BANK OF BOSTON CORP
SC 13D, 1995-10-20
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 SCHEDULE 13D

                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                           (Amendment No. ________)

                              The Boston Bancorp
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Name of Issuer)

                                 Common Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   100548106
                   ----------------------------------------
                                (CUSIP Number)
                   Gary A. Spiess, General Counsel and Clerk
                Bank of Boston Corporation, 100 Federal Street
                  Boston, Massachusetts 02110  (617)434-2870
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
                                Communications)

                               October 10, 1995
                   ----------------------------------------
            (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement 13G to report the 
acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this 
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(bX3) or (4), check the following box  [_].

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement [X]. (A fee is
not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file 
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of 
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent 
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.) 
(See Rule 13d-7.)

Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be 
sent.

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's 
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter 
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act 
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the 
Notes).

<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 13D 

- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 100548106                                  PAGE  2  OF  10 PAGES
                                                            ---    ---
- -----------------------                                  ---------------------
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
      I.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 1  
                          
        Bank of Boston Corporation          04-2471221
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                                     (a) [_]
                                                                       (b) [_]
                                                 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS
 4    

      WC
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 
 5    ITEMS 2(b) OR 2(e)                                                   [_]
 

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6    

      Massachusetts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7     
     NUMBER OF            
                          1,038,420
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8    
                          
     OWNED BY
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
       EACH               SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9     
    REPORTING              
                          1,038,420
      PERSON       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
       WITH          10    
                          
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11     
      
      1,038,420
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                                                                         [_]
 
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
13    
      
      16.6%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
      
      HC. CO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
         INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
      (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION.

<PAGE>
 
                                  Page 3 of 10


Item 1.  Security and Issuer

     This statement relates to the common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
"Common Stock"), of The Boston Bancorp., a Massachusetts corporation (the
"Company").  The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 460
West Broadway, South Boston, Massachusetts 02127.

Item 2.  Identity and Background

     (a)-(c) and (f)  This statement is being filed by Bank of Boston
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation ("BKBC").  The principal executive
offices of BKBC are located at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

     BKBC is a registered bank holding company which, through its subsidiaries,
is engaged in providing a wide variety of financial services to individuals,
corporate and institutional customers, governments, and other financial
institutions.  These services include retail banking, consumer finance, mortgage
origination and servicing, domestic corporate and investment banking, leasing,
international banking, commercial real estate lending, private banking, trust,
correspondent banking, and securities and payments processing.  BKBC's principal
subsidiary is The First National Bank of Boston, a national banking association.
Other major banking subsidiaries of BKBC are Bank of Boston Connecticut and
Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank.

     Information as to each of the executive officers and directors of BKBC is
set forth on Schedule I hereto.  Each of such persons is a citizen of the United
States.

     (d)  During the last five years, neither BKBC nor, to the best of BKBC's
knowledge, any of the individuals named in Schedule I hereto, has been convicted
in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
<PAGE>
 
                                  Page 4 of 10


     (e)  During the last five years, neither BKBC nor, to the best of BKBC's
knowledge, any of the individuals named in Schedule I hereto, has been a party
to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment,
decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or
mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.

Item 3.  Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

   As more fully described in Item 4 below, pursuant to the terms of the Stock
Option Agreement (as defined below), BKBC will have the right, upon the
occurrence of specified events, to purchase up to 1,308,420 shares of Common
Stock from the Company at a price of $33.00 per share.  Should BKBC purchase
Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement, BKBC intends to finance
such purchase from one or more of the following sources:  the use of cash; the
liquidation of securities held by BKBC; the dividending of cash from BKBC
subsidiaries; or additional debt or equity financings.

Item 4.  Purpose of Transactions

     On October 10, 1995, BKBC and the Company entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Reorganization (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which a wholly owned
subsidiary of BKBC to be organized under Massachusetts law (the "Merger
Subsidiary"), will be merged into the Company (the "Merger"), and the Company
will become a wholly owned subsidiary of BKBC. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement,
each share of Company Common Stock outstanding at the effective time of the
Merger, other than shares (i) held by dissenting stockholders; (ii) held
directly or indirectly by BKBC, except in a fiduciary capacity; or (iii) held by
the Company as treasury stock, will be converted into the number of shares of
common stock, par value $2.25 per 
<PAGE>
 
                                  Page 5 0f 10


share, of BKBC ("BKBC Common Stock") equal to the Conversion Number. The
Conversion Number shall be equal to the quotient of dividing

     (i)   the sum of (A) the Adjusted Net Worth of the Company as of the close
           of business on the Measurement Date, (B) $40,640,806.00, (C) the
           product of $40,000.00 and the number of days after the Measurement
           Date to and including the Closing Date, and (D) the aggregate
           exercise price of all options to purchase Company Common Stock
           outstanding at the close of business on the Measurement Date, by

     (ii)  the product of (A) Average Closing Price, and (B) the sum of the
           number of shares of Company Common Stock and options to purchase
           Company Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the
           Measurement Date.

     A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 2 and
incorporated herein by reference and the summary contained herein of its
provisions is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement.
Capitalized terms that are used but not defined herein are defined in the Merger
Agreement. The Company will be the surviving corporation of the Merger and will
continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Massachusetts.
The directors and officers of the surviving corporation will be the directors
and officers of the Merger Subsidiary immediately prior to the effective time of
the Merger. The Articles of Organization and By-Laws of the surviving
corporation will be the Articles of Organization and By-Laws of the Company in
effect at the effective time of the Merger. The authorized capital stock of the
Company after the effective time of the Merger shall be as stated in the
Articles of Organization of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time.

     Consummation of the Merger is subject to approval of the Company's
stockholders, receipt of regulatory approvals, completion by the Company of
certain specified preclosing transactions and certain other conditions customary
in transactions of this nature.  The preclosing transaction to be completed by
the Company include among others the conversion of most of the 
<PAGE>
 
                                  Page 6 of 10


Company's $1.6 billion investment portfolio into cash equivalents for
reinvestment by BKBC after the closing, and the sale of the Company's $130
million multifamily and commercial real estate loan portfolio.

     Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, on October 10,
1995, BKBC and the Company entered into a Stock Option Agreement (the "Stock
Option Agreement"). A copy of the Stock Option Agreement is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99 and incorporated herein by reference and the following summary of its
provisions herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Stock Option
Agreement.

     Pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement, the Company granted BKBC an option
(the "Option") to purchase, subject to adjustment in certain events, up to
1,038,420 authorized but unissued shares (the "Option Shares") of Common Stock
for $33.00 per share.  The Option becomes exercisable in whole or in part, after
the occurrence of the following events:

     (i) (a) the Company or any of its subsidiaries enters into an agreement to
engage in, or the Company's Board of Directors recommends approval of, (X) a
merger or consolidation, or any similar transaction, (Y) an acquisition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any of its significant
subsidiaries or (Z) an acquisition of 10% or more of the voting power of the
Company or any of its significant subsidiaries, in each case with any person
other than BKBC or its subsidiaries, or (b) any person, other than BKBC or its
subsidiaries or the Company in a fiduciary capacity, acquires beneficial
ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (if such
person owned less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock as of
the date of the Stock Option Agreement), or any person shall have acquired
beneficial ownership of an additional three percent (3%) of the outstanding
shares of common stock (if such person owned 10% or more of the outstanding
shares of the Common Stock as of the date of the Stock Option Agreement), or (c)
any person, other than BKBC or its subsidiaries, publicly proposes any
acquisition transaction described in clause (a) above (an "Acquisition
Transaction"), or (d) after any person, other than BKBC or its subsidiaries, has
proposed an 
<PAGE>
 
                                  Page 7 of 10


Acquisition Transaction, the Company breaches certain covenants or obligations
in the Merger Agreement and such breach (X) would entitle BKBC to terminate the
Merger Agreement and (Y) is not remedied before the date of BKBC's notice to the
Company exercising the Option, or (e) any person, other than BKBC or its
subsidiaries, without BKBC's consent, files an application or notice with any
federal or state bank regulatory authority to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction, and

     (ii) (a) any person acquires beneficial ownership of 17.5% or more of the
then outstanding Common Stock, or (b) any of the events described in clause (a)
of paragraph (i) above occurs, except that the percentage referenced in clause
(Z) shall be 17.5%.

     The Stock Option Agreement specifies the procedures for exercise of the
Option upon the occurrence of such events.

     The Option will no longer be exercisable upon the earliest of (i) the
effective time of the Acquisition Merger, (ii) the termination of the Merger
Agreement if termination occurs before an Initial Triggering Event (as defined
in the Stock Option Agreement) and (iii) nine months after the Merger Agreement
is terminated if termination occurs after an Initial Triggering Event.

     As more fully set forth in the Stock Option Agreement, (i) the Company has
a right of first refusal under specified circumstances with respect to certain
proposed dispositions by BKBC of the Option Shares, (ii) the Company has the
right to purchase Option Shares held by BKBC under certain circumstances, and
(iii) BKBC (or a subsequent holder of the Option or Option Shares) has the right
under specified circumstances to require the Company to repurchase the Option or
Option Shares.

     The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange
Act.  If the Merger is consummated, the number of holders of record of Common
Stock will fall below 300 persons and the Common Stock will become eligible for
deregistration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Exchange Act.
<PAGE>
 
                                  Page 8 of 10


     Except as set forth in this Item 4, the Merger Agreement or the Stock
Option Agreement, neither BKBC nor, to the best of BKBC's knowledge, any of the
individuals named in Schedule I hereto, has any plans or proposals which relate
to or which would result in any of the actions specified in clauses (a) through
(j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer

     (a)-(b) By reason of its execution of the Stock Option Agreement, pursuant
to Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) promulgated under the Exchange Act, BKBC may be deemed to
have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the Common Stock subject
to the Option and, accordingly, may be deemed to beneficially own 1,038,420
shares of Common Stock, or approximately 16.6% of the Common Stock outstanding
on September 30, 1995 assuming exercise of the Option.

     Except as set forth above, neither BKBC nor, to the best of BKBC's
knowledge, any of the individuals named in Schedule I hereto, owns any Common
Stock.

     (c) Neither BKBC nor, to the best of BKBC's knowledge, any of the
individuals named in Schedule I hereto, has effected any transaction in the
Common Stock during the past 60 days.


     (d) So long as BKBC has not purchased the Common Stock subject to the
Option, BKBC does not have the right to receive or the power to direct the
receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, any of the Common
Stock.

     (e) Inapplicable.

Item 6.  Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect
to Securities of the Issuer

     As noted above, the Merger Agreement provides for certain specified
preclosing transactions by the Company and contains certain customary
restrictions on the conduct of the business of the Company pending the Merger,
including certain customary restrictions relating to the Common Stock.  Except
as provided in the Merger Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or as set
forth herein, neither BKBC nor, to the best of BKBC's knowledge, any of 
<PAGE>
 
                                  Page 9 of 10


the individuals named in Schedule I hereto, has any contracts, arrangements,
understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) with any person with
respect to any securities of the Company, including, but not limited to,
transfer or voting of any securities, finder's fees, joint ventures, loan or
option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits
or losses, or the giving or withholding of proxies.

Item 7.  Material to be filed as Exhibits

         Exhibit 2  --   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of
                         October 10, 1995, between Bank of Boston Corporation
                         and The Boston Bancorp.

         Exhibit 99 --   Stock Option Agreement, dated as of October 10, 1995,
                         between Bank of Boston Corporation and The Boston
                         Bancorp.
<PAGE>
 
                                 Page 10 of 10


                                   SIGNATURE

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, the
undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.

                                       BANK OF BOSTON CORPORATION



                                       By:  /s/ Gary A. Spiess
                                          ---------------------
                                            Gary A. Spiess
                                            General Counsel and Clerk



Dated:  October 20, 1995
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I
                                   ----------


                       DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVES OFFICERS
                         OF BANK OF BOSTON CORPORATION


    The name, business address, present principal occupation or employment, and
the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other
organization in which such employment is conducted, of each of the directors and
executive officers of Bank of Boston Corporation ("BKBC") is set forth below.
If no business address is given, the director's or officer's address is Bank of
Boston Corporation, 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts  02110.  Each of
the persons listed below with an asterisk following his or her name is a
director of BKBC.

<TABLE>                                                                      
<CAPTION>                                                                    
                                            Present Principal Occupation     
                                                 or Employment and           
 Name and                                   Principal Business of Corporation
Business Address                            in which Employment is Conducted 
- ----------------                            -------------------------------- 
<S>                                         <C>                               
Guilliaem Aertsen IV                        Group Executive, Global Capital Markets & Real  
                                            Estate                                          
                                                                                            
Melville E. Blake III                       Executive Director, Strategic Planning          
                                                                                            
Wayne A. Budd*                              Senior Partner                                  
Exchange Place                              Goodwin, Proctor & Hoar (law firm)              
Boston, MA  02109                                                                           
                                                                                            
Robert L. Champion, Jr.                     Executive Director, Corporate Administrative    
                                            Services                                        
                                                                                            
Barbara F. Clark                            Group Executive, Media & Communications         
                                                                                            
Edward P. Collins                           Group Executive, US Corporate Banking,          
                                            Leasing & Asset Based Lending                   
                                                                                            
William F. Connell*                         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer            
One International Place                     Connell Limited Partnership (metals             
Boston, MA  02110                           recycling and manufacture of industrial         
                                            products)                                        
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                                                      
<CAPTION>                                                                    
                                            Present Principal Occupation     
                                                 or Employment and           
   Name and                                 Principal Business of Corporation
Business Address                            in which Employment is Conducted 
- ----------------                            -------------------------------- 

<S>                                         <C> 
Gary L. Countryman*                         Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
175 Berkeley Street                         Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Boston, MA  02117
 
Helen G. Drinan                             Executive Director of Human Resources

Alice F. Emerson*                           Senior Fellow, The Andrew W. Mellon
140 East 62nd Street                        Foundation; President Emerita of
New York, NY  10021                         Wheaton College

Robert E. Gallery                           Group Executive, NE Large Corporate Banking
                                            & NE Corporate Banking, CT, RI

Charles K. Gifford*                         Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Susan P. Haney                              Group Executive, The Private Bank

Paul F. Hogan                               Executive Director, Credit & Loan Review

Thomas J. Hollister                         Group Executive, Retail & Small Business

Ira Jackson                                 Executive Director, External Affairs

Robert T. Jefferson                         Comptroller

David W. Kruger                             Group Executive, Global Products and Marketing
                                            & Asia/Pacific

Michael R. Lezenski                         Executive Director, Technology and System
                                            Services, Chief Technology Officer

Mark A. MacLennan                           Group Executive, Multinational, Europe, Central
                                            America/Caribbean, International Financial
                                            Institutions and International Private Banking

Peter J. Manning                            Executive Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Audit & Risk
                                            Review


Donald F. McHenry*                          University Research Professor of Diplomacy
School of Foreign Services                  and International Relations,
Georgetown University, Room 301             Georgetown University
Washington, DC  20057
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                                                       
<CAPTION>                                                                     
                                            Present Principal Occupation      
                                                 or Employment and            
   Name and                                 Principal Business of Corporation 
Business Address                            in which Employment is Conducted  
- ----------------                            --------------------------------  

<S>                                         <C>                                
David E. McKown                             Group Executive, Entrepreneurial Lending

Henrique Meirelles                          Regional Manager, Brazil

J. Donald Monan, S.J.*                      President of Boston College
18 Old Colony Road
Chestnut Hill, MA  02167

Joanne E. Nuzzo                             Executive Director, Banking Operations 
                                                                                  
Paul C. O'Brien*                            President of The O'Brien Group, Inc.     
One International Place 30th Fl.            
Boston, MA  02110                              

Edward A. O'Neal                            Vice Chairman

William H. Ott                              Group Executive, Consumer Finance

Joe K. Pickett                              Group Executive, Mortgage Banking

Richard A. Remis                            Group Executive, NE Corporate Banking-MA
                                            & NH, Financial Institutions

John W. Rowe*                               President and Chief Executive Officer of
25 Research Drive                           New England Electric System
Westborough, MA  01581

Manuel R. Sacerdote                         Regional Manager, Southern Cone (Argentina,
                                            Uruguay, Chile)

Willliam J. Shea                            Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer
                                            and Treasurer

Richard A. Smith*                           Chairman of the Board of Harcourt General  
27 Boylston Street                          Inc., (a diversified company engaged in    
Chestnut Hill, MA  02167                    international, executive outplacement and  
                                            the exhibition of motion pictures) and The 
                                            Neiman-Marcus Group, Inc. (retail specialty
                                            stores)                                     

Gary A. Spiess                              General Counsel and Clerk
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>                                                                       
<CAPTION>                                                                     
                                            Present Principal Occupation      
                                                 or Employment and            
   Name and                                 Principal Business of Corporation 
Business Address                            in which Employment is Conducted  
- ----------------                            --------------------------------  

<S>                                         <C>                                
Susannah M. Swihart                         Group Executive, Specialized Finance

William C. Van Faasen*                      President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue
100 Summer Street 01-31                     Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts (non-profit
Boston, MA  02110                           (non-profit health services company)

Eliot N. Vestner                            Executive Counsel, Regulatory Affairs

Bradford H. Warner                          Group Executive, Treasury

Thomas B. Wheeler*                          President and Chief Executive Officer of
1295 State Street                           Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
Springfield, MA  02111

Alfred M. Zeien*                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The
Prudential Tower Building                   Gillette Company (manufacturer of consumer products)
Boston, MA  02199  
</TABLE> 

__________________________
* Director of BKBC
<PAGE>
 


                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


   Exhibit
   Number                 Exhibit
     2       --           Agreement and Plan
                          of Reorganization, dated as of
                          October 10, 1995 between Bank of
                          Boston Corporation and The Boston Bancorp

    99       --           Stock Option Agreement, dated as of
                          October 10, 1995 between Bank of
                          Boston Corporation and The Boston Bancorp

<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT (2)

                     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


                                By and Between

                          BANK OF BOSTON CORPORATION

                                      and

                              THE BOSTON BANCORP



                               October 10, 1995
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               ----- -- --------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C> 
                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

                                  ARTICLE II

                            THE ACQUISITION MERGER
                            --- ----------- ------

2.01    Surviving Corporation..............................................  10
2.02    Purposes and Authorized Capital Stock
         of Surviving Corporation..........................................  10
2.03    Effect of the Acquisition Merger...................................  10
2.04    Additional Actions.................................................  11
2.05    Articles of Organization and By-laws...............................  11
2.06    Directors and Officers.............................................  11
2.07    Effective Time; Conditions.........................................  11
2.08    Dissenters' Appraisal Rights.......................................  11
2.09    Effect on Outstanding Shares.......................................  12
2.10    Anti-Dilution......................................................  13
2.11    Procedures.........................................................  13
2.12    Treatment of Seller Stock Options..................................  15
2.13    Exchange Agent.....................................................  16
2.14    Delivery of Measurement Date Documents.............................  16


                                  ARTICLE III

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
                    --------------- --- ---------- -- -----

3.01    Corporate Organization.............................................  17
3.02    Capitalization.....................................................  18
3.03    Authority; No Violation............................................  18
3.04    Consents and Approval..............................................  20
3.05    Financial Statements...............................................  20
3.06    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.................................  21
3.07    Broker's Fees......................................................  21
3.08    Absence of Certain Changes or Events...............................  21
3.09    Legal Proceedings..................................................  21
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -ii-

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                          <C> 
3.10    Agreements with Banking Authorities................................  22
3.11    Reports............................................................  22
3.12    Compliance with Applicable Law.....................................  22
3.13    Buyer Common Stock.................................................  22
3.14    Ownership of Seller Common Stock...................................  23
3.15    Buyer Information..................................................  23
3.16    Disclosure.........................................................  23


                                  ARTICLE IV

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
                   --------------- --- ---------- -- ------

4.01    Corporate Organization.............................................  23
4.02    Capitalization.....................................................  24
4.03    Authority; No Violation............................................  25
4.04    Consents and Approvals.............................................  27
4.05    Financial Statements...............................................  27
4.06    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.................................  28
4.07    Broker's Fee.......................................................  28
4.08    Absence of Certain Changes or Events...............................  28
4.09    Legal Proceedings..................................................  28
4.10    Taxes and Tax Returns..............................................  29
4.11    Employees..........................................................  31
4.12    Agreements with Banking Authorities................................  32
4.13    Material Agreements................................................  32
4.14    Ownership of Property..............................................  33
4.15    Reports............................................................  33
4.16    Compliance with Applicable Law.....................................  34
4.17    Environmental Matters..............................................  34
4.18    Antitakeover Statutes Not Applicable...............................  34
4.19    Ownership of Buyer Common Stock....................................  34
4.20    Insurance..........................................................  35
4.21    Labor..............................................................  35
4.22    Material Interests of Certain Persons..............................  35
4.23    Absence of Registration Obligations................................  35
4.24    Loans..............................................................  35
4.25    Seller Information.................................................  36
4.26    Disclosure.........................................................  36
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -iii-

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                          <C> 
                                   ARTICLE V

                           COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
                           --------- -- --- -------

5.01    Conduct of the Business of Seller..................................  36
5.02    Access to Properties and Records;
          Confidentiality..................................................  40
5.03    No Solicitation....................................................  42
5.04    Regulatory Matters; Consents.......................................  43
5.05    Approval of Seller's Stockholders..................................  43
5.06    Agreements of Seller's Affiliates..................................  44
5.07    Further Assurances.................................................  44
5.08    Disclosure Supplements.............................................  44
5.09    Public Announcements...............................................  45
5.10    Organization of Merger Subsidiary..................................  45
5.11    Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment..................................  45
5.12    Stock Exchange Listing.............................................  45
5.13    Employment and Benefit Matters.....................................  45
5.14    Directors' and Officers' Indemnification...........................  46
5.15    Accountants' Letters...............................................  47
5.16    Maintenance of Records.............................................  47
5.17    Leases.............................................................  47
5.18    Pre-Closing Transactions...........................................  47
5.19    Bank Merger........................................................  48
5.20    Resignations.......................................................  48
5.21    Disposition of Commercial Real Estate Loan Portfolio...............  48


                                  ARTICLE VI

                              CLOSING CONDITIONS
                              ------- ----------

6.01    Conditions to Each Party's
          Obligations Under This Agreement.................................  48
6.02    Conditions to the Obligations of
          Buyer Under This Agreement.......................................  49
6.03    Conditions to the Obligations of
          Seller Under This Agreement......................................  50
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -iv-

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                          <C> 
                                  ARTICLE VII

                                    CLOSING
                                    -------

7.01    Time and Place.....................................................  52
7.02    Deliveries at the Closing..........................................  52


                                 ARTICLE VIII

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
                       -----------  --------- --- ------

8.01    Termination........................................................  52
8.02    Effect of Termination..............................................  53
8.03    Amendment, Extension and Waiver....................................  53


                                  ARTICLE IX

                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

9.01    Expenses...........................................................  54
9.02    Non-Survival.......................................................  54
9.03    Notice.............................................................  54
9.04    Parties in Interest................................................  55
9.05    Entire Agreement...................................................  55
9.06    Counterparts.......................................................  56
9.07    Governing Law......................................................  56
9.08    Captions...........................................................  56
9.09    Effect of Investigations...........................................  56
9.10    Severability.......................................................  56
9.11    Specific Enforceability............................................  56
9.12    Waiver of Jury Trial...............................................  56
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                     - v -

                        LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
                        ---- -- --------- --- --------

Schedule 1.     Pre-Closing Transactions

Exhibit A.      Form of Seller Option Agreement

Exhibit B.      Form of Seller Stockholder's Agreement

Exhibit C.      Form of Seller Affiliates Agreement

Exhibit D.      Form of Bank Merger Agreement

Exhibit E.      Buyer's Reduction in Force Policy
<PAGE>
 
                     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


     AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this "Agreement"), dated as of
October 10, 1995, by and between Bank of Boston Corporation, a Massachusetts
corporation (the "Buyer"), and The Boston Bancorp, a Massachusetts corporation
(the "Seller").

