FULTON FINANCIAL CORP
8-K, 1998-01-30
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C.  20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT



                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                    the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934



               Date of Report - January 30, 1998
               Date of earliest event reported - January 26, 1998



                         FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
            ------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
        Pennsylvania                     0-10587               23-2195389
- ------------------------------         -----------           --------------
(State or other jurisdiction           (Commission           (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                      File Number)          Identification
                                                             Number)


One Penn Square, P.O. Box 4887, Lancaster, PA                  17604
- ---------------------------------------------                ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (717) 291-2411
                                                   --------------
<PAGE>
 
Item 5.  Other Events
- ---------------------

(a)  On January 26, 1998, Fulton Financial Corporation ("FFC") and Ambassador
Bank of the Commonwealth ("ABC") entered into a Merger Agreement (the
"Agreement"), under the terms of which: (i) ABC will be merged with and into
Lafayette Bank ("LB"), a subsidiary of FFC (the "Merger"); (ii) LB will survive
the Merger and operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of FFC; and (iii) all of the
outstanding shares of the common stock of ABC, par value $4.00 per share ("ABC
Common Stock"), will be converted into shares of the common stock of FFC, par
value $2.50 per share ("FFC Common Stock"). FFC has total assets of
approximately $4.5 billion, and ABC has total assets of approximately $275
million.

     Under the terms of the Agreement, shares of ABC Common Stock will be
exchanged for shares of FFC Common Stock on the effective date of the Merger
based on a conversion ratio of 1.12 shares of FFC Common Stock for each share of
ABC Common Stock outstanding.  There are 1,917,153 shares of ABC Common Stock
and outstanding options and warrants to acquire 418,169 shares.  Each holder of
an option or warrant to acquire ABC Common Stock which is outstanding on the
effective date of the acquisition is to receive an equivalent number of shares
of FFC Common Stock, as reduced by the exercise price of such option or warrant.
By separate Warrant Agreement, FFC will have the right to acquire 475,000 shares
of ABC Common Stock under certain conditions.

     ABC Common Stock is traded on NASDAQ Small Cap Market under the symbol
"ABPA."  The closing bid price for ABC Common Stock on NASDAQ was $26.375 on
January 23, 1998 (the day prior to the public announcement of the Merger).  The
closing bid price for FFC Common Stock on the NASDAQ was $31.00 on January 23,
1998.

     Consummation of the Agreement is subject to various conditions, including,
among others, (i) the approval of the Merger by the Federal Reserve Board, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Pennsylvania Banking Department;
(ii) the approval of the Merger by the shareholders of ABC; and (iii) the
absence of any material adverse change in the financial condition or operating
results of ABC.

     Assuming that all conditions are satisfied without unexpected delay, it is
anticipated that the effective date of the Merger will occur during the third or
fourth quarter of 1998  It is also anticipated that the transaction will be
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests for financial reporting purposes.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     On August 15, 1997, FFC entered into a Merger Agreement with Keystone
Heritage Group, Inc. ("KHG"), pursuant to which KHG will be merged with and into
FFC.  Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each of the outstanding shares of
common stock of KHG will be exchanged, as of the effective date of the merger,
for 1.83 shares of FFC Common Stock.  FFC and KHG intend to complete the
transaction as of March 27, 1998; however, consummation of the transaction
contemplated by the Merger Agreement is subject to various conditions, including
approval of the shareholders of KHG at a special meeting to be held on February
17, 1998 and receipt of required regulatory approvals.

     Pursuant to General Instruction F to Form 8-K, the Press Release dated
January 26, 1998 announcing execution of the Agreement attached to this Current
Report as Exhibit 1 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Item 7.  Financial Statement and Exhibits.
- ----------------------------------------- 

     The following exhibits are attached to this Current Report.

     1.   Press Release dated January 26, 1998.

     2.   Merger Agreement between Fulton Financial Corporation and Ambassador
Bank of the Commonwealth dated as of January 26, 1998.

     3.   Warrant Agreement between Fulton Financial Corporation and Ambassador
Bank of the Commonwealth dated as of January 26, 1998.

     4.   Warrant dated as of January 26, 1998.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Fulton
Financial Corporation has caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto fully authorized.


                              FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                              By:  /s/ Rufus A. Fulton, Jr.
                                   ------------------------------------
                                    Rufus A. Fulton, Jr.,
                                    President and Chief Executive
                                      Officer

Date:  January 30, 1998

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                               FULTON FINANCIAL
                               ----------------
                                  CORPORATION




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 Fulton Financial Contact: Laura J. Wakeley
Full text available on PR NEWSWIRE               Office:          (717)291-2616





                    FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION TO ACQUIRE

                      AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH

                                        


     (January 26) -- Lancaster, Pa. - Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:
FULT), the fifth largest bank holding company based in Pennsylvania, with assets
of $4.5 billion, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ambassador Bank of
the Commonwealth (NASDAQ: ABPA), based in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

     The merger announcement was made jointly today by Rufus A. Fulton, Jr.,
president and chief executive officer of Fulton Financial; Timothy J. McDonald,
Ambassador Bank's president and chief executive office; and Martin D. Cohen,
Esq., chairman of Ambassador Bank.

