................             65              37                33
    Advertising ..............................................            430             307               291
    Other ....................................................          3,264           3,224             3,062
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Total noninterest expense ...................         13,767          12,314            11,919
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Income before income tax expense ............          6,737           7,615             7,277

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Note 15) .................................          2,650           2,972             2,882
                                                                -------------   -------------     -------------
                 Net income ..................................  $       4,087   $       4,643     $       4,395
                                                                =============   =============     =============
</TABLE>

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


                                       31

<PAGE>



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

General

         The Holding  Company has only recently been formed and  accordingly has
no results of  operations at this time.  As a result,  the following  discussion
principally reflects the operations of the Bank and its subsidiaries. The Bank's
primary market area, with 17 full-service branches consists of Albany, Saratoga,
Schenectady  and Rensselaer  counties in New York and a portion of Warren county
in  New  York.   The  Bank  has  been,   and   intends  to  continue  to  be,  a
community-oriented   financial  institution  offering  a  variety  of  financial
services.  The Bank's principal  business is attracting  deposits from customers
within its market  area and  investing  those  funds,  together  with funds from
operations and, to a much lesser extent,  borrowings,  in primarily  residential
mortgage loans, including home equity loans, and to a lesser extent, in consumer
loans, commercial real estate,  construction loans and commercial business loans
and  government  and  corporate  debt  securities.  See  "Business of the Bank -
Lending  Activities".  The financial condition and operating results of the Bank
are  dependent on its net interest  income which is the  difference  between the
interest income earned on its assets,  primarily loans and investments,  and the
interest  expense on its  liabilities,  primarily  deposits and borrowings.  Net
income  is also  affected  by other  operating  income,  such as loan  servicing
income,  fees on deposit related services,  gains on sales of securities,  other
operating expenses, such as compensation and occupancy expenses,  provisions for
loan losses, and Federal and state income taxes.

         The Bank's results of operations are significantly  affected by general
economic and  competitive  conditions  (particularly  changes in market interest
rates),  government  policies,  changes in  accounting  standards and actions of
regulatory  agencies.   Future  changes  in  applicable  laws,   regulations  or
government  policies may have a material impact on the Bank.  Lending activities
are  substantially   influenced  by  the  demand  for  and  supply  of  housing,
competition  among lenders,  and level of interest rates and the availability of
funds.  The ability to gather  deposits and the cost of funds are  influenced by
prevailing market interest rates, fees and terms on deposit products, as well as
the availability of alternative investments, including mutual funds and stocks.

Market Risk and Asset/Liability Management

         Interest rate risk is the most  significant  market risk  affecting the
Bank.  Other types of market risk, such as foreign  currency  exchange rate risk
and  commodity  price  risk,  do not arise in the  normal  course of the  Bank's
business activities.

         Interest  rate risk is defined as an exposure to a movement in interest
rates that could have an adverse effect on the Bank's net interest  income.  Net
interest  income  is  susceptible  to  interest  rate  risk to the  degree  that
interest-bearing  liabilities  mature  or  reprice  on a  different  basis  than
interest-earning  assets.  When  interest-bearing  liabilities mature or reprice
more quickly  than  interest-earning  assets in a given  period,  a  significant
increase  in  market  rates of  interest  could  adversely  affect  net  income.
Similarly,   when   earning   assets   mature  or  reprice   more  quickly  than
interest-bearing liabilities,  falling interest rates could result in a decrease
in net income.

         In an attempt  to manage its  exposure  to changes in  interest  rates,
management monitors the Bank's interest rate risk. Management's  asset/liability
committee  meets  monthly to review the Bank's  interest  rate risk position and
profitability,  and to recommend  adjustments for  consideration by the Board of
Trustees.  Management  also  reviews  loan and deposit  pricing,  and the Bank's
securities  portfolio,  formulates investment strategies and oversees the timing
and  implementation  of transactions.  Notwithstanding  the Bank's interest rate
risk  management  activities,  the potential for changing  interest  rates is an
uncertainty that can adversely affect net income.

         In  adjusting  the  Bank's  asset/liability  position,  the  Board  and
management  attempt to manage the Bank's  interest rate risk while enhancing net
interest  margins.  At times,  depending on the level of general interest rates,
the relationship  between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions
and competitive  factors, the Board and management may determine to increase the
Bank's  interest  rate  risk  position  somewhat  in order to  increase  its net
interest  margins.  The Bank's  results of operations  and net portfolio  values
remain  vulnerable  to  changes in  interest  rates and to  fluctuations  in the
difference between long- and short-term interest rates.


                                       32

<PAGE>



         Consistent with the  asset/liability  management  philosophy  described
above, the Bank has taken several steps to manage its interest rate risk. First,
the Bank has structured the security  portfolio to shorten the maturities of its
earning  assets.  The Bank's recent  purchases of  securities  have had terms to
maturity of seven years or less. At June 30, 1998, the Bank had securities  with
a carrying value of $76.2 million with  contractual  maturities of five years or
less. The Bank's  residential  real estate  portfolio is composed of either one,
three or five year adjustable rate mortgages or floating-rate home equity loans,
except for  approximately  $103.5 million of fixed rate products.  The Bank also
manages  interest  rate risk by  emphasizing  lower cost,  more stable  non-time
deposit accounts. In the current low rate environment, longer-term time deposits
are welcomed although not particularly popular with the Bank's customer base.

         One  approach  used to  quantify  interest  rate risk is the net market
value analysis.  In essence, this analysis calculates the difference between the
present value of  liabilities  and the present value of expected cash flows from
assets and  off-balance  sheet  contracts.  A second approach is to quantify the
impact on net interest income due to changes in cash flows,  interest income and
interest  expense  resulting from shifts in interest rates. The following tables
set forth,  at June 30, 1998,  an analysis of the Bank's  interest  rate risk as
measured  by the  estimated  changes  in net  market  value  of its  assets  and
liabilities and net interest income resulting from  instantaneous  and sustained
parallel shifts in interest rates (+ or - 200 basis points, measured in 50 basis
point increments).


    Assumed Change             Net
   in Interest Rates        Interest            Dollar           Percent
    (Basis Points)           Income             Change            Change

         -200             $   19,986         $   826               4.31%
         -150                 19,770             610               3.18
         -100                 19,244              84               0.44
         -50                  19,204              44               0.23
         0                    19,160             ---               0.00
         +50                  19,153              (7)             (0.04)
         +100                 19,137             (23)             (0.12)
         +150                 19,056            (104)             (0.54)
         +200                 18,918            (242)             (1.26)


    Assumed Change             Net
   in Interest Rates         Market             Dollar            Percent
    (Basis Points)            Value             Change             Change

         -200             $   99,941         $ 10,985             12.35%
         -150                 97,343            8,387               9.43
         -100                 94,643            5,687               6.39
         -50                  91,845            2,889               3.25
         0                    88,956              ---               0.00
         +50                  85,741           (3,215)             (3.61)
         +100                 82,151           (6,805)             (7.65)
         +150                 79,056           (9,900)            (11.13)
         +200                 75,804          (13,152)            (14.78)


         Certain  assumptions  utilized by  management in assessing the interest
rate risk of the Bank were employed in preparing  data included in the preceding
table. These assumptions were based upon proprietary data selected by management
and are  reflective of historical  results or current market  conditions.  These
assumptions relate to interest rates,  repayment rates, deposit decay rates, and
the market values of certain assets under the various interest rate scenarios.

         Prepayment  assumptions for mortgage-backed  securities and residential
mortgage loans were based upon industry  standards for  prepayments.  The Bank's
mortgage-backed  securities  and  residential  mortgages  are the only assets or
liabilities  which  management  assumed  possess  optionality  for  purposes  of
determining market value changes.


                                       33

<PAGE>



         Management assumed that non-maturity  deposits could be maintained with
rate  adjustments  not directly  proportionate  to the change in market interest
rate.  These  assumptions are based upon  management's  analysis of its customer
base and competitive factors.

         The net market value and net interest income tables presented above are
predicated  upon a stable  balance  sheet  with no  growth or change in asset or
liability mix. In addition, the net market value table is based upon the present
value  of  discounted  cash  flows  using  management's   estimates  of  current
replacement  rates to discount the cash flows.  The net interest income table is
based upon a cash flow simulation of the Bank's existing assets and liabilities.
It was also  assumed  that  delinquency  rates  would not  change as a result of
changes in interest  rates  although there can be no assurance that this will be
the case. Even if interest rates change in the designated amounts,  there can be
no assurance that the Bank's assets and  liabilities  would perform as set forth
above.  Also,  a  change  in the US  Treasury  rates in the  designated  amounts
accompanied  by a change in the shape of the  Treasury  yield  curve would cause
changes  to the net  market  value and net  interest  income  other  than  those
indicated above.

         The  Bank  does not  currently  engage  in  trading  activities  or use
derivative  instruments  to  manage  interest  rate  risk.  Instruments  such as
interest rate swaps, caps and floors may be utilized under certain interest rate
risk  scenarios in order to manage  interest rate risk.  Such  activities may be
permitted with the approval of the Board of Trustees, and management continually
evaluates the usefulness of such instruments in managing interest rate risk.

Analysis of Net Interest Income

         Net  interest  income  represents  the  difference  between  income  on
interest-earning  assets  and  expense  on  interest-bearing   liabilities.  Net
interest income is affected by the relative amounts of  interest-earning  assets
and interest-bearing liabilities, and the interest rates earned or paid on them.


                                       34

<PAGE>



         The following  table  presents,  for the periods  indicated,  the total
dollar amount of interest  income from the average  interest-earning  assets and
the resultant  yields  earned,  the total dollar  amount of interest  expense on
average  interest-bearing  liabilities and the resultant  rates paid,  expressed
both in dollars and  percentages  as well as the weighted  average yields earned
and rates paid. No tax equivalent  adjustments  were made. All average  balances
are daily average balances.
Non-accruing loans have been included in the table as loans carrying zero yield.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Average Yield                                     Year Ended June 30,
                                        Earned/                 1998                          1997                   1996
                                        Average   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Rate Paid    Average    Interest         Average   Interest           Average  Interest
                                      at June 30, Outstanding Earned/ Yield/ Outstanding  Earned/ Yield/ Outstanding Earned/ Yield/
                                         1998      Balance     Paid    Rate    Balance     Paid    Rate    Balance    Paid    Rate
                                                  ----------  ------- ------  ----------  ------- ------ ----------  ------- ------
                                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>     <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>

Interest-earning assets
     Loans receivable................      8.09%  $404,781 $ 33,573    8.29%   $401,262  $ 33,166   8.27%  $390,273 $ 32,104  8.23%
     Securities available for sale...       6.18    30,336    1,933    6.37      19,330     1,253   6.48     14,350      872  6.08
     Investment securities...........       6.28    30,372    1,926    6.34      22,240     1,373   6.17     31,950    1,993  6.24
     Federal funds sold..............       5.50    13,321      739    5.55       4,641       245   5.28      2,255      127  5.63
     FHLB stock......................       7.45     3,479      249    7.16       3,400       218   6.41      3,346      230  6.87
     Other interest-earning assets...       6.00       184        3    1.63         416        30   7.21        967       57  5.89
                                                  --------  -------    ----    --------  --------   ----   --------  -------  ----
     Total interest-earning assets...       7.72   482,473   38,423    7.96     451,289    36,285   8.04    443,141   35,383  7.98
                                                            -------                      --------                    -------
Non-earning assets...................               18,714                       17,919                      17,264
                                                  --------                     --------                     -------
     Total assets....................             $501,187                     $469,208                    $460,405
                                                  ========                     ========                    ========

Interest-bearing liabilities
     Savings accounts................      3.00%  $120,959    3,623    3.00    $123,518     3,698   2.99   $123,976    3,718  3.00
     School savings accounts.........       5.50    15,112      837    5.54      11,895       661   5.56      8,271      460  5.56
     Money market accounts...........       3.32    18,163      569    3.13      15,607       447   2.86     17,089      488  2.86
     Demand deposits.................       0.59    47,075      304    0.65      41,124       275   0.67     35,073      246  0.70
     Time deposits...................       5.78   230,794   13,483    5.84     215,183    12,487   5.80    214,420   12,829  5.98
     Escrow accounts.................       2.00     7,065      114    1.61       7,396       120   1.62      7,249      126  1.74
     Borrowings......................       6.05     5,467     332     6.07       2,392       133   5.56      4,694      297  6.33
                                                  --------  -------             -------  --------          --------   ------
     Total interest-bearing liabilities     4.28   444,635   19,262    4.33     417,115    17,821   4.27    410,772   18,164  4.42
                                                            -------                      --------                     ------
Other liabilities....................                4,677                        5,033                       6,898
Net worth............................               51,875                       47,060                      42,735
                                                  --------                      -------                    --------
     Total liabilities and net worth              $501,187                     $469,208                    $460,405
                                                  ========                     ========                    ========

Net interest income..................                       $19,161                      $ 18,464                    $17,219
                                                            =======                      ========                    =======  
Net interest rate spread (1).........      3.44%                       3.63%                        3.77%                     3.56%
                                           ====                        ====                         ====                      ====
Net earning assets (2)...............             $ 37,838                      $34,174                    $ 32,369
                                                  ========                      =======                    ========
Net yield on average 
   interest-earning assets(3)                                          3.97%                        4.09%                     3.89%
                                                                       ====                         ====                      ====

Average interest-earning assets to 
 average interest-bearing liabilities               1.09x                        1.08x                       1.08x
- ----------------
<FN>

(1)  Interest  rate  spread  represents  the  difference  between  the  yield on
     interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(2)  Net earning  assets  represents  total  interest-earning  assets less total
     interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)  Net yield on  average  interest-earning  assets,  or net  interest  margin,
     represents net interest income as a percentage of average  interest-earning
     assets.

</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       35

<PAGE>



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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Years Ended June 30,             Years Ended June 30,
                                                    1998 vs. 1997                   1997 vs. 1996
                                          Increase                         Increase
                                         (Decrease)        Total          (Decrease)       Total
                                           Due to        Increase           Due to       Increase
                                      Volume    Rate     (Decrease)   Volume     Rate    (Decrease)
                                                              (In Thousands)
<S>                                 <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>

Interest and dividend income from:

Loans receivable................     $   292    $  115     $  407    $  908    $  154   $  1,062
Securities available for sale...         701       (21)       680       320        61        381
Investment securities...........         515        38        553      (600)      (20)      (620)
Federal Funds sold..............         481        13        494       126        (8)       118
FHLB............................           5        26         31         4       (16)       (12)
Other interest-earning assets...         (11)      (16)       (27)      (38)       11        (27)
                                      ------     -----    -------    ------     -----   --------
 Total interest and dividend income    1,983       155      2,138       720       182        902
                                      ------     -----    -------    ------     -----   --------


Interest expense for:
Savings accounts................         (78)        2        (75)      (14)       (6)       (20)
School savings accounts.........         178        (2)       176       201       ---        201
Money market accounts...........          77        44        122       (42)        1        (41)
Demand deposits.................          39       (10)        29        41       (12)        29
Time deposits...................         911        85        996        46      (385)      (342)
Escrow accounts.................          (5)       (1)        (6)        3        (9)        (6)
Borrowings......................         186        13        199      (131)      (33)      (164)
                                       -----    ------      -----    ------     -----   --------
 Total interest expense                1,310       131      1,441       104      (447)      (343)
                                       -----    ------      -----    ------     ------  --------
Net interest income..........         $  673    $   24     $  697    $  616     $ 629   $  1,245
                                      ======    ======     ======    ======     =====   ========
</TABLE>



                                       36

<PAGE>



Financial Condition

Comparison of June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1997

         Assets.  Total  assets at June 30,  1998 was $535.7  million,  up $44.0
million,  or 8.9% from the $491.7  million at June 30,  1997.  The  increase was
evenly divided with the loan portfolio,  up $14.3 million,  securities available
for sale up $13.2  million and  investment  securities  up $20.1  million.  This
growth in earning  assets was funded by an  increase  in  deposits  from  $429.4
million on June 30,  1997 to $449.5  million at June 30, 1998 and an increase in
borrowings of $19.9 million over the same period.  These  increases,  as well as
fluctuations in other asset and liability categories, are discussed below.

         Loans.  The overall  increase in total  loans is  primarily  made up of
increases in one to four family real estate and commercial business loans offset
by a decrease in consumer loans. One- to four-family real estate loans increased
$14.8  million,  from  $243.6  million  to $258.4  million.  The  growth in this
portfolio  is  primarily  a result  of the  Bank's  decision  to  retain  in its
portfolio  a limited  amount of 15 to 30 year fixed rate one to four family real
estate loans at a time when adjustable rate loans are less popular. A portion of
these loans were retained and match funded using  long-term FHLB  advances.  See
"Business  of Cohoes  Savings Bank --  Borrowings."  Commercial  business  loans
increased  from $12.1  million at June 30,  1997,  to $15.0  million at June 30,
1998.  Consumer  loans  decreased  $2.5 million to a balance of $49.7 million at
June 30, 1998 from $52.2 million at June 30, 1997. Most of this decrease relates
to a reduction in outstanding balances on home equity lines of credit.

         Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses increased from
$3.1 million at June 30, 1997 to $3.5  million at June 30, 1998,  an increase of
$428,000.  This  increase is the result of the $1.4 million  provision  for loan
losses  taken  in the year  ended  June  30,  1998  offset  by  $972,000  in net
charge-offs  for the same period.  The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses
is evaluated  quarterly by management based upon a review of significant  loans,
with particular  emphasis on nonperforming  and delinquent loans that management
believes  warrant  special  attention.  At June 30, 1998 the  allowance for loan
losses provided coverage of 62.5% of total nonperforming loans, up from 46.4% at
June 30, 1997.  The balance of the  allowance is maintained at a level which is,
in management's judgment,  reflective of the amount of risk inherent in the loan
portfolio.  See  "Business  of the Bank - Asset  Quality  -  Allowance  for Loan
Losses."

         Securities Available for Sale and Investment  Securities.  The balances
of  securities  available  for  sale  and  investment  securities  (collectively
"securities") increased from $35.5 million and $25.3 million,  respectively,  at
June 30, 1997 to $48.7 million and $45.4 million,  respectively,  as of June 30,
1998.  These  increases  were the result of the purchase of securities  totaling
$82.9 million offset by paydowns,  maturities  and calls of securities  totaling
$49.5 million and sales  totaling  $60,000  during the year ended June 30, 1998.
Management's intention is to continue purchasing securities with available funds
in excess of loan demand.  During the year ended June 30, 1998,  loan demand was
stronger than in fiscal 1997.

         Bank Premises and Equipment. The balance of bank premises and equipment
decreased  from $7.7  million at June 30, 1997 to $7.3 million at June 30, 1998.
This  decrease  was a  result  of  approximately  $763,000  in  computer-related
expenditures offset by $1.1 million in depreciation.

         Other  Real  Estate  Owned.  The  balance of other  real  estate  owned
decreased  from $1.9  million at June 30, 1997 to $509,000 at June 30,  1998,  a
decrease of approximately $1.4 million. The majority of this decrease relates to
the sale in September 1997 of the Bank's largest ORE property that had a balance
of $1.0 million at June 30, 1997.

         Deposits.  Total deposits increased $20.1 million, or 4.7%, from $429.4
million  at June 30,  1997 to $449.5  million  at June 30,  1998.  Of this total
increase,  time deposits  increased  $743,000 (.3%),  savings accounts increased
$1.7 million (1.4%),  school savings  accounts  increased $3.3 million  (24.1%),
money market  accounts  increased  $6.2  million  (40.3%),  and demand  accounts
increased $8.1 million (17.7%).


         Borrowings.  The balance of borrowings  increased  $19.9 million all of
which was the result of new  borrowings  during the year ended June 30,  1998 as
the bank matched financed portfolioed fixed-rate loans with these borrowings.

                                       37

<PAGE>



Ten year fixed rate,  fifteen year  amortizing FHLB borrowings were used to fund
certain fixed rate one to four family real estate loans.

Comparison of June 30, 1997 and June 30, 1996

         Assets. Total assets at June 30, 1997 stood at $491.7 million, up $28.3
million,  or 6.1%,  from  $463.4  million at June 30,  1996.  The  increase  was
concentrated in the loan portfolio which increased $4.6 million, ending June 30,
1997 at $398.5 million and securities  available for sale which  increased $14.6
million,  ending  June 30,  1997 at $35.5  million.  This  growth  in loans  and
securities  was funded by an increase of $24.9  million in deposits  from $404.5
million on June 30, 1996 to $429.4 million at June 30, 1997.  These increases as
well as  fluctuations  in other asset and  liability  categories  are  discussed
below.

         Loans.  The overall  increase in total  loans is  primarily  made up of
increases in one- to four-family  real estate loans,  offset by decreases in the
Bank's commercial real estate and commercial  business loans.  Total one to four
family real estate loans  increased $8.7 million,  or 3.7%,  which increased the
level of total residential real estate as a percentage of total loans from 59.1%
at June 30, 1996 to 60.6% at June 30,  1997.  Commercial  real estate loans fell
from $96.6  million at June 30, 1996 to $94.0  million at June 30, 1997. At June
30,  1997,  commercial  real  estate  loans  represented  23.4% of total  loans.
Commercial  business loans  decreased $1.2 million to a balance of $12.1 million
at June 30, 1997 from $13.3 million at June 30, 1996.  Commercial business loans
are loans to  businesses  which are either  unsecured or are secured by non-real
estate business assets.

         Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses decreased from
$3.2  million at June 30, 1996 to $3.1  million at June 30,  1997, a decrease of
$144,000.  This  decrease  is the result of a $1.3  million  provision  for loan
losses  taken in the year  ended  June 30,  1997  offset by $1.5  million in net
charge-offs for the same period. At June 30, 1997, the allowance for loan losses
provided coverage of 46.4% of total non-performing loans, up slightly from 41.7%
at June 30, 1996.  The balance of the  allowance is  maintained at a level which
is, in management's  judgment,  representative of the amount of risk inherent in
the Bank's loan portfolio. In determining the appropriate level of the allowance
for loan losses,  management  considers past and  anticipated  loss  experience,
evaluations  of  real  estate  collateral,   current  and  anticipated  economic
conditions, geographical concentration of loans, volume and type of lending, and
the  levels of  non-performing  and other  classified  loans.  The amount of the
allowance  is based on  estimates  and the  ultimate  losses  may vary from such
estimates.  Management  of the Bank  assesses the allowance for loan losses on a
quarterly  basis and makes  provisions  for loan losses in order to maintain the
adequacy of the allowance. See "Business of the Bank - Asset Quality - Allowance
for Loan Losses."

         Securities Available for Sale and Investment Securities. The balance of
securities  available for sale  increased from $20.9 million at June 30, 1996 to
$35.5  million  as of June  30,  1997.  The  balance  of  investment  securities
decreased  slightly  from $26.0  million at June 30, 1996 to $25.3 million as of
June 30, 1997. The increase in securities available for sale and slight decrease
in investment securities (collectively  "securities") during the year ended June
30, 1997 were driven by purchases of securities  totaling $28.7  million,  which
were offset by  paydowns,  maturities  and calls of  securities  totaling  $14.7
million and sales totaling $287,000.

         Bank Premises and Equipment. The balance of Bank premises and equipment
increased  from $6.9  million at June 30, 1996 to $7.7 million at June 30, 1997.
This  increase was a result of  expenditures  totaling $1.8 million for the most
part relating to the opening of four new branch  locations during the year ended
June 30, 1997 offset by $1.1 million in depreciation.

         Other  Real  Estate  Owned.  The  balance of other  real  estate  owned
increased  from  $421,000 at June 30, 1996 to $1.9 million at June 30, 1997,  an
increase of approximately  $1.5 million.  This increase  directly relates to the
addition  during  the year  ended June 30,  1997 of an ORE  property  that had a
balance of $1.0 million at June 30, 1997.

         Deposits.  Total deposits increased $24.9 million, or 6.2%, from $404.5
million  at June 30,  1996 to $429.4  million  at June 30,  1997.  Of this total
increase,  time deposits increased $20.6 million (9.8%), school savings accounts
increased $3.3 million (31.1%),  demand accounts increased $5.1 million (12.5%),
while savings  accounts  decreased $3.1 million (2.4%) and money market accounts
decreased $1.1 million (6.6%).

                                       38

<PAGE>



         Borrowings.  Borrowings  decreased  $2.1 million  during the year ended
June 30, 1997.  There were no borrowings  at June 30, 1997.  This decrease was a
result of an increase in deposit balances which exceeded loan demand.

Operating Results

Comparison of Year Ended June 30, 1998 and Year Ended June 30, 1997

         Net  Income.  Net  income  for the year  ended  June 30,  1998 was $4.1
million,  down from $4.6 million for the year ended June 30,  1997.  Noninterest
expense  increased  $1.5 million for the year ended June 30, 1998 as compared to
the  previous  year.  This  increase  was in part  offset by an  increase in net
interest income of $697,000 and a reduction in income tax expense of $322,000.

         Net Interest  Income.  Net interest  income for the year ended June 30,
1998 was $19.2  million,  up  $697,000  from the year  ended June  30,1997.  The
increase was  primarily  the result of the increase of $31.2  million in average
earning  assets from  $451.3  million for the year ended June 30, 1997 to $482.5
million for the same period in 1998. Average  interest-bearing  liabilities also
increased  $27.5 million during the same period.  The net impact of these volume
increases resulted in an increase in net interest income of $673,000. The Bank's
net  interest  margin for the year ended June 30, 1998 was 3.97%,  down 12 basis
points from 4.09% for the year ended June 30, 1997. The yield on average earning
assets  decreased  from  8.04%  to  7.96% ,  while  the  rate  paid  on  average
interest-bearing liabilities increased from 4.27% to 4.33%, producing a decrease
in net interest spread of 14 basis points from 3.77% during fiscal 1997 to 3.63%
during fiscal 1998.

         Interest  Income.  Interest income for the year ended June 30, 1998 was
$38.4  million,  up from $36.3 million for the  comparable  period in 1997.  The
largest  component of the Bank's interest income is interest on loans.  Interest
on loans  increased from $33.2 million for the year ended June 30, 1997 to $33.6
million  for the year ended June 30,  1998.  This  increase  of  $407,000 is the
result of both volume increases and rate increases. The average balance of loans
increased $3.5 million to $404.8  million,  while the yield on loans increased 2
basis points from 8.27% to 8.29%.  The increase in interest  earned on loans was
supplemented by increases in interest  earned on securities  available for sale,
investment  securities and federal funds. Interest income on these categories of
earning  assets  increased  $680,000,   $553,000  and  $494,000,   respectively.
Substantially  all of the  increases  in  interest  income on these  assets  are
attributed to increases in volume.  The average balance of securities  available
for sale  increased from $19.3 million for the year ended June 30, 1997 to $30.3
million for the year ended June 30, 1998. This increase in volume resulted in an
increase in interest  income of  $701,000.  The  average  balance of  investment
securities  increased  from  $22.2  million  in 1997 to $30.4  million  in 1998,
resulting in a $515,000  increase in interest income due to volume.  The average
balance of federal funds increased from $4.6 million in 1997 to $13.3 million in
1998.  The  increase  in the  volume of  federal  funds  resulted  in a $481,000
increase in  interest  income in the year ended June 30, 1998 as compared to the
year ended June 30, 1997. The changes in rates on securities available for sale,
investment  securities and federal  funds,  as well as the changes in volume and
rate on other categories of interest-earning assets was not significant.

         Interest Expense. Interest expense increased during the year ended June
30, 1998 to $19.3 million,  up from $17.8 million for the  comparable  period in
1997.  Substantially  all of the  Bank's  interest  expense  is from the  Bank's
interest-bearing  deposits. The largest category of interest-bearing deposits is
time  deposits.  Interest paid on time deposits for the year ended June 30, 1998
was $13.5 million, up $1.0 million from the $12.5 million in 1997. This increase
is the result of an  increase  in the  average  balance of time  deposits,  from
$215.2  million  in 1997 to $230.8  million in 1998 and an  increase  of 4 basis
points in the rates paid on these  deposits from 5.80% in 1997 to 5.84% in 1998,
primarily due to  competitive  market  conditions.  Interest  expense on savings
accounts was  relatively  flat,  decreasing  $75,000  from 1997 to 1998,  almost
entirely attributed to a reduction in the average balance of savings accounts of
$2.6 million as depositors  sought  higher  yielding  investment  opportunities.
Interest on school savings accounts  increased  $176,000,  from $661,000 for the
year  ended  June 30,  1997 to  $837,000  for the  year  ended  June  30,  1998,
substantially  all of which was the result of an increase in the average balance
of school savings  accounts of $3.2 million.  Interest on money market  accounts
increased  $122,000,  from $447,000 for the year ended June 30, 1997 to $569,000
for the year ended June 30, 1998.  The increase is  attributed to an increase in
the  average  balance of money  market  accounts  of $2.6  million as well as an
increase of 27 basis  points in the rates paid on these money  market  accounts,
from 2.86% to 3.13% in  compliance  with the Bank's  strategy  to attract  money
market accounts and remain

                                       39

<PAGE>



competitive  in its primary  market area.  Interest on  borrowings  for the year
ended  June 30,  1998  was  $332,000,  up from  $133,000  in 1997.  Most of this
increase was  attributable  to an increase in the average balance of borrowings,
from $2.4 million in 1997 to $5.5 million in 1998 as the Bank attempted to match
fund fixed rate  residential  loans with  borrowings.  Fluctuations  in interest
expense  on  other   categories  of   interest-bearing   liabilities   were  not
significant.

         Provision  for Loan  Losses.  The  provision  for loan  losses  of $1.4
million  in the year  ended  June 30,  1998  remained  consistent  with the $1.3
million  provision in the year ended June 30, 1997.  The amount of the provision
is attributed to the $13.3 million increase in outstanding loans tempered by the
reduction in the level of net  charge-offs  from $1.5 million for the year ended
June 30, 1997 to $972,000 for the year ended June 30, 1998.

         Noninterest  Income.  Total noninterest  income for the year ended June
30, 1998 was $2.7 million,  relatively  unchanged  from the $2.8 million for the
year ended June 30, 1997.  Service charges on deposits declined only slightly to
$746,000 for the year ended June 30, 1998, from $765,000 for the year ended June
30, 1997.  Loan servicing  revenue  declined  $73,000 from $568,000 for the year
ended June 30, 1997 to $495,000  for the year ended June 30,  1998.  The decline
relates  to a  reduction  in the  balance  of loans  serviced  for others due to
repayments on such loans exceeding loan sales during 1998. Fluctuations in other
noninterest income categories were not significant.

         Noninterest  Expense.  Total noninterest expense increased $1.5 million
to $13.8 million for the year ended June 30, 1998, up from $12.3 million for the
comparable  period in 1997.  Increases  in  compensation  and  benefits  of $1.1
million,  occupancy of $193,000  and  advertising  of $123,000  were the primary
contributors to the overall increase.  The increase in compensation and benefits
is the result of a decrease  in the  post-retirement  benefit  expense  based on
revised  actuarial  assumptions in 1997, the recognition of a full year's salary
expense for employees at the four new branch  locations opened in the year ended
June 30, 1997, an increase in the cost of health insurance  benefits of $114,000
as well as general  merit  increases  for the Bank's  employees  during the year
ended June 30, 1998. The increase in occupancy is directly  attributed to a full
year's cost associated with the opening of the four branch  locations  mentioned
above.  The increase in  advertising  is generally the result of the  additional
cost of customer  binders,  brochures  and media print for the  introduction  of
imaging  for all demand  account  products  during  the month of June 1998.  The
remaining  categories  of  noninterest  expense did not  experience  significant
fluctuation.

         Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense decreased from $3.0 million for
the year ended June 30, 1997 to $2.7 million for the comparable  period in 1998.
The  reduction is primarily the result of less income before income tax expense,
$6.7 million in 1998 as compared to $7.6 million in 1997.

Comparison of Year Ended June 30, 1997 and Year Ended June 30, 1996

         Net  Income.  Net  income  for the year  ended  June 30,  1997 was $4.6
million,  up from $4.4  million for the year ended June 30,  1996.  Net interest
income increased $1.2 million and noninterest  income increased $323,000 for the
year ended June 30, 1997 as compared to the previous year.  These increases were
in part  offset by  increases  in the  provision  for loan  losses of  $835,000,
noninterest expense of $395,000 and income tax expense of $90,000.

         Net Interest  Income.  Net interest  income for the year ended June 30,
1997 was $18.5  million,  up $1.2 million from the year ended June 30,1996.  The
increase  was  partially  the result of the  increase of $8.2 million in average
earning  assets from  $443.1  million for the year ended June 30, 1996 to $451.3
million for the same period in 1997. Interest-bearing liabilities also increased
during  the same  period,  up $6.3  million.  The net  impact  of  these  volume
increases  resulted in an  increase  in net  interest  income of  $616,000.  Net
interest  income  also  increased  by  $629,000  due to  changes in the yield on
average  earning assets and rate paid on average  interest-bearing  liabilities.
The yield on average  earning assets  increased  from 7.98% to 8.04%,  while the
rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 4.42% to 4.27%.
The Bank's net interest margin for the year ended June 30, 1997 was 4.09%, up 20
basis points from 3.89% for the year ended June 30, 1996.

         Interest  Income.  Interest income for the year ended June 30, 1997 was
$36.3  million,  up from $35.4 million for the  comparable  period in 1996.  The
largest  component  of interest  income is interest on loans.  Interest on loans
increased  from $32.1  million for the year ended June 30, 1996 to $33.2 million
for the year ended June 30, 1997. This increase of $1.1 million is primarily the
result of an $11.0  million  increase in the average  balance of loans to $401.3
million,  while the yield on loans increased 4 basis points from 8.23% to 8.27%.
The increase in interest on loans was

                                       40

<PAGE>



complemented by an increase in interest on securities available for sale, offset
by  a  decrease  in  interest  on  investment  securities.  Interest  income  on
securities  available  for sale  increased  $381,000  while  interest  income on
investments fell $620,000. Substantially all of the increases in interest income
on securities  available for sale are attributed to higher  volume.  The average
balance of securities  available for sale  increased  from $14.4 million for the
year ended June 30, 1996 to $19.3 million for the year ended June 30, 1997. This
increase in volume resulted in an increase in interest  income of $320,000.  The
average balance of investment securities decreased from $32.0 million in 1996 to
$22.2 million in 1997,  resulting in a $600,000  decrease in interest income due
to volume as the Bank used liquidity to fund increased loan demand.  The changes
in rates on securities available for sale and investment  securities account for
the remainder of the fluctuations in interest income on these asset  categories.
The changes in volume and rate on other  categories of  interest-earning  assets
were not significant.

         Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased during the year ended June
30, 1997 to $17.8 million,  down from $18.2 million for the comparable period in
1996.  Substantially  all of the  Bank's  interest  expense  is from the  Bank's
interest-bearing  deposits. The largest category of interest-bearing deposits is
time  deposits.  Interest on time  deposits for the year ended June 30, 1997 was
$12.5  million,  down $342,000 from the $12.8 million in 1996.  This decrease is
primarily the result of a decrease of 18 basis points in the rates paid on these
deposits from 5.98% in 1996 to 5.80% in 1997,  reflecting the general decline in
market  interest  rates,  offset by a slight  increase in the average balance of
time  deposits of $763,000 due to a decline in general  market  rates.  Interest
expense on savings accounts was relatively flat, decreasing $20,000 from 1996 to
1997,  primarily  attributable  to a reduction in the average balance of savings
accounts of $458,000.  Interest on school savings accounts  increased  $201,000,
from  $460,000  for the year ended June 30, 1996 to $661,000  for the year ended
June 30, 1997,  substantially  all of which was the result of an increase in the
average  balance  of  school  savings  accounts  of $3.6  million.  Interest  on
borrowings for the year ended June 30, 1997 was $133,000,  down from $297,000 in
1996.  Most of this  decrease  was  attributable  to a decrease  in the  average
balance  of  borrowings,  from $4.7  million  in 1996 to $2.4  million  in 1997.
Fluctuations  in  interest  expense  on  other  categories  of  interest-bearing
liabilities were not significant.

         Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses increased from
$490,000 in the year ended June 30, 1996 to $1.3  million in the year ended June
30, 1997.  This increase is primarily the result of increases in net charge-offs
from  $374,000  for the year ended June 30,  1996 to $1.5  million  for the year
ended June 30, 1997. The increase in net charge-offs combined with the continued
growth of the loan portfolio, continued economic weaknesses in the Bank's market
area,  declining real estate values  securing much of the loan portfolio as well
as management's  evaluation of the prospects for its market area resulted in the
increase in the provision.  See "Business of the Bank - Asset Quality -Allowance
for Loan Losses."

         Noninterest Income. Total noninterest income increased $323,000 for the
year ended June 30, 1997 as  compared  to the same  period in 1996.  Income from
service  charges on deposits  increased  only  slightly to $765,000 for the year
ended June 30,  1997,  from  $741,000  for the year ended  June 30,  1996.  Loan
servicing  revenue  decreased  $37,000 from  $605,000 in the year ended June 30,
1996 to  $568,000  in the year ended June 30,  1997.  The  decline  relates to a
reduction in the balance of loans  serviced  for others.  Net gain (loss) on the
sale of mortgage loans  increased from a loss of $20,000 for the year ended June
30,  1996  to a gain of  $106,000  for the  year  ended  June  30,  1997.  Other
noninterest  income increased from $1.1 million for the year ended June 30, 1996
to $1.4 million for the year ended June 30, 1997.  This  increase was the result
of  increases  in  ATM  fees,  loan  assignment  fees,  rents  collected  on ORE
properties and gains on the sale of securities.

         Noninterest  Expense.  Total noninterest  expense increased $395,000 to
$12.3  million for the year ended June 30, 1997,  up from $11.9  million for the
comparable  period in 1996.  The  increase in  occupancy  of $246,000  and other
noninterest  expense of $162,000  were the primary  contributors  to the overall
increase.  The decrease in compensation and benefits resulted from general merit
increases for the Bank's employees  during the year ended June 30, 1997,  offset
by a decrease in the post-retirement  benefit expense based on revised actuarial
assumptions.  The increase in occupancy was directly attributed to the increased
lease expense  associated  with the opening of four new branch  locations in the
year  ended  June 30,  1997.  The  increase  in other  noninterest  expense  was
generally attributed to an increase in legal fees associated with the collection
and foreclosure of delinquent loans.


                                       41

<PAGE>



         Income Tax Expense.  Income tax expense increased from $2.9 million for
the year ended June 30, 1996 to $3.0 million for the comparable  period in 1997.
The  increase  is the result of more  income  before  income tax  expense,  $7.6
million in 1997 as compared to $7.3 million in 1996.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

         Liquidity.  Liquidity is defined as the ability to generate  sufficient
cash  flow to  meet  all  present  and  future  funding  commitments,  depositor
withdrawals and operating  expenses.  Management  monitors the Bank's  liquidity
position  on  a  daily  basis  and  evaluates  its  ability  to  meet  depositor
withdrawals or make new loans or  investments.  The Bank's liquid assets include
cash and cash  equivalents,  investment  securities that mature within one year,
and its portfolio of securities available for sale. At June 30, 1998, the Bank's
liquid assets as a percentage of deposits which have no withdrawal restrictions,
time deposits which mature within one year, and short-term borrowings was 16.8%.

         The  Bank's  cash  inflows  result   primarily  from  loan  repayments,
maturities,  calls and paydowns of  securities,  new  deposits,  and to a lesser
extent,  drawing  upon the Bank's  credit  lines with the FHLB of New York.  The
Bank's  cash  outflows  are  substantially  new  loan  originations,  securities
purchases, and deposit withdrawals.  The timing of cash inflows and outflows are
closely  monitored by management  although  changes in interest rates,  economic
conditions,  and competitive  forces strongly impact the predictability of these
cash flows.  The Bank attempts to provide stable and flexible sources of funding
through the  management  of its  liabilities,  including  core deposit  products
offered  through its branch  network as well as with limited use of  borrowings.
Management  believes that the level of the Bank's  liquid  assets  combined with
daily  monitoring  of inflows and outflows  provide  adequate  liquidity to fund
outstanding  loan  commitments,   meet  daily  withdrawal  requirements  of  our
depositors, and meet all other daily obligations of the Bank.

         Capital.  Consistent  with its goals to operate a sound and  profitable
financial organization, the Bank actively seeks to maintain a "well capitalized"
institution  in accordance  with  regulatory  standards.  Total equity was $53.3
million at June 30, 1998, 9.9% of total assets on that date. As of June 30, 1997
and 1996,  total equity was $49.1 million and $44.3  million,  respectively,  or
10.0% and 9.6% of total assets at the respective dates. As of June 30, 1998, the
Bank exceeded all of the capital requirements of the FDIC. The Bank's regulatory
capital  ratios at June 30, 1998 were as  follows:  Tier I  (leverage)  capital,
10.6%; Tier I risk-based capital,  16.0%; and Total risk-based  capital,  17.1%.
The regulatory  capital minimum  requirements to be considered well  capitalized
are 5.0%, 6.0%, and 10.0%, respectively.

Impact of the Year 2000

   
         General.  The year  2000  ("Y2K")  issue  confronting  the Bank and its
suppliers,  customers,  customers'  suppliers  and  competitors  centers  on the
inability of computer systems to recognize the year 2000. Many existing computer
programs  and systems  originally  were  programmed  with six ^ digit dates that
provided only two digits to identify the calender  year in the date field.  With
the impending new  millennium,  these programs and computers will recognize "00"
as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.

         Financial institution  regulators recently have ^ increased their focus
upon  Y2K   compliance   issues  and  have  issued   guidance   concerning   the
responsibilities  of senior  management  and  directors.  The Federal  Financial
Institutions  Examination  Council  ("FFIEC")  has  issued  several  interagency
statements  on  Y2K  Project  Management  Awareness.  These  statements  require
financial  institutions to, among other things,  examine the Y2K implications of
their  reliance on vendors and with respect to data  exchange and the  potential
impact of the Y2K  issue on their  customers,  suppliers  and  borrowers.  These
statements also require each federally regulated financial institution to survey
its  exposure,  measure  risk and  prepare a plan to address  the Y2K issue.  In
addition,  the  federal  banking  regulators  have issued  safety and  soundness
guidelines to be followed by insured depository institutions,  such as the Bank,
to assure  resolution of any Y2K  problems.  The federal  banking  agencies have
asserted that Y2K testing and  certification is a key safety and soundness issue
in conjunction with regulatory  examinations  and, thus, that an ^ institution's
failure to  address  appropriately  the Y2K issue  could  result in  supervisory
action, including the reduction of the ^ institution's  supervisory ratings, the
denial of applications for approval of mergers or acquisitions or the imposition
of civil money penalties.
    

         Risk. Like most financial institutions service providers,  the Bank and
its  operations  may be  significantly  affected  by the  Y2K  issue  due to its
dependence on technology and date-sensitive data. Computer software and hardware
and other equipment, both within and outside the Bank's direct control and third
parties with whom the Bank

                                       42

<PAGE>



   
electronically or ^ operationally  interfaces  (including without limitation its
customers  and third  party  vendors)  are likely to be  affected.  If  computer
systems are not  modified in order to be able to  identify  the year 2000,  many
computer  applications could fail or create erroneous results. As a result, many
calculations which rely on date field information,  such as interest, payment or
due  dates and other  operating  functions,  could  generate  results  which are
significantly  misstated,  and the Bank could experience an inability to process
transactions,   prepare   statements  or  engage  in  similar  normal   business
activities.  Likewise,  under  certain  circumstances,  a failure to  adequately
address  the Y2K issue  could  adversely  affect  the  viability  of the  Bank's
suppliers and creditors and the creditworthiness of its borrowers.  Thus, if not
adequately addressed, the Y2K issue could result in a significant adverse impact
on the Bank's operations and, in turn, its financial  condition and ^ results of
operations.
    

         State of Readiness.  During November 1997, the Bank formulated its plan
to address  the Y2K issue.  Since  that time,  the Bank has taken the  following
steps:

          o    Established    senior    management     advisory    and    review
               responsibilities;

          o    Completed  a  Bank-wide  inventory  of  applications  and  system
               software;

          o    Built an internal  tracking  database for  application and vendor
               software;

          o    Developed  compliance  plans  and  schedules  for  all  lines  of
               business;

          o    Initiated vendor compliance verification;

          o    Begun  awareness and education  activities for employees  through
               existing internal communication channels; and

          o    Developed a process to respond to customer  inquiries  as well as
               help educate customers on the Y2K issue.

The following paragraphs summarize the phases of the Bank's Y2K plan:

         Awareness Phase.  The Bank formally  established a Y2K plan headed by a
senior  manager,  and a project team was  assembled  for  management  of the Y2K
project.  The project  team created a plan of action that  includes  milestones,
budget estimates,  strategies,  and methodologies to track and report the status
of the  project.  Members of the  project  team also  attended  conferences  and
information  sharing  sessions  to gain  more  insight  into the Y2K  issue  and
potential strategies for addressing it. This phase is substantially complete.

         Assessment  Phase.  The Bank's  strategies were further  developed with
respect  to how the  objectives  of the Y2K plan  would be  achieved,  and a Y2K
business  risk  assessment  was made to  quantify  the  extent of the Bank's Y2K
exposure. A corporate inventory (which is periodically updated as new technology
is acquired and as systems progress through  subsequent phases) was developed to
identify and monitor Y2K readiness for information systems (hardware,  software,
utilities  and  vendors) as well as  environmental  systems  (security  systems,
facilities,  etc.).  Systems  were  prioritized  based on  business  impact  and
available  alternatives.  Mission  critical  systems  supplied  by vendors  were
researched to determine Y2K readiness. If Y2K-ready versions were not available,
the Bank began identifying functional  replacements which were either upgradable
or currently Y2K- ready,  and a formal plan was developed to repair,  upgrade or
replace all mission critical systems. This phase is substantially complete.

         Beginning in October 1998, all unsecured  credits greater than $100,000
were sent a questionnaire developed by the Bank's credit administration staff to
evaluate Y2K exposure.  The Bank also contacted its most  significant  borrowers
informing them of the Y2K issue.  Because the Bank's loan portfolio is primarily
real  estate-based  and is diversified  with regard to individual  borrowers and
types of businesses,  and the Bank's  primary  market area is not  significantly
dependent on one employer or industry,  the Bank does not expect any significant
or  prolonged  Y2K-related  difficulties  that will affect net  earnings or cash
flow. As part of the current credit approval process,  all new and renewed loans
are evaluated for Y2K risk.


                                       43

<PAGE>



         Renovation  Phase.  The Bank's  corporate  inventory  revealed that Y2K
upgrades were available for all vendor supplied  mission critical  systems,  and
all these Y2K-ready  versions have been delivered and placed into production and
have entered the validation  process (with the exception of hardware upgrades to
certain of the Bank's  automated  teller  machines and the voice  response  unit
("vru") which are expected to be completed by December 31, 1998).

         Validation  Phase. The validation phase is designed to test the ability
of hardware and software to accurately  process date  sensitive  data.  The Bank
currently  is in the  process of  validation  testing of each  mission  critical
system,  with the degree of completion of such testing ranging from 25% to 100%.
The Bank's  validation  phase is expected to be  completed by March 31, 1999 for
all mission critical systems.  During the validation testing process to date, no
significant  Y2K  problems  have been  identified  relating  to any  modified or
upgraded mission critical systems.

         Implementation  Phase. The Bank's plan calls for putting Y2K-ready code
into  production  before  having  actually  completed  Y2K  validation  testing.
Y2K-ready  modified or upgraded  versions  have been  installed  and placed into
production with respect to all mission  critical  systems (with the exception of
the  Bank's  automated  teller  machine  network  and vru as to  which  hardware
upgrades are expected to be completed and in production by December 31, 1998).

         Bank Resources Invested.  The Bank's Y2K project team has been assigned
the task of ensuring that all systems across the Bank are  identified,  analyzed
for Y2K  compliance,  corrected,  if  necessary,  tested,  and  changes put into
service  by the  end of  1998.  The  Y2K  project  team  members  represent  all
functional  areas  of  the  Bank,  including  branches,  data  processing,  loan
administration, accounting, item processing and operations, compliance, internal
audit,  human resources,  and marketing.  The team is headed by a vice president
who  reports  directly to a member of the Bank's  senior  management  team.  The
Bank's  Board of  Directors  oversees  the Y2K plan and  provides  guidance  and
resources to, and receives quarterly updates from, the Y2K project team.

         The Bank expenses all costs associated with the required system changes
as those costs are incurred,  and such costs are being funded through  operating
cash  flows.  The  total  cost of the Y2K  conversion  project  for the  Bank is
estimated  to be $109,000,  all of which were  incurred and expensed by the Bank
through June 30, 1998. The Bank does not expect significant  increases in future
data processing costs related to Y2K compliance.

         Contingency  Plans.  During  the  assessment  phase,  the Bank began to
develop back-up or contingency  plans for each of its mission critical  systems.
Virtually all of the Bank's  mission  critical  systems are dependent upon third
party  vendors  or  service  providers,  therefore,  contingency  plans  include
selecting a new vendor or service  provider and  converting to their system.  In
the event a current  vendor's system fails during the validation phase and it is
determined  that the vendor is unable or unwilling  to correct the failure,  the
Bank will  convert  to a new  system  from a  pre-selected  list of  prospective
vendors.  In each such case,  realistic  trigger dates have been  established to
allow for orderly and  successful  conversions.  For some  systems,  contingency
plans consist of using spreadsheet software or reverting to manual systems until
system problems can be corrected.  Although the Bank has been informed that each
of its primary vendors  anticipates that all mission critical systems either are
or will timely be Y2K-ready, no warranties have been received from such vendors.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

         The Bank's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance
with generally accepted  accounting  principles which require the measurement of
financial condition and operating results in terms of historical dollars without
considering the changes in the relative  purchasing power of money over time due
to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increasing cost of the
Bank's  operations.  Unlike  most  industrial  companies,  nearly all assets and
liabilities of the Bank are monetary. As a result, interest rates have a greater
impact on the  Bank's  performance  than do the  effects  of  general  levels of
inflation. In addition, interest rates do not necessarily move in the direction,
or to the same extent as the price of goods and services.