     The Buyer and the Seller deem it advisable and in the best interests of
their respective stockholders to consummate the business combination provided
for herein.

     In consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and
agreements contained herein and in consideration of (a) the execution and
delivery of the Seller Option Agreement (as hereinafter defined in Article I
hereof) between the Seller and the Buyer pursuant to which the Seller has on
this day granted the Seller Option (as defined in Article I hereof) to the Buyer
and (b) the execution and delivery by the Principal Stockholder of the Seller
Stockholder's Agreement (as such terms are defined in Article I hereof), each as
a condition and inducement to the Buyer to enter into this Agreement, the
parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS
                                  -----------

     Except as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise clearly required by the
context, the following terms shall have the respective meanings indicated when
used in this Agreement:

     "Acquisition Merger" shall mean the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and
      ----------- ------
into Seller in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     Acquisition Transaction" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
     ----------- -----------
5.03 hereof.

     "Adjusted Net Worth" shall mean, as determined with respect to any given
      -------- --- -----
date, the consolidated stockholders' equity of Seller determined in accordance
with GAAP as of such date, adjusted as follows:

     (a)     decreased by:

             (i)     all contracted severance costs related to the termination
                     of the employment of the persons listed on Schedule 5.13,
                     to the extent such costs have not previously been accrued;
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-

             (ii)    all costs associated with the transactions contemplated by
                     this Agreement, including without limitation accounting,
                     legal, investment banking, brokerage and any other service
                     fees and related expenses, to the extent such fees and
                     expenses have not previously been accrued;

             (iii)   any prepayment penalties associated with the prepayment of
                     Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, to the extent such
                     penalties have not previously been accrued;

             (iv)    any remaining book value and deferred tax attributes
                     related to partnership interests in Harbor Point and
                     Parmalee or related to advances previously made to the
                     Central Fund;

             (v)     any costs associated with the defeasement of the Seller's
                     medium-term notes, to the extent that such costs have not
                     previously been accrued; and

     (b)     increased by:

             (i)     the excess of (A) the deferred tax liability associated
                     with the recapture of the tax bad debt reserve, over (B)
                     the present value of that tax liability using an annual
                     discount rate of 14% and assuming that such deferred tax
                     liability will be paid ratably on the last day of each of
                     the 24 calendar quarters ending after the Closing Date;

             (ii)    the tax benefit realized or to be realized by the Seller or
                     the Buyer with respect to (a) nonqualified options as to
                     which the option holders have committed on or prior to the
                     Measurement Date to exercise such options after the
                     Measurement Date and on or prior to the Effective Time, (b)
                     incentive stock options as to which the option holders have
                     on or prior to the Measurement Date (i) exercised such
                     options or committed to exercise and have exercised such
                     options on or prior to the Effective Time and (ii)
                     committed to consummate and have consummated on or prior to
                     the Effective Time a disqualifying disposition of the
                     shares acquired upon exercise, or (c) any cash payments
                     which option holders have committed on or prior to the
                     Measurement Date to accept in lieu of their rights under
                     their options; and

             (iii)   (a) the amount of Seller's consolidated accrued pension
                     cost, calculated under Statement of Financial Accounting
                     Standards No. 87 as of the Measurement Date minus (b) the
                     amount of any deferred tax asset corresponding to such
                     accrued pension cost, minus (c) the amount, if 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

                     any, of the consolidated cash contributions required to be
                     made to Seller's pension plan to ensure that as of the
                     Measurement Date the current value of the assets of
                     Seller's Pension Plan is not more than $500,000 less than
                     the plan's "Benefit Liabilities" as that term is defined in
                     (S)4001(a)(16) of ERISA, when determined under actuarial
                     factors that would apply if that plan terminated in
                     accordance with all applicable legal requirements (whether
                     or not such amount could lawfully be added to the plan at
                     the Measurement Date), plus (d) the amount of any tax
                     benefit that would be realizable by Buyer or by Seller
                     after the Measurement Date when and if it contributes to
                     the plan the amount determined in clause (c) above
                     attributable to the deductibility of such amount.

     "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and
      ---------
among the Buyer, the Seller and the Savings Bank.

     "Articles of Merger" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      -------- -- ------
2.07 hereof.

     "Average Closing Price" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------- ------- -----
2.09(a) hereof.

     "Bank" shall mean The First National Bank of Boston.
      ----

     "Bank Merger" shall mean the merger of the Savings Bank with and into the
      ---- ------
Bank in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Bank Merger Agreement.

     "Bank Merger Agreement" shall mean the Agreement of Merger to be entered
      ---- ------ ---------
into by and between the Bank and the Savings Bank in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit D.
                   ------- -

     "Bank Merger Effective Time" shall mean the specific time at which the Bank
      ---- ------ --------- ----
Merger has become effective in accordance with the terms and conditions
contained in the Bank Merger Agreement and applicable law.

     "Bank Premises" shall mean the main office and all of the branch offices of
      ---- --------
the Savings Bank and all other facilities used in the ordinary course of the
business of the Savings Bank, including all of the real estate and improvements
located thereon which compose such offices and other banking premises.

     "BHCA" shall mean the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
      ----

     "BSE" shall mean the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.
      ---
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

     "Buyer Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ----- ------- -----
3.05 hereof.

     "Buyer Common Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ----- ------ -----
3.02(a) hereof.

     "Buyer Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ----- --------- -----
3.02(a) hereof.

     "Buyer Registration Statement" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      ----- ------------ ---------
Section 5.04 hereof.

     "Buyer Reports" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.11
      ----- -------
hereof.

     "Buyer Rights Agreement" shall mean that Rights Agreement dated as of June
      ----- ------ ---------
28, 1990, as amended, between the Buyer and the Bank as Rights Agent.

     "Central Fund" shall mean the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc.
      ------- ----

     "Closing Date " shall mean the date on which the Effective Time occurs.
      ------- ----

     "CMPs" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.12 hereof.
      ----

     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
      ----

     "Companies" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.10(a)
      ---------
hereof.

     "Confidentiality Agreement" shall mean that certain letter agreement
      --------------- ---------
between the Buyer and the Seller dated April 24, 1995.

     "Confidential Information" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      ------------ -----------
Section 5.02(b) hereof.

     "Constituent Corporations" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      ----------- ------------
Section 2.01 hereof.

     "Conversion Number" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ---------- ------
2.09(a) hereof.

     "CRE Loans" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.21 hereof.
      --- -----

     "Deposits" shall mean the deposits (as such term is defined under Section
      --------
3(1) of the FDIA) reflected in the Records of the Savings Bank as of the close
of business on the Measurement Date, and shall include, but shall not be limited
to, deposits which are 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

maintained in the following types of accounts: (i) passbook/statement savings
accounts; (ii) 90-day accounts (i.e., special notice accounts); (iii) NOW and
SuperNOW Accounts (i.e., negotiable order of withdrawal accounts); (iv) money-
market accounts; (v) demand deposit accounts; (vi) certificates of deposit;
(vii) escrow accounts; (viii) time deposit accounts; and (ix) individual
retirement accounts ("IRAs"). Deposits shall also include all uncollected items
included in the depositors' balances and credited on the books of the Savings
Bank as of the close of business on the Measurement Date.

     "Deposit Liabilities" shall mean the obligation of the Savings Bank, as of
      ------- -----------
the close of business on the Measurement Date, to pay the principal balances of,
and interest or dividends on, all accounts relating to the Deposits in
accordance with the terms of the contracts by which such accounts were created
or otherwise as required by law.

     "Disagreement" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.14(b)
      ------------
hereof.

     "Dissenting Holder" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in section
      ---------- ------
2.09(c) hereof.

     "Dissenting Shares" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ---------- ------
2.09(c) hereof.

     "DOJ" shall mean the United States Department of Justice.
      ---

     "DPC Shares" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.14
      --- ------
hereof.

     "Effective Time" shall mean the specific time on the Closing Date at which
      --------- ----
the Acquisition Merger has become effective pursuant to the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     "EPA" shall mean the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
      ---

     "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
      -----
amended.

     "Exchange Act" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.05
      -------- ---
hereof.

     "Exchange Agent" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.13
      -------- -----
hereof.

     "Excluded Employees" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      -------- ---------
5.13 hereof.

     "FDIA" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.
      ----

     "FDIC" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
      ----
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

     "Federal Reserve Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal
      ------- ------- -----
Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, as applicable.

     "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles and practices in
      ----
effect from time to time within the United States applied consistently
throughout the period involved.

     "HOLA" shall mean the Home Owners Loan Act of 1933, as amended.
      ----

     "Independent Accounting Firm" shall mean any "Big Six" accounting firm or
      ----------- ---------- ----
its successor (other than the respective independent public accountants of each
of Buyer and Seller.

     "Injunction" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.01(d)
      ----------
hereof.

     "IRS" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.
      ---

     "Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.25 hereof. 
      -----

     "Massachusetts Board" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------------- -----
3.04 hereof.

     "Massachusetts Commissioner" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      ------------- ------------
Section 3.04 hereof.

     "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean with respect to Buyer or Seller, or
      -------- ------- ------
any other entity, a material adverse effect on the assets, properties,
liabilities (including without limitation any material reduction in Deposit
Liabilities), business, operations, results of operations or financial condition
of Buyer or Seller or such other entity, as the case may be, and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any material adverse
effect on the assets, properties, liabilities, business, operations, results of
operations or financial condition of Seller and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, resulting from activities permitted or required by Section 5.18 hereof
shall not be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect
has occurred for purposes of this Agreement.

     "MBCL" shall mean the Massachusetts Business Corporation Law, as amended.
      ----

     "Measurement Date" shall mean that day which (i) is the last day of a
      ----------- ----
calendar month and (ii) precedes the Closing Date by not less than ten (10) nor
more than twenty-three (23) business days.

     "Measurement Date Documents" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      ----------- ---- ---------
Section 2.14(a) hereof.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-

     "Merger Subsidiary" shall mean that certain business corporation, which
      ------ ----------
shall be organized as a wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Buyer
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the purpose of merging
with the Seller pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

     "Merger Subsidiary Common Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      ------ ---------- ------ -----
Section 5.10 hereof.

     "MHPF" shall mean the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund.
      ----

     "NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
      ----

     "Notice of Disagreement" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------ -- ------------
2.14(b) hereof.

     "NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
      ----

     "OCC" shall mean the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the
      ---
United States Department of the Treasury.

     "OTS" shall mean the Office of Thrift Supervision of the United States
      ---
Department of the Treasury.

     "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
      ----

     "Pre-Closing Transactions" shall mean all of those transactions that are
      ----------- ------------
further described in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, which shall or may be
completed by the Seller and its subsidiaries, as applicable, on or prior to the
close of business on the Measurement Date in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

     "Principal Stockholder" shall mean Chieftain Capital Management, Inc.
      --------- -----------

     "Proxy Statement" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ----- ---------
5.04(a) hereof.

     "Records" means all records and original documents in the Seller's
      -------
possession which pertain to and are utilized by the Seller and its subsidiaries
to administer, reflect, monitor, evidence or record information respecting
Seller's consolidated business and operations, including but not limited to all
records and documents relating to (a) corporate, regulatory, supervisory and
litigation matters, (b) tax planning and payment of taxes, (c) personnel and
employment matters, and (d) the business or conduct of the consolidated business
of the Seller.

     "Requisite Regulatory Approvals" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      --------- ---------- ---------
Section 6.01(b) hereof.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

     "Savings Bank" shall mean Seller's wholly owned subsidiary, South Boston
      ------- ----
Savings Bank.

     "SEC" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.04 hereof.
      ---

     "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (15
      ---------- ---
U.S.C. (S)77a et seq.).
              -- ---

     "Seller" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this
      ------
Agreement.

     "Seller Affiliates" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.06
      ------ ----------
hereof.

     "Seller Affiliates Agreement" shall mean the form of written agreement to
      ------ ---------- ---------
be executed and delivered to the Buyer prior to the Effective Time by the Seller
Affiliates, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.
                                                         ------- -

     "Seller Balance Sheet" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------ ------- -----
4.05 hereof.

     "Seller Benefit Plans" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------ ------- -----
4.11(a) hereof.

     "Seller Common Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------ ------ -----
4.02(a) hereof.

     "Seller Disclosure Schedule" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
      ------ ---------- --------
Section 4.02(b) hereof.

     "Seller ESOP" shall mean Seller's Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
      ------ ----

     "Seller Option" shall mean the option granted to the Buyer pursuant to the
      ------ ------
Seller Option Agreement.

     "Seller Option Agreement" shall mean that certain stock option agreement of
      ------ ------ ---------
even date herewith by and between the Buyer and the Seller in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A.
          ------- -

     "Seller Other Plans" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------ ----- -----
4.11(a) hereof.

     "Seller Pension Plans" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------ ------- -----
4.11(a) hereof.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-

     "Seller Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ------ --------- -----
4.02(a) hereof.

     "Seller Reports" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.15
      ------ -------
hereof.

     "Seller Stock Option Plan" means the Seller's 1983, 1986 and 1989 Stock
      ------ ----- ------ ----
Option Plans, considered collectively, each as may be amended and currently in
effect.

     "Seller Stockholders' Agreement" means that certain letter agreement or
      ------ ------------- ---------
agreements of even date herewith executed and delivered to the Buyer by each of
the Principal Stockholders in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
                                                          ------- -

     "Significant Subsidiary" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ----------- ----------
3.01(b) hereof.

     "subsidiaries" shall mean, when used with reference to a party, any
      ------------
corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of
which such party or any other subsidiary of such party is a general partner
(excluding partnerships the general partnership interests of which held by such
party or any subsidiary of such party do not have a majority of the voting
interests in such partnership) or, with respect to such corporation or other
organization, at least a majority of the securities or other interests having by
their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors
or others performing similar functions is directly or indirectly owned or
controlled by such party or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such
party and one or more of its subsidiaries.

     "Surviving Corporation" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      --------- -----------
2.01 hereof.

     "Tax" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.10(r)(A) hereof.
      ---

     "Tax Return" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4.10(r)(B)
      --- ------
hereof.

     "Termination Date" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ----------- ----
8.01(b) hereof.

     "Trust Account Shares" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      ----- ------- ------
3.12 hereof.

     "Valuation Period" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section
      --------- ------
2.09(a) hereof.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -10-

                                  ARTICLE II

                            THE ACQUISITION MERGER
                            --- ----------- ------

     2.01    Surviving Corporation. In accordance with the provisions of this
             --------- -----------
Article II and Section 78 of the MBCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Subsidiary
shall be merged with and into Seller (the two merging corporations being
sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Constituent Corporations") and
                                                  ----------- ------------
the separate corporate existence of Merger Subsidiary shall cease. Seller shall
be the surviving corporation in the Acquisition Merger (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Surviving Corporation") and shall continue its corporate
                    --------- -----------
existence under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name of the
Surviving Corporation shall be "The Boston Bancorp".

     2.02    Purposes and Authorized Capital Stock of Surviving Corporation. As
             -------- --- ---------- ------- ----- -- --------- -----------
of the Effective Time, the purposes and authorized capital stock of the
Surviving Corporation shall be as stated in the Articles of Organization of
Seller immediately prior to the Effective Time.

     2.03    Effect of the Acquisition Merger.
             ------ -- --- ----------- ------

             (a)     At the Effective Time, all of the estate, property, rights,
     privileges, powers and franchises of the Constituent Corporations and all
     of their property, real, personal and mixed, and all the debts due on
     whatever account to any of them, as well as all stock subscriptions and
     other choses in action belonging to any of them, shall be transferred to
     and vested in the Surviving Corporation, without further act or deed, and
     all claims, demands, property and other interest shall be the property of
     the Surviving Corporation, and the title to all real estate vested in any
     of the Constituent Corporations shall not revert or be in any way impaired
     by reason of the Acquisition Merger, but shall be vested in the Surviving
     Corporation.

             (b)     From and after the Effective Time, the rights of creditors
     of any Constituent Corporation shall not in any manner be impaired, nor
     shall any liability or obligation, including taxes due or to become due, or
     any claim or demand in any cause existing against such corporation, or any
     stockholder, director, or officer thereof, be released or impaired by the
     Acquisition Merger, but the Surviving Corporation shall be deemed to have
     assumed, and shall be liable for, all liabilities and obligations of each
     of the Constituent Corporations in the same manner and to the same extent
     as if the Surviving Corporation had itself incurred such liabilities or
     obligations. The stockholders, directors, and officers of the Constituent
     Corporations shall continue to be subject to all liabilities, claims and
     demands existing against them as such at or before the Acquisition Merger.
     No action or proceeding then pending before any court or tribunal of the
     Commonwealth of Massachusetts or otherwise in which any Constituent
     Corporation is a party, or in which any such
<PAGE>
 
                                     -11-

     stockholder, director, or officer is a party, shall abate or be
     discontinued by reason of the Acquisition Merger, but any such action or
     proceeding may be prosecuted to final judgment as though no merger had
     taken place, or the Surviving Corporation may be substituted as a party in
     place of any Constituent Corporation by the court in which such action or
     proceeding is pending.

     2.04    Additional Actions. If, at any time after the Effective Time,
             ---------- -------
Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of
sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are necessary or
desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving
Corporation its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights,
properties or assets of either of the Constituent Corporations acquired or to be
acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the
Acquisition Merger or to otherwise carry out this Agreement, the officers and
directors of the Surviving Corporation shall and will be authorized to execute
and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Constituent Corporations or
otherwise, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to take
and do, in the name and on behalf of the Constituent Corporations or otherwise,
all such other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest,
perfect or confirm any and all right, title and interest in, to and under such
rights, properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation or to otherwise carry
out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

     2.05    Articles of Organization and By-laws. The Articles of Organization
             -------- -- ------------ --- -------
and the By-Laws of Seller, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time,
shall be the Articles of Organization and the By-laws of the Surviving
Corporation and, subject to the rights of Buyer as the sole stockholder, shall
thereafter continue to be the Surviving Corporation's Articles of Organization
and By-Laws until amended as provided therein or by applicable law.

     2.06    Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of Merger
             --------- --- --------
Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors and
officers of the Surviving Corporation, subject to the rights of Buyer as the
sole stockholder, each to hold office in accordance with the Articles of
Organization and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation.

