FIRST MARYLAND BANCORP
SC 13D, 1996-02-07
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                    UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                          1ST WASHINGTON BANCORP, INC.
                                (Name of Issuer)


                          COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   336909106
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                               GREGORY K. THORESON
                       VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                             FIRST MARYLAND BANCORP
                       25 SOUTH CHARLES STREET, MS101-850
                            BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21201
                                 (410) 244-3800
                 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Persons
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)


                                January 23, 1996
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

IF THE FILING PERSON HAS PREVIOUSLY  FILED A STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13G TO REPORT
THE  ACQUISITION  WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS  SCHEDULE 13D, AND IS FILING THIS
SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF RULE 13D-1(B)(3) OR (4), CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX. |_|

CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX IF A FEE IS BEING PAID WITH THE STATEMENT.  |X|

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



<PAGE>



CUSIP NO. 336909106           SCHEDULE 13D


1.       Name of Reporting Person/SS or IRS Identification Number 
         of Above Person
         First Maryland Bancorp

2.       Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group
         (a)
         (b) 

3.       SEC Use Only

4.       Source of Funds
         WC

5.       Check Box if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings
         is Required Pursuant to Item 2(d) or 2(e)
         Not applicable [ ]

6.       Citizenship or Place of Organization
         State of Maryland

Number of Shares                            7. Sole Voting Power: 1,966,692
Beneficially Owned                          8. Shared Voting Power:
by Each Reporting                           9. Sole Dispositive Power: 1,966,692
Person With                                 10. Shared Dispositive Power

11.      Aggregate Amount Owned by Each Reporting Person
         1,966,692

12.      Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in
         Row 11 Excludes Certain Shares
         [ ]

13.      Percent of Class Represented by amount in Row 11:
         19.9%

14.      Type of Reporting Person:
         CO


                                        2

<PAGE>



ITEM 1.  SECURITY AND ISSUER

         The class of equity  security to which this  statement  relates is the
Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "WF Common Stock"), of 1st Washington Bancorp,
Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation.  ("1st  Washington").  The  principal  executive
offices of 1st Washington are located at 570 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, Virginia
22070.

ITEM 2.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

         The  person  filing  this  statement  is  First  Maryland  Bancorp,   a
corporation   organized  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Maryland  ("First
Maryland"). The address of First Maryland's principal business and its principal
office is 25 South Charles Street, Baltimore,  Maryland 21201. First Maryland is
a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended,  and through its various  bank and  non-bank  subsidiaries,  provides a
variety of  financial  services  and  products to  individuals,  businesses  and
others. Schedule 1 to this statement sets forth certain information with respect
to the directors and executive officers of First Maryland.

         All of the  outstanding  common  stock  of First  Maryland  is owned by
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c., Bankcentre,  Ballsbridge,  Dublin 4 Ireland ("AIB").
AIB also  controls  99% of the  voting  power of  First  Maryland's  outstanding
capital stock.  AIB is an Irish banking  corporation and is registered as a bank
holding company under the Bank Holding  Company Act of 1956, as amended.  Shares
of AIB common and preferred stock are traded on the Dublin,  London and New York
stock exchanges. AIB and its subsidiaries,  including First Maryland,  provide a
diverse range of banking, financial and related services principally in Ireland,
the United  States and the United  Kingdom.  Schedule 2 to this  statement  sets
forth certain  information with respect to the directors and executive  officers
of AIB.

         During the past five years,  neither First  Maryland or AIB, nor to the
knowledge of First Maryland, any director or executive officer of First Maryland
or AIB, (i) has been convicted in a criminal proceeding or (ii) has been a party
to a  civil  proceeding  of a  judicial  or  administrative  body  of  competent
jurisdiction  where,  as a result of such  proceeding,  was or is  subject  to a
judgement,  decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting
or mandating  activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding
a violation with respect to such laws.

ITEM 3.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.

         The source of funds for any  exercise of the Option (as defined in Item
4) would be provided from First Maryland's

                                        3

<PAGE>



working  capital.  If First Maryland  exercised the Option in full, the exercise
price would be approximately $13.8 million.

ITEM 4.  PURPOSE OF THE TRANSACTION.

         On January 23, 1996, First Maryland, 1st Washington and FMB Acquisition
Corp.  ("Newco"),  a wholly owned  subsidiary of First  Maryland  formed for the
purpose  of  facilitating  the  transaction  described  below,  entered  into  a
definitive  Agreement  and Plan of Merger (the  "Merger  Agreement").  Under the
Merger Agreement, Newco will merge with and into 1st Washington, shareholders of
1st  Washington  will receive  $8.125 per  share of WF Common Stock  outstanding
(including  stock options  outstanding  to 1st  Washington  employees),  and 1st
Washington  will  become a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  First  Maryland  (the
"Merger"). Contemporaneously with, or immediately following, the consummation of
the  Merger,  the  business  of 1st  Washington  and its  principal  subsidiary,
Washington  Federal  Savings Bank, will be integrated into the business of First
Maryland.  Consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement
is subject to approval by the  shareholders  of 1st Washington and to receipt of
all required regulatory approvals. A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed as an
exhibit to this statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

         In  connection  with the Merger  Agreement,  1st  Washington  and First
Maryland  entered into a Stock  Option  Agreement,  dated  January 23, 1996 (the
"Option Agreement"),  pursuant to which 1st Washington granted to First Maryland
an option (the "Option") to acquire up to 1,966,692 shares of WF Common Stock at
an exercise price of $7.00 per share.  The option is  exercisable  only upon the
occurrence of certain events, as set forth in Section 2 of the Option Agreement.
First Maryland may cause 1st Washington to repurchase the Option (and any shares
in respect  of which it has been  exercised)  under  certain  circumstances,  as
described in Section 7 of the Option Agreement.  Reference is hereby made to the
Option  Agreement  filed  as  an  exhibit  to  this  statement  for  a  complete
description of the terms and conditions of the Option.

         The purpose of the Option  Agreement is to increase the likelihood that
the Merger will be completed as contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

         As a result of the  Option  Agreement,  First  Maryland  (and AIB) may,
pursuant to Rule  13d-3(d)(i)  under the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  be
deemed to own beneficially up to 1,966,692  shares of WF Common Stock,  which is
19.9% of the outstanding WF Common Stock as of January 23, 1996, or 16.6% of the
outstanding  WF Common Stock as of January 23, 1996,  after giving effect to the
full exercise of the Option. If the Option were to be exercised,  First Maryland
would have sole voting power and,

                                        4

<PAGE>



subject to the Option  Agreement,  sole dispositive  power,  with respect to the
shares of WF Common Stock acquired upon exercise.

         To the  knowledge  of First  Maryland,  Robert  I.  Schattner,  DDS,  a
director  of  First  Maryland,  may,  pursuant  to Rule  13d-3(d)(i)  under  the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, be deemed to own beneficially 836,062 shares of
WF Common Stock  (including the shares  descibed in the  immediately  succeeding
paragraph),  or 8.46% of the  outstanding  WF Common Stock.  To the knowledge of
First Maryland,  Dr. Schattner has sole voting and sole dispositive  powers with
respect to such shares.

         First Maryland has been informed that Dr. Shattner purchased a total of
66,300 shares of WF Common Stock during the period from January 24, 1996 through
February 2, 1996.

         Except as set forth above,  neither  First  Maryland or AIB, nor to the
knowledge of First  Maryland,  any of their  respective  directors and executive
officers,  have  effected  transactions  in shares of WF Common Stock during the
past 60 days.

ITEM 6.  CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS
         WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

         Except as set forth above,  neither  First  Maryland or AIB, nor to the
knowledge of First  Maryland,  any of their  respective  directors and executive
officers,  has any  contracts,  arrangements,  understandings  or  relationships
(legal or  otherwise)  with any person  with  respect to any  securities  of 1st
Washington,  including but not limited to,  transfer or voting of any securities
of 1st Washington,  finder's fees, joint ventures,  loan or option arrangements,
puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving
or withholding of proxies.

ITEM 7.           MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

         7.1      Stock Option Agreement, dated January 23, 1996,
                  between 1st Washington Bancorp, Inc. and First Maryland
                  Bancorp.

         7.2      Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 23,
                  1996, among First Maryland Bancorp, 1st Washington
                  Bancorp, Inc. and FMB Acquisition Corp.

                                        5

<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

         After reasonable  inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information  set forth in this statement is true,  complete and
correct.

Date: February 6, 1995                    FIRST MARYLAND BANCORP


                                          By: ROBERT W. SCHAEFER
                                              Robert W.  Schaefer,  Executive
                                              Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer



                                        6

<PAGE>



                           SCHEDULE 1 TO SCHEDULE 13D

           DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF FIRST MARYLAND BANCORP

         The names,  business  addresses and present  principal  occupations  or
employments of the directors and executive  officers of First  Maryland  Bancorp
are set forth  below.  If no  business  address  is  given,  the  director's  or
executive  officer's address is First Maryland Bancorp, 25 South Charles Street,
Baltimore,  Maryland 21201. Unless otherwise indicated,  (i) each occupation set
forth opposite an  individual's  name refers to First Maryland  Bancorp and (ii)
each  individual is a citizen of the United States.  Individuals  marked with an
asterisk are citizens of Ireland.

                                                  Present Principal
Name                                              Occupation or Employment

Frank P. Bramble                                  President and Chief Executive
                                                  Officer

Benjamin L. Brown                                 Former General Counsel and Ex-
                                                  ecutive Director of the Na-
                                                  tional Institute of Municipal
                                                  Law Officers (retired)

Jeremiah E. Casey                                 Chairman of the Board

J. Owen Cole                                      Former Chairman of the Board 
                                                  of First Maryland Bancorp 
                                                  (retired)

Edward A. Crooke                                  President and Chief Operating
P.O. Box 1475                                     Officer of Baltimore Gas and
Baltimore, MD 21203                               Electric Company


John F. Dealy                                     Distinguished Professor of the
2300 N Street, NW                                 Georgetown University School
Washington, DC 20037                              of Business and Senior Counsel
                                                  to Shaw, Pittman, Potts and
                                                  Trowbridge

Mathias J. DeVito                                 Chairman of the Board of The
10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy.                       Rouse Company
Columbia, MD 21044

Rhoda M. Dorsey                                   President Emeritus of Goucher
                                                  College

Jerome W. Geckle                                  Former Chairman of the Board
                                                  of PHH Corporation (retired)



                                        7

<PAGE>





Frank A. Gunther                                  Former Chairman of the Board
                                                  and President of Albert
                                                  Gunther Inc. (retired)

Curran W. Harvey, Jr.                             General Partner of Spectra
1119 St. Paul Street                              Enterprise Associates; Special
Baltimore, MD 21201                               Partner of New Enterprise As-
                                                  sociates

Margaret M. Heckler                               Attorney

Kevin J. Kelly*                                   Group Financial Director of
Bankcentre                                        Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.;
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4                             Group General Manager of 
                                                  AIB Bank

Henry J. Knott                                    Chairman and Chief Executive
3904 Hickory Ave.                                 Officer of Real Estate
Baltimore, MD 21211                               Resource Management, Inc.

Thomas P. Mulcahy*                                Group Chief Executive of Al-
Bankcentre                                        lied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

William M. Passano, Jr.                           Chairman of the Board of
351 W. Camden Street                              Waverly, Inc.
Baltimore, MD 21230

Robert I. Schattner                               President of The R. Schattner
5901 Montrose Rd.                                 Foundation for Medical
Rockville, MD 20852                               Research; President and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer of
                                                  Sporicidin International


Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Name                                          Position with First Maryland

Harry E. Berry                                Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Credit Officer

David M. Cronin*                              Executive Vice President and
                                              Treasurer

Jerome W. Evans                               Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Administrative Officer

Walter R. Fatzinger, Jr.                      Executive Vice President

Susan M. Keating                              Executive Vice President


                                        8

<PAGE>



Jeffrey D. Maddox                             Executive Vice President

Frederick W. Meier, Jr.                       Executive Vice President

Robert W. Schaefer                            Executive Vice President and Chief
                                              Financial Officer

Richard H. White                              Executive Vice President



                                        9

<PAGE>



                           SCHEDULE 2 TO SCHEDULE 13D

         DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF ALLIED IRISH BANKS, P.L.C.

         The names,  business  addresses and present  principal  occupations  or
employments  of the  directors  and  executive  officers of Allied  Irish Banks,
p.l.c.  ("AIB")  are set forth  below.  If no  business  address  is given,  the
director's  or  executive  officer's  address  is Allied  Irish  Banks,  p.l.c.,
Bankcentre,  Ballsbridge,  Dublin 4 Ireland.  Unless otherwise  indicated,  each
occupation set forth opposite an individual's name refers to AIB. Except for Mr.
Casey,  who is a citizen  of the United  States,  and for Mr.  Carson,  who is a
citizen of the United Kingdom, each individual is a citizen of Ireland.

                                                  Present Principal
Name                                              Occupation or Employment

James P. Culliton                                 Chairman

Thomas P. Mulcahy                                 Group Chief Executive

Michael D. Buckley                                Group General Manager, Capital
                                                  Markets

William M. Carson                                 Chairman, AIB Group Northern
                                                  Ireland plc.

Jeremiah E. Casey                                 Chief Executive, USA Division

Tom Cavanagh                                      Chairman, Earlsfort Centre
                                                  Hotel Proprietors Ltd.

Padraic M. Fallon                                 Chairman, Euromoney Publica-
                                                  tions plc

Kevin J. Kelly                                    Group Financial Executive;
                                                  Group General Manager of 
                                                  AIB Bank

John B. McGuckian                                 Chairman, Ulster Television
                                                  plc and the Industrial
                                                  Development Board

Raymond J. McLoughlin                             Managing Director, James Crean
                                                  plc.

Carol Moffett                                     Managing Director, Moffett
                                                  Engineering Limited

Denis J. Murphy                                   Chairman, St. Patrick's Wollen
                                                  Mills and The Swansea Cork Car
                                                  Ferries Ltd.


                                       10

<PAGE>

Miriam H. O'Brien                                 Chairman, Foundation for Fis-
                                                  cal Studies and the European
                                                  Cultural Foundation

Lochlann Quinn                                    Director, Glen Dimplex

Seamus J. Sheehy                                  Professor of Agricultural
                                                  Economics, University College,
                                                  Dublin

Peter Sutherland                                  Chairman, Goldman Sachs 
                                                  International 


Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Brian Cregg                                       Head of Group Human Resources 
                                                  and Strategic Technology and 
                                                  member of Group Executive 
                                                  Committee

John Hickey                                       Head of Direct Banking and 
                                                  member of Group Executive 
                                                  Committee

Pat Ryan                                          Group Treasurer and member of 
                                                  Group Executive Committee


                                       11





                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                  THE TRANSFER OF THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO
                   CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND TO
                          RESALE RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE
                       SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED


         STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT,  dated January 23, 1996, between 1ST WASHINGTON
BANCORP, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Issuer"),  and FIRST MARYLAND BANCORP, a
Maryland Corporation ("Grantee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of January 23, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, as a condition to Grantee's entering into the Merger Agreement
and in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the Option (as
hereinafter defined):

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  foregoing  and the  mutual
covenants  and  agreements  set forth  herein and in the Merger  Agreement,  the
parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. (a) Issuer  hereby grants to Grantee an  unconditional,  irrevocable
option (the "Option") to purchase,  subject to the terms hereof, up to 1,966,692
fully paid and nonassessable shares of Issuer's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Common Stock"),  at a price of $$7.00 per share of Common Stock (the
"Option Price"); provided,  however, that in no event shall the number of shares
of Common Stock for which this Option is exercisable  exceed 19.9 percent of the
Issuer's issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, without giving effect to
any shares  subject or issued  pursuant to the  Option.  The number of shares of
Common Stock that may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the Option
Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.

         (b) In the event that any additional  shares of Common Stock are issued
or otherwise  become  outstanding  after the date of this Agreement  (other than
pursuant to this Agreement), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the
Option shall be increased so that,  after such issuance,  it equals 19.9 percent
of the number of shares of Common  Stock then  issued and  outstanding,  without
giving effect to any shares  subject or issued  pursuant to the Option.  Nothing
contained in this Section 1(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to
authorize Issuer to breach any provision of the Merger Agreement.



<PAGE>




         2. (a) The Holder (as hereinafter  defined) may exercise the Option, in
whole  or in part,  and from  time to time,  if,  but only if,  both an  Initial
Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent  Triggering Event (as
hereinafter  defined) shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise
Termination Event (as hereinafter defined),  provided that the Holder shall have
sent the written  notice of such exercise (as provided in subsection (e) of this
Section 2) within sixty (60) days following such  Subsequent  Triggering  Event.
The term  "Exercise  Termination  Event"  shall mean and shall be deemed to have
occurred  upon  each and any of the  following:  (i) the  Effective  Time of the
Merger;  (ii)  termination  of the  Merger  Agreement  in  accordance  with  the
provisions  thereof if such  termination  occurs prior to the  occurrence  of an
Initial  Triggering  Event except a termination  by Grantee  pursuant to Section
7.1(d) of the Merger Agreement  (unless the breach by Issuer giving rise to such
right of  termination is  non-volitional);  (iii) the passage of 12 months after
termination of the Merger Agreement if such  termination  follows the occurrence
of an  Initial  Triggering  Event or is a  termination  by Grantee  pursuant  to
Section 7.1(d) of the Merger Agreement  (unless the breach by Issuer giving rise
to such right of  termination  is  nonvolitional)  (provided  that if an Initial
Triggering  Event  continues or occurs beyond such  termination and prior to the
passage of such  12-month  period,  the Exercise  Termination  Event shall be 12
months from the occurrence of the Last Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined)
but in no event more than 18 months after such  termination)  or (iv) the second
anniversary of the date hereof.  The "Last Triggering Event" shall mean the last
Initial Triggering Event to occur during the 12-month period described in clause
2(a)(iii). The term "Holder" shall mean the holder or holders of the Option.