Impact of New Accounting Standards/ Existing Pronouncements to be Adopted by the
Holding Company

         In November  1993,  the AICPA issued  Statement of Position  93-6 ("SOP
93-6"),  "Employers'  Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership  Plans",  which is
effective for years  beginning  after  December 15, 1993.  SOP 93-6 requires the
measure of compensation  expense recorded by employers for leveraged ESOPs to be
the fair value of ESOP shares

                                       44

<PAGE>



committed to be released.  The Holding Company has adopted an ESOP in connection
with the  Conversion,  which is expected  to purchase 8% of the Holding  Company
Common  Stock  issued  in  the  Conversion,   including  shares  issued  to  the
Foundation. Under SOP 93-6, the Holding Company will recognize compensation cost
equal to the average  fair value of the ESOP shares  during the periods in which
they become committed to be released.  Employers with internally leveraged ESOPs
such as the Holding Company will not report the loan receivable from the ESOP as
an asset and will not report the ESOP debt from the employer as a liability. The
effects of SOP 93-6 on future  operating  results  cannot be  determined at this
time.

         In November 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting  for Stock
Based  Compensation"  ("SFAS No. 123").  This  statement  establishes  financial
accounting standards for stock-based  employee  compensation plans. SFAS No. 123
permits the Holding  Company to choose  either a new fair value based  method or
the Accounting  Principles Board ("APB") Opinion 25 intrinsic value based method
of  accounting  for its  stock-based  compensation  arrangements.  SFAS No.  123
requires pro forma  disclosures of net income and earnings per share computed as
if the fair value  based  method had been  applied in  financial  statements  of
companies  that follow  accounting for such  arrangements  under APB Opinion 25.
SFAS No. 123 applies to all stock-based employee  compensation plans in which an
employer  grants  shares of its stock or other equity  instruments  to employees
except for employee stock ownership plans. SFAS No. 123 also applies to plans in
which the employer incurs liabilities to employees in amounts based on the price
of the  employer's  stock,  (e.g.,  stock option plans,  stock  purchase  plans,
restricted  stock plans,  and stock  appreciation  rights).  The Statement  also
specifies  the  accounting  for  transactions  in which a company  issues  stock
options or other equity instruments for services provided by non-employees or to
acquire goods or services from outside suppliers or vendors. The Holding Company
expects to utilize the  intrinsic  value based method  prescribed by APB Opinion
No. 25. Accordingly,  the impact of adopting this Statement will not be material
to the Holding Company's consolidated financial statements.

         In February 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 128,  "Earnings per Share".
SFAS No. 128  establishes  standards for computing and  presenting  earnings per
share  ("EPS").  This  Statement  supersedes  APB Opinion No. 15,  "Earnings per
Share" and related  interpretations.  SFAS No. 128 replaces the  presentation of
primary  EPS  with  the  presentation  of  basic  EPS.  It  also  requires  dual
presentation  of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income  statement  for
all entities with complex capital  structures and requires a  reconciliation  of
the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation.

         Basic  EPS  excludes  dilution  and  is  computed  by  dividing  income
available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding  for the period.  Unvested  restricted  stock awards are  considered
outstanding common shares and included in the computation of basic EPS as of the
date that they are fully  vested.  Diluted EPS reflects the  potential  dilution
that could occur if  securities  or other  contracts  to issue common stock were
exercised or  converted  into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common
stock  that  then  shared in the  earnings  of the  entity.  This  Statement  is
effective for financial  statements issued for periods ending after December 15,
1997,  including interim periods.  The Holding Company will adopt this Statement
for all financial statements prepared after the Conversion.

         In  February  1997,  the FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  129,  "Disclosure  of
Information about Capital Structure", which establishes standards for disclosure
about an entity's capital structure.  In accordance with SFAS No. 129, companies
will be required to provide in the financial  statements a complete  description
of all aspects of their  capital  structure,  including  call and put  features,
redemption requirements and Conversion options. The disclosures required by SFAS
No. 129 are for financial statements for periods ending after December 15, 1997.
The Holding  Company  will adopt this  Statement  for all  financial  statements
prepared after the Conversion

         In June 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive
Income".  SFAS No.  130  establishes  standards  for  reporting  and  displaying
comprehensive income. SFAS No. 130 states that comprehensive income includes the
reported  net income of an  enterprise  adjusted  for items  that are  currently
accounted for as direct entries to equity, such as the mark to market adjustment
on securities  available for sale,  foreign  currency items and minimum  pension
liability  adjustments.  This Statement is effective for both interim and annual
periods after December 15, 1997. Management  anticipates developing the required
information in accordance with this new Statement.


                                       45

<PAGE>



         In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosure about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related  Information".  SFAS No. 131 establishes  standards
for reporting by public  companies about  operating  segments of their business.
SFAS No. 131 also establishes  standards for related  disclosures about products
and services,  geographic areas and major customers. This Statement is effective
for periods beginning after December 15, 1997. At this time, management does not
anticipate  that the adoption of this  Statement will  significantly  impact the
Holding Company's financial reporting.

         In February 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures
about Pensions and Other Post-retirement  Benefits," which amends the disclosure
requirements of SFAS No. 87. "Employers'  Accounting for Pensions," SFAS No. 88,
"Employers'  Accounting for  Settlements  and  Curtailments  of Defined  Benefit
Pension  Plans and for  Termination  Benefits,"  and SFAS No.  106,  "Employers'
Accounting for Post-retirement  Benefits Other Than Pensions." Statement No. 132
standardizes the disclosure requirements of Statements No. 87 and No. 106 to the
extent  practicable and recommends a parallel format for presenting  information
about pensions and other post-retirement  benefits. This Statement is applicable
to all entities and addresses disclosure only. The Statement does not change any
of the measurement or recognition  provisions provided for in Statements No. 87,
No. 88, or No. 106. The Statement is effective for fiscal years  beginning after
December 15, 1997. Management  anticipates providing the required disclosures in
the June 30, 1999 consolidated financial statements.

         In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133  "Accounting  for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." This Statement  establishes  accounting and
reporting  standards for derivative  instruments,  including certain  derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. It requires
that an entity  recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the
statement of financial  condition and measure those  instruments  at fair value.
The  accounting  for  changes in the fair value of a  derivative  depends on the
intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.  SFAS No. 133 will
not impact the Bank's accounting or disclosures.

                                       46

<PAGE>



                         BUSINESS OF THE HOLDING COMPANY

         The  Holding  Company,  a  Delaware   corporation,   was  organized  in
September,  1998 at the  direction  of the Board of Trustees of the Bank for the
purpose  of  owning  all of the  outstanding  capital  stock  of the  Bank  upon
consummation of the Conversion. Upon consummation of the Conversion, the Holding
Company, as the sole stockholder of the Bank, will be a unitary savings and loan
holding  company  regulated  by the OTS. As a unitary  savings and loan  holding
company, the Holding Company generally has no restrictions on its activities. If
the Holding  Company  were to acquire  control of another  savings  institution,
other than  through  merger or other  business  combination  with the Bank,  the
Holding  Company  would  thereupon  become a multiple  savings and loan  holding
company. See "Regulation - Holding Company Regulation."

         The Holding  Company is currently not an operating  company.  Following
the Conversion, in addition to directing, planning and coordinating the business
activities of the Bank, the Holding  Company will initially  invest the proceeds
of the  Conversion  primarily in federal  funds,  government  and federal agency
mortgage-backed securities, other debt securities,  equity securities,  deposits
of or loans to the Bank or a  combination  thereof.  In  addition,  the  Holding
Company  intends to fund the loan to the ESOP to enable the ESOP to  purchase up
to 8% of the  Common  Stock to be issued  in the  Conversion,  including  shares
issued to the  Foundation.  See "Use of  Proceeds."  In the future,  the Holding
Company may acquire or organize other  operating  subsidiaries,  including other
financial  institutions,  or it  may  merge  with  or  acquire  other  financial
institutions  and financial  services related  companies,  although there are no
current  plans  for  any  such   expansion.   Although   there  are  no  current
arrangements,  understandings or agreements  regarding any such opportunities or
transactions,  the Holding  Company will be in a position after the  Conversion,
subject to regulatory  limitations and the Holding Company's financial position,
to take advantage of any such acquisition and expansion  opportunities  that may
arise.  Initially,  the Holding  Company will neither own nor lease any property
but will instead use the  premises,  equipment  and  furniture of the Bank.  The
Holding  Company  does not  currently  intend to employ any  persons  other than
certain  officers  of the Bank who will  not be  separately  compensated  by the
Holding  Company.  The Holding Company may utilize the support staff of the Bank
from time to time, if needed.  Additional employees will be hired as appropriate
to the extent the Holding Company expands its business in the future.


                              BUSINESS OF THE BANK
General

         The  Bank  is  a  community-oriented  mutual  savings  bank  which  was
chartered by the State of New York in 1851.  The principal  business of the Bank
consists of attracting  retail  deposits from the general public and using those
funds,  together  with funds  from  operations  and,  to a much  lesser  extent,
borrowings,  to originate  primarily  one- to four-family  residential  mortgage
loans,  including home equity loans,  and, to a lesser extent,  multi-family and
commercial  real  estate,  consumer  and  commercial  business  loans.  The Bank
originates its loans  primarily in its market area and, to a lesser extent,  the
Bank  also  originates  commercial  real  estate  loans  in New York  City.  See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations."  The  Bank  also  invests  in  mortgage-backed   securities,   U.S.
Government  and agency  obligations  and, to a limited  extent,  corporate  debt
securities.   Revenues  are  derived   primarily  from  interest  on  loans  and
securities.

         The Bank  offers a variety of deposit  accounts  having a wide range of
interest  rates and  terms.  The  Bank's  deposit  accounts  are  insured  up to
applicable  limits by the FDIC.  The Bank only solicits  deposits in its primary
market area and does not  currently  solicit  brokered  deposits.  The Bank is a
member of the FHLB of New York.

Market Area

         The Bank has been, and intends to continue to be, a  community-oriented
financial institution offering a variety of financial services to meet the needs
of the  communities  it serves.  The Bank's  primary market area is comprised of
Albany, Saratoga,  Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties, and a portion of Warren
County in New York,  which are  serviced  through  the Bank's main office and 16
other full  service  banking  offices.  The Bank's  main office and seven of its
branch  offices  are  located  in  Albany  County.  Based  on  the  most  recent
information  available,  the  Bank had less  than 10% of total  bank and  thrift
deposits in its market area.

                                       47

<PAGE>



         The Bank's  primary  market area consists  principally  of suburban and
rural  communities  with  service,   wholesale/retail   trade,   government  and
manufacturing  serving  as the  basis of the  local  economy.  Service  jobs and
governmental jobs represent the largest type of employment in the Bank's primary
market  area,  with jobs in  wholesale/retail  trade  accounting  for one of the
largest employment  sectors.  Management believes that its market area continues
to show economic weakness with declining real estate values.

Lending Activities

         General. The Bank primarily originates fixed- and adjustable-rate, one-
to four-family mortgage loans,  including home equity lines of credit and second
mortgages,  secured by the  borrower's  primary  residence.  The Bank's  general
practice is to originate  fixed and adjustable rate mortgage loans with terms to
maturity between 5 and 30 years and until December 1997, sold  substantially all
its fixed rate mortgage loans on the secondary market.  Currently,  the Bank has
been  retaining  its  30-year  and  15-year  fixed rate  mortgage  loans for its
portfolio as the declining  interest rate environment has made it more difficult
to  originate  adjustable-rate  loans.  The Bank  retains  all  adjustable  rate
mortgage  loans in its  portfolio.  The Bank also  originates  multi-family  and
commercial real estate,  consumer and commercial business loans.  In-market loan
originations  are  generated  by eight  on-staff  loan  originators,  the Bank's
marketing efforts, which include print, radio and television advertising,  lobby
displays and direct  contact with local civic and  religious  organizations,  as
well as by the Bank's present  customers,  walk-in  customers and referrals from
real  estate  agents,  brokers  and  builders.  The Bank  also  has  established
relationships   with  certain  mortgage  brokers  that  take   applications  for
residential  mortgage loans (under Cohoes underwriting  guidelines) on behalf of
Cohoes.  During  fiscal 1998,  $5.2 million of the Bank's loans were  originated
through mortgage  brokers.  At June 30, 1998, the Bank's loan portfolio  totaled
approximately $416.3 million.

         The Bank originates  fixed and adjustable rate consumer loans.  ARM and
consumer  loans are originated in order to increase the percentage of loans with
more  frequent  terms  to  repricing  or  shorter   maturities   than  long-term
fixed-rate,   one-to   four-family   mortgage  loans.   See  "--Loan   Portfolio
Composition" and "--One- to Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending."

         Loan  applications  are  initially  considered  and approved at various
levels  of  authority,  depending  on the  type and  amount  of the  loan.  Bank
employees  with  lending  authority  are  designated,  and their  lending  limit
authority defined, by the Board of Trustees. The approval of the Bank's Board of
Trustees is required for any loans over $500,000. Pursuant to the Bank's lending
policy, certain senior officers may approve loans up to $500,000.

         The Bank is not  subject to state or federal  regulation  limiting  the
aggregate  amount of mortgage  loans it is  permitted to make to one borrower or
affiliated groups of borrowers.  New York law does require lending policies that
avoid  imprudent  mortgage  concentrations.  However,  the  aggregate  amount of
commercial loans that the Bank is permitted to make to any one borrower or group
of related  borrowers  is  generally  limited to 15% of  unimpaired  capital and
surplus.  At  June  30,  1998,  the  Bank's   loans-to-one-borrower   limit  was
approximately  $8.0 million.  On the same date,  the Bank had no borrowers  with
outstanding balances in excess of this amount.

         At June 30, 1998, the Bank's largest lending relationship  consisted of
five  loans  to a group of  borrowers  secured  by  professional  buildings  and
warehouse   space,   and  totaling  $3.9  million.   The  next  largest  lending
relationship  consisted  of six loans  aggregating  approximately  $3.3  million
primarily secured by an office building and a self-storage  facility.  The third
largest  lending  relationship  consisted of eight loans totaling  approximately
$3.3  million  secured by two mobile  home  parks and a car wash  facility.  The
fourth   largest   lending   relationship   consisted  of  four  loans  totaling
approximately  $3.2 million secured by a participation  in a shopping center and
office/apartment  building.  The fifth largest lending relationship consisted of
eight loans totaling  approximately  $2.6 million  secured by an office building
and  commercial   building  lots.  As  of  June  30,  1998,  each  of  the  five
relationships   discussed   above  were  performing  in  accordance  with  their
applicable terms.

         The types of loans that the Bank may  originate  are subject to federal
and state laws and regulations.  Interest rates charged by the Bank on loans are
affected by the demand for such loans, the supply of money available for lending
purposes  and the  rates  offered  by  competitors.  These  factors  are in turn
affected by, among other things,  economic conditions,  monetary policies of the
federal government, including the FRB, and tax policies.

                                       48

<PAGE>



         The  following  table sets  forth the  composition  of the Bank's  loan
portfolio in dollar  amounts and as a percentage  of the  portfolio at the dates
indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      June 30,
                                                   1998             1997               1996              1995            1994
                                          ------------------- ----------------- ------------------- --------------- ----------------
                                           Amount  %of Total  Amount %of Total  Amount  %of Total  Amount %of Total Amount %of Total
                                                                               (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>      <C>

Real estate loans:
 One- to four-family real estate..        $ 258,399   62.07%  $243,620  60.62%  $234,900   59.06% $227,253  59.38% $179,836   56.79%
 Multi-family and commercial real estate     93,229    22.39    93,979  23.39     96,623    24.29   86,659   22.65   77,642   24.52
                                           --------  -------   ------- ------   --------  -------  ------- ------- -------- -------
   Total real estate loans.....             351,628    84.46   337,599  84.01    331,523    83.35  313,912   82.03  257,478   81.31

Consumer loans:
 Home equity lines of credit...              21,976     5.28    25,205   6.27     27,342     6.87   30,792    8.05   31,741   10.02
 Conventional second mortgages.              15,093     3.63    14,069   3.50     11,111     2.79   10,765    2.81   10,444    3.30
 Automobile loans..............               9,783     2.35     9,290   2.31      9,982     2.51    9,790    2.56    7,211    2.28
 Credit cards..................               1,655     0.40     2,152   0.54      2,767     0.70    3,350    0.88    3,093    0.97
 Other consumer loans..........               1,184     0.28     1,438   0.36      1,776     0.45    2,117    0.55    2,131    0.67
                                             ------  -------   ------- ------   --------  -------   ------ -------  ------- -------
   Total consumer loans........              49,691    11.94    52,154  12.98     52,978    13.32   56,814   14.85   54,620   17.24

Commercial business loans..........          14,991     3.60    12,096   3.01     13,250     3.33   11,942    3.12    4,578    1.45
                                            -------  -------   ------- ------   --------  -------  ------- -------  ------- -------

           Total loans................      416,310  100.00%   401,849 100.00%   397,751  100.00%  382,668 100.00%  316,676  100.00%
                                                     ======            ======             ======           ======            ======

Less:

 Net deferred loan origination fees 
   and costs                                    (18)              (214)             (532)             (447)            (246)
 Allowance for loan losses.....              (3,533)            (3,105)           (3,249)           (3,133)          (3,011)
                                            -------           --------            ------            ------          -------

          Total loans, net.........        $412,759           $398,530          $393,970          $379,088         $313,419
                                           ========           ========          ========          ========         ========

</TABLE>


                                       49

<PAGE>



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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                         June 30,
                                                        1998               1997               1996
                                                ------------------- ------------------  ----------------
                                                  Amount    Percent  Amount   Percent    Amount  Percent
                                                                            (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                          <C>          <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>         <C>

Fixed Rate Loans
Real estate:.............................
     One- to four-family real estate.....      $  88,389    21.23%  $ 21,365    5.32%  $ 15,975     4.02%
     Multi-family and commercial real estate      42,274     10.15    51,859    12.90    64,369     16.18
                                               ---------   -------  --------  -------   -------   -------
          Total real estate loans........        130,663     31.38    73,224    18.22    80,344     20.20

Consumer:
     Home equity lines of credit......               ---        --       ---       --       ---        --
     Conventional second mortgages.......         15,093      3.63    14,069     3.50    11,111      2.79
     Automobile loans....................          9,783      2.35     9,290     2.31     9,982      2.51
     Credit cards........................          1,655      0.40     2,152     0.54     2,767      0.70
     Other consumer loans................          1,184      0.28     1,438     0.36     1,776      0.45
                                               ---------   -------  --------  -------   -------   -------
          Total consumer loans...........         27,715      6.66    26,949     6.71    25,636      6.45

Commercial business loans.............             5,651      1.36     3,700     0.92     3,280      0.82
                                               ---------   -------  --------  -------   -------   -------
          Total fixed-rate loans.........        164,029     39.40   103,873    25.85   109,260     27.47


Adjustable-Rate Loans
Real estate:
     One- to four-family real estate.....        170,010     40.84   222,255    55.31   218,925     55.04
     Multi-family and commercial real estate      50,955     12.24    42,120    10.48    32,254      8.11
                                               ---------   -------  --------  -------   -------   -------
          Total real estate loans........        220,965     53.08   264,375    65.79   251,179     63.15

Consumer:
     Home equity lines of credit......            21,976      5.28    25,205     6.27    27,342      6.87
     Conventional second mortgages.......            ---        --       ---       --       ---        --
     Automobile loans....................            ---        --       ---       --       ---        --
     Credit cards........................            ---        --       ---       --       ---        --
     Other consumer loans................            ---        --       ---       --       ---        --
                                               ---------   -------  --------  -------   -------     -----
          Total consumer loans...........         21,976      5.28    25,205     6.27    27,342      6.87

Commercial business loans.............             9,340      2.24     8,396     2.09     9,970      2.51
                                               ---------   -------  --------  -------   -------    ------
          Total adjustable-rate loans....        252,281     60.60   297,976    74.15   288,491     72.53
                                               ---------   -------  --------  -------   -------    ------

          Total loans....................        416,310   100.00%   401,849  100.00%   397,751    100.00%
                                                           =======            =======              =======

Less:
Net deferred loan origination fees and costs         (18)               (214)              (532)
Allowance for loan losses................         (3,533)             (3,105)            (3,249)
                                               ---------             -------             -------
     Total loans receivable, net.........      $ 412,759             $398,530           $393,970
                                               =========             ========           =========
</TABLE>

                                       50

<PAGE>



         The following table illustrates the contractual  maturity of the Bank's
loan portfolio at June 30, 1998. Mortgages which have adjustable or renegotiable
interest rates are shown as maturing in the period in which the contract is due.
The schedule does not reflect the effects of possible prepayments or enforcement
of due-on-sale clauses.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                Real Estate Loans                                        Consumer Loans
                                                                                                              Other         Weighted
                           One- to four- Multi-family Commercial Home equity Conventional Automobile        consumer  Total  Average
                              family      commercial   business   lines of      second      Loans    Credit  loans    Amount  Rate
                                                         loans      credit     mortgages             cards
                                                          (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                        <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>

Amounts Due:
0 months to 1 year........ $     14     $  18,965     $ 4,975  $      ---  $      165   $     460 $  1,655   $  68  $ 26,302  8.52%

After 1 year:
   1 to 2 years...........       51         7,874       2,825         ---         456       1,703      ---     145    13,054  9.40
   2 to 3 years...........       84         6,488       1,380         ---         810       2,582      ---     224    11,568  8.78
   3 to 5 years...........      742         5,395       3,068         ---       4,593       4,982      ---     114    18,894  8.42
   5 to 10 years..........    9,401        34,418       1,578         221       7,135          26      ---     340    53,119  8.48
   10 to 15 years.........   41,247        10,151         200       3,736       1,926          30      ---     100    57,390  7.90
   Over 15 years..........  206,860         9,938         965      18,019           8         ---      ---     193   235,983  7.87
                            -------    ----------     -------  ----------  ----------   --------- --------   -----   -------  -----
Total due after 1 year....  258,385        74,264      10,016      21,976      14,928       9,323      ---   1,116   390,008  8.06
                            -------     ---------     -------  ----------  ----------   --------- --------   -----   -------
Total amount due.......... $258,399      $ 93,229     $14,991  $   21,976  $   15,093  $    9,783 $  1,655  $1,184   416,310  8.09
                            =======      ========     =======  ==========  ==========  ========== ========  ======

Less:
      Net deferred loan origination fees and costs                                                                       (18)
      Allowance for loan losses                                                                                       (3,533)
            Total loans receivable, net                                                                             $412,759
                                                                                                                    ========
</TABLE>






                                       51

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth the dollar amounts in each loan category
at June 30, 1998 that are  contractually  due after June 30,  1999,  and whether
such loans have fixed or adjustable interest rates.

                                                   Due after June 30, 1999
                                                Fixed    Adjustable     Total
                                                       (In Thousands)

Residential real estate..................... $   85,919 $   172,466 $   258,385
Commercial real estate......................     26,412      47,852      74,264
                                             ---------- ----------- -----------
          Total real estate loans...........    112,331     220,318     332,649

Commercial business loans...................      4,984       5,032      10,016

Consumer loans
     Home equity lines of credit............        ---      21,976      21,976
     Conventional second mortgages..........     14,928         ---      14,928
     Automobile loans.......................      9,323         ---       9,323
     Credit cards...........................        ---         ---         ---
     Other consumer loans...................      1,116         ---       1,116
                                             ---------- ----------- -----------
          Total consumer loans..............     25,367      21,976      47,343
                                             ---------- ----------- -----------

          Total loans....................... $  142,682 $   247,326 $   390,008
                                             ========== =========== ===========


Residential Real Estate Lending

         Cohoes'  residential  real estate loans  consist of  primarily  one- to
four-family, owner occupied mortgage loans. At June 30, 1998, $258.4 million, or
62.07% of Cohoes' total loans consisted of one- to four-family residential first
mortgage  loans.  At June 30,  1998,  approximately  $88.4  million or 21.23% of
Cohoes' one- to four-family  residential first mortgage loans provided for fixed
rates of interest  and for  repayment  of  principal  over a fixed period not to
exceed 30 years.  Cohoes does not  originate  fixed-rate  loans for terms longer
than 30 years. Cohoes' fixed-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans
are priced  competitively  with the  market.  Accordingly,  Cohoes  attempts  to
distinguish itself from its competitors based on quality of service.

         Cohoes  generally   underwrites  its  fixed-rate  one-  to  four-family
residential  first  mortgage loans using Fannie Mae  guidelines.  Until December
1997, the Bank sold substantially all fixed-rate  residential  mortgage loans it
originated to the secondary market, and continues to service the loans it sells.
Currently, the Bank generally holds for investment all adjustable and fixed rate
one-  to  four-family  residential  first  mortgage  loans  it  originates.   In
underwriting  one- to  four-family  residential  first  mortgage  loans,  Cohoes
evaluates,  among other things,  the borrower's ability to make monthly payments
and the value of the property securing the loan. Properties securing real estate
loans made by Cohoes are appraised by independent fee appraisers approved by the
Bank's Board of Trustees.  Cohoes requires  borrowers to obtain title insurance,
and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance,  if necessary) in an
amount  not less  than the  amount  of the loan or the  replacement  cost of the
dwelling.

         The Bank currently offers one- and five-year residential ARM loans with
an interest rate that adjusts  annually after the initial  period,  based on the
change in the  corresponding  term United  States  Treasury  index.  These loans
provide  for up to a 2.0%  periodic  cap and a  lifetime  cap of 6.0%  over  the
initial rate. As a consequence  of using caps, the interest rates on these loans
may not be as rate sensitive as the Bank's cost of funds. Borrowers of ARM loans
are  generally  qualified at the initial  interest rate  (however,  for one-year
ARMs,  borrowers are qualified at the maximum rate after the first  adjustment).
The Bank offers one-year ARM loans that are convertible (from the second through
the fifth year of the loan) into fixed-rate loans with interest rates based upon
the then current  market rates.  ARM loans  generally  pose greater credit risks
than fixed-rate  loans,  primarily  because as interest rates rise, the required
periodic  payment by the borrower  rises,  increasing the potential for default.
However,  as of June 30, 1998, the Bank had not experienced higher default rates
on these loans relative to its other loans. See "--Asset  Quality-Non-Performing
Assets."

                                       52

<PAGE>



         The Bank's one- to four-family mortgage loans do not contain prepayment
penalties and do not permit  negative  amortization  of  principal.  Real estate
loans  originated by the Bank generally  contain a "due on sale" clause allowing
the Bank to declare the unpaid  principal  balance due and payable upon the sale
of the  security  property.  The Bank has waived the due on sale clause on loans
held in its portfolio  from time to time to permit  assumptions  of the loans by
qualified borrowers.

         Generally,  Cohoes does not originate  residential mortgage loans where
the  ratio of the loan  amount to the value of the  property  securing  the loan
(i.e.,  the  "loan-to-value"  ratio)  exceeds  95%. If the  loan-to-value  ratio
exceeds 80%, Cohoes generally requires that the borrower obtain private mortgage
insurance  in amounts  intended to reduce the Bank's  exposure to 80% or less of
the lower of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property  securing
the loan. See "-- Loan Origination and Sale of Loans." In addition,  on occasion
the  Bank  will  make a loan  for the  construction  of the  borrower's  primary
residence.  At June 30, 1998 the Bank had $1.7 million in loans  outstanding for
the construction of the borrower's residence.

Multi-Family and Commercial Real Estate Lending

         The Bank has engaged in multi-family and commercial real estate lending
secured primarily by apartment buildings, office buildings, nursing homes, strip
shopping  centers and mobile  home parks  located in the Bank's  primary  market
area.  At June  30,  1998,  the Bank  had  $93.2  million  of  multi-family  and
commercial  real  estate  loans,  representing  22.39% of the Bank's  total loan
portfolio.  As of June 30, 1998,  $25.8 million of this portfolio was secured by
property located in New York City.

         Multi-family  and commercial  real estate loans generally have terms to
maturity  that do not  exceed  20  years.  Cohoes'  current  lending  guidelines
generally  require that the property  securing a loan generate net cash flows of
at least  120% of debt  service  after the  payment of all  operating  expenses,
excluding  depreciation,  and the  loan-to-value  ratio not  exceed 80% on loans
secured  by such  properties.  As a result  of a  decline  in the  value of some
properties in the Bank's primary market area and due to economic conditions, the
current  loan-to-value  ratio of some commercial real estate loans in the Bank's
portfolio  may exceed the initial  loan-to-value  ratio,  and the  current  debt
service  ratio may  exceed the  initial  debt  service  ratio.  Adjustable  rate
multi-family and commercial real estate loans are generally  written as ten-year
balloon  loans,  which  adjust  after five years to a margin over the  five-year
United  States  Treasury  index,  and  amortize  over a term up to 20 years.  In
underwriting  commercial  real estate  loans,  the Bank  analyzes the  financial
condition of the borrower,  the borrower's  credit history,  the reliability and
predictability of the net income generated by the property securing the loan and
the  value  of  the  property  itself.  The  Bank  generally  requires  personal
guarantees  of the  borrowers in addition to the secured  property as collateral
for such loans.  Appraisals on properties  securing commercial real estate loans
originated by the Bank are performed by independent  fee appraisers  approved by
the Board of Trustees.

         Multi-family  and  commercial  real estate  loans  generally  present a
higher level of risk than loans secured by one- to four-family residences.  This
greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal
in a limited  number of loans and  borrowers,  the  effect of  general  economic
conditions  on income  producing  properties  and the  increased  difficulty  of
evaluating and monitoring  these types of loans.  Furthermore,  the repayment of
loans  secured  by  commercial  real  estate  is  typically  dependent  upon the
successful  operation of the related real estate project.  If the cash flow from
the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, or a
bankruptcy  court  modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill
its lease obligations), the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be impaired
and the value of the property may be reduced.

Consumer Lending

         The Bank  offers a variety of secured  and  unsecured  consumer  loans,
including  home  equity  lines of credit and second  mortgages  and, to a lesser
extent,  automobile  and  credit  card  loans.  Substantially  all of the Bank's
consumer loans are originated on property  located or for customers  residing in
the Bank's  primary  market area.  At June 30, 1998,  the Bank's  consumer  loan
portfolio totaled $49.7 million, or 11.94% of the Bank's total loan portfolio.


                                       53

<PAGE>



         The Bank's home equity lines of credit and second mortgages are secured
by a lien on the  borrower's  residence  and  generally do not exceed  $100,000.
Cohoes uses the same underwriting  standards for home equity lines of credit and
second mortgages as it uses for one- to four-family  residential mortgage loans.
Home equity lines of credit and second  mortgages  are  generally  originated in
amounts which,  together with all prior liens on such  residence,  do not exceed
80% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan. The interest rates
for home  equity  loans and lines of credit  float at a stated  margin  over the
prime rate and second mortgages generally have fixed interest rates. Home equity
lines of credit  require  interest  and  principal  payments on the  outstanding
balance for the term of the loan.  The terms of the Bank's home equity  lines of
credit are generally 25 years.  As of June 30, 1998, the Bank had $22.0 million,
or 5.28% of the Bank's total loan portfolio outstanding, in home equity lines of
credit,  with an additional $12.9 million of unused home equity lines of credit,
and $15.1  million,  or 3.63% of the  Bank's  total  loan  portfolio,  in second
mortgages.

         The  underwriting  standards  employed by the Bank for  consumer  loans
other than home equity lines of credit and second mortgages  generally include a
determination  of  the  applicant's  payment  history  on  other  debts  and  an
assessment of ability to meet existing  obligations and payments on the proposed
loan. Although  creditworthiness of the applicant is the primary  consideration,
the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the property
securing the loan, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount.

         The Bank's  automobile loans are originated as installment loans with a
fixed  interest  rate and terms of up to 60 months for new vehicles and up to 60
months for certain used  vehicles.  The Bank  originates  its  automobile  loans
directly and will loan up to 100% of the value of a new automobile and up to 90%
of the value of a used automobile.
At June 30, 1998, Cohoes had $9.8 million of automobile loans.

         The Bank does not  originate  any consumer  loans on an indirect  basis
(i.e.,  where loan  contracts are purchased  from retailers of goods or services
which have extended credit to their customers).

         Consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than residential mortgage
loans,  particularly  in the case of consumer  loans which are  unsecured or are
secured by assets  which may decline in value.  In such cases,  any  repossessed
collateral for a defaulted  consumer loan may not provide an adequate  source of
repayment  of  the  outstanding  loan  balance  as  a  result  of  high  initial
loan-to-value ratios,  repossession,  rehabilitation and carrying costs, and the
greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation of the property, and thus are
more  likely to be affected by adverse  personal  circumstances.  In the case of
automobile loans,  which may have loan balances in excess of the resale value of
the   collateral,   borrowers  may  abandon  the  collateral   property   making
repossession by the Bank and subsequent  losses more likely.  The application of
various federal and state laws,  including  bankruptcy and insolvency  laws, may
limit the amount which can be recovered on consumer loans,  including automobile
loans.

Commercial Business Lending

         At June 30, 1998, commercial business loans comprised $15.0 million, or
3.60% of the Bank's total loan portfolio. Most of the Bank's commercial business
loans have been extended to finance local businesses and include primarily short
term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases,  inventory and accounts
receivable.  Commercial  business  loans also involve the extension of revolving
credit for a combination of equipment acquisitions and working capital needs.

         The terms of loans extended on machinery and equipment are based on the
projected  useful life of such machinery and equipment,  generally not to exceed
seven years.  Lines of credit generally are available to borrowers provided that
the  outstanding  balance  is paid in full  (i.e.,  the  credit  line has a zero
balance) for at least 30 days every year. All lines of credit are reviewed on an
annual basis.  In the event the borrower does not meet this 30 day  requirement,
the  line of  credit  may be  terminated  and  the  outstanding  balance  may be
converted into a fixed term loan.  The Bank has a few standby  letters of credit
outstanding  which are offered at competitive  rates and terms and are generally
on a secured basis.

         Unlike  residential  mortgage  loans,  commercial  business  loans  are
typically made on the basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from the
cash flow of the borrower's business. As a result, the availability of funds for
the

                                       54

<PAGE>



repayment of commercial  business  loans may be  substantially  dependent on the
success of the business itself (which,  in turn, is often dependent in part upon
general economic conditions).  The Bank's commercial business loans are usually,
but not always, secured by business assets. However, the collateral securing the
loans may  depreciate  over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate
in value based on the success of the business.

         The Bank  commercial  business  lending  policy  includes  credit  file
documentation and analysis of the borrower's  background,  capacity to repay the
loan,  the  adequacy  of the  borrower's  capital and  collateral  as well as an
evaluation  of  other  conditions  affecting  the  borrower.   Analysis  of  the
borrower's  past,  present and future cash flows is also an important  aspect of
the  Bank's  current  credit  analysis.  The  Bank  generally  obtains  personal
guarantees  on its  commercial  business  loans.  Nonetheless,  such  loans  are
believed to carry higher credit risk than more traditional savings bank loans.

Loan Originations and Sales

         Mortgage  and  commercial  loan  originations  are  developed  from the
continuing business with depositors and borrowers, soliciting realtors and other
brokers and walk-in  customers.  Residential and commercial loans are originated
by the Bank's  staff of salaried and  commissioned  loan  personnel,  as well as
through  established  relationships  with  certain  mortgage  brokers.  The Bank
currently  originates  substantially  all its mortgage loans to conform with the
underwriting  standards of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. As such,  these loans are
saleable to the secondary market.

         While the Bank originates both fixed- and  adjustable-rate  loans,  its
ability to originate  loans is dependent upon demand for loans in the markets in
which it serves.  Demand is affected  by the  applicable  local  economy and the
interest rate environment. Until December 1997, the Bank sold all its fixed-rate
loans to the secondary market, servicing retained. Currently, the Bank generally
retains its fixed-rate and  adjustable-rate  real estate loans in its portfolio.
At June 30, 1998,  the Bank serviced  approximately  $233.1 million of loans for
others.

         During the year ended June 30, 1998, the Bank originated $180.7 million
of loans, compared to $141.5 million in fiscal 1997.

         In periods of economic  uncertainty,  the Bank's  ability to  originate
large dollar volumes of loans with acceptable  underwriting  characteristics may
be  substantially  reduced  or  restricted  which may  result in a  decrease  in
operating earnings.

                                       55

<PAGE>



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


                                              Year Ended
                                               June 30,
                                     1998        1997        1996
                                   --------  -----------   -----------
                                              (In Thousands)
Loans at beginning of period.....  $401,849  $   397,751   $   382,668
                                   --------  -----------   -----------

Originations by type:
 Real estate loans:
  One- to four-family..........     107,991       74,641        73,829
  Multi-family and commercial
     real estate                     33,171       32,132        20,521
                                   --------  -----------   -----------
    Total real estate loans         141,162      106,773        94,350

 Consumer loans:
  Home equity lines of credit..       8,243        9,092        10,108
  Conventional second mortgages       5,918        7,069         4,240
  Automobile loans.............       6,766        5,189         6,466
  Credit cards.................       2,561        3,052         3,408
  Other consumer loans.........         822          814         1,024
                                   --------  -----------   -----------
    Total consumer loans             24,310       25,216        25,246

 Commercial business loans.......    15,195        9,461        10,726
                                   --------  -----------   -----------

    Total loans originated.......   180,667      141,450       130,322
                                   --------  -----------   -----------



Less:
 Principal repayments............   155,969      123,732        98,618
 Loan sales......................     8,105        9,567        15,747
  Charge-offs....................     1,038        1,376           239
  Transfers to ORE...............     1,094        2,677           635
                                   --------  -----------   -----------
    Total loan reductions           166,206      137,352       115,239
                                   --------  -----------   -----------
Net Loan Activity................    14,461        4,098        15,083
                                   --------  -----------   -----------
Loans at end of period...........  $416,310  $   401,849   $   397,751
                                   ========  ===========   ===========




                                       56

<PAGE>



Asset Quality

         Delinquency  Procedures.  When a  borrower  fails  to  make a  required
payment on a one- to four-family residential mortgage loan, the Bank attempts to
cure the deficiency by contacting the borrower.  Written contacts are made after
payment is 15 days past due and, in most cases, deficiencies are cured promptly.
The Bank attempts to contact the borrower by telephone to arrange payment of the
delinquency  between  the 16th  and the 30th  day.  If  these  efforts  have not
resolved the  delinquency  within 45 days after the due date,  a second  written
notice  is sent to the  borrower,  and on the 60th  day a notice  is sent to the
borrower  warning that  foreclosure  proceedings  will be  commenced  unless the
delinquent  amount  is paid.  If the  delinquency  has not been  cured  within a
reasonable  period of time after the foreclosure  notice has been sent, the Bank
may obtain a forbearance  agreement or may institute appropriate legal action to
foreclose upon the property. If foreclosed, property collateralizing the loan is
sold at a public sale and may be purchased  by the Bank.  If the Bank is in fact
the successful  bidder at the  foreclosure  sale,  upon receipt of a deed to the
property, the Bank generally sells the property at the earliest possible date.

         Collection  efforts on consumer,  commercial  business and multi-family
and  commercial  real estate loans are similar to efforts on one- to four-family
residential  mortgage  loans,  except that  collection  efforts on consumer  and
multi-family  commercial  real estate loans generally begin within 15 days after
the  payment  date is missed.  The Bank also  maintains  periodic  contact  with
commercial  loan  customers  and monitors and reviews the  borrowers'  financial
statements and compliance with debt covenants on a regular basis.

         Delinquent Loans. The following table sets forth information concerning
delinquent  loans as June 30, 1998, in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the
Bank's loan  portfolio.  The amounts  presented  represent  the total  remaining
principal balances of the related loans,  rather than the actual payment amounts
which are overdue.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                      June 30, 1998
                                        60-89 days                   90 days or more       Total loans delinquent 60 days or more
                              ---------------------------- ------------------------------  --------------------------------------
                                        Principal Percent              Principal  Percent               Principal   Percent
                               Number    Balance  of Loan   Number      Balance   of Loan   Number       Balance    of Loan
                              of Loans  of Loans  Category of Loans    of Loans  Category  of Loans     of Loans   Category
                              -------  --------- --------- --------  ----------  --------  --------    ----------- ---------
                                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                            <C>      <C>     <C>        <C>    <C>           <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>  

Real estate loans:
 One- to four-family 
    real estate                   9      $  757    0.29%     33      $2,635         1.02%     42        $3,392      1.31%
 Multi-family and commercial
    real estate                   3         263    0.28       6         823         0.88       9         1,086      1.17
                                 --      -------   ----   ------     ------         ----      --
  Total real estate loans        12       1,020    0.29      39       3,458         0.98      51         4,478      1.27

Consumer loans:
 Home equity lines of credit      1          14    0.06       1          40         0.18       2            54      0.25
 Conventional second mortgages    1          41    0.27       3          35         0.23       4            76      0.50
 Automobile loans...........      3          10    0.10       6          32         0.33       9            42      0.43
 Credit cards...............      9          23    1.39      20          57         3.44      29            80      4.83
 Other consumer loans.......      2           2    0.17       8          33         2.79      10            35      2.96
                                 --      ------    ----    ----      ------         ----      --         -----
  Total consumer loans..         16          90    0.18      38         197         0.40      54           287      0.58

Commercial business loans....... --         ---      --       1          65         0.43       1            65      0.43
                                 --      ------    ----      --      ------         ----      --         -----

  Total delinquent loans         28      $1,110    0.27%     78      $3,720         0.89%    106        $4,830      1.16%
                                 ==      ======    ====      ==      ======         ====     ===        ======      ====


</TABLE>

                                       57

<PAGE>



         Non-Performing  Assets.  The table  below  sets forth the  amounts  and
categories of non-performing  assets.  Loans are generally placed on non-accrual
status  when  the  loan is  contractually  past  due 90 days or more or when the
collection of principal and/or interest in full becomes doubtful. When loans are
designated as non-accrual,  all accrued but unpaid interest is reversed  against
current  period income and, as long as the loan remains on  non-accrual  status,
interest  is  recognized  only  when  received,  if  considered  appropriate  by
management. ORE includes assets acquired in settlement of loans.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                    June 30,
                                                               1998      1997         1996         1995       1994
                                                             --------  --------     -------     --------    --------
                                                                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>

Non-accrual loans:
 One- to four-family real estate..........................   $  2,635  $  2,835     $ 1,852     $    441    $    891
 Multi-family and commercial real estate..................        823     1,246       3,438        1,820       1,299
 Conventional second mortgages............................         35        62          48           35          84
 Consumer loans...........................................        105       380         245           40          17
 Commercial business loans................................         65       217         ---          ---         ---
                                                             --------  --------     -------     --------     -------
   Total non-accrual loans................................      3,663     4,740       5,583        2,336       2,291

Loans contractually past due 90 days or more and still
    accruing interest:
 Multi-family and commercial real estate..................        ---       ---         ---          308         317
 Consumer loans...........................................         57        42         158           67          18
                                                             --------  --------     -------     --------     -------
   Total loans 90 days or more past due and still
    accruing interest                                              57        42         158          375         335

Troubled debt restructurings..............................      1,929     1,906       2,052        2,352       2,266
                                                             --------  --------     -------     --------     -------
   Total non-performing loans.............................      5,649     6,688       7,793        5,063       4,892

Real estate owned (ORE)...................................        509     1,874         421          396         437
                                                             --------  --------     -------     --------     -------

   Total non-performing assets............................   $  6,158  $  8,562     $ 8,214     $  5,459     $ 5,329
                                                             ========  ========     =======     ========     =======

Allowance for loan losses.................................   $  3,533  $  3,105     $ 3,249     $  3,133     $ 3,011
                                                             ========  ========     =======     ========     =======

Coverage of non-performing loans..........................     62.54%    46.43%      41.69%       61.88%       61.55%
                                                               =====     =====       =====        =====        =====
Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans.      1.36%     1.66%       1.96%        1.32%        1.54%
                                                               =====     =====       =====        =====        =====

Total non-performing loans as a percentage of total assets      1.05%     1.36%       1.68%        1.10%        1.21%
                                                               =====     =====       =====        =====        =====


</TABLE>


                                       58

<PAGE>



         Non-Accruing  Loans. At June 30, 1998, the Bank had approximately  $3.7
million in non-accruing  loans,  which constituted 0.9% of the Bank's total loan
portfolio.  As of such  date,  there  were no  non-accruing  loans or  aggregate
non-accruing loans-to-one-borrower in excess of $750,000.

         For the year  ended  June  30,  1998  accumulated  interest  income  on
nonaccrual loans of approximately $214,000 was not recognized as income.

         Accruing Loans  Contractually  Past Due 90 Days or More. As of June 30,
1998, the Bank had approximately  $57,000 in accruing loans  contractually  past
due 90 days or more.

         Troubled  Debt  Restructurings.  As of June  30,  1998,  the  Bank  had
approximately  $1.9  million of  troubled  debt  restructurings  (which  involve
forgiving a portion of interest or principal on the loan or restructuring a loan
to a rate materially less than that of market rates).  At that date,  there were
no troubled debt restructurings in excess of $750,000.

         ORE. As of June 30,  1998,  the Bank had $509,000 of ORE. At that date,
ORE  consisted of 14  residential  and one  commercial  property  located in the
Bank's primary market area. Real estate and other assets acquired by the Bank as
a result of foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu  of foreclosure or  repossession  are
classified as ORE until sold. When property is classified as ORE, it is recorded
at the lower of cost or fair value (net of  disposition  costs) at that date and
any writedown  resulting  therefrom is charged to the allowance for loan losses.
Subsequent writedowns are charged to operating expenses. Net expense from ORE is
expensed as incurred.

         Other  Loans of Concern.  As of June 30,  1998,  there was  $636,000 of
other loans not included in the table or discussed above where known information
about the possible  credit or other problems of borrowers  caused  management to
have  doubts as to the  ability of the  borrower  to comply  with  present  loan
repayment  terms.  These loans have been considered by management in conjunction
with the analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

         Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is replenished
through a provision  for loan losses  charged to  operations.  Loans are charged
against  the  allowance  for  loan  losses  when  management  believes  that the
collectibility  of the  principal is unlikely.  Recoveries  on loans  previously
charged-off  are credited to the allowance for loan losses.  The allowance is an
amount that  management  believes  will be adequate to absorb losses on existing
loans that may become uncollectible.  Management's evaluation of the adequacy of
the  allowance  for loan losses is performed on a periodic  basis and takes into
consideration  such factors as the historical loan loss  experience,  changes in
the nature and volume of the loan portfolio,  overall portfolio quality,  review
of  specific  problem  loans and  current  economic  conditions  that may affect
borrowers' ability to pay.

         Although   management  believes  that  it  uses  the  best  information
available to determine the allowance,  unforeseen market conditions could result
in adjustments and net earnings could be significantly affected if circumstances
differ  substantially  from the assumptions used in determining the level of the
allowance.  Future  additions  to the  Bank's  allowance  will be the  result of
periodic loan,  property and collateral  reviews and thus cannot be predicted in
advance.  In  addition,   regulatory  agencies,  as  an  integral  part  of  the
examination  process,  periodically review the Bank's allowance for loan losses.
Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based
upon their  judgment of the  information  available to them at the time of their
examination. At June 30, 1998, the Bank had a total allowance for loan losses of
$3.5 million, representing 62.5% of total non-performing loans.



