FIRST BANK SYSTEM INC
S-4/A, 1994-10-21
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>


   
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 1994.
                                                       Registration No. 33-55923
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

   
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

                             FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       Delaware                       6711                      41-0255900
    (State or other            (Primary Standard             (I.R.S. Employer
    jurisdiction of        Industrial Classification          Identification
   incorporation or               Code Number)                    Number)
     organization)

                                First Bank Place
                             601 Second Avenue South
                        Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302
                                 (612) 973-1111
    (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                  of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 Richard A. Zona
                                First Bank Place
                             601 Second Avenue South
                        Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302
                                 (612) 973-1111
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)

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

                                   COPIES TO:
          Lee R. Mitau, Esq.                     Bruce A. Machmeier, Esq.
           Dorsey & Whitney                    Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly
        220 South Sixth Street                    45 South Seventh Street
   Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-1498           Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402

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

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

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box.  / /

   
          THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE
OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>
                             FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.

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

                              CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                    PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(b) OF REGULATION S-K


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   ITEM NO. IN FORM S-4                                     LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
<S>                                                              <C>
A.   INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION

     1.   Forepart of Registration Statement and Outside         Facing page of registration statement; outside
          Front Cover Page of Prospectus                         front cover page of Prospectus

     2.   Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of           Available Information; Incorporation of Certain
          Prospectus                                             Documents by Reference; Table of Contents

     3.   Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges       Summary
          and Other Information

     4.   Terms of the Transaction                               Summary; The Merger

     5.   Pro Forma Financial Information                        Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information

     6.   Material Contacts with the Company Being Acquired      The Merger

     7.   Additional Information Required for Reoffering by      *
          Persons and Parties Deemed to Be Underwriters

     8.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel                 Legal Opinions

     9.   Disclosure of Commission Position on                   *
          Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

B.   INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT

     10.  Information with Respect to S-3 Registrants            Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference;
                                                                 Summary; Business of FBS; Description of FBS
                                                                 Capital Stock

     11.  Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference      Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     12.  Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3 Registrants     *

     13.  Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference      *

     14.  Information with Respect to Registrants other than
          S-3 or S-2 Registrants                                 *

C.   INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY BEING ACQUIRED

     15.  Information with Respect to S-3 Companies              Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference;
                                                                 Summary; Business of MFC; Description of MFC
                                                                 Capital Stock

     16.  Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3 Companies       *

     17.  Information with Respect to Companies other than       *
          S-3 or S-2 Companies

D.   VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

     18.  Information if Proxies, Consents or Authorizations     Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference;
          are to be Solicited                                    Information Concerning the FBS Special Meeting;
                                                                 Information Concerning the MFC Special Meeting;
                                                                 The Merger; Management and Additional Information

     19.  Information if Proxies, Consents or Authorizations     *
          are not to be Solicited or in an Exchange Offer

<FN>
- -------------------------
     *    Answer is negative or item is not applicable.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
                                   [FBS LOGO]
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
                                FIRST BANK PLACE
                            601 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
                       MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402-4302

                                                                    [DATE], 1994

Dear Shareholder:

    A  Special Meeting  of Shareholders of  First Bank System,  Inc. ("FBS") has
been scheduled for [DAY], [DATE],  1994, at [LOCATION], Minneapolis,  Minnesota,
at  [TIME] local time.  The accompanying Notice of  Special Meeting, Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and  Proxy  Card  set  forth  the  formal  business  to  be
transacted  at the  meeting. I  encourage you to  review these  materials and to
attend the special meeting.

   
    At the special meeting, FBS' common shareholders are being asked to  approve
and  adopt the  Agreement of  Merger and  Consolidation by  and between  FBS and
Metropolitan Financial  Corporation ("MFC")  dated July  21, 1994  (the  "Merger
Agreement"),  and the transactions  contemplated thereby, pursuant  to which FBS
would acquire MFC through a merger of MFC into FBS. Based on the total number of
shares and rights to acquire shares of MFC common stock outstanding at September
30, 1994, and assuming there is no adjustment to the exchange ratio as described
in the enclosed  materials, a  maximum of 22,644,943  new shares  of FBS  common
stock  could be issued to persons other  than FBS in connection with the merger,
or approximately  16.5%  of the  total  number  of such  shares  outstanding  at
September  30,  1994,  after  giving  effect  to  such  issuance.  Under certain
circumstances described in the enclosed  materials, the number of shares  issued
by  FBS in connection with  the merger would exceed 20%  of the FBS common stock
outstanding prior  to the  merger.  In such  event,  Delaware law  requires  FBS
shareholders to approve the Merger Agreement and the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange  require a vote of  holders of FBS common  stock to approve issuance of
the FBS common stock to be  issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement.  Therefore,
FBS is seeking shareholder approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated  thereby. The affirmative vote of at  least a majority of the total
number of outstanding shares of FBS common stock entitled to vote is required to
approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.
    

   
    Consummation of  the merger  is conditioned  upon, among  other things,  the
receipt  of all required shareholder and regulatory approvals. FBS' shareholders
also are being asked to approve the adjournment of the special meeting to permit
further solicitation of proxies in the  event there are not sufficient votes  at
the  time of the special  meeting to approve and  adopt the Merger Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby. Approval of the adjournment requires  the
affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast provided that a quorum
is present at the FBS special meeting.
    

   
    It  is  expected  that all  of  the  1,527,608 shares  of  FBS  common stock
(excluding shares subject to stock options) beneficially owned by directors  and
executive  officers of FBS and  their affiliates at the  record date for the FBS
special meeting (1.3% of  the total number of  outstanding shares of FBS  common
stock  at  such date)  will be  voted for  approval and  adoption of  the Merger
Agreement and for adjournment of the FBS special meeting if necessary to  permit
further solication of proxies.
    

   
    If  the accompanying Proxy Card is properly  executed and returned to FBS in
time to be voted at the FBS special meeting, the shares represented thereby will
be voted  in  accordance with  the  instructions marked  thereon.  EXECUTED  BUT
UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
AND  FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE  FBS SPECIAL MEETING IF NECESSARY TO PERMIT
FURTHER SOLICATION OF PROXIES. The presence of a shareholder at the FBS  special
meeting  will not automatically  revoke such shareholder's  proxy. A shareholder
may, however, revoke  a proxy  at any  time prior to  its exercise  by filing  a
written  notice  of revocation  with,  or by  delivering  a duly  executed proxy
bearing a later  date to,  Michael J.  O'Rourke, Secretary,  First Bank  System,
Inc.,  First  Bank  Place,  601  Second  Avenue  South,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota
55402-4302, or by attending the FBS special meeting and voting in person.
    
<PAGE>
    The FBS Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby,  and believes that  these actions are  in
the  best  interests  of  FBS  and  its  shareholders.  Accordingly,  the  Board
recommends that  you vote  in favor  of the  Merger Agreement  and in  favor  of
adjournment  of the special meeting as described  above. I urge you to complete,
sign, date and return the accompanying proxy  card as soon as possible, even  if
you plan to attend the special meeting. This procedure will not prevent you from
voting in person, but will ensure that your vote is counted if you are unable to
attend.

                                          Very truly yours,
                                          John F. Grundhofer
                                          CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
                                          EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
                                FIRST BANK PLACE
                            601 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
                       MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402-4302

                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD ON [DATE], 1994

    NOTICE  IS HEREBY  GIVEN that a  Special Meeting (the  "Special Meeting") of
holders of Common  Stock of  First Bank  System, Inc.  ("FBS") will  be held  on
[DAY],  [DATE],  1994, at  [LOCATION], Minneapolis,  Minnesota, at  [TIME] local
time. A Proxy Card and Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus for the Special  Meeting
are enclosed.

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

    1. A proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement of Merger and Consolidation
       by  and between FBS and  Metropolitan Financial Corporation ("MFC") dated
       July 21, 1994 (the "Merger Agreement"), and the transactions contemplated
       thereby. Pursuant to the Merger  Agreement, among other things, MFC  will
       be merged with and into FBS (the "Merger"), and each outstanding share of
       MFC  Common Stock will be exchanged for  0.6803 share of FBS Common Stock
       (with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) and each outstanding  share
       of  MFC Series  B Preferred  Stock will  be converted  into the  right to
       receive $27.00 (plus  accumulated and unpaid  dividends) in cash,  except
       shares  of MFC Series B Preferred Stock as to which statutory dissenters'
       rights have been  exercised and  not effectively  withdrawn or  otherwise
       lost. The exchange ratio for the MFC Common Stock will be adjusted if the
       average  closing price  of FBS  Common Stock  during the  20 trading days
       ending three  business days  before  the last  date  of the  meetings  of
       shareholders of MFC and FBS scheduled to consider the Merger is less than
       $33.00 or more than $40.50.

    2. A  proposal to  adjourn the  Special Meeting  to a  later date  to permit
       further solicitation of proxies  in the event  an insufficient number  of
       shares is present in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting to approve
       and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

    3. Such other matters as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any
       adjournments thereof.

    The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the
Special Meeting.

    Any action may be taken on any one of the foregoing proposals at the Special
Meeting  on the date specified above or on any date to which the Special Meeting
may properly be adjourned. Pursuant to the Bylaws, the Board has fixed the close
of business  on  [RECORD DATE]  as  the record  date  for determination  of  the
shareholders  entitled  to  vote at  the  Special Meeting  and  any adjournments
thereof.

    You are requested to complete and sign the accompanying Proxy Card, which is
solicited by  the Board  of Directors,  and  mail it  promptly in  the  enclosed
envelope.  All proxies are important, so please complete each Proxy Card sent to
you and return it in the envelope provided. No proxy will be used if you  attend
and vote at the Special Meeting in person.

                                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                          Michael J. O'Rourke
                                          SECRETARY

Minneapolis, Minnesota
[DATE], 1994

IMPORTANT:  PLEASE RETURN  EACH PROXY  CARD SENT  TO YOU.  THE PROMPT  RETURN OF
PROXIES WILL SAVE FBS THE  EXPENSE OF FURTHER REQUESTS  FOR PROXIES IN ORDER  TO
ASSURE  A QUORUM.  AN ADDRESSED  ENVELOPE IS  ENCLOSED FOR  YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO
POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
<PAGE>
                                   [MFC LOGO]

                                                                    [DATE], 1994

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

    You are  cordially  invited to  attend  a Special  Meeting  of  Stockholders
("Special  Meeting") of Metropolitan Financial Corporation ("MFC") to be held on
[DAY],  [DATE],  1994  at  [TIME],  local  time,  at  [LOCATION],   Minneapolis,
Minnesota.

   
    At  the  Special Meeting  you  will be  asked to  consider  and vote  upon a
proposed Agreement of Merger and Consolidation dated July 21, 1994 (the  "Merger
Agreement"),  and the transactions  contemplated thereby, pursuant  to which MFC
will be merged with and into First Bank System, Inc. ("FBS") (the "Merger").  If
the    proposed   Merger    described   in   the    accompanying   Joint   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus becomes effective, stockholders  of MFC will receive  .6803
of  a share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC Common Stock and the right
to receive $27.00 (plus accumulated and unpaid dividends) in cash for each share
of Series B Preferred Stock of MFC owned by them. The exchange ratio for the MFC
Common Stock will be adjusted if the  average closing price of FBS Common  Stock
during  the 20 trading days  ending three business days  before the last date of
the meetings of  stockholders of MFC  and FBS scheduled  to consider the  Merger
(the  "Average Price")  is less than  $33.00 or  more than $40.50.  Thus, if the
Average Price is less than $33.00, the exchange ratio would increase and  result
in  the receipt by MFC shareholders of more than .6803 share of FBS Common Stock
for each share of MFC  Common Stock, and, if the  Average Price is greater  than
$40.50,  the exchange  ratio would  decrease and  result in  the receipt  by MFC
shareholders of less than .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC.
Any fractional share of FBS resulting from the application of the exchange ratio
will be paid in cash. Based on the last reported sale price of FBS Common  Stock
on  the New York  Stock Exchange on  October 17, 1994,  the exchange ratio would
result in a per share purchase price for a share of MFC Common Stock of  $24.23.
If the Merger is completed, MFC stockholders will no longer hold any interest in
MFC  following the  Merger other  than through their  interest in  shares of FBS
Common Stock.
    

   
    The proposed Merger has been approved by the Boards of Directors of MFC  and
FBS  and is subject to approval by holders  of a majority of the outstanding MFC
Common Stock and FBS Common Stock in addition to the approval of bank and thrift
regulators. MFC shareholders also are being asked to approve the adjournment  of
the  Special Meeting to permit the further  solicitation of proxies in the event
there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve the
Merger. Approval of the adjournment requires the affirmative vote of at least  a
majority  of the votes  cast, provided that  a quorum is  present at the Special
Meeting.
    

    The Board  of Directors  of MFC  believes that  the Merger  is in  the  best
interests  of MFC and its stockholders and therefore recommends that you vote in
favor of the  Merger. Details  of the background  and reasons  for the  proposed
Merger  appear  and  are  explained  in  the  Joint  Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Additional information regarding  MFC and  FBS also is  set forth  in the  Joint
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus or is  incorporated by reference  therein from other
documents. I urge you to read this material carefully.

    MFC's Board of Directors has received opinions of Dain Bosworth Incorporated
and Montgomery  Securities, MFC's  financial  advisers, that  the  consideration
being  offered in  the Merger is  fair from a  financial point of  view to MFC's
common stockholders. A copy of these opinions are included as Appendices B and C
to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

   
    It is  expected  that all  of  the [________]  shares  of MFC  Common  Stock
(excluding  shares subject to stock options) beneficially owned by directors and
executive officers  of MFC  and their  affiliates  at the  record date  for  the
Special  Meeting  ([_____]% of  the total  number of  outstanding shares  of MFC
Common Stock at such date) will be voted for approval and adoption of the Merger
Agreement and for  adjournment of  the Special  Meeting if  necessary to  permit
further solication of proxies.
    

   
    If  the accompanying Proxy Card is properly  executed and returned to MFC in
time to be voted at the Special Meeting, the shares represented thereby will  be
voted  in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED
PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND  FOR
THE  PROPOSAL  TO ADJOURN  THE SPECIAL  MEETING IF  NECESSARY TO  PERMIT FURTHER
SOLICATION   OF   PROXIES.    The   presence   of    a   shareholder   at    the
    
<PAGE>
   
Special  Meeting  will  not  automatically revoke  such  shareholder's  proxy. A
shareholder may, however, revoke a  proxy at any time  prior to its exercise  by
filing  a written notice  of revocation with,  or by delivering  a duly executed
proxy bearing  a  later  date  to, Charles  D.  Kalil,  Secretary,  Metropolitan
Financial  Corporation,  1000  Metropolitan Centre,  333  South  Seventh Street,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, or by attending the Special Meeting and voting  in
person.
    

    It is important that you consider carefully the terms of the proposed Merger
which  are described in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. In order to ensure
that your vote is represented at the meeting, please indicate your choice on the
enclosed proxy form, date and sign it,  and return it in the enclosed  envelope.
You  are welcome to  attend the Special Meeting  and vote in  person even if you
have previously returned the proxy card.

    Please do not send in any stock certificates at this time. If the Merger  is
adopted  you will be sent instructions  regarding the surrender of your existing
stock certificates.

                                          Sincerely,
                                          Norman M. Jones
                                          CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
                                            AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
                       METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            1000 METROPOLITAN CENTRE
                            333 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402

                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD ON [DATE], 1994

    NOTICE  IS  HEREBY  GIVEN  that   a  Special  Meeting  of  Stockholders   of
Metropolitan   Financial  Corporation  ("MFC")  will   be  held  at  [LOCATION],
Minneapolis, Minnesota at [TIME], local time, on [DAY], [DATE], 1994 to consider
and take action on the following:

    1. A proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement of Merger and Consolidation
       by and between  First Bank System,  Inc. ("FBS") and  MFC dated July  21,
       1994  (the "Merger Agreement") and the transactions contemplated thereby.
       Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, among other things, MFC will be  merged
       with  and  into FBS  (the "Merger"),  and each  outstanding share  of MFC
       Common Stock will be exchanged for 0.6803 share of FBS Common Stock (with
       cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) and each outstanding share of MFC
       Series B Preferred  Stock will  be converted  into the  right to  receive
       $27.00  (plus accumulated and unpaid dividends) in cash, except shares of
       MFC Series B  Preferred Stock  as to which  statutory dissenters'  rights
       have  been exercised and not effectively withdrawn or otherwise lost. The
       exchange ratio for the MFC Common  Stock will be adjusted if the  average
       closing price of FBS Common Stock during the 20 trading days ending three
       business days before the last date of the meetings of stockholders of MFC
       and FBS scheduled to consider the Merger is less than $33.00 or more than
       $40.50.

    2. A  proposal to  adjourn the  Special Meeting  to a  later date  to permit
       further solicitation of proxies  in the event  an insufficient number  of
       shares is present in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting to approve
       and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

    3. Such other matters as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any
       adjournments thereof.

    The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the
Special Meeting.

    Only  stockholders of record of MFC Common Stock at the close of business on
[RECORD DATE], 1994 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.

    It is important that all stockholders of MFC Common Stock be represented  at
the  meeting. We urge you  to sign and return the  enclosed Proxy as promptly as
possible--whether or not  you plan to  attend the meeting.  The Proxy should  be
returned  to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, transfer agent for MFC, in
the enclosed  envelope. The  Proxy  may be  revoked at  any  time prior  to  its
exercise. No proxy will be used if you attend and vote at the Special Meeting in
person.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors

                                          Charles D. Kalil
                                          SECRETARY

Date: [DATE], 1994
<PAGE>
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
                                      AND
                       METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                             JOINT PROXY STATEMENT

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

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                       OF
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
                         COMMON STOCK, $1.25 PAR VALUE

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

    This  Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus") is
being furnished  to the  holders of  common  stock of  First Bank  System,  Inc.
("FBS") and of Metropolitan Financial Corporation ("MFC") in connection with the
solicitation  of proxies by the respective Board of Directors of FBS and MFC for
use at special meetings of such holders (respectively, the "FBS Special Meeting"
and the "MFC Special Meeting," and  collectively, the "Special Meetings") to  be
held  on [DATE], 1994, in the case of the FBS Special Meeting, and [DATE], 1994,
in the case of  the MFC Special  Meeting. At the Special  Meetings, MFC and  FBS
common shareholders will be asked to consider and act upon a proposal to approve
and  adopt the Agreement of Merger and  Consolidation by and between FBS and MFC
dated July 21, 1994 (the "Merger Agreement"), and the transactions  contemplated
thereby,  pursuant to which, among other things, MFC would be acquired by FBS by
means of a merger of MFC into FBS (the "Merger"). A copy of the Merger Agreement
is attached hereto as Appendix A and is incorporated herein by reference.

   
    In the Merger, each  outstanding share of MFC  common stock, par value  $.01
("MFC  Common Stock"), will be  converted into .6803 share  of FBS common stock,
par value $1.25 per share ("FBS  Common Stock"), subject to certain  adjustments
as described below, and each outstanding share of MFC preferred stock, par value
$.01  ("MFC Preferred Stock"),  other than shares  of MFC Preferred  Stock as to
which dissenter's rights have been perfected,  will be converted into the  right
to  receive  $27.00  (plus  accumulated  and  unpaid  dividends)  in  cash.  The
outstanding  shares  of  FBS  Common  Stock  are,  and  it  is  a  condition  to
consummation  of the Merger that the shares of  FBS Common Stock to be issued in
the Merger have been, listed on the  New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE")  under
the  symbol "FBS." The last reported sale price  of FBS Common Stock on the NYSE
Composite Tape on October  17, 1994 was  $35.625 per share.  Based on such  last
reported  sale price, the exchange ratio resulted  in a per share purchase price
for the MFC Common Stock of $24.23.  Because the number of shares of FBS  Common
Stock  to be  received for each  share of MFC  Common Stock is  fixed, except as
described below, a change  in the market  price of FBS  Common Stock before  the
Merger  would affect  the value of  the FBS Common  Stock to be  received in the
Merger in exchange for MFC Common Stock.
    

                                                        (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

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

THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
   EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS THE
     SECURITIES  AND   EXCHANGE   COMMISSION  OR   ANY   STATE   SECURITIES
       COMMISSION   PASSED  UPON   THE  ACCURACY  OR   ADEQUACY  OF  THIS
           PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.  ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO  THE
                              CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

THE  SHARES  OF  FBS  COMMON  STOCK OFFERED  HEREBY  ARE  NOT  SAVINGS ACCOUNTS,
   DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY  BANK OR SAVINGS ASSOCIATION AND  ARE
     NOT  INSURED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT  INSURANCE  CORPORATION,  BANK
       INSURANCE  FUND,  SAVINGS  ASSOCIATION   INSURANCE  FUND  OR   ANY
                                   OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.

     THE DATE OF THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS [       ], 1994.
<PAGE>
   
    Notwithstanding  the foregoing, if the average  of the closing prices of FBS
Common Stock as quoted on the NYSE for the 20 trading days ending three business
days prior to the  last date of  the Special Meetings  (the "Average Price")  is
less than $33.00, then the exchange ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for
each  share of  MFC Common Stock  will be  adjusted by multiplying  .6803 by the
quotient of (i) $33.00 divided by (ii)  the Average Price. Thus, if the  Average
Price  is less than $33.00, the exchange  ratio would increase and result in the
receipt by MFC shareholders  of more than  .6803 share of  FBS Common Stock  for
each  share of MFC  Common Stock. If  the Average Price  is greater than $40.50,
then the exchange ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC
Common Stock will be adjusted by multiplying .6803 by the quotient of (i) $40.50
divided by (ii) the Average  Price. Thus, if the  Average Price is greater  than
$40.50,  the exchange  ratio would  decrease and  result in  the receipt  by MFC
shareholders of less than .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of  MFC
Common  Stock. Each of FBS and MFC may, at their respective options, abandon and
terminate the Merger Agreement  before it takes effect  if the Average Price  is
less  than $29.50. For additional information regarding the terms of the Merger,
see the Merger Agreement and "The Merger" herein.
    

    Consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon, among other things,  receipt
of  all  required  shareholder  and  regulatory  approvals.  If  there  are  not
sufficient votes at  the time  of the  MFC Special  Meeting or  the FBS  Special
Meeting  to  approve and  adopt the  Merger Agreement,  the shareholders  of the
applicable company may be asked to approve adjournment of such company's Special
Meeting to permit further solicitation  of proxies. See "Adjournment of  Special
Meetings"  herein. Because of  the uncertainty of  the timing of  the receipt of
regulatory approvals, the Merger may not be consummated for a substantial period
of time after approval  of the Merger  by the shareholders of  FBS and MFC.  See
"The Merger--Regulatory Approvals Required."

    J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. has rendered its opinion dated July 25, 1994, to
the  Board of Directors of FBS that the exchange ratio is fair to holders of FBS
Common Stock from a financial  point of view. See  "The Merger-- Opinion of  FBS
Financial  Adviser" herein. Dain Bosworth Incorporated and Montgomery Securities
have each  rendered  their opinions  dated  July 21,  1994  and July  20,  1994,
respectively,  to the  Board of  Directors of  MFC that  the consideration being
offered in the Merger  is fair from  a financial point of  view to MFC's  common
shareholders  (other than FBS and its  affiliates). See "The Merger--Opinions of
MFC Financial Advisers" herein.

    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF  FBS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT FBS  SHAREHOLDERS
VOTE  FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE  MERGER AGREEMENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF MFC  UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS THAT  MFC  SHAREHOLDERS VOTE  FOR  APPROVAL  AND
ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

    This  Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the forms of proxies for the respective
Special Meetings are first being mailed to the shareholders of FBS and MFC on or
about [       ], 1994.

   
    This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  is  included as  part  of  a  Registration
Statement  on  Form  S-4 (together  with  all amendments  and  exhibits thereto,
including documents and information incorporated by reference, the "Registration
Statement") filed with the Securities  and Exchange Commission by FBS,  relating
to  the registration  under the  Securities Act  of 1933,  as amended,  of up to
25,481,326 shares  of FBS  Common Stock  to  be issued  in connection  with  the
Merger.
    
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    FBS  and MFC are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act  of  1934, as  amended  (the  "Exchange Act")  and,  in  accordance
therewith,  file  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements
and other information concerning FBS and MFC can be inspected and copied at  the
public  reference  facilities  of  the Commission  at  450  Fifth  Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices at Seven  World
Trade  Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and 1400 Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 Madison Street,  Chicago, Illinois 60661.  Copies of such  materials
can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549, at  prescribed  rates.  Reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning FBS and MFC also can be inspected at
the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New  York
10005.

    FBS  has  filed a  registration  statement on  Form  S-4 (together  with all
amendments  and   exhibits   thereto,  including   documents   and   information
incorporated  by reference,  the "Registration  Statement") with  the Commission
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to
the shares of FBS Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger.  This
Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the
Registration  Statement, certain parts  of which are  omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information,  reference
is hereby made to the Registration Statement. Statements contained in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  as to  the contents  of any  document are  not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference  is made to such document itself,  each
such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    THIS  PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS  BY REFERENCE WHICH
ARE NOT  PRESENTED  HEREIN OR  DELIVERED  HEREWITH. DOCUMENTS  RELATING  TO  FBS
(EXCLUDING  EXHIBITS  UNLESS  SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED  THEREIN)  ARE AVAILABLE
WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST TO KARIN GLASGOW, FIRST BANK SYSTEM,
INC.,  FIRST  BANK  PLACE,  601  SECOND  AVENUE  SOUTH,  MINNEAPOLIS,  MINNESOTA
55402-4302,   TELEPHONE  NUMBER  (612)  973-2264.   DOCUMENTS  RELATING  TO  MFC
(EXCLUDING EXHIBITS  UNLESS  SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED  THEREIN)  ARE  AVAILABLE
WITHOUT  CHARGE UPON WRITTEN  OR ORAL REQUEST  TO PATRICIA HENNING, METROPOLITAN
FINANCIAL CORPORATION,  1000  METROPOLITAN  CENTRE, 333  SOUTH  SEVENTH  STREET,
MINNEAPOLIS,  MINNESOTA  55402, TELEPHONE  NUMBER  (612) 399-6000.  IN  ORDER TO
ENSURE TIMELY  DELIVERY  OF  THE  DOCUMENTS,  ANY  REQUEST  SHOULD  BE  MADE  BY
[       ], 1994 [FIVE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETINGS].

   
    The following FBS documents which have been filed by FBS with the Commission
are  hereby incorporated  by reference  in this  Proxy Statement/Prospectus: (i)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993; (ii)  quarterly
reports  on Form 10-Q for  the quarters ended March 31,  1994 and June 30, 1994;
(iii) Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 18, 1994, March 22, 1994,  April
20,  1994, July 6,  1994 and August 5,  1994; (iv) Current  Report on Form 8-K/A
filed September 9,  1994 (amending Current  Report on Form  8-K filed August  5,
1994);  and (v) the description  of FBS Common Stock contained  in Item 1 of the
FBS Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated  March 19, 1984, as amended in  its
entirety  by that Form 8 Amendment dated February 26, 1993 and that Form 8-A/A-2
dated October 6,  1994, and any  amendment or  report filed for  the purpose  of
updating   such  description  filed  subsequent  to   the  date  of  this  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and  prior to  the termination  of the  offering  described
herein;  and the description of the rights to purchase preferred stock contained
in Item 1 of the FBS Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated December 21, 1988,
as amended by that Form  8 Amendment dated June 11,  1990 and as amended in  its
entirety  by that Form 8 Amendment dated February 26, 1993, and any amendment or
report filed for the  purpose of updating such  description filed subsequent  to
the  date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and prior to the termination of the
offering described herein.
    

    The following MFC documents which have been filed by MFC with the Commission
are hereby incorporated  by reference  in this  Proxy Statement/Prospectus:  (i)
Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993; (ii) quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q for  the quarters ended March 31,  1994 and June 30,  1994;
(iii) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 1994; (iv) the description of
MFC  Common Stock contained in Item 1  of the MFC Registration Statement on Form
8-A dated November 4, 1985, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating  such  description  filed  subsequent   to  the  date  of  this   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus  and  prior to  the termination  of the  offering described
herein; and (v) the description  of MFC's $2.875 Cumulative Perpetual  Preferred
Stock,  Series B, contained in Item 1  of the MFC Registration Statement on Form
8-A dated October 4, 1990,  as amended by that  Form 8 Amendment dated  November
19,  1990, and any  amendment or report  filed for the  purpose of updating such
description filed subsequent to the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus  and
prior to the termination of the offering described herein.

                                       3
<PAGE>
    All  documents filed by FBS or MFC  pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of  the Exchange  Act after  the  date hereof  and before  the  respective
Special  Meetings shall be deemed to be  incorporated herein by reference and to
be a  part hereof  from the  date of  filing of  such documents.  Any  statement
contained  herein or in a document incorporated  or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be  deemed to be modified  or superseded for purposes  of
this  Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in another  subsequently filed  document which  also is  or is  deemed to  be
incorporated  by  reference herein  modifies or  supersedes such  statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall  not be deemed, except as so  modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

    ALL  INFORMATION IN  THIS PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING  MFC AND ITS
AFFILIATES HAS BEEN FURNISHED BY MFC,  AND ALL INFORMATION HEREIN REGARDING  FBS
AND  ITS AFFILIATES HAS BEEN  FURNISHED BY FBS. NO  PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION  OR TO  MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATION  NOT  CONTAINED IN  THIS  PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND OFFERING
MADE HEREBY AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION SHOULD NOT
BE   RELIED  UPON  AS  HAVING  BEEN  AUTHORIZED   BY  FBS  OR  MFC.  THIS  PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES  NOT CONSTITUTE  THE SOLICITATION  OF A  PROXY, OR  AN
OFFER  TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN  OFFER TO PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES, IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH SOLICITATION OR OFFER MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.  THIS
PROXY  STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT  COVER ANY RESALES OF  THE FBS COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY TO BE RECEIVED BY SHAREHOLDERS OF MFC DEEMED TO BE AFFILIATES  OF
MFC  OR FBS UPON  THE CONSUMMATION OF  THE MERGER. NEITHER  THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY  DISTRIBUTION OF  SECURITIES MADE  HEREUNDER
SHALL IMPLY THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR
IN THE AFFAIRS OF FBS OR MFC SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
                            ------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PAGE
                                                      -----
<S>                                                <C>
Available Information............................           3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference......................................           3
Summary..........................................           5
  The Companies..................................           5
  The Proposed Merger............................           5
  The Special Meetings...........................           6
  Votes Required.................................           6
  Recommendation of the FBS Board of Directors...           7
  Recommendation of the MFC Board of Directors...           7
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger.....           8
  Opinion of FBS Financial Adviser...............           9
  Opinions of MFC Financial Advisers.............           9
  Limitation on Negotiations; Option Granted to
    FBS; Termination Fee.........................           9
  Regulatory Approvals Required..................          10
  Conditions, Waiver and Amendment, and
    Termination..................................          10
  Effective Time of the Merger...................          11
  Exchange of MFC Stock Certificates.............          11
  Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences to MFC
    Shareholders.................................
  Resales of FBS Common Stock....................          12
  Accounting Treatment...........................          12
  Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal................          13
  Market and Market Prices.......................          13
  Differences in Rights of MFC Shareholders......          14
  Comparative Unaudited Per Share Data...........          15
  Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma
    Financial Data...............................          17
Information Concerning the FBS Special Meeting...          23
  General........................................          23
  Solicitation, Voting and Revocability of
    Proxies......................................          23
Information Concerning the MFC Special Meeting...          25
  General........................................          25
  Solicitation, Voting and Revocability of
    Proxies......................................          25
The Merger.......................................          26
  Background of the Merger.......................          26
  Reasons of FBS for the Merger; Recommendation
    of FBS Board of Directors....................          28
  Opinion of FBS Financial Adviser...............          29
  Reasons of MFC for the Merger; Recommendation
    of MFC Board of Directors....................          32
  Opinions of MFC Financial Advisers.............          33
  Terms of the Merger; Consideration to be
    Received by MFC Shareholders.................          41
  Effective Time of the Merger...................          43

<CAPTION>
                                                      PAGE
                                                      -----
<S>                                                <C>
  Surrender of MFC Common Stock Certificates.....          43
  Conditions to Consummation of the Merger.......          43
  Regulatory Approvals Required..................          46
  Waiver and Amendment...........................          46
  Termination....................................          47
  Limitation on Negotiations.....................          47
  Option Granted to FBS..........................          48
  Conduct of MFC Business Pending the Merger.....          50
  Management and Operations of MFC Following the
    Merger.......................................          52
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger.....          53
  Effect on MFC Employee Benefit Plans and Stock
    Option Plans.................................          55
  MFC Warrants...................................          57
  Rights of MFC Dissenting Shareholders..........          57
  No Dissenters' Rights of FBS Shareholders......          57
  Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences to MFC
    Shareholders.................................          57
  Stock Exchange Listing of FBS Common Stock.....          58
  Resale of FBS Common Stock Received by MFC
    Shareholders.................................          58
  FBS Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock
    Purchase Plan................................          58
  Accounting Treatment...........................          59
  Expenses.......................................          59
  Certain Differences in Rights of MFC
    Shareholders .                                         59
Business of FBS..................................          61
Business of MFC..................................          62
Description of FBS Capital Stock.................          62
  General........................................          62
  Preferred Stock................................          63
  Common Stock...................................          64
Description of MFC Capital Stock.................          67
Adjournment of Special Meetings..................          68
Legal Opinions...................................          68
Experts..........................................          68
Independent Public Accountants...................          69
Shareholder Proposals............................          69
Management and Additional Information............          69
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
  Information....................................         F-1
Appendix A--Agreement of Merger and
  Consolidation..................................         A-1
Appendix B--Opinion of Dain Bosworth
  Incorporated .                                          B-1
Appendix C--Opinion of Montgomery Securities.....         C-1
Appendix D--Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities
  Inc............................................         D-1
</TABLE>
    

                                       4
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY

   
    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ALL  RESPECTS BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS  PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, THE APPENDICES  HERETO
AND  THE  DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED  HEREIN  BY REFERENCE.  AS  USED IN  THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, THE TERMS "FBS" AND "MFC" REFER TO FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
AND METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION, RESPECTIVELY, AND, WHERE THE CONTEXT  SO
REQUIRES,   TO  SUCH   CORPORATIONS  AND  THEIR   RESPECTIVE  SUBSIDIARIES.  ALL
INFORMATION CONCERNING FBS INCLUDED  HEREIN HAS BEEN FURNISHED  BY FBS, AND  ALL
INFORMATION INCLUDED HEREIN CONCERNING MFC HAS BEEN FURNISHED BY MFC.
    

THE COMPANIES

   
    FBS.   FBS is a regional  bank holding company headquartered in Minneapolis,
Minnesota.  FBS  is  comprised  of  9  banks,  and  several  trust  and  nonbank
subsidiaries  with  225  offices  primarily  in  Minnesota,  Colorado, Illinois,
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Through its subsidiaries, FBS
provides commercial and agricultural  finance, consumer banking, trust,  capital
markets,  cash  management,  investment  management,  data  processing, leasing,
mortgage banking and  brokerage services.  At September  30, 1994,  FBS and  its
consolidated subsidiaries had consolidated assets of $26.3 billion, consolidated
deposits of $18.8 billion and shareholders' equity of $2.3 billion.
    

    For further information concerning FBS, see "Business of FBS" herein and the
FBS documents incorporated by reference herein as described under "Incorporation
of  Certain Documents by Reference." The  principal executive offices of FBS are
located at First  Bank Place,  601 Second Avenue  South, Minneapolis,  Minnesota
55402-4302 (telephone (612) 973-1111).

   
    MFC.   MFC is a  regional thrift holding company  organized as the parent of
Metropolitan Federal Bank, fsb,  a federally chartered  stock savings bank  (the
"Bank") headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, whose deposit accounts are insured
by  the Federal Deposit  Insurance Corporation (the  "FDIC"). The Bank's primary
business is the solicitation of deposit accounts from the general public and the
origination and  servicing of  single family  real estate  mortgage and  secured
consumer  loans. MFC, through  its subsidiaries, also  conducts residential real
estate brokerage operations and residential  real estate title closing  services
and   sells  certain  financial  services  products  like  annuities,  uninsured
investments (such as mutual funds) and insurance. At September 30, 1994, MFC and
its  consolidated  subsidiaries  had   consolidated  assets  of  $8.1   billion,
consolidated  deposits  of  $5.5  billion  and  shareholders'  equity  of $497.7
million.
    

    For further information concerning MFC, see "Business of MFC" herein and the
MFC documents incorporated by reference herein as described under "Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference." The  principal executive offices of MFC  are
located  at  1000 Metropolitan  Centre, 333  South Seventh  Street, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55402 (telephone (612) 399-6000).

THE PROPOSED MERGER

   
    The Merger Agreement provides for the merger of MFC with and into FBS,  with
FBS  as  the  surviving  corporation.  Upon  consummation  of  the  Merger, each
outstanding share of MFC Common Stock will be converted into .6803 share of  FBS
Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments as described below, with cash to be
paid  in lieu  of fractional  shares of FBS  Common Stock,  and each outstanding
share of MFC Preferred  Stock, other than  shares of MFC  Preferred Stock as  to
which  dissenters' rights have been perfected,  will be converted into the right
to receive $27.00 (plus accumulated and unpaid dividends) in cash. If the Merger
is completed, MFC  shareholders will no  longer hold any  interest in MFC  other
than   through  their  interest  in  shares   of  FBS  Common  Stock.  See  "The
Merger--Terms of the Merger; Consideration to be Received by MFC  Shareholders."
Each  outstanding  share  of  FBS  capital  stock  will  remain  outstanding and
unchanged following the  Merger. Based  on the number  of shares  of MFC  Common
Stock  actually outstanding on the record date  for the MFC Special Meeting, and
assuming that there is no adjustment  to the exchange ratio as described  below,
holders  of  MFC Common  Stock  other than  FBS  would receive  an  aggregate of
20,897,422 shares of FBS Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger and  would
hold  in the aggregate  approximately 15.4% of the  FBS Common Stock outstanding
immediately after consummation of the Merger,  based on the number of shares  of
FBS Common Stock outstanding at September 30, 1994. Based on the total number of
shares and rights to acquire shares of MFC Common
    

                                       5
<PAGE>
   
Stock  outstanding on such record  date, and assuming there  is no adjustment to
the exchange ratio as described below, a maximum aggregate of 22,644,943  shares
of  FBS Common Stock could be issued to persons other than FBS in the Merger, or
approximately 16.5% of the  FBS Common Stock  outstanding after consummation  of
the  Merger, based on  the number of  shares of FBS  Common Stock outstanding at
September 30, 1994.
    

   
    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the average  of the closing prices of  FBS
Common  Stock as quoted on  the New York Stock Exchange  (the "NYSE") for the 20
trading days ending three business  days prior to the  last date of the  Special
Meetings  (the "Average Price") is less than  $33.00, then the exchange ratio of
.6803 share of  FBS Common  Stock for  each share of  MFC Common  Stock will  be
adjusted  by multiplying .6803 by the quotient of (i) $33.00 divided by (ii) the
Average Price. If the  Average Price is greater  than $40.50, then the  exchange
ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC Common Stock will
be  adjusted by multiplying .6803 by the  quotient of (i) $40.50 divided by (ii)
the Average Price. Thus, if the Average Price is less than $33.00, the  exchange
ratio  would increase and result in the receipt by MFC shareholders of more than
.6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC Common Stock, and, if  the
Average  Price is  greater than  $40.50, the  exchange ratio  would decrease and
result in the receipt by MFC shareholders of less than .6803 share of FBS Common
Stock for each  share of MFC  Common Stock. Each  of FBS and  MFC may, at  their
respective  options, abandon and terminate the  Merger Agreement before it takes
effect if  the Average  Price is  less  than $29.50.  See "--Market  and  Market
Prices,"  "The Merger--Terms of the Merger;  Consideration to be Received by MFC
Shareholders" and "--Termination."
    

THE SPECIAL MEETINGS

   
    FBS SPECIAL MEETING.  The FBS Special Meeting to consider and vote upon  the
Merger  Agreement will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on [DAY], [DATE], 1994
at [TIME] local time. Only holders of record of FBS Common Stock at the close of
business on [DATE], 1994 (the "FBS Record Date"), will be entitled to notice  of
and  to vote at the Special Meeting. At  the close of business on the FBS Record
Date, there were  outstanding and  entitled to  vote 114,233,513  shares of  FBS
Common  Stock. Each  share of FBS  Common Stock is  entitled to one  vote on the
Merger Agreement. See "Information Concerning the FBS Special Meeting."
    

   
    MFC SPECIAL MEETING.  The MFC Special Meeting to consider and vote upon  the
Merger  Agreement will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on [DAY], [DATE], 1994
at [TIME] local time. Only holders of record of MFC Common Stock at the close of
business on [DATE], 1994 (the "MFC Record Date"), will be entitled to notice  of
and  to vote at the Special Meeting. At  the close of business on the MFC Record
Date, there  were outstanding  and entitled  to vote  31,404,052 shares  of  MFC
Common  Stock. Each  share of MFC  Common Stock is  entitled to one  vote on the
Merger Agreement. See "Information Concerning the MFC Special Meeting."
    

VOTES REQUIRED

   
    FBS VOTES REQUIRED.   If the  exchange ratio  of .6803 share  of FBS  Common
Stock  for  each  share  of  MFC Common  Stock  is  increased,  pursuant  to the
adjustment described above, the number of  shares of FBS Common Stock issued  in
connection  with the Merger may  exceed 20% of the  FBS Common Stock outstanding
prior to the Merger. In such event, shareholder approval of the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby would be required by Delaware law  and
the  rules  of  the NYSE.  Pursuant  to  Delaware law,  approval  of  the Merger
Agreement by shareholders  of FBS requires  the affirmative vote  of at least  a
majority  of all shares of FBS Common  Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at
the FBS Special Meeting. Under NYSE rules, the issuance of FBS Common Stock,  as
contemplated  by the  Merger Agreement,  must be approved  by a  majority of the
votes cast at the FBS Special Meeting,  provided that over 50% of the shares  of
FBS  Common Stock entitled to vote do  vote at the FBS Special Meeting. Approval
and adoption of the Merger  Agreement by holders of  FBS Common Stock will  also
constitute  the approval  required by  the NYSE  of the  issuance by  FBS of the
shares of FBS Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger.  Approval
of  the adjournment of the FBS Special  Meeting requires the affirmative vote of
at least a majority of the votes cast, provided that a quorum is present at  the
FBS Special Meeting.
    

   
    It  is  expected  that all  of  the  1,527,608 shares  of  FBS  Common Stock
(excluding shares subject to stock options) beneficially owned by directors  and
executive  officers  of  FBS  and  their  affiliates  at  the  FBS  Record  Date
    

                                       6
<PAGE>
   
(1.3% of the  total number of  outstanding shares  of FBS Common  Stock at  such
date)  will be voted for  adoption and approval of  the Merger Agreement and for
adjournment of the FBS Special Meeting under the circumstances described herein.
As of the  FBS Record Date,  MFC and  its directors and  executive officers  and
their  affiliates beneficially owned [        ]  shares of FBS Common Stock. See
"Information  Concerning  the  FBS  Special  Meeting--Solicitation,  Voting  and
Revocability of Proxies."
    

    MFC  VOTES  REQUIRED.   Pursuant  to Delaware  law,  approval of  the Merger
Agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all shares  of
MFC  Common Stock outstanding and  entitled to vote at  the MFC Special Meeting.
Approval of the adjournment of the MFC Special Meeting requires the  affirmative
vote of at least a majority of the votes cast, provided that a quorum is present
at the MFC Special Meeting.

   
    It  is expected  that all  of the  [          ]  shares of  MFC Common Stock
(excluding shares subject to stock options) beneficially owned by directors  and
executive  officers of MFC and their affiliates at the MFC Record Date ([  ]% of
the total number of outstanding shares of MFC Common Stock at such date) will be
voted for approval and adoption of  the Merger Agreement and for adjournment  of
the  MFC Special Meeting under the circumstances described herein. As of the MFC
Record  Date,  FBS  beneficially  owned  686,100  shares  of  MFC  Common  Stock
(excluding  shares issuable to  FBS under certain  conditions as described under
"The Merger-- Option Granted to FBS"),  and directors and executive officers  of
FBS beneficially owned no shares of MFC Common Stock. FBS intends to vote all of
its shares of MFC Common Stock for approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement
and for adjournment of the MFC Special Meeting under the circumstances described
herein.  See  "Information  Concerning  the  MFC  Special Meeting--Solicitation,
Voting and Revocability of Proxies."
    

RECOMMENDATION OF THE FBS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   
    The Board of Directors of FBS considered a variety of factors in  evaluating
the  Merger, including that (i)  the acquisition of MFC  will expand FBS' retail
franchise in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin and is expected
to result  in significant  cost savings  from personnel  reductions, branch  and
operational   consolidations   and   general   reductions   in   corporate   and
administrative support functions; (ii) the acquisition of MFC will allow FBS  to
enter  four new states (Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming) which fall into FBS'
strategic market area, providing  a base in such  states which can be  leveraged
through  further acquisitions;  (iii) the  acquisition of  MFC will  provide FBS
access to over  300,000 additional households  serving as a  source for  greater
market penetration with FBS' broader product and service offerings; and (iv) the
acquisition of MFC is expected to enhance the efficiency and increase the market
share  of  FBS Mortgage,  as MFC  is  a significant  originator and  servicer of
residential mortgages. The Board of Directors of FBS also considered information
concerning the financial position, results of operations and stock prices of MFC
as well as the prospective  financial performance of FBS  and MFC on a  combined
basis  and the opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. that the exchange ratio of
FBS Common Stock for MFC  Common Stock in the Merger  is fair to holders of  FBS
Common  Stock from a financial point of view. On the basis of these factors, the
Board of Directors of FBS believes that the terms of the Merger are fair to  and
in the best interest of FBS and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that
the  shareholders of FBS vote FOR approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement.
See "The Merger--Reasons of FBS for  the Merger; Recommendation of FBS Board  of
Directors."
    

RECOMMENDATION OF THE MFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    The  Board of Directors of MFC considered a variety of factors in evaluating
the Merger,  including: (i)  MFC's business,  results of  operations,  financial
position and future prospects as an independent entity; (ii) economic conditions
and  prospects for future growth  in the markets in  which MFC operates in light
of, among  other things,  intensifying competitive  pressures in  the  financial
services  industry in  general and, in  particular, in MFC's  markets; (iii) the
consideration to be received  by MFC shareholders in  the Merger in relation  to
MFC's  book value  and earnings per  share and  the recent market  prices of MFC
Common Stock; (iv) the management, business, results of operations and financial
condition of FBS; (v)  the consideration to be  received by MFC shareholders  in
the  Merger compared with the  risk of obtaining a higher  price at some time in
the future; (vi)  the expectation  that a  business combination  with FBS  would
enhance  MFC's  competitiveness  and  ability to  serve  its  customers  and the
communities in which  it operates;  (vii) the future  prospects of  FBS and  the
anticipated  strengths and  synergies (including cost  savings and efficiencies)
anticipated from  the  combination  of  MFC  and  FBS;  (viii)  the  expectation

                                       7
<PAGE>
that  the Merger will be a tax-free  transaction to holders of MFC Common Stock;
(ix) the financial  terms of other  recent business combinations  in the  thrift
industry;  and (x) the  financial advice rendered  by Dain Bosworth Incorporated
and Montgomery  Securities and  the  opinions of  Dain Bosworth  and  Montgomery
Securities  that the  consideration to  be received  by MFC  shareholders in the
Merger was fair from a financial point of view. The MFC Board of Directors  also
concluded  that the Merger is preferable  to the other alternatives available to
MFC, such  as remaining  independent and  growing internally  or through  future
acquisitions,  or remaining independent for  a short period of  time with a view
toward being  acquired  in  the  future,  or engaging  in  a  merger  of  equals
transaction  with  another  party.  Based  on these  factors  the  MFC  Board of
Directors believes that the terms of the Merger are in the best interests of MFC
and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that the common shareholders  of
MFC  vote  FOR the  approval  and adoption  of  the Merger  Agreement.  See "The
Merger--Reasons  of  MFC  for  the  Merger;  Recommendation  of  MFC  Board   of
Directors."

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER

   
    SEVERANCE  PLANS. The Merger Agreement requires  that FBS assume and perform
the obligations under change  in control severance pay  plans of MFC adopted  in
1993.  Under these  plans, after the  Merger is effective,  certain employees of
MFC, including  all  executive  officers,  will  become  entitled  to  specified
severance  payments and benefit continuations  if their employment is terminated
under specified circumstances. Several executive officers are expected to become
entitled to  payments and  benefits  under such  plans  in connection  with  the
Merger. Under such plans, the total severance payments, including the cash value
of benefits, expected to be made in connection with the Merger are approximately
$30  million.  Based  on  current base  salaries  and  target  bonuses, assuming
termination of employment qualifying for payments under the applicable plan, the
five most  highly compensated  executive  officers of  MFC  for the  year  ended
December 31, 1993 would receive lump-sum cash payments (excluding tax "gross-up"
payments)  as follows: Norman M.  Jones, $1,914,000; Ronald Peltier, $1,154,250;
Jerry L. Record, $891,000; William  P. Bartkowski, $830,250; J. Michael  Nilles,
$667,644.  The executive will  also be entitled to  (a) continued coverage under
MFC's welfare benefit  plans and  certain perquisite  policies for  up to  three
years  ("grossed-up" for any additional taxes  payable by the executive relative
to taxes payable  by an  active employee), (b)  receive outplacement  counseling
(for  which MFC  or its successors  will pay up  to 30% of  the executive's base
salary), and (c) credit for three additional years of service under any  pension
plan  of MFC (or the value of such  service credit if the credit would cause the
plan to  lose its  tax-qualified  status). The  executive  will also  receive  a
"gross-up" payment which, net of all tax, is sufficient to pay any excise tax on
"excess  parachute" payments. See  "The Merger--Interests of  Certain Persons in
the Merger--Severance Plans."
    

   
    AGREEMENTS WITH MFC  OFFICERS.  Pursuant  to the Merger  Agreement, FBS  has
agreed  to use its best  efforts to secure the election  of Norman M. Jones, MFC
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, to the FBS Board of Directors
for a term  of at  least three years,  and has  agreed to appoint  Mr. Jones  as
Chairman  of the Board of  Directors of the Bank and  to enter into a consulting
agreement with Mr.  Jones. FBS will  pay Mr.  Jones, for all  of such  services,
total  compensation equal to  $200,000 annually. The  Merger Agreement specifies
that, on the effective date of the Merger, there shall exist a "termination"  of
Mr.  Jones'  employment with  MFC under  the terms  of the  Executive Management
Change in Control Severance Pay Plan and  FBS shall pay all benefits payable  to
Mr. Jones pursuant to the terms of such plan upon such termination. Based on his
current  base salary and  target bonus, the  total lump-sum cash  payment to Mr.
Jones upon  such  termination  pursuant  to such  plan  would  be  approximately
$1,914,000  (assuming no tax "gross-up"  payment). See "The Merger--Interests of
Certain Persons  in the  Merger--Agreements with  Norman M.  Jones." J.  Michael
Nilles,  Executive Vice President and General  Counsel of MFC, has an employment
agreement with MFC expiring on December 31, 1995, which FBS has agreed does  not
constitute  a severance plan.  If Mr. Nilles' employment  were terminated and he
became eligible  for  payments and  benefits  under MFC's  Executive  Management
Change in Control Severance Pay Plan, he may also have claims for payments under
his  employment agreement.  Mr. Nilles annual  base salary  under the employment
agreement is currently $164,850.
    

   
    STOCK OPTIONS.  Upon  effectiveness of the Merger,  with the consent of  the
holders of each outstanding option to purchase shares of MFC Common Stock issued
pursuant  to the MFC  1984 Stock Option  and Incentive Plan,  the MFC 1990 Stock
Option Plan, the MFC  1993 Non-Employee Director Stock  Option Plan and the  MFC
1993  Stock Incentive Plan, each of such  stock options will be converted into a
right to receive, in lieu of all other rights
    

                                       8
<PAGE>
under such options (which will be terminated and canceled), shares of FBS Common
Stock with a value  as of the effective  date of the Merger  equal to the  "fair
value"  of such option as determined by  an independent third party expert to be
mutually selected by FBS and MFC. In  the event that each of such stock  options
is  not so converted, then,  as of the effective date  of the Merger, such stock
options shall be assumed by FBS. See "The Merger--Effect on MFC Employee Benefit
Plans and Stock Option Plans."

   
    INDEMNIFICATION AND  INSURANCE. The  Merger Agreement  requires FBS,  for  a
period  of five years  after the Merger becomes  effective, to indemnify present
and former officers, directors and employees of MFC (including its subsidiaries)
against certain losses and other expenses in connection with claims which  arise
out  of such persons' having served in such capacities and pertain to matters or
facts arising, existing or  occurring before the  Merger becomes effective.  The
Merger  Agreement  also requires  FBS to  use  its best  efforts to  maintain in
effect, for  three  years after  the  Merger becomes  effective,  officers'  and
directors'  liability insurance  with respect  to claims  arising from  facts or
events which occurred before  the Merger became effective  of at least the  same
coverage  and amounts, and containing terms and conditions no less advantageous,
as the coverage currently  provided by MFC, subject  to a stated maximum  annual
premium. Additionally, MFC has entered into indemnification agreements with each
of  its directors and  executive officers which  FBS is obligated  to honor. See
"The Merger--Interests  of Certain  Persons in  the Merger--Indemnification  and
Insurance."
    

   
    DIRECTORS'  RETIREMENT PLAN.  The Merger  Agreement provides  that MFC shall
calculate and  pay in  cash on  the effective  date of  the Merger  all  amounts
reasonably  estimated  to be  owing  to any  MFC  director pursuant  to  the MFC
Directors' Retirement  Plan,  including any  estimated  tax "gross  up"  payment
payable  as  provided therein.  To the  extent  that any  such gross  up payment
remains payable  after the  effective date  of  the Merger,  FBS has  agreed  to
promptly  pay such amounts  in full in  accordance with the  terms of such plan.
Under such  arrangements,  the following  MFC  directors would  be  entitled  to
receive the aggregate amounts indicated (excluding tax "gross-up" payments) upon
closing  of  the Merger,  based  on the  current  annual retainers  and assuming
closing occurs on  December 31, 1994:  William O. Nilles,  $405,868; Charles  D.
Kalil,  $306,531;  Trueman E.  Tryhus,  $416,992; R.  Douglas  Larsen, $431,046;
William Marcil, $206,474; Lawrence Davis, $145,862; Karol D. Emmerich,  $59,605;
and  Steven D. Rothmeier, $38,185. The  aggregate of all such payments, assuming
consummation of the Merger occurs on December 31, 1994, is $2,010,563. See  "The
Merger--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger-- Director Retirement Plan."
    

OPINION OF FBS FINANCIAL ADVISER

    FBS'  financial  adviser,  J.P.  Morgan Securities  Inc.,  has  rendered its
opinion to the FBS Board of Directors that the exchange ratio is fair to holders
of FBS Common  Stock from a  financial point of  view. A copy  of such  opinion,
dated  July 25, 1994 is attached hereto as  Appendix D and should be read in its
entirety with  respect to  the assumptions  made, other  matters considered  and
limitations on the reviews undertaken.

OPINIONS OF MFC FINANCIAL ADVISERS

   
    MFC's   financial  advisers,  Dain   Bosworth  Incorporated  and  Montgomery
Securities, have each rendered their opinion to the MFC Board of Directors  that
the  consideration payable in the  Merger to the holders  of MFC Common Stock is
fair from a financial point of view to MFC's common shareholders (other than FBS
and its affiliates). A  copy of the Dain  Bosworth Incorporated opinion of  July
21,  1994  is  attached  as Appendix  B  hereto  and a  copy  of  the Montgomery
Securities opinion dated July 20, 1994 is attached as Appendix C hereto. The MFC
Board of Directors  sought the opinion  of both Dain  Bosworth Incorporated  and
Montgomery  Securities to  ensure that it  received the  best possible financial
advice in connection with a transaction  as significant to the MFC  shareholders
as  the Merger. Each opinion should be read  in its entirety with respect to the
assumptions made,  other  matters  considered and  limitations  on  the  reviews
undertaken.
    

LIMITATION ON NEGOTIATIONS; OPTION GRANTED TO FBS; TERMINATION FEE

    The  Merger Agreement  provides that  MFC (including  its subsidiaries) will
not, and will cause its  officers, directors, employees, agents and  affiliates,
not  to,  directly  or  indirectly, solicit,  authorize,  initiate  or encourage
submission of, any  proposal, offer,  tender offer  or exchange  offer from  any
person  or entity (including officers or  employees of MFC or such subsidiaries)
relating   to   any   liquidation,   dissolution,   recapitalization,    merger,
consolidation  or acquisition or  purchase of all  or a material  portion of the
assets or deposits of, or any equity interest in,

                                       9
<PAGE>
MFC or any  of its  subsidiaries, or, unless  MFC shall  have determined,  after
receipt of a written opinion of counsel to MFC (a copy of which opinion shall be
delivered to FBS), that the Board of Directors of MFC has a fiduciary duty to do
so,  (i) participate in any negotiations in connection with or in furtherance of
any of  the  foregoing  or  (ii)  permit any  person  other  than  FBS  and  its
representatives  to have  any access  to the  facilities of,  or furnish  to any
person other than FBS  and its representatives  any non-public information  with
respect  to, MFC or any of its subsidiaries in connection with or in furtherance
of any of the foregoing. See "The Merger--Limitation on Negotiations."

    Simultaneously with, and  as a  condition to,  the execution  of the  Merger
Agreement,  MFC granted FBS an option  (the "Option") to purchase authorized but
unissued or treasury shares of MFC Common Stock in a number approximately  equal
to  19.9% of the  number of shares  of MFC Common  Stock outstanding immediately
before exercise of the Option.  The exercise price of  the Option is $24.66  per
share,  subject  to  adjustment  under specified  circumstances.  The  Option is
exercisable only upon the occurrence  of specified events relating generally  to
the  making by  third parties of  offers to  acquire MFC and  the acquisition by
third parties  of  specified  percentages  of MFC  Common  Stock.  To  the  best
knowledge  of MFC  and FBS, no  event giving rise  to the right  to exercise the
Option has occurred as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. See  "The
Merger--Option Granted to FBS."

   
    If  the Merger Agreement is terminated by MFC  by reason of the failure of a
condition with respect to  receipt of a financial  adviser's opinion, by MFC  or
FBS  in connection with certain third party offers to acquire MFC or by FBS as a
result of the failure of a condition to consummation of the transaction relating
to the  accuracy of  the representations  and warranties  of MFC  in the  Merger
Agreement  and  the  compliance of  MFC  to perform  its  obligations thereunder
because of the willful and material  breach by MFC of any obligation,  agreement
or  covenant referred  to therein, then  MFC is  required to pay  to FBS, within
three business  days of  such  termination, a  termination fee  of  $35,000,000.
Pursuant to the terms of the Option, FBS would be obligated to reimburse MFC for
all or a portion of the termination fee paid by MFC in an amount generally equal
to  the  cash value  received  by FBS  (net  of commissions,  fees, underwriting
discounts,  costs  and  expenses)  upon   the  disposition  (including  an   MFC
repurchase)  of the Option  or the Option  shares. See "The Merger--Termination"
and "--Option Granted to FBS."
    

    The foregoing  provisions  may have  the  effect of  discouraging  competing
offers to acquire or merge with MFC.

REGULATORY APPROVALS REQUIRED

   
    The Merger is subject to the prior approval of the Board of Governors of the
Federal  Reserve System  (the "Federal  Reserve Board")  under the  Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as  amended, and by the  Office of Thrift Supervision  (the
"OTS")  under the Home  Owners' Loan Act.  After submission and  review in draft
form, the  formal Federal  Reserve Board  Application was  submitted by  FBS  on
September  9, 1994 and  FBS supplemented the application  on September 30, 1994,
October 4,  1994 and  October 13,  1994.  The application  was accepted  by  the
Federal  Reserve Board for  processing on October 12,  1994. The OTS application
was submitted on September 6, 1994. There  can be no assurance that the  Federal
Reserve  Board or  the OTS will  approve the  Merger or as  to the  date of such
regulatory approval. See "The Merger--Regulatory Approvals Required."
    

CONDITIONS, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT, AND TERMINATION

    The respective  obligations of  FBS and  MFC to  consummate the  Merger  are
subject  to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among others, (i)
the receipt of  all required regulatory  approvals with respect  to the  Merger,
(ii)  the  approval  of the  Merger  Agreement  by the  requisite  votes  of FBS
shareholders and MFC shareholders, (iii) no event shall have occurred which,  in
the  reasonable opinion  of FBS  and concurred  in by  Ernst &  Young LLP, would
prevent the Merger from being accounted for  as a pooling of interests, and  FBS
shall  have received  from Ernst &  Young LLP  an opinion that  the Merger shall
qualify as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes and (iv) certain other
conditions customary  in  transactions of  this  kind.  A failure  of  any  such
conditions  to be  satisfied, if not  waived, would prevent  consummation of the
Merger. If an event occurred which

                                       10
<PAGE>
precluded pooling of interests accounting treatment and the condition  requiring
such  treatment were proposed  to be waived (which  is not anticipated), proxies
from FBS and  MFC shareholders  would be  resolicited with  updated revised  pro
forma  financial statements. See "The  Merger--Conditions to Consummation of the
Merger."

   
    At any time  before the Merger  becomes effective, any  party to the  Merger
Agreement  may (i) extend the  time for performance of  any obligations or other
acts of any other party under the Merger Agreement or (ii) waive compliance with
any agreements contained in the Merger  Agreement of any other party thereto  or
with any conditions contained therein to its own obligations, to the extent that
such obligations, agreements and conditions are intended for its own benefit. In
addition,  the Merger Agreement  may be amended by  written instrument signed on
behalf of  each of  the parties  thereto. The  Merger Agreement  may be  amended
without  the approval  of FBS shareholders  or MFC shareholders,  except that no
such amendment  will be  made  following approval  and  adoption of  the  Merger
Agreement by FBS shareholders and MFC shareholders if such amendment changes the
number  of shares of  FBS Common Stock for  which the MFC Common  Stock is to be
exchanged  or  otherwise  materially  adversely  affects  the  rights  of   such
shareholders. See "The Merger--Waiver and Amendment."
    

    The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time before the Merger becomes
effective  (i) by mutual consent of  FBS and MFC; (ii) by  either FBS or MFC, if
any of the conditions to such party's obligation to consummate the  transactions
contemplated  in the Merger  Agreement shall have  become impossible to satisfy;
(iii) by  either  FBS  or MFC,  if  the  Merger  is not  duly  approved  by  the
shareholders  of MFC  and the  shareholders of FBS;  (iv) by  FBS or  MFC if the
Merger has not  become effective  on or before  September 30,  1995 (unless  the
failure  to consummate  the Merger by  such date shall  be due to  the action or
failure to act of the party seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement in  breach
of  such party's obligations under such agreement); (v) by either FBS or MFC, if
the Average Price is less than $29.50; (vi) by MFC if specified events  relating
generally  to the  making by third  parties of  offers to acquire  MFC occur and
MFC's Board  of Directors  determines that  such offer  is a  material  economic
improvement  to MFC's  shareholders when  compared to  the Merger  and that such
Board's failure to  recommend such  an offer or  accept such  proposal would  be
likely  to result in a breach of the directors' fiduciary duties (subject to the
expiration of a five business day period  after written notice of such offer  or
proposal  has been delivered to FBS); (vii) by FBS if any person (other than FBS
or any  affiliate of  FBS) shall  have commenced  a bona  fide tender  offer  or
exchange  offer to acquire  at least 20%  of the then  outstanding shares of MFC
Common Stock, or if the Board of Directors of MFC shall have withdrawn, modified
or changed its recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger; and  (viii)
by  FBS if there shall have occurred  specified events relating generally to the
making by third parties of  offers to acquire MFC  and the acquisition by  third
parties   of   specified   percentages   of   MFC   Common   Stock.   See   "The
Merger--Termination."

EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER

   
    The Merger will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of  merger
relating  thereto with the Secretary of  State of Delaware. The Merger Agreement
provides that the parties thereto will cause such a certificate of merger to  be
filed as soon as practicable after receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals
provided  that each  of the  conditions to consummation  of the  Merger has been
satisfied or  waived. The  Merger  cannot become  effective  until FBS  and  MFC
shareholders  have approved  and adopted the  Merger Agreement  and all required
regulatory approvals  and  actions have  been  obtained and  taken.  The  Merger
Agreement  may be terminated by  either FBS or MFC if  the Merger has not become
effective on or before September 30, 1995 (unless the failure to consummate  the
Merger  by such date shall be  due to the action or  failure to act of the party
seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement in breach of such party's  obligations
thereunder).  Thus, there can be  no assurance as to  whether or when the Merger
will  become  effective.  See  "The  Merger--Effective  Time  of  the   Merger,"
"--Conditions  to Consummation of the Merger," "--Regulatory Approvals Required"
and "--Termination."
    

EXCHANGE OF MFC STOCK CERTIFICATES

    Promptly following the Merger, First Chicago Trust Company of New York  (the
"Exchange Agent") will send a notice and transmittal form, with instructions, to
each  holder of MFC Common  Stock and MFC Preferred Stock  of record at the time
the Merger becomes effective  advising such holder of  the effectiveness of  the
Merger  and  of  the procedure  for  surrendering  to the  Exchange  Agent their
certificates  formerly  evidencing  MFC  Common   Stock  in  exchange  for   new
certificates  evidencing newly  issued FBS  Common Stock  and their certificates
formerly

                                       11
<PAGE>
evidencing MFC Preferred Stock in exchange for cash. MFC SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT
SEND IN THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES UNTIL  THEY RECEIVE THE NOTICE AND  TRANSMITTAL
FORM  FROM THE EXCHANGE AGENT.  See "The Merger-- Surrender  of MFC Common Stock
and Preferred Stock Certificates."

CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO MFC SHAREHOLDERS

   
    The obligations of both MFC and FBS to consummate the Merger are conditioned
on, among other  things, the  receipt of an  opinion of  counsel of  Oppenheimer
Wolff  & Donnelly,  counsel to MFC,  to the  effect that for  federal income tax
purposes (i) the Merger will qualify as a "reorganization" under Section  368(a)
of  the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as  amended (the "Code"), (ii) no gain or
loss will be recognized  by any MFC shareholder  (except in connection with  the
receipt  of cash) upon the exchange of MFC  Common Stock for FBS Common Stock in
the Merger,  (iii)  the  basis of  the  FBS  Common Stock  received  by  an  MFC
shareholder who exchanges MFC Common Stock for FBS Common Stock will be the same
as  the basis of the MFC Common  Stock surrendered in exchange therefor (subject
to any adjustments required as  the result of the receipt  of cash in lieu of  a
fractional share of FBS Common Stock), (iv) the holding period of the FBS Common
Stock received by an MFC shareholder receiving FBS Common Stock will include the
period  during which the  MFC Common Stock surrendered  in exchange therefor was
held (provided that the MFC Common Stock  of such MFC shareholder was held as  a
capital  asset as of the effective date of the Merger), and (v) cash received by
an MFC shareholder in lieu  of a fractional share  interest of FBS Common  Stock
will  be treated as  having been received  as a distribution  in full payment in
exchange for the fractional  share interest of FBS  Common Stock which such  MFC
shareholder  would otherwise be entitled to receive, and will qualify as capital
gain or loss  (assuming the MFC  Common Stock was  a capital asset  in such  MFC
shareholder's  hands at the  effective date of the  Merger). Oppenheimer Wolff &
Donnelly has delivered  to MFC an  opinion of counsel  to the foregoing  effect,
which  opinion is based upon various representations  and is subject to a number
of assumptions and conditions. EACH MFC  SHAREHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS  OR
HER  OWN  TAX ADVISER  CONCERNING  THE FEDERAL  INCOME  TAX CONSEQUENCES  OF THE
MERGER,  AS  WELL  AS  ANY  APPLICABLE  STATE,  LOCAL,  FOREIGN  OR  OTHER   TAX
CONSEQUENCES,   BASED  UPON   SUCH  SHAREHOLDER'S   OWN  PARTICULAR   FACTS  AND
CIRCUMSTANCES. See "The Merger--Certain Federal  Income Tax Consequences to  MFC
Shareholders."
    

RESALES OF FBS COMMON STOCK

    The  shares  of  FBS  Common  Stock issuable  to  shareholders  of  MFC upon
consummation of the Merger  may be traded freely  by those shareholders who  are
not  "affiliates" of MFC or  FBS. MFC has agreed in  the Merger Agreement to use
its best efforts to obtain signed  representations from each shareholder of  MFC
who may reasonably be deemed an "affiliate" of MFC (as such term is used in Rule
145  under  the Securities  Act) to  the effect  that (i)  such person  will not
dispose of  shares  issued to  him  or her  pursuant  to the  Merger  except  in
compliance  with Rule  145 under  the Securities Act,  in a  transaction that is
otherwise exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act  or
in  an offering registered under  the Securities Act, and  (ii) such person will
not dispose of, or in any way reduce his risk with respect to, shares issued  to
him  pursuant to  the Merger  until such time  as financial  results covering at
least 30  days of  post-Merger combined  operations  of FBS  and MFC  have  been
published  by FBS. See "The  Merger--Resale of FBS Common  Stock Received by MFC
Shareholders" and "--Accounting Treatment."

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

    FBS intends to account for the Merger using the pooling of interests  method
under  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The  obligation  of  FBS to
consummate the Merger  is conditioned on,  among other things,  no event  having
occurred  which, in the  reasonable opinion of  FBS and concurred  in by Ernst &
Young LLP, would prevent  the Merger from  being accounted for  as a pooling  of
interests,  and the receipt by FBS from Ernst & Young LLP of an opinion that the
Merger shall qualify as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes. In order
for the Merger  to qualify for  pooling of interests  accounting treatment,  FBS
Common  Stock  must  be  issued in  exchange  for  at least  90  percent  of the
outstanding  MFC  Common  Stock  and  several  additional  conditions  must   be
satisfied.  MFC Common Stock as to which cash is paid in lieu of the issuance of
fractional shares of FBS Common Stock, and  MFC Common Stock owned by FBS,  does
not  count  toward  this  90  percent. See  "The  Merger--Terms  of  the Merger;
Consideration to be  Received by MFC  Shareholders" and "Information  Concerning
the  MFC Special Meeting--Solicitation, Voting  and Revocability of Proxies." If
an event occurred which precluded pooling of

                                       12
<PAGE>
interests accounting treatment (which is  not anticipated) and the condition  to
consummation  of the Merger requiring such treatment were proposed to be waived,
proxies would be resolicited from MFC and FBS shareholders with updated  revised
pro  forma financial statements. See  "The Merger--Conditions to Consummation of
the Merger"  and  "--Accounting  Treatment" and  Unaudited  Pro  Forma  Combined
Financial Information.

DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF APPRAISAL

    Pursuant  to Section 262(b)(1) of the  Delaware General Corporation Law, MFC
shareholders will not have any dissenters'  rights of appraisal with respect  to
shares  of MFC Common Stock as  a result of the matters  to be voted upon at the
MFC Special Meeting. Pursuant to Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, holders of MFC Preferred Stock may elect to have the "fair value" of  their
shares  of  MFC Preferred  Stock (determined  in  accordance with  Delaware law)
individually appraised and  paid to them,  if the Merger  is consummated and  if
they  comply with Section 262 of the  Delaware General Corporation Law. See "The
Merger--Rights of MFC Dissenting Shareholders."

    FBS shareholders will  not have  any dissenters'  rights of  appraisal as  a
result  of the  matters to be  voted upon at  the FBS Special  Meeting. See "The
Merger--No Dissenters' Rights of FBS Shareholders."

MARKET AND MARKET PRICES

   
    FBS Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "FBS" and MFC Common
Stock is listed on  the NYSE under  the symbol "MFC."  The following table  sets
forth  the closing price  per share of  FBS Common Stock,  the closing price per
share of the MFC Common Stock and  the "equivalent per share price" (as  defined
below)  of MFC Common Stock as of (i) June 30, 1994, the last trading day before
FBS announced that it  had signed a  letter of intent to  acquire MFC, and  (ii)
October 17, 1994. The "equivalent per share price" of the MFC Common Stock as of
such  dates equals the closing price per share of FBS Common Stock on such dates
multiplied times .6803, which is the number of shares of FBS Common Stock to  be
issued  in exchange for  each share of  MFC Common Stock  pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, subject to certain adjustments. See "The Merger--Terms of the Merger;
Consideration to be Received by MFC Shareholders."
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     MARKET                        FBS COMMON      MFC COMMON     EQUIVALENT PER
                 PER SHARE AT:                        STOCK           STOCK         SHARE PRICE
               ------------------                 -------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>              <C>
June 30, 1994...................................    $  36.25        $   15.75        $   24.66
October 17, 1994................................    $  35.625       $   23.25        $   24.23
</TABLE>
    

FBS and MFC believe that MFC Common  Stock presently trades on the basis of  the
value  of the FBS  Common Stock expected to  be issued in  exchange for such MFC
Common Stock in the Merger, discounted for  the time value of money and for  the
uncertainties associated with any transaction. Apart from the publicly disclosed
information  concerning FBS which  is included and  incorporated by reference in
this Proxy  Statement/Prospectus, FBS  does not  know what  factors account  for
changes in the market price of its stock.

   
    MFC  shareholders are  advised to obtain  current market  quotations for FBS
Common Stock and MFC Common  Stock. No assurance can be  given as to the  market
prices  of FBS Common  Stock or MFC Common  Stock at any  time before the Merger
becomes effective or  as to the  market price of  FBS Common Stock  at any  time
thereafter.  Because the exchange ratio of FBS Common Stock for MFC Common Stock
is fixed within the range of Average  Prices from $33.00 to $40.50 and will  not
increase or decrease due to fluctuations in the Average Price within such range,
it  will not  compensate MFC  shareholders for  certain decreases  in the market
price of FBS Common Stock which could occur before the Merger becomes effective.
As a result, in the  event the market price of  FBS Common Stock decreases,  the
value  of the FBS Common Stock to be  received in the Merger in exchange for MFC
Common Stock would decrease, subject to certain limitations if the Average Price
is less than $33.00. In the event  the market price of FBS Common Stock  instead
increases,  the value of  the FBS Common Stock  to be received  in the Merger in
exchange for MFC Common Stock would increase, subject to certain limitations  if
the Average Price is greater than $40.50. MFC shareholders should note that each
of  FBS and  MFC may,  at their  respective options,  abandon and  terminate the
Merger Agreement  before it  takes effect  if  the Average  Price is  less  than
$29.50.  See "--The Proposed Merger" above and "The Merger--Terms of the Merger;
Consideration to be Received by MFC Shareholders" and "--Termination."
    

                                       13
<PAGE>
    Following the  Merger, MFC  Common Stock  will  no longer  exist and,  as  a
result, will no longer be listed on the NYSE.

DIFFERENCES IN RIGHTS OF MFC SHAREHOLDERS

    Upon  consummation of  the Merger, holders  of MFC Common  Stock will become
holders of FBS Common  Stock. As a result,  their rights as shareholders,  which
are   now  governed  by   Delaware  corporate  law   and  MFC's  Certificate  of
Incorporation and Bylaws, will  be governed by Delaware  corporate law and  FBS'
Certificate  of Incorporation and Bylaws. Because of certain differences between
the provisions  of  MFC's  Certificate  of Incorporation  and  Bylaws  and  FBS'
Certificate  of Incorporation and Bylaws, the current rights of MFC shareholders
will change after the  Merger. For a discussion  of various differences  between
the  rights of shareholders  of MFC and  the rights of  shareholders of FBS, see
"The Merger--Certain Differences in the Rights of MFC Shareholders."

                                       14
<PAGE>
                      COMPARATIVE UNAUDITED PER SHARE DATA

    The following table presents selected  comparative unaudited per share  data
for  FBS  on  a historical  and  pro forma  combined  basis,  and for  MFC  on a
historical and pro forma equivalent basis, giving effect to the Merger using the
pooling of interests method  of accounting. The  information presented below  is
derived  from the consolidated  historical financial statements  of FBS and MFC,
including the related notes thereto,  incorporated by reference into this  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.  This information should  be read in  conjuction with such
historical and pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto. See
"Incorporation of  Certain  Documents  by Reference"  and  Unaudited  Pro  Forma
Combined Financial Information.

    The  per share  data included  within is  not necessarily  indicative of the
results of the future  operations of the combined  entity or the actual  results
that  would have  been achieved  had the  Merger been  consummated prior  to the
periods indicated.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               FBS COMMON STOCK          MFC COMMON STOCK
                                                           ------------------------  ------------------------
                                                                         PRO FORMA                 PRO FORMA
                                                           HISTORICAL    COMBINED    HISTORICAL   EQUIVALENT
                                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
BOOK VALUE (1):
  June 30, 1994..........................................   $   18.74    $   18.92    $   15.74    $   12.83
  December 31, 1993......................................       18.09        18.92        15.79        12.87

DIVIDENDS DECLARED (2):
  Six Months Ended:
    June 30, 1994........................................        0.58         0.58         0.40         0.39
  Year Ended:
    December 31, 1993....................................        1.00         1.00         0.39         0.68
    December 31, 1992....................................        0.88         0.88         0.27         0.60
    December 31, 1991....................................        0.82         0.82         0.19         0.56

INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF
 CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (3):
  Six Months Ended:
    June 30, 1994........................................        1.71         1.63         0.81         1.11
  Year Ended:
    December 31, 1993....................................        2.39         2.48         2.01         1.69
    December 31, 1992....................................        1.18         1.52         2.34         1.03
    December 31, 1991....................................        1.79         2.05         2.42         1.39
</TABLE>
    

                                       15
<PAGE>
                 NOTES TO COMPARATIVE UNAUDITED PER SHARE DATA

(1) The pro forma combined book values  per share of FBS Common Stock are  based
    upon the pro forma total common equity for FBS and MFC, divided by the total
    pro  forma common  shares outstanding  of the  combined entity  assuming the
    conversion of the  MFC Common  Stock at the  exchange ratio.  The pro  forma
    equivalent book values per share of MFC Common Stock represent the pro forma
    combined amounts multiplied by the exchange ratio. See "The Merger--Terms of
    the Merger; Consideration to be Received by MFC Shareholders."

(2)  The  pro  forma  combined  dividends  declared  assume  no  changes  in the
    historical dividends declared per FBS common share. The pro forma equivalent
    dividends per  share  of  MFC  Common Stock  represent  the  cash  dividends
    declared  on a share of  FBS Common Stock multiplied  by the exchange ratio.
    See "The Merger-- Terms of the  Merger; Consideration to be Received by  MFC
    Shareholders."

(3)  The  pro forma  combined income  before  extraordinary item  and cumulative
    effect of changes in accounting principles per share are based upon the  pro
    forma  combined income  for FBS  and MFC, divided  by the  average pro forma
    common shares of the combined entity. The pro forma equivalent income before
    extraordinary item and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
    per share  of MFC  Common Stock  represents the  pro forma  combined  income
    multiplied  by the  exchange ratio.  See "The  Merger--Terms of  the Merger;
    Consideration to be Received by MFC Shareholders."

   
           FBS expects  to  achieve  operating cost  savings  primarily  through
    reductions  in staff,  the consolidation  and elimination  of certain office
    facilities, and the consolidation of certain data processing and other  back
    office  operations. No  adjustment has  been included  in the  unaudited pro
    forma combined  financial  statements  for the  anticipated  operating  cost
    savings.
    

          The FBS  results of  operations for the  year ended  December 31, 1993
    include merger-related charges  of $50.0  million ($0.44 per  share), on  an
    after-tax  basis,  associated  with  the  acquisition  of  Colorado National
    Bankshares, Inc.

         The  FBS results of  operations for  the year ended  December 31,  1992
    include  merger-related charges  of $81.8 million  ($0.78 per  share), on an
    after-tax  basis,  associated  with  the  acquisition  of  Western   Capital
    Investment Corporation and Bank Shares Incorporated.

                                       16
<PAGE>
           SELECTED HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

    The  following  tables set  forth  certain selected  historical consolidated
financial information for FBS and MFC, and certain unaudited pro forma  combined
financial  information giving effect to the Merger with MFC using the pooling of
interests method of accounting.  For a description of  the pooling of  interests
method  of accounting with respect to the  Merger and the related effects on the
historical financial statements of FBS, see "The Merger-- Accounting Treatment."
The historical selected  financial data for  the five years  ended December  31,
1993  is derived from audited consolidated  financial statements of FBS and MFC.
The historical selected financial  data for the six  months ended June 30,  1994
and  1993 is derived  from the unaudited historical  financial statements of FBS
and MFC and reflect, in  the respective opinions of  management of FBS and  MFC,
all  adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for
a fair presentation of such data. This information should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements of FBS and MFC, and the related notes
thereto,  included  in  documents  incorporated  by  reference  in  this   Proxy
Statement/Prospectus,  and in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma financial
information, including  the notes  thereto, appearing  elsewhere in  this  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.  See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference" and
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Information.

    The  pro  forma  combined  financial  information  included  within  is  not
necessarily  indicative of the results of  the future operations of the combined
entity or the actual results that would  have been achieved had the Merger  been
consummated prior to the periods presented.

                                       17
<PAGE>
                       HISTORICAL SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                  JUNE 30,                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            --------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)       1994       1993      1993 (3)     1992 (4)      1991       1990      1989 (5)
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
  Interest income.........................  $   818.4  $   835.9   $ 1,661.8    $ 1,681.3   $ 1,962.0  $ 2,377.8   $ 2,709.9
  Interest expense........................      240.8      277.9       528.9        686.2     1,055.2    1,553.2     1,874.7
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
    Net interest income...................      577.6      558.0     1,132.9        995.1       906.8      824.6       835.2
  Provision for credit losses.............       47.0       71.2       125.2        183.4       202.2      215.4       335.8
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Net interest income after provision for
    credit losses.........................      530.6      486.8     1,007.7        811.7       704.6      609.2       499.4
  Noninterest income......................      305.5      281.7       569.6        535.7       497.7      437.6       485.1
  Noninterest expense.....................      515.5      589.5     1,100.5      1,114.3       969.3      981.0     1,091.1
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Income (loss) before income taxes and
    cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles.................      320.6      179.0       476.8        233.1       233.0       65.8      (106.6)
  Applicable income taxes (credit)........      119.4       68.0       178.8         78.6        25.9        8.5       (19.8)
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Income (loss) before cumulative effect
    of changes in accounting principles...      201.2      111.0       298.0        154.5       207.1       57.3       (86.8)
  Cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles.................         --         --          --        157.3          --         --          --
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Net income (loss).......................  $   201.2  $   111.0   $   298.0    $   311.8   $   207.1  $57.3.....  $   (86.8)
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Average common and common equivalent
    shares................................      113.5      113.7       113.1        105.4       102.5       93.3        86.1

PER SHARE
  Income (loss) before cumulative effect
    of changes in accounting principles...  $    1.71  $    0.85   $    2.39    $    1.18   $    1.79  $    0.36   $   (1.23)
  Net income (loss).......................       1.71       0.85        2.39         2.67        1.79       0.36       (1.23)
  Dividends paid..........................       0.58       0.50        1.00         0.88        0.82       0.82        1.44
  Common shareholders' equity.............      18.74      17.25       18.09        17.09       14.37      13.22       13.52

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD
 END
  Assets..................................  $  25,932  $  25,580   $  26,385    $  26,625   $  23,851  $  24,804   $  27,229
  Securities..............................      3,863      4,153       3,319        4,196       2,841      3,406       4,047
  Loans...................................     18,704     17,964      18,779       17,076      16,365     16,829      19,546
  Deposits................................     18,917     20,366      21,031       21,188      19,145     19,378      20,436
  Long-term debt..........................      1,312        857       1,015          822         948      1,506       1,733
  Shareholders' equity....................      2,245      2,329       2,245        2,318       1,852      1,600       1,440

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AT PERIOD END
  Common shareholders' equity to assets...        8.3%       7.6%        7.5%         7.3%        6.2%       5.4%        4.3%
  Total shareholders' equity to assets....        8.7        9.1         8.5          8.7         7.8        6.5         5.3
  Tier 1 capital ratio (1)................        8.3        9.5         9.2          9.5         8.3        6.6         5.1
  Total capital ratio (1).................       12.6       13.0        13.3         12.6        11.3        9.7         8.2
  Allowance for credit losses.............  $     440  $     435   $     423    $     448   $     427  $     454   $     480
    Percentage of loans...................       2.35%      2.42%       2.25%        2.62%       2.61%      2.70%       2.46%
  Nonperforming assets (2)................  $     202  $     329   $     226    $     412   $     550  $     665   $     649
    Percentage of total assets............       0.78%      1.29%       0.86%        1.55%       2.31%      2.68%       2.38%

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA FOR THE PERIOD
 ENDED
  Return on average assets before
    cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles.................       1.59%      0.89%       1.17%        0.65%       0.90%      0.22%       (.30)%
  Return on average assets................       1.59        .89        1.17         1.32         .90        .22        (.30)
  Return on average common equity before
    cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles.................       18.9        9.9        13.8          7.3        13.1        2.8        (7.9)
  Return on average common equity.........       18.9        9.9        13.8         16.4        13.1        2.8        (7.9)
  Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent
    basis.................................       5.19       5.11        5.07         4.85        4.50       3.70        3.45
  Net interest margin without taxable-
    equivalent increments.................       5.12       5.03        4.99         4.74        4.34       3.49        3.20
</TABLE>
    

                See notes to historical selected financial data

                                       18
<PAGE>
                       HISTORICAL SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                       METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                          JUNE 30,                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    --------------------  -------------------------------------------------------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)               1994       1993       1993      1992 (4)      1991       1990       1989
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
  Interest income.................................  $   257.4  $   227.7  $   472.7   $   424.8   $   407.0  $   367.5  $   371.7
  Interest expense................................      148.7      133.2      274.6       272.2       301.9      291.8      305.9
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net interest income...........................      108.7       94.5      198.1       152.6       105.1       75.7       65.8
  Provision for credit losses.....................        5.6        3.9        7.8         8.3         8.0        6.0        6.4
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net interest income after provision for credit
    losses........................................      103.1       90.6      190.3       144.3        97.1       69.7       59.4
  Noninterest income..............................       41.1       36.7       88.5       113.7        88.8       64.2       67.9
  Noninterest expense.............................      101.3       93.8      192.3       147.9       124.1      108.6      113.4
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Income before income taxes cumulative effect of
    changes in accounting principles and
    extraordinary item............................       42.9       33.5       86.5       110.1        61.8       25.3       13.9
  Applicable income taxes (credit)................       16.3        3.1       21.3        42.6         4.4       (2.0)     (10.2)
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Income before cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles.........................       26.6       30.4       65.2        67.5        57.4       27.3       24.1
  Extraordinary item..............................         --         --         --        (6.3)         --         --         --
  Cumulative effect of changes in accounting
    principles....................................         --         --         --        75.9          --        1.0         --
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net income......................................  $    26.6  $    30.4  $    65.2   $   137.1   $    57.4  $    28.3  $    24.1
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Average common and common equivalent shares.....       32.1       31.2       31.7        28.4        21.6       18.8       18.9
PER SHARE
  Income before extraordinary item and cumulative
    effect of changes in accounting principles....  $    0.81  $    0.95  $    2.01   $    2.34   $    2.42  $    1.25  $    1.20
  Net income......................................       0.81       0.95       2.01        4.78        2.42       1.30       1.20
  Dividends paid..................................       0.40       0.19       0.39        0.27        0.19       0.17       0.15
  Common shareholders' equity.....................      15.74      14.96      15.79       14.15       10.51       8.52       7.91
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD END
  Assets..........................................  $   8,015  $   6,905  $   7,007   $   6,147   $   4,668  $   4,546  $   3,822
  Securities......................................      2,220      2,044      1,756       2,044       1,903      1,716      1,230
  Loans...........................................      5,241      4,292      4,689       3,454       2,379      1,967      1,698
  Deposits........................................      5,631      5,480      5,355       5,207       3,824      3,394      2,719
  Long-term debt..................................      1,110        672        890         298         277        368        397
  Shareholders' equity............................        503        473        504         427         279        226        189
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AT PERIOD END
  Common shareholders' equity to assets...........        6.1%       6.7%       7.0%        6.7%        4.7%       3.7%       3.7%
  Total shareholders' equity to assets............        6.3        6.9        7.2         6.9         6.0        5.0        4.9
  Core capital (1)................................       5.82       6.87       7.44        6.91        5.36       4.52       4.30
  Risk based capital (1)..........................      10.35      12.80      13.52       13.89       12.35      12.33      12.60
  Allowance for credit losses.....................  $      40  $      46  $      43   $      36   $      26  $      30  $      27
    Percentage of loans...........................       0.76%      1.07%      0.92%       1.04%       1.09%      1.53%      1.59%
  Nonperforming assets (2)........................  $      84  $     138  $     115   $      98   $     108  $      72  $      35
    Percentage of total assets....................       1.05%      2.00%      1.65%       1.60%       2.32%      1.58%      0.91%
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
  Return on average assets before extraordinary
    item and cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles.........................       0.71%      0.97%      0.98%       1.28%       1.25%      0.68%      0.60%
  Return on average assets........................        .71        .97        .98        2.61        1.25        .70        .60
  Return on average equity before extraordinary
    item and cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles.........................       10.6       13.9       14.0        17.0        22.8       13.8       16.0
  Return on average equity........................       10.6       13.9       14.0        34.6        22.8       14.4       16.0
  Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis...       3.08       3.25       3.21        3.13        2.44       2.02       1.75
  Net interest margin without taxable-equivalent
    increments....................................       3.08       3.25       3.21        3.13        2.44       2.02       1.75
</TABLE>

                See notes to historical selected financial data

                                       19
<PAGE>
                  NOTES TO HISTORICAL SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(1)  FBS capital ratios are  computed based on 1992  Federal Reserve Board rules
    and regulations.  MFC's historical  capital ratios  are computed  using  OTS
    guidelines  and  transition  rules  and  therefore  are  not  computed  on a
    consolidated basis,  but  pertain only  to  Metropolitan Federal  Bank  (the
    "Bank").  MFC's  risk-based  capital  ratio  is  the  ratio  of  the  Bank's
    regulatory capital to its risk-weighted assets.

(2) Includes non-accrual and restructured loans, other nonperforming assets  and
    other real estate owned.

(3)  The FBS results of operations for  the year ended December 31, 1993 include
    merger-related charges of $50.0 million  ($0.44 per share), on an  after-tax
    basis, associated with the acquisition of Colorado National Bankshares, Inc.

(4)  The FBS results of operations for  the year ended December 31, 1992 include
    merger-related charges of $81.8 million  ($0.78 per share), on an  after-tax
    basis,  associated  with  the  acquisition  of  Western  Capital  Investment
    Corporation ("WCIC") and Bank Shares Incorporated. The results of operations
    for that  year  also include  the  effect  of adopting  two  new  accounting
    standards:  Statement of  Financial Accounting  Standards No.  ("SFAS") 109,
    "Accounting for  Income Taxes,"  and SFAS  106, "Employers'  Accounting  for
    Postretirement  Benefits  Other  than Pensions."  The  cumulative  effect of
    adopting SFAS  109 was  an increase  of $188.9  million in  net income.  The
    cumulative  effect of adopting SFAS  106 was a decrease  of $31.6 million in
    net income.

    The MFC results  of operations  for the year  ended December  31, 1992  also
    include  the effect of adopting SFAS  109. The cumulative effect of adopting
    SFAS 109 was an increase  of $75.9 million in  net income. Also included  in
    MFC results of operations for 1992 was an extraordinary expense item of $6.3
    million  representing the  after-tax penalty  for prepaying  $525 million of
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

(5) The FBS  net loss  for the  year ended December  31, 1989  is primarily  the
    result of a large provision for losses on loans and writedowns of other real
    estate  owned recorded by  Bank Western, an  FBS subsidiary acquired through
    the WCIC acquisition completed in 1992, which was accounted for as a pooling
    of interests. Total provision and writedowns of $92.0 million were  recorded
    by  Bank Western  in 1989.  This was directly  related to  a severe economic
    downturn and resulting recession in Colorado, the Rocky Mountain region  and
    the  Southwest, which  in turn  led to declining  real estate  values in the
    regions. Financial results in 1989 also included a provision recorded by FBS
    for restructuring of $37.5 million.

                                       20
<PAGE>
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
          FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC. AND METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                     JUNE 30,            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               --------------------  -------------------------------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)                          1994       1993       1993       1992       1991
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA
  Interest income............................................  $ 1,075.8  $ 1,063.6  $ 2,134.5  $ 2,106.1  $ 2,369.0
  Interest expense...........................................      389.5      411.1      803.5      958.4    1,357.1
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net interest income......................................      686.3      652.5    1,331.0    1,147.7    1,011.9
  Provision for credit losses................................       52.6       75.1      133.0      191.7      210.2
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net interest income after provision for credit losses......      633.7      577.4    1,198.0      956.0      801.7
  Noninterest income.........................................      328.8      301.5      621.9      615.5      558.4
  Noninterest expense........................................      599.0      668.0    1,259.7    1,231.4    1,065.4
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Income before income taxes, extraordinary item and
    cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles....      363.5      210.9      560.2      340.1      294.7
  Applicable income taxes....................................      135.6       70.4      198.6      119.8       30.3
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
    changes in accounting principles.........................      227.9      140.5      361.6      220.3      264.4
  Extraordinary item.........................................         --         --         --       (6.3)        --
  Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles......         --         --         --      233.2         --
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Net income.................................................  $   227.9  $   140.5  $   361.6  $   447.2  $   264.4
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Average common and common equivalent shares................      135.3      134.9      134.6      124.7      117.3

PER SHARE
  Income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
    changes in accounting principles.........................  $    1.63  $    0.93  $    2.48  $    1.52  $    2.05
  Net income.................................................       1.63       0.93       2.48       3.34       2.05
  Dividends paid.............................................       0.58       0.50       1.00       0.88       0.82
  Common shareholders' equity................................      18.92      17.99      18.92      17.65      14.50
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD END
  Assets (1).................................................  $  32,975  $  32,485  $  33,392  $  32,772  $  28,519
  Securities.................................................      6,029      6,197      5,075      6,240      4,744
  Loans......................................................     23,945     22,256     23,468     20,530     18,744
  Deposits (1)...............................................     23,596     25,846     26,386     26,395     22,969
  Long-term debt.............................................      2,422      1,529      1,905      1,120      1,225
  Shareholders' equity (1)...................................      2,667      2,802      2,749      2,745      2,131
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA AT PERIOD END
  Common shareholders' equity to assets......................        7.8%       7.4%       7.4%       7.2%       5.9%
  Total shareholders' equity to assets.......................        8.1        8.6        8.2        8.4        7.5
  Tier 1 capital ratio (2)...................................        8.0        9.6        9.4        9.6        8.5
  Total capital ratio (2)....................................       12.2       13.1       13.4       12.8       11.3
  Allowance for credit losses (1)............................  $     494  $     481  $     466  $     484  $     453
    Percentage of loans......................................       2.06%      2.16%      1.99%      2.36%      2.42%
  Nonperforming assets (3)...................................  $     286  $     467  $     341  $     510  $     658
    Percentage of total assets...............................       0.86%      1.44%      1.02%      1.56%      2.31%

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
  Return on average assets before extraordinary item and
    cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles....       1.43%      0.90%      1.12%      0.76%      0.95%
  Return on average assets...................................       1.43        .90       1.12       1.55        .95
  Return on average common equity before extraordinary item
    and cumulative effect of changes in accounting
    principles...............................................       17.8       10.6       13.8        9.0       15.1
  Return on average common equity............................       17.8       10.6       13.8       19.8       15.1
  Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis..............       4.69       4.73       4.67       4.53       4.15
  Net interest margin without taxable-equivalent
    increments...............................................       4.64       4.66       4.61       4.44       4.01
</TABLE>
    

                See notes to historical selected financial data

                                       21
<PAGE>
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   
(1) The  pro forma  statements assume  that in  1994 MFC  will, consistent  with
    generally accepted accounting principles, establish such additional accruals
    and  credit loss reserves  as may be  necessary to reflect  the plans of FBS
    with respect  to  the  conduct  of  MFC's  business  following  the  Merger,
    including  the  anticipated timing  of and  strategies  with respect  to the
    disposition of problem assets, and to provide for certain costs and expenses
    relating  to  the  Merger.  Accordingly,  it  is  expected  that  additional
    credit-related reserves of approximately $14 million will be established and
    accruals  aggregating approximately $67 million  will be recorded to reflect
    specific expenses  and  identified  restructuring  charges  expected  to  be
    incurred within one year of closing. The amount of the adjustments discussed
    are  preliminary estimates. The actual amount  of the adjustments to be made
    by MFC will  be based on  information available  at that time  and could  be
    different from the estimates. These adjustments are not reflected in the pro
    forma  combined statements  of income  as they  are not  expected to  have a
    continuing impact on FBS. In addition  to these adjustments, FBS expects  to
    take the following actions:
    

   
        (a)  Subsequent  to  the  merger,  FBS  proposes  to  sell  the  deposit
          relationships  associated   with   approximately  60   excess   branch
          locations. In addition, certain fixed assets which are used to service
          those  deposit relationships will be sold.  Earning assets will not be
          sold.
    

   
        (b) Because  of regulatory  restrictions on  nonbanking activities,  FBS
          expects  that within two years  of the closing of  the merger, it will
          sell Edina Realty, Inc., MFC's real estate brokerage subsidiary.
    

        (c) In conjunction with  the Merger, each of  the 488,750 shares of  MFC
          Preferred Stock will be converted into a right to receive $27.00 cash,
          plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares.

   
    The  pro  forma  amounts  reflect the  effects  of  these  transactions. See
    Unaudited Pro  Forma Combined  Financial Information  included elsewhere  in
    this   Proxy   Statement/Prospectus   for   additional   details   on  these
    transactions.
    

   
    In addition, FBS expects to achieve operating cost savings primarily through
    reductions in staff,  the consolidation  and elimination  of certain  office
    facilities,  and the consolidation of certain data processing and other back
    office operations. The operating cost savings are expected to be achieved in
    various amounts at various times during  the year subsequent to the  closing
    and  not  ratably over,  or  at the  beginning or  end  of, such  period. No
    adjustment has been included in  the unaudited pro forma combined  financial
    statements for the anticipated operating cost savings.
    

(2)  Capital ratios are computed  based on 1992 Federal  Reserve Board rules and
    regulations.

(3) Includes non-accrual and restructured loans, other nonperforming assets  and
    other real estate owned.

                                       22
<PAGE>
                 INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FBS SPECIAL MEETING

GENERAL

    This  Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to holders of FBS Common
Stock as part of the solicitation of  proxies by the FBS Board of Directors  for
use at the FBS Special Meeting to be held on [DATE], 1994 and at any adjournment
thereof.  This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and  the accompanying Proxy Card, are
being first mailed to FBS shareholders on or about [DATE], 1994.

   
    The principal purpose  of the FBS  Special Meeting is  to consider and  vote
upon  the proposal to approve  and adopt the Merger  Agreement, which sets forth
the terms  and  conditions of  the  Merger, and  the  transactions  contemplated
thereby. If the exchange ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share
of  MFC Common Stock increased, pursuant  to the adjustment described below, the
number of shares of FBS  Common Stock issued in  connection with the Merger  may
exceed  20% of  the FBS Common  Stock outstanding  prior to the  Merger. In such
event, shareholder  approval  of  the  Merger  Agreement  and  the  transactions
contemplated  thereby would  be required  by Delaware law  and the  rules of the
NYSE. Therefore, FBS is seeking shareholder approval of the Merger Agreement and
the transactions contemplated  thereby. Upon  consummation of  the Merger,  each
outstanding  share of MFC Common Stock will be converted into .6803 share of FBS
Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments as described below, with cash  paid
in  lieu of  fractional shares.  Notwithstanding the  foregoing, if  the Average
Price is less than $33.00, then the exchange ratio of .6803 share of FBS  Common
Stock  for each share of MFC Common  Stock will be adjusted by multiplying .6803
by the quotient of (i)  $33.00 divided by (ii) the  Average Price. Thus, if  the
Average  Price is less than $33.00, the exchange ratio would increase and result
in the receipt by MFC shareholders of more than .6803 share of FBS Common  Stock
for each share of MFC Common Stock. If the Average Price is greater than $40.50,
then the exchange ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC
Common Stock will be adjusted by multiplying .6803 by the quotient of (i) $40.50
divided  by (ii) the Average  Price. Thus, if the  Average Price is greater than
$40.50, the  exchange ratio  would decrease  and result  in the  receipt by  MFC
shareholders  of less than .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC
Common Stock. MFC  shareholders should note  that each  of FBS and  MFC may,  at
their  respective options, abandon and terminate  the Merger Agreement before it
takes effect if the Average Price is less than $29.50.
    

    Upon consummation of  the Merger,  each outstanding share  of MFC  Preferred
Stock,  other than  shares as to  which dissenters' rights  have been perfected,
shall be  converted  into  the  right  to  receive  $27.00  in  cash,  plus  any
accumulated  and unpaid dividends on such shares  of MFC Preferred Stock to, but
excluding, the date the Merger becomes effective calculated as set forth in  the
terms of such MFC Preferred Stock, without interest, from FBS.

   
    Based  on the number  of shares of  MFC Common Stock  outstanding at the MFC
Record Date,  consummation  of  the  Merger would  result  in  the  issuance  of
20,897,422  shares of FBS Common Stock  to persons other than FBS (approximately
15.4% of the total number of shares of FBS Common Stock outstanding at September
30, 1994,  after giving  effect to  such issuance),  assuming no  adjustment  is
required with respect to the exchange ratio. Based on the total number of shares
and  rights to  acquire shares  of MFC Common  Stock outstanding  on such record
date, a maximum  aggregate of  22,644,943 shares of  FBS Common  Stock could  be
issued  to persons other than  FBS in the Merger,  or approximately 16.5% of the
FBS Common Stock  outstanding after  consummation of  the Merger  (based on  the
number  of  shares  of FBS  Common  Stock  outstanding at  September  30, 1994),
assuming no  adjustment is  required with  respect to  the exchange  ratio.  The
Merger  is subject to a number of  conditions, including the receipt of required
regulatory and shareholder approvals.
    

    In addition  to  approval and  adoption  of  the Merger  Agreement  and  the
transactions  contemplated  thereby, the  shareholders of  FBS  may be  asked to
approve a  proposal  to  adjourn  the FBS  Special  Meeting  to  permit  further
solicitation  of proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time
of the FBS Special Meeting to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement.

SOLICITATION, VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

    The Board of Directors  of FBS has  fixed the close  of business on  [RECORD
DATE],  1994 (the "FBS Record Date") as the record date for the determination of
the shareholders of FBS  entitled to notice  of and to vote  at the FBS  Special
Meeting.  Accordingly, only holders of  record of shares of  FBS Common Stock at
the close of business

                                       23
<PAGE>
   
on such date  will be entitled  to vote at  the FBS Special  Meeting, with  each
share  entitling its owner to one vote  on all matters properly presented at the
FBS Special Meeting. On the FBS Record Date, there were approximately  [_______]
holders   of  record  of  the  114,803,786  shares  of  FBS  Common  Stock  then
outstanding. The presence, in person or by proxy, of not less than one-third  of
the  total number of outstanding shares of  FBS Common Stock entitled to vote at
the FBS Special Meeting is necessary to  constitute a quorum at the FBS  Special
Meeting.  Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the
total number  of outstanding  shares of  FBS Common  Stock entitled  to vote  is
required  to  approve and  adopt  the Merger  Agreement.  Under NYSE  rules, the
issuance of FBS  Common Stock as  contemplated by the  Merger Agreement must  be
approved  by a majority of  the votes cast at  the FBS Special Meeting, provided
that over 50% of the shares of FBS Common Stock entitled to vote do vote at  the
FBS Special Meeting. Approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement by holders of
FBS  Common Stock will also constitute the  approval required by the NYSE of the
issuance by FBS of  the shares of  FBS Common Stock to  be issued in  connection
with the Merger. Approval of the adjournment of the FBS Special Meeting requires
the  affirmative vote of at least a majority  of the votes cast, provided that a
quorum is present  at the  FBS Special  Meeting. If  an executed  proxy card  is
returned and the shareholder has abstained from voting on any matter, the shares
represented by such proxy will be considered present at the meeting for purposes
of  determining a quorum and for purposes  of calculating the vote, but will not
be considered to  have been voted  in favor as  to such matter.  If an  executed
proxy is returned by a broker holding shares in street name which indicates that
the broker does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on
one  or more matters, such shares will  be considered present at the meeting for
purposes of determining a quorum, but  will not be considered to be  represented
at the meeting for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to such matter.
    

   
    It  is  expected  that all  of  the  1,527,608 shares  of  FBS  Common Stock
(excluding shares subject to stock options) beneficially owned by directors  and
executive  officers of FBS and  their affiliates at the  FBS Record Date 1.3% of
the total number of outstanding shares of FBS Common Stock at such date) will be
voted for approval and adoption of  the Merger Agreement and for adjournment  of
the  FBS Special Meeting under the circumstances described herein. As of the FBS
Record Date, MFC and its directors  and executive officers and their  affiliates
beneficially owned [      ] shares of FBS Common Stock.
    

    If  the accompanying Proxy Card is properly  executed and returned to FBS in
time to be voted at the FBS Special Meeting, the shares represented thereby will
be voted  in  accordance with  the  instructions marked  thereon.  EXECUTED  BUT
UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
AND  FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE  FBS SPECIAL MEETING IF NECESSARY TO PERMIT
FURTHER SOLICITATION OF PROXIES. The Board of Directors of FBS does not know  of
any  matters other than those described in the notice of the FBS Special Meeting
that are  to come  before the  FBS Special  Meeting. If  any other  matters  are
properly  brought before  the FBS  Special Meeting, one  or more  of the persons
named in the proxy card will vote the shares represented by such proxy upon such
matters as determined in their discretion.

    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF  FBS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE  SHAREHOLDERS
OF FBS VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

   
    The  presence  of  a  shareholder  at  the  FBS  Special  Meeting  will  not
automatically revoke  such  shareholder's  proxy. A  shareholder  may,  however,
revoke  a proxy at any time prior to  its exercise by filing a written notice of
revocation with, or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to,
Michael J. O'Rourke, Secretary, First Bank  System, Inc., First Bank Place,  601
Second  Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302, or by attending the FBS
Special Meeting and voting in person.
    

   
    The cost of soliciting proxies for the FBS Special Meeting will be borne  by
FBS.  In addition to use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by
telephone or telegraph by directors, officers and employees of FBS, who will not
be specially compensated  for such  activities. FBS will  also request  persons,
firms  and  companies holding  shares in  their names  or in  the name  of their
nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy materials to and
obtain proxies from such beneficial owners. FBS will reimburse such persons  for
their reasonable expenses incurred in that connection. FBS has retained Morrow &
Co.,  Inc. to assist in  the solicitation of proxies  at a cost of approximately
$15,000 plus customary expenses.
    

                                       24
<PAGE>
                 INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MFC SPECIAL MEETING

GENERAL

    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to holders of MFC  Common
Stock  as part of the solicitation of proxies  by the MFC Board of Directors for
use at the MFC Special Meeting to be held on [DATE], 1994 and at any adjournment
thereof. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and  the accompanying Proxy Card,  are
being first mailed to MFC shareholders on or about [DATE], 1994.

   
    The  principal purpose of  the MFC Special  Meeting is to  consider and vote
upon the proposal to  approve and adopt the  Merger Agreement, which sets  forth
the  terms  and  conditions of  the  Merger, and  the  transactions contemplated
thereby. Upon consummation of the Merger,  each outstanding share of MFC  Common
Stock will be converted into .6803 share of FBS Common Stock, subject to certain
adjustments  as described  below, with cash  paid in lieu  of fractional shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if  the Average Price is  less than $33.00,  then
the  exchange ratio  of .6803 share  of FBS Common  Stock for each  share of MFC
Common Stock will be adjusted by multiplying .6803 by the quotient of (i) $33.00
divided by (ii)  the Average  Price. Thus,  if the  Average Price  is less  than
$33.00,  the exchange  ratio would  increase and  result in  the receipt  by MFC
shareholders of more than .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of  MFC
Common  Stock. If the  Average Price is  greater than $40.50,  then the exchange
ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC Common Stock will
be adjusted by multiplying .6803 by the  quotient of (i) $40.50 divided by  (ii)
the  Average  Price. Thus,  if the  Average  Price is  greater than  $40.50, the
exchange ratio would decrease and result  in the receipt by MFC shareholders  of
less  than .6803 share of  FBS Common Stock for each  share of MFC Common Stock.
MFC shareholders should note that each of  FBS and MFC may, at their  respective
options,  abandon and terminate  the Merger Agreement before  it takes effect if
the Average Price  is less than  $29.50. Upon consummation  of the Merger,  each
outstanding  share  of  MFC  Preferred  Stock, other  than  shares  as  to which
dissenters' rights have  been perfected, shall  be converted into  the right  to
receive $27.00 in cash, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares
of  MFC Preferred Stock to, but excluding, the date the Merger becomes effective
calculated as  set forth  in the  terms  of such  MFC Preferred  Stock,  without
interest,  from FBS. The Merger is subject  to a number of conditions, including
the receipt of required regulatory and shareholder approvals.
    

    In  addition  to  approval  and  adoption  of  the  Merger  Agreement,   the
shareholders  of  MFC may  be asked  to approve  a proposal  to adjourn  the MFC
Special Meeting to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event there are
not sufficient votes at the time of the MFC Special Meeting to approve and adopt
the Merger Agreement.

SOLICITATION, VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES

   
    The Board of Directors  of MFC has  fixed the close  of business on  [DATE],
1994  (the "MFC Record  Date") as the  record date for  the determination of the
shareholders of  MFC entitled  to  notice of  and to  vote  at the  MFC  Special
Meeting.  Accordingly, only holders of  record of shares of  MFC Common Stock at
the close of business on such date will  be entitled to vote at the MFC  Special
Meeting, with each share entitling its owner to one vote on all matters properly
presented  at  the MFC  Special  Meeting. On  the  MFC Record  Date,  there were
approximately [       ] holders of record of the 31,404,052 shares of MFC Common
Stock then outstanding.  The presence,  in person  or by  proxy, of  at least  a
majority  of the total number of outstanding shares of MFC Common Stock entitled
to vote at the MFC  Special Meeting is necessary to  constitute a quorum at  the
MFC  Special Meeting.  Under Delaware  law, the affirmative  vote of  at least a
majority of the total number of outstanding shares of MFC Common Stock  entitled
to  vote at the MFC Special Meeting is  required to approve and adopt the Merger
Agreement. Approval of the adjournment of  the MFC Special Meeting requires  the
affirmative  vote of  at least  a majority  of the  votes cast,  provided that a
quorum is present  at the  MFC Special  Meeting. If  an executed  proxy card  is
returned and the shareholder has abstained from voting on any matter, the shares
represented by such proxy will be considered present at the meeting for purposes
of  determining a quorum and for purposes  of calculating the vote, but will not
be considered to  have been voted  in favor as  to such matter.  If an  executed
proxy is returned by a broker holding shares in street name which indicates that
the broker does not have discretionary authority as to certain shares to vote on
one  or more matters, such shares will  be considered present at the meeting for
purposes of determining a quorum, but  will not be considered to be  represented
at the meeting for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to such matter.
    

                                       25
<PAGE>
   
    It  is expected  that all  of the  [          ]  shares of  MFC Common Stock
(excluding shares subject to stock options) beneficially owned by directors  and
executive  officers of MFC and their  affiliates at the MFC Record  Date (  % of
the total number of outstanding shares of MFC Common Stock at such date) will be
voted for approval and adoption of  the Merger Agreement and for adjournment  of
the  MFC Special Meeting under the circumstances described herein. As of the MFC
Record  Date,  FBS  beneficially  owned  686,100  shares  of  MFC  Common  Stock
(excluding  shares issuable to  FBS under certain  conditions as described under
"The Merger-- Option Granted to FBS"),  and directors and executive officers  of
FBS beneficially owned no shares of MFC Common Stock. FBS intends to vote all of
its shares of MFC Common Stock for approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement
and for adjournment of the MFC Special Meeting under the circumstances described
herein.
    

    If  the accompanying Proxy Card is properly  executed and returned to MFC in
time to be voted at the MFC Special Meeting, the shares represented thereby will
be voted  in  accordance with  the  instructions marked  thereon.  EXECUTED  BUT
UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
AND  FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE  MFC SPECIAL MEETING IF NECESSARY TO PERMIT
FURTHER SOLICITATION OF PROXIES. The Board of Directors of MFC does not know  of
any  matters other than those described in the notice of the MFC Special Meeting
that are  to come  before the  MFC Special  Meeting. If  any other  matters  are
properly  brought before  the MFC  Special Meeting, one  or more  of the persons
named in the proxy card will vote the shares represented by such proxy upon such
matters as determined in their discretion.

    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF  MFC UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE  SHAREHOLDERS
OF MFC VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

   
    The  presence  of  a  shareholder  at  the  MFC  Special  Meeting  will  not
automatically revoke  such  shareholder's  proxy. A  shareholder  may,  however,
revoke  a proxy at any time prior to  its exercise by filing a written notice of
revocation with, or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to,
Charles  D.   Kalil,  Secretary,   Metropolitan  Financial   Corporation,   1000
Metropolitan  Centre, 333 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, or
by attending the MFC Special Meeting and voting in person.
    

   
    The cost of soliciting proxies for the MFC Special Meeting will be borne  by
MFC.  In addition to use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by
telephone or telegraph by directors, officers and employees of MFC, who will not
be specially compensated  for such  activities. MFC will  also request  persons,
firms  and  companies holding  shares in  their names  or in  the name  of their
nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy materials to and
obtain proxies from such beneficial owners. MFC will reimburse such persons  for
their  reasonable expenses incurred in that  connection. MFC has retained Kissel
Blake Inc. to assist in the solicitation  of proxies at a cost of  approximately
$25,000 plus customary expenses.
    

                                   THE MERGER

    This  section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus describes certain aspects of
the proposed Merger. To the extent that it relates to the Merger Agreement,  the
following  description does not purport  to be complete and  is qualified in its
entirety by  reference to  the Merger  Agreement, a  copy of  which is  attached
hereto  as Appendix A and is  incorporated herein by reference. All shareholders
are urged to read the Merger Agreement and the other appendices hereto in  their
entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER

    The  past several years  have been a period  of significant consolidation in
the financial  services industry.  MFC has  been an  active participant  in  the
consolidation  process as  an acquiror.  Since its  conversion from  a federally
chartered mutual savings  and loan to  a stock  company in March  1983, MFC  has
acquired  all or  part of nearly  30 financial institutions.  In connection with
implementing its acquisition  strategy, the  executive management of  MFC had  a
number  of conversations  with at  least four companies  since the  fall of 1993
exploring the possibility  of a  merger and/or  acquisition. These  discussions,
however, were primarily concerned with the concept of a merger of equals between
MFC  and similar sized regional financial services companies. MFC's concept of a
merger of  equals  involved a  business  combination in  which  neither  merging
company would receive a significant premium for its stock.

                                       26
<PAGE>
   
    For  a variety of reasons, discussions with three of these companies did not
result in any significant analysis or follow through by executives or the  Board
of  Directors of MFC. However, in mid  May 1994, Norman M. Jones, MFC's Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, had serious discussions with the chairman and chief
executive officer  of another  large  regional thrift  holding company  about  a
possible  combination to be structured  as a merger of  equals. The structure of
that transaction seemed much  better timed and more  appropriate than the  three
that  had been  discussed previously.  On June  1, 1994,  Mr. Jones  and another
senior executive of MFC met with a number of executives of this institution.  At
this  meeting, MFC and this financial institution decided to proceed towards the
execution of a letter  of intent. On  June 2, 1994,  MFC retained Dain  Bosworth
Incorporated  ("Dain Bosworth")  as a financial  adviser in  connection with the
proposed transaction. Dain Bosworth was requested to analyze the transaction and
advise the Board of Directors concerning  the proposed transaction at a  special
meeting  of  MFC's  Board  of Directors  to  take  place on  June  10,  1994. In
connection with Dain Bosworth's preparations for the June 10, 1994 meeting,  Mr.
Jones  told Dain Bosworth that  in addition to the  discussions with three other
companies relative to a merger of  equals, he had had very informal  discussions
with Richard A. Zona, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of FBS, relative
to a business combination. Mr. Zona and Mr. Jones are friends whose relationship
goes  back nearly  15 years  in both a  personal and  professional capacity. Mr.
Jones told Dain Bosworth that the discussions were casual and very informal. Mr.
Jones did note, however, that if the  Board were ever serious about the sale  of
MFC,  as opposed  to a merger  of equals, he  believed that FBS  might have some
serious interest.
    

   
    At the special meeting  of MFC's Board of  Directors scheduled for June  10,
1994,  the Board was to consider authorizing the execution of a letter of intent
concerning this proposed merger of  equals. Management, MFC's legal counsel  and
Dain Bosworth were to make presentations concerning the proposed transaction and
Dain  Bosworth  was  prepared  to  deliver  a  fairness  opinion  concerning the
transaction. Before that meeting began, the chairman and chief executive officer
of the financial institution  with whom the merger  was contemplated called  and
informed  members of MFC's management that he and his board had reconsidered the
transaction and decided not to pursue it any further.
    

   
    Although the scheduled board  meeting was not held,  Dain Bosworth made  its
presentation  to the  directors. As  a part  of its  presentation, Dain Bosworth
presented three valuations of  MFC. The first was  as a stand-alone entity;  the
second,  as a participant  in a merger  of equals; and  the third, the valuation
that MFC might  receive in an  outright sale. See  "--Opinions of MFC  Financial
Advisers."  Members of the Board then discussed with Mr. Jones his views and the
views of management relative to the Dain Bosworth presentation.
    

   
    At a regularly  scheduled Board  meeting held on  June 28,  1994, a  special
committee  was formed  to discuss  ways of  enhancing shareholder  value through
appropriate means and was made up of Mr. Jones and the following members of  the
MFC  Board who are not  current or former employees  of MFC or its subidiairies:
Dr. Trueman  E. Tryhus,  R. Douglas  Larsen, Karol  D. Emmerich,  and Steven  D.
Rothemeier. Following the regular board meeting, this committee met. The outside
board  members asked Mr. Jones  if, in his view, it  was possible to achieve the
price that Dain Bosworth had suggested could  be obtained in a sale of MFC.  Mr.
Jones  stated that  he was not  sure, but that  if the Board  were serious about
exploring such an idea, FBS  would be the first company  he would talk to  given
FBS'  informal expression of interest in the past. This committee suggested that
that would be an appropriate course of action.
    

   
    On June 29, 1994, Mr. Jones met  with Mr. Zona. Mr. Zona confirmed that  FBS
had  more than a casual interest in  acquiring MFC and price was then discussed.
After some discussion,  it was determined  that an exchange  ratio ranging  from
.6803  to .7347 shares  of FBS Common Stock  for each share  of MFC Common Stock
(equivalent to a price of $25 to $27 per share of MFC Common Stock based on  the
closing  price of FBS Common Stock on  June 28, 1994) would likely be acceptable
to the parties. Mr. Zona and Mr. Jones also agreed to instruct legal counsel  to
prepare a letter of intent reflecting the terms of the transaction for review by
the  MFC and FBS  Boards. The determination of  the final amount  to be paid for
each share of  MFC Common  Stock was  to be based,  in part,  on additional  due
diligence  by FBS concerning MFC  prior to the execution  of a definitive Merger
Agreement.
    

                                       27
<PAGE>
   
    Later in the day on June 29, 1994, Mr. Jones informed the special  committee
about  his preliminary discussions with Mr. Zona. The special committee then met
on  Thursday,   June  30,   1994.  In   addition  to   the  committee   members,
representatives  of Dain Bosworth and outside  legal counsel were in attendance.
At this meeting, members of MFC's senior management, together with its legal and
financial advisors, reviewed with the special committee, among other things, the
background  of  the  transaction,  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  MFC's
directors  under relevant corporate law  and regulatory requirements and various
financial analyses of the transaction.  In addition, the committee reviewed  and
approved  the  terms  of  the letter  of  intent  between MFC  and  FBS.  At the
conclusion of the meeting, Dain Bosworth indicated that it expected it would  be
able to issue an opinion that the consideration to be received by holders of MFC
Common Stock would be fair from a financial point of view. Mr. Zona informed Mr.
Jones  early in the afternoon  that the FBS Board  of Directors had approved the
terms of the letter of intent. The letter of intent was executed shortly  before
3:00 p.m. on June 30, 1994.
    

   
    Following  the execution of the letter  of intent, FBS commenced an in-depth
due diligence  investigation  of  MFC.  Concurrently  with  this  due  diligence
investigation, officers of FBS and MFC, with the assistance of legal counsel for
FBS  and MFC, negotiated  the terms of  the definitive Merger  Agreement and the
Stock Option Agreement.  Based upon  the completion  of its  due diligence,  FBS
proposed  an exchange ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of
MFC Common  Stock,  subject to  certain  adjustments. See  "--Terms  of  Merger;
Consideration to be Received by MFC Shareholders."
    

   
    On  July 20,  1994, the  MFC Board  of Directors  held a  special meeting to
consider  the  Merger  Agreement  and  the  Stock  Option  Agreement,  and   the
transactions  contemplated  thereby. At  such meeting,  members of  MFC's senior
management, together with its legal and financial advisors, reviewed with  MFC's
Board  of  Directors,  among  other  things,  the  background  of  the  proposed
transaction, the potential benefits of the transaction, including the  strategic
rationale  for the  transactions, and a  summary of the  financial and valuation
analyses of the transaction and the terms of the definitive Merger Agreement and
Stock Option  Agreement.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  meeting,  Dain  Bosworth
delivered  its  oral  opinion  (subsequently  confirmed  in  writing)  that  the
consideration to be received  by holders of MFC  Common Stock and MFC  Preferred
Stock  would be  fair to such  stockholders from  a financial point  of view and
Montgomery Securities  delivered its  oral  opinion (subsequently  confirmed  in
writing)  that the consideration to  be received by holders  of MFC Common Stock
would be fair to such stockholders from a financial point of view. As  discussed
above,  the  consideration to  be received  by  MFC shareholders  was determined
through negotiations between MFC and FBS and not by Dain Bosworth or Montgomery.
See "--Opinions  of MFC  Financial Advisers"  for a  discussion of  the  factors
considered  and the analytical methods employed  by Dain Bosworth and Montgomery
Securities in  reaching such  conclusions.  The MFC  Board  of Directors,  by  a
unanimous  vote of those  directors present at the  meeting, approved the Merger
Agreement and Stock Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
    

    The Board of Directors of FBS approved the Merger Agreement and Stock Option
Agreement at a  meeting also held  on July 20,  1994, by the  unanimous vote  of
directors present. Officers of FBS and representatives of J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc.  made presentations at the  special meeting. See "--Reasons  of FBS for the
Merger; Recommendation  of  FBS  Board  of  Directors"  and  "--Opinion  of  FBS
Financial Adviser."

REASONS OF FBS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF FBS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    The Board of Directors of FBS approved the Merger Agreement by the unanimous
vote  of  all directors  present  at the  July 20,  1994  meeting. The  Board of
Directors of FBS believes  that the terms  of the Merger are  fair and that  the
Merger  is in the best interest of  FBS and its shareholders and recommends that
the shareholders  of  FBS vote  FOR  the approval  and  adoption of  the  Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

    In  reaching its determination to approve the Merger Agreement, the Board of
Directors of FBS considered a variety of factors, although it did not assign any
relative or specific weight  to the factors  considered. The factors  considered
included the following:

         (i)  The  acquisition  of  MFC will  expand  FBS'  retail  franchise in
    Minnesota, North Dakota,  South Dakota and  Wisconsin. The acquisition  will
    allow   FBS   to   leverage   its  existing   presence   in   these  states,

                                       28
<PAGE>
    providing  the   opportunity   to   realize   substantial   economies   from
    consolidation.   Significant  cost  savings  are  expected  to  result  from
    personnel reductions,  branch  and operational  consolidations  and  general
    reductions in corporate and administrative support functions.

        (ii)  The acquisition  of MFC  will allow FBS  to enter  four new states
    (Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming)  which fall into FBS' strategic  market
    area. The acquisition will provide FBS with a base in these states which can
    be leveraged through further acquisitions.

   
        (iii)  The acquisition  of MFC will  provide FBS access  to over 300,000
    additional households. While MFC has a high level of retail assets  relative
    to  other thrifts,  FBS' broader  product and  service offerings  will allow
    greater penetration of these households. Additionally, MFC is a  significant
    originator  and servicer  of residential  mortgages. The  acquisition of MFC
    will enhance the efficiency and increase the market share of FBS Mortgage.
    

        (iv) The Board of Directors  also considered information concerning  the
    financial position, results of operations and stock prices of MFC as well as
    the  prospective financial performance  of FBS and MFC  on a combined basis.
    See "--Opinion of FBS Financial Adviser." In addition, the Board noted  that
    the  acquisition of  MFC is  expected to be  accretive to  FBS' earnings per
    share beginning  in  1995.  The  Board also  considered  the  extensive  due
    diligence  review which had been conducted  by FBS personnel with respect to
    MFC's loan portfolio and operations.

   
        (v) In addition, the Board of  Directors considered the oral opinion  of
    J.P.  Morgan Securities Inc. delivered July 20, 1994, confirmed by a written
    opinion dated July 25, 1994, that the exchange ratio of FBS Common Stock for
    MFC Common Stock in the Merger is fair to holders of FBS Common Stock from a
    financial point of view. See "--Opinion of FBS Financial Adviser."
    

OPINION OF FBS FINANCIAL ADVISER

   
    The Board of Directors of FBS  retained the investment banking firm of  J.P.
Morgan  Securities Inc. ("J.P. Morgan") to render its opinion as to the fairness
to the holders of FBS Common Stock of  the exchange ratio of .6803 share of  FBS
Common  Stock  to be  paid for  each share  of MFC  Common Stock  (the "Exchange
Ratio") pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
    

    J.P. Morgan has delivered its written  opinion to the Board of Directors  of
FBS  to the effect that, as of July 25, 1994, the Exchange Ratio pursuant to the
Merger Agreement is fair to the holders of FBS Common Stock. The written opinion
confirmed the oral opinion delivered to the  FBS Board of Directors at its  July
20, 1994 meeting.

   
    A  copy of J.P.  Morgan's written opinion  dated as of  July 25, 1994, which
sets forth the  assumptions made, matters  considered and limits  on the  review
taken  is  attached as  Appendix D  to  this Proxy  Statement Prospectus  and is
incorporated herein by reference. FBS shareholders are urged to read the opinion
in its entirety. The description of the opinion set forth herein is qualified in
its entirety by  reference to the  full text  of such opinion  and letter.  J.P.
Morgan's opinion is addressed only to the Board of Directors of FBS, is directed
only  to the Exchange Ratio and does  not constitute a recommendation to any FBS
shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote at the FBS Special Meeting.
    

   
    In arriving at its written opinion dated  as of July 25, 1994, J.P.  Morgan,
among  other  things:  (i)  reviewed  the  Merger  Agreement,  the  Stock Option
Agreement dated July 21,  1994; (ii) reviewed MFC's  Annual Reports, Forms  10-K
and  related financial information for the five fiscal years ending December 31,
1989 through December 31, 1993, and MFC's Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March
31, 1994, and unaudited financial results  for the five month period ending  May
31,  1994; (iii) reviewed FBS'  Annual Reports, Forms 10-K  for each of the five
years ending December  31, 1989  through December  31, 1993,  and the  Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 1994; (iv) held discussions
with  members of  the senior  management of  MFC and  FBS regarding  the Merger,
certain aspects of past and current business operations, financial condition and
future prospects of their respective companies, and the effects of the Merger on
the financial condition and future prospects of FBS; (v) reviewed the historical
market prices and trading activity for the FBS Common Stock and MFC Common Stock
and compared  them with  those of  certain publicly  traded companies  which  it
deemed to be
    

                                       29
<PAGE>
relevant;  (vi) compared the financial terms  of the transaction contemplated by
the Merger  Agreement with  the financial  terms of  certain other  mergers  and
acquisitions  which it  deemed to  be relevant;  (vii) considered  the pro forma
effect of the Merger on FBS' capitalization ratios, earnings, and book value per
share; and  (viii)  reviewed  such  other financial  studies  and  analyses  and
performed  such other investigations and took into account such other matters as
it deemed necessary.