         (b) The term "Initial Triggering Event" shall mean any of the following
events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:

                  (i)  Issuer  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  (each  an  "Issuer
Subsidiary"),  without having received  Grantee's prior written  consent,  shall
have  entered  into an agreement  to engage in an  Acquisition  Transaction  (as
hereinafter  defined)  with any person (the term  "person"  for purposes of this
Agreement  having the meaning  assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the
rules and regulations  thereunder) other than Grantee or any of the Subsidiaries
of Grantee  (each a "Grantee  Subsidiary")  or the Board of  Directors of Issuer
shall have  recommended  that the  stockholders  of Issuer approve or accept any
such  Acquisition  Transaction.   For  purposes  of  this  Agreement,  the  term
"Acquisition  Transaction"  shall  mean (w) a merger  or  consolidation,  or any
similar transaction, involving Issuer or any Significant


                                        2

<PAGE>



Subsidiary  (the term  "Significant  Subsidiary"  for purposes of this Agreement
having the meaning  assigned  thereto in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated
by the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the  "SEC"))  of  Issuer,  (x) a
purchase,  lease,  or other  acquisition of all or a substantial  portion of the
assets of Issuer or any  Significant  Subsidiary  of Issuer,  (y) a purchase  or
other acquisition (including by way of merger, consolidation,  share exchange or
otherwise) of securities  representing 10 percent or more of the voting power of
Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of Issuer, or (z) any substantially similar
transaction;

                  (ii) Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary,  without having received
Grantee's prior written consent, shall have authorized,  recommended,  proposed,
or publicly  announced  its intention to authorize,  recommend,  or propose,  to
engage in an  Acquisition  Transaction  with any person  other than Grantee or a
Grantee  Subsidiary,  or the Board of Directors  of Issuer  shall have  publicly
withdrawn or modified, or publicly announced its interest to withdraw or modify,
in any manner adverse to Grantee,  its  recommendation  that the stockholders of
Issuer approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

                  (iii) Any person other than Grantee,  any Grantee  Subsidiary,
or any Issuer Subsidiary  acting in a fiduciary  capacity in the ordinary course
of its business shall have acquired beneficial ownership or the right to acquire
beneficial  ownership of 15 percent or more of the outstanding  shares of Common
Stock (the term "beneficial ownership" for purposes of this Agreement having the
meaning assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations thereunder);

                  (iv) Any person other than  Grantee or any Grantee  Subsidiary
shall have made a bona fide  proposal  to Issuer or its  stockholders  by public
announcement or written  communication  that is or becomes the subject of public
disclosure to engage in an Acquisition Transaction;

                  (v) After an  overture  is made by a third  party to Issuer or
its  stockholders  to engage in an  Acquisition  Transaction,  Issuer shall have
breached any covenant or obligation  contained in the Merger  Agreement and such
breach (x) would entitle Grantee to terminate the Merger Agreement and (y) shall
not have been cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined below); or

                  (vi) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee  Subsidiary,
other than in connection with a transaction to which Grantee has given its prior
written  consent,  shall have filed an  application  or notice  with the Federal
Reserve  Board,  or other  federal or state  bank  regulatory  authority,  which
application or


                                        3

<PAGE>



notice  has  been  accepted  for  processing,  for  approval  to  engage  in  an
Acquisition Transaction.

         (c) The term  "Subsequent  Triggering  Event"  shall mean either of the
following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:

                  (i)  The acquisition by any person of beneficial
ownership of 25 percent or more of the then outstanding Common
Stock; or

                  (ii) The occurrence of the Initial  Triggering Event described
in clause (i) of  subsection  (b) of this Section 2, except that the  percentage
referred to in clause (y) shall be 25 percent.

         (d) Issuer shall notify  Grantee  promptly in writing of the occurrence
of any Initial  Triggering Event or Subsequent  Triggering  Event  (together,  a
"Triggering  Event"),  it being  understood  that the  giving of such  notice by
Issuer  shall not be a  condition  to the right of the  Holder to  exercise  the
Option.

         (e) In the event the Holder is entitled  to and wishes to exercise  the
Option, it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the date of which being herein
referred to as the "Notice  Date")  specifying (i) the total number of shares it
will  purchase  pursuant to such  exercise and (ii) a place and date not earlier
than three (3) business  days nor later than sixty (60)  business  days from the
Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the "Closing Date"); provided that
if prior  notification  to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board or any other
regulatory agency is required in connection with such purchase, the Holder shall
promptly  file the  required  notice  or  application  for  approval  and  shall
expeditiously  process the same and the period of time that otherwise  would run
pursuant to this sentence  shall run instead from the date on which any required
notification periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been
obtained and any  requisite  waiting  period or periods  shall have passed.  Any
exercise  of the  Option  shall be deemed to occur on the Notice  Date  relating
thereto.

         (f) At the closing referred to in subsection (e) of this Section 2, the
Holder shall pay to Issuer the aggregate purchase price for the shares of Common
Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately  available
funds by wire  transfer to a bank account  designated  by Issuer,  provided that
failure or refusal of Issuer to designate such a bank account shall not preclude
the Holder from exercising the Option.



                                        4

<PAGE>



         (g) At such closing,  simultaneously  with the delivery of  immediately
available  funds as provided in  subsection  (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates  representing  the number of
shares of Common  Stock  purchased  by the Holder and,  if the Option  should be
exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder thereof
to purchase  the  balance of the shares  purchasable  hereunder,  and the Holder
shall deliver to Issuer a copy of this Agreement and a letter  agreeing that the
Holder will not offer to sell or  otherwise  dispose of such shares in violation
of applicable law or the provisions of this Agreement.

         (h) Certificates for Common Stock delivered at a closing  hereunder may
be endorsed with a restrictive legend that shall read substantially as follows:

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

It is understood and agreed that:  (i) the reference to the resale  restrictions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the  "Securities  Act"), in the above
legend shall be removed by delivery of  substitute  certificate(s)  without such
reference if the Holder  shall have  delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from
the staff of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory  to Issuer,  to the effect  that such  legend is not  required  for
purposes of the  Securities  Act; (ii) the  reference to the  provisions to this
Agreement  in the above  legend  shall be  removed  by  delivery  of  substitute
certificate(s)   without  such  reference  if  the  shares  have  been  sold  or
transferred  in  compliance  with the  provisions  of this  Agreement  and under
circumstances that do not require the retention of such reference; and (iii) the
legend  shall be removed in its  entirety  if the  conditions  in the  preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied.  In addition,  such certificates  shall
bear any other legend as may be required by law.

         (i) Upon the  giving  by Holder  to  Issuer  of the  written  notice of
exercise of the Option  provided for under  subsection (e) of this Section 2 and
the tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately  available funds, the
Holder  shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books

                                        5

<PAGE>



of Issuer shall then be closed or that certificates  representing such shares of
Common Stock shall not then be actually  delivered  to the Holder.  Issuer shall
pay all expenses, and any and all United States federal,  state, and local taxes
and other charges that may be payable in connection with the preparation, issue,
and  delivery  of stock  certificates  under  this  Section 2 in the name of the
Holder or its assignee, transferee, or designee.

         3. Issuer agrees:  (i) that it shall at all times  maintain,  free from
preemptive  rights,  sufficient  authorized  but unissued or treasury  shares of
Common   Stock  so  that  the  Option  may  be  exercised   without   additional
authorization  of  Common  Stock  after  giving  effect  to all  other  options,
warrants,  convertible  securities,  and other rights to purchase  Common Stock;
(ii)  that  it  will  not,  by  charter  amendment  or  through  reorganization,
consolidation, merger, dissolution, or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act,  avoid  or  seek to  avoid  the  observance  or  performance  of any of the
covenants,  stipulations, or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by
Issuer;  (iii)  promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all premerger notification, reporting, and waiting
period  requirements   specified  in  15  U.S.C.   Section  18  and  regulations
promulgated  thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"),  the Home Owners Loan Act, as amended,  or the
Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended,  or any state banking law, prior
approval  of or notice to any federal  bank  regulatory  authority  or any state
regulatory   authority  is  necessary   before  the  Option  may  be  exercised,
cooperating  fully with the Holder in preparing such applications or notices and
providing such information to such federal or state regulatory authority as they
may  require)  in order to permit the Holder to  exercise  the Option and Issuer
duly and effectively to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant  hereto;  and (iv)
promptly  to take all action  provided  for in  Section 5 hereof to protect  the
rights of the Holder against dilution.

         4. This  Agreement (and the Option  granted  hereby) are  exchangeable,
without expense, at the option of the Holder, upon presentation and surrender of
this Agreement at the principal office of Issuer, for other Agreements providing
for Options of different denominations entitling the holder thereof to purchase,
on the same terms and subject to the same condition as are set forth herein,  in
the aggregate the same number of shares of Common Stock  purchasable  hereunder.
The terms  "Agreement"  and  "Option"  as used herein  include any Stock  Option
Agreements and related  Options for which this Agreement (and the Option granted
hereby)  may be  exchanged.  Upon  receipt  by  Issuer  of  evidence  reasonably
satisfactory  to it of the  loss,  theft,  destruction,  or  mutilation  of this
Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft, or


                                        6

<PAGE>



destruction) of reasonably satisfactory indemnification,  and upon surrender and
cancellation of this Agreement, if mutilated,  Issuer will execute and deliver a
new  Agreement  of like  tenor and date.  Any such new  Agreement  executed  and
delivered shall constitute an additional  contractual  obligation on the part of
Issuer,  whether or not the Agreement so lost, stolen,  destroyed,  or mutilated
shall at any time be enforceable by anyone.

         5. In  addition  to the  adjustment  in the  number of shares of Common
Stock that are purchasable  upon exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 1 of
this  Agreement,  the  number of shares of  Common  Stock  purchasable  upon the
exercise of the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to adjustment  from
time to time as  provided  in this  Section 5. In the event of any change in, or
distributions  in respect  of, the  Common  Stock by reason of stock  dividends,
split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations,  combinations, subdivisions, conversions,
exchanges  of shares,  distributions  on or in respect of the Common  Stock that
would be prohibited  under the terms of the Merger  Agreement,  or the like, the
type and number of shares of Common Stock  purchasable  upon exercise hereof and
the Option Price shall be  appropriately  adjusted in such manner as shall fully
preserve the economic benefits provided  hereunder and proper provision shall be
made in any agreement  governing any such transaction to provide for such proper
adjustment and the full satisfaction of the Issuer's obligations hereunder.

         6. Upon the  occurrence  of a Subsequent  Triggering  Event that occurs
prior to an Exercise  Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the request of Grantee
delivered within sixty (60) days of such Subsequent Triggering Event (whether on
its own  behalf or on behalf of any  subsequent  holder of this  Option (or part
thereof) or any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto),  promptly
prepare,  file,  and keep  current  a shelf  registration  statement  under  the
Securities Act covering this Option and any shares issued and issuable  pursuant
to this  Option  and  shall  use its  reasonable  best  efforts  to  cause  such
registration statement to become effective and remain current in order to permit
the sale or other  disposition  of this  Option and any  shares of Common  Stock
issued upon total or partial  exercise of this Option (the  "Option  Shares") in
accordance  with any plan of disposition  requested by Grantee.  Issuer will use
its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement first to become
effective  and  then to  remain  effective  for such  period  not in  excess  of
one-hundred-eighty  (180) days from the date such  registration  statement first
becomes effective or such shorter time as may be reasonably  necessary to effect
such  sales or other  dispositions.  Grantee  shall have the right to demand two
such  registrations.  The  foregoing  notwithstanding,  if,  at the  time of any
request by Grantee for registration of the Option or Option


                                        7

<PAGE>



Shares  as  provided  above,  Issuer  is  in  registration  with  respect  to an
underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock, and if in the good faith
judgment of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters,  or, if none, the
sole underwriter or underwriters, of such offering the inclusion of the Holder's
Option or Option Shares would  interfere  with the  successful  marketing of the
shares of Common Stock offered by Issuer,  the number of Option Shares otherwise
to be covered in the registration  statement contemplated hereby may be reduced;
and  provided,  however,  that after any such  required  reduction the number of
Option  Shares to be  included  in such  offering  for the account of the Holder
shall constitute at least 25 percent of the total number of shares to be sold by
the Holder and Issuer in the aggregate;  and provided further,  however, that if
such reduction occurs,  then the Issuer shall file a registration  statement for
the balance as promptly as practical and no reduction  shall  thereafter  occur.
Each such Holder shall provide all  information  reasonably  requested by Issuer
for inclusion in any registration statement to be filed hereunder.  If requested
by any such Holder in connection with such  registration,  Issuer shall become a
party to any  underwriting  agreement  relating to the sale of such shares,  but
only  to  the  extent  of  obligating  itself  in  respect  of  representations,
warranties,  indemnities,  and other  agreements  customarily  included  in such
underwriting  agreements  for the Issuer.  Upon receiving any request under this
Section 6 from any  Holder,  Issuer  agrees to send a copy  thereof to any other
person known to Issuer to be entitled to registration  rights under this Section
6, in each case by promptly mailing the same, postage prepaid, to the address of
record of the persons entitled to receive such copies.  Notwithstanding anything
to the  contrary  contained  herein,  in no event shall  Issuer be  obligated to
effect more than two  registrations  pursuant to this Section 6 by reason of the
fact that there shall be more than one Grantee as a result of any  assignment or
division of this Agreement.

         7. (a)  Immediately  prior to the occurrence of a Repurchase  Event (as
defined  below),  (i) following a request of the Holder,  delivered  prior to an
Exercise  Termination Event,  Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall repurchase
the Option from the Holder at a price (the "Option  Repurchase  Price") equal to
the amount by which (A) the  market/offer  price (as defined  below) exceeds (B)
the Option  Price,  multiplied by the number of shares for which this Option may
then be  exercised  and (ii) at the  request of the owner of Option  Shares from
time to time (the "Owner"), delivered within ninety (90) days of such occurrence
(or such later period as provided in Section 10),  Issuer shall  repurchase such
number of the Option  Shares  from the Owner as the Owner shall  designate  at a
price (the "Option  Share  Repurchase  Price") equal to the  market/offer  price
multiplied by the number of Option Shares so designated.  The term "market/offer
price"


                                        8

<PAGE>



shall mean the highest of the  following  amounts with respect to the  six-month
period  immediately  preceding  the date the Holder gives notice of the required
repurchase  of this Option or the Owner gives notice of the required  repurchase
of Option Shares, as the case may be, (i) the price per share of Common Stock at
which a tender offer or exchange  offer  therefor has been made,  (ii) the price
per share of Common Stock to be paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement
with Issuer, (iii) the highest closing price for shares of Common Stock, or (iv)
in the event of a sale of all or a substantial  portion of Issuer's assets,  the
sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets and the current  market value
of the  remaining  assets of Issuer as  determined  by a  nationally  recognized
investment banking firm selected by the Holder or the Owner, as the case may be,
divided by the  number of shares of Common  Stock of Issuer  outstanding  at the
time of  such  sale.  In  determining  the  market/offer  price,  the  value  of
consideration  other than cash shall be  determined  by a nationally  recognized
investment banking firm selected by the Holder or Owner, as the case may be, and
reasonably  acceptable to Issuer.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if the same
person who has  participated  in a Triggering  Event has entered,  or after such
Triggering Event has occurred enters,  into any agreement or understanding  with
Grantee  relating to  Grantee's  rights under this Option or with respect to the
Option  Shares or directly or  indirectly  relating  to Issuer,  Grantee  shall,
notwithstanding  the terms of such agreement or understanding,  at any time upon
the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering Event of the type set forth in Section
3(d)(i) without Issuer's approval,  recommendation or consent,  promptly request
that  Issuer  repurchase  the Option and any  Option  Shares  held by Grantee as
provided in this Section 8 and Issuer shall do so.

         (b) The  Holder and the Owner,  as the case may be,  may  exercise  its
right to require Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares  pursuant
to this Section 7 by surrendering  for such purpose to Issuer,  at its principal
office,  a copy  of  this  Agreement  or  certificates  for  Option  Shares,  as
applicable,  accompanied by a written notice or notices  stating that the Holder
or the Owner,  as the case may be, elects to require  Issuer to repurchase  this
Option  and/or the  Option  Shares in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this
Section 7.  Within the latter to occur of (x) five (5)  business  days after the
surrender of the Option and/or  certificates  representing Option Shares and the
receipt of such  notice or  notices  relating  thereto  and (y) the time that is
immediately prior to the occurrence of a Repurchase Event,  Issuer shall deliver
or cause to be  delivered  to Holder the Option  Repurchase  Price and/or to the
Owner the Option Share  Repurchase  Price  therefor or the portion  thereof that
Issuer  is not then  prohibited  under  applicable  law and  regulation  from so
delivering.


                                        9

<PAGE>




         (c) To the extent that Issuer is  prohibited  under  applicable  law or
regulation  from  repurchasing  the Option  and/ or the  Option  Shares in full,
Issuer shall  immediately  so notify the Holder and/or the Owner and  thereafter
deliver or cause to be  delivered,  from time to time,  to the Holder and/or the
Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the Option Repurchase Price and the Option
Share  Repurchase  Price,  respectively,  that it is no longer  prohibited  from
delivering,  within five (5) business  days after the date on which Issuer is no
longer so  prohibited;  provided,  however,  that if  Issuer  at any time  after
delivery of a notice of  repurchase  pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 7
is prohibited  under  applicable law or regulation from delivering to the Holder
and/or the Owner, as  appropriate,  the Option  Repurchase  Price and the Option
Share Repurchase Price,  respectively,  in full (and Issuer hereby undertakes to
use its best efforts to obtain all required  regulatory and legal  approvals and
file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order to accomplish such
repurchase),  the Holder or Owner may revoke  its  notice of  repurchase  of the
Option or the Option Shares either in whole or to the extent of the prohibition,
whereupon,  in the latter case,  Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver to the Holder
and/or the Owner, as appropriate, that portion of the Option Repurchase Price or
the Option Share Repurchase Price that Issuer is not prohibited from delivering;
and (ii) deliver,  as appropriate,  either (A) to the Holder, a new Stock Option
Agreement  evidencing  the right of the Holder to purchase that number of shares
of Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock for
which the  surrendered  Stock Option  Agreement was  exercisable  at the time of
delivery of the notice of  repurchase  by a fraction,  the numerator of which is
the Option  Repurchase Price less the portion thereof  theretofore  delivered to
the Holder and the denominator of which is the Option  Repurchase  Price, or (B)
to the Owner, a certificate  for the Option Shares it is then so prohibited from
repurchasing.