     "This is a natural extension of our franchise," said Fulton.  "It is
consistent with our strategy to provide banking services to strong economic
communities.  The Lehigh Valley area is a thriving region and this acquisition
solidifies our market presence."
<PAGE>
 
FULTON FINANCIAL TO ACQUIRE AMBASSADOR BANK                           Page 2


     McDonald said that Ambassador's affiliation with Fulton Financial "offers
us an opportunity to enhance our array of products, services and delivery
methods to current and prospective customers, while maintaining our unique
community commitment and focus. Additional resources made available through this
affiliation will enhance our momentum in franchise growth, customer service and
all aspects of competitiveness."

     "In a relatively short period of time, Ambassador has developed a strong,
unique franchise.  The timing of this opportunity is right for all our
constituencies," said Cohen.  "Fulton Financial is clearly a high quality
organization and dedicated to the autonomy of their various community banks."
 
     According to the merger agreement, each share of Ambassador Bank's common
stock outstanding at the time of the merger will be exchanged for 1.12 shares of
Fulton Financial common stock.  Based on the $31.00 per share closing bid price
of Fulton Financial on January 23rd, the value per share of Ambassador is
$34.72.  This price equates to 32.8 times estimated trailing 12-month earnings,
23 times projected 1998 earnings, and a multiple of 3.15 times Ambassador's book
value as of December 31, 1997.  As of year end, Ambassador had outstanding 1.9
million shares of common stock, and warrants and options for approximately
400,000 additional shares.
 
     Fulton Financial will acquire all issued and outstanding shares of common
stock of Ambassador Bank by means of tax-free merger on a pooling-of-interests
accounting basis.  In
<PAGE>
 
FULTON FINANCIAL TO ACQUIRE AMBASSADOR BANK                           Page 3


conjunction with this agreement, Fulton Financial received an option to purchase
19.9 percent of the shares of Ambassador's stock at the current market value.

     Ambassador Bank, with $275 million in assets, is based in Allentown and
operates eight community banking offices in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.  A
ninth location will be opened this summer on Route 378 in Saucon Valley.  Fulton
Financial's present Lehigh Valley affiliate bank, Lafayette Bank, with $450
million in assets and headquartered in Easton, has 13 branches in Northampton
County.

     Lafayette Bank and Ambassador Bank will be joined together, with the boards
of Lafayette and Ambassador combining as well.  A name change will be considered
by the combined boards.  The new entity will have assets of approximately $725
million.

     The acquisition is subject to approval by bank regulatory authorities and
Ambassador Bank shareholders.  It is expected to close during the third quarter
of 1998.
 
     Fulton Financial expects to complete its acquisition of the Keystone
Heritage Group, Inc., whose sole banking subsidiary is Lebanon Valley National
Bank, at the end of the first quarter of 1998.  Once the mergers are finalized,
Fulton Financial will have assets of over $5.4 billion.

     Fulton currently operates more than 120 banking offices in Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey through eleven affiliate banks:  Fulton Bank,
Lancaster; Farmers Trust
<PAGE>
 
FULTON FINANCIAL TO ACQUIRE AMBASSADOR BANK                           Page 4


Bank, Lebanon; Swineford National Bank, Middleburg; Lafayette Bank, Easton; FNB
Bank, N.A., Danville; Great Valley Bank, Reading; Hagerstown Trust, Hagerstown,
MD; Delaware National Bank, Georgetown, DE: The Bank of Gloucester County,
Woodbury, NJ; The Woodstown National Bank and Trust Co., Woodstown, NJ; and The
Peoples Bank of Elkton, Elkton, MD.

     Additional information on Fulton Financial Corporation is available on the
Internet at www.fult.com.

1998

                                     # # #
<PAGE>
 
                               MERGER AGREEMENT

                                BY AND BETWEEN

                      AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH

                                      AND

                         FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                  DATED AS OF

                               JANUARY 26, 1998
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C> 
ARTICLE I - ARTICLES OF MERGER.............................................    1
            ------------------
     Section 1.1  Articles of Merger.......................................    1
                  ------------------


ARTICLE II - CONVERSION OF SHARES AND EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES.......    2
             -------------------------------------------------------
     Section 2.1  Conversion of Shares.....................................    2
                  --------------------
            (a)   General..................................................    2
                  -------
            (b)   Antidilution Provision...................................    2
                  ----------------------
            (c)   No Fractional Shares.....................................    2
                  --------------------
            (d)   Closing Market Price.....................................    2
                  --------------------
     Section 2.2  Exchange of Stock Certificates...........................    3
                  ------------------------------
            (a)   Exchange Agent...........................................    3
                  --------------
            (b)   Surrender of Certificates................................    3
                  -------------------------
            (c)   Dividend Withholding.....................................    4
                  --------------------
            (d)   Failure to Surrender Certificates........................    4
                  ---------------------------------
            (e)   Expenses.................................................    4
                  --------
     Section 2.3  Treatment of ABC Rights..................................    4
                  -----------------------
     Section 2.4  Reservation of Shares....................................    5
                  ---------------------
     Section 2.5  Taking Necessary Action..................................    5
                  -----------------------
     Section 2.6  Press Releases...........................................    5
                  --------------