     2.07    Effective Time; Conditions. If all of the conditions precedent set
             --------- ----- ----------
forth in Article VI hereof have been satisfied or waived (to the extent
permitted by law), and this Agreement has not otherwise been properly terminated
under Article VIII hereof, the appropriate form of articles of merger with
respect to the Acquisition Merger shall be prepared by Merger Subsidiary and
Seller and filed and recorded pursuant to Section 78(d) of the MBCL with the
Massachusetts Secretary of State (as so filed and recorded, the "Articles of
                                                                 -------- --
Merger"). The Acquisition Merger shall become effective at, and the Effective
- ------
Time shall be, the time specified in the Articles of Merger.

     2.08    Dissenters' Appraisal Rights. Any Dissenting Holder (i) who files
             ----------- --------- ------
with Seller an objection to the Acquisition Merger in writing before the
approval of this Agreement by 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -12-

the stockholders of Seller and who states in such objection that he intends to
demand payment for his shares of Seller Common Stock if the Acquisition Merger
is concluded and (ii) whose shares of Seller Common Stock are not voted in favor
of the Acquisition Merger shall be entitled to demand payment for his shares of
Seller Common Stock and an appraisal of the value thereof, in accordance with
the provisions of Sections 86 through 98 of the MBCL.

     2.09    Effect on Outstanding Shares.
             ------ -- ----------- ------

             (a)     Seller Common Stock. By virtue of the Acquisition Merger,
                     ------ ------ -----
     automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof,
     each share of Seller Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
     to the Effective Time (other than Dissenting Shares and any such shares
     held directly or indirectly by Buyer, other than Trust Account Shares and
     DPC Shares, and any such shares held as treasury stock by Seller) shall
     become and be converted into the number of shares or fraction of a share of
     Buyer Common Stock (together with the number of Buyer Rights associated
     therewith), rounded to the nearest thousandth of a share, equal to the
     Conversion Number. The "Conversion Number" shall be equal to the quotient 
                             ---------- ------
     of dividing

             (i)     the sum of (A) the Adjusted Net Worth as of the close of
                     business on the Measurement Date, (B) $40,640,806.00, (C)
                     the product of $40,000.00 and the number of days after the
                     Measurement Date to and including the Closing Date, and (D)
                     the aggregate exercise price of all options to purchase
                     Seller Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on
                     the Measurement Date, by
                
             (ii)    the product of (A) Average Closing Price, and (B) the sum
                     of the number of shares of Seller Common Stock and options
                     to purchase Seller Common Stock outstanding at the close of
                     business on the Measurement Date.
                
     As of the Effective Time, each share of Seller Common Stock held directly
     or indirectly by Buyer, other than Trust Account Shares and DPC Shares, and
     held by Seller as treasury stock shall be canceled, retired and cease to
     exist, and no payment shall be made with respect thereof. For purposes of
     this Agreement, "Average Closing Price" shall mean the average of the
                      ------- ------- -----
     closing prices of shares of Buyer Common Stock as reported on the NYSE
     composite transactions reporting system for the twenty consecutive trading
     days ending on the third business day prior to the Closing Date (such
     period being the "Valuation Period").
                       --------- ------

             (b)     Merger Subsidiary Common Stock. By virtue of the
                     ------ ---------- ------ -----
     Acquisition Merger, automatically and without any action on the part of the
     holder thereof, each share of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock issued and
     outstanding immediately prior 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -13-

     to the Effective Time shall become and be converted into 1.00 share of
     common stock of the Surviving Corporation, par value $1.00 per share
     ("Surviving Corporation Common Stock"). Each certificate which immediately
       --------- ----------- ------ -----
     prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Merger
     Subsidiary Common Stock shall on and after the Effective Time be deemed for
     all purposes to represent the number of shares of Surviving Corporation
     Common Stock into which the shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock
     represented by such certificate shall have been converted pursuant to this
     Section 2.09(b).

             (c)     Dissenting Shares. No conversion under Section 2.09(a)
                     ---------- ------
     hereof shall be made with respect to the shares of Seller Common Stock held
     by a Dissenting Holder (such shares being referred to herein as "Dissenting
                                                                      ----------
     Shares"); provided, however, each Dissenting Share outstanding immediately
     ------
     prior to the Effective Time and held by a Dissenting Holder who shall,
     after the Effective Time, withdraw his demand for appraisal or lose his
     right of appraisal, in either case pursuant to the applicable provisions of
     the MBCL, shall be deemed to be converted, as of the Effective Time, into
     shares of Buyer Common Stock as specified in Section 2.09(a) hereof. For
     purposes of this Agreement, the term "Dissenting Holder" shall mean a
                                           ---------- ------
     holder of shares of Seller Common Stock who has demanded appraisal rights
     in compliance with the applicable provisions of the MBCL concerning the
     right of such holder to dissent from the Acquisition Merger and demand
     appraisal of such holder's shares of Seller Common Stock. Any payments made
     by Buyer to Dissenting Holders after the Effective Time shall be funded by
     Buyer's utilizing assets that were either in its possession on a
     consolidated basis prior to the Effective Time or otherwise not acquired by
     Buyer on a consolidated basis as a result of the consummation of the
     Acquisition Merger.

     2.10    Anti-Dilution. In the event that during the period beginning on the
             -------------
first day of the Valuation Period and ending on the Closing Date the outstanding
shares of Buyer Common Stock (or the number of Buyer Rights) shall have been
increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind
of shares or securities through reorganization, recapitalization,
reclassification, stock (or other non-cash) dividend, stock split, reverse stock
split, or other like changes in Buyer's capitalization (a "Recapitalization"),
                                                           ----------------
then to the extent necessary or appropriate an appropriate and proportionate
adjustment shall be made to the number and/or kind of securities to be delivered
to the holders of Seller Common Stock so that each holder of Seller Common Stock
shall receive under Section 2.09(a) hereof the number of shares of Buyer Common
Stock (or the number of Buyer Rights) and/or other securities that such holder
would have received if the Recapitalization had occurred immediately after the
Effective Time.

     2.11    Procedures.
             ----------

             (a)     Certificates which represent shares of Seller Common Stock
that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, in each
case, a 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -14-

      "Certificate") and are converted into shares of Buyer Common Stock
       -----------
      pursuant to this Article II shall, after the Effective Time, be deemed to
      represent shares of the Buyer Common Stock into which such shares have
      been converted and shall be exchangeable by the holders thereof in the
      manner provided in the transmittal materials described below for new
      certificates representing the shares of Buyer Common Stock into which such
      shares have been converted.

             (b)     Buyer shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the
      Exchange Agent to send to each holder of record of shares of Seller Common
      Stock outstanding at the Effective Time as promptly as practicable, and in
      any event within three days after the Effective Time, transmittal
      materials (which shall be reviewed with and be reasonably acceptable to
      Seller) for use in exchanging the Certificates for such shares for
      certificates for shares of Buyer Common Stock into which such shares of
      Seller Common Stock have been converted pursuant to this Article II. Upon
      surrender of a Certificate, together with a duly executed letter of
      transmittal and any other required documents, the holder of such
      Certificate shall be entitled to receive, in exchange therefor, a
      certificate for the number of shares of Buyer Common Stock to which such
      holder is entitled, and such Certificate shall forthwith be canceled. No
      dividend or other distribution payable after the Effective Time with
      respect to Buyer Common Stock shall be paid to the holder of any
      unsurrendered Certificate until the holder thereof surrenders such
      Certificate in accordance with the provisions of this Article II and the
      transmittal materials, at which time such holder shall receive all
      dividends and distributions, without interest thereon, previously payable
      but withheld from such holder pursuant hereto. After the Effective Time,
      there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of Seller of
      shares of Seller Common Stock which were issued and outstanding at the
      Effective Time and converted pursuant to the provisions of this Article
      II. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented for transfer
      to Seller, they shall be canceled and exchanged for the shares of Buyer
      Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof as determined in accordance
      with the provisions and procedures set forth in this Article II.

             (c)     In lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of Buyer
     Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.09(a) hereof, cash adjustments, without
     interest, will be paid to the holders of Seller Common Stock in respect of
     any fractional share that would otherwise be issuable and the amount of
     such cash adjustment shall be equal to an amount in cash determined by
     multiplying such holder's fractional interest by the Average Closing Price
     (rounded up to the nearest cent). For purposes of determining whether, and
     in what amounts, a particular holder of Seller Common Stock would be
     entitled to receive cash adjustments under this Section 2.11(c), shares of
     record held by such holder and represented by two or more Certificates
     shall be aggregated.

             (d)     After the Effective Time, holders of Seller Common Stock
     shall have no rights as stockholders of Seller, other than (i) to receive
     shares of Buyer Common Stock into which such shares of Seller Common Stock
     have been converted and
<PAGE>
 
                                     -15-

     fractional share payments, if any, pursuant to the provisions of Section
     2.11(c) above and (ii) the rights afforded to any Dissenting Holder under
     applicable provisions of the MBCL.

             (e)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Buyer nor Seller nor
     any other person shall be liable to any former holder of shares of Seller
     Common Stock for any shares or any dividends or distributions with respect
     thereto properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable
     abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

             (f)     In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
     or destroyed, upon receipt of appropriate evidence as to such loss, theft
     or destruction and to the ownership of such Certificate by the person
     claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, and the receipt
     by Buyer of appropriate and customary indemnification, Buyer will issue in
     exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shares of Buyer
     Common Stock and the fractional share payment, if any, deliverable in
     respect thereof as determined in accordance with this Article II.

             (g)     If any certificate representing shares of Buyer Common
     Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Certificate
     surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of
     the issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly
     endorsed (or accompanied by an appropriate instrument of transfer) and
     otherwise in proper form for transfer (including, but not limited to, that
     the signature of the transferor shall be properly guaranteed by a
     commercial bank, trust company or member firm of the NYSE, and that the
     person requesting such exchange shall pay to the Exchange Agent in advance
     any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a
     certificate representing shares of Buyer Common Stock in any name other
     than that of the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or
     required for any other reason, or shall establish to the reasonable
     satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid or is not
     payable.

     2.12    Treatment of Seller Stock Options. Each stock option granted by
             ---------    ------ ----- -------
Seller pursuant to the Seller Stock Option Plan outstanding and unexercised
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into an option to
purchase shares of Buyer Common Stock with the following terms:

             (a)     The number of shares of Buyer Common Stock shall be equal
     to the product of the number of shares of Seller Common Stock previously
     subject thereto and the Conversion Number, rounded up to the nearest whole
     share for non-statutory options and rounded down to the nearest whole share
     for incentive stock options; and

             (b)     The exercise price per share of Buyer Common Stock
     shall be equal to the exercise price per share of Seller Common Stock
     previously subject thereto divided by the Conversion Number, rounded
     up to the nearest cent; and
<PAGE>
 
                                     -16-

             (c)     The duration and other terms of the option shall be
     unchanged except that all references to Seller shall be deemed to be
     references to Buyer; and

             (d)     Buyer shall assume the option as contemplated by Section
     424(a) of the Code.

     2.13    Exchange Agent.  Prior to the Effective Time, Buyer shall appoint
             -------- -----
an exchange agent for the purpose of exchanging certificates representing shares
of Buyer Common Stock for Certificates (the "Exchange Agent"). Buyer shall issue
                                             -------- -----
and deliver to the Exchange Agent certificates representing the shares of Buyer
Common Stock to be issued and shall pay to the Exchange Agent the aggregate cash
amount to be paid in lieu of fractional share interests, all in accordance with
the terms of this Article II.

     2.14    Delivery of Measurement Date Documents.
             -------- -- ----------- ---- ---------

             (a)     Within five (5) days following the Measurement Date, and
     prior to the Effective Time, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer (i)
     an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Seller, prepared in accordance
     with GAAP as of the close of business on the Measurement Date and (ii) a
     schedule calculating the Adjusted Net Worth as of the close of business on
     the Measurement Date (collectively, the Measurement Date Documents").

             (b)     Within five (5) days after Seller's delivery of the
     Measurement Date Documents to Buyer, and in any event prior to the
     Effective Time, Buyer may dispute the amount of the Adjusted Net Worth
     contained in the Measurement Date Documents by giving written notice (a
     "Notice of Disagreement") to Seller setting forth in reasonable detail the
      ------ -- ------------ 
     basis for such dispute (such dispute being referred to herein as a
     "Disagreement"). The parties shall promptly commence good faith
      ------------
     negotiations with a view to resolving such Disagreement. If Buyer does not
     give a Notice of Disagreement in accordance with the provisions of the
     first sentence of this Section 2.14(b) within the five (5) day period set
     forth therein, Buyer shall be deemed to have irrecoverably accepted the
     amount of the Adjusted Net Worth as set forth in the Measurement Date
     Documents delivered to Buyer by Seller.

             (c)     If Buyer shall deliver a Notice of Disagreement to Seller
     in accordance with Section 2.14(b) above, and within five (5) days
     following Buyer's delivery to Seller of such Notice of Disagreement Buyer
     and Seller do not resolve the Disagreement, such Disagreement shall be
     referred to an Independent Accounting Firm mutually selected by Buyer and
     Seller for a resolution of such Disagreement in accordance with the terms
     of this Agreement. Any failure by Seller to respond to a Notice of
     Disagreement within the five (5) day period set forth in the preceding
     sentence shall be deemed to be a conclusive indication by Seller that it is
     in agreement with the changes to the Measurement Date Documents proposed by
     Buyer
<PAGE>
 
                                     -17-

     in such Notice of Disagreement. If Seller and Buyer do not immediately
     agree on the selection for an Independent Accounting Firm, their respective
     independent public accountants shall immediately select such firm. Such
     firm shall resolve the Disagreement as soon as possible and, in any event,
     within seven (7) days after its selection. The determinations of such firm
     with respect to any Disagreement shall be final and binding upon the
     parties and the amount(s) so determined shall be used to complete the final
     Measurement Date Documents, which shall serve as the basis for determining
     the Conversion Number under Section 2.09(a) above and/or Seller's
     satisfaction of the condition set forth in Section 6.02(f) below. All of
     the fees and expenses of any Independent Accounting Firm retained pursuant
     to this Section 2.14(c) shall be paid by the Buyer, if the Independent
     Accounting Firm agrees with the position asserted by the Seller; shall be
     paid by the Seller, if the Independent Accounting Firm agrees with the
     position asserted by the Buyer; or shall be split evenly by the Buyer and
     the Seller if the Independent Account Firm does not agree with either the
     Buyer or the Seller.

             (d)     Following the final completion of the Measurement Date
     Documents and related final determination of the amount of the Adjusted Net
     Worth as of the close of business on the Measurement Date, all in
     accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.14(a) through 2.14(c) above,
     and subject to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent legally permitted)
     of the conditions set forth in Article VI of this Agreement, the parties
     shall promptly consummate the Acquisition Merger.


                                  ARTICLE III

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        --------------- --- ----------
                                   OF BUYER 
                                   -- -----
     Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller and the Savings Bank as
     follows:

     3.01    Corporate Organization.
             --------- ------------

             (a)     The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
     and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
     The Buyer has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate
     all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
     being conducted, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each
     jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the
     character or location of the properties and assets owned, leased or
     operated by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except
     where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not result in, with
     respect to the Buyer, a Material Adverse Effect. The Buyer is a bank
     holding company registered with the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -18-

             (b)     Each subsidiary of the Buyer that is a "significant
     subsidiary" as such term is defined in Regulation S-X of the SEC (each a
     "Significant Subsidiary" and together the "Significant Subsidiaries") is
      ----------- ----------                    ----------- ------------
     duly organized, validly existing and in corporate good standing under the
     laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each Significant Subsidiary
     of the Buyer has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate
     all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
     being conducted, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each
     jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the
     character or location of the properties and assets owned, leased, or
     operated by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except
     where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would neither individually
     nor in the aggregate, result in, with respect to the Buyer, a Material
     Adverse Effect.

     3.02    Capitalization.  The authorized capital stock of the Buyer consists
             --------------
of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $2.25 per share (the "Buyer
                                                                       -----
Common Stock"), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value (the
- ------ -----
"Buyer Preferred Stock"). As of the close of business on September 30, 1995
 ----- --------- -----
there were 112,161,218 shares of the Buyer Common Stock issued and outstanding
and a total of 4,593,941 shares of the Buyer Preferred Stock issued and
outstanding (in the form of 1,044,843 shares of Adjustable Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series A, 1,574,783 shares of Adjustable Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series B, 774,783 shares of Adjustable Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series C, 920,000 shares of 8.60% Cumulative Preferred Stock,
Series E (represented by 92,000 depositary shares) and 280,000 shares of 7.875%
Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series F (represented by 28,000 depositary shares)).
As of the close of business on September 30, 1995, the Buyer had 112,161,218
preferred stock purchase rights issued and outstanding pursuant to the Buyer
Rights Agreement, which entitle the holders thereof to purchase shares of Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, Series D, under certain circumstances. As of the
close of business on September 30, 1995, there were 200,000 shares of Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, Series D, reserved for issuance upon exercise of
such preferred stock purchase rights, none of which shares were issued and
outstanding. There were also no shares of the Buyer Common Stock held in the
Buyer's treasury as of the close of business on September 30, 1995. In addition,
as of the close of business on September 30, 1995, there were 3,732,000 shares
of the Buyer Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding
stock options. All issued and outstanding shares of the Buyer Common Stock and
the Buyer Preferred Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are
fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal
liability attaching to the ownership thereof.

     3.03    Authority; No Violation.
             ---------  -- ---------
          
             (a)     The Buyer 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 approved
     by the Board
<PAGE>
 
                                     -19-

     of Directors of the Buyer. No other corporate proceedings on the part of
     the Buyer are necessary to consummate any of the transactions so
     contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly
     executed and delivered by the Buyer and (assuming due authorization,
     execution and delivery by the Seller) constitutes the valid and binding
     obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with
     its terms, except that enforcement hereof may be limited by the
     receivership, conservatorship and supervisory powers of bank regulatory
     agencies generally as well as bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     moratorium or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally and except that enforcement thereof may be subject to general
     principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a
     proceeding in equity or at law) and the availability of equitable remedies.

             (b)     The Bank has full corporate power and authority to execute
     and deliver the Bank Merger Agreement and to consummate the Bank Merger.
     When the Bank Merger Agreement is duly and validly executed by the Bank, as
     contemplated under Section 5.19 below, and assuming that the Bank Merger
     Agreement is duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Savings Bank,
     the Bank Merger Agreement shall constitute a valid and binding obligation
     of the Bank, enforceable against the Bank in accordance with its terms,
     except that enforcement thereof may be limited by receivership,
     conservatorship and supervisory powers of bank regulatory agencies
     generally as well as bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
     other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally and
     except that enforcement thereof may be subject to general principles of
     equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
     equity or at law) and the availability of equitable remedies. Except for
     the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Bank Merger Agreement
     by the Bank and the adoption of the Bank Merger Agreement by the Buyer and
     one or more wholly owned subsidiaries of the Buyer in their capacity as the
     stockholders of the Bank, all as contemplated under Section 5.19 below, no
     other corporate proceedings on the part of the Bank are necessary to
     consummate the Bank Merger.

             (c)     Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
     the Bank Merger Agreement by the Buyer and the Bank, respectively, nor the
     consummation by the Buyer and the Bank, as applicable, of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement, nor
     compliance by the Buyer and the Bank, as applicable, with any of the terms
     or provisions of this Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement, will (i)
     assuming that the consents and approvals referred to in Section 3.04 hereof
     are duly obtained, violate any statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation,
     judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to the Buyer or any
     of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, or,
     (ii) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provisions of,
     constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or
     both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of,
     accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of
<PAGE>
 
                                     -20-

     termination or acceleration or the creation of any lien, security interest,
     charge or other encumbrance upon any of the respective properties or assets
     of the Buyer or any of its subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions
     or provisions of (A) the articles of organization, certificate of
     incorporation or other charter document of like nature or by-laws of the
     Buyer, or such Buyer subsidiary, as the case may be, or (B) any note, bond,
     mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other
     instrument or obligation to which the Buyer or any of its subsidiaries is a
     party thereto as issuer, guarantor or obligor, or by which they or any of
     their respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, except, in
     the case of clauses (i) and (ii)(B) above, for such violations, conflicts,
     breaches or defaults which either individually or in the aggregate will not
     result, with respect to the Buyer, in a Material Adverse Effect.

     3.04    Consents and Approvals.  Except for consents, waivers or approvals
             -------- --- ---------
of, notice to, or filings or registrations with, the Federal Reserve Board, the
Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation (the "Massachusetts Board"), the OTS,
                                                ------------- -----
the OCC, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks (the "Massachusetts
                                                       ------------- 
Commissioner"), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the NYSE,
- ------------                                                 ---
the BSE, the Central Fund, the MHPF, the DOJ, the Massachusetts Secretary of
State and certain state "Blue Sky" or securities commissioners, no consents,
waivers or approvals of, notices to, or filings or registrations with, any
public body or authority are necessary, and no consents or approvals of or
notices to any third parties (which term does not include the Board of Directors
of the Buyer or of the Bank or the stockholders of the Bank) are necessary, in
connection with (i) the execution and delivery by the Buyer of this Agreement,
(ii) the execution and delivery by the Bank of the Bank Merger Agreement or
(iii) the consummation by the Buyer and the Bank of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement. As of the date
hereof, Buyer is not aware of any reason why the approvals described in Section
6.03(c) could not be obtained without significant delay.