         (d) For purposes of this Section 7, the term  "Repurchase  Event" shall
mean and shall be deemed to have  occurred  upon each and any of the  following:
(i) the  consummation  of any  merger,  consolidation,  or  similar  transaction
involving  Issuer  or any  purchase,  lease,  or other  acquisition  of all or a
substantial  portion  of the assets of Issuer,  or (ii) the  acquisition  by any
person of  beneficial  ownership  of 50 percent or more of the then  outstanding
shares  of  Common  Stock,  provided  that  no such  event  shall  constitute  a
Repurchase Event unless a Subsequent  Triggering Event shall have occurred prior
to an  Exercise  Termination  Event.  The  parties  hereto  agree that  Issuer's
obligations to repurchase the Option or Option Shares under this Section 7 shall
not terminate  upon the  occurrence of an Exercise  Termination  Event unless no
Subsequent  Triggering  Event shall have occurred  prior to the occurrence of an
Exercise Termination Event.


                                       10

<PAGE>




         8. (a) In the event that prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer
shall enter into an agreement (i) to consolidate  with or merge into any person,
other than Grantee or one of the  Subsidiaries of Grantee,  and shall not be the
continuing or surviving  corporation of such  consolidation  or merger,  (ii) to
permit any person,  other than  Grantee or one of the Grantee  Subsidiaries,  to
merge into Issuer and Issuer shall be the  continuing or surviving  corporation,
but, in connection with such merger, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock
shall be changed into or exchanged  for stock or other  securities  of any other
person or cash or any other  property or the then  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock shall after such merger  represent less than 50 percent of the outstanding
voting shares and voting share  equivalents of the merged  company,  or (iii) to
sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any person,
other than Grantee or one of the Grantee  Subsidiaries,  then,  and in each such
case, the agreement  governing such  transaction  shall make proper provision so
that the Option shall,  upon the  consummation of any such  transaction and upon
the terms and conditions set forth herein,  be converted into, or exchanged for,
an option (the "Substitute  Option"),  at the election of the Holder,  of either
(x) the Acquiring  Corporation (as  hereinafter  defined) or (y) any person that
controls the Acquiring Corporation.

         (b)      The following terms have the meanings indicated:

                  (1) "Acquiring  Corporation"  shall mean (i) the continuing or
surviving  corporation of a  consolidation  or merger with Issuer (if other than
Issuer),  (ii) Issuer in a merger in which Issuer is the continuing or surviving
person, and (iii) the transferee of all or substantially all of Issuer's assets.

                  (2)      "Substitute Option Issuer" shall mean the issuer
of the Substitute Option.

                  (3)  "Substitute  Common  Stock"  shall mean the common  stock
issued by the Substitute Option Issuer upon exercise of the Substitute Option.

                  (4)      "Assigned Value" shall mean the market/offer
price, as defined in Section 7.

                  (5) "Average  Price" shall mean the average closing price of a
share of the Substitute Common Stock for the one year immediately  preceding the
consolidation,  merger,  or sale in  question,  but in no event  higher than the
closing  price of the shares of  Substitute  Common Stock on the date  preceding
such  consolidation,  merger or sale;  provided that if Issuer is the Substitute
Option  Issuer,  the Average  Price shall be computed with respect to a share of
common stock issued by the person merging into


                                       11

<PAGE>



Issuer or by any company which controls or is controlled by such person,  as the
Holder may elect.

         (c) The  Substitute  Option  shall have the same  terms as the  Option,
provided,  that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons,
be the same as the Option,  such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no
event less  advantageous to the Holder.  The Substitute Option Issuer shall also
enter into an agreement with the then Holder or Holders of the Substitute Option
in substantially  the same form as this Agreement,  which shall be applicable to
the Substitute Option.

         (d) The  Substitute  Option  shall be  exercisable  for such  number of
shares of Substitute  Common Stock as is equal to the Assigned Value  multiplied
by the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  for  which  the  Option  is  then
exercisable,  divided by the Average Price. The exercise price of the Substitute
Option per share of  Substitute  Common  Stock shall then be equal to the Option
Price  multiplied  by a fraction,  the numerator of which shall be the number of
shares  of  Common  Stock for  which  the  Option  is then  exercisable  and the
denominator  of which shall be the number of shares of  Substitute  Common Stock
for which the Substitute Option is exercisable.

         (e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the
Substitute  Option be  exercisable  for more than 19.9  percent of the shares of
Substitute  Common Stock  outstanding  prior to the  exercise of the  Substitute
Option.  In the event that the Substitute  Option would be exercisable  for more
than 19.9 percent of the shares of Substitute  Common Stock outstanding prior to
exercise but for this clause (e), the Substitute Option Issuer shall make a cash
payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i) the value of the Substitute  Option
without  giving effect to the  limitation in this clause (e) over (ii) the value
of the  Substitute  Option after giving effect to the  limitation in this clause
(e). This  difference  in value shall be  determined by a nationally  recognized
investment banking firm selected by the Holder or the Owner, as the case may be,
and reasonably acceptable to the Acquiring Corporation.

         (f) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in subsection
(a) of this  Section 8 unless the  Acquiring  Corporation  and any  person  that
controls the  Acquiring  Corporation  assume in writing all the  obligations  of
Issuer hereunder.

         9. (a) At the  request  of the  holder of the  Substitute  Option  (the
"Substitute  Option Holder"),  the Substitute Option Issuer shall repurchase the
Substitute  Option from the Substitute Option Holder at a price (the "Substitute
Option Repurchase Price") equal to the amount by which (i) the Highest Closing


                                       12

<PAGE>



Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the exercise price of the Substitute
Option,  multiplied by the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which
the  Substitute  Option may then be  exercised,  and at the request of the owner
(the  "Substitute  Share  Owner")  of shares of  Substitute  Common  Stock  (the
"Substitute  Shares"),   the  Substitute  Option  Issuer  shall  repurchase  the
Substitute Shares at a price (the "Substitute Share Repurchase  Price") equal to
the Highest  Closing  Price  multiplied  by the number of  Substitute  Shares so
designated.  The term  "Highest  Closing  Price" shall mean the highest  closing
price for  shares  of  Substitute  Common  Stock  within  the  six-month  period
immediately  preceding the date the Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the
required repurchase of the Substitute Option or the Substitute Share Owner gives
notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable.

         (b) The Substitute Option Holder and the Substitute Share Owner, as the
case may be, may exercise its respective rights to require the Substitute Option
Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option and the Substitute Shares pursuant to
this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Issuer,
at its principal  office,  the agreement for such Substitute  Option (or, in the
absence of such an agreement,  a copy of this  Agreement) and  certificates  for
Substitute  Shares  accompanied by a written notice or notices  stating that the
Substitute  Option  Holder or the  Substitute  Share Owner,  as the case may be,
elects to require the  Substitute  Option  Issuer to repurchase  the  Substitute
Option and/or the  Substitute  Shares in accordance  with the provisions of this
Section 9. As promptly as practicable, and in any event within five (5) business
days  after  the  surrender  of  the  Substitute   Option  and/or   certificates
representing  Substitute  Shares  and the  receipt  of such  notice  or  notices
relating  thereto,  the  Substitute  Option  Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the  Substitute  Share Owner the  Substitute  Share  Repurchase  Price
therefor or the portion  thereof which the Substitute  Option Issuer is not then
prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

         (c) To the extent that the Substitute Option Issuer is prohibited under
applicable law or regulation from  repurchasing the Substitute Option and/or the
Substitute  Shares  in part or in  full,  the  Substitute  Option  Issuer  shall
immediately so notify the Substitute  Option Holder and/or the Substitute  Share
Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to the
Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate,  the
portion of the Substitute Share Repurchase Price,  respectively,  which it is no
longer prohibited from delivering,  within five (5) business days after the date
on


                                       13

<PAGE>



which  the  Substitute  Option  Issuer is no  longer  so  prohibited;  provided,
however, that if the Substitute Option Issuer is at any time after delivery of a
notice of  repurchase  pursuant to  subsection  (b) of this Section 9 prohibited
under  applicable law or regulation  from  delivering to the  Substitute  Option
Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate,  the Substitute Option
Repurchase  Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase  Price,  respectively,  in
full (and the Substitute Option Issuer shall use its best efforts to receive all
required  regulatory and legal  approvals as promptly as practicable in order to
accomplish such  repurchase),  the Substitute  Option Holder or Substitute Share
Owner may  revoke  its  notice of  repurchase  of the  Substitute  Option or the
Substitute  Shares  either  in  whole  or to  the  extent  of  the  prohibition,
whereupon,  in the latter case, the Substitute  Option Issuer shall promptly (i)
deliver  to  the  Substitute   Option  Holder  or  Substitute  Share  Owner,  as
appropriate,  that  portion of the  Substitute  Option  Repurchase  Price or the
Substitute  Share  Repurchase  Price that the  Substitute  Option  Issuer is not
prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate,  either (A) to the
Substitute  Option Holder, a new Substitute  Option  evidencing the right of the
Substitute  Option  Holder to purchase  that number of shares of the  Substitute
Common  Stock  obtained by  multiplying  the number of shares of the  Substitute
Common Stock for which the surrendered  Substitute Option was exercisable at the
time of delivery of the notice of  repurchase  by a fraction,  the  numerator of
which  is the  Substitute  Option  Repurchase  Price  less the  portion  thereof
theretofore  delivered to the  Substitute  Option Holder and the  denominator of
which is the Substitute  Option Repurchase Price, or (B) to the Substitute Share
Owner, a certificate  for the Substitute  Option Shares it is then so prohibited
from repurchasing.

         10. The 60-day period for exercise of certain  rights under Sections 2,
6, 7, and 13 shall be  extended:  (i) to the  extent  necessary  to  obtain  all
regulatory  approvals for the exercise of such rights and for the  expiration of
all  statutory  waiting  periods;  and  (ii) to the  extent  necessary  to avoid
liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act by reason of such exercise.

         11.      Issuer hereby represents and warrants to Grantee as
follows:

         (a) Issuer  has full  corporate  power and  authority  to  execute  and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby.
The  execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  and the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly and validly  authorized by the
Board of Directors of Issuer and no other  corporate  proceedings on the part of
Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to


                                       14

<PAGE>



consummate the transactions so contemplated.  This Agreement has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by Issuer.

         (b) Issuer has taken all  necessary  corporate  action to authorize and
reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date hereof through
the  termination  of this  Agreement  in  accordance  with its  terms  will have
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option,  that number of shares of
Common  Stock equal to the maximum  number of shares of Common Stock at any time
and from time to time  issuable  hereunder,  and all such shares,  upon issuance
pursuant  hereto,  will  be  duly  authorized,   validly  issued,   fully  paid,
nonassessable,  and will be  delivered  free and  clear  of all  claims,  liens,
encumbrances, and security interests and not subject to any preemptive rights.

         12.      Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer that:

         (a) Grantee has all  requisite  corporate  power and authority to enter
into this  Agreement  and,  subject to any  approvals  or  consents  referred to
herein, to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby.  The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate  action on the part
of Grantee. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Grantee.

         (b) The  Option is not being,  and any shares of Common  Stock or other
securities acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option will not be, acquired
with a view to the public  distribution  thereof and will not be  transferred or
otherwise  disposed  of  except  in a  transaction  registered  or  exempt  from
registration under the Securities Act.

         13.  Neither  of the  parties  hereto  may  assign any of its rights or
obligations  under this Option Agreement or the Option created  hereunder to any
other person,  without the express  written  consent of the other party,  except
that in the event a Subsequent  Triggering Event shall have occurred prior to an
Exercise Termination Event,  Grantee,  subject to the express provisions hereof,
may assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations hereunder within sixty
(60) days following such  Subsequent  Triggering  Event (or such later period as
provided in Section  10);  provided,  however,  that until the date fifteen (15)
days  following  the  date on  which  the  Federal  Reserve  Board  approves  an
application  by  Grantee  under the BHCA to acquire  the shares of Common  Stock
subject to the Option, Grantee 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 in excess of two (2) percent of the
voting shares of Issuer, (iii) an assignment to a

                                       15

<PAGE>



single party (e.g., a broker or investment banker) for the purpose of conducting
a widely dispersed public  distribution on Grantee's  behalf,  or (iv) any other
manner approved by the Federal Reserve Board.

         14. Each of Grantee  and Issuer  will use its best  efforts to make all
filings  with,  and to obtain  consents of, all third  parties and  governmental
authorities  necessary to the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement,  including  without  limitation  making  application to list the
shares of Common Stock  issuable  hereunder on the NASDAQ  National  Market upon
official  notice of issuance and applying to the Federal Reserve Board under the
BHCA for approval to acquire the shares  issuable  hereunder,  but Grantee shall
not be obligated to apply to state banking  authorities  for approval to acquire
the shares of Common Stock  issuable  hereunder  until such time, if ever, as it
deems appropriate to do so.

         15. The parties hereto  acknowledge that damages would be an inadequate
remedy  for a breach of this  Agreement  by  either  party  hereto  and that the
obligations  of the parties  hereto shall be  enforceable by either party hereto
through injunctive or other equitable relief.

         16. If any term, provision,  covenant, or restriction contained in this
Agreement  is held  by a court  or a  federal  or  state  regulatory  agency  of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid,  void, or unenforceable,  the remainder of
the  terms,  provisions,  and  covenants  and  restrictions  contained  in  this
Agreement  shall  remain  in full  force  and  effect,  and  shall  in no way be
affected,  impaired, or invalidated.  If for any reason such court or regulatory
agency determines that the Holder is not permitted to acquire,  or Issuer is not
permitted  to  repurchase  pursuant  to Section 7, the full  number of shares of
Common Stock  provided in Section  1(a) hereof (as adjusted  pursuant to Section
1(b) or 5 hereof),  it is the express  intention  of Issuer to  repurchase  such
lesser  number  of  shares  as may be  permissible,  without  any  amendment  or
modification hereof.

         17. All notices,  requests,  claims,  demands, and other communications
hereunder  shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person,  by
cable, telegram, telecopy, or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid,  return receipt  requested) at the respective  addresses of the parties
set forth in the Merger Agreement.

         18. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and  construed in  accordance
with the laws of the  State  of  Delaware,  regardless  of the laws  that  might
otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.


                                       16

<PAGE>




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

         20. Except as otherwise  expressly provided herein, each of the parties
hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf
in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereunder,  including fees and
expenses of its own financial consultants,  investment bankers, accountants, and
counsel.

         21.  Except as  otherwise  expressly  provided  herein or in the Merger
Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereunder and  supersedes  all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereof,  written or oral. The terms
and  conditions of this  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective  successors and permitted  assigns.
Nothing in this Agreement,  expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any
party, other than the parties hereto, and their respective  successors except as
assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of
this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.

         22.  Capitalized  terms used in this  Agreement and not defined  herein
shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement.


                                       17

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantee and Issuer have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective  officers thereunto duly authorized,  all as of the
date first above written.

                                  1ST WASHINGTON BANCORP, INC., Issuer



                                  By:  CARROLL E. AMOS
                                           Carroll E. Amos, Chief Executive
                                           Officer


                                  FIRST MARYLAND BANCORP, Grantee



                                  By:  JEREMIAH E. CASEY
                                           Jeremiah E. Casey, Chairman of
                                           the Board


                                       18








                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         AGREEMENT  AND PLAN OF  MERGER,  dated as of  January  23,  1996  (this
"Agreement"),  between First Maryland Bancorp,  a Maryland  corporation  ("First
Maryland"),  FMB Acquisition Corporation,  a Maryland corporation ("Newco"), and
1st Washington Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Falcon").

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual benefits to be derived
from this  Agreement,  and of the  representations,  warranties,  conditions and
promises herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         ARTICLE I:  THE MERGER

         1.1  Merger.  (a) At the  Effective  Time of the Merger (as  defined in
Article VI hereof),  Newco shall be merged with and into  Falcon,  the  separate
corporate  existence  of Newco shall cease,  and Falcon  shall be the  surviving
company  and shall  become a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of First  Maryland  (the
"Merger").

         (b) Falcon shall thereupon and thereafter:  (i) possess all the rights,
privileges,  immunities  and  franchises,  of a public  as well as of a  private
nature, of each of the merging  corporations;  and all property,  real, personal
and  mixed,  and all  debts due on  whatever  account,  and all other  choses in
action,  and all and every other interest,  of or belonging to or due to each of
the  corporations so merged,  shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and
vested in Falcon  without  further act or deed, and the title to any real estate
or any interest therein, vested in any of such corporations, shall not revert or
be in any way  impaired by reason of the  Merger;  and (ii) be  responsible  and
liable for all the liabilities  and  obligations of each of the  corporations so
merged.

         1.2 Charter;  By-Laws;  Directors  and  Officers.  The  Certificate  of
Incorporation  and By-Laws of the surviving company of the Merger shall be those
of Falcon,  as in effect  immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger.
The directors and officers of Newco  immediately  prior to the Effective Time of
the Merger shall be the directors  and officers of the surviving  company of the
Merger until their successors are elected and qualify.