    J.P. Morgan has relied, without independent verification, upon the  accuracy
and  completeness of all of  the financial and other  information reviewed by it
for the purpose of its opinion. J.P.  Morgan also relied upon the management  of
FBS  and MFC as  to the reasonableness  and achieveability of  the financial and
other operating forecasts (and the  assumptions and bases therefor) provided  to
it.  In that regard, J.P. Morgan assumed  with FBS' consent that such forecasts,
including, without limitation,  projected cost savings  and operating  synergies
resulting   from  the  Merger  and  projections  regarding  underperforming  and
nonperforming assets, net charge-offs and the adequacy of reserves, reflect  the
best  currently available  estimates and  judgments of  such respective matters.
J.P. Morgan is not an expert in the evaluation of allowances for loan losses and
it has not made an independent evaluation  of the adequacy of the allowance  for
loan  losses of FBS or  MFC nor has it reviewed  any individual credit files. In
addition, J.P. Morgan has not made an independent evaluation or appraisal of the
assets and liabilities of FBS or MFC  or any of their subsidiaries, and has  not
been furnished with any such evaluation or appraisal.

    J.P. Morgan's opinion has been rendered without regard to the necessity for,
or  level of, any restrictions which may be imposed or divestitures which may be
required in the course of obtaining regulatory approvals for the Merger.

    Set forth below is a summary  of selected analyses performed by J.P.  Morgan
in reaching its opinion delivered on July 25, 1994.

    SUMMARY  OF  PROPOSAL.   J.P.  Morgan described  the  terms of  the proposed
transaction as reflected in the Merger Agreement, including the Exchange  Ratio.
Based  on the aggregate consideration  offered, using a July  19, 1994 price for
the Common Stock of FBS,  J.P. Morgan calculated the  price to market, price  to
book,  price to tangible book, price to  earnings, and price to asset ratios for
MFC. This analysis yielded a price to market multiple of 10.2%, a price to  book
multiple  of 1.59x, a  price to tangible book  multiple of 2.0x,  and a price to
earnings multiple of 13.1x  (based on MFC's net  earnings for the twelve  months
ended March 31, 1994).

    PRO  FORMA MERGER ANALYSIS.  J.P.  Morgan analyzed certain pro forma effects
resulting from the Merger.  This analysis indicated  that the transaction  would
result in earnings dilution per FBS Common Stock equivalent share in 1994 and an
earnings  pickup  per FBS  Common  Stock equivalent  share  in 1995  (based upon
projections provided by FBS  and giving effect  to merger synergies  assumptions
provided  by FBS). In this  analysis, J.P. Morgan assumed  that MFC performed in
accordance with the earnings forecast provided to J.P. Morgan by FBS management.

    DISCOUNTED DIVIDEND STREAM  ANALYSIS.   Using a  discounted dividend  stream
analysis, J.P. Morgan estimated the present value of the future streams of after
tax   cash  flows  that  MFC  could  produce  through  2002  and  distribute  to
shareholders ("dividendable net income"). In this analysis, J.P. Morgan  assumed
that  MFC performed in  accordance with the earnings  forecasts provided to J.P.
Morgan by FBS' management and that MFC could pay out up to 100% of its  adjusted
net  income  with the  constraint that  MFC's  common equity  to asset  ratio be
maintained at a minimum level of  6%. J.P. Morgan estimated the terminal  values
for  the MFC Common  Stock using 2%, 3%  and 4% perpetual  growth rates for 2002
estimated net income as  projected by FBS. The  dividendable net income  streams
and  terminal  values were  then discounted  to  present values  using different
discount rates (ranging from 11% to 13%) chosen to reflect different assumptions
regarding the required rates of return  of holders or prospective buyers of  FBS
Common  Stock. This  discounted dividend  stream analysis  indicated a reference
range of between $25.90 and $34.20 per share of MFC Common Stock. This  analysis
was  based upon FBS' management projections,  which were based upon many factors
and assumptions,  many of  which  are beyond  the control  of  FBS and  MFC.  As
indicated below, this analysis is not necessarily indicative of actual values or
actual  future results and does  not purport to reflect  the prices at which any
securities may trade at the present or at any time in the future.

                                       30
<PAGE>
    ANALYSIS OF SELECTED  THRIFT MERGER  TRANSACTIONS.  J.P.  Morgan reviewed  a
number  of thrift merger transactions which  had occurred since January 1, 1993.
These transactions included mergers and  acquisitions of thrifts in the  midwest
for which the transaction size exceeded $50 million, and all thrift transactions
exceeding  $200 million  in value. J.P.  Morgan calculated the  price to market,
price to  earnings,  price to  book  value and  price  to asset  ratios  in  the
contemplated  transaction  and  such  selected  bank  merger  transactions. This
analysis, (using a July 19, 1994 price for FBS Common Stock), yielded a range of
price to market multiples of approximately 12.1% to 119.2% with a mean of  44.4%
and  a median of  39.0% (compared with a  price to market  multiple of 10.2% for
MFC), a range of price  to book value multiples  of approximately 0.85x to  2.1x
with  a mean  of 1.65x  and a  median of  1.67x (compared  with a  price to book
multiple of 2.0x for MFC using a July 19, 1994 price for FBS Common Stock) and a
range of price to asset  value multiples of approximately  6.6% to 20.0% with  a
mean  of 14.25% and a median of 14.85%  (compared with a price to asset multiple
of 10.10%  for MFC  using a  July 19,  1994 price  for FBS  Common Stock).  This
analysis  yielded an  overall imputed  reference range  per share  of MFC Common
Stock of $25.59 to $34.75, and of $25.90 to $36.21 based on the mean and  median
imputed range.

    No  company or  transaction used  in the above  analyses as  a comparison is
identical to FBS, MFC or the contemplated transaction. Accordingly, an  analysis
of  the results of the foregoing necessarily involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in  financial and operating characteristics  of
the  companies and other factors  that could affect the  public trading value of
the companies which  were compared. Mathematical  analysis (such as  determining
the  average  or  median)  is  not, in  itself,  a  meaningful  method  of using
comparable company or transaction data.

    COMPARISON OF SELECTED COMPANIES.  In  connection with the rendering of  its
opinion,  J.P. Morgan compared selected operating  and stock market data for MFC
to the corresponding  data of  Charter One Financial,  FirstFed Michigan  Corp.,
First  Financial Corp.,  St. Paul Bancorp.  Inc., Standard Federal  Bank and TCF
Financial Corp. (collectively,  the "Metropolitan  Composite"). This  comparison
showed,  among other things,  that (i) as of  July 19, 1994,  the ratio of MFC's
market price to its earnings per share estimate for 1994 was 10.6x, compared  to
a  mean of 8.5x and a median of  8.0x for the Metropolitan Composite; (ii) as of
July 19, 1994, the ratio of MFC's market  price to its book value per share  was
1.4x,  compared to  a mean  of 1.3x and  a median  of 1.2x  for the Metropolitan
Composite; (iii) for the twelve month period ending March 31, 1994, MFC's return
on average assets was 0.68%, compared to a  mean of 1.04% and a median of  1.01%
for  the Metropolitan  Composite; and  (iv) for  the twelve  month period ending
March 31, 1994, MFC's return on average equity was 9.68%, compared to a mean  of
15.77% and a median of 16.34% for the Metropolitan Composite. Earnings per share
estimates  used in this analysis were  the median Institutional Brokers Estimate
System ("IBES")  estimates as  of July  7, 1994.  IBES is  a data  service  that
monitors  and publishes a compilation of earnings estimates produced by selected
research analysts regarding companies of interest to institutional investors.

   
    The summary of the J.P. Morgan  Fairness Opinion set forth above provides  a
description  of the principal elements of  the analyses performed by J.P. Morgan
in arriving at its opinion. It does not purport to be a complete description  of
such  analyses.  The  preparation  of  a  fairness  opinion  is  not necessarily
susceptible to partial  analysis or  summary description.  J.P. Morgan  believes
that  its analyses and the summary set forth above must be considered as a whole
and that selected portions of its analyses, without considering all analyses, or
selecting all or part of the above summary, without considering all factors  and
analyses,  would create an incomplete view of the procedures underlying the J.P.
Morgan opinion.  In  addition,  while  J.P. Morgan  gave  the  various  analyses
approximately  similar weight it may have  used them for different purposes, and
may  have  deemed  various  assumptions   more  or  less  reliable  than   other
assumptions,  so that  the ranges  of valuations  resulting from  any particular
analysis described above should  not be taken  to be J.P.  Morgan's view of  the
actual  value  of MFC  or  FBS. The  fact that  any  specific analysis  has been
referred to in the summary above is not meant to indicate that such analysis was
given more weight than any other analyses.
    

   
    In performing  its  analyses, J.P.  Morgan  made numerous  assumptions  with
respect  to industry performance,  general business and  economic conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond the control of MFC or FBS. The  analyses
performed  by J.P.  Morgan are  not necessarily  indicative of  actual values or
actual future results, which  may be significantly more  or less favorable  than
suggested  by such analyses. Such analyses were  prepared solely as part of J.P.
Morgan's analysis of the fairness of the Exchange Ratio to holders of FBS Common
Stock, the
    

                                       31
<PAGE>
conclusions of which were provided to  FBS' Board of Directors. The analyses  do
not  purport to be appraisals or to reflect  the prices at which a company might
actually be sold or the prices at which any securities may trade at the  present
time  or  at any  time  in the  future. In  addition,  as described  above, J.P.
Morgan's opinion to the FBS Board of Directors is just one of many factors taken
into consideration by the FBS Board of Directors.

    J.P.  Morgan  is  a  nationally  recognized  investment  banking  firm  with
substantial  experience in  transactions similar to  the Merger  and is familiar
with FBS and  its business.  As part of  its investment  banking business,  J.P.
Morgan  is  continually  engaged  in  the  valuation  of  businesses  and  their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions.

    Pursuant to  its  engagement letter,  J.P.  Morgan  will receive  a  fee  of
$250,000  for  the delivery  of its  fairness  opinion letter  to FBS'  Board of
Directors. J.P. Morgan will also be reimbursed for its reasonable  out-of-pocket
expenses   incurred  in  connection  with  its  services,  including  reasonable
attorneys' fees  and  disbursements, and  will  be indemnified  against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the securities laws.

REASONS OF MFC FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF MFC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    The  MFC  Board of  Directors  has determined  that  the Merger,  the Merger
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement, including the exchange ratio, are fair
to, and in  the best interest  of, MFC and  its shareholders. In  the course  of
reaching  its determination, the MFC Board of Directors consulted with its legal
counsel with respect to the legal  duties of the Board, regulatory matters,  and
the  Merger Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement and issues related thereto and
with its financial advisers with respect  to the financial aspects and  fairness
of  the transaction, as  well as with senior  management, and, without assigning
any relative or specific weights, considered a number of factors, including  but
not limited to the following:

         (i)  MFC's  business,  results of  operations,  financial  position and
    prospects were it to remain independent;

        (ii) economic  conditions and  prospects for  the markets  in which  MFC
    operates in light of, among other things, intensifying competitive pressures
    in  the financial  services industry in  general and, in  particular, in the
    markets in which MFC operates;

        (iii) the  consideration  offered by  FBS  in the  Merger  Agreement  in
    relation  to the market value, book value  and earnings per share of MFC and
    the prospect for  a higher current  trading value for  shares of FBS  Common
    Stock  and better  prospects for  future growth than  if MFC  were to remain
    independent;

        (iv) the  management,  business,  results of  operations  and  financial
    condition of FBS;

        (v) the price obtainable for MFC's shares at this time compared with the
    risks involved and possible price available at a later time;

        (vi)  the expectation  that a business  combination with  the larger FBS
    would enhance MFC's competitiveness and  ability to serve its customers  and
    the communities in which it operates;

       (vii)  the  future prospects  of FBS  and  the anticipated  strengths and
    synergies (including  cost savings  and efficiencies)  anticipated from  the
    combination of MFC and FBS;

       (viii)  the expectation that the Merger will be a tax-free transaction to
    MFC stockholders,  MFC  and FBS  and  accounted  for under  the  pooling  of
    interests method of accounting;

        (ix)  the financial terms  of other recent  business combinations in the
    thrift industry;

         (x) the  financial  advice rendered  by  Dain Bosworth  and  Montgomery
    Securities  to the MFC Board of Directors  and the opinions rendered by Dain
    Bosworth and Montgomery Securities, described below, to the effect that  the
    consideration being offered in the Merger was fair from a financial point of
    view to holders of MFC Common Stock; and

                                       32
<PAGE>
        (xi)  the financial advice rendered by Dain Bosworth to the MFC Board of
    Directors and the opinion rendered by  Dain Bosworth to the effect that  the
    consideration  being offered in the Merger is fair from a financial point of
    view to holders of MFC Preferred Stock.

    In addition, the MFC Board of Directors considered the impact of the  Merger
on its depositors, employees, customers and communities.

   
    The  MFC Board of Directors also determined that the Merger is preferable to
the other  alternatives available  to  MFC, such  as remaining  independent  and
growing  internally or through future acquisitions, or remaining independent for
a short period  of time  with a  view toward being  acquired in  the future,  or
engaging  in a merger of equals transaction  with another party. As discussed in
greater detail under "--Opinions of MFC Financial Advisers," even if MFC were to
engage in an aggressive restructuring program,  the value realized per share  of
MFC Common Stock would be unlikely to be greater than between $20 and $23, which
may be less than the value of the consideration offered in the Merger. Remaining
independent  pending  a future  transaction did  not seem  advisable to  the MFC
Board, as the presentations of both  of MFC's financial advisers suggested  that
the  consideration  offered  by  FBS  in connection  with  the  Merger  was very
competitive with  the consideration  being offered  in comparable  transactions.
Finally,  a merger of equals would  likely involve an insignificant premium over
the then current price of  MFC Common Stock. In the  view of the MFC Board,  the
proposed  acquisition by FBS offered the  MFC shareholders a greater return than
could have been achieved in a merger of equals transaction.
    

    MFC's Board of Directors  also considered that the  structure of the  Merger
was  not designed to exclude  additional bona fide bids  to acquire MFC and that
under the Merger  Agreement and  Stock Option  Agreement the  Board retains  the
right,  if required in  the exercise of its  fiduciary obligations, to negotiate
with other  potential  bidders and,  if  another offer  constitutes  a  material
economic  improvement to MFC's stockholders compared to the terms of the Merger,
to accept such  offer and terminate  the Merger Agreement.  In this regard,  the
Board  was aware  that the  Merger Agreement provides  for a  termination fee of
$35,000,000  under  certain  conditions  and  that  FBS  would,  under   certain
conditions,  be able to exercise its option  under the terms of the Stock Option
Agreement. See "--Termination" and  "--Option Granted to  FBS." While the  Board
considered  that such provisions would likely  decrease the amount a third party
would be  willing to  pay to  acquire  MFC, the  Board was  aware that  such  an
agreement  was specifically bargained for by  FBS and was a necessary inducement
for FBS  to enter  into the  Merger  Agreement. In  addition, while  the  Merger
Agreement  prohibits MFC from shopping or soliciting another offer, the Board of
Directors did not believe  this was a  meaningful limitation. Specifically,  the
Merger  would be publicly announced and well  known and MFC would file a Current
Report on Form 8-K that would announce the Merger and contain as an exhibit  the
full  text  of  the Merger  Agreement.  As  a result,  any  party  interested in
approaching MFC would  have full access  to the terms  of the Merger  Agreement.
Further,  while the  Merger Agreement requires  MFC to take  action necessary to
convene a special meeting of MFC's  common shareholders and obligates the  Board
to use its best efforts to obtain necessary approval of shareholders, the Merger
Agreement   specifically   contemplates  that   the   Board  may   withdraw  its
recommendation that  the  shareholders  approve  the  Merger  Agreement  in  the
exercise of its fiduciary duties.

    The  MFC Board of Directors also believes that FBS is currently well managed
and possesses compatible management philosophies  and strategic focus, that  MFC
will   benefit  through  access  to  FBS'  business  strengths  resulting  in  a
well-diversified combined institution  and that the  enhanced capitalization  of
the  combined institution will allow it  to take advantage of future acquisition
opportunities which otherwise are unavailable to MFC.

    Finally, the MFC Board of Directors believes that the Merger will allow  the
combined  institution to compete effectively in the rapidly changing marketplace
for financial services  and to take  advantage of opportunities  for growth  and
diversification that would not be available to either MFC or FBS on its own.

    For  the reasons set forth above, the  Board of Directors of MFC unanimously
recommends that holders of MFC Common  Stock vote FOR the approval and  adoption
of the Merger Agreement.

OPINIONS OF MFC FINANCIAL ADVISERS

    MFC  has retained Dain Bosworth  and Montgomery Securities ("Montgomery") to
act as its financial advisers in connection with the Merger. Both Dain  Bosworth
and    Montgomery    have    provided    an   opinion    to    the    Board   of

                                       33
<PAGE>
   
Directors of MFC  as to the  fairness, from a  financial point of  view, to  the
holders  of MFC  Common Stock  of the  consideration to  be received  by them in
connection with the Merger, copies of which are attached as Appendicies B and  C
to  this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. In addition,  Dain Bosworth has provided an
opinion to the Board of  Directors of MFC as to  the fairness, from a  financial
point  of view, to the holders of  MFC Preferred Stock of the cash consideration
to be received by them  in connection with the  Merger. The consideration to  be
received by MFC shareholders was determined through negotiations between MFC and
FBS and not by Dain Bosworth or Montgomery. See "--Background of the Merger."
    

  DAIN BOSWORTH OPINION

    PRIOR ENGAGEMENT

    On  June 2,  1994, a  representative from Dain  Bosworth met  with Norman M.
Jones, MFC's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to discuss a proposed  merger
of  equals  transaction  with  a  large  regional  thrift  holding  company (the
"Proposed Merger Partner").  On June 3,  1994, the management  of MFC gave  Dain
Bosworth approval to begin conducting due diligence and preparing their analysis
in  order to be in the position to  provide an opinion to the Board of Directors
of MFC by June 10,  1994 as to the fairness  of the proposed transaction from  a
financial  point of view. Despite the decision  that morning not to proceed with
the proposed  merger, Dain  Bosworth provided  to members  of the  MFC Board  of
Directors on June 10, 1994 a financial analysis which looked at the valuation of
MFC  under  three  different  scenarios: (i)  remain  independent  and  begin an
aggressive restructuring program;  (ii) a  possible sale  of MFC;  or (iii)  the
proposed  merger of equals  with the Proposed Merger  Partner. Dain Bosworth did
not provide a fairness opinion in connection with this analysis.

    For purposes of its  analysis, Dain Bosworth  reviewed and analyzed  certain
publicly  available information relating to MFC and the Proposed Merger Partner,
as well  as  other  information  provided by  MFC  including  certain  financial
forecasts,  business  plans  and  internal  management  reports.  Dain  Bosworth
analyzed the historical reported market prices  and trading activity of MFC,  as
well as earnings, rates of return, capitalization, dividends, and other relevant
factors  associated with MFC. Dain Bosworth visited the headquarters and primary
facilities of  MFC and  the Proposed  Merger Partner.  Dain Bosworth  also  held
discussions  with members of the senior management of MFC regarding its past and
current business  operations, financial  condition  and future  prospects.  Dain
Bosworth  used the foregoing information to further its understanding of MFC and
the market for MFC  Common Stock. Dain Bosworth  also held discussions with  the
senior  management of the Proposed Merger Partner regarding its past and current
business operations and future plans in  connection with the integration of  MFC
and the Proposed Merger Partner in the contemplated merger of equals.

    The analysis performed by Dain Bosworth and described below was prepared for
discussion  purposes  only  and no  opinion  as  to the  attractiveness  of each
scenario was provided by Dain Bosworth to the MFC Board of Directors.

    REMAIN INDEPENDENT  AND  BEGIN  AGGRESSIVE  RESTRUCTURING.    Dain  Bosworth
assessed  the present values of  the future cash flows  that the business of MFC
could be expected to  generate over a  defined period of  time and the  residual
value  of  the  business  at  the end  of  the  projected  period,  assuming the
implementation of an aggressive restructuring  program by the management of  MFC
(the  "Stand  Alone  Analysis").  In preparing  the  Stand  Alone  Analysis, the
management of MFC  provided to  Dain Bosworth  its strategic  plan through  1998
which  outlined the  proposed restructuring program.  The proposed restructuring
program included, among other  things, the closing of  60 smaller branches,  the
continued  integration  of  the  recent  Rocky  Mountain  Financial  Corporation
acquisition, the acquisition and consolidation of a realty operation in addition
to Edina Realty, increased  emphasis on the development  of fee income  services
and the centralization of certain management functions to MFC headquarters.

   
    The projections were evaluated with respect to various assumptions regarding
discount  rates  and the  residual value  of MFC  at the  end of  the projection
period. The residual value was estimated using a multiple of book value  method.
Based upon the Stand Alone Analysis, Dain Bosworth estimated the valuation range
to be from $20.00 to $23.00 on a fully diluted per share basis.
    

                                       34
<PAGE>
    SALE  OF MFC.  In an effort to  estimate a value that the shareholders could
expect to receive in connection with the sale of MFC, Dain Bosworth reviewed and
summarized the  terms  of 50  selected  pending and  completed  acquisitions  of
thrifts.  These transactions were selected on  the basis of the comparability of
the acquired  thrifts to  MFC with  respect to  several factors.  These  factors
included  assets  size and  transaction  value. Dain  Bosworth  concentrated its
analysis on transactions that occurred during the trailing twelve months  period
beginning July 1, 1993.

    For  purposes of estimating  a potential purchase  price for all  of the MFC
Common Stock,  Dain Bosworth  calculated  valuation multiples  for each  of  the
selected  transactions  based  upon  several  variables  including  book  value,
tangible book  value  and  trailing  twelve months  earnings  per  share.  These
valuation  multiples were then  applied to the  financial results for  MFC in an
effort to arrive at an  estimate of the value  MFC shareholders might expect  to
receive  in a sale  transaction. The following  table lists the  results of Dain
Bosworth's analysis.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS           IMPLIED
                                                                                                 PER SHARE VALUATION
                                                          MFC             MULTIPLE RANGE                RANGE
                                                       PER SHARE   ----------------------------  --------------------
                                                        RESULTS         LOW           HIGH          LOW       HIGH
                                                      -----------  -------------  -------------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
Price/Book value multiple...........................   $   15.75          1.4x           1.7x    $   22.05  $   26.78
Price/Tangible book value...........................       12.94          1.6x           1.9x        20.70      24.59
Price/Trailing twelve months EPS....................        1.89         12.0x          14.0x        22.68      26.46
Price/Estimated Fiscal 1994 EPS.....................        2.00         10.0x(1)       12.0x(1)     20.00      24.00
<FN>
- ----------
(1)  Subjective estimate only.
</TABLE>

   
    Based on the  sale of  the business  analysis, Dain  Bosworth estimated  the
valuation range to be from $21.00 to $27.00 on a fully diluted per share basis.
    

   
    PROPOSED  MERGER OF  EQUALS.  Dain  Bosworth assessed the  present values of
future cash  flows expected  from the  combination of  MFC and  Proposed  Merger
Partner as a result of a merger of equals and the residual value of the business
at  the  end of  the  projected period  (the  "Merger of  Equals  Analysis"). In
preparing the Merger of Equals Analysis, the management of MFC provided to  Dain
Bosworth  its strategic plan through fiscal  1998, the Proposed Merger Partner's
estimate of future performance and a list of potential synergies which could  be
realized  through  the  merger of  equals  including,  but not  limited  to, the
consolidation of consumer and mortgage lending backroom functions, reductions in
administrative  and  corporate  staffs,  and  the  consolidation  of  management
information systems functions.
    

   
    The  combined projections were evaluated with respect to various assumptions
regarding discount rates and  the residual value of  the combined entity at  the
end  of the projection period. The residual value was estimated using a multiple
book value  method.  Based on  the  Merger  of Equals  Analysis,  Dain  Bosworth
estimated the valuation range to be from $22.00 to $25.00 on a fully diluted per
share basis.
    

    ENGAGEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER

    On  June 29, 1994, MFC again retained  Dain Bosworth to act as its financial
adviser in connection with the Merger and to provide an opinion to the Board  of
Directors  of  MFC  as to  fairness,  from a  financial  point of  view,  of the
consideration to be received by holders  of MFC Common Stock in connection  with
the  Merger. Following  is a  summary of the  procedures and  analyses that Dain
Bosworth performed in rendering such opinion  to the Board of Directors of  MFC.
No  limitations were imposed on  Dain Bosworth with respect  to the scope of its
investigation, except that Dain Bosworth was  instructed not to solicit and  did
not  solicit proposals from  other parties regarding the  acquisition of MFC. As
set forth in  its opinion, Dain  Bosworth relied on,  and did not  independently
verify,  the  accuracy, completeness  and fairness  of  the financial  and other
information furnished  to it  by MFC  and FBS.  Dain Bosworth  did not  make  an
independent  evaluation or  appraisal of the  assets and liabilities  of MFC and
FBS, and expressed  no opinion regarding  the liquidation value  of any  entity.
Holders  of MFC Common  Stock are urged  to read Dain  Bosworth's opinion in its
entirety for a description  of the procedures  followed, the factors  considered
and the assumptions made by Dain Bosworth in rendering its opinion.

                                       35
<PAGE>
    For  purposes of  its opinion, Dain  Bosworth reviewed  and analyzed certain
publicly available information  relating to  MFC, as well  as other  information
provided  by MFC including  certain financial forecasts  and internal management
reports. Dain  Bosworth  analyzed  the historical  reported  market  prices  and
trading  activity of  MFC Common  Stock, as well  as earnings,  rates of return,
capitalization, dividends and other relevant  factors associated with MFC.  Dain
Bosworth held discussions with members of the senior management of MFC regarding
its  past  and  current  business  operations,  financial  condition  and future
prospects.  Dain  Bosworth  used  the  foregoing  information  to  further   its
understanding  of MFC and  the market for  MFC Common Stock.  Dain Bosworth also
held discussions  with the  senior  management of  FBS  regarding its  past  and
current  business operations and future plans in connection with the integration
of MFC.

    In conducting the  review and  in performing the  analysis described  below,
Dain  Bosworth did  not attribute  any particular  weight to  any information or
analysis considered  by it,  but rather  made qualitative  judgments as  to  the
significance  and  relevance  of  each factor  and  analysis.  Accordingly, Dain
Bosworth believes that the information reviewed and the analysis conducted  must
be considered as a whole and that considering any portion of such information or
analyses, without considering all of such information and analyses, could create
a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying the opinion.

    ANALYSIS  OF  SELECTED PUBLICLY  TRADED COMPANIES.   Dain  Bosworth compared
MFC's financial information  and recent prices  of MFC Common  Stock to  similar
information  for selected  publicly traded midwestern  thrifts including: Anchor
BanCorp Wisconsin; Commercial Federal Corporation; First Federal Capital;  First
Financial  Corporation; Investors Bank  Corp.; St. Paul  Bancorp, Inc.; Standard
Federal Bank;  and TCF  Financial  Corp. (the  "Comparable Companies").  Of  the
thrifts  that operate in this region, the Comparable Companies were those public
companies determined by Dain Bosworth  to be most comparable  to MFC based on  a
number of criteria including asset size, capital ratios and asset quality.

    Dain  Bosworth calculated valuation  ratios based on  published stock prices
for each  of the  Comparable Companies.  The valuation  ratios were  based  upon
several  variables, including net  income for the  last twelve months, estimated
earnings per share ("EPS") for fiscal 1994, estimated EPS for fiscal 1995,  book
value  and tangible book value.  The estimates of EPS  were based upon consensus
earnings estimates  for  these  companies prepared  by  research  analysts  from
various investment firms as generated by a national reporting system.

    The  results of Dain  Bosworth's analysis of  the historical performance and
expectations for the Comparable Companies were  then compared with those of  MFC
and  the price of  its Common Stock  as follows: (i)  on June 30,  1994, one day
prior to the  announcement of the  Merger, based  on the closing  prices of  MFC
Common  Stock  on such  date;  (ii) on  July  19, 1994,  the  day prior  to Dain
Bosworth's presentation to the Board of  Directors of MFC, based on the  closing
prices of MFC Common Stock on such date; and (iii) as of the closing date of the
Merger  using an  exchange ratio of  .6803 shares  of FBS Common  Stock for each
share of MFC Common Stock, based upon a per share price for FBS Common Stock  of
$36.625,  the closing  price on  July 19,  1994. This  analysis was  intended to
provide the directors with  information regarding: (i)  the market valuation  of
MFC  Common Stock against  the Comparable Companies  prior to the  impact on the
price of MFC  Common Stock from  the announcement  of the Merger;  (ii) how  the
market  was  valuing  MFC  Common  Stock given  the  release  to  the  public of
information relative to the Merger; and  (iii) the value of the Merger  assuming
the  low end of the proposed exchange ratio outlined in the letter of intent and
the price of FBS Common  Stock on July 19, 1994.  The following table lists  the
results of Dain Bosworth's analysis of Comparable Companies:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                                              ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                COMPARABLE                                EXCHANGE
                                                                 COMPANIES      JUNE 30,     JULY 19,     RATIO OF
                                                                  MEDIAN          1994         1994         .6803
                                                              ---------------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>
Price/LTM EPS...............................................          8.9            8.4          12.0        13.2
Price/1994 estimated EPS....................................          9.1            7.9          11.2        12.3
Price/1995 estimated EPS....................................          8.2            6.4           9.1        10.1
Price/Book value............................................          1.27           1.00          1.42        1.57
Price/Tangible book value...................................          1.54           1.22          1.74        1.91
</TABLE>

                                       36
<PAGE>
    ANALYSIS  OF SELECTED  MERGER AND  ACQUISITION TRANSACTIONS.   Dain Bosworth
reviewed  and  summarized  the  terms  of  41  selected  pending  and  completed
acquisitions  of thrifts with assets  greater than $500 million  and a subset of
this list  which included  21  selected pending  and completed  acquisitions  of
thrifts with assets greater than $1 billion (the "Comparable Acquisitions"). The
Comparable  Acquisitions were selected on the  basis of the comparability of the
acquired thrifts to MFC with respect  to several factors, including asset  size,
capital  ratios and  asset quality.  Dain Bosworth  concentrated on transactions
that occurred since January 1, 1993, and those for which relevant financial data
was available.

    For purposes  of  evaluating  the  acquisition  of  MFC  by  FBS,  valuation
multiples  were calculated  for each of  the Comparable  Acquisitions based upon
several variables, including book  value, tangible book  value and net  earnings
for  the last twelve months. These valuation multiples were then compared to the
valuation multiples  proposed  by FBS  for  the  MFC Common  Stock  assuming  an
exchange  ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common  Stock for each share of MFC Common
Stock and a price per share of FBS Common Stock of $36.625 on July 19, 1994. The
following table  lists the  results of  Dain Bosworth's  analysis of  Comparable
Companies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  COMPARABLE ACQUISITIONS
                                                                      -----------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              MFC
                                                                       ASSETS GREATER    ASSETS GREATER    EXCHANGE
                                                                      THAN $500 MILLION  THAN $1 BILLION   RATIO OF
                                                                      -----------------  ---------------  -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>                <C>              <C>
Price/Book value
  High..............................................................          2.62x             2.01x
  Low...............................................................          0.65x             0.65x
  Median............................................................          1.49x             1.50x           1.57x
Price/Tangible book value
  High..............................................................          2.63x             2.07x
  Low...............................................................          1.08x             1.11x
  Median............................................................          1.63x             1.63x           1.91x
Price/LTM Earnings
  High..............................................................         32.2x             32.2x
  Low...............................................................          5.8x              8.6x
  Median............................................................         13.4x             13.4x           13.2x
</TABLE>

    PRO  FORMA  DILUTION  AND  CONTRIBUTION ANALYSES.    Dain  Bosworth analyzed
certain balance sheet and income statement data  for MFC and FBS for 1993 on  an
actual and proforma combined basis, and for MFC and FBS on a projected pro forma
combined  basis for fiscal years 1994 and 1995. The analysis showed, among other
things, that the Merger would result in  little if any dilution in earnings  per
share  of FBS Common Stock in fiscal year 1994, followed by an increase in fully
diluted earnings per  share of FBS  Common Stock for  fiscal 1995. The  analysis
showed  that, assuming a cost savings of approximately 30% projected by FBS, the
accretion to earnings per share  of FBS Common Stock  in fiscal year 1995  would
range  from 8.0% to 9.0%. The contribution analysis showed that the shareholders
of MFC would own 16.3% of the combined entity and contribute 15.2% of the income
of the combined entity for fiscal 1995, on a pro forma combined basis.

    DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS.   Dain Bosworth  performed a discounted  cash
flow  analysis using discount rates ranging from 10% to 20% and sets of terminal
values based upon  multiples of  1998 estimated  earnings ranging  from 9.0x  to
12.0x and multiples of 1998 estimated book value ranging from 1.30x to 1.70x. In
preparing  the discounted cash flow analysis,  the management of MFC provided to
Dain Bosworth its strategic plan through fiscal 1998. This plan incorporated the
continued  growth  in  non-thrift  assets,  including  the  residential   realty
brokerage  and title business, along with the  closing of a number of relatively
small branches. Assumptions were  made by MFC  in its strategic  plan as to  the
amount  of cash dividends distributed and  the number of options exercised under
MFC's existing stock option plan.

    This analysis resulted  in fully  diluted per  share prices  for MFC  Common
Stock  ranging from $16.69 to $31.35 using the 1998 estimated earnings multiples
and ranging from $14.97 to $27.19  using the 1998 estimated book value  multiple
to calculate the residual value.

                                       37
<PAGE>
    Dain  Bosworth  did  not  assign any  particular  weight  to  the individual
analyses described above, which  represents a summary  of the material  analyses
performed by Dain Bosworth. Dain Bosworth's determination regarding the fairness
of the transaction is not based on a mathematical model but rather upon the body
of information obtained from such analysis and qualitative factors.

    Based  on these analyses, Dain Bosworth rendered  an oral opinion to the MFC
Board of Directors on June 30, 1994 that the consideration being offered in  the
Merger  was fair  from a financial  point of view  to the holders  of MFC Common
Stock. In connection with the written opinion dated July 21, 1994, Dain Bosworth
also confirmed  the appropriateness  of its  reliance on  the analysis  used  to
render its June 30, 1994 oral opinion by performing procedures to update certain
of  such analyses and by  reviewing the assumptions on  which such analyses were
based and the factors  considered in connection  therewith. For Dain  Bosworth's
preparation  of a preliminary and final opinion to MFC's Board of Directors, MFC
has paid to Dain Bosworth a fee of  $650,000. In addition MFC has agreed to  pay
Dain  Bosworth a fixed fee in the  amount of $50,000 for each additional updated
opinion, if any, requested  by MFC's Board  of Directors. MFC  has also paid  to
Dain  Bosworth a fee of $75,000 for the  delivery of an opinion to the MFC Board
of Directors dated July 19, 1994 to the effect that the $27.00 plus accrued  and
unpaid dividends for each share of MFC Preferred Stock that is being proposed by
FBS  is fair from a  financial point of view to  such shareholders. MFC has also
agreed to reimburse Dain Bosworth for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses  and
to  indemnify Dain Bosworth against certain liabilities, including those arising
under securities laws.

    Dain Bosworth was selected by MFC on the basis of its experience in  valuing
securities  in connection with  mergers and acquisitions,  knowledge of MFC, and
expertise in transactions involving financial  institutions. Dain Bosworth is  a
nationally  recognized investment banking  firm and is  regularly engaged in the
valuation of  businesses and  their securities  in connection  with mergers  and
acquisitions,  negotiated underwritings,  secondary distributions  of listed and
unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and
other purposes. In the past, Dain  Bosworth has provided financial advisory  and
investment  banking  services to  MFC and  has received  customary fees  for the
rendering of such services. Dain Bosworth has from time to time issued  research
reports  and recommendations on  MFC Common Stock  and FBS Common  Stock. In the
course of its trading activities, Dain Bosworth  may, from time to time, have  a
long  or short position  in, and buy and  sell securities of,  MFC and FBS. Dain
Bosworth also periodically publishes research reports regarding other  financial
institutions.

  MONTGOMERY SECURITIES OPINION

    Pursuant  to an  engagement letter  dated July  7, 1994,  as amended  by the
letter dated  July 20,  1994  (together the  "Engagement Letter"),  MFC  engaged
Montgomery  to render an opinion with respect  to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, of the consideration to be received by the holders of MFC  Common
Stock  pursuant to the  Merger, as of the  date of the  opinion. Montgomery is a
nationally recognized investment banking and  securities brokerage firm and,  as
part of its investment banking activities, is regularly engaged in the valuation
of  businesses and their  securities in connection  with merger transactions and
other types of acquisitions,  negotiated underwritings, secondary  distributions
of  listed  and  unlisted  securities,  private  placements  and  valuations for
corporate and other purposes. MFC  selected Montgomery as its financial  adviser
on  the basis  of its  experience and expertise  in transactions  similar to the
Merger  and  its  reputation  in  the  financial  institutions  and   investment
communities.

   
    At  the  July  20, 1994  meeting  of  MFC's Board  of  Directors, Montgomery
delivered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed  in writing as of such  date,
that  the consideration  to be received  by holders  of MFC Common  Stock in the
Merger is fair to holders of MFC Common Stock from a financial point of view. No
limitations were imposed by MFC on Montgomery with respect to the investigations
made or  procedures  followed  in  rendering  its  opinion.  THE  FULL  TEXT  OF
MONTGOMERY'S  WRITTEN OPINION TO MFC'S BOARD  OF DIRECTORS, WHICH SETS FORTH THE
ASSUMPTIONS MADE, IS ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDIX C AND IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY
REFERENCE AND SHOULD BE  READ CAREFULLY AND IN  ITS ENTIRETY IN CONNECTION  WITH
THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF MONTGOMERY'S OPINION IS QUALIFIED
IN  ITS ENTIRETY  BY REFERENCE  TO THE  FULL TEXT  OF THE  OPINION. MONTGOMERY'S
OPINION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REPORT OR VALUATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF  SECTION
11  OF THE  SECURITIES ACT  AND SHOULD  NOT BE  ACCORDED THE  DEGREE OF RELIANCE
PLACED   ON    SUCH    REPORTS    AND    VALUATIONS.    MONTGOMERY    HAS    NOT
    

                                       38
<PAGE>
   
ASSUMED  RESPONSIBILITY  FOR PERFORMING  THE LEVEL  OF DILIGENCE  OR INDEPENDENT
VERIFICATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR IT  TO RENDER A REPORT OR VALUATION  FOR
PURPOSES OF THE SECURITIES ACT. MONTGOMERY'S OPINION IS ADDRESSED TO MFC'S BOARD
OF  DIRECTORS  ONLY  AND  DOES  NOT  CONSTITUTE  A  RECOMMENDATION  TO  ANY  MFC
SHAREHOLDER AS TO HOW SUCH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD VOTE AT THE MFC SPECIAL MEETING.
    

   
    Montgomery has informed  MFC that  in arriving at  its opinion,  Montgomery,
among  other things: (i) reviewed certain publicly available financial and other
data with respect to MFC and FBS including the consolidated financial statements
for recent  years and  the interim  periods ended  June 30,  1993 and  1994  and
certain other relevant financial and operating data relating to MFC and FBS made
available  to Montgomery from published sources and from the internal records of
MFC; (ii) reviewed  the form  of the  Merger Agreement;  (iii) reviewed  certain
historical market prices and trading volumes of the MFC Common Stock and the FBS
Common  Stock as reported by the New  York Stock Exchange; (iv) compared MFC and
FBS from a financial point of view  with certain other companies in the  banking
industry  that Montgomery  deemed to be  relevant; (v)  considered the financial
terms, to  the extent  publicly available,  of selected  recent acquisitions  of
depository  institutions that Montgomery deemed to be comparable, in whole or in
part, to the  Merger; (vi) reviewed  and discussed with  representatives of  the
management of MFC and FBS certain information of a business and financial nature
regarding  MFC  and  FBS, furnished  to  Montgomery  by MFC  and  FBS, including
financial forecasts  and  related  assumptions  of  MFC;  (vii)  made  inquiries
regarding  and discussed the  Merger and the Merger  Agreement and other matters
related thereto with MFC's counsel; and (viii) performed such other analyses and
examinations as Montgomery deemed appropriate.
    

   
    In connection with its review, Montgomery did not assume any  responsibility
for the independent verification of and assumed and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness  of all financial and other information reviewed by it for purposes
of its opinion.  With respect  to the financial  forecasts for  MFC provided  to
Montgomery  by  MFC's  management,  financial forecasts  for  FBS  obtained from
publicly available  sources and  FBS' future  strategy and  financial  prospects
provided  to Montgomery by  FBS, Montgomery assumed for  purposes of its opinion
that the forecasts,  including without  limitation, projected  cost savings  and
operating  synergies,  were reasonably  prepared  on bases  reflecting  the best
available estimates and judgments of MFC's  and FBS' managements at the time  of
preparation  as to the future financial performance  of MFC, FBS or the combined
entity, as the case may be, and  that the forecasts provided a reasonable  basis
upon which Montgomery could form its opinion. Montgomery also assumed that there
were  no material changes in MFC's  or FBS' assets, financial condition, results
of operations,  business or  prospects  since the  date  of the  last  financial
statements  made available to Montgomery. Montgomery relied on advice of counsel
to MFC  as to  all legal  matters with  respect to  MFC, the  Merger, the  Proxy
Statement  and  the Merger  Agreement. In  addition,  Montgomery did  not assume
responsibility for  making  an  independent evaluation,  appraisal  or  physical
inspection  of the  assets or individual  properties of  MFC or FBS  and was not
furnished with any such appraisals. In  particular, Montgomery is not an  expert
in  the  evaluation  of  loan  loss  or other  reserves,  and  has  not  made an
independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowances for loan losses of  MFC
or FBS, nor has it reviewed any individual credit files, and it has assumed that
the  aggregate  allowance for  loan  losses is  adequate  to cover  such losses.
Further, Montgomery's  opinion  was  based  on  economic,  monetary  and  market
conditions  existing on, and the information made available to Montgomery as of,
July 20,  1994  and  on  the  assumption  that  the  Merger  Agreement  will  be
consummated  in  accordance  with  the  terms  thereof,  without  any amendments
thereto, and without waiver by MFC of  any of the conditions to its  obligations
thereunder.
    

    In  connection with  rendering its opinion  dated July  20, 1994, Montgomery
performed a variety of financial analyses, including those summarized below. The
summary set forth below  does not purport  to be a  complete description of  the
presentation  by  Montgomery to  MFC's  Board of  Directors  or of  the analyses
performed by Montgomery. The preparation of a fairness opinion involves  various
determinations  as to  the most  appropriate and  relevant methods  of financial
analysis and the application  of these methods  to the particular  circumstances
and,  therefore,  such  an  opinion  is not  readily  susceptible  to  a summary
description.  Accordingly,  Montgomery  believes  that  its  analyses  must   be
considered  as  a whole  and that  selecting  portions of  its analyses  and the
factors considered by it,  without considering all  analyses and factors,  would
create  an  incomplete view  of the  evaluation process  underlying Montgomery's
opinion. In addition, Montgomery  may have given various  analyses more or  less
weight than other analyses, and may have deemed various assumptions more or less
probable than other

                                       39
<PAGE>
   
assumptions,  so that  the ranges  of valuations  resulting from  any particular
analysis described below  should not  be taken to  be Montgomery's  view of  the
actual  value of MFC,  FBS or the  combined company. The  fact that any specific
analysis has been referred to in the summary below is not meant to indicate that
such analysis was given more weight than any other analysis.
    

    In performing  its  analyses,  Montgomery  made  numerous  assumptions  with
respect  to industry performance,  general business and  economic conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond the control of MFC or FBS. The  analyses
performed  by  Montgomery are  not necessarily  indicative  of actual  values or
actual future results, which  may be significantly more  or less favorable  than
suggested  by  such analyses.  Such  analyses were  prepared  solely as  part of
Montgomery's analysis of  the fairness of  the Merger to  holders of MFC  Common
Stock  and were  provided to  MFC's Board  of Directors  in connection  with the
delivery of Montgomery's opinion. The analyses  do not purport to be  appraisals
or to reflect the prices at which a company might actually be sold or the prices
at  which any securities  may trade at  the present time  or at any  time in the
future.  Montgomery  used  in  its   analyses  various  projections  of   future
performance  prepared by  the management  of MFC.  The projections  are based on
numerous variables and assumptions which  are inherently unpredictable and  must
be  considered  not  certain  of occurrence  as  projected.  Accordingly, actual
results could vary significantly  from those set forth  in such projections.  In
addition,  as described  above, Montgomery's  opinion and  presentation to MFC's
Board of Directors were among the many factors taken into consideration by MFC's
Board of Directors in making its determination to approve the Merger.

    Set forth  below  is a  brief  summary  of selected  analyses  presented  by
Montgomery  to MFC's  Board of  Directors in connection  with its  July 20, 1994
opinion.

   
    SUMMARY OF  PROPOSAL.    Montgomery  reviewed  the  terms  of  the  proposed
transaction,  including the exchange ratio  and the aggregate transaction value.
Montgomery reviewed the implied  value of the  consideration offered based  upon
the closing share price of FBS Common Stock on July 20, 1994 (the "July 20, 1994
FBS  Stock  Price").  This  analysis  showed  that  the  implied  value  of  the
consideration to be received in the merger proposal, based on a conversion ratio
of .6803  shares of  FBS for  each  fully-diluted share  of MFC  (the  "Exchange
Ratio"), was approximately $24.66 per share of MFC Common Stock.
    

    ANALYSIS   OF  OTHER   SELECTED  TRANSACTIONS.     Montgomery  reviewed  the
consideration paid in  recently announced transactions  whereby certain  thrifts
and   banks  were  acquired.   Specifically,  Montgomery  reviewed  transactions
announced  since  January  1990,  emphasizing  selected  transactions  involving
acquisitions  of Minnesota  thrifts, Midwest  (Iowa, Illinois,  Indiana, Kansas,
Kentucky, Michigan,  Minnesota, Missouri,  North Dakota,  Nebraska, Ohio,  South
Dakota,   and  Wisconsin)  thrifts,  Midwest  thrifts  in  which  the  announced
consideration was  greater  than  $100  million  (the  "Midwest  Focus  Group"),
national  thrifts in  which the  announced consideration  was greater  than $100
million and involving targets with a return on average assets greater than 0.50%
(the "National Focus Group"),  Minnesota banks, and  FBS' acquisitions in  which
the announced consideration was greater than $100 million in value.

   
    For  each such  transaction Montgomery  calculated, among  other things, the
ratio of  premium (i.e.,  price over  book  value) to  core deposits,  price  to
deposits,  price to tangible book value and price to last twelve-months' ("LTM")
earnings. The calculations for the  transactions announced yielded (i) a  median
percentage  of premium to core deposits  for Minnesota thrifts, Midwest thrifts,
Midwest  Focus  Group,   National  Focus  Group,   Minnesota  banks,  and   FBS'
acquisitions  of 2.53%, 3.14%, 7.70%, 7.30%, 3.00% and 6.36%, respectively, (ii)
a median ratio of price to deposits of 7.94%, 11.73%, 17.66%, 18.59%, 12.19% and
14.65%, respectively, (iii) a  median ratio of price  to tangible book value  of
1.36x,  1.33x, 1.79x,  1.70x, 1.35x  and 1.80x,  respectively and  (iv) a median
ratio of price to LTM earnings of  14.3x, 12.1x, 14.9x, 14.2x, 12.8x and  22.3x,
respectively.  In comparison, Montgomery  determined that, based  on the closing
price of FBS Common Stock  on July 20, 1994 of  $36.25, the consideration to  be
paid  to holders of MFC  Common Stock in the  Merger represented a percentage of
premium to core deposits  of 7.56%, a  ratio of price to  deposits of 14.48%,  a
ratio  of price to  tangible book value  of 1.91x, and  a ratio of  price to LTM
earnings of 13.3x.
    

    No other company or transaction used  in the above analysis as a  comparison
is  identical to MFC, FBS or the Merger. Accordingly, an analysis of the results
of   the    foregoing   involves    complex   considerations    and    judgments

                                       40
<PAGE>
concerning  differences  in  financial  and  operating  characteristics  of  the
companies and other factors  that could affect the  public trading value of  the
companies  to which  MFC, FBS  and the  Merger are  being compared. Mathematical
analysis (such as determining average or median) is not, in itself, a meaningful
method or using comparable transaction data.

   
    CONTRIBUTION ANALYSIS.  Montgomery analyzed the contribution of each of  MFC
and  FBS to, among  other things, total equity  and net income  of the pro forma
combined company for the year ended 1993 and for the six-month period ended June
30, 1994. This  analysis showed,  among other things,  that based  on pro  forma
combined  balance sheets and income statements for MFC and FBS as of and for the
year ended December 31,  1993 and as of  and for the six  months ended June  30,
1994,  MFC would  have contributed 18.3%  and 18.3%, respectively,  of the total
equity and 14.9% and 11.6%, respectively,  of the pretax income of the  combined
company.  At the exchange ratio of .6803,  holders of MFC Common Stock would own
16.5% of the combined company.
    

   
    DILUTION ANALYSIS.  Using estimates prepared  by MFC management for MFC  and
First  Call  consensus  estimates  for FBS,  Montgomery  compared  the estimated
calendar year 1994 earnings per share of  FBS Common Stock and MFC Common  Stock
to  the estimated calendar year  1994 earnings per share  of the common stock of
the pro forma combined company. Based on such analysis, the proposed transaction
would be dilutive to FBS' earnings per share and accretive to MFC's earnings per
share in 1994, prior to projected cost savings.
    

   
    RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS.  Montgomery  analyzed the compound quarterly  return
to  holders of  MFC Common  Stock for the  ten years  since it  converted from a
mutual to a stock company. Based on a $24.66 per share offer price, for  holders
of  MFC Common Stock who purchased stock at conversion ($2.13 per share adjusted
for stock splits, including dividends), the annualized quarterly compound return
through the first quarter of 1994 would be approximately 24%.
    

    COMPARABLE ANALYSIS OF  PUBLICLY-TRADED COMPANIES.   Using public and  other
available  information, Montgomery compared the  historical trading price of MFC
Common Stock and FBS  Common Stock since January  1, 1988 and certain  financial
ratios  of both companies (including equity to assets, return on average assets,
return on average equity, non-performing assets to assets) as of March 31,  1994
to  14 selected midwest  thrifts in MFC's  case, and selected  Top 50 commercial
banking companies as measured in terms of  assets in FBS' case. No company  used
in  the analysis is identical  to MFC or FBS.  The analysis necessarily involved
complex considerations  and judgments  concerning differences  in financial  and
operating characteristics of the companies.

   
    Pursuant  to the Engagement Letter, MFC paid to Montgomery a fee of $250,000
following the delivery of Montgomery's opinion. MFC has also agreed to reimburse
Montgomery for its  reasonable out-of-pocket  expenses. MFC has  also agreed  to
indemnify  Montgomery, its affiliates, and their respective partners, directors,
officers, agents, consultants, employees and controlling persons against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.
    

    In the  past,  Montgomery has  provided  financial advisory  and  investment
banking  services to MFC  and has received  customary fees for  the rendering of
such services.  In the  ordinary  course of  its business,  Montgomery  actively
trades  securities of MFC  and FBS for its  own account and  for the accounts of
customers and, accordingly, may  at any time  hold a long  or short position  in
such  securities.  Certain partners  of Montgomery  may also  own shares  of MFC
Common Stock and FBS Common Stock.

TERMS OF THE MERGER; CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY MFC SHAREHOLDERS

   
    At the time the Merger becomes effective, MFC will merge with and into  FBS,
with  FBS as  the surviving  corporation. The  certificate of  incorporation and
bylaws of  FBS  as  in effect  immediately  prior  to the  Merger  will  be  the
certificate  of  incorporation and  bylaws  of the  surviving  corporation until
further amended as provided therein and in accordance with law. When the  Merger
becomes effective, each issued and outstanding share of MFC Common Stock will be
converted  into .6803 share of FBS  Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments
as described below. See "Description of FBS Capital Stock." Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  if the Average Price is less than $33.00, then the exchange ratio of
.6803 share of  FBS Common  Stock for  each share of  MFC Common  Stock will  be
adjusted  by multiplying .6803 by the quotient of (i) $33.00 divided by (ii) the
Average Price. Thus,  if the  Average Price is  less than  $33.00, the  exchange
ratio would increase and result in the receipt by MFC
    

                                       41
<PAGE>
   
shareholders  of more than .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC
Common Stock. If  the Average Price  is greater than  $40.50, then the  exchange
ratio of .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC Common Stock will
be  adjusted by multiplying .6803 by the  quotient of (i) $40.50 divided by (ii)
the Average  Price. Thus,  if the  Average  Price is  greater than  $40.50,  the
exchange  ratio would decrease and result in  the receipt by MFC shareholders of
less than .6803 share of FBS Common Stock for each share of MFC Common Stock. If
the Average Price is less than $33.00, the applicable adjustment to the exchange
ratio will result  in MFC shareholders  receiving that number  of shares of  FBS
Common  Stock having  an Average  Price equal  to $22.45  for each  share of MFC
Common Stock.  If the  Average  Price is  greater  than $40.50,  the  applicable
adjustment  to the exchange ratio will result in MFC shareholders receiving that
number of shares of FBS Common Stock having an Average Price equal to $27.55 for
each share of MFC Common  Stock. FBS and MFC  may, at their respective  options,
abandon and terminate the Merger Agreement before it takes effect if the Average
Price  is less than  $29.50. Upon effectiveness of  the Merger, each outstanding
share of MFC Preferred Stock, other  than shares as to which dissenters'  rights
have  been perfected,  shall be  converted into the  right to  receive $27.00 in
cash, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares of MFC  Preferred
Stock to, but excluding, the date the Merger becomes effective calculated as set
forth  in the terms of such MFC  Preferred Stock, without interest, from FBS. If
the Merger is completed,  MFC shareholders will no  longer hold any interest  in
MFC  other  than through  their  interest in  shares  of FBS  Common  Stock. See
"Description of MFC Capital Stock."
    

    Upon effectiveness of the  Merger, with the consent  of the holders of  each
outstanding option to purchase shares of MFC Common Stock issued pursuant to the
MFC  1984 Stock Option and  Incentive Plan, the MFC  1990 Stock Option Plan, the
MFC 1993  Non-Employee  Director  Stock  Option Plan  and  the  MFC  1993  Stock
Incentive  Plan, each of  such stock options  will be converted  into a right to
receive, in  lieu  of  all  other  rights under  such  options  (which  will  be
terminated  and canceled),  shares of FBS  Common Stock  with a value  as of the
effective date  of the  Merger  equal to  the "fair  value"  of such  option  as
determined  by an independent third party expert  to be mutually selected by FBS
and MFC. In the event that each of such stock options is not so converted, then,
as of the effective date of the  Merger, such stock options shall be assumed  by
FBS.  See  "--Effect  on  MFC Employee  Benefit  and  Stock  Option Plans--Stock
Options."

    Also upon effectiveness of  the Merger, (i)  each outstanding option  issued
pursuant  to the  MFC Employee  Stock Purchase  Plan or  the Edina  Realty Sales
Associate Stock Purchase Plan shall be deemed to constitute an option to acquire
FBS Common Stock with appropriate adjustments and (ii) all outstanding  warrants
to  purchase shares of MFC Common Stock issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement
dated as of November 20, 1990 between MFC and American Stock Transfer and  Trust
Company,  as warrant agent, shall be assumed  by FBS and modified to provide for
the issuance of  FBS Common Stock  upon exercise thereof.  See "--Effect on  MFC
Employee Benefit and Stock Option Plans--Stock Options" and "--MFC Warrants."

   
    Because the exchange ratio of FBS Common Stock for MFC Common Stock is fixed
within  the range of Average Prices from $33.00 to $40.50, and will not increase
or decrease due  to fluctuations  in the Average  Price within  such range,  MFC
shareholders  will not be compensated for  certain decreases in the market price
of FBS Common Stock which could occur before the Merger becomes effective. As  a
result,  in the event the market price  of FBS Common Stock decreases, the value
of the FBS Common Stock to be received in the Merger in exchange for MFC  Common
Stock  would decrease,  subject to  certain limitations  described above  if the
Average Price is less than $33.00. In  the event the market price of FBS  Common
Stock instead increases, the value of the FBS Common Stock to be received in the
Merger  in  exchange for  MFC Common  Stock would  increase, subject  to certain
limitations described above  if the Average  Price is greater  than $40.50.  The
market  prices of FBS Common Stock and MFC  Common Stock as of a recent date are
set  forth  herein   under  "Summary--Markets  and   Market  Prices,"  and   MFC
shareholders are advised to obtain recent market quotations for FBS Common Stock
and  MFC Common Stock. No assurance can be  given as to the market prices of FBS
Common Stock or MFC Common Stock on the date the Merger becomes effective or  as
to the market price of FBS Common Stock thereafter.
    

    The  Merger  Agreement provides  that if,  between  execution of  the Merger
Agreement and the effectiveness  of the Merger, shares  of FBS Common Stock  are
changed   into  a  different  number  or  class  of  shares  by  reason  of  any
reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or
readjustment, or if  a stock  dividend thereon is  declared with  a record  date
within    such   period,   then   the   number   of   shares   of   FBS   Common

                                       42
<PAGE>
Stock issued to holders of  MFC Common Stock as a  result of the Merger will  be
appropriately  and proportionately adjusted so that  holders of MFC Common Stock
will receive that number  of shares of  FBS Common Stock  which they would  have
received  if  the  record  date  for  such  reclassification,  recapitalization,
split-up, combination, exchange  of shares, readjustment  or stock dividend  had
been immediately following the effectiveness of the Merger.

    No  fractional shares  of FBS  Common Stock  will be  issued in  the Merger.
Instead, the Merger Agreement provides that in lieu of any fractional share, FBS
will pay to each holder of MFC  Common Stock who otherwise would be entitled  to
receive  a  fractional share  of FBS  Common  Stock an  amount of  cash (without
interest) determined  by multiplying  (i) the  closing price  per share  of  FBS
Common  Stock on the date the Merger becomes effective times (ii) the fractional
share interest to which such holder would otherwise be entitled.

    Shares of FBS capital  stock issued and outstanding  at the time the  Merger
becomes  effective will remain issued and outstanding thereafter and will not be
affected by the Merger.

EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER

   
    The Merger will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of  merger
relating  thereto with the Secretary of  State of Delaware. The Merger Agreement
provides that the parties  thereto will cause such  certificate of merger to  be
filed as soon as practicable after receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals
provided  that each  of the  conditions to consummation  of the  Merger has been
satisfied or  waived. See  "--Conditions  to Consummation  of the  Merger."  The
Merger  cannot become effective  until the holders  of FBS Common  Stock and MFC
Common Stock have  approved and adopted  the Merger Agreement  and all  required
regulatory approvals and actions have been obtained and taken. See "--Regulatory
Approvals Required." The Merger Agreement may be terminated by either FBS or MFC
if  the Merger has not become effective  on or before September 30, 1995 (unless
the failure to consummate the Merger by such date shall be due to the action  or
failure  to act of the party seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement in breach
of such party's obligations thereunder). See "--Termination." Thus, there can be
no assurance as to whether or when the Merger will become effective.
    

SURRENDER OF MFC COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES

    As soon as  practicable after  the Merger becomes  effective, First  Chicago
Trust  Company  of  New  York,  the  Exchange  Agent,  will  send  a  notice and
transmittal form to each holder  of MFC Common Stock of  record at the time  the
Merger becomes effective advising such holder of the effectiveness of the Merger
and  of the procedure for surrendering  to the Exchange Agent their certificates
formerly evidencing MFC Common Stock in exchange for new certificates evidencing
FBS Common Stock. MFC SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD  NOT SEND IN THEIR STOCK  CERTIFICATES
UNTIL  THEY RECEIVE  THE LETTER  OF TRANSMITTAL  FORM AND  INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE
EXCHANGE AGENT.

    Upon surrender to the  Exchange Agent of one  or more certificates  formerly
evidencing  MFC  Common Stock,  together with  a  properly completed  and signed
letter of transmittal, there will be issued  and mailed to the holder thereof  a
new  certificate or certificates representing the  number of whole shares of FBS
Common Stock to which  such holder is entitled  under the Merger Agreement  and,
where applicable, a check for the amount of cash payable in lieu of a fractional
share  of FBS  Common Stock.  A certificate representing  FBS Common  Stock or a
check in lieu of a fractional share will be issued in a name other than the name
in which the surrendered MFC Common Stock certificate was registered only if (i)
the MFC Common Stock certificate surrendered is properly endorsed or accompanied
by appropriate stock  powers and is  otherwise in proper  form for transfer  and
(ii) the person requesting the issuance of such certificate or check either pays
to  the Exchange  Agent any transfer  or other  taxes required by  reason of the
issuance of  such  certificate  or check  in  a  name other  than  that  of  the
registered   holder  of  the  certificate  surrendered  or  establishes  to  the
satisfaction of  the Exchange  Agent  that such  tax has  been  paid or  is  not
applicable.

CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

    The  Merger will occur only if the  Merger Agreement is approved and adopted
by the requisite votes  of FBS shareholders and  MFC shareholders. In  addition,
consummation  of  the Merger  is subject  to the  satisfaction of  certain other
conditions, unless waived  (to the extent  such waiver is  permitted by law).  A
failure  of any such  conditions to be  satisfied, if not  waived, would prevent
consummation of the Merger.

                                       43
<PAGE>
    The obligations of both FBS and MFC to consummate the Merger are subject  to
satisfaction  of the following conditions, among others: (i) regulatory approval
for the consummation of  the transactions contemplated  by the Merger  Agreement
shall  have been obtained from the Federal  Reserve Board, the OTS and any other
governmental  authority  from  whom  approval  is  required,  and  all  required
regulatory  waiting periods shall have lapsed; (ii) no injunction or other court
order  shall  have  been  issued  and  remain  in  effect  which  would   impair
consummation  of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (iii) no
law, statute, rule or  regulation shall have been  enacted or promulgated  which
would  materially impair  consummation of  the transactions  contemplated by the
Merger Agreement; (iv) no  party to the Merger  Agreement shall have  terminated
such  agreement as  permitted therein; (v)  the Registration  Statement of which
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is a part shall have been declared effective and
shall not be subject to a stop order of the Securities and Exchange  Commission,
and  such Registration  Statement shall not  be subject  to a stop  order of any
state securities commission; (vi)  an opinion of  Oppenheimer Wolff &  Donnelly,
counsel  to MFC, shall have been obtained  to the effect that for federal income
tax purposes, (a) the  Merger will qualify as  a "reorganization" under  Section
368(a)  of  the  Code,  (b) no  gain  or  loss  will be  recognized  by  any MFC
shareholder (except in connection with the receipt of cash) upon the exchange of
MFC Common Stock for FBS  Common Stock in the Merger,  (c) the basis of the  FBS
Common  Stock received by an MFC shareholder  who exchanges MFC Common Stock for
FBS Common  Stock  will be  the  same  as the  basis  of the  MFC  Common  Stock
surrendered  in exchange  therefor (subject to  any adjustments  required as the
result of receipt of cash  in lieu of a fractional  share of FBS Common  Stock),
(d)  the holding period of  the FBS Common Stock  received by an MFC shareholder
receiving FBS Common Stock will include  the period during which the MFC  Common
Stock  surrendered in  exchange thereof was  held (provided that  the MFC Common
Stock of such MFC shareholder was held as a capital asset at the effective  date
of  the  Merger), and  (e) cash  received by  an  MFC shareholder  in lieu  of a
fractional share interest  of FBS Common  Stock will be  treated as having  been
received  as a distribution in full payment in exchange for the fractional share
interest of FBS Common Stock which such shareholder would otherwise be  entitled
to  receive, and will qualify  as capital gain or  loss (assuming the MFC Common
Stock was a capital asset in such  shareholder's hands at the effective date  of
the  Merger); and  (vii) the  FBS Common Stock  to be  issued to  holders of MFC
Common Stock in the Merger shall have  been approved for listing on the NYSE  on
official  notice of issuance.  The Merger Agreement  provides that no regulatory
approval referred to in (i) above  shall contain any conditions or  restrictions
that  FBS reasonably believes will materially  restrict or limit the business or
activities of FBS or MFC or MFC's subsidiaries or have a material adverse effect
on, or would  be reasonably likely  to have  a material adverse  effect on,  the
business, operations or financial condition of FBS and its subsidiaries taken as
a  whole, on the one hand, and MFC and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, on the
other hand.