     3.05    Financial Statements.  The Buyer has made available to the Seller
             --------- ---------- 
copies of (a) the consolidated balance sheets of the Buyer and its subsidiaries
as of December 31 for the fiscal years 1992 through 1994, inclusive, and the
related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the fiscal years 1992 through 1994, inclusive, as reported in the
Buyer Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of the three fiscal years ended
December 31, 1992 through December 31, 1994 filed with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), in each case
                                                  -------- ---
accompanied by the audit report of Coopers & Lybrand, independent accountants
for the Buyer and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Buyer and
its subsidiaries as of June 30, 1995, the related unaudited consolidated
statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 1995 and June
30, 1994, the related unaudited consolidated changes in stockholders' equity for
the six months ended June 30, 1995 and June 30, 1994 and the related unaudited
consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and
June 30, 1994, all as reported in the Buyer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 1995 filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The
<PAGE>
 
                                     -21-

December 31, 1994 consolidated balance sheet (the "Buyer Balance Sheet") of the
                                                   ----- ------- -----
Buyer (including the related notes, where applicable) and the other financial
statements referred to herein (including the related notes, where applicable)
fairly present, and the financial statements to be included in any reports or
statements (including reports on Forms 10-Q 10-K and 8-K) to be filed by the
Buyer with the SEC after the date hereof will fairly present, the consolidated
financial position and results of the consolidated operations and cash flows and
changes in stockholders' equity of the Buyer and its subsidiaries for the
respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth; and
each of such statements (including the related notes, where applicable) has been
and will be prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the
periods involved, except as otherwise set forth in the notes thereto (subject,
in the case of unaudited interim statements, to normal year-end adjustments).
The books and records of the Buyer and its subsidiaries have been, and are
being, maintained in accordance with GAAP and applicable legal and regulatory
requirements.

     3.06    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. As of June 30, 1995, none of
             ------- -- ----------- ----------- 
the Buyer or any of its subsidiaries had any obligation or liability (contingent
or otherwise) that is material on a consolidated basis to the Buyer, or that
when combined with all similar obligations or liabilities would be material on a
consolidated basis to the Buyer, except as disclosed or reflected in the Buyer's
unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of such date.

     3.07    Broker's Fees.  Neither the Buyer nor any of its officers or
             -------- ----
directors has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any
broker's fees, commissions or finder's fees in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement.

     3.08    Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Since June 30, 1995, the
             ------- -- ------- ------- -- ------
Buyer and its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability, except in
the ordinary course of their business consistent with their past practices, nor
has there been any change in the business, assets, financial condition or
results of operations of the Buyer or any of its subsidiaries which has had,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer.

     3.09    Legal Proceedings.  There is no suit, action or proceeding pending
             ----- -----------
or, to the best knowledge of the Buyer, threatened, against the Buyer or any
subsidiary of the Buyer or challenging the validity or propriety of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Bank Merger Agreement, as to
which there is a reasonable probability of an adverse determination and which,
if adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer or otherwise materially adversely affect
the Buyer's or the Bank's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement, as applicable, nor is there any
judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any legal or administrative body
or arbitrator outstanding against the Buyer or any subsidiary of the Buyer
having any such effect.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -22-

     3.10.   Agreements with Banking Authorities.  Neither Buyer nor any of its
             ---------- ---- ------- -----------
subsidiaries is a party to any commitment, letter, written agreement, memorandum
of understanding or order to cease and desist with, or has adopted any
resolutions at the request of, any federal or state governmental entity charged
with the supervision or regulation of banks, bank holding companies or savings
and loan holding companies or engaged in the insurance of bank deposits which
restricts materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to
its capital adequacy, credit policies, management or overall safety and
soundness or such entity's ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

     3.11    Reports.  Since January 1, 1995, the Buyer and its subsidiaries 
             -------
have filed, and subsequent to the date hereof will file, all reports,
registrations and statements, together with any amendments required to be made
with respect thereto, that were and are required to be filed with (a) the SEC,
including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and proxy
statements (and all such reports, registrations and statements have been or will
be made available by the Buyer to the Seller), (b) the Federal Reserve Board,
(c) the OCC, (d) the FDIC and (e) any applicable state securities or banking
authorities (except, in the case of state securities authorities, no such
representation is made as to filings which are not material) (all such reports
and statements are collectively referred to herein as the "Buyer Reports"). As
                                                           ----- -------    
of their respective dates, the Buyer Reports complied and, with respect to
filings made after the date of this Agreement, will at the date of filing
comply, in all material respects with all of the statutes, rules and regulations
enforced or promulgated by the regulatory authority with which they were filed.
As of their respective dates, the Buyer Reports described in clause (a) above
did not contain and, with respect to filings made after the date of this
Agreement, will not at the date of filing contain, any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

     3.12    Compliance with Applicable Law.  Buyer holds all material licenses,
             ---------- ---- ---------- ---
franchises, permits and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of its
business, and Buyer has complied with, and is not in default in any respect
under any, applicable law, statute, order, rule, regulation or policy of, or
agreement with, any federal, state or local governmental agency or authority
relating to Buyer, other than where such default or noncompliance will not
result in or create a reasonable probability of resulting in a Material Adverse
Effect on Buyer or otherwise materially adversely affect Buyer's or the Bank's
ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Bank Merger
Agreement, as applicable.

     3.13    Buyer Common Stock.  The Buyer Common Stock (and the associated
             ----- ------ -----
Buyer Rights) to be issued in connection with the Acquisition Merger is duly
authorized and, when issued in accordance with Article II hereof, will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive
rights, with no personal liability attaching thereto.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -23-

     3.14    Ownership of Seller Common Stock.  Neither the Buyer nor, to its 
             --------- -- ------ ------ -----
best knowledge, any of its affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined
under the Exchange Act), (a) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or (b)
are parties to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, shares of capital
stock of the Seller, which in the aggregate represent five percent (5%) or more
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Seller entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (other than shares in trust accounts,
managed accounts and the like that are beneficially owned by third parties (any
such shares, "Trust Account Shares") and any other shares held in respect of a
debt previously contracted (any such shares, "DPC Shares")).

     3.15    Buyer Information.  The information relating to the Buyer and its
             ----- -----------
 subsidiaries to be contained or incorporated by reference in the Buyer
 Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, as described in Section 5.04
 hereof, and any other documents filed with the SEC or any regulatory agency in
 connection herewith, to the extent such information is provided in writing by
 the Buyer, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
 state a material fact necessary to make such information not misleading.

     3.16    Disclosure.  No representation or warranty contained in this
             ----------
Agreement, and no statement contained in any certificate, list or other writing
furnished to the Seller pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the best knowledge
of the Buyer, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
a material fact necessary in order to make the statements herein or therein not
misleading.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
                   --------------- --- ---------- ---------

     Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

     4.01    Corporate Organization.
             --------- ------------

             (a)     The Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly
    existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
    Massachusetts. The Savings Bank is a savings bank in stock form duly
    organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
    Massachusetts. Each of the Seller and the Savings Bank has the corporate
    power and authority to own, lease or operate all of its properties and
    assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is
    duly licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
    nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the
    properties and assets owned, leased or operated by it makes such licensing
    or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or
    qualified would not result in, with respect to the Seller,
<PAGE>
 
                                     -24-

    any Material Adverse Effect. The deposits of the Savings Bank are insured by
    the FDIC in accordance with the FDIA, and the Savings Bank has paid all
    assessments that have become due and payable to the FDIC. The Seller is a
    unitary savings and loan holding company registered with the OTS under the
    HOLA.

             (b)     Each subsidiary of the Seller, other than the Savings
     Bank, is duly organized, validly existing and in corporate good standing
     under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each subsidiary of
     the Seller has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate
     all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
     being conducted, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business in each
     jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the
     character or location of the properties and assets owned, leased or
     operated by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except
     where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would, neither
     individually nor in the aggregate, result in, with respect to the Seller, a
     Material Adverse Effect.

             (c)     Since January 1, 1995, the minute books of the Seller and
     the Savings Bank contain complete and accurate records of all meetings and
     other corporate actions authorized at such meetings held or taken since the
     respective dates of the Seller's and the Savings Bank's incorporations by
     its stockholders and Board of Directors and any deficiencies in such minute
     books prior to January 1, 1995 shall not result, either individually or in
     the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect on Seller.

     4.02    Capitalization.
             --------------

             (a)     The authorized capital stock of the Seller consists of
     20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Seller
                                                                        ------
     Common Stock"), and 3,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00
     ------ -----
     per share (the "Seller Preferred Stock"). As of the close of business on
                     ------ --------- -----
     September 30, 1995, there were 5,218,193 shares of the Seller Common Stock
     and no shares of the Seller Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, no
     shares of the Seller Common Stock held in the Seller's treasury and no
     shares of the Seller Common Stock reserved and available for future
     issuance under outstanding options under the Seller Stock Option Plan. As
     of the date hereof, 1,038,420 shares of Seller Common Stock are reserved
     for issuance upon exercise of the Option (the "Seller Option") issued to
                                                    ------ ------
     Buyer pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement with respect to Seller Common
     Stock of even date herewith between Seller and Buyer (the "Seller Option
                                                                ------ ------ 
     Agreement"). All issued and outstanding shares of the Seller Common Stock
     ---------
     have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid,
     nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability
     attaching to the ownership thereof. Except as referred to in this Section
     4.02 and except for the Seller Option Agreement, the Seller does not have
     and is not bound by any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants,
     calls, commitments or agreements of any character calling for the Seller to
     issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
<PAGE>
 
                                     -25-

     delivered or sold any shares of the Seller Common Stock or the Seller
     Preferred Stock or any other equity security of the Seller or any the
     Seller subsidiary or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or
     representing the right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise receive any
     shares of the Seller Common Stock or the Seller Preferred Stock or any
     other equity security of the Seller or any Seller subsidiary or obligating
     the Seller to grant, extend or enter into any such subscriptions, options,
     warrants, calls, commitments or agreements. As of the date hereof, except
     for the Seller Option Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual
     obligations of the Seller to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
     shares of capital stock of the Seller or any the Seller subsidiary.

             (b)     Section 4.02(b) to the disclosure schedule prepared by
     the Seller and delivered to the Buyer in conjunction with the parties'
     execution and delivery of this Agreement (the "Seller Disclosure Schedule")
                                                    ------ ---------- --------
     lists each of the subsidiaries of the Seller as of the date of this
     Agreement and indicates for such subsidiary as of such date: (i) the
     percentage and type of equity securities owned or controlled by the Seller;
     and (ii) the jurisdiction of incorporation. No subsidiary of the Seller has
     or is bound by any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls,
     commitments or agreements of any character calling for such Seller
     subsidiary to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or
     sold, any equity security of the Seller or of any Seller subsidiary or any
     securities convertible into, exchangeable for or representing the right to
     subscribe for, purchase or otherwise receive any such equity security or
     obligating a Seller subsidiary to grant, extend or enter into any such
     subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, commitments or agreements. As of
     the date hereof, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of any
     Seller subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of
     capital stock of the Seller or any Seller subsidiary. All of the shares of
     capital stock of each of the Seller's subsidiaries held by the Seller are
     fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Seller free and clear of
     any claim, lien, encumbrance or agreement with respect thereto.

     4.03    Authority; No Violation.
             ---------  -- ---------

             (a)     The Seller has full corporate power and authority to
     execute and deliver this Agreement and the Seller Option Agreement and to
     consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution
     and delivery of this Agreement and the Seller Option Agreement and the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been
     duly and validly approved by the Board of Directors of the Seller. The
     Board of Directors of Seller has directed that this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated hereby be submitted to the stockholders of the
     Seller for approval at a meeting of such stockholders and no other
     corporate proceedings on the part of Seller are necessary to consummate any
     of the transactions so contemplated by this Agreement or the Seller Option
     Agreement. This Agreement and the Seller Option Agreement have been duly
     and validly executed and delivered by the Seller and (assuming due
     authorization, execution and
<PAGE>
 
                                     -26-

     delivery of this Agreement and the Seller Option Agreement by the Buyer)
     constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Seller, enforceable
     against it in accordance with their respective terms, except that
     enforcement thereof may be limited by the receivership, conservatorship and
     supervisory powers of bank regulatory agencies generally as well as
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
     affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that
     enforcement thereof may be subject to general principles of equity
     (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity
     or at law) and the availability of equitable remedies.

             (b)     The Savings Bank has full corporate power and authority
     to execute and deliver the Bank Merger Agreement and to consummate the Bank
     Merger. When the Bank Merger Agreement is duly and validly executed by the
     Savings Bank, as contemplated under Section 5.19 below, and assuming that
     the Bank Merger Agreement is duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
     Bank, the Bank Merger Agreement shall constitute a valid and binding
     obligation of the Savings Bank, enforceable against the Savings Bank in
     accordance with its terms, except that enforcement thereof may be limited
     by receivership, conservatorship and supervisory powers of bank regulatory
     agencies generally as well as bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     moratorium or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally and except that enforcement thereof may be subject to general
     principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a
     proceeding in equity or at law) and the availability of equitable remedies.
     Except for the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Bank Merger
     Agreement by the Savings Bank and the adoption of the Bank Merger Agreement
     by the Seller or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, in its
     capacity as the sole stockholder of the Savings Bank, all as contemplated
     under Section 5.19 below, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the
     Savings Bank are necessary to consummate the Bank Merger.

             (c)     Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
     the Seller Option Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement by the Seller and
     the Savings Bank, as applicable, nor the consummation by the Seller and the
     Savings Bank, as applicable, of the transactions contemplated hereby and
     thereby, nor compliance by the Seller and the Savings Bank, as applicable,
     with any of the terms or provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) assuming
     that the consents and approvals referred to in Section 4.04 are duly
     obtained, violate any statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment,
     order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to the Seller or any of its
     subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, or (ii)
     except as set forth in Section 4.03(c) of the Seller Disclosure Schedule,
     violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provisions of, constitute
     a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would
     constitute a default) under, result in the termination of, accelerate the
     performance required by, or result in a right of termination or
     acceleration or the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or
     other encumbrance upon any of the respective properties or assets of the
     Seller or any of its
<PAGE>
 
                                     -27-

     subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (A)
     certificate of incorporation or other charter document of like nature or 
     By-laws of the Seller or such Seller subsidiary, as the case may be, or (B)
     any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease,
     agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Seller or any of
     its subsidiaries is a party thereto as issuer, guarantor or obligor, or by
     which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or
     affected, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii)(B) above, for such
     violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which either individually or in
     the aggregate will not result, with respect to the Seller, in a Material
     Adverse Effect.

     4.04    Consents and Approvals.  Except for consents, waivers or approvals
             -------- --- ---------
of, notices to, or filings or registrations with, the Federal Reserve Board, the
Massachusetts Board, the OTS, the OCC, the Massachusetts Commissioner, the SEC,
the Central Fund, the MHPF, the DOJ, the Massachusetts Secretary of State or as
may be set forth in Sections 4.03(b) or 4.04 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule,
no consents, waivers or approvals of, notices to, or filings or registrations
with, any public body or authority are necessary, and no consents or approvals
of or notices to any third parties (which term does not include the Board of
Directors and stockholders of the Seller and the Savings Bank) are necessary, in
connection with the execution and delivery by the Seller and the Savings Bank,
as applicable, of this Agreement, the Seller Option Agreement and the Bank
Merger Agreement or the consummation by the Seller and the Savings Bank, as
applicable, of the transactions contemplated by such agreements. The affirmative
vote of holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Seller Common
Stock is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Seller
capital stock or other securities necessary to approve this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation the Acquisition
Merger and the Bank Merger. As of the date hereof, Seller is not aware of any
reason why the approvals described in Section 6.02(c) could not be obtained
without significant delay.

     4.05    Financial Statements.  The Seller has made available to the Buyer
             --------- ----------
copies of (a) the consolidated balance sheets of the Seller and its subsidiaries
as of October 31 for the fiscal years 1992 through 1994, inclusive, and the
related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
cash flows for the fiscal years 1992 through 1994, inclusive, as reported in the
Seller' Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of the three fiscal years ended
October 31, 1992 through October 31, 1994 filed with the SEC under the Exchange
Act, in each case accompanied by the audit report of T. C. Edwards & Co,.P.C.,
independent accountants for the Seller and (b) the unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Seller and its subsidiaries as of July 31, 1995, the
related unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and nine
months ended July 31, 1995 and July 31, 1994, the related unaudited consolidated
changes in stockholders' equity for the nine months ended July 31, 1995 and July
31, 1994 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the
nine months ended July 31, 1995 and July 31, 1994, all as reported in the
Seller's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 1995 filed
with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The October 31, 1994 consolidated balance
sheet (the "Seller Balance Sheet") of the Seller (including the related notes,
            ------ ------- -----
where applicable) and the other 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -28-

financial statements referred to herein (including the related notes, where
applicable) fairly present, and the financial statements to be included in any
reports or statements (including reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K and 8-K) to be
filed by the Seller with the SEC after the date hereof will fairly present, the
consolidated financial position and results of the consolidated operations and
cash flows and changes in shareholders' equity of the Seller and its
subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates
therein set forth; and each of such statements (including the related notes,
where applicable) has been and will be prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied during the periods involved, except as otherwise set forth
in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of unaudited interim statements, to
normal year-end adjustments). The books and records of the Seller and its
subsidiaries have been, and are being, maintained in accordance with GAAP and
applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

     4.06    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  As of July 31, 1995, none
             ------- -- ----------- -----------
of the Seller or any of its subsidiaries had any obligation or liability
(contingent or otherwise) that is material on a consolidated basis to the
Seller, or that when combined with all similar obligations or liabilities would
be material on a consolidated basis to the Seller, except as disclosed or
reflected in the Seller's unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of such date
or Section 4.06 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule.

     4.07    Broker's Fees.  Neither the Seller or any of its subsidiaries nor
             -------- ----
any of their respective officers or directors has employed any broker or finder
or incurred any liability for any broker's fees, commissions or finder's fees in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Bank Merger Agreement, except that Seller has engaged, and will pay a fee or
commission to, Tucker Anthony Incorporated.

     4.08    Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as disclosed in
             ------- -- ------- ------- -- ------
Schedule 4.08 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, since July 31, 1995, the Seller
and its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability, except in the
ordinary course of their business consistent with their past practices, nor has
there been any change in the business, assets, financial condition or results of
operations of the Seller or any of its subsidiaries which has had, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Seller.

     4.09    Legal Proceedings.  There is no suit, action or proceeding pending
             ----- ----------- 
or, to the best knowledge of the Seller, threatened, against the Seller or any
subsidiary of the Seller or challenging the validity or propriety of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Bank Merger Agreement, as to
which there is a reasonable probability of an adverse determination and which,
if adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Seller or otherwise materially adversely affect
the Seller's or the Savings Bank's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Seller Option Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement, as
applicable, nor is there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any
legal or administrative body or arbitrator outstanding against the Seller or any
subsidiary of the Seller having any such effect.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -29-

     4.10    Taxes and Tax Returns.  Except as may be set forth in Section 4.10
             ----- --- --- -------
of the Seller Disclosure Schedule:

             (a)     The Seller has timely filed all Tax Returns required to
     be filed by it, each such Tax Return has been prepared in compliance with
     all applicable laws and regulations, and all such Tax Returns are true and
     accurate in all respects material to the financial condition of the Seller
     and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. All Taxes shown on such Tax Returns
     as due and payable by Seller have been paid and Seller will not be liable
     for any additional Taxes for any taxable period ending on or before the
     Effective Time in excess of the amounts set up as reserves for taxes on the
     Seller Balance Sheet. Seller has made available to Buyer correct and
     complete copies of all federal income Tax Returns filed with respect to
     Seller for taxable periods ended on or after December 31, 1990, and all
     examination reports, and statements of deficiencies assessed against or
     agreed to by Seller with respect to such taxable periods;
        
             (b)     Seller has neither requested nor been granted an
     extension of the time for filing any Tax Return to a date later than
     the Effective Time;
          
             (c)     With respect to each taxable period of Seller, either
     such taxable period has been audited by the relevant taxing authority or
     the time for assessing or collecting income Tax with respect to each such
     taxable period has closed and such taxable period is not subject to review
     by any relevant taxing authority;
        
             (d)     Seller has not consented to extend the time in which
     any Tax may be assessed or collected by any tax authority;
        
             (e)     No deficiency or proposed adjustment which has not been
     settled or otherwise resolved for any amount of Tax has been asserted or
     assessed by any taxing authority against Seller;
        
             (f)     There is no action, suit, taxing authority proceeding
     or audit now in progress, pending or, to the knowledge of Seller,
     threatened against or with respect to Seller with respect to any Tax;
        
             (g)     No claim has ever been made by a taxing authority in a
     jurisdiction where Seller does not pay Tax or file Tax Returns that Seller
     is or may be subject to Taxes assessed by that jurisdiction;
        
             (h)     There are no liens for Taxes (other than current Taxes
     not yet due and payable) on the assets of Seller;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -30-
        
             (i)     Seller has not filed or been included in a combined,
     consolidated or unitary income Tax Return (other than consolidated Tax
     Returns in which it is the parent corporation);
        
             (j)     Seller has neither made nor is affected by any elections
     under Code Sections 108(b)(5), 338(g), or 565, or Treasury Regulation
     Sections 1.1502-20(g) or 1.1502-32(f)(2);
     
             (k)     Seller is not a party to or bound by any Tax allocation or
     Tax sharing agreement nor does Seller have any current or potential
     contractual obligation to indemnify any other person or entity with respect
     to Taxes (other than the tax sharing agreement among Seller and its
     subsidiaries);
        
             (l)     Seller has withheld and paid all Taxes required to have
     been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any
     employee, creditor, independent contractor or other third party;
        
             (m)     Seller has no permanent establishment in any foreign
     country, as defined in the relevant tax treaty between the United States of
     America and such foreign country, nor otherwise operates or conducts
     business through any branch in any foreign country;
        
             (n)     Seller will not be required, as a result of a change in
     method of accounting for any period ending on or before the Effective Time,
     to include any adjustment under Section 481(c) of the Code (or any similar
     or corresponding provision or requirement of federal, state, local or
     foreign income Tax law) in taxable income for any period ending after the
     Effective Time;
        
             (o)     None of the assets of Seller directly or indirectly secures
     any indebtedness the interest on which is tax-exempt under Section 103(a)
     of the Code, and Seller is not directly or indirectly an obligor or a
     guarantor with respect to any such indebtedness;
        
             (p)     Seller has not filed a consent under Code Sec. 341(f) 
     concerning collapsible corporations;
        
             (q)     Seller has not made any payments, nor is obligated to
     make any payments, nor is it a party to any agreement that under certain
     circumstances could obligate it to make any payments that will not be
     deductible under Code Sec. 280G;

             (r)     For purposes of this Section 4.10:

             (A)     "Tax" means any federal, state, local or foreign income,
                      ---
     gross receipts, franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, add-on minimum,
     sales, use, transfer,
<PAGE>
 
                                     -31-

     registration, value added, excise, natural resources, severance, stamp,
     occupation, premium, windfall profit, environmental, customs, duties, real
     property, personal property, capital stock, intangibles, social security,
     unemployment, disability, payroll, license, employee or other tax or levy,
     of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalties or additions to
     tax in respect of the foregoing.