         1.3 Taking of Necessary Action. In case at any time after the Effective
Time of the Merger, First Maryland shall consider it necessary or desirable that
any  further  deeds,  assignments  or  assurances  in law or any  other  acts be
undertaken to (a) vest,  perfect or conform,  of record or  otherwise,  in First
Maryland  its  right,  title or  interest  in,  to or under  any of the  rights,
properties or assets of Falcon,  or (b) otherwise carry out the purposes of this
Agreement, Falcon and its officers and directors shall be deemed to have granted
to First  Maryland an  irrevocable  power of attorney to execute and deliver all
such deeds,  assignments or assurances in law or any other acts as are necessary
or desirable to (i) vest, perfect or conform,  of record or otherwise,  in First
Maryland  its  right,  title or  interest  in,  to or under  any of the  rights,
properties or assets of Falcon, or


<PAGE>



(ii) otherwise carry out the purposes of this Agreement, Falcon and its officers
and directors  shall be deemed to have granted to First  Maryland an irrevocable
power of  attorney  to  execute  and  deliver  all such  deeds,  assignments  or
assurances  in law and to all acts  necessary  or  proper  to vest,  perfect  or
conform title to and  possession  of such rights,  properties or assets in First
Maryland  and  otherwise to carry out the  purposes of this  Agreement,  and the
officers and directors of First Maryland are authorized in the name of Falcon or
otherwise to take any and all such action.

         ARTICLE II:  TERMS OF THE MERGER.

         2.1      Conversion of Stock and Stock Options.  At the Effec-
tive Time of the Merger:

         (a) Each share of Falcon  Common  Stock (as  defined  herein)  which is
issued  and  outstanding  at the  Effective  Time  of  the  Merger  (other  than
Dissenting  Shares (as defined in Section 2.4)) shall, and without any action by
the holder  thereof,  be converted into the right to receive $8.125 in cash (the
"Cash Price") from First Maryland.

         (b)  Each  Falcon  Option  (as  defined  herein)  which is  issued  and
outstanding  at  the  Effective  Time  of  the  Merger   (whether  or  not  then
exercisable)  shall, and without any action by the holder thereof,  be converted
into the right to receive cash in an amount (the  "Option Cash Price")  equal to
the  difference  between the Cash Price and the per share exercise price of such
option as set forth on the Falcon Disclosure Schedule (as defined herein).

         (c) Each share of Newco capital stock outstanding at the Effective Time
of the Merger shall,  without any action by Falcon or by the holder thereof,  be
converted into one share of Falcon Common Stock.

         (d) All  shares  of  Falcon  Common  Stock  that are owned by Falcon as
treasury  stock and all shares of Falcon Common Stock owned by First Maryland or
any of its subsidiaries  immediately  prior to the Effective Time of the Merger,
other than any such  shares  held  directly  or  indirectly  in trust  accounts,
managed  accounts  and similar  accounts  or  otherwise  held in a fiduciary  or
custodial  capacity that are beneficially  owned by third parties and other than
any shares of Falcon Common Stock held by First Maryland or its  subsidiaries in
respect of debt previously contracted,  shall be cancelled and retired and shall
cease to exist and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

                                        2

<PAGE>



         2.2      Manner of Exchange.

         (a)  After  the  Effective  Time  of  the  Merger,  each  holder  of  a
certificate for theretofore  outstanding  shares of Falcon Common Stock, or each
optionee  under a Falcon  Option,  upon  surrender to The First National Bank of
Maryland,  as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent"), of such certificate or such
instrument or agreement  representing  a Falcon  Option,  as  applicable,  and a
letter of transmittal, which shall be mailed to each holder of a certificate for
theretofore  outstanding  shares of Falcon  Common Stock or an agreement  for an
Falcon  Option,  as applicable,  by the Exchange  Agent  promptly  following the
Effective Time of the Merger,  shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor
a cashier's  check for the Cash Price or the Option Cash Price,  as  applicable.
Until so surrendered,  each outstanding certificate or agreement, as applicable,
which,  prior to the  Effective  Time of the Merger,  represented  Falcon Common
Stock or a Falcon  Option  will be deemed to  evidence  the right to receive the
Cash Price or the Option Cash Price,  respectively.  After the Effective Time of
the Merger, there shall be no further registration or transfer on the records of
Falcon of Falcon Common Stock and Falcon  Options shall cease to be  exercisable
or convertible  into Falcon Common Stock. No interest shall accrue or be payable
on the Cash Price or the Option Cash Price,  regardless  of when any such amount
is actually received by a holder of Falcon Common Stock or a Falcon Option.

         (b) At the Effective Time of the Merger, each Dissenting Share shall be
treated in  accordance  with Section 262 of the General  Corporation  Law of the
State of Delaware (the "Delaware Corporation Law").

         2.3 Dissenting  Shares.  Notwithstanding  anything in this Agreement to
the  contrary,  shares of Falcon  Common Stock which are issued and  outstanding
immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time of the Merger and which are held by a
stockholder  who has the right (to the extent such right is available by law) to
demand and  receive  payment  of the fair  value of his shares of Falcon  Common
Stock ("Dissenting  Shares") pursuant to Section 262 of the Delaware Corporation
Law shall not be converted into or be exchangeable  for the right to receive the
consideration  provided in Section 2.1 of this Agreement,  unless and until such
holder either shall fail to perfect such holder's right to dissent or shall have
effectively  withdrawn or lost such right under the Delaware Corporation Law, as
the case may be. If such holder  shall have so failed to perfect  such  holder's
right to dissent or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost such right, each of
such  holder's  Falcon  Common  Stock  shall  thereupon  be  deemed to have been
converted  into, at the Effective  Time of the Merger,  the right to receive the
Cash Price as provided in Section 2.1(a).


                                        3

<PAGE>



         2.4 Withholding Rights.  First Maryland shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from any amounts  otherwise  payable  pursuant to this Agreement to any
holder of shares of Falcon Common Stock or Falcon  Options such amounts as First
Maryland is required under the Code or any provision of state,  local or foreign
tax law to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such  payment.  Any
amounts so withheld  shall be treated  for all  purposes  of this  Agreement  as
having  been paid to the  holder of Falcon  Common  Stock or Falcon  Options  in
respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by First Maryland.

         ARTICLE III:               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FALCON.

         Falcon makes the  following  representations  and  warranties  to First
Maryland on the date hereof and on the Effective Date of the Merger.  As used in
this Article III,  "Falcon" means Falcon and all of its Subsidiaries (as defined
herein) unless otherwise expressly stated

         3.1 Organization,  Standing and Power. (a) Falcon is a corporation duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware  and is  qualified  to do  business  as a foreign  corporation  in each
jurisdiction  in which  its  ownership  or lease of  property  or the  nature of
business  conducted by it makes such  qualification  necessary,  except for such
jurisdictions  in which the failure to be so qualified would not have a material
adverse effect upon the financial condition, results of operations,  business or
prospects of Falcon on a consolidated  basis.  Falcon is registered as a savings
and loan holding  company  under the Home Owners Loan Act, as amended  ("HOLA").
Falcon has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate
its properties and to carry on its business as now being  conducted.  Falcon has
delivered to First Maryland  complete and correct copies of (i) its  Certificate
of  Incorporation  and all  amendments  thereto to the date  hereof and (ii) its
By-laws as amended to the date hereof.

         (b) Washington  Federal  Savings Bank ("Falcon Bank") is a savings bank
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
United  States  and has all  requisite  power and  authority  to own,  lease and
operate its properties  and to carry on its  businesses as now being  conducted.
Falcon has delivered to First  Maryland  complete and correct  copies of (i) the
charter of Falcon  Bank and all  amendments  thereto to the date hereof and (ii)
the by-laws of Falcon Bank as amended to the date hereof.

         3.2 Subsidiaries.  The disclosure schedule delivered by Falcon to First
Maryland as of the date of this  Agreement  (the "Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule")
sets forth each  corporation,  partnership,  limited  liability company or other
entity (other than Falcon Bank, which is also a Subsidiary) with respect to

                                        4

<PAGE>



which  Falcon  owns or  controls  more than 50% of the  voting  power or control
(each, a "Subsidiary").  Each Subsidiary has been duly organized, and is validly
existing  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the  jurisdiction  of its
formation  and is  qualified  to do business in each  jurisdiction  in which its
ownership  or lease  of  property  or the  nature  of its  business  makes  such
qualification  necessary,  except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to
be so  qualified  would not have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  business,
financial condition, results of operations or prospects of such Subsidiary. Each
Subsidiary  has all requisite  corporate  power and authority to own,  lease and
operate its  properties  and to carry on its  business  as now being  conducted.
Falcon has obtained all necessary regulatory approvals and authorizations to own
and operate each Subsidiary. Falcon has delivered to First Maryland complete and
correct copies of the organic organizational  documents,  as amended to the date
hereof, for each Subsidiary.

         3.3  Capital  Structure.  (a) The  authorized  capital  stock of Falcon
consists of 17,500,000  shares of common stock,  $.01 par value ("Falcon  Common
Stock") and 1,000,000  shares of preferred  stock $.01 par value (the "Preferred
Stock").  On the date  hereof,  9,882,877  shares of Falcon  Common  Stock  were
outstanding,  no shares of Preferred Stock were  outstanding,  398,000 shares of
Falcon  Common  Stock  were  subject to Falcon  Options  and no shares of Falcon
Common  Stock were held in  treasury.  All of the  outstanding  shares of Falcon
Common Stock are validly issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable.  Except for the
Falcon Options, there are no outstanding  subscriptions,  contracts,  conversion
privileges, options, warrants, calls or other rights obligating Falcon to issue,
sell or otherwise dispose of or to purchase,  redeem or otherwise  acquire,  any
shares of Falcon Common Stock or Preferred Stock.

         (b) The authorized  capital stock of Falcon Bank consists of 22,500,000
shares of common  stock.  On the date  hereof,  9,882,877  shares of Falcon Bank
common stock were  outstanding  and all of such  outstanding  shares are validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and owned by Falcon, free and clear of any
liens,  claims,  encumbrances,  charges  or rights of third  parties of any kind
whatsoever.  There  are  no  outstanding  subscriptions,  contracts,  conversion
privileges,  options,  warrants, calls or other rights obligating Falcon Bank or
Falcon  to  issue,  sell or  otherwise  dispose  of or to  purchase,  redeem  or
otherwise acquire, any shares of common stock of Falcon Bank.

         (c) The authorized capital stock and number of shares outstanding as of
the  date  hereof  of each  Subsidiary  is set  forth on the  Falcon  Disclosure
Schedule. All such outstanding Subsidiary capital stock is validly issued, fully
paid and  non-assessable  and  owned by  Falcon,  free and  clear of any  liens,
claims, encumbrances, charges or rights of third parties of any kind whatsoever.
There are no outstanding subscriptions, con-

                                       5

<PAGE>



tracts,  conversion  privileges,   options,  warrants,  calls  or  other  rights
obligating Falcon or any Subsidiary to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of or to
purchase,  redeem or  otherwise  acquire,  any  shares of  capital  stock of any
Subsidiary.

         (d) All  outstanding  shares of Falcon Common Stock have been issued in
compliance  with the applicable  requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933 and
the rules and  regulations  promulgated  pursuant  thereto (the "1933 Act").  No
person has any right,  contractual  or  otherwise,  to require  registration  of
Falcon  Common  Stock  under  the 1933 Act.  Except  as set forth in the  Falcon
Disclosure Schedule, Falcon knows of no person who beneficially owns, or has the
right to acquire, 5% or more of the outstanding common stock of Falcon as of the
date hereof.

         3.4  Authority.  (a)  Subject  to the  approval  of the  Merger  by the
stockholders  of Falcon  in  accordance  with  Delaware  Corporation  Law and as
contemplated by Section 4.2 hereof, the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby have been duly and
validly  authorized  by all  necessary  actions on the part of Falcon,  and this
Agreement  is a valid and  binding  obligation  of Falcon,  enforceable  against
Falcon  in  accordance  with its  terms.  The  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement,  the  consummation  of  the  transactions   contemplated  hereby  and
compliance  by Falcon with any of the  provisions  hereof will not (i)  conflict
with or result in a breach of any provision of its Certificate of  Incorporation
or By-laws or a default (or give rise to any right of termination,  cancellation
or acceleration)  under any of the terms,  conditions or provisions of any note,
bond,  debenture,  mortgage,  indenture,  license,  material  agreement or other
material  instrument or obligation to which Falcon is a party, or by which it or
any of its properties or assets may be bound,  or (ii) violate any order,  writ,
injunction,  decree,  statute, rule or regulation applicable to Falcon or any of
its properties or assets.

         (b) Assuming (i) that the  requirements  of the Securities and Exchange
Act of 1934,  as amended,  and the rules and  regulations  promulgated  pursuant
thereto  (the  "Exchange  Act") are met,  (ii)  that any  filings  or  approvals
required  to be obtained  from the Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve
System  (the "FRB")  under or  pursuant  to the BHCA,  from the Office of Thrift
Supervision  (the "OTS"),  and from the Virginia  State  Corporation  Commission
under or pursuant to applicable state law are obtained, (iii) that the filing of
any appropriate  Certificate of Merger and Articles of Merger  pertaining to the
Merger is made,  (iv) that the approval of the Merger and this  Agreement by the
holders of Falcon Common Stock is obtained,  and (v) that such other consents as
have been  disclosed in the Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule are  obtained,  then no
consent or approval by any governmental authority or other person is required in
connection with the execution and delivery of Falcon of this Agreement or

                                        6

<PAGE>



the consummation by Falcon of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

         3.5  Investments.  (a) All  securities  owned by Falcon  of record  and
beneficially (i) are permissible  investments for them under applicable  federal
law, (ii) except as disclosed on the Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule,  are free and
clear of all mortgages,  liens, pledges,  encumbrances or any other restriction,
whether  contractual or statutory,  which would materially impair the ability of
Falcon freely to dispose of any such security at any time and (iii) are properly
classified in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles on the
Falcon  Financial  Statements  as of  September  30,  1995.  Falcon does not own
securities in an amount equal to 5% or more of the issued and outstanding voting
securities of any issuer thereof, other than those of a Falcon Subsidiary. There
are no voting  trusts or other  agreements or  undertakings  with respect to the
voting of any such  securities.  With respect to all  repurchase  agreements  to
which Falcon is a party,  Falcon,  has a valid,  perfected  first lien  security
interest  in  the  securities  or  other  collateral   securing  the  repurchase
agreement,  and the  value of such  securities  or other  collateral  equals  or
exceeds the amount of the debt secured thereby.

         (b) Except as disclosed in the Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule,  Falcon is
not a party to any interest rate or currency exchange swap transaction, interest
rate cap, collar or option,  basis swap, forward rate contract,  commodity swap,
commodity  option,  equity or  equity-linked  swap or option,  structured  note,
financial  futures  contract or any  contract or agreement  commonly  known as a
derivative contract or product  (collectively,  "Derivatives").  The purchase or
acquisition  of each  Derivative  by Falcon was in  accordance  with  investment
policies approved by the Board of Directors of Falcon.

         3.6 Reports and Financial  Statements.  Falcon has previously furnished
First Maryland with true and complete  copies of Annual Reports on Form 10-K for
fiscal years 1990 through  1995 for Falcon or Falcon  Bank,  Falcon's  Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1995,  and each other
material  report,   schedule,   registration   statement  and  definitive  proxy
statement,  filed  by  Falcon  with the SEC from and  after  December  31,  1993
(collectively,  the "Falcon Reports").  As of their respective dates, the Falcon
Reports 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 circumstance under which they were made, not
misleading.  The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim
financial statements of Falcon included in the Falcon Reports (collectively, the
"Financial Statements") have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (except as may be

                                        7

<PAGE>



indicated  therein or in the notes thereto) and fairly present the  consolidated
financial position of Falcon and its Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined) as of
the dates thereof and the results of their  operations and changes in cash flows
for the  periods  then  ended  subject,  in the  case of the  unaudited  interim
financial  statements,  to normal  year-end and audit  adjustments and any other
adjustments described therein.  Except as disclosed in the Falcon Reports, there
exist no material  liabilities of Falcon or any of its Subsidiaries,  contingent
or otherwise.

         3.7 Absence of Undisclosed  Liabilities.  At September 30, 1995, Falcon
had no obligations or liabilities  (contingent or otherwise) of any nature which
were not reflected in the unaudited interim financial  statements contained in
the Falcon Reports as of such date or disclosed in the notes  thereto,  and from
September 30, 1995 through the date hereof Falcon has incurred no obligations or
liabilities  (contingent or otherwise) of any nature,  except for those which in
the  aggregate  are  not  material  to  the  financial  condition,   results  of
operations, business or prospects of Falcon on a consolidated basis.

         3.8 Taxes.  (a) Falcon has previously  furnished to First Maryland true
and correct copies of the all federal,  state and local income tax returns,  and
state and local  property and sales tax returns and any other tax returns  filed
by Falcon or any  Subsidiary  for each of the fiscal years that remains open for
examination or assessment of tax. Falcon has prepared in good faith and duly and
timely filed, or caused to be duly and timely filed, all federal,  state,  local
and foreign income,  estimated tax, withholding tax, franchise,  sales and other
tax  returns  and such  information  and other  reports  required to be filed by
Falcon or any  Subsidiary.  Falcon has paid, or has made  adequate  provision or
reserve for the payment of, all taxes imposed by any taxing  authority on Falcon
or any Subsidiary  with respect to any  Pre-Closing  Tax Period (as  hereinafter
defined), together with any interest, additions or penalties related to any such
taxes. Neither Falcon nor any Subsidiary (i) has consented to extend the statute
of limitations with respect to the assessment of any tax, (ii) is a party to any
action  or  proceeding  by  any  governmental  entity  in  connection  with  the
determination,  assessment or  collection of any taxes or penalties,  and to the
best knowledge of Falcon no such action or proceeding is  threatened,  (iii) has
received  any  deficiency   notices  or  reports  in  respect  of  any  material
deficiencies for any tax, assessments, penalties or governmental charges or (iv)
has  failed to timely  file any  information  or other  reports  required  under
applicable law.