    In addition to the foregoing conditions, the obligation of MFC to consummate
the Merger is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions, among others:
(i) the representations and warranties of FBS set forth in the Merger  Agreement
shall  be true and correct as  of the date of such  agreement and as of the time
the Merger becomes effective,  except where the failure  to be true and  correct
would  not have, or would not reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse
effect on  the  business, operations  or  financial  condition of  FBS  and  its
subsidiaries,  taken as  a whole;  and FBS shall  in all  material respects have
performed each obligation and  agreement and complied with  each covenant to  be
performed  and complied with by it under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the
time the Merger  becomes effective; (ii)  MFC shall have  received an  officer's
certificate  of the  Vice Chairman  and Chief  Financial Officer  of FBS  to the
effect that he has  no reason to  believe that the conditions  set forth in  (i)
above  have not been fulfilled;  (iii) MFC shall have  received a certificate of
the Corporate  Secretary  or an  assistant  Corporate  Secretary of  FBS  as  to
resolutions  authorizing the corporate  actions to approve  the Merger Agreement
and transactions  contemplated  thereby and  as  to the  incumbency  of  certain
officers  of FBS; (iv) MFC  shall have received an  opinion letter of Michael J.
O'Rourke, Executive Vice President  and General Counsel  of FBS, concerning  the
due  incorporation and good standing of FBS, the due authorization and execution
of the  Merger Agreement  by FBS,  the noncontravention  of the  certificate  of
incorporation and bylaws of FBS and of agreements to which FBS is a party by the
transactions  contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the authorization of the FBS
Common Stock to be issued in the Merger, and related matters; (v) since the date
of the Merger Agreement,  there shall have been  no material adverse change  in,
and  no  event,  occurrence  or  development  in  the  business  of  FBS  or its
subsidiaries  that,   taken  together   with  other   events,  occurrences   and

                                       44
<PAGE>
developments  with respect to  such business, would have  or would reasonably be
expected to  have a  material adverse  effect on,  the business,  operations  or
financial  condition of  FBS and  its subsidiaries, taken  as a  whole; and (vi)
prior to the mailing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and immediately prior to
effectiveness of the Merger, MFC shall  have received a written opinion in  form
reasonably  acceptable  to  MFC  from  Dain  Bosworth  Incorporated  (or another
investment banking firm  reasonably acceptable to  MFC) to the  effect that  the
consideration  to be delivered in  the Merger is fair  from a financial point of
view to the holders of MFC Common Stock.

    In addition to the foregoing conditions, the obligation of FBS to consummate
the Merger is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions, among others:
(i) the representations and warranties of MFC set forth in the Merger  Agreement
shall  be true and correct as  of the date of such  agreement and as of the time
the Merger becomes effective,  except where the failure  to be true and  correct
would  not have, or would not reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse
effect on  the  business, operations  or  financial  condition of  MFC  and  its
subsidiaries  taken as  a whole;  and MFC  shall in  all material  respects have
performed each obligation and  agreement and complied with  each covenant to  be
performed  and complied with by it under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the
time the Merger  becomes effective; (ii)  FBS shall have  received an  officer's
certificate  of the Chief  Executive Officer and the  Chief Financial Officer of
MFC to the effect that  they have no reason to  believe that the conditions  set
forth  in (i)  above have not  been fulfilled;  (iii) FBS shall  have received a
certificate of the Corporate  Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of MFC as  to
resolutions  authorizing the corporate  actions to approve  the Merger Agreement
and transactions  contemplated  thereby and  as  to the  incumbency  of  certain
officers  of MFC;  (iv) FBS shall  have received opinion  letters of Oppenheimer
Wolff & Donnelly, counsel to MFC, and,  as to certain of the following  matters,
J.  Michael  Nilles,  Executive  Vice  President  and  General  Counsel  of MFC,
concerning the due incorporation or organization  and good standing of MFC,  the
Bank,  and certain non-banking subsidiaries, the  qualification of MFC, the Bank
and certain non-banking subsidiaries to do business, the noncontravention of the
charter and bylaws of MFC, the Bank and certain non-banking subsidiaries and, to
such counsels  knowledge, of  agreements  to which  MFC,  the Bank  and  certain
non-banking  subsidiaries are  parties by  the transactions  contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, the authorization of the outstanding capital stock of MFC, the
Bank and certain non-banking subsidiaries,  the due authorization and  execution
of the Merger Agreement by MFC, the absence to such counsel's knowledge of legal
actions  pending or  threatened against  MFC, the  Bank and  certain non-banking
subsidiaries except as  previously disclosed  to FBS in  schedules, and  related
matters;  (v) MFC shall have delivered to FBS the letters from affiliates of MFC
described under "--Resale  of FBS  Common Stock Received  by MFC  Shareholders";
(vi)  no event shall have  occurred which, in the  reasonable opinion of FBS and
concurred in by Ernst & Young LLP, would prevent the Merger from being accounted
for as a pooling of  interests, and FBS shall have  received from Ernst &  Young
LLP  an opinion  that the  Merger shall  qualify as  a pooling  of interests for
accounting purposes; (vii) there shall not be threatened, instituted or  pending
any  action or proceeding  before any court or  governmental authority or agency
seeking to take certain specified adverse actions; (viii) there shall not be any
action taken, or any  statute, rule, regulation,  judgment, order or  injunction
proposed,  enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated,  issued or deemed applicable
to  the  transactions  contemplated  by  the  Merger  Agreement  by  any  court,
government  or  governmental  authority  or  agency  which  would  reasonably be
expected to  have  specified  adverse  consequences; (ix)  FBS  shall  not  have
discovered  any  fact or  circumstance existing  as  of the  date of  the Merger
Agreement which has not been disclosed to FBS, as of the date of such agreement,
in such agreement, any schedule  thereto, or any document specifically  required
to  be furnished  to FBS  thereunder, regarding MFC  or any  of its subsidiaries
which would,  individually  or  in  the aggregate  with  other  such  facts  and
circumstances,   materially   impair  the   consummation  of   the  transactions
contemplated by  such  agreement, or  have  a  material adverse  effect  on  the
business,  operations or financial condition of  MFC and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole; (x) since the date of the Merger Agreement, there shall have been no
material adverse  change in,  and no  event, occurrence  or development  in  the
business  of MFC  or its  subsidiaries that,  taken together  with other events,
occurrences and developments with respect to such business, would have or  would
reasonably  be  expected to  have a  material adverse  effect on,  the business,
operations or financial condition of MFC and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                                       45
<PAGE>
REGULATORY APPROVALS REQUIRED

    Under  the  Merger  Agreement,  the  obligations  of  both  FBS  and  MFC to
consummate  the  Merger  are  conditioned  upon  the  receipt  of  all  required
regulatory approvals (without certain restrictions or limitations) and the lapse
of all required regulatory waiting periods. See "--Conditions to Consummation of
the  Merger." There can be no assurance that any applicable regulatory authority
will approve or take other required action  with respect to the Merger or as  to
the  date of such regulatory approval or other action. FBS and MFC are not aware
of any  governmental  approvals  or  actions  that  are  required  in  order  to
consummate  the Merger except as described  below. Should such other approval or
action be required, it is contemplated that FBS and MFC would seek such approval
or action.  There can  be no  assurance as  to whether  or when  any such  other
approval or action, if required, could be obtained.

    FEDERAL  RESERVE BOARD.  The Merger is  subject to the prior approval of the
Federal Reserve Board  under Sections 4(c)(1)  and 4(c)(8) of  the Bank  Holding
Company  Act. Under the Bank  Holding Company Act, the  Federal Reserve Board is
required,  in  approving  a  transaction  such  as  the  Merger,  to  take  into
consideration the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the
existing  and  proposed  institutions  and  the  convenience  and  needs  of the
communities to be  served. The Bank  Holding Company Act  prohibits the  Federal
Reserve  Board from approving the Merger if it  would result in a monopoly or be
in furtherance of any combination or  conspiracy to monopolize or to attempt  to
monopolize  the business of banking  in any part of  the United States. The Bank
Holding Company Act also prohibits the Federal Reserve Board from approving  the
Merger  if its  effect in  any section  of the  country may  be substantially to
lessen competition or tend  to create a  monopoly, or if it  would in any  other
manner  result in a restraint  of trade, unless the  Federal Reserve Board finds
that the anti-competitive effects  of the Merger are  clearly outweighed in  the
public  interest  by  the probable  effect  of  the transaction  in  meeting the
convenience and needs of  the communities to be  served. In addition, under  the
Community  Reinvestment Act of 1977, as  amended, the Federal Reserve Board must
take into account  the record  of performance  of the  existing institutions  in
meeting  the needs  of the  entire community,  including low-and moderate-income
neighborhoods, served by such institutions. Additionally, the acquisition of MFC
Common Stock by FBS pursuant to the Option issued to FBS by MFC at the time  the
parties  entered into the Merger  Agreement would be subject  to approval by the
Federal Reserve Board  under Sections 4(c)(1)  and 4(c)(8) of  the Bank  Holding
Company Act. See "--Option Granted to FBS."

    OTS.   The  Merger is also  subject to the  prior approval of  the OTS under
Section 10 of the Home Owners' Loan  Act. The factors required to be  considered
by  the OTS under the  Home Owners' Loan Act  are substantially similar to those
described above  with  respect  to  Federal  Reserve  Board  approval.  However,
approval  by the Federal Reserve Board will  not constitute approval by the OTS,
or vice versa.

   
    CURRENT STATUS  OF REGULATORY  APPROVALS.   After submission  and review  in
draft  form, FBS submitted its final application  to the Federal Reserve Bank of
Minneapolis on September 9, 1994, and supplemented the application on  September
30,  1994, October 4, 1994 and October 13, 1994. The application was accepted by
the  Federal  Reserve  Board  for  processing  on  October  12,  1994.  The  OTS
application  was submitted by FBS on September 6, 1994; the OTS staff's comments
on completeness were received by  FBS on October 5,  1994; and FBS is  presently
preparing its response to this review.
    

WAIVER AND AMENDMENT

    At  any time before  the Merger becomes  effective, any party  to the Merger
Agreement may (i) extend  the time for performance  of any obligations or  other
acts of any other party under the Merger Agreement or (ii) waive compliance with
any  agreements contained in the Merger Agreement  of any other party thereto or
with any conditions contained therein to its own obligations, to the extent that
such obligations, agreements and conditions are intended for its own benefit.

    The Merger Agreement may not be amended except by written instrument  signed
on  behalf of each of  the parties thereto. The  Merger Agreement may be amended
without the approval  of FBS shareholders  or MFC shareholders,  except that  no
such  amendment  will be  made  following approval  and  adoption of  the Merger

                                       46
<PAGE>
   
Agreement by FBS shareholders and MFC shareholders if such amendment changes the
number of shares of  FBS Common Stock for  which the MFC Common  Stock is to  be
exchanged   or  otherwise  materially  adversely  affects  the  rights  of  such
shareholders.
    

TERMINATION

   
    The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time before the Merger becomes
effective (i) by mutual consent  of FBS and MFC; (ii)  by either FBS or MFC,  if
any  of the conditions to such  party's obligation to consummate the transaction
contemplated in the Merger Agreement have become impossible to satisfy; (iii) by
either FBS or MFC, if the Merger Agreement and the Merger are not duly  approved
by the shareholders of each of MFC and FBS; (iv) by FBS or MFC if the Merger has
not  become effective  on or  before September 30,  1995 (unless  the failure to
consummate the Merger by such date shall be due to the action or failure to  act
of the party seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement in breach of such party's
obligations  thereunder); (v) by either FBS or MFC, if the Average Price is less
than $29.50; (vi) by MFC if specified events relating generally to the making by
third parties  of offers  to acquire  MFC  occur and  MFC's Board  of  Directors
determines  that  such  offer  is  a  material  economic  improvement  to  MFC's
shareholders when  compared to  the  Merger and  that  such Board's  failure  to
recommend  such an offer or accept such proposal  would be likely to result in a
breach of the  directors' fiduciary duties  (subject to the  expiration of  five
business  days after written notice of such offer or proposal has been delivered
to FBS) (the "Fiduciary  Termination"); (vii) by FBS  if any person (other  than
FBS  or any affiliate of  FBS) shall have commenced a  bona fide tender offer or
exchange offer to acquire  at least 20%  of the then  outstanding shares of  MFC
Common Stock, or if the Board of Directors of MFC shall have withdrawn, modified
or  changed its  recommendation of the  Merger Agreement or  the Merger ("Tender
Offer Termination"); or  (viii) by FBS  if there shall  have occurred  specified
events  relating generally to the  making by third parties  of offers to acquire
MFC and the acquisition by third parties of specified percentages of MFC  Common
Stock  ("Third Party  Offer Termination"). Any  party desiring  to terminate the
Merger Agreement is required to give written notice of such termination and  the
reasons  therefor  to the  other party.  If the  Merger Agreement  is terminated
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, such termination will be without liability
of  any  party  (or  shareholder,   officer,  employee,  agent,  consultant   or
representative  of such party) to any other party except (a) if such termination
is by (i) MFC as a result of a  failure of the condition of MFC with respect  to
the  opinion  of its  financial adviser,  (ii)  MFC by  reason of  the Fiduciary
Termination, (iii) FBS by reason of a Tender Offer Termination or a Third  Party
Offer  Termination, or  (iv) FBS  as a  result of  the failure  of the condition
relating to the  accuracy of the  representations and warranties  of MFC in  the
Merger  Agreement and the  failure of MFC to  perform its obligations thereunder
because of the willful and material  breach by MFC of any obligation,  agreement
or covenant referred to therein, then MFC shall pay to FBS within three business
days  of such  termination, a termination  fee of $35,000,000,  (b) as otherwise
provided in law or equity and (c) for the survival of certain covenants relating
to  payment  by   the  respective  parties   of  their  own   expenses  and   to
confidentiality of information provided.
    

LIMITATION ON NEGOTIATIONS

    The  Merger Agreement  provides that  MFC (including  its subsidiaries) will
not, and will cause its  officers, directors, employees, agents and  affiliates,
not  to,  directly  or  indirectly, solicit,  authorize,  initiate  or encourage
submission of, any  proposal, offer,  tender offer  or exchange  offer from  any
person  or entity (including officers or  employees of MFC or such subsidiaries)
relating   to   any   liquidation,   dissolution,   recapitalization,    merger,
consolidation  or acquisition or  purchase of all  or a material  portion of the
assets  or  deposits  of,  or  any  equity  interest  in,  MFC  or  any  of  its
subsidiaries,  or, unless MFC shall have  determined, after receipt of a written
opinion of counsel to MFC (a copy  of which opinion shall be delivered to  FBS),
that  the  Board  of  Directors of  MFC  has  a  fiduciary duty  to  do  so, (i)
participate in any negotiations in connection  with or in furtherance of any  of
the  foregoing or (ii) permit any person  other than FBS and its representatives
to have any access to the facilities of, or furnish to any person other than FBS
and its representatives any non-public information  with respect to, MFC or  any
of  its  subsidiaries  in  connection  with or  in  furtherance  of  any  of the
foregoing. The Merger Agreement  also requires MFC promptly  to notify FBS if  a
proposal,  offer,  inquiry  or  contact  is made  with  it  concerning  any such
transactions and promptly to provide  FBS with such information concerning  such
matters as FBS may request. The foregoing provisions of the Merger Agreement may
have the effect of discouraging competing offers to acquire or merger with MFC.

                                       47
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTED TO FBS

    Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement and as a condition
to  such execution, MFC and FBS executed a Stock Option Agreement dated July 21,
1994 (the "Stock Option Agreement"). The  Stock Option Agreement has been  filed
as   an   exhibit   to  the   registration   statement  of   which   this  Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is a part.  The following description  of the Stock  Option
Agreement  does not purport to  be complete and is  qualified in its entirety by
reference to the  Stock Option Agreement,  which is incorporated  herein in  its
entirety.  Exercise  of the  Option  granted by  the  Stock Option  Agreement is
subject to  the prior  approval of  the  Federal Reserve  Board under  the  Bank
Holding Company Act. See "--Regulatory Approvals Required."

    Under  the Stock  Option Agreement, MFC  granted FBS the  Option to purchase
newly authorized but unissued or treasury shares of MFC Common Stock in a number
approximately equal  to  19.9% of  the  number of  shares  of MFC  Common  Stock
outstanding immediately before exercise of the Option. The exercise price of the
Option  is $24.66 per share, subject to adjustment under specified circumstances
(such exercise price, as  so adjusted, being referred  to herein as the  "Option
Price").  The Option is  exercisable only if both  an "Initial Triggering Event"
and a  "Subsequent  Triggering  Event"  occur prior  to  the  occurrence  of  an
"Exercise Termination Event," as such terms are defined below.

    The  Stock Option Agreement  defines the term  "Initial Triggering Event" to
mean any of the following events or transactions:

         (i) MFC or any of its  subsidiaries, without having received the  prior
    written   consent  of  FBS,  enters  into  an  agreement  to  engage  in  an
    "Acquisition Transaction" (as defined below) with any person other than  FBS
    or  a subsidiary of FBS,  or the MFC Board  of Directors recommends that MFC
    shareholders approve or  accept any  Acquisition Transaction  other than  as
    contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

        (ii)  Any  person  other  than  FBS  or  a  subsidiary  of  FBS acquires
    beneficial ownership (as defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) or
    the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the  outstanding
    shares of MFC Common Stock;

        (iii)  The  shareholders  of  MFC  have  not  approved  the transactions
    contemplated by  the Merger  Agreement at  the MFC  Special Meeting  or  any
    adjournment  thereof, or such meeting has not been held or has been canceled
    prior to termination of  the Merger Agreement, or  MFC's Board of  Directors
    has  withdrawn or modified (or publicly  announced its intention to withdraw
    or modify or interest in  withdrawing or modifying) its recommendation  that
    the  shareholders of MFC approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger
    Agreement, or MFC or any MFC subsidiary, without having received FBS'  prior
    written   consent,  has  authorized,   recommended,  proposed  (or  publicly
    announced its intention to  authorize, recommend or  propose or interest  in
    authorizing,  recommending  or  proposing)  an  agreement  to  engage  in an
    Acquisition Transaction with any person other than FBS or an FBS subsidiary;

        (iv) Any person other than FBS or a subsidiary of FBS makes a bona  fide
    proposal  to  MFC  or its  shareholders  by public  announcement  or written
    communication that is or becomes the subject of public disclosure to  engage
    in an Acquisition Transaction;

        (v)  MFC has breached any covenant or obligation contained in the Merger
    Agreement and such breach entitles FBS to terminate the Merger Agreement;

        (vi) Any person other  than FBS or  a subsidiary of  FBS, other than  in
    connection  with  a transaction  to which  FBS has  given its  prior written
    consent, files an application or notice with the Federal Reserve Board,  the
    OTS  or other federal or state  bank regulatory authority, which is accepted
    for processing, for approval to engage in an Acquisition Transaction; or

       (vii) MFC terminates the Merger Agreement as a result of a failure of the
    condition of MFC with respect to the opinion of its financial adviser or  by
    reason of the Fiduciary Termination.

As  used in the Stock Option Agreement, the term "Acquisition Transaction" means
(a) a merger or consolidation or  any similar transaction, involving MFC or  any
"significant    subsidiary"   (as   defined   in   accounting   rules   of   the

                                       48
<PAGE>
Securities and  Exchange Commission)  of MFC,  (b) a  purchase, lease  or  other
acquisition  of all or substantially all of the assets or deposits of MFC or any
such significant subsidiary or (c) a purchase or other acquisition (including by
merger, consolidation, share exchange  or otherwise) of securities  representing
10% or more of the voting power of MFC or any such significant subsidiary.

    The Stock Option Agreement defines the term "Subsequent Triggering Event" to
mean  any of the  following events or  transactions: (i) The  acquisition by any
person of beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the then outstanding MFC Common
Stock or (ii) MFC or any of its subsidiaries, without having received the  prior
written  consent of FBS,  enters into an  agreement to engage  in an Acquisition
Transaction with any person other  than FBS or a subsidiary  of FBS, or the  MFC
Board  of  Directors  recommends that  MFC  shareholders approve  or  accept any
Acquisition Transaction  other than  as contemplated  by the  Merger  Agreement;
provided,  that for purposes of the definition of "Subsequent Triggering Event,"
the percentage  referred to  in clause  (c) of  the definition  of  "Acquisition
Transaction" above shall be 20% rather than 10%.

    The  Stock Option Agreement defines the term "Exercise Termination Event" to
mean any of (i) the time the  Merger becomes effective, (ii) termination of  the
Merger  Agreement in accordance with its  provisions, if such termination occurs
prior to the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event, (iii) termination of the
Merger Agreement  based  on the  Average  Price  being less  than  $29.50,  (iv)
termination  of the  Merger Agreement  by FBS  as the  result of  the failure of
certain conditions set forth in the Merger  Agreement if neither MFC nor any  of
its  affiliates, officers, directors, employees or  agents took any actions that
contributed in any way, directly or indirectly, to the occurrence of such  event
or  (v)  the  passage  of  12  months,  subject  to  certain  extensions,  after
termination  of  the  Merger  Agreement  under  certain  circumstances  if  such
termination follows the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event.

    If  the Option becomes exercisable, it may  be exercised in whole or in part
upon  written  notice  from  FBS  within  12  months  following  the  applicable
Subsequent Triggering Event. FBS' right to exercise the Option and certain other
rights under the Option Agreement are subject to an extension in order to obtain
required  regulatory  approvals and  comply  with applicable  regulatory waiting
periods and to  avoid liability  under Section 16(b)  of the  Exchange Act.  The
Option  Price will  be reduced if  MFC issues or  agrees to issue  shares of MFC
Common Stock (other than pursuant to certain disclosed options, rights or plans)
at a price less than the then current Option Price to such lesser price, and the
Option Price and the number of shares  issuable under the Option are subject  to
adjustment in the event of specified changes in the capital stock of MFC.

    Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering Event that occurs prior to an
Exercise  Termination Event, FBS will  have the right for  12 months (subject to
extension as  described  in the  Stock  Option  Agreement) to  demand  that  MFC
register  the shares  of MFC  Common Stock  issued or  issuable pursuant  to the
Option  under  the   Securities  Act,  subject   to  specified  conditions   and
limitations.  The Stock Option Agreement grants two such demand registrations to
FBS and provides that MFC will bear the costs of such demand registrations.

    The Stock Option  Agreement also  provides that if  a Subsequent  Triggering
Event  occurs  prior to  an Exercise  Termination  Event, upon  notice delivered
within 12  months  (subject  to  extension as  described  in  the  Stock  Option
Agreement)  of  the  Subsequent  Triggering Event,  MFC  shall  be  obligated to
repurchase all or  any part  of the Option  and all  or any part  of the  shares
received  upon exercise  of the  Option or any  part ("Option  Shares") from the
holder thereof. Such repurchase for the Option or  any part of it shall be at  a
price  equal to the amount by which  the "market/offer price" (as defined below)
exceeds the Option  exercise price (as  adjusted), multiplied by  the number  of
shares for which the Option may then be exercised, plus certain of FBS' expenses
in  connection with the transactions contemplated  by the Merger Agreement. Such
repurchase for any Option Shares shall be at a price equal to the  "market/offer
price" multiplied by the number of Option Shares to be repurchased, plus certain
of  FBS' expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. The term "market/ offer price" is defined to mean the highest of  (i)
the  price per share at which  a tender or exchange offer  has been made for MFC
Common Stock, (ii) the price per share of MFC Common Stock that any third  party
is to pay pursuant to an agreement with MFC, (iii) the highest closing price per
share  within the six-month period immediately preceding the date that notice to
repurchase is given  or (iv)  in the  event of a  sale of  all or  substantially

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<PAGE>
all  of MFC's assets or deposits,  the sum of the price  paid for such assets or
deposits and the current market value of the remaining assets (as determined  by
a  nationally  recognized investment  banking firm),  divided  by the  number of
shares of MFC Common Stock outstanding at the time of such sale.

    Pursuant to the  terms of  the Stock Option  Agreement, in  the event  that,
prior  to an Exercise Termination Event, MFC enters into certain transactions in
which MFC is not the surviving  corporation, certain fundamental changes in  the
capital  stock of  MFC occur  or MFC sells  all or  substantially all  of its or
certain subsidiary's  assets, the  agreement  governing such  transaction  shall
provide  for the  issuance of  a substitute  option, with  similar terms  as the
Option, to purchase capital stock of the entity that is the effective  successor
to MFC.

    The  Stock Option Agreement provides that neither FBS nor MFC may assign any
of its rights or obligations thereunder or under the Option without the  written
consent  of the other party, except that if a Subsequent Triggering Event occurs
prior to  an  Exercise  Termination  Event,  FBS  may,  subject  to  limitations
contained in the Stock Option Agreement, assign its rights and obligations under
the  Stock Option Agreement in whole or  in part within 12 months following such
Subsequent Triggering  Event (subject  to extension  as described  in the  Stock
Option  Agreement); provided, that until 30 days after the Federal Reserve Board
and OTS approve applications by FBS to acquire shares subject to the Option, FBS
may not assign  its rights under  the Option  except in (i)  a widely  dispersed
public distribution, (ii) a private placement in which no one party acquires the
right  to purchase more than  two percent of the voting  shares of MFC, (iii) an
assignment to  a single  party (e.g.,  a broker  or investment  banker) for  the
purpose  of conducting a widely dispersed  public distribution on FBS' behalf or
(iv) any other manner approved by the Federal Reserve Board or the OTS.

   
    The Stock Option  Agreement also  provides that  FBS shall  be obligated  to
reimburse  MFC for all  or a portion  of the termination  fee paid by  MFC in an
amount generally equal to  the cash value received  by FBS (net of  commissions,
fees,   underwriting  discounts,  costs  and   expenses)  upon  the  disposition
(including an MFC repurchase) of the Option or the Option Shares.
    

   
    The foregoing provisions of the Stock  Option Agreement may have the  effect
of  discouraging competing  offers to  acquire or  merge with  MFC. To  the best
knowledge of MFC  and FBS, no  event giving rise  to the right  to exercise  the
Option has occurred as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
    

CONDUCT OF MFC BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

    The  Merger Agreement provides that from the date of the Merger Agreement to
the time the  Merger becomes  effective, except  as otherwise  permitted by  the
Merger  Agreement  or agreed  to  by FBS,  the  business of  MFC  (including its
subsidiaries) will be conducted only in the ordinary course, on an  arms'-length
basis  and  in  accordance in  all  material  respects with  past  practices and
applicable laws,  rules  and  regulations. In  addition,  the  Merger  Agreement
provides  that during such  period, except as otherwise  permitted by the Merger
Agreement or agreed to by FBS:

         (i) neither  MFC  nor  any  of  its  subsidiaries  shall,  directly  or
    indirectly,  (a) amend or propose to amend  its charter or bylaws; (b) issue
    or sell  any  of  its  equity securities,  securities  convertible  into  or
    exchangeable for its equity securities, warrants, options or other rights to
    acquire  its equity securities, or any bonds or other securities, except (1)
    deposit and other bank  obligations in the ordinary  course of business  and
    (2) pursuant to the exercise of the options, warrants, conversion privileges
    and  other  rights set  forth on  a  schedule to  the Merger  Agreement; (c)
    redeem, purchase, acquire or offer  to acquire, directly or indirectly,  any
    shares  of  capital  stock  of  MFC or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  or other
    securities of MFC  or of  any of its  subsidiaries, except  pursuant to  the
    agreements,  arrangements  or commitments  identified in  a schedule  to the
    Merger Agreement; (d) split, combine or reclassify any outstanding shares of
    capital stock of MFC or  any of its subsidiaries,  or declare, set aside  or
    pay  any  dividend  or  other  distribution  payable  in  cash,  property or
    otherwise with respect  to shares  of capital  stock of  MFC or  any of  its
    subsidiaries  except (1) dividends paid in  cash by MFC's subsidiaries which
    are wholly owned by MFC to MFC,  or another wholly owned subsidiary of  MFC,
    (2)  the regular quarterly cash dividends paid on the MFC Common Stock in an
    amount not to exceed $.20 per share,  and (3) the regular dividends paid  in
    accordance  with the terms of the MFC Preferred Stock; (e) borrow any amount
    or incur or  become subject  to any material  liability, except  liabilities
    incurred in the ordinary course

                                       50
<PAGE>
    of  business, but in no event will MFC or any of its subsidiaries enter into
    any long-term borrowings with  a term of greater  than one year, other  than
    (1)  as set forth in  a schedule to the  Merger Agreement and (2) borrowings
    for the purpose  of interest rate  risk management with  maturities of  less
    than  three years in an aggregate  amount not exceeding $150,000,000 and any
    related derivative transactions,  without prior consultation  with FBS;  (f)
    discharge  or satisfy any material lien  or encumbrance on the properties or
    assets of MFC  or any  of its subsidiaries  or pay  any material  liability,
    except  in the  ordinary course of  business, other  than reverse repurchase
    agreements or Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings; (g) sell, assign, transfer,
    mortgage, pledge or  subject to  any lien or  other encumbrance  any of  its
    assets  with an aggregate market  value in excess of  $50,000, except (1) in
    the ordinary course of  business, including real  estate owned ("REO"),  (2)
    liens  and encumbrances for  current property taxes not  yet due and payable
    and (3) liens and encumbrances which do not materially affect the value  of,
    or  interfere with the past or future use or ability to convey, the property
    subject thereto or affected thereby; (h) cancel any material debt or  claims
    or  waive any  rights of  material value, except  in the  ordinary course of
    business; (i) acquire  (by merger, exchange,  consolidation, acquisition  of
    stock or assets or otherwise) any corporation, partnership, joint venture or
    other  business  organization or  division  or material  assets  thereof, or
    assets or deposits  that are material  to MFC, except  in exchange for  debt
    previously  contracted,  including REO;  (j) other  than as  set forth  in a
    schedule to  the Merger  Agreement,  make any  single  or group  of  related
    capital  expenditures or commitments therefor in  excess of $50,000 or enter
    into any lease or group of related leases with the same party which involves
    aggregate lease payments payable  of more than  $100,000 for any  individual
    lease  or involves more than $100,000 for any group of related leases in the
    aggregate; or (k) enter into or propose to enter into, or modify or  propose
    to  modify, any agreement, arrangement or  understanding with respect to any
    of the matters set forth in this clause (i);

        (ii) neither  MFC  nor  any  of  its  subsidiaries  shall,  directly  or
    indirectly,  enter  into  or  modify any  employment,  severance  or similar
    agreements or  arrangements with,  or  grant any  bonuses, wage,  salary  or
    compensation  increases, or severance or termination pay to, or promote, any
    director, officer, employee, group  of employees or  consultant or hire  any
    employee with an employee classification above a specified level, other than
    (a)  bonuses, increases, promotions or new  hires in the ordinary course and
    in a manner  consistent with  past practices as  disclosed to  FBS prior  to
    entering  into the  Merger Agreement, (b)  bonuses payable  on the effective
    date of the Merger as a result  of the Merger under MFC's change in  control
    severance  pay plans and (c) retention bonuses in an aggregate amount not to
    exceed $300,000 and as to which the identity of the recipient and amount  of
    each such bonus will be previously agreed upon by FBS and MFC;

        (iii)  neither MFC nor any of its  subsidiaries shall adopt or amend any
    bonus,  profit  sharing,   stock  option,   pension,  retirement,   deferred
    compensation,  or  other employee  benefit  plan, trust,  fund,  contract or
    arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any employees, except as  required
    by law;

        (iv)  each of MFC  and its subsidiaries shall  use reasonable efforts to
    cause its current insurance policies not to be canceled or terminated or any
    of the  coverage  thereunder  to  lapse,  unless  simultaneously  with  such
    termination,  cancellation or lapse, replacement policies providing coverage
    substantially equal to the coverage under the canceled, terminated or lapsed
    policies are in full force and effect;

        (v) neither  MFC  nor any  of  its  subsidiaries shall  enter  into  any
    settlement  or  similar  agreement  with  respect  to,  or  take  any  other
    significant action  with  respect  to  the conduct  of,  any  action,  suit,
    proceeding,  order or investigation which is set  forth in a schedule to the
    Merger Agreement or to which MFC or any of such subsidiaries becomes a party
    after the date of the Merger Agreement, without prior consultation with FBS,
    provided that neither MFC nor any  of such subsidiaries shall take any  such
    action  with respect to certain litigation  matters relating to Edina Realty
    without the prior written consent of FBS;

        (vi) each of MFC and its subsidiaries shall use commercially  reasonable
    efforts   to  preserve  intact   in  all  material   respects  the  business
    organization and the goodwill  of each of MFC  and such subsidiaries and  to
    keep  available the services  of its officers  and employees as  a group and
    preserve intact material agreements, and MFC  shall confer on a regular  and
    frequent  basis with representatives of FBS, as reasonably requested by FBS,
    to  report  on  operational  matters  and  the  general  status  of  ongoing
    operations;

                                       51
<PAGE>
       (vii)  neither MFC nor any of its subsidiaries shall take any action with
    respect  to  investment  securities  held  or  controlled  by  any  of  them
    inconsistent  with past  practices, alter its  investment portfolio duration
    policy as in effect prior  to the date of  the Merger Agreement or,  without
    prior  consultation  with FBS,  take  any action  that  would have  or could
    reasonably  be  expected   to  have   a  material  effect   on  the   Bank's
    asset/liability position;

       (viii)  the Bank shall not make  any agreements or commitments binding it
    to extend credit in the amount per borrower in excess of $1,000,000 nor will
    it purchase any portfolio  of loans with an  aggregate principal balance  in
    excess of $100,000,000 without prior consultation with FBS;

        (ix)   with  respect  to  properties  leased   by  MFC  or  any  of  its
    subsidiaries, neither MFC nor any of such subsidiaries shall renew, exercise
    an option to  extend, cancel  or surrender any  lease of  real property  nor
    allow  any such lease  to lapse, without prior  consultation with FBS (other
    than leases with remaining terms of six months or less); and

         (x) neither MFC nor any  of its subsidiaries shall  agree to do any  of
    the foregoing;

provided,  however,  that  in  the  event  MFC  and  its  subsidiaries  would be
prohibited from taking any action by  reason of the foregoing without the  prior
written  consent of FBS, such action may nevertheless  be taken if MFC or any of
such subsidiaries is expressly required  to do so by law  or by the OTS and  MFC
informs FBS of such prohibition or restriction.

   
    Pursuant  to  the Merger  Agreement, MFC  also is  required to  take certain
affirmative actions at or  before the time the  Merger becomes effective.  These
include certain specified actions with respect to its employee benefit and stock
option  plans,  see "--Effect  on MFC  Employee Benefit  Plans and  Stock Option
Plans."  The  Merger  Agreement  also  prevents  MFC  from  negotiating  for  an
acquisition  of MFC  by any  other party,  subject to  specified exceptions, see
"--Limitations  on  Negotiations,"  and  from  taking  any  action  which  would
disqualify  the Merger as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes or as
a "reorganization" that  would be tax-free  to shareholders of  MFC pursuant  to
Section  368(a) of the Code, see "--Accounting Treatment" and "--Certain Federal
Income Tax  Consequences to  MFC Shareholders."  The Merger  Agreement  provides
that,  subject  to  certain  conditions,  MFC  will,  consistent  with generally
accepted accounting principles, establish such additional accruals and  reserves
as  may be necessary to conform MFC's  credit loss reserve practices and methods
to those of  FBS, to reflect  the plans of  FBS with respect  to the conduct  of
MFC's  business  following  the Merger  and  to  provide for  certain  costs and
expenses relating  to the  Merger. See  Unaudited Pro  Forma Combined  Financial
Information.
    

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF MFC FOLLOWING THE MERGER

   
    After the Merger of MFC into FBS, it is expected that MFC's Minnesota, South
Dakota  and  Wisconsin  branch  operations  will  be  merged  into  FBS' banking
subsidiaries located in those states. In addition, the banking subsidiary of FBS
located in  North Dakota  is expected  to be  merged into  Metropolitan  Federal
Savings Bank, fsb. FBS anticipates that MFC will continue to operate as a thrift
institution  in the States of North  Dakota, Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and
Wyoming following the Merger;  provided, however, that FBS  expects that it  may
establish  a state or national bank in  Wyoming, which in turn would acquire the
Wyoming branches  of MFC.  FBS anticipates  that significant  cost savings  will
result  from  MFC's inclusion  in  the FBS  enterprise.  These cost  savings are
expected  to   result  from   personnel  reductions,   branch  and   operational
consolidations,  and general reductions in  corporate and administrative support
functions. FBS estimates that  the potential cost savings  will be 35% of  MFC's
annual  expense base. The operating cost savings  are expected to be achieved in
various amounts during the two twelve-month periods following the Merger and not
ratably over, or  at the beginning  or end  of, such periods.  Based on  current
expectations,  approximately 80% of the aggregate cost savings would be realized
in 1995, with the full cost  savings achieved in 1996. Using consensus  earnings
estimates  for FBS and MFC published  by various financial services and assuming
that the timing  of the aggregate  cost savings occurs  as expected, the  merger
with  MFC could be accretive to  FBS earnings per share in  the range of $.08 to
$.10 in 1996. There can be no assurance that the expected cost savings or effect
on earnings  will be  realized or  that they  will be  realized in  the  periods
discussed.
    

                                       52
<PAGE>
   
    FBS  anticipates  converting  MFC's  data  processing  systems  and  product
application systems to its systems soon after the effective date of the  Merger.
After  conversion  of the  data  processing and  product  systems, FBS  plans to
rapidly introduce  its standardized  products into  the MFC  branch network.  In
addition,  all back  office administrative  and support  functions will  also be
centralized shortly after the systems conversion.
    

INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER

   
    SEVERANCE PLANS.  Under the Merger  Agreement, FBS has agreed to assume  and
perform  or cause to be  performed all of the  obligations of "successors" under
the terms  of the  MFC Broad-Based  Change  in Control  Severance Pay  Plan,  as
amended,  the MFC  Senior Management  Change in  Control Severance  Pay Plan, as
amended, and the MFC Executive Management Change in Control Severance Pay  Plan,
as  amended (the "Change in Control Plans"),  each of which was adopted in 1993.
Further, pursuant to the  Merger Agreement, MFC and  FBS have agreed to  certain
amendments  to the Change  in Control Plans to  be effected by  MFC prior to the
effectiveness of the  Merger. Under  such plans, the  total severance  payments,
including the cash value of benefits, expected to be made in connection with the
Merger  are approximately  $30 million. See  "-- Effect on  MFC Employee Benefit
Plans and Stock Option Plans -- Change in Control Plans."
    

   
    Under MFC's Executive Management  Change in Control  Severance Pay Plan,  as
amended  (the "Executive Change in Control Plan"), executive officers of MFC are
entitled to receive certain benefits if their employment is terminated before  a
"change in control" (as defined in such plan and which would include the Merger)
(as  a condition to the change in control transaction) or within two years after
the "change in control" by MFC or its successors without "cause" (as defined  in
such  plan) or  by the  executive for  "good reason"  (as defined  in such plan)
(including adverse  changes in  status or  position, reduction  in base  salary,
termination  of, or certain other adverse  changes to, benefit plans, relocation
or termination for any reason other than  death during the 24th month after  the
change  in control). In such a case, MFC (or its successor) will make a lump-sum
cash payment to the executive in an amount  equal to three times the sum of  the
executive's  annual base  salary plus annual  cash bonus. Based  on current base
salaries and target bonuses, assuming  termination of employment qualifying  for
payments  under the applicable plan, the  five most highly compensated executive
officers of MFC for the year ended December 31, 1993 would receive lump-sum cash
payments as follows:  Norman M. Jones,  $1,914,000; Ronald Peltier,  $1,154,250;
Jerry  L. Record, $891,000; William P.  Bartkowski, $830,250; J. Michael Nilles,
$667,644. All executive officers as a  group would receive such payments in  the
aggregate  amount  of approximately  $9.9 million.  The  executive will  also be
entitled to (a) continued coverage under MFC's welfare benefit plans and certain
perquisite policies for up to three years ("grossed-up" for any additional taxes
payable by the executive relative to  taxes payable by an active employee),  (b)
receive outplacement counseling (for which MFC (or its successor) will pay up to
30%  of the executive's base salary), and  (c) credit for three additional years
of service under any pension plan of MFC (or the value of such service credit if
the credit would cause the plan to lose its tax-qualified status). The executive
will also receive a "gross-up" payment which,  net of all tax, is sufficient  to
pay any excise tax on "excess parachute" payments.
    

   
    AGREEMENTS WITH NORMAN M. JONES.  Under the Merger Agreement, FBS has agreed
to use its best efforts following the effective date of the Merger to (i) secure
the  election of Norman M. Jones to the FBS  Board of Directors for a term of at
least three  years and  (ii)  appoint Mr.  Jones as  Chairman  of the  Board  of
Directors  of the Bank or its successor following the Merger, for at least three
years, subject to any applicable  regulatory requirements. FBS has also  agreed,
following  the  Merger, to  enter into  a consulting  agreement with  Mr. Jones,
containing customary terms and conditions,  engaging Mr. Jones for a  three-year
period  following the effective date of  the Merger as an independent consultant
to assist  FBS  in identifying  and  contacting,  on behalf  of  FBS,  potential
financial  institution acquisition candidates as requested  from time to time by
FBS. FBS shall pay Mr. Jones, for all of such services, total compensation equal
to $200,000 annually. The Merger Agreement specifies that, on the effective date
of the Merger, there shall exist  a "termination" of Mr. Jones' employment  with
MFC  under the terms of  the Executive Change in Control  Plan and FBS shall pay
all benefits payable to Mr. Jones pursuant  to the terms of such plan upon  such
termination.  Based  on his  current  base salary  and  target bonus,  the total
lump-sum cash payment to Mr. Jones  upon such termination pursuant to such  plan
would be $1,914,000 (assuming no tax "gross-up" payment).
    

                                       53
<PAGE>
   
    EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT WITH J. MICHAEL NILLES.  By their terms, the Change in
Control Plans supersede other severance pay plans sponsored or maintained by MFC
or its  affiliates. J.  Michael  Nilles has  an  employment agreement  with  MFC
expiring  on  December 31,  1995, which  FBS  has agreed  does not  constitute a
severance plan for purposes  of the Change in  Control Plans. Therefore, if  Mr.
Nilles'  employment  were terminated  and he  became  eligible for  payments and
benefits under the Executive Change in Control Plan, he may also have claims for
payments under his employment agreement. The employment agreement provides  that
it  may only be terminated for breach of MFC's rules and regulations, dishonesty
or failure to perform duties at  the required level of industry and  competence.
Mr.  Nilles  annual  base salary  under  the employment  agreement  is currently
$164,850.
    

    INDEMNIFICATION AND  INSURANCE.    The  Merger  Agreement  requires  FBS  to
indemnify, defend and hold harmless each present and former officer, director or
employee  of  MFC  (including  its  subsidiaries)  against  all  losses, claims,
damages, costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees), liabilities, judgments  or
amounts  paid in  settlement (which settlement  shall require  the prior written
consent of  FBS, which  consent shall  not be  unreasonably withheld)  of or  in
connection  with any  claim, action, suit,  proceeding or  investigation (each a
"Claim") which arises out of such person's serving in such capacity and pertains
to any matter or fact arising,  existing or occurring before the Merger  becomes
effective  (including, without limitation, the  Merger and related transactions)
to the full  extent permitted  under applicable Delaware  or federal  law as  in
effect  at the  time of  the Merger,  and the  certificate of  incorporation and
bylaws of MFC  as in  effect on  the date of  the Merger  Agreement. The  Merger
Agreement  also provides that FBS will advance expenses incurred by such persons
in connection with Claims to the full extent permitted by such laws, certificate
of incorporation  and  bylaws. These  indemnification  obligations of  FBS  will
continue in force for at least five years after the Merger becomes effective and
will apply to any Claim asserted or made within such period.

    The  Merger Agreement also requires FBS to  use its best efforts to maintain
in effect, for  three years after  the Merger becomes  effective, officers'  and
directors'  liability insurance  with respect  to claims  arising from  facts or
events which occurred before  the Merger became effective  of at least the  same
coverage  and amounts, and containing terms and conditions no less advantageous,
as the coverage currently  provided by MFC, subject  to a stated maximum  annual
premium.

   
    In  addition, MFC has entered into agreements with each of its directors and
executive  officers,   which   have   been  ratified   by   MFC's   stockholders
("Indemnification  Agreements").  The Indemnification  Agreements  provide MFC's
executive officers and directors with a right to prompt indemnification and  the
prompt  advancement  of expenses  (as defined  therein)  "to the  fullest extent
permitted by law" for obligations paid or incurred by such person in  connection
with  a proceeding (as defined therein), in the event that the executive officer
or director has  incurred such  obligations by  reason of  his corporate  status
(defined  in the Indemnification Agreements as the status of a person "who is or
was or has agreed to become a director of MFC, or is or was an executive officer
or fiduciary of  MFC or of  any other corporation,  partnership, joint  venture,
trust,  employee benefit plan  or other enterprise  which such person  is or was
serving at  the  request  of  MFC"). The  Indemnification  Agreements  define  a
"proceeding"  to  include  "any  action,  suit,  arbitration,  alternate dispute
resolution  mechanism,  investigation,  administrative  hearing  or  any   other
proceeding   whether  civil,   administrative  or   investigative,"  other  than
proceedings instituted by  the indemnitee. The  Indemnification Agreements  also
provide  that  a  director or  executive  officer automatically  is  entitled to
indemnification for expenses to the extent he or she is successful in  defending
any  indemnification claim, whether  on the merits or  otherwise, and to partial
indemnification even though complete indemnification might not be in order.  The
Indemnification  Agreements provide that in the event  of a change in control of
MFC, such as  the Merger, it  will seek legal  advice from special,  independent
counsel  with respect to the matters thereafter arising concerning rights of the
director or executive officer under the Indemnification Agreements. In addition,
the Indemnification Agreements provide that in the event of a change in control,
the independent counsel will presume that  the director or executive officer  is
entitled  to indemnification. As a  result of the Merger,  FBS will assume MFC's
obligations under the  Indemnification Agreements, which  are generally  broader
than  the indemnification obligations of FBS to directors and executive officers
of MFC under the Merger Agreement.
    

   
    DIRECTORS' RETIREMENT PLAN.   The Merger Agreement  provides that MFC  shall
calculate  and  pay in  cash on  the effective  date of  the Merger  all amounts
reasonably  estimated  to  be  owing  to  any  MFC  director  pursuant  to   the
    

                                       54
<PAGE>
MFC  Directors'  Retirement Plan,  including  any estimated  "gross  up" payment
payable as  provided therein.  To the  extent  that any  such gross  up  payment
remains  payable  after the  effective date  of  the Merger,  FBS has  agreed to
promptly pay such amounts in full in accordance with the terms of such plan.

   
    Under this plan upon the occurrence of a "change in control" (as defined  in
the  plan and which would include the  Merger) an eligible director (each member
of MFC's Board other than Mr. Jones) will receive a lump sum cash payment  equal
to  the present value of a monthly benefit  in an amount equal to one-twelfth of
the annual retainer  for outside  directors at  the rate  in effect  immediately
prior to the change in control for a number of months equal to the number of the
director's  complete months of service on the Board. Based on the current annual
retainers and assuming closing  of the Merger occurs  on December 31, 1994,  the
following  MFC  directors would  be entitled  to  receive the  aggregate amounts
indicated upon closing: William O. Nilles, $405,868; Charles D. Kalil, $306,531;
Trueman E.  Tryhus,  $416,992;  R. Douglas  Larsen,  $431,046;  William  Marcil,
$206,474;  Lawrence Davis, $145,862;  Karol D. Emmerich,  $59,605; and Steven D.
Rothmeier, $38,185. The aggregate of all such payments, assuming consummation of
the Merger occurs on  December 31, 1994, is  $2,010,563. The director will  also
receive  a "gross up"  payment which, net of  all tax, is  sufficient to pay any
excise tax on "excess parachute"  payments. In determining a director's  service
for  purposes  of  the plan,  service  prior to  March  1, 1985  as  director of
Metropolitan Federal Bank, fsb, or its predecessors is taken into account.
    

    In addition to the foregoing, certain  MFC employee benefit plans and  stock
option  plans,  in which  executive officers  of MFC  also participate,  will be
affected by the Merger.  See "--Effect on MFC  Employee Benefit Plans and  Stock
Option Plans" below.

    The  foregoing interests of members  of management of MFC  in the Merger may
mean that such persons have  personal interests in the  Merger which may not  be
identical to the interests of nonaffiliated shareholders.

EFFECT ON MFC EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND STOCK OPTION PLANS

    After  the Merger becomes  effective, the current  employee benefit plans of
MFC will continue in force until amended or terminated in accordance with  their
terms.  Subject to  the foregoing,  FBS will  have the  right, after  the Merger
becomes effective, to continue, amend or terminate any such plans.

    STOCK OPTIONS.  Upon  effectiveness of the Merger,  with the consent of  the
holders of each outstanding option to purchase shares of MFC Common Stock issued
pursuant  to the MFC  1984 Stock Option  and Incentive Plan,  the MFC 1990 Stock
Option Plan, the MFC  1993 Non-Employee Director Stock  Option Plan and the  MFC
1993  Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock Options"), each of the Stock Options will
be converted into a  right to receive,  in lieu of all  other rights under  such
options (which will be terminated and canceled), shares of FBS Common Stock with
a value as of the effective date of the Merger equal to the "fair value" of such
option  as  determined  by an  independent  third  party expert  to  be mutually
selected by FBS and MFC. In such event,  as of the effective date of the  Merger
FBS will issue, in respect of each of the Stock Options, the aggregate number of
shares  of FBS  Common Stock  equal to  such "fair  value" based  on the Average
Price. In the event that each of the Stock Options is not so converted, then, as
of the effective date of the Merger,  the Stock Options shall be assumed by  FBS
and  shall thereafter be deemed to constitute  an option to acquire, on the same
terms and conditions as  were applicable under such  option, the same number  of
shares of FBS Common Stock as the holder of such option would have been entitled
to  receive pursuant to the Merger had such holder exercised such option in full
immediately prior to  the effective date  of the  Merger, at a  price per  share
equal  to (x) the  aggregate exercise price  for the shares  of MFC Common Stock
otherwise purchasable pursuant to such option divided by (y) the number of  full
shares of FBS Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such option; provided,
however, that in the case of any option to which Section 421 of the Code applies
by  reason of its qualification under Section  422 of the Code ("incentive stock
options"), the option price, the number  of shares purchasable pursuant to  such
option  and  the terms  and  conditions of  exercise  of such  options  shall be
determined in order to comply with Section 424(a) of the Code. In addition,  MFC
will  use its best  efforts to cause  all of the  options outstanding and vested
under the MFC Stock Option Plans as of December 31, 1994 to be exercised in full
on or prior to such date.

                                       55
<PAGE>
    Also upon  effectiveness  of  the Merger,  each  outstanding  option  issued
pursuant  to the  MFC Employee  Stock Purchase  Plan or  the Edina  Realty Sales
Associate Stock Purchase Plan shall be deemed to constitute an option to acquire
FBS Common Stock with appropriate adjustments.

    401(K) PLANS.   The Merger Agreement  provides that no  more than two  years
after  the Merger becomes effective, FBS  will terminate the accrual of benefits
under the MFC 401(k)  plans and will  take such actions as  may be necessary  to
cause  the assets and liabilities of the MFC  401(k) plans to be merged with and
into the FBS 401(k) plan (the  "Capital Accumulation Plan"). FBS is required  to
take  such actions as may be necessary to  amend the MFC 401(k) plans to provide
that MFC  employees  (including  employees  of  subsidiaries  of  MFC)  who  are
participants  in the  MFC 401(k)  plans and  who are  employees of  MFC when the
Merger becomes effective  will be fully  vested as  of such date,  and such  MFC
employees  will be fully vested  on any additions to  their accounts through the
time of the merger of the MFC  401(k) plans into the Capital Accumulation  Plan.
Distributions  will not be permitted from the MFC 401(k) plans merely because of
the discontinuance  of  accruals  thereunder  or  the  transfer  of  assets  and
liabilities  to  the Capital  Accumulation Plan.  FBS is  required to  take such
actions as may be necessary to cause  eligible MFC employees to be qualified  to
participate in the Capital Accumulation Plan concurrent with the date FBS causes
accruals  to cease  under the  MFC 401(k) plans.  All service  with MFC (whether
before or  after the  Merger becomes  effective) will  be recognized  under  the
Capital  Accumulation  Plan for  eligibility and  vesting  purposes but  not for
contribution and allocation purposes. FBS is required to take such action as may
be necessary  to cause  the Capital  Accumulation Plan  to accept  transfers  of
assets and liabilities from the MFC 401(k) plans.

   
    CHANGE  IN CONTROL  PLANS.   Under the Merger  Agreement, FBS  has agreed to
assume and  perform  or  cause  to  be  performed  all  of  the  obligations  of
"successors"  under  the  terms of  the  Change  in Control  Plans.  These plans
generally provide that, after the Merger is effective, certain employees of MFC,
including all executive  officers, will become  entitled to specified  severance
payments  and employee benefit  continuations if their  employment is terminated
under specified circumstances. See "The Merger--Interests of Certain Persons  in
the  Merger-- Severance Plans."  Further, pursuant to  the Merger Agreement, FBS
and MFC  have  agreed to  certain  amendments to  the  Change in  Control  Plans
relating  to the  continuation of  certain welfare benefits  or, in  the case of
executive officers and senior management, certain perquisites. These amendments,
which were adopted by MFC's Board of  Directors on July 26, 1994, eliminate  the
continuation  of certain welfare benefits and reduce the continuation period for
such benefits under  the Broad-Based Change  in Control Severance  Pay Plan  and
provide  for the  continuation of  certain automobile  allowance and  health and
country club reimbursement policies maintained by MFC under the other Change  in
Control Plans.
    

    PENSION  PLAN.  The  Merger Agreement provides  that no more  than two years
after the Merger becomes effective, FBS  will terminate the accrual of  benefits
under  the MFC qualified  defined benefit pension plan  (the "MFC Pension Plan")
and will  take  such  actions as  may  be  necessary to  cause  the  assets  and
liabilities of the MFC Pension Plan to be merged with and into the FBS qualified
defined  benefit  pension  plan  (the  "Personal  Retirement  Account").  FBS is
required to take such actions as may be necessary to amend the MFC Pension  Plan
to  provide that MFC employees (including  employees of subsidiaries of MFC) who
are participants in the MFC Pension Plan  and who are employees of MFC when  the
Merger  becomes effective will be fully vested  as of such date. FBS is required
to take such actions as may be  necessary to cause eligible MFC employees to  be
qualified  to participate in  the Personal Retirement  Account (or any qualified
defined benefit  plan generally  available  at the  time to  similarly  situated
employees of FBS or its affiliates) concurrent with the date FBS causes accruals
to  cease under the MFC Pension Plan. All  service with MFC (to the extent taken
into account for purposes of  the MFC Pension Plan  and whether before or  after
effectiveness  of  the  Merger)  shall  be recognized  under  the  FBS  plan for
eligibility and vesting purposes but shall not be required to be recognized  for
any other purpose.

    OTHER  BENEFITS.  FBS shall use its  best efforts to cause any transition by
MFC employees from the other generally applicable benefit plans and practices of
MFC or its affiliates to FBS plans and practices to be effected in a manner that
does not result  in a  significant financial  detriment to  such MFC  employees,
other  than any such financial detriment as  a result of higher premium costs in
the FBS  plan  which  are  generally  applicable  to  other  similarly  situated
employees of FBS and its affiliates or to the absence of any FBS counterpart for
a particular MFC plan or practice.

                                       56
<PAGE>
MFC WARRANTS

   
    MFC  had, as of July 31, 1994, outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 177,060 shares of MFC Common Stock (the "MFC Warrants") which were issued  in
a  November  1991  public offering  of  units  consisting of  one  share  of MFC
Preferred Stock  and one  MFC  Warrant. Each  MFC  Warrant entitles  the  holder
thereof  to purchase  1.32 shares  of MFC Common  Stock. Pursuant  to the Merger
Agreement, FBS has agreed that it shall execute a supplemental warrant agreement
to the  Warrant  Agreement dated  as  of November  20,  1990 (the  "MFC  Warrant
Agreement")  between  MFC  and American  Stock  Transfer and  Trust  Company, as
warrant agent,  and  all  the  MFC Warrants  issued  pursuant  to  such  Warrant
Agreement  shall  be  assumed  by  FBS. Each  MFC  Warrant  shall  be  deemed to
constitute an  option to  acquire, on  the  same terms  and conditions  as  were
applicable under such MFC Warrant, the same number of shares of FBS Common Stock
as  the holder of such MFC Warrant  would have been entitled to receive pursuant
to the Merger had such holder exercised such option in full immediately prior to
the effective  date of  the  Merger, at  a  price per  share  equal to  (x)  the
aggregate   exercise  price  for  the  shares  of  MFC  Common  Stock  otherwise
purchasable pursuant  to such  MFC Warrant  divided by  (y) the  number of  full
shares  of FBS Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such MFC Warrant. FBS
has agreed to  take all  corporate action necessary  to reserve  for issuance  a
sufficient  number of shares of  FBS Common Stock for  delivery upon exercise of
MFC Warrants assumed  by it, and  to use its  best efforts to  register the  MFC
Warrants  and the underlying FBS Common Stock under the Securities Act as of the
effective date  of  the  Merger  and  to  maintain  the  effectiveness  of  such
registration  statement  or registration  statements  (and maintain  the current
status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as  such
MFC Warrants remain outstanding.
    

RIGHTS OF MFC DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS

   
    Pursuant  to Section 262(b)(1) of the  Delaware General Corporation Law, MFC
shareholders will not have any dissenters'  rights of appraisal with respect  to
shares  of MFC Common Stock as  a result of the matters  to be voted upon at the
MFC Special Meeting. Pursuant to Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, holders of MFC Preferred Stock may elect to have the "fair value" of  their
shares  of  MFC Preferred  Stock (determined  in  accordance with  Delaware law)
individually appraised and  paid to them,  if the Merger  is consummated and  if
they comply with Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
    

NO DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF FBS SHAREHOLDERS

    Under  the Delaware General Corporation Law,  FBS shareholders will not have
any dissenters' rights of appraisal as a result of the matters to be voted  upon
at the FBS Special Meeting.

CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO MFC SHAREHOLDERS

   
    The  following is a  summary description of the  material federal income tax
consequences of the Merger to holders of MFC Common Stock; it is not intended to
be a complete description of the federal income tax consequences of the  Merger.
The  following discussion does not cover  all aspects of federal income taxation
that may be  relevant to a  particular MFC shareholder  in light of  his or  her
individual  circumstances  or to  certain  MFC shareholders  subject  to special
treatment under  the  federal  income  tax laws  (for  example,  life  insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations and foreign corporations and individuals who
are  not citizens or  residents of the  United States) and  does not discuss any
aspects of state, local or foreign taxation. This discussion is based upon laws,
regulations, rulings and decisions  now in effect  and on proposed  regulations,
all  of  which  are subject  to  change  (possibly with  retroactive  effect) by
legislation, administrative action or judicial  decision. No ruling has been  or
will  be requested from the Internal Revenue  Service (the "Service") on any tax
matters relating to the tax consequences of the Merger. EACH MFC SHAREHOLDER  IS
ADVISED  TO  CONSULT WITH  HIS OR  HER  OWN TAX  ADVISOR REGARDING  THE SPECIFIC
FEDERAL, STATE,  LOCAL  AND FOREIGN  TAX  CONSEQUENCES  OF THE  MERGER  TO  SUCH
SHAREHOLDER.
    

    MFC will rely upon the opinion of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly, its counsel,
as  to  the following  federal  income tax  consequences  of the  Merger  to MFC
shareholders. The opinion of  Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly  is based on  current
law,  assuming  the Merger  takes place  as described  in the  Merger Agreement.
Unlike a ruling from the  Service, an opinion of counsel  is not binding on  the
Service  and there can be no assurance that the Service will not take a position
contrary to one or more of the positions reflected herein or that the  positions
herein will be upheld by the courts if challenged by the Service.

                                       57
<PAGE>
   
    Based  upon the opinion of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly, which is based upon
various representations and subject  to various assumptions and  qualifications,
the  following  federal income  tax consequences  to  the MFC  shareholders will
result from the Merger: (i) the Merger will qualify as a "reorganization"  under
Section  368(a) of the Code, (ii) no gain  or loss will be recognized by any MFC
shareholder (except in connection with the receipt of cash) upon the exchange of
MFC Common Stock for FBS Common Stock in the Merger, (iii) the basis of the  FBS
Common  Stock received by an MFC shareholder  who exchanges MFC Common Stock for
FBS Common  Stock  will be  the  same  as the  basis  of the  MFC  Common  Stock
surrendered  in exchange  therefor (subject to  any adjustments  required as the
result of  the receipt  of cash  in lieu  of a  fractional share  of FBS  Common
Stock),  (iv) the  holding period  of the  FBS Common  Stock received  by an MFC
shareholder receiving FBS Common Stock will include the period during which  the
MFC  Common Stock surrendered  in exchange therefor was  held (provided that the
MFC Common Stock of such MFC shareholder was  held as a capital asset as of  the
effective  date of the Merger),  and (v) cash received  by an MFC shareholder in
lieu of a  fractional share  interest of  FBS Common  Stock will  be treated  as
having  been received  as a  distribution in  full payment  in exchange  for the
fractional share interest of FBS Common  Stock which such MFC shareholder  would
otherwise  be entitled  to receive,  and will  qualify as  capital gain  or loss
(assuming the MFC  Common Stock was  a capital asset  in such MFC  shareholder's
hands at the effective date of the Merger).
    

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING OF FBS COMMON STOCK

    It  is anticipated that  FBS will file  a listing application  with the NYSE
covering the shares of FBS Common Stock which are issuable upon consummation  of
the  Merger and  that such  application will  be approved  subject to  notice of
issuance at or before the time the  Merger becomes effective. It is a  condition
to the obligations of MFC and FBS to consummate the Merger that such shares have
been approved for listing on the NYSE on official notice of issuance.

RESALE OF FBS COMMON STOCK RECEIVED BY MFC SHAREHOLDERS

    The  shares  of  FBS  Common  Stock issuable  to  shareholders  of  MFC upon
consummation of the Merger have been  registered under the Securities Act.  Such
shares  may be traded  freely without restriction by  those shareholders who are
not deemed to  be "affiliates" of  MFC or FBS,  as that term  is defined in  the
rules under the Securities Act.

    Shares  of FBS Common  Stock received by  those shareholders of  MFC who are
deemed to be "affiliates" of MFC at the  time of the MFC Special Meeting may  be
resold  without registration under the Securities  Act only as permitted by Rule
145 under the Securities Act or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act.
MFC has agreed in  the Merger Agreement  to use its best  efforts to obtain  and
deliver  to FBS at least 31 days prior  to the time the Merger becomes effective
signed representations by each shareholder of  MFC who may reasonably be  deemed
to  be an "affiliate" of MFC  to the effect that such  persons will not offer to
sell, transfer or otherwise  dispose of any  of the shares  of FBS Common  Stock
distributed  to them pursuant to the Merger  except in compliance with Rule 145,
or in a transaction that is otherwise exempt from the registration  requirements
of  the  Securities  Act,  or  in an  offering  which  is  registered  under the
Securities Act. This Proxy  Statement/Prospectus does not  cover any resales  of
FBS Common Stock received by persons who are deemed to be "affiliates" of MFC.

FBS DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND COMMON STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

    FBS  provides eligible shareholders  with a simple  and convenient method of
investing cash dividends and optional cash payments at 100% of the average price
(as defined) in  additional shares of  FBS Common Stock  without payment of  any
brokerage  commission  or  service  charge pursuant  to  its  Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment and Common Stock  Purchase Plan. The  plan includes certain  dollar
limitations  on participation  and provides  for eligible  shareholders to elect
dividend reinvestment on only a part of  the shares registered in the name of  a
participant (while continuing to receive cash dividends on remaining shares). It
is  anticipated that the  plan will continue after  the Merger becomes effective
and that shareholders of  MFC who receive  FBS Common Stock  in the Merger  will
have the right to participate therein.