                                       59

<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth an analysis of the Bank's  allowance for
loan losses at the dates and for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     At or for the fiscal year ended June 30,
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1998            1997          1996            1995          1994
                                       --------  --------------- --------------- -------------  -----------
                                                           (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                                 <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>           <C>

Allowance for loan losses, 
   beginning period                    $  3,105      $  3,249     $     3,133     $   3,011      $   2,308
Charged-off loans:
 Real estate loans...............
  One- to four-family real estate           432           619             128            79             35
  Multi-family and commercial 
    real estate                              93           343              21           ---            ---
                                       --------      ---------      ---------    ----------     ----------
   Total real estate loan 
      charge-offs                           525           962             149            79             35
 Commercial business loans 
      charge-offs                           218           105               4           ---            ---

 Consumer loans
  Home equity lines of credit                84            39              18           ---            ---
  Conventional second mortgages              16             1             ---           ---              7
  Automobile loans...........               121            55              23            28              1
  Credit cards...............               212           353             132            91              1
  Other consumer loans.......                41            56              75            37             14
                                       --------     ---------       ---------    ----------     ----------
   Total consumer loan charge-offs          474           504             248           156             23
                                       --------     ---------       ---------    ----------     ----------

   Total charged-off loans                1,217         1,571             401           235             58

Recoveries on loans previously
    charged-off:

 One- to four-family real estate             78            28               4           ---            ---
 Multi-family and commercial
    real estate                              93            40              13            ---           ---
                                       --------     ---------       ---------    -----------    ----------
   Total real estate loan recoveries        171            68              17           ---            ---

 Commercial business loan recoveries         35           ---               1           ---            ---

 Consumer loans
  Home equity lines of credit               ---             4             ---           ---            ---
  Conventional second mortgages             ---           ---               3             8            ---
  Automobile loans...........                 8             5             ---             3              1
  Credit cards...............                23            16               4             2            ---
  Other consumer loans.......                 8             9               2            14             10
                                       --------     ---------       ---------    ----------     ----------
   Total consumer loan recoveries            39            34               9            27             11
                                       --------     ---------       ---------    ----------     ----------

   Total recoveries......                   245           102              27            27             11
                                       --------     ---------       ---------    ----------     ----------

Net loans charged-off................      (972)       (1,469)           (374)         (208)           (47)

Provision for loan losses............     1,400         1,325             490           330            750
                                       --------     ---------       ---------    ----------     ----------

Allowance for loan losses, 
   end of period                       $  3,533     $   3,105       $   3,249    $    3,133     $    3,011
                                       ========     =========       =========    ==========     ==========
Net charged-off loans to 
   average loans                          0.24%         0.37%           0.10%         0.06%          0.01%
                                         ======        ======          ======        ======         ======
Allowance for loan losses to 
   total loans                            0.85%         0.77%           0.82%         0.82%          0.95%
                                         ======        ======          ======        ======         ======
Allowance for loan losses to 
   nonperforming loans                   62.54%        46.43%          41.69%        61.88%         61.55%
                                         ======        ======          ======       ======          ======
Net charged-off loans to 
   allowance for loan losses             27.51%        47.31%          11.51%         6.64%          1.56%
                                         ======        ======          ======        ======         ======

Recoveries to charged-offs...........    20.13%         6.49%           6.73%        11.49%         18.97%
                                         ======        ======          ======        ======         ======

</TABLE>

                                       60

<PAGE>



Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

         The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan
losses  by  category  as  prepared  by the  Bank.  This  allocation  is based on
management's  assessment as of a given point in time of the risk characteristics
of each of the  component  parts of the total loan  portfolio  and is subject to
changes as and when the risk factors of each such  component  part  change.  The
allocation  is not  indicative  of  either  the  specific  amounts  or the  loan
categories in which future  charge-offs may be taken,  nor should it be taken as
an indicator of future loss trends.  The  allocation  to each  category does not
restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any category.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                               June 30,                                             
                                            1998                                 1997                                1996           
                            ------------------------------------  -------------------------------  ---------------------------------
                                                        Percent                          Percent                            Percent 
                                                       of Loans                         of Loans                           of Loans 
                                          Percent of    in Each            Percent of    in Each               Percent of   in Each 
                              Allowance    Allowance   Category  Allowance  Allowance   Category    Allowance   Allowance  Category 
                              for Loan     to Total    to Total  for Loan   to Total    to Total    for Loan    to Total   to Total 
                               Losses      Allowance   Allowance  Losses    Allowance   Allowance    Losses     Allowance  Allowance
                            ------------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- ----------
                                                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                            <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>          <C> 

Real estate loans
One- to four-family real estate $   649     18.37%     62.07%   $     493    15.88%      60.62%   $    591     18.19%      59.06%   
Multi-family and commercial
     real estate.....             1,438      40.70      22.39       1,339    43.12       23.39       1,848     56.88       24.29    
                                -------    -------     ------    --------   ------      ------      ------    ------     -------    
       Total real estate loans    2,087      59.07      84.46       1,832    59.00       84.01       2,439     75.07       83.35    

Consumer loans
  Home equity lines of credit        41       1.16       5.28          24     0.77        6.27         158      4.86        6.87    
  Conventional second mortgages      26       0.74       3.63          22     0.71        3.50           9      0.28        2.79    
  Automobile loans.....              74       2.09       2.35          35     1.13        2.31          40      1.23        2.51    
  Credit cards.........             154       4.36       0.40         132     4.25        0.54         183      5.63        0.70    
  Other consumer loans ...           45       1.27       0.28          56     1.80        0.36         102      3.14        0.45    
                                -------    -------    -------   ---------   ------      ------      ------    ------     -------    
       Total consumer loans     $   340       9.62      11.94         269     8.66       12.98         492     15.14       13.32    

Commercial business loans           164       4.64       3.60         215     6.93        3.01         227      6.99        3.33    

Unallocated............             942      26.67         --         789    25.41           --         91      2.80          --    
                                -------    -------    -------   ---------   ------      -------    -------    ------     -------    
     Total.............         $ 3,533    100.00%    100.00%   $   3,105   100.00%     100.00%    $ 3,249    100.00%     100.00%   
                                =======    =======    =======   =========   =======     =======    =======    ======     =======    
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        
                                                                    June 30,                                   
                                                  1995                                1994                  
                                    ----------------------------------- --------------------------------  
                                                            Percent                             Percent        
                                                           of Loans                            of Loans   
                                               Percent of   in Each               Percent of    in Each   
                                    Allowance   Allowance  Category    Allowance   Allowance   Category   
                                    for Loan    to Total   to Total    for Loan    to Total    to Total   
                                     Losses     Allowance  Allowance    Losses     Allowance   Allowance  
                                    --------  ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------  ----------   
                                                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                               <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>           <C>     
                                                                                                          
Real estate loans                                                                                         
One- to four-family real estate     $  861      27.48%      59.38%     $  292      9.70%       56.78%     
Multi-family and commercial                                                                               
     real estate.....                1,426       45.52       22.65      1,610      53.47       24.52      
                                    ------     -------      ------     -------    ------       -----      
       Total real estate loans       2,287       73.00       82.03      1,902      63.17       81.30      
                                                                                                          
Consumer loans                                                                                            
  Home equity lines of credit          ---          --        8.05         --         --       10.02      
  Conventional second mortgages         75        2.39        2.81         15       0.50        3.30      
  Automobile loans.....                 66        2.11        2.56         15       0.50        2.28      
  Credit cards.........                382       12.19        0.88        263       8.73        0.98      
  Other consumer loans ...             158        5.04        0.55         71       2.36        0.67      
                                    ------    --------      ------     ------     ------      ------      
       Total consumer loans            681       21.73       14.85        364      12.09       17.25      
                                                                                                          
Commercial business loans              102        3.26        3.12         --         --        1.45      
                                                                                                          
Unallocated............                 63        2.01          --        745      24.74          --      
                                    ------     -------     -------     ------    -------      ------      
     Total.............             $3,133     100.00%     100.00%     $3,011    100.00%      100.00%     
                                    ======     =======     =======     ======    =======      ======      
                                   
</TABLE>
                                       61

<PAGE>



Investment Activities

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

           Generally, the investment policy of the Bank is to invest funds among
various  categories of investments and maturities based upon the Bank's need for
liquidity, to achieve the proper balance between its desire to minimize risk and
maximize  yield,  and,  to a much  lesser  extent,  to  provide  collateral  for
borrowings and to fulfill the Bank's  asset/liability  management  policies.  To
date,  the Bank's  investment  strategy has been  directed  toward  high-quality
assets (primarily  federal agency  obligations and  mortgage-backed  securities)
with short and intermediate terms (five years or less) to maturity.  At June 30,
1998,  the  weighted  average  term to maturity  or  repricing  of the  security
portfolio was 3.8 years. This did not take into account  securities which may be
called prior to their  contractual  maturity or repricing.  See Notes 5 and 6 of
the Notes to Consolidated  Financial  Statements for  information  regarding the
maturities of the Bank's investment and mortgage-backed securities.

         Management  determines the appropriate  classification of securities at
the time of  purchase.  If  management  has the intent and  ability to hold debt
securities to maturity,  they are stated at amortized  cost.  If securities  are
purchased for the purpose of selling them in the near term,  they are classified
as trading  securities  and are reported at fair value with  unrealized  holding
gains and losses  reflected in current  earnings.  All other debt and marketable
equity  securities  are  classified  as  securities  available  for sale and are
reported at fair value,  with net unrealized  gains or losses  reported,  net of
income taxes, as a separate  component of equity. As a member of the FHLB of New
York,  the Bank is  required  to hold  stock  in the  FHLB of New York  which is
carried at cost since there is no readily available market value.
Historically,  the Bank has not held any  securities  considered  to be  trading
securities.

         The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank's securities
available for sale and investment securities at the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           June 30,
                                                        1998                 1997                1996
                                                ------------------- --------------------  -----------------
                                                Carrying     % of     Carrying     % of   Carrying    % of
                                                  Value      Total     Value       Total    Value     Total
                                                                                   (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                             <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>

Securities available for sale, at fair value:
Debt securities
     US Government and Agency obligations        $23,237     47.69%    $18,437     51.97%  $ 7,302    34.96%
     Other obligations...................            276      0.57         493      1.39       764      3.65
     Mortgage-backed securities.......            16,946     34.78       6,762     19.06       ---        --
     Collateralized mortgage obligations.          4,003      8.22       6,302     17.77     9,404     45.03
                                                 -------    ------     -------    ------    ------    ------
          Total debt securities..........         44,462     91.26      31,994     90.19    17,470     83.64

Equity securities........................          4,258      8.74       3,481      9.81     3,416     16.36
                                                 -------    ------     -------    ------    ------    ------

          Total securities available for sale    $48,720    100.00     $35,475    100.00   $20,886    100.00
                                                 =======    ======     =======    ======   =======    ======

Investment securities at amortized cost:
     US Government and Agency obligations        $22,025     48.49       6,049     23.93    10,339     39.81
     Other obligations...................            388      0.85         848      3.36     1,923      7.41
     Mortgage-backed securities.......            23,011     50.66      18,376     72.71    12,073     46.49
     Industrial and financial............             --        --          --        --     1,634      6.29
                                                 -------    ------     -------    ------   -------    ------

          Total investment securities....        $45,424    100.00%    $25,273    100.00%  $25,969    100.00%
                                                 -------    ======     -------    ======   -------    ======

Investment securities at fair value......        $45,547               $25,186             $25,520
                                                 =======               =======             =======
</TABLE>



                                       62

<PAGE>



         The  following  table sets forth  information  regarding  the scheduled
maturities,   amortized  cost,  and  weighted  average  yields  for  the  Bank's
securities portfolios at June 30, 1998 by contractual  maturity.  The table does
not take into  consideration  the effects of  scheduled  repayments  or possible
prepayments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    At June 30, 1998
                                       Less than 1 year    1 to 5 years       5 to 10 years      Over 10 years   Total Securities
                                      ----------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------- -----------------
                                              Weighted           Weighted          Weighted          Weighted          Weighted
                                     Amortized Average Amortized Average Amortized Average Amortized Average Amortized Average  Fair
                                        Cost    Yield   Cost     Yield     Cost    Yield     Cost     Yield    Cost    Yield   Value
                                      -------- ------- -------- -------  -------- -------  -------- ------- --------- ------- ------
                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>     <C>         <C>    <C>        <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>        <C>   <C>

Securities available for sale:
US Government and Agency obligations  $    --     --%  $  23,296  6.05%  $    --     --%   $    --    --%   $23,296    6.05% $23,237
Other obligations................          --     --          71  5.09       200    6.60        --     --       271    6.20      276
Mortgage-backed securities.......          --     --      16,855  6.39        --      --        --     --    16,855    6.39   16,946
Collateralized mortgage obligations       179   6.91       2,432  5.85     1,408    6.65        --     --     4,019    6.18    4,003
Other equity securities..........          --     --          --    --        --      --       708   5.63       708    5.63      706
                                       ------   ----  ----------  ----   -------   -----   -------   ----   -------    ----  -------
    Sub-total..................           179   6.91      42,654  6.17     1,608    6.64       708   5.63    45,149    6.18   45,168
FHLB stock.......................          --     --          --    --        --      --     3,552   7.45     3,552    7.45    3,552
                                       ------   ----  ----------  ----   -------   -----   -------   ----   -------    ----  -------
Total securities available for sale    $  179   6.91  $   42,654  6.17   $ 1,608    6.64   $ 4,260   7.15   $48,701    6.27  $48,720
                                       ======   ====  ==========  ====   =======    ====   =======   ====   =======    ====  =======

Investment securities:
US Government and Agency obligations   $   25   7.38  $   22,000  6.08   $    --      --   $    --     --   $22,025    6.08  $21,999
Other obligations................          --     --         271  6.40       117    7.25        --     --       388    6.66      389
Mortgage-backed securities.......         657   6.85      10,452  6.68    11,519    6.23       383   7.05    23,011    6.47   23,159
                                       ------   ----  ----------  ----   -------    ----    ------   ----   -------    ----   ------
  Total investment securities          $  682   6.87%  $  32,723  6.27%  $11,636    6.24%  $   383   7.05%  $45,424    6.28% $45,547
                                       ======   =====  =========  ====   ========   ====   =======   ====   =======    ====  =======
</TABLE>






                                       63

<PAGE>



Sources of Funds

         General. The Bank's primary sources of funds are deposits, amortization
and  prepayment  of  loan  principal,   maturities  of  securities,   short-term
investments, funds provided from operations and borrowings.

         Deposits.  The Bank offers a variety of deposit accounts having a range
of interest rates and terms.  The Bank's deposits  consist of savings  accounts,
school savings  accounts (the largest "Save For America"  school savings program
in the U.S., a volunteer  program in which students are given the opportunity to
open and maintain a savings account while at school in order to teach wise money
management),  money market  accounts,  demand deposit accounts and time deposits
currently  ranging  in terms  from  three  months to five  years.  The Bank only
solicits  deposits from its primary  market area and does not currently  solicit
brokered  deposits.  However,  in the  past,  the  Bank has  solicited  brokered
deposits and at June 30, 1998, the Bank had $992,000 in brokered  deposits.  The
Bank relies primarily on competitive pricing policies,  advertising and customer
service  to  attract  and  retain its  deposits.  At June 30,  1998,  the Bank's
deposits totaled $450.0 million,  of which $413.4 million were  interest-bearing
deposits.

         The flow of deposits is influenced  significantly  by general  economic
conditions,   changes  in  money  market  and  prevailing  interest  rates,  and
competition.  The variety of deposit accounts offered by the Bank has allowed it
to be competitive in obtaining funds and to respond with  flexibility to changes
in  consumer  demand.  The  Bank  has  become  more  susceptible  to  short-term
fluctuations  in deposit  flows,  as customers  have become more  interest  rate
conscious.  The Bank  manages  the pricing of its  deposits in keeping  with its
asset/liability management, liquidity and profitability objectives. Based on its
experience, the Bank believes that its savings, school savings, money market and
demand deposit accounts are relatively stable sources of deposits.  However, the
ability of the Bank to attract and maintain  time deposits and the rates paid on
these deposits has been and will continue to be significantly affected by market
conditions.

         The following table sets forth the distribution and deposit activity of
the Bank's deposit accounts for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                School         Money      Demand         Time                     Total Number
                                Savings         Savings       Market     Deposits       Deposits       Total      of Accounts
                              ----------  --------------  -----------  -----------    -----------   ----------  -------------
                                                                      (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                           <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>

Balance as of June 30, 1995     $127,333       $   6,813   $   18,966    $  33,432      $212,419     $398,963          74,668
Net deposits (withdrawals).       (2,094)          3,499       (2,886)       5,001       (15,575)     (12,055)
Interest credited..........        3,722             310          487          250        12,862       17,631
                              ----------      ----------  -----------   ----------      --------     --------

Balance as of June 30, 1996      128,961          10,622       16,567       38,683       209,706      404,539          79,283
Net deposits (withdrawals).       (8,780)          2,698       (1,565)       6,887         7,990        7,230
Interest credited..........        3,700             589          448          274        12,610       17,621
                              ----------     -----------  -----------   ----------      --------     --------

Balance as of June 30, 1997      123,881          13,909       15,450       45,844       230,306      429,390          86,741
Net deposits (withdrawals).       (1,898)          2,558        5,653        7,806       (12,778)       1,341
Interest credited..........        3,629             788          569          303        13,521       18,810
                              ----------     -----------  -----------   ----------      --------     --------

Balance as of June 30, 1998     $125,612         $17,255   $   21,672    $  53,953      $231,049     $449,541          89,370
                                ========         =======   ==========    =========      ========     ========
</TABLE>



                                       64

<PAGE>



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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       Balance as of
                                                                                         June 30,
                                                         1998                            1997                              1996
                                             -----------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------
                                                               Percent                       Percent                       Percent
                                                Amount        of Total          Amount      of Total          Amount      of Total
                                                                                  (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                                     <C>                   <C>         <C>              <C>         <C>               <C>

Savings accounts (3.0%)...............        $    125,612      27.94%     $    123,881       28.85%     $    126,951       31.38%
School savings accounts (5.5%)........              17,255        3.84           13,909         3.24           10,622         2.63
Money market accounts (2.75% to 3.93%)              21,672        4.82           15,450         3.60           16,567         4.10
Demand deposits (0% to 1.75%).........              53,953       12.00           45,844        10.68           40,693        10.06

Time deposits:

2.00-2.99%............................                  --          --               --           --                5         0.00
3.00-3.99%............................                   2        0.00               14         0.00            3,470         0.86
4.00-4.99%............................               4,105        0.91           10,325         2.40           47,062        11.63
5.00-5.99%............................             190,539       42.39          166,966        38.88           81,589        20.17
6.00-6.99%............................              17,664        3.93           25,244         5.88           47,513        11.74
7.00-7.99%............................              18,709        4.16           27,727         6.46           30,067         7.43
8.00-8.99%............................                  30        0.01               30         0.01               --           --
                                             -------------     -------      -----------      -------      -----------     ---------

          Total time deposits.........             231,049       51.40          230,306        53.63          209,706        51.83
                                             -------------     -------      -----------      -------      -----------     --------

Total deposits........................        $    449,541     100.00%      $   429,390      100.00%      $   404,539      100.00%
                                              ============     ======       ===========      ======       ===========      ======
</TABLE>






                                       65

<PAGE>



         The following table shows rate and maturity  information for the Bank's
time deposits as of June 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                        Amount Due
                     12 months        12 months        12 months        12 months         12 months
                       ended            ended            ended            ended             ended
                   June 30, 1999    June 30, 2000    June 30, 2001    June 30, 2002     June 30, 2003     Thereafter       Total
                  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------------- ---------------- -----------
                                                                      (In Thousands)
<S>              <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>

Interest Rate

3.00-3.99%....    $           ---   $          ---    $         ---    $         ---    $            2  $           ---  $        2
4.00-4.99%....              4,080              ---              ---              ---               ---               25       4,105
5.00-5.99%....            140,476           32,594            6,540            3,073             7,856              ---     190,539
6.00-6.99%....              8,284            5,681            1,308            1,865               526              ---      17,664
7.00-7.99%....              6,680           11,768              135              126               ---              ---      18,709
8.00-8.99%....                 30              ---              ---              ---               ---              ---          30
                      -----------  ---------------    -------------    -------------    --------------  ---------------   ---------
       Total..        $   159,550     $     50,043    $       7,983    $       5,064    $        8,384  $            25  $  231,049
                      ===========     ============    =============    =============    ==============  ===============  ==========
</TABLE>


         The following table indicates the amount of the Bank's time deposits by
the time remaining until maturity as of June 30, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                     Maturity
                                                               Over            Over
                                            3 Months          3 to 6          6 to 12           Over
                                             or Less          Months          Months          12 Months      Total
                                         ---------------  --------------- ---------------  --------------  ----------
                                                                          (In Thousands)
<S>                                     <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>

Time deposits less than $100,000         $     38,586     $     45,097    $     54,798     $     61,440    $ 199,921

Time deposits $100,000 or more                  5,204            7,791           8,074           10,059       31,128(1)
                                         ------------     ------------    ------------     ------------    ---------   

                    Total time deposits  $     43,790     $     52,888    $     62,872     $     71,499    $ 231,049
                                         ============     ============    ============     ============    =========

- ----------------
<FN>

(1)  Substantially  all time  deposits  of $100,000  or more are  maintained  at
     negotiated rates.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         Borrowings.  Although  deposits are the Bank's primary source of funds,
the Bank's  practice has been to utilize  borrowings when they are a less costly
source of funds, can be invested at a positive  interest rate spread or when the
Bank needs additional funds to satisfy loan demand.

         Cohoes'  borrowings  historically have consisted  primarily of advances
from the FHLB of New York and  securities  sold under  agreements to repurchase.
FHLB advances can be made pursuant to several different credit programs, each of
which has its own  interest  rate and range of  maturities.  The Bank  currently
maintains available lines of credit and is currently  authorized to borrow up to
$49.2  million on lines of credit with the FHLB of New York.  At June 30,  1998,
the Bank had outstanding  $19.9 million in other borrowings from the FHLB of New
York. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                       66

<PAGE>



         The  following  table  sets forth the  maximum  month-end  balance  and
average balance of FHLB advances and other borrowings for the periods indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Year Ended
                                                                      June 30,
                                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                                        1998            1997             1996
                                                  ---------------- ---------------  -----------
                                                                   (In Thousands)
<S>                                           <C>             <C>               <C>

Maximum Balance:
     FHLB advances..........................    $     19,983    $     16,145      $     7,100
     Securities sold under
          agreements to repurchase..........             ---             ---            6,054
     Other borrowings.......................             ---              12               59

Average Balance:
     FHLB advances..........................     $     5,467     $     2,390      $     1,955
     Securities sold under
            agreements to repurchase........             ---             ---            2,700
     Other borrowings.......................             ---               2               39
</TABLE>


         The  following  table  sets  forth the  amount  and rate of the  Bank's
borrowings at the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          June 30,
                                                                 -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        1998                 1997                1996
                                                                 -------------------  ------------------- --------------
                                                                              (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>                          <C>                <C>

FHLB advances........................................             $     19,897           $       --       $       2,100
Other borrowings.....................................                       --                   --                  16
                                                               ---------------          -----------    ----------------

     Total borrowings................................             $     19,897           $       --       $       2,116
                                                                  ============           ==========       =============

Weighted average interest rate of FHLB advances......                    6.07%                5.56%               5.78%
                                                                         ====                 ====                ====

Weighted average interest rate of securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase........................                      --                   --                6.67%
                                                                      ========             ========               ====

Weighted average interest rate of other borrowings...                      --                 9.50%               9.50%
                                                                      ========                ====                ====
</TABLE>


                                       67

<PAGE>



Subsidiary and Other Activities

         The Bank  maintains  three  wholly-owned  subsidiaries:  CSB  Financial
Services,  Inc., CSB Funding,  Inc. and CSB Services Agency,  Inc. CSB Financial
Services,  Inc. earns commission  income through the sale of securities,  mutual
funds, annuities and other insurance products. During the fiscal year ended June
30,  1998,  CSB  Financial  Services  had revenues of $348,000 and net income of
$16,000. As of June 30, 1998, CSB Funding, Inc. was inactive.

         CSB Services Agency,  Inc. owns a 50 percent interest in Community Bank
Insurance  Brokers of New York,  which is a joint venture formed for the purpose
of selling  property and casualty  insurance to the Bank's  customers and to the
general public. The joint venture was formed in July 1998. The joint venture has
entered into a service  agreement with the insurance agency which owns the other
50% joint venture interest in Community Bank Insurance Brokers of New York. Such
agency will provide  administrative  services and support  directly to the joint
venture.

Competition

         Cohoes faces strong  competition,  both in originating  real estate and
other loans and in attracting  deposits.  Competition in originating real estate
loans comes primarily from other savings institutions,  commercial banks, credit
unions and mortgage  bankers  making loans secured by real estate located in the
Bank's primary market area. Other savings institutions, commercial banks, credit
unions and finance companies provide vigorous competition in consumer lending.

         The Bank  attracts  all of its  deposits  through  its branch  offices,
primarily  from the  communities  in which those  branch  offices  are  located;
therefore,  competition for those deposits is principally  from mutual funds and
other savings  institutions,  commercial  banks and credit unions located in the
same communities.  The Bank competes for these deposits by offering a variety of
deposit accounts at competitive rates, convenient business hours, and convenient
branch locations with interbranch deposit and withdrawal  privileges.  Automated
teller machine facilities are also available.

Employees

         At June 30, 1998, the Bank had 169 full-time employees and 53 part-time
employees. The Bank's employees are not represented by any collective bargaining
group. Management considers its employee relations to be good.

Properties

         The Bank  conducts its business at its main office and 16 other banking
offices.  The  following  table sets forth  information  relating to each of the
Bank's  offices as of June 30, 1998.  The net book value of the Bank's  premises
and  equipment   (including  land,  building  and  leasehold   improvements  and
furniture, fixtures and equipment) at June 30, 1998 was $7.3 million. See Note 9
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       68

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>           <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                                                                                       Net Book Value
                                                  Original                             Total           of Property or
                                    Leased          Year            Date of         Approximate           Leasehold
                                      or          Leased or         Leased            Square           Improvements at
Locations                            Owned        Acquired        Expiration          Footage           June 30, 1998
- -------------------------------  ------------ ----------------- ---------------  ----------------  ------------------
                                                                                                       (In thousands)
Cohoes Loan Center                  Owned           1992              N/A                  10,500                  $   683
50 Mohawk Street
Cohoes, NY   12047

Annex                               Owned           1981              N/A                   3,723                      174
60 Remsen Street
Cohoes, NY 12047

Operation Center                    Owned           1987              N/A                  11,190                      332
244 North Mohawk Street
Cohoes, NY   12047

Community Outreach Center           Leased          1995           01/16/99                   200                      ---
Urban League Headquarters
95 Livingston Avenue
Albany, NY

Building Adjacent Latham Office     Owned           1986              N/A                   3,024                       80
Storage Facility
771 New Loudon Road
Latham, NY   12110

Branch Offices:

Main Office                         Owned           1924              N/A                  15,223                      332
75 Remsen Street
Cohoes, NY   12047

Cohoes/I-787 Office                 Owned           1976              N/A                     988                      141
New Courtland Street
Cohoes, NY   12047

Latham Office                       Owned           1967              N/A                   9,041                      533
Corner of Pine & Route 9
Latham, NY   12110

Clifton Park Office                 Owned           1972              N/A                   5,297                      334
525 Visher Ferry Road
Clifton Park, NY   12065

Delmar Office                       Owned           1994              N/A                   4,768                    1,476
197 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY   12182

Lansingburgh Office                 Owned           1976              N/A                   3,216                      270
820 Second Avenue
Troy, NY   12182

Loudonville Office                  Leased          1996           07/31/01                 4,000                        2
475 Albany-Shaker Road
Loudonville, NY   12211

Guilderland Office                  Leased          1995           10/31/05                 3,500(1)                     1
1973 Western Avenue
Albany, NY   12203


   
(1)  3,500  square feet of which 1,265  square  feet is  subleased  by ^ a third
     party.
    

                                       69

<PAGE>




PROPERTIES (Continued)

Supermarket Branches:

Glenville                           Leased          1993           10/31/03                   323                 $     72
290 Saratoga Road
Scotia, NY   12302

Rotterdam                           Leased          1993           03/31/03                   350                       82
1879 Altamont Avenue
Schenectady, NY   12303

Colonie                             Leased          1993           09/30/03                   336                       77
1892 central Avenue
Colonie, NY   12205

Westgate                            Leased          1995           04/30/00                   565                       80
911 Central Avenue
Albany, NY   12206

Brunswick                           Leased          1996           10/31/01                   304                       83
716 Hoosick Road
Brunswick, NY   12180

Bethlehem                           Leased          1997           05/31/02                   312                       76
1395 New Scotland Road
Slingerlands, NY   12159

Malta                               Leased          1996           05/31/01                   524                      123
1 Kendall Way
Malta, NY   12020

Niskyuna                            Leased          1996           06/30/01                   544                      123
2333 Nott Street East
Niskayuna, NY   12309

Queensbury (1)                      Leased          1998           05/31/03                   360                        1
677 Upper Glen Street
Queensbury, NY   12804
- --------------------
<FN>

(1)      Opened in July, 1998.
</FN>
</TABLE>


Legal Proceedings

         The Bank is involved as plaintiff or defendant in various legal actions
arising in the normal  course of its  business.  While the  ultimate  outcome of
these  proceedings  cannot be  predicted  with  certainty,  it is the opinion of
management,  after  consultation  with  counsel  representing  the  Bank  in the
proceedings, that the resolution of these proceedings should not have a material
effect on the Bank's results of operations.

                                       70

<PAGE>



                                   REGULATION

         Set forth below is a brief  description of certain laws and regulations
which are applicable to the Holding Company and the Bank. The description of the
laws and regulations hereunder,  as well as descriptions of laws and regulations
contained  elsewhere herein, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to applicable laws and regulations.

The Holding Company

         General. Upon consummation of the Conversion,  the Holding Company will
become  subject to  regulation  as a savings and loan holding  company under the
HOLA, instead of being subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the
Bank  Holding  Company Act of 1956  because the Bank has made an election  under
Section 10(1) of HOLA to be treated as a "savings  association"  for purposes of
Section  10(e) of HOLA.  As a result,  the Holding  Company  will be required to
register  with the OTS and will be  subject  to OTS  regulations,  examinations,
supervision  and  reporting  requirements  relating to savings and loan  holding
companies.  The Holding  Company will also be required to file  certain  reports
with, and otherwise  comply with the rules and  regulations of, the NYBB and the
SEC. As a  subsidiary  of a savings and loan holding  company,  the Bank will be
subject to certain  restrictions  in its dealings  with the Holding  Company and
affiliates thereof.

         Activities Restrictions.  Upon consummation of the Conversion, the Bank
will be the sole savings  association  subsidiary of the Holding Company.  There
are generally no  restrictions  on the  activities of a savings and loan holding
company which holds only one subsidiary  savings  institution.  However,  if the
Director of the OTS  determines  that there is reasonable  cause to believe that
the  continuation  by  a  savings  and  loan  holding  company  of  an  activity
constitutes  a serious risk to the financial  safety,  soundness or stability of
its  subsidiary  savings  institution,  he may impose such  restrictions  as are
deemed  necessary  to  address  such risk,  including  limiting  (i)  payment of
dividends  by the savings  institution;  (ii)  transactions  between the savings
institution  and  its  affiliates;  and  (iii)  any  activities  of the  savings
institution that might create a serious risk that the liabilities of the holding
company  and  its  affiliates  may  be  imposed  on  the  savings   institution.
Notwithstanding the above rules as to permissible business activities of unitary
savings and loan holding  companies,  if the savings  institution  subsidiary of
such a  holding  company  fails  to  meet  the  QTL  test,  as  discussed  under
"--Qualified  Thrift Lender Test," then such unitary  holding company also shall
become subject to the activities restrictions applicable to multiple savings and
loan holding companies and, unless the savings institution  requalifies as a QTL
within  one year  thereafter,  shall  register  as,  and  become  subject to the
restrictions  applicable to, a bank holding  company.  See  "--Qualified  Thrift
Lender Test."

         If the  Holding  Company  were to acquire  control  of another  savings
institution,  other than through Merger or other business  combination  with the
Bank, the Holding  Company would  thereupon  become a multiple  savings and loan
holding  company.  Except where such acquisition is pursuant to the authority to
approve  emergency  thrift   acquisitions  and  where  each  subsidiary  savings
institution  meets  the QTL test,  as set forth  below,  the  activities  of the
Holding  Company  and any of its  subsidiaries  (other  than  the  Bank or other
subsidiary  savings   institutions)  would  thereafter  be  subject  to  further
restrictions.  Among other things,  no multiple savings and loan holding company
or  subsidiary  thereof  which is not a savings  institution  shall  commence or
continue for a limited period of time after becoming a multiple savings and loan
holding  company or subsidiary  thereof any business  activity  other than:  (i)
furnishing  or  performing   management   services  for  a  subsidiary   savings
institution;  (ii)  conducting  an insurance  agency or escrow  business;  (iii)
holding,  managing, or liquidating assets owned by or acquired from a subsidiary
savings  institution;  (iv) holding or managing properties used or occupied by a
subsidiary savings institution; (v) acting as trustee under deeds of trust; (vi)
those  activities  authorized by regulation as of March 5, 1987 to be engaged in
by multiple savings and loan holding companies;  or (vii) unless the Director of
the OTS by regulation  prohibits or limits such  activities for savings and loan
holding  companies,  those  activities  authorized by the FRB as permissible for
bank holding  companies.  Those activities  described in clause (vii) above also
must be  approved  by the  Director  of the OTS prior to being  engaged  in by a
multiple savings and loan holding company.

         Qualified Thrift Lender Test. Under Section 2303 of the Economic Growth
and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996, a savings association can comply
with  the QTL test by  either  meeting  the QTL  test set  forth in the HOLA and
implementing   regulations  or  qualifying  as  a  domestic  building  and  loan
association as defined in Section  7701(a)(19)  of the Internal  Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. A savings bank subsidiary of a savings and loan

                                       71

<PAGE>



holding  company  that does not comply  with the QTL test must  comply  with the
following restrictions on its operations:  (i) the institution may not engage in
any new activity or make any new investment, directly or indirectly, unless such
activity or investment is permissible  for a national  bank;  (ii) the branching
powers of the institution shall be restricted to those of a national bank, (iii)
the institution  shall not be eligible to obtain any advances from its FHLB; and
(iv)  payment  of  dividends  by the  institution  shall be subject to the rules
regarding  payment of dividends by a national bank. Upon the expiration of three
years from the date the savings institution ceases to meet the QTL test, it must
cease any activity and divest any investment not permissible for a national bank
and  immediately  repay any  outstanding  FHLB  advances  (subject to safety and
soundness considerations).

         The QTL test  set  forth in the HOLA  requires  that  qualified  thrift
investments   ("QTLs")   represent  65%  of  portfolio  assets  of  the  savings
institution and its consolidated  subsidiaries.  Portfolio assets are defined as
total assets less  intangibles,  property used by a savings  association  in its
business and  liquidity  investments  in an amount not  exceeding 20% of assets.
Generally,  QTLs are residential  housing related assets. The 1996 amendments to
allow small  business  loans,  credit card  loans,  student  loans and loans for
personal,  family and household  purposes to be included  without  limitation as
qualified  investments.  At June 30,  1998,  approximately  82.5% of the  Bank's
assets were invested in QTLs, which was in excess of the percentage  required to
qualify the Bank under the QTL test in effect at that time.

         Limitations  on  Transactions  with  Affiliates.  Transactions  between
savings  institutions  and any affiliate are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of
the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of a savings institution is any company or
entity which  controls,  is  controlled  by or is under common  control with the
savings institution. In a holding company context, the parent holding company of
a savings  institution (such as the Holding Company) and any companies which are
controlled  by  such  parent  holding  company  are  affiliates  of the  savings
institution.  Generally,  Sections 23A and 23B (i) limit the extent to which the
savings  institution or its  subsidiaries  may engage in "covered  transactions"
with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such  institution's  capital
stock and surplus,  and contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with
all  affiliates  to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus and
(ii) require that all such transactions be on terms  substantially the same, or,
at least as favorable,  to the  institution or subsidiary as those provided to a
non-affiliate.  The term  "covered  transaction"  includes  the making of loans,
purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and other similar transactions.

         In addition,  Sections  22(g) and (h) of the Federal  Reserve Act place
restrictions   on  loans  to  executive   officers,   directors   and  principal
stockholders.  Under Section 22 (h), loans to a director,  an executive  officer
and to a greater  than 10%  stockholder  of a savings  institution,  and certain
affiliated  interests  of  either,  may not  exceed,  together  with  all  other
outstanding  loans  to  such  person  and  affiliated  interests,   the  savings
institution's  loans  to  one  borrower  limit  (generally  equal  to 15% of the
institution's unimpaired capital and surplus).  Section 22(h) also requires that
loans to directors,  executive  officers and principal  stockholders  be made on
terms  substantially  the same as offered in  comparable  transactions  to other
persons unless the loans are made pursuant to a benefit or compensation  program
that (i) is widely  available to employees of the  institution and (ii) does not
give preference to any director,  executive officer or principal stockholder, or
certain  affiliated  interests  of either,  over other  employees of the savings
institution. Section 22(h) also requires prior board approval for certain loans.
In  addition,  the  aggregate  amount  of  extensions  of  credit  by a  savings
institution to all insiders cannot exceed the institution's  unimpaired  capital
and surplus. Furthermore,  Section 22(g) places additional restrictions on loans
to executive  officers.  At June 30, 1998,  the Bank was in compliance  with the
above restrictions.

         Restrictions  on  Acquisitions.  Except  under  limited  circumstances,
savings and loan holding companies are prohibited from acquiring,  without prior
approval  of  the  Director  of the  OTS,  (i)  control  of  any  other  savings
institution or savings and loan holding company or substantially  all the assets
thereof or (ii) more than 5% of the voting  shares of a savings  institution  or
holding  company  thereof  which is not a  subsidiary.  Except  with  the  prior
approval  of the  Director  of the OTS,  no director or officer of a savings and
loan holding  company or person owning or controlling by proxy or otherwise more
than  25%  of  such  company's   stock,  may  acquire  control  of  any  savings
institution,  other  than a  subsidiary  savings  institution,  or of any  other
savings and loan holding company.

         The Director of the OTS may only approve acquisitions  resulting in the
formation of a multiple  savings and loan holding company which controls savings
institutions in more than one state if (i) the multiple savings and loan holding
company involved controls a savings  institution which operated a home or branch
office  located in the state of the  institution  to be  acquired as of March 5,
1987; (ii) the acquiror is authorized to acquire control of the savings

                                       72

<PAGE>



institution  pursuant,,to the emergency  acquisition  provisions of the FDIA; or
(iii) the  statutes  of the state in which the  institution  to be  acquired  is
located  specifically  permit institutions to be acquired by the state-chartered
institutions  or savings and loan holding  companies  located in the state where
the  acquiring  entity is located (or by a holding  company that  controls  such
state chartered savings institutions).

         Federal  Securities  Laws. The Holding Company has filed with the SEC a
registration  statement  under the Securities  Act, for the  registration of the
Holding  Company  Common  Stock to be issued  pursuant to the  Conversion.  Upon
completion  of  the  Conversion,  the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  will  be
registered  with the SEC under Section 12(g) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934,  as  amended.  The Holding  Company  will then be subject to the proxy and
tender offer rules, insider trading reporting requirements and restrictions, and
certain other  requirements  under the Exchange Act,  including periodic reports
and quarterly and annual financial data.

         The  registration  under the  Securities  Act of shares of the  Holding
Company Common Stock to be issued in the Conversion does not cover the resale of
such shares. Shares of Holding Company Common Stock purchased by persons who are
not affiliates of the Holding Company may be sold without  registration.  Shares
purchased by an  affiliate of the Holding  Company will be subject to the resale
restrictions  of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. If the Holding Company meets
the current  public  information  requirements  of Rule 144 under the Securities
Act,  each  affiliate  of the  Holding  Company  who  complies  with  the  other
conditions of Rule 144 (including  those that require the affiliate's sale to be
aggregated  with those of certain  other  persons)  would be able to sell in the
public market,  without  registration,  a number of shares not to exceed, in any
three-month  period,  the  greater  of (i) 1% of the  outstanding  shares of the
Holding  Company or (ii) the  average  weekly  volume of trading in such  shares
during the preceding four calendar weeks.

The Bank

         General. The Bank is subject to extensive regulation and examination by
the Department,  as its chartering authority, and by the FDIC, as the insurer of
its deposits,  and,  upon  Conversion,  will be subject to certain  requirements
established  by the OTS as a result of the  Holding  Company's  savings and loan
holding  company status.  The federal and state laws and  regulations  which are
applicable to banks regulate,  among other things,  the scope of their business,
their  investments,   their  reserves  against  deposits,   the  timing  of  the
availability  of deposited funds and the nature and amount of and collateral for
certain loans.  The Bank must file reports with the NYBB and the FDIC concerning
its  activities  and financial  condition,  in addition to obtaining  regulatory
approvals  prior to entering  into  certain  transactions  such as  establishing
branches and Mergers with, or acquisitions  of, other  depository  institutions.
There  are  periodic  examinations  by the  Department  and the FDIC to test the
Bank's  compliance  with  various  regulatory  requirements,  to look  into  the
condition  of the Bank and to  assure  that it is being  operated  in a safe and
sound manner.  This  regulation  and  supervision  establishes  a  comprehensive
framework  of  activities  in which an  institution  can engage and is  intended
primarily  for  the  protection  of  the  insurance  fund  and  depositors.  The
regulatory structure also gives the regulatory  authorities extensive discretion
in connection with their supervisory and enforcement  activities and examination
policies,  including  policies with respect to the  classification of assets and
the  establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory  purposes.  Any
change in such regulation, whether by the Department, the FDIC or as a result of
the  enactment  of  legislation,  could  have a material  adverse  impact on the
Holding Company, the Bank and their operations.

         Capital Requirements.  The FDIC has promulgated regulations and adopted
a statement of policy  regarding the capital adequacy of  state-chartered  banks
which, like the Bank, will not be members of the Federal Reserve System.

         The FDIC's capital regulations establish a minimum 3.0% Tier I leverage
capital requirement for the most highly-rated state-chartered, non-member banks,
with an  additional  cushion  of at least 100 to 200 basis  points for all other
state-chartered,  non-member banks,  which effectively will increase the minimum
Tier I leverage  ratio for such other  banks to 4.0% to 5.0% or more.  Under the
FDIC's  regulation,  the highest-rated  banks are those that the FDIC determines
are  not  anticipating  or  experiencing   significant   growth  and  have  well
diversified  risk,  including no undue  interest rate risk  exposure,  excellent
asset  quality,  high  liquidity,  good  earnings  and,  in  general,  which are
considered a strong  banking  organization  and are rated  composite I under the
Uniform  Financial  Institutions  Rating  System.  Leverage  or core  capital is
defined as the sum of common stockholders' equity (including retained earnings),
noncumulative  perpetual  preferred  stock and  related  surplus,  and  minority
interests in consolidated  subsidiaries,  minus all intangible assets other than
certain qualifying supervisory goodwill and certain mortgage servicing rights.


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         The FDIC also  requires  that savings  banks meet a risk-based  capital
standard.  The  risk-based  capital  standard  for savings  banks  requires  the
maintenance   of  total  capital  (which  is  defined  as  Tier  1  capital  and
supplementary  (Tier 2) capital) to  risk-weighted  assets of 8%. In determining
the amount of risk-weighted  assets, all assets,  plus certain off-balance sheet
assets,  are multiplied by a risk-weight  of 0% to 100%,  based on the risks the
FDIC believes are inherent in the type of asset or item.  The components of Tier
I capital are equivalent to those discussed above under the 3% leverage  capital
standard.  The components of  supplementary  capital include  certain  perpetual
preferred stock, certain mandatory convertible securities,  certain subordinated
debt and intermediate  preferred stock and general allowances for loan and lease
losses.  Allowance for loan and lease losses includable in supplementary capital
is limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets. Overall, the amount of
capital counted toward supplementary capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital.
At June 30, 1998 the Bank met each of its capital requirements.

         In  August  1995,  the  FDIC,  along  with the  other  federal  banking
agencies,  adopted a regulation providing that the agencies will take account of
the exposure of a bank's  capital and economic value to changes in interest rate
risk  in  assessing  a  bank's  capital  adequacy.  According  to the  agencies,
applicable  considerations  include the quality of the bank's interest rate risk
management process, the overall financial condition of the bank and the level of
other  risks  at the  bank  for  which  capital  is  needed.  Institutions  with
significant  interest rate risk may be required to hold additional capital.  The
agencies recently issued a joint policy statement providing guidance on interest
rate risk management,  including a discussion of the critical factors  affecting
the  agencies'  evaluation  of interest  rate risk in  connection  with  capital
adequacy.  The agencies have determined not to proceed with a previously  issued
proposal to develop a supervisory framework for measuring interest rate risk and
an explicit capital component for interest rate risk.

         See "Regulatory  Capital  Requirements" for information with respect to
the Bank's historical  leverage and risk-based  capital at June 30, 1998 and pro
forma after giving effect to the issuance of shares in the Offerings.

         Activities and  Investments of New  York-Chartered  Savings Banks.  The
Bank derives its lending,  investment  and other  authority  primarily  from the
applicable  provisions of New York State Banking Law and the  regulations of the
Department,   as  limited  by  FDIC  regulations  and  other  federal  laws  and
regulations.  See  "--Activities  and  Investments  of Insured  State--Chartered
Banks." These New York laws and regulations  authorize savings banks,  including
the Bank, to invest in real estate  mortgages,  consumer and  commercial  loans,
certain types of debt securities,  including  certain  corporate debt securities
and obligations of federal,  State and local  governments and agencies,  certain
types of  corporate  equity  securities  and  certain  other  assets.  Under the
statutory  authority  for  investing  in equity  securities,  a savings bank may
directly invest up to 7.5% of its assets in certain corporate stock and may also
invest up to 7.5% of its assets in certain mutual fund securities. Investment in
stock of a single  corporation is limited to the lesser of 2% of the outstanding
stock of such  corporation  or 1% of the savings  bank's  assets,  except as set
forth  below.  Such  equity  securities  must meet  certain  tests of  financial
performance.  A savings  bank's  lending powers are not subject to percentage of
asset limitations,  although there are limits applicable to single borrowers.  A
savings bank may also, pursuant to the "leeway" authority,  make investments not
otherwise permitted under the New York State Banking Law. This authority permits
investments  in otherwise  impermissible  investments of up to 1% of the savings
bank's assets in any single investment,  subject to certain  restrictions and to
an aggregate limit for all such investments of up to 5% of assets. Additionally,
in lieu of investing in such securities in accordance with the reliance upon the
specific  investment  authority  set forth in the New York  State  Banking  Law,
savings  banks  are  authorized  to elect to  invest  under a  "prudent  person"
standard in a wider range of debt and equity securities as compared to the types
of investments permissible under such specific investment authority. However, in
the event a savings bank elects to utilize the  "prudent  person"  standard,  it
will be unable to avail  itself of the other  provisions  of the New York  State
Banking Law and regulations which set forth specific investment authority. A New
York  chartered  stock savings bank may also exercise trust powers upon approval
of the NYBB.

         Under recently enacted legislation, the Department has been granted the
authority to maintain the power of  state-chartered  banks reciprocal with those
of a  national  bank.  Under the terms of the  legislation,  the  Department  is
granted such  authority for only one year unless  legislation  is adopted within
such period  which  extends the  effective  period of such power.  However,  any
regulations  adopted by the Department pursuant to the authority granted by such
legislation  would be effective  regardless  of whether  legislation  is enacted
extending the effective period.

         New York-chartered  savings banks may also invest in subsidiaries under
their service corporation investment power. A savings bank may use this power to
invest in corporations that engage in various activities authorized for

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savings  banks,  plus any additional  activities  which may be authorized by the
NYBB. Investment by a savings bank in the stock, capital notes and debentures of
its  service  corporations  is  limited  to 3% of the  bank's  assets,  and such
investments, together with the bank's loans to its service corporations, may not
exceed 10% of the savings bank's assets.

         With certain limited exceptions,  a New York-chartered savings bank may
not make loans or extend credit for commercial,  corporate or business  purposes
(including lease financing) to a single borrower,  the aggregate amount of which
would be in excess of 15% of the bank's net worth.  The Bank currently  complies
with all applicable loans-to-one-borrower limitations.

         Activities and Investments of FDIC-Insured  State-Chartered  Banks. The
activities and equity  investments of  FDIC-insured,  state-chartered  banks are
generally  limited to those  that are  permissible  for  national  banks.  Under
regulations dealing with equity investments, an insured state bank generally may
not directly or indirectly acquire or retain any equity investment of a type, or
in an amount, that is not permissible for a national bank. An insured state bank
is not  prohibited  from,  among other  things,  (i)  acquiring  or  retaining a
majority  interest in a  subsidiary,  (ii)  investing as a limited  partner in a
partnership  the sole purpose of which is direct or indirect  investment  in the
acquisition,  rehabilitation or new construction of a qualified housing project,
provided  that such  limited  partnership  investments  may not exceed 2% of the
bank's total assets,  (iii) acquiring up to 10% of the voting stock of a company
that solely provides or reinsures directors',  trustees' and officers' liability
insurance coverage or bankers' blanket bond group insurance coverage for insured
depository institutions,  and (iv) acquiring or retaining the voting shares of a
depository  institution  if  certain  requirements  are  met.  In  addition,  an
FDIC-insured  state-chartered  bank may not directly,  or  indirectly  through a
subsidiary,  engage as "principal" in any activity that is not permissible for a
national bank unless the FDIC has determined that such activities  would pose no
risk to the insurance fund of which it is a member and the bank is in compliance
with applicable regulatory capital requirements.

         Regulatory  Enforcement  Authority.  Applicable  banking  laws  include
substantial  enforcement  powers available to federal banking  regulators.  This
enforcement authority includes,  among other things, the ability to assess civil
money  penalties,  to issue  cease-and-desist  or removal orders and to initiate
injunctive  actions against  banking  organizations  and  institution-affiliated
parties, as defined. In general,  these enforcement actions may be initiated for
violations  of laws and  regulations  and  unsafe or  unsound  practices.  Other
actions or inactions  may provide the basis for  enforcement  action,  including
misleading or untimely reports filed with regulatory authorities.

         Under the New York State Banking Law, the  Superintendent  may issue an
order to a New  York-chartered  banking  institution  to appear  and  explain an
apparent  violation of law, to discontinue  unauthorized or unsafe practices and
to keep prescribed books and accounts. Upon a finding by the Superintendent that
any director,  trustee or officer of any banking  organization  has violated any
law,  or has  continued  unauthorized  or unsafe  practices  in  conducting  the
business  of  the  banking  organization  after  having  been  notified  by  the
Superintendent to discontinue such practices, such director,  trustee or officer
may be removed from office by the Superintendent after notice and an opportunity
to be heard. The Bank does not know of any past or current  practice,  condition
or violation  that might lead to any  proceeding by the  Department  against the
Bank or any of its  directors  or  officers.  The  Superintendent  also may take
possession of a banking organization under specified statutory criteria.

         Prompt Corrective  Action.  Section 38 of the FDIA provides the federal
banking  regulators  with  broad  power to take  "prompt  corrective  action" to
resolve  the  problems  of  undercapitalized  institutions.  The  extent  of the
regulators'  powers  depends on whether  the  institution  in  question is "well
capitalized,"  "adequately  capitalized,"   "undercapitalized,"   "significantly
undercapitalized" or "critically undercapitalized." Under regulations adopted by
the federal banking  regulators,  an institution shall be deemed to be (i) "well
capitalized" if it has a total risk-based  capital ratio of 10.0% or more, has a
Tier I risk-based  capital ratio of 6.0% or more, has a Tier I leverage  capital
ratio of 5.0% or more and is not subject to specified  requirements  to meet and
maintain a specific  capital  level for any capital  measure,  (ii)  "adequately
capitalized" if it has a total risk-based  capital ratio of 8.0% or more, a Tier
I risk-based  capital ratio of 4.0% or more and a Tier I leverage  capital ratio
of 4.0% or more  (3.0%  under  certain  circumstances)  and  does  not  meet the
definition of "well  capitalized,"  (iii)  "undercapitalized"  if it has a total
risk-based  capital  ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier I  risk-based  capital
ratio  that is less than 4.0% or a Tier I  leverage  capital  ratio that is less
than   4.0%   (3.0%   under   certain   circumstances),    (iv)   "significantly
undercapitalized"  if it has a total risk-based  capital ratio that is less than
6.0%,  a Tier I  risk-based  capital  ratio  that is less  than 3.0% or a Tier I
leverage   capital   ratio  that  is  less  than  3.0%,   and  (v)   "critically
undercapitalized"  if it has a ratio of tangible  equity to total assets that is
equal to or less than 2.0%. The

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<PAGE>



regulations also provide that a federal banking  regulator may, after notice and
an opportunity  for a hearing,  reclassify a "well  capitalized"  institution as
"adequately capitalized" and may require an "adequately capitalized" institution
or an "undercapitalized" institution to comply with supervisory actions as if it
were in the next lower  category if the  institution  is in an unsafe or unsound
condition  or engaging  in an unsafe or unsound  practice.  The federal  banking
regulator  may  not,  however,  reclassify  a  "significantly  undercapitalized"
institution as "critically undercapitalized."