         (b) The term  "Pre-Closing  Tax  Period"  shall  mean (i) each  taxable
period  that ends on or before  the  Effective  Time of the  Merger and (ii) any
taxable  period that includes  (but does not end on) the  Effective  Time of the
Merger (the period described in this clause (ii) being hereafter  referred to as
a "Straddle

                                        8

<PAGE>



Period").  In the case of any tax for a Straddle Period,  the representation and
warranty in the third  sentence of this  Section  3.1(g) shall be limited to the
Pre-Closing Tax Amount determined as follows:

                  (1) in the case of a periodic  tax that is not based on income
or receipts (e.g.,  an ad valorem  property tax), the  "Pre-Closing  Tax Amount"
shall be an  amount  equal to the  amount  of such tax for the  entire  Straddle
Period  multiplied  by a fraction  the  numerator of which is the number of days
elapsed  between the beginning of the Straddle  Period and the Effective Time of
the  Merger  and the  denominator  of which is the  total  number of days in the
Straddle Period; and

                  (2) in the case of any other tax, the "Pre-Closing Tax Amount"
shall be the amount of such tax for which  Falcon  would have been liable if the
Straddle  Period  had  ended  as of the  close  of  business  on the  day of the
Effective Time of the Merger.

         3.9 Options,  Warrants and Related  Matters.  There are no  outstanding
unexercised subscriptions,  contracts, conversion privileges, options, warrants,
calls,  commitments or agreements of any character to which Falcon is a party or
by which it is bound,  calling for the issuance of  securities  of Falcon or any
Subsidiary  or any  security  representing  the right to purchase  or  otherwise
receive any such security,  except for the Falcon Options. The Falcon Disclosure
Schedule  lists as of the date  hereof  (i) the name of each  holder  of  Falcon
Options,  (ii) the number of Falcon Options held by each such holder,  and (iii)
the exercise price of each Falcon Option held by each such holder.

         3.10 Property.  (a) Falcon owns or leases all property reflected in the
consolidated  statements of condition of Falcon  contained in the Falcon Reports
as of September 30, 1995 (except  property sold or otherwise  disposed of in the
ordinary  course of business).  All property  shown as being owned is owned free
and clear of all  mortgages,  liens,  pledges,  charges or  encumbrances  of any
nature whatsoever,  except those referred to in the Financial  Statements or the
notes  thereto,  liens for current  taxes not yet due and  payable,  any unfiled
mechanics' liens and such  encumbrances  and  imperfections of title, if any, as
are not  substantial  in  character  or amount or  otherwise  materially  impair
Falcon's  consolidated  business  operations.  The  leases  relating  to  leased
property are in full force and effect and are fairly  reflected in the Financial
Statements,  and true and correct  copies of all such leases have been delivered
by Falcon to First Maryland.

         (b) The Falcon Disclosure  Schedule  describes,  as of the date hereof,
all interests in real property owned, leased,  subleased or otherwise claimed by
Falcon,  including  other real estate  owned.  Except as set forth in the Falcon
Disclosure

                                        9

<PAGE>



Schedule,  Falcon has  "nondisturbance  agreements"  from all mortgagees of real
property  leased  or  subleased  by  them  and  utilized  in  their   respective
businesses.

         (c) All property and assets  material to the business or  operations of
Falcon  are in  substantially  good  operating  condition  and  repair  and such
property and assets are adequate  for the business and  operations  of Falcon as
currently conducted.

         3.11 Employee Matters. (a) The Falcon Disclosure Schedule sets forth as
of the date hereof (i) the name, SSN,  employment  commencement  date,  original
hire date (for  employee  benefit plan  purposes) and current base salary of all
present  employees  of Falcon,  (ii) the entity by which each such  employee  is
employed  or  retained,  (iii) the  current  position  or  capacity of each such
employee,  (iv) all accrued  vacation  owed to each such  employee,  and (v) any
accrued  salary  or wages  owed to each  such  employee.  Each  listed  employee
receives  a fixed  salary  and does not  receive  any  commission  or other cash
compensation other than as set forth on the Falcon Disclosure  Schedule.  Except
as set forth on the Falcon Disclosure Schedule, since September 30, 1995, Falcon
has not  increased  the  compensation  payable to or to be payable to any of its
employees,  or instituted or changed any personnel policies,  employee or fringe
benefits or other compensation arrangements other than in the ordinary course of
business or as provided for in this Agreement.

         (b)  The  Falcon   Disclosure   Schedule  sets  forth  all  employment,
consulting,  severance,  bonus,  retention  or  similar  written  agreements  or
arrangements to which Falcon is a party and which cover any individual listed as
an  employee  on the  Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule,  or any former  employee  or
independent  contractor of Falcon. Falcon has previously provided First Maryland
with true and complete copies of all such agreements and arrangements.

         (c) Except as set forth on the Falcon Disclosure Schedule, there are no
investigations,  claims or  proceedings  pending  or, to the best  knowledge  of
Falcon,  threatened relating to or arising out of the employment of any employee
or former employee,  including without  limitation equal employment,  employment
practices  or  the  terms  and   conditions  of  employment  or  termination  of
employment.  None of the employees listed on the Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule is
represented by a union or other collective bargaining organization, and there is
no  organizational  effort involving Falcon pending or, to the best knowledge of
Falcon,  threatened  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  result  in such
representation. Falcon is not a party to any union or labor agreement.

         3.12     Material Agreements.  The Falcon Disclosure Schedule
sets forth all notes, bonds, mortgages, indentures, licenses,
real and personal property lease and sublease agreements, noncom-

                                       10

<PAGE>



petition agreements and arrangements and other material instruments,  agreements
and obligations to which Falcon is a party as of the date hereof, except for any
mortgages  in  which  Falcon  or any  Subsidiary  is  mortgagee  (the  "Material
Contracts").  All Material Contracts are valid and in full force and effect, and
Falcon is not in breach of any material  provision  of, or are in default in any
material respect under the terms of, any such Material  Contract,  the effect of
which breach or default would have a material  adverse effect upon the financial
condition,  results  of  operations,  business  or  prospects  of  Falcon  on  a
consolidated basis.

         3.13 Legal  Proceedings;  Compliance with Laws. (a) Except as set forth
on  the  Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule,   there  is  no  legal,   administrative,
arbitration or other proceeding or governmental investigation pending or, to the
best  knowledge of Falcon's  management,  threatened  or probable of  assertion,
which if decided adversely would have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition,  results  of  operations,  business  or  prospects  of  Falcon  on  a
consolidated   basis.   Falcon  is  not  aware  of  any  pending  or  threatened
investigation of Falcon by any federal,  state, local or foreign governmental or
regulatory  authority or any formal assertion by any other person relating to or
arising out of: (i) the lending patterns,  practices,  procedures or policies of
Falcon  (other than  examinations  of the OTS  conducted in the normal course of
business) including any claim of disparate impact on, or disparate treatment of,
similarly  situated  applicants or other prospective  customers of Falcon;  (ii)
compliance by Falcon with federal and state regulations governing the conduct of
Falcon's  banking  business or (iii) compliance by Falcon with federal and state
securities laws.

         (b)  Falcon  has  complied  in all  material  respects  with all  laws,
ordinances,  requirements,  regulations,  rules  or  orders  applicable  to  its
businesses (including, but not limited to environmental,  capital adequacy, fair
lending  and  affiliate   transactions   laws,   securities  laws,   ordinances,
requirements, regulations, rules or orders). Falcon does not permit, and for the
past three years has not  permitted,  the charging of overages by any originator
of any consumer loan (other than any  residential  first mortgage loan) or small
business loan. With respect to any loan originated  pursuant to which an overage
was charged, the charging of such overage, in the opinion of Falcon, did not and
will not result in a  disparate  impact on, or in the  disparate  treatment  of,
similarly situated applicants or customers of Falcon.

         (c) Falcon has all  licenses,  permits,  orders  and  approvals  of any
federal,  state,  local or  foreign  governmental  or  regulatory  body that are
necessary for the conduct of the respective businesses of Falcon and each of the
Subsidiaries  (collectively,  the "Falcon  Permits").  The Falcon Permits are in
full

                                       11

<PAGE>



force and effect, no material violations are or have been recorded in respect to
any Falcon  Permits,  and no proceeding is pending or, to the best  knowledge of
Falcon,  threatened to revoke or limit any Falcon Permit.  Falcon is not subject
to any judgment,  order, writ,  injunction or decree which materially  adversely
affects or might  reasonably  be expected  materially  adversely to affect,  the
financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of Falcon on a
consolidated basis.

         3.14  Employee  Benefit  Plans.  (a) The  Falcon  Disclosure  Statement
includes a correct and complete list of, and First Maryland has been furnished a
true and correct copy of: (i) all retirement, pension, thrift and profit-sharing
plans,   all   deferred   compensation,   consulting,   severance,   stock-based
compensation  and bonus  plans,  all  group  insurance  contracts  and all other
incentive,  welfare and employee benefit plans, and any trust,  annuity or other
funding  agreements with respect to any of such plans,  and all other agreements
(including oral agreements) that are presently in effect,  or have been approved
prior to the date  hereof,  maintained  for the benefit of  employees  or former
employees of Falcon or the dependents or beneficiaries of any employee or former
employee  of Falcon  (the  "Employee  Plans"),  whether  or not  subject  to the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA");  (ii) the
most recent actuarial and financial  reports prepared or required to be prepared
with  respect to any Employee  Plan;  and (iii) the most recent  annual  reports
filed with any  governmental  agency,  the most recent  favorable  determination
letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service, and any open requests for rulings
or determination  letters, that pertain to any such qualified Employee Plan. The
Falcon Disclosure  Schedule identifies each Employee Plan that is intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and each such plan is so qualified.

         (b) Neither Falcon nor any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in
Section  3(2) of ERISA and  herein,  a  "Pension  Plan")  maintained  by it, has
incurred any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation  ("PBGC") or
to the Internal  Revenue  Service  with  respect to any such plan.  There is not
currently  pending with the PBGC any filing with respect to any reportable event
under Section 4043 of ERISA nor has any reportable  event occurred as to which a
filing is required and has not been made.

         (c) Except as described in the Falcon Disclosure Schedule, full payment
has been made (or proper accruals have been  established)  of all  contributions
required  to be  made  under  the  terms  of each  Employee  Plan,  ERISA,  or a
collective bargaining  agreement,  no accumulated funding deficiency (as defined
in Section  302 of ERISA or  Section  412 of the Code)  whether  or not  waived,
exists with respect to any Pension Plan, and there is no

                                       12

<PAGE>



"unfunded  current  liability"  (as  defined  in  Section  412 of the Code) with
respect to any Pension Plan.

         (d) No Employee Plan is a  "multiemployer  plan" (as defined in Section
3(37) of ERISA).  Falcon has not incurred any  liability  under  Section 4201 of
ERISA for a complete or partial withdrawal from a multiemployer plan (as defined
in  Section  3(37) of  ERISA).  Falcon  has not  participated  in or  agreed  to
participate in, a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA).

         (e) All Employee Plans that are "employee benefit plans," as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA, comply, and have been administered in compliance,  in all
material  respects  with  ERISA and all  other  applicable  legal  requirements,
including  the  terms  of  such  plans,  collective  bargaining  agreements  and
securities  laws.  Falcon  has no  liability  under  any such  plan  that is not
reflected in the  consolidated  financial  statements of Falcon contained in the
Falcon Reports as of September 30, 1995.

         (f) No prohibited transaction has occurred with respect to any Employee
Plan that is an  "employee  benefit  plan" (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA)
that would result,  directly or indirectly,  in liability  under ERISA or in the
imposition of a excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code.

         (g) The Falcon Disclosure  Schedule  identifies each Employee Plan that
is an "employee  welfare benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) and
which  is  funded.  The  funding  under  each  such  plan  does not  exceed  the
limitations  under  Section  419A(b) or 419A(c) of the Internal  Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the  "Code").  Falcon is not subject to taxation on the income
of any such plan.

         (h)      The Falcon Disclosure Schedule identifies the method of
funding (including any individual accounting) for all post-
retirement medical or life insurance benefits for the employees
of Falcon.  The Falcon Disclosure Schedule also discloses the
funded status of these Employee Plans.

         3.15 Insurance. (a) All policies or binders of fire, liability, product
liability,  workers'  compensation,  vehicular  and  other  insurance  currently
maintained by or on behalf of Falcon  ("Insurance  Policies")  are listed in the
Falcon Disclosure  Schedule,  and copies of all Insurance  Policies,  as well as
copies of all insurance policies or binders of Falcon which were in force at any
time  during the past five years  have been  maintained  by Falcon and have been
made  available  to  First  Maryland.  The  Insurance  Policies  are  valid  and
enforceable in accordance  with their terms,  are in full force and effect,  and
insure against risks and  liabilities to the extent and in the manner  customary
for the industry and are deemed appropriate and sufficient by

                                       13

<PAGE>



Falcon.  Falcon is not in default with respect to any provision contained in any
Insurance  Policy and has not  failed to give any  notice or  present  any claim
under any Insurance Policy in due and timely fashion,  in either case where such
default  or failure to give  notice or present  any claim  would have a material
adverse effect on the financial  condition,  results of operations,  business or
prospects of Falcon on a consolidated  basis.  Falcon has not received notice of
cancellation or non-renewal of any Insurance Policy.  Falcon has no knowledge of
any inaccuracy in any application for any Insurance  Policy,  any failure to pay
premiums  when due or any  similar  state of facts that might form the basis for
termination  of any  Insurance  Policy.  Falcon has no knowledge of any state of
facts or of the  occurrence of any event that is  reasonably  likely to form the
basis for any material claim against it not fully covered  (except to the extent
of any applicable deductible) by the Insurance Policies. Falcon has not received
notice from any of its insurance  carriers  that any insurance  premiums will be
increased  in the  future  or that  any  such  insurance  coverage  will  not be
available in the future on substantially the same terms as now in effect.

         (b) Since at least January 1, 1991, Falcon has continuously  maintained
fidelity,  surety,  mortgage  errors and  omissions and savings and loan blanket
bond coverages in the amounts  customary for a savings  association of its size.
Since January 1, 1991,  the aggregate  amount of all claims under such bonds has
not exceeded  [$100,000.00],  and neither Falcon nor Falcon Bank is aware of any
facts  which  would form the basis of a claim  under such  bonds.  Neither has a
reason to believe that its fidelity  coverage will not be renewed by its carrier
on substantially the same terms as its existing coverage.

         3.16 Loan Portfolio. Each loan outstanding on the books of Falcon is in
all  respects  what it  purports  to be,  was  made in the  ordinary  course  of
business,  was not known to be  uncollectible  at the time it was made,  and was
made in  accordance  with Falcon's  established  loan  policies.  The records of
Falcon regarding all loans outstanding on its books are accurate in all material
respects.  The allowance for loan losses (the  "Allowance")  shown in the Falcon
Reports  as  of  September  30,  1995  was,  and  the  Allowance  shown  on  the
consolidated statements of condition for Falcon and its Subsidiaries as of dates
subsequent to this  Agreement  will, in the opinion of Falcon's  management,  be
adequate:  (i) to provide  for losses  relating  to or  inherent in the loan and
lease  portfolios  (including  accrued  interest  receivables) of Falcon and its
Subsidiaries  and other  extensions of credit  (including  letters of credit and
commitments to make loans or extend credit) by Falcon and its Subsidiaries, (ii)
within the meaning of generally accepted  accounting  principles and (iii) under
all  applicable  regulatory  requirements.  Except  as set  forth in the  Falcon
Disclosure  Schedule,  no loan or other asset has been classified by Falcon Bank
or any regulatory examiner as

                                       14

<PAGE>



"Other Assets Specially  Mentioned",  "Substandard",  "Doubtful",  "Classified",
"Criticized",  "Credit Risk", "Loss",  "Concerned Loans",  "Watch List Loans" or
words  of  similar  import  (collectively  "Nonperforming  Assets").  Each  loan
reflected  as an asset  on the  Financial  Statements  contained  in the  Falcon
Reports, is, to the knowledge of Falcon, the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the obligor and any guarantor,  and no defense,  offset or  counterclaim  has
been  asserted  with respect to any such loan which if  successful  would have a
material  adverse  effect on the  financial  condition,  results of  operations,
business or prospects of Falcon on a consolidated  basis. Except as set forth in
the  Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule,  Falcon  does  not  know  of any  pending  or
threatened  action in connection with any material loan or commitment  presently
or  previously  made by Falcon  relating to claims  based on theories of "lender
liability"  or any other  basis.  The other real estate  owned and  in-substance
foreclosures included in any Nonperforming Assets are accrued net of reserves at
the lesser of cost or market value based on current  independent  appraisals  or
current management appraisals.

         3.17 Absence of Changes.  Since September 30, 1995,  there has not been
any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition,  results of
operations,  business or prospects of Falcon,  other than changes resulting from
or attributable  to (i) changes since such date in laws or regulations  (whether
enacted   or   proposed),    generally   accepted   accounting   principles   or
interpretations  of either  thereof  that affect the banking or savings and loan
industries  generally,  (ii)  changes  since such date in the  general  level of
interest  rates,  (iii) expenses since such date incurred in connection with the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement,  (iv)  accruals  and reserves by
Falcon  since such date  pursuant  to the terms of Section 4.5 hereof or (v) any
other  accruals,  reserves or expenses  incurred by Falcon  since such date with
First Maryland's  prior written consent.  Since September 30, 1995, the business
of Falcon has been conducted only in the ordinary course.

         3.18  Brokers  and   Finders.   Except  for  Legg  Mason  Wood  Walker,
Incorporated, neither Falcon nor any of its officers, directors or employees has
employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage  fees,
commissions or finders' fees in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated
herein.