                                       58
<PAGE>
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

    The  obligation of  FBS to  consummate the  Merger is  conditioned on, among
other things, no event having occurred  which, in the reasonable opinion of  FBS
and  concurred in  by Ernst  & Young  LLP, would  prevent the  Merger from being
accounted for as a  pooling of interests,  and the receipt by  FBS from Ernst  &
Young  LLP of an opinion that the Merger shall qualify as a pooling of interests
for accounting purposes. See  "--Conditions to Consummation  of the Merger."  In
order  for the Merger to qualify  for pooling of interests accounting treatment,
FBS Common Stock  must be  issued in  exchange for at  least 90  percent of  the
outstanding   MFC  Common  Stock  and  several  additional  conditions  must  be
satisfied. MFC Common Stock as to which cash is paid in lieu of the issuance  of
fractional  shares of FBS Common Stock, and  MFC Common Stock owned by FBS, does
not count toward this 90 percent.  See "--Terms of the Merger; Consideration  to
be  Received by  MFC Shareholders" and  "Information Concerning  the MFC Special
Meeting--Solicitation, Voting and Revocability of Proxies." If an event occurred
which  precluded  pooling  of  interests  accounting  treatment  (which  is  not
anticipated)  and the  condition to  consummation of  the Merger  requiring such
treatment were proposed to be waived, proxies would be resolicited from MFC  and
FBS  shareholders with updated  revised pro forma  financial statements. FBS and
MFC have agreed  in the  Merger Agreement  not to  take any  action which  would
disqualify  the Merger  as a  pooling of  interests for  accounting purposes. In
addition, MFC has  agreed in the  Merger Agreement  to use its  best efforts  to
obtain  and deliver to FBS at least 31 days prior to the time the Merger becomes
effective signed representations by each  shareholder of MFC who may  reasonably
be  deemed to be an "affiliate" of MFC  to the effect that such persons will not
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of  any shares of FBS Common Stock  received
by  them in the  Merger or otherwise  reduce their risk  relative to such shares
until such time as  financial results covering at  least 30 days of  post-Merger
combined operations of FBS and MFC have been published by FBS.

    Under the pooling of interests method of accounting, the historical basis of
the  assets and  liabilities of  FBS and  MFC will  be combined  when the Merger
becomes effective and carried forward at their previously recorded amounts,  the
shareholders'  equity  accounts  of  FBS  and  MFC  will  be  combined  on  FBS'
consolidated balance sheet, and no goodwill  or other intangible assets will  be
created.  Financial statements  of FBS issued  after consummation  of the Merger
will be restated retroactively to reflect the consolidated operations of FBS and
MFC as if the Merger had been in effect for the periods presented therein.

    The   pro   forma   financial   information   presented   in   this    Proxy
Statement/Prospectus has been prepared using the pooling of interests accounting
method  to  account  for  the  Merger.  See  "Summary--Selected  Historical  and
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data"  and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined  Financial
Information.

EXPENSES

    The  Merger  Agreement  provides that  all  costs and  expenses  incurred in
connection with such agreement and  the transactions contemplated thereby  shall
be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.

CERTAIN DIFFERENCES IN RIGHTS OF MFC SHAREHOLDERS

   
    The  rights of  holders of  MFC Common  Stock are  governed by  the Restated
Certificate of  Incorporation  of  MFC,  as amended  (the  "MFC  Certificate  of
Incorporation"),  the bylaws of MFC (the "MFC Bylaws") and the laws of the State
of Delaware.  The  rights of  FBS  shareholders  are governed  by  the  Restated
Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  FBS, as  amended  (the  "FBS  Certificate of
Incorporation"), the bylaws of FBS (the "FBS Bylaws") and the laws of the  State
of  Delaware. After the Merger  becomes effective, the rights  of holders of MFC
Common Stock who become FBS shareholders will be governed by the FBS Certificate
of Incorporation, the FBS Bylaws and the laws of the State of Delaware. In  many
respects,  the rights of MFC shareholders  and FBS shareholders are similar. See
"Description of FBS Capital Stock" and "Description of MFC Capital Stock." While
it is not practical to  describe all changes in  the rights of MFC  shareholders
that   will  result  from  the  differences   between  the  MFC  Certificate  of
Incorporation and the MFC  Bylaws and the FBS  Certificate of Incorporation  and
the FBS Bylaws, the following is a summary of material differences.
    

    AMENDMENTS  TO  CERTIFICATE  OF  INCORPORATION.    The  MFC  Certificate  of
Incorporation provides that an amendment, addition, alteration, change or repeal
of any provision of the MFC Certificate of Incorporation can be enacted only  if
it  is first proposed by the MFC Board of Directors upon the affirmative vote of
at least  two-thirds of  the  directors then  in  office at  a  duly-constituted
meeting    of   the   Board    of   Directors   called    expressly   for   that

                                       59
<PAGE>
purpose and then approved by  a majority of the votes  eligible to be cast at  a
duly-constituted  shareholder meeting called expressly for that purpose. The FBS
Certificate of Incorporation contains no similar requirement, and an  amendment,
addition,  alteration, change or repeal of  any provision of the FBS Certificate
of Incorporation can be enacted if it  is proposed in a resolution adopted by  a
majority  of the directors present at a  meeting of the Board of Directors where
there is a quorum and approved by a majority of the outstanding shares  entitled
to vote.

    SUPERMAJORITY   VOTING.    Both   the  MFC  and   the  FBS  Certificates  of
Incorporation  contain  provisions   that  provide   for  supermajority   voting
requirements  in connection  with certain  "Business Combinations"  or "Business
Transactions" (as  defined),  respectively,  involving a  "Related  Person"  (as
defined).  Similar provisions for each of MFC  and FBS are designed primarily to
address fair price  considerations, and the  required supermajority  shareholder
vote  is not required under certain fair price circumstances or if 75% (for MFC)
or a majority (for FBS) of  the "Continuing Directors" (as defined) approve  the
transaction.  The affirmative  vote of  at least  75% of  the outstanding shares
entitled to vote generally in the  election of directors is required to  approve
such  a  transaction  under  the MFC  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  while the
affirmative vote of  at least  80% of the  outstanding shares  entitled to  vote
generally in the election of directors is required to approve such a transaction
under the FBS Certificate of Incorporation.

    The  MFC Certificate of Incorporation  also requires supermajority voting at
the 75% level (following proposal by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds
of the directors then in office  at a duly-constituted meeting called  expressly
for  that purpose)  to amend,  add to,  alter, change  or repeal  those articles
thereof relating to director numbers, director classification, filling vacancies
on the  board of  directors,  amendment of  bylaws,  removal of  directors,  the
calling   of   special  meetings   of  shareholders,   "Business  Combinations,"
indemnification and amendment of the  MFC Certificate of Incorporation. The  FBS
Certificate of Incorporation also requires supermajority voting at the 80% level
to  amend, add to,  alter, change or  repeal those articles  thereof relating to
director  numbers,  filling  vacancies  on  the  board  of  directors,  director
classification and "Business Transactions."

    AMENDMENT  OF  BYLAWS.   The MFC  Certificate of  Incorporation and  the MFC
Bylaws provide that the MFC Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole
or in part,  or new bylaws  may be adopted  only by the  affirmative vote of  at
least  two-thirds of the directors then  in office at a duly-constituted meeting
called expressly for that purpose or by the affirmative vote of at least 75%  of
the  shareholders  at  a  duly-constituted  meeting  called  expressly  for that
purpose. The FBS Certificate of Incorporation  provides that the FBS Bylaws  may
be amended or repealed by the Board of Directors of FBS, subject to the power of
the shareholders to amend or repeal the FBS Bylaws.

    REMOVAL  OF DIRECTORS.   The MFC Certificate  of Incorporation provides that
the MFC shareholders may remove a director only for cause and then only upon the
affirmative vote of at  least 75% of the  total votes eligible to  be cast at  a
duly-constituted  meeting called expressly for that purpose; written notice must
be sent to the  director or directors  whose removal will  be considered at  the
meeting. Under the FBS Certificate of Incorporation, FBS shareholders may remove
a director only for cause upon a majority vote of the shareholders.

    SPECIAL  MEETINGS  OF SHAREHOLDERS.   The  MFC Certificate  of Incorporation
provides that special meetings of MFC  shareholders for any purpose or  purposes
may  be  called at  any time  by the  chairman  of the  board of  directors, the
president or a majority of the directors then in office. The FBS Bylaws  provide
that  special meetings  may be  called by  the board  of directors  or the chief
executive officer.

    INDEMNIFICATION.  The  MFC Certificate  of Incorporation  provides that  MFC
shall indemnify MFC's directors, officers, employees or agents and those serving
at  MFC's request as directors, officers,  employees or agents of other entities
against certain expenses  under certain  circumstances. The  FBS Bylaws  provide
that  FBS shall  indemnify FBS' directors,  advisory directors  and officers and
those serving at FBS' request as  directors, advisory directors and officers  of
other  entities  against  certain  expenses  under  certain  circumstances;  the
indemnification of FBS' employees shall be at the discretion of the FBS Board of
Directors, and the  FBS Bylaws  do not  contemplate the  indemnification of  any
other persons.

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    The MFC Certificate of Incorporation also specifically provides that MFC, on
behalf of any of the persons that MFC is required to indemnify, may purchase and
maintain  insurance against any liability  asserted against such person, whether
or not MFC  would have  the power  or the  obligation to  indemnify that  person
against  such  liability under  the MFC  Certificate  of Incorporation.  The FBS
Bylaws contain no similar provision.

    RIGHTS PLAN.   FBS has  adopted a shareholder  rights plan,  which may  have
certain  anti-takeover effects. The terms of  the FBS rights plan are summarized
and  described  herein  under  "Description   of  FBS  Capital  Stock--   Common
Stock--Preferred Stock Purchase Rights." MFC has no such plan.

    QUORUM  AT SHAREHOLDERS' MEETINGS.  The  MFC Bylaws provide that the holders
of a majority of the issued and outstanding capital stock entitled to vote at  a
meeting,  present in person or by proxy,  shall constitute a quorum for purposes
of such a meeting. The FBS Bylaws require only that the holders of not less than
one-third of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting be present, in person or
by proxy, to constitute a quorum.

    NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR.  The FBS Bylaws require that
any shareholder nominating a person for election as a director must give written
notice to the secretary  of the corporation  not less than 90  days prior to  an
annual  meeting of shareholders  or not less  than seven days  after the date on
which notice of a special meeting of shareholders for the election of  directors
is  given.  Under  the  MFC  Bylaws, if  the  nominating  committee  has  made a
nomination 20 days prior to the date of an annual meeting, shareholders may only
nominate a candidate for director by delivering written notice to the  secretary
of  the corporation at  least 15 days prior  to the date  of the annual meeting;
there is no provision in either the MFC Certificate of Incorporation or the  MFC
Bylaws  regarding shareholder nomination of directors  for election at a special
meeting of shareholders.

    GENERAL.   The foregoing  discussion of  certain similarities  and  material
differences  between the rights of holders of MFC Common Stock and the rights of
FBS shareholders under their respective Certificates of Incorporation and Bylaws
is only a summary of  certain provisions and does not  purport to be a  complete
description  of such similarities  and differences. The  foregoing discussion is
qualified in its  entirety by  reference to  the Delaware  Corporation Law,  the
common  law thereunder and  the full texts of  the Certificates of Incorporation
and Bylaws of  MFC and FBS.  Such Certificates of  Incorporation and Bylaws  are
filed  or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Registration Statement of
which this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is a part.

                                BUSINESS OF FBS

   
    FBS is  a  regional  bank  holding  company  headquartered  in  Minneapolis,
Minnesota.  FBS  is  comprised  of  9  banks,  and  several  trust  and  nonbank
subsidiaries with  225  offices  primarily  in  Minnesota,  Colorado,  Illinois,
Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Through its subsidiaries, FBS
provides  commercial and agricultural finance,  consumer banking, trust, capital
markets, cash  management,  investment  management,  data  processing,  leasing,
mortgage  banking and  brokerage services.  At September  30, 1994,  FBS and its
consolidated subsidiaries had consolidated assets of $26.3 billion, consolidated
deposits of $18.8 billion and shareholders' equity of $2.3 billion.
    

   
    The subsidiary banks of FBS  engage in general commercial banking  business,
principally  in domestic markets, and provide  banking and ancillary services to
individuals, businesses, institutional organizations, governmental entities  and
other  financial institutions. The largest  subsidiary bank, First Bank National
Association ("FBNA"), had assets of $14.3 billion at September 30, 1994.
    

    FBS is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and non-banking
affiliates. The principal  sources of  FBS' income are  dividends, interest  and
fees  from  FBNA and  the  other banking  and  non-banking affiliates.  The bank
subsidiaries of  FBS,  including FBNA  (the  "Banks"), are  subject  to  certain
restrictions  imposed by federal law on any extensions of credit to, and certain
other transactions with, FBS  and certain other  affiliates from borrowing  from
the  Banks unless the loans are secured by various types of collateral. Further,
such secured loans, other transactions and  investments by any of the Banks  are
generally limited in amount as to FBS and as to each of such other affiliates to
10%  of such  Bank's capital and  surplus and  as to FBS  and all  of such other
affiliates to an

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aggregate of 20%  of such Bank's  capital and surplus.  In addition, payment  of
dividends to FBS by the subsidiary banks is subject to ongoing review by banking
regulators  and  is  subject to  various  statutory limitations  and  in certain
circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory authorities.

    FBS was incorporated  under Delaware  law in 1929  and has  functioned as  a
multi-bank  holding company since that time. Its principal executive offices are
located at First  Bank Place,  601 Second Avenue  South, Minneapolis,  Minnesota
55402-4302  (telephone (612) 973-1111). For  further information concerning FBS,
see the  FBS  documents incorporated  by  reference herein  as  described  under
"Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."

                                BUSINESS OF MFC

   
    MFC,  a regional financial services holding company, was organized under the
laws of the  State of  Delaware in  February 1984. MFC's  mission is  to be  the
premier  provider of community financial  and home ownership services throughout
its markets  by  offering  exceptional  value to  its  customers,  resulting  in
profitable  growth, fulfilling  careers and  community enhancement.  The primary
operations of MFC are in North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas,  South
Dakota,  Wisconsin,  Arizona and  Wyoming. At  September 30,  1994, MFC  and its
consolidated subsidiaries had assets of  $8.1 billion, deposits of $5.5  billion
and shareholders' equity of $497.7 million.
    

    MFC  operates an  FDIC insured  consumer savings  bank, Metropolitan Federal
Bank, fsb (the "Bank"), which concentrates on the traditional thrift business of
soliciting deposits and making residential  mortgage and other secured  consumer
loans.  The  Bank solicits  deposits and  makes  residential mortgage  and other
secured consumer loans through more than 212 full service branches. Through  its
mortgage loan production offices in Minnesota and Arizona, as well as its branch
offices,  the Bank originates and services first mortgage loans for the purchase
of one to four family residential properties. The Bank's residential real estate
brokerage subsidiary, Edina  Realty, Inc.  ("Edina Realty"),  and title  company
subsidiary,  Equity  Title  Services  ("Equity  Title"),  are  among Minnesota's
largest providers of their  respective services. Edina  Realty and Equity  Title
conduct  their business in Minnesota  and western Wisconsin and,  in the case of
Edina  Realty,  in  North  Dakota.  Certain  financial  services  products  like
annuities,  uninsured  investments,  such  as mutual  funds,  and  insurance are
provided to customers through a  subsidiary operating as Metropolitan  Financial
Services.

    MFC  is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and nonbanking
subsidiaries. Dividends and management fees  received from the subsidiaries  are
MFC's principal source of income. Dividends payable from the Bank are subject to
regulation  by the OTS and may also  be limited by tax law considerations. Edina
Realty's ability to pay dividends is limited by Minnesota corporate law.

    The principal  executive offices  of MFC  are located  at 1000  Metropolitan
Centre,  333 South Seventh Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, telephone (612)
399-6000.  For  further  information  concerning  MFC,  see  the  MFC  documents
incorporated  by reference herein  as described under  "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference."

                        DESCRIPTION OF FBS CAPITAL STOCK

    The following description of the capital stock of FBS does not purport to be
complete and is subject, in all respects, to applicable Delaware law and to  the
provisions of the certificate of incorporation of FBS. The following description
is  qualified  by  reference  to  the  FBS  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  the
certificate of designation for  each series of preferred  stock of FBS, and  the
agreements  and  documents referred  to  below under  "--Common Stock--Preferred
Stock Purchase  Rights" and  "--Periodic Stock  Purchase Rights  and Risk  Event
Warrants,"  copies of  which are  incorporated by  reference as  exhibits to the
Registration Statement of which this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is a part.

GENERAL

    The authorized capital stock  of FBS consists of  200,000,000 shares of  FBS
Common  Stock, par  value $1.25  per share,  and 10,000,000  shares of preferred
stock, par  value $1.00  per share  ("preferred stock  of FBS").  Under the  FBS
Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of FBS or a duly authorized
committee thereof has

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<PAGE>
   
the  power, without further action by the shareholders unless action is required
by applicable laws or regulations or by the terms of outstanding preferred stock
of FBS, to provide for the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series and
to  fix   the   voting   rights,  designations,   preferences,   and   relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations
or  restrictions thereof, by  adopting a resolution  or resolutions creating and
designating such series. As of September  30, 1994, there were 2,118,500  shares
of   preferred  stock  of  FBS  outstanding,  having  an  aggregate  liquidation
preference of $110.5  million, and 1,412,750  shares of preferred  stock of  FBS
reserved  for issuance. At September 30,  1994, 114,803,786 shares of FBS Common
Stock were issued and outstanding, 10,630,428 shares were reserved for  issuance
under  the FBS employee  plans and dividend  reinvestment plan, 3,952,000 shares
were reserved  for issuance  upon  conversion of  the Series  1991A  Convertible
Preferred  Stock  described  below,  and  15,000,000  shares  were  reserved for
issuance upon exercise  of the  Periodic Stock  Purchase Rights  and Risk  Event
Warrants described below.
    

PREFERRED STOCK

   
    GENERAL.    FBS  presently has  one  series  of preferred  stock  issued and
outstanding and two series  of preferred stock  authorized for future  issuance.
The  Series 1991A Convertible Preferred Stock,  which is issued and outstanding,
and the Series 1990A Preferred Stock, which is authorized for future issuance as
described below,  rank  on  a parity  with  one  another. The  Series  A  Junior
Participating   Preferred  Stock  (the  "Junior   Preferred  Stock"),  which  is
authorized for future issuance as described below, ranks junior to the other two
series of preferred stock.
    

    SERIES 1990A  PREFERRED  STOCK.   In  connection with  the  sale by  FBS  of
12,600,000  shares of FBS Common Stock  and accompanying periodic stock purchase
rights and risk  event warrants in  a private  placement in July  1990, FBS  may
under  certain circumstances be obligated to issue up to 12,750 shares of Series
1990A Preferred Stock. See "--Common  Stock--Periodic Stock Purchase Rights  and
Risk Event Warrants" below. The shares of Series 1990A Preferred Stock would, if
issued,  provide for  a liquidation  preference of  $100,000 per  share, and the
dividend rate would be adjusted quarterly and would be determined at the time of
issuance. If, at the time of any annual meeting of shareholders for the election
of directors, the  amount of accrued  but unpaid dividends  on the Series  1990A
Preferred  Stock were equal to at least  six quarterly dividends on such series,
then the number of directors of FBS would be increased by one and the holders of
such series,  voting separately  as a  series, would  be entitled  to elect  one
additional  director who would continue  to serve the full  term for which he or
she would have been elected, notwithstanding  the declaration or payment of  any
dividends  on such series of preferred  stock. Holders of Series 1990A Preferred
Stock would  not  have  any  other voting  rights,  except  as  described  under
"--Preferred Stock Voting Rights" below.

   
    SERIES 1991A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK.  In November 1991, FBS issued in a
public  offering  2,290,000 shares  of  its Series  1991A  Convertible Preferred
Stock. 2,118,500 of such shares remained outstanding at September 30, 1994. Such
shares bear a dividend  rate of 7.125% per  annum of the liquidation  preference
per   share.  The  shares  of  Series  1991A  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  are
convertible at the option of the holder at any time at the rate of 1.7256 shares
of FBS Common Stock  for each such  share, which is  equivalent to a  conversion
price  of $28.975 per share of FBS  Common Stock. The conversion rate is subject
to adjustment upon  the occurrence  of specified  events. The  shares of  Series
1991A Convertible Preferred Stock are not subject to any sinking fund provisions
and  have no preemptive rights. Such shares provide for a liquidation preference
of $50  per  share  plus  accrued  and unpaid  dividends,  and  are  subject  to
redemption upon at least 30 days' notice, at the option of FBS at any time on or
after  January  1, 1996  at  a redemption  price  equal to  $52.1375  per share,
declining to  $50 per  share on  or after  January 1,  2002, plus  in each  case
accrued and unpaid dividends; provided, however, that the shares of Series 1991A
Convertible  Preferred Stock are not  redeemable in part in  the event that full
cumulative dividends have  not been  paid. Holders of  Series 1991A  Convertible
Preferred  Stock  do  not have  any  voting  rights, except  as  described under
"--Preferred Stock Voting Rights" below.
    

    JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK.  FBS has  issued preferred stock purchase rights  to
holders  of FBS Common Stock entitling such holders, under specified conditions,
to purchase Junior Preferred Stock of FBS. See "--Common Stock--Preferred  Stock
Purchase  Rights" below. If  issued, each share of  Junior Preferred Stock would
have a minimum liquidation preference of $100 per share plus accrued and  unpaid
dividends and would be entitled to an aggregate payment equal to the liquidation
payment   made  on   100  shares  of   FBS  Common  Stock.   In  addition,  each

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share of  Junior Preferred  Stock would  have a  minimum preferential  quarterly
dividend  payment  of $1.00  per share  but  would be  entitled to  an aggregate
payment equal to the dividends declared on  100 shares of FBS Common Stock.  The
shares  of Junior Preferred  Stock would not  be entitled to  the benefit of any
sinking fund and would not be  redeemable. Each share of Junior Preferred  Stock
would have 100 votes, voting together with the FBS Common Stock.

    PREFERRED STOCK VOTING RIGHTS.  The following voting provisions apply to all
series  of the preferred stock at FBS other than the Junior Preferred Stock. The
voting rights  of the  Junior  Preferred Stock,  and certain  additional  voting
rights  of the Series 1990A Preferred Stock, are described above under "--Series
1990A Preferred Stock" and "--Junior Preferred Stock."

    If, at the time of  any annual meeting of  shareholders for the election  of
directors,  the amount of accrued but unpaid dividends on any preferred stock of
FBS is equal to  at least six  quarterly dividends on  such series of  preferred
stock  of FBS, the number of  the directors of FBS will  be increased by two and
the holders of all outstanding series  of preferred stock of FBS (excluding  the
Series  1990A  Preferred Stock),  voting  as a  single  class without  regard to
series, will  be entitled  to  elect such  additional  two directors  until  all
dividends  in default on all  preferred stock of FBS  have been paid or declared
and set apart for payment.

    The affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of  any series of  the preferred  stock of FBS,  voting as  a
class,   will  be  required  for  any   amendment  of  the  FBS  Certificate  of
Incorporation (including any certificate of designation or any similar  document
relating  to any series of  preferred stock of FBS)  which will adversely affect
the powers, preferences, privileges or rights of such series of preferred stock.
The affirmative vote or  consent of the  holders of at  least two-thirds of  the
outstanding  shares of any series of preferred  stock of FBS, voting as a single
class without  regard  to series,  will  be  required to  issue,  authorize,  or
increase  the  authorized amount  of, or  issue or  authorize any  obligation or
security convertible  into or  evidencing a  right to  purchase, any  additional
class  or series of stock ranking prior to  such series of preferred stock as to
dividends or upon liquidation.

    ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.  The  rights of holders of  FBS Common Stock will  be
subject  to, and  may be  adversely affected  by, the  rights of  holders of any
preferred stock  that  may  be issued  in  the  future. Any  such  issuance  may
adversely  affect the interests of  holders of the FBS  Common Stock by limiting
the control which such holders may exert by exercise of their voting rights,  by
subordinating  their rights in liquidation  to the rights of  the holders of the
preferred stock of FBS,  and otherwise. In addition,  the issuance of  preferred
stock  of FBS may, in some  circumstances, deter or discourage takeover attempts
and other changes in control of FBS, including takeovers and changes in  control
which  some  holders of  the  FBS Common  Stock  may deem  to  be in  their best
interests and in the best  interests of FBS, by making  it more difficult for  a
person  who has  gained a  substantial equity interest  in FBS  to obtain voting
control or  to  exercise  control  effectively. FBS  has  no  current  plans  or
agreements  with respect to the issuance of any shares of preferred stock except
as described above with respect to the Series 1990A Preferred Stock.

    The FBS Certificate of  Incorporation requires the  affirmative vote of  the
holders  of  80% of  the Voting  Stock (as  defined therein)  of FBS  to approve
certain mergers, consolidations,  reclassifications, dispositions  of assets  or
liquidation,  involving or proposed by  certain significant shareholders, unless
certain price and procedural requirements are  met or unless the transaction  is
approved  by the Continuing  Directors as defined therein.  In addition, the FBS
Certificate of  Incorporation  provides  for  classification  of  the  Board  of
Directors  into three separate classes and authorizes action by the shareholders
of FBS only pursuant to  a meeting and not by  a written consent. The Bylaws  of
FBS  provide that  special meetings  of shareholders may  be called  only by the
Board of Directors or the chief  executive officer. The overall effect of  these
provisions  may be to delay or prevent  attempts by other corporations or groups
to acquire control of FBS without negotiation with the Board of Directors.

COMMON STOCK

    GENERAL.  Each share of  FBS Common Stock is  entitled to such dividends  as
may  from time  to time  be declared by  the Board  of Directors  from any funds
legally available for dividends. FBS may  not declare any cash dividends on,  or
make  any payment on account of the purchase, redemption or other retirement of,
FBS Common

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Stock unless  full dividends  (including accumulated  dividends, if  applicable)
have  been paid or declared or set apart for payment upon all outstanding shares
of the preferred  stock of  FBS and FBS  is not  in default or  in arrears  with
respect  to  any sinking  or other  analogous  fund or  other agreement  for the
purchase, redemption or  other retirement of  any shares of  preferred stock  of
FBS.  Holders  of  FBS  Common  Stock  are  entitled  to  one  vote  per  share.
Shareholders do not have the  right to cumulate their  votes in the election  of
directors.  FBS Common  Stock has  no conversion rights  and the  holders of FBS
Common Stock have  no preemptive  or other  rights to  subscribe for  additional
securities  of FBS.  In the event  of liquidation  of FBS, after  the payment or
provision for payment of all debts and liabilities and subject to the rights  of
the  holders of preferred stock of FBS  which may be outstanding, the holders of
FBS Common Stock will be  entitled to share ratably  in the remaining assets  of
FBS.  Shares of FBS Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The shares of
FBS Common Stock are listed on the NYSE.

    PREFERRED STOCK  PURCHASE  RIGHTS.   On  December  21, 1988,  the  Board  of
Directors  of FBS declared a  dividend of one preferred  share purchase right (a
"Right") for each outstanding share of  FBS Common Stock. The dividend was  paid
on January 4, 1989 (the "Record Date") to the FBS shareholders of record on that
date.  Each holder of shares of FBS Common Stock issued upon consummation of the
Merger will receive one Right for each share of FBS Common Stock.

    Each Right initially entitles the registered holder to purchase from FBS one
one-hundredth of a share of Junior Preferred Stock of FBS at a price of  $80.00,
subject to adjustment (the "Purchase Price"). The Rights are not and will not be
exercisable  or represented by separate certificates until 10 days following the
earlier of  a  public announcement  that  a person  or  group of  affiliated  or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") have acquired beneficial ownership of
20%  or more of the outstanding shares of  FBS Common Stock or have commenced or
announced an intention to make a tender offer or exchange offer for 20% or  more
of  such outstanding shares of FBS Common Stock (the earlier of such dates being
called the  "Distribution Date").  In the  event  that any  person or  group  of
affiliated  or associated persons becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of
the outstanding shares  of FBS Common  Stock, each Right  (other than any  Right
held  by  a person  or group  of affiliated  or associated  persons beneficially
owning 20% or more of the outstanding  shares of FBS Common Stock, which  Rights
will  thereafter be  void) will  thereafter entitle  the holder  to receive upon
exercise that number  of shares of  FBS Common  Stock having a  market value  of
twice  the Purchase Price. In addition, in such event, the Board of Directors of
FBS will thereafter be entitled to  exchange the outstanding Rights (other  than
any Right held by an Acquiring Person, which Right shall thereafter be void), in
whole or in part, for shares of FBS Common Stock or Junior Preferred Stock at an
exchange  ratio of one share of FBS  Common Stock, or one one-hundredth share of
Junior Preferred Stock, per Right.

    In the event that FBS is acquired in a merger or other business  combination
transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold,
each  Right will  thereafter entitle  the holder  to receive  upon exercise that
number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company having a market  value
of twice the Purchase Price.

    Prior  to the Distribution Date, the Rights cannot be transferred apart from
FBS  Common  Stock  and  are  represented   solely  by  the  FBS  Common   Stock
certificates.  As soon as practicable  following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates representing the  Rights will  be mailed  to holders  of record  of
shares  of FBS Common Stock as of such  date, and the Rights could then begin to
trade separately from FBS Common Stock.

    The Rights do not have any voting rights and are not entitled to  dividends.
The  terms of  the Rights  may be  amended without  the consent  of the holders,
provided that, after a  person becomes an Acquiring  Person, such amendment  may
not adversely affect the interests of the holders.

    The terms of the Junior Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of Rights are
described above under "--Preferred Stock--Junior Preferred Stock."

   
    The  Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will
expire on the earlier of  (a) the date which is  24 months after the first  date
upon  which FBS can generally be acquired  by bank holding companies, and FBS is
generally permitted to acquire banks, principally located in at least fifteen of
the twenty states which as of September 30, 1992 had the largest amount of  bank
deposits,   or  (b)  January   4,  1999,  unless,  before   that  date,  all  of
    

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the Rights are either redeemed by FBS at a price of $.01 per Right prior to  the
acquisition  by  a  person  or  group of  affiliated  or  associated  persons of
beneficial ownership of  20% or  more of the  outstanding shares  of FBS  Common
Stock,  or  are  exchanged by  FBS  for shares  of  FBS Common  Stock  or Junior
Preferred Stock as described above. It  is currently anticipated that the  first
date upon which FBS can generally be acquired by bank holding companies, and FBS
is generally permitted to acquire banks, principally located in at least fifteen
of  the twenty states which  as of September 30, 1992  had the largest amount of
bank deposits will be in July 1996.
    

    The Rights  may have  certain anti-takeover  effects. The  Rights may  cause
substantial  dilution to an  Acquiring Person if  it attempts to  merge with, or
engage in certain other transactions with, FBS. The Rights should not,  however,
interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of
Directors  of FBS prior to  the occurrence of the  Distribution Date because the
Rights may be redeemed prior to such time.

    The complete terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement,  dated
as of December 21, 1988, as amended, between FBS and First Chicago Trust Company
of  New York  (formerly Morgan  Shareholder Services  Trust Company),  as Rights
Agent (the "Rights Agreement"). The description  of the Rights set forth  herein
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the  complete Rights Agreement, a copy of  which is incorporated by reference as
an exhibit  to  the  Registration  Statement  of  which  this  Proxy  Statement/
Prospectus is a part.

    PERIODIC  STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS AND  RISK EVENT WARRANTS.   On May 30, 1990,
FBS entered into (i) a Stock Purchase  Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1990  (the
"Stock  Purchase Agreement"), by and  among Corporate Partners, L.P. ("Corporate
Partners"), Corporate  Offshore Partners,  L.P. ("Offshore"  and, together  with
Corporate  Partners, the "Partnerships"),  The State Board  of Administration of
Florida ("State Board") solely in its capacity  as a managed account and not  in
its  individual capacity  (State Board  and the  Partnerships being  referred to
herein collectively as the "Purchasers"),  Corporate Advisors, L.P. and FBS  and
(ii)  a Stock Purchase Agreement,  dated as of May  30, 1990 (the "Florida Stock
Purchase Agreement"), by and between State Board in its individual capacity  and
FBS.  Pursuant  to  the Stock  Purchase  Agreement,  FBS sold  (a)  to Corporate
Partners 8,856,241  shares of  FBS  Common Stock,  ten Periodic  Stock  Purchase
Rights  (each a  "PSPR") and  one Risk  Event Warrant,  (b) to  Offshore 643,976
shares of FBS Common  Stock, ten PSPRs  and one Risk Event  Warrant, and (c)  to
State  Board 939,783 shares  of FBS Common  Stock, ten PSPRs  and one Risk Event
Warrant. Pursuant to  the Florida Stock  Purchase Agreement, FBS  sold to  State
Board  2,160,000  shares of  FBS  Common Stock,  ten  PSPRs and  one  Risk Event
Warrant. Effective as of May  30, 1990, FBS and  First Chicago Trust Company  of
New  York entered into  Amendment No. 1  to the Rights  Agreement to exclude the
acquisition of shares  of FBS  Common Stock by  the Purchasers  and State  Board
pursuant  to  the  Stock  Purchase  Agreement  and  the  Florida  Stock Purchase
Agreement, respectively, and the  transactions contemplated thereby and  certain
other  transactions from the operation of the Rights Agreement. See "--Preferred
Stock Purchase Rights" above.

    The Stock  Purchase  Agreement  and the  Florida  Stock  Purchase  Agreement
contain  transfer restrictions  with respect to  the shares of  FBS Common Stock
acquired thereunder and standstill  provisions limiting further acquisitions  of
FBS Common Stock by the Purchasers and State Board. The Stock Purchase Agreement
and  the Florida Stock Purchase Agreement also  grant each of the Purchasers and
State Board the right to  purchase its pro rata  share of any Voting  Securities
(as  defined) sold by FBS  for cash, subject to  certain exceptions. Pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers  have designated one person to  act
as a non-voting observer of the Board of Directors of FBS.

    Each  PSPR issued to  the Purchasers and  State Board relates  to a specific
twelve-month period commencing with the twelve-month period following closing of
the transactions contemplated under the Stock Purchase Agreement and the Florida
Stock Purchase Agreement. Each PSPR shall become exercisable in the event that a
Dividend Shortfall (as defined) exists  for the specific twelve-month period  to
which  such PSPR relates.  A Dividend Shortfall  will be deemed  to exist to the
extent that FBS has not  paid a cash dividend equal  to $0.205 per share of  FBS
Common Stock for each quarter within such twelve-month period. The PSPRs will be
exercisable  for that number  of shares of  FBS Common Stock  or (subject to the
prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board) depositary shares representing  one
one-thousandth  of a share of Series 1990A Preferred Stock ("Depositary Shares")
such that  the  holders  of PSPRs  will  receive  value equal  to  the  Dividend
Shortfall. Once a PSPR has

                                       66
<PAGE>
become  exercisable,  it will  remain exercisable  for a  one-year period  at an
exercise price of $1.25 per  share of FBS Common  Stock or $1.00 per  Depositary
Share.  If a  PSPR were to  become exercisable and  were not redeemed  by FBS as
described below, the  issuance of  Depositary Shares  or FBS  Common Stock  upon
exercise  of a PSPR  could adversely affect  the market price  of the FBS Common
Stock. If the PSPRs were  to be exercised for FBS  Common Stock, there could  be
substantial dilution of the FBS Common Stock.

    Each  Risk Event  Warrant shall become  exercisable in the  event of certain
defined change of control events with respect to FBS where the value received by
holders of the FBS Common  Stock is less than $13.875  per share, or in  certain
circumstances  in the event the FBS Common  Stock is valued at less than $13.875
per  share  on  the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  closing  of  the  transactions
contemplated under the Stock Purchase Agreement. The Risk Event Warrants will be
exercisable  for that number of shares of  FBS Common Stock at an exercise price
of $1.25 per share or, in  certain circumstances (subject to the prior  approval
of  the Federal Reserve Board), Depositary Shares  such that the holders of Risk
Event Warrants will  receive value equal  to such shortfall.  If the Risk  Event
Warrants  were to become exercisable  and were not redeemed  by FBS as described
below, the issuance of Depositary Shares or FBS Common Stock upon exercise of  a
Risk  Event Warrant could  adversely affect the  market price of  the FBS Common
Stock. If the Risk  Event Warrants were  to be exercised  for FBS Common  Stock,
there  could be substantial dilution of the FBS  Common Stock. In the event of a
change in control at  a time when the  market price of the  FBS Common Stock  is
less  than $13.875  per share, the  Risk Event  Warrants may have  the effect of
reducing the price per  share to be  received by the holders  of the FBS  Common
Stock.

    In  the event of the exercise of a Risk Event Warrant upon the occurrence of
certain change of control events, FBS may,  at its option (subject to the  prior
approval  of the Federal Reserve  Board), elect to have  such Risk Event Warrant
become exercisable for other securities of FBS acceptable to the holder of  such
Risk Event Warrant in lieu of the shares of FBS Common Stock for which such Risk
Event Warrant would otherwise become exercisable. In addition, FBS has the right
(subject  to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board) to redeem any PSPR
at a price equal to the Dividend Shortfall and any Risk Event Warrant at a price
equal to the Value  Shortfall (as defined) or  the Termination Shortfall  Amount
(as  defined), as applicable, after such PSPR or Risk Event Warrant, as the case
may be, shall have become exercisable. FBS also has entered into a  registration
rights  agreement with the Purchasers and with State Board pursuant to which the
Purchasers and State Board,  respectively, are granted  certain rights to  cause
FBS  to register with the  Commission the FBS Common  Stock acquired pursuant to
the Stock Purchase Agreement  and the Florida Stock  Purchase Agreement and  the
securities acquired upon exercise of the PSPRs and the Risk Event Warrants.

    The  foregoing is  a summary of  the transactions contemplated  by the Stock
Purchase  Agreement  and  the  Florida  Stock  Purchase  Agreement  and  related
documents  and is  qualified in  its entirety  by the  more detailed information
contained in such agreements and documents, copies of which are incorporated  by
reference  as  exhibits  to  the  Registration  Statement  of  which  this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is a part.

                        DESCRIPTION OF MFC CAPITAL STOCK

   
    The authorized capital stock of MFC consists of 60,000,000 shares of  Common
Stock, $.01 par value, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value.
Under  MFC's Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation, as  amended, the  Board of
Directors of MFC may, without further shareholder action, authorize from time to
time the issuance of up to 10,000,000  shares of preferred stock of MFC, in  one
or  more series, with  such powers, preferences  and rights, and qualifications,
limitations and restrictions, as shall be  determined by the Board of  Directors
of  MFC. As of  September 30, 1994,  there were 31,404,052  shares of MFC Common
Stock outstanding,  and 488,750  shares of  MFC Preferred  Stock designated  and
outstanding.  The MFC Common Stock is  described in MFC's Registration Statement
on Form 8-A, dated November 4, 1985, including any amendment or report filed for
the purpose of updating  such description filed subsequent  to the date of  this
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and  prior  to  the  termination  of  the  offering
described herein. The  MFC Preferred  Stock is described  in MFC's  Registration
Statement  on  Form  8-A, dated  October  4, 1990,  as  amended by  that  Form 8
Amendment, dated November 19, 1990, including any amendment or report filed  for
the  purpose of updating such  description filed subsequent to  the date of this
Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  and  prior  to  the  termination  of  the  offering
described herein.
    

                                       67
<PAGE>
                        ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETINGS

    ADJOURNMENT  OF  FBS SPECIAL  MEETING.   In  the  event that  there  are not
sufficient votes to approve and  adopt the Merger Agreement  at the time of  the
FBS  Special Meeting, such proposal could not be approved unless the FBS Special
Meeting were adjourned in order to  permit further solicitation of proxies  from
FBS  shareholders. In order to  allow proxies that have  been received by FBS at
the time  of the  FBS  Special Meeting  to be  voted  for such  adjournment,  if
necessary,   FBS  is   submitting  the   question  of   adjournment  under  such
circumstances to its shareholders as a separate matter for their  consideration.
If it is necessary to adjourn the FBS Special Meeting and the adjournment is for
a  period of less than 30 days, no notice of the time and place of the adjourned
meeting is required to  be given to shareholders  other than an announcement  of
such  time  and place  at  the FBS  Special Meeting.  A  majority of  the shares
represented and voting at  the Special Meeting is  required to approve any  such
adjournment,  provided that a quorum  is present. THE BOARD  OF DIRECTORS OF FBS
RECOMMENDS THAT FBS SHAREHOLDERS  VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL  TO ADJOURN THE  SPECIAL
MEETING IF NECESSARY TO PERMIT FURTHER SOLICITATION OF PROXIES.

   ADJOURNMENT  OF  MFC  SPECIAL MEETING.    In  the event  that  there  are not
sufficient votes to approve and  adopt the Merger Agreement  at the time of  the
MFC  Special Meeting, such proposal could not be approved unless the MFC Special
Meeting were adjourned in order to  permit further solicitation of proxies  from
MFC  shareholders. In order to  allow proxies that have  been received by MFC at
the time  of the  MFC  Special Meeting  to be  voted  for such  adjournment,  if
necessary,   MFC  is   submitting  the   question  of   adjournment  under  such
circumstances to its shareholders as a separate matter for their  consideration.
If it is necessary to adjourn the MFC Special Meeting and the adjournment is for
a  period of less than 30 days, no notice of the time and place of the adjourned
meeting is required to  be given to shareholders  other than an announcement  of
such  time  and place  at  the MFC  Special Meeting.  A  majority of  the shares
represented and voting at  the Special Meeting is  required to approve any  such
adjournment,  provided that a quorum  is present. THE BOARD  OF DIRECTORS OF MFC
RECOMMENDS THAT MFC SHAREHOLDERS  VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL  TO ADJOURN THE  SPECIAL
MEETING IF NECESSARY TO PERMIT FURTHER SOLICITATION OF PROXIES.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

    The  validity of the securities offered hereby  has been passed upon for FBS
by Dorsey  & Whitney,  Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The Dorsey  & Whitney  firm  and
certain  of  its  members are  indebted  to  and have  other  banking  and trust
relationships with certain banking subsidiaries of FBS.

    The opinion of counsel described  under "The Merger--Certain Federal  Income
Tax  Consequences To MFC Shareholders" has  been rendered by Oppenheimer Wolff &
Donnelly, counsel to MFC.

                                    EXPERTS

    The consolidated financial statements of FBS appearing in the Annual  Report
on  Form 10-K of FBS for  the year ended December 31,  1993 have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP,  independent auditors, as set  forth in their report  thereon
included  therein  and  incorporated  herein  by  reference.  Such  consolidated
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon  such
report  given  upon the  authority of  such  firm as  experts in  accounting and
auditing.

    The consolidated financial statements of MFC appearing in the Annual  Report
on  Form 10-K of MFC for  the year ended December 31,  1993 have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP,  independent auditors, as set  forth in their report  thereon
included  therein  and  incorporated  herein  by  reference.  Such  consolidated
financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon  such
report given the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                       68
<PAGE>
                         INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

    Representatives  of Ernst & Young LLP,  MFC's and FBS' independent auditors,
are expected  to be  present at  the MFC  Special Meeting  and the  FBS  Special
Meeting. They may be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if they desire
to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

                             SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

    FBS  SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS.  In  order to be eligible  for inclusion in FBS'
proxy solicitation materials for  its 1995 annual  meeting of shareholders,  any
shareholder  proposal to be considered at such  meeting must be received by FBS'
Corporate Secretary, Michael J. O'Rourke, or his successor, at FBS' main office,
First Bank Place, 601 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302, no
later than  November  21,  1994. Any  such  proposal  shall be  subject  to  the
requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Exchange Act.

    MFC  SHAREHOLDER  PROPOSALS.   If  the  Merger  is not  consummated,  MFC is
expected to retain its December 31 fiscal  year end. In such event, in order  to
be  eligible for  inclusion in MFC's  proxy solicitation materials  for its 1995
annual meeting of  shareholders, any  shareholder proposal to  be considered  at
such meeting must be received by MFC's Corporate Secretary, Charles D. Kalil, or
his successor, at MFC's main office, 1000 Metropolitan Centre, 333 South Seventh
Street,  Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, no later than November 30, 1994. Any such
proposal shall be subject to the  requirements of the proxy rules adopted  under
the Exchange Act.

                     MANAGEMENT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Certain  information  relating  to the  management,  executive compensation,
various benefit  plans  (including  stock  plans),  voting  securities  and  the
principal  holders thereof,  certain relationships and  related transactions and
other related matters  as to  FBS and  MFC is set  forth in  or incorporated  by
reference  in the  respective Annual  Reports on  Form 10-K  for the  year ended
December 31, 1993 of FBS  and MFC, which are  incorporated by reference in  this
Proxy   Statement/Prospectus.  See   "Incorporation  of   Certain  Documents  by
Reference." FBS  and  MFC  shareholders  who wish  to  obtain  copies  of  these
documents  may contact FBS  or MFC, as  applicable, at its  address or telephone
number set forth under "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."

                                       69
<PAGE>
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    The  following unaudited  Pro Forma  Combined Balance  Sheet as  of June 30,
1994, combines the historical consolidated balance  sheets of FBS and MFC as  if
the  Merger had been effective on June  30, 1994, after giving effect to certain
adjustments described  in the  attached Notes  to Pro  Forma Combined  Financial
Statements.  The unaudited Pro  Forma Combined Statements of  Income for the six
months ended June 30, 1994 and 1993, and the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992
and 1991, present the combined  results of operations of FBS  and MFC as if  the
Merger  had been effective at the beginning  of each period, after giving effect
to certain adjustments  described in the  attached Notes to  Pro Forma  Combined
Financial Statements.

    The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements and accompanying notes
reflect the application of the pooling-of-interests method of accounting for the
MFC   transaction.  Under  this  method  of  accounting,  the  recorded  assets,
liabilities, shareholders'  equity,  income and  expenses  of FBS  and  MFC  are
combined and recorded at their historical amounts.

    The  pro  forma  combined  financial  information  included  within  is  not
necessarily indicative of the results of  the future operations of the  combined
entity  or the actual results that would  have been achieved had the acquisition
been consummated prior to the periods indicated.

                                     INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                                    ---------
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet at June 30, 1994.................................................  F-2
Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income:
    Six months Ended June 30, 1994................................................................  F-3
    Six months Ended June 30, 1993................................................................  F-4
    Year ended December 31, 1993..................................................................  F-5
    Year ended December 31, 1992..................................................................  F-6
    Year ended December 31, 1991..................................................................  F-7
Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements..................................................  F-8
</TABLE>

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
               ACQUISITION OF METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                 JUNE 30, 1994
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               MERGER
                                                                       FBS          MFC      ADJUSTMENTS   PRO FORMA
                                                                   HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL   (SEE NOTES)   COMBINED
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks..........................................   $   1,488    $      74    $    (917)   $     645
Federal funds sold and other short-term deposits.................         119           44                       163
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell................         293       --                           293
  Trading account securities.....................................          58       --                            58
  Available-for-sale securities..................................       3,863          617        1,549        6,029
Investment securities............................................      --            1,603       (1,603 )     --
Loans............................................................      18,704        5,241                    23,945
  Less allowance for credit losses...............................         440           40           14          494
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
  Net loans......................................................      18,264        5,201          (14 )     23,451
Bank premises and equipment......................................         391          102          (22 )        471
Interest receivable..............................................         140           45                       185
Customers' liability on acceptances..............................         144       --                           144
Other assets.....................................................       1,172          329           35        1,536
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total assets...............................................  $   25,932   $    8,015   $     (972 ) $   32,975
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits
    Noninterest-bearing..........................................  $    5,829   $      210   $      (36 ) $    6,003
    Interest-bearing.............................................      13,088        5,421         (916 )     17,593
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total deposits.............................................      18,917        5,631         (952 )     23,596
Federal funds purchased..........................................       1,602       --                         1,602
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase...................         780          162                       942
Other short-term funds borrowed..................................         379          488                       867
Long-term debt...................................................       1,312        1,110                     2,422
Acceptances outstanding..........................................         144       --                           144
Other liabilities................................................         553          121           61          735
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total liabilities..........................................      23,687        7,512         (891 )     30,308
Shareholders' Equity
  Preferred stock................................................         106            0            0          106
  Common stock...................................................         145            1           26          172
  Capital surplus................................................         729          237          (38 )        928
  Retained earnings..............................................       1,340          286          (69 )      1,557
  Treasury stock.................................................         (75 )        (21 )                     (96 )
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
      Total shareholders' equity.................................       2,245          503          (81 )      2,667
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity...............  $   25,932   $    8,015   $     (972 ) $   32,975
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    

       See Notes to the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
               ACQUISITION OF METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1994

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      FBS          MFC        SALE OF    PRO FORMA
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)                                   HISTORICAL  HISTORICAL   SUBSIDIARY    COMBINED
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Loans............................................................      $700.4   $   201.3                   $ 901.7
Securities:
  Taxable........................................................       100.2        53.2                     153.4
  Exempt from federal income taxes...............................         6.1      --                           6.1
Other interest income............................................        11.7         2.9                      14.6
                                                                        -----  -----------                  -------
    Total interest income........................................       818.4       257.4                   1,075.8
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits.........................................................       174.4       110.6                     285.0
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements................        29.7         2.3                      32.0
Other short-term funds borrowed..................................         6.8         0.8                       7.6
Long-term debt...................................................        29.9        35.0                      64.9
                                                                        -----  -----------                  -------
    Total interest expense.......................................       240.8       148.7                     389.5
                                                                        -----  -----------                  -------
Net interest income..............................................       577.6       108.7                     686.3
Provision for credit losses......................................        47.0         5.6                      52.6
                                                                        -----  -----------                  -------
Net interest income after provision for credit losses............       530.6       103.1                     633.7
NONINTEREST INCOME
Trust fees.......................................................        78.6      --                          78.6
Credit card fees.................................................        79.5      --                          79.5
Service charges on deposit accounts..............................        58.5         6.5                      65.0
Edina Realty commission income...................................          --        17.5   $    (17.5)         0.0
Insurance commissions............................................        11.1         4.0                      15.1
Securities gains.................................................          --         0.1                       0.1
Other............................................................        77.8        13.0         (0.3 )       90.5
                                                                        -----  -----------  -----------     -------
    Total noninterest income.....................................       305.5        41.1        (17.8 )      328.8
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries.........................................................       192.7        33.6         (5.2 )      221.1
Employee benefits................................................        47.0         8.8         (0.9 )       54.9
Net occupancy....................................................        43.7        12.0         (3.7 )       52.0
Furniture and equipment..........................................        39.3         3.0         (0.7 )       41.6
FDIC insurance...................................................        23.8         6.4                      30.2
Professional services............................................        15.0         2.6         (0.6 )       17.0
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles...................        17.9         2.4                      20.3
Other............................................................       136.1        32.5         (6.7 )      161.9
                                                                        -----  -----------  -----------     -------
    Total noninterest expense....................................       515.5       101.3        (17.8 )      599.0
                                                                        -----  -----------  -----------     -------
Income before income taxes.......................................       320.6        42.9         (0.0 )      363.5
Applicable income taxes..........................................       119.4        16.3         (0.1 )      135.6
                                                                        -----  -----------  -----------     -------
Net income.......................................................      $201.2  $     26.6   $      0.1      $ 227.9
                                                                        -----  -----------  -----------     -------
                                                                        -----  -----------  -----------     -------
Net income applicable to common equity...........................      $193.8                               $ 220.5
                                                                        -----                               -------
                                                                        -----                               -------
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Average common and common equivalent shares......................  113,487,845                           135,296,222
Primary and fully diluted net income.............................       $1.71                                 $1.63
</TABLE>

         See Notes to unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
               ACQUISITION OF METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1993

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      FBS          MFC         SALE OF     PRO FORMA
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)                                   HISTORICAL  HISTORICAL    SUBSIDIARY     COMBINED
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ----------
<S>                                                                <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Loans............................................................      $692.1   $   153.9                      $846.0
Securities:
  Taxable........................................................       118.4        71.4                       189.8
  Exempt from federal income taxes...............................         6.7      --                             6.7
Other interest income............................................        18.7         2.4                        21.1
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
    Total interest income........................................       835.9       227.7                     1,063.6
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits.........................................................       227.6       116.5                       344.1
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements................        15.2      --                            15.2
Other short-term funds borrowed..................................         9.0         0.7                         9.7
Long-term debt...................................................        26.1        16.0                        42.1
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
    Total interest expense.......................................       277.9       133.2                       411.1
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
Net interest income..............................................       558.0        94.5                       652.5
Provision for credit losses......................................        71.2         3.9                        75.1
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
Net interest income after provision for credit losses............       486.8        90.6                       577.4
NONINTEREST INCOME
Trust fees.......................................................        72.0      --                            72.0
Credit card fees.................................................        63.0      --                            63.0
Service charges on deposit accounts..............................        58.3         4.8                        63.1
Edina Realty commission income...................................          --        16.3   $     (16.3  )        0.0
Insurance commissions............................................         9.8         1.5                        11.3
Securities gains.................................................         0.3      --                             0.3
Other............................................................        78.3        14.1          (0.6  )       91.8
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
    Total noninterest income.....................................       281.7        36.7         (16.9  )      301.5
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries.........................................................       196.8        31.6          (4.5  )      223.9
Employee benefits................................................        46.7         7.0          (0.8  )       52.9
Net occupancy....................................................        47.8        11.0          (3.2  )       55.6
Furniture and equipment..........................................        35.7         2.5          (0.7  )       37.5
FDIC insurance...................................................        23.5         4.8                        28.3
Professional services............................................        16.9         2.3          (0.1  )       19.1
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles...................        15.2         2.0                        17.2
Merger, integration and restructuring............................        72.2         3.5                        75.7
Other............................................................       134.7        29.1          (6.0  )      157.8
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
    Total noninterest expense....................................       589.5        93.8         (15.3  )      668.0
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
Income before income taxes.......................................       179.0        33.5          (1.6  )      210.9
Applicable income taxes..........................................        68.0         3.1          (0.7  )       70.4
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
Net income.......................................................      $111.0  $     30.4   $      (0.9  )     $140.5
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
Net income applicable to common equity...........................      $ 96.1                                  $125.6
                                                                        -----                                 -------
                                                                        -----                                 -------
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Average common and common equivalent shares......................  113,689,543                             134,924,427
Primary and fully diluted net income.............................       $0.85                                   $0.93
</TABLE>

         See Notes to unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
               ACQUISITION OF METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     FBS           MFC         SALE OF     PRO FORMA
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)                                  HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL    SUBSIDIARY     COMBINED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Loans..........................................................      $1,398.6   $   331.9                    $1,730.5
Securities:
  Taxable......................................................         218.2       136.0                       354.2
  Exempt from federal income taxes.............................          14.6      --                            14.6
Other interest income..........................................          30.4         4.8                        35.2
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
    Total interest income......................................       1,661.8       472.7                     2,134.5
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits.......................................................         423.7       231.8                       655.5
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements..............          31.8      --                            31.8
Other short-term funds borrowed................................          19.0         1.2                        20.2
Long-term debt.................................................          54.4        41.6                        96.0
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
    Total interest expense.....................................         528.9       274.6                       803.5
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
Net interest income............................................       1,132.9       198.1                     1,331.0
Provision for credit losses....................................         125.2         7.8                       133.0
                                                                        -----  -----------                    -------
Net interest income after provision for credit losses..........       1,007.7       190.3                     1,198.0
NONINTEREST INCOME
Trust fees.....................................................         146.1      --                           146.1
Credit card fees...............................................         137.1      --                           137.1
Service charges on deposit accounts............................         115.3        11.5                       126.8
Edina Realty commission income.................................            --        35.3   $     (35.3  )        0.0
Insurance commissions..........................................          20.9         4.6                        25.5
Securities gains...............................................           0.3      --                             0.3
Other..........................................................         149.9        37.1          (0.9  )      186.1
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
    Total noninterest income...................................         569.6        88.5         (36.2  )      621.9
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries.......................................................         389.1        63.1          (9.4  )      442.8
Employee benefits..............................................          86.3        14.8          (1.5  )       99.6
Net occupancy..................................................          93.4        23.2          (6.4  )      110.2
Furniture and equipment........................................          72.7         5.3          (1.4  )       76.6
FDIC insurance.................................................          46.4        11.1                        57.5
Professional services..........................................          36.7         4.9          (1.1  )       40.5
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles.................          30.6         4.1                        34.7
Merger, integration and restructuring..........................          72.2         3.5                        75.7
Other..........................................................         273.1        62.3         (13.3  )      322.1
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
    Total noninterest expense..................................       1,100.5       192.3         (33.1  )    1,259.7
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
Income before income taxes.....................................         476.8        86.5          (3.1  )      560.2
Applicable income taxes........................................         178.8        21.3          (1.5  )      198.6
                                                                        -----  -----------       ------       -------
Net income.....................................................       $ 298.0  $     65.2   $      (1.6  )    $ 361.6
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
Net income applicable to common equity.........................       $ 270.2                                 $ 333.8
                                                                      -------                                 -------
                                                                      -------                                 -------
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Average common and common equivalent shares....................   113,075,429                              134,615,088
Primary and fully diluted net income...........................         $2.39                                   $2.48
</TABLE>

         See Notes to unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
   
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
               ACQUISITION OF METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     FBS           MFC         SALE OF     PRO FORMA
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)                                  HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL    SUBSIDIARY     COMBINED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  -------------  ----------
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Loans..........................................................      $1,418.8   $   268.2                    $1,687.0
Securities:
  Taxable......................................................         186.4       151.8                       338.2
  Exempt from federal income taxes.............................          12.0      --                            12.0
Other interest income..........................................          64.1         4.8                        68.9
                                                                      -------  -----------                    -------
    Total interest income......................................       1,681.3       424.8                     2,106.1
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits.......................................................         568.7       234.3                       803.0
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements..............          37.1      --                            37.1
Other short-term funds borrowed................................          14.3         2.8                        17.1
Long-term debt.................................................          66.1        35.1                       101.2
                                                                      -------  -----------                    -------
    Total interest expense.....................................         686.2       272.2                       958.4
                                                                      -------  -----------                    -------
Net interest income............................................         995.1       152.6                     1,147.7
Provision for credit losses....................................         183.4         8.3                       191.7
                                                                      -------  -----------                    -------
Net interest income after provision for credit losses..........         811.7       144.3                       956.0
NONINTEREST INCOME
Trust fees.....................................................         127.8      --                           127.8
Credit card fees...............................................         116.9      --                           116.9
Service charges on deposit accounts............................         108.4         6.9                       115.3
Edina Realty commission income.................................            --        32.1   $     (32.1  )        0.0
Insurance commissions..........................................          27.3         0.9                        28.2
Securities gains...............................................           1.9        44.3                        46.2
Other..........................................................         153.4        29.5          (1.8  )      181.1
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
    Total noninterest income...................................         535.7       113.7         (33.9  )      615.5
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries.......................................................         388.7        48.8          (8.8  )      428.7
Employee benefits..............................................          85.5        11.5          (1.4  )       95.6
Net occupancy..................................................          87.9        16.0          (6.2  )       97.7
Furniture and equipment........................................          67.2         3.9          (1.3  )       69.8
FDIC insurance.................................................          42.2         9.3                        51.5
Professional services..........................................          38.7         4.8          (0.3  )       43.2
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles.................          25.2         4.0                        29.2
Merger, integration and restructuring..........................          84.0      --                            84.0
Other..........................................................         294.9        49.6         (12.8  )      331.7
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
    Total noninterest expense..................................       1,114.3       147.9         (30.8  )    1,231.4
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
Income before income taxes.....................................         233.1       110.1          (3.1  )      340.1
Applicable income taxes........................................          78.6        42.6          (1.4  )      119.8
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
 changes in accounting principles..............................         154.5        67.5          (1.7  )      220.3
Extraordinary item.............................................            --        (6.3 )                     (6.3)
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles..........         157.3        75.9                       233.2
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
Net income.....................................................       $ 311.8  $    137.1   ($      1.7  )    $ 447.2
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
                                                                      -------  -----------       ------       -------
Net income applicable to common equity.........................       $ 281.6                                 $ 417.0
                                                                      -------                                 -------
                                                                      -------                                 -------
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Average common and common equivalent shares....................   105,361,022                              124,670,657
Primary and fully diluted income before extraordinary item and
 cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles.........         $1.18                                   $1.52
Primary and fully diluted net income...........................          2.67                                    3.34
</TABLE>

         See Notes to unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                            FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.
               ACQUISITION OF METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1991

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     FBS           MFC        SALE OF    PRO FORMA
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)                                  HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL   SUBSIDIARY    COMBINED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  -----------  ----------
<S>                                                              <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Loans..........................................................      $1,624.3   $   217.0                  $1,841.3
Securities:
  Taxable......................................................         221.1       159.9                     381.0
  Exempt from federal income taxes.............................          19.1      --                          19.1
Other interest income..........................................          97.5        30.1                     127.6
                                                                      -------  -----------                  -------
    Total interest income......................................       1,962.0       407.0                   2,369.0
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits.......................................................         872.8       256.0                   1,128.8
Federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements..............          57.9      --                          57.9
Other short-term funds borrowed................................          24.2         5.6                      29.8
Long-term debt.................................................         100.3        40.3                     140.6
                                                                      -------  -----------                  -------
    Total interest expense.....................................       1,055.2       301.9                   1,357.1
                                                                      -------  -----------                  -------
Net interest income............................................         906.8       105.1                   1,011.9
Provision for credit losses....................................         202.2         8.0                     210.2
                                                                      -------  -----------                  -------
Net interest income after provision for credit losses..........         704.6        97.1                     801.7
NONINTEREST INCOME
Trust fees.....................................................         115.5      --                         115.5
Credit card fees...............................................          94.4      --                          94.4
Service charges on deposit accounts............................          97.2         5.4                     102.6
Edina Realty commission income.................................            --        26.2   $    (26.2 )        0.0
Insurance commissions..........................................          27.2      --                          27.2
Securities gains...............................................           8.9        33.4                      42.3
Other..........................................................         154.5        23.8         (1.9 )      176.4
                                                                      -------  -----------  -----------     -------
    Total noninterest income...................................         497.7        88.8        (28.1 )      558.4
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries.......................................................         371.7        39.5         (9.1 )      402.1
Employee benefits..............................................          79.3         8.5                      87.8
Net occupancy..................................................          84.0        14.6         (5.9 )       92.7
Furniture and equipment........................................          64.8         3.0         (1.4 )       66.4
FDIC insurance.................................................          38.5         8.0                      46.5
Professional services..........................................          37.8         2.3         (0.4 )       39.7
Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles.................          21.6         5.4                      27.0
Other..........................................................         271.6        42.8        (11.2 )      303.2
                                                                      -------  -----------  -----------     -------
    Total noninterest expense..................................         969.3       124.1        (28.0 )    1,065.4
                                                                      -------  -----------  -----------     -------
Income before income taxes.....................................         233.0        61.8         (0.1 )      294.7
Applicable income taxes........................................          25.9         4.4                      30.3
                                                                      -------  -----------  -----------     -------
Net income.....................................................       $ 207.1  $     57.4   $     (0.1 )    $ 264.4
                                                                      -------  -----------  -----------     -------
                                                                      -------  -----------  -----------     -------
Net income applicable to common equity.........................       $ 183.4                               $ 240.7
                                                                      -------                               -------
                                                                      -------                               -------
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Average common and common equivalent shares....................   102,533,284                            117,259,058
Primary net income.............................................         $1.79                                 $2.05
Fully diluted net income.......................................          1.78                                  1.97
</TABLE>

         See Notes to unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
           NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
    On  July  21, 1994,  First  Bank System,  Inc.  ("FBS") signed  a definitive
agreement to  acquire Metropolitan  Financial  Corporation ("MFC"),  a  regional
financial services holding company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with
$8.0   billion  in  assets,  $5.6  billion  in  deposits  and  $503  million  in
shareholders' equity. The  agreement calls  for the tax-free  exchange of  .6803
share  of the common stock of FBS for each common share of MFC, or approximately
21.2 million FBS shares.

   
    The merger  with MFC  will be  accounted for  by FBS  under the  pooling  of
interests  method of accounting in accordance  with APB No. 16 and, accordingly,
this method  has been  applied in  the unaudited  pro forma  combined  financial
statements.  Under this method of  accounting, the recorded assets, liabilities,
shareholders' equity,  income, and  expenses of  FBS and  MFC are  combined  and
recorded  at their historical amounts. FBS expects that certain adjustments will
be recorded by MFC, primarily to  accrue for specific, identified costs  related
to  the merger that are  expected to be incurred within  one year of the closing
and to  establish additional  credit  loss reserves  that  may be  necessary  to
reflect  FBS' plans  with respect  to the  anticipated timing  of and strategies
related to  the disposition  of problem  assets. The  amounts of  merger-related
costs  included or  disclosed in  these unaudited  pro forma  combined financial
statements may change as additional information becomes available.
    

   
    The Unaudited Pro  Forma Combined Balance  Sheet is based  on the  unaudited
consolidated  balance sheets of FBS  and MFC as of  June 30, 1994. The Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income are based on the unaudited  consolidated
statements of income of FBS and MFC.
    