         An institution  generally must file a written capital  restoration plan
which meets specified  requirements,  as well as a performance  guaranty by each
company that  controls the  institution,  with an  appropriate  federal  banking
regulator within 45 days of the date that the institution  receives notice or is
deemed   to  have   notice   that  it  is   "undercapitalized,"   "significantly
undercapitalized"  or "critically  undercapitalized."  Immediately upon becoming
undercapitalized,  an institution becomes subject to statutory provisions which,
among other things,  set forth various mandatory and discretionary  restrictions
on the operations of such an institution.

         At June 30, 1998, the Bank had capital  levels which  qualified it as a
"well capitalized" institution.

         FDIC Insurance  Premiums.  The Bank is a member of the BIF administered
by the FDIC. As insurer,  the FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of, and
to require  reporting by,  FDIC-insured  institutions.  It also may prohibit any
FDIC-insured  institution  from engaging in any activity the FDIC  determines by
regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the FDIC.

         The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured  depository
institution,  including  the Bank,  if it  determines  after a hearing  that the
institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices,  is in an
unsafe  or  unsound  condition  to  continue  operations,  or has  violated  any
applicable law, regulation,  order or any condition imposed by an agreement with
the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance  temporarily  during the hearing
process for the permanent  termination of insurance,  if the  institution has no
tangible  capital.  If insurance of accounts is terminated,  the accounts at the
institution at the time of the termination,  less subsequent withdrawals,  shall
continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by
the FDIC. Management is aware of no existing circumstances which would result in
termination of the Bank's deposit insurance.

         Brokered  Deposits.  The FDIA restricts the use of brokered deposits by
certain depository institutions.  Under the FDIA and applicable regulations, (i)
a "well  capitalized  insured  depository  institution"  may solicit and accept,
renew or roll over any brokered deposit without restriction, (ii) an "adequately
capitalized insured depository  institution" may not accept,  renew or roll over
any brokered deposit unless it has applied for and been granted a waiver of this
prohibition  by the  FDIC  and  (iii) an  "undercapitalized  insured  depository
institution" may not (x) accept,  renew or roll over any brokered deposit or (y)
solicit  deposits by offering an  effective  yield that  exceeds by more than 75
basis points the prevailing  effective  yields on insured deposits of comparable
maturity in such institution's normal market area or in the market area in which
such deposits are being  solicited.  The Bank had $992,000 in brokered  deposits
outstanding at June 30, 1998. However,  it is not currently  soliciting brokered
deposits.

         Community  Investment and Consumer  Protection Laws. In connection with
its  lending  activities,  the Bank is  subject  to a variety  of  federal  laws
designed  to protect  borrowers  and promote  lending to various  sectors of the
economy and  population.  Included  among these are the  federal  Home  Mortgage
Disclosure Act, Real Estate  Settlement  Procedures Act,  Truth-in-Lending  Act,
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and CRA.

         The CRA requires  insured  institutions to define the communities  that
they  serve,  identify  the  credit  needs of those  communities  and  adopt and
implement a "Community  Reinvestment Act Statement" pursuant to which they offer
credit  products and take other  actions that respond to the credit needs of the
community.  The responsible  federal banking regulator (in the case of the Bank,
the  FDIC)  must  conduct  regular  CRA   examinations   of  insured   financial
institutions and assign to them a CRA rating of  "outstanding,"  "satisfactory,"
"needs improvement" or  "unsatisfactory."  The Bank's current federal CRA rating
is "satisfactory."

         The Bank is also subject to  provisions  of the New York State  Banking
Law  which  impose   continuing  and   affirmative   obligations   upon  banking
institutions  organized in New York State to serve the credit needs of its local
community ("NYCRA"),  which are similar to those imposed by the CRA. Pursuant to
the NYCRA, a bank must file an annual NYCRA report and copies of all federal CRA
reports with the Department. The NYCRA requires the

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Department to make an annual written  assessment of a bank's compliance with the
NYCRA, utilizing a four-tiered rating system, and make such assessment available
to the public. The NYCRA also requires the Department to consider a bank's NYCRA
rating when reviewing a bank's  application  to engage in certain  transactions,
including  Mergers,  asset purchases and the  establishment of branch offices or
automated  teller  machines,  and provides that such  assessment  may serve as a
basis for the denial of any such  application.  The Bank's  latest NYCRA rating,
received from the Department was "oustanding."

         Limitations  on  Dividends.  The  Holding  Company  is a  legal  entity
separate and distinct from the Bank. The Holding  Company's  principal source of
revenue  consists of  dividends  from the Bank.  The payment of dividends by the
Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements including a requirement, as a
result of the Holding  Company's  savings and loan holding company status,  that
the Bank notify the  Director  not less than 30 days in advance of any  proposed
declaration by its directors of a dividend.

         Under New York State  Banking Law, a New  York-chartered  stock savings
bank may declare and pay  dividends  out of its net profits,  unless there is an
impairment of capital,  but approval of the  Department is required if the total
of all  dividends  declared in a calendar year would exceed the total of its net
profits for that year  combined  with its retained net profits of the  preceding
two years, subject to certain adjustments.

         Miscellaneous.  The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on loans to
the Holding Company or its non-bank subsidiaries, on investments in the stock or
securities  thereof, on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for
loans to any borrower, and on the issuance of a guarantee or letter of credit on
behalf of the Holding  Company or its  non-bank  subsidiaries.  The Bank also is
subject to certain  restrictions on most types of transactions  with the Holding
Company  or  its  non-bank  subsidiaries,  requiring  that  the  terms  of  such
transactions be substantially  equivalent to terms of similar  transactions with
non-affiliated firms.

         FHLB System. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of New York, which is one
of 12 regional  FHLBs that  administers  the home financing  credit  function of
savings  institutions.  Each FHLB  serves as a reserve or  central  bank for its
members within its assigned region. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived
from the sale of consolidated  obligations of the FHLB System. It makes loans to
members (i.e.,  advances) in accordance with policies and procedures established
by the Board of  Directors  of the  FHLB.  The Bank had  $19.9  million  of FHLB
advances at June 30, 1998.

         As a FHLB member,  the Bank is required to purchase and maintain  stock
in the FHLB of New  York in an  amount  equal  to at  least 1% of its  aggregate
unpaid   residential   mortgage  loans,  home  purchase   contracts  or  similar
obligations at the beginning of each year or 5% of its advances from the FHLB of
New York,  whichever is greater.  At June 30, 1998,  the Bank had  approximately
$3.6  million  in  FHLB  stock,  which  resulted  in its  compliance  with  this
requirement.

         The FHLBs are required to provide funds for the  resolution of troubled
savings  institutions  and to contribute to affordable  housing programs through
direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment
and  low-  and  moderate-income  housing  projects.   These  contributions  have
adversely  affected  the  level of FHLB  dividends  paid in the  past and  could
continue to do so in the future.  These contributions also could have an adverse
effect on the value of FHLB stock in the future.

         Federal Reserve System. The FRB requires all depository institutions to
maintain  reserves  against  their  transaction   accounts  (primarily  checking
accounts,  including NOW and Super NOW accounts) and non-personal time deposits.
As of June 30, 1998, the Bank was in compliance  with  applicable  requirements.
However,  because required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash
or a non-interest-bearing  account at a Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of this
reserve requirement is to reduce an institution's earning assets.



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                                    TAXATION

Federal Taxation

         General.  The  Holding  Company and the Bank will be subject to federal
income  taxation  in the same  general  manner as other  corporations  with some
exceptions  discussed  below.  The following  discussion of federal  taxation is
intended only to summarize  certain  pertinent federal income tax matters and is
not a  comprehensive  description  of the tax rules  applicable to the Bank. The
Bank's  federal  income tax returns have been audited or closed without audit by
the Internal Revenue Service through December 31, 1994.

         Method  of  Accounting.  For  federal  income  tax  purposes,  the Bank
currently  reports its income and expenses on the accrual  method of  accounting
and uses a tax year ending June 30 for filing its  consolidated  federal  income
tax returns. The 1996 Act eliminated the use of the reserve method of accounting
for bad debt  reserves by savings  institutions,  effective  for  taxable  years
beginning after 1995.

         Bad Debt  Reserves.  Prior to the 1996 Act,  the Bank was  permitted to
establish a reserve for bad debts and to make annual  additions  to the reserve.
These additions could,  within specified formula limits, be deducted in arriving
at the Bank's taxable income. As a result of the 1996 Act, the Bank must use the
specific  charge off method in computing its bad debt  deduction  beginning with
its 1996 Federal tax return. In addition,  the federal legislation  requires the
recapture  (over a six year  period) of the excess of tax bad debt  reserves  at
December 31, 1995 over those  established as of December 31, 1987. The amount of
such  reserve  subject to recapture  as of June 30, 1998 is  approximately  $1.5
million.

         As discussed more fully below, the Bank and subsidiaries  file combined
New York State Franchise tax returns.  The basis of the determination of the tax
is the  greater  of a tax on entire net  income  (or on  alternative  entire net
income) or a tax computed on taxable assets.  However,  for state purposes,  New
York State enacted legislation in 1996, which among other things,  decoupled the
Federal and New York State tax laws  regarding  thrift bad debt  deductions  and
permits the  continued  use of the bad debt reserve  method under section 593 of
the Code.  Thus,  provided the Bank  continues to satisfy  certain  definitional
tests and other conditions,  for New York State income tax purposes, the Bank is
permitted to continue to use the special reserve method for bad debt deductions.
The  deductible  annual  addition to the state  reserve may be computed  using a
specific  formula  based on the Bank's loss history  ("Experience  Method") or a
statutory  percentage  equal to 32% of the Bank's New York State taxable  income
("Percentage Method").

         Taxable  Distributions  and Recapture.  Prior to the 1996 Act, bad debt
reserves created prior to January 1, 1988 were subject to recapture into taxable
income should the Bank fail to meet certain thrift asset and definitional tests.
New  federal  legislation  eliminated  these  thrift  related  recapture  rules.
However, under current law, pre-1988 reserves remain subject to recapture should
the Bank make certain  non-dividend  distributions,  dividend  distributions  in
excess of historical earnings and profits or cease to maintain a bank charter.

         At June  30,  1998 the  Bank's  total  federal  base-year  reserve  was
approximately  $3.7 million.  These reserves  reflect the cumulative  effects of
federal tax deductions by the Bank for which no Federal income tax provision has
been made.

         Minimum  Tax.  The  Code  imposes  an AMT at a rate of 20% on a base of
regular  taxable  income plus  certain  tax  preferences  ("alternative  minimum
taxable  income" or  "AMTI").  The AMT is payable to the extent  such AMTI is in
excess of an exemption  amount and regular income tax. Net operating  losses can
offset no more than 90% of AMTI. Certain payments of alternative minimum tax may
be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years. The Bank has
not  been  subject  to the  alternative  minimum  tax and  has no  such  amounts
available as credits for carryover.

         Net Operating Loss Carryovers.  For the years beginning after August 5,
1997,  a  financial  institution  may  carry  back net  operating  losses to the
preceding two taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable  years.  At
June 30, 1998,  the Bank had no net  operating  loss  carryforwards  for federal
income tax purposes.

         Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction. The Holding Company may exclude
from its income 100% of dividends received from the Bank as a member of the same
affiliated group of corporations. The corporate

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dividends-received  deduction  is 80% in the  case of  dividends  received  from
corporations  with which a corporate  recipient does not file a consolidated tax
return,  and corporations  which own less than 20% of the stock of a corporation
distributing a dividend may deduct only 70% of dividends  received or accrued on
their behalf.

State and Local Taxation

         New York State  Taxation.  The Holding Company and the Bank will report
income on a combined basis utilizing a fiscal year. New York State Franchise Tax
on  corporations  is  imposed  in an amount  equal to the  greater  of (a) 9% of
"entire net income"  allocable to New York State (b) 3% of  "alternative  entire
net income" allocable to New York State (c) 0.01% of the average value of assets
allocable  to New York State or (d) nominal  minimum  tax.  Entire net income is
based on federal taxable income, subject to certain modifications.

         Delaware  State  Taxation.  As a Delaware  holding  company not earning
income in Delaware, the Holding Company is exempt from Delaware corporate income
tax but is  required to file an annual  report with and pay an annual  franchise
tax to the State of Delaware.  The tax is imposed as a percentage of the capital
base of the Holding Company with an annual maximum of $150,000.


                        MANAGEMENT OF THE HOLDING COMPANY

Directors and Executive Officers

         The Board of Directors  of the Holding  Company  currently  consists of
eleven members,  each of whom is also a trustee of the Bank. As discussed below,
upon  consummation  of the  Conversion,  the  current  trustees of the Bank will
continue to be directors of the  stock-chartered  Bank.  See  "Management of the
Bank -- Trustees." Each director of the Holding Company has served as such since
the Holding Company's  incorporation in September 1998. Directors of the Holding
Company will serve three-year staggered terms so that one-third of the directors
will be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders.  One class of directors,
consisting of Duncan S. Mac Affer, Arthur E. Bowen, Walter H. Speidel, and Harry
L. Robinson has a term of office expiring at the Holding  Company's first Annual
Meeting of  Stockholders,  a second class,  consisting of R. Douglas  Paton,  J.
Timothy  O'Hearn,  Chester C.  DeLaMater,  and Peter G.  Casabonne has a term of
office expiring at the Holding  Company's second Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
and a third  class,  consisting  of Michael L.  Crotty,  Donald A.  Wilson,  and
Frederick G. Field,  Jr.,  has a term  expiring at the Holding  Company's  third
Annual Meeting of  Stockholders.  For  biographical  information  regarding each
director of the Holding Company, see "Management of the Bank -- Trustees."

         The executive  officers of the Holding Company are elected annually and
hold office until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or
until death,  resignation  or removal by the Board of  Directors.  The executive
officers  of the  Holding  Company are Harry L.  Robinson,  President  and Chief
Executive Officer and Richard A. Ahl, Executive Vice President,  Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary.  It is not anticipated that the executive officers of the
Holding  Company  will  receive any  remuneration  in their  capacity as Holding
Company executive officers.  For information regarding  compensation of trustees
and executive  officers of the Bank, see "Management of the  Bank--Meetings  and
Committees of the Board of Trustees of the Bank" and "--Executive Compensation."

Indemnification

         The certificate of incorporation of the Holding Company provides that a
director or officer of the Holding  Company shall be  indemnified by the Holding
Company to the fullest extent  authorized by the General  Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware against all expenses,  liability and loss reasonably  incurred
or suffered by such person in  connection  with his  activities as a director or
officer or as a director  or officer of  another  company,  if the  director  or
officer held such position at the request of the Holding  Company.  Delaware law
requires  that  such  director,  officer,  employee  or  agent,  in  order to be
indemnified,  must have acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably  believed
to be not opposed to the best interests of the Holding Company and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding,  did not have reasonable  cause to believe
his conduct was unlawful.

         The  certificate of  incorporation  of the Holding Company and Delaware
law also provide that the indemnification provisions of such certificate and the
statute are not exclusive of any other right which a person seeking

                                       79

<PAGE>



indemnification may have or later acquire under any statute, or provision of the
certificate of incorporation,  bylaws of the Holding Company, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

         These   provisions  may  have  the  effect  of  deterring   stockholder
derivative actions,  since the Holding Company may ultimately be responsible for
expenses for both parties to the action.

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


                             MANAGEMENT OF THE BANK

Trustees

         Board of Trustees of the Bank.  Prior to the Conversion,  the direction
and control of the Bank, as a mutual  savings  bank,  was vested in its Board of
Trustees. Upon Conversion of the Bank to stock form, each of the trustees of the
Bank will  continue to serve as directors of the  converted  Bank.  The Board of
Trustees of the Bank currently  consists of eleven members.  Each Trustee of the
Bank has served as such at least since  January,  1992,  except for Frederick G.
Field, Jr., who was appointed in September, 1995. The trustees serve until their
72nd  birthday.  Because  the  Holding  Company  will own all of the  issued and
outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock of the Bank  after the  Conversion,  the
directors of the Holding Company will elect the directors of the Bank.



                                       80

<PAGE>



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

<TABLE>
<S>                         <C>                                                  <C>          <C>

                                                                                               Director
            Name                        Position(s) Held With the Bank              Age(1)       Since
            ----                        ------------------------------              ------       -----
Duncan S. Mac Affer          Trustee                                                  63         1964
Arthur E. Bowen              Trustee                                                  59         1966
Walter H. Speidel            Trustee                                                  70         1970
Harry L. Robinson            President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee           58         1973
R. Douglas Paton             Trustee                                                  62         1980
J. Timothy O'Hearn           Trustee                                                  57         1983
Chester C. DeLaMater         Trustee                                                  58         1983
Peter G. Casabonne           Trustee                                                  66         1985
Michael L. Crotty            Trustee                                                  52         1986
Donald A. Wilson             Trustee                                                  54         1991
Frederick G. Field, Jr.      Trustee                                                  66         1995
<FN>

(1)  At June 30, 1998.
</FN>
</TABLE>

         The  business  experience  of each trustee of the Bank for at least the
past five years is set forth below.

         Duncan S. Mac Affer. Mr. Mac Affer is a licensed attorney practicing in
the State of New York.  He is  currently  a Village  Justice  in the  Village of
Menands,  New York and recently retired after serving as counsel to the New York
Senate Finance Committee.

         Arthur E. Bowen.  Mr. Bowen is the President and Funeral  Director with
Bowen Funeral Home, Inc.

         Walter H. Speidel.  Mr.  Speidel is a retired past  President of Cohoes
Savings Bank ^.

         Harry L. Robinson.  Mr. Robinson is a licensed  attorney.  He is, also,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Cohoes Savings Bank ^.

         R. Douglas Paton. Mr. Paton is a retired Stockbroker.

         J. Timothy  O'Hearn.  Mr.  O'Hearn is  President of the Century  House,
Inc., a restaurant, food catering and lodging company.

         Chester  C.  DeLaMater.  Mr.  DeLaMater  is a  retired  Executive  Vice
President and Secretary of Cohoes Savings Bank ^.

         Peter G.  Casabonne.  Mr.  Casabonne  is a  Managing  Partner of Fuller
Realty, Inc., a company which leases manufacturing and office space.

         Michael L. Crotty. Mr. Crotty is President of Capitol Equipment,  Inc.,
which is a seller of heavy construction and recycling equipment.

         Donald A.  Wilson.  Mr.  Wilson,  a  Certified  Public  Accountant,  is
President of Wilson & Stark CPA, PC.

         Frederick G. Field,  Jr. Mr. Field is a retired  Supervisor of the Town
of Colonie.  He is  currently  President  of Capitol  Hill  Management,  Inc., a
company providing lobbying and management services to associations.


                                       81

<PAGE>



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

         Richard A. Ahl, age 50. Mr. Ahl is currently  serving as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer.  Mr. Ahl joined the Bank in 1996. Mr. Ahl
is a CPA with 20 years of financial and banking experience.

         Albert J.  Picchi,  age 36.  Mr.  Picchi is  currently  serving as Vice
President  and Senior Loan  Officer.  Mr.  Picchi  joined the Bank in January of
1994. Mr. Picchi has 14 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Trustees of the Bank

         The Bank's  Board of Trustees  meets on a monthly  basis.  The Board of
Trustees met 13 times during fiscal 1998.  During fiscal 1998, no trustee of the
Bank  attended  fewer  than 75% of the  aggregate  of the total  number of Board
meetings and the total number of meetings held by the committees of the Board of
Trustee on which he or she served.

         The Bank has  standing  Executive,  Loan  Review,  Nominating,  Salary,
Trustee Qualification and Examining Committees.

         The Executive  Committee  provides  oversight of Board-related  matters
in-between  regularly scheduled Board Meetings.  In addition,  the Committee has
the authority to make  investments,  acquire or sell real estate and to take any
other action not  otherwise  reserved for the Board of Trustees.  The  Executive
Committee is comprised of five Trustees,  which  membership  rotates each month.
This committee did not meet during fiscal 1998.

         The Loan Review  Committee is comprised of two trustees  which  rotates
each month and Harry L.  Robinson.  This  Committee  oversees  and reviews  real
estate loans  between  $500,001 and  $749,000,  and  commercial  business  loans
between $200,001 and $300,000.

         The Nominating  Committee  proposes  nominations  for Chairman and Vice
Chairman of the Board,  Officers,  Trustee  Emeriti and the  appointment  of the
Bank's legal counsel.  This committee is comprised of three trustees serving for
a three year term,  meeting once each year. The current members of the committee
are Donald A. Wilson  (Chairman),  Frederick  G. Field,  Jr.,  and Duncan S. Mac
Affer.

         The Salary Committee is comprised of three trustees serving for a three
year term meeting once a quarter to review compensation and benefit practices of
the Bank to ensure  internal and external  market  competitiveness.  The current
members  of  the  committee  are  J.  Timothy  O'Hearn  (Chairman),  Chester  C.
DeLaMater, and Peter G. Casabonne.

         The Trustee  Qualification  Committee  is comprised of the three senior
Trustees  meeting as necessary  to review  candidates  for the  vacancies on the
Board. The current members of the committee are Duncan S. Mac Affer  (Chairman),
Arthur E. Bowen, and Walter H. Speidel.

         The Examining  Committee is comprised of three  trustees  serving for a
three year term,  meeting  once a quarter  to  provide  oversight  to the Bank's
Internal  Audit  Department and for the review of the Bank's annual audit report
prepared  by  the  Bank's  independent  auditors.  The  current  members  of the
committee are Peter G. Casabonne  (Chairman),  Michael L. Crotty,  and Donald A.
Wilson.

Trustee Compensation

         Trustees  of the Bank are paid a  monthly  fee for each  board  meeting
attended of $2,625. Trustees receive $500 for each committee meeting attended.



                                       82

<PAGE>



Trustees Emeritus

         Under the Bank's Bylaws,  a retiring  Trustee may, with the approval of
the Board of  Trustees,  serve as a  Trustee  Emeritus  of the  Bank.  A Trustee
Emeritus  is  entitled  to  attend  all  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,
participate in all discussions and receive the same fees as a Trustee.  Trustees
Emeriti are not, however, entitled to vote or meet as a separate body. Robert L.
Knoop and Charles R. Crotty currently serve as Trustees Emeritus of the Bank.

Executive Compensation

         The following table sets forth information  concerning the compensation
paid to the Bank's Chief  Executive  Officer and the Bank's only other executive
officer whose salary and bonus for fiscal 1998 exceeded $100,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                   Summary Compensation Table
                                                                                     Long Term Compensation
                                                    Annual Compensation                      Awards
                                                                        Other Annual    Restricted Stock   Options      All Other
     Name and Principal Position       Year    Salary($)   Bonus($)    Compensation($)    Award ($)(1)      (#)(1)   Compensation($)

<S>                                    <C>   <C>          <C>              <C>               <C>            <C>       <C>  

Harry L. Robinson, President and       1998   $295,072(2) $59,063(2)        $---              N/A            N/A        $17,243(3)
Chief Executive Officer

Richard A. Ahl, Executive Vice         1998    146,224(2)  31,250(2)         ---              N/A            N/A         4,212(3)
President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
<FN>

(1)  As a mutual  institution,  the Bank  does not  have any  stock  options  or
     restricted stock plans.

(2)  $27,323  and  $21,220  was  deferred  under  the  Bank's   deferred  salary
     arrangement for Mr. Robinson and Mr. Ahl,  respectively.  Both Mr. Robinson
     and Mr. Ahl elected to have their entire bonuses deferred.

(3)  Includes 401(k) Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan contributions of $6,043 and
     $11,200, respectively, for Mr. Robinson and $2,849 and $1,363 respectively,
     for Mr. Ahl.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Employment Agreements

     Upon the Conversion,  the Bank intends to enter into employment  agreements
with  Harry  L.  Robinson,  Richard  A. Ahl and  Albert  J.  Picchi  of the Bank
(individually,  the  "Executive")  and the Holding Company intends to enter into
employment  agreements with Harry L. Robinson and Richard A. Ahl. The employment
agreements are intended to ensure that the Bank and the Holding  Company will be
able to maintain a stable and competent  management  base after the  Conversion.
The  continued  success  of the  Bank  and  the  Holding  Company  depends  to a
significant  degree  on  the  skills  and  competence  of the  above  referenced
officers.

     The employment  agreements  provide for either three-year or two-year terms
for each Executive.  The terms of the employment agreements shall be extended on
a daily basis at the Holding  Company  and  annually at the Bank,  subject to an
annual prior performance review by the Board of Directors, unless written notice
of  non-renewal is given by the Board of Directors.  The  employment  agreements
provide that the  executive's  base salary will be reviewed  annually.  The base
salary  which  will be  effective  for such  Employment  Agreement  for Harry L.
Robinson  and Richard A. Ahl will be $400,000  and  $200,000,  respectively.  In
addition to the base salary, the employment  agreements provide for, among other
things,  participation  in  stock  benefits  plans  and  other  fringe  benefits
applicable to executive personnel. The agreements provide for termination by the
Bank or the Holding Company for cause, as defined in the employment  agreements,
at any time. In the event the Bank or the Holding  Company  chooses to terminate
the executive's  employment for reasons other than for cause, or in the event of
the  executive's  resignation  from the Bank and the Holding  Company upon;  (i)
failure to re-elect the executive to his current offices; (ii) a material change
in the executive's functions,  duties or responsibilities;  (iii) a reduction in
the  benefits  and  perquisites  being  provided  to  the  executive  under  the
Employment Agreement; (iv) liquidation or dissolution of the Bank or the Holding
Company;  or (v) a breach of the  agreement by the Bank or the Holding  Company,
the executive or, in the event of death,  his  beneficiary  would be entitled to
receive  an  amount  equal to the  remaining  base  salary  payments  due to the
executive  for  the  remaining  term  of  the   Employment   Agreement  and  the
contributions that would have been made on the executive's

                                       83

<PAGE>



behalf to any employee  benefit plans of the Bank and the Holding Company during
the remaining term of the agreement. The Bank and the Holding Company would also
continue  and  pay for the  executive's  life,  health,  dental  and  disability
coverage for the remaining  term of the Agreement.  Upon any  termination of the
executive, other than following a change in control, the executive is subject to
a one year non-competition agreement.

     Under the employment  agreements,  if voluntary or involuntary  termination
follows a change in control of the Bank or the Holding  Company,  the  executive
or, in the event of the executive's death, his beneficiary, would be entitled to
the payment of base salary,  plan  contributions and other forms of compensation
to which the  executive is entitled  for the  remaining  term of the  Employment
Agreement,  plus a severance  payment  equal to the greater of: (i) the payments
due for the remaining term of the agreement;  or (ii) three times the average of
the five preceding taxable years' annual compensation.  The Bank and the Holding
Company  would also  continue  the  executive's  life,  health,  and  disability
coverage  for  thirty-six  months in the case of  Messrs.  Robinson  and Ahl and
twenty-four months in the case of Mr. Picchi. Under the employment agreements, a
voluntary  termination  following  a change in  control  means  the  executive's
voluntary resignation following any demotion, loss of title, office authority or
responsibility,   a  reduction  in   compensation  or  benefits  or  relocation.
Notwithstanding  that both the Bank and Holding  Company  employment  agreements
provide  for a  severance  payment  in the  event of a change  in  control,  the
executive  would only be  entitled  to  receive a  severance  payment  under one
agreement.

     Payments to the executive  under the Bank's  Employment  Agreement  will be
guaranteed by the Holding Company in the event that payments or benefits are not
paid by the Bank. Payment under the Holding Company's Employment Agreement would
be made by the Holding Company.  The Holding Company's Employment Agreement also
provides that the Holding Company will compensate the executive for excise taxes
imposed on any "excess parachute payments," as defined under section 280G of the
Code, made thereunder,  and any additional  income and excise taxes imposed as a
result  of such  compensation.  All  reasonable  costs  and  legal  fees paid or
incurred by the executive  pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation
relating  to the  employment  agreements  shall be paid by the  Bank or  Holding
Company,  respectively, if the executive is successful on the merits pursuant to
a legal  judgment,  arbitration or settlement.  The employment  agreements  also
provide that the Bank and the Holding  Company shall  indemnify the executive to
the fullest  extent  allowable  under New York and Delaware  law,  respectively.
Assuming  a change  in  control  of the  Bank or the  Holding  Company  occurred
effective June 30, 1998, the total amount of payments due under the  Agreements,
based  solely  on  cash  compensation  paid to the  officers  who  will  receive
employment agreements over the past five fiscal years and excluding any benefits
under any  employee  benefit plan which may be payable,  would be  approximately
$3.0 million.

Change in Control Agreements

   
     Upon Conversion,  the Bank intends to enter into one-year Change in Control
agreements with Officers Kathleen Kelleher,  Tammy L. Kimble, Johanna O. Robbins
and John G.  Sturn of the  Bank,  none of whom  will be  covered  by  employment
contracts.  Commencing  on the first  anniversary  date and  continuing  on each
anniversary thereafter,  the Bank Change in Control agreements may be renewed by
the Board of Directors of the Bank for an additional  year. The Bank's Change in
Control  agreements  will  provide that in the event  voluntary  or  involuntary
termination  follows a change in control of the Holding Company or the Bank, the
officer would be entitled to receive a severance  payment equal to the officer's
current  annual  compensation.  The Bank  would  also  continue  and pay for the
officer's  life,  health and  disability  coverage for twelve  months  following
termination.  Under the Change in Control  agreements,  a voluntary  termination
following  a change in  control  means  the  executive's  voluntary  resignation
following any demotion,  loss of title,  office authority or  responsibility,  a
reduction in compensation or benefits or relocation. In the event of a change in
control of the Holding Company or the Bank, the total payments that would be due
under the Change in  Control  agreements,  based  solely on the  current  annual
compensation  paid to the officers  covered by the Change in Control  agreements
and excluding any benefits under any employee benefit plan which may be payable,
would be approximately $250,000.
    



                                       84

<PAGE>



Employee Severance Compensation Plan

     The Bank's Board of Directors  intends to, upon  Conversion,  establish the
Severance Plan which will provide  eligible  employees  selected by the Board of
Directors with severance pay benefits in the event of a change in control of the
Bank or the Holding  Company  following  Conversion.  Management  personnel with
employment  agreements  or Change in  Control  agreements  are not  eligible  to
participate  in  the  severance  plan.  Generally,  employees  are  eligible  to
participate  in the severance  plan if they have  completed at least one year of
service  with  the  Bank.  The  Severance  Plan  vests  in  each  participant  a
contractual  right to the benefits such  participant  is entitled to thereunder.
Under the severance plan, in the event of a change in control of the Bank or the
Holding Company,  eligible  employees who are terminated from or terminate their
employment  within one year (for reasons  specified  under the severance  plan),
will be entitled  to receive a  severance  payment.  If the  participant,  whose
employment  has  terminated,  has  completed  at least one year of service,  the
participant  will be entitled to a cash severance  payment equal to two weeks of
annual  compensation  for each year of  service up to a maximum of six months of
annual  compensation.  Such payments may tend to discourage takeover attempts by
increasing  costs to be incurred by the Bank in the event of a takeover.  In the
event the provisions of the severance  plan are  triggered,  the total amount of
payments that would be due thereunder,  based solely upon current salary levels,
would  be  approximately  $202,000.  However,  it is  management's  belief  that
substantially  all of the Bank's  employees  would be retained in their  current
positions in the event of a change in control, and that any amount payable under
the severance plan would be  considerably  less than the total amount that could
possibly be paid under the severance plan.

Independent Compensation Expert

     Pursuant  to NYBB  regulations,  an  independent  compensation  expert must
review the total  compensation  for the  executive  officers and trustees of the
Bank  as a  whole  and  on  an  individual  basis  and  determine  whether  such
compensation is reasonable and proper in comparison to the compensation provided
to  executive  officers,   directors  or  trustees  of  similar  publicly-traded
financial  institutions.  William M. Mercer,  Incorporated  has  conducted  such
review  on  behalf  of the  Bank  and  determined  that,  based  upon  published
professional  survey  data  of  similarly  situated  publicly-traded   financial
institutions  operating in the relevant markets,  with respect to the total cash
compensation for executive  officers and total  remuneration for trustees of the
Bank,  such  compensation,  viewed as a whole  and on an  individual  basis,  is
reasonable  and proper in comparison to the  compensation  provided to similarly
situated publicly-traded  financial institutions,  and that, with respect to the
amount of shares of Holding  Company Common Stock to be reserved under the ESOP,
and  expected to be reserved  under the RRP and the Stock  Option and  Incentive
Plan,  as a  whole,  such  amounts  reserved  for  granting  are  reasonable  in
comparison to similar publicly-traded financial institutions.

Benefit Plans

     General. The Bank currently provides health care benefits to its employees,
including medical, dental and life insurance, subject to certain deductibles and
copayments by employees.

     401(k)  Savings  and  Profit-Sharing   Plan.  The  Bank  has  a  qualified,
tax-exempt  savings  and  profit-sharing  plan with a cash or  deferred  feature
qualifying  under Section 401(k) of the Code (the "401(k)  Plan").  All salaried
employees who have attained age 21 and completed one year of employment,  during
which they worked at least 1,000 hours, are eligible to participate.

     Participants  are permitted to make salary  reduction  contributions to the
401(k)  Plan of  between  2% to 15% of the  participant's  annual  salary.  Each
participant's salary reduction  contribution is matched by the Bank in an amount
equal  to 50% of  the  participant's  before-tax  contribution  up to a  maximum
contribution by the Bank of 3% of such participant's  annual salary for the Plan
Year.  All  participant  contributions  and earnings  are fully and  immediately
vested.  All matching  contributions are vested at a rate of 20% per year over a
five year period commencing after one year of employment with the Bank. However,
in the event of retirement,  permanent  disability or death, a participant  will
automatically become 100% vested in the value of all matching  contributions and
earnings thereon, regardless of the number of years of employment with the Bank.


                                       85

<PAGE>



     Participants  may invest amounts  contributed to their 401(k) Plan accounts
in one or more investment  options  available under the 401(k) Plan in multiples
of 10%.  Changes in  investment  allocations  among the funds are permitted on a
continuous basis pursuant to procedures  established by the Plan  Administrator.
Each  participant  receives a quarterly  statement  which  provides  information
regarding,  among  other  things,  the  market  value  of  his  investments  and
contributions made to the 401(k) Plan on his behalf.  Participants are permitted
to borrow  against their account  balance in the 401(k) Plan. For the year ended
June 30, 1998, the Bank's contributions to the 401(k) Savings and Profit-Sharing
Plan  on  behalf  of  Messrs.   Robinson   and  Ahl  were  $17,243  and  $4,212,
respectively.

     Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan. The Board of Trustees of the Bank and the
Board of Directors of the Holding  Company have approved the adoption of an ESOP
for the benefit of eligible  employees of the Bank. The ESOP is designed to meet
the  requirements  of an employee  stock  ownership plan as described at Section
4975(e)(7) of the Code and Section 407(d)(6) of ERISA, and, as such, the ESOP is
empowered to borrow in order to finance  purchases of the Holding Company Common
Stock.

   
     It is anticipated  that the ESOP will be initially  funded with a loan from
the Holding  Company and  administered by ^ RSI Retirement  Trust.  The proceeds
from this loan are expected to be used by the ESOP to purchase 8% of the Holding
Company Common Stock issued in the  Conversion,  including  shares issued to the
Foundation.  After the Conversion,  as a qualified  employee  pension plan under
Section  401(a) of the Code,  the ESOP will be in the form of a stock bonus plan
and will provide for contributions,  predominantly in the form of either Holding
Company  Common  Stock or cash,  which will be used within a  reasonable  period
after the date of contributions primarily to purchase the Holding Company Common
Stock.  The maximum  tax-deductible  contribution  by the Bank in any year is an
amount  equal to the  maximum  amount  that may be  deducted  by the Bank  under
Section 404 of the Code,  subject to reduction based on  contributions  to other
tax-qualified employee plans. Additionally, the Bank will not make contributions
if such  contributions  would cause the Bank to violate its  regulatory  capital
requirements.  The  assets of the ESOP will be  invested  primarily  in  Holding
Company Common Stock.  The Bank will receive a tax deduction equal to the amount
it contributes to the ESOP.
    

     From  time to time the ESOP  may  purchase  additional  shares  of  Holding
Company Common Stock for the benefit of plan  participants  through purchases of
outstanding  shares in the market,  upon the  original  issuance  of  additional
shares by the Holding Company or upon the sale of shares held in treasury by the
Holding Company. Such purchases, which are not currently contemplated,  would be
subject to then-applicable laws, regulations and market conditions.

     All  employees  of the Bank are eligible to  participate  in the ESOP after
they attain age 21 and complete on year of service with the Bank. Employees will
be credited  for years of service to the Bank prior to the  adoption of the ESOP
for participation and vesting purposes. The Bank's contribution to the ESOP will
be allocated among participants on the basis of compensation. Each participant's
account will be credited  with cash and shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock
based  upon  compensation  earned  during  the year  with  respect  to which the
contribution  is made.  A  participant  will  become  vested  in his or her ESOP
account at a rate of 20% per year and after  completing  five years of service a
participant  will be 100% vested in his or her ESOP account.  ESOP  participants
are  entitled  to  receive  distributions  from their  ESOP  accounts  only upon
termination of service. Distribution will be made in cash and in whole shares of
Holding  Company  Common  Stock.   Fractional  shares  will  be  paid  in  cash.
Participants  will not incur a tax liability until a distribution is made. Since
the ESOP shares are allocated to eligible employees of the Bank, any unallocated
shares  will be voted in a manner  calculated  to most  accurately  reflect  the
instructions it has received from participants regarding the allocated shares so
long as such vote is in accordance with the provisions of ERISA.

     Participating employees are entitled to instruct the trustee of the ESOP as
to how to vote the shares held in their  account.  ESOP shares that have not yet
been allocated to  participating  employees are voted by the trustee in the same
proportion as those shares  allocated to and voted by  participating  employees.
The trustee,  who has dispositive power over the shares in the Plan, will not be
affiliated  with the Holding Company or the Bank. The ESOP may be amended by the
Board of Directors of the Holding Company,  except that no amendment may be made
which would  reduce the  interest of any  participant  in the ESOP trust fund or
divert  any of the  assets of the ESOP  trust  fund to  purposes  other than the
benefit of participants or their beneficiaries.


                                       86

<PAGE>



     Stock  Option and  Incentive  Plan.  Among the benefits to the Bank and the
Holding  Company  anticipated  from the Conversion is the ability to attract and
retain directors and key personnel through stock option and other  stock-related
incentive programs.  A Stock Option and Incentive Plan is intended to be adopted
by the Board of  Directors  of the  Holding  Company and then  submitted  to the
Holding  Company's  stockholders  for their approval (at a meeting to be held no
earlier than six months following the Conversion).

     The Holding  Company  anticipates  reserving  an amount equal to 10% of the
shares of Holding  Company  Common  Stock  issued in the  Conversion,  including
shares issued to the  Foundation  (or 829,150  shares based upon the issuance of
8,291,500 shares at the maximum of the estimated  valuation range), for issuance
under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan. If the Holding Company  implements an
option  plan  within  one year  following  completion  of the  Conversion,  NYBB
regulations  provide  that no  individual  officer or  employee  of the Bank may
receive  more than 25% of the options  granted  under the plan and  non-employee
directors may not receive more than 5% individually, or 30% in the aggregate, of
the options granted under the plan. NYBB and FDIC  regulations also provide that
the exercise price of any options granted under any such plan implemented  after
the  Conversion  must equal or exceed the market  price of the  Holding  Company
Common Stock as of the date of grant. Additionally,  OTS regulations, as applied
by the FDIC,  provide that with respect to any stock option plan adopted  within
one year after  Conversion,  the  vesting or the  exercisability  of any options
granted  under  such  a plan  may  not  be  accelerated  except  upon  death  or
disability.

     It is  anticipated  that the Stock Option and Incentive Plan will allow for
the  granting  of:  (i) stock  options  for  employees  intended  to  qualify as
incentive  stock  options  under  Section  422 of  the  Code  ("Incentive  Stock
Options"),  and (ii)  options for all plan  participants  that do not qualify as
incentive stock options ("Non-Statutory Stock Options"). All such awards will be
granted at no cost to the recipient.  Unless sooner terminated, the Stock Option
and Incentive  Plan will remain in effect for a period of fifteen years from the
later of adoption by the Board of Directors or approval by the Holding Company's
stockholders.  Options  granted  pursuant to the Stock Option and Incentive Plan
remain exercisable for a ten year period.

     The Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan will be  administered  by a committee
(the  "Compensation  Committee")  the  members  of which are each  "non-employee
directors,"  as defined in the SEC's  regulations,  and "outside  directors," as
defined under Section  162(m) of the Code and the  regulations  thereunder.  The
Compensation  Committee will determine which  directors,  officers and employees
may receive  options,  whether such  options  will  qualify as  Incentive  Stock
Options, the number of shares subject to each option, the exercise price of each
option,  the manner of exercise  of the  options and the time when such  options
will become exercisable.

     Options granted pursuant to the Stock Option and Incentive Plan will remain
exercisable  for the lesser of (a) three years  following  such  termination  of
service or (b) until the  expiration  of the Option by its terms,  following the
date on which a  participant  ceases  to  perform  services  for the Bank or the
Holding  Company,  except in the  event of death or  disability,  in which  case
options would  accelerate and become fully vested and remain  exercisable for up
to one year thereafter,  or such longer period as determined by the Compensation
Committee.  However, any Incentive Stock Option exercised more than three months
following  the  date on which an  employee  ceased  to  perform  services  as an
employee,  other  than  termination  due to death or  disability,  would  not be
treated for tax purposes as an Incentive  Stock Option.  It is intended that the
Stock Option Plan would provide that the Compensation Committee, if requested by
the optionee,  could elect, in exchange for vested options, to pay the optionee,
or beneficiary in the event of death,  the amount by which the fair market value
of the Holding Company Common Stock exceeds the exercise price of the options on
the date of the employee's termination of employment.

     Recognition and Retention Plan.  Following  consummation of the Conversion,
the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Holding  Company  intends  to adopt a RRP for
directors,  officers and  employees.  The objective of the RRP will be to enable
the  Holding  Company  to  provide  directors,  officers  and  employees  with a
proprietary interest in the Holding Company as an incentive to contribute to its
success.   Awards  made  pursuant  to  the  RRP  will  be  granted  to  eligible
participants based on their position and responsibilities to the Holding Company
or the Bank,  the value of their  services to the Holding  Company and the Bank,
length of service and other factors the compensation committee may deem relevant
at the time such awards are made. The Holding Company intends to present the RRP
to stockholders for their approval at a meeting of stockholders which,  pursuant
to applicable NYBB and FDIC regulations,  may be held no earlier than six months
subsequent to completion of the Conversion.


                                       87

<PAGE>



     The RRP will be administered by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of
Directors.  The Holding Company will contribute funds to the RRP to enable it to
acquire in the open market or from  authorized  but unissued  shares,  following
stockholder  ratification  of such plan,  an amount of stock  equal to 4% of the
shares of Holding  Company  Common  Stock  issued in the  Conversion,  including
shares issued to the Foundation (representing 331,660 shares in the aggregate at
the maximum of the estimated valuation range, having a value of $3,316,600 based
on the  Offering  Price  per  share  of  $10.00).  Although  no  specific  award
determinations  have been made,  the Holding  Company  anticipates  that it will
provide  stock  awards  at no cost to  participants,  the  directors,  executive
officers and employees of the Holding Company or the Bank or their affiliates to
the extent permitted by applicable  regulations.  NYBB regulations provide that,
to the  extent  the  Holding  Company  implements  the RRP within one year after
Conversion,  no  individual  employee may receive more than 25% of the shares of
any plan and  non-employee  directors  may not receive  more than 5% of any plan
individually  or 30% in the  aggregate  for  all  directors.  Additionally,  OTS
regulations,  as applied by the FDIC,  provide that Awards granted under the RRP
may not be accelerated  except upon death or disability for plans adopted within
one year after Conversion.

     Under the terms of the proposed RRP,  awards  ("Awards")  can be granted to
key employees in the form of shares of Holding  Company Common Stock held by the
RRP. Awards are non-transferable and non-assignable. Recipients will earn (i.e.,
become vested in), in equal  installments over a five year period, the shares of
Holding Company Common Stock covered by the Award.

     Benefit   Restoration   Plan.   The  Holding   Company  also   maintains  a
non-qualified deferred compensation plan, known as the Benefit Restoration Plan.
The Benefit  Restoration Plan provides  certain officers and highly  compensated
executives  of the  Holding  Company and the Bank with  supplemental  retirement
income when such amounts  cannot be paid from the  tax-qualified  401(k) Plan or
ESOP.  Participants in the Benefit  Restoration  Plan receive a benefit equal to
the amount they would have received  under the 401(k) Plan and the ESOP, but for
reductions in such benefits imposed by operation of Sections 401(a)(17), 401(m),
401(k)(3), 402(g) and 415 of the Code. In addition, the Benefit Restoration Plan
is intended to make up benefits  lost under the ESOP  allocation  procedures  to
certain Participants named by the Compensation Committee who retire prior to the
complete  repayment of the ESOP loan. At the  retirement of a  Participant,  the
restored  ESOP benefits  under the Benefit  Restoration  Plan are  determined by
first: (i) projecting the number of shares that would have been allocated to the
Participant  under the ESOP if they had been employed  throughout  the period of
the  ESOP  loan   (measured   from  the   Participant's   first   date  of  ESOP
participation);  and (ii) first  reducing the number  determined by (i) above by
the number of shares actually  allocated to the Participant's  account under the
ESOP;  and  second,  by  multiplying  the number of shares  that  represent  the
difference  between  such figures by the average fair market value of the Common
Stock over the preceding  five years.  Benefit  Restoration  Plan  Participant's
benefits are payable upon the retirement or other  termination of service of the
Participant  in the form of a lump  sum.  Payment  of a  deceased  Participant's
benefits will be made to his or her designated beneficiary.

Certain Transactions

     The Bank  follows a policy of granting  loans to the Bank's  employees  and
residential loans and mortgages to officers. The loans to executive officers and
trustees are made in the  ordinary  course of business and on the same terms and
conditions  as those of  comparable  transactions  prevailing  at the  time,  in
accordance with the Bank's underwriting  guidelines and do not involve more than
the normal risk of  collectibility or present other  unfavorable  features.  All
loans to executive  officers  cannot exceed  $25,000 or 5% of the Bank's capital
and unimpaired surplus,  whichever is greater, unless a majority of the Board of
Trustees approves the credit in advance and the individual requesting the credit
abstains from voting.  Under the Bank's policy the Bank will not make  preferred
rate loans to executive officers, directors, or employees. All loans by the Bank
to its directors and executive  officers are subject to regulations  restricting
loans and other  transactions with affiliated  persons of the Bank.  Federal law
currently requires that all loans to directors and executive officers be made on
terms  and  conditions   comparable  to  those  for  similar  transactions  with
non-affiliates.  At June 30, 1998 there were no loans outstanding to any trustee
or executive officer of the Bank.



                                       88

<PAGE>



Proposed Purchases by Executive Officers and Trustees

     The  following  table sets forth the number of shares of Common  Stock that
the executive officers and trustees,  and their associates,  propose to purchase
in the Offerings, assuming shares of Common Stock are issued at $10.00 per share
at  the  minimum  ($59,500,000)  and  maximum  ($80,500,000)  of  the  Estimated
Valuation  Range and that  sufficient  shares will be available to satisfy their
orders.  The table also sets forth the total  expected  beneficial  ownership of
Common Stock as to all trustees and executive officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                         At the Minimum of the           At the Maximum of the
                                                      Estimated Valuation Range(1)    Estimated Valuation Range(1)
                                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       Number of    As a Percent of    Number of     As a Percent of
                Name                     Amount          Shares      Shares Offered      Shares      Shares Offered
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>                <C>         <C>                <C>

   
Duncan S. Mac Affer........          ^ $175,000          17,500            0.3%       17,500               0.2%
Arthur E. Bowen............             180,000          18,000            0.3        18,000               0.2
Walter H. Speidel..........             200,000          20,000            0.3        20,000             ^ 0.3
Harry L. Robinson..........             500,000          50,000            0.8        50,000               0.6
Donald A. Wilson...........              75,000           7,500            0.1         7,500               0.1
Frederick G. Field, Jr.....              80,000           8,000            0.1         8,000               0.1
R. Douglas Paton...........           ^ 200,000          20,000            0.3        20,000               0.3
J. Timothy O'Hearn.........             250,000          25,000            0.4        25,000               0.3
Chester C. DeLaMater.......             250,000          25,000            0.4        25,000               0.3
Peter G. Casabonne.........           ^ 100,000          10,000            0.2        10,000               0.1
Michael L. Crotty..........            ^ 50,000           5,000            0.1         5,000               0.1
Richard A. Ahl.............           ^ 400,000          40,000            0.7        40,000               0.5
^ Albert J. Picchi.........             150,000          15,000            0.3        15,000               0.2
                                   ------------       ---------                    ---------
    
 .....