         3.19     Environmental Matters.  (a)  For purposes of this
subsection, the following terms shall have the indicated meaning:

         "Environmental  Law" means any  federal,  state or local law,  statute,
ordinance,  rule, regulation,  code, license, permit,  authorization,  approval,
consent, order, judgment,  decree, injunction or agreement with any governmental
entity  relating  to (i) the  protection,  preservation  or  restoration  of the
environ-

                                       15

<PAGE>



ment  (including,   without  limitation,   air,  water  vapor,   surface  water,
groundwater,  drinking water supply,  surface soil, subsurface soil, plant and
animal  life or any  other  natural  resource),  and/or  (ii) the use,  storage,
recycling,  treatment,   generation,   transportation,   processing,   handling,
labeling,  production,  release or disposal of  Hazardous  Substances.  The term
"Environmental   Law"  includes   without   limitation  (A)  the   Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act, as amended,  42 U.S.C.
ss.9601,  et seq.; the Resource  Conservation  and Recovery Act, as amended,  42
U.S.C.  ss.6901, et seq.; the Clean Air Act, as amended,  42 U.S.C.  ss.7401, et
seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. ss.1251, et
seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C.  ss.9601, et seq.;
the Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act, 42 U.S.C.  ss.11001,  et
seq.;  the Safe  Drinking  Water  Act,  42  U.S.C.  ss.300f,  et  seq.;  and all
comparable  state and local  laws,  and (B) any  common law  (including  without
limitation  common  law that  may  impose  strict  liability)  that  may  impose
liability  or  obligations  for injuries or damages due to, or  threatened  as a
result of, the presence of or exposure to any Hazardous Substance.

                  "Hazardous  Substance" means any substance  presently  listed,
defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic, radioactive or dangerous,
or  otherwise  regulated,  under any  Environmental  Law,  whether by type or by
quantity,  including any material  containing any such substance as a component.
Hazardous Substances include, without limitation, petroleum or any derivative or
byproduct  thereof,   asbestos,   radioactive   material,   and  polychlorinated
biphenyls.

                  "Real Property" means all real property  serving as collateral
for any loans made by Falcon and any real  property  owned or operated by Falcon
or any other real estate owned  (including  property held as a trustee or in any
other fiduciary capacity).

         (b)      Except as set forth in the Falcon Disclosure Schedule,

                  (i)  Falcon has not been and is not now in violation of
or liable under any Environmental Law;

                  (ii) none of the Real  Property  either  (A) has been or is in
violation of or liable under any Environmental Law or (B) contains any Hazardous
Substance;  and there are no underground  storage tanks on, in or under,  and no
underground storage tanks have been removed from, any Real Property;

                  (iii) except for any real property owned or operated by Falcon
or other real estate owned identified on the Falcon Disclosure Schedule,  Falcon
has not, and does not now,  exercise  dominion,  management  or control over, or
participate in the management or control of, any Real Property; and

                                       16

<PAGE>




                  (iv) there are no actions,  suits, demands,  notices,  claims,
investigations or proceedings pending or threatened relating to the liability of
any  of the  Real  Property  under  any  Environmental  Law,  including  without
limitation  any notices,  demand  letters or requests for  information  from any
federal or state environmental  agency relating to any such liabilities under or
violations  of  Environmental  Law,  except in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and
(iii) above for such violations and liabilities,  and actions,  suits,  demands,
notices, claims, investigations or proceedings, which would not singly or in the
aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business,  financial  condition,
results of operations or prospects of Falcon on a consolidated basis.

         3.20 Certain Regulatory Matters.  (a) Except as set forth in the Falcon
Disclosure  Schedule,  Falcon is not, and since  January 1, 1994 has not been, a
party to any written  agreement or memorandum of understanding  with, or a party
to any commitment letter, board resolution or similar undertaking to, or subject
to any order or directive by, or is a recipient of any extraordinary supervisory
letter from, any governmental  entity which restricts  materially the conduct of
its business,  or in any manner relates to its capital  adequacy,  its credit or
reserve  policies  or  its  management,  nor  has  Falcon  been  advised  by any
governmental  entity  that  is  contemplating   issuing  or  requesting  (or  is
considering  the  appropriateness  of issuing  or  requesting)  any such  order,
decree,  agreement,  memorandum  of  understanding,   extraordinary  supervisory
letter,  commitment letter or similar submission.  Falcon knows of no reason why
the  regulatory  approvals  referred to in Section  5.1(c)  hereof should not be
obtained.

         (b) Except as set forth in the Falcon Disclosure  Schedule:  (i) Falcon
is in  compliance  in all  material  respects  with  the  applicable  rules  and
regulations  of the OTS,  and Falcon has obtained the  necessary  exemptions  or
exceptions from such rules and regulations as to the matters noted in the Falcon
Disclosure Schedule;  (ii) Falcon Bank is in compliance in all material respects
with  the  rules  and  regulations  of the FDIC to the  extent  such  rules  and
regulations  are deemed  applicable by regulatory  determination  (including the
rules and regulations issued by the FDIC in its administration of the SAIF); and
(iii)  Falcon  does not,  either  directly  or  through a  Subsidiary,  hold any
corporate debt security not of "investment  grade," as defined in Section 222 of
the  Financial  Institutions  Reform,  Recovery  and  Enforcement  Act  of  1989
("FIRREA"),  and  Falcon  is  in  compliance  with  the  applicable  divestiture
requirements  established  by the  FDIC  as to any  such  investments  noted  as
exceptions in the Falcon Disclosure Schedule.

         (c) As of  September  30 1995,  (i) Falcon was in  compliance  with the
minimum capital requirements  applicable to savings associations  pursuant to 12
CFR ss.567 et seq., including as to

                                       17

<PAGE>



leverage  ratio  requirements,  tangible  capital  requirements  and risk  based
capital requirements and (ii) Falcon met the Qualified Thrift Lender test as set
out and defined in Section 303 of FIRREA.

         (d) Since the  enactment  of FIRREA,  Falcon Bank has not made loans on
the security of  non-residential  real property in an aggregate amount in excess
of 400% of its capital.  Falcon has not been advised by  appropriate  regulatory
authorities  that it is in  "default" or "danger of default" (as those terms are
defined in FIRREA  Sections  204(x)(1) and (2)).  Since the enactment of FIRREA,
except as may be noted in the  Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule,  Falcon has been in
compliance  in all material  respects with Sections 23A and 22(h) of the Federal
Reserve Act. Except as set forth in the Falcon Disclosure Schedule, there are no
"covered  transactions"  (such term is defined  in  Section  23A of the  Federal
Reserve  Act) between  Falcon Bank and any  affiliate  Falcon  Bank.  Falcon has
provided all required  notices in connection with the addition of new members of
the Board of Directors or employment of senior executives as required by Section
914 of FIRREA.  All payments,  fees and charges assessed by appropriate  federal
agencies against Falcon, including the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and the OTS,
including those assessed pursuant to 12 C.F.R.
ss.502, have been paid in full.

         3.21  Regulation  O.  Except  as set  forth  in the  Falcon  Disclosure
Schedule, Falcon Bank has no loans to any "principal shareholder," "director" or
"executive  officer," or to any "related  interest" of any such person,  as such
terms are defined in Regulation O promulgated by the FRB.

         3.22  State  Takeover  Laws.  Falcon has taken all steps  necessary  to
irrevocably  exempt the Merger from any  applicable  state takeover law and from
any applicable charter or contractual  provision containing change of control or
anti-takeover provisions.

         3.23 Falcon Action. The Board of Directors of Falcon (at a meeting duly
called and held) has by the  requisite  vote (i)  determined  that the Merger is
advisable and in the best interest of each of Falcon and its  stockholders,  and
(ii) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and (iii)  directed that the Merger be submitted for  consideration  by Falcon's
stockholders at a special meeting of the stockholders  duly called by the Falcon
Board of Directors.

         3.24 Vote Required.  The affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of Falcon Common Stock entitled to vote thereon is the
only  vote of the  holders  of any  class or  series  of  Falcon  capital  stock
necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder.


                                       18

<PAGE>



         3.25 Material  Interest of Certain Persons.  Except as disclosed in the
Falcon Disclosure Schedule, no officer or director of Falcon nor any "associate"
(as such term is defined in Rule 14a-1  under the 1934 Act) of any such  officer
or  director,  has any material  interest in any  Material  Contract or property
(real  or  personal),  tangible  or  intangible,  used in or  pertaining  to the
business of Falcon.

         3.26 Persons  Authorized  to Act. The Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule sets
forth (i) the  current  directors  and  officers  of  Falcon  and (ii) each bank
account of Falcon and each person authorized to draw on such account;  each safe
deposit box of Falcon and each person entitled to have access thereto;  and each
person authorized to borrow money on behalf of Falcon.

         3.27 Information in Disclosure Documents,  Registration Statement, etc.
None of the information  with respect to Falcon provided by Falcon for inclusion
in any proxy statement of Falcon (the "Proxy  Statement")  required to be mailed
to Falcon's  stockholders in connection with the Merger will, in the case of the
Proxy  Statement or any  amendment or  supplements  thereto,  at the time of the
mailing of the Proxy Statement and any such amendments and  supplements,  and at
the time of the Falcon  stockholder  meeting,  contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material  fact required to be stated  therein
or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances  under
which they are made, not misleading.  The Proxy Statement will comply as to form
in all material  respects with the  provisions of the 1934 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

         3.28 Disclosure.  Except to the extent of any subsequent  correction or
supplement with respect thereto  furnished prior to the date hereof,  no written
statement,  certificate,  schedule,  list, document or other written information
furnished by or on behalf of Falcon at any time to First Maryland, in connection
with this  Agreement,  including,  without  limitation,  the  Falcon  Disclosure
Schedule,  when  considered  as a whole,  contains  or will  contain  any untrue
statement  of a  material  fact or omits or will omit to state a  material  fact
necessary  in order to make the  statements  herein or therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not  misleading.  Each  document
delivered or to be  delivered  by Falcon to First  Maryland is or will be a true
and  complete  copy of such  document,  unmodified  except by  another  document
delivered by Falcon.

         IIIA.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FIRST MARYLAND.

         First Maryland represents and warrants to Falcon on the date hereof and
on the Closing Date as follows:


                                       19

<PAGE>



         3A.1  Organization,  Standing  and  Power.  (a)  First  Maryland  is  a
corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing  and in  good  standing  (where
applicable)  under the laws of the State of Maryland and is duly qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or
lease  of  property  or the  nature  of  business  conducted  by it  makes  such
qualification  necessary,  except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to
be so  qualified  would not have a material  adverse  effect upon its  financial
condition, results of operations, business or prospects on a consolidated basis.
First  Maryland is  registered as a bank holding  company under the BHCA.  First
Maryland has all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to own,  lease and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

         (b) Newco is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing  under the laws of the State of Maryland  and is duly  qualified  to do
business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or
lease  of  property  or the  nature  of  business  conducted  by it  makes  such
qualification  necessary,  except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to
be so  qualified  would not have a material  adverse  effect upon its  financial
condition, results of operations, business or prospects on a consolidated basis.
Newco has all requisite  corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate
its properties and to carry on its business as now being  conducted.  All of the
outstanding capital stock of Newco is owned by First Maryland, free and clear of
any lien, claim or other encumbrance.

         3A.2  Authority.  (a) The execution and delivery of this  Agreement and
the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly and
validly  authorized by all necessary  action on the part of First Maryland,  and
this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of First Maryland,  enforceable
in accordance with its terms. The execution and delivery of this Agreement,  the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and compliance by First
Maryland,  respectively  with any of the provisions hereof will not (i) conflict
with or  result in a breach of any  provision  of its  Charter  or  Articles  of
Incorporation  or By-laws or a default (or give rise to any right of termination
cancellation or acceleration)  under any of the terms,  conditions or provisions
of any note, bond, mortgage,  indenture,  license, agreement or other instrument
or obligation to which First  Maryland is a party,  or by which it or any of its
properties or assets may be bound or (ii) violate any order,  writ,  injunction,
decree,  statute, rule or regulation applicable or First Maryland,  respectively
or any of their respective properties or assets.

         (b)  Assuming  (i) that the  requirements  of the Exchange Act are met,
(ii) that any filings or approvals required to be obtained from the FRB under or
pursuant to the BHCA, from the OTS,

                                       20

<PAGE>



from the Virginia State  Corporation  Commission under or pursuant to applicable
state law, from the Minister for  Employment  and Enterprise of Ireland and from
the  Central  Bank of  Ireland  are  obtained,  (iii)  that  the  filing  of any
appropriate  Certificate  of Merger and  Articles  of Merger  pertaining  to the
Merger is made,  and (iv) that the approval of the Merger and this  Agreement by
the holders of Falcon  Common Stock is  obtained,  no consent or approval by any
governmental  authority  or other  person is  required  in  connection  with the
execution and delivery by First Maryland of this  Agreement or the  consummation
by such entity of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         3A.3 Reports and Financial  Statements.  Since  January 1, 1994,  First
Maryland has filed all reports, registrations and statements,  together with any
required amendments thereto, that it was required to file with the SEC under the
1934 Act ("FMB Reports").  As of their respective dates, the FMB Reports 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  circumstance  under  which they were  made,  not  misleading.  The
audited consolidated  financial statements of First Maryland included in the FMB
Reports have been  prepared in accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles  applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated therein or
in the notes  thereto)  and  fairly  present  the  financial  position  of First
Maryland  its  subsidiaries  taken as a whole as at the  dates  thereof  and the
consolidated  results  of their  operations  and  changes  in cash flows for the
periods  then ended  subject,  in the case of the  unaudited  interim  financial
statements,  to normal year-end and audit  adjustments and any other adjustments
described therein. There exist no material liabilities of First Maryland and its
consolidated subsidiaries,  contingent or otherwise,  except as disclosed in the
FMB Reports.

         3A.4  Brokers  and  Finders.  Neither  First  Maryland  nor  any of its
officers,  directors or employees  has employed any broker or finder or incurred
any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders' fees in connection
with the transactions contemplated herein.

         3A.5 Agreements with Bank  Regulators,  etc. Neither First Maryland nor
any of its bank  subsidiaries is a party to any written  agreement or memorandum
of understanding with, or a party to any commitment letter,  board resolution or
similar  undertaking  to,  or  subject  to any  order or  directive  by, or is a
recipient of any extraordinary  supervisory letter from, any governmental entity
that  is   contemplating   issuing  or  requesting   (or  is   considering   the
appropriateness  of issuing or requesting)  any such order,  decree,  agreement,
memorandum of understanding, extraordinary supervisory letter, commitment letter
or  similar  submission.  First  Maryland  does not know of any  reason  why the
regulatory

                                       21

<PAGE>



approvals referred to in Section 5.1(c) hereof should not be
obtained.

         3A.6 Proxy  Statement.  None of the  information  with respect to First
Maryland provided by it for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will in the case of
the Proxy  Statement or any amendment or supplements  thereto and at the time of
the mailing of the Proxy Statement and any amendments and  supplements  thereto,
contain any untrue  statement  of a material  fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein
in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.


                                       22

<PAGE>



         ARTICLE IV:  CONDUCT AND TRANSACTIONS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE TIME OF
                      THE MERGER.

         4.1 Access to Records and  Properties  of Falcon and its  Subsidiaries.
Between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time of the Merger,  Falcon
agrees to give First  Maryland  reasonable  access to all the premises and books
and records (including tax returns filed and those in preparation) of it and its
Subsidiaries  and to cause its  officers  to furnish  First  Maryland  with such
financial and operating data and other  information with respect to the business
and  properties  as First  Maryland  shall  from  time to time  request  for the
purposes of verifying  the  warranties  and  representations  set forth  herein,
preparing  applicable   regulatory  filings  (as  set  forth  in  Section  4.9),
confirming  the  conditions  to Closing  and  preparing  consolidated  financial
statements of Falcon as of a date prior to the  Effective  Time of the Merger in
order to assist First Maryland in performance of its post-Closing Date financial
reporting requirements;  provided, however, that any such investigation shall be
conducted in such manner so as not to interfere  unreasonably with the operation
of the business of Falcon or its  Subsidiaries.  In the event of  termination of
this Agreement,  First Maryland will return to Falcon all documents, work papers
and other material  (including all copies made thereof) obtained pursuant hereto
in  connection  with  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and  will use all
reasonable  efforts to keep  confidential any information  obtained  pursuant to
this Agreement unless such information is readily  ascertainable  from public or
published information or trade sources.