   
    FBS  expects to achieve operating  cost savings primarily through reductions
in staff,  the consolidation  and  elimination of  certain duplicate  or  excess
office  facilities, and the  consolidation of certain  data processing and other
back office operations. The operating cost  savings are expected to be  achieved
in  various amounts at various  times during the year  subsequent to the closing
and not ratably over, or at the beginning or end of, such period. No  adjustment
has  been included in the unaudited  pro forma combined financial statements for
the anticipated operating cost savings.
    

    Certain amounts  in the  historical financial  statements of  MFC have  been
reclassified in the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements to conform
to FBS' historical financial statement presentation.

   
    FBS  completed the acquisition  of Boulevard Bancorp,  Inc. ("BBI") on March
25, 1994, and used the purchase method of accounting for the transaction. BBI, a
holding company for four banks located in Chicago, Illinois, had $1.6 billion in
assets and $1.2 billion in deposits.  The unaudited statement of income for  FBS
for  the six months ended  June 30, 1994, included  the results of operations of
BBI since  its acquisition  date of  March  25, 1994.  The unaudited  pro  forma
combined  statements of income do  not include the results  of operations of BBI
prior to March 25, 1994 as they are immaterial.
    

    The FBS results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1993, included
merger-related charges of  $72.2 million  ($50.0 million  after tax)  associated
with the acquisition of Colorado National Bankshares, Inc. These charges include
a  $29.7  million  provision for  anticipated  reorganization  and restructuring
costs, system conversions, and customer communication costs and a $14.3  million
write-down of premises and equipment related to redundant main office and branch
facilities. Other charges, totaling $28.2 million, primarily involved severance.

    The FBS results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1992, included
the  effect of  adopting two  new accounting  standards: Statement  of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109,  "Accounting for Income Taxes," and  SFAS
No.   106,  "Employers'  Accounting  for   Postretirement  Benefits  Other  than
Pensions." Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes
in accounting principles for  the year ended December  31, 1992, was reduced  by
$56.6 million as a result of increased income tax expense under SFAS No. 109 and
$1.0  million for  increased employee  benefit expenses  under SFAS  No. 106. In
addition, the net cumulative effect for prior years of adopting SFAS No. 109 and
SFAS No. 106 resulted in a $157.3 million increase in net income in 1992.

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
    NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

   
    Also included  in FBS  results  of operations  for 1992  are  merger-related
charges  of  $124.0  million  ($81.8  million  after  tax)  associated  with the
acquisitions  of  Western  Capital   Investment  Corporation  and  Bank   Shares
Incorporated.  These  charges  included  a $13.6  million  provision  for credit
losses, a $26.4  million provision for  losses on other  real estate, and  $84.0
million  in merger,  integration and restructuring  provisions. These provisions
were made to reflect FBS' intentions with respect to the disposition of  problem
assets and to provide for anticipated merger-related costs.
    

   
    MFC's  earnings in  1992 include  $75,941,000 resulting  from the cumulative
effect of an accounting change related to the adoption of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard  No. 109,  "Accounting  for Income  Taxes" (SFAS  109).  The
prospective  adoption of SFAS 109 resulted in an effective tax rate of nearly 39
percent in 1992 compared with 7 percent in  1991 and a tax benefit in 1990.  The
net  effect  of the  adoption of  SFAS 109  on  current year  net income  was an
increase of $41.5 million.
    

NOTE B: SALE OF BRANCHES

   
    Subsequent to the  Merger, FBS  proposes to sell  the deposit  relationships
associated  with approximately 60 excess  branch locations. In addition, certain
fixed assets which are used to service those deposit relationships will be sold.
Earning assets will not be sold.
    

NOTE C: CLASSIFICATION OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES

    Effective December  31, 1993,  FBS adopted  the provisions  of Statement  of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments
in  Debt and Equity Securities" and  reported its entire $3.3 billion investment
portfolio as available for sale.  Based upon the preliminary analysis  performed
by  FBS on the  held to maturity  investment securities of  MFC, FBS anticipates
reclassifying this entire portfolio  as available for  sale. The MFC  investment
securities reflected in the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet have been
reclassified as available for sale securities and a mark to market adjustment of
$54  million has been recorded,  based on the reported  market value at June 30,
1994.  In  addition,  deferred  taxes  of   $20  million  and  a  reduction   in
shareholders' equity of $34 million were also recorded.

NOTE D: SALE OF REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE SUBSIDIARY

   
    Because  of regulatory  restrictions on  nonbanking activities,  FBS expects
that within two years of the closing  of the Merger, it will sell Edina  Realty,
Inc., MFC's real estate brokerage subsidiary.
    

NOTE E: REORGANIZATION AND RESTRUCTURING ACCRUALS

   
    The  pro  forma statements  assume that  in 1994  MFC will,  consistent with
generally accepted accounting principles, establish such additional accruals and
reserves as may be  necessary to reflect  the plans of FBS  with respect to  the
conduct of MFC's business following the Merger, including the anticipated timing
of  and strategies  for the  disposition of problem  assets, and  to provide for
certain costs and expenses  relating to the Merger.  Accordingly it is  expected
that  additional credit-related  reserves of  approximately $14  million will be
established, principally  related to  FBS'  plan and  policies with  respect  to
certain  commercial  loans  and  the  consumer  loan  portfolios,  and  accruals
aggregating approximately  $67  million will  be  recorded to  reflect  specific
expenses  and identified restructuring  charges, expected to  be incurred within
one year  of closing.  Accordingly,  for purposes  of  the unaudited  Pro  Forma
Combined  Balance Sheet, the following accruals  have been recorded: $12 million
reserve for the expense of closing duplicate facilities, $30 million accrual for
the estimated costs related  to severance, $16 million  accrual for systems  and
operations  conversion costs, and  $9 million for  other specific merger-related
costs. In  addition, deferred  tax  benefits of  $30  million and  deferred  tax
liabilities  of  $6  million related  to  the  pro forma  adjustments  have been
recorded.
    

    The amount of the adjustments discussed  and reflected in the unaudited  pro
forma consolidated balance sheet are preliminary estimates. The actual amount of
the adjustments to be made by MFC will be based on information available at that
time  and could be different from the estimates. These adjustments have not been
included in  the  Pro Forma  Combined  Statements of  Income,  as they  are  not
expected to have a continuing impact on FBS.

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
    NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION--(CONCLUDED)

NOTE F: SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    In  conjunction with the  Merger, each of the  488,750 outstanding shares of
MFC preferred stock will be converted into a right to receive $27.00 cash,  plus
any  accumulated and  unpaid dividends  on such shares,  and as  a result, MFC's
shareholders' equity in the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet has  been
reduced by $13.2 million.

   
    Common  stock in  the unaudited  Pro Forma  Combined Balance  Sheet has been
adjusted to reflect the par value of the FBS stock to be issued, with a  related
adjustment  to capital surplus.  Investment securities and  capital surplus have
been adjusted to reflect the retirement of  MFC shares held by FBS prior to  the
merger.   MFC's  retained  earnings  reflect  the  adjustments  for  anticipated
merger-related costs as discussed above.
    

NOTE G: INCOME TAX PROVISIONS

    The income  tax provision  for adjustments  related to  the MFC  acquisition
reflected  in the  unaudited Pro Forma  Combined Statements of  Income have been
computed at FBS' effective combined federal and state marginal tax rate.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                                                                      APPENDIX A

                     AGREEMENT OF MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

    AGREEMENT  OF MERGER AND  CONSOLIDATION dated July 21,  1994, by and between
FIRST BANK  SYSTEM,  INC.,  a Delaware  corporation  ("FBS"),  and  METROPOLITAN
FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("MFC").

    WHEREAS,  the Boards of Directors of FBS  and MFC have determined that it is
in the  best interests  of FBS  and  MFC and  their respective  shareholders  to
consummate  the merger of MFC with and into  FBS as described in Article 1 ("the
Merger");

    WHEREAS, as a  result of the  Merger, all of  the outstanding common  stock,
$0.01  par value,  of MFC  ("MFC Common  Stock") will  be converted  into common
stock, $1.25 par value, of FBS ("FBS  Common Stock") and all of the  outstanding
preferred  stock,  $0.01  par value,  of  MFC  ("MFC Preferred  Stock")  will be
converted into the right to  receive cash, all on the  terms and subject to  the
conditions set forth in this Agreement;

    WHEREAS, (a) MFC (i) owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
Metropolitan  Federal Bank, fsb (the "Bank") and (ii) owns all of the issued and
outstanding capital  stock  of  LMN  Management Corp.  and  Edina  Realty,  Inc.
(collectively,  the  "Direct  Nonbanking  Subsidiaries");  (b)  the  Bank  owns,
directly or indirectly, all of the  issued and outstanding capital stock of  the
entities  listed on  Schedule A  hereto (collectively,  the "Indirect Nonbanking
Subsidiaries");  and  (c)  Edina  Realty,  Inc.  owns  all  of  the  issued  and
outstanding   capital  stock  of  the  entities  listed  on  Schedule  B  hereto
(collectively, the "Edina Realty Subsidiaries"  and together with the Bank,  the
Direct  Nonbanking Subsidiaries  and the  Indirect Nonbanking  Subsidiaries, the
"Subsidiaries");

    WHEREAS, as a condition  and inducement to FBS's  willingness to enter  into
this  Agreement, FBS and  MFC are entering into  immediately after the execution
and delivery hereof a Stock  Option Agreement dated as  of the date hereof  (the
"Stock  Option Agreement") pursuant to which MFC shall grant to FBS an option to
purchase shares of MFC Common Stock; and

    WHEREAS, FBS and MFC desire that the Merger be made on the terms and subject
to the conditions set  forth in this Agreement  and qualify as a  reorganization
within  the meaning of Section  368(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code").

    NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration  of  the representations,  warranties  and
covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                     MERGER

    Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article
6,  on  a date  mutually  satisfactory to  the  parties as  soon  as practicable
following receipt  of  all  necessary  regulatory  approvals  of  the  Board  of
Governors  of  the  Federal Reserve  System  ("FRB")  and the  Office  of Thrift
Supervision (the "OTS"), MFC will merge with and into FBS. FBS, in its  capacity
as  the corporation surviving the Merger, is sometimes referred to herein as the
"Surviving Corporation." The Merger will be effected pursuant to the  provisions
of,  and  with the  effect  provided in,  Section  251 of  the  Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL").

    1.1.  EFFECT OF MERGER.

        (a) On the Effective Date (as  defined in Section 1.1(d)), MFC shall  be
    merged with and into FBS, and the separate existence of MFC shall cease. The
    Charter (as defined Section 2.2) and Bylaws of FBS, as in effect immediately
    prior  to the  Effective Date, shall  be the  Charter and the  Bylaws of the
    Surviving

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
    Corporation until further amended as provided therein and in accordance with
    law. The directors of  FBS immediately prior to  the Effective Date will  be
    the  directors  of  the  Surviving Corporation  until  their  successors are
    elected and qualify.

        (b)  The  Surviving  Corporation  shall  thereupon  and  thereafter   be
    responsible  and  liable for  all  the liabilities,  debts,  obligations and
    penalties of each of FBS and MFC.

        (c) The Surviving Corporation shall thereupon and thereafter possess all
    the rights, privileges, immunities and franchises, of a public as well as of
    a private nature, of each of FBS  and MFC; all property, real, personal  and
    mixed,  and  all debts  due on  whatever  account, and  all and  every other
    interest, of or belonging to or due to  each of FBS and MFC, shall be  taken
    and  deemed to  be transferred  to and  vested in  the Surviving Corporation
    without further  act or  deed;  and the  title to  any  real estate  or  any
    interest  therein, vested in FBS and MFC, shall  not revert or be in any way
    impaired by reason of the Merger.

        (d) To effect the Merger, the parties hereto will cause a certificate of
    merger relating to the  Merger to be  filed with the  Secretary of State  of
    Delaware.  The Merger shall be effective upon the filing of such certificate
    of merger. As used herein, the term "Effective Date" shall mean the date  on
    which  the certificate  of merger  is filed with  the Secretary  of State of
    Delaware.

    1.2.  EFFECT ON OUTSTANDING SHARES OF MFC CAPITAL STOCK.  To effectuate  the
Merger and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement:

        (a)  each issued and  outstanding share of MFC  Common Stock (other than
    shares held as treasury stock of  MFC or shares held directly or  indirectly
    by FBS, other than shares held in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of
    a  debt previously contracted)  shall be converted into  .6803 shares of FBS
    Common Stock,  and FBS  shall issue  to holders  of MFC  Common Stock  .6803
    shares  of FBS Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"), subject to adjustment as
    provided in  Section 1.3,  in exchange  for each  such share  of MFC  Common
    Stock;

        (b)  all  outstanding options  and warrants  to  purchase shares  of MFC
    Common Stock shall  be exchanged for  options and warrants  to purchase  FBS
    Common Stock, or shares of FBS Common Stock, as provided in Section 5.14;

        (c) each issued and outstanding share of MFC Preferred Stock (other than
    shares  as to  which the holders  thereof have asserted  and not effectively
    withdrawn or otherwise lost their  appraisal rights pursuant to Section  262
    of  the DGCL  ("Dissenters' Shares")) shall  be converted into  the right to
    receive $27.00 in cash,  plus any accumulated and  unpaid dividends on  such
    shares  of  MFC  Preferred  Stock  to,  but  excluding,  the  Effective Date
    calculated as set forth  in the terms of  such MFC Preferred Stock,  without
    interest,  from FBS  (the "Preferred Consideration"),  and FBS  shall pay to
    holders of such MFC Preferred Stock the Preferred Consideration in  exchange
    for each such share of MFC Preferred Stock;

        (d)  Dissenters' Shares  shall be purchased  and paid  for in accordance
    with Section 262 of the DGCL; and

        (e) each share of MFC Common Stock held as treasury stock of MFC or held
    directly or  indirectly  by FBS,  other  than  shares held  in  a  fiduciary
    capacity  or  in  satisfaction of  a  debt previously  contracted,  shall be
    canceled, retired and cease  to exist, and no  exchange or payment shall  be
    made with respect thereof.

    1.3.  FBS COMMON STOCK ADJUSTMENTS.

        (a)  If the average of the closing  prices of FBS Common Stock as quoted
    on the New York Stock Exchange (the  "NYSE") for the 20 trading days  ending
    three  business days prior to the last  date of the meetings of shareholders
    scheduled to obtain the  shareholder approvals referred  to in Section  5.20
    (the  "Average Price") is less than $33.00, then, subject to Section 7.1(e),
    the Exchange Ratio will be adjusted by multiplying the Exchange Ratio by the
    quotient of (i) $33.00 divided by (ii) the Average Price.

        (b) If the Average Price is greater than $40.50, then the Exchange Ratio
    will be adjusted by  multiplying the Exchange Ratio  by the quotient of  (i)
    $40.50 divided by (ii) the Average Price.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
        (c)  If, between the date  hereof and the Effective  Date, shares of FBS
    Common Stock  shall  be changed  into  a different  number  of shares  or  a
    different   class   of   shares   by   reason   of   any   reclassification,
    recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or readjustment,
    or if a stock dividend thereon shall  be declared with a record date  within
    such period, then the number of shares of FBS Common Stock issued to holders
    of  MFC Common  Stock pursuant to  this Agreement will  be appropriately and
    proportionately adjusted so  that the number  of such shares  of FBS  Common
    Stock  (or such class of  shares into which shares  of FBS Common Stock have
    been changed) that will be issued to holders of MFC Common Stock will  equal
    the  number  of such  shares that  holders  of MFC  Common Stock  would have
    received  pursuant  to  such  classification,  recapitalization,   split-up,
    combination, exchange of shares or readjustment had the record date therefor
    been immediately following the Effective Date.

    1.4.  RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF MFC CAPITAL STOCK; CAPITAL STOCK OF FBS.

        (a)  On and after the Effective Date and until surrendered for exchange,
    each outstanding stock certificate which immediately prior to the  Effective
    Date  represented  shares  of  MFC  Common Stock  shall  be  deemed  for all
    purposes, except as provided in Section 1.6(c), to evidence ownership of and
    to represent the number of whole shares of FBS Common Stock into which  such
    shares  of MFC Common Stock shall have been converted, and the record holder
    of such outstanding certificate shall, after the Effective Date, be entitled
    to vote the shares of FBS Common Stock into which such shares of MFC  Common
    Stock  shall have  been converted  on any  matters on  which the  holders of
    record of FBS Common Stock, as of any date subsequent to the Effective Date,
    shall be entitled to vote. In any matters relating to such certificates, FBS
    may rely  conclusively upon  the record  of shareholders  maintained by  MFC
    containing  the names and addresses  of the holders of  record of MFC Common
    Stock on the Effective Date.

        (b) On and after the Effective Date and until surrendered for  exchange,
    each  outstanding stock certificate which immediately prior to the Effective
    Date represented  shares  of MFC  Preferred  Stock (other  than  Dissenters'
    Shares)  shall be deemed for all purposes  to represent the right to receive
    the Preferred  Consideration  from FBS.  In  any matters  relating  to  such
    certificates,  FBS  may rely  conclusively upon  the record  of shareholders
    maintained by MFC containing the names and address of the holders of  record
    of MFC Preferred Stock on the Effective Date.

        (c)  On and  after the  Effective Date, each  share of  FBS Common Stock
    issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date shall  remain
    an  issued and existing  share of common stock  of the Surviving Corporation
    and shall not be affected by the Merger.

        (d) On and  after the  Effective Date,  FBS shall  reserve a  sufficient
    number of authorized but unissued shares of FBS Common Stock for issuance in
    connection  with the conversion of MFC Common Stock into FBS Common Stock as
    provided herein.

    1.5.  NO FRACTIONAL SHARES.  No  fractional shares of FBS Common Stock,  and
no  certificates representing such  fractional shares, shall  be issued upon the
surrender for exchange of certificates representing MFC Common Stock. In lieu of
any fractional share,  FBS shall  pay to  each holder  of MFC  Common Stock  who
otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share of FBS Common Stock an
amount  of cash  (without interest)  determined by  multiplying (a)  the closing
price per  share  of FBS  Common  Stock on  the  Effective Date  times  (b)  the
fractional share interest to which such holder would otherwise be entitled.

    1.6.  PROCEDURE FOR EXCHANGE OF STOCK.

        (a)  After  the  Effective  Date,  holders  of  certificates theretofore
    evidencing outstanding shares of  MFC Common Stock  or MFC Preferred  Stock,
    upon  surrender of such  certificates to an exchange  agent appointed by FBS
    (the "Exchange Agent"), shall be entitled to receive, (i) in the case of MFC
    Common Stock, (A) certificates  representing the number  of whole shares  of
    FBS  Common  Stock  into  which  shares  of  MFC  Common  Stock  theretofore
    represented by the certificates so surrendered shall have been converted  as
    provided  in  Section 1.2(a)  and (B)  cash payments  in lieu  of fractional
    shares, if any,  as provided in  Section 1.5, and  (ii) in the  case of  MFC
    Preferred  Stock, the Preferred Consideration.  As soon as practicable after
    the Effective Date, FBS shall cause  the Exchange Agent to mail  appropriate
    and customary transmittal materials

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
    (which  shall specify that delivery shall be  effected, and risk of loss and
    title to  the certificates  theretofore representing  shares of  MFC  Common
    Stock  or MFC Preferred Stock shall pass,  only upon proper delivery of such
    certificates to the Exchange Agent) to  each holder of MFC Common Stock  and
    MFC  Preferred Stock of record as of the Effective Date advising such holder
    of the effectiveness of the Merger and the procedure for surrendering to the
    Exchange Agent outstanding certificates formerly evidencing MFC Common Stock
    in exchange  for  new certificates  for  FBS Common  Stock  and  outstanding
    certificates  formerly evidencing  MFC Preferred  Stock in  exchange for the
    Preferred  Consideration.  FBS  shall  not  be  obligated  to  deliver   the
    consideration  to which any former  holder of shares of  MFC Common Stock or
    MFC Preferred Stock is entitled as a result of the Merger until such  holder
    surrenders  the  certificate or  certificates  representing such  shares for
    exchange as provided in such transmittal materials and this Section  1.6(a).
    In  addition, certificates surrendered for exchange  by any person deemed an
    "affiliate" of MFC (as defined in Section 5.10), shall not be exchanged  for
    such  consideration until  FBS has  received a  written agreement  from such
    person as  provided  in  Section  5.10.  Upon  surrender,  each  certificate
    evidencing MFC Common Stock or MFC Preferred Stock shall be canceled.

        (b)  On the  Effective Date,  FBS shall  deposit, or  shall cause  to be
    deposited, with the  Exchange Agent,  for exchange in  accordance with  this
    Section  1.6, certificates representing  the shares of  FBS Common Stock and
    the cash in lieu of fractional shares and cash for payment of the  Preferred
    Consideration  (such certificates and  cash, hereinafter referred  to as the
    "Exchange Fund") to be issued or paid  by FBS pursuant to this Article 1  in
    connection with the Merger.

        (c)  Until  outstanding  certificates formerly  representing  MFC Common
    Stock are  surrendered  as  provided  in  Section  1.6(a),  no  dividend  or
    distribution  payable to holders of record of FBS Common Stock shall be paid
    to any holder of such outstanding  certificates, but upon surrender of  such
    outstanding  certificates by such holder there  shall be paid to such holder
    the amount of any dividends or distributions (without interest)  theretofore
    paid  with respect to such whole shares of FBS Common Stock, but not paid to
    such holder,  and  which  dividends  or  distributions  had  a  record  date
    occurring on or subsequent to the Effective Date.

        (d)  After the Effective Date, there shall be no further registration of
    transfers on  the  records  of  MFC  of  outstanding  certificates  formerly
    representing  shares of MFC  Common Stock or  MFC Preferred Stock  and, if a
    certificate formerly representing such shares is presented to MFC or FBS, it
    shall be forwarded to the Exchange  Agent for cancellation and exchange  for
    certificates  representing  shares  of  FBS Common  Stock  or  the Preferred
    Consideration, as applicable, as herein provided.

        (e) All shares of  FBS Common Stock and  cash for any fractional  shares
    issued  and paid upon the surrender for exchange of MFC Common Stock and all
    Preferred  Consideration  paid  upon  the  surrender  for  exchange  of  MFC
    Preferred  Stock in accordance with the  above terms and conditions shall be
    deemed to  have been  issued and  paid in  full satisfaction  of all  rights
    pertaining  to  such shares  of MFC  Common Stock  and MFC  Preferred Stock,
    respectively.

        (f) Any portion  of the  Exchange Fund  (including the  proceeds of  any
    investments   thereof  and  any  FBS  Common   Stock  or  any  dividends  or
    distributions thereon) that remains unclaimed  by the holders of MFC  Common
    Stock  or MFC Preferred Stock for six  months after the Effective Date shall
    be repaid to FBS. Any holders of MFC Common Stock or MFC Preferred Stock who
    have not theretofore complied  with this Section  1.6 shall thereafter  look
    only to FBS for payment of their shares of FBS Common Stock, cash in lieu of
    fractional  shares and  any unpaid  dividends and  distributions on  the FBS
    Common Stock deliverable  in respect of  each share of  MFC Common Stock  or
    cash in an amount equal to the Preferred Consideration payable in respect of
    each  share of  MFC Preferred Stock,  as the  case may be,  that such holder
    holds as determined pursuant  to this Agreement, in  each case, without  any
    interest thereon. If outstanding certificates for shares of MFC Common Stock
    or  MFC Preferred  Stock are  not surrendered  or the  payment for  them not
    claimed prior to the date on which such payments would otherwise escheat  to
    or  become the  property of any  governmental unit or  agency, the unclaimed
    items shall, to  the extent permitted  by abandoned property  and any  other
    applicable  law, become the  property of FBS  (and to the  extent not in its
    possession shall be paid

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
    over to  it),  free and  clear  of all  claims  or interest  of  any  person
    previously  entitled to such claims.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of
    FBS, the Exchange Agent or  any other person shall  be liable to any  former
    holder  of MFC Common Stock or MFC  Preferred Stock for any amount delivered
    to a public official pursuant  to applicable abandoned property, escheat  or
    similar laws.

        (g)  In the event any certificate for  MFC Common Stock or MFC Preferred
    Stock shall have been  lost, stolen or destroyed,  the Exchange Agent  shall
    issue  and pay in  exchange for such lost,  stolen or destroyed certificate,
    upon the making of an affidavit of  that fact by the holder thereof, (i)  in
    the  case of MFC Common Stock, such shares  of FBS Common Stock and cash for
    fractional shares, if any, and (ii) in the case of MFC Preferred Stock, such
    Preferred Consideration, each as may be required pursuant to this Agreement;
    provided, however,  that FBS  may,  in its  discretion  and as  a  condition
    precedent  to the  issuance and payment  thereof, require the  owner of such
    lost, stolen or destroyed certificate  to deliver a bond  in such sum as  it
    may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against FBS, MFC,
    the  Exchange  Agent or  any  other party  with  respect to  the certificate
    alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

        (h) Any Dissenters'  Shares shall  not be converted  into the  Preferred
    Consideration or the right to receive the Preferred Consideration unless and
    until the holder of such Dissenters' Shares shall have effectively withdrawn
    or  otherwise lost  the right  to appraisal of  and payment  for such shares
    under the  DGCL, at  which time  such  shares shall  be converted  into  the
    Preferred   Consideration,   and  the   right   to  receive   the  Preferred
    Consideration, as provided in Section  1.2(c). MFC shall give prompt  notice
    to  FBS of  any demands  received from  holders of  MFC Preferred  Stock for
    appraisal of and payment  for their shares. MFC  shall not, except with  the
    prior  written consent of FBS, voluntarily make any payment with respect to,
    or settle or offer to settle, any such demands for appraisal.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FBS

    FBS hereby represents and warrants to MFC as follows:

    2.1.  ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION.  FBS is a corporation duly  organized,
validly  existing and in good standing under  the laws of the State of Delaware,
and has the requisite corporate power to carry on its business as now conducted.
FBS is registered as a bank holding company under Section 1841 ET SEQ. of  Title
12,  United States  Code (the  "Bank Holding Company  Act"). FBS  is licensed or
qualified to  do business  in every  jurisdiction  in which  the nature  of  its
business  or its ownership of property requires  it to be licensed or qualified,
except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have or  would
not  reasonably be expected to  have a material adverse  effect on the business,
operations or financial condition of FBS and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

    2.2.  AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT; NON-CONTRAVENTION.  FBS has  the
requisite  corporate power  and authority  to enter  into this  Agreement and to
carry out  its  obligations  hereunder.  The  execution  and  delivery  of  this
Agreement  by FBS and  the consummation by FBS  of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by the  Board of Directors of FBS, and,  except
for  approval of this  Agreement and the  Merger by the  shareholders of FBS, no
other corporate proceedings on the part  of FBS are necessary to authorize  this
Agreement  and  such transactions.  This Agreement  has  been duly  executed and
delivered by  FBS  and  constitutes  a valid  and  binding  obligation  of  FBS,
enforceable  in accordance with its  terms. FBS is not  subject to, or obligated
under, any provision of (a) its Charter (as hereinafter defined) or Bylaws,  (b)
any  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding,  (c) any  license,  franchise or
permit or  (d)  subject to  obtaining  the approvals  referred  to in  the  next
sentence,  any  law,  regulation,  order, judgment  or  decree,  which  would be
breached or  violated,  or  in  respect  of which  a  right  of  termination  or
acceleration or any encumbrance on any of its or any of its subsidiaries' assets
would  be created, by its execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the consummation by it of  the transactions contemplated hereby, other  than
any  such  breaches  or  violations  which  will  not,  individually  or  in the
aggregate, have  a  material  adverse  effect on  the  business,  operations  or
financial  condition  of FBS  and its  subsidiaries,  taken as  a whole,  or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated  hereby. Other than in  connection
with  obtaining any approvals required by  the Bank Holding Company Act, Section
1730a of Title  12, United States  Code (the "Savings  and Loan Holding  Company
Act"),    the    Home   Owners    Loan   Act    (the   "HOLA"),    the   Federal

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
Deposit Insurance Act (the "FDIA"), the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the  rules  and regulations  thereunder  (the "1933  Act"),  the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the
"1934 Act"), rules of the NYSE, state securities or blue sky laws, and the rules
and regulations  thereunder ("Blue  Sky  Laws"), rules  and regulations  of  any
applicable   state   insurance  regulatory   authority   ("Applicable  Insurance
Regulations") and the filing  of a certificate of  merger with the Secretary  of
State of Delaware, no authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any
public  body,  court  or authority  is  necessary on  the  part of  FBS  for the
consummation by it of  the transactions contemplated  by this Agreement,  except
for such authorizations, consents, approvals and filings as to which the failure
to  obtain or make would not, individually  or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of FBS and its
subsidiaries, taken  as  a  whole,  or  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby. As used in this Agreement, the term "Charter" with respect
to any corporation or banking association  shall mean those instruments that  at
that  time  constitute  its  charter  as filed  or  recorded  under  the general
corporation or  other applicable  law of  the jurisdiction  of incorporation  or
association,   including  the  articles  or   certificate  of  incorporation  or
association, any amendments thereto and any articles or certificate of merger or
consolidation.

    2.3.  VALIDITY OF FBS  COMMON STOCK.  The shares  of FBS Common Stock to  be
issued pursuant to this Agreement will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

    2.4.    CAPITAL STOCK.   The  authorized  capital stock  of FBS  consists of
200,000,000 shares of FBS Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $1.00 per share (the "FBS Preferred Stock"). As of June 30, 1994,  (a)
116,300,311  shares of FBS  Common Stock were  issued and outstanding (including
2,144,277 shares  of  FBS Common  Stock,  par value  $1.25  per share,  held  in
treasury),  10,982,385 shares  of FBS  Common Stock  were reserved  for issuance
pursuant to FBS's 1987 Stock Option Plan, 1991 Stock Incentive Plan, 1994  Stock
Incentive  Plan, Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Dividend Reinvestment
Plan, the Western Capital Investment Corp. 1984 Stock Option and Incentive  Plan
and  the 1988 Equity Participation Plan and 3,655,684 shares of FBS Common Stock
were reserved for issuance upon conversion of FBS's $3.5625 Cumulative Preferred
Stock, Series  1991A (the  "Series 1991A  Preferred"); (b)  2,118,500 shares  of
Series  1991A Preferred were  outstanding; (c) 12,750  shares of Adjustable Rate
Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series 1990A were reserved for issuance pursuant  to
certain  periodic stock purchase  rights and risk event  warrants issued by FBS;
and (d) 1,400,000 shares of Series  A Junior Participating Preferred Stock  were
reserved  for  issuance upon  exercise of  rights to  purchase shares  of Junior
Participating Preferred Stock of FBS pursuant  to the Rights Agreement dated  as
of  December 21, 1988, between FBS and  First Chicago Trust Company of New York,
as Rights Agent.

    2.5.  1934 ACT REPORTS.

        (a) Prior to the execution of  this Agreement, FBS has delivered to  MFC
    complete and accurate copies of (a) FBSs Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the
    years  ended December  31, 1991,  1992 and 1993,  as amended  (the "FBS 10-K
    Reports"), as filed  under the  1934 Act  with the  Securities and  Exchange
    Commission  (the "SEC"), (b) all FBS  proxy statements and annual reports to
    shareholders used in connection with meetings of FBS shareholders held since
    January 1, 1992, and (c) FBS's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
    ended March 31, 1994 (the  "FBS 10-Q Report"), as  filed under the 1934  Act
    with  the SEC.  As of  their respective  dates, such  documents (i)  did not
    contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a  material
    fact  required  to be  stated therein  or necessary  to make  the statements
    therein, in  light of  the circumstances  under which  they were  made,  not
    misleading  and (ii) complied as  to form in all  material respects with the
    applicable laws and rules and regulations of the SEC. Since January 1, 1991,
    FBS has filed in a  timely manner all reports that  it was required to  file
    with the SEC pursuant to the 1934 Act.

        (b)  The  FBS  financial statements  (including  any  footnotes thereto)
    contained in the FBS 10-K Reports and  the FBS 10-Q Report were prepared  in
    accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  applied  on a
    consistent  basis  during  the  periods  involved  and  fairly  present  the
    consolidated  financial position of FBS and its subsidiaries as of the dates
    thereof and the consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders'
    equity and cash flows for the periods then ended.

                                      A-6
<PAGE>
    2.6.  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGES.  Since March 31, 1994, there has been  no
material  adverse  change in,  and no  event, occurrence  or development  in the
business of FBS  or its  subsidiaries that,  taken together  with other  events,
occurrences  and developments  with respect to  such business, has  had or would
reasonably be  expected to  have  a material  adverse  effect on,  the  business
operations or financial condition of FBS and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
or the ability of FBS to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

    2.7.   PROSPECTUS/PROXY STATEMENT.   At the  time the Registration Statement
(as  defined  in  Section  5.9(a))  becomes  effective  and  at  the  time   the
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  (as defined  in Section  5.9(a))  is mailed  to the
shareholders of FBS and MFC for purposes of obtaining the approvals referred  to
in  Section  5.9(a)  and at  all  times subsequent  to  such mailing  up  to and
including the  times  of such  approvals,  the Registration  Statement  and  the
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement (including  any amendments  or supplements thereto),
with respect  to all  information set  forth therein  relating to  FBS, the  FBS
Common Stock, this Agreement, the Merger and all other transactions contemplated
hereby,  will (a) comply in all  material respects with applicable provisions of
the 1933 Act  and the 1934  Act and (b)  not contain any  untrue statement of  a
material  fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary  to  make  the   statements  contained  therein,   in  light  of   the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

    2.8.    LITIGATION.   There are  no actions,  suits, proceedings,  orders or
investigations pending or, to the best knowledge of FBS threatened, against  FBS
or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  which if  determined  adversely  to  FBS  or its
subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to  have a material adverse effect  on
the  financial condition,  business or operations  of FBS  and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or would have a material adverse effect on the ability of  FBS
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

    2.9.   REPORTS  AND FILINGS.   Since January  1, 1991,  each of  FBS and its
subsidiaries has filed each report or other filing it was required to file  with
any  federal  or  state banking  or  bank  holding company  or  other regulatory
authority having jurisdiction over it  (together with all exhibits thereto,  the
"FBS Regulatory Reports"), except for such reports and filings which the failure
to  so file would not have a material adverse effect on the business, operations
or financial condition of  FBS and its  subsidiaries, taken as  a whole, or  the
ability  of FBS to consummate the  transactions contemplated hereby. As of their
respective dates or as  subsequently amended prior to  the date hereof, each  of
the  FBS Regulatory Reports  was true and  correct in all  material respects and
complied in all material respects with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

    2.10.  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  Each of FBS and its subsidiaries has  complied
in  all  material  respects with  applicable  laws and  regulations  of foreign,
federal, state and local governments and  all agencies thereof which affect  the
business or any owned or leased properties of FBS or any of its subsidiaries and
to which FBS or any of its subsidiaries may be subject, except where the failure
to  so  comply would  not, individually  or  in the  aggregate, have  a material
adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of FBS and its
subsidiaries, taken  as  a  whole, or  the  ability  of FBS  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

    2.11.  REGULATORY APPROVALS.  As of the date hereof, FBS is not aware of any
reason that the regulatory approvals specified in Section 5.1 and required to be
obtained by FBS would not be obtained.

    2.12.   DISCLOSURE.   The representations  and warranties  contained in this
Agreement  are   true  and   correct  in   all  material   respects,  and   such
representations  and warranties do not omit  any material fact necessary to make
the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not  misleading. There is  no fact known  to FBS which  has not  been
disclosed  to MFC pursuant to  this Agreement, the FBS  10-K Reports and the FBS
10-Q Report, all taken together as a whole, which would have or would reasonably
be expected to  have a material  adverse effect on  the business, operations  or
financial  condition  of FBS  and its  subsidiaries,  taken as  a whole,  or the
ability of FBS to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                      A-7
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE 3
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MFC

    MFC hereby represents and warrants to FBS as follows:
    3.1.  ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION.  MFC is a corporation duly  organized,
validly  existing and in good standing under  the laws of the State of Delaware.
MFC is registered as a  savings and loan holding  company under the Savings  and
Loan  Holding Company Act. The  Bank is a federally  chartered savings bank duly
organized, validly existing and  in good standing under  the laws of the  United
States  and has the  requisite corporate power  to carry on  its business as now
conducted. Each of the Subsidiaries (other than the Bank) is a corporation  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of
its incorporation. The copies of the Charter  and Bylaws of each of MFC and  the
Subsidiaries  which have been  made available to  FBS prior to  the date of this
Agreement are  correct and  complete  and reflect  all amendments  made  thereto
through  such date. Each of MFC and the Subsidiaries is licensed or qualified to
do business in every jurisdiction in which the nature of its respective business
or its ownership  of property requires  it to be  licensed or qualified,  except
where  the failure to  be so licensed or  qualified would not  have or would not
reasonably be  expected to  have  a material  adverse  effect on  the  business,
operations or financial condition of MFC and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

    3.2.   AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT; NON-CONTRAVENTION.  MFC has the
requisite corporate power  and authority  to enter  into this  Agreement and  to
carry  out  its  obligations  hereunder.  The  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement by MFC and  the consummation by MFC  of the transactions  contemplated
hereby  have been duly authorized  by the Board of  Directors of MFC and, except
for approval of this  Agreement and the  Merger by the  affirmative vote of  the
holders  of a majority of  the outstanding MFC Common  Stock, no other corporate
proceedings on the  part of MFC  are necessary to  authorize this Agreement  and
such  transactions. This Agreement  has been duly executed  and delivered by MFC
and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of MFC, enforceable in accordance
with its terms.  None of MFC  or the  Subsidiaries is subject  to, or  obligated
under,  any  provision  of  (a)  its  Charter  or  Bylaws,  (b)  any  agreement,
arrangement or  understanding,  (c) any  license,  franchise or  permit  or  (d)
subject  to obtaining the approvals  referred to in the  next sentence, any law,
regulation, order, judgment or decree, which  would be breached or violated,  or
in respect of which a right of termination or acceleration or any encumbrance on
any of its assets would be created, by the execution, delivery or performance of
this   Agreement,  the  Stock  Option  Agreement  or  the  consummation  of  the
transactions contemplated hereby  or thereby,  other than any  such breaches  or
violations  which will  not, individually or  in the aggregate,  have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of MFC and the
Subsidiaries, taken  as  a  whole,  or  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby or  thereby. Other  than in  connection with  obtaining any
approvals required by the Bank Holding Company Act, the Savings and Loan Holding
Company Act, the HOLA, the  FDIA, the HSR Act, the  1933 Act, the 1934 Act,  the
rules  of  the NYSE,  Blue Sky  Laws, Applicable  Insurance Regulations  and the
filing of a certificate of  merger with the Secretary  of State of Delaware,  no
authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any public body, court or
authority  is necessary on  the part of MFC  or any of  the Subsidiaries for the
consummation by MFC of the  transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  except
for such authorizations, consents, approvals and filings as to which the failure
to  obtain or make would not, individually  or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of MFC and the
Subsidiaries, taken  as  a  whole,  or  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

    3.3.   CAPITALIZATION.   The authorized  and issued  and outstanding capital
stock of each of MFC and the Subsidiaries as of the date hereof is correctly set
forth on Schedule  3.3. The issued  and outstanding shares  of capital stock  of
each of MFC and the Subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and  nonassessable  and have  not  been issued  in  violation of  any preemptive
rights. Except as  disclosed on Schedule  3.3 and as  permitted in Section  4.1,
there   are  no  options,  warrants,  conversion  privileges  or  other  rights,
agreements, arrangements  or commitments  obligating MFC  or any  Subsidiary  to
issue, sell, purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock or securities or
obligations  of any kind convertible into or  exchangeable for any shares of its
capital stock or of  any of its  subsidiaries or affiliates,  nor are there  any
stock  appreciation, phantom or  similar rights outstanding  based upon the book
value or any other attribute of  any of the capital stock  of MFC or any of  the

                                      A-8
<PAGE>
Subsidiaries,  or  the  earnings  or  other attributes  of  MFC  or  any  of the
Subsidiaries. MFC has heretofore delivered to FBS true and correct copies of all
such agreements, arrangements (including all stock option plans) or  commitments
identified on Schedule 3.3.

    3.4.   1934 ACT REPORTS.  Prior to  the execution of this Agreement, MFC has
delivered or made  available to FBS  complete and accurate  copies of (a)  MFC's
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993
(the  "MFC 10-K Reports") as filed under the  1934 Act with the SEC, (b) all MFC
proxy statements  and annual  reports to  shareholders used  in connection  with
meetings  of MFC shareholders held since January 1, 1992 and (c) MFC's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1994 (the "MFC 10-Q Report")
as filed under the  1934 Act with  the SEC. As of  their respective dates,  such
documents (i) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state  a material fact  required to be  stated therein or  necessary to make the
statements therein, in light  of the circumstances under  which they were  made,
not  misleading and (ii) complied  as to form in  all material respects with the
applicable laws and rules and regulations of the SEC. Since January 1, 1991, MFC
has filed in a timely manner all reports  that it was required to file with  the
SEC pursuant to the 1934 Act.

    3.5.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

        (a)  The  MFC  financial statements  (including  any  footnotes thereto)
    contained in the MFC 10-K Reports and the MFC 10-Q Report have been prepared
    in accordance with  generally accepted  accounting principles  applied on  a
    consistent  basis  during  the  periods  involved  and  fairly  present  the
    consolidated financial position of MFC and the Subsidiaries as of the  dates
    thereof  and the results of operations,  changes in shareholders' equity and
    cash flows for the periods then ended. MFC has furnished FBS with copies  of
    the  consolidated balance sheet of MFC as  of June 30, 1994 (the "Latest MFC
    Balance Sheet")  and  the  related  statements  of  income  and  changes  in
    shareholders equity for the six months ended June 30, 1994 (the "Related MFC
    Statements").  The Latest MFC  Balance Sheet and  the Related MFC Statements
    have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted   accounting
    principles and fairly present the consolidated financial position of MFC and
    the  Subsidiaries, subject to  normal recurring year-end  adjustments, as of
    the date thereof and the results of operations and changes in  shareholders'
    equity for the six-month period then ended.

        (b)  MFC has furnished FBS with copies of the balance sheets of the Bank
    as of December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993 and as of June 30, 1993 and 1994  and
    the  related statements of income, changes  in shareholder's equity and cash
    flows for  the  years and  six-month  periods  then ended  (except  that  no
    statement  of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1994 have been so
    furnished), respectively (collectively, together with any footnotes thereto,
    the "Bank Financial Statements"). The balance  sheet of the Bank as of  June
    30,  1994 are referred to herein as the "Latest Bank Balance Sheet," and the
    related statements of  income and  changes in shareholder's  equity for  the
    six-month  period then  ended are  referred to  herein as  the "Related Bank
    Financial Statements." The Bank Financial  Statements have been prepared  in
    accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  applied  on a
    consistent  basis  during  the  periods  involved  and  fairly  present  the
    financial  position of  the Bank,  subject in  the case  of the  Latest Bank
    Balance Sheet and the Related Bank Financial Statements to normal  recurring
    year-end adjustments, as of the dates thereof and the results of operations,
    changes in shareholder's equity and cash flows for the periods then ended.

        (c)  MFC has furnished FBS with copies  of the balance sheets of each of
    Edina Realty, Inc.,  MFC Insurance  Corporation and  Equity Title  Services,
    Inc.  (collectively, the "Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries") as of December
    31, 1991, 1992 and  1993 and as of  June 30, 1993 and  1994 and the  related
    statements  of income for the years and six-month periods then ended (except
    that no statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1994  have
    been  so furnished), respectively (collectively, together with any footnotes
    thereto, the "Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries Financial Statements").  The
    balance  sheets of each of the  Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries as of June
    30, 1994  are  herein  referred  to  as  the  "Latest  Principal  Nonbanking
    Subsidiaries  Balance  Sheets,"  and  the related  statement  of  income and
    changes in  shareholder's equity  for the  six-month period  then ended  are
    herein  referred  to  as  the  "Related  Principal  Nonbanking  Subsidiaries
    Financial  Statements."  The  Principal  Nonbanking  Subsidiaries  Financial
    Statements have been

                                      A-9
<PAGE>
    prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied
    on  a consistent  basis during the  periods involved and  fairly present the
    financial position of each of the Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries  covered
    thereby, subject in the case of the Latest Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries
    Balance  Sheet and  the Related Principal  Nonbanking Subsidiaries Financial
    Statements to normal recurring year-end adjustments, as of the dates thereof
    and the  results of  operations, changes  in shareholder's  equity and  cash
    flows  for the periods then ended. The  Latest MFC Balance Sheet, the Latest
    Bank Balance Sheet and the Latest Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries  Balance
    Sheets  are collectively referred to herein  as the "Latest Balance Sheets,"
    and the  Related  MFC  Financial  Statements,  the  Related  Bank  Financial
    Statements  and  the  Related  Principal  Nonbanking  Subsidiaries Financial
    Statements are collectively referred to herein as the "Related Statements."

    3.6.  LOANS.

        (a) The  documentation  relating to  each  loan  made by  the  Bank  and
    relating  to all security interests, mortgages  and other liens with respect
    to all collateral for each such loan, taken as a whole, are adequate for the
    enforcement of  the material  terms of  each such  loan and  of the  related
    security  interests, mortgages and other liens.  The terms of each such loan
    and of the related security interests,  mortgages and other liens comply  in
    all  material  respects  with  all applicable  laws,  rules  and regulations
    (including, without limitation, laws, rules and regulations relating to  the
    extension of credit).

        (b)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6, (i) as of June 30, 1994, there
    are no loans, leases,  other extensions of credit  or commitments to  extend
    credit  of the Bank that  have been or, to  MFCs knowledge, should have been
    classified by the Bank as non-accrual, as restructured, as 90 days past due,
    as  still   accruing  and   doubtful  of   collection  or   any   comparable
    classification,  (ii) MFC has provided to  FBS true, correct and complete in
    all material respects written information concerning the loan portfolios  of
    the  Bank,  and  (iii) no  material  information  with respect  to  the loan
    portfolios of the Bank has been withheld from FBS.

    3.7.  REPORTS  AND FILINGS.   Since  January 1, 1991,  each of  MFC and  the
Subsidiaries  has filed each report or other filing that it was required to file
with any federal or  state savings and loan,  banking, savings and loan  holding
company,  bank holding company or other applicable regulatory authorities having
jurisdiction over it (together  with all exhibits  thereto, the "MFC  Regulatory
Reports").  As of their respective dates or as subsequently amended prior to the
date hereof, each  of the MFC  Regulatory Reports  was true and  correct in  all
material  respects and complied  in all material  respects with applicable laws,
rules and regulations.

    3.8.  SUBSIDIARIES.  Schedule 3.8  correctly sets forth the jurisdiction  of
incorporation  of each Subsidiary.  All of the issued  and outstanding shares of
capital stock of each Subsidiary  are owned by MFC free  and clear of any  lien,
pledge,  security  interest,  encumbrance  or charge  of  any  kind,  other than
encumbrances arising as a result of requisite regulatory approvals for transfer.
Except for the stock of the Subsidiaries owned by MFC and as otherwise disclosed
on Schedule  3.8,  neither MFC  nor  any of  the  Subsidiaries owns  any  stock,
partnership interest, joint venture interest or any other security issued by any
other  corporation, organization or entity, except  securities owned by the Bank
in the ordinary course of its business.

    3.9.   ABSENCE  OF UNDISCLOSED  LIABILITIES.    All of  the  obligations  or
liabilities  (whether accrued, absolute,  contingent, unliquidated or otherwise,
whether due or to become  due, and regardless of  when asserted) arising out  of
transactions  or  events heretofore  entered into,  or  any action  or inaction,
including Taxes  (as defined  in Section  3.13) with  respect to  or based  upon
transactions  or  events heretofore  occurring  ("Liabilities"), required  to be
reflected on the  Latest Balance  Sheets in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting  principles have been so reflected.  MFC and the Subsidiaries have no
Liabilities  except  (a)  as  reflected  on  the  Latest  Balance  Sheets,   (b)
Liabilities which have arisen after the date of the Latest Balance Sheets in the
ordinary  course of business and (c) as  otherwise disclosed on Schedule 3.9. As
of June 30, 1994,  there are no  agreements or commitments  binding the Bank  to
extend  credit, in the amount per one  borrower (as defined in 12 C.F.R. Section
563.93), of $1,000,000 or more, except as set forth on Schedule 3.9.

    3.10.  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE  CHANGES.  Since the  date of the Latest  Balance
Sheets,  there has been no material adverse  change in, and no event, occurrence
or   development    in   the    business   of    MFC   or    the    Subsidiaries

                                      A-10
<PAGE>
that,  taken  together  with  other events,  occurrences  and  developments with
respect to such  business, has had  or would  reasonably be expected  to have  a
material  adverse effect on  the business, operations  or financial condition of
MFC and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the ability of MFC to  consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby.

    3.11.   ABSENCE OF CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTS.   Except as set forth in the Latest
Balance Sheets and the Related Statements or on Schedule 3.11, unless  otherwise
expressly  contemplated  or permitted  by this  Agreement,  since May  31, 1994,
neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries has:

        (a) issued or sold any of its equity securities, securities  convertible
    into  or exchangeable for its equity  securities, warrants, options or other
    rights to acquire its equity securities,  or any bonds or other  securities,
    except  (i) deposit  and other  bank obligations  in the  ordinary course of
    business and (ii)  pursuant to the  exercise of stock  options and  warrants
    issued  under,  or otherwise  pursuant to,  the agreements,  arrangements or
    commitments identified on Schedule 3.3;

        (b) redeemed, purchased,  acquired or  offered to  acquire, directly  or
    indirectly, any shares of capital stock of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries or
    other  securities of MFC or any of  the Subsidiaries, except pursuant to the
    exercise of stock options and  warrants issued under, or otherwise  pursuant
    to, the agreements, arrangements or commitments identified on Schedule 3.3;

        (c)  split, combined or  reclassified any outstanding  shares of capital
    stock of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries, or declared, set aside or paid  any
    dividends  or other distribution payable in cash, property or otherwise with
    respect to any shares of capital stock of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries  or
    other  securities, except  (i) dividends  paid in  cash by  the Subsidiaries
    which are wholly owned by MFC to MFC, or to another wholly owned  Subsidiary
    of  MFC, (ii) the  regular quarterly cash  dividends paid on  the MFC Common
    Stock in  an amount  not to  exceed $.20  per share  and (iii)  the  regular
    dividends paid in accordance with the terms of the MFC Preferred Stock;

        (d)  borrowed any amount  or incurred or become  subject to any material
    liability, except liabilities incurred in  the ordinary course of  business,
    but  in  no  event has  MFC  or any  of  the Subsidiaries  entered  into any
    long-term borrowings with terms of greater than one year, other than (i)  as
    set  forth in Schedule 3.27 and (ii)  borrowings for the purpose of interest
    rate risk  management  with  maturities  of less  than  three  years  in  an
    aggregate  amount  not  exceeding $150,000,000  and  any  related derivative
    transactions, without prior consultation with FBS;

        (e) discharged  or satisfied  any material  lien or  encumbrance on  the
    properties  or assets of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries or paid any material
    liability other than in the ordinary course of business, other than  reverse
    repurchase agreements or Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings;

        (f)  sold, assigned, transferred, mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any
    lien or other encumbrance any of  its assets with an aggregate market  value
    in  excess  of  $50,000  except  (A) in  the  ordinary  course  of business,
    including real  estate  acquired through  foreclosure  or deed  in  lieu  of
    foreclosure  ("REO"), (B) liens and  encumbrances for current property taxes
    not yet  due  and  payable and  (C)  liens  and encumbrances  which  do  not
    materially  affect the value of, or interfere with the past or future use or
    ability to convey, the property subject thereto or affected thereby;

        (g) canceled  any material  debts  or claims  or  waived any  rights  of
    material value, except in the ordinary course of business or upon payment in
    full;

        (h)  suffered  any  theft, damage,  destruction  or  loss of  or  to any
    property or  properties owned  or used  by  it, whether  or not  covered  by
    insurance,  which would, individually  or in the  aggregate, have a material
    adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of MFC and
    the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

        (i)   made or  granted any  bonus or  any wage,  salary or  compensation
    increase  or severance or termination payment to, or promoted, any director,
    officer, employee,  group  of  employees or  consultant,  entered  into  any
    employment  contract or hired  any employee with  an employee classification
    above grade "G" (as such classifications have been described by MFC to  FBS)
    other than (A) bonuses, compensation increases,

                                      A-11
<PAGE>
    promotions  or new hires in  the ordinary course and  in a manner consistent
    with past practices as previously disclosed  to FBS and (B) bonuses  payable
    on  the Effective Date as a result of the Merger under the Change in Control
    Plans (as defined in Section 5.12(d));

        (j)  made  or granted  any increase in  the benefits  payable under  any
    employee  benefit plan  or arrangement,  amended or  terminated any existing
    employee benefit plan  or arrangement  or adopted any  new employee  benefit
    plan or arrangement (except as required by law and, with respect to any such
    action taken prior to the date hereof, disclosed on Schedule 3.11);

        (k)  made  any  single  or  group  of  related  capital  expenditures or
    commitment therefor in excess of $50,000 or entered into any lease or  group
    of  related  leases  with  the same  party  which  involves  aggregate lease
    payments payable of more than $100,000 for any individual lease or  involves
    more than $100,000 for any group of related leases in the aggregate;

        (l)   acquired (by merger, exchange, consolidation, acquisition of stock
    or assets or otherwise) any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
    business organization or division or  material assets thereof, or assets  or
    deposits  that are material  to MFC, except in  exchange for debt previously
    contracted, including REO;

        (m) taken any other action or  entered into any other transaction  other
    than in the ordinary course of business; or

        (n) agreed to do any of the foregoing.

    3.12.  PROPERTIES.

        (a)  Each of MFC and the Subsidiaries  owns good and marketable title to
    all of  the  real property  and  all  of the  personal  property,  fixtures,
    furniture  and equipment reflected on the  Latest Balance Sheets or acquired
    since the date  thereof (other than  real property reflected  on the  Latest
    Balance Sheets as REO), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, except
    for  (i)  mortgages on  real property  set forth  on Schedule  3.12(a), (ii)
    encumbrances which do not materially affect the value of, or interfere  with
    the past or future use or ability to convey, the property subject thereto or
    affected  thereby, (iii) liens for current taxes and special assessments not
    yet due and  payable, (iv)  leasehold estates with  respect to  multi-tenant
    buildings  owned  by  MFC  or  any of  the  Subsidiaries,  which  leases are
    identified on Schedule 3.12(a), and (v) property disposed of since the  date
    of the Latest Balance Sheets in the ordinary course of business.

        (b) Schedule 3.12(b) correctly sets forth a brief description, including
    the term, of each lease for real or personal property to which MFC or any of
    the  Subsidiaries is a party  as lessee with respect  to (i) each individual
    lease which involves a remaining aggregate balance of lease payments payable
    of more  than $100,000  or any  group  of related  leases which  involves  a
    remaining aggregate balance of lease payments payable of more than $100,000,
    (ii)  each lease  which is  a material contract  within the  meaning of Item
    601(b)(10) of Regulation  S-K promulgated  by the  SEC or  (iii) each  lease
    which  was not  entered into  in the  ordinary course  of business.  MFC has
    delivered or made available to FBS  complete and accurate copies of each  of
    the  leases described  on Schedules  3.12(a) and  3.12(b), and  none of such
    leases has been modified in any material respect, except to the extent  that
    such  modifications are disclosed by the copies delivered to FBS. The leases
    described on Schedules 3.12(a) and 3.12(b) are in full force and effect. MFC
    or one of  the Subsidiaries (if  lessee under  such lease) has  a valid  and
    existing  leasehold interest under each  lease described on Schedule 3.12(b)
    for the term  set forth  therein. With respect  to the  leases described  on
    Schedule  3.12(b), neither  MFC nor any  of the Subsidiaries  is in default,
    nor, to the best knowledge of MFC and the Subsidiaries, are any of the other
    parties to any of such leases in default, and, to the best knowledge of  MFC
    and  the Subsidiaries, no circumstances  (not in the control  of MFC and the
    Subsidiaries) exist which could result in  such a default under any of  such
    leases. To the best knowledge of MFC and the Subsidiaries, there has been no
    cancellation,  breach or anticipated breach by  any other party to any lease
    described on  Schedule 3.12(a)  or  3.12(b). The  rent  rolls set  forth  on
    Schedules 3.12(a) and 3.12(b) are true and complete in all material respects
    and describe all occupancies and the material terms of each occupancy.

                                      A-12
<PAGE>
        (c)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule 3.12(c),  all of  the buildings,
    fixtures, furniture and equipment necessary for the conduct of the  business
    of  MFC  and each  of the  Subsidiaries  are in  good condition  and repair,
    ordinary wear and tear  excepted, and are usable  in the ordinary course  of
    business.  Each  of MFC  and the  Subsidiaries owns,  or leases  under valid
    leases,  all  buildings,  fixtures,   furniture,  personal  property,   land
    improvements  and equipment necessary for the  conduct of its business as it
    is presently being conducted.

        (d) Except as set  forth in Schedules 3.12(d)  and 3.12(e), neither  MFC
    nor  any of the Subsidiaries nor any of the buildings owned or leased by MFC
    or any  of  the  Subsidiaries  is in  violation  of  any  applicable  zoning
    ordinance  or other law, regulation or requirement relating to the operation
    of any properties used in the operation of its business, including,  without
    limitation,  applicable environmental protection laws and regulations, which
    violations would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material  adverse
    effect  on the  business, operations or  financial condition of  MFC and the
    Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and  neither MFC nor any of the  Subsidiaries
    has  received any notice of  any such violation, or  of the existence of any
    condemnation proceeding with respect  to any properties  owned or leased  by
    MFC  or any of the Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12(d), no
    hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, pollutants or contaminants have been
    deposited or disposed of in,  on or under MFC's  or any of the  Subsidiaries
    owned   or  leased  properties  (including   properties  owned,  managed  or
    controlled  by  the  Bank  in  connection  with  its  lending  or  fiduciary
    operations)  during the period in  which MFC or any  of the Subsidiaries has
    owned, occupied, managed, controlled or operated such properties, except  to
    the  extent not material to the business, operations or financial conditions
    of MFC and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. To the best knowledge of  MFC
    and  the Subsidiaries, no prior owners, occupants or operators of all or any
    part of  MFC's  or any  of  the  Subsidiaries' owned  or  leased  properties
    (including properties owned, managed or controlled by the Bank in connection
    with  its lending  or fiduciary operations)  ever used such  properties as a
    dump or gasoline service station, or deposited, disposed of or allowed to be
    deposited or  disposed of  in, on  or under  such properties  any  hazardous
    substances,  hazardous  wastes, pollutants  or  contaminants, except  to the
    extent not material to the  business, operations or financial conditions  of
    MFC  and the  Subsidiaries, taken  as a whole.  No asbestos  or any material
    amount of ureaformaldehyde  materials exists  in or on  any of  MFCs or  the
    Subsidiaries owned or leased properties (including properties owned, managed
    or  controlled  by the  Bank  in connection  with  its lending  or fiduciary
    operations), and no electrical transformers or capacitors, other than  those
    owned  by public utility companies, on such properties contain any PCBs. The
    representations contained  in this  Section 3.12(d)  are not  applicable  to
    properties  securing loans made by the Bank where the loans were made in the
    ordinary course  of business  and are  fully performing  in accordance  with
    their terms.

        (e) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12(e), there are no aboveground or
    underground  tanks (excluding  hot water  storage or  propane tanks) located
    under, in or about, nor, to the best knowledge of MFC and the  Subsidiaries,
    have  there ever been any such tanks located under, in or about, any of MFCs
    or any of the Subsidiaries owned or leased properties (including  properties
    owned,  managed or controlled by the Bank  in connection with its lending or
    fiduciary operations).

    3.13.  TAX MATTERS.   Each of MFC, the Subsidiaries  and all members of  any
consolidated,  affiliated, combined or unitary group of  which MFC or any of the
Subsidiaries is  a  member have  filed  or will  file  all Tax  (as  hereinafter
defined)  and Tax  information returns or  reports required to  be filed (taking
into account permissible extensions) by them on or prior to the Effective  Date,
and  have paid  (or have accrued  or will  accrue, prior to  the Effective Date,
amounts for the payment of)  all Taxes relating to  the time periods covered  by
such  returns  and reports.  The accrued  taxes payable  accounts for  Taxes and
provision for deferred  income taxes,  specifically identified as  such, on  the
Latest  Balance Sheets are sufficient for the payment of all unpaid Taxes of MFC
and the Subsidiaries accrued for or applicable to all periods ended on or  prior
to  the date of the Latest Balance Sheet or which may subsequently be determined
to be owing with  respect to any  such period. Except  as disclosed on  Schedule
3.13,  neither  MFC  nor any  of  the  Subsidiaries has  waived  any  statute of
limitations with  respect to  Taxes or  agreed  to any  extension of  time  with
respect  to  an  assessment  or  deficiency  for  Taxes.  Each  of  MFC  and the
Subsidiaries has paid or will pay in a timely manner and as required by law  all
Taxes  due and payable by  it or which it is  obligated to withhold from amounts
owing to any employee or third party.  All Taxes which will be due and  payable,
whether  now or hereafter, for  any period ending on,  prior to or including the
Effective Date shall have

                                      A-13
<PAGE>
been  paid by or on behalf of MFC  and the Subsidiaries or shall be reflected on
the books of MFC and the Subsidiaries as an accrued Tax liability determined  in
a  manner which is consistent with past practices and the Latest Balance Sheets.
No Tax returns of MFC or the Subsidiaries have been audited by any  governmental
authority  other than as disclosed on Schedule 3.13; and, except as set forth on
Schedule 3.13, there are no unresolved questions, claims or disputes asserted by
any relevant taxing authority concerning the  liability for Taxes of MFC or  any
of  the  Subsidiaries. Neither  MFC  nor any  of  the Subsidiaries  has  made an
election under Section 341(f) of the Code  for any taxable years not yet  closed
for  statute of limitations purposes.  No demand or claim  has been made against
MFC or  any  of the  Subsidiaries  with respect  to  any Taxes  arising  out  of
membership or participation in any consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary
group  of which MFC  or any of  its Subsidiaries was  at any time  a member. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "Tax" shall mean any federal, state,  local
or  foreign  income,  gross  receipts,  license,  payroll,  employment,  excise,
severance,  stamp,  occupation,  premium,  property  or  windfall  profits  tax,
environmental  tax, customs  duty, capital  stock, franchise,  employees' income
withholding, foreign  or domestic  withholding, social  security,  unemployment,
disability,  workers' compensation, employment-related insurance, real property,
personal property,  sales, use,  transfer, value  added, alternative  or  add-on
minimum  or  other  tax,  fee,  assessment or  charge  of  any  kind whatsoever,
including any  interest, penalties  or additions  to, or  additional amounts  in
respect  of the foregoing, for each of  MFC, the Subsidiaries and all members of
any consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary  group of which MFC or any  of
the Subsidiaries is a member.

    3.14.  CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS.

        (a)  Except as set  forth on Schedule  3.14, neither MFC  nor any of the
    Subsidiaries (i)  is  a party  to  any collective  bargaining  agreement  or
    contract  with  any labor  union, (ii)  is a  party to  any written  or oral
    contract for the  employment of  any officer, individual  employee or  other
    person  on a full-time or consulting basis, or relating to severance pay for
    any such  person, (iii)  is a  party to  any written  or oral  agreement  or
    understanding  to  repurchase assets  previously  sold (or  to  indemnify or
    otherwise compensate the purchaser  in respect of  such assets), except  for
    securities sold under a repurchase agreement providing for a repurchase date
    30 days or less after the purchase date, (iv) is a party to any (A) contract
    or  group of related contracts with the  same party for the purchase or sale
    of products  or  services,  under  which the  undelivered  balance  of  such
    products  and services has  a purchase price  in excess of  $100,000 for any
    individual contract or $100,000  for any group of  related contracts in  the
    aggregate,  (B) other  contract which  is a  "material contract"  within the
    meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, or  (C)
    other agreement which is not entered into in the ordinary course of business
    and  which is not disclosed on Schedules  3.12(a) or 3.12(b), or (v) has any
    commitments for capital expenditures in excess of $50,000.