All directors and executive
   
officers as a group (13 persons)   ^ $2,610,000         261,000            4.4%      261,000               3.2%
                                   ============        ========           ====      ========        ==========
    

<FN>

(1)  Includes proposed  subscriptions,  if any, by associates.  Does not include
     subscription  orders  by the  ESOP.  Intended  purchases  by the  ESOP  are
     expected to be 8% of the shares issued in the Conversion,  including shares
     issued to the Foundation. Also does not include shares to be contributed to
     the  Foundation  equal to 3% of the Holding  Company  Common  Stock sold or
     178,500 and 241,500 shares at the minimum and the maximum,  respectively of
     the Estimated  Valuation  Range,  Holding Company Common Stock which may be
     awarded  under the RRP to be  adopted  equal to 4% of the  Holding  Company
     Common  Stock  issued in the  Conversion,  including  shares  issued to the
     Foundation  (or 245,140  shares and  331,660  shares at the minimum and the
     maximum,  respectively,  of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range),  and Holding
     Company  Common Stock which may be purchased  pursuant to options which may
     be granted  under the Stock Option and  Incentive  Plan equal to 10% of the
     number of shares of Common stock issued in the Conversion, including shares
     issued  to the  Foundation  (or  612,850  shares or  829,150  shares at the
     minimum and the maximum, respectively, of the Estimated Valuation Range.)
</FN>
</TABLE>

   
         The trustees and executive  officers of the Bank are  purchasing in the
aggregate approximately ^ 3.2% of the shares of the Holding Company Common Stock
at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range. In addition,  the ESOP intends
to  purchase  8% of  the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  to be  issued  in the
Conversion,  including shares to be issued to the Foundation.  Additionally, if,
the  proposed  RRP and Stock  Option and  Incentive  Plan are  implemented,  the
Holding Company expects to acquire 4% of the Holding Company Common Stock issued
in the Conversion, including shares to be issued to the Foundation, on behalf of
the RRP,  and  expects to issue an amount  equal to 10% of the  Holding  Company
Common  Stock  issued in the  Conversion,  including  shares to be issued to the
Foundation,  under the Stock Option Plan to  directors,  executive  officers and
employees.  As a result, assuming the RRP and Stock Option Plan are implemented,
the  directors,  executive  officers and employees have the potential to control
the voting of approximately  25% of the Holding Company Common Stock, on a fully
diluted basis at the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range,  thereby enabling
them to prevent the approval of transactions  requiring the approval of at least
80% of the Holding Company's outstanding shares of voting stock.
    


                                       89

<PAGE>



                                 THE CONVERSION

         THE BOARD OF  TRUSTEES OF THE BANK AND THE  SUPERINTENDENT  OF BANKS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAVE APPROVED THE PLAN OF CONVERSION,  SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
BY THE BANK'S  DEPOSITORS  ENTITLED TO VOTE ON THE PLAN AND THE  SATISFACTION OF
CERTAIN  OTHER  CONDITIONS.  SUCH  APPROVAL,  HOWEVER,  DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE  A
RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT OF THE PLAN BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.

General

   
         On May 21, 1998, the Bank's Board of Trustees  unanimously  adopted the
Plan of Conversion  pursuant to which the Bank will be converted from a New York
mutual  savings bank to a New York stock savings bank. It is currently  intended
that all of the  outstanding  capital  stock issued by the Bank  pursuant to the
Plan will be held by the Holding Company,  which is incorporated  under Delaware
law.  The Plan was approved by the  Superintendent,  and the Bank has received a
notice of intent  not to object  to the Plan from the FDIC,  subject  to,  among
other things,  approval of the Plan by the Bank's voting  depositors.  A special
meeting of depositors  has been called for this purpose to be held on ^ December
21, 1998.
    

         The Holding  Company  has  received  approval  from the OTS to become a
savings and loan holding  company and to acquire all of the capital stock of the
Bank to be issued in the Conversion.  The Holding Company plans to retain 50% of
the net proceeds from the sale of the Conversion Shares and to use the remaining
net proceeds to purchase all of the then issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Bank.  The Conversion  will be effected only upon  completion of the sale of
all of the shares of Holding  Company Common Stock to be issued  pursuant to the
Plan.

         The Plan  provides  that the Board of  Trustees of the Bank may, at any
time prior to the  issuance  of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock and for any
reason, decide not to use the holding company form of organization. Such reasons
may include possible delays resulting from overlapping  regulatory processing or
policies  which  could  adversely  affect  the Bank's or the  Holding  Company's
ability to consummate the  Conversion and transact its business as  contemplated
herein and in accordance with the Bank's operating policies. In the event such a
decision is made,  the Bank will  withdraw  the Holding  Company's  registration
statement  from the SEC and take steps  necessary  to  complete  the  Conversion
without the Holding Company,  including filing any necessary  documents with the
Department  and the FDIC.  In such event,  and provided  there is no  regulatory
action,  directive or other  consideration  upon which basis the Bank determines
not to complete the Conversion,  if permitted by the  Department,  the Bank will
issue and sell the common stock of the Bank and subscribers  will be notified of
the elimination of a holding  company and will be solicited  (i.e., be permitted
to affirm their orders, in which case they will need to affirmatively  reconfirm
their  subscriptions  prior to the expiration of the resolicitation  offering or
their funds will be promptly  refunded with interest at the Bank's passbook rate
of  interest;  or be permitted to modify or rescind  their  subscriptions),  and
notified of the time  period  within  which the  subscriber  must  affirmatively
notify the Bank of such subscriber's intention to affirm, modify or rescind such
subscriber's subscription.  The following description of the Plan assumes that a
holding  company form of  organization  will be used in the  Conversion.  In the
event  that a  holding  company  form of  organization  is not  used,  all other
pertinent  terms of the Plan as described  below will apply to the Conversion of
the Bank  from the  mutual  to stock  form of  organization  and the sale of the
Bank's common stock.

         The Plan  provides  generally  that (i) the Bank  will  convert  from a
mutual savings bank to a capital stock savings bank and (ii) the Holding Company
will offer shares of Holding  Company Common Stock for sale in the  Subscription
Offering to the Bank's Eligible Account Holders,  Employee Plans,  including the
ESOP and  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders.  The Plan also provides that
shares  not  subscribed  for in the  Subscription  Offering  may be offered in a
Community  Offering to certain members of the general public.  It is anticipated
that all shares not subscribed for in the Subscription  and Community  Offerings
will be  offered  for sale by the  Holding  Company to the  general  public in a
Syndicated  Community  Offering.  The Holding Company and the Bank have reserved
the right to accept  or  reject,  in whole or in part,  any  orders to  purchase
shares of the Holding Company Common Stock received in the Community Offering or
in  the  Syndicated  Community  Offering.   See  "-Community  Offering"  and  "-
Syndicated Community Offering."


                                       90

<PAGE>



         The aggregate price of the shares of Holding Company Common Stock to be
issued  in the  Conversion  within  the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  currently
estimated to be between $59,500,000 and $80,500,000 is based upon an independent
appraisal of the estimated pro forma market value of the Holding  Company Common
Stock prepared by RP Financial,  a consulting firm  experienced in the valuation
and  appraisal of savings  institutions.  All shares of Holding  Company  Common
Stock to be issued and sold in the  Conversion  will be sold at the same  price.
The  independent  appraisal  will be affirmed or, if  necessary,  updated at the
completion of the Offerings. See "- Stock Pricing" for additional information as
to the  determination  of the  estimated  pro forma  market value of the Holding
Company Common Stock.

         The following is a brief summary of pertinent  aspects of the Plan. The
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Plan.
A copy of the Plan is  available  from  the Bank  upon  written  request  and is
available  for  inspection  at the  offices of the Bank and at the office of the
Superintendent.  The  Plan is  also  filed  as an  Exhibit  to the  Registration
Statement of which this  Prospectus  is a part,  copies of which may be obtained
from the SEC.

Purposes of Conversion

         The Bank, as a New York mutual savings bank, does not have stockholders
and has no authority to issue capital stock.  By converting to the capital stock
form of organization, the Bank will be structured in the form used by commercial
banks, other business entities and a growing number of savings institutions. The
Conversion will be important to the future growth and performance of the Bank by
providing a larger capital base on which the Bank may operate,  enhanced  future
access to capital  markets,  enhanced  ability to diversify into other financial
services  related  activities  and  enhanced  ability to render  services to the
public.

         The  holding  company  form of  organization,  if used,  would  provide
additional  flexibility  to diversify  the Bank's  business  activities  through
newly-formed  subsidiaries,  or through  acquisitions  of or  Mergers  with both
mutual and stock institutions, as well as other companies. Although there are no
current arrangements,  understandings or agreements,  written or oral, regarding
any such  opportunities,  the Holding  Company  will be in a position  after the
Conversion,   subject  to  regulatory  limitations  and  the  Holding  Company's
financial position,  to take advantage of any such opportunities that may arise.
While  there  are  benefits   associated   with  the  holding  company  form  of
organization,  such form of organization may involve additional costs associated
with its maintenance and regulation as a savings and loan holding company,  such
as  additional   administrative   expenses,  taxes  and  regulatory  filings  or
examination fees.

         The potential  impact of the Conversion upon the Bank's capital base is
significant. The Bank had Tier I Leverage Capital of $53.3 million, or 10.13% of
assets, at June 30, 1998. Assuming that $78,572,400 of net proceeds are realized
from  the sale of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  (being  the  maximum  of the
Estimated  Valuation  Range  established by the Board of Directors  based on the
Valuation Range which has been estimated by RP Financial to be from a minimum of
$59,500,000 to a maximum of  $80,500,000  (see "Pro Forma Data" for the basis of
this  assumption)) and assuming that $39,286,200 of the net proceeds are used by
the Holding Company to purchase the capital stock of the Bank, the Bank's Tier I
Leverage capital ratio, on a pro forma basis,  will increase to 15.35% after the
Conversion.  The  investment  of the net  proceeds  from the sale of the Holding
Company  Common  Stock will provide the Bank with  additional  income to further
enhance its capital position. The additional capital may also assist the Bank in
offering new programs and expanded services to its customers.

         After  completion of the Conversion,  the unissued common and preferred
stock  authorized by the Holding  Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation  will
permit  the  Holding  Company,  subject  to  market  conditions  and  regulatory
approval, to raise additional equity capital through further sales of securities
and to issue securities in connection with possible acquisitions. At the present
time, the Holding  Company has no plans with respect to additional  offerings of
securities,  other than the issuance of additional  shares to the  Foundation or
upon  exercise  of stock  options  granted  pursuant  to the  Stock  Option  and
Incentive  Plan or the  possible  issuance of  authorized  but  unissued  shares
pursuant to the RRP. Following the Conversion,  the Holding Company will also be
able to use stock-related incentive programs to attract and retain executive and
other  personnel for itself and its  subsidiaries.  See  "Management of the Bank
- -Executive Compensation."


                                       91

<PAGE>



Effects of Conversion

         General.  Each  depositor  in a mutual  savings bank has both a deposit
account in the  institution  and a pro rata ownership  interest in the equity of
the  institution  based upon the  balance  in such  depositor's  account,  which
interest may only be realized in the event of a liquidation of the  institution.
However,  this ownership interest is tied to the depositor's  account and has no
tangible  market value  separate  from such deposit  account.  Any depositor who
opens a deposit account  obtains a pro rata ownership  interest in the equity of
the institution without any additional payment beyond the amount of the deposit.
A depositor  who reduces or closes such an account  receives  the balance in the
account but  receives  nothing for such  depositor's  ownership  interest in the
equity of the  institution,  which is lost to the extent that the balance in the
account is reduced.

         Consequently,  depositors  of a  mutual  savings  bank  have  no way to
realize the value of their ownership  interest,  which has realizable value only
in the unlikely event that the mutual savings bank is liquidated. In such event,
the  depositors of record at that time,  as owners,  would share pro rata in any
residual surplus and reserves after other claims, including claims of depositors
to the amounts of their deposits, are paid.

         When  a  mutual   savings  bank  converts  to  stock  form,   permanent
non-withdrawable  capital  stock is created to  represent  the  ownership of the
institution's  equity  and the  former  pro rata  ownership  of,  depositors  is
thereafter  represented   exclusively  by  their  liquidation  rights.  See  "--
Liquidation  Rights."  Such  common  stock is  separate  and apart from  deposit
accounts and cannot be and is not insured by the FDIC or any other  governmental
agency.  Certificates are issued to evidence ownership of the capital stock. The
stock certificates are transferable,  and,  therefore,  the stock may be sold or
traded if a purchaser is available  with no effect on any account the seller may
hold in the institution.

         Continuity.  While the Conversion is being accomplished,  and after the
consummation  of the  Conversion,  the normal  business of the Bank of accepting
deposits  and making loans will  continue  without  interruption.  The Bank will
continue to be subject to regulation by the  Superintendent  and the FDIC. After
Conversion,  the Bank will  continue  to provide  services  for  depositors  and
borrowers under current policies by its present management and staff.

         The trustees  serving the Bank  immediately  before the Conversion will
serve as  directors  of the Bank  after the  Conversion.  The  directors  of the
Holding Company will consist of all of the individuals  currently serving on the
Board of Trustees of the Bank. It is  anticipated  that all officers of the Bank
serving  immediately before the Conversion will retain their positions after the
Conversion.  See  "Management  of the Holding  Company" and  "Management  of the
Bank."

         Deposit Accounts and Loans.  Under the Plan, each depositor in the Bank
and at the time of Conversion will  automatically  continue as a depositor after
the Conversion,  and each such deposit account will remain the same with respect
to deposit balance, interest rate and other terms, except to the extent affected
by withdrawals  made to purchase Holding Company Common Stock in the Conversion.
See  "--  Procedure  for  Purchasing   Shares  in  Subscription   and  Community
Offerings."  Each such account will be insured by the FDIC to the same extent as
before the Conversion  (i.e.,  up to $100,000 per  depositor).  Depositors  will
continue to hold their  existing  certificates  of deposit,  passbooks and other
evidences of their accounts.

         Furthermore,  no loan outstanding from the Bank will be affected by the
Conversion,  and the amount,  interest rate, maturity and security for each loan
will remain as they were contractually fixed prior to the Conversion.

         Voting Rights. In its current mutual form, voting rights and control of
the Bank are vested exclusively in the Board of Trustees.  After the Conversion,
direction of the Bank will be under the control of the Board of Directors of the
Bank. The Holding Company, as the holder of all of the outstanding capital stock
of the Bank,  will have  exclusive  voting  rights  with  respect to any matters
concerning the Bank requiring  stockholder  approval,  including the election of
directors of the Bank.

         After the Conversion, subject to the rights of the holders of preferred
stock  that may be issued in the  future,  the  holders of the  Holding  Company
Common  Stock will have  exclusive  voting  rights  with  respect to any matters
concerning  the Holding  Company.  Each holder of Holding  Company  Common Stock
will, subject to the restrictions

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and limitations set forth in the Holding Company's  Certificate of Incorporation
discussed  below,  be entitled to vote on any  matters to be  considered  by the
Holding  Company's  stockholders,  including  the  election of  directors of the
Holding Company.

         Liquidation Rights. In the unlikely event of a complete  liquidation of
the  Bank  in its  present  mutual  form,  each  depositor  would  receive  such
depositor's  pro rata share of any assets of the Bank remaining after payment of
claims  of  all  creditors  (including  the  claims  of  all  depositors  to the
withdrawal  value of their  accounts).  Each  depositor's pro rata share of such
remaining  assets  would  be in  the  same  proportion  as  the  value  of  such
depositor's  deposit  account was to the total value of all deposit  accounts in
the Bank at the time of liquidation.  After the Conversion,  each depositor,  in
the event of a complete  liquidation,  would  have a claim as a creditor  of the
same general priority as the claims of all other general  creditors of the Bank.
However,  except as described below,  such depositor's  claim would be solely in
the amount of the  balance in such  depositor's  deposit  account  plus  accrued
interest.  Such  depositor  would not have an interest in the value or assets of
the Bank above that amount.

         The Plan  provides for the  establishment,  upon the  completion of the
Conversion,  of a special  "liquidation  account" (which is a memorandum account
only) for the benefit of Eligible  Account  Holders  and  Supplemental  Eligible
Account Holders in an amount equal to the surplus and reserves of the Bank as of
the date of its latest balance sheet  contained in the final  Prospectus used in
connection with the Conversion.  Each Eligible  Account Holder and  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holder,  if such account  holder were to continue to maintain
such account  holder's  deposit  account at the Bank,  would be  entitled,  on a
complete  liquidation  of the Bank after the  Conversion,  to an interest in the
liquidation  account  prior to any  payment  to the  stockholders  of the  Bank,
whether or not such Eligible  Account Holder or  Supplemental  Eligible  Account
Holder purchased  Holding Company Common Stock in the Conversion.  Each Eligible
Account Holder and  Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holder would have an initial
interest  in such  liquidation  account  for  each  deposit  account,  including
passbook  accounts,  demand  accounts,  money market  deposit  accounts and time
deposits,  with an  aggregate  balance of $100 or more held in the Bank on March
31, 1997 (with  respect to an Eligible  Account  Holder) and  September 30, 1998
(with respect to a  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder) (each a "Qualifying
Deposit"). Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder
will have a pro rata interest in the total liquidation  account for such account
holder's deposit accounts based on the proportion that the aggregate  balance of
such person's Qualifying Deposits on the Eligibility Record Date or Supplemental
Eligibility  Record  Date,  as  applicable,  bore  to the  total  amount  of all
Qualifying  Deposits of all Eligible Account Holders and  Supplemental  Eligible
Account Holders.

         If, however,  on any annual closing date (i.e.,  the anniversary of the
Eligibility  Record  Date  or  the  Supplemental  Eligibility  Record  Date,  as
applicable)  of the  Bank,  commencing  on or after  the  effective  date of the
Conversion,  the amount in any  deposit  account is less than the amount in such
deposit account on March 31, 1997 (with respect to an Eligible  Account Holder),
or September 30, 1998 (with respect to a Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder),
or any other annual closing date, then the interest in the  liquidation  account
relating  to such  deposit  account  would be  reduced  from time to time by the
proportion of any such reduction,  and such interest will cease to exist if such
deposit account is closed. For purposes of the liquidation account, time deposit
accounts  shall be deemed to be closed upon maturity  regardless of renewal.  In
addition, no interest in the liquidation account would ever be increased despite
any subsequent  increase in the related deposit  account.  Any assets  remaining
after the above liquidation  rights of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders are  satisfied  would be  distributed  to the Holding
Company as the sole stockholder of the Bank.

         Tax Aspects.  Consummation  of the Conversion is expressly  conditioned
upon the receipt by the Bank of either a  favorable  ruling from the IRS and New
York taxing  authorities  or opinions of counsel with respect to federal and New
York income  taxation,  to the effect that the Conversion  will not be a taxable
transaction  to the  Holding  Company,  the Bank,  Eligible  Account  Holders or
Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, except as noted below.

         No private  ruling  will be received  from the IRS with  respect to the
proposed  Conversion.  Instead, the Bank has received an opinion of its counsel,
Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P., based on customary  certificates  delivered by
management  of the  Holding  Company and the Bank,  that for federal  income tax
purposes,  among  other  matters:  (i) the Bank's  change in form from mutual to
stock ownership will constitute a reorganization  under section  368(a)(1)(F) of
the Code,  (ii) neither the Bank nor the Holding Company will recognize any gain
or loss as a result of the Conversion;  (iii) no gain or loss will be recognized
by the Bank or the Holding Company upon the purchase of the Bank's capital

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stock by the Holding  Company or by the Holding Company upon the purchase of its
Holding  Company  Common Stock in the  Conversion;  (iv) no gain or loss will be
recognized by Eligible Account Holders or Supplemental Eligible Accounts Holders
upon the issuance to them of deposit accounts in the Bank in its stock form plus
their  interests  in the  liquidation  account  in  exchange  for their  deposit
accounts in the Bank; (v) the tax basis of the depositors'  deposit  accounts in
the Bank immediately after the Conversion will be the same as the basis of their
deposit accounts immediately prior to the Conversion; (vi) the tax basis of each
Eligible  Account  Holder's  and  each  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders
interest in the liquidation  account will be zero; (vii) no gain or loss will be
recognized by Eligible Account Holders or Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders
upon  the  distribution  to  them of  non-transferable  subscription  rights  to
purchase shares of the Holding Company Common Stock,  provided,  that the amount
to be paid for the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock is equal to the fair  market
value of such stock; and (viii) the tax basis to the stockholders of the Holding
Company Common Stock  purchased in the Conversion  pursuant to the  subscription
rights will be the amount paid therefor and the holding period for the shares of
Holding Company Common Stock purchased by such persons will begin on the date on
which their subscription rights are exercised.

   
         ^ Wertime,  Reis and Van Ullen,  P.C. has also  opined,  subject to the
limitations and qualifications in its opinion, that the Conversion will not be a
taxable  transaction  to the Holding  Company or to the Bank for New York income
and franchise  tax purposes or to Eligible  Account  Holders or to  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders for New York  income tax  purposes.  The  opinions of
Silver,  Freedman & Taff,  L.L.P. and ^ Wertime,  Reis and Van Ullen,  P.C. have
been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is
a part.
    

         Unlike private rulings,  opinions of counsel or other professionals are
not binding on the IRS or the New York taxing authorities and the IRS or the New
York taxing authorities could disagree with conclusions  reached therein. In the
event of such  disagreement,  there can be no assurance  that the IRS or the New
York  taxing  authorities  would not  prevail  in a judicial  or  administrative
proceeding.

         Certain  portions of both the federal  and the state tax  opinions  are
based  upon the  letter  of RP  Financial  that  subscription  rights  issued in
connection  with  the  Conversion  will  have  no  value.  In the  letter  of RP
Financial,  which  opinion  is not  binding  on the IRS or the New  York  taxing
authorities,  the  subscription  rights do not have any value  based on the fact
that  such  rights  are   acquired  by  the   recipients   without   cost,   are
nontransferable and of short duration,  and afford the recipients the right only
to purchase the Holding  Company  Common Stock at a price equal to its estimated
fair market  value,  which will be the same price as the Purchase  Price for the
unsubscribed  shares of Holding Company Common Stock. If the subscription rights
granted to Eligible  Account Holders and  Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders
are deemed to have an  ascertainable  value,  such Eligible  Account Holders and
Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders  could be taxed  upon  the  receipt  or
exercise of the  subscription  rights in an amount equal to such value,  and the
Bank could  recognize gain on such  distribution.  Eligible  Account Holders and
Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holders are encouraged to consult with their own
tax  advisors  as to the tax  consequences  in the event that such  subscription
rights are deemed to have an ascertainable value.

Establishment of Cohoes Savings Foundation

         General.   In  furtherance  of  the  Bank's  commitment  to  its  local
community, the Plan of Conversion provides for the establishment of a charitable
foundation in connection  with the  Conversion.  The Plan provides that the Bank
and the Holding Company will  incorporate the Foundation under Delaware law as a
non-stock  corporation  and will fund the Foundation with Holding Company Common
Stock, as further described below. The Holding Company and the Bank believe that
the funding of the  Foundation  with Holding  Company Common Stock is a means to
establish a common bond between the Bank and its community,  enabling the Bank's
community to share in the  potential  growth and success of the Holding  Company
over the long term. By further enhancing the Bank's visibility and reputation in
its local  community,  the Bank  believes that the  Foundation  will enhance the
long-term value of the Bank's community banking  franchise.  The Foundation will
be dedicated to charitable purposes within the Bank's local community, including
community development activities.

         Purpose of the Foundation.  The purpose of the Foundation is to provide
funding to support charitable causes and community  development  activities.  In
recent  years,  the  Bank  has  emphasized   community   lending  and  community
development  activities  within the Bank's local community.  The Bank received a
"satisfactory"  CRA  rating in its last CRA  examination.  The Bank  intends  to
continue to emphasize community lending and community development

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<PAGE>



activities following the Conversion. However, such activities are not the Bank's
sole corporate purpose. The Foundation will be completely dedicated to community
activities  and the promotion of charitable  causes,  and may be able to support
such  activities in ways that are not  presently  available to the Bank. In this
regard,  the  Board of  Trustees  believes  the  establishment  of a  charitable
foundation is consistent with the Bank's  commitment to community  service.  The
Board further  believes that the funding of the Foundation  with Holding Company
Common  Stock  is a means  of  enabling  the  Bank's  community  to share in the
potential growth and success of the Holding Company long after completion of the
Conversion.  The Foundation will accomplish that goal by providing for continued
ties between the Foundation and the Bank, thereby forming a partnership with the
Bank's  community.  The  establishment  of the  Foundation  will also enable the
Holding Company and the Bank to develop a unified  charitable  donation strategy
and will  centralize the  responsibility  for  administration  and allocation of
corporate  charitable  funds.  Charitable  foundations have been formed by other
financial institutions for this purpose, among others.

         Although  the Board of Trustees of the Bank and the Board of  Directors
of the Holding Company have carefully  considered each of the above factors, the
establishment  of a charitable  foundation in connection  with a mutual to stock
Conversion is a relatively  new concept that has been  implemented by only a few
other converting institutions. Accordingly, certain persons may raise challenges
as to the validity of the  establishment of the Foundation that, if not resolved
promptly,  could  delay  the  consummation  of the  Conversion  or result in the
elimination of the Foundation.

         Structure of the  Foundation.  The  Foundation was  incorporated  under
Delaware  law  as a  non-stock  corporation.  The  Foundation's  Certificate  of
Incorporation provides that it is organized exclusively for charitable purposes,
including community development,  as set forth in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.
The Foundation's  Certificate of Incorporation  further provides that no part of
the  net  earnings  of the  Foundation  will  inure  to the  benefit  of,  or be
distributable to its directors,  officers or members.  The Board of Directors of
the Foundation will consist of four  individuals who are officers or trustees of
the Bank,  and two  individuals  who are civic and community  leaders within the
Bank's local  community.  A Nominating  Committee of such Board,  which is to be
comprised of a minimum of three members of the Board, will nominate  individuals
eligible for election to the Board of Directors.  The members of the Foundation,
who are comprised of its Board  members,  will elect the directors at the annual
meeting of the Foundation from those nominated by the Nominating Committee. Only
persons  serving  as  directors  of the  Foundation  qualify  as  members of the
Foundation, with voting authority.  Directors will be divided into three classes
with each class appointed for three-year terms.

         The authority for the affairs of the  Foundation  will be vested in the
Board of Directors of the  Foundation.  The directors of the Foundation  will be
responsible  for  establishing  the policies of the  Foundation  with respect to
grants or donations by the  Foundation,  consistent  with the purposes for which
the Foundation was established.  Although no formal policy governing  Foundation
grants exists at this time, the Foundation's  Board of Directors will adopt such
a policy upon  establishment  of the  Foundation.  As  directors of a non-profit
corporation,  directors  of the  Foundation  will at all times be bound by their
fiduciary  duty to advance the  Foundation's  charitable  goals,  to protect the
assets of the Foundation and to act in a manner  consistent  with the charitable
purpose for which the Foundation is established. The directors of the Foundation
will  also be  responsible  for  directing  the  activities  of the  Foundation,
including  the  management  of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  held by the
Foundation.  However,  as a condition to receiving the non-objection of the FDIC
to  the  Bank's   Conversion   and  the  approval  of  the   Conversion  by  the
Superintendent,  the  Foundation  will  commit  in  writing  to the FDIC and the
Superintendent  that all  shares of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock held by the
Foundation  will be voted in the same ratio as all other  shares of the  Holding
Company Common Stock on all proposals  considered by stockholders of the Holding
Company;  provided,  however, that, consistent with the condition,  the FDIC and
the   Superintendent   shall  waive  this  voting   restriction   under  certain
circumstances  if  compliance  with the voting  restriction  would:  (i) cause a
violation of the law of the State of Delaware; (ii) cause the Foundation to lose
its tax-exempt  status, or cause the IRS to deny the Foundation's  request for a
determination that it is an exempt organization or otherwise have a material and
adverse tax consequence on the  Foundation;  or (iii) cause the Foundation to be
subject to an excise tax under  Section 4941 of the Code.  In order for the FDIC
and the Superintendent to waive such voting  restriction,  the Holding Company's
or the  Foundation's  legal counsel must render an opinion  satisfactory  to the
FDIC and the  Superintendent  that compliance with the voting  restriction would
have an effect  described  in clauses  (i),  (ii) or (iii)  above.  Under  those
circumstances,  the  FDIC and the  Superintendent  shall  grant a waiver  of the
voting  requirement  upon  submission  of such legal  opinion(s)  by the Holding
Company  or  the  Foundation   that  are   satisfactory  to  the  FDIC  and  the
Superintendent.  In the event that the FDIC and the Superintendent were to waive
such voting  requirement,  the directors  would direct the voting of the Holding
Company Common Stock held by the Foundation.

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<PAGE>



However,  the  Superintendent  may, in the case of a waiver,  impose  additional
conditions  regarding the composition of the Board of Directors.  As of the date
hereof,  no event has occurred which would require the Holding Company to seek a
waiver of the voting restriction.

         The  Foundation's  place of  business  will be  located  at the  Bank's
administrative  offices  and  initially  the  Foundation  is expected to have no
employees  but will utilize the staff of the Holding  Company and the Bank.  The
Board of  Directors  of the  Foundation  will  appoint  such  officers as may be
necessary to manage the operations of the Foundation.  In this regard,  the Bank
has provided the FDIC with a commitment that, to the extent applicable, the Bank
will comply with the affiliate restrictions set forth in Sections 23A and 23B of
the Federal  Reserve Act with respect to any  transactions  between the Bank and
the Foundation.

         The Holding  Company  intends to capitalize the Foundation with Holding
Company  Common  Stock in an amount  equal to 3% of the total  amount of Holding
Company  Common  Stock  to be sold in  connection  with the  Conversion.  At the
minimum, midpoint and maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range, the contribution
to the Foundation would equal 178,500,  210,000 and 241,500 shares,  which would
have  a  market  value  of  $1.8   million,   $2.1  million  and  $2.4  million,
respectively,  assuming  the  Purchase  Price of $10.00 per share.  The  Holding
Company and the Bank  determined  to fund the  Foundation  with Holding  Company
Common  Stock  rather  than  cash  because  it  desired  to form a bond with its
community in a manner that would allow the  community to share in the  potential
growth and success of the Holding  Company and the Bank over the long term.  The
funding of the  Foundation  with  stock  also  provides  the  Foundation  with a
potentially larger endowment than if the Holding Company contributed cash to the
Foundation  since, as a stockholder,  the Foundation will share in the potential
growth and success of the Holding Company. As such, the contribution of stock to
the Foundation has the potential to provide a self-sustaining  funding mechanism
which reduces the amount of cash that the Holding Company, if it were not making
the stock  donation,  would have to contribute to the Foundation in future years
in order to maintain a level amount of charitable grants and donations.

         The Foundation will receive working capital from any dividends that may
be paid on the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock in the  future,  and  subject to
applicable  federal and state laws, loans  collateralized by the Holding Company
Common  Stock or from the  proceeds  of the sale of any of the  Holding  Company
Common Stock in the open market from time to time as may be permitted to provide
the Foundation with additional liquidity.  As a private foundation under Section
501(c)(3) of the Code, the Foundation will be required to distribute annually in
grants or donations, a minimum of 5% of the average fair market value of its net
investment  assets. One of the conditions imposed on the gift of Holding Company
Common Stock by the Holding Company is that the amount of Holding Company Common
Stock that may be sold by the  Foundation in any one year shall not exceed 5% of
the average market value of the assets held by the Foundation,  except where the
Board of  Directors  of the  Foundation  determines  that the failure to sell an
amount of common  stock  greater  than such amount  would  result in a long-term
reduction of the value of the  Foundation's  assets and as such would jeopardize
the Foundation's capacity to carry out its charitable purposes.  Upon completion
of the Conversion and the  contribution of shares to the Foundation  immediately
following the Conversion, the Holding Company would have 6,128,500, 7,210,000and
8,291,500 shares issued and outstanding at the minimum,  midpoint and maximum of
the  Estimated  Valuation  Range.  Because  the  Holding  Company  will  have an
increased number of shares  outstanding,  the voting and ownership  interests of
stockholders in the Holding  Company's common stock would be diluted by 2.9%, as
compared to their  interests in the Holding  Company if the Foundation  were not
established.   For  additional   discussion  of  the  dilutive   effect  of  the
contribution of Holding  Company Common Stock to the Foundation,  see "Pro Forma
Data."

         Tax  Considerations.  The Holding Company and the Bank have received an
opinion of Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. that an organization created for the
above  purposes  would qualify as an  organization  exempt from  taxation  under
Section  501(c)(3)  of the Code,  and would  likely be  classified  as a private
foundation.  The  Foundation  will  submit  an  application  to  the  IRS  to be
recognized  as  an  exempt  organization.   If  the  Foundation  files  such  an
application  within 15 months from the date of its organization,  and if the IRS
approves the  application,  the effective date of the  Foundation's  status as a
Section  501(c)(3)   organization  will  be  retroactive  to  the  date  of  its
organization.  Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.,  however,  has not rendered any
advice on the condition to the  contribution  to be agreed to by the  Foundation
which  requires  that all shares of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock held by the
Foundation  must be voted in the same ratio as all other  outstanding  shares of
Holding Company Common Stock on all proposals  considered by stockholders of the
Holding Company.  Consistent with this condition,  in the event that the Holding
Company or the

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Foundation  receives an opinion of its legal counsel that  compliance  with this
voting  restriction  would have the effect of causing the Foundation to lose its
tax-exempt  status or otherwise  have a material and adverse tax  consequence on
the  Foundation,  or subject the Foundation to an excise tax for  "self-dealing"
under Section 4941 of the Code, the Holding  Company would request a waiver from
the FDIC and the  Superintendent  of such voting  restriction upon submission by
the  Holding  Company or the  Foundation  of a legal  opinion(s)  to that effect
satisfactory to the FDIC and the  Superintendent.  However,  no assurance can be
given that such waiver would be granted. See "- Regulatory Conditions Imposed on
the Foundation."

         Under the Code,  the Holding  Company is  entitled  to a deduction  for
charitable  contributions  in an amount not exceeding 10% of its taxable  income
(computed without regard to the contributions) for the year of the contribution,
and any  contributions in excess of the deductible amount may be carried forward
and deducted in the Holding Company's five succeeding taxable years, subject, in
each such year, to the 10% of taxable income limitation. The Holding Company and
the Bank believe that the Conversion  presents a unique opportunity to establish
and fund a charitable  foundation  given the  substantial  amount of  additional
capital  being raised in the  Conversion.  In making such a  determination,  the
Holding Company and the Bank considered the dilutive impact of the  contribution
of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock to the  Foundation  on the amount of Holding
Company Common Stock available to be offered for sale in the  Conversion.  Based
on  such   consideration,   the  Holding  Company  and  Bank  believe  that  the
contribution  to the  Foundation  in  excess  of the 10%  annual  limitation  is
justified  given the Bank's capital  position and its earnings,  the substantial
additional  capital being raised in the Conversion and the potential benefits of
the Foundation to the Bank's community.  In this regard assuming the sale of the
Holding  Company Common Stock at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range,
the Holding Company would have pro forma  consolidated  capital of $87.1 million
or 15.1% of pro forma consolidated  assets and the Bank's pro forma leverage and
risk-based  capital  ratios  would  be  11.01%  and  21.20%,  respectively.  See
"Regulation  -  The  Bank  -  Capital   Requirements,"   "Capitalization,"   and
"Comparison of Valuation and Pro Forma Information with No Stock  Contribution."
Thus,  the amount of the  contribution  will not adversely  impact the financial
condition of the Holding  Company and the Bank, and the Holding  Company and the
Bank  therefore  believe  that the  amount  of the  charitable  contribution  is
reasonable and will not raise safety and soundness concerns.

         The Holding  Company and the Bank have  received the opinion of Silver,
Freedman & Taff, L.L.P. that the Holding Company's contribution of its own stock
to the  Foundation  would not  constitute an act of  self-dealing,  and that the
Holding Company will be entitled to a deduction in the amount of the fair market
value  of the  stock  at the  time of the  contribution,  subject  to the 10% of
taxable income limitation.  As discussed above, the Holding Company will be able
to carry  forward and deduct any portion of the  contribution  in excess of such
10% limitation  for five years  following the year of the  contribution.  If the
Holding Company and the Foundation had been established in the fiscal year ended
June 30,  1998,  the Holding  Company  would have been  entitled to a charitable
contribution   deduction  in  its  taxable  year  ended  December  31,  1998  of
approximately  $674,000  and would  have been able to carry  forward  and deduct
approximately $1.7 million over its next succeeding five taxable years (based on
the  Bank's  estimated  pre-tax  income for 1998 and a  contribution  in 1998 of
Holding  Company Common Stock equal to $2.4 million).  Assuming the close of the
Offering at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range,  the Holding Company
estimates that the entire amount of the contribution should be deductible over a
six-year  period.  Neither the  Holding  Company nor the Bank expect to make any
further  contributions  to the Foundation  within the first five years following
the initial contribution.  After that time, the Holding Company and the Bank may
consider future  contributions  to the  Foundation.  Any such decisions would be
based on an assessment of, among other factors,  the financial  condition of the
Holding  Company and the Bank at that time,  the interests of  stockholders  and
depositors of the Holding Company and the Bank, and the financial  condition and
operations of the Foundation.

         Although the Holding  Company and the Bank have received the opinion of
Silver,  Freedman & Taff,  L.L.P.  that the  Holding  Company is  entitled  to a
deduction for the charitable  contribution,  there can be no assurances that the
IRS will recognize the Foundation as an organization  exempt from taxation under
section  501(c)(3) of the Code or that the deduction  will be permitted.  If the
IRS  successfully  maintains  that the  Foundation  is not so exempt or that the
deduction is not  permitted,  the Holding  Company's tax benefit  related to the
contribution to the Foundation would be expensed without tax benefit,  resulting
in a  reduction  in  earnings  in  the  year  in  which  the  IRS  makes  such a
determination. See "Risk Factors - Establishment of the Charitable Foundation."


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         In general,  the income of a private  foundation is exempt from federal
and state taxation. However, investment income, such as interest,  dividends and
capital  gains,  will be subject to a federal excise tax of 2.0%. The Foundation
will be required to make an annual  filing with the IRS within four and one-half
months  after  the  close  of the  Foundation's  taxable  year to  maintain  its
tax-exempt status. The Foundation will also be required to publish a notice that
the annual  information  return will be available  for public  inspection  for a
period of 180 days after the date of such public notice.  The information return
for a private  foundation must include,  among other things, an itemized list of
all grants made or approved,  showing the amount of each grant,  the  recipient,
any relationship between a grant recipient and the Foundation's  managers, and a
concise  statement  of the purpose of each grant.  The  Foundation  will also be
required to file an annual report with the Charities Bureau of the Office of the
Attorney General of the State of New York.

         Regulatory  Conditions Imposed on the Foundation.  Establishment of the
Foundation  is  subject  to the  following  conditions  to be  agreed  to by the
Foundation in writing as a condition to receiving the FDIC's nonobjection of the
Bank's Conversion and the approval of the Conversion by the Superintendent:  (i)
the   Foundation   will  be  subject  to   examination   by  the  FDIC  and  the
Superintendent;  (ii) the  Foundation  must comply with  supervisory  directives
imposed by the FDIC and the Superintendent; (iii) the Foundation will operate in
accordance with written policies adopted by its Board of Directors,  including a
conflict of interest policy; and (iv) any shares of Holding Company Common Stock
held by the Foundation must be voted in the same ratio as all other  outstanding
shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  on  all  proposals   considered  by
stockholders of the Holding  Company;  provided,  however that,  consistent with
this  condition,  the  FDIC  and the  Superintendent  shall  waive  this  voting
restriction   under  certain   circumstances   if  compliance  with  the  voting
restriction  would:  (a) cause a violation  of the law of the State of Delaware;
(b) would cause the Foundation to lose its tax-exempt status or otherwise have a
material and adverse tax consequence on the  Foundation;  or (c) would cause the
Foundation  to be subject to an excise tax under  Section  4941 of the Code.  In
order for the FDIC and the Superintendent to waive such voting restriction,  the
Holding  Company's  or the  Foundation's  legal  counsel  must render an opinion
satisfactory  to FDIC and the  Superintendent  that  compliance  with the voting
restriction  would have the effect  described  in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above.
Under those circumstances,  the FDIC and the Superintendent shall grant a waiver
of the voting  restriction  upon  submission  of such  opinion(s) by the Holding
Company  or  the  Foundation   which  are  satisfactory  to  the  FDIC  and  the
Superintendent. There can be no assurances that a legal opinion addressing these
issues will be rendered,  or if rendered,  that the FDIC and the  Superintendent
will  grant  an  unconditional   waiver  of  the  voting  restriction.   If  the
Superintendent  waives the voting  restriction,  the Department may (1) impose a
condition  that a certain  portion of the members of the  Foundation's  Board of
Directors  shall be persons who are not directors,  officers or employees of the
Bank or the Holding  Company or any  affiliate  thereof or (2) impose such other
condition  relating to control of the Holding  Company  Common Stock held by the
Foundation as determined by the Department to be  appropriate.  In no event will
the voting restriction  survive the sale of shares of the Holding Company Common
Stock held by the Foundation.

Required Approvals for the Conversion

         Various  approvals of the  Superintendent  and the FDIC are required in
order to  consummate  the  Conversion.  The  Superintendent  and the  FDIC  have
approved  the Plan of  Conversion,  subject to  approval  by the  Bank's  voting
depositors.  In  addition,  consummation  of the  Conversion  is  subject to OTS
approval of the Holding Company's holding company  application to acquire all of
the Bank common stock.  Applications for these approvals have been filed and are
currently pending.

   
         Pursuant to Department and FDIC regulation, the Plan of Conversion must
be approved by at least a majority of the total  number of votes  eligible to be
cast by the Bank's voting depositors and by at least seventy-five  percent (75%)
in amount of deposit  liabilities of Voting Depositors  represented in person or
by proxy at the special  meeting to be held on ^ December 21, 1998 (the "Special
Meeting").
    

         The  Holding  Company is required to make  certain  filings  with state
securities  regulatory  authorities  in connection  with the issuance of Holding
Company Common Stock in the Conversion.

Certain Restrictions on Purchase or Transfer of Shares After the Conversion


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<PAGE>



         All Conversion Shares owned by any director or executive officer of the
Holding Company and/or the Bank will be subject to a restriction that the shares
not be sold for a period of one year  following  the  Conversion,  except in the
event of the death of such director or executive officer or pursuant to a Merger
or similar transaction approved by the Department and the FDIC. Each certificate
for  restricted  shares will bear a legend giving notice of this  restriction on
transfer, and instructions will be issued to the effect that any transfer within
such time period of any  certificate  or record  ownership  of such shares other
than as provided above is a violation of the restriction.  Any shares of Holding
Company  Common  Stock  issued at a later date  within this one year period as a
stock dividend,  stock split or otherwise with respect to such restricted  stock
will be subject to the same restrictions.

         Purchases  of Holding  Company  Common  Stock by  directors,  executive
officers and their associates during the three-year period following  completion
of the  Conversion may be made only through a broker or dealer  registered  with
the SEC, except with the prior written  approval of the Department and the FDIC.
This restriction does not apply, however, to negotiated  transactions  involving
more than 1% of the  outstanding  Holding  Company  Common  Stock or to  certain
purchases of stock pursuant to an employee stock benefit plan.

         Pursuant to FDIC  regulations,  the Holding  Company will  generally be
prohibited  from  repurchasing  any shares of the Holding  Company  Common Stock
within one year following the consummation of the Conversion,  although the FDIC
under its current policies may approve a request to repurchase shares of Holding
Company  Common Stock  following the six-month  anniversary  of the  Conversion.
During the second and third years following consummation of the Conversion,  the
Holding  Company may not  repurchase  any shares of its Holding  Company  Common
Stock  other than  pursuant  to (i) an offer to all  stockholders  on a pro rata
basis which is approved by the FDIC; (ii) the repurchase of qualifying shares of
a director,  if any; (iii)  purchases in the open market by a  tax-qualified  or
non-tax-qualified  employee  stock  benefit  plan in an  amount  reasonable  and
appropriate  to fund the plan; or (iv) purchases that are part of an open-market
stock repurchase  program not involving more than 5% of its outstanding  capital
stock  during a 12-month  period,  if the  repurchases  do not cause the Bank to
become  undercapitalized  and the  Bank  provides  to the  FDIC  written  notice
containing a full  description  of the program to be undertaken and such program
is not disapproved by the FDIC. The FDIC may permit stock  repurchases in excess
of such amounts prior to the third  anniversary of the Conversion if exceptional
circumstances are shown to exist. In addition, under proposed regulations of the
NYBB, the Holding  Company will generally be prohibited  from  repurchasing  any
shares of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  within  one year  following  the
consummation  of the  Conversion,  although  the  Superintendent  may  approve a
request to repurchase  shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock within the first
year  following  Conversion.   During  the  second  and  third  years  following
consummation of the  Conversion,  the Holding Company may repurchase up to 5% of
its outstanding  common stock during a 12-month period.  The Holding Company may
repurchase in excess of 5% during a 12-month period with the prior permission of
the Superintendent.

Liquidation Rights

         In the  unlikely  event of a  complete  liquidation  of the Bank in its
present mutual form, each depositor of the Bank would receive his pro rata share
of any assets of the Bank  remaining  after  payment of claims of all  creditors
including  the  claims  of all  depositors  to the  withdrawal  value  of  their
accounts.  Each  depositor's pro rata share of such remaining assets would be in
the same  proportion as the value of his or her deposit account was to the total
value of all deposit accounts in the Bank at the time of liquidation.  After the
Conversion,  each depositor, in the event of a complete liquidation of the Bank,
would have a claim as a creditor of the same  general  priority as the claims of
all other general creditors of the Bank. However, except as described below, his
or her claim would be solely in the amount of the balance in his deposit account
plus  accrued  interest.  He or she would not have an  interest  in the value or
assets of the Bank above that amount.

         The Plan  provides for the  establishment,  upon the  completion of the
Conversion,  of a special  "Liquidation  Account"  for the  benefit of  Eligible
Account Holders and Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders in an amount equal to
the  Bank's  net  worth  as of the date of its  latest  statement  of  financial
condition  contained in the final  prospectus  utilized in the Conversion.  This
liquidation  account is a memorandum  account  only.  As of June 30,  1998,  the
initial balance of the liquidation account would be approximately $53.3 million.
Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder, if he or
she were to continue to maintain his or her deposit  account at the Bank,  would
be entitled, upon a complete liquidation of the Bank after the Conversion, to an
interest in the liquidation  account prior to any payment to the Holding Company
as the sole stockholder of the Bank. Each Eligible Account Holder and

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<PAGE>



Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder  would have an initial  interest in such
liquidation account for each deposit account,  including passbook accounts,  NOW
accounts,  money market deposit accounts,  and certificates of deposit,  held in
the Bank at the close of business on March 31, 1997 or September  30,  1998,  as
the case may be. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental  Eligible Account
Holder will have a pro rata interest in the total  liquidation  account for each
of his or her deposit  accounts based on the proportion that the balance of each
such  deposit  account on the March 31,  1997  Eligibility  Record  Date (or the
September  30, 1998  Supplemental  Eligibility  Record Date, as the case may be)
bore to the balance of all deposit accounts in the Bank on such dates.

         If, however, on any June 30 annual closing date of the Bank, commencing
June 30, 1999, the amount in any deposit account is less than the amount in such
deposit  account on March 31, 1997 or September 30, 1998, as the case may be, or
any other annual  closing  date,  then the interest in the  liquidation  account
relating to such deposit  account would be reduced by the proportion of any such
reduction,  and such  interest  will cease to exist if such  deposit  account is
closed.  In  addition,  no interest  in the  liquidation  account  would ever be
increased  despite any subsequent  increase in the related deposit account.  Any
assets remaining after the claims of general creditors  (including the claims of
all  depositors  to the  withdrawal  value  of  their  accounts)  and the  above
liquidation  rights of the Eligible  Account Holders and  Supplemental  Eligible
Account Holders are satisfied would be distributed to the Holding Company as the
sole stockholder of the Bank.


                                  THE OFFERING

Stock Pricing

         The Plan of Conversion  requires that the purchase price of the Holding
Company  Common Stock must be based on the  appraised  pro forma market value of
the Holding  Company Common Stock,  as determined on the basis of an independent
valuation.  The Bank and the Holding  Company have retained RP Financial to make
such  valuation.  For its services in making such  appraisal,  RP Financial will
receive a fee of $47,500, plus out-of-pocket  expenses. The Bank and the Holding
Company have agreed to indemnify RP Financial and its  employees and  affiliates
against certain losses (including any losses in connection with claims under the
federal securities laws) arising out of its services as appraiser,  except where
RP Financial's liability results from its negligence or bad faith.

         An  appraisal  has  been  made by RP  Financial  in  reliance  upon the
information contained in this Prospectus, including the financial statements. RP
Financial also considered the following  factors,  among others: the present and
projected  operating results and financial  condition of the Holding Company and
the Bank,  and the economic and  demographic  conditions in the Bank's  existing
market area; certain historical, financial and other information relating to the
Bank; a comparative  evaluation of the operating and financial statistics of the
Bank with those of other similarly situated publicly-traded savings associations
and savings  institutions located in the Bank's market area and the State of New
York;  the aggregate  size of the offering of the Holding  Company Common Stock;
the impact of the  Conversion on the Bank's equity and earnings  potential;  the
proposed  dividend  policy of the Holding  Company and the Bank; and the trading
market for securities of comparable  institutions and general  conditions in the
market for such securities.

         On the basis of the  foregoing,  RP  Financial  has advised the Holding
Company and the Bank that, in its opinion, dated as of September 4, 1998, and as
updated as of October 23,  1998,  the  estimated  pro forma  market value of the
Holding  Company  Common Stock ranged from a minimum of $59,500,000 to a maximum
of $80,500,000 with a midpoint of $70,000,000. The Board of Trustees of the Bank
held a meeting  to review  and  discuss  the  appraisal  report  prepared  by RP
Financial.  A  representative  of RP  Financial  participated  in the meeting to
explain the contents of the appraisal  report.  In connection with its review of
the reasonableness and adequacy of such appraisal  consistent with NYBB and FDIC
regulations and policies, the Board of Trustees reviewed the methodology that RP
Financial  employed  to  determine  the pro forma  market  value of the  Holding
Company  Common  Stock  and  the  appropriateness  of the  assumptions  that  RP
Financial used in determining this value.