         4.2 Proxy Statement;  Stockholder  Approval.  Falcon will duly call and
will hold a special  meeting of its  stockholders as soon as practicable for the
purpose of approving the Merger and will comply fully with the provisions of the
Delaware  Corporation Law, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, and the Certificate of
Incorporation  and  By-laws of Falcon  relating  to the calling and holding of a
special meeting of stockholders for such purpose.  Unless the Board of Directors
of Falcon have  received  the written  opinion of Muldoon,  Murphy & Faucette or
other  independent  counsel  reasonably  acceptable to First  Maryland  ("Falcon
Counsel") to the effect that making such a recommendation  would cause the Board
of Directors to violate its fiduciary duty under Delaware  Corporation Law, then
the Board of Directors of Falcon will recommend to  stockholders  of Falcon that
they vote in favor of and approve the Merger.  Falcon will, with the cooperation
and  assistance  of First  Maryland,  prepare the Proxy  Statement to be used in
connection with such meeting,  and Falcon  covenants and agrees that it will not
include  information  in the Proxy  Statement or otherwise use proxy material in
connection with such meeting to which First Maryland reasonably objects.  Falcon
covenants that none of the  information  supplied by Falcon,  and First Maryland
covenants that none of the information supplied by

                                       23

<PAGE>



First  Maryland,  in the Proxy Statement will, at the time of the mailing of the
Proxy  Statement  to Falcon  stockholders,  contain  any untrue  statement  of a
material fact nor will any such  information  omit any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light
of the  circumstances in which they were made, not misleading;  and at all times
subsequent  to  the  time  of the  mailing  of the  Proxy  Statement,  up to and
including  the date of the  meeting  of Falcon  stockholders  to which the Proxy
Statement relates, none of such information in the Proxy Statement as amended or
supplemented,  will contain an untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit any
material  fact  required  to be stated  therein in order to make the  statements
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

         4.3  Operation of the Business of Falcon.  Falcon  agrees that from the
date hereof to the Effective Time of the Merger, it will operate and cause to be
operated its  businesses  substantially  as  presently  operated and only in the
ordinary course and in general  conformity with applicable laws and regulations,
and,  consistent with such  operation,  it will use its best efforts to preserve
intact its present business  organizations  and its  relationships  with persons
having business dealings with it (including,  without  limitation,  key officers
and employees).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Falcon agrees
that it will not, without the prior written consent of First Maryland,  (i) make
any change in the compensation or title of any executive officer of Falcon; (ii)
make any change in the  compensation  or title of any other  employee of Falcon,
other than those permitted by current employment policies in the ordinary course
of business,  any of which changes shall be reported promptly to First Maryland;
(iii)  enter into or make any  payments  or awards  under any  bonus,  incentive
compensation,   deferred  compensation,   profit  sharing,  thrift,  retirement,
pension,  group  insurance or other benefit plan or any employment or consulting
agreement or increase benefits under existing plans;  provided,  (A) that Falcon
may pay cash bonuses to employees  pursuant to the terms of the Falcon  periodic
cash bonus plans described in the Falcon Disclosure  Schedule and (B) that prior
to the Closing,  in consultation  with First  Maryland,  Falcon may by letter to
certain  employees  identified in the Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule  confirm such
employees' terms of continued  employment with Falcon,  as the case may be; (iv)
create or otherwise  become  liable with respect to any  indebtedness  for money
borrowed  or  purchase  money  indebtedness  except  in the  ordinary  course of
business;  (v) amend any  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  Charter,  Articles of
Association  or By-laws;  (vi) declare or pay any dividend in cash,  property or
securities  of Falcon,  other than the  regular  quarterly  dividend of $.03 per
share on the Falcon Common Stock out of current  earnings,  or issue or contract
to issue any shares of Falcon  capital stock or securities  exchangeable  for or
convertible into capital stock, except shares of

                                       24

<PAGE>



Falcon  Common  Stock  which may be issued  pursuant  to the  exercise of Falcon
Options  outstanding as of the date hereof;  (vii) purchase any shares of Falcon
Common Stock;  (viii) enter into or assume any material  contract or obligation,
except in the ordinary  course of business;  (ix) waive any right of substantial
value; (x) propose or take any other action which would make any  representation
or warranty in Article III hereof  untrue at the  Effective  Time of the Merger;
(xi) materially  modify any existing deposit  instrument or materially amend its
policies and procedures  relating the establishment of the rate of interest paid
on  deposits;  (xii) make any change in  policies  respecting  applications  for
credit,  extensions  of credit or loan  charge-offs;  (xiii)  change its reserve
requirement policies;  (xiv) change its liquidity,  asset/liability  management,
investment or Derivatives  policies;  (xv) modify,  extend or renew any lease or
other Material  Contract and will notify First Maryland in writing not less than
thirty (30) days prior to the  expiration of any  applicable  notice period with
respect to any extension or renewal  option or the expiration of the term of any
such agreement; or (xvi) propose or take any action with respect to the closing,
relocation or remodeling of any branches.  Falcon further  agrees that,  between
the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time of the Merger, it will consult
and cooperate with First  Maryland  regarding:  (w) loan  portfolio  management,
including management and work-out of nonperforming assets, and credit review and
approval  procedures;  (x) testing,  review and  implementation  of fair lending
compliance  procedures;   (y)  investment  securities,   Derivatives  and  funds
management,  including management of interest rate risk; and (z) the termination
of any Falcon  contract  required by First  Maryland to be  terminated as of the
Effective Time of the Merger.

         4.4 Commercial Credits.  Between the date hereof and the Effective Time
of the Merger,  Falcon  will (a) advise  First  Maryland of any loan,  letter of
credit or other  credit  facility of Falcon in excess of  $500,000  (i) which it
proposes  to extend to a new or  existing  borrower,  (ii) which it  proposes to
restructure  with an  existing  borrower,  (iii) under which it proposes to take
enforcement or collection action, or (iv) which it proposes to sell or transfer,
and (b) await First  Maryland's  advice (if any) with respect to any such credit
facilities  prior to taking any action it is considering with regard to any such
credit  facilities.  If First  Maryland  advises  Falcon  that  any such  credit
facility or the action to be taken with respect to any such credit facility does
not meet with existing First  Maryland  credit  standards or procedures,  Falcon
shall use their respective best efforts to undertake such action with respect to
such facility as is recommended by First Maryland.

         4.5      Operating Synergies; Conformance to Reserve Policies,
Etc.  (a) Between the date hereof and the Effective Time of the
Merger, Falcon management will work with First Maryland to

                                       25

<PAGE>



achieve appropriate  operating  efficiencies  following the Closing Date. At the
request of First  Maryland  and upon  receipt by Falcon of written  confirmation
from First  Maryland that there are no conditions  to the  obligations  of First
Maryland  under this Agreement set forth in Article V which it believes will not
be fulfilled so as to permit them to consummate  the  transactions  contemplated
hereby,  on the day prior to the  Effective  Time of the  Merger,  Falcon  shall
establish  such  additional   accruals,   reserves  and   charge-offs,   through
appropriate  entries in its accounting books and records, as may be necessary to
conform  Falcon's  accounting  and credit loss reserve  practices and methods to
those of First  Maryland (as such  practices  and methods are to be applied from
and after the Effective Time of the Merger) and to First  Maryland's  plans with
respect to the conduct of the  business of Falcon  following  the Merger and the
costs and expenses  relating to the  consummation by Falcon of the  transactions
contemplated hereby. Any such accrual,  reserve or charge-off requested by First
Maryland  under this  Section 4.5 (and not  otherwise  specifically  required by
another  provision  of  this  Agreement)  shall  not  be  deemed  to  cause  any
representation  and  warranty  of Falcon to not be true and  accurate  as of the
Effective Time of the Merger.

         (b) Falcon may, with the concurrence of First  Maryland,  terminate the
employment of Carroll E. Amos ("Amos") and/or Wade Hotsenpiller ("Hotsenpiller")
prior to the Closing  Date. If such a termination  occurs,  then First  Maryland
agrees that the execution and delivery this  Agreement  constitutes a "change in
control"  under the terms of the Employment  Agreements,  each dated November 1,
1995,  between  Falcon  and  Amos  and  Hotsenpiller,  respectively  (the  "Amos
Agreement" and the "Hotsenpiller  Agreement,"  respectively) and that Falcon may
make the payments  and incur the  obligations  set forth under  Section 5 of the
Amos Agreement and the  Hotsenpiller  Agreement.  First Maryland  further agrees
that in such event,  Falcon may also make payments to Amos and  Hotsenpiller pay
in  respect of earned and unused  vacation  for  calendar  year 1996 and for any
earned and unused  vacation  carried over from  calendar year 1995 in accordance
with Falcon's vacation policy as set forth in the Falcon Disclosure Schedule.

         4.6 Consents and Estoppel Letters. Falcon shall use its best efforts to
obtain,  within  ninety  (90) days of the date of this  Agreement,  (a) from all
lessors  (direct and  indirect) of real  property  leased or subleased by Falcon
("Lessors"), and to deliver copies of the same to First Maryland, (i) any Lessor
consents  required to assign any leases of real property (the "Leases") to First
Maryland (such consents  being subject only to the  consummation  of the Merger)
and (ii) estoppel letters in form and content  reasonably  satisfactory to First
Maryland,  and (b) from any third  party,  any  required  third  party  consents
necessary to assign any Material  Contract of Falcon to First  Maryland.  Falcon
further agrees to use its best efforts to obtain, or to

                                       26

<PAGE>



cause its  Subsidiaries  to obtain,  such  consents,  assignments  and  estoppel
letters  with  respect  to leases or  subleases  of its  Subsidiaries  as may be
reasonably  requested by First Maryland in order to effect a merger or a sale of
assets of any Subsidiary with or to one or more subsidiaries of First Maryland.

         4.7 Public  Announcements.  The initial press release  announcing  this
Agreement  shall be a joint press release and thereafter each party will consult
with the other before  issuing any press release or otherwise  making any public
statements or making any filings with  governmental or regulatory  entities with
respect to the  Merger,  and shall not issue any press  release or make any such
public statement prior to such consultations except as may be required by law.

         4.8 No  Solicitation.  Unless and until this Agreement  shall have been
terminated  pursuant  to its  terms  or  First  Maryland  shall  have  otherwise
consented in writing,  neither Falcon, any Subsidiary nor any of their executive
officers,  directors,  representatives,  agents or affiliates shall, directly or
indirectly, encourage, solicit or initiate discussions or negotiations (with any
person other than First  Maryland)  concerning  any merger,  sale of substantial
assets,  tender offer, sale of shares of stock or similar transaction  involving
Falcon or disclose,  directly or indirectly,  any  information  not  customarily
disclosed to the public concerning Falcon,  afford to any other person access to
the  properties,  books or  records  of Falcon or  otherwise  assist  any person
preparing  to make or who has made such an offer,  or enter  into any  agreement
with any third party providing for a business  combination  transaction,  equity
investment  or sale of  significant  amount of assets,  except in a situation in
which a majority of the full Board of Directors of Falcon has determined in good
faith,  upon the  written  opinion  of Falcon  Counsel,  that  such  Board has a
fiduciary duty to shareholders under applicable law to consider and respond to a
bona  fide  proposal  by a third  party  (which  proposal  was not  directly  or
indirectly solicited by Falcon or any of their respective  officers,  directors,
representatives,  agents  or  affiliates)  and  provides  written  notice of its
intention to consider  such  proposal and the  material  terms  thereof to First
Maryland at least five (5) days before  responding to the proposal.  Falcon will
promptly  communicate  to First  Maryland the terms of any proposal which it may
receive in respect to any of the foregoing transactions,  and any discussions or
negotiations  or any  similar  activity  with  respect  to any of the  foregoing
transactions  with any party other than First Maryland which may have heretofore
been conducted shall cease immediately.

         4.9 Regulatory Filings;  Best Efforts.  First Maryland and Falcon shall
jointly prepare all regulatory  filings  required to consummate the transactions
contemplated  by the  Agreement  and submit the  filings for  approval  with the
Central Bank of Ireland,

                                       27

<PAGE>



the Minister for Employment and Enterprise for Ireland, the FRB, the OTS and the
Virginia  State  Corporation  Commission as soon as  practicable  after the date
hereof.  First  Maryland  and  Falcon  shall use their  best  efforts  to obtain
approvals for such filings. Each of First Maryland and Falcon shall use its best
efforts,  in good faith,  to take all such actions and to do or cause to be done
all things necessary,  proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations
to consummate and make effective the Merger and to consummate and make effective
a merger or sale of assets of any Subsidiary with or to one or more subsidiaries
of First Maryland.

         4.10  Additional  Pre-Closing  Covenants of Falcon.  (a) Within seventy
(70) days of the date of this  Agreement,  Falcon shall obtain from a consultant
reasonably satisfactory to First Maryland an environmental assessment as to such
matters as First Maryland shall reasonably  request of any and all real property
owned or leased by Falcon or any  Subsidiary  (whether  used in the operation of
the respective  businesses of such entities or classified as other real property
owned) ("Environmental Assessments");

         (b) On or before the  Closing  Date,  Falcon  shall take such  remedial
action as may be  necessary,  in the  reasonable  judgment of First  Maryland to
remove any Hazardous  Substance or to otherwise  ensure  compliance with any and
all Environmental Laws ("Remedial Action");

         (c) On or before the Closing Date,  Falcon shall  cooperate  with First
Maryland  in  connection  with  First  Maryland's  efforts  to  arrange  for the
post-Closing divestiture of certain assets of Falcon; and

         (d) Promptly  following receipt by Falcon,  Falcon shall provide a copy
of the actuarial valuation of Falcon's pension plan assets as of June 30, 1995.


                                       28

<PAGE>



         ARTICLE V:  CONDITIONS OF MERGER.

         5.1 Conditions to Each Party's  Obligations  to Effect the Merger.  The
respective  obligations  of each party to perform this  Agreement are subject to
the  satisfaction  at or  prior  to the  Effective  Time  of the  Merger  of the
following conditions:

         (a) All action  necessary  to  authorize  the  execution,  delivery and
performance of this Agreement by Falcon and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated  herein  (including the stockholder  actions referred to in Section
4.2) shall have been duly and validly taken by the Boards of Directors of Falcon
and by the  stockholders of Falcon and Falcon shall have full power and right to
merge on the terms provided herein.

         (b) All action  necessary (i) to authorize the execution,  delivery and
performance  of this  Agreement by First  Maryland and the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  herein shall have been duly and validly taken by the
Board of Directors of Allied Irish Banks,  p.l.c.,  parent of First Maryland and
(ii) to authorize the execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement by
First Maryland and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  herein
shall  have  been duly and  validly  taken by the  Board of  Directors  of First
Maryland.

         (c) All  authorizations,  consents,  orders or  approvals  of,  and all
expirations  of waiting  periods  imposed  by, any  federal,  state and  foreign
regulatory   authorities   having   jurisdiction   over   any  of  the   parties
(collectively,  "Consents")  which are  necessary  for the  consummation  of the
Merger,  (other than immaterial Consents,  the failure to obtain which would not
be materially  adverse to the combined  businesses of First  Maryland and Falcon
taken as a whole) shall have been  obtained or shall have  occurred and shall be
in full force and effect at the Effective Time of the Merger; provided, however,
that no such authorization,  consent,  order or approval shall be deemed to have
been received if it shall include any conditions or requirements  which would so
materially   adversely   impact  the  economic  or  business   benefits  of  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement so as to render inadvisable,  in the
reasonable opinion of the Board of Directors of First Maryland or of Falcon, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (d) No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction
or other  order by any  federal  or state  court  in the  United  States  or any
comparable  order issued by any court in Ireland which prevents the consummation
of the Merger shall have been issued and remain in effect.

         5.2      Conditions to Obligations of First Maryland to Effect
the Merger.  The obligations of  First Maryland to perform this
Agreement are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the

                                       29

<PAGE>



Effective Time of the Merger of the following  conditions unless waived by First
Maryland:

         (a) The  representations  and warranties of Falcon set forth in Article
III hereof shall be true and correct in all material  respects as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Effective Time of the Merger, as though made on and
as of such time (or on the date when made in the case of any  representation and
warranty  which  specifically  relates to an earlier  date);  Falcon  shall have
performed and complied with in all material respects all obligations required to
be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement  prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger;  and First Maryland shall have received a certificate signed
by the  President of Falcon to such effect and setting  forth all changes to the
Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule from the date hereof to the  Effective  Time of the
Merger.

         (b) Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, there shall have been
no material  adverse  change in the business,  financial  condition,  results of
operations  or  prospects  of Falcon,  other than (i)  changes  during such time
period in laws or regulations (whether enacted or proposed),  generally accepted
accounting  principles  or  interpretations  of either  thereof  that affect the
banking or savings and loan industries  generally,  (ii) changes since such date
in the general level of interest  rates,  (iii) expenses  incurred in connection
with the  transactions  contemplated  by,  and  which  are  permitted  by,  this
Agreement,  (iv) accruals and reserves by Falcon since such date pursuant to the
terms of Section  4.5 hereof or (v) any other  accruals,  reserves  or  expenses
incurred by Falcon since such date with First Maryland's prior written consent.

         (c) No litigation, arbitration,  mediation,  investigation,  inquiry or
other  proceeding  is  pending,  threatened  or, in the  reasonable,  good faith
judgement  of  First  Maryland,  likely  to be  commenced  against  Falcon,  any
Subsidiary or any of its  stockholders,  directors,  officers or  employees,  or
against  First  Maryland,  any  subsidiary  of  First  Maryland  or any of their
respective directors,  officers or employees,  relating to or arising out of (i)
trading in Falcon  Common  Stock prior to the date of this  Agreement,  (ii) the
alleged  disparate  treatment of similarly  situated  loan  applicants  or other
customers of Falcon or any Subsidiary or (iii) the alleged  disparate  impact of
any policies or  procedures of Falcon or any  Subsidiary  on similarly  situated
loan applicants.

         (d) The form and substance of all legal matters contemplated hereby and
all papers  delivered  hereunder  shall be reasonably  acceptable to counsel for
First  Maryland,  and First  Maryland shall have received from Falcon Counsel an
opinion  addressed to First  Maryland and dated the Closing  Date,  covering the
matters set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

                                       30

<PAGE>




         5.3 Conditions to  Obligations  of Falcon.  The obligation of Falcon to
perform  this  Agreement  is  subject  to the  satisfaction  at or  prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger of the following conditions:

         (a) The representations and warranties set forth in Article IIIA hereof
shall  be true  and  correct  in all  material  respects  as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Effective Time of the Merger as though made on and as of
the  Effective  Time of the  Merger (or on the date when made in the case of any
representation  and warranty  which  specifically  relates to an earlier  date);
First Maryland  shall have  performed or complied with in all material  respects
all  obligations  required to be performed  or complied  with by them under this
Agreement  prior to the  Effective  Time of the  Merger;  and Falcon  shall have
received a certificate  signed by an executive officer of First Maryland to such
effect.

         (b) The Board of Directors of Falcon shall have  received a letter,  in
form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to it, from Legg Mason Wood Walker,
Incorporated  to the  effect  that the  terms  of the  Merger  are  fair  from a
financial point of view to the holders of Falcon Common Stock.

         (c) The form and substance of all legal matters contemplated hereby and
of all papers  delivered  hereunder  shall be  reasonably  acceptable  to Falcon
Counsel.

         ARTICLE VI:  CLOSING DATE; EFFECTIVE TIME.