        (b) Except as disclosed on Schedule  3.14, (i) to the best knowledge  of
    MFC  and the Subsidiaries, since  the date of the  Latest Balance Sheets, no
    customer has indicated that  it will stop or  decrease the rate of  business
    done with MFC or any of the Subsidiaries (except for changes in the ordinary
    course  of such business) that would, individually or in the aggregate, have
    a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition
    of MFC and  the Subsidiaries, taken  as a whole;  (ii) each of  MFC and  the
    Subsidiaries  have performed all obligations required  to be performed by it
    prior to the date hereof in connection with the contracts or commitments set
    forth on Schedule 3.14,  and none of  MFC or any of  the Subsidiaries is  in
    receipt  of any claim of default under  any contract or commitment set forth
    on Schedule 3.14, except for any  failures to perform, breaches or  defaults
    which  would not, individually or in  the aggregate, have a material adverse
    effect on the  business, operations or  financial condition of  MFC and  the
    Subsidiaries  taken as a whole; (iii) none of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries
    has any  present  expectation  or  intention of  not  fully  performing  any
    material  obligation pursuant  to any  contract or  commitment set  forth on
    Schedule 3.14; and (iv) to the  best knowledge of MFC and the  Subsidiaries,
    there  has been no  cancellation, breach or anticipated  breach by any other
    party to any contract or commitment  set forth on Schedule 3.14, except  for
    any cancellation, breach or anticipated breach which would not, individually
    or  in  the  aggregate, have  a  material  adverse effect  on  the business,
    operations or financial condition  of MFC and the  Subsidiaries, taken as  a
    whole.

                                      A-14
<PAGE>
    3.15.   LITIGATION.   Except  as set  forth on  Schedule 3.15,  there are no
actions, suits, proceedings, orders  or investigations pending  or, to the  best
knowledge  of MFC  and the  Subsidiaries, threatened against  MFC or  any of the
Subsidiaries, at law or in equity, or  before or by any federal, state or  other
governmental  department, commission, board,  bureau, agency or instrumentality,
domestic or  foreign, except  for such  actions, suits,  proceedings, orders  or
investigations  which are not reasonably likely  to result in losses or expenses
in excess of $50,000. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15, none of the  matters
set forth on such Schedule, individually or in the aggregate, will have or could
reasonably  be  expected to  have  a material  adverse  effect on  the business,
operations or financial condition of MFC and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

    3.16.  NO BROKERS OR FINDERS.   Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.16,  there
are no claims for brokerage commissions, finder's fees, investment advisory fees
or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement  based on any arrangement, understanding, commitment or agreement made
by or on behalf of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries.

    3.17.  EMPLOYEES.   Except  as set  forth on  Schedule 3.17,  none of  MFC's
Chairman,  Chief Administrative Officer, Chief  Financial Officer or Senior Vice
President, Human Resources, has any knowledge (without inquiry) of the announced
or anticipated resignation of (i) any officer of MFC or any of the  Subsidiaries
or  (ii)  other employees  at a  rate substantially  higher than  the historical
resignation rate for such  employees of MFC or  the Subsidiaries. Except as  set
forth  on Schedule 3.17, MFC and each  of the Subsidiaries has complied with all
laws relating to the employment of labor, including provisions thereof  relating
to  wages, hours,  equal opportunity,  collective bargaining, non-discrimination
and the payment of social security and  other taxes, except where failure to  so
comply  would not,  individually or  in the  aggregate, have  a material adverse
effect on  the  business, operations  or  financial  condition of  MFC  and  the
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

    3.18.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

    (a)  DEFINITIONS.  For the purposes of this Section 3.18, unless the context
clearly  requires otherwise,  the term "Plan"  or "Plans"  includes all employee
benefit plans  as defined  in Section  3(3) of  the Employee  Retirement  Income
Security  Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA"), and all other benefit arrangements
(including,  without  limitation,  any  employment  agreement  or  any  program,
agreement,  policy or commitment providing  for insurance coverage of employees,
workers' compensation, disability benefits, supplemental unemployment  benefits,
vacation  benefits, retirement benefits, life,  health, disability or accidental
benefits) applicable to  the employees  of MFC or  any of  the Subsidiaries,  to
which  MFC or  any of the  Subsidiaries contribute, or  which MFC or  any of the
Subsidiaries have committed to implement for  their employees prior to the  date
of  this Agreement.  Unless the  context clearly  requires otherwise,  "Plan" or
"Plans" shall also include any similar program or arrangement maintained by  any
organization  affiliated by  ownership with MFC  or any of  the Subsidiaries for
which MFC or any  of the Subsidiaries  are or could  be completely or  partially
liable  for the funding  or the administration either  as a matter  of law or by
agreement but excluding customers of the trust departments of affiliates of  MFC
where there is no ownership affiliation between such customers and MFC.

    (b)  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.18:

           (i)   FULL DISCLOSURE OF ALL PLANS. With respect to all employees and
       former employees  of MFC  and the  Subsidiaries (and  all dependents  and
       beneficiaries of such employees and former employees):

              (A) Neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries maintain or contribute
          to   any  nonqualified  deferred  compensation  or  retirement  plans,
          contracts or arrangements;

              (B) Neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries maintain or contribute
          to any qualified  defined contribution  plans (as  defined in  Section
          3(34) of ERISA or Section 414(i) of the Code);

              (C) Neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries maintain or contribute
          to any qualified defined benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(35) of
          ERISA or Section 414(j) of the Code) ("Defined Benefit Plans"); and

              (D) Neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries maintain or contribute
          to  any employee welfare benefit plans  (as defined in Section 3(1) of
          ERISA).

                                      A-15
<PAGE>
           (ii)  FUNDING.  With   respect  to  the   Plans,  (A)  all   required
       contributions which are due have either been made or properly accrued and
       (B)   neither  MFC  nor  any  of  the  Subsidiaries  is  liable  for  any
       "accumulated funding deficiency" as that  term is defined in Section  412
       of the Code or any penalty or excise tax in connection therewith.

           (iii)  PLAN  DOCUMENTS.  With  respect  to  all  Plans  sponsored  or
       administered by MFC or any Subsidiary and with respect to any other  Plan
       if  available to MFC or  any Subsidiary, MFC has  furnished FBS with true
       and complete copies of (A) the most recent determination letter, if  any,
       received  by MFC  or any  of the  Subsidiaries from  the Internal Revenue
       Service regarding  each  qualified  Plan,  (B)  the  Form  5500  and  all
       Schedules  and accompanying financial  statements, if any,  for each Plan
       for which such form  is required to  be filed for  the three most  recent
       fiscal  Plan years,  (C) the  most recently  prepared actuarial valuation
       report, if  any,  for each  Plan,  and (D)  copies  of the  current  Plan
       documents,   trust  agreements,  insurance   contracts  and  all  related
       contracts and documents (including any material employee  communications)
       with respect to each Plan.

           (iv)  DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS. Neither MFC  nor any of the Subsidiaries
       nor any affiliate  of MFC  or any of  the Subsidiaries  maintains or  has
       maintained   any  Defined  Benefit  Plans  for  which  MFC,  any  of  the
       Subsidiaries or  FBS  have  or  will have  any  liability  or,  which  if
       terminated, could result in any liability to MFC, the Subsidiaries or FBS
       under  Title  IV  of  ERISA. There  are  no  unfunded  vested liabilities
       (determined using  the  assumptions used  by  the Plan  for  funding  and
       without  regard  to  future  salary increases)  with  respect  to Defined
       Benefit Plans sponsored  by MFC  or any  Subsidiary. There  have been  no
       reportable  events under Section 4043 of ERISA (with respect to which the
       30-day notice requirement has not been waived by regulation) with respect
       to any Defined Benefit Plan maintained by MFC or any of the Subsidiaries.
       No Defined  Benefit  Plan has  been  terminated  that will  result  in  a
       material  liability  by MFC  or any  of the  Subsidiaries to  the Pension
       Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

           (v) MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. Neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries  has
       any  actual or potential liabilities under Sections 4201 or 4205 of ERISA
       for any complete or partial withdrawal from any multiemployer plan.

           (vi)  FIDUCIARY  BREACH;   CLAIMS.  Neither  MFC   nor  any  of   the
       Subsidiaries  nor  any of  its  directors, officers,  employees  or other
       "fiduciaries" (as such  term is defined  in Section 3(21)  of ERISA)  has
       committed  any breach  of fiduciary  duty imposed  by ERISA  or any other
       applicable law with respect to the  Plans which would subject MFC or  any
       of the Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to any liability under ERISA
       or  any applicable  law. There  are no  actions, suits  or claims pending
       against MFC or any  Subsidiary relating to  benefits other than  routine,
       uncontested claims for benefits.

           (vii) PROHIBITED TRANSACTION. Neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries
       nor  any officer, director, employee, agent  or fiduciary of any Plan has
       incurred any liability for any civil  penalty imposed by Section 4975  of
       the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA.

           (viii)     MATERIAL  COMPLIANCE  WITH  LAW.    All  Plans  have  been
       consistently administered in accordance with their terms in all  material
       respects.  To the extent required either as  a matter of law or to obtain
       the intended tax  treatment and  tax benefits,  all Plans  comply in  all
       material  respects with the  requirements of ERISA and  the Code. All Tax
       information  returns  or   reports  and  all   other  required   filings,
       disclosures  and contributions have been made  with respect to all Plans.
       No condition  exists  that  limits  the  right  of  MFC  or  any  of  the
       Subsidiaries  to amend or terminate any  such Plan (except as provided in
       such Plans or limited under ERISA or the Code).

           (ix) VEBA FUNDING. No Plan  is funded in whole  or in part through  a
       voluntary  employees'  beneficiary  association  exempt  from  tax  under
       Section 501(c)(9) of  the Code.  The limitations under  Sections 419  and
       419A  of the Code  have been computed, all  unrelated business income tax
       returns have been filed and appropriate adjustments have been made on all
       other Tax returns.

           (x) RETIREMENT  AND  COBRA  BENEFITS.  Neither MFC  nor  any  of  the
       Subsidiaries  have actual  or potential  liability under  current law for
       benefits  after  separation  from  employment  other  than  (i)  benefits

                                      A-16
<PAGE>
       under  Plans described in clauses (A),  (B) or (C) of Section 3.18(b)(i),
       and (ii) health care continuation benefits described in Section 4980B  of
       the  Code or Part G of  Subtitle B of Title I  of ERISA or any comparable
       provisions under the laws of any state.

           (xi) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. No Plan is maintained in whole or in part
       pursuant to collective bargaining.

           (xii) EMPLOYEE STATUS. No employee of MFC or any of the  Subsidiaries
       is absent due to (A) a disability that currently entitles the employee to
       benefits  under any long-term disability plan  sponsored by MFC or any of
       the Subsidiaries or (B) military service leave of absence. All  employees
       of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries are "at will" employees.

           (xiii)    PARACHUTE  PAYMENTS.   No  Plan requires  or  would result,
       separately or in the aggregate, in  the payment of any "excess  parachute
       payments"  within  the  meaning of  Section  280G  of the  Code,  and the
       consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will  not
       be  a factor in  causing payments to  be made by  FBS, MFC or  any of the
       Subsidiaries that are not deductible (in whole or in part) under  Section
       280G of the Code.

    3.19.    INSURANCE.    Schedule  3.19  hereto  lists  each  insurance policy
maintained by MFC or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to its properties  and
assets. Prior to the date hereof, MFC has delivered to FBS complete and accurate
copies  of each of the  insurance policies described on  Schedule 3.19. All such
insurance policies are in full force and effect, and neither MFC nor any of  the
Subsidiaries  is in default  with respect to  its obligations under  any of such
insurance policies.

    3.20.   AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS.    Except as  set  forth on  Schedule  3.20,
neither  MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries,  nor any executive officer or director
of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries, nor any member of the immediate family of any
such officer or  director (which for  the purposes hereof  shall mean a  spouse,
minor  child or adult child living at the home of any such officer or director),
nor any  entity which  any of  such persons  "controls" (within  the meaning  of
Regulation  O of the FRB), has any loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement
or any other agreement with  MFC or any of  the Subsidiaries (other than  normal
employment  arrangements) or  any interest  in any  property, real,  personal or
mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or  pertaining to the business of MFC  or
any of the Subsidiaries.

    3.21.   COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; PERMITS.  Each of MFC and the Subsidiaries has
complied in all respects  with all applicable laws  and regulations of  foreign,
federal,  state and local governments and  all agencies thereof which affect the
business or any owned or leased properties of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries and
to which  MFC or  any of  the Subsidiaries  may be  subject (including,  without
limitation,  the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, the HOLA, the FDIA,
the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act,  the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act  of
1975,  the Fair Housing  Act, the Equal  Credit Opportunity Act  and the Federal
Reserve Act, each  as amended, and  any other state  or federal acts  (including
rules  and regulations  thereunder) regulating  or otherwise  affecting employee
health and safety or the environment),  except where failure to so comply  would
not,  individually or in  the aggregate, have  a material adverse  effect on the
business, operations or financial condition  of MFC and the Subsidiaries,  taken
as  a whole, or MFCs ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
and no claims have been filed by any such governments or agencies against MFC or
any of the Subsidiaries alleging such a violation of any such law or  regulation
which  have  not  been  resolved  to the  satisfaction  of  such  governments or
agencies. Each of MFC and the  Subsidiaries holds all of the permits,  licenses,
certificates  and  other authorizations  of  foreign, federal,  state  and local
governmental agencies required  for the  conduct of its  business, except  where
failure  to  obtain  such  authorizations  would  not,  individually  or  in the
aggregate, have  a  material  adverse  effect on  the  business,  operations  or
financial  condition of MFC and the Subsidiaries, taken as whole, or the ability
of MFC to consummate the  transactions contemplated hereby. Except as  disclosed
in  Schedule 3.21,  neither MFC nor  any of  the Subsidiaries is  subject to any
cease and desist order, written  agreement or memorandum of understanding  with,
or  is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject
to any order or directive by, or is a recipient of any extraordinary supervisory
agreement letter from, or has adopted  any board resolutions at the request  of,
federal  or  state  governmental  authorities charged  with  the  supervision or
regulation of savings banks, banks, savings  and loan holding companies or  bank
holding companies or engaged in the insurance of bank

                                      A-17
<PAGE>
deposits  (collectively, the "Bank Regulators"),  nor have any of  MFC or any of
the Subsidiaries been  advised by any  Bank Regulator that  it is  contemplating
issuing  or  requesting (or  is considering  the  appropriateness of  issuing or
requesting)  any  such  order,  directive,  written  agreement,  memorandum   of
understanding,   extraordinary  supervisory  letter,  commitment  letter,  board
resolutions or similar undertaking. Neither MFC nor any Subsidiary is subject to
Section 32 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

    3.22.  ADMINISTRATION OF FIDUCIARY  ACCOUNTS.  Each Subsidiary has  properly
administered, in all respects material and which could reasonably be expected to
be  material to the business,  operations or financial condition  of MFC and the
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, all accounts  for which it acts as a  fiduciary,
including  but not limited to accounts for  which it serves as a trustee, agent,
custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment advisor,
in accordance with the terms of the governing documents and applicable state and
federal law and regulation and common law. Neither MFC, any Subsidiary, nor  any
director,  officer or employee of MFC or any Subsidiary has committed any breach
of trust with  respect to any  such fiduciary  account which is  material to  or
could  reasonably  be expected  to be  material to  the business,  operations or
financial condition  of MFC  and the  Subsidiaries, taken  as a  whole, and  the
accountings for each such fiduciary account are true and correct in all material
respects  and accurately  reflect the  assets of  such fiduciary  account in all
material respects.

    3.23.  DISCLOSURE.  The representations  and warranties of MFC contained  in
this  Agreement  are  true  and  correct  in  all  material  respects,  and such
representations and warranties do not omit  any material fact necessary to  make
the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were  made, not misleading. There  is no fact known  to MFC and the Subsidiaries
which has not been  disclosed to FBS pursuant  to this Agreement, the  Schedules
hereto and the MFC 10-K Reports and the MFC 10-Q Report, all taken together as a
whole,  which would  have or  would reasonably  be expected  to have  a material
adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of MFC and the
Subsidiaries, taken  as  a  whole, or  the  ability  of MFC  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

    3.24.    PROSPECTUS/PROXY  STATEMENT.    At  the  time  the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement is  mailed to  the shareholders  of FBS  and MFC  in order  to  obtain
approvals  referred to  in Section  5.9(a) and at  all times  subsequent to such
mailing up to and including the  times of such approvals, such  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement  (including any supplements thereto),  with respect to all information
set  forth  therein  relating  to  MFC  (including  the  Subsidiaries)  and  its
shareholders,  MFC  Common  Stock,  this Agreement,  the  Merger  and  all other
transactions contemplated hereby, will (a) comply in all material respects  with
applicable  provisions of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, and (b) not contain any
untrue statement of material fact or omit  to state a material fact required  to
be  stated therein  or necessary  to make  the statements  contained therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

    3.25.  POOLING OF INTERESTS.   Neither MFC nor  any of the Subsidiaries  has
taken  or  agreed to  take any  action which  would disqualify  the Merger  as a
"pooling of interests" for accounting purposes.

    3.26.  REGULATORY APPROVALS.  As of the date hereof, MFC is not aware of any
reason that  the regulatory  approvals specified  in Section  5.1 would  not  be
obtained.

    3.27.  INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT INSTRUMENTS.

        (a)  Schedule 3.27 sets forth  a true, correct and  complete list of all
    interest rate swaps, caps, floors  and option agreements and other  interest
    rate risk management arrangements to which MFC or any of the Subsidiaries is
    a  party or by which any of their properties or assets may be bound. MFC has
    delivered or made available to FBS true, correct and complete copies of  all
    such interest rate risk management agreements and arrangements.

        (b)  All interest  rate swaps,  caps, floors  and option  agreements and
    other interest rate risk management arrangements to which MFC or any of  the
    Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their properties or assets may be
    bound  were entered into  in the ordinary  course of business  and, to MFC's
    knowledge, in accordance with prudent banking practice and applicable rules,
    regulations and  policies of  the Bank  Regulators and  with  counterparties
    believed  to be financially responsible at the time and are legal, valid and
    binding obligations enforceable  in accordance with  their terms (except  as
    may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,

                                      A-18
<PAGE>
    reorganization  or similar laws affecting  the rights of creditors generally
    and the  availability of  equitable remedies),  and are  in full  force  and
    effect.  MFC and each of the Subsidiaries has duly performed in all material
    respects  all  of  its  obligations  thereunder  to  the  extent  that  such
    obligations  to perform have  accrued; and to MFC's  knowledge, there are no
    breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any
    party thereunder.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER

    4.1.  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  From the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Date, unless FBS  shall otherwise  agree in  writing or  as otherwise  expressly
contemplated  or permitted by other provisions of this Agreement, including this
Section 4.1:

        (a) the business of MFC and each of the Subsidiaries shall be  conducted
    only  in, and neither MFC nor any  of the Subsidiaries shall take any action
    except in, the ordinary course, on  an arms-length basis and in  accordance,
    in  all material respects,  with all applicable  laws, rules and regulations
    and past practices;

        (b)  neither  MFC  nor  any  of  the  Subsidiaries  shall,  directly  or
    indirectly,  (i) amend or propose to amend its Charter or Bylaws; (ii) issue
    or sell  any  of  its  equity securities,  securities  convertible  into  or
    exchangeable for its equity securities, warrants, options or other rights to
    acquire  its equity securities, or any bonds or other securities, except (A)
    deposit and other bank  obligations in the ordinary  course of business  and
    (B) pursuant to the exercise of the options, warrants, conversion privileges
    and  other rights set forth  on Schedule 3.3 on  the date of this Agreement;
    (iii) redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to acquire, directly or indirectly,
    any shares of  capital stock  of MFC  or any  of the  Subsidiaries or  other
    securities  of MFC  or of  any of the  Subsidiaries, except  pursuant to the
    agreements, arrangements  or commitments  identified on  Schedule 3.3;  (iv)
    split,  combine or reclassify any outstanding shares of capital stock of MFC
    or any of the  Subsidiaries, or declare,  set aside or  pay any dividend  or
    other  distribution payable in  cash, property or  otherwise with respect to
    shares of  capital  stock of  MFC  or any  of  the Subsidiaries  except  (A)
    dividends  paid in cash by the Subsidiaries which are wholly owned by MFC to
    MFC, or another wholly  owned Subsidiary of MFC,  (B) the regular  quarterly
    cash  dividends paid on the MFC Common Stock in an amount not to exceed $.20
    per share, and (C) the regular  dividends paid in accordance with the  terms
    of the MFC Preferred Stock; (v) borrow any amount or incur or become subject
    to  any  material liability,  except  liabilities incurred  in  the ordinary
    course of business,  but in no  event will  MFC or any  of the  Subsidiaries
    enter  into any long-term borrowings  with a term of  greater than one year,
    other than (i) as  set forth on  Schedule 3.27 and  (ii) borrowings for  the
    purpose  of interest rate risk management with maturities of less than three
    years in  an aggregate  amount not  exceeding $150,000,000  and any  related
    derivative transactions, without prior consultation with FBS; (vi) discharge
    or  satisfy any material lien or encumbrance  on the properties or assets of
    MFC or any of the Subsidiaries or pay any material liability, except in  the
    ordinary  course of  business, other  than reverse  repurchase agreements or
    Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings;  (vii) sell, assign, transfer,  mortgage,
    pledge  or subject to any lien or  other encumberance any of its assets with
    an aggregate market value in excess  of $50,000, except (x) in the  ordinary
    course  of business, including  REO, (y) liens  and encumbrances for current
    property taxes not yet due and payable and (z) liens and encumbrances  which
    do  not materially affect the value of, or interfere with the past or future
    use or ability to convey, the property subject thereto or affected  thereby;
    (viii)  cancel any material debt  or claims or waive  any rights of material
    value, except in the ordinary course  of business; (ix) acquire (by  merger,
    exchange,  consolidation, acquisition of  stock or assets  or otherwise) any
    corporation, partnership, joint  venture or other  business organization  or
    division or material assets thereof, or assets or deposits that are material
    to  MFC, except in  exchange for debt  previously contracted, including REO;
    (x) other than as set forth on Schedule 3.11 on the date of this  Agreement,
    make  any single  or group  of related  capital expenditures  or commitments
    therefor in excess of $50,000  or enter into any  lease or group of  related
    leases  with the same party which  involves aggregate lease payments payable
    of more than $100,000 for any

                                      A-19
<PAGE>
    individual lease or  involves more than  $100,000 for any  group of  related
    leases  in the aggregate;  or (xi) enter  into or propose  to enter into, or
    modify or propose  to modify,  any agreement,  arrangement or  understanding
    with respect to any of the matters set forth in this Section 4.l(b);

        (c)  neither  MFC  nor  any  of  the  Subsidiaries  shall,  directly  or
    indirectly, enter  into  or  modify any  employment,  severance  or  similar
    agreements  or  arrangements with,  or grant  any  bonuses, wage,  salary or
    compensation increases, or severance or termination pay to, or promote,  any
    director,  officer, employee, group  of employees or  consultant or hire any
    employee  with  an  employee  classification   above  grade  "G"  (as   such
    classifications  have been described by MFC to FBS), other than (i) bonuses,
    increases, promotions or new  hires in the ordinary  course and in a  manner
    consistent  with past practices as previously disclosed to FBS, (ii) bonuses
    payable on the Effective Date as a result of the Merger under the Change  in
    Control  Plans and  (iii) retention  bonuses in  an aggregate  amount not to
    exceed $300,000 and as to which the identity of the recipient and amount  of
    each such bonus will be previously agreed upon by FBS and MFC;

        (d)  neither MFC nor  any of the  Subsidiaries shall adopt  or amend any
    bonus,  profit  sharing,   stock  option,   pension,  retirement,   deferred
    compensation,  or  other employee  benefit  plan, trust,  fund,  contract or
    arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any employees, except as  required
    by law;

        (e)  each of  MFC and the  Subsidiaries shall use  reasonable efforts to
    cause its current insurance policies not to be canceled or terminated or any
    of the  coverage  thereunder  to  lapse,  unless  simultaneously  with  such
    termination,  cancellation or lapse, replacement policies providing coverage
    substantially equal to the coverage under the canceled, terminated or lapsed
    policies are in full force and effect;

        (f) neither  MFC  nor any  of  the  Subsidiaries shall  enter  into  any
    settlement  or  similar  agreement  with  respect  to,  or  take  any  other
    significant action  with  respect  to  the conduct  of,  any  action,  suit,
    proceeding, order or investigation which is set forth on Schedule 3.15 or to
    which  MFC or any of the Subsidiaries becomes a party after the date of this
    Agreement, without prior  consultation with FBS,  provided that neither  MFC
    nor  any of the Subsidiaries shall take  any such action with respect to the
    litigation matters  identified  as  "Edina  Realty  Litigation  Matters"  on
    Schedule  3.15 (the  "Edina Realty  Litigation Matters"),  without the prior
    written consent of FBS;

        (g) each of MFC and  the Subsidiaries shall use commercially  reasonable
    efforts   to  preserve  intact   in  all  material   respects  the  business
    organization and the  goodwill of each  of MFC and  the Subsidiaries and  to
    keep  available the services  of its officers  and employees as  a group and
    preserve intact material agreements, and MFC  shall confer on a regular  and
    frequent  basis with representatives of FBS, as reasonably requested by FBS,
    to  report  on  operational  matters  and  the  general  status  of  ongoing
    operations;

        (h)  neither MFC nor any of the  Subsidiaries shall take any action with
    respect  to  investment  securities  held  or  controlled  by  any  of  them
    inconsistent  with past  practices, alter its  investment portfolio duration
    policy as heretofore in effect or, without prior consultation with FBS, take
    any action  that  would have  or  could reasonably  be  expected to  have  a
    material effect on the Bank's asset/liability position;

        (i)  the Bank shall not make any agreements or commitments binding it to
    extend  credit in the  amount per "one borrower"  (as previously defined) in
    excess of $1,000,000  nor will it  purchase any portfolio  of loans with  an
    aggregate   principal  balance  in  excess  of  $100,000,000  without  prior
    consultation with FBS;

        (j)    with  respect  to  properties  leased  by  MFC  or  any  of   the
    Subsidiaries,  neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries shall renew, exercise
    an option to  extend, cancel  or surrender any  lease of  real property  nor
    allow  any such lease  to lapse, without prior  consultation with FBS (other
    than leases with remaining terms of six months or less); and

        (k) neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries shall agree to do any of the
    foregoing;

    provided, however,  that in  the event  MFC and  the Subsidiaries  would  be
    prohibited  from taking any action by reason of this Section 4.1 without the
    prior written consent of FBS, such  action may nevertheless be taken if  MFC
    or  any of the Subsidiaries is expressly required  to do so by law or by the
    OTS and MFC informs FBS of

                                      A-20
<PAGE>
    such prohibition or restriction. For  purposes of this Agreement, the  words
    "prior consultation" with respect to any action means advance notice of such
    proposed  action and a reasonable opportunity to discuss such action in good
    faith prior to taking such action.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                      ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

    5.1.  FILINGS AND APPROVALS.  Each party will use all reasonable efforts and
will cooperate with the other  party in the preparation  and filing, as soon  as
practicable,   of  all  applications  or  other  documents  required  to  obtain
regulatory approvals and consents  from the FRB and  the OTS, filings under  the
HSR   Act  and  any  other  applicable  regulatory  authorities  (including  any
applications with  the OTS  or the  Office of  the Comptroller  of the  Currency
deemed  by FBS to be necessary to allow  it to consolidate the operations of the
Bank with  the operations  of  FBS) and  provide  copies of  such  applications,
filings  and related  correspondence to  the other  party. Prior  to filing each
application, registration  statement  or  other  document  with  the  applicable
regulatory   authority,  each  party  will  provide  the  other  party  with  an
opportunity to review and comment on  the nonconfidential portions of each  such
application,  registration statement or other document.  Each party will use all
reasonable efforts and will cooperate with the other parties in taking any other
actions necessary to  obtain such  regulatory or other  approvals and  consents,
including  participating in any required hearings or proceedings. Subject to the
terms and conditions herein provided, each party will use all reasonable efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all actions  and to do, or cause to be done,  all
things  necessary,  proper  or advisable  to  consummate and  make  effective as
promptly as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

    5.2.  CERTAIN LOANS AND RELATED MATTERS.  MFC will furnish to FBS a complete
and accurate list as of the end of each calendar month after May 1994, within 15
business days after  the end  of each  such calendar month,  of (a)  all of  the
Bank's  periodic internal credit  quality reports prepared  during such calendar
month (which  reports  will  be  prepared  in  a  manner  consistent  with  past
practices),   (b)  all  loans   of  the  Bank   classified  as  non-accrual,  as
restructured, as 90 days past due, as still accruing and doubtful of  collection
or   any  comparable   classification,  (c)  all   REO,  including  in-substance
foreclosures and real estate in judgment, (d) any current repurchase obligations
of the Bank with respect to any loans, loan participations or state or municipal
obligations or revenue bonds and (e) any standby letters of credit issued by the
Bank.

    5.3.  MONTHLY FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS.  MFC shall  furnish FBS with MFC's  and
each  of the Subsidiaries' balance  sheets as of the  end of each calendar month
after June 1994 and  the related statements of  income, within 15 business  days
after  the end of each  such calendar month. Such  financial statements shall be
prepared on a basis  consistent with the Latest  Balance Sheets and the  Related
Statements  and  on a  consistent basis  during the  periods involved  and shall
fairly present the financial positions of MFC and each of the Subsidiaries as of
the dates  thereof  and  the results  of  operations  of MFC  and  each  of  the
Subsidiaries for the periods then ended.

    5.4.   EXPENSES.   All costs and  expenses incurred in  connection with this
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby shall be  paid by the  party
incurring such costs and expenses.

    5.5.   NO NEGOTIATIONS, ETC.  MFC  will not, and will cause the Subsidiaries
and MFC's  and  the  Subsidiaries' respective  officers,  directors,  employees,
agents  and  affiliates, not  to,  directly or  indirectly,  solicit, authorize,
initiate or  encourage  submission of,  any  proposal, offer,  tender  offer  or
exchange offer from any person or entity (including any of its or their officers
or  employees)  relating  to  any  liquidation,  dissolution,  recapitalization,
merger, consolidation or acquisition or purchase of all or a material portion of
the assets  or deposits  of,  or any  equity  interest in,  MFC  or any  of  the
Subsidiaries  or other similar transaction or business combination involving MFC
or any of the Subsidiaries, or, unless MFC shall have determined, after  receipt
of  a  written opinion  of counsel  to MFC  (a  copy of  which opinion  shall be
delivered to FBS), that the Board of Directors of MFC has a fiduciary duty to do
so, (a) participate in any negotiations in connection with or in furtherance  of
any  of  the  foregoing  or  (b)  permit  any  person  other  than  FBS  and its
representatives to  have any  access to  the facilities  of, or  furnish to  any
person  other than FBS  and its representatives  any non-public information with
respect to, MFC or

                                      A-21
<PAGE>
any of the  Subsidiaries in  connection with  or in  furtherance of  any of  the
foregoing.  MFC shall promptly notify FBS if  any such proposal or offer, or any
inquiry from or contact with any person with respect thereto, is made, and shall
promptly provide  FBS  with such  information  regarding such  proposal,  offer,
inquiry or contact as FBS may request.

    5.6.   NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS.  Each party shall give prompt notice
to the other party of (a) the occurrence or failure to occur of any event or the
discovery of any information,  which occurrence, failure  or discovery would  be
likely  to cause any  representation or warranty  on its part  contained in this
Agreement to be materially untrue or inaccurate when made at the Effective  Date
or  at any time prior to the Effective Date and (b) any material failure of such
party to  comply with  or satisfy  any covenant,  condition or  agreement to  be
complied with or satisfied by it hereunder.

    5.7.  ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.

        (a)  MFC shall permit and shall cause each of the Subsidiaries to permit
    FBS full  access  on  reasonable  notice and  at  reasonable  hours  to  its
    properties and shall disclose and make available (together with the right to
    copy)  to FBS and to the internal auditors, loan review officers, employees,
    attorneys, accountants and  other representatives of  FBS all books,  papers
    and   records  relating  to  the   assets,  stock,  properties,  operations,
    obligations and liabilities of MFC and the Subsidiaries, including,  without
    limitation, all books of account (including, without limitation, the general
    ledger), tax records, minute books of directors' and shareholders' meetings,
    organizational documents, bylaws, contracts and agreements, filings with any
    regulatory authority, accountants' work papers, litigation files (including,
    without  limitation, legal research memoranda), documents relating to assets
    and title thereto (including, without limitation, abstracts, title insurance
    policies, surveys,  environmental  reports,  opinions  of  title  and  other
    information  relating to  the real  and personal  property), plans affecting
    employees, securities transfer records and shareholder lists, and any books,
    papers  and  records  relating  to  other  assets,  business  activities  or
    prospects  in which FBS  may have a  reasonable interest, including, without
    limitation, its interest  in planning  for integration  and transition  with
    respect to the business of MFC and the Subsidiaries; provided, however, that
    the  foregoing rights granted to FBS shall, whether or not and regardless of
    the extent to which the same are  exercised, in no way affect the nature  or
    scope  of the  representations, warranties  and covenants  of MFC  set forth
    herein. In addition, MFC  shall cause each of  the Subsidiaries to  instruct
    its  officers, employees, counsel  and accountants to  be available for, and
    respond to any questions  of, such FBS  representatives at reasonable  hours
    and  with reasonable  notice by  FBS to  such individuals,  and to cooperate
    fully with FBS in planning  for the integration of  the business of MFC  and
    the Subsidiaries with the business of FBS and its subsidiaries.

        (b)  FBS  shall permit  reasonable access  to  its properties  and shall
    disclose and make available (together with the right to copy) to MFC and  to
    its  representatives  FBS's financial  books  and records,  minute  books of
    directors' and shareholders' meetings, organizational documents, bylaws, and
    filings with any regulatory authority; provided, however, that the foregoing
    rights granted to MFC shall, whether or not and regardless of the extent  to
    which  the same are exercised,  in no way affect the  nature or scope of the
    representations, warranties  and  covenants  of FBS  set  forth  herein.  In
    addition,   FBS  shall   instruct  its  officers,   employees,  counsel  and
    accountants to be  available for,  and respond to  reasonable questions  of,
    representatives of MFC at reasonable hours and with reasonable notice by MFC
    to such individuals.

        (c)  All information  furnished by MFC  or FBS pursuant  hereto shall be
    treated as the sole property of  the party furnishing the information  until
    the  Effective  Date,  and,  if  the Effective  Date  shall  not  occur, the
    receiving party shall return to the party which furnished such  information,
    or  destroy,  all documents  or other  materials (including  copies thereof)
    containing, reflecting or  referring to such  information. In addition,  the
    receiving  party shall keep confidential all  such information and shall not
    directly or indirectly  use such  information for any  competitive or  other
    commercial  purpose.  In  the  event that  this  Agreement  shall terminate,
    neither party shall disclose, except as  required by law or pursuant to  the
    request  of an administrative agency or  other regulatory body, the basis or
    reason for such  termination, without the  consent of the  other party.  The
    obligation  to keep such information confidential shall not apply to (i) any
    information which (A) was already in the receiving party's possession  prior
    to    the   disclosure   thereof    to   the   receiving    party   by   the

                                      A-22
<PAGE>
    party furnishing  the  information, (B)  was  then generally  known  to  the
    public,  (C) became known  to the public  through no fault  of the receiving
    party or its representatives or (D) was disclosed to the receiving party  by
    a  third  party  not  bound  by an  obligation  of  confidentiality  or (ii)
    disclosures required by law, governmental or regulatory authority.

    5.8.  FILING OF TAX RETURNS AND ADJUSTMENTS.

        (a) MFC, on behalf of MFC and  each of the Subsidiaries, shall file  (or
    cause  to be filed) at their  own expense, on or prior  to the due date, all
    Tax returns, including  all Plan returns  and reports, for  all Tax  periods
    ending  on or before the Effective Date  where the due date for such returns
    or reports  (taking into  account  valid extensions  of the  respective  due
    dates)  falls  on  or before  the  Effective Date;  provided,  however, that
    neither MFC nor any of the Subsidiaries shall file any such Tax returns,  or
    other  returns,  elections or  information  statements with  respect  to any
    liabilities for  Taxes  (other than  federal,  state or  local  sales,  use,
    withholding  or employment  tax returns  or statements),  or consent  to any
    adjustment or otherwise  compromise or  settle any matters  with respect  to
    Taxes,  without prior consultation with FBS; provided, further, that neither
    MFC nor any of the  Subsidiaries shall make any  election or take any  other
    discretionary  position with respect to Taxes, in a manner inconsistent with
    past practices, without the  prior written approval  of FBS, which  approval
    shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event the granting or withholding
    of such approval by FBS results in additional Taxes owing for any Tax period
    ending  on or before the Effective Date, liability for such additional Taxes
    shall not cause any  representation of MFC relating  to Taxes to be  untrue.
    MFC  shall provide  FBS with  a copy  of appropriate  workpapers, schedules,
    drafts and  final copies  of each  federal and  state income  Tax return  or
    election  of  MFC and  each of  the Subsidiaries  (including returns  of all
    Plans) at least seven days before  filing such return or election and  shall
    reasonably cooperate with any request by FBS in connection therewith.

        (b)  FBS, in its sole and absolute discretion, will file (or cause to be
    filed) all Tax returns  of MFC and  each of the  Subsidiaries due after  the
    Effective  Date. After  the Effective  Date, FBS,  in its  sole and absolute
    discretion and  to the  extent permitted  by law,  shall have  the right  to
    amend,  modify or otherwise  change all Tax  returns of MFC  and each of the
    Subsidiaries for all Tax periods.

    5.9.  REGISTRATION STATEMENT.

        (a) For the purposes (i) of holding meetings of the shareholders of  FBS
    and MFC to approve this Agreement and the Merger and (ii) of registering the
    FBS  Common Stock to be issued to holders of MFC Common Stock and of options
    under the  MFC  Stock  Option  Plans (as  defined  in  Section  5.14(a))  in
    connection with the Merger with the SEC and with applicable state securities
    authorities,  the parties  hereto shall cooperate  in the  preparation of an
    appropriate registration  statement (such  registration statement,  together
    with  all and any amendments and  supplements thereto, being herein referred
    to as the "Registration Statement"), which shall include a  prospectus/joint
    proxy  statement satisfying all applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the
    1934 Act, applicable  state securities  laws and the  rules and  regulations
    thereunder (such prospectus/joint proxy statement, together with any and all
    amendments   or  supplements  thereto,  being  herein  referred  to  as  the
    "Prospectus/Proxy Statement").

        (b) FBS shall furnish such information concerning FBS as is necessary in
    order to cause  the Prospectus/ Proxy  Statement, insofar as  it relates  to
    FBS,  to be prepared in accordance  with Section 5.9(a). FBS agrees promptly
    to advise MFC if at any time prior to the FBS or MFC shareholders'  meetings
    any  information provided by  FBS in the  Prospectus/Proxy Statement becomes
    incorrect or  incomplete  in  any  material  respect,  and  to  provide  the
    information needed to correct such inaccuracy or omission.

        (c)  MFC shall furnish FBS with  such information concerning MFC and the
    Subsidiaries  as  is  necessary  in  order  to  cause  the  Prospectus/Proxy
    Statement, insofar as it relates to MFC and the Subsidiaries, to be prepared
    in  accordance with Section 5.9(a). MFC agrees  promptly to advise FBS if at
    any time prior  to the  FBS or  MFC shareholders'  meetings any  information
    provided  by  MFC in  the  Prospectus/Proxy Statement  becomes  incorrect or
    incomplete in any material respect, and to provide FBS with the  information
    needed to correct such inaccuracy or omission.

                                      A-23
<PAGE>
        (d)  FBS shall promptly file the Registration Statement with the SEC and
    applicable state securities  agencies. FBS shall  use reasonable efforts  to
    cause  the Registration Statement to become effective under the 1933 Act and
    applicable state  securities  laws at  the  earliest practicable  date.  MFC
    authorizes  FBS  to utilize  in the  Registration Statement  the information
    concerning MFC  and the  Subsidiaries provided  to FBS  for the  purpose  of
    inclusion  in the  Prospectus/Proxy Statement. MFC  shall have  the right to
    review  and  comment  on  the  form  of  proxy  statement  included  in  the
    Registration  Statement. FBS shall advise MFC promptly when the Registration
    Statement has become effective and of any supplements or amendments thereto,
    and FBS shall furnish MFC  with copies of all  such documents. Prior to  the
    Effective  Date  or  the termination  of  this Agreement,  each  party shall
    consult with  the  other  with  respect to  any  material  (other  than  the
    Prospectus/  Proxy Statement) that might  constitute a "prospectus" relating
    to the Merger within the meaning of the 1933 Act.

        (e) FBS shall use reasonable efforts to  cause to be delivered to MFC  a
    letter  relating to  the Registration  Statement from  Ernst &  Young, FBS's
    independent auditors, dated a date within two business days before the  date
    on  which the Registration Statement shall become effective and addressed to
    MFC, in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to MFC and customary  in
    scope  and substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants
    in connection  with  registration  statements similar  to  the  Registration
    Statement.

        (f)  MFC shall use reasonable efforts to  cause to be delivered to FBS a
    letter relating  to the  Registration Statement  from Ernst  & Young,  MFC's
    independent  auditors, dated a date within two business days before the date
    on which the Registration Statement shall become effective and addressed  to
    FBS,  in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to FBS and customary in
    scope and substance for letters delivered by independent public  accountants
    in  connection  with  registration statements  similar  to  the Registration
    Statement.

        (g) FBS shall bear (i) the costs of all SEC filing fees with respect  to
    the  Registration Statement  and the costs  of qualifying the  shares of FBS
    Common Stock under state blue sky laws to the extent necessary and (ii)  all
    printing and mailing costs in connection with the preparation and mailing of
    the  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement to  FBS  shareholders. MFC  shall  bear all
    printing and mailing costs in connection with the preparation and mailing of
    the Prospectus/Proxy Statement to MFC  shareholders. FBS and MFC shall  each
    bear  their  own  legal  and  accounting  expenses  in  connection  with the
    Registration Statement.

    5.10.  AFFILIATE  LETTERS.  MFC  shall use  its best efforts  to obtain  and
deliver  to  FBS  at  least  31  days  prior  to  the  Effective  Date  a signed
representation letter substantially in  the form of Exhibit  A hereto from  each
shareholder of MFC who may reasonably be deemed an "affiliate" of MFC within the
meaning  of such term as used in Rule 145 under the 1933 Act and for purposes of
qualifying for pooling of interests accounting treatment for the Merger. FBS may
place appropriate legends on the stock certificates of affiliates of MFC.

    5.11.  ESTABLISHMENT OF  ACCRUALS.  If  requested by FBS  prior to March  1,
1995,  prior to the  public release of  financial results for  MFC's 1994 fiscal
year (or, if earlier, the business day immediately prior to the Effective Date),
MFC shall, consistent with  generally accepted accounting principles,  establish
for  such fiscal year such additional accruals  and reserves as may be necessary
to conform MFC's  accounting and credit  loss reserve practices  and methods  to
those  of FBS (as such practices  and methods are to be  applied to MFC from and
after the Effective Date) and reflect FBS's plans with respect to the conduct of
MFC's business following the  Merger and to provide  for the costs and  expenses
relating  to the  consummation by MFC  of the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement; provided, however, that MFC shall not be required to take such action
unless (A) FBS certifies in  writing that it has no  reason to believe that  all
conditions  to FBS's obligation  to consummate the  transactions contemplated by
this Agreement set forth in  Article 6 hereof will  not be satisfied or  waived;
and (B) MFC shall have no reasonable basis for believing that all the conditions
to  MFC's  obligation  to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
Agreement will not be satisfied. In the event that MFC shall not be obligated to
establish the  additional accruals  and reserves  referred to  in the  preceding
sentence  prior to  March 1,  1995, and  thereafter FBS  shall request  that MFC
establish such accruals and reserves and the conditions set forth in clauses (A)
and (B)  of the  preceding  sentence are  satisfied,  MFC shall  establish  such
accruals and reserves for a period subsequent to the

                                      A-24
<PAGE>
1994  fiscal year.  Notwithstanding anything to  the contrary  contained in this
Agreement, no  accrual or  reserve made  by MFC  or the  Bank pursuant  to  this
Section 5.11, or any litigation or regulatory proceeding arising out of any such
accrual  or reserve, or any other effect on MFC or the Bank resulting from MFC's
compliance with this Section 5.11, shall constitute or be deemed to be a breach,
violation of  or  failure to  satisfy  any representation,  warranty,  covenant,
condition  or other provisions  of this Agreement or  otherwise be considered in
determining whether any such breach, violation or failure to satisfy shall  have
occurred.

    5.12.  EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

        (a)   GENERAL.  Subject to the  following agreements, FBS shall have the
    right to  continue, amend  or terminate  any  of the  Plans (as  defined  in
    Section  3.18)  in accordance  with  the terms  thereof  and subject  to any
    limitation arising under applicable law.  Until FBS shall take such  action,
    however,  such Plans shall continue in force  for the benefit of present and
    former employees of MFC or the  Subsidiaries who have any present or  future
    entitlement to benefits under any of the Plans ("MFC Employees").

        (b)  MFC PLANS.

          (i)   MFC 401(K) PLAN.   After the Effective  Date, FBS will terminate
          the accrual of benefits under the MFC 401(k) plans listed on  Schedule
       3.18(b)(i)(B)  and sponsored by  MFC or any Subsidiary  not more than two
       years after  the Effective  Date and  will take  such actions  as may  be
       necessary  to cause the assets and liabilities of the MFC 401(k) plans to
       be merged with and into  the FBS 401(k) plan.  As of the Effective  Date,
       FBS  shall take such action  as may be necessary  to amend the MFC 401(k)
       plans to provide that with respect to MFC Employees who are  participants
       in  the MFC 401(k) plans and who are employees of MFC as of the Effective
       Date, their accounts under such plans  as of the Effective Date shall  be
       fully  vested as  of the  Effective Date.  Benefits accruing  between the
       Effective Date  and  the  date  on  which  the  accrual  of  benefits  is
       terminated  shall  be  fully  and immediately  vested  as  of  that time.
       Distributions shall not  be permitted  from the MFC  401(k) plans  merely
       because  of the discontinuance of accruals  or the transfer of assets and
       liabilities.

          (ii)  MFC DIRECTORS' RETIREMENT PLAN.  MFC shall calculate and pay  in
          cash  on the  Effective Date  all amounts  reasonably estimated  to be
       owing to any MFC director pursuant to the MFC Directors' Retirement Plan,
       including any estimated "gross up"  payment payable as provided  therein.
       To  the extent that any  such gross up payment  remains payable after the
       Effective Date, FBS hereby  acknowledges that it  will promptly pay  such
       amounts in full in accordance with the terms of such plan.

          (iii)   CHANGE  IN CONTROL  PLANS.  Prior  to the  Effective Date, MFC
          shall amend the  Change in  Control Plans as  set forth  in Exhibit  B
       hereto,  and FBS hereby agrees to  such amendments. FBS acknowledges that
       any employment agreement with  an executive officer previously  disclosed
       to it does not constitute a "severance plan" for purposes of such plans.

          (iv)   MFC BONUS PLANS.   On or prior to  December 31, 1994, MFC shall
          pay all bonuses accrued in 1994  by MFC Employees under the MFC  bonus
       plans disclosed to FBS.

          (v)   MFC DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN.  Not more than two (2) years after the
          Effective Date, FBS will terminate  the accrual of benefits under  the
       MFC  qualified defined benefit pension plan and will take such actions as
       may be necessary to cause the assets and liabilities of the MFC qualified
       defined benefit pension plan to be merged with and into the FBS  Personal
       Retirement  Account. As of the Effective Date, FBS shall take such action
       as may be necessary  to amend the MFC  qualified defined benefit  pension
       plan  to provide that with respect  to MFC Employees who are participants
       in the MFC qualified defined benefit  pension plan and who are  employees
       of  MFC as of the Effective Date,  their accrued benefits under such plan
       as of the Effective Date shall be fully vested as of the Effective Date.

        (c)  FBS PLANS.

          (i)  FBS CAP (401(K)) PLAN.  After the Effective Date, FBS shall  take
          such  actions as may  be necessary to cause  eligible MFC Employees to
       become qualified  to participate  in the  FBS Capital  Accumulation  Plan
       (CAP)  concurrent with the  date that FBS causes  accruals to cease under
       the MFC

                                      A-25
<PAGE>
       401(k) plan. All service  with MFC and any  of the Subsidiaries  (whether
       before or after the Effective Date) shall be recognized under the CAP for
       eligibility  and  vesting  purposes  but  shall  not  be  recognized  for
       contribution and allocation purposes. FBS shall take such actions as  may
       be  necessary  to  cause  the  CAP  to  accept  transfers  of  assets and
       liabilities from the MFC 401(k) plan.

          (ii)  FBS DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN.  Upon the cessation of accruals  under
          any  MFC Defined Benefit Plan,  FBS shall take such  actions as may be
       necessary to cause eligible MFC Employees to be qualified to  participate
       in  any qualified defined benefit plan generally available at the time to
       similarly situated employees of FBS or  an affiliate of FBS. All  service
       with  MFC  or any  of the  Subsidiaries and  their predecessors,  to such
       extent taken into account  for purposes of the  MFC Defined Benefit  Plan
       (whether  before or after  the Effective Date)  shall be recognized under
       the FBS  plan for  eligibility  and vesting  purposes  but shall  not  be
       required to be recognized for any other purpose.

          (iii)   WELFARE AND OTHER BENEFITS.  FBS shall use its best efforts to
          cause any  transition by  MFC  Employees from  the welfare  and  other
       generally applicable benefit plans and practices of MFC or its affiliates
       not  otherwise expressly dealt with in this Section 5.12 to FBS plans and
       practices to  be  effected  in  a  manner  that  does  not  result  in  a
       significant  financial detriment to the MFC Employees other than any such
       financial detriment as a result of  higher premium costs in the FBS  plan
       which  are generally applicable to  other similarly situated employees of
       FBS and its affiliates  or to the  absence of any  FBS counterpart for  a
       particular MFC plan or practice.

        (d)  SUCCESSOR STATUS; FURTHER ASSURANCES.  FBS hereby expressly assumes
    and  agrees to perform  or cause to  be performed all  of the obligations of
    "successors" under  the  terms of  the  MFC Broad-Based  Change  in  Control
    Severance  Pay Plan, as amended, the MFC Senior Management Change in Control
    Severance Pay Plan, as amended, and  the MFC Executive Management Change  in
    Control  Severance Pay Plan, as amended (the "Change in Control Plans"), and
    the MFC Directors' Retirement Plan.

        (e)   LIMITATION ON  ENFORCEMENT.   This Section  5.12 is  an  agreement
    solely  between MFC  and the Subsidiaries  and FBS. Nothing  in this Section
    5.12, whether express or implied, confers  upon any employee of MFC, any  of
    the  Subsidiaries  or  FBS or  any  other  person, any  rights  or remedies,
    including, but not limited to: (i)  any right to employment or recall,  (ii)
    any  right to  continued employment for  any specified period,  or (iii) any
    right  to  claim  any  particular  compensation,  benefit  or  aggregate  of
    benefits,  of any  kind or  nature whatsoever, as  a result  of this Section
    5.12.

   
    5.13.  POOLING  OF INTERESTS; TAX  TREATMENT.   Neither MFC nor  any of  the
Subsidiaries  nor FBS shall take any action which would disqualify the Merger as
a "pooling of interests" for accounting  purposes or as a "reorganization"  that
would  be tax free to the shareholders of  MFC pursuant to Section 368(a) of the
Code.
    

    5.14.  STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS.

        (a)  STOCK OPTION PLANS.  In  the event that each option outstanding  or
    to  be outstanding on the Effective Date under the MFC 1982 Stock Option and
    Incentive Plan, the MFC  1990 Stock Option Plan,  the MFC 1993  Non-Employee
    Director   Stock  Option  Plan  and  the   MFC  1993  Stock  Incentive  Plan
    (collectively, the "MFC Stock  Option Plans") is converted  into a right  to
    receive  in lieu of all other rights under such option (and each such option
    thereafter is terminated and  canceled), shares of FBS  Common Stock with  a
    value  as of the Effective Date equal to  the "fair value" of such option as
    determined by an independent third party  expert to be mutually selected  by
    FBS  and MFC, FBS will,  as of the Effective Date,  issue in respect of such
    option shares of  FBS Common  Stock having an  Average Price  equal to  such
    "fair  value." In the event that each such option is not so converted, then,
    at the  Effective  Date, such  option  shall be  assumed  by FBS  and  shall
    thereafter  be deemed to constitute an option  to acquire, on the same terms
    and conditions as  were applicable  under such  option, the  same number  of
    shares  of FBS  Common Stock as  the holder  of such option  would have been
    entitled to receive pursuant  to the Merger had  such holder exercised  such
    option in full immediately prior to the Effective Date, at a price per share
    equal to (x) the aggregate exercise price for the shares of MFC Common Stock
    otherwise  purchasable pursuant to such option  divided by (y) the number of
    full shares of FBS Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to such  option;
    provided, however, that in the case of any

                                      A-26
<PAGE>
    option  to  which  Section  421  of  the  Code  applies  by  reason  of  its
    qualification under Section 422 of the Code ("incentive stock options"), the
    option price, the number of shares  purchasable pursuant to such option  and
    the  terms and conditions of exercise of such options shall be determined in
    order to comply with Section 424(a) of  the Code. In addition, MFC will  use
    its  best efforts to cause  all of the options  outstanding and vested under
    the MFC Stock Option Plans as of  December 31, 1994 to be exercised in  full
    on or prior to such date.

        (b)    EMPLOYEE  STOCK PURCHASE  PLANS.    At the  Effective  Date, each
    outstanding option issued pursuant to  the MFC Employee Stock Purchase  Plan
    or  the Edina Realty Sales Associate Stock  Purchase Plan shall be deemed to
    constitute an  option to  acquire FBS  Common Stock  on the  same terms  and
    conditions  as theretofore  applicable, except  that the  exercise price per
    share and the number of shares of stock for which such option is exercisable
    shall be adjusted  as appropriate in  light of the  Merger and the  Exchange
    Ratio in order to prevent any diminution of the value of such options or the
    rights of the participants.

        (c)    MFC  WARRANTS.    On the  Effective  Date,  FBS  shall  execute a
    supplemental warrant agreement to the Warrant Agreement dated as of November
    20, 1990  (the  "MFC Warrant  Agreement")  between MFC  and  American  Stock
    Transfer  and Trust Company, as Warrant  Agent, as provided in Section 10(I)
    of the Warrant  Agreement, and  all outstanding  warrants of  MFC (the  "MFC
    Warrants")  issued pursuant  to such Warrant  Agreement shall  be assumed by
    FBS. Each MFC Warrant shall be deemed to constitute an option to acquire, on
    the same terms and conditions as were applicable under such MFC Warrant, the
    same number of shares of FBS Common Stock as the holder of such MFC  Warrant
    would  have been entitled to receive pursuant  to the Merger had such holder
    exercised such option in full immediately prior to the Effective Date, at  a
    price  per share equal to (x) the aggregate exercise price for the shares of
    MFC Common Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to such MFC Warrant  divided
    by  (y) the  number of  full shares of  FBS Common  Stock deemed purchasable
    pursuant to such MFC Warrant. FBS shall take all corporate action  necessary
    to  reserve for issuance a  sufficient number of shares  of FBS Common Stock
    for delivery upon exercise of MFC Warrants assumed by it in accordance  with
    this  Section  5.14. FBS  shall use  its  best efforts  to register  the MFC
    Warrants and the underlying FBS  Common Stock under the  1933 Act as of  the
    Effective  Date  and  to  maintain the  effectiveness  of  such registration
    statement or registration statements (and maintain the current status of the
    prospectus or  prospectuses  contained therein)  for  so long  as  such  MFC
    Warrants remain outstanding.

    5.15.  INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.

        (a)  From and after the Effective  Date, FBS shall indemnify, defend and
    hold harmless each person who is now, or  has been at any time prior to  the
    date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Date, an officer, director
    or  employee of MFC  or any of the  Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties")
    against all losses, claims,  damages, costs, expenses (including  attorney's
    fees),  liabilities  or judgments  or amounts  that  are paid  in settlement
    (which settlement  shall require  the prior  written consent  of FBS,  which
    consent  shall not  be unreasonably withheld)  of or in  connection with any
    claim, action, suit,  proceeding or  investigation (a "Claim")  in which  an
    Indemnified  Party is,  or is threatened  to be  made, a party  or a witness
    based in whole or in part on or arising in whole or in part out of the  fact
    that  such person is or was a director, officer or employee of MFC or any of
    the Subsidiaries  if such  Claim pertains  to any  matter or  fact  arising,
    existing  or  occurring  prior  to the  Effective  Date  (including, without
    limitation,  the  Merger  and   other  transactions  contemplated  by   this
    Agreement),  regardless of whether  such Claim is  asserted or claimed prior
    to, at or after  the Effective Date (the  "Indemnified Liabilities") to  the
    full  extent permitted  under applicable Delaware  or federal law  as of the
    date hereof  or as  amended prior  to  the Effective  Date and  under  MFC's
    Charter  and  Bylaws as  in effect  on the  date hereof  (and FBS  shall pay
    expenses in  advance  of  the  final  disposition  of  any  such  action  or
    proceeding to each Indemnified Party to the full extent permitted by law and
    under  such Charter or  Bylaws, upon receipt of  any undertaking required by
    such Charter, Bylaws or  applicable law). Any  Indemnified Party wishing  to
    claim  indemnification  under this  Section  5.15(a), upon  learning  of any
    Claim, shall notify FBS (but the failure so to notify FBS shall not  relieve
    it  from any liability which FBS may  have under this Section 5.15(a) except
    to the extent  such failure  prejudices FBS) and  shall deliver  to FBS  any
    undertaking  required by such  Charter, Bylaws or  applicable law. FBS shall
    use its best  efforts to assure,  to the extent  permitted under  applicable
    law,  that all limitations of liability existing in favor of the Indemnified
    Parties as provided in the  MFC Charter and Bylaws, as  in effect as of  the
    date   hereof,  with   respect  to   claims  or   liabilities  arising  from

                                      A-27
<PAGE>
    facts  or  events  existing  or  occurring  prior  to  the  Effective   Date
    (including,  without  limitation,  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
    Agreement), shall survive the  Merger. The obligations  of FBS described  in
    this  Section 5.15(a) shall  continue in full force  and effect, without any
    amendment thereto,  for  a period  of  not less  than  five years  from  the
    Effective  Date; provided,  however, that  all rights  to indemnification in
    respect of any  Claim asserted  or made  within such  period shall  continue
    until the final disposition of such Claim; and provided further that nothing
    in  this Section 5.15(a)  shall be deemed to  modify applicable Delaware law
    regarding indemnification of former officers and directors. Nothing in  this
    Section  5.15(a) shall affect the obligations to be assumed in the Merger by
    FBS to indemnify former directors and  officers of MFC or the Bank  pursuant
    to  the terms  of the  indemnification agreements in  effect as  of the date
    hereof and as disclosed to FBS in Schedule 3.14.

       (b)   From and  after the  Effective Date,  the directors,  officers  and
       employees  of MFC and the Subsidiaries  who become directors, officers or
    employees of FBS or any of its subsidiaries, except for the  indemnification
    rights  set forth in Section 5.15(a), shall have indemnification rights with
    prospective application only. The  prospective indemnification rights  shall
    consist of such rights to which directors, officers and employees of FBS are
    entitled  under the provisions of the Charter or similar governing documents
    of FBS  and its  subsidiaries, as  in effect  from time  to time  after  the
    Effective Date, as applicable, and provisions of applicable law as in effect
    from time to time after the Effective Date.

       (c)   The obligations of FBS  provided under Sections 5.15(a) and 5.15(b)
       are intended to benefit, and be enforceable against FBS directly by,  the
    Indemnified  Parties, and shall  be binding on  all respective successors of
    FBS.

       (d)  For a period of three years after the Effective Date, FBS shall  use
       its  best efforts  to provide  that portion  of directors'  and officers'
    liability insurance that serves to  reimburse officers and directors of  MFC
    or any of the Subsidiaries (as opposed to FBS or MFC) with respect to claims
    against  such  officers and  directors arising  from  facts or  events which
    occurred before  the  Effective Date  of  at  least the  same  coverage  and
    amounts,  and containing terms and conditions  no less advantageous, as that
    coverage currently  provided  by MFC;  provided,  however, that  the  annual
    premiums  for  such coverage  will not  exceed 200%  of the  annual premiums
    currently paid by MFC  for such coverage;  provided, further, that  officers
    and  directors of MFC or any Subsidiary  may be required to make application
    and provide  customary representations  and  warranties to  FBS's  insurance
    carrier  for the purpose of obtaining such insurance; and provided, further,
    that such coverage will have a  single aggregate for such three-year  period
    in  an amount not less than the  annual aggregate of such coverage currently
    provided by MFC.

    5.16.   EDINA REALTY  LITIGATION MATTERS.   MFC  shall provide  FBS  regular
updates  on the status of the Edina  Realty Litigation Matters, shall notify FBS
of any developments with respect to such matters, and shall allow FBS to  attend
all  settlement negotiations  or other  meetings relating  to the  settlement or
other disposition of such matters.

    5.17.  FBS SEC REPORTS.  FBS shall continue to file all reports with the SEC
necessary to permit the shareholders of MFC who are "affiliates" of MFC  (within
the meaning of such term as used in Rule 145 under the 1933 Act) to sell the FBS
Common  Stock received by them  in connection with the  Merger pursuant to Rules
144 and 145(d) under the 1933 Act if they would otherwise be so permitted. After
the Effective  Date, FBS  will file  with the  SEC reports  and other  materials
required by the federal securities laws on a timely basis.

    5.18.  SEC REPORTS.  Each of FBS and MFC agree to provide to the other party
copies  of all reports and other documents filed  with the SEC by it between the
date hereof and the Effective Date within five days after the date such  reports
or other documents are filed with the SEC.

    5.19.   STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING.   FBS shall use its  best efforts to list on
the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, the  shares
of  FBS Common  Stock to be  issued to  the holders of  MFC Common  Stock in the
Merger.

    5.20.  SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS.  Each of  FBS and MFC shall call a meeting  of
its  shareholders for the purpose of voting  upon this Agreement and the Merger,
and   shall   schedule   such   meeting   based   on   consultation   with   the

                                      A-28
<PAGE>
other  party. The  Board of  Directors of  each of  FBS and  MFC shall recommend
approval of this Agreement and the Merger, and use its best efforts  (including,
without  limitation,  soliciting  proxies  for such  approvals)  to  obtain such
shareholder approvals, unless the Board of Directors of either party determines,
after receipt of a  written opinion of  counsel to such party  (a copy of  which
shall  be delivered  to the  other party),  that recommending  such approvals or
using its best efforts to obtain such shareholder approvals would be a breach of
its fiduciary duties.

    5.21.  FBS BOARD OF DIRECTORS; CONSULTING AGREEMENT.

        (a) Following the Effective Date, FBS shall use its best efforts to  (i)
    secure  the election of Norman M. Jones to  the FBS Board of Directors for a
    term of at least three years and  (ii) appoint Mr. Jones as Chairman of  the
    Board  of Directors of the Bank, or  its successor following the Merger, for
    at least three years, subject to any applicable regulatory requirements.

        (b) Prior  to the  Effective Date,  FBS shall  enter into  a  consulting
    agreement  with  Mr.  Jones,  containing  customary  terms  and  conditions,
    engaging Mr. Jones for a three-year  period following the Effective Date  as
    an  independent consultant to  assist FBS in  identifying and contacting, on
    behalf of  FBS, potential  financial institution  acquisition candidates  as
    requested from time to time by FBS.

        (c)  FBS shall pay  Mr. Jones, for  all of the  services rendered by Mr.
    Jones pursuant to this  Section 5.21, total  compensation equal to  $200,000
    annually.

        (d)  FBS acknowledges that,  on the Effective Date,  there shall exist a
    "termination" of Mr. Jones  employment with MFC under  the terms of the  MFC
    Executive  Management Change in Control Severance Pay Plan and FBS shall pay
    all benefits payable to Mr.  Jones pursuant to the  terms of such plan  upon
    such termination.

                                   ARTICLE 6
                                   CONDITIONS

    6.1.   CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF  EACH PARTY.  The respective obligations
of each party to effect the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Date of the following conditions:

        (a)  REGULATORY APPROVAL.   Regulatory approval for the consummation  of
    the  transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained from the FRB,
    the OTS and any other governmental authority from whom approval is required,
    the applicable waiting periods, if any, under the HSR Act shall have expired
    or been terminated, and  all other statutory  or regulatory waiting  periods
    shall  have lapsed. None  of such approvals shall  contain any conditions or
    restrictions that FBS reasonably believes will materially restrict or  limit
    the  business  or activities  of  FBS, MFC  or  the Subsidiaries  or  have a
    material adverse effect on, or would be reasonably likely to have a material
    adverse effect on, the  business, operations or  financial condition of  FBS
    and  its subsidiaries,  taken as a  whole, on the  one hand, or  MFC and the
    Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, on  the other hand. FBS acknowledges that  a
    requirement  to divest  control of Edina  Realty, Inc.  following the Merger
    would not, in and of itself, constitute  a failure of the condition in  this
    Section 6.1(a).