ARTICLE III - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ABC........................    5
              -------------------------------------
     Section 3.1  Authority................................................    5
                  ---------
     Section 3.2  Subsidiaries.............................................    6
                  ------------
     Section 3.3  Organization and Standing................................    6
                  -------------------------
     Section 3.4  Capitalization...........................................    6
                  --------------
     Section 3.5  Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Minute Books.......    6
                  --------------------------------------------------
     Section 3.6  Financial Statements.....................................    6
                  --------------------
     Section 3.7  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.......................    7
                  ----------------------------------
     Section 3.8  Absence of Changes.......................................    7
                  ------------------
     Section 3.9  Dividends, Distributions and Stock Purchases.............    7
                  --------------------------------------------
     Section 3.10 Taxes....................................................    7
                  -----
     Section 3.11 Title to and Condition of Assets.........................    8
                  --------------------------------
     Section 3.12 Contracts................................................    8
                  ---------
     Section 3.13 Litigation and Governmental Directives...................    9
                  --------------------------------------
     Section 3.14 Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations........    9
                  -------------------------------------------------
     Section 3.15 Insurance................................................    9
                  ---------
     Section 3.16 Financial Institutions Bonds.............................    9
                  ----------------------------
     Section 3.17 Labor Relations and Employment Agreements................   10
                  -----------------------------------------
 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
     Section 3.18 Employee Benefit Plans....................................  10
                  ----------------------
     Section 3.19 Related Party Transactions................................  11
                  --------------------------
     Section 3.20 No Finder.................................................  11
                  ---------
     Section 3.21 Complete and Accurate Disclosure..........................  11
                  --------------------------------
     Section 3.22 Environmental Matters.....................................  12
                  ---------------------
     Section 3.23 Proxy Statement/Prospectus................................  12
                  --------------------------
     Section 3.24 Securities Matters........................................  12
                  ------------------
     Section 3.25 Reports...................................................  13
                  -------
     Section 3.26 Loan Portfolio of ABC.....................................  13
                  ---------------------
     Section 3.27 Investment Portfolio......................................  13
                  --------------------
     Section 3.28 Regulatory Examinations...................................  13
                  -----------------------

 ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FFC.........................  14
              -------------------------------------
     Section 4.1  Authority.................................................  14
                  ---------
     Section 4.2  Organization and Standing.................................  14
                  -------------------------
     Section 4.3  Capitalization............................................  14
                  --------------
     Section 4.4  Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws......................  15
                  ------------------------------------
     Section 4.5  Subsidiaries..............................................  15
                  ------------
     Section 4.6  Financial Statements......................................  15
                  --------------------
     Section 4.7  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities........................  16
                  ----------------------------------
     Section 4.8  Absence of Changes........................................  16
                  ------------------
     Section 4.9  Litigation and Governmental Directives....................  16
                  --------------------------------------
     Section 4.10 Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations.........  16
                  -------------------------------------------------
     Section 4.11 Complete and Accurate Disclosure..........................  17
                  --------------------------------
     Section 4.12 Labor Relations...........................................  17
                  ---------------
     Section 4.13 Employee Benefits Plans...................................  17
                  -----------------------
     Section 4.14 Environmental Matters.....................................  18
                  ---------------------
     Section 4.15 SEC Filings...............................................  18
                  -----------
     Section 4.16 Proxy Statement/Prospectus................................  18
                  --------------------------
     Section 4.17 Accounting Treatment......................................  18
                  --------------------
     Section 4.18 Regulatory Approvals......................................  19
                  --------------------

 ARTICLE V - COVENANTS OF ABC...............................................  19
             ----------------
     Section 5.1  Conduct of Business.......................................  19
                  -------------------
     Section 5.2  Best Efforts..............................................  21
                  ------------
     Section 5.3  Access to Properties and Records..........................  21
                  --------------------------------
     Section 5.4  Subsequent Financial Statements...........................  21
                  -------------------------------
     Section 5.5  Update Schedules..........................................  21
                  ----------------
     Section 5.6  Notice....................................................  21
                  ------
     Section 5.7  Other Proposals...........................................  22
                  ---------------
     Section 5.8  Affiliate Letters.........................................  22
                  -----------------
 
</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
     Section 5.9  No Purchases or Sales of FFC Common Stock During Price
                  ------------------------------------------------------
          Determination Period..............................................  22
          --------------------
     Section 5.10 Accounting Treatment......................................  22
                  --------------------
     Section 5.11 Employment Obligations....................................  23
                  ----------------------
 ARTICLE VI - COVENANTS OF FFC..............................................  23
              ----------------
     Section 6.1  Best Efforts..............................................  23
                  ------------
          (a)     Applications for Regulatory Approval......................  23
                  ------------------------------------
          (b)     Registration Statement....................................  23
                  ----------------------
          (c)     State Securities Laws.....................................  24
                  ---------------------
          (d)     Stock Listing.............................................  24
                  -------------
          (e)     LB........................................................  24
                  --
          (f)     Accounting Treatment......................................  24
                  --------------------
          (f)     Adopt Amendments..........................................  24
                  ----------------
     Section 6.2  Access to Properties and Records..........................  24
                  --------------------------------
     Section 6.3  Subsequent Financial Statements...........................  24
                  -------------------------------
     Section 6.4  Update Schedules..........................................  25
                  ----------------
     Section 6.5  Notice....................................................  25
                  ------
     Section 6.6  Employment Arrangements...................................  25
                  -----------------------
     Section 6.7  No Purchase or Sales of FFC Common Stock During Price
                  -----------------------------------------------------
          Determination Period..............................................  26
          --------------------
     Section 6.9  Appointment of FFC Director...............................  27
                  ---------------------------