         Based upon the  Valuation  Range and the  Purchase  Price of $10.00 per
share for the Holding Company Common Stock established by the Board of Trustees,
the  Board  of  Trustees  has  established  the  Estimated  Valuation  Range  of
$59,500,000  to  $80,500,000,  with a midpoint of  $70,000,000,  and the Holding
Company  expects to issue  between  5,950,000  and  8,050,000  shares of Holding
Company Common Stock. The Estimated Valuation Range may

                                       100

<PAGE>



be amended with the approval of the  Superintendent  and FDIC (if required),  if
necessitated  by  subsequent  developments  in the  financial  condition  of the
Holding Company or the Bank or market conditions generally.

         The valuation prepared by RP Financial is not intended, and must not be
construed,  as a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing
such shares. RP Financial did not independently  verify the financial statements
and  other  information  provided  by  the  Bank,  nor  did RP  Financial  value
independently the assets or liabilities of the Bank. The valuation considers the
Bank as a going  concern and should not be  considered  as an  indication of the
liquidation value of the Bank.  Moreover,  because such valuation is necessarily
based upon estimates and  projections  of a number of matters,  all of which are
subject to change  from time to time,  no  assurance  can be given that  persons
purchasing  such shares in the Conversion  will  thereafter be able to sell such
shares at prices at or above the Purchase Price or in the range of the foregoing
valuation of the pro forma market value thereof.

         Following  commencement  of  the  Subscription  Offering  or  Community
Offering,  if any, the maximum of the Estimated Valuation Range may be increased
up to 15% and the number of shares of Holding  Company Common Stock to be issued
in the  Conversion  may be  increased  to  9,257,500  shares  due to  regulatory
considerations,  changes  in the  market  and  general  financial  and  economic
conditions,  without the  resolicitation of subscribers.  See "-- Limitations on
Common Stock  Purchases"  as to the method of  distribution  and  allocation  of
additional  shares  that  may be  issued  in the  event  of an  increase  in the
Estimated  Valuation  Range to fill  unfilled  orders  in the  Subscription  and
Community Offerings.

         No sale of shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock may be  consummated
unless,  prior to such consummation,  RP Financial confirms to the Bank, Holding
Company,  Superintendent and FDIC that, to the best of its knowledge, nothing of
a material nature has occurred which,  taking into account all relevant factors,
would  cause RP  Financial  to conclude  that the value of the  Holding  Company
Common Stock at the price so determined is incompatible with its estimate of the
pro forma market value of the Holding  Company Common Stock at the conclusion of
the Subscription Offering and Community Offering, if any.

         If, based on RP Financial's estimate, the pro forma market value of the
Holding Company Common Stock,  as of the date that RP Financial so confirms,  is
not more  than 15%  above  the  maximum  and not less  than the  minimum  of the
Estimated Valuation Range then, (1) with the approval of the Superintendent,  if
required,  and the FDIC, the number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock to
be issued in the  Conversion  may be  increased  or  decreased,  pro rata to the
increase or decrease in value,  without  resolicitation of subscriptions,  to no
more than 9,257,500 shares or no less than 5,950,000 shares,  and (2) all shares
purchased in the Subscription and Community  Offerings will be purchased for the
Purchase  Price of $10.00  per  share.  If the  number  of shares  issued in the
Conversion  is  increased  due to an  increase  of up to  15%  in the  Estimated
Valuation  Range to reflect changes in market or financial  conditions,  persons
who  subscribed  for  the  maximum  number  of  shares  will  not be  given  the
opportunity to subscribe for an adjusted  maximum  number of shares,  except for
the Employee  Plans which will be able to subscribe for such adjusted  amount up
to their 10% subscription. See "- Limitations on Common Stock Purchases."

   
         If the pro forma  market value of the Holding  Company  Common Stock is
either more than 15% above the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range or less
than the  minimum of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  the Bank and the Holding
Company,  after consulting with the  Superintendent  and the FDIC, may terminate
the Plan and return all funds promptly with interest at the Bank's passbook rate
of interest on payments made by check, draft or money order,  extend or hold new
Subscription and Community Offerings, establish a new Estimated Valuation Range,
commence a resolicitation of subscribers or take such other actions as permitted
by the Superintendent  and the FDIC in order to complete the Conversion.  In the
event that a  resolicitation  is commenced,  unless an  affirmative  response is
received within a reasonable period of time, all funds will be promptly returned
to  investors  as described  above.  A  resolicitation,  if any,  following  the
conclusion of the Subscription and Community  Offerings would not exceed 45 days
unless such  resolicitation  is further extended by the  Superintendent  and the
FDIC for periods of up to 60 days not to extend beyond ^ December 21, 2000.
    

         If all shares of Holding  Company Common Stock are not sold through the
Subscription  and  Community  Offerings,  then the Bank and the Holding  Company
expect to offer the remaining shares in a Syndicated  Community Offering,  which
would  occur as soon as  practicable  following  the  close of the  Subscription
Offering or Community

                                       101

<PAGE>



Offering,  if  any,  but may  commence  during  the  Subscription  Offering  and
Community  Offering,  if any,  subject to the prior rights of  subscribers.  All
shares of Holding  Company Common Stock will be sold at the same price per share
in the  Syndicated  Community  Offering  as in the  Subscription  and  Community
Offerings. See "--Syndicated Community Offering."

   
         No sale of shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock may be  consummated
unless,  prior to such  consummation,  RP  Financial  confirms to the Bank,  the
Holding Company, Superintendent and the FDIC that, to the best of its knowledge,
nothing of a  material  nature has  occurred  which,  taking  into  account  all
relevant  factors,  including those which would be involved in a cancellation of
the Syndicated Community Offering, would cause RP Financial to conclude that the
aggregate  value of the Holding  Company  Common Stock at the Purchase  Price is
incompatible  with its  estimate  of the pro forma  market  value of the Holding
Company  Common  Stock of the  Holding  Company  at the  time of the  Syndicated
Community Offering. Any change which would result in an aggregate purchase price
which is below, or more than 15% above,  the Estimated  Valuation Range would be
subject  to  Superintendent  and  FDIC  approval.  If such  confirmation  is not
received,  the Bank may extend the  Conversion,  extend,  reopen or commence new
Subscription  and  Community  Offerings  or  a  Syndicated  Community  Offering,
establish a new Estimated  Valuation Range and commence a resolicitation  of all
subscribers with the approval of the  Superintendent and FDIC or take such other
actions as  permitted  by the  Superintendent  and FDIC in order to complete the
Conversion,  or terminate  the Plan and cancel the  Subscription  and  Community
Offerings  and/or the  Syndicated  Community  Offering.  In the event  market or
financial  conditions change so as to cause the aggregate  purchase price of the
shares to be below the minimum of the Estimated Valuation Range or more than 15%
above the maximum of such range,  and the Holding Company and the Bank determine
to continue the Conversion,  subscribers will be resolicited (i.e., be permitted
to  continue  their  orders,  in which  case  they  will  need to  affirmatively
reconfirm  their  subscriptions  prior to the  expiration of the  resolicitation
offering or their  subscription funds will be promptly refunded with interest at
the Bank's  passbook  rate of  interest,  or be  permitted to decrease or cancel
their  subscriptions).  Any  change in the  Estimated  Valuation  Range  must be
approved by the Superintendent and FDIC. A resolicitation, if any, following the
conclusion  of the  Subscription  Offering or the Community  Offering  would not
exceed 45 days,  or if following the  Syndicated  Community  Offering,  60 days,
unless further extended by the  Superintendent  for periods up to 60 days not to
extend beyond ^ December 21, 2000. If such  resolicitation is not effected,  the
Bank will return with interest all funds promptly at the Bank's passbook rate of
interest on payments made by check, savings bank draft or money order.
    

         Copies  of  the  appraisal  report  of  RP  Financial,   including  any
amendments thereto,  and the detailed memoran dum of the appraiser setting forth
the method and  assumptions  for such  appraisal are available for inspection at
the  offices of the Bank and the other  locations  specified  under  "Additional
Information."

Number of Shares to be Issued

         Depending   upon  market  or   financial   conditions   following   the
commencement of the Subscription  Offering and Community  Offering,  if any, the
total  number  of shares to be issued  in the  Conversion  may be  increased  or
decreased without a resolicitation of subscribers; provided, that the product of
the total number of shares times the price per share is not below the minimum or
more than 15% above the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range, and the total
number of shares to be issued in the  Conversion  is not less than  5,950,000 or
greater  than  8,050,000  (or  9,257,500  if the  Estimated  Valuation  Range is
increased by 15%).

         In the event market or financial  conditions  change so as to cause the
aggregate  purchase price of the shares to be below the minimum of the Estimated
Valuation Range or more than 15% above the maximum of such range, if the Plan is
not terminated by the Holding Company and the Bank after  consultation  with the
Superintendent  and FDIC,  purchasers  will be resolicited  (i.e.,  permitted to
continue their orders,  in which case they will need to affirmatively  reconfirm
their  subscriptions  prior to the expiration of the resolicitation  offering or
their subscription funds will be promptly refunded, or be permitted to modify or
rescind their  subscriptions).  Any change in the Estimated Valuation Range must
be approved by the  Superintendent  and FDIC.  If the number of shares issued in
the  Conversion  is increased  due to an increase of up to 15% in the  Estimated
Valuation  Range to reflect changes in market or financial  conditions,  persons
who  subscribed  for  the  maximum  number  of  shares  will  not be  given  the
opportunity to subscribe for an adjusted  maximum  number of shares,  except for
the Employee Plans,  which will be able to subscribe for such adjusted amount up
to their 10% subscription. See "-- Limitations on Common Stock Purchases."


                                       102

<PAGE>



         An increase in the number of shares to be issued in the Conversion as a
result of an increase in the  estimated  pro forma market  value would  decrease
both a subscriber's  ownership  interest and the Holding Company's pro forma net
earnings  and  stockholders'  equity on a per share basis while  increasing  pro
forma net earnings and stockholders' equity on an aggregate basis. A decrease in
the  number  of shares to be issued  in the  Conversion  would  increase  both a
subscriber's ownership interest and the Holding Company's pro forma net earnings
and  stockholders'  equity on a per share basis while  decreasing  pro forma net
earnings and  stockholders'  equity on an aggregate basis. For a presentation of
the effects of such changes see "Pro Forma Data."

         To  fund  the  Foundation,  the  number  of  shares  to be  issued  and
outstanding  as a result  of the sale of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock in the
Conversion  will be  increased  by a number of shares equal to 3% of the Holding
Company Common Stock sold in the Conversion.  Assuming the sale of shares in the
Offerings at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation  Range, the Holding Company
will  contribute  241,500  shares  of its  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  from
authorized  but unissued  shares to the  Foundation  immediately  following  the
completion of the Conversion. In that event, the Holding Company will have total
shares of Holding Company Common Stock outstanding of 8,291,500 shares.  Funding
the  Foundation  with  authorized  but  unissued  shares will have the effect of
diluting the ownership and voting interests of persons  purchasing shares in the
Conversion  by 2.9% since a greater  number of shares will be  outstanding  upon
completion  of  the  Conversion  than  would  be  if  the  Foundation  were  not
established. See "Pro Forma Data."

Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights

         In accordance with the Plan of Conversion,  rights to subscribe for the
purchase of Holding  Company  Common Stock have been  granted  under the Plan of
Conversion  to the  following  persons  in the  following  order  of  descending
priority:  (1)  depositors  whose  deposits in  qualifying  accounts in the Bank
totaled $100 or more on March 31, 1997  ("Eligible  Account  Holders");  (2) the
Employee  Plans,  including  the ESOP;  and (3)  depositors  whose  deposits  in
qualifying  accounts in the Bank  totaled  $100 or more on  September  30, 1998,
other than (i) those depositors who would otherwise  qualify as Eligible Account
Holders or (ii) trustees or executive  officers of the Bank or their Associates,
(as defined herein) ("Supplemental Eligible Account Holders"). All subscriptions
received will be subject to the  availability  of Holding  Company  Common Stock
after  satisfaction of all  subscriptions  of all persons having prior rights in
the Subscription  Offering and to the maximum and minimum  purchase  limitations
set forth in the Plan of Conversion and as described  below under "- Limitations
on Common Stock Purchases."

   
         Priority 1: Eligible Account Holders. Each Eligible Account Holder will
receive, without payment therefor, first priority, non-transferable subscription
rights  to  subscribe  for  Holding  Company  Common  Stock in the  Subscription
Offering up to the  greatest of (i) the amount  permitted to be purchased in the
Community  Offering,  which amount is currently  $250,000 of the Holding Company
Common  Stock  offered,  (ii)  one-tenth  of one  percent  (0.10%)  of the total
offering of shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock or (iii)  fifteen times the
product  (rounded down to the next whole  number)  obtained by  multiplying  the
total  number  of  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock to be issued by a
fraction the numerator of which is the amount of the Eligible  Account  Holder's
qualifying  deposit  and  the  denominator  of  which  is the  total  amount  of
qualifying deposits of all Eligible Account Holders ^($416,952,196.89),  in each
case on the Eligibility  Record Date, subject to the overall maximum and minimum
purchase  limitations and exclusive of an increase in the shares issued pursuant
to an increase in the Estimated Valuation Range of up to 15%.
    
See "- Limitations on Common Stock Purchases."

         In the event that Eligible Account Holders exercise subscription rights
for a number of shares in  excess  of the total  number of shares  eligible  for
subscription,  the shares will be  allocated  so as to permit  each  subscribing
Eligible  Account Holder to purchase a number of shares  sufficient to make such
Eligible  Account Holder's total allocation equal to the lesser of 100 shares or
the number of shares  subscribed  for.  Thereafter,  unallocated  shares will be
allocated  among  the  remaining  subscribing  Eligible  Account  Holders  whose
subscriptions  remain  unfilled  in the  proportion  that the  amounts  of their
respective  qualifying  deposits bear to the total amount of qualifying deposits
of all remaining Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unfilled.

         To ensure a proper  allocation of stock,  each Eligible  Account Holder
must list on his or her stock  order form all  accounts  in which such  Eligible
Account  Holder has an  ownership  interest.  Failure  to list an account  could
result in fewer shares being  allocated than if all accounts had been disclosed.
The subscription rights of Eligible Account

                                       103

<PAGE>



Holders  who are  also  trustees  or  executive  officers  of the  Bank or their
Associates  will be subordinated  to the  subscription  rights of other Eligible
Account Holders to the extent attributable to increased deposits in the one-year
period preceding the Eligibility Record Date.

         Priority 2: The Employee Plans. To the extent that there are sufficient
shares  remaining after  satisfaction of the  subscriptions  by Eligible Account
Holders, the Employee Plans,  including the ESOP, will receive,  without payment
therefor, second priority,  non-transferable  subscription rights to purchase up
to 10% of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock to be issued  in the  Conversion,
including  shares  to be  issued  to the  Foundation,  subject  to the  purchase
limitations  set forth in the Plan of Conversion and as described below under "-
Limitations on Common Stock Purchases." As an Employee Plan, the ESOP intends to
purchase 8% of the shares to be issued in the Conversion,  or 490,280 shares and
663,320 shares,  based on the issuance of 6,128,500 shares and 8,291,500 shares,
respectively,  at the minimum and the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range,
including  the  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock to be  issued to the
Foundation.  Subscriptions  by the ESOP will not be  aggregated  with  shares of
Holding  Company  Common  Stock  purchased  directly  by or which are  otherwise
attributable  to any  other  participants  in  the  Subscription  and  Community
Offerings,  including  subscriptions  of any of the Bank's  trustees,  officers,
employees  or  associates   thereof.   See  "Management  of  the   Bank--Benefit
Plans--Employee Stock Ownership Plan."

   
         Priority 3.- Supplemental  Eligible Account Holders. To the extent that
there are sufficient shares remaining after satisfaction of the subscriptions by
the Eligible Account Holders and Employee Plans,  Supplemental  Eligible Account
Holders will receive, without payment therefor, third priority, non-transferable
subscription  rights  to  subscribe  for  Holding  Company  Common  Stock in the
Subscription  Offering  up to the  greatest  of (i) the amount  permitted  to be
subscribed for in the Community Offering,  which amount is currently $250,000 of
the Holding Company Common Stock offered, (ii) one-tenth of one, percent (0.10%)
of the total offering of shares of Holding Company Common Stock or (iii) fifteen
times  the  product  (rounded  down  to  the  next  whole  number)  obtained  by
multiplying  the total  number of shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock to be
issued by a fraction of which the  numerator  is the amount of the  Supplemental
Eligible  Account Holder's  qualifying  deposit and the denominator is the total
amount of  qualifying  deposits of all  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders
^($441,998,632.09)  in each case on the  Supplemental  Eligibility  Record Date,
subject to the overall maximum and minimum purchase limitations and exclusive of
an increase  in the shares  issued  pursuant  to an  increase  in the  Estimated
Valuation Range of up to 15%. See "--Limitations on Common Stock Purchases."
    

         In the  event  that  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders  exercise
subscription  rights  for a number of  shares  in excess of the total  number of
shares eligible for  subscription,  the shares will be allocated so as to permit
each subscribing  Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder, to the extent possible,
to purchase a number of shares  sufficient  to make such  Supplemental  Eligible
Account  Holder's  total  allocation  equal to the  lesser of 100  shares or the
number  of  shares  subscribed  for.  Thereafter,  unallocated  shares  will  be
allocated among the remaining subscribing  Supplemental Eligible Account Holders
whose subscriptions  remain unfilled in the proportion that the amounts of their
respective  qualifying  deposits bear to the total amount of qualifying deposits
of all remaining  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders  whose  subscriptions
remain unfilled.

         To ensure a proper  allocation  of stock,  each  Supplemental  Eligible
Account  Holder must list on his or her stock  order form all  accounts in which
such Supplemental Eligible Account Holder has an ownership interest.  Failure to
list an  account  could  result  in fewer  shares  being  allocated  than if all
accounts had been disclosed.

   
         Expiration  Date  for  the  Subscription   Offering.  The  Subscription
Offering will expire at 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on ^ December 16, 1998, unless
extended for an initial  period of up to 45 days by the Bank or an additional 60
day periods with the approval of the Superintendent and if necessary,  the FDIC.
Subscription  rights which have not been exercised  prior to the Expiration Date
will become void.
    

         The Bank will not execute  orders  until all shares of Holding  Company
Common Stock have been  subscribed for or otherwise sold. If all shares have not
been  subscribed  for or sold within 45 days after the  Subscription  Expiration
Date, unless such period is extended with the consent of the Superintendent, all
funds  delivered  to the Bank  pursuant  to the  Subscription  Offering  will be
returned  with  interest   promptly  to  the   subscribers  and  all  withdrawal
authorizations  will be  canceled.  If an  extension  beyond the  45-day  period
following  the  Subscription  Expiration  Date is granted,  the Bank will notify
subscribers  of the extension of time and of any rights of subscribers to modify
or rescind their

                                       104

<PAGE>



   
subscriptions.  Each such extension may not exceed 60 days, and such extensions,
in the aggregate, may not last beyond ^ December 21, 2000.
    

         Persons in  Non-qualified  States or  Foreign  Countries.  The  Holding
Company and the Bank will make reasonable  efforts to comply with the securities
laws of all states in the United States in which  persons  entitled to subscribe
for stock pursuant to the Plan reside. However, the Bank and the Holding Company
are not required to offer stock in the  Subscription  Offering to any person who
resides in a foreign country.

Community Offering

         Upon completion of the Subscription Offering, to the extent that shares
remain  available for purchase after  satisfaction of all  subscriptions  of the
Eligible  Account  Holders,  the Employee  Plans and the  Supplemental  Eligible
Account  Holders,  the  Bank  will  offer  shares  pursuant  to the  Plan in the
Community  Offering to certain  members of the general  public to whom a copy of
this  prospectus has been  delivered,  with a preference  given to those natural
persons  residing  in the Local  Community,  the  geographic  area  encompassing
counties  in which the Bank has  offices,  subject  to the right of the  Holding
Company and the Bank to accept or reject any such  orders,  in whole or in part,
in its sole discretion.  The Community Offering, if any, shall commence upon the
completion of the Subscription Offering and shall terminate seven days after the
close of the  Subscription  Offering unless extended by the Bank and the Holding
Company,  with the approval of the  Superintendent  and the FDIC,  if necessary.
Such  persons,  together with  associates of and persons  acting in concert with
such  persons,  may  purchase  up to $250,000 of Holding  Company  Common  Stock
subject to the maximum purchase  limitation.  See "- Limitations on Common Stock
Purchases."  This amount may be  increased to up to a maximum of 5% or decreased
to less than $250,000 of Holding  Company  Common Stock at the discretion of the
Holding Company and the Bank. The opportunity to subscribe for shares of Holding
Company Common Stock in the Community  Offering category is subject to the right
of the Bank and the  Holding  Company,  in their sole  discretion,  to accept or
reject any such  orders in whole or in part  either at the time of receipt of an
order or as soon as practicable  following the Expiration Date. However, no such
rejection will be in contravention  of any applicable law or regulation.  If the
Holding  Company or the Bank rejects a subscription in part, the subscriber will
not have the right to cancel the remainder of his or her subscription.

         Subject  to  the  foregoing,  if  the  amount  of  stock  remaining  is
insufficient  to fill the orders of subscribers in the Community  Offering after
completion  of the  Subscription  and  Community  Offerings,  such stock will be
allocated  first to each  subscriber  whose order is accepted by the Bank, in an
amount equal to 2% of the shares offered in the Conversion.

Syndicated Community Offering

         As a final step in the Conversion, the Plan provides that, if feasible,
all shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock not  purchased in the  Subscription
Offering  or the  Community  Offering,  if any,  will be offered for sale to the
general  public  in a  Syndicated  Community  Offering  through a  syndicate  of
registered broker-dealers to be formed and managed by KBW acting as agent of the
Holding Company. There are no known agreements between KBW and any broker-dealer
in connection with a possible Syndicated Community Offering. The Holding Company
and the Bank have  reserved  the  right to reject  orders in whole or in part in
their sole discretion in the Syndicated  Community  Offering.  However,  no such
rejection will be in contravention  of any applicable law or regulation.  If the
Holding  Company or the Bank rejects an order in part, the  subscriber  will not
have the right to cancel the remainder of his or her  subscription.  Neither KBW
nor any registered  broker-dealer  shall have any obligation to take or purchase
any shares of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock in the  Syndicated  Community
Offering;  however, KBW has agreed to use its best efforts in the sale of shares
in the Syndicated Community Offering.

         The  price  at  which  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  is  sold in the
Syndicated  Community  Offering will be  determined as described  above under "-
Stock Pricing."  Subject to overall purchase  limitations,  no person,  together
with any associate or group of persons  acting in concert,  will be permitted to
subscribe in the Syndicated  Community  Offering for more than 1% of the Holding
Company Common Stock offered in the Conversion;  provided,  however, that shares
of Holding  Company  Common  Stock  purchased in the  Community  Offering by any
persons,  together  with  associates  of or persons  acting in concert with such
persons, will be aggregated with purchases in the Syndicated

                                       105

<PAGE>



Community Offering and be subject to a maximum purchase  limitation of 1% of the
Holding Company Common Stock offered.

         Payments  made in the form of a check,  bank  draft,  money order or in
cash will earn  interest at the Bank's  passbook  rate of interest from the date
such payment is actually received by the Bank until completion or termination of
the Conversion.

         In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  if  a  syndicate  of  broker-dealers
("selected dealers") is formed to assist in the Syndicated Community Offering, a
purchaser  may pay for his or her shares with funds held by or deposited  with a
selected  dealer.  If an order form is executed  and  forwarded  to the selected
dealer or if the  selected  dealer is  authorized  to execute  the order form on
behalf of a purchaser, the selected dealer is required to forward the order form
and funds to the Bank for deposit in a  segregated  account on or before noon of
the business day  following  receipt of the order form or execution of the order
form  by the  selected  dealer.  Alternatively,  selected  dealers  may  solicit
indications  of interest from their  customers to place orders for shares.  Such
selected  dealers shall  subsequently  contact their  customers who indicated an
interest  and seek their  confirmation  as to their  intent to  purchase.  Those
indicating  an intent to purchase  shall execute order forms and forward them to
their  selected  dealer or authorize the selected  dealer to execute such forms.
The  selected  dealer will  acknowledge  receipt of the order to its customer in
writing on the following  business day and will debit such customer's account on
the third  business day after the customer  has  confirmed  his or her intent to
purchase ("debit date") and on or before noon of the next business day following
the debit  date,  will send order  forms and funds to the Bank for  deposit in a
segregated account.  Although  purchasers' funds are not required to be in their
accounts  with  selected  dealers  until the debit date,  in the event that such
alternative  procedure is employed once a confirmation  of an intent to purchase
has been received by the selected dealer,  the purchaser has no right to rescind
his or her order.

         Certificates  representing  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock
purchased,  together  with any refund due,  will be mailed to  purchasers at the
address  specified  in  the  order  form,  as  soon  as  practicable   following
consummation of the sale of the Holding Company Common Stock.  Any  certificates
returned as undeliverable will be disposed of in accordance with applicable law.

   
         The Syndicated  Community  Offering will terminate no more than 45 days
following  the  Subscription  Expiration  Date,  unless  extended by the Holding
Company with the approval of the  Superintendent  and FDIC.  Such extensions may
not be beyond ^ December 21, 2000.  See "- Stock Pricing" above for a discussion
of rights of subscribers, if any, in the event an extension is granted.
    

Marketing and Underwriting Arrangements

         The Bank and the Holding  Company have  engaged KBW as a financial  and
marketing  advisor in connection with the offering of the Holding Company Common
Stock and KBW has agreed to use its best  efforts to assist the Holding  Company
with the solicitation of subscriptions and purchase orders for shares of Holding
Company Common Stock in the Offerings.  Based upon negotiations between the Bank
and the  Holding  Company,  KBW will  receive  a fee for  services  provided  in
connection with the Offerings equal to 1.20% of the aggregate  Purchase Price of
Holding Company Common Stock sold in the Offerings.  No fees will be paid to KBW
with  respect to any shares of Holding  Company  Common  Stock  purchased by any
trustee,  director,  executive  officer or  employee  of the Bank or the Holding
Company or members of their immediate  families or any employee  benefit plan of
the  Holding  Company  or the  Bank.  In the  event  of a  Syndicated  Community
Offering,  KBW will  negotiate  with the  Holding  Company for the receipt of an
additional  fee to be remitted to selected  dealers  under one or more  selected
dealer  agreements  to be entered  into by KBW with certain  dealers;  provided,
however,  that the  aggregate  fees payable to KBW and any  selected  dealers in
connection  with any Syndicated  Community  Offering will not exceed 5.5% of the
aggregate  Purchase  Price  of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  sold in the
Syndicated Community Offering. Fees to KBW and to any other broker-dealer may be
deemed to be underwriting  fees and KBW and such  broker-dealer may be deemed to
be  underwriters.  KBW will also be reimbursed for its reasonable  out-of pocket
expenses,  including  legal  fees and  expenses,  up to a  maximum  of  $75,000.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Offerings are not consummated or
KBW ceases,  under certain  circumstances  after the  subscription  solicitation
activities are commenced, to provide assistance to the Holding Company, KBW will
be  entitled  to  reimbursement  for its  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses as
described  above.  The Holding Company and the Bank have agreed to indemnify KBW
for costs and expenses in

                                       106

<PAGE>



   
connection  with certain claims or liabilities  related to or arising out of the
services to be provided by KBW  pursuant to its  engagement  by the Bank and the
Holding  Company  as  financial  advisor  in  connection  with  the  Conversion,
including certain  liabilities under the Securities Act. Total marketing fees to
KBW are  estimated  to be ^ $595,000 and $826,000 at the minimum and the maximum
of the Estimated  Valuation  Range,  respectively.  See "Pro Forma Data" for the
assumptions used to arrive at these estimates.
    

         Directors,  trustees and executive  officers of the Holding Company and
the Bank may  participate  in the  solicitation  of offers to  purchase  Holding
Company Common Stock.  Questions of prospective  purchasers  will be directed to
executive  officers or registered  representatives.  Other employees of the Bank
may participate in the Offerings in ministerial  capacities or provide  clerical
work in effecting a sales transaction. Such other employees have been instructed
not to solicit offers to purchase Holding Company Common Stock or provide advice
regarding the purchase of Holding Company Common Stock. The Holding Company will
rely on Rule 3a4-1 under the Exchange Act, and sales of Holding  Company  Common
Stock will be conducted  within the  requirements of Rule 3a4-1, so as to permit
officers,  trustees,  directors  and  employees  to  participate  in the sale of
Holding  Company Common Stock.  No officer,  director or employee of the Holding
Company  or  the  Bank  will  be  compensated  in  connection  with  his  or her
participation by the payment of commissions or other  remuneration  based either
directly or indirectly on the transactions in the Holding Company Common Stock.

Procedure for Purchasing Shares in Subscription and Community Offerings

         To ensure that each  purchaser  receives a Prospectus at least 48 hours
prior to the respective  expiration dates for the Offerings,  in accordance with
Rule 15c2-8 of the Exchange  Act, no  Prospectus  will be mailed later than five
days prior to such date or hand  delivered any later than two days prior to such
date.  Execution  of the stock  order form will  confirm  receipt or delivery in
accordance with Rule 15c2-8.  Stock order forms will only be distributed  with a
Prospectus  and a  certification  form requiring  each  prospective  investor to
acknowledge, among other things, that the shares of Holding Company Common Stock
are not insured by the Bank, the FDIC or any other governmental  agency and that
such prospective  investor has received a copy of this Prospectus,  which, among
other  things,  describes  the risks  involved in the  investment in the Holding
Company Common Stock.

         To purchase  shares in the  Subscription  Offering  and, if a Community
Offering  is held,  the  Community  Offering,  an  executed  order form with the
required   payment  for  each  share   subscribed   for,  or  with   appropriate
authorization for withdrawal from the Bank's deposit account (which may be given
by completing the appropriate  blanks in the stock order form), must be received
by the Bank at its office by 12:00 noon,  Eastern time, on the Expiration  Date,
in the case of the  Subscription  Offering,  or 7 days  after  the  close of the
Subscription Offering, in the case of the Community Offering.  Stock order forms
which are not received by such time or are executed  defectively or are received
without full payment (or appropriate  withdrawal  instructions) are not required
to be accepted.  In addition,  the Holding Company and Bank are not obligated to
accept orders  submitted on  photocopied  or facsimile  order forms and will not
accept order forms unaccompanied by an executed  certification form. The Holding
Company  and the Bank  have the  power to waive  or  permit  the  correction  of
incomplete or improperly  executed forms, but do not represent that they will do
so.  Once  received,  an  executed  order form may not be  modified,  amended or
rescinded  without the consent of the Bank  unless the  Conversion  has not been
completed  within  45 days  after  the  end of the  Subscription  and  Community
Offerings, unless such period has been extended.

         In order to ensure  that  Eligible  Account  Holders  and  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders are properly  identified  as to their stock  purchase
priorities, depositors must list all accounts on the stock order form giving all
names in each account and the account numbers.

         Payment  for  subscriptions  may be made  (i) in cash if  delivered  in
person to the office of the Bank,  (ii) by check,  bank draft or money order, or
(iii) by authorization  of withdrawal from deposit accounts  maintained with the
Bank. No wire transfers will be accepted. Interest will be paid on payments made
by cash,  check,  cashier's  check or money order at the Bank's passbook rate of
interest from the date payment is received  until the  completion or termination
of the  Conversion.  If  payment is made by  authorization  of  withdrawal  from
deposit  accounts,  the funds  authorized to be withdrawn from a deposit account
will continue to accrue  interest at the contractual  rates until  completion or
termination of the Conversion,  but a hold will be placed on such funds, thereby
making them  unavailable to the depositor until completion or termination of the
Conversion.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Holding Company shall have the
right,

                                       107

<PAGE>



in its sole discretion,  to permit institutional investors to submit irrevocable
orders together with a legally binding  commitment for payment and to thereafter
pay for the shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock for which they subscribe in
the  Community  Offering at any time prior to 48 hours before the  completion of
the Conversion.

         If a  subscriber  authorizes  the Bank to  withdraw  the  amount of the
purchase price from such subscriber's deposit account, the Bank will do so as of
the  effective  date of the  Conversion.  The Bank  will  waive  any  applicable
penalties  for early  withdrawal  from  certificate  accounts.  If the remaining
balance in a certificate account is reduced below the applicable minimum balance
requirement  at the time  that the  funds  actually  are  transferred  under the
authorization,  the certificate  will be canceled at the time of the withdrawal,
without  penalty,  and the remaining  balance will be converted  into a passbook
account and will earn  interest at the passbook  rate.  Upon  completion  of the
Conversion,  funds withdrawn from depositors'  accounts for stock purchases will
no longer be insured by the FDIC.

         The ESOP will not be required to pay for the shares  subscribed  for at
the time it subscribes but,  rather,  may pay for such shares of Holding Company
Common Stock  subscribed  for at the  Purchase  Price upon  consummation  of the
Offerings;  provided,  that there is in force from the time of its  subscription
until such time, a loan  commitment  acceptable  to the Holding  Company from an
unrelated  financial  institution or the Holding Company to lend to the ESOP, at
such time,  the aggregate  Purchase Price of the shares for which it subscribed.
The Holding Company intends to provide such a loan to the ESOP.

         Owners  of  self-directed  IRAs  may use  the  assets  of such  IRAs to
purchase  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  in the  Subscription  and
Community  Offerings.  Persons with IRAs  maintained at the Bank must have their
accounts transferred to an unaffiliated institution or broker to purchase shares
of Holding Company Common Stock in the Subscription and Community Offerings.  In
addition,  the  provisions of ERISA and IRS  regulations  require that officers,
trustees  and ten  percent  stockholders  who use  self-directed  IRA  funds  to
purchase  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  in the  Subscription  and
Community Offerings make such purchases for the exclusive benefit of the IRAs.

         Certificates  representing  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock
purchased  will be mailed to  purchasers  at the last  address  of such  persons
appearing  on the records of the Bank,  or to such other  address  specified  in
properly completed order forms, as soon as practicable following consummation of
the sale of all  shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock.  Any  certificates
returned as undeliverable will be disposed of in accordance with applicable law.

Restrictions on Transfer of Subscription Rights

         Prior  to  the  completion  of  the  Conversion,  the  NYBB  Conversion
regulations  prohibit any person with  subscription  rights (i.e.,  the Eligible
Account  Holders,  the  Employee  Plans and the  Supplemental  Eligible  Account
Holders) from  transferring or entering into any agreement or  understanding  to
transfer the legal or  beneficial  ownership of the  subscription  rights issued
under the Plan or the shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock to be issued upon
their exercise. Certificates representing shares of Holding Company Common Stock
purchased in the  Subscription  Offering  must be  registered in the name of the
Eligible Account Holder,  Supplemental  Eligible Account Holder, as the case may
be. Joint  registrations  will be allowed only if the qualifying deposit account
is so  registered.  Such rights may be exercised only by the person to whom they
are granted and only for such  person's  account.  Each person  exercising  such
subscription  rights will be required to certify that such person is  purchasing
shares  solely  for such  person's  own  account  and that  such  person  has no
agreement or  understanding  regarding the sale or transfer of such shares.  The
regulations  also prohibit any person from offering or making an announcement of
an offer or an intent to make an offer to purchase such  subscription  rights or
shares  of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  prior  to  the  completion  of  the
Conversion.

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


                                       108

<PAGE>

Limitations on Holding Company Common Stock Purchases

         The Plan includes the following  limitations on the number of shares of
Holding Company Common Stock which may be purchased in the Conversion:

         (1)      No subscription for fewer than 25 shares will be accepted;

         (2) Each Eligible Account Holder may subscribe for and purchase Holding
Company  Common  Stock  in the  Subscription  Offering  in an  amount  up to the
greatest of (a) the amount permitted to be purchased in the Community  Offering,
currently $250,000 of the Holding Company Common Stock offered, (b) one-tenth of
one percent  (0.10%) of the total  offering of shares of Holding  Company Common
Stock or (c) fifteen  times the product  (rounded down to the next whole number)
obtained by  multiplying  the total number of shares of Holding  Company  Common
Stock to be issued in the Conversion by a fraction the numerator of which is the
amount  of the  qualifying  deposit  of the  Eligible  Account  Holder  and  the
denominator of which is the total amount of qualifying  deposits of all Eligible
Account  Holders in each case on the  Eligibility  Record  Date,  subject to the
overall limitation in (8) below and exclusive of an increase in the total number
of shares  issued due to an increase in the Estimated  Valuation  Range of up to
15%;

         (3) The  Employee  Plans are  permitted  to  purchase  up to 10% of the
shares of  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  issued in the  Conversion  and as an
Employee Plan, the ESOP intends to purchase 8% of the shares of Holding  Company
Common  Stock issued in the  Conversion,  in each case,  including  shares to be
issued to the Foundation;

         (4) Each  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holder may subscribe for and
purchase Holding Company Common Stock in the Subscription  Offering in an amount
up to the greatest of (a) the amount  permitted to be purchased in the Community
Offering,  currently  $250,000 of the Holding Company Common Stock offered,  (b)
one-tenth  of one  percent  (0.10%) of the total  offering  of shares of Holding
Company Common Stock or (c) fifteen times the product  (rounded down to the next
whole  number)  obtained by  multiplying  the total  number of shares of Holding
Company  Common Stock to be issued in the Conversion by a fraction the numerator
of which is the amount of the qualifying  deposit of the  Supplemental  Eligible
Account  Holder and the  denominator  of which is the total amount of qualifying
deposits  of all  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders  in each  case on the
Supplemental  Eligibility  Record Date, subject to the overall limitation in (8)
below and  exclusive of an increase in the total number of shares  issued due to
an increase in the Estimated Valuation Range of up to 15%;

         (5) Persons  purchasing  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock in the
Community Offering,  together with associates of and groups of persons acting in
concert with such  persons,  may purchase  Holding  Company  Common Stock in the
Community  Offering in an amount up to $250,000  of the Holding  Company  Common
Stock offered in the Conversion subject to the overall limitation in (8) below;

         (6) Persons  purchasing  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock in the
Syndicated Community Offering, together with associates of and persons acting in
concert with such  persons,  may purchase  Holding  Company  Common Stock in the
Syndicated Offering in an amount up to $250,000 of the shares of Holding Company
Common Stock offered in the Conversion  subject to the overall limitation in (8)
below;  provided,  that shares of Holding  Company Common Stock purchased in the
Community  Offering by any  persons,  together  with  associates  of and persons
acting in concert with such persons,  will be aggregated  with purchases by such
persons in the Syndicated  Community  Offering in applying the $250,000 purchase
limitation;

         (7) Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and
certain  members of the  general  public  may  purchase  stock in the  Community
Offering and Syndicated  Community Offering subject to the purchase  limitations
described in (6) and (7) above;  provided,  that, except for the Employee Plans,
the maximum number of shares of Holding  Company Common Stock  subscribed for or
purchased in all  categories  of the  Conversion  by any person,  together  with
associates of and groups of persons  acting in concert with such persons,  shall
not exceed 1.0% of the shares of Holding  Company  Common Stock offered for sale
in the Conversion; and

   
         (8) The ^ trustees and officers of the Bank and their associates in the
aggregate,  excluding purchases by the Employee Plans, may purchase up to 25% of
shares offered for sale in the Conversion.
    

         Subject to any required  regulatory  approval and the  requirements  of
applicable laws and regulations,  but without further approval of the depositors
of the Bank, both the individual amount permitted to be subscribed for and

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the overall maximum  purchase  limitation may be increased to up to a maximum of
5% of the shares offered for sale in the Offering at the sole  discretion of the
Holding  Company  and the Bank.  It is  currently  anticipated  that the overall
maximum purchase limitation may be increased if, after a Community Offering, the
Holding Company has not received  subscriptions for an aggregate amount equal to
at least  the  minimum  of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range.  If such  amount is
increased,  subscribers  for the maximum amount will be, and certain other large
subscribers in the sole  discretion of the Holding  Company and the Bank may be,
given the opportunity to increase their  subscriptions up to the then applicable
limit.  Requests to purchase  additional  shares of Holding Company Common Stock
under this provision will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Holding
Company and the Board of Trustees of the Bank and, if  approved,  allocated on a
pro rata basis giving  priority in accordance with the priority rights set forth
in the Plan and described herein.

         The overall maximum purchase limitation may not be reduced to less than
1.0%;  the  individual  amount  permitted to be subscribed for in the Offerings,
however, may be reduced by the Bank to less than $250,000 of the Holding Company
Common Stock offered.  An individual  Eligible  Account  Holder or  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holder  may not  purchase  individually  in the  Subscription
Offering the overall maximum  purchase  limitation of 1.0% of the shares offered
for sale,  but may make such purchase,  together with  associates of and persons
acting in  concert  with such  person,  by also  purchasing  in other  available
categories of the Conversion,  subject to availability of shares and the maximum
overall purchase limitation for purchases in the Conversion.

         In the event of an  increase in the total  number of shares  offered in
the Conversion due to an increase in the Estimated  Valuation Range of up to 15%
("Adjusted  Maximum"),  the additional shares will be allocated in the following
order of priority in accordance with the Plan: (i) in the event that there is an
oversubscription by Eligible Account Holders, to fill unfilled  subscriptions of
Eligible Account Holders; (ii) to fill the Employee Plans' subscription of up to
8% of the Adjusted Maximum number of shares; (iii) in the event that there is an
oversubscription  by Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders,  to fill unfilled
subscriptions  of  Supplemental  Eligible  Account  Holders;  and  (iv)  to fill
unfilled subscriptions in the Community Offering, each to the extent possible.

   
         The  term  "Associate"  of  a  person  is  defined  to  mean:  (i)  any
corporation  or  organization  (other  than the Holding  Company,  the Bank or a
majority-owned  subsidiary  of the Bank) of which  such  person  is an  officer,
partner or is directly or  indirectly,  either alone or with one or more members
of his or her immediate family, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class
of equity securities;  (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has a
substantial  beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or
in a similar  fiduciary  capacity,  except  that the term  "Associate"  does not
include any employee stock benefit plan maintained by the Holding Company or the
Bank in which a person  has a  substantial  beneficial  interest  or serves as a
trustee or in a similar  fiduciary  capacity,  and except that,  for purposes of
aggregating total shares that may be acquired or held by officers and ^ trustees
and their  Associates,  the term "Associate" does not include any  tax-qualified
employee stock benefit plan; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or
any  relative of such  spouse,  who has the same home as such person or who is a
director or officer of the Holding Company or the Bank. Trustees,  directors and
officers are not treated as associates of each other solely by virtue of holding
such  positions.  For a further  discussion  of  limitations  on  purchases of a
converting  institution's  stock at the time of  Conversion  and  subsequent  to
Conversion,  see "- Certain Restrictions on Purchase or Transfer of Shares After
Conversion,"  "Management  of  the  Bank - ^  Proposed  Purchases  by  Executive
Officers and ^ Trustees" and "Restrictions on Acquisition of the Holding Company
and the Bank."
    

Interpretation, Amendment and Termination

         All interpretations of the Plan by the Board of the Bank will be final,
subject to the authority of the Superintendent and FDIC. The Plan provides that,
if deemed  necessary or desirable by the Board of Trustees of the Bank, the Plan
may  be  substantively  amended  prior  to  the  solicitation  of  proxies  from
depositors by a vote of the Board of Trustees;  amendment of the Plan thereafter
requires the approval of the Superintendent and FDIC. The Plan will terminate if
the  sale of all  shares  of stock  being  offered  pursuant  to the Plan is not
completed  prior to 24 months  after the date of the approval of the Plan by the
Superintendent  unless a longer time period is permitted  by governing  laws and
regulations.  The Plan may be  terminated  by a vote of the Board of Trustees of
the Bank at any time prior to the Special Meeting, and thereafter by such a vote
with the approval of the Superintendent and FDIC.



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<PAGE>



         RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF THE HOLDING COMPANY AND THE BANK

General

         The Bank's Plan of Conversion  provides for the  Conversion of the Bank
from the mutual to the stock form of organization and, in connection  therewith,
a Restated  Organization  Certificate  and Bylaws to be adopted by depositors of
the Bank.  The Plan also  provides  for the  concurrent  formation  of a holding
company,  which form of organization may or may not be utilized at the option of
the Board of Trustees of the Bank. See "The  Conversion - General." In the event
that the holding company form of organization is utilized,  as described  below,
certain  provisions in the Holding  Company's  Certificate of Incorporation  and
Bylaws and in its management  remuneration  plans and agreements entered into in
connection with the  Conversion,  together with provisions of the DGCL, may have
anti-takeover   effects.   In  the  event  that  the  holding  company  form  of
organization is not utilized,  the Bank's Restated Organization  Certificate and
Bylaws  and  management  remuneration  plans  and  agreements  entered  into  in
connection  with the  Conversion  may have  anti-takeover  effects as  described
below. In addition, regulatory restrictions may make it difficult for persons or
companies to acquire control of either the Holding Company or the Bank.

Restrictions in the Holding Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

         The following  discussion is a general summary of certain provisions of
the Holding Company's  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and certain other
statutory and regulatory  provisions  relating to stock ownership and transfers,
the Board of Directors  and business  combinations,  that might have a potential
"anti-takeover"  effect.  The  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and Bylaws of the
Holding Company are filed as exhibits to the  Registration  Statement,  of which
this  Prospectus is a part,  and the  descriptions  herein of such documents are
qualified  in their  entirety  by  reference  to such  documents.  A  number  of
provisions of the Holding Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws deal
with matters of corporate  governance and certain rights of stockholders.  These
provisions might have the effect of discouraging  future takeover attempts which
are not approved by the Board of Directors but which individual  Holding Company
stockholders may deem to be in their best interests or in which stockholders may
receive  substantial  premiums for their shares over then current market prices.
As a result,  stockholders who might desire to participate in such  transactions
may not have an  opportunity  to do so.  Such  provisions  will also  render the
removal of the current Board of Directors or  management of the Holding  Company
more  difficult.  The following  description of certain of the provisions of the
Certificate of  Incorporation  and Bylaws of the Holding  Company is necessarily
general  and  reference  should  be  made in each  case to such  Certificate  of
Incorporation  and  Bylaws,  which are  incorporated  herein by  reference.  See
"Additional Information" as to how to obtain a copy of these documents.

         Limitation on Voting Rights.  The Certificate of  Incorporation  of the
Holding  Company  provides  that any  record  owner of any  outstanding  Holding
Company Common Stock which is beneficially owned,  directly or indirectly,  by a
person who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the then outstanding  shares of
Holding  Company Common Stock  ("Limit")  shall be entitled or permitted to only
one  one-hundredth  (1 /100) of a vote with respect of each share held in excess
of the Limit.  Beneficial ownership of shares includes shares beneficially owned
by such  person  or any of his  affiliates,  shares  which  such  person  or his
affiliates  have the right to acquire upon the exercise of Conversion  rights or
options  and shares as to which such  person  and his  affiliates  have or share
investment or voting power, but shall not include shares  beneficially  owned by
the ESOP or  shares  that are  subject  to a  revocable  proxy  and that are not
otherwise beneficially owned or deemed by the Holding Company to be beneficially
owned by such  person  and his  affiliates.  The  Certificate  of  Incorporation
further provides that this provision  limiting voting rights may only be amended
upon (i) the approval of the Board of Directors,  and (ii) the affirmative  vote
of the  holders  of a majority  of the total  votes  eligible  to be cast by the
holders of all outstanding  shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon and
(iii) by the  affirmative  vote of either  (1) not less than a  majority  of the
authorized  number of  directors  and,  if one or more  Interested  Stockholders
exist, by not less than a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as defined in
the Certificate of Incorporation) or (2) the holders of not less than two-thirds
of the total votes eligible to be cast by the holders of all outstanding  shares
of the capital stock of the Holding Company entitled to vote thereon and, if the
amendment is proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder or a director
who  is  an  Affiliate  or  Associate  of  an  Interested  Stockholder,  by  the
affirmative  vote of the  holders of not less than a majority of the total votes
eligible  to be cast by  holders  of all  outstanding  shares  entitled  to vote
thereon not beneficially  owned by an Interested  Stockholder or an Affiliate or
Associate thereof.


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<PAGE>



         Board of  Directors.  The Board of Directors of the Holding  Company is
divided into three classes, each of which shall contain approximately  one-third
of the total number of members of the Board.  Each class shall serve a staggered
term,  with  approximately  one-third  of the total  number of  directors  being
elected each year. The Holding Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
provide  that the size of the Board  shall be  determined  by a majority  of the
directors but shall not be less than seven nor more than 20. The  Certificate of
Incorporation  and the Bylaws  provide that any vacancy  occurring in the Board,
including  a vacancy  created  by an  increase  in the  number of  directors  or
resulting from death, resignation,  retirement,  disqualification,  removal from
office or other cause,  shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired  term
exclusively by a majority vote of the directors  then in office.  The classified
Board is intended to provide for  continuity  of the Board of  Directors  and to
make it more difficult and time  consuming for a stockholder  group to fully use
its voting power to gain  control of the Board of Directors  without the consent
of the incumbent Board of Directors of the Holding  Company.  The Certificate of
Incorporation  of the Holding  Company  provides  that a director may be removed
from the Board of Directors  prior to the expiration of his term only for cause,
upon the affirmative  vote of at least 80% of the  outstanding  shares of voting
stock. In the absence of these provisions, the vote of the holders of a majority
of the shares could remove the entire Board,  with or without cause, and replace
it with persons of such holders' choice.

         Cumulative Voting,  Special Meetings and Action by Written Consent. The
Certificate  of  Incorporation  does not provide for  cumulative  voting for any
purpose.  Moreover,  special meetings of stockholders of the Holding Company may
be called only by resolution of at least three-fourths of the Board of Directors
then in office or by the Chairman,  if one has been elected by the Board, or the
Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company. The Certificate of Incorporation
also  provides  that  any  action  required  or  permitted  to be  taken  by the
stockholders  of the  Holding  Company may be taken only at an annual or special
meeting  and  prohibits  stockholder  action  by  written  consent  in lieu of a
meeting.