             (B)     "Tax Return" means any return, declaration, report, claim
                      --- ------
     for refund, information return or other document (including any related or
     supporting estimates, elections, schedules, statements or information)
     filed or required to be filed in connection with the determination,
     assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws,
     regulations or administrative requirements relating to any Tax.

     4.11   Employees.  Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Seller 
            ---------
Disclosure Schedule:

            (a)     Neither the Seller nor any of its subsidiaries maintains or
     contributes to any "employee pension benefit plan" (the "Seller Pension
                                                              ------ ------- 
     Plans"), as such term is defined in Section 3 of ERISA, "employee welfare
     -----
     benefit plan" (the "Seller Benefit Plans"), as such term is defined in
                         ------ ------- -----
     Section 3 of ERISA, stock option plan, stock purchase plan, deferred
     compensation plan, other employee benefit plan for employees of the Seller
     or any subsidiary thereof, or any other plan, program or arrangement of the
     same or similar nature that provides benefits to non-employee directors of
     the Seller or any subsidiary thereof (collectively, the "Seller Other
                                                              ------ -----
     Plans").
     -----                                          

             (b)     The Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer
     contemporaneous with the delivery of the Seller Disclosure Schedule a
     complete and accurate copy of each of the following with respect to each of
     the Seller Pension Plans, the Seller Benefit Plans and the Seller Other
     Plans: (i) plan document; (ii) trust agreement or insurance contract, if
     any; (iii) most recent IRS determination letter, if any; (iv) most recent
     actuarial report, if any; and (v) most recent annual report on Form 5500.

             (c)     The current value of the assets of each of the Seller
     Pension Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA exceeds that plan's "Benefit
     Liabilities" as that term is defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, when
     determined under actuarial factors that would apply if that plan terminated
     in accordance with all applicable legal requirements.

             (d)     Each of the Seller Pension Plans and each of the Seller
     Benefit Plans has been administered in compliance with its terms in all
     material respects and is in compliance in all material respects with the
     applicable provisions of ERISA (including, but not limited to, the funding
     and prohibited transactions provisions thereof), the Code and other
     applicable laws.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -32-

             (e)     There has been no reportable event within the meaning of
     Section 4043(b) of ERISA or any waived funding deficiency within the
     meaning of Section 412(d)(3) (or any predecessor section) of the Code with
     respect to any the Seller Pension Plan.

             (f)     The Seller and its subsidiaries have made or provided for
     all contributions to the Seller Pension Plans required thereunder as of the
     date of this representation.

             (g)     Neither the Seller nor any of its subsidiaries has, since
     September 2, 1974, contributed to any "Multiemployer Plan," as such term is
     defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

             (h)     Each of the Seller Pension Plans which is intended to be a
     qualified plan within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code is so
     qualified, and Seller is not aware of any fact or circumstance which would
     adversely affect the qualified status of any such plan.

             (i)     Neither Seller nor any of its subsidiaries is party to or
     maintains any contract or other arrangement with any employee or group of
     employees, providing severance payments, stock or stock-equivalent payments
     or post-employment benefits of any kind or providing that any otherwise
     disclosed plan, program or arrangement will irrevocably continue, with
     respect to any or all of its participants, for any period of time.

     4.12    Agreements with Banking Authorities.  Except as set forth in
             ---------- ---- ------- -----------
Section 4.12 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, neither the Seller nor any of
its subsidiaries is a party to any commitment, letter, written agreement,
memorandum of understanding or order to cease and desist with, or has adopted
any resolutions at the request of, any federal or state governmental entity
charged with the supervision or regulation of banks, bank holding companies or
savings and loan holding companies or engaged in the insurance of bank deposits
which restricts materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates
to its capital adequacy, credit policies, management or overall safety and
soundness or such entity's ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

     4.13    Material Agreements.  Except as set forth in the index of exhibits
             -------- ----------
in the Seller's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1994
or as otherwise disclosed in Section 4.13 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule,
except for this Agreement and the agreements specifically referred to herein,
neither the Seller nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by (a)
any agreement, arrangement, or commitment other than contracts entered into in
the ordinary course of the Saving Bank's banking business and consistent with
past practice that has a term of more than one year or requires payment by the
Seller or any subsidiary of more than $150,000 annually; (b) any written (or
oral, if
<PAGE>
 
                                     -33-

material) agreement, arrangement, or commitment relating to the employment
(including severance) of any person; (c) any contract, agreement, or
understanding with any labor union; or (d) any other contract or agreement or
amendment thereto that would be required to be filed as an exhibit to Seller's
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

     4.14    Ownership of Property.  The Seller and its subsidiaries have good
             --------- -- --------
and marketable title to all assets and properties, whether real or personal,
tangible or intangible (including, without limitation, the capital stock of its
subsidiaries and all other assets and properties), reflected on the Seller
Balance Sheet, or acquired subsequent thereto subject to no encumbrances, liens,
mortgages, security interests or pledges, except (a) those items that secure
liabilities that are reflected in said balance sheet or the notes thereto or
incurred in the ordinary course of business after the date of such balance
sheet, (b) statutory liens for amounts not yet delinquent or which are being
contested in good faith, (c) those items that secure public or statutory
obligations or any discount with, borrowing from, or other obligations to any
Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank, inter-bank credit facilities, or
any transaction by the Seller or any subsidiary acting in a fiduciary capacity,
and (d) such encumbrances, liens, mortgages, security interests, and pledges
that are not in the aggregate material to the Seller on a consolidated basis.
The Seller and its subsidiaries as lessees have the right under valid and
existing leases to use, possess and control all of the personal property leased
by Seller and its subsidiaries as presently used, possessed and controlled by
the Seller and its subsidiaries except where not material to the Seller on a
consolidated basis. The Savings Bank owns in fee simple, directly or indirectly
through wholly owned subsidiaries, all of the Bank Premises.

     4.15    Reports.  Since November 1, 1994, the Seller and its subsidiaries
             -------
have filed, and subsequent to the date hereof will file, all reports,
registrations and statements, together with any amendments required to be made
with respect thereto, that were and are required to be filed with (a) the SEC,
including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and proxy
statements (and all such reports, registrations and statements have been or will
be made available by the Seller to the Buyer), (b) the OTS, (c) the FDIC, (d)
the Massachusetts Commissioner and (e) any applicable state securities
authorities (except, in the case of state securities authorities, no such
representation is made as to filings which are not material) (all such reports
and statements are collectively referred to herein as the "Seller Reports"). As
                                                           ------ -------
of their respective dates, the Seller Reports complied and, with respect to
filings made after the date of this Agreement, will at the date of filing
comply, in all material respects with all of the statutes, rules and regulations
enforced or promulgated by the regulatory authority with which they were filed.
As of their respective dates, the Seller Reports described in clause (a) above
did not contain and, with respect to filings made after the date of this
Agreement, will not at the date of filing contain, any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -34-

     4.16    Compliance with Applicable Law.  Except as set forth in Section
             ---------- ---- ---------- ---
4.16 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or as otherwise previously disclosed in
writing by Seller to Buyer, the Seller holds all material licenses, franchises,
permits and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of its business, and
the Seller has complied with and is not in default in any respect under any,
applicable law, statute, order, rule, regulation or policy of, or agreement
with, any federal, state or local governmental agency or authority relating to
the Seller, other than where such default or noncompliance will not result in or
create a reasonable probability of resulting in a Material Adverse Effect on
Seller or otherwise materially adversely affect Seller's or the Savings Bank's
ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Bank Merger
Agreement, as applicable, and the Seller has not received notice of any
violation of, or commencement of any proceeding in connection with any violation
of any such law, statute, order, rule, regulation, policy or agreement, as to
which there is a reasonable probability of an adverse determination and which,
if adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate, result in the
imposition of CMPs in a material amount or otherwise expose Seller or any of its
subsidiaries to financial liability in a material amount.

     4.17    Environmental Matters.  Except as disclosed in Section 4.17 of
             ------------- -------
the Seller Disclosure Schedule, Seller and its subsidiaries are in compliance
and have always been in compliance with all environmental laws, rules,
regulations and standards promulgated, adopted or enforced by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") and of similar agencies in states in
which they conduct their respective business, except for any noncompliance that
singly or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller.
Except as disclosed in Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no
suit, claim, action or proceeding now pending before any court, governmental
agency or board or other forum or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened by any
person, as to which there is a reasonable probability of an adverse
determination and which, if adversely determined, would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller (i) for alleged
noncompliance with any environmental law, rule or regulation or (ii) relating to
the discharge or release into the environment of any hazardous material or waste
at or on a site presently or formerly owned, leased or operated by Seller or any
subsidiary of Seller or in which Seller or any Seller subsidiary has a lien or
other security interest.

     4.18    Antitakeover Statutes Not Applicable.  Assuming the accuracy of
             ------------ -------- --- ----------
Buyer's representation in Section 3.14 above, no "fair price," "moratorium,"
"control share acquisition" or other form of antitakeover statute or regulation,
including without limitation Chapters 110D and 110F of the MBCL, is applicable
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     4.19    Ownership of Buyer Common Stock.  As of the date hereof, neither
             --------- -- ----- ------ -----
the Seller nor, to its best knowledge, any of its affiliates or associates (as
such terms are defined under the Exchange Act), (a) beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, or (b) are parties to any agreement, arrangement or understanding
for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case,
shares of capital stock of the Buyer, which in the aggregate
<PAGE>
 
                                     -35-

represent five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Buyer entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (other than
Trust Account Shares or DPC Shares).

     4.20    Insurance.  The Seller and each of its subsidiaries is presently
             ---------
insured, and since January 1, 1992 has been insured, for reasonable amounts
against such risks as companies engaged in a similar business in a similar
location would, in accordance with good business practice, customarily be
insured.


     4.21    Labor.  No work stoppage involving the Seller or any of its
             -----
subsidiaries is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Seller, threatened.
Neither the Seller nor any of its subsidiaries is involved in, or, to the best
knowledge of the Seller, threatened with or affected by, any dispute,
arbitration, lawsuit or administrative proceeding relating to labor or
employment matters which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect with respect to the Seller. No employees of the Seller or any of
its subsidiaries are represented by any labor union, and, to the best knowledge
of the Seller, no labor union is attempting to organize employees of the Seller
or any of its subsidiaries.

     4.22    Material Interests of Certain Persons. Except as disclosed in
             -------- --------- -- ------- ------- 
Section 4.22 of the Seller Disclosure Schedule or in Seller's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1994, no officer or director of the
Seller, or any "associate" (as such term is defined in Rule 14a-1 under the
Exchange Act) of any such officer or director, has any material interest in any
material contract or property (real or personal), tangible or intangible, used
in or pertaining to the business of the Seller or any of its subsidiaries.

     4.23    Absence of Registration Obligations. Neither the Seller nor any of
             ------- -- ------------ -----------
its subsidiaries is under any obligation, contingent or otherwise, by reason of
any agreement to register or otherwise issue any of its securities which will
continue after the Effective Time.

     4.24    Loans.  All outstanding loans of, or extensions of credit by,
             -----
Seller and/or the Savings Bank, other than loans or extensions of credit to be
sold prior to the Effective Time in accordance with Section 5.18 (individually,
a "Loan" and collectively the "Loans"), were solicited, originated and currently
exist in compliance with all requirements of federal and state statutory and
common law and any regulations promulgated thereunder and all Loans are
adequately documented, except where any failures with respect to any of the
foregoing would not have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on the Seller or otherwise materially adversely affect Seller's
or the Savings Bank's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement
and the Bank Merger Agreement. Except as disclosed in Section 4.24 of the Seller
Disclosure Schedule, (i) none of the Loans are presently serviced by third
parties and there is no obligation which could result in any Loan becoming
subject to any third party servicing and (ii) no Loan has been sold with
continuing recourse liability on the part of Seller or any of its subsidiaries.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -36-

     4.25    Seller Information.  The information relating to the Seller and
             ------ -----------
its subsidiaries to be contained or incorporated by reference in the Buyer
Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement as described in Section 5.04
hereof, and any other documents filed with the SEC or any regulatory agency in
connection herewith, to the extent such information is provided in writing by
the Seller, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make such information not misleading.

     4.26    Disclosure.  No representation or warranty contained in this 
             ----------
Agreement, and no statement contained in any certificate, list or other writing,
including but not necessarily limited to the Schedules, furnished to the Buyer
or the Bank pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the best knowledge of the
Seller, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements herein
or therein not misleading.


                                   ARTICLE V

                           COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
                           --------- -- --- -------

     5.01    Conduct of the Business of Seller. During the period from the date
             ------- -- --- -------- -- ------
of this Agreement to the Effective Time, and except with respect to the
transactions required or permitted to be undertaken by Seller prior to the
Effective Time in accordance with Section 5.18 below and Seller's management
during such period of the assets, liabilities and operations that are the
subject of such transactions or except as specifically described in Section 5.01
of the Seller Disclosure Schedule, the Seller:

             (a)     shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to, conduct
     its business and engage in transactions only in the ordinary and usual
     course of business consistent with past practices, which shall mean (i)
     conducting its banking, trust and other businesses in the ordinary and
     usual course, (ii) refraining from any of the activities described in
     Section 5.01(b) below and (iii) not entering into any material transactions
     except in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past
     practices;

             (b)     shall not and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to,
     without the prior written consent of the Buyer:

                     (i)    engage or participate in any material transaction or
             incur or sustain any material obligation or liability except in the
             ordinary, regular and usual course of its businesses consistent
             with past practices;

                     (ii)   accept, renew or roll over any "brokered deposit" as
             defined under 12 C.F.R. (s)(s)337.6(a)(3) or offer an interest rate
             with respect to any
<PAGE>
 
                                     -37-

             deposit that would either constitute an impermissible interest rate
             with respect to deposits of an undercapitalized insured depository
             institution pursuant to the limitations contained under 12
             C.F.R.(s)(s)337.6(b)(3)(ii) or otherwise set interest rates on
             deposits that depart from past practices of the Savings Bank with
             respect to the setting of interest rates on deposits, unless such
             interest rates do not exceed the rates then offered by the Bank on
             comparable deposit products;

                     (iii)  except in the ordinary, regular and usual course of
             business consistent with past practices and in an immaterial
             aggregate amount, sell, lease, transfer, assign, encumber or
             otherwise dispose of or enter into any contract, agreement or
             understanding to lease, transfer, assign, encumber or dispose of
             any of its assets;

                     (iv)   relocate, or file any application to relocate, any
             branch office;

                     (v)    terminate, or give any notice (written or verbal) to
             customers or governmental authorities or agencies to terminate the
             operations of any branch office; or

                     (vi)   waive any material right, whether in equity or at
             law, that it has with respect to any asset except in the ordinary,
             regular and usual course of business consistent with past practice;

             (c)     shall use all reasonable efforts, and cause each of its
     subsidiaries to use all reasonable efforts, to preserve intact its business
     organization and goodwill in all material respects, keep available the
     services of its officers and employees as a group and maintain satisfactory
     relationships with borrowers, depositors, other customers and others having
     business relationships with it;

             (d)     shall, at the Buyer's request and expense, use its best
     efforts to cooperate with the Buyer with respect to preparation for the
     combination and integration of the businesses, systems and operations of
     the Bank and the Savings Bank, and shall confer on a regular and frequent
     basis with one or more representatives of the Buyer to report on
     operational and related matters;

             (e)     shall, subject to any restrictions under applicable law or
     regulation, promptly notify the Buyer of any emergency or other change in
     the normal course of its or its subsidiaries' businesses or in the
     operation of its or its subsidiaries' properties and of any governmental
     complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that
     the same may be contemplated) if such emergency, change, complaint,
     investigation or hearing would be material to the assets, properties,
     liabilities, business, results of operations, financial condition or
     prospects of the Seller or any of its subsidiaries;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -38-

             (f)     shall not declare or pay any dividends on or make any other
     distributions in respect of the Seller Common Stock after the Measurement
     Date ;

             (g)     Seller (with Buyer's cooperation) prior to the Effective
     Time, and Buyer upon and following the Effective Time, shall take all
     appropriate steps to (i) effectuate termination of the Seller ESOP
     effective as of the Effective Time, (ii) cause the Seller ESOP, upon
     termination, to repay promptly and in full any loan outstanding, and (iii)
     cause any shares of Seller Common Stock or Buyer Common Stock held
     unallocated in the Seller ESOP following such termination and repayment to
     be allocated among the accounts of those participants in the Seller ESOP
     who were participants immediately prior to the Effective Time in proportion
     to their relative compensation for the period beginning with the first day
     of the plan year of the Seller ESOP in which the Closing Date occurs and
     ending on the Effective Time, subject only to such limitations as are
     required to maintain qualification of the Seller ESOP under the Code.
     Seller may repurchase from the Seller ESOP a sufficient number of shares of
     Seller Common Stock for not less than "adequate consideration" as defined
     in Section 3(18) of ERISA to permit the Seller ESOP to repay in full any
     loan outstanding to the Seller ESOP. Seller shall not otherwise adopt or
     amend (other than amendments required by applicable law or amendments that
     reduce amounts payable by it or its subsidiaries) in any material respect
     any Seller Pension Plan, any Seller Benefit Plan or any Seller Other Plan
     or enter (or permit any of its subsidiaries to enter) into any employment,
     severance or similar contract with any person (including, without
     limitation, contracts with management which might require that payments be
     made upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) or
     amend any such existing agreements, plans or contracts to increase any
     amounts payable thereunder or benefits provided thereunder, or grant or
     permit any increase in compensation to its or its subsidiaries' employees
     as a class or pay any bonus except in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practices and as disclosed in Section 5.01(g) of the
     Seller Disclosure Schedule;

             (h)     subject to its directors fiduciary duties, shall not, with
     respect to itself or any of its subsidiaries, authorize, recommend, propose
     or announce an intention to authorize, recommend or propose, or enter into
     an agreement with respect to, any merger, consolidation, purchase and
     assumption transaction or business combination (other than the Acquisition
     Merger and the Bank Merger), any acquisition of a material amount of assets
     or securities or assumption of liabilities (including deposit liabilities),
     any disposition of a material amount of assets or securities, or any
     release or relinquishment of any material contract rights not in the
     ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

             (i)     shall not propose or adopt amendments to its certificate of
     incorporation or by-laws;
<PAGE>
 
                                     -39-

             (j)     shall not issue, deliver or sell any shares (whether
     original issuance or from treasury shares) of its capital stock or
     securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of its capital stock
     (or permit any of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell any shares of
     such subsidiaries' capital stock or securities convertible into or
     exercisable for shares of such subsidiaries' capital stock), except upon
     exercise or fulfillment of options issued or existing on the date hereof
     pursuant to the Seller Stock Option Plan and listed in Section 5.01(j) of
     the Seller Disclosure Schedule, and except upon exercise of the Seller
     Option, as applicable, or effect any stock split, reverse stock split,
     recapitalization, reclassification or similar transaction or otherwise
     change its equity capitalization as it exists on the date hereof;

             (k)     shall not grant, confer or award any options, warrants,
     conversion rights or other rights, not existing on the date hereof, to
     acquire any shares of its capital stock;

             (l)     shall not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or permit
     any of its subsidiaries to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any
     shares of its capital stock or any securities convertible into or
     exercisable for any shares of its capital stock, except in a fiduciary
     capacity;

             (m)     shall not impose, or suffer the imposition, on any share of
     capital stock held by it or by any of its subsidiaries of any material
     lien, charge, or encumbrance, or permit any such lien, charge, or
     encumbrance to exist;

             (n)     shall not incur, or permit any of its subsidiaries to
     incur, any additional debt obligation or other obligation for borrowed
     money, or to guaranty any additional debt obligation or other obligation
     for borrowed money, except in the ordinary course of business consistent
     with past practices, which shall include but not necessarily be limited to
     creation of deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds, sales of
     certificates of deposit and entry into repurchase agreements or other
     similar arrangements commonly employed by banks;

             (o)     shall not incur or commit to any capital expenditures or
     any obligations or liabilities in connection therewith, other than capital
     expenditures and such related obligations or liabilities incurred or
     committed to in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with
     past practices, which, in all cases, do not individually exceed $75,000 or
     cumulatively exceed $300,000;

             (p)     shall not change its methods of accounting in effect at
     October 31, 1994, except as may be required by changes in GAAP as concurred
     in by the Seller's independent auditors, and the Seller shall not change
     its fiscal year;

             (q)     shall file all reports, applications and other documents
     required to be filed by it with the SEC, OTS, FDIC, Massachusetts
     Commissioner and any other
<PAGE>
 
                                     -40-

     governmental agency or authority between the date of this Agreement and the
     Effective Time and shall furnish to the Buyer copies of all such reports
     promptly after the same are filed; and

             (r)     shall not agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of
     the actions prohibited under this Section 5.01 or any action which would
     make any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement
     untrue or incorrect or would otherwise violate any of its other agreements
     or commitments contained in this Agreement in any material respect.