 ARTICLE VII - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.........................................  27
               --------------------
     Section 7.1  Common Conditions.........................................  27
                  -----------------
          (a)     Stockholder Approval......................................  27
                  --------------------
          (b)     Regulatory Approvals......................................  27
                  --------------------
          (c)     Stock Listing.............................................  28
                  -------------
          (d)     Tax Opinion...............................................  28
                  -----------
          (e)     Registration Statement....................................  29
                  ----------------------
          (f)     No Suits..................................................  29
                  --------
          (g)     Pooling...................................................  29
                  -------
     Section 7.2  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of FFC................  29
                  ------------------------------------------
          (a)     Accuracy of Representations and Warranties................  29
                  ------------------------------------------
          (b)     Covenants Performed.......................................  30
                  -------------------
          (c)     Opinion of Counsel for ABC................................  30
                  --------------------------
          (d)     Affiliate Agreements......................................  30
                  --------------------
          (f)     Financial Confirmation....................................  30
                  ----------------------
          (g)     Accountants' Letter.......................................  31
                  -------------------
          (h)     Federal and State Securities and Antitrust Laws...........  31
                  -----------------------------------------------
          (i)     Dissenting Stockholders...................................  32
                  -----------------------
 
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
          (j)  Environmental Matters........................................  32
               ---------------------
          (k)  Keystone Financial, Inc......................................  32
               ------------------------
          (l)  Employment Obligations.......................................  32
               ----------------------
          (m)  Required Notices, Consents and Approvals.....................  32
               ----------------------------------------
          (n)  Closing Documents............................................  32
               -----------------
     Section 7.3  Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of ABC............  33
                  ----------------------------------------------
          (a)  Accuracy of Representations and Warranties...................  33
               ------------------------------------------
          (b)  Covenants Performed..........................................  33
               -------------------
          (c)  Opinion of Counsel for FFC...................................  33
               --------------------------
          (d)  Fairness Opinion.............................................  33
               ----------------
          (e)  Financial Confirmation.......................................  33
               ----------------------
          (f)  Closing Documents............................................  34
               -----------------
          (g)  Market Price of FFC Common Stock.............................  34
               --------------------------------

 ARTICLE VIII - TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER...........................  35
                ---------------------------------
     Section 8.1  Termination...............................................  35
                  -----------
          (a)     Mutual Consent............................................  35
                  --------------
          (b)     Unilateral Action by FFC..................................  35
                  ------------------------
          (c)     Unilateral Action By ABC..................................  35
                  ------------------------
     Section 8.2  Effect of Termination.....................................  36
                  ---------------------
          (a)     Effect....................................................  36
                  ------
          (b)     Limited Liability.........................................  36
                  -----------------
          (c)     Confidentiality...........................................  36
                  ---------------
     Section 8.3  Amendment.................................................  36
                  ---------
     Section 8.4  Waiver....................................................  36
                  ------

 ARTICLE IX - RIGHTS OF DISSENTING STOCKHOLDERS OF ABC......................  37
              ----------------------------------------
     Section 9.1  Rights of Dissenting Stockholders of ABC..................  37
                  ----------------------------------------

 ARTICLE X - CLOSING AND EFFECTIVE DATE.....................................  37
             --------------------------
     Section 10.1 Closing...................................................  37
                  -------
     Section 10.2 Effective Date............................................  37
                  --------------

 ARTICLE XI - NO SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................  37
              ---------------------------------------------
     Section 11.1 No Survival...............................................  37
                  -----------

 ARTICLE XII - GENERAL PROVISIONS...........................................  38
               ------------------
     Section 12.1 Expenses..................................................  38
                  --------
     Section 12.2 Other Mergers and Acquisitions............................  38
                  ------------------------------
     Section 12.3 Notices...................................................  38
                  -------
     Section 12.4 Counterparts..............................................  39
                  ------------
     Section 12.5 Governing Law.............................................  39
                  -------------
     Section 12.6 Parties in Interest.......................................  39
                  -------------------
     Section 12.7 Entire Agreement..........................................  39
                  ----------------
</TABLE>

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX OF SCHEDULES
                               ------------------



Schedule 3.1              Required Notices, Consents and Approvals
- ------------                                           
Schedule 3.3              Organization and Standing
- ------------                            
Schedule 3.4              ABC Rights
- ------------             
Schedule 3.7              Undisclosed Liabilities
- ------------                          
Schedule 3.8              Changes
- ------------          
Schedule 3.9              Dividends, Distributions and Stock Purchases
- ------------                                               
Schedule 3.10             Taxes
- -------------            
Schedule 3.11             Title to and Condition of Assets
- -------------  
Schedule 3.12             Contracts
- -------------                
Schedule 3.13             Litigations and Governmental Directives         
- -------------                                                             
Schedule 3.14             Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations
- -------------                                                              
Schedule 3.15             Insurance                                       
- -------------                                                             
Schedule 3.16             Financial Institution Bonds                      
- -------------                                  
Schedule 3.17             Labor Relations and Employment Agreements
- -------------                                                      
Schedule 3.18             Employee Benefit Plans                  
- -------------                                                     
Schedule 3.19             Related Party Transactions              
- -------------                                                     
Schedule 3.20             Finders                                 
- -------------                                                     
Schedule 3.22             Environmental Matters                   
- -------------                                                     
Schedule 3.26             Loan Portfolio                           
- -------------                     
Schedule 3.27             Investment Portfolio                            
- -------------                                                             
Schedule 4.5              Subsidiaries                                    
- ------------                                                              
Schedule 4.7              Undisclosed Liabilities                         
- ------------                                                              
Schedule 4.9              Litigation and Governmental Directives          
- ------------                                                              
Schedule 4.10             Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations
- -------------                                                              
Schedule 4.14             Environmental Matters                            
- -------------                            
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX OF EXHIBITS
                               -----------------