         Authorized  Shares.  The  Certificate of  Incorporation  authorizes the
issuance of thirty million  (30,000,000) shares of capital stock,  consisting of
twenty-five million (25,000,000) shares of Holding Company Common Stock and five
million (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock ("Preferred Stock"). The shares of
Holding  Company Common Stock and Preferred  Stock were  authorized in an amount
greater  than  that to be  issued  in the  Conversion  to  provide  the  Holding
Company's  Board of Directors  with as much  flexibility  as possible to effect,
among other  transactions,  financings,  acquisitions,  stock  dividends,  stock
splits and employee stock options.  However,  these additional authorized shares
may also be used by the Board of Directors,  consistent with its fiduciary duty,
to deter future  attempts to gain control of the Holding  Company.  The Board of
Directors  also has sole  authority  to  determine  the terms of any one or more
series of Preferred  Stock,  including  voting  rights,  Conversion  rates,  and
liquidation  preferences.  As a result of the ability to fix voting rights for a
series of Preferred  Stock,  the Board has the power,  to the extent  consistent
with its  fiduciary  duty,  to  issue a series  of  Preferred  Stock to  persons
friendly to management  in order to attempt to block a post-tender  offer Merger
or other  transaction by which a third party seeks  control,  and thereby assist
management  to retain its  position.  The Holding  Company's  Board of Directors
currently  has no plans for the issuance of  additional  shares,  other than the
issuance of additional shares pursuant to the terms of the RRP and upon exercise
of stock  options to be issued  pursuant to the terms of the Stock  Option Plan,
all of which, if implemented  prior to the first  anniversary of the Conversion,
will be presented to  stockholders  for approval at a meeting of stockholders to
be held no earlier than six months after completion of the Conversion.

         Stockholder  Vote  Required  to  Approve  Business   Combinations  with
Principal  Stockholders.  The Certificate of Incorporation requires the approval
of the holders of at least 80% of the Holding  Company's  outstanding  shares of
voting stock,  together with the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the Holding
Company's  outstanding  shares of  voting  stock  not  beneficially  owned by an
Interested   Stockholder  (as  defined  below)  to  approve  certain   "Business
Combinations," as defined therein, and related transactions. Under Delaware law,
absent this provision, Business Combinations,  including Mergers, consolidations
and  sales of all or  substantially  all of the  assets of a  corporation  must,
subject to certain exceptions,  be approved by the vote of the holders of only a
majority of the outstanding shares of Holding Company Common Stock and any other
affected class of stock.  Under the Certificate of  Incorporation,  at least 80%
approval  of  stockholders  is  required  in  connection  with  any  transaction
involving  an  Interested  Stockholder  except (i) in cases  where the  proposed
transaction  has been  approved in advance by a majority of those members of the
Holding  Company's Board of Directors who are  unaffiliated  with the Interested
Stockholder and were directors prior to the time when the Interested Stockholder
became an  Interested  Stockholder  or (ii) if the  proposed  transaction  meets
certain   conditions  set  forth  therein  which  are  designed  to  afford  the
stockholders a fair price in consideration for their shares

                                       112

<PAGE>



in which case, if a stockholder vote is required, approval of only a majority of
the outstanding shares of voting stock would be sufficient. The term "Interested
Stockholder" is defined to include any individual,  corporation,  partnership or
other entity (other than the Holding  Company or its  subsidiary or any employee
benefit plan  maintained by the Holding  Company or its  subsidiary)  which owns
beneficially or controls, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the outstanding
shares of voting stock of the Holding Company. This provision of the Certificate
of  Incorporation  applies to any  "Business  Combination,"  which is defined to
include (i) any Merger or  consolidation  of the  Holding  Company or any of its
subsidiaries with or into any Interested Stockholder or Affiliate (as defined in
the Certificate of Incorporation) of an Interested Stockholder-,  (ii) any sale,
lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition to or with any
Interested  Stockholder  or Affiliate of 5% or more of the assets of the Holding
Company or combined assets of the Holding Company and its subsidiary;  (iii) the
issuance or transfer  to any  Interested  Stockholder  or its  Affiliate  by the
Holding  Company (or any  subsidiary) of any  securities of the Holding  Company
other than on a pro rata basis to all  stockholders;  (iv) the  adoption  of any
plan for the liquidation or dissolution of the Holding Company proposed by or on
behalf  of  any   Interested   Stockholder   or  Affiliate   thereof,   (v)  any
reclassification of securities, recapitalization, Merger or consolidation of the
Holding  Company which has the effect of increasing the  proportionate  share of
Holding Company Common Stock or any class of equity or convertible securities of
the Holding Company owned directly or indirectly by an Interested Stockholder or
Affiliate  thereof-,  and (vi) the  acquisition  by the  Holding  Company or its
subsidiary of any  securities of an Interested  Stockholder or its Affiliates or
Associates.

   
         The trustees and executive  officers of the Bank are  purchasing in the
aggregate approximately ^ 3.2% of the shares of the Holding Company Common Stock
at the maximum of the Estimated  Valuation Range. In addition,  the ESOP intends
to  purchase  8% of  the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  to be  issued  in the
Conversion,  including shares to be issued to the Foundation.  Additionally, if,
the proposed RRP and Stock  Options Plan are  implemented,  the Holding  Company
expects  to  acquire  4% of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock  issued  in the
Conversion,  including  shares to be issued to the Foundation,  on behalf of the
RRP and expects to issue an amount  equal to 10% of the Holding  Company  Common
Stock issued in the Conversion, including shares to be issued to the Foundation,
under the Stock Option Plan to directors, executive officers and employees. As a
result,  assuming the RRP and Stock Option Plan are implemented,  the directors,
executive  officers and  employees  have the  potential to control the voting of
approximately  25% of the Holding Company Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis
at the  maximum of the  Estimated  Valuation  Range,  thereby  enabling  them to
prevent the approval of the transactions  requiring the approval of at least 80%
of the Holding  Company's  outstanding  shares of voting stock described  herein
above.
    

         Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation  and Bylaws.  The Certificate
of  Incorporation  provides  that  certain  provisions  of  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  may not be altered,  amended,  repealed or rescinded  without the
affirmative vote of either (1) not less than a majority of the authorized number
of directors and, if one or more Interested Stockholders exist, by not less than
a majority of the  Disinterested  Directors  (as defined in the  Certificate  of
Incorporation) or (2) the holders of not less than two-thirds of the total votes
eligible  to be cast by the  holders of all  outstanding  shares of the  capital
stock of the Holding  Company  entitled to vote thereon and, if the  alteration,
amendment,  repeal,  or  rescission is proposed by or on behalf of an Interested
Stockholder  or a director who is an  Affiliate  or  Associate of an  Interested
Stockholder,  by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority
of the total  votes  eligible  to be cast by holders of all  outstanding  shares
entitled to vote thereon not beneficially owned by an Interested  Stockholder or
an Affiliate  or  Associate  thereof.  Amendment  of the  provision  relating to
business  combinations  must also be  approved  by either (i) a majority  of the
Disinterested  Directors,  or (ii) the affirmative  vote of not less than eighty
percent (80%) of the total number of votes eligible to be cast by the holders of
all outstanding  shares of the Voting Stock,  voting together as a single class,
together with the  affirmative  vote of not less than fifty percent (50%) of the
total  number of votes  eligible  to be cast by the  holders of all  outstanding
shares of the Voting Stock not beneficially owned by any Interested  Stockholder
or  Affiliate  or  Associate  thereof,   voting  together  as  a  single  class.
Furthermore,  the Holding Company's  Certificate of Incorporation  provides that
provisions of the Bylaws that contain  supermajority voting requirements may not
be  altered,  amended,  repealed  or  rescinded  without  a vote of the Board or
holders of capital  stock  entitled  to vote  thereon  that is not less than the
supermajority  specified in such provision.  Absent these  provisions,  the DGCL
provides that a  corporation's  certificate of  incorporation  and bylaws may be
amended by the holders of a majority of the  corporation's  outstanding  capital
stock.  The  Certificate  of  Incorporation  also  provides  that  the  Board of
Directors is  authorized  to make,  alter,  amend,  rescind or repeal any of the
Holding  Company's  bylaws in accordance  with the terms thereof,  regardless of
whether  the Bylaw was  initially  adopted by the  stockholders.  However,  this
authorization  neither divests the stockholders of their right, nor limits their
power to adopt,  amend,  rescind  or  repeal  any  Bylaw  under the DGCL.  These
provisions could have the effect of discouraging a tender

                                       113

<PAGE>



offer or other takeover  attempt where the ability to make  fundamental  changes
through Bylaw amendments is an important element of the takeover strategy of the
acquiror.

   
         Certain  By-Law  Provisions.  The Bylaws of the  Holding  Company  also
require a  stockholder  who intends to nominate a candidate  for election to the
Board of Directors, or to raise new business at an annual stockholder meeting to
give  approximately  ^ 60 days notice in advance of the anniversary of the prior
year's annual stockholders' meeting to the Secretary of the Holding Company. The
notice  provision  requires a  stockholder  who desires to raise new business to
provide certain  information to the Holding Company concerning the nature of the
new business,  the  stockholder and the  stockholder's  interest in the business
matter.  Similarly, a stockholder wishing to nominate any person for election as
a director must provide the Holding Company with certain information  concerning
the nominee and the proposing stockholder.
    

Anti-Takeover  Effects of the Holding Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws and Certain Benefit Plans Adopted in the Conversion

         The  provisions  described  above are  intended  to reduce the  Holding
Company's  vulnerability  to takeover  attempts and certain  other  transactions
which  have not been  negotiated  with and  approved  by members of its Board of
Directors.  The provisions of the employment  agreements,  the ESOP, the RRP and
the Stock  Option  and  Incentive  Plan to be  established  may also  discourage
takeover  attempts  by  increasing  the costs to be incurred by the Bank and the
Holding   Company  in  the  event  of  a  takeover.   See   "Management  of  the
Bank--employment  agreements,"  and "-  Benefits  - Employee  Stock  Ownership,"
"Benefits - Stock Option Plan" and "- Benefits - RRP."

         The Board of Directors  believes that the provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws and management remuneration plans to be established are
in  the  best  interests  of  the  Holding  Company  and  its  stockholders.  An
unsolicited  non-negotiated  proposal  can  seriously  disrupt the  business and
management of a corporation and cause it great expense.  Accordingly,  the Board
of Directors believes it is in the best interests of the Holding Company and its
stockholders  to  encourage  potential  acquirers  to  negotiate  directly  with
management  and that these  provisions  will  encourage  such  negotiations  and
discourage  non-negotiated takeover attempts, It is also the Board of Directors'
view that these provisions should not discourage persons from proposing a Merger
or other  transaction  at a price that  reflects  the true value of the  Holding
Company and that otherwise is in the best interests of all stockholders.

Delaware Corporate Law

         The  State of  Delaware  has a statute  designed  to  provide  Delaware
corporations with additional protection against hostile takeovers.  The takeover
statute,  which is  codified  in Section  203 of the DGCL  ("Section  203"),  is
intended to discourage  certain takeover  practices by impeding the ability of a
hostile acquiror to engage in certain transactions with the target company.

         In general,  Section 203 provides that a "Person" (as defined  therein)
who owns 15% or more of the outstanding  voting stock of a Delaware  corporation
(a "DGCL Interested  Stockholder") may not consummate a Merger or other business
combination  transaction with such corporation at any time during the three-year
period  following the date such "Person" became a DGCL  Interested  Stockholder.
The term  "business  combination"  is  defined  broadly to cover a wide range of
corporate transactions  including Mergers, sales of assets,  issuances of stock,
transactions  with  subsidiaries and the receipt of  disproportionate  financial
benefits.

         The statute exempts the following transactions from the requirements of
Section 203: (i) any business  combination if, prior to the date a person became
a DGCL  Interested  Stockholder,  the Board of  Directors  approved  either  the
business  combination  or the  transaction  which  resulted  in the  stockholder
becoming a DGCL Interested Stockholder;  (ii) any business combination involving
a person  who  acquired  at least  85% of the  outstanding  voting  stock in the
transaction in which he became a DGCL Interested Stockholder, with the number of
shares  outstanding  calculated  without  regard  to those  shares  owned by the
corporation's  directors  who are also  officers and by certain  employee  stock
plans;  (iii) any business  combination  with an Interested  Stockholder that is
approved by the Board of Directors and by a two-thirds  vote of the  outstanding
voting  stock not owned by the DGCL  Interested  Stockholder;  and (iv)  certain
business combinations that are proposed after the corporation had received other
acquisition  proposals  and which are  approved  or not opposed by a majority of
certain continuing members of the Board of Directors. A corporation may

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exempt  itself from the  requirement  of the statute by adopting an amendment to
its  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or Bylaws  electing  not to be  governed by
Section 203 of the DGCL.  At the present time,  the Board of Directors  does not
intend to propose any such amendment.

Restrictions in the Bank's Restated Organization Certificate and Bylaws

   
         Although  the Board of  Trustees of the Bank is not aware of any effort
that might be made to obtain control of the Bank after the Conversion, the Board
of ^  Trustees  believes  that it is  appropriate  to adopt  certain  provisions
permitted  by the  Banking  Law and the  Conversion  regulations  of the NYBB to
protect  the  interests  of the  converted  Bank and its  stockholders  from any
hostile takeover.  Such provisions may, indirectly,  inhibit a change in control
of the Holding  Company,  as the Bank's sole  stockholder.  See "Risk  Factors -
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions."
    

         In  the  event  that  the  Holding   Company  is  not  formed  and  the
subscription  rights are deemed to be subscriptions to purchase the common stock
of the Bank, the provisions contained in the Restated  Organization  Certificate
and Bylaws of the Bank, to be effective on the effective date of the Conversion,
will  govern  corporate  procedure  and  certain  rights  of  stockholders.  The
anti-takeover  effects  of  such  provisions  are  generally  similar  to  those
described  above  for the  Holding  Company,  except  that the  issuance  of any
additional  capital  stock of the Bank would  require the prior  approval of the
NYBB, and the consent of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding  shares of
capital  stock of the Bank would be required  prior to effecting a Merger of, or
certain acquisitions of assets by, the Bank.

         Limitation  on  Voting  Rights.   The  Bank's   Restated   Organization
Certificate  will  contain a provision  whereby the  acquisition  of or offer to
acquire  beneficial  ownership  of more than 10% of the issued  and  outstanding
shares of any class of equity  securities of the Bank by any person  (i.e.,  any
individual,  corporation,  group acting in concert,  trust,  partnership,  joint
stock company or similar organization),  either directly or indirectly,  will be
prohibited  for a period of three years  following the date of completion of the
Conversion.  Any stock in excess of 10% acquired in violation of this  provision
will not be counted as outstanding for voting  purposes.  This limitation  shall
not  apply to (a) any  offer or sale  with a view  towards  public  resale  made
exclusively  by the Bank to any  underwriter  acting  on  behalf  of the Bank in
connection  with a public  offering  of the  common  stock of the Bank;  (b) any
corporation  formed by the Bank in connection with its Conversion from mutual to
stock  form to  acquire  all of the  shares of stock of the Bank to be issued in
connection  with such  Conversion;  or (c) any  reclassification  of  securities
(including  any reverse stock split),  or  recapitalization  of the Bank, or any
Merger or  consolidation  of the Bank with any of its  subsidiaries or any other
transaction or  reorganization  (including a transaction in which the Bank shall
form a holding  company) that does not have the effect,  directly or indirectly,
of changing the beneficial ownership interests of the Bank's stockholders, other
than pursuant to the exercise of any appraisal rights.

         In the event that holders of revocable proxies for more than 10% of the
shares of the Holding  Company Common Stock seek,  among other things,  to elect
one-third  or more of the Holding  Company's  Board of  Directors,  to cause the
Holding   Company's   stockholders  to  approve  the  acquisition  or  corporate
reorganization  of the Holding  Company or to exert a continuing  influence on a
material aspect of the business operations of the Holding Company, which actions
could  indirectly  result  in a change  in  control  of the  Bank,  the Board of
Directors  of the Bank  will be able to  assert  this  provision  of the  Bank's
Restated  Organization  Certificate against such holders.  Although the Board of
Directors of the Bank is not  currently  able to determine  when and if it would
assert this  provision  of the Bank's  Restated  Organization  Certificate,  the
Bank's Board of Directors,  in exercising  its fiduciary  duty,  may assert this
provision if it were deemed to be in the best interests of the Bank, the Holding
Company and its stockholders. It is unclear, however, whether this provision, if
asserted,  would be  successful  against such persons in a proxy  contest  which
could result in a change in control of the Bank  indirectly  through a change in
control of the Holding Company.

         Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors of the Bank is divided into
three classes, each of which shall contain approximately  one-third of the total
number of members of the Board of Directors.  Each class shall serve a staggered
term,  with  approximately  one-third  of the total  number of  directors  being
elected each year.  The staggered  terms of the Bank's Board of Directors  could
have an  anti-takeover  effect by making it more  difficult  for a  majority  of
shares to force an  immediate  change in the Board since only  one-third  of the
Board is  elected  each  year.  The  purpose  of these  provisions  is to assure
stability and  continuity  of  management  of the Bank in the years  immediately
following the  Conversion.  In addition,  stockholders  will not be permitted to
cumulate  their votes in the election of  directors.  The Restated  Organization
Certificate  and Bylaws of the Bank  provide  that any  director,  or the entire
Board of Directors,

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<PAGE>



may be removed at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative  vote
of at  least  80% of the  outstanding  shares  of  voting  stock.  The  Restated
Organization  Certificate  and Bylaws of the Bank also  provide that any vacancy
occurring  in the  Board of  Directors,  including  any  vacancy  created  by an
increase in the number of directors,  shall be filled by the stockholders of the
Bank,  except that  vacancies  not  exceeding  one-third  of the entire Board of
Directors may be filled by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the directors
then holding office.

         Preferred Stock. Although the Bank has no arrangements,  understandings
or  plans  at the  present  time,  the  Board  of  Directors  believes  that the
availability  of unissued  shares of Preferred  Stock will provide the Bank with
increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions
and in meeting other corporate needs which may arise. In the event of a proposed
Merger,  tender  offer or other  attempt  to gain  control  of the Bank of which
management  does not  approve,  it might be  possible  for the  Bank's  Board of
Directors  to authorize  the  issuance of one or more series of Preferred  Stock
with  rights  and  preferences  which  could  impede  the  completion  of such a
transaction.  An  effect  of the  possible  issuance  of such  Preferred  Stock,
therefore,  may be to deter a  future  takeover  attempt.  The  Bank's  Board of
Directors does not intend to issue any Preferred Stock except on terms which the
Board  deems to be in the  best  interests  of the  Bank  and its then  existing
stockholders.

         Stockholder Vote Required for Certain Business Combinations. The Bank's
Restated  Organization   Certificate  contains  provisions  requiring  a  higher
stockholder  vote  for  certain  business  combinations,  which  provisions  are
substantially  identical to those contained in the Holding Company's Certificate
of Incorporation.  See "- Restrictions in the Holding  Company's  Certificate of
Incorporation  and  Bylaws -  Stockholder  Vote  Required  to  Approve  Business
Combinations with Principal Stockholders."

         Evaluation of Offers. The Restated Organization Certificate of the Bank
also provides that the Board of Directors of the Bank, when evaluating any offer
to the Bank or to the  stockholders of the Bank from another party relating to a
change  or  potential  change  in  control  of  the  Bank,  including,   without
limitation,  any offer to (a) purchase for cash or exchange  any  securities  or
property  for any  outstanding  equity  securities  of the  Bank,  (b)  merge or
consolidate  the Bank with  another  corporation  or (c)  purchase or  otherwise
acquire  all or  substantially  all of the  properties  and  assets of the Bank,
shall, in connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in
the best interest of the Bank and its  stockholders,  give due consideration not
only to the price or other  consideration  being offered,  but also to all other
relevant factors including,  without limitation,  (1) both the long-term and the
short-term  interests of the Bank and its  stockholders and (2) the effects that
the Bank's  actions may have in the  short-term or in the long-term  upon any of
the following: (i) the prospects for potential growth, development, productivity
and  profitability  of the Bank;  (ii) the Bank's current  employees;  (iii) the
Bank's  retired  employees  and other  beneficiaries  receiving  or  entitled to
receive  retirement,  welfare or similar  benefits  from or pursuant to any plan
sponsored, or agreement entered into, by the Bank; (iv) the Bank's customers and
creditors;  and (v) the  ability  of the Bank to  provide,  as a going  concern,
goods, services,  employment opportunities and employment benefits and otherwise
to  contribute to the  communities  in which is does  business.  By having these
standards in the Restated  Organization  Certificate,  the Board of Directors of
the Bank may be in a stronger position to oppose such a transaction if the Board
concludes that the  transaction  would not be in the best interests of the Bank,
even if the price offered is significantly greater than the then market price of
any equity security of the Bank.

         Amendment of Restated  Organization  Certificate and Bylaws. The Bank's
Restated  Organization  Certificate  provides  that  certain  provisions  of the
Restated  Organization  Certificate  may not be  altered,  amended,  repealed or
rescinded without the affirmative vote of either (i) not less than a majority of
the authorized  number of directors and, if one or more Interested  Stockholders
exist, by not less than a majority of the Disinterested  Directors,  or (ii) the
holders of not less than  two-thirds  of the total votes  eligible to be cast by
the holders of all outstanding  shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon
and, if the  alteration,  amendment,  repeal or  rescission is proposed by or on
behalf  of an  Interested  Stockholder  or a  director  who is an  Affiliate  or
Associate of an Interested Stockholder,  the holders of not less than a majority
of the total votes eligible to be cast by holders of all  outstanding  shares of
capital stock entitled to vote thereon not  beneficially  owned by an Interested
Stockholder or an Affiliate or Associate thereof.

         In  addition,  provisions  of the  Bylaws  of  the  Bank  that  contain
supermajority  voting  requirements  may not be  altered,  amended,  repealed or
rescinded  without a vote of the Board or holders of capital  stock  entitled to
vote  thereon  that  is not  less  than  the  supermajority  specified  in  such
provision.


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Regulatory Restrictions

         New York State Banking Board Conversion  Regulations.  NYBB regulations
prohibit  any  person,   prior  to  the  completion  of  the  Conversion,   from
transferring,  or from entering into any agreement or understanding to transfer,
to the account of another,  legal or  beneficial  ownership of the  subscription
rights issued under the Plan of Conversion or the Holding  Company  Common Stock
to be issued upon their exercise. The NYBB regulations also prohibit any person,
prior  to  the  completion  of the  Conversion,  from  offering,  or  making  an
announcement  of an  offer  or  intent  to  make  an  offer,  to  purchase  such
subscription  rights or Holding  Company  Common  Stock.  See "The  Conversion -
Restrictions  on  Transfer  of  Subscription  Rights and  Shares."  For one year
following the Conversion, NYBB regulations prohibit any person from acquiring or
making an offer to acquire more than 10% of the stock of any  converted  savings
institution, except with the prior approval of the Superintendent.

         OTS Regulations.  In addition, any proposal to acquire 10% of any class
of equity security of the Holding Company generally would be subject to approval
by the OTS under the Change in Bank Control Act (the  "CBCA") and the HOLA.  The
OTS  requires  all  persons  seeking  control of a savings  institution,  either
directly  or  indirectly  through  its  holding  company,  to obtain  regulatory
approval  prior to offering to obtain  control.  Federal law generally  provides
that no "person,"  acting  directly or  indirectly or through or in concert with
one or more other persons, may acquire directly or indirectly "control," as that
term is defined in OTS regulations, of an OTS-regulated savings and loan holding
company without giving at least 60 days' written notice to the OTS and providing
the OTS an opportunity to disapprove the proposed acquisition. Such acquisitions
of control may be disapproved if it is determined,  among other things, that (i)
the  acquisition  would  substantially  lessen  competition;  (ii) the financial
condition of the acquiring  person might  jeopardize the financial  stability of
the savings  institution or prejudice the interests of its depositors;  or (iii)
the competency,  experience or integrity of the acquiring person or the proposed
management  personnel  indicates  that it  wold  not be in the  interest  of the
depositors  or the public to permit the  acquisition  of control by such person.
Such change in control  restrictions  on the  acquisition of the holding company
stock are not  limited  to a set time  period  but will apply for as long as the
CBCA is in effect.  Persons  holding  revocable  or  irrevocable  proxies may be
deemed to be beneficial  owners of such  securities  under OTS  regulations  and
therefore prohibited from voting all or the portion of such proxies in excess of
10% aggregate  beneficial  ownership  limit.  Such regulatory  restrictions  may
prevent or inhibit proxy contests for control of the Holding Company or the Bank
which have not received prior regulatory approval.  Acquisitions of control of a
savings  bank are subject to the  approval of the FDIC under the CBCA.  However,
transactions involving the Holding Company for which OTS approval must be sought
under HOLA are exempted from this requirement.

         New York State Bank Holding Company Regulation.  Under New York Banking
Law, the prior approval of the NYBB is required before:  (1) any action is taken
that  causes any  company to become a bank  holding  company;  (2) any action is
taken that causes any banking institution to become or be merged or consolidated
with a  subsidiary  of a bank  holding  company;  (3) any bank  holding  company
acquires  direct or indirect  ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting
stock of a banking  institution;  (4) any bank  holding  company  or  subsidiary
thereof  acquires  all  or  substantially   all  of  the  assets  of  a  banking
institution;  or (5) any action is taken that causes any bank holding company to
merge or  consolidate  with another bank holding  company.  See  "Regulation  --
Holding  Company  Regulation  -- New York  State  Holding  Company  Regulation."
Accordingly,  the prior  approval of the NYBB would be required  before any bank
holding company,  as defined in the banking law, could acquire 5% of more of the
common stock of the Holding Company

         New York State Change in Control Regulation. Prior approval of the NYBB
is also  required  before any action is taken that causes any company to acquire
direct or  indirect  control of a banking  institution.  Control is  presumed to
exist if any company directly or indirectly  owns,  controls or holds with power
to vote 10% or more of the  voting  stock  of a  banking  institution  or of any
company  that  owns,  controls  or holds  with  power to vote 10% or more of the
voting stock of a banking institution.  Accordingly,  prior approval of the NYBB
would be required  before any company  could  acquire 10% or more of the Holding
Company Common Stock.

         Federal  Reserve  Board  Regulations.  In the  event  the Bank does not
qualify to be QTL and does not elect to be  treated  as a "savings  association"
under Section 10 of HOLA, attempts to acquire control of the Bank become subject
to regulations of the Federal Reserve Board under the CBCA.


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<PAGE>



               DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE HOLDING COMPANY

General

         The  Holding  Company  is  authorized  to  issue  twenty-five   million
(25,000,000)  shares of Holding  Company Common Stock having a par value of $.0l
per share and five million  (5,000,000)  shares of Preferred  Stock having a par
value of $.0l per share. In connection with the Conversion,  the Holding Company
currently  expects to issue 8,050,000 shares of Holding Company Common Stock (or
9,257,500 in the event of an increase of 15% in the Estimated  Valuation  Range)
and does not expect to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.  Except as discussed
above in "Restrictions on Acquisition of the Holding Company and the Bank," each
share of the Holding Company Common Stock will have the same relative rights as,
and will be identical in all respects with,  each other share of Holding Company
Common Stock.  Upon payment of the Purchase Price for the Holding Company Common
Stock,  in  accordance  with the Plan,  all such stock will be duly  authorized,
fully paid and  non-assessable.  The Holding Company Common Stock will represent
non-withdrawable  capital, will not be an account of an insurable type, and will
not be insured by the FDIC.

Holding Company Common Stock

         Dividends.  The Holding  Company  can pay  dividends  out of  statutory
surplus or from  certain net  profits  if, as and when  declared by its Board of
Directors.  The  payment  of  dividends  by the  Holding  Company  is subject to
limitations  which are imposed by law and applicable  regulation.  See "Dividend
Policy" and "Regulation and Supervi sion." The holders of Holding Company Common
Stock will be entitled to receive and share equally in such  dividends as may be
declared by the Board of Directors of the Holding  Company out of funds  legally
available  therefor.  If the Holding Company issues Preferred Stock, the holders
thereof may have a priority over the holders of the Holding Company Common Stock
with respect to dividends.

         Voting Rights.  Upon Conversion,  the holders of Holding Company Common
Stock will possess  exclusive  voting rights in the Holding  Company.  They will
elect the Holding  Company's Board of Directors and act on such other matters as
are required to be presented to them under Delaware law or the Holding Company's
Certificate of Incorporation or as are otherwise  presented to them by the Board
of Directors. Except as discussed in "Restrictions on Acquisition of the Holding
Company  and the Bank,"  each  holder of Holding  Company  Common  Stock will be
entitled to one vote per share and will not have any right to cumulate  votes in
the  election of  directors.  If the Holding  Company  issues  Preferred  Stock,
holders of the Preferred  Stock may also possess voting rights.  Certain matters
require an 80% or two-thirds  stockholder vote. See "Restrictions on Acquisition
of the Holding Company and the Bank."

         As a New York mutual savings bank,  corporate powers and control of the
Bank are vested in its Board of Trustees, who elect the officers of the Bank and
who fill any  vacancies  on the Board of Trustees as it exists upon  Conversion.
Subsequent to Conversion, voting rights will be vested exclusively in the owners
of the  shares of capital  stock of the Bank,  which  owner will be the  Holding
Company, and voted at the direction of the Holding Company's Board of Directors.
Consequently,  the holders of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock will not have
direct control of the Bank.

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

         Preemptive Rights. Holders of the Holding Company Common Stock will not
be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares which may be issued.
The Holding Company Common Stock is not subject to redemption.


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<PAGE>



Preferred Stock

         None of the shares of the Holding Company's  authorized Preferred Stock
will be issued in the Conversion. Such stock may be issued with such preferences
and designations as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  The
Board of Directors can, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with
voting,  dividend,  liquidation  and  Conversion  rights  which could dilute the
voting  strength  of the  holders of the Holding  Company  Common  Stock and may
assist  management in impeding an  unsolicited  takeover or attempted  change in
control.


                    DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE BANK

General

         The Restated Organization Certificate of the Bank, to be effective upon
the  Conversion,   authorizes  the  issuance  of  capital  stock  consisting  of
twenty-five  million  (25,000,000)  shares of common  stock,  par value $.0l per
share,  and five million  (5,000,000)  shares of preferred stock, par value $.01
per share, which preferred stock may be issued in series and classes having such
rights,  preferences,  privileges and restrictions as the Board of Directors may
determine.  Except as discussed  above in  "Restrictions  on  Acquisition of the
Holding  Company and the Bank," each share of common stock of the Bank will have
the same relative  rights as, and will be identical in all respects  with,  each
other share of common stock.  After the Conversion,  the Board of Directors will
be authorized to approve the issuance of Holding  Company Common Stock up to the
amount authorized by the Restated Organization  Certificate without the approval
of the Bank's stockholders,  except to the extent that such approval is required
by  governing  law. All of the issued and  outstanding  common stock of the Bank
will be held by the Holding Company as the Bank's sole stockholder.  The capital
stock  of the  Bank  will  represent  non-withdrawable  capital,  will not be an
account of an insurable type, and will not be insured by the FDIC.

Bank Common Stock

         Dividends.  The holders of the Bank's common stock (the Holding Company
upon  consummation of the  Conversion)  will be entitled to receive and to share
equally in such  dividends  as may be declared by the Board of  Directors of the
Bank out of funds legally available therefor.  See "Dividend Policy" for certain
restrictions  on the payment of  dividends  and  "Federal  and State  Taxation -
Federal  Taxation" for a discussion of the  consequences  of the payment of cash
dividends from income appropriated to bad debt reserves.

         Voting Rights.  Immediately  after the  Conversion,  the holders of the
Bank's common stock (the Holding  Company upon  consummation  of the Conversion)
will  possess  exclusive  voting  rights in the Bank.  Each  holder of shares of
common  stock will be entitled to one vote for each share  held.  Cumulation  of
votes will not be permitted.  See  "Restrictions  on  Acquisition of the Holding
Company and the Bank - Anti-Takeover  Effects of the Holding Company's  Articles
of  Incorporation  and  Bylaws  and  Management  Remuneration  Plans  Adopted in
Conversion."

         Liquidation.  In the event of any liquidation,  dissolution, or winding
up of the Bank,  the  holders of its  common  stock (the  Holding  Company  upon
consummation  of the Conversion)  will be entitled to receive,  after payment of
all debts and  liabilities  of the Bank  (including  all  deposit  accounts  and
accrued  interest  thereon),  and  distribution  of the  balance in the  special
liquidation  account,  which is a memorandum  account only, to Eligible  Account
Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders (see "The Conversion - Effects
of  Conversion -  Liquidation  Rights"),  all assets of the Bank  available  for
distribution in cash or in kind. If preferred stock is issued  subsequent to the
Conversion,  the  holders  thereof  may also have  priority  over the holders of
common stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.

         Preemptive  Rights and  Redemption.  Holders of the common stock of the
Bank (the  Holding  Company upon  consummation  of the  Conversion)  will not be
entitled to  preemptive  rights with respect to any shares of the Bank which may
be issued.  The common stock will not be subject to redemption.  Upon receipt by
the Bank of the full specified purchase price therefor, the common stock will be
fully paid and non-assessable.


                                       119

<PAGE>


Preferred Stock

         None of the shares of the  Bank's  authorized  preferred  stock will be
issued in the  Conversion.  Such stock may be issued with such  preferences  and
designations  as the Board of  Directors  may from time to time  determine.  The
Board of Directors can, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with
voting, dividend, liquidation and Conversion rights.


                                     EXPERTS

         The consolidated  financial  statements of the Bank as of June 30, 1998
and 1997 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 1998,
included in this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP independent
public accountants,  as indicated in their report with respect thereto,  and are
included  herein in  reliance  upon the  authority  of said firm as  experts  in
accounting and auditing in giving said report.

         RP Financial has consented to the publication  herein of the summary of
its report to the Bank and Holding  Company  setting forth its opinion as to the
estimated  pro forma  market  value of the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock upon
Conversion and its opinion with respect to subscription rights.


                             LEGAL AND TAX OPINIONS

         The legality of the Holding Company Common Stock and the federal income
tax  consequences  of the  Conversion  will be passed  upon for the Bank and the
Holding Company by Silver,  Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.,  Washington,  D.C., special
counsel  to the Bank and the  Holding  Company.  The New York  State  income tax
consequences  of the Conversion will be passed upon for the Bank and the Holding
Company by Wertime,  Ries and Van Ullen,  P.C.  Certain  legal  matters  will be
passed upon for KBW by Serchuk & Zelermyer, White Plains, New York.

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                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         The  Holding  Company has filed with the SEC a  registration  statement
under the  Securities  Act with  respect to the  Holding  Company  Common  Stock
offered  hereby.  As permitted  by the rules and  regulations  of the SEC,  this
Prospectus does not contain all the  information  set forth in the  registration
statement.  Such  information,  including  the  Conversion  Valuation  Appraisal
Report,  which is an  exhibit to the  Registration  Statement,  can be  examined
without  charge at the public  reference  facilities  of the SEC  located at 450
Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and copies of such material can be
obtained from the SEC at prescribed rates. In addition,  the SEC maintains a web
site   (http://www.sec.gov)   that  contains  reports,   proxy  and  information
statements and other information  regarding registrants that file electronically
with the SEC, including the Holding Company.  The Conversion Valuation Appraisal
Report may also be  inspected  by  Eligible  Account  Holders  and  Supplemental
Eligible  Account  Holders at the  offices of the Bank  during  normal  business
hours. Copies of the appraisal may also be requested by Eligible Account Holders
or Supplemental Eligible Account Holders; provided,  however, that such Eligible
Account  Holders or Supplemental  Eligible  Account Holders shall be responsible
for all costs  associated  with the copying and  transmittal of such  appraisal.
This Prospectus contains a description of the material terms and features of all
material contracts,  reports or exhibits to the registration  statement required
to be described;  however, the statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents  of  any  contract  or  other  document  filed  as an  exhibit  to  the
registration statement are, of necessity, brief descriptions thereof and are not
necessarily  complete;  each such  statement  is  qualified by reference to such
contract or document.

         The Bank has filed an application  for approval of conversion  with the
Superintendent  and the  FDIC.  Pursuant  to the rules  and  regulations  of the
Superintendent,  this  Prospectus  omits certain  information  contained in that
application.  The  application  may be examined at the  principal  office of the
Superintendent, Two Rector Street, New York, New York, 10006.

         The  Holding  Company has filed with the OTS an  Application  to Form a
Holding  Company.  This prospectus omits certain  information  contained in such
Application. Such Application may be inspected at the offices of the OTS, 1700 G
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20552.

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

         A copy  of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and the  Bylaws  of the
Holding Company and the Restated Organization Certificate and Bylaws of the Bank
are available  without charge from the Bank. See "Restrictions on Acquisition of
the Holding Company and the Bank,"  "Description of Capital Stock of the Holding
Company" and  "Description  of Capital Stock of the Bank." The Bank's  principal
office is located at 75 Remsen  Street,  Cohoes,  New York  12047-2892,  and its
telephone number is (518) 233-6500.


                                       121

<PAGE>


                      COHOES SAVINGS BANK AND SUBSIDIARIES


                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                             JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997


                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ................................   F-1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
  AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997 ..........................................   F-2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR EACH OF THE YEARS
  IN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 ..........................

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SURPLUS AND UNDIVIDED PROFITS
  FOR EACH OF THE YEARS IN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 ....   F-3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR EACH OF THE YEARS
  IN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 ..........................   F-4

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ..............................   F-6


         NOTE:  All  schedules  are  omitted  because the  required  information
         applicable  is included in the  consolidated  financial  statements  or
         related notes.

         The  financial  statements  of Cohoes  Bancorp,  Inc. have been omitted
         because  the Company  has not yet issued any stock,  has no assets,  no
         liabilities  and  has  not  conducted  any  business  other  than of an
         organizational nature.


                                       122

<PAGE>



                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS





To the Examining Committee of
the Board of Trustees of
Cohoes Savings Bank:

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated statements of financial condition
of Cohoes  Savings Bank and  subsidiaries  as of June 30, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations,  changes in surplus and undivided
profits and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June
30, 1998. These consolidated  financial statements are the responsibility of the
Bank's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an  opinion  on  these
financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of Cohoes  Savings  Bank and
subsidiaries  as of June 30, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their  operations
and their cash flows for each of the years in the  three-year  period ended June
30, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


New York, New York
August 12, 1998


                                      F-1

<PAGE>


                      COHOES SAVINGS BANK AND SUBSIDIARIES


                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                             JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997
                                 (000's omitted)

ASSETS                                                         1998       1997
- ------                                                         ----       ----
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  Cash and due from banks ................................   $  8,653   $ 10,795
  Federal funds sold .....................................      5,000      5,770
  Interest-bearing deposits with banks ...................        576         99
                                                             --------   --------
       Total cash and cash equivalents ...................     14,229     16,664

MORTGAGE LOANS HELD FOR SALE .............................         38        175

SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE, amortized cost of $48,701 
  and $35,621 at June 30, 1998 and 1997,
  respectively (Note 5) ..................................     48,720     35,475

INVESTMENT SECURITIES, approximate fair value of $45,547
  and $25,186 at June 30, 1998 and 1997,
  respectively (Note 6) ..................................     45,424     25,273

NET LOANS RECEIVABLE (Note 7) ............................    412,759    398,530

ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE (Note 8) .....................      3,482      3,210

BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Note 9) .....................      7,303      7,657

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED ..................................        509      1,874

MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS (Note 10) ......................      1,042      1,146

OTHER ASSETS .............................................      2,210      1,696
                                                             --------   --------
       Total assets ......................................   $535,716   $491,700
                                                             ========   ========

LIABILITIES, SURPLUS AND UNDIVIDED PROFITS

LIABILITIES:
  Due to depositors (Note 11) ............................   $449,541   $429,390
  Mortgagors' escrow deposits ............................      8,994      9,062
  Borrowings (Note 12) ...................................     19,897         --
  Other liabilities ......................................      4,002      4,156
                                                             --------   --------
       Total liabilities .................................    482,434    442,608
                                                             --------   --------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Note 16) .........    

SURPLUS AND UNDIVIDED PROFITS (Note 14):
  Surplus ................................................     10,378     10,378
  Undivided profits ......................................     42,892     38,805
  Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available
    for sale, net of income taxes ........................         12       (91)
                                                             --------   --------
        Total surplus and undivided profits ..............     53,282     49,092
                                                             --------   --------
        Total liabilities, surplus and undivided profits .   $535,716   $491,700
                                                             ========   ========

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


                                      F-2

<PAGE>

                      COHOES SAVINGS BANK AND SUBSIDIARIES

       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SURPLUS AND UNDIVIDED PROFITS

                FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

                                 (000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        Net Unrealized           
                                                                        Gain (Loss) on          
                                                                          Securities            
                                                                        Available for           
                                                             Undivided   Sale, Net of           
                                                  Surplus     Profits    Income Taxes  Total
                                                  -------     -------    ------------  -----
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>     
BALANCE, June 30, 1995 ........................   $ 10,378   $ 29,767   $    (15)   $ 40,130

    Change in unrealized gain (loss) on 
       securities available for sale, net
       of income taxes ........................       --         --         (234)       (234)
    Net income for the year ended June 30, 1996       --        4,395       --         4,395
                                                  --------   --------   --------    --------

BALANCE, June 30, 1996 ........................     10,378     34,162       (249)     44,291

    Change in unrealized gain (loss) on
       securities available for sale, net
       of income taxes ........................       --         --          158         158
    Net income for the year ended June 30, 1997       --        4,643       --         4,643
                                                  --------   --------   --------    --------

BALANCE, June 30, 1997 ........................     10,378     38,805        (91)     49,092

    Change in unrealized gain (loss) on
       securities available for sale, net
       of income taxes ........................       --         --          103         103
    Net income for the year ended June 30, 1998       --        4,087       --         4,087
                                                  --------   --------   --------    --------

BALANCE, June 30, 1998 ........................   $ 10,378   $ 42,892   $     12    $ 53,282
                                                  ========   ========   ========    ========
</TABLE>

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                      F-3

<PAGE>


                      COHOES SAVINGS BANK AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

                                 (000's omitted)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                1998            1997             1996
                                                                                ----            ----             ----

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>              <C>          
    Net income                                                            $       4,087   $       4,643    $       4,395
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
       operating activities-
          Depreciation ..................................................         1,117           1,101            1,015
          Amortization of purchased and originated mortgage servicing    
              rights ....................................................           185             169              165
          Provision for loan losses .....................................         1,400           1,325              490
          Provision for real estate owned losses ........................            -               -               153
          Provision for deferred tax (benefit) expense ..................          (317)              1             (252)
          Net gain on investment securities redeemed ....................            -               (3)              -
          Net (gain) loss on securities available for sale redeemed .....             1             (37)             (10)
          Net premium amortization of investment securities .............            33              49               69
          Net premium (discount) amortization of securities available 
              for sale ..................................................             4             (16)             (14)
          Net gain on sale of mortgage loans ............................           (81)           (106)              20
          Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale .....................         8,304           7,265           24,379
          Loans originated for sale .....................................        (8,087)         (6,745)         (24,719)
          Increase in interest receivable ...............................          (272)            (87)            (311)
          (Increase) decrease in other assets, net of deferred tax
              (benefit) expense .........................................          (197)           (547)           1,310
          Increase (decrease) in other liabilities ......................          (154)            856           (1,479)
          Net loss on sale/writedowns of other real estate owned ........           644              55               31
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
                    Total adjustments ...................................         2,580           3,280              847
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
                    Net cash provided by operating activities ...........         6,667           7,923            5,242
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
</TABLE>

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 1998            1997             1996
                                                                                 ----            ----             ----
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>              <C>          
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Proceeds from maturity of investment securities ..................... $       1,000   $       3,559    $         113
    Proceeds from investment securities called ..........................        12,000           3,065            3,669
    Purchase of investment securities ...................................       (40,591)        (10,194)         (14,774)
    Proceeds from the maturity of securities available for sale .........           550              -             2,000
    Proceeds from securities available for sale called ..................        23,100              -             1,000
    Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale .............            60             287           10,024
    Purchase of securities available for sale ...........................       (42,305)        (18,552)          (8,512)
    Proceeds from principal reduction in investment securities ..........         7,408           4,219            6,242
    Proceeds from principal reduction in securities available for sale ..         5,448           3,887            3,588
    Net loans made to customers .........................................       (16,723)         (8,418)         (15,893)
    Originated mortgage servicing rights ................................           (81)           (104)              -
    Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned .......................         1,815           1,239              380
    Capital expenditures ................................................          (763)         (1,827)            (704)
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
                    Net cash used in investing activities ...............       (49,082)        (22,839)         (12,867)
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Net decrease in mortgagors' escrow deposits .........................           (68)            (71)            (276)
    Net increase (decrease) in borrowings ...............................        19,897          (2,100)          (3,954)
    Net increase in deposits ............................................        20,151          24,851            5,576
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
                    Net cash provided by financing activities ...........        39,980          22,680            1,346
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------
                    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
                        equivalents .....................................        (2,435)          7,764           (6,279)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year ............................        16,664           8,900           15,179
                                                                          -------------   -------------    -------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year .................................. $      14,229   $      16,664    $       8,900
                                                                          =============   =============    =============
ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE RELATIVE TO CASH FLOWS:
       Interest paid .................................................... $      19,235   $      17,664    $      17,819
       Taxes paid .......................................................         2,780           3,113            2,457
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
       Transfer of loans to other real estate owned ..................... $       1,094   $       2,677    $         635
</TABLE>

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                      F-5

<PAGE>


                      COHOES SAVINGS BANK AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          JUNE 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996

                                 (000's omitted)


1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
    ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements of Cohoes Savings Bank and
subsidiaries  (the  "Bank")  conform,  in all  material  respects,  to generally
accepted  accounting  principles and to general practice within the savings bank
industry.  The Bank  utilizes the accrual  method of  accounting  for  financial
reporting purposes.

Principles of Consolidation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of the Bank,  its
wholly  owned  financial  services  subsidiary  and its wholly  owned  insurance
subsidiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

In preparing the consolidated  financial  statements,  management is required to
make estimates and  assumptions  that affect the reported assets and liabilities
as of the date of the consolidated  statements of financial condition.  The same
is true of revenues and expenses  reported for the period.  Actual results could
differ from those estimates.

Material  estimates that are particularly  susceptible to significant  change in
the near term relate to the  determination  of the allowance for loan losses and
the valuation of other real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures.  In
connection  with the  determination  of the  allowance  for loan  losses and the
valuation  of  other  real  estate  owned,  management  obtains  appraisals  for
significant properties.

Investment Securities and Securities
Available for Sale

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity  Securities,"  management
determines   the   appropriate    classification   of   securities,    including
mortgage-backed  securities,  at the time of  purchase.  If  management  has the
positive  intent  and  ability to hold debt  securities  to  maturity,  they are
classified as investment securities held to maturity and are stated at amortized
cost.  If  securities  are purchased for the purpose of selling them in the near
term,  they are classified as trading  securities and are reported at fair value
with  unrealized  holding gains and losses  reflected in current  earnings.  All
other debt and equity securities are classified as securities available for sale
and are reported at fair value,  with net unrealized  gains or losses  reported,
net of income taxes, as a separate  component of surplus and undivided  profits.
Gains and losses on disposition  of all  investment  securities are based on the
adjusted cost of the specific security sold. At June 30, 1998 and 1997, the Bank
did not hold any securities considered to be trading securities.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>

Unrealized  losses on securities which reflect a decline in value which is other
than  temporary,  if any,  are charged to income and  reported as a component of
"net (loss) gain on securities  transactions" in the consolidated  statements of
operations.

The cost of securities is adjusted for  amortization of premium and accretion of
discount, which is calculated on an effective interest method.

Loans Receivable and Loan Fees

Loans  receivable  are  reported at the  principal  amount  outstanding,  net of
unearned  discount,  net deferred  loan fees and an allowance  for possible loan
losses.  Discounts  on  loans  are  accreted  to  income  using a  method  which
approximates  the level yield interest  method.  Interest income on loans is not
recognized when considered doubtful of collection by management.

The Bank  accounts  for fees and  costs  associated  with loan  originations  in
accordance  with  SFAS No.  91,  "Accounting  for  Nonrefundable  Fees and Costs
Associated  with  Originating  and Acquiring  Loans and Initial  Direct Costs of
Leases."  Fees  received from loan  originations  and certain  related costs are
deferred and are  amortized  into income so as to provide for a  level-yield  of
interest on the underlying loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

A substantial  portion of the Bank's loans are secured by real estate located in
the Albany,  New York area and the Metropolitan New York City area. In addition,
a  substantial  portion of the other real estate  owned is located in those same
markets.  Accordingly,  the ultimate  collectibility of a substantial portion of
the Bank's  loan  portfolio  and the  recovery of a  substantial  portion of the
carrying amount of other real estate owned are dependent upon market  conditions
in these market areas.

Management  believes  that the  allowance  for loan losses is adequate  and that
other real estate owned is recorded at its fair value less an estimated  cost to
sell these properties.  While management uses available information to recognize
losses on loans and other real estate owned,  future  additions to the allowance
or write-downs  of other real estate owned may be necessary  based on changes in
economic conditions.  In addition,  various regulatory agencies,  as an integral
part of their examination process,  periodically review the Bank's allowance for
loan losses and other real estate  owned.  Such agencies may require the Bank to
recognize additions to the allowance or write down other real estate owned based
on their  judgments  about  information  available  to them at the time of their
examination, which may not be currently available to management.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses
charged to operations.  Loans are charged  against the allowance for loan losses
when management  believes that the  collectibility of the principal is unlikely.
The allowance is an amount that  management  believes will be adequate to absorb
losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible,  based on evaluations of
the  collectibility  of loans  and  prior  loan  loss  experience.  Management's
evaluation  of the adequacy of the  allowance  for loan losses is performed on a
periodic basis and takes into  consideration such factors as the historical loan
loss experience, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall
portfolio  quality,  review  of  specific  problem  loans and  current  economic
conditions that may affect borrowers' ability to pay.