     5.02    Access to Properties and Records; Confidentiality.
             ------ -- ---------- --- -------  ---------------

             (a)     The Seller shall permit the Buyer reasonable access to its
     properties and those of its subsidiaries, and shall disclose and make
     available to the Buyer all Records, including all books, papers and records
     relating to the assets, stock ownership, properties, operations,
     obligations and liabilities of the Seller and its subsidiaries, including,
     but not limited to, all books of account (including the general ledger),
     tax records, minute books of directors and stockholders meetings,
     organizational documents, by-laws, material contracts and agreements,
     filings with any regulatory authority, accountants' work papers, litigation
     files, plans affecting employees, and any other business activities or
     prospects in which the Buyer may reasonably have an interest in light of
     the transactions contemplated hereby. In connection with the foregoing and
     not in limitation thereof, Seller and its subsidiaries shall provide Buyer
     or any party designated by Buyer such access to all commercial real estate
     loan files and related materials as is sufficient to enable Buyer or any
     such designee of Buyer to participate in a timely manner on a fully
     informed basis in any auction process with regard to Seller's disposition
     of its commercial real estate loan portfolio as may be undertaken by Seller
     in accordance with Section 5.21 below. The Seller shall make arrangements
     with each third party provider of services to the Seller to permit the
     Buyer reasonable access to all of the Seller's Records held by each such
     third party. The Buyer shall permit the Seller reasonable access to such
     properties and records of the Buyer and/or its subsidiaries in which the
     Seller may reasonably have an interest in light of the transactions
     contemplated hereby. Neither the Buyer nor the Seller nor any of their
     respective subsidiaries shall be required to provide access to or to
     disclose information where such access or disclosure would violate or
     prejudice the rights of any customer, would jeopardize the attorney-client
     privilege of the institution in possession or control of such information,
     or would contravene any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or
     binding agreement. The parties will use all reasonable efforts to make
     appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which
     the restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.

             (b)     All Confidential Information, as such term is defined
     below, furnished by each party hereto to the other, or to any of its
     affiliates or to any of its affiliates'
<PAGE>
 
                                     -41-

     directors, officers, employees, or representatives or agents (such persons
     being referred to collectively herein as "Representatives") shall be
                                               ---------------
     treated as the sole property of the party furnishing the information until
     consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and, if such
     transactions shall not occur, the party receiving the information, or any
     of its affiliates or Representatives, as the case may be, shall, upon
     request, return to the party which furnished such information all documents
     or other materials containing, reflecting or referring to such information,
     shall keep confidential all such information for the period hereinafter
     referred to, and shall not directly or indirectly at any time use such
     information for any competitive or other commercial purpose; provided,
                                                                  --------  
     however, that the Buyer and its affiliates shall be permitted to retain and
     -------
     share with their regulators, examiners and auditors (who need to know such
     information and are informed of the confidential nature thereof and
     directed to treat such information confidentially), and with no other
     persons, such materials, files and information relating to or constituting
     the Buyer's or any of its affiliates' or Representatives' work product,
     presentations or evaluation materials as the Buyer deems reasonably
     necessary or advisable in connection with auditing or examination purposes,
     and Buyer shall not make use of any such materials, files or information
     for any other purpose. The obligation to keep such information confidential
     shall continue for two years from the date this Agreement is terminated or
     as long as may be required by law. In the event that either party or its
     affiliates or Representatives are requested or required in the context of a
     litigation, governmental, judicial or regulatory investigation or other
     similar proceeding (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for
     information or documents, subpoenas, civil investigative demands or similar
     process) to disclose any Confidential Information, the party or its
     affiliate or its Representative so requested or required will directly or
     through the party or such affiliate or Representative, if practicable and
     legally permitted, prior to providing such information, and as promptly as
     practicable after receiving such request, provide the other party with
     notice of each such request or requirement so that the other party may seek
     an appropriate protective order or other remedy or, if appropriate, waive
     compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. If, in the absence of a
     protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, the party or
     affiliate or Representative so requested or required is, in the written
     opinion of its counsel, legally required to disclose Confidential
     Information to any tribunal, governmental or regulatory authority, or
     similar body, the party or affiliate or Representative so required may
     disclose that portion of the Confidential Information which it is advised
     in writing by such counsel it is legally required to so disclose to such
     tribunal or authority or similar body without liability to the other party
     hereto for such disclosure. The parties and their affiliates and
     Representatives will exercise reasonable efforts, at the expense of the
     party who disclosed Confidential Information to the other party, to obtain
     assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the information so
     disclosed.

             As used in this Section 5.02(b), "Confidential Information"
                                               ------------ -----------
     means all data, reports, interpretations, forecasts and records (whether in
     written form, electronically
<PAGE>
 
                                     -42-
            
     stored or otherwise) containing or otherwise reflecting information
     concerning the disclosing party or its affiliates which is not available to
     the general public and which the disclosing party or any affiliate or any
     of their respective Representatives provides or has previously provided to
     the receiving party or to the receiving party's affiliates or
     Representatives at any time in connection with the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to any
     information obtained by meeting with Representatives of the disclosing
     party or its affiliates, together with summaries, analyses, extracts,
     compilations, studies, personal notes or other documents or records,
     whether prepared by the receiving party or others, which contain or
     otherwise reflect such information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
     following information will not constitute "Confidential Information": (i)
                                                ------------ -----------
     information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than
     as a result of a disclosure by the receiving party or any affiliate or
     Representative of the receiving party, (ii) information that was previously
     known to the receiving party or its affiliates or Representatives on a
     nonconfidential basis prior to its disclosure by the disclosing party, its
     affiliates or Representatives, (iii) information that became or becomes
     available to the receiving party or any affiliate or Representative thereof
     on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the disclosing party or
     any affiliate or Representatives of the disclosing party, provided that
     such source is not known by the disclosing party or its affiliates or
     Representatives to be subject to any confidentiality agreement or other
     legal restriction on disclosing such information and (iv) information that
     has been independently acquired or developed by the receiving party or its
     affiliates or Representatives without violating the obligation's of this
     Section 5.02(b).
   
     5.03    No Solicitation. Unless and until this Agreement shall have been
             -- ------------
properly terminated by either party pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof, neither the
Seller nor any of its subsidiaries shall (and the Seller and each of its
subsidiaries shall use all reasonable efforts to cause its officers, directors,
employees, representatives and agents, including, but not limited to, investment
bankers, attorneys and accountants, not to), directly or indirectly, encourage,
solicit, initiate or, subject to the fiduciary obligations of the Seller's Board
of Directors (as advised in writing by outside counsel), participate in any
discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any
corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group (other than the Buyer
and its affiliates or representatives) concerning any merger, tender offer, sale
of substantial assets (other than as otherwise permitted under this Agreement),
sale of shares of capital stock or debt securities or similar transaction
involving the Seller or any of its subsidiaries (an "Acquisition Transaction").
                                                     ----------- ----------- 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 5.03 shall
prohibit the Seller or its Board of Directors from taking and disclosing to the
Seller's stockholders a position with respect to a tender offer by a third party
pursuant to Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from
making such disclosure to the Seller's stockholders which, in the judgment of
the Board of Directors, with the written advice of outside counsel, may be
required under applicable law. The Seller will immediately communicate to the
Buyer the terms of any proposal, discussion, negotiation or inquiry
<PAGE>
 
                                     -43-

relating to an Acquisition Transaction and the identity of the party making such
proposal or inquiry which it may receive in respect of any such transaction
(which shall mean that any such communication shall be delivered no less
promptly than by telephone within twenty-four (24) hours of the Seller's receipt
of any such proposal or inquiry) or its receipt of any request for information
from the OTS, Federal Reserve Board, DOJ or any other governmental agency or
authority with respect to a proposed Acquisition Transaction.

     5.04    Regulatory Matters; Consents.
             ---------- -------  --------
            
             (a)     The parties will cooperate in connection with (i) the
     preparation and filing by the Buyer with the SEC under the Securities Act
     of a registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the shares of the Buyer
     Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Acquisition Merger (the
     "Buyer Registration Statement"), (ii) the preparation and filing by the
      ----- ------------ --------- 
     Seller of a proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") with the SEC under the
                                       ----- ---------
     Exchange Act as shall be necessary or desirable in order to consummate the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each to be undertaken as
     promptly as practicable, and the Buyer and the Seller will use their
     respective best efforts to have the Buyer Registration Statement declared
     effective by the SEC and to mail the Proxy Statement to the Seller's
     stockholders as promptly as practicable. The parties shall also take any
     reasonable action required to be taken under any state "Blue Sky" laws in
     connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement. In addition to the foregoing, except as may be required by its
     board of directors' fiduciary duties as advised in writing by outside
     counsel, neither party shall take or permit any of its subsidiaries to take
     any action that materially adversely affects its ability to consummate the
     transactions contemplated under this Agreement or the Bank Merger Agreement
     in a timely manner.

             (b)     Each of the Seller and the Buyer will cooperate with the
     other and use all reasonable efforts to prepare all documentation, to
     effect all filings and to obtain all permits, consents, approvals and
     authorizations of all third parties and governmental bodies necessary or
     appropriate to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
     and the Bank Merger Agreement. Each party hereto shall have the right to
     review and approve in advance all descriptions of it and its subsidiaries
     which appear in any filing made in connection with the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation all filings
     contemplated by Section 5.04(a) above, with any governmental body. In
     exercising the foregoing right, the parties hereto shall act reasonably and
     as promptly as practicable.

     5.05    Approval of Seller's Stockholders.  The Seller will (a) as
             -------- -- -------- ------------
promptly as practicable, take all steps necessary to duly call, give notice of,
convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of approving this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and for such other purposes
as may be necessary or desirable, (b)
<PAGE>
 
                                     -44-

subject to the fiduciary duties of its board of directors as advised in writing
by outside counsel, recommend to its stockholders the approval of such foregoing
matters to be submitted by it to its stockholders, and (c) cooperate and consult
with the Buyer with respect to each of the foregoing matters. Subject to the
fiduciary duties of its board of directors as advised in writing by outside
counsel, the Seller will use all reasonable efforts to obtain the necessary
approvals of its stockholders of the proposals described above to be submitted
by it in connection with this Agreement. If the Seller's Board of Directors is
required by applicable law to review or restate the recommendation to the
Seller's stockholders contemplated in clause (b) of the preceding sentence, this
Section 5.05 shall not prohibit accurate disclosure by the Seller that is
required in any release or regulatory filing (including the Proxy Statement and
the Buyer Registration Statement) or otherwise under applicable law in the
opinion of the Seller's Board of Directors, upon the written advice of outside
counsel, as of the date of such release or regulatory filing or such other
required disclosure as to the transactions contemplated hereby or as to any
Acquisition Transaction.

     5.06    Agreements of Seller's Affiliates. The Seller shall identify in a
             ---------- -- -------- ----------  
letter to the Buyer, after consultation with counsel, all persons who, at the
time of the meeting of its stockholders referred to in Section 5.05 hereof, it
believes may be deemed to be "affiliates" of the Seller, as that term is defined
for purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 145 under the Securities Act,
(the "Seller Affiliates"). The Seller shall use all reasonable efforts to cause
      ------ ---------- 
each person who is identified as a Seller Affiliate in the letter referred to
above to deliver to the Buyer at least forty (40) days prior to the Closing Date
an executed copy of the Seller Affiliates Agreement. Prior to the Closing Date,
the Seller shall amend and supplement such letter and use all reasonable efforts
to cause each additional person who is identified as a Seller Affiliate as of
the Closing Date to execute a copy of the Seller Affiliates Agreement.

     5.07    Further Assurances.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein
             ------- ----------
provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts to, as
promptly as practicable, take, or cause to be taken, all action 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 transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement or to vest the Bank
upon and after the Bank Merger Effective Time with full title to all properties,
assets, rights, approvals, immunities and franchises of the Savings Bank. In
case at any time after the Effective Time or the Bank Merger Effective Time any
further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this
Agreement or the Bank Merger Agreement or to vest the Bank with full title to
all properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and franchises of the
Savings Bank, the proper officers and directors of each party to this Agreement
and the Bank Merger Agreement, as applicable, shall take all such necessary
action.

     5.08    Disclosure Supplements.  From time to time prior to the Effective
             ---------- -----------
Time, and in any event immediately prior to the Effective Time, Seller will
promptly supplement or amend the Seller Disclosure Schedule with respect to any
matter hereafter arising which, if
<PAGE>
 
                                     -45-

existing, occurring or known at the date of this Agreement, would have been
required to be set forth or described in the Seller Disclosure Schedule or which
is necessary to correct any information in the Seller Disclosure Schedule which
has become inaccurate. No such supplement or amendment to the Seller Disclosure
Schedules pursuant to this Section 5.08 shall have any effect for the purpose of
determining satisfaction of any of the conditions set forth in Article VI
hereof.

     5.09    Public Announcements.  Except as otherwise required by law or the
             ------ -------------
rules of the NYSE or the NASD, the Seller and the Buyer will cooperate with each
other in the development and distribution of all news releases and other public
information disclosures with respect to this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     5.10    Organization of Merger Subsidiary.  Prior to the Effective Time,
             ---------------------------------
Buyer shall cause Merger Subsidiary to be organized under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The authorized capital stock of Merger Subsidiary
shall consist of one hundred (100) shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share ("Merger Subsidiary Common Stock"), all of which shall be issued directly
        ------ ---------- ------ -----  
or indirectly to, and held directly or indirectly by, Buyer. Prior to the
Effective Time, Merger Subsidiary shall not conduct any business or otherwise
engage in any material activities or incur any material liabilities, except as
specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as the parties hereto may
otherwise agree. Following the organization of Merger Subsidiary, Buyer shall
cause Merger Subsidiary to execute and deliver an appropriate instrument of
accession to this Agreement, whereupon Merger Subsidiary shall become a party
to, and be bound by, this Agreement.

     5.11    Tax-Free Reorganization Treatment. None of the parties hereto or
             -------- -------------- ---------
any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates has taken, shall take or will
cause to be taken any action, whether before or after the Effective Time, which
would disqualify the Acquisition Merger and the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement as a "reorganization" within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; provided, however, that nothing herein
                                       --------  -------
shall limit the ability of the Buyer to exercise its rights under the Seller
Option Agreement.

     5.12    Stock Exchange Listing. The Buyer shall use all reasonable
             ----- -------- -------
efforts to cause the shares of the Buyer Common Stock to be issued in connection
with the Acquisition Merger to be approved for listing on the NYSE and the BSE,
subject to official notice of issuance, as of or prior to the Effective Time.

     5.13    Employment and Benefit Matters.
             ---------- --- ------- -------      

             (a)     Initial Employment. Upon the Effective Time all the
                     ------- ----------
     employees of Savings Bank will remain employees of Savings Bank, with the
     exception of the eleven persons identified in Section 5.13 of the Seller
     Disclosure Schedule (the "Excluded Employees"), and will be subject to the
     employment arrangements and pay
<PAGE>
 
                                     -46-

     practices, including without limitation benefits, generally made available
     by Buyer and the Bank to employees of the Bank. The parties acknowledge
     that Buyer has provided to Seller and/or its advisers copies of Buyer's
     Reduction in Force (i.e., severance) policy ("RIF Policy"), the terms of
                                                   ----------
     which shall apply to the employees of Savings Bank, other than the Excluded
     Employees, after the Effective Time. A copy of Buyer's RIF Policy is
     attached hereto as Exhibit E.
                        ---------  

             (b)     Maintenance of Plans; Benefits Service Credit. Subject to
                     ----------- -- -----  -------- ------- ------
     Section 5.13(a) above, as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time,
     Buyer agrees to provide the employees of Seller and its affiliates with
     benefits maintained by Buyer and its affiliates from time to time for the
     benefit of their employees similarly situated. Buyer shall cause each such
     plan, program or arrangement to treat the prior service of each such
     employee with the Seller or its affiliates, to the extent such prior
     service is recognized under the comparable plan, program or arrangement of
     the Seller, as service rendered to Buyer or its affiliate, as the case may
     be, for purposes of eligibility to participate, vesting, rate of accrual
     under Buyer's cash balance retirement plan and eligibility for special
     benefits under each such plan, program or arrangement of Buyer, but not for
     benefit accrual attributable to any period before the Effective Time.
     Without limiting the foregoing, Buyer and its affiliates shall not treat
     any employee of Seller or any of its affiliates as a "new" employee for
     purposes of any exclusion under any health or similar plan of Buyer or any
     of its affiliates for a preexisting medical condition.

             (c)     Employment Obligations. Following the Effective Time and/or
                     ----------- -- -----  -------- ------- ------
     the Bank Merger Effective Time, as applicable, Buyer shall, or shall cause
     the Bank to, honor in accordance with their terms all employment,
     severance, split dollar life insurance and other compensation contracts
     between Seller or any subsidiary thereof and any director, officer or
     employee thereof, and all provisions for benefits or other amounts earned
     or accrued through the Effective Time under the Seller Pension Plans or the
     Seller Benefit Plans. Buyer shall not cause or permit Seller's defined
     benefit pension plan to be terminated or combined with another plan unless
     the amount, if any, by which the value of the assets of the said plan at
     the date of termination or combination exceeds the liabilities of the said
     plan at that date shall first have been allocated among persons who were
     participants in the said plan before the Effective Time.

     5.14    Directors' and Officers' Indemnification. Buyer agrees that all
             ---------  --- -------- 
rights to indemnification existing in favor, and all limitations on the personal
liability, of any director, officer or other employee of Seller or any of its
subsidiaries provided for in Seller's articles of organization or by-laws or the
charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of any of Seller's
subsidiaries as in effect as of the date hereof with respect to matters
occurring prior to the Effective Time shall survive the Acquisition Merger and
the Bank Merger and shall continue in full force and effect for a period of not
less than six (6) years from the Closing Date; provided, however, that all
                                               --------  -------     
rights to indemnification in respect
<PAGE>
 
                                     -47-

of any claim asserted or made within such period shall continue until the
disposition of such claim. In the event Buyer or the Surviving Corporation or
any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other
person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of
such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially
all of its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, to
the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and
assigns of Buyer or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, assume the
obligations set forth in this Section 5.14.

     5.15    Accountants' Letters. The Seller shall cause to be delivered to the
             -----------  -------
Buyer "comfort" letters from the Seller's independent public accountants, dated
the date on which the Buyer Registration Statement (or last amendment thereto)
shall become effective and dated the Closing Date, relating to the information
about Seller included in the Buyer Registration Statement and addressed to the
Buyer, in form and substance which is reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and
customary in transactions of the nature contemplated hereby.

     5.16    Maintenance of Records. Through the Effective Time, the Seller will
             ----------- -- -------
maintain the Records in the same manner and with the same care that the Records
have been maintained prior to the execution of this Agreement. The Buyer may, at
its own expense, make such copies of and excerpts from the Records as it may
deem desirable. All Records, whether held by the Buyer or the Seller, shall be
maintained for such periods as are required by law, unless the parties shall,
applicable law permitting, agree in writing to a different period. From and
after the Effective Time, the Buyer shall be solely responsible for continuing
maintenance of the Records.