        (b)   NO INJUNCTION.  No injunction or other order entered by a state or
    federal court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued and remain in
    effect which would impair the consummation of the transactions  contemplated
    hereby.

        (c)    NO PROHIBITIVE  CHANGE OF  LAW.   There shall  have been  no law,
    statute, rule or  regulation, domestic  or foreign,  enacted or  promulgated
    which   would  materially  impair  the   consummation  of  the  transactions
    contemplated hereby.

        (d)   NO  TERMINATION.   No  party  hereto shall  have  terminated  this
    Agreement as permitted herein.

                                      A-29
<PAGE>
        (e)  REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  The Registration Statement shall have been
    declared effective and shall not be subject to a stop order of the SEC, and,
    if  the offer and  sale of FBS Common  Stock in the  Merger pursuant to this
    Agreement is required  to be  registered under  the securities  laws of  any
    state,  the Registration Statement shall  not be subject to  a stop order of
    securities commission in such state.

        (f)  FEDERAL TAX  OPINION.  An opinion  of Oppenheimer Wolff &  Donnelly
    shall  have been  obtained with  respect to  the Merger,  based on customary
    reliance and subject  to customary  qualifications, to the  effect that  for
    federal income tax purposes:

           (i)   The  Merger will  qualify as  a "reorganization"  under Section
       368(a) of the Code;

           (ii) No  gain or  loss  will be  recognized  by any  MFC  shareholder
       (except  in connection with the receipt of cash) upon the exchange of MFC
       Common Stock for FBS Common Stock in the Merger;

           (iii) The basis of the FBS Common Stock received by a MFC shareholder
       who exchanges MFC Common Stock for FBS  Common Stock will be the same  as
       the  basis  of  the MFC  Common  Stock surrendered  in  exchange therefor
       (subject to any adjustments required as the result of receipt of cash  in
       lieu of a fractional share of FBS Common Stock);

           (iv)  The holding period  of the FBS  Common Stock received  by a MFC
       shareholder receiving FBS  Common Stock  will include  the period  during
       which  the MFC  Common Stock  surrendered in  exchange therefor  was held
       (provided that the MFC Common Stock of such MFC shareholder was held as a
       capital asset at the Effective Date); and

           (v) Cash received by a MFC shareholder in lieu of a fractional  share
       interest of FBS Common Stock will be treated as having been received as a
       distribution  in  full  payment  in  exchange  for  the  fractional share
       interest of FBS  Common Stock  which he  would otherwise  be entitled  to
       receive,  and  will qualify  as capital  gain or  loss (assuming  the MFC
       Common Stock was a capital asset in his hands at the Effective Date).

        Such opinion  shall be delivered on and  dated as of the Effective  Date
    and  on  and as  of such  earlier  date as  may be  required  by the  SEC in
    connection with the Registration Statement.

        (g) The FBS Common Stock to be issued to holders of MFC Common Stock  in
    the  Merger shall  have been  approved for listing  on the  NYSE on official
    notice of issuance.

    6.2.  ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF MFC.  The obligation of MFC  to
consummate  the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement is also subject to the following conditions:

        (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND COMPLIANCE.  The representations and warranties
    of FBS set forth  in Article 2 shall  have been true and  correct as of  the
    date  hereof, and shall be  true and correct as of  the Effective Date as if
    made at and as of  the Effective Date, except where  the failure to be  true
    and  correct would not have, or would  not reasonably be expected to have, a
    material adverse effect on the  business, operations or financial  condition
    of FBS and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and FBS shall in all material
    respects have performed each obligation and agreement and complied with each
    covenant  to be performed and  complied with by it  hereunder at or prior to
    the Effective Date.

        (b)   OFFICER'S  CERTIFICATE.    FBS  shall  have  furnished  to  MFC  a
    certificate  of the Vice Chairman and  Chief Financial Officer of FBS, dated
    as of the Effective Date, in which such officer shall certify that he has no
    reason to believe that the conditions  set forth in Section 6.2(a) have  not
    been fulfilled.

        (c)   FBS SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE.  FBS  shall have furnished to MFC (i)
    copies of the text of the resolutions  by which the corporate action on  the
    part  of  FBS  necessary  to approve  this  Agreement  and  the transactions
    contemplated hereby were taken, (ii) a certificate dated as of the Effective
    Date executed on  behalf of FBS  by its  corporate secretary or  one of  its
    assistant corporate secretaries certifying to MFC that such copies are true,
    correct  and complete copies  of such resolutions  and that such resolutions
    were duly  adopted and  have not  been  amended or  rescinded and  (iii)  an
    incumbency certificate dated as of the Effective

                                      A-30
<PAGE>
    Date  executed on  behalf of FBS  by its  corporate secretary or  one of its
    assistant corporate secretaries certifying the signature and office of  each
    officer  of FBS executing this Agreement or any other agreement, certificate
    or other instrument executed pursuant hereto.

        (d)  OPINION  OF COUNSEL TO  FBS.   MFC shall have  received an  opinion
    letter  dated as  of the  Effective Date  addressed to  MFC from  Michael J.
    O'Rourke, Esq., Executive Vice President  and General Counsel of FBS,  based
    on customary reliance and subject to customary qualifications, to the effect
    that:

           (i)   FBS is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in
       good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. FBS is  registered
       as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act.

           (ii)  FBS has the  corporate power to  consummate the transactions on
       its part  contemplated by  this Agreement.  FBS has  taken all  requisite
       corporate action to authorize this Agreement, and this Agreement has been
       duly  executed and delivered by FBS and constitutes the valid and binding
       obligation of FBS enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to
       the  enforcement  of  remedies  to  applicable  bankruptcy,   insolvency,
       moratorium and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and
       to  judicial limitations  on the  enforcement of  the remedy  of specific
       performance.

           (iii) The execution  and delivery of  this Agreement by  FBS and  the
       consummation  of the transactions contemplated hereby will not constitute
       a breach, default  or violation under  its Charter or  Bylaws or, to  his
       knowledge,  (A) any agreement, arrangement  or understanding to which FBS
       is a  party,  (B)  any license,  franchise  or  permit or  (C)  any  law,
       regulation, order, judgment or decree.

           (iv)  No authorization, consent  or approval of,  or filing with, any
       public body, court or authority is necessary for the consummation by  FBS
       of  the transactions contemplated  hereby which has  not been obtained or
       made.

           (v) The shares  of FBS  Common Stock to  be issued  pursuant to  this
       Agreement  will be, when  issued, duly authorized,  validly issued, fully
       paid and nonassessable.

        (e)  SHAREHOLDER  APPROVAL.  This  Agreement and the  Merger shall  have
    been  approved by the affirmative  vote of the holders  of the percentage of
    MFC capital stock required for such  approval under the provisions of  MFC's
    Charter and Bylaws, the DGCL and the rules of the NYSE.

        (f)   MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.  Since  the date of this Agreement, there
    has been  no  material  adverse  change in,  and  no  event,  occurrence  or
    development  in the business of FBS or its subsidiaries that, taken together
    with other  events,  occurrences  and  developments  with  respect  to  such
    business,  would have  or would  reasonably be  expected to  have a material
    adverse effect on, the  business, operations or  financial condition of  FBS
    and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

        (g)   FAIRNESS OPINION.  Prior to mailing the Prospectus/Proxy Statement
    and immediately  prior to  the Effective  Date, MFC  shall have  received  a
    written  opinion in a  form reasonably acceptable to  MFC from Dain Bosworth
    Incorporated (or another  investment banking firm  reasonably acceptable  to
    MFC)  to the effect that the consideration  to be delivered in the Merger is
    fair from a financial point of view to the holders of MFC Common Stock.

    6.3.  ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF FBS.  The obligation of FBS  to
consummate  the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement is also subject to the following conditions:

        (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND COMPLIANCE.  The representations and warranties
    of MFC in this  Agreement shall have  been true and correct  as of the  date
    hereof, and such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as
    of  the Effective Date  as if made at  and as of  the Effective Date, except
    where the  failure to  be true  and correct  would not  have, or  would  not
    reasonably  be expected to have, a  material adverse effect on the business,
    operations or financial  condition of MFC  and the Subsidiaries  taken as  a
    whole; and MFC shall in all material respects have performed each obligation
    and  agreement and complied with each  covenant to be performed and complied
    with by it hereunder at or prior to the Effective Date.

                                      A-31
<PAGE>
        (b)  OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE OF  MFC.  MFC shall  have furnished to FBS  a
    certificate  of the Chief  Executive Officer and  Chief Financial Officer of
    MFC, dated as of  the Effective Date, in  which such officers shall  certify
    that they have no reason to believe that the conditions set forth in Section
    6.3(a) have not been fulfilled.

        (c)   SECRETARY'S  CERTIFICATES.   MFC shall  have furnished  to FBS (i)
    copies of the text of the resolutions  by which the corporate action on  the
    part  of  MFC  necessary  to approve  this  Agreement  and  the transactions
    contemplated hereby were taken, (ii) certificates dated as of the  Effective
    Date  executed on  behalf of MFC  by its  corporate secretary or  one of its
    assistant corporate secretaries certifying to FBS that such copies are true,
    correct and complete copies  of such resolutions  and that such  resolutions
    were  duly  adopted and  have not  been  amended or  rescinded and  (iii) an
    incumbency certificate dated as of the Effective Date executed on behalf  of
    MFC by its corporate secretary or one of its assistant corporate secretaries
    certifying the signature and office of each officer executing this Agreement
    or  any other agreement,  certificate or other  instrument executed pursuant
    hereto.

        (d)  OPINION  OF COUNSEL TO  MFC.   FBS shall have  received an  opinion
    letter  dated as  of the  Effective Date  addressed to  FBS from Oppenheimer
    Wolff & Donnelly, counsel  to MFC (provided that  the opinions contained  in
    subparagraphs  (iv), (vi) and (viii) of  this Section 6.3(d) may be provided
    by J. Michael Nilles, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel  of
    MFC),  based on customary reliance  and subject to customary qualifications,
    to the effect that:

           (i)  MFC is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and  in
       good  standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. MFC is registered
       as a savings and loan holding company under the Savings and Loan  Holding
       Company Act.

           (ii)  The Bank is a federally  chartered savings bank duly organized,
       validly existing  and in  good  standing under  the  laws of  the  United
       States.

           (iii)  Each of the Principal  Nonbanking Subsidiaries (other than the
       Bank) is  a corporation  duly  organized, validly  existing and  in  good
       standing under the laws of its state of incorporation.

           (iv)  Each of MFC, the Bank and the Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries
       has the requisite corporate and other power and authority (including  all
       licenses,  permits and authorizations) to  own and operate its properties
       and to carry on its business as now conducted. Each of MFC, the Bank  and
       the  Principal  Nonbanking Subsidiaries  is licensed  or qualified  to do
       business in every jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or its
       ownership of property  requires it  to be licensed  or qualified,  except
       where  the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have or would
       not be  reasonably expected  to have  a material  adverse effect  on  the
       business,  operations, financial  condition or operating  results of MFC,
       the Bank or any of the Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries.

           (v) The  execution and  delivery of  this Agreement  by MFC  and  the
       consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not
       constitute a breach, default or violation under the respective Charter or
       Bylaws  of MFC, the Bank or  any of the Principal Nonbanking Subsidiaries
       or, to such counsel's knowledge, (A) any material agreement,  arrangement
       or  understanding  to  which  MFC,  the  Bank  or  any  of  the Principal
       Nonbanking Subsidiaries is a party,  (B) any material license,  franchise
       or permit or (C) any material law, regulation, order, judgment or decree.

           (vi)  The authorized capital of MFC  consists of 60,000,000 shares of
       MFC Common Stock  and 10,000,000 shares  of preferred stock;  all of  the
       issued  and  outstanding shares  of  the capital  stock  of MFC  are duly
       authorized, validly issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable. No holder  of
       the  capital stock of MFC is entitled  to any preemptive or other similar
       rights with respect to the capital stock of MFC.

           (vii) All of the  issued and outstanding shares  of each of the  Bank
       and  the Principal  Nonbanking Subsidiaries are  duly authorized, validly
       issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

                                      A-32
<PAGE>
           (viii)  Except  as set forth  in Schedule 3.15,  to the knowledge  of
       such  counsel,  there  are  no  actions,  suits,  proceedings,  orders or
       investigations pending or threatened against MFC, the Bank or any of  the
       Principal  Nonbanking Subsidiaries, at law or  in equity, or before or by
       any federal, state or  other governmental department, commission,  board,
       bureau, agency or instrumentality.

           (ix)  MFC has the  corporate power to  consummate the transactions on
       its part contemplated by this Agreement. MFC has duly taken all requisite
       corporate action to authorize this Agreement and this Agreement has  been
       duly  executed and delivered by MFC and constitutes the valid and binding
       obligation of MFC enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to
       the  enforcement  of  remedies  to  applicable  bankruptcy,   insolvency,
       moratorium and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and
       to  judicial limitations  on the  enforcement of  the remedy  of specific
       performance.

           (x) No  authorization, consent  or approval  of, or  filing with  any
       public body, court or public authority, is necessary for the consummation
       by  MFC  of  the  transactions contemplated  hereby  which  has  not been
       obtained or made.

        (e)  SHAREHOLDER  APPROVAL.  This  Agreement and the  Merger shall  have
    been  approved by the affirmative  vote of holders of  the percentage of FBS
    capital stock required  for such approval  under the Charter  and Bylaws  of
    FBS, the DGCL and the rules of the NYSE.

        (f)   AFFILIATE LETTERS.   MFC shall  have delivered to  FBS the letters
    required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.10.

        (g)  POOLING  OF INTERESTS  ACCOUNTING.   No event  shall have  occurred
    which,  in the reasonable opinion of FBS  and concurred in by Ernst & Young,
    would prevent the Merger from being accounted for as a pooling of interests,
    and FBS shall have received  from Ernst & Young  an opinion that the  Merger
    shall qualify as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes.

        (h)   ADVERSE PROCEEDINGS.  There shall not be threatened, instituted or
    pending any action or proceeding before any court or governmental  authority
    or  agency, domestic or foreign, (i) challenging or seeking to make illegal,
    or to delay or otherwise directly or indirectly to restrain or prohibit, the
    consummation of the  transactions contemplated hereby  or seeking to  obtain
    material  damages in  connection with the  transactions contemplated hereby,
    (ii) seeking to prohibit direct or indirect ownership or operation by FBS of
    all or a material  portion of the business  or assets of MFC  or any of  the
    Subsidiaries  or of FBS or any of its  subsidiaries, or to compel FBS or any
    of its subsidiaries or MFC  or any of the Subsidiaries  to dispose of or  to
    hold  separately all or a material portion  of the business or assets of FBS
    or any of its subsidiaries or of MFC or any of the Subsidiaries, as a result
    of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (iii) seeking to require  direct
    or  indirect divestiture by FBS  of any material portion  of its business or
    assets or of MFC's or the Subsidiaries' business or assets. FBS acknowledges
    that an action or proceeding seeking to divest control of Edina Realty, Inc.
    following the Merger would  not, in and of  itself, constitute a failure  of
    the condition in this Section 6.3(h).

        (i)   GOVERNMENTAL ACTION.  There shall  not be any action taken, or any
    statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction proposed,  enacted,
    entered,   enforced,  promulgated,  issued  or   deemed  applicable  to  the
    transactions contemplated  hereby  by any  federal,  state or  other  court,
    government  or governmental authority  or agency, which  would reasonably be
    expected to  result, directly  or  indirectly, in  any of  the  consequences
    referred to in Section 6.3(h).

        (j)   FAILURE TO  DISCLOSE.  FBS  shall not have  discovered any fact or
    circumstance existing as of  the date of this  Agreement which has not  been
    disclosed  to FBS, as of the date  of this Agreement, in this Agreement, any
    Schedule hereto, or any  document specifically required  to be furnished  to
    FBS  hereunder,  regarding  MFC  or any  of  the  Subsidiaries  which would,
    individually or in the  aggregate with other  such facts and  circumstances,
    (i)  materially impair the consummation  of the transactions contemplated by
    this Agreement, or  (ii) have  a material  adverse effect  on the  business,
    operations  or financial condition  of MFC and the  Subsidiaries, taken as a
    whole.

                                      A-33
<PAGE>
        (k)  MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.   Since the date of this Agreement,  there
    has  been  no  material  adverse  change in,  and  no  event,  occurrence or
    development in the business of MFC or the Subsidiaries that, taken  together
    with  other  events,  occurrences  and  developments  with  respect  to such
    business, would have  or would  reasonably be  expected to  have a  material
    adverse  effect on, the  business, operations or  financial condition of MFC
    and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

        (l)  STOCK OPTION  AGREEMENT.  Immediately  following the execution  and
    delivery  of this Agreement,  FBS and MFC shall  have executed and delivered
    the Stock Option Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 7
                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

    7.1.  TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated prior to the  Effective
Date:

        (a) by mutual consent of FBS and MFC;

        (b)  by either  FBS or  MFC, if  any of  the conditions  to such party's
    obligation to  consummate the  transactions contemplated  in this  Agreement
    shall have become impossible to satisfy;

        (c)  by either FBS or MFC, if this Agreement and the Merger are not duly
    approved by the  shareholders of  each of  MFC and FBS,  in each  case at  a
    meeting  of shareholders (or  any adjournment thereof)  duly called and held
    for such purpose;

        (d) by FBS or MFC  if the Effective Date is  not on or before  September
    30,  1995 (unless the failure to consummate the Merger by such date shall be
    due to the action or failure to  act of the party seeking to terminate  this
    Agreement in breach of such party's obligations under this Agreement);

        (e) by FBS or MFC if the Average Price is less than $29.50;

        (f)  by MFC if (1) any corporation, partnership, person, other entity or
    group, as defined in the 1934 Act  (other than FBS or any affiliate of  FBS)
    (a  "Person"), shall have commenced  (as such term is  used in Rule 14d-2(b)
    under the 1934 Act) a bona fide  tender offer for all outstanding shares  of
    MFC  Common Stock or  any Person shall  have made a  bona fide written offer
    involving a merger  or consolidation  of MFC or  the acquisition  of all  or
    substantially  all of  its assets,  and (2)  MFC's Board  of Directors shall
    determine, based on advice of MFC's independent financial advisors that such
    offer is a material economic improvement to the Company's shareholders  when
    compared to the Merger, and (3) MFC's Board of Directors determines upon the
    advice  of its legal counsel that if  they failed to recommend such offer or
    accept such proposal then such failure would be likely to result in a breach
    of the  directors' fiduciary  duties; provided,  however, that  MFC may  not
    terminate the Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(f) until the expiration
    of  five business days  after written notice  of any such  offer or proposal
    referenced in this Section 7.1(f) has been delivered to FBS, together with a
    summary of the terms of any such offer or proposal;

        (g) by FBS if,  after the date hereof,  any Person shall have  commenced
    (as  such term  is used  in Rule 14d-2(b)  under the  1934 Act)  a bona fide
    tender offer  or  exchange  offer  to  acquire at  least  20%  of  the  then
    outstanding  shares of MFC Common Stock, or if the Board of Directors of MFC
    shall have  withdrawn,  modified  or  changed  its  recommendation  of  this
    Agreement or the Merger; or

        (h)  by  FBS if  after  the date  hereof,  there shall  have  occurred a
    "Subsequent Triggering Event" as defined in the Stock Option Agreement.

           Any party desiring  to terminate  this Agreement  shall give  written
    notice of such termination and the reasons therefor to the other party.

    7.2.   EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  If  this Agreement is terminated as permitted
by Section 7.1, such termination shall be without liability or obligation of any
party  (or   any   shareholder,   officer,  employee,   agent,   consultant   or
representative  of such party) to any other  party to this Agreement, except (a)
that if such  termination is  (i) by  MFC pursuant to  (A) Section  7.1(b) as  a
result   of  a  failure  of  the  condition  contained  in  Section  6.2(g),  or

                                      A-34
<PAGE>
(B) Section 7.1(f) or (ii)  by FBS pursuant to  (A) Section 7.1(g), (B)  Section
7.1(h),  or  (C) Section  7.1(b) as  a result  of the  failure of  the condition
contained in Section 6.3(a) because of the willful and material breach by MFC of
any obligation,  agreement  or covenant  referred  to therein  (a  "willful  and
material"  breach for the purposes  of this Section 7.2  shall be deemed to have
occurred if  MFC has  intentionally and  knowingly taken,  or intentionally  and
knowingly  failed to take, any action which  causes such breach), then MFC shall
pay to FBS within three business days of such termination, a termination fee  of
$35,000,000  by  wire  transfer in  immediately  available funds  to  an account
designated by FBS, (b) as may be otherwise provided in law or in equity, and (c)
except as provided in Section 8.6.

    7.3.  AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may not be amended except by an  instrument
in  writing approved by  the parties to  this Agreement and  signed on behalf of
each of the parties hereto.

    7.4.  WAIVER.  At any time prior to the Effective Date, any party hereto may
(a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other  acts
of  any other party hereto or (b) waive compliance with any of the agreements of
any other party or with any conditions to its own obligations, in each case only
to the extent such obligations, agreements  and conditions are intended for  its
benefit.

                                   ARTICLE 8
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

    8.1.    PUBLIC  STATEMENTS.   Neither  MFC  nor FBS  shall  make  any public
announcement or statement  with respect  to the  Merger, this  Agreement or  any
related transactions without the approval of the other party; provided, however,
that  either FBS or MFC may, upon reasonable notice to the other party, make any
public announcement  or  statement  that  it believes  is  required  by  federal
securities law. To the extent practicable, each of FBS and MFC will consult with
the other with respect to any such public announcement or statement.

    8.2.   NOTICES.  All notices and  other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be  sufficiently given if  made by hand  delivery, by fax,  by
telecopier,  by overnight delivery  service, or by  registered or certified mail
(postage prepaid and return receipt requested)  to the parties at the  following
addresses  (or at such other address for a  party as shall be specified by it by
like notice):

       if to FBS:

          First Bank System, Inc.
          First Bank Place
          601 Second Avenue South
          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302
          Attention: Richard A. Zona, Vice Chairman
                   and Chief Financial Officer
          Fax: (612) 973-0410

       with a copy to:

          Dorsey & Whitney
          220 South Sixth Street
          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
          Attention: Lee R. Mitau, Esq.
          Fax: (612) 340-8738

       if to MFC:

          Metropolitan Financial Corporation
          1000 South Seventh Street
          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
          Attention: Norman M. Jones, Chairman
          Fax: (612) 339-6011

                                      A-35
<PAGE>
       with a copy to:

          Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly
          3400 Plaza VII Building
          45 South Seventh Street
          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
          Attention: Bruce A. Machmeier, Esq.
          Fax: (612) 344-9376

    All such notices and other communications shall be deemed to have been  duly
given as follows: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days  after being deposited in the mail,  postage prepaid, if delivered by mail;
when receipt acknowledged, if faxed or telecopied; and the next day after  being
delivered to an overnight delivery service.

    8.3.    INTERPRETATION.   When  a reference  is  made in  this  Agreement to
subsidiaries of FBS, the word "subsidiary" means any "majority-owned subsidiary"
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the  1934 Act) of FBS, as the context  requires;
provided,  however, that neither  MFC nor any  of the Subsidiaries  shall at any
time be  considered a  subsidiary of  FBS for  purposes of  this Agreement.  The
headings  contained in this Agreement are  for reference purposes only and shall
not affect  in  any  way  the  meaning  or  interpretation  of  this  Agreement.
References  to  Sections and  Articles refer  to Sections  and Articles  of this
Agreement unless  otherwise  stated.  Words  such  as  "herein,"  "hereinafter,"
"hereof,"  "hereto," "hereby" and "hereunder," and  words of like import, unless
the context requires otherwise, refer to this Agreement (including the  Exhibits
and  Schedules hereto). As  used in this Agreement,  the masculine, feminine and
neuter genders shall be deemed to include the others if the context requires.

    8.4.  SEVERABILITY.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Agreement is held by a  court of competent jurisdiction  to be invalid, void  or
unenforceable,   the  remainder   of  the   terms,  provisions,   covenants  and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain  in full force and effect and  shall
in  no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties shall negotiate
in good faith to modify this  Agreement and to preserve each partys  anticipated
benefits under this Agreement.

    8.5.   MISCELLANEOUS.  This Agreement (together with all other documents and
instruments referred  to  herein): (a)  constitutes  the entire  agreement,  and
supersedes  all other prior agreements and  undertakings, both written and oral,
among the  parties,  with respect  to  the subject  matter  hereof; (b)  is  not
intended  to confer upon any  person other than each  party hereto any rights or
remedies hereunder, except as provided in Section 5.15; (c) shall be governed in
all respects, including  validity, interpretation  and effect,  by the  internal
laws  of the  State of  Minnesota, without  giving effect  to the  principles of
conflict of laws  thereof; (d)  shall not  be assigned  by operation  of law  or
otherwise.  This Agreement  may be  executed in  two or  more counterparts which
together shall constitute a single agreement.

    8.6.    SURVIVAL  OF  REPRESENTATIONS,   WARRANTIES  AND  COVENANTS.     The
representations and warranties of the parties set forth herein shall not survive
the  consummation  of  the Merger,  but  covenants that  specifically  relate to
periods, activities or obligations  subsequent to the  Merger shall survive  the
Merger.  In addition, if  this Agreement is terminated  pursuant to Section 7.1,
the covenants  contained in  Sections 5.4,  5.7(c) and  7.2 shall  survive  such
termination.

    8.7.   SCHEDULES.   The  Schedules referred  to in  this Agreement  shall be
delivered as of the date hereof under cover of a letter from the Chief Executive
Officer of MFC.

                                      A-36
<PAGE>
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, FBS and MFC have caused this Agreement to be executed on
the date first written above by their respective officers.

                                          FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.

                                          By_______/s/_JOHN F. GRUNDHOFER_______
                                            Its Chairman, President and Chief
                                            Executive Officer

                                          METROPOLITAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                          By_________/s/_NORMAN M. JONES________
                                            Its Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                            Executive Officer

                                      A-37
<PAGE>
                                                                      APPENDIX B

                           [DAIN BOSWORTH LETTERHEAD]

                                                                   July 21, 1994

The Board of Directors
Metropolitan Financial Corporation
1000 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    You  have requested our opinion, as of  the date hereof, as to the fairness,
from a financial point of view to the common stock shareholders of  Metropolitan
Financial  Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("MFC"  or the "Company"), of the
terms of the proposed merger (the "Merger")  of the Company with and into  First
Bank  System,  Inc.  ("FBS"). The  terms  of the  Merger  are set  forth  in the
Agreement of Merger and Consolidation dated July 21, 1994, (the "Agreement") and
include the approval of the Agreement by shareholders representing a majority of
the outstanding shares  of MFC common  stock and subsequent  conversion of  each
share  of MFC  common stock,  and each right  to acquire  a share  of MFC common
stock, into .6803  shares of  fully registered  and tradable  FBS common  stock,
subject to adjustment as provided in the Agreement (the "Exchange Ratio"). Based
upon  the closing  price indicated  for FBS  common stock  as of  July 20, 1994,
$36.25 per share, and an Exchange Ratio of .6803 shares, each shareholder of MFC
common stock would  receive $24.66 in  FBS common  stock for each  share of  MFC
common  stock held.  The Agreement  provides that  if the  Average Price  of FBS
common stock is less than $33.00, then, the Exchange Ratio will be increased  by
multiplying the Exchange Ratio by the quotient of (i) $33.00 divided by (ii) the
Average  Price. The Agreement also  provides if the Average  Price of FBS common
stock is  greater than  $40.50, then  the Exchange  Ratio will  be decreased  by
multiplying the Exchange Ratio by the quotient of (i) $40.50 divided by (ii) the
Average  Price. The Board of Directors of FBS or MFC may terminate the Merger if
the Average Price of  FBS common stock  is less than $29.50  per share or  under
certain  other provisions contained in the  Agreement. Average Price is based on
the average closing market price per share of FBS common stock during the twenty
consecutive trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the last  date
of  the meetings of  shareholders scheduled to  obtain the shareholder approvals
referred to in the Agreement.

    Dain Bosworth  Incorporated ("Dain  Bosworth"), as  part of  its  investment
banking  business, is  continually engaged  in the  valuation of  businesses and
their  securities  in  connection  with  mergers  and  acquisitions,  negotiated
underwritings,  competitive bids, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements, and valuations for estate, corporate, and  other
purposes.  Dain Bosworth  is familiar with  the Company  having provided certain
investment banking services to the Company from time to time including acting as
underwriter of the public  offering of (i) convertible  preferred stock in  July
1989,  (ii) preferred stock and warrants in November 1990 and (iii) subordinated
notes in September 1992.  We have also provided  investment banking services  to
the  Company in connection with  three financial advisory assignments commencing
in March 1992, September 1993 and June 1994. In connection with the Merger, Dain
Bosworth has also issued an opinion to the Board of Directors of MFC related  to
the  consideration to  be paid by  FBS to  the holders of  the $2.875 Cumulative
Perpetual Preferred Stock Series B, of  MFC for all such outstanding shares.  We
also   have  provided  certain  investment  banking   services  to  FBS  or  its
subsidiaries from  time to  time,  and may  provide certain  investment  banking
services  to  FBS  in  the  future.  Dain  Bosworth,  and  its  parent  company,
Inter-Regional Financial Group, Inc., maintain significant banking relationships
with FBS. Also, Dain Bosworth has from time to time

                                      B-1
<PAGE>
issued research  reports and  investment  recommendations regarding  the  common
stock of both MFC and FBS and, in the ordinary course of business, Dain Bosworth
may periodically have positions in the publicly traded securities of the Company
and FBS.

    In  connection  with this  opinion, we  have,  among other  things, reviewed
certain publicly available information regarding  the Company and FBS and  other
financial  and operating  information supplied to  us by  the Company, including
certain historical  audited  financial  statements,  certain  interim  unaudited
financial statements, and certain financial projections relating to the Company.
We  have visited  the corporate  offices of  the Company  and FBS  and have held
discussions with  members  of  the  senior  management  of  both  companies.  In
addition,  we made  inquiries of  the management of  MFC regarding  the past and
current business operations, financial condition,  and future prospects for  the
Company.  We have reviewed the Agreement  and selected other documents connected
with the Merger. In addition, we have held discussions with senior management of
MFC and FBS  to understand the  companies' reasons for  wanting to complete  the
Merger,  however, FBS has not provided us with pro-forma historical or projected
operating results or balance  sheet information relating  to the combination  of
MFC and FBS.

    We  have analyzed the historical reported market prices and trading activity
of the common stock of  MFC, as well as  the Company's historical and  projected
revenue,  earnings,  and capitalization.  We have  also analyzed  the historical
reported market prices and trading activity of the common stock of FBS. We  have
compared  financial  and stock  market  information on  MFC  and FBS  to similar
information for certain publicly traded companies. We have also reviewed, to the
extent  publicly  available,  the  terms   of  selected  relevant  mergers   and
acquisitions, analyzed the general economic outlook of companies in the bank and
thrift  industries, and  performed other studies  and analyses  as we considered
appropriate.

    Dain Bosworth was instructed not to solicit, and did not solicit,  proposals
from other parties regarding the acquisition of MFC. In preparing our opinion we
have  relied upon the  accuracy and completeness of  all information provided or
otherwise made  available  to  us by  the  Company  and FBS,  and  we  have  not
independently  verified such information. Also, we  have not made an independent
appraisal of the assets of the Company or FBS, and we do not express an  opinion
regarding the liquidation value of MFC.

    Based  upon the foregoing, and other matters that we considered relevant, it
is our opinion that,  as of the  date hereof, the  consideration to be  received
pursuant  to the terms of the Merger is fair to the common stock shareholders of
Metropolitan Financial Corporation from a financial point of view.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            DAIN BOSWORTH INCORPORATED

                                      B-2
<PAGE>
                                                                      APPENDIX C

                     [Letterhead of Montgomery Securities]

                                                                   July 20, 1994

Members of the Board of Directors
Metropolitan Financial Corporation
1000 Metropolitan Centre
333 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

Gentlemen:

    We   understand   that  Metropolitan   Financial  Corporation,   a  Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and First Bank System, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("FBS"), proposes to enter into an Agreement of Merger and Consolidation,  dated
July  21, 1994 (the "Agreement"),  pursuant to which the  Company will be merged
with and into FBS, which will  be the surviving entity (the "Merger").  Pursuant
to the Merger, as more fully described in the Agreement, we understand that each
share  of outstanding  common stock,  $0.01 par  value, of  the Company  will be
converted into .6803  shares of  common stock, $1.25  par value,  of FBS,  which
equates  to a price of $24.66 per share  of common stock of the Company based on
the closing price of  the common stock of  FBS on July 20,  1994 of $36.25  (the
"Consideration").  The Consideration is subject to adjustment as provided in the
Agreement if,  among  other  things,  the  Average  Price  (as  defined  in  the
Agreement)  of a share of the common stock of FBS is less than $33.00 or greater
than $40.50.

    You have  asked  for our  opinion  as to  whether  the Consideration  to  be
received  by the common  stockholders of the  Company pursuant to  the Merger is
fair to such common stockholders from a financial point of view, as of the  date
hereof.  As you are aware, we were not retained to nor did we advise the Company
with respect to alternatives to the Merger or the Company's decision to  proceed
with  or effect the Merger. Further, you have  not asked us to nor do we express
any opinion  as to  the fairness  of the  consideration to  be received  by  the
preferred stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger.

    In connection with our opinion, we have, among other things:

         (i) reviewed  certain publicly available financial  and other data with
             respect to the Company and FBS including the consolidated financial
             statements for recent years and interim periods to date and certain
             other relevant financial and operating data relating to the Company
             and FBS made available  to us from published  sources and from  the
             internal records of the Company;

        (ii) reviewed the form of the Merger Agreement;

        (iii) reviewed  certain historical market prices  and trading volumes of
              the common stock  of the Company  and the common  stock of FBS  as
              reported by the New York Stock Exchange;

        (iv) compared  the Company and  FBS from a financial  point of view with
             certain other companies in the financial services industry that  we
             deemed to be relevant;

        (v) considered the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
            selected  recent  acquisitions  of  financial  institutions  that we
            deemed to be comparable, in whole or in part, to the Merger;

        (vi) reviewed and discussed  with representatives of  the management  of
             the Company and FBS certain information of a business and financial
             nature  regarding  the  Company and  FBS,  furnished to  us  by the
             Company  and  FBS,  including   financial  forecasts  and   related
             assumptions of the Company;

                                      C-1
<PAGE>
       (vii) made inquiries regarding and discussed the Merger and the Agreement
             and other matters related thereto with the Company's counsel; and

       (viii) performed  such other analyses and  examinations as we have deemed
              appropriate.

    In connection with our review, we have not independently verified any of the
foregoing information, have relied on all such information and assumed that  all
such information is complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect
to  the financial  forecasts for  the Company  provided to  us by  the Company's
management, we have  assumed for  purposes of our  opinion that  they have  been
reasonably  prepared  on  bases  reflecting  the  best  available  estimates and
judgments of  the Company's  management at  the time  of preparation  as to  the
future  financial performance of the Company  and that they provide a reasonable
basis upon which we can form our  opinion. We have also assumed that there  have
been  no material changes in the Company's or FBS's assets, financial condition,
results of  operations,  business  or  prospects since  the  date  of  the  last
financial  statements made available to us. We  have relied on advice of counsel
to the Company as to all legal  matters with respect to the Company, the  Merger
and  the Agreement.  In addition,  we have  not made  an independent evaluation,
appraisal or physical inspection of the  assets or individual properties of  the
Company  or FBS, nor have  we been furnished with  any such appraisals. Further,
our opinion is based on economic, monetary and market conditions existing as  of
the date hereof.

    In  the  ordinary  course of  our  business,  we actively  trade  the equity
securities of the Company and  FBS for our own account  and for the accounts  of
customers  and, accordingly, may  at any time  hold a long  or short position in
such securities. Certain partners  of Montgomery Securities  also own shares  of
the common stock of the Company and FBS.

    Based upon the foregoing and in reliance thereon, it is our opinion that the
Consideration  to be received by the common stockholders of the Company pursuant
to the Merger  is fair to  such common  stockholders from a  financial point  of
view, as of the date hereof.

    This  opinion is furnished pursuant to  our engagement letter, dated July 7,
1994, and is solely for  the benefit of the Board  of Directors of the  Company.
Except  as provided in such  engagement letter, this opinion  may not be used or
referred to be the Company  or quoted or disclosed to  any person in any  manner
without  our prior written consent. This opinion is not intended to be and shall
not be deemed to be a recommendation to any stockholder of the Company as to how
such stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          MONTGOMERY SECURITIES

                                      C-2
<PAGE>
                                                                      APPENDIX D

                            [J.P. Morgan Letterhead]

                                                                   July 25, 1994

Board of Directors
First Bank System, Inc.
First Bank Place
601 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402-4302

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view,  to the common shareholders of First  Bank System, Inc. (the "Company") of
the consideration to  be paid  by the Company  in connection  with the  proposed
merger  (the  "Merger") of  the Company  and Metropolitan  Financial Corporation
("Metropolitan"), pursuant to  the Agreement of  Merger and Consolidation  dated
July 21, 1994 by and between Metropolitan and the Company (the "Agreement"). All
capitalized  terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
provided in the Agreement.

    We understand that in the Merger:

        (a) The holders of MFC Common  Stock shall be entitled to receive  .6803
          shares of FBS Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio") in exchange for each
          share  of MFC  Common Stock.  The Exchange  Ratio shall  be subject to
          adjustment as described in paragraph (c) below.

        (b) The holders of MFC Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to receive  in
          exchange  for each share  of MFC Preferred Stock  $27.00 in cash, plus
          the amount of any accumulated and unpaid dividends on each such  share
          of MFC Preferred Stock to but excluding the Effective Date, calculated
          in accordance with the terms of such MFC Preferred Stock.

        (c)  If the Average Price  of FBS Common Stock  is less than $33.00, the
          Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted by multiplying the Exchange Ratio  by
          the ratio of $33.00 to such Average Price. If the Average Price of FBS
          Common  Stock  is greater  than $40.50,  the  Exchange Ratio  shall be
          adjusted by multiplying the Exchange Ratio  by the ratio of $40.50  to
          such Average Price.

        (d)  The term "Average Price" means the average of the closing prices of
          FBS Common Stock as quoted on the  New York Stock Exchange for the  20
          trading  days ending three business days prior to the last date of the
          meetings of shareholders of the Company and Metropolitan held for  the
          purpose of approving the Agreement and the Merger.

    Please be advised that while certain provisions of the Merger are summarized
above,  the terms of the Merger are more  fully described in the Agreement. As a
result, the description of  the Merger and  certain other information  contained
herein  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to  the  more  detailed
information appearing or incorporated by reference in the Agreement.

    In arriving  at our  opinion, we  have reviewed  (1) the  Agreement and  (2)
certain  financial  and other  publicly  available information  with  respect to
Metropolitan and the Company, including among  other things (i) with respect  to
Metropolitan,  Annual Reports  on Form  10-K for each  of the  five years ending
December 31, 1989 through December 31,  1993, the Quarterly Report on Form  10-Q
for the quarter ending March 31, 1994,

                                      D-1
<PAGE>
unaudited  financial results for the five month  period ending May 31, 1994, and
certain other financial information and (ii) with respect to the Company, Annual
Reports on Form 10-K for each of the five years ending December 31, 1989 through
December 31, 1993,  the Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q for  the quarter  ending
March  31, 1994, and  certain other financial information.  In addition, we have
reviewed the financial and other  terms of certain other acquisitions  involving
thrifts  and thrift holding companies we deemed  to be comparable to the Merger,
and the  reported price  and  trading activity  for  the securities  of  certain
companies  we deemed  comparable to  the Company  and Metropolitan,  current and
historical market prices of the Preferred Stock and Common Stock of Metropolitan
and the common stock of the Company, and certain internal financial analyses and
forecasts prepared  by the  Company and  Metropolitan, and  have performed  such
other studies and analyses as we deemed necessary or appropriate.

    We  also have held discussions with certain members of the senior management
of the Company and Metropolitan regarding the Merger and certain aspects of  the
past  and current business operations,  financial condition and future prospects
of their  respective companies,  the  effects of  the  Merger on  the  financial
condition  and future  prospects of  the Company,  and certain  other matters we
believed necessary or appropriate to our inquiry.

    In arriving  at  our opinion,  we  have  relied upon  and  assumed,  without
independent  verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information that
was publicly available or was furnished to us by the Company or Metropolitan  or
otherwise  reviewed by us. We have not  acted as experts in considering the loan
portfolios of the Company or Metropolitan or the allowances for loan losses with
respect thereto. In addition, in  arriving at our opinion,  we have not made  an
independent  evaluation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities of the Company
or Metropolitan or  any of  their subsidiaries. We  have also  assumed that  the
Agreement  accurately reflects  all of  the terms  relevant to  our opinion upon
which the parties will consummate the Merger.

    In relying  on financial  analyses and  forecasts provided  to us,  we  have
assumed  that they have been reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting
the best currently  available estimates and  judgments by management  as to  the
expected future results of operations and financial condition of the Company and
Metropolitan  to which such  analyses or forecasts relate.  We have also assumed
that the Merger will have the  tax consequences described in the Agreement,  and
that the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement will be consummated as
described  in the Agreement. We have relied  as to all legal matters relating to
the Merger and the Agreement upon the advice of your counsel.

   
    Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as
in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof.
    

    We are expressing  no opinion herein  as to  the price at  which the  common
shares  of the  Company will trade  if and when  issued or at  any further time.
Other factors after the date  hereof may affect the  value of the businesses  of
the Company and Metropolitan after consummation of the Merger, including but not
limited  to (i)  the total  or partial  disposition of  the common  stock of the
Company by shareholders of the Company or Metropolitan within a short period  of
time after the effective date of the Merger, (ii) changes in prevailing interest
rates and other factors which generally influence the price of securities, (iii)
adverse changes in capital markets, (iv) the occurrence of unanticipated adverse
changes  in the financial condition, business,  assets, results of operations or
prospects of the Company or of Metropolitan, (v) any actions by or  restrictions
of  federal, state or other governmental agencies or regulatory authorities, and
(vi) timely execution  of all  necessary agreements  to complete  the Merger  on
terms and conditions that are acceptable to all parties at interest.

    In  the ordinary course of their  businesses, J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated
and its affiliates  may actively  trade the debt  and equity  securities of  the
Company  or  Metropolitan,  for  their  own accounts,  or  for  the  accounts of
customers, and accordingly, may  at any time  hold a long  or short position  in
such  securities.  J.P.  Morgan  Securities Inc.  ("J.P.  Morgan")  is regularly
engaged in a full range of investment banking activities, including mergers  and
acquisitions  and the underwriting and placement  of debt and equity securities.
From time to time, we have  offered and provided traditional investment  banking
services  to the Company. Please  be advised that pursuant  to an agreement with
Morgan Guaranty Trust  Company of  New York, an  affiliate of  J.P. Morgan,  the
Company has agreed to acquire the corporate trust business of J.P. Morgan for an
undisclosed sum.

                                      D-2
<PAGE>
    On  the basis of the foregoing, it  is our opinion that the consideration to
be paid by the Company in the Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the common stockholders of the Company.

    This letter is provided solely for the benefit of the Board of Directors  of
the  Company and is  not on behalf of,  and shall not  confer rights or remedies
upon, any shareholder of the Company or Metropolitan, or any other person  other
than  the Board  of Directors of  the Company. This  opinion may not  be used or
relied upon by, or disclosed, referred to or communicated by you (in whole or in
part) to  any third  party for  any  purpose whatsoever  except with  our  prior
written  consent in each instance. This opinion may be reproduced in full in any
proxy or information statement mailed to stockholders of the Company but may not
otherwise be disclosed publicly in any manner without our prior written approval
and must be treated as confidential.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

   
                                            By /s/__NICHOLAS B. PAUMGARTEN
                                              Name: Nicholas B. Paumgarten
                                              Title: Managing Director
    

                                      D-3
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Under Delaware law, the directors and officers of First Bank System, Inc.
(the "Company") are entitled, under certain circumstances, to be indemnified by
the Company against all expenses and liabilities incurred or imposed upon them
as a result of suits brought against them as such directors and officers, if
they act in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believe to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, have no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was
unlawful, except that no indemnification shall be made against expenses in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which they shall have been adjudged
to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in
which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of
the case, they are fairly and reasonably entitled to be indemnified for such
expenses which such court shall deem proper.  Any such indemnification may be
made by the Company only as authorized in each specific case upon a
determination by the stockholders or disinterested directors that
indemnification is proper because the indemnitee has met the applicable
statutory standard of conduct.

     Article Ninth of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, provides that a director shall not be liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
the Delaware statutory provisions making directors personally liable for
unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

     The Bylaws of the Company provide that the officers and directors of the
Company and certain others shall be indemnified substantially to the same extent
permitted by Delaware law.

     The Company maintains a standard policy of officers' and directors'
liability insurance.



ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     (a)  EXHIBITS.

          2.1    Agreement of Merger and Consolidation dated July 21, 1994, by
                 and between First Bank System, Inc. and Metropolitan Financial
                 Corporation. (Included in Proxy Statement/Prospectus as
                 Appendix A.)  The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a
                 copy of omitted schedules to the Commission upon request.

          4.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of First
                 Bank System, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
                 the registrant's Form 8-A/A-2 dated October 6, 1994, File No.
                 1-6880.)

          4.2    Certificate of Designation for First Bank System, Inc. Series
                 1990A Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                 4.4 to Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's Registration
                 Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

                                      II-1

<PAGE>

          4.3    Certificate of Designation for First Bank System, Inc. Series
                 1991A Convertible Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference
                 to Exhibit 4.3 to the registrant's Registration Statement on
                 Form S-4, File No. 33-50700.)

          4.4    Certificate of Designation for First Bank System, Inc. Series A
                 Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as amended. (Incorporated
                 by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the registrant's Form 8-A/A-2
                 dated October 6, 1994, File No. 1-6880.)

          4.5    Bylaws of First Bank System, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 3B to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                 the year ended December 31, 1993, File No. 1-6880.)

          4.6    Rights Agreement dated as of December 21, 1988, between First
                 Bank System, Inc. and Morgan Shareholder Services Trust Company
                 (now known as First Chicago Trust Company of New York).
                 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the registrant's
                 Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 5, 1989, File No.
                 1-6880.)

          4.7    Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 30, 1990, to Rights Agreement.
                 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the registrant's
                 Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 5, 1990, File No.
                 1-6880.)

          4.8    Amendment No. 2 dated as of February 17, 1993, to Rights
                 Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the
                 registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 1, 1993,
                 File No. 1-6880.)

          4.9    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1990, among
                 Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore Partners, L.P.,
                 The State Board of Administration of Florida and First Bank
                 System, Inc. (without exhibits).  (Incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4.8 to Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's Registration
                 Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

          4.10   First Amendment, dated as of June 30, 1990, to Stock Purchase
                 Agreement among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore
                 Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of Florida
                 and First Bank System, Inc.  (Incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4.9 to Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's Registration
                 Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

          4.11   Second Amendment, dated July 18, 1990, to Stock Purchase
                 Agreement among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore
                 Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of Florida
                 and First Bank System, Inc.  (Incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4.10 to Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's
                 Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

          4.12   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1990, between The
                 State Board of Administration of Florida and First Bank System,
                 Inc. (without exhibits).  (Incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4.11 to Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's
                 Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

          4.13   Form of Periodic Stock Purchase Right.  (Incorporated by
                 reference to Exhibit 4.12 to Amendment No. 1 to the
                 registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No.
                 33-42650.)


                                      II-2
<PAGE>

          4.14   Form of Risk Event Warrant.  (Incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4.13 to Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's
                 Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

          4.15   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1990, among
                 Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore Partners, L.P.,
                 The State Board of Administration of Florida and First Bank
                 System, Inc.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to
                 Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's Registration Statement on
                 Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

          4.16   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1990,
                 between The State Board of Administration of Florida and First
                 Bank System, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to
                 Amendment No. 1 to the registrant's Registration Statement on
                 Form S-3, File No. 33-42650.)

          *5.1   Opinion and consent of Dorsey & Whitney as to legality of the
                 securities being registered.

          *8.1   Opinion and consent of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly as to
                 certain federal income tax consequences described in the Proxy
                 Statement/Prospectus.

          23.1   Consent of Dorsey & Whitney. (Included in Exhibit 5.1.)

          23.2   Consent of Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly. (Included in Exhibit
                 8.1.)

          23.3   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (relating to financial statements
                 of First Bank System, Inc.).

          23.4   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (relating to financial statements
                 of Metropolitan Financial Corporation).

         *23.5   Consent of Dain Bosworth Incorporated.

         *23.6   Consent of Montgomery Securities.

         *23.7   Consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
   
        **24.1   Powers of Attorney.
    
          99.1   Opinion of Dain Bosworth Incorporated. (Included in Proxy
                 Statement/Prospectus as Appendix B.)

          99.2   Opinion of Montgomery Securities. (Included in Proxy
                 Statement/Prospectus as Appendix C.)

          99.3   Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.. (Included in Proxy
                 Statement/Prospectus as Appendix D.)

          99.4   Stock Option Agreement dated July 21, 1994, between First Bank
                 System, Inc. and Metropolitan Financial Corporation.
                 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the registrant's
                 Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 5, 1994, File No.
                 1-6880.)
   
        **99.5   Form of proxy for Special Meeting of shareholders of First Bank
                 System, Inc.
    

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
   
        **99.6   Form of proxy for Special Meeting of shareholders of
                 Metropolitan Financial Corporation.
    
          99.7   Certificate of Incorporation of Metropolitan Financial
                 Corporation, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit 4.2 to Metropolitan Financial Corporation's
                 Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-35207)).

          99.8   Bylaws of Metropolitan Financial Corporation, as amended.
                 (Incorporaated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Metropolitan
                 Financial Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                 the year ended December 31, 1993 (File No. 1-9018)).
   
          99.9   Employment Agreement, dated May 29, 1990, between J. Michael
                 Nilles and Metropolitan Financial Corporation. (Incorporated
                 by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to Metropolitan Financial
                 Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1993 (File No. 1-9018).)
    
- -------------------------
   
*  Filed herewith.
** Previously filed.
    
     (b)  FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

          None.

     (c)  REPORTS, OPINIONS AND APPRAISALS.

          The opinions of Dain Bosworth Incorporated, Montgomery Securities and
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as
Appendices B, C and D, respectively, and referred to above as Exhibits 99.1,
99.2 and 99.3, respectively.

ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     (a)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
     being made, a post-effective amendment  to this registration statement:

                      (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3)
               of the Securities Act of 1933;

                     (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
               arising after the effective date of the registration statement
               (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
               individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
               in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

                    (iii) To include any material information with respect to
               the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
               registration statement or any material change to such information
               in the registration statement;

               (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

               (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
     amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     (b)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


                                      II-4
<PAGE>

     (c)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that prior to any public
reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus
which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer
undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called
for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons
who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the
other items of the applicable form.

     (d)  The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (c) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with
an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an
amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such
amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (e)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to its articles, bylaws or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

     (f)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests
for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant
to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means.  This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.

     (g)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.


                                      II-5
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on October 21, 1994.
    
                                        FIRST BANK SYSTEM, INC.



                                        By  /s/ JOHN F. GRUNDHOFER
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                  John F. Grundhofer
                                           Chairman, President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
    
             SIGNATURE AND TITLE                              DATE
             -------------------                              ----

   
           /s/ JOHN F. GRUNDHOFER                            October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
             John F. Grundhofer,
Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer
 and Director (principal executive officer)


             /s/ RICHARD A. ZONA                             October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
              Richard A. Zona,
      Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
    Officer (principal financial officer)


             /s/ DAVID J. PARRIN                             October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
              David J. Parrin,
    Senior Vice President and Controller
       (principal accounting officer)


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
        Coleman Bloomfield, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
           Roger L. Hale, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
        Delbert W. Johnson, Director

    
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
   
                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
          John H. Kareken, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
        Richard L. Knowlton, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
         Kenneth A. Macke, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
         Marilyn C. Nelson, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
      Will F. Nicholson, Jr., Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
         Nicholas R. Petry, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
        Edward J. Phillips, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
          James J. Renier, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
         S. Walter Richey, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
        Richard L. Robinson, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
         Richard L. Schall, Director


                      *                                      October 21, 1994
- --------------------------------------------
         Lyle E. Schroeder, Director


* By   /s/ DAVID J. PARRIN
- --------------------------------------------
              David J. Parrin,
       Pro se and as Attorney-in-Fact
    

                                      II-7


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

   
                              [DORSEY & WHITNEY
                             OPINION LETTERHEAD]
    

First Bank System, Inc.
601 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402

     Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to First Bank System, Inc. ("the Company") in
connection with the proposed transactions described in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the merger (the
"Merger") of Metropolitan Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("MFC"),
with and into the Company. Upon consummation of the Merger, a maximum of
25,481,326 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $1.25 par value per share
(the "Common Stock"), will be issued to MFC shareholders.

     We have examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law as
we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinions
set forth below.

     In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have assumed the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures
and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto
of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties to agreements or
instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such parties had the
requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver and
perform such agreements or instruments, that such agreements or instruments have
been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed
and delivered by such parties and that such agreements or instruments are the
valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such parties. As to questions of
fact material to our opinions, we have relied upon certificates of officers of
the Company and of public officials.

<PAGE>

   
First Bank System, Inc.
October 21, 1994
Page Two
    


     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, assuming that the
Merger is approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of each of the
Company and MFC, the maximum of 25,481,326 shares of Common Stock to be issued
to MFC shareholders in connection with the Merger, when issued in accordance
with the terms of the Merger Agreement (as defined in the Registration
Statement), will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We consent to your filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading "Legal Opinions"
in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus which is included therein.

   
Dated: October 21, 1994
    

                                                    Very truly yours,




                                                    DORSEY & WHITNEY

<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 8.1






October 19, 1994



Metropolitan Financial Corporation
1000 Metropolitan Centre
333 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion with respect to the federal income tax
consequences of the proposed merger ("Merger") of Metropolitan Financial
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("MFC") with and into First Bank System,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("FBS") with FBS to be the surviving corporation.
As a result of the Merger, all of the outstanding shares of MFC Common Stock
will be converted into shares of FBS Common Stock, except for cash paid in lieu
of fractional shares.  In addition, pursuant to the Merger (i) shares of MFC
Preferred Stock will be converted into the right to receive cash (ii) shares of
FBS Common Stock will be transferred to certain shareholder/employees of MFC in
connection with the termination of certain stock options to purchase MFC Common
Stock, and (iii) FBS will provide for the assumption and substitution of certain
options or warrants to acquire MFC Common Stock with similar options or warrants
to acquire FBS Common Stock.  Our opinion has been requested by MFC on its own
behalf and on behalf of its shareholders and it is being rendered to MFC
pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Agreement of Merger and Consolidation by and
between FBS and MFC dated July 21, 1994 (the "Merger Agreement") exclusively for
that purpose.  No other individual or entity, whether or not a party to the
Merger, may rely upon this opinion without the express prior written consent of
both MFC and the undersigned.  Capitalized terms used in this opinion not
otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Merger Agreement will have the
meaning given to those terms in the Merger Agreement.



<PAGE>


In acting as counsel for MFC and arriving at the opinion expressed below, we
have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of the Merger Agreement and certificates of
officers and representatives of MFC and FBS (which we have relied upon as true
in this opinion without our having performed any independent verification as to
the accuracy of the representations).

The following opinion is based upon the existing provisions of the Code and
regulations thereunder and upon current Internal Revenue Service published
rulings and existing court decisions, any of which could be changed at any time.
Any such changes may be retroactive and could significantly modify the opinion
expressed herein.  We  have no duty, and do not intend, to update or modify this
opinion for changes in the applicable law, regulations or interpretations
occurring after the date hereof.  Similarly, any change in the facts and
assumptions stated below, upon which this opinion is based, could modify the
conclusion.  Because this opinion is being rendered at a date prior to the
Effective Date, it assumes that there will be no changes in the terms of the
transaction described in the Merger Agreement or in the underlying facts or law
between the date of this opinion and the Effective Date, and that the Merger and
related transactions will be consummated as presently provided for in the Merger
Agreement.

In connection with the consummation of the transactions described in the Merger
Agreement, we have made certain assumptions related to those transactions.  Such
assumptions are as follows:

a.   The Merger of MFC with and into FBS, as described in the Merger Agreement,
     will qualify as a statutory merger under applicable state law and will be
     undertaken for valid business reasons.

b.   The fair market value of the shares of FBS Common Stock received by the
     holders of MFC Common Stock will be approximately equal to the fair market
     value of the MFC Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor.


<PAGE>


c.   There is no plan or intention by the shareholders of MFC to sell, exchange
     or otherwise dispose of a number of shares of FBS Common Stock to be
     received in the transaction that will reduce their ownership to a number of
     shares having a value, as of the date of the transaction, of less than 50
     percent of the value of all of the formerly outstanding stock of MFC as of
     the same date.  For purposes of this assumption, shares of MFC Common Stock
     exchanged for cash in lieu of fractional shares will be treated as
     outstanding MFC Common Stock immediately prior to the Merger.

d.   FBS has no plan or intention to reacquire any of the FBS Common Stock to be
     issued in the Merger.

e.   FBS has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the
     assets of MFC acquired pursuant to the Merger, except for dispositions made
     in the ordinary course of business.

f.   The liabilities of MFC to be assumed by FBS, and the liabilities to which
     transferred assets of MFC are subject were incurred by MFC in the ordinary
     course of its business.  The assumption by FBS of MFC liabilities pursuant
     to the Merger is for a bona fide business purpose and the principal purpose
     of such assumption is not the avoidance of federal income tax on the
     transfer of assets of MFC to FBS pursuant to the Merger.

g.   Following the transaction, FBS will continue the historic business of MFC
     or use a significant portion of the historic business assets of MFC in a
     business.

h.   FBS, MFC and the shareholders of MFC will pay their respective expenses, if
     any, incurred in connection with the Merger.  FBS will make the cash
     payments for fractional share interests.

i.   There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between FBS and MFC that
     was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.

j.   Neither FBS nor MFC is an investment company as defined in Section
     368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code.

k.   MFC is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or similar case
     under the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.  The transaction
     does not involve a receivership, foreclosure, or other similar proceeding
     before a federal or state agency involving a financial institution to which
     Sections 585 or 593 of the Code applies.


<PAGE>


l.   The fair market value and adjusted tax basis of the assets of MFC
     transferred to FBS will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities assumed
     by FBS, plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred
     assets are subject.

m.   The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of FBS Common Stock is
     solely for the purpose of avoiding the expense and inconvenience to FBS of
     issuing fractional shares and does not represent separately bargained for
     consideration.

n.   None of the compensation received by any shareholder/employee of MFC
     pursuant to any employment, consulting or similar arrangement is or will be
     separate consideration for, or allocable to, any of such
     shareholder's/employee's shares of MFC Common Stock.  None of the shares of
     FBS Common Stock received by any shareholder/employee of MFC pursuant to
     the Merger (other than any shares received in connection with the
     termination of certain stock options to purchase MFC Common Stock), are or
     will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any such employment,
     consulting or similar arrangement.  The compensation paid to any
     shareholder/employee of MFC pursuant to any such employment, consulting or
     similar arrangement is or will be for services actually rendered and will
     be commensurate with the amount paid to third parties bargaining at arm's-
     length for similar services.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and limitations stated
herein, we are of the opinion that consummation of the Merger (pursuant to the
terms of the Merger Agreement) will result in the following federal income tax
consequences:

1.   The Merger will qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section
     368(a) of the Code.

2.   Except as provided in paragraph 3 below (relating to cash received in lieu
     of fractional shares), no gain or loss will be recognized by any holder of
     MFC Common Stock with respect to the conversion of their MFC Common Stock
     into FBS Common Stock pursuant to the Merger.



<PAGE>


3.   The payment of cash to a holder of MFC Common Stock in lieu of issuing a
     fractional share interest of FBS Common Stock will be treated for federal
     income tax purposes as if the fractional share interest was distributed as
     part of the Merger exchange and then was redeemed by FBS.  The cash payment
     will consequently be treated as having been received in exchange for the
     stock interest redeemed as provided in Section 302 of the Code, and
     generally gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholder measured by
     the difference between the cash received in lieu of the fractional share
     interest and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis that is allocated to such
     fractional share.

4.   The aggregate tax basis of the FBS Common Stock received by a MFC
     shareholder in the Merger (including the basis allocable to fractional
     shares deemed issued and then redeemed) will be the same as the aggregate
     tax basis of the MFC Common Stock converted into FBS Common Stock.

5.   The holding period of FBS Common Stock (including any fractional shares
     deemed issued and then redeemed) received by a MFC shareholder in exchange
     for the MFC Common Stock pursuant to the Merger will include the holding
     period of the MFC Common Stock that was converted into FBS Common Stock,
     provided that such MFC Common Stock of such MFC shareholder was held as a
     capital asset at the time of the Merger.

The foregoing opinion is qualified, and no opinion is expressed, as to the
income tax consequences, if any, with respect to (i) the conversion of MFC
Preferred Stock into the right to receive cash pursuant to Section 1.2 of the
Merger Agreement; (ii) the transfer of shares of FBS Common Stock to certain
shareholder/employees of MFC in connection with the termination of certain
stock options to purchase MFC Common Stock pursuant to Section 5.14(a) of the
Merger Agreement; or (iii) the assumption and substitution of options or
warrants to acquire MFC Common Stock with similar options or warrants to acquire
FBS Common Stock as provided for in Sections 5.14(a), (b) or (c) of the Merger
Agreement.

Our opinion is limited only to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no
opinion should be inferred as to any other matters.  The foregoing opinion
represents our best judgment as to the probable outcome of the tax issues
discussed and is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service.  We can give no
assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge our conclusions
and prevail in the courts in such a manner as to cause adverse tax consequences
to FBS, MFC or MFC shareholders.


<PAGE>


The foregoing opinion is based upon and limited exclusively to the Federal
income tax laws of the United States.  No opinion is rendered with respect to
foreign, state or local tax matters or the tax treatment of any persons or
entities other than the MFC shareholders.

We are furnishing this opinion to you solely for your benefit in connection with
the transactions described above.  It is not to be used, circulated, quoted, or
otherwise referred to for any other purpose.  We hereby consent to the filing of
this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to its use as part of
the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Prospectus/Proxy
Statement constituting a part of the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,




OPPENHEIMER WOLFF & DONNELLY


<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 23.5

                                   CONSENT
                                   -------

We hereby consent to the use of our opinion dated July 21, 1994 to the Board
of Directors of Metropolitan Financial Corporation included as Appendix B to
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus which forms a part of the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of First Bank System, Inc. relating to the proposed
merger of Metropolitan Financial Corporation with and into First Bank System,
Inc., and to the reference to such opinion in such Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
In giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the cateory of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder, nor do we thereby admit that we are experts with
respect to any part of such Registration Statement within the meaning of the
term "experts" as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

DAIN BOSWORTH INCORPORATED



October 19, 1994


<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 23.6

                       [Montgomery Securities Letterhead]


October 12, 1994



Metropolitan Financial Corporation
100 Metro Center
333 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN  55402

Gentlemen:

This letter will constitute our consent to include our opinion dated July 20,
1994, regarding the acquisition of Metropolitan Financial Corporation by First
Bank System, Inc. ("FBI") by means of a merger, in FBI's registration statement
on Form S-4 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
summarization of our opinion in such registration statement.

Very truly yours,



By:  /s/Joseph M. Schell
     -------------------------------
     Joseph M. Schell
     Managing Director



<PAGE>


                                                                    Exhibit 23.7

                     CONSENT OF J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.


     We hereby consent to the use of our opinion letter dated July 25, 1994, to
the Board of Directors of First Bank System, Inc., included in Annex D to the
Prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4
relating to the proposed merger of Metropolitan Financial Corporation with
and into First Bank System, Inc. and to the references to such opinion in such
Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not admit and we hereby disclaim that
we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we
hereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such Registration
Statement within the meaning of the term "experts" as used in the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder.


                                        J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.



                                        By:  /s/Kenneth S. McCormick
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Kenneth S. McCormick
                                             Managing Director


October 10, 1994




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