                                      F-7
<PAGE>

SFAS No. 114 defines an impaired loan as a loan for which it is probable,  based
on current  information,  that the lender will not collect all amounts due under
the  contractual  terms of the loan  agreement.  The Bank applies the impairment
criteria to all loans,  except for large  groups of smaller  balance  homogenous
loans  that are  collectively  evaluated  for  impairment,  such as  residential
mortgages and consumer  installment  loans.  Income  recognition  and charge-off
policies were not changed as a result of this statement.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Management  determines the appropriate  classification  of mortgage loans at the
time that rate lock agreements are entered into with the customer. If management
has the intent and the Bank has the ability at the time of rate lock to hold the
loans to  maturity,  they are  classified  as mortgage  loans and carried at the
amount of unpaid principal,  net of deferred fees,  reduced by the allowance for
loan losses.  Mortgage  loans not intended to be held to maturity are classified
as "held for sale" and carried at the lower of  aggregate  cost or fair value as
determined by  outstanding  commitments  from investors or current market prices
for loans with no commitments.

Loan servicing revenues and expenses are recognized when service fees are earned
and expenses are incurred. The mortgage loans being serviced are not included in
these  consolidated  financial  statements  as they are not  assets of the Bank.
Purchased  mortgage servicing rights represent the costs of acquiring the rights
to service  mortgage  loans  originated  by other  institutions;  such costs are
capitalized and amortized into servicing fee income over the estimated period of
net servicing  income,  adjusted for significant  prepayments and payoffs of the
underlying serviced loans.

Gains or losses on sales of mortgage  loans held for sale are  recognized  based
upon the  difference  between the selling  price and the  carrying  value of the
related mortgage loans sold. Such gains and losses are increased or decreased by
the amount of excess servicing fees recorded,  if any. Net deferred  origination
fees are recognized at the time of sale in the gain or loss determination. Gains
and losses are  decreased or increased  for  commissions  and legal fees on loan
closings,  and direct employee costs related to loan  originations.  These costs
amounted to $36, $34 and $104, for the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

Bank Premises and Equipment

Bank premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated  depreciation.
Depreciation  is computed on a  straight-line  basis over the  estimated  useful
lives of the assets.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned includes  foreclosed real estate properties.  Other real
estate  owned is  recorded  at the lower of cost or the fair  value of the asset
acquired  less an estimate  of the costs to sell the asset.  Fair value of other
real estate owned is generally determined through independent appraisals. At the
time of  foreclosure,  the excess,  if any, of the loan value over the estimated
fair value of the asset received less costs to sell, is charged to the allowance
for loan  losses.  Subsequent  declines  in the fair  value of such  assets,  or
increases  in the  estimated  costs to sell  the  properties  and net  operating
expenses of such assets, are charged directly to other noninterest  expense.  At
June 30, 1998 and 1997, these properties consisted of residential and commercial
mortgage properties located in the Albany, New York area.

                                      F-8
<PAGE>

Income Taxes

For federal income and New York State franchise tax purposes,  the Bank utilizes
the accrual basis method of accounting.

The Bank utilizes the asset and liability  method of accounting for income taxes
required under SFAS No. 109,  "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under the asset and
liability  method of SFAS No. 109,  deferred tax assets are  recognized  for the
future tax  consequences  attributable  to  differences  between  the  financial
statement  carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their
respective tax basis.  To the extent that current  available  evidence about the
future raises doubt about the  realization  of a deferred tax asset, a valuation
allowance must be established.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using  enacted  tax rates  expected  to apply to taxable  income in the years in
which those temporary  differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The
effect  on  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  of a change in tax rates is
recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Statutory Transfer of Surplus

A required  quarterly transfer of 10% of net income is to be made to the surplus
fund in  accordance  with New York State  Banking  Regulations.  No  transfer is
required  if net worth as a percent of  deposits  exceeds 10% at the end of each
quarter.

Financial Instruments

In the  normal  course of  business,  the Bank is a party to  certain  financial
instruments  with  off-balance  sheet risk such as commitments to extend credit,
unused  lines of credit and  letters of credit.  The Bank's  policy is to record
such instruments when funded.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For  purposes  of the  consolidated  statement  of cash  flows,  cash  and  cash
equivalents   consist  of  cash,   due  from  banks,   federal  funds  sold  and
interest-bearing deposits with banks.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No.
130  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income." This  statement is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 31, 1997 and restatement of financial  statements
or  information  for  earlier  periods  provided  for  comparative  purposes  is
required. The provisions of this statement will not affect the Bank's results of
operations or financial condition.

                                       F-9
<PAGE>

In February 1998,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 132  "Employers'  Disclosures  About
Pensions  and  Other  Postretirement  Benefits."  SFAS No.  132  supersedes  the
disclosure  requirements for pension and other postretirement plans as set forth
in SFAS No. 87  "Employers'  Accounting  for Pension,"  SFAS No. 88  "Employers'
Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and
for  Termination   Benefits,"  and  SFAS  No.  106  "Employers'  Accounting  for
Postretirement  Benefits  Other Than  Pensions."  SFAS No. 132 does not  address
measurement or recognition for pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

SFAS No. 132 is effective for fiscal years  beginning  after  December 15, 1997.
Restatement of disclosures for earlier periods provided for comparative purposes
is required unless the information is not readily  available,  in which case the
notes to the financial statements shall include all available  information and a
description of the information not available.

In  June  1998,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  133  "Accounting  for  Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." This Statement  establishes  accounting and
reporting  standards for derivative  instruments,  including certain  derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. It requires
that an entity  recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the
statement of financial  condition and measure those  instruments  at fair value.
The  accounting  for  changes in the fair value of a  derivative  depends on the
intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation.  SFAS No. 133 will
not impact the Bank's accounting or disclosures.

Reclassifications

Amounts in the prior year's consolidated  financial  statements are reclassified
whenever necessary to conform with the current year's presentation.

2.  CONVERSION TO STOCK FORM OF OWNERSHIP

On May 21,1998,  the Board of Trustees adopted a Plan of Conversion  ("Plan") to
convert the Bank from a New York mutual savings bank to a New York stock savings
bank and to  become a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of a new  Delaware  corporation
("Company") to be organized at the direction of the Bank.  Pursuant to the Plan,
the Company  will issue and offer for sale shares of its common stock and use up
to 50% of the net  proceeds of such sale to acquire all of the capital  stock of
the  Bank.  The  proposed   transaction  is  subject  to  the  approval  of  the
Superintendent  of Banks of New York State and of the Federal Deposit  Insurance
Corporation,  as well as to a vote of the Bank's voting depositors. In addition,
the Company will file a registration  statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission  ("SEC")  with  respect to the  offering of its common stock and will
seek the permission of the Office of Thrift  Supervision  ("OTS") to acquire the
stock of the Bank to be issued upon the Bank's conversion.

At the time of conversion,  the Bank will establish a liquidation  account in an
amount  equal  to the  retained  income  of the  Bank as of the date of the most
recent financial  statements contained in the final conversion  prospectus.  The
liquidation account will be reduced annually to the extent that eligible account
holders have reduced  their  qualifying  deposits as of each  anniversary  date.
Subsequent  increases will not restore an eligible account holder's  interest in
the liquidation account. In the event of a complete  liquidation,  each eligible
account holder will be entitled to receive a distribution  from the  liquidation
account in an amount  proportionate to the current adjusted  qualifying balances
for accounts then held.

The Company may not declare or pay cash  dividends on or  repurchase  any of its
shares of common stock if the effect thereof would cause stockholders' equity to
be reduced below applicable  regulatory capital  maintenance  requirements,  the
amount required for the liquidation  account, or if such declaration and payment
would otherwise violate regulatory requirements.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>

Pursuant to the Plan, the Company intends to establish a Charitable  Foundation,
Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan  (ESOP),  Stock Option  Plan,  Recognition  and
Retention Plan and Employment and Retention Agreements as discussed below.

The Company  proposes to fund the Charitable  Foundation by  contributing to the
Charitable Foundation,  immediately following the conversion, a number of shares
of authorized but unissued shares of the Common Stock equal to  approximately 3%
of Common Stock sold in the Offering. Such contribution,  once made, will not be
recoverable  by the Company or the Bank.  The Company  will  recognize  the full
expense equal to the fair value of the stock, in the amount of the  contribution
in the quarter in which it occurs.  Such expense will reduce earnings and have a
material  impact on the Company's  and the Bank's  earnings for such quarter and
for the year.

The Company plans to set up an ESOP, a  tax-qualified  benefit plan for officers
and  employees  of the Company and the Bank.  It is  anticipated  that an amount
equal to 8% of the shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering (including shares
issued to the Foundation) will be purchased by the ESOP with funds loaned by the
Company.  The Company and the Bank  intend to make annual  contributions  to the
ESOP in an amount equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt.

Following  consummation of the conversion,  the Company intends to adopt a Stock
Option Plan and a Recognition and Retention Plan,  pursuant to which the Company
intends to reserve a number of shares of Common  Stock equal to an  aggregate of
10% and 4%,  respectively,  of the Common  Stock  issued in the  conversion  for
issuance pursuant to stock options and stock appreciation  rights and stock. The
Stock Option Plan and  Recognition  and Retention  Plan will not be  implemented
prior to receipt of stockholder approval of the Plan.

Upon  consummation of the  conversion,  the Company and the Bank intend to enter
into employment  agreements with certain senior management  personnel and change
in control agreements with other key employees.

Conversion  costs will be deferred and reduce the proceeds  from the shares sold
in the conversion. If the conversion is not completed, all costs will be charged
as an expense. As of June 30, 1998,  approximately $59 conversion costs had been
incurred.

The  conversion  will not affect the terms of any loans held by borrowers of the
Bank or the balances, interest rates, federal deposit insurance or maturities of
deposit accounts at the Bank.

3.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT - MERGER

   
On July 31, 1998, Cohoes Savings Bank and SFS Bancorp,  Inc. ("SFS"),  parent of
Schenectady  Federal  Savings  Bank,  executed an  Agreement  and Plan of Merger
pursuant to which SFS will merge into a newly formed holding company of the Bank
to be  organized in  connection  with the Bank's  conversion  from a mutual to a
stock institution.  Under the terms of the agreement,  each share of SFS will be
exchanged for a number of shares of common stock of the holding company equal to
the lesser of $26.50 divided by the initial public offering price of the holding
company  common  stock or $35.00  divided by the average  closing  price of that
stock for the first ten trading days. The  transaction is expected to constitute
a tax-free  reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code, so that shareholders
of SFS who receive  holding company common stock will not recognize gain or loss
in  connection  with  the  exchange.  This  merger  will be  accounted  for as a
pooling-of-interest  transaction.  Refer to footnote  18 for  updated  unaudited
information.
    


                                      F-11
<PAGE>

Consummation  of the merger is subject to the  approval of the  shareholders  of
SFS,  the  conversion  of the Bank and the  receipt of all  required  regulatory
approvals.  The  transaction  is  anticipated  to close in the fourth quarter of
1998.

4.  REGULATORY MATTERS

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital  requirements  administered by
the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital  requirements can
initiate  certain  mandatory and possibly  additional  discretionary  actions by
regulators  that,  if  undertaken,  could have a direct  material  effect on the
Bank's  financial   statements.   Under  capital  adequacy  guidelines  and  the
regulatory  framework for prompt corrective  action, the Bank must meet specific
capital  guidelines  that involve  quantitative  measures of the Bank's  assets,
liabilities and certain  off-balance  sheet items  calculated  under  regulatory
accounting  practices.  The Bank's capital amounts and  classification  are also
subject to  qualitative  judgments  by the  regulators  about  components,  risk
weightings and other factors.

Quantitative  measures  established  by  regulation to ensure  capital  adequacy
require the Bank to maintain  minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table
below) of total and Tier 1  capital  (as  defined  in the  regulations)  to risk
weighted  assets (as  defined),  and of Tier 1 capital  (as  defined) to average
assets (as defined).  Management  believes,  as of June 30, 1998,  that the Bank
meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of June 30,  1998,  the most recent  notification  from the  Federal  Deposit
Insurance  Corporation  categorized  the  Bank as  well  capitalized  under  the
regulatory  framework for prompt  corrective  action.  To be categorized as well
capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based,
Tier 1 leverage  ratios as set forth in the table.  There are no  conditions  or
events  since that  notification  that  management  believes  have  changed  the
institution's category.

The Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios are also presented in the following
table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     To Be Well Capitalized
                                                                  For Capital Adequacy               Under Prompt Corrective
                                                Actual                  Purposes                        Action Provisions
                                                ------                  --------                        -----------------
                                         Amount       Ratio      Amount          Ratio               Amount           Ratio
                                         ------       -----      ------          -----               ------           -----
<S>                                   <C>              <C>    <C>                        <C>     <C>                          <C>   
As of June 30, 1998:
    Total capital (to risk weighted   
       assets)                        $   56,803       17.1%  $   26,601    greater than 8.0%    $   33,251      greater than 10.0% 
    Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted                                                                        
       assets)                            53,270       16.0       13,300    greater than 4.0         19,951      greater than  6.0  
    Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)    53,270       10.6       20,063    greater than 4.0         25,079      greater than  5.0  
                                          
                                                                                                                  
</TABLE>

                                      F-12
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      To Be Well Capitalized 
                                                                      For Capital Adequacy            Under Prompt Corrective
                                                 Actual                     Purposes                     Action Provisions   
                                                 ------                     --------                     -----------------   
                                           Amount      Ratio        Amount           Ratio             Amount          Ratio
                                           ------      -----        ------           -----             ------          -----
<S>                                    <C>              <C>    <C>             <C>                 <C>           <C>   
As of June 30, 1997:
    Total capital (to risk weighted    
       assets)                         $   52,288       16.4%  $    25,519     greater than 8.0%   $   31,898    greater than 10.0% 
    Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted                                                                                                
       assets)                             49,183       15.4        12,759     greater than 4.0        19,139    greater than  6.0  
    Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)     49,183       10.1        19,455     greater than 4.0        24,319    greater than  5.0
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               
                                                                                                      To Be Well Capitalized 
                                                                     For Capital Adequacy             Under Prompt Corrective
                                                  Actual                   Purposes                      Action Provisions   
                                                  ------                   --------                      -----------------   
                                           Amount      Ratio       Amount            Ratio             Amount         Ratio
                                           ------      -----       ------            -----             ------         -----
<S>                                    <C>             <C>    <C>                           <C>    <C>                        <C>   
As of June 30, 1996:
    Total capital (to risk weighted    
       assets)                         $   47,789      15.1%  $    25,310      greater than 8.0%   $   31,637    greater than 10.0% 
    Tier 1 Capital (to risk weighted                                                                                                
       assets)                             44,540      14.1        12,655      greater than 4.0        18,982    greater than  6.0  
    Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)     44,540       9.7        13,842      greater than 3.0        23,070    greater than  5.0
</TABLE>

5.  SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The amortized cost of securities  available for sale and their related estimated
fair values at June 30, 1998 and 1997, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     June 30, 1998
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Gross            Gross       
                                                                 Unrealized       Unrealized    Estimated Fair
                                            Amortized Cost         Gains            Losses           Value        
                                            --------------         -----            ------           -----        
<S>                                         <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>          
Debt securities:             
    U.S. Government and agencies .........  $      23,296      $          -     $         (59)   $      23,237
    Other obligations ....................            271                  5               -               276
    Mortgage-backed securities ...........         16,855                 91               -            16,946
    Collateralized mortgage obligations ..          4,019                  8              (24)           4,003
                                            -------------      -------------    -------------    -------------
              Total debt securities ......         44,441                104              (83)          44,462
    Equity securities ....................          4,260                 -                (2)           4,258
                                            -------------      -------------    -------------    -------------
              Total securities available
                 for sale ................  $      48,701      $         104    $         (85)   $      48,720
                                            =============      =============    =============    =============
</TABLE>

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        June 30, 1997
                                            -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Gross            Gross        
                                                                 Unrealized       Unrealized     Estimated Fair
                                            Amortized Cost         Gains           Losses             Value    
                                            --------------         -----           ------             -----    
<S>                                         <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>          
Debt securities:  
    U.S. Government and agencies .........  $      18,551      $           9    $        (123)   $      18,437
    Other obligations ....................            488                  7               (2)             493
    Mortgage-backed securities ...........          6,724                 38               -             6,762
    Collateralized mortgage obligations ..          6,377                 14              (89)           6,302
                                            -------------      -------------    -------------    -------------
              Total debt securities ......         32,140                 68             (214)          31,994
    Equity securities ....................          3,481                 -                -             3,481
                                            -------------      -------------    -------------    -------------
              Total securities available 
                for sale .................  $      35,621      $          68    $        (214)   $      35,475
                                            =============      =============    =============    =============
</TABLE>

The equity investment  securities at June 30, 1998 and 1997 consist primarily of
common stock of the Federal  Home Loan Bank of New York.  These  securities  are
nonmarketable and are, therefore, stated at cost.

A summary of maturities of debt  securities  available for sale at June 30, 1998
is as follows:

                                                           Estimated Fair
                                         Amortized Cost         Value
                                         --------------         -----
 Within one year ......................  $         179     $         178
 From one to five years ...............         42,654            42,669
 After five years to ten years ........          1,608             1,615
 After ten years ......................             -                 -
                                         -------------     -------------
                                         $      44,441     $      44,462
                                         =============     =============

During  the years  ended  June 30,  1998 and 1997,  there  were no sales of debt
securities  available for sale. During the year ended June 30, 1996, proceeds of
sales of debt securities available for sale totaled $10,024.  Gross gains of $34
and gross losses of $24 were realized on those sales.

6.  INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The  carrying  values  of  securities  held for  investment  and  their  related
estimated fair values at June 30, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        June 30, 1998
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Gross            Gross       
                                                                 Unrealized       Unrealized    Estimated Fair 
                                            Amortized Cost         Gains           Losses            Value         
                                            --------------         -----           ------            -----         
<S>                                         <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>          
Investment securities:                                                                          
    U.S. Government and agencies ......     $      22,025      $           6    $         (32)   $      21,999
    Other obligations .................               388                  1               -               389
    Mortgage-backed securities ........            23,011                153               (5)          23,159
                                            -------------      -------------    -------------    -------------
              Total investment securities   $      45,424      $         160    $         (37)   $      45,547
                                            =============      =============    =============    =============
</TABLE>

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        June 30, 1997
                                            ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Gross           Gross        
                                                                 Unrealized      Unrealized     Estimated Fair
                                            Amortized Cost         Gains           Losses            Value    
                                            --------------         -----           ------            -----    
<S>                                         <C>                <C>              <C>             <C>           
Investment securities:                                                                          
    U.S. Government and agencies ......     $        6,049     $            3   $       (52)    $        6,000
    Other obligations .................                848                 -             (2)               846
    Mortgage-backed securities ........             18,376                 53           (89)            18,340
                                            --------------     --------------   -----------     --------------
              Total investment securities   $       25,273     $           56   $      (143)    $       25,186
                                            ===============    ==============   ===========     ==============
</TABLE>

A summary of maturities of debt  securities held for investment at June 30, 1998
is as follows:
                                                               Estimated Fair
                                             Amortized Cost         Value
                                             --------------    --------------
    Within one year ...................      $          682    $          687
    From one to five years ............              32,723            32,801
    After five years to ten years .....              11,636            11,672
    After ten years ...................                 383               387
                                             --------------    --------------
                                             $       45,424    $       45,547
                                             ==============    ==============

There were no sales of  securities  held for  investment  during the three years
ended June 30, 1998.

7.  NET LOANS RECEIVABLE

A summary of loans at June 30, 1998 and 1997 is as follows:

                                                   1998             1997
                                                   ----             ----
Mortgage loans on real estate:             
    Residential adjustable rate loans .       $   170,010      $   222,255
    Commercial real estate ............            93,229           93,979
    Residential fixed rate loans ......            87,715           20,470
    FHA and VA insured loans ..........               674              895
                                              -----------      -----------
                                                  351,628          337,599
                                              -----------      -----------
 Other loans:                             
      Conventional second mortgages ...            15,093           14,069
     Home equity lines of credit ......            21,976           25,205
     Commercial business loans ........            14,991           12,096
     Home improvement loans ...........               547              662
     Auto loans .......................             9,783            9,290
     Credit card loans ................             1,655            2,152
    Personal loans, secured and unsecured             409              576
     Other loans ......................               228              200
                                             ------------     ------------
                                                   64,682           64,250
                                             ------------     ------------
Less:
    Deferred loan origination fees and costs          (18)            (214)
    Allowance for loan losses .........            (3,533)          (3,105)
                                             ------------     ------------
              Net loans ...............      $    412,759     $    398,530
                                             ============     ============

                                      F-15
<PAGE>

Changes in the  allowance  for loan losses for the years ended June 30, 1998 and
1997 were as follows:


                                          1998        1997        1996
                                          ----        ----        ----
Allowance for loan losses at 
    beginning of year ................ $  3,105    $  3,249    $  3,133
    Provision charged to operations ..    1,400       1,325         490
    Loans charged-off, net ...........     (972)     (1,469)       (374)
                                       --------    --------    --------
Allowance for loan losses at year-end  $  3,533    $  3,105    $  3,249
                                       ========    ========    ========

The  following  table sets forth the  information  with regard to  nonperforming
mortgage loans at June 30, 1998 and 1997:


                                                         1998           1997
                                                         ----           ----
Loans on nonaccrual status and in the process 
     of foreclosure ...............................  $    2,545     $    3,382
Loans on nonaccrual status but not in the process
     of foreclosure ...............................         997          1,063
Loans past due 90 days or more and still 
     accruing interest ............................          -              -
Loans restructured as to payment terms and/or 
     interest rates ...............................       1,929          1,906
                                                     ----------     ----------
              Total nonperforming mortgage loans ..  $    5,471     $    6,351
                                                     ==========     ==========

The  following  table sets forth the  information  with regard to  nonperforming
other loans at June 30, 1998 and 1997:

                                                       1998           1997
                                                       ----           ----
Nonaccrual loans .................................. $    121       $    295
Loans past due 90 days or more and still 
      accruing interest ...........................       57             42
Loans restructured as to payment terms and/or 
      interest rates ..............................       -              -
                                                   ---------       --------
              Total nonperforming other loans ..... $    178       $    337
                                                    ========       ========

Accumulated  interest income on nonaccrual loans of approximately $214, $262 and
$441 was not  recognized  as income in the years ended June 30,  1998,  1997 and
1996,  respectively.  There  are no  commitments  to  extend  further  credit on
nonperforming loans.

                                      F-16

<PAGE>

As of June 30, 1998 and 1997, the Bank's  recorded  investment in impaired loans
and the  related  valuation  allowance  calculated  under  SFAS  No.  114 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1998                               1997
                                   -------------------------------    --------------------------------
                                      Recorded         Valuation          Recorded         Valuation
                                     Investment        Allowance         Investment        Allowance
                                     ----------        ---------         ----------        ---------
<S>                                <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>           
Valuation allowance required       $        1,638   $          344    $        1,261    $          198
Valuation allowance not required              630               -                645                -
                                   --------------   --------------    --------------    -------------
                                   $        2,268   $          344    $        1,906    $          198
                                   ==============   ==============    ==============    ==============
</TABLE>

This allowance is included in the allowance for loan losses on the  consolidated
statements of financial condition.

The average  recorded  investment in impaired loans for the years ended June 30,
1998 and 1997 was approximately $2,087 and $1,979, respectively.

Interest  payments  received on impaired  loans are recorded as interest  income
unless collection of the remaining investment is doubtful in which case payments
received are recorded as reductions of principal.  The Bank recognized  interest
of $215, $185 and $189 on impaired loans for the years ended June 30, 1998, 1997
and  1996,  respectively.  Accumulated  interest  income  on  impaired  loans of
approximately  $15, $18 and $19 was not  recognized as income in the years ended
June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

8.  ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE

Accrued interest receivable consists of the following at June 30, 1998 and 1997:

                                               1998              1997
                                               ----              ----
  Loans ................................   $      2,531      $      2,558
  Investment securities and securities
         available for sale ............            951               652
                                           ------------      ------------
                                           $      3,482      $      3,210
                                           ============      ============

9.  BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Bank premises and equipment consist of the following at June 30, 1998 and 1997:

                                               1998              1997
                                               ----              ----
Land ................................... $        1,529    $        1,529
Building and leasehold improvements ....          6,553             6,335
Furniture, fixtures and equipment ......          6,284             5,736
                                         --------------    --------------
                                                 14,366            13,600
Less- Accumulated depreciation .........         (7,063)           (5,943)
                                         --------------    --------------
                                         $        7,303    $        7,657
                                         ==============    ==============

                                      F-17
<PAGE>

Amount  charged to  depreciation  expense was $1,117,  $1,101 and $1,015 for the
years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

10.  MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

The following is a summary of the mortgage  servicing rights activity during the
years ended June 30, 1998 and 1997: 1998 1997 1996

Balance, beginning of year ....................  $  1,146   $  1,211   $  1,376

    Mortgage servicing rights originated from    
       unrelated third parties ................        81        104         -
    Amortization of mortgage servicing rights    
       included as a reduction of servicing fee
       income in the consolidated statements of
       operations .............................      (185)      (169)      (165)
                                                 --------   --------   -------- 
Balance, end of year ..........................  $  1,042   $  1,146   $  1,211
                                                 ========   ========   ========

Serviced Loans

The  total  loans  serviced  by  the  Bank  for  unrelated  third  parties  were
approximately  $233.1  million,  $256.9  million and $288.2  million at June 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

11.  DUE TO DEPOSITORS

Due to depositors  account  balances as of June 30, 1998 and 1997 are summarized
as follows:

                          Range of             
                       Interest Rate            1998                 1997
                       -------------            ----                 ----
Savings accounts          3.0%-5.5%      $         142,867    $         137,790
Money market accounts      2.8-3.9                  21,672               15,450
                                         -----------------    -----------------
                                                   164,539              153,240
Time deposits              3.8-8.5                 231,049              230,306
Commercial deposits        0.0-1.8                  15,957               11,250
Demand accounts            0.0-1.8                  37,996               34,594
                                         -----------------    -----------------
                                         $         449,541    $         429,390
                                         =================    =================

Time deposits over $100,000  amounted to  approximately  $31.1 million and $35.2
million at June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

                                      F-18

<PAGE>


The approximate amount of contractual  maturities of time deposits for the years
subsequent to June 30, 1998 is as follows:

          Years ending June 30:
              1999 ........................  $   159,550
              2000 ........................       50,043
              2001 ........................        7,983
              2002 ........................        5,064
              2003 and thereafter .........        8,409
                                             -----------
                                             $   231,049

Interest  expense on deposits for the years ended June 30, 1998,  1997 and 1996,
is summarized as follows:

                              1998               1997               1996
                              ----               ----               ----
Savings accounts ...... $         4,459    $         4,359    $         4,177
Money market accounts .             569                447                488
Time deposits .........          13,484             12,487             12,830
Demand accounts .......             304                275                246
                        ---------------    ---------------    ---------------
                        $        18,816    $        17,568    $        17,741
                        ===============    ===============    ===============

12.  BORROWINGS

Information concerning borrowings,  which primarily consist of Federal Home Loan
Bank  ("FHLB")  advances,  for the years ended June 30,  1998,  1997 and 1996 is
summarized as follows:

                                              1998          1997         1996
                                              ----          ----         ----
Average balance during the year           $    5,467    $    2,392   $    4,682
Average interest rate during the year           6.07%         5.56%        6.34%
Maximum month-end balance during the year $   19,983    $   16,157   $   13,213
Interest expense on borrowings            $      332    $      133   $      297


FHLB advances are made at fixed rates with remaining maturities of approximately
ten years as of June 30, 1998.

FHLB advances are collateralized by all FHLB stock owned by the Bank in addition
to a blanket pledge of eligible assets in an amount required to be maintained so
that the estimated  fair value of such eligible  assets  exceeds,  at all times,
110% of the outstanding advances.

13.  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

The Bank  sponsors a 401(k)  Retirement  Savings  Plan which is available to all
full-time employees who have been employed by the Bank for a minimum of one year
and are at least 21 years of age.  The Plan allows  employees to defer up to 15%
of their  salary  on a pretax  basis  through  contributions  to the  Retirement
Savings Plan. The Bank matches 50% of employee  contributions up to a maximum of
6% of the amount deferred by the employee.  The maximum contribution an employee
may make which is subject to matching  by the Bank is set  annually by the Board
of Trustees.

                                      F-19

<PAGE>


Employees may also make  additional  voluntary  after-tax  contributions  to the
Plan,  which  are  not  matched  by the  Bank,  up to an  additional  10% of the
employee's salary. Total 401(k) Plan expenses for the years ended June 30, 1998,
1997 and 1996 were approximately $378, $319 and $285, respectively.

Postretirement Medical and Life
Insurance Benefits

The Bank  provides  postretirement  medical  and  life  insurance  benefits  for
full-time  employees.  All  employees who meet the criteria for either normal or
early  retirement  and have at least 10 years of service are  eligible.  Retired
employees are required to contribute  toward the cost of coverage as established
by the Bank, based on medical and life insurance costs.

Benefit  and premium  payments  are made when they are due and are not funded in
advance.

The Bank's estimated accrued postretirement obligation at June 30, 1998 and 1997
is as follows:

                                                               1998       1997
                                                               ----       ----
Accrued postretirement obligation:
    Retired employees ..................................    $    530   $    532
    Fully eligible active employees ....................          72         67
    Other active employees .............................         114         96
                                                            --------   --------
                                                                 716        695
Unrecognized net gain from actual experience different from 
    assumed, amortized over 12.3 years .................         281        327

                                                            --------   --------
              Total accrued postretirement obligation ..    $    997   $  1,022
                                                            ========   ========

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost included the following components:

                                               1998        1997        1996
                                               ----        ----        ----
Service cost ............................  $      12   $      10   $      19
Interest cost ...........................         49          48          64
Amortization of net gain from actual 
    experience different from assumed ...        (61)        (58)        (17)
                                           ---------   ---------   ---------
                                           $      -    $      -    $      66
                                            ========   =========   =========

The  weighted   average  discount  rate  used  in  determining  the  accumulated
postretirement  benefit  obligation  was 7.25% as of June 30,  1998 and 1997 and
7.75% as of June 30, 1996.  For  measurement  purposes,  the assumed health care
cost trend rate of 10% decreases  gradually until an ultimate trend rate of 5.5%
is reached over 10 years.  In  accordance  with the terms of the  Postretirement
Medical  Benefit  Plan,  once  costs  are  150% of the  1993  level,  additional
increases become the responsibility of the retiree.

                                     F-20

<PAGE>


The health  care cost  trend rate  assumption  has a  significant  effect on the
amount of obligation and expense reported. To illustrate,  increasing the health
care  trend  rate by one  percent  each  year  would  increase  the  accumulated
postretirement  benefit obligation as of June 30, 1998 and 1997 by approximately
$2 and $2,  respectively,  and would have no material effect on the net periodic
postretirement benefit cost for the three years ended June 30, 1998.

14.  SURPLUS AND UNDIVIDED PROFITS

In accordance with State of New York Banking Law,  surplus is subject to certain
restrictions,  including  a  prohibition  of its use for  payment of  dividends,
except with the approval of the Superintendent of Banks.

The balance in surplus includes approximately $5.2 million at December 31, 1997,
the  latest  date from  which  this  calculation  is  available,  which has been
designated as a reserve for bad debts under federal income tax  regulations  and
has resulted in income tax  deductions  in prior  years.  Any use of this amount
other than as provided for in those  regulations  would result in taxable income
at the then current rate.

15.  INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The components of the income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

                                      1998            1997            1996

Current tax expense:
    Federal .................... $      2,450    $      2,440    $      2,601
    State ......................          517             531             533
Deferred tax expense (benefit) .         (317)              1            (252)
                                 ------------    ------------    ------------
                                 $      2,650    $      2,972    $      2,882
                                 ============    ============    ============

The  provision  for income  taxes  differs  from that  computed  at the  federal
statutory rate as follows:

                                          1998           1997           1996
                                          ----           ----           ----
Tax at federal statutory rate ...... $     2,291    $     2,589    $     2,474
State taxes, net of federal benefit.         341            350            352
Other, net .........................          18             33             56
                                     -----------    -----------    -----------
        Total income tax expense ... $     2,650    $     2,972    $     2,882
                                     ===========    ===========    ===========
Effective rate .....................     39.34%         39.03%         39.60%
                                         =====          =====          =====

                                      F-21

<PAGE>



The tax effects of temporary  differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets and  deferred  tax  liabilities  at June 30, 1998 and
1997 are presented below:

                                                               1998        1997
                                                               ----        ----
Deferred tax assets:
    Differences in reporting the provision for loan losses $   1,519   $   1,335
    Differences in reporting certain accrued expenses ....       789         771
    Other ................................................       297         167
                                                           ---------   ---------
              Total gross deferred tax assets ............     2,605       2,273
                                                           ---------   ---------
 Deferred tax liabilities:
    Differences in reporting the provision for loan losses       385         513
    Deferred net loan origination fees ...................       218          92
    Differences in reporting depreciation ................       107         117
    Differences in reporting certain accrued expenses ....       296         269
    Other ................................................         4           4
                                                           ---------   ---------
              Total gross deferred tax liabilities .......     1,010         995
                                                           ---------   ---------
              Net deferred tax asset at end of year ......     1,595       1,278
Net deferred tax asset at beginning of year ..............     1,278       1,279
                                                           ---------   ---------
              Deferred tax expense (benefit) for the year  $    (317)  $       1
                                                           =========   =========

The total  deferred tax asset as of June 30, 1998 and 1997 is  considered by the
Bank to be more likely than not realizable  based upon the  historical  level of
taxable  income in the prior years as well as the time period  during  which the
items giving rise to the deferred tax assets are expected to turn around.

In addition to the deferred tax assets and liabilities described above, the Bank
also has a deferred tax liability of approximately  $19 and a deferred tax asset
of approximately  $146 at June 30, 1998 and 1997,  respectively,  related to the
net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale.

Under Section 593 of the Internal Revenue Code, thrift  institutions such as the
Bank which met certain  definitional  tests,  primarily relating to their assets
and the nature of their business,  were permitted to establish a tax reserve for
bad debts and to make annual  additions  thereto,  which  additions may,  within
specified  limitations,  be deducted in arriving at their  taxable  income.  The
Bank's  deduction with respect to "qualifying  loans," which are generally loans
secured by certain interests in real property, could have been computed using an
amount based on the Bank's actual loss experience (the "Experience  Method"), or
a  percentage  equal to 8% of the  Bank's  taxable  income  (the "PTI  Method"),
computed without regard to this deduction and with additional  modifications and
reduced by the amount of any permitted  addition to the  nonqualifying  reserve.
Similar  deductions  or additions  to the Bank's bad debt reserve are  permitted
under the New York State Bank  Franchise  Tax;  however,  for  purposes of these
taxes, the effective allowable  percentage under the PTI Method is approximately
32% rather than 8%.

Effective  January 1, 1997,  Section 593 was amended,  and the Bank is unable to
make  additions  to its tax bad debt  reserve,  is permitted to deduct bad debts
only as they occur and is additionally required to recapture (that is, take into
taxable income) over a multiyear period,  beginning with the Bank's taxable year
beginning on January 1, 1997, the excess of the balance of its bad debt reserves
as of December  31, 1995 over the  balance of such  reserves as of December  31,
1987, or over a lesser amount if the Bank's loan  portfolio has decreased  since
December 31, 1987. Such recapture requirements would be deferred for each of the
two  successive  taxable  years  beginning  January 1,  1997,  in which the Bank
originates a minimum amount of certain  residential loans based upon the average
of the  principal  amounts of such loans  originated  by the Bank during its six
taxable years  preceding  January 1, 1997.  This  amendment has no impact on the
Bank's results of operations for federal income tax purposes. The New York State
tax law has been  amended to prevent a similar  recapture of the Bank's bad debt
reserve,  and to permit  continued future use of the bad debt reserve method for
purposes of determining the Bank's New York State tax liability.

                                      F-22
<PAGE>


In addition, the Bank has accumulated bad debt reserves for tax purposes of $3.7
million under Section 593 through  December 31, 1987 for which no deferred taxes
have been provided.  Under the tax laws as amended,  the event that would result
in taxation of these reserves is the failure of the Bank to maintain a specified
qualifying-assets ratio or meet other thrift definition tests for New York State
tax purposes.

16.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Off-Balance Sheet Financing and
Concentrations of Credit

The Bank is a party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk
in the normal course of business to meet the financing  needs of its  customers.
These  financial  instruments  include the Bank's  commitments to extend credit.
Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess
of the amount recognized on the consolidated  statements of financial condition.
The contract amounts of those instruments  reflect the extent of involvement the
Bank has in particular classes of financial instruments.

The Bank's exposure to credit loss in the event of  nonperformance  by the other
party to the  commitments  to extend credit is  represented  by the  contractual
notional amount of those instruments.  The Bank uses the same credit policies in
making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

Unless otherwise  noted, the Bank does not require  collateral or other security
to support financial instruments with credit risk.

Contract amounts of financial  instruments that represent credit risk as of June
30, 1998 and 1997 at fixed and variable interest rates are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        1998
                                                                   --------------------------------------------
                                                                   Fixed           Variable            Total
                                                                   -----           --------            -----
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>                <C>          
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent
    credit risk (including unused lines of credit and
    unadvanced funds):
       Commercial business loans .........................    $          -     $      14,897      $      14,897
       Conventional mortgages ............................           11,971            1,338             13,309
       Commercial mortgage loans .........................               -            11,991             11,991
       Construction loans ................................               -               890                890
       Credit card loans .................................               -             2,996              2,996
       Consumer loans ....................................              203           12,886             13,089
                                                              -------------    -------------      -------------
                                                              $      12,174    $      44,998      $      57,172
                                                              =============    =============      =============
</TABLE>

                                      F-23

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      1997
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Fixed           Variable            Total
                                                                   -----           --------            -----
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>                <C>          
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent
    credit risk (including unused lines of credit and
    unadvanced funds):
       Commercial business loans .........................    $          -     $      10,172      $      10,172
       Conventional mortgages ............................            1,531            4,315              5,846
       Commercial mortgage loans .........................               -             4,622              4,622
       Construction loans ................................               -               830                830
       Credit card loans .................................               -             3,300              3,300
       Consumer loans ....................................              393           12,438             12,831
                                                              ---------------- -------------      -------------
                                                              $       1,924    $      35,677      $      37,601
                                                              =============    =============      =============
</TABLE>

Commitments  to extend  credit are  agreements  to lend to a customer as long as
there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments
generally  have fixed  expiration  dates or other  termination  clauses  and may
require  payment of a fee.  Since  certain  commitments  are  expected to expire
without being fully drawn upon, the total commitment  amounts do not necessarily
represent  future  cash   requirements.   The  Bank  evaluates  each  customer's
credit-worthiness  on a case-by-case  basis.  The amount of collateral,  if any,
required  by the Bank upon the  extension  of  credit  is based on  management's
credit  evaluation of the customer.  Mortgage and construction  loan commitments
are secured by a first lien on real estate.

Commitments to extend credit may be written on a fixed rate basis, thus exposing
the Bank to interest  rate risk,  given the  possibility  that market  rates may
change between commitment and actual extension of credit.

Certain  mortgage loans are written on an adjustable  basis and include interest
rate caps which limit  annual and lifetime  increases  in the interest  rates on
such loans.  Generally,  adjustable  rate mortgages have an annual rate increase
cap of 2% and lifetime rate increase cap of 4.5% to 6.75%. These caps expose the
Bank to interest rate risk should market rates increase  above these limits.  As
of June 30, 1998 and 1997, $221.0 million and $262.4 million,  respectively,  of
mortgage loans had interest rate caps.

The Bank  generally  enters  into  rate  lock  agreements  at the time that loan
applications are made. These rate lock agreements fix the interest rate at which
the loan, if ultimately made, will be originated. Such agreements may exist with
borrowers with whom commitments to extend credit have been made, as well as with
individuals  who have not yet received a commitment.  At June 30, 1998 and 1997,
the Bank had rate lock  agreements  related to  commitments  to extend credit as
well as uncommitted loan applications  amounting to approximately $841 and $900,
respectively.

In order to reduce the interest rate risk associated with these items as well as
its  portfolio of loans held for sale,  the Bank enters into  agreements to sell
loans in the secondary market to unrelated investors. At June 30, 1998 and 1997,
the  Bank  has $0 and  $175,  respectively,  of  commitments  to sell  loans  to
unrelated investors.

Concentrations of Credit

The Bank primarily grants consumer and residential loans to customers located in
the New York State  counties of Albany,  Rensselaer,  Schenectady  and Saratoga.
Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its
debtors' ability to honor their contracts are dependent upon the real estate and
construction-related sectors of the economy.

                                      F-24

<PAGE>

Borrowing Arrangements

The Bank has  lines of  credit  available  with a  correspondent  bank  totaling
approximately  $49.2 million.  These lines of credit expire on October 28, 1998.
As of June 30, 1998, there was no outstanding balances on these lines.

Leases

The Bank leases  certain  branches,  equipment  and  automobiles  under  various
noncancelable  operating  leases.  The future  minimum  payments by year and the
aggregate,  under all significant noncancelable operating leases with initial or
remaining terms of one year or more, are as follows:

                                         Operating
                                          Leases
                                          ------
 Year ending June 30:
     1999 ...........................    $    395
     2000 ...........................         413
     2001 ...........................         341
     2002 ...........................         248
     2003 and thereafter ............         127
                                      -----------
                                         $  1,524
                                      ===========

Total lease expense was  approximately  $383,  $298 and $176 for the years ended
June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Contingent Liabilities

In the ordinary course of business,  there are various legal proceedings pending
against  the  Bank.  Based on  consultation  with  outside  counsel,  management
considers  that the aggregate  exposure,  if any,  arising from such  litigation
would not have a material  adverse  effect on the Bank's  statement of financial
condition.

17.  DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR
     VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

SFAS No.  107,  "Disclosures  About the Fair  Value of  Financial  Instruments,"
requires that the Bank disclose estimated fair values for financial instruments.
Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below.

Fair value  estimates  are made at a specific  point in time,  based on relevant
market  information  and  information  about  the  financial  instrument.  These
estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering
for  sale at one time the  Bank's  entire  holdings  of a  particular  financial
instrument.  The fair value  estimates  of a  significant  portion of the Bank's
financial instruments were based on judgments regarding future expected net cash
flow,  current economic  conditions,  risk  characteristics of various financial
instruments and other factors. These

                                      F-25
<PAGE>



estimates  are  subjective  in nature and involve  uncertainties  and matters of
significant  judgment  and,  therefore,  cannot be  determined  with  precision.
Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value  estimates are based on existing on and  off-balance  sheet financial
instruments  without  attempting  to estimate  the value of  anticipated  future
business  and the  value of  assets  and  liabilities  that  are not  considered
financial  instruments.  In  addition,  the  tax  ramifications  related  to the
realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant  effect on
fair value  estimates and have not been considered in the estimate of fair value
under SFAS No. 107.

Short-Term Financial Instruments

The fair value of certain  financial  instruments  is estimated  to  approximate
their  carrying  values  because the remaining term to maturity of the financial
instruments is less than 90 days or the financial instrument reprices in 90 days
or less.  Such financial  instruments  include cash and due from banks,  federal
funds  sold,   interest-bearing   deposits  with  banks  and  accrued   interest
receivable.

Securities Available for Sale
and Investment Securities

Fair  values are based  upon  market  prices.  If a quoted  market  price is not
available for a particular  security,  the fair value is determined by reference
to quoted market prices for securities with similar characteristics.

Loans

Fair  values  are  estimated  for  portfolios  of loans with  similar  financial
characteristics.  Loans  are  segregated  by type,  including  residential  real
estate, commercial real estate and other consumer loans.

The  estimated  fair value of  performing  loans is  calculated  by  discounting
scheduled  cash flows  through the estimated  maturity  using  estimated  market
discount  rates that reflect the credit and interest  rate risk  inherent in the
respective loan portfolio.

Estimated  fair value for  nonperforming  loans is based on estimated cash flows
discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated
cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates are
judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower
information.

Management  has made  estimates of fair value discount rates that it believes to
be reasonable.  However,  because there is no market for many of these financial
instruments,  management  has no basis to determine  whether the estimated  fair
value would be indicative of the value negotiated in an actual sale.

Loans Held for Sale

The  estimated  fair value of loans held for sale is  calculated by either using
quoted  market  rates or, in the case where a firm  commitment  has been made to
sell the loan, the firm committed price was used. At June 30, 1998 and 1997, the
estimated fair value of loans held for sale approximated their book value.

                                      F-26

<PAGE>

Deposit Liabilities

The  estimated  fair  value  of  deposits  with  no  stated  maturity,  such  as
noninterest-bearing  demand  deposits,  savings and money  market  accounts,  is
regarded to be the amount  payable on demand as of June 30,  1998 and 1997.  The
estimated  fair  value of time  deposits  is based  on the  discounted  value of
contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently
offered for deposits of similar remaining  maturities.  The fair value estimates
for deposits do not include the benefit  that results from the low-cost  funding
provided by the deposit  liabilities as compared to the cost of borrowing  funds
in the market.

Borrowings

The estimated fair value of FHLB borrowings is based on the discounted  value of
their  contractual  cash flows.  The  discount  rate used in the  present  value
computation is estimated by comparison to the current  interest rates charged by
the FHLB for advances of similar remaining maturities.

Table of Financial Instruments

The carrying  values and estimated  fair values of financial  instruments  as of
June 30, 1998 and 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1998                                 1997
                                             ----------------------------------    -----------------------------------
                                                                 Estimated Fair                         Estimated Fair
                                              Carrying Value          Value         Carrying Value           Value
                                              --------------          -----         --------------           -----
<S>                                          <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>            
Financial assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents ............   $        14,229    $        14,229    $        16,664    $        16,664
    Mortgage loans held for sale .........                38                 38                175                175
    Securities available for sale ........            48,720             48,720             35,475             35,475
    Investment securities ................            45,424             45,547             25,273             25,186
    Loans ................................           416,292            425,774            401,635            401,855
       Less- Allowance for loan losses ...            (3,533)                -              (3,105)                -
                                             ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    --------------
              Net loans receivable .......           412,759            425,774            398,530            401,855
                                             ---------------    ---------------    ---------------    ---------------
Accrued interest receivable ..............             3,482              3,482              3,210              3,210
</TABLE>

                                      F-27
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             1998                                  1997
                                             ----------------------------------    -----------------------------------
                                                                 Estimated Fair                         Estimated Fair
                                              Carrying Value          Value         Carrying Value           Value
                                              --------------          -----         --------------           -----
<S>                                          <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>            
Financial liabilities:
    Due to depositors-
       Demand, savings and money market
          accounts ........................  $       218,492    $       218,492    $       199,084    $       199,084
       Time deposits ......................          231,049            246,220            230,306            231,081
       Mortgagors' escrow deposits ........            8,994              8,994              9,062              9,062
       Borrowings .........................           19,897             18,858                 -                  -
</TABLE>

Commitments to Extend Credit,
Unused Lines of Credit
and Standby Letters of Credit

The fair  value of  commitments  to extend  credit,  unused  lines of credit and
standby letters of credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter
into  similar  agreements,  taking  into  account  the  remaining  terms  of the
agreements and the present  creditworthiness  of the  counterparties.  For fixed
rate  commitments  to extend credit and unused lines of credit,  fair value also
considers  the  difference  between  current  levels of  interest  rates and the
committed  rates.  Based upon the estimated  fair value of commitments to extend
credit and unused lines of credit, there are no significant  unrealized gains or
losses associated with these financial instruments.

   
18. MERGER TERMINATION (UNAUDITED)

On October 23, 1998,  Cohoes  Savings  Bank and SFS  terminated  the merger.  In
connection with the termination Cohoes Savings Bank paid an agreed-upon  breakup
fee of $2.0 million.
    


                                      F-28

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>



         No person has been  authorized to give any  information  or to make any
representation other than as contained in this Prospectus in connection with the
offering  made  hereby,  and,  if given  or  made,  such  other  information  or
representation must not be relied upon as having
   
been  authorized by the Holding Company or the Bank. This Prospectus ^ 8,050,000
Shares does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy
any of the securities  offered hereby to any person in any jurisdiction in which
such offer or  solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such
offer or  solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is
unlawful to make such offer or  solicitation in such  jurisdiction.  Neither the
delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale hereunder shall under any circumstances
create any implication that there has been no change COHOES BANCORP, INC. in the
affairs of the  Holding  Company  or the Bank  since any of the dates  (Proposed
Holding  Company for Cohoes  Savings Bank) as of which  information is furnished
herein or since the date hereof.
    

                       TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                            Page

   
Glossary......................................................ii
Summary........................................................1
Selected Consolidated Financial and                                                              COMMON STOCK
   Other Data of Cohoes Savings Bank...........................7
Recent Financial Data..........................................8
Management's Discussion of Recent Financial Data..............11
Risk Factors..................................................13
Cohoes Bancorp, Inc...........................................20
Cohoes Savings Bank...........................................21                                ______________
Use of Proceeds...............................................22
Dividends.....................................................23                                  PROSPECTUS
Market for Common Stock.......................................23                                ______________
Regulatory Capital............................................24
Capitalization................................................25
Pro Forma Data................................................26
Comparison of Valuation and Pro Forma Information
   With No Foundation.........................................29
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
   Condition and Results of Operations of Cohoes Savings......32
Business of the Holding Company...............................47
Business of the Bank..........................................47
Regulation....................................................71
Taxation......................................................78
Management of the Holding Company.............................79
Management of the Bank........................................80                         ^ KEEFE, BRUYETTE & ^ WOODS, INC.
The Conversion................................................90                                       
The Offering.................................................100
Restrictions on Acquisitions of the Holding Company
   and the Bank..............................................111
Description of Capital Stock of the Holding Company..........118
Description of Capital Stock of the Bank.....................119
Experts......................................................120
Legal and Tax Opinions.......................................120
Additional Information.......................................121
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements...................122

Until the later of ^ December 15, 1998 or 25 days after
commencement of the offering of Holding Company                                               ^ November 12, 1998
    
Common Stock, all dealers effecting  transactions in the registered  securities,
whether or not participating in this distribution,  may be required to deliver a
prospectus.  This is in  addition  to the  obligation  of  dealers  to deliver a
prospectus  when  acting  as  underwriters  and with  respect  to  their  unsold
allotments or subscriptions.

       ================================================================            ============================================
</TABLE>



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