     5.17    Leases. Seller shall consult with Buyer before renewing or
             ------
extending any material lease of Seller or any subsidiary of real property or
relating to furniture, fixtures or equipment that is currently in effect but
that would otherwise expire on or prior to the Effective Time. Seller shall not
cancel, terminate or take other action that is likely to result in any
cancellation or termination of any such lease without first consulting with
Buyer.

     5.18    Pre-Closing Transactions. The Seller shall use all reasonable
             ----------- ------------
efforts to complete those Pre-Closing Transactions that are mandatory prior to
the close of business on the Measurement Date, which shall be completed in
accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Seller's consummation of
the Pre-Closing Transactions and its management of the assets, liabilities and
operations that are the subject of the Pre-Closing Transactions (including but
not limited to the sale, lease, transfer, assignment, encumbrance or disposition
of any assets that are the subject of any Pre-Closing Transactions, the waiver
of any legal or equitable rights with respect to such assets, the investment and
reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of such assets, and any and all hedging
activities with respect to such assets or proceeds therefrom, including the
issuance or purchase of options) shall not be included within, or otherwise
affected by, the restrictions and limitations contained in Section 5.01 above.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -48-

     5.19    Bank Merger. The parties shall take and cause the Bank and the
             ---- ------
Savings Bank, as applicable, to take all necessary and appropriate actions to
effect the Bank Merger immediately after the Effective Time in accordance with
the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations and the terms of the
Bank Merger Agreement.

     5.20    Resignations. Seller shall cause to be delivered at the Effective
             ------------
Time, if requested by Buyer, written resignations of each of the persons who are
then serving as directors of Seller and the Savings Bank, respectively.

     5.21    Disposition of Commercial Real Estate Loan Portfolio. In connection
             ----------- -- ---------- ---- ------ ---- --------- 
with Seller's completion of the Pre-Closing Transactions in accordance with
Section 5.18 hereof, Seller shall seek to complete or cause the Savings Bank to
complete, as the case may be, the disposition of its entire portfolio of
commercial and multi-family real estate loans (the "CRE Loans") by the later of
                                                    --- -----
the date on which the parties have received the last of the Requisite Regulatory
Approvals or June 1, 1996; provided, however, if all of the CRE Loans have not
been disposed of by Seller as of such later date, then Seller shall take all
necessary and appropriate actions to cause all of the then-remaining CRE Loans
to be disposed of by auction to the highest bidder by not later than July 1,
1996 and Buyer or a party to be designated by Buyer shall be permitted, at
Buyer's option, to participate in such auction proceeding and to purchase, if
Buyer or such designee is the highest bidder, the CRE Loans to be sold
thereunder.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                              CLOSING CONDITIONS

     6.01    Conditions to Each Party's Obligations Under This Agreement. The
             ---------- -- ---- ------- ----------- ----- ---- --------- 
respective obligations of each party under this Agreement shall be subject to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions,
none of which may be waived:

             (a)     Seller's Stockholders' Approval. This Agreement and the
                     -------- ------------  -------- 
     transactions contemplated hereby shall have been approved by the
     affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
     shares of the Seller Common Stock in accordance with applicable law.

             (b)     Governmental Consents. All authorizations, consents,
                     ------------ --------    
     orders or approvals of, or declarations or filings with, and all
     expirations of waiting periods imposed by, any governmental or regulatory
     authority or agency which are necessary for the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement,
     including without limitation the Acquisition Merger and the Bank Merger,
     shall have been filed, occurred or been obtained (all such authorizations,
     orders, declarations, approvals, filings and consents and the lapse of all
     such waiting periods being referred to as the "Requisite Regulatory
                                                    --------- ----------
     Approvals") 
     ---------
<PAGE>
 
                                     -49-

     and all such Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall be in full force and
     effect. In addition, the Buyer shall have received all state securities or
     blue sky permits and other authorizations necessary to issue the Buyer
     Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition Merger in accordance with
     all applicable state securities or blue sky laws.

             (c)     Buyer Registration Statement.  The Buyer Registration
                     ----- ------------ ---------
     Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall
     not be subject to a stop order or a threatened stop order.

             (d)     No Injunctions or Restraints. No temporary restraining
     order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any
     court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition (an
     "Injunction") preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated
      ----------
     by this Agreement shall be in effect.

     6.02    Conditions to the Obligations of Buyer Under This Agreement.
             ---------- -- --- ----------- -- ----- ----- ---- ---------
The obligations of the Buyer under this Agreement shall be further subject to
the satisfaction or waiver by the Buyer, at or prior to the Effective Time, of
the following conditions:

             (a)     Absence of Material Adverse Changes. There shall not have
                     ------- -- -------- ------- -------
     occurred any change in the business, operations, results of operations,
     assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Seller or
     any of its subsidiaries which has had, individually or in the aggregate, a
     Material Adverse Effect on the Seller.

             (b)     Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
                     --------------- --- ----------  ----------- -- -----------
     The obligations of the Seller required to be performed by it at or prior to
     the Effective Time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall have been
     duly performed and complied with in all material respects and the
     representations and warranties of the Seller contained in this Agreement
     shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this
     Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made at and as of the
     Effective Time (except as otherwise specifically contemplated by this
     Agreement and except as to any representation or warranty which
     specifically relates to an earlier date) and the Buyer shall have received
     a certificate to that effect signed by the chairman or president and the
     chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Seller.

             (c)      Third-Party Approvals.  Any and all permits, consents,
                      ----------- ---------
     waivers, clearances, approvals and authorizations of all non-governmental
     and non-regulatory third parties which are necessary in connection with the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and are
     required to be received or obtained by the Seller or the Savings Bank,
     shall have been obtained by the Seller or the Savings Bank, as applicable,
     other than permits, consents, waivers, clearances, approvals and
     authorizations the failure of which to obtain would neither make it
     impossible to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
     and the
<PAGE>
 
                                     -50-

     Bank Merger Agreement nor result in any Material Adverse Effect on the
     Buyer after the Effective Time and the Bank Merger Effective Time.

             (d)     Tax Opinion.  The Buyer shall have received an opinion
                     --- -------
     dated the Closing Date from its counsel, Bingham, Dana & Gould, or other
     counsel acceptable to the Buyer and the Seller, substantially to the effect
     that, on the basis of facts and representations set forth therein, or set
     forth in writing elsewhere and referred to therein, for federal income tax
     purposes the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a
     reorganization as described in Section 368(a) of the Code and addressing
     such other substantial federal income tax effects of such transactions as
     the Buyer may reasonably require and which are customary in transactions of
     a like character. In rendering any such opinion, such counsel may rely, to
     the extent they deem necessary or appropriate, upon opinions of other
     counsel, representations of an officer or officers of the Seller and the
     Buyer or any of their affiliates and representations of one or more
     shareholders of the Seller.
   
             (e)     Pre-Closing Transactions. All of the Pre-Closing
                     ----------- ------------
     Transactions that Seller is required to have completed on or prior to the
     close of business on the Measurement Date in accordance with the terms of
     Section 5.18 hereof shall have been so completed in their entirety.
     
     In addition to the foregoing, the Seller will furnish the Buyer with such
additional certificates, instruments or other documents in the name or on behalf
of the Seller, executed by appropriate officers or others, including without
limitation certificates or correspondence of governmental agencies or
authorities or nongovernmental third parties, to evidence fulfillment of the
conditions set forth in this Section 6.02 as the Buyer may reasonably request.

     6.03    Conditions to the Obligations of Seller Under This Agreement.
             ---------- -- --- ----------- -- ------ ----- ---- ---------
The obligations of the Seller under this Agreement shall be further subject to
the satisfaction or waiver by the Seller, at or prior to the Effective Time, of
the following conditions:

             (a)     Absence of Material Adverse Changes. There shall not have
                     ------- -- -------- ------- -------
     occurred any change in the business, operations, results of operations,
     assets, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Buyer or
     any of its subsidiaries which has had, individually or in the aggregate, a
     Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer.

             (b)     Representations and Warranties; Performance of Obligations.
                     --------------- --- ----------  ----------- -- -----------
     The obligations of the Buyer required to be performed by it at or prior to
     the Effective Time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall have been
     duly performed and complied with in all material respects and the
     representations and warranties of the Buyer contained in this Agreement
     shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this
     Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made at and as
<PAGE>
 
                                     -51-

     of the Effective Time (except as otherwise specifically contemplated by
     this Agreement and except as to any representation or warranty which
     specifically relates to an earlier date) and the Seller and the Savings
     Bank shall have received a certificate to that effect signed by the vice
     chairman and the chief financial officer (or other authorized officer(s))
     of the Buyer.

             (c)     Third-Party Approvals. Any and all permits, consents,
                     ----------- --------- 
     waivers, clearances, approvals and authorizations of all non-governmental
     and non-regulatory third parties which are necessary in connection with the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and are
     required to be received or obtained by the Buyer, shall have been obtained
     by the Buyer, other than permits, consents, waivers, clearances, approvals
     and authorizations the failure of which to obtain would neither make it
     impossible to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
     nor result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer after the Effective
     Time.

             (d)     Tax Opinion. The Seller shall have received an opinion
                     --- -------
     dated the Closing Date from its counsel, Ropes & Gray, or other counsel
     acceptable to the Buyer and the Seller, substantially to the effect that,
     on the basis of facts and representations set forth therein, or set forth
     in writing elsewhere and referred to therein, for federal income tax
     purposes the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a
     reorganization as described in Section 368(a) of the Code and that no gain
     or loss will be recognized by the stockholders of the Seller upon the
     receipt, pursuant to this Agreement, of the Buyer Common Stock in
     connection with the Acquisition Merger (it being understood that such
     opinion will not extend to cash received in lieu of fractional share
     interests or cash received by dissenters, if any) and addressing such other
     substantial federal income tax effects of such transaction as the Seller
     may reasonably require and which are customary in transactions of a like
     character. In rendering any such opinion, such counsel may rely, to the
     extent they deem necessary or appropriate, upon opinions of other counsel
     and upon representations of an officer or officers of the Seller and the
     Buyer or any of their affiliates.

             (e)     NYSE Listing. The shares of the Buyer Common Stock issuable
                     ---- -------
     upon the Effective Time shall have been authorized for listing on the NYSE
     upon official notice of issuance.

     In addition to the foregoing, the Buyer will furnish the Seller with such
additional certificates, instruments or other documents in the name or on behalf
of the Buyer, executed by appropriate officers or others, including without
limitation certificates or correspondence of governmental agencies or
authorities or nongovernmental third parties, to evidence fulfillment of the
conditions set forth in this Section 6.03 as the Seller may reasonably request.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -52-

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                    CLOSING
                                    -------

     7.01.   Time and Place. Subject to the provisions of Articles VI and VIII
             ---- --- -----
hereof, the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
take place at the Boston, Massachusetts offices of Bingham, Dana & Gould at
10:00 A.M., local time, on such date that is not later than the fifth business
day after the date on which all of the conditions contained in Article VI hereof
are satisfied or waived; or at such other place, at such other time, or on such
other date as Seller and Buyer may mutually agree upon for such closing to take
place.

     7.02.   Deliveries at the Closing. Subject to the provisions of Articles VI
             ---------- -- --- -------
and VIII hereof, at the closing contemplated by Section 7.01 above there shall
be delivered to Seller and Buyer and their respective subsidiaries as
applicable, the opinions, certificates, and other documents and instruments
required to be delivered under Article VI hereof.


                                 ARTICLE VIII

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
                       -----------  --------- --- ------

     8.01    Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
             -----------   
the Effective Time, whether before or after approval of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby by the Seller's stockholders:

             (a)     by mutual written consent of the Seller and the Buyer 
     authorized by their respective Boards of Directors;

             (b)     by the Seller or the Buyer if the Effective Time shall not
     have occurred on or prior to December 31, 1996 (the "Termination Date") or
                                                          ----------- ----
     such later date as shall have been agreed to in writing by the Buyer and
     the Seller;

             (c)     by the Buyer or the Seller (i) thirty days after the date
     on which any request or application for a Requisite Regulatory Approval
     shall have been denied, unless within the thirty-day period following such
     denial a petition for rehearing or an amended application has been filed
     with such governmental regulatory authority or agency, except that no party
     shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause
     (i) if such denial shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to
     terminate this Agreement to perform or observe in any material respects the
     covenants and agreements of such party set forth herein, or (ii) if any
     governmental or regulatory authority or agency, or court of competent
     jurisdiction, shall have issued a final permanent order or Injunction
     enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement
<PAGE>
 
                                     -53-

     and the time for appeal or petition for reconsideration of such order or
     Injunction shall have expired without such appeal or petition being granted
     or such order or Injunction shall otherwise have become final and non-
     appealable;

             (d)     by the Buyer or the Seller (provided that the terminating
     party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty,
     covenant or other agreement contained herein or in the Seller Option
     Agreement), in the event of a material breach by the other party of any
     representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein or
     in the Seller Option Agreement which breach is not cured after forty-five
     (45) days written notice thereof is given to the party committing such
     breach; or

             (e)     by Buyer or Seller (provided that the terminating party is
     not then in material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant or
     other agreement contained herein or in the Seller Option Agreement), if the
     approval of Seller's stockholders specified in Section 5.05 above shall not
     have been obtained by reason of Seller's failure to have obtained the
     requisite stockholder vote at a duly held meeting of Seller's stockholders
     or at any adjournment thereof.
   
     8.02    Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
             ------ -- -----------
Agreement by either the Seller or the Buyer as provided above, this Agreement
shall forthwith become null and void (other than Sections 5.02(b) and 9.01
hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect) and there shall be no
further liability on the part of any of the parties hereto or their respective
officers or directors to the others, except (a) any liability of any party under
said Sections 5.02(b) and 9.01, (b) that the Seller Option Agreement shall be
governed by its own terms as to termination, and (c) in the event of a willful
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement, in which case, the breaching party shall remain liable for any and
all damages, costs and expenses, including all reasonable attorneys' fees,
sustained or incurred by the non-breaching party as a result thereof or in
connection therewith or with the enforcement of its rights hereunder.

     8.03    Amendment, Extension and Waiver. Subject to applicable law and as
             ---------  --------- --- ------
may be authorized by their respective Boards of Directors, at any time prior to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
termination of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.01
hereof, whether before or after approval of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby by the stockholders of the Seller, the parties may, (a)
amend this Agreement, (b) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of any other party hereto, (c) waive any inaccuracies
in the representations and warranties contained herein or in any document
delivered pursuant hereto, or (d) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained in Articles V and VI (other than Section 6.01) hereof. This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of each of the parties hereto. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to
any extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed on behalf of such party, but such waiver or failure to
<PAGE>
 
                                     -54-

insist on strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement or
condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any
subsequent or other failure.


                                  ARTICLE IX


                                 MISCELLANEOUS
                                 -------------

     9.01    Expenses.  Except as may otherwise be agreed to hereunder or in
             -------- 
other writing by the parties, all legal and other costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses; provided, however, that, if
                                                     --------  -------
this Agreement is properly terminated under Section 8.01 above, and neither
party has any liability to the other under Section 8.02(c) (in which case the
breaching party shall be fully liable to the other in accordance with the
provisions thereof), all such costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, filing and distribution of the Buyer Registration Statement and the
Proxy Statement shall be borne equally by the Buyer and the Seller.

     9.02    Non-Survival. None of the representations, warranties, covenants
             ------------
and agreements of the parties shall survive after the Effective Time, except for
the agreements and covenants contained or referred to in Article II, Section
5.02(b), the last sentence of Section 5.07 and Sections 5.11, 5.13, 5.14, 8.02,
9.01 and 9.02, which agreements and covenants shall survive the Effective Time.

     9.03    Notices. All notices or other communications hereunder shall be in
             -------
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or mailed by prepaid
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or by telecopy, cable,
telegram or telex addressed as follows:

             (a)     If to the Seller, to:
                            The Boston Bancorp
                            460 West Broadway
                            South Boston, Massachusetts 02127
                            Attention:  Robert E. Lee
                            President and Chief Executive Officer

                     Copy to:

                            Ropes & Gray
                            One International Place
                            Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                            Attention:  Alfred O. Rose, Esq.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -55-

             (b)     If to the Buyer, to:

                            Bank of Boston Corporation
                            100 Federal Street
                            Boston, Massachusetts
                            Attention:   Peter J. Manning, Executive Director,
                                          Mergers & Acquisitions 
                                                 and
                                         Gary A. Spiess, Esq., General Counsel
                     Copy to:

                            Bingham, Dana & Gould
                            150 Federal Street
                            Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                            Attention:   Norman J. Shachoy, Esq.
                                            and
                                         Stephen J. Coukos, Esq.

or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by any party, and any
such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given as of the date
delivered to the recipient party.

     9.04    Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
             ------- -- -------- 
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
         --------  ------- 
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any party hereto without
the prior written consent of the other parties, and that nothing in this
Agreement, except for Sections 5.13 and 5.14 above (which are expressly intended
to provide rights to, and to be enforceable by, Seller's directors, officers and
other employees to the extent applicable thereto), is intended to confer,
expressly or by implication, upon any other person any rights or remedies under
or by reason of this Agreement.

     9.05    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the documents and
             ------ --------- 
other writing referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, including the
Seller Disclosure Schedule, the Seller Option Agreement, the Seller
Stockholders' Agreement and the Bank Merger Agreement, is complete, and all
promises, representations, understandings, warranties and agreements with
reference to the subject matter hereof, and all inducements to the making of
this Agreement relied upon by either party hereto, have been expressed herein.
This Agreement (including the aforementioned documents and writings) supersedes
any prior or contemporaneous agreement or understanding between the parties
hereto, oral or written, pertaining to any such matters, including without
limitation the Confidentiality Agreement, which agreements or understandings
shall be of no further force or effect for any persons.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -56-

     9.06    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all
             ------------
of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and each of which shall
be deemed to be an original and shall become effective when a counterpart has
been signed by each of the parties and delivered to each of the other parties.

     9.07    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
             --------- ---
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the principles of
conflicts of laws thereof.

     9.08    Captions. The Article and Section headings contained in this
             --------
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

     9.09    Effect of Investigations. No investigation by the parties hereto
             ------ -- -------------- 
made heretofore or hereafter, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise
shall affect the representations and warranties of the parties which are
contained herein and each such representation and warranty shall survive such
investigation, subject, however, to Section 9.02 hereof.

     9.10    Severability. In the event that any one or more provisions of this
             ------------ 
Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement and the
parties shall use their best efforts to substitute a valid, legal and
enforceable provision which, insofar as practicable, implements the purposes and
intents of this Agreement.

     9.11    Specific Enforceability. The parties recognize and hereby
             -------- --------------
acknowledge that it is impossible to measure in money the damages that would
result to a party by reason of the failure of either of the parties to perform
any of the obligations imposed on it by this Agreement. Accordingly, if any
party should institute an action or proceeding seeking specific enforcement of
the provisions hereof, each party against which such action or proceeding is
brought hereby waives the claim or defense that the party instituting such
action or proceeding has an adequate remedy at law and hereby agrees not to
assert in any such action or proceeding the claim or defense that such a remedy
at law exists.

     9.12   Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
            ------ -- ---- -----
WAIVES ANY RIGHTS THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY
LITIGATION BASED UPON, OR ARISING OUT OF, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE RELATED
AGREEMENTS OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS OF
ANY OF THEM RELATING THERETO.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -57-

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization to be executed as a sealed instrument by their duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.


                                 BANK OF BOSTON CORPORATION


                                 By:     /s/ Peter J. Manning       
                                         ------------------------------
                                         Peter J. Manning
                                         Executive Director


                                 THE BOSTON BANCORP


                                 By:     /s/ Robert E. Lee      
                                         ------------------------------ 
                                         Robert E. Lee
                                         President and Chief Executive 
                                         Officer


                                 By:     /s/ David L. Smart             
                                         -------------------------------
                                         David L. Smart
                                         Vice President and Treasurer 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Exhibit 99

                            STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of October 10, 1995, between The Boston
Bancorp, a Massachusetts corporation (the "Issuer") and Bank of Boston
                                           ------                     
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the "Grantee").
                                               -------   

     WHEREAS, the Grantee and the Issuer are entering into an Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization of even date herewith (the "Acquisition Agreement"), which
                                              ---------------------         
agreement is being executed by the parties thereto simultaneously with this
Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, as a condition to the Grantee's entry into the Acquisition
Agreement and in consideration for such entry, the Issuer has agreed to grant
the 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 Acquisition Agreement, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

     1.   (a)  The Issuer hereby grants to the Grantee an unconditional,
irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up
                         ------                                               
to 1,038,420 fully paid and nonassessable shares (the "Option Shares") of common
                                                       ------ ------            
stock, $1.00 par value per share, of the Issuer ("Common Stock") at a price of
                                                  ------------                
$33.00 per share (the "Option Price").  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 provided that in no event shall the
number of shares for which this Option is exercisable exceed 19.9% of the
Issuer's issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (without giving effect to
any shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Option) less the number of
shares previously issued pursuant to exercise of the Option.