         6.1 Closing Date.  Unless another date or place is agreed to in writing
by the parties, the closing (the "Closing") of the transactions  contemplated in
this  Agreement  shall take place at the  offices  of First  Maryland,  25 South
Charles Street, Baltimore,  Maryland 21201, at 10:00 o'clock A.M., local time,
on such date as First Maryland shall  designate to Falcon at least 10 days prior
to the designated Closing Date and is reasonably acceptable to Falcon; provided,
that the date so  designed  shall not be  earlier  than 30 days or later than 60
days  following  date of the decision of the FRB,  the OTS,  the  Virginia  Bank
Commissioner,  the Minister for  Employment  and  Enterprise  for Ireland or the
Central Bank of Ireland,  whichever decision is later, approving the Merger (the
"Closing Date").

         6.2 Filings at Closing.  Subject to the provisions of Article V, at the
Closing Date, First Maryland shall cause a Certificate of Merger relating to the
Merger to be filed in accordance with the Delaware  Corporation Law and Articles
of Merger in accordance  with Maryland law and each of First Maryland and Falcon
shall take any and all lawful actions to cause the Merger to become effective.


                                       31

<PAGE>



         6.3  Effective  Time.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  set forth
herein, including receipt of all required regulatory approvals, the Merger shall
become  effective  at the time of the last to occur of the  filing  of:  (a) the
Certificate  of Merger with the  Delaware  Secretary of State or (b) Articles of
Merger with the Maryland  State  Department  of  Assessments  and Taxation  (the
"Effective Time of the Merger").

         ARTICLE VII:  TERMINATION; SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
                       COVENANTS; WAIVER AND AMENDMENT.

         7.1  Termination.  This Agreement  shall be terminated,  and the Merger
abandoned,  if the  stockholders  of Falcon  shall not have  given the  approval
required  by  Section  4.2 on or  before  June 30,  1996.  Notwithstanding  such
approval by such  stockholders,  this  Agreement  may be  terminated at any time
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger:

         (a) by the mutual consent of First Maryland and Falcon, as expressed by
their respective Boards of Directors;

         (b)  by  either  First  Maryland  or  Falcon,  as  expressed  by  their
respective Board of Directors, after June 30, 1997, or such later date as may be
established by First Maryland,  in its sole  discretion,  to permit any Remedial
Action required by First Maryland to be completed;

         (c) by First  Maryland in writing  authorized by its Board of Directors
if Falcon has, or by Falcon in writing  authorized  by its Board of Directors if
First  Maryland  has, in any  material  respect,  breached  (i) any  covenant or
agreement  contained  herein, or (ii) any  representation or warranty  contained
herein,  in any case if such breach has not been cured by the earlier of 30 days
after  the date on which  written  notice  of such  breach is given to the party
committing  such breach or the Closing Date;  provided that it is understood and
agreed that either party may terminate  this  Agreement on the basis of any such
material   breach  of  any   representation   or   warranty   contained   herein
notwithstanding any qualification therein relating to the knowledge of the other
party;

         (d)  by  either  First  Maryland  or  Falcon,  as  expressed  by  their
respective  Boards  of  Directors,  in the  event  that  any  of the  conditions
precedent to the  obligations  of such parties to consummate the Merger have not
been  satisfied or  fulfilled or waived by the party  entitled to so waive on or
before the  Closing  Date,  provided  that  neither  party  shall be entitled to
terminate  this  Agreement  pursuant to this  subparagraph  (d) if the condition
precedent or conditions  precedent  which provide the basis for  termination can
reasonably be and are satisfied within a

                                       32

<PAGE>



reasonable   period  of  time,  in  which  case,   the  Closing  Date  shall  be
appropriately postponed;

         (e) by First Maryland,  if its Board of Directors shall have determined
in its sole discretion that the Merger has become  inadvisable or  impracticable
by reason of (i) the  institution  of any  litigation,  proceeding,  inquiry  or
investigation  to restrain  or prohibit  the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or to obtain other relief in connection with this
Agreement or (ii) public  commencement  of a competing  offer for Falcon  Common
Stock  which is better  than First  Maryland's  offer,  which is accepted or not
opposed by Falcon and which First Maryland  certifies to Falcon, in writing,  it
is unwilling to meet;

         (f) by First  Maryland  if any  Environmental  Assessment  has not been
completed or is for any reason not reasonably  satisfactory to First Maryland or
if Falcon shall fail to undertake any Remedial Action in accordance with Section
4.10(b) hereof;

         (g) by First Maryland or Falcon if the FRB, the OTS, the Virginia State
Corporation  Commission,  the Minister for Employment and Enterprise for Ireland
or the Central Bank of Ireland  deny  approval of the Merger and the time period
for all appeals or requests for reconsideration has run; or

         (h) by First  Maryland if dissents to the Merger  shall have been filed
with  Falcon by the holders of 15% or more of the  outstanding  shares of Falcon
Common Stock pursuant to the Delaware Corporation Law.

         7.2  Effect  of  Termination.  In  the  event  of the  termination  and
abandonment of this  Agreement  pursuant to Section 7.1, this  Agreement,  other
than the provisions of Sections 4.1 (last  sentence),  7.2 and 9.1, shall become
void and have no effect,  without any  liability on the part of any party or its
directors, officers or stockholders. Nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall
relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement.

         7.3  Survival  of  Representations,   Warranties  and  Covenants.   The
respective representations and warranties, obligations, covenants and agreements
(except for those  contained in Sections 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 4.1 (last
sentence),  8.1 and 9.1, which shall survive the effectiveness of the Merger) of
First Maryland and Falcon  contained herein shall expire with, and be terminated
and extinguished by, the  effectiveness of such merger and shall not survive the
Effective Time of the Merger.

         7.4 Waiver and  Amendment.  Any term or provision of this Agreement may
be waived in  writing at any time by the party  which is, or whose  stockholders
are, entitled to the benefits thereof

                                       33

<PAGE>



and this Agreement may be amended or supplemented by written  instructions  duly
executed by all parties hereto at any time,  whether before or after the meeting
of Falcon  stockholders  referred to in Section 4.2 hereof,  excepting statutory
requirements and requisite approvals of stockholders and regulatory authorities,
provided that any such amendment or waiver executed after stockholders of Falcon
have approved this  Agreement  shall not modify either the amount or form of the
consideration  to be received by such  stockholders  for their  shares of Falcon
Common Stock or otherwise  materially adversely affect such stockholders without
their approval.

         ARTICLE VIII:  ADDITIONAL COVENANTS.

         8.1  Indemnification  of  Falcon  Officers  and  Directors.  After  the
Effective Time of the Merger,  First Maryland shall  indemnify and hold harmless
directors, officers and employees who have rights to indemnification from Falcon
under the Certificate of Incorporation  and By-laws of Falcon  immediately prior
to the Effective Time of the Merger (the "Indemnified Parties") from and against
any and all claims, suits, actions, investigations and other proceedings arising
out of or in connection  with activities in such capacity prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger, or on behalf of, or at the request of Falcon ("Claims"), and
shall  advance  expenses  incurred  with respect to the  foregoing,  as they are
incurred,  in each case to the fullest extent permitted under the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws of Falcon, as in effect on the date hereof, and to the
extent legally  permitted to do so. The obligations of First Maryland under this
Section 8.1 shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect
following the  Effective  Time of the Merger for a period of not less than three
years;  provided,  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  further  provided,  that  First  Maryland  shall  have no
obligation to indemnify or to advance  expenses to any person who is the subject
of a Claim  relating to or arising  out of his or her  trading in Falcon  Common
Stock prior to the date of this Agreement.

         8.2 Employee Matters.  (a) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
construed to obligate  First Maryland to continue the employment of any employee
of Falcon or any Subsidiary after the Effective Time of the Merger.

         (b) For  purposes  of  this  Section  8.2,  (i)  the  term  "Terminated
Employee"  means an employee of Falcon as of the date of this Agreement and with
respect to whom First  Maryland  notifies  Falcon in writing that such  person's
employment  will not be continued by First  Maryland  following the Closing Date
and (ii) the term  "Continued  Employee"  means an  employee of Falcon as of the
date of this Agreement and with respect to whom First

                                       34

<PAGE>



Maryland  notifies  Falcon in  writing  that such  person's  employment  will be
continued  by First  Maryland  following  the Closing  Date.  Neither term shall
include Carroll E. Amos or Wade Hotsenpiller.

         (c) Each  Terminated  Employee will be entitled to a severance  payment
from First Maryland,  the amount of which will be calculated using such person's
base salary (exclusive of commissions and bonuses) as of the Closing Date as set
forth ont he falcon  Disclosure  Schedule and the formulas set forth on Schedule
8.2A,  giving  credit for all  service  with Falcon  through  the Closing  Date;
provided,  that if a Terminated  Employee is listed on Schedule  8.2B,  then the
number of weeks used to calculate the severance  payment shall be as provided on
Schedule 8.2B. Any such severance payment (less applicable income and employment
tax  withholding)  will be paid in a lump sum  within  fifteen  days  after  the
Closing  Date.  Each  Terminated  Employee  will also be  entitled  to receive a
payment (i) in respect of earned and unused  vacation for calendar year 1996 and
for any earned and  unused  vacation  carried  over from  calendar  year 1995 in
accordance with Falcon's  vacation policy as set forth in the Falcon  Disclosure
Schedule and (ii) for amounts,  if any,  payable to such person under the Falcon
cash bonus plans  disclosed on the Falcon  Disclosure  Schedule,  prorated (on a
monthly basis) as necessary if the Closing Date occurs prior to June 30, 1996.

         (d) If within six months after the Closing Date,  the  employment  with
First Maryland of any Continued Employee is terminated by First Maryland for any
reason  other than "Cause" and the  Employee is not offered a  "comparable  job"
with First Maryland,  then such Employee will be entitled to a severance payment
from First Maryland,  the amount of which will be calculated using such person's
base salary (exclusive of commissions and bonuses) as of the Closing Date as set
forth ont he falcon  Disclosure  Schedule and the formulas set forth on Schedule
8.2A, giving credit for all service with Falcon before,  and with First Maryland
after, the Closing Date; provided,  that if such Continued Employee is listed on
Schedule 8.2B, then the number of weeks used to calculate the severance  payment
shall be as  provided  on  Schedule  8.2B.  Any  such  severance  payment  (less
applicable  income and  employment tax  withholding)  will be paid in a lump sum
within ten days after the Continued Employee's employment with First Maryland is
terminated.

         (e) After the Closing  Date,  First  Maryland  shall  determine  in its
discretion whether the Falcon qualified pension plan will be terminated, will be
maintained as a separate plan and if so, for how long and under what conditions,
or will be merged into a qualified  pension plan maintained by First Maryland or
one of its affiliates.

         (f)(i)  Subject to the  following  provisions  of this  paragraph  (f),
commencing on January 1, 1997 or such earlier date

                                       35

<PAGE>



as First  Maryland may  determine  in its  discretion  (such date,  the "Benefit
Commencement  Date"),  a Continued  Employee shall be eligible to participate in
the employee benefit plans of First Maryland on the same basis as such plans and
benefits are offered to similarly situated employees of First Maryland, and such
Continued  Employee  shall  receive  credit for  eligibility,  vesting and, with
respect to First Maryland's  qualified  pension plan,  benefit accrual purposes,
under each employee benefit plan provided by First Maryland to Employees for the
service credited for such purpose under the comparable employee benefit plan (if
any) provided to a Continued Employee immediately prior to the Effective Date of
the Merger.  The Benefit  Commencement Date may be different for different First
Maryland  employee  benefit plans and other fringe  benefits.  Until the Benefit
Commencement  Date for a particular  employee  benefit plan, First Maryland will
maintain the analogous  Falcon Employee Plan on the same terms and conditions as
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger.

                  (ii)  For  purposes  of this  paragraph  (f)  only,  "employee
benefit plans" includes,  without limitation,  pension and profit sharing plans,
health  and  dental  insurance,  flexible  spending  accounts  (health  care and
dependent care), disability insurance,  life and accident insurance,  severance,
sickness  and  vacation  benefits  and  employee  loan and  banking  privileges;
provided,   that  during  the  six-month  period  following  the  Closing  Date,
participation  in any First Maryland  severance  plan shall be determined  under
Section 8.2(d) hereof.

                  (iii) First  Maryland  agrees that for any Continued  Employee
who becomes a participant as of the Benefit  Commencement Date in a health, life
insurance  or  long-term  disability  plan  maintained  by First  Maryland,  any
preexisting  condition  limitation  or  exclusion,  any  proof  of  insurability
requirement  or any waiting  period in such plan shall not be applicable to such
Continued Employee or to such Continued  Employee's  eligible dependents who are
enrolled in any such plan of Falcon's as of the Closing Date.

         (g)  Notwithstanding  anything in this  Agreement  to the  contrary,  a
Continued  Employee's  benefit  under the First  Maryland  pension plan shall be
calculated  using the benefit formula under the Falcon pension plan in effect at
the  Effective  Time of the Merger  for the period of time from such  employee's
original hire date at Falcon to the Closing Date, and using the benefit  formula
under the First  Maryland  pension  plan for the period of time from the Closing
Date to such employee's termination date.

         (h)      The home mortgage loan program maintained by Falcon for
its employees, which is described in the Falcon Disclosure
Schedule, will be terminated on the Closing Date.  Each
Terminated Employee and Continued Employee participating in such

                                       36

<PAGE>



program as of the  Closing  Date shall have six  months  from the  Closing  Date
within which to  refinance  his or her home  mortgage  loan  obtained  under the
program.  After  the end of such  period,  any  such  loan  which  has not  been
refinanced  will  bear  interest  at the  rate  specified  in the  related  loan
documents for a non-employee of Falcon.

         (i) For purposes of this Section 8.2, the terms "Cause" and "comparable
job" shall have the meanings given them in Schedule 8.2C.

         8.3 Certain Change of Control Matters.  From and after the date hereof,
except as  otherwise  expressly  provide for in this  Agreement  and except with
respect to the  employment  agreements,  each dated  November  1, 1995,  between
Falcon and Carroll E. Amos and Wade  Hotsenpiller,  respectively,  Falcon  shall
take all action  necessary so that he execution  and delivery of this  Agreement
will not (i) result in any payment (including,  without  limitation,  severance,
unemployment  compensation,  golden parachute or otherwise)  becoming due to any
employees under any Falcon benefit plan or otherwise; (ii) increase any benefits
otherwise  payable  under  any  Falcon  benefit  plan  or  (iii)  result  in any
acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits.

         ARTICLE IX:  MISCELLANEOUS.

         9.1      Expenses.  Each party hereto shall bear and pay the
costs and expenses incurred by it relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         9.2 Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  contains the entire  agreement
First  Maryland,  Newco and Falcon  with  respect to the Merger and the  related
transactions  and  supersedes  all prior  arrangements  or  understandings  with
respect thereto.

         9.3      Descriptive Headings.  Descriptive headings are for
convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provisions of this Agreement.

         9.4 Notices. All communications and notices permitted or required under
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent (i) by hand delivery,  (ii)
by commercial overnight courier,  (iii) by first class mail, postage prepaid, or
(iv) by facsimile transmission,  to a party using the following information,  or
such  other  information  as a party has given to the other  party in the manner
specified in this Section 9.4:

         If to First Maryland:

                  First Maryland Bancorp
                  25 S. Charles Street, MS 101-870
                  Baltimore, Maryland  21201

                                       37

<PAGE>



                  Attn: Jeffrey D. Maddox
                  Fax: (410) 244-4459

                  Copy to:

                  First Maryland Bancorp
                  25 S. Charles Street, MS101-850
                  Baltimore, Maryland 21201
                  Attn: General Counsel
                  Fax: (410) 244-3817

         If to Falcon:

                  Falcon Bancorp, Inc.
                  570 Herndon Parkway
                  Herndon, Virginia 22070
                  Attn: Carroll E. Amos
                  Fax: (703) 478-0457

                  Copy to:

                  Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette
                  5101 Wisconsin Ave., NW
                  Washington, D.C. 20016
                  Attn: George W. Murphy, Jr.
                  Fax: (202) 363-5068

         A notice hereunder shall be deemed given (a) upon receipt,  in the case
of hand  delivery,  (b) one day after  delivery to the  courier,  in the case of
commercial  overnight courier, (c) three days after deposit in the U.S. mail, in
the case of  first  class  mail or (d) when  completely  sent and  received,  as
evidenced  by a  transmission  or  activity  report  of the  sender's  facsimile
machine, in the case of facsimile transmission.

         9.5  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any number of
counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original
instrument,  but  all  such  counterparts  together  shall  constitute  but  one
agreement.

         9.6      Governing Law.  Except as may otherwise be required by
the laws of the United States, this Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Maryland.

         9.7  Assignment.  None of the parties to this  Agreement  may assign or
delegate any of their respective rights, duties or obligations hereunder without
the prior written consent of the other parties hereto;  provided,  however,  the
parties  expressly  agree that First Maryland and/or Newco shall be permitted to
assign  and  delegate  all,  but not less than all,  of its  rights,  duties and
obligations hereunder to any person or entity con-

                                       38

<PAGE>



trolled by, in control of, or under common control with, First Maryland and that
upon any such assignment and  delegation,  such assignee shall be deemed for all
purposes to have made the  covenants,  representations  and  warranties of First
Maryland contained herein.









                     (rest of page left blank intentionally)











                                       39

<PAGE>


         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each  of the  parties  hereto  has  caused  this
Agreement  to be  executed on its behalf and its  corporate  seal to be hereunto
affixed and attested by its officers  thereunto duly  authorized,  all as of the
date set forth above.

WITNESS/ATTEST                      FIRST MARYLAND BANCORP


____________________                By:  JEREMIAH E. CASEY
                                         Jeremiah E. Casey, Chairman of
                                         the Board


                                    FMB ACQUISITION CORP.


____________________                By:  JEREMIAH E. CASEY
                                         Jeremiah E. Casey, Chairman of
                                         the Board



                                    1ST WASHINGTON BANCORP, INC.

____________________                By:  CARROLL E. AMOS
                                         Carroll E. Amos, Chief Execu-
                                         tive Officer


                                       40






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