Exhibit A           Form of Warrant Agreement
- ---------                                    

Exhibit B           Form of Warrant
- ---------                          

Exhibit C           Form of Articles of Merger
- ---------                                     

Exhibit D           Form of Opinion of ABC's Counsel
- ---------                                           

Exhibit E           Form of Opinion of FFC's Counsel
- ---------                                           
<PAGE>
 
                                MERGER AGREEMENT
                                ----------------


     Merger Agreement made as of the 26th day of January, 1998 (the
"Agreement"), by and between FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Pennsylvania
business corporation having its administrative headquarters at One Penn Square,
P. O. Box 4887, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604 ("FFC"), and AMBASSADOR BANK OF
THE COMMONWEALTH, a Pennsylvania bank and trust company having its
administrative headquarters at 4127 Tilghman Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania
18104 ("ABC").

                                  BACKGROUND:
                                  -----------

     FFC is a Pennsylvania bank holding company.  ABC is a Pennsylvania bank.
FFC wishes to acquire ABC, and ABC wishes to be acquired by FFC.  Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, the foregoing transaction will be
accomplished by means of a merger (the "Merger") in which:  (i) ABC will be
merged with and into Lafayette Bank ("LB"), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of FFC; (ii) LB will survive the Merger and operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary
of FFC; and (iii) all of the outstanding shares of the common stock of ABC, par
value $4.00 per share ("ABC Common Stock"), will be converted into shares of the
common stock of FFC, par value $2.50 per share ("FFC Common Stock").  Any
reference to ABC or LB after the merger of ABC with and into LB shall mean the
surviving entity of said merger.  In connection with the execution of this
Agreement, the parties have entered into a Warrant Agreement in the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto (the "Warrant Agreement"), which provides for the
- ---------                                                                  
delivery by ABC of a warrant in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (the
                                            ---------                     
"Warrant") entitling FFC to purchase shares of the ABC Common Stock in certain
circumstances.


                                  WITNESSETH:
                                  -----------

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein
and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I
                               ARTICLES OF MERGER
                               ------------------

     Section 1.1  Articles of Merger.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
                  ------------------                                         
this Agreement, ABC shall merge with and into LB in accordance with the Articles
of Merger substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.
                                       ---------                 
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE II
            CONVERSION OF SHARES AND EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
            -------------------------------------------------------

     Section 2.1  Conversion of Shares.  On the Effective Date (as defined in
                  --------------------
Section 10.2 herein) the shares of ABC Common Stock then outstanding shall be
converted into shares of FFC Common Stock, as follows:

                  (a) General:  Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.1(b) and
                      -------
2.1(c) and Article IX herein, each share of ABC Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately before the Effective Date shall, on the Effective Date,
be converted into and become, without any action on the part of the holder
thereof, 1.12 (such number, as it may be adjusted under Section 2.1(b) herein,
the "Conversion Ratio") shares of FFC Common Stock and the corresponding number
of rights associated with the Rights Agreement, dated June 20, 1989, between FFC
and Fulton Bank.

                  (b) Antidilution Provision:  In the event that FFC shall at
                      ----------------------
any time before the Effective Date increase or decrease the number of
outstanding shares of FFC Common Stock as a result of a: (i) stock split; (ii)
stock dividend; (iii) reverse stock split; (iv) reclassification; (v)
recapitalization; (vi) exchange of shares; or (vii) similar change in its
capital account, then the Conversion Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted
(calculated to three decimal places), so that each ABC stockholder shall receive
on the Effective Date, in exchange for his shares of ABC Common Stock, the
number of shares of FFC Common Stock as would then have been owned by him if the
Effective Date had occurred before the record date of such event (for example,
if FFC were to declare a ten percent (10%) stock dividend after the date of this
Agreement and if the record date for that stock dividend were to occur before
the Effective Date, the Conversion Ratio would be adjusted from 1.12 shares to
1.232 shares).

                  (c) No Fractional Shares:  No fractional shares of FFC Common
                      --------------------
Stock shall be issued in connection with the Merger. In lieu of issuance of any
fractional share to which he would otherwise be entitled, each former
stockholder of ABC shall receive in cash an amount equal to the fair market
value of his fractional interest, which fair market value shall be determined by
multiplying such fraction by the Closing Market Price (as defined in Section
2.1(d) herein).

                  (d) Closing Market Price:  For purposes of this Agreement, the
                      --------------------
Closing Market Price shall be the average of the per share closing bid prices
for FFC Common Stock, rounded up to the nearest $.125, for the ten (10) trading
days
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
immediately preceding the date which is two (2) business days before the
Effective Date, as reported on the National Market System of the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ"), the
foregoing period of ten (10) trading days being hereinafter sometimes referred
to as the "Price Determination Period."  (For example, if September 30, 1998
were to be the Effective Date, then the Price Determination Period would be
September 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 28, 1998.)  In the event that
NASDAQ shall fail to report a closing bid price for FFC Common Stock for any
trading day during the Price Determination Period, the closing bid price for
that day shall be equal to the average of the closing bid prices and the average
of the closing asked prices as quoted: (i) by F. J. Morrissey & Company, Inc.
and by Ryan, Beck & Co.; or, (ii) in the event that either or both of these
firms are not then making a market in FFC Common Stock, by two brokerage firms
then making a market in FFC Common Stock to be selected by FFC and approved by
ABC.

          Section 2.2  Exchange of Stock Certificates.  ABC Common Stock
                       ------------------------------                   
certificates shall be exchanged for FFC Common Stock certificates in accordance
with the following procedures:

                       (a) Exchange Agent:  The transfer agent of FFC, Fulton
                           --------------
Bank, shall act as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") to receive ABC Common
Stock certificates from the holders thereof and to exchange such stock
certificates for FFC Common Stock certificates and (if applicable) to pay cash
for fractional shares of ABC Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.1(c) herein. The
Exchange Agent shall, as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, mail to
each former stockholder of ABC a notice specifying the procedures to be followed
in surrendering such stockholder's ABC Common Stock certificates.

                       (b) Surrender of Certificates: As promptly as possible
                           -------------------------
after receipt of the Exchange Agent's notice, each former stockholder of ABC
shall surrender his ABC Common Stock certificates to the Exchange Agent;
provided, that if any former stockholder of ABC shall be unable to surrender his
- --------
ABC Common Stock certificates due to loss or mutilation thereof, he may make a
constructive surrender by following procedures comparable to those customarily
used by FFC for issuing replacement certificates to FFC stockholders whose FFC
Common Stock certificates have been lost or mutilated. As soon as practicable
following the receipt of a proper actual or constructive surrender of ABC Common
Stock certificates from a former ABC stockholder, the Exchange Agent shall issue
to such stockholder, in exchange therefor, an FFC Common Stock certificate
representing the whole number of shares of FFC Common Stock into which such
stockholder's shares of ABC Common Stock have been converted in accordance with
this Article II, together with a check in the amount of any cash to which such
stockholder is entitled, pursuant to Section 2.1(c) herein, in lieu of the
issuance of a fractional share.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                (c) Dividend Withholding:  Dividends, if any, payable by FFC
                    --------------------
after the Effective Date to any former stockholder of ABC who has not prior to
the payment date surrendered his ABC Common Stock certificates may, at the
option of FFC, be withheld. Any dividends so withheld shall be paid, without
interest, to such former stockholder of ABC upon proper surrender of his ABC
Common Stock certificates.

                (d) Failure to Surrender Certificates:  All ABC Common Stock
                    ---------------------------------
certificates must be surrendered to the Exchange Agent within two (2) years
after the Effective Date.  In the event that any former stockholder of ABC shall
not have properly surrendered his ABC Common Stock certificates within two (2)
years after the Effective Date, the shares of FFC Common Stock that would
otherwise have been issued to him may, at the option of FFC, be sold and the net
proceeds of such sale, together with the cash (if any) to which he is entitled
in lieu of the issuance of a fractional share and any previously accrued
dividends, shall be held by the Exchange Agent in a noninterest bearing account
for his benefit.  From and after any such sale, the sole right of such former
stockholder of ABC shall be the right to collect such net proceeds, cash and
accumulated dividends.  Subject to all applicable laws of escheat, such net
proceeds, cash and accumulated dividends shall be paid to such former
stockholder of ABC, without interest, upon proper surrender of his ABC Common
Stock certificates.

                (e) Expenses:  All costs and expenses associated with the
                    --------
foregoing surrender and exchange procedure shall be borne by FFC.

   Section 2.3  Treatment of ABC Rights.
                ----------------------- 
 
                (a) Each holder of an option or warrant (collectively, "ABC
Rights") to purchase shares of ABC Common Stock that (i) is outstanding on the
Effective Date; and (ii) would otherwise survive the Effective Date, shall be
entitled to receive, in cancellation of such ABC Right, shares of FFC Common
Stock. The number of shares of FFC Common Stock (provided that any fractional
share of FFC Common Stock shall be rounded to the nearest whole share) which may
be acquired in cancellation of an ABC Right shall be equal to the difference of
(i) the number of shares of ABC Common Stock covered by such ABC Right
multiplied by the Conversion Ratio and (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such
ABC Right divided by the Pre-Announcement Price (as such term is defined in
Section 7.3(g) herein).

                (b) As of the Effective Date (to the extent required as
determined by FFC and ABC), FFC shall receive an agreement from each holder of
ABC Right, pursuant to which each such holder agrees to accept such FFC Common
Stock in accordance with this Section 2.3 herein in exchange for the
cancellation of such an ABC Rights on the Effective Date.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          Section 2.4  Reservation of Shares.  FFC agrees that (i) prior to the
                       ---------------------                                   
Effective Date it will take appropriate action to reserve a sufficient number of
authorized but unissued shares of FFC Common Stock to be issued in accordance
with this Agreement, and (ii) on the Effective Date, FFC will deposit with the
Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the holders of shares of ABC Common Stock,
for exchange in accordance with this Agreement, certificates representing shares
of FFC Common Stock issuable pursuant to Sections 2.1(a) and 2.3 herein and cash
for fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.1(c) herein.

          Section 2.5  Taking Necessary Action.  FFC and ABC shall take all such
                       -----------------------                                  
actions as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate the
transactions contemplated hereby including, without limitation, providing
information necessary for preparation of any filings needed to obtain the
regulatory approvals required to consummate the Merger.  In case at any time
after the Effective Date any further action is necessary or desirable to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest FFC with full title to all
properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and franchises of ABC, the
officers and directors of ABC, at the expense of FFC, shall take all such
necessary action.

          Section 2.6  Press Releases.  FFC and ABC agree that all press
                       --------------                                   
releases or other public communications relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby will require consultation among FFC and ABC,
unless counsel has advised any such party that such release or other public
communication must immediately be issued and the issuing party has not been
able, despite its good faith efforts, to effect such consultation.


                                  ARTICLE III
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ABC
                     -------------------------------------

          ABC represents and warrants to FFC, as of the date of this Agreement
as follows:

          Section 3.1  Authority.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement,
                       ---------                                                
the Warrant Agreement and the Warrant and the performance of the transactions
contemplated herein and therein have been authorized by the Board of Directors
of ABC and, except for the approval of this Agreement by its stockholders, ABC
has taken all corporate action necessary on its part to authorize this
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Warrant and the performance of the
transactions contemplated herein and therein.  This Agreement, the Warrant
Agreement and the Warrant have been duly executed and delivered by ABC and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by FFC, constitute valid and
binding obligations of ABC.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the Warrant will not constitute a violation
or breach of or default under (i) the Articles of Incorporation or

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Bylaws of ABC, (ii) any statute, rule, regulation, order, decree or directive of
any governmental authority or court applicable to ABC, subject to the receipt of
all required governmental approvals or (iii) any Material Contract (as such term
is defined in Section 3.12 herein) to which ABC is a party or by which ABC or
any of its properties are bound, subject to ABC obtaining or making any required
notice, consent or approval as set forth on Schedule 3.1.
                                            ------------ 

          Section 3.2  Subsidiaries.  ABC owns no subsidiaries, directly or
                       ------------
indirectly.

          Section 3.3  Organization and Standing.  ABC is a bank and trust
                       -------------------------                          
company that is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  ABC is an insured bank under the
provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (the "FDI Act"), and
is a member of the Federal Reserve System.  ABC has full power and lawful
authority to own and hold its properties and to carry on its business as
presently conducted.

          Section 3.4  Capitalization.  The authorized capital of ABC consists
                       --------------                                         
exclusively of 10,000,000 shares of ABC Common Stock, of which 1,917,153 shares
are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and no shares
are held as treasury shares.  In addition, 418,169 shares of ABC Common Stock
are reserved for issuance upon exercise of the ABC Rights (Schedule 3.4 sets
                                                           ------------     
forth the owners, the number of shares issuable upon exercise and the exercise
price, of the ABC Rights) and 475,000 shares of ABC Common Stock will be
reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrant.  Except for the ABC Rights
and the Warrant,  there are and will be no outstanding obligations, options or
rights of any kind entitling other persons to acquire shares of ABC Common Stock
and there are no outstanding securities or other instruments of any kind that
are convertible into shares of ABC Common Stock.

          Section 3.5  Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Minute Books.  The
                       --------------------------------------------------      
copies of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of ABC that have been
delivered to FFC are true, correct and complete.  Except as previously disclosed
to FFC in writing, the minute books of ABC that have been made available to FFC
for inspection are true, correct and complete in all respects and accurately
record the actions taken by the Boards of Directors and stockholders of ABC at
the meetings documented in such minutes.

          Section 3.6  Financial Statements.  ABC has delivered to FFC the
                       --------------------                               
following financial statements: Balance Sheets for ABC at December 31, 1996 and
1995 and Statements of Income, Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity,
and Statements of Cash Flows of ABC for the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995 certified by Beard & Company, Inc. and a Balance Sheet of ABC at September
30, 1997 and Statements of Income, Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
and Statements of Cash Flows of ABC for the nine-month period ended September
30, 1997, as filed with the Federal Reserve Board (the "FRB") in a Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q (the

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
aforementioned Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1997 being hereinafter referred
to as the "ABC Balance Sheet").  Each of the foregoing financial statements
fairly presents the financial condition, assets and liabilities, and results of
operations of ABC at its respective date and for the respective periods then
ended and has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied, except as otherwise noted in a footnote thereto
and except for the omission of the notes from the financial statements
applicable to any interim period.

          Section 3.7  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as disclosed
                       ----------------------------------                      
in Schedule 3.7, or as reflected, noted or adequately reserved against in the
   ------------                                                              
ABC Balance Sheet or disclosed in the Notes thereto, at September 30, 1997, ABC
had no liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) which
were required to be reflected, noted or reserved against in the ABC Balance
Sheet under generally accepted accounting principles or which were in any case
or in the aggregate material.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.7, ABC has not
                                                      ------------             
incurred, since September 30, 1997, any such liability, other than liabilities
of the same nature as those set forth in the ABC Balance Sheet, all of which
have been reasonably incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business.  For purposes
of this Agreement, the term "Ordinary Course of Business" shall mean the
ordinary course of business consistent with ABC's customary business practices.

          Section 3.8  Absence of Changes.  Since September 30, 1997 to the date
                       ------------------                                       
hereof, ABC has conducted its business in the Ordinary Course of Business and,
except as disclosed in Schedule 3.8, ABC has not undergone any changes in its
                       ------------                                          
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, business, operations or
future prospects of ABC.

          Section 3.9  Dividends, Distributions and Stock Purchases.  Since
                       --------------------------------------------        
January 1, 1997 to the date hereof, ABC has not declared, set aside, made or
paid any dividend or other distribution in respect of the ABC Common Stock, or
purchased, issued or sold any shares of ABC Common Stock.

          Section 3.10 Taxes.  ABC has filed all federal, state, county,
                       -----                                            
municipal and foreign tax returns, reports and declarations which are required
to be filed by it as of September 30, 1997.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
                                                                    --------
3.10: (i) ABC has paid all taxes, penalties and interest which have become due
- ----                                                                          
pursuant thereto or which became due pursuant to federal, state, county,
municipal or foreign tax laws applicable to the periods covered by the foregoing
tax returns: (ii) ABC has received no notice of deficiency or assessment of
additional taxes, and no tax audits are in process; and (iii) the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") has not commenced or given notice of an intention to
commence any examination or audit of the federal income tax returns of ABC for
any year through and including the year ended December 31, 1996.  Except as
disclosed in Schedule 3.10, ABC has not granted any waiver of any statute of
             -------------                                                  
limitations or otherwise agreed to any extension of a period for the assessment
of any federal, state, county, municipal or foreign income tax.  Except as
disclosed in Schedule 3.10, the accruals and reserves
             -------------                           
<PAGE>
 
reflected in the ABC Balance Sheet are adequate to cover all taxes (including
interest and penalties, if any, thereon) that are payable or accrued as a result
of ABC's operations for all periods prior to the date of such Balance Sheet.

          Section 3.11  Title to and Condition of Assets.  Except as disclosed
                        --------------------------------                      
in Schedule 3.11, ABC has good and marketable title to all material real and
   -------------                                                            
personal properties and assets reflected in the ABC Balance Sheet or acquired
subsequent to September 30, 1997 (other than property and assets disposed of in
the Ordinary Course of Business), free and clear of all liens or encumbrances of
any kind whatsoever; provided, however, that the representations and warranties
                     --------  -------                                         
contained in this sentence do not cover liens or encumbrances that:  (i) are
reflected in the ABC Balance Sheet or in Schedule 3.11; (ii) represent liens of
                                         -------------                         
current taxes and special assessments not yet due or which, if due, may be paid
without penalty, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings; and (iii) represent such imperfections of title, liens,
encumbrances, zoning requirements and easements, if any, as are not substantial
in character, amount or extent and do not materially detract from the value, or
interfere with the present use, of the properties and assets subject thereto.
The material structures and other improvements to real estate, furniture,
fixtures and equipment reflected in the ABC Balance Sheet or acquired subsequent
to September 30, 1997:  (A) are in good operating condition and repair (ordinary
wear and tear excepted), and (B) comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, including without limitation all
building codes, zoning ordinances and other similar laws, except where any
noncompliance would not materially detract from the value, or interfere with the
present use, of such structures, improvements, furniture, fixtures and
equipment.  ABC owns or has the right to use all real and personal properties
and assets that are material to the conduct of its business as presently
conducted.

          Section 3.12  Contracts.  Each written or oral contract entered into
                        ---------                                             
by ABC (other than contracts with customers reasonably entered into by ABC in
the Ordinary Course of Business) which involves aggregate payments or receipts
in excess of $50,000 per year, including without limitation every employment
contract, employee benefit plan, agreement, lease, license, indenture, mortgage
and other commitment (other than commitments to make loans) to which ABC is a
party or by which ABC or any of its properties may be bound (collectively
referred to herein as "Material Contracts") is identified in Schedule 3.12.
                                                             -------------  
Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.12, all Material Contracts are valid and in
                       -------------                                         
full force and effect, and all parties thereto (to ABC's knowledge in the case
of third parties to such Material Contracts) have in all material respects
performed all obligations required to be performed by them to date and are not
in default in any material respect.  Schedule 3.12 identifies all Material
                                     -------------                        
Contracts which require the consent or approval of third parties to the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          Section 3.13  Litigation and Governmental Directives.  Except as
                        --------------------------------------            
disclosed in Schedule 3.13:  (i) there is no litigation, investigation or
             -------------                                               
proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of ABC threatened, that involves ABC, or
any of its properties and that, if determined adversely, would materially and
adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities,
business, operations or future prospects of ABC; (ii) there are no outstanding
orders, writs, injunctions, judgments, decrees, regulations, directives, consent
agreements or memoranda of understanding issued by any federal, state or local
court or governmental authority or arbitration tribunal issued against or with
the consent of ABC that materially and adversely affect the condition (financial
or otherwise), assets, liabilities, business, operations or future prospects of
ABC, or that in any manner restrict the right of ABC to carry on its business as
presently conducted taken as a whole; and (iii) the executive officers of ABC
are not aware of any fact or condition presently existing that might give rise
to any litigation, investigation or proceeding which, if determined adversely to
ABC, would materially and adversely affect the condition (financial or
otherwise), assets, liabilities, business, operations or future prospects of ABC
or would restrict in any manner the right of ABC to carry on its business as
presently conducted.  All litigation (except for bankruptcy proceedings in which
ABC has filed proofs of claim) in which ABC is involved as a plaintiff