     (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 exercise of the Option pursuant to this Agreement or as contemplated
by Section 5(a) of this Agreement), including, without limitation, pursuant to
stock option or other employee plans or as a result of the exercise of
conversion rights, the number of Option Shares shall be increased so that, after
such issuance, it equals 19.9% 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 less the number of shares previously issued pursuant to
exercise of the Option.  Nothing contained in this Section 1(b) or elsewhere in
this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize the Issuer or the Grantee to breach
any provision of the Acquisition Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-

     2.   (a)  Provided that the Grantee is not in material breach of the
Acquisition Agreement, the Holder (as such term is defined in paragraph (c)
below) may exercise the Option, in whole or part, if, but only if, both an
Initial Triggering Event (as defined in paragraph (e) below) and a Subsequent
Triggering Event (as defined in paragraph (f) below) shall have occurred prior
to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as defined in paragraph (b)
below), provided that the Holder shall have sent the written notice of such
        --------                                                           
exercise (as provided in paragraph (h) of this Section 2) within thirty (30)
days following such Subsequent Triggering Event and prior to the Exercise
Termination Event.

     (b)  The term "Exercise Termination Event" shall mean the earliest of (i)
                    --------------------------                                
the Effective Time of the Acquisition Merger, (ii) any termination of the
Acquisition Agreement in accordance with the provisions thereof if such
termination occurs prior to the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event, and
(iii) in the event of any termination of the Acquisition Agreement in accordance
with the provisions thereof after the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event,
the passage of nine (9) months after such termination.  Notwithstanding the
termination of the Option, the Grantee shall be entitled to purchase those
Option Shares with respect to which it has exercised the Option in whole or in
part prior to the termination of the Option.

     (c)  The term "Holder" shall mean the holder or holders of the Option.
                    ------                                                 
     (d)  The term "Schedule 13G Investor" shall mean either (i) any Person
                    -------- --- --------
holding voting securities of the Issuer eligible to report the beneficial
ownership of such securities on Schedule 13G pursuant to the provisions of Rule
13d-1 under the Exchange Act or (ii) any Person holding voting securities of the
Issuer who is required to report the beneficial ownership of such securities on
Schedule 13D pursuant to the provisions of Rule 13d-1 under the Exchange Act and
who indicates in such Schedule 13D that such Person has acquired such securities
for passive investment purposes and not with the purpose nor with the effect of
changing or influencing the control of the Issuer nor in connection with or as a
participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect.

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

          (i)  The Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer, without having
     received the Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into an
     agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction 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 Exchange Act and the rules and
     regulations thereunder), other than the Grantee or any subsidiary of the
     Grantee, or, without the consent of the Grantee, the Board of Directors of
     the Issuer shall have approved an Acquisition Transaction or recommended
     that the shareholders of the Issuer approve or accept any Acquisition
     Transaction other than as contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement. For
     purposes of this Agreement, the term "Acquisition Transaction"
                                           ----------- -----------
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

     shall mean (A) a merger or consolidation, or any similar transaction, with
     the Issuer or any subsidiary of the Issuer that is a "significant
     subsidiary" as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and
     Exchange Commission (a "Significant Subsidiary"), or any subsidiary of the
                             ----------- ----------
     Issuer which, after such transaction, would be a Significant Subsidiary of
     the Issuer, (B) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or
     substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary
     of the Issuer (except as contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement), or (C)
     a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of merger, consolidation,
     share exchange or otherwise) of securities representing ten percent (10%)
     or more of the voting power of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of
     the Issuer;

          (ii)   Any Person, other than the Grantee or any subsidiary of the
     Grantee or the Issuer in a fiduciary capacity, and other than a Schedule
     13G Investor, shall have acquired beneficial ownership (as hereinafter
     defined) or the right to acquire beneficial ownership of ten percent (10%)
     or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock if such Person owned
     beneficially less than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of
     Common Stock on the date of this Agreement, or any Person shall have
     acquired beneficial ownership of an additional three percent (3%) of the
     outstanding shares of Common Stock if such Person owned beneficially ten
     percent (10%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the date
     of this Agreement (the term "beneficial ownership" for purposes of
                                  ---------- ---------                 
     this Agreement having the meaning assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the
     Exchange Act, and in the rules and regulations thereunder);

          (iii)  Any Person, other than the Grantee or any subsidiary of the
     Grantee, shall have made a bona-fide proposal to the Issuer or its
     shareholders to engage in an Acquisition Transaction by public announcement
     or written communication that shall be or become the subject of public
     disclosure;

          (iv)   After any Person other than the Grantee or any subsidiary of
     the Grantee has made a proposal to the Issuer or its shareholders to engage
     in an Acquisition Transaction, the Issuer shall have breached any covenant
     or obligation contained in Sections 5.01, 5.03, 5.04, 5.05, 5.18 or 5.21 of
     the Acquisition Agreement and such breach (A) would entitle the Grantee to
     terminate the Acquisition Agreement and (B) shall not have been remedied
     prior to the Notice Date (as defined in paragraph (h) below); or

          (v)    Any Person other than the Grantee or any subsidiary of the
     Grantee, other than in connection with a transaction to which the Grantee
     has given its prior written consent, shall have filed an application or
     notice with the OTS or Federal Reserve Board or other federal or state bank
     regulatory authority, which application or notice has been accepted for
     processing, for approval to engage in an Acquisition Transaction.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

     (f)  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 (other than a Schedule 13G
     Investor) of beneficial ownership of 17.5% or more of the then outstanding
     Common Stock; or

         (ii)   The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in
     subparagraph (i) of paragraph (e) of this Section 2, except that the
     percentage referenced in clause (C) shall be 17.5% in lieu of ten percent
     (10%).

     (g)  The Issuer shall notify the 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 the Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of the Holder to
exercise the Option.

     (h)  In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
Option, it shall send to the Issuer a written notice (the date of which being
herein referred to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the total number of
                           -----------                                     
shares of Common Stock it will purchase pursuant to such exercise, and (ii) a
place and date not earlier than three (3) business days nor later than forty-
five (45) business days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase
(the "Closing"); provided that if prior notification to or approval of the OTS
      -------    --------                                                     
or 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; provided, however, that in no event shall
the Closing be more than eighteen (18) months after the Notice Date, and if the
Closing shall not have occurred within eighteen (18) months after the Notice
Date due to the failure of the Holder to obtain any such required approval, the
exercise of the Option effected on the Notice Date shall be deemed to have
expired.  The term "business day" for purposes of this Agreement means any day,
excluding Saturdays, Sundays and any other day that is a legal holiday in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the State of Connecticut or a day on which
banking institutions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the State of
Connecticut are authorized by law or executive order to close.

     (i)  At the Closing, the Holder shall pay to the Issuer the aggregate
purchase price for the shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise
of the Option in immediately available funds by a wire transfer to a bank
account designated by the Issuer, provided that failure or refusal of the Issuer
                                  --------                                      
to designate such a bank account shall not preclude the Holder from exercising
the Option.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

     (j)  At such Closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in paragraph (i) above, the 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
the 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.

     (k)  Certificates for the Common Stock delivered at a Closing hereunder may
(in the sole discretion of the Issuer) be endorsed with a restrictive legend
that shall read substantially as follows:

     "THE TRANSFER OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO
     RESTRICTIONS ARISING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND
     PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF A STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
     ________________, 1995, A COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE
     HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE UPON RECEIPT BY THE ISSUER OF A WRITTEN
     REQUEST THEREFOR."

It is understood and agreed that (i) the reference to the resale restrictions of
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 the Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required for
purposes of the Securities Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of 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.

     (l)  Upon the giving by the Holder to the Issuer of the written notice of
exercise of the Option provided for under paragraph (h) above, the tender of the
applicable purchase price in immediately available funds and the tender of a
copy of this Agreement to the Issuer, such 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 of the Issuer shall then be closed
or that certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall not then be
actually delivered to the Holder.  The 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 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

of stock certificates under this Section 2 in the name of the Holder or its
assignee, transferee or designee.

     3.   The Issuer agrees (a) 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 requiring the Issuer's
stockholders to approve an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock after giving effect to all other options, warrants, convertible securities
and other rights to purchase Common Stock, (b) 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 the Issuer, and (c) promptly to take all
action as may from time to time be required (including without limitation (i)
complying with all applicable premerger notification, reporting and waiting
period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. (S) 18a and regulations promulgated
thereunder and (ii) cooperating fully with any Holders in preparing any
applications or notices required under the Home Owners Loan Act of 1933, as
amended, the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or the Change in Bank
Control Act of 1978, as amended, or any state banking law), in order to permit
such Holders to exercise the Option and the Issuer duly and effectively to issue
shares of Common Stock pursuant hereto.

     4.   This Agreement and the Option granted hereby are exchangeable, without
expense, at the option of each Holder, upon presentation and surrender of this
Agreement at the principal office of the 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 conditions 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 the 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 destruction) of reasonably
satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of this
Agreement, if mutilated, the Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of
like tenor and date.  Any such new Agreement executed and delivered shall
constitute for all purposes and under all circumstances an additional
contractual obligation on the part of the Issuer.

     5.   In addition to the adjustment in the number of Option Shares pursuant
to Section 1 of this Agreement, the number of Option Shares shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 5.

     (a)(i)    In the event of any change in the shares of Common Stock by
reason of stock dividend, split-up, merger, recapitalization, subdivision,
conversion, combination, exchange of shares or similar transaction, the type and
number of Option Shares, and the Option Price therefor, shall be adjusted
appropriately in accordance with
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-

subsection (b) of this Section 5, and proper provision shall be made in the
agreements governing such transaction, so that Grantee shall receive upon
exercise of the Option the number and class of shares of Common Stock that
Grantee would have held immediately after such event if the Option had been
exercised immediately prior to such event, or the record date therefor, as
applicable.

     (a)(ii)   Issuer may make such increases in the number of Option Shares, in
addition to those required under subsection (a)(i), as shall be determined by
its Board of Directors to be advisable in order to avoid taxation so far as
practicable, of any dividend of stock or stock rights or any event treated as
such for Federal income tax purposes to the recipients.

     (b)   Whenever the number of Option Shares is adjusted as provided in this
Section 5, the Option Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the Option Price by
a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of Option Shares prior
to the adjustment and the denominator of which is equal to the number of Option
Shares after the adjustment.

     6.   Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering Event that occurs prior
to an Exercise Termination Event, and provided that the Grantee is not
precluded, pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 2 hereof, from exercising the
Option, the Issuer shall, at the request of the Grantee delivered within thirty
(30) days following such Subsequent Triggering Event (whether on the Grantee's
own behalf or on the 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, with respect to the Option and the Option
Shares, a "shelf" registration statement under Rule 415 of the Securities Act or
any successor provision and the Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to
qualify such shares under any applicable state securities laws.  The Issuer will
use all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement first to become
effective and then to remain effective for such period not in excess of 180 days
from the day such registration statement first becomes effective or such shorter
time as may be reasonably necessary to effect sales or other dispositions of
Option Shares.  The Grantee shall have the right to demand two (2) such
registrations.  The foregoing notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by
the Grantee for registration of the Option or Option Shares as provided above,
the Issuer is in registration with respect to any underwritten public offering
of share 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 Option or Option Shares
would interfere with the successful marketing of the shares of Common Stock
offered by the Issuer in such underwritten public offering, the number of shares
represented by the Option and/or the number of Option Shares otherwise to be
covered in the registration statement contemplated hereby may be reduced;
provided, however, that if such reduction occurs, then the Issuer shall file a
- -------- --------                                                             
registration statement for the balance as promptly as practicable and no
reduction shall thereafter occur.  Each such Holder shall provide all
information 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

reasonably requested by the Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement
to be filed hereunder. If requested by any such Holder in connection with such
registration, the 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.

     7.   (a)  In the event that, at any time prior to an Exercise Termination
Event, and provided that the Grantee is not precluded, pursuant to subsection
(a) of Section 2 hereof, from exercising the Option, either (i) any Person
acquires beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock or (ii) an Initial Triggering Event of the type described in clause
(i) of subsection (e) of Section 2 of this Agreement (except that the percentage
reference in clause (C) thereof shall be 25%) shall occur, then (i) at the
request of any Holder, delivered within thirty (30) days following such
occurrence (or such later period as provided in Section 8), the Issuer or any
successor 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, plus, to the extent not previously
                                             ----                              
reimbursed, the Grantee's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the enforcement of the
Grantee's rights under, the Acquisition Agreement, including without limitation
legal, accounting and investment banking fees (the "Grantee's Out-of-Pocket
                                                    -----------------------
Expenses"), and (ii) at the request of any owner of Option Shares from time to
- --------                                                                      
time (the "Owner"), delivered within thirty (30) days following such occurrence
           -----                                                               
(or such later period as provided in Section 8), the Issuer shall repurchase
such number of the Option Shares from such Owner as the Owner shall designate at
a price per share ("Option Share Repurchase Price") equal to the greater of (A)
                    -----------------------------                              
the market/offer price and (B) the average exercise price per share paid by the
Owner for the Option Shares so designated, plus, to the extent not previously
                                           ----                              
reimbursed, the Grantee's Out-of-Pocket Expenses.  The term "market/offer price"
                                                             ------------ ----- 
shall mean the highest of (w) the price per share of the Common Stock at which a
tender offer or exchange offer therefor has been made, (x) the price per share
of the Common Stock to be paid by any Person, other than the Grantee or a
subsidiary of the Grantee, pursuant to an agreement with the Issuer of the kind
described in Section 2(e)(i), (y) the highest closing price for shares of Common
Stock within the shorter of the period from the date of this Agreement up to the
date on which such required repurchase of Options or Option Shares, as the case
may be, occurs or the six (6) month period immediately preceding the date of
such required repurchase of Options or Option Shares, as the case may be, or (z)
in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the 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 the Issuer as determined in good faith by a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by a majority in the
interest of the Holders or the Owners, as the case may be, and reasonably
acceptable to the Issuer, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of the
Issuer outstanding at the time of such sale.  In determining the market/offer
price, the value of consideration 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-

other than cash shall be determined in good faith by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected by a majority in interest of the Holders or the
Owners, as the case may be, and reasonably acceptable to the Issuer.

     (b)  Each Holder and Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its right to
require the Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares pursuant to
this Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to the 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 such Holder
or Owner elects to require the Issuer to repurchase this Option and/or Option
Shares in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.  As promptly as
practicable, and in any event within ten (10) business days after the surrender
of the Option and/or certificates representing Option Shares and the receipt of
such notice or notices relating thereto, the Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to each Holder the Option Repurchase Price and/or to each Owner the
Option Share Repurchase Price therefor or the portion thereof that the Issuer is
not then prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.

     (c)  To the extent that the Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, or as a result of a
written agreement or other binding obligation with a governmental or regulatory
body or agency, from repurchasing the Option and/or the Option Shares in full,
the Issuer shall immediately so notify each Holder and/or each Owner and
thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to such Holder
and/or 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 ten (10) business days after the date on which the
Issuer is no longer so prohibited; provided, however, that if the 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, or as a consequence
of administrative policy, from delivering to any Holder and/or Owner, as
appropriate, the Option Repurchase Price and the Option Share Repurchase Price,
respectively, in part or in full (and the Issuer hereby undertakes to use all
reasonable efforts to receive all required regulatory and legal approvals and to
file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order to accomplish such
repurchase), such 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 the Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver to such Holder and/or Owner, as
appropriate, that portion of the Option Purchase Price or the Option Share
Repurchase Price that the Issuer is not prohibited from delivering with respect
to Options or Option Shares as to which the Holder or the Owner, as the case may
be, has not revoked its repurchase demand; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate,
either (A) to such Holder, a new Stock Option Agreement evidencing the right of
such 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 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -10-

denominator of which is the Option Repurchase Price, or (B) to such Owner, a
certificate for the Option Shares it is then so prohibited from repurchasing.

     8.   The thirty (30) day period for exercise of certain rights under
Sections 2, 6 7 and 10 hereof shall be extended in each such case:  (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, provided that notice of intent to exercise such rights
                         --------                                              
shall be given to the Issuer within the requisite thirty (30) day period and the
Grantee and the Holders shall use their best efforts to promptly obtain all
requisite approvals and cause the expiration of all requisite waiting periods.

     9.   The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Grantee as follows:
 
     (a)  The 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 the Issuer and no other corporate proceedings on the part
of the Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions so contemplated.  This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by the Issuer.  This Agreement is the valid and legally binding
obligation of the Issuer.

     (b)  The 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.

     10.  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, whether by operation of law or otherwise, 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 and
the Grantee is not precluded, pursuant to Section 2(a), from exercising the
Option, the Grantee may, subject to the right of first refusal set forth in
Section 11, assign, transfer or sell in whole or in part its rights and
obligations hereunder within thirty (30) days following such Subsequent
Triggering Event (or such later period as provided in Section 8).

     11.  If at any time after the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering Event
and, with respect to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired by the
Grantee 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -11-

pursuant to an exercise of the Option, prior to the expiration of twenty-four
(24) months after the expiration of the Option pursuant to Section 2(b), the
Grantee shall desire to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of the
Option, in whole or in part, or all or any of the shares of Common Stock or
other securities acquired by the Grantee pursuant to the Option, the Grantee
shall give the Issuer written notice of the proposed transaction (an "Offeror's
                                                                      ---------
Notice"), identifying the proposed transferee, accompanied by a copy of a
- ------
binding offer to purchase the Option or such shares or other securities signed
by such transferee and setting forth the terms of the proposed transaction. An
Offeror's Notice shall be deemed an offer by the Grantee to the Issuer, which
may be accepted within ten (10) business days of the receipt of such Offeror's
Notice, on the same terms and conditions and at the same price at which the
Grantee is proposing to transfer the Option or such shares or other securities
to such transferee. The purchase of the Option or such shares or other
securities by the Issuer shall be settled within ten (10) business days of the
date of the acceptance of the offer and the purchase price shall be paid to the
Grantee in immediately available funds, provided that, if prior notification to
                                        --------
or approval, consent or waiver of the OTS or Federal Reserve Board or any other
regulatory authority is required in connection with such purchase, the Issuer
shall promptly file the required notice or application for approval, consent or
waiver and shall expeditiously process the same (and the Grantee shall cooperate
with the Issuer in the filing of any such notice or application and the
obtaining of any such approval) and the period of time that otherwise would run
pursuant to this sentence shall run instead from the date on which, as the case
may be, (a) the required notification period has expired or been terminated or
(b) such approval has been obtained and, in either event, any requisite waiting
period shall have passed. In the event of the failure or refusal of the Issuer
to purchase the Option or the shares or other securities, as the case may be,
covered by an Offeror's Notice or if the OTS or Federal Reserve Board or any
other regulatory authority disapproves the Issuer's proposed purchase of the
Option or such shares or other securities, the Grantee may, within sixty (60)
days following the date of the Offeror's Notice (subject to any necessary
extension for regulatory notification, approval, or waiting periods), sell all,
but not less than all, of the portion of the Option (which may be one hundred
percent (100%)) or such shares or other securities, as the case may be, proposed
to be transferred to the proposed transferee identified in the Offeror's Notice
at no less than the price specified and on terms no more favorable to the
proposed transferee than those set forth in the Offeror's Notice. The
requirements of this Section 13 shall not apply to (i) any disposition of the
Option or any shares of Common Stock or other securities by a Person to whom the
Grantee has assigned its rights under the Option with the prior written consent
of the Issuer, (ii) any sale by means of a public offering registered under the
Securities Act in which steps are taken to reasonably ensure that no purchaser
will own securities representing more than two percent (2%) of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Issuer or (iii) any transfer to a direct or
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Grantee which agrees in writing to be
bound by the terms hereof.

     12.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event that the
Holder or Owner or any Related Person thereof (as hereinafter defined) is a
person 
<PAGE>
 
                                     -12-

making an offer or proposal to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (other than
the transaction contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement), then (i) in the case
of a Holder or any Related Person thereof, the Option held by it shall
immediately terminate and be of no further force or effect, and (ii) in the case
of an Owner or any Related Person thereof, the Option Shares held by it shall,
at the Issuer's election, be immediately re-purchasable by Issuer at the Option
Price. For purposes of this Agreement, a Related Person of a Holder or Owner
means any Affiliate (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the rules and regulations under
the Exchange Act) of the Holder or Owner and any person that is required to file
a Schedule 13D with the Holder or Owner with respect to shares of Common Stock
or options to acquire the Common Stock.

     13.  Each of the Grantee and the Issuer will use all reasonable 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 applying to the
Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended,
for approval to acquire the shares issuable hereunder.

     14.  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.

     15.  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 the 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 Sections 1(b) or 5
hereof), it is the express intention of the Issuer to allow the Holder to
acquire or to require the Issuer to repurchase such lesser number of shares as
may be permissible, without any amendment or modification hereof.

     16.  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 Acquisition Agreement.

     17.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, regardless of the laws that might
otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -13-

     18.  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.

     19.  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.

     20.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, 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, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than
the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.

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



                    [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
<PAGE>
 
                                     -14-

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Stock Option
Agreement to be executed as a sealed instrument on its behalf by its officers
thereunder duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

                              THE BOSTON BANCORP



                              By: _________________________________________
                                  Robert E. Lee                        
                                  President and Chief Executive Officer 


                              BANK OF BOSTON CORPORATION


                              By: _________________________________________ 
                                  Peter J. Manning
                                  Executive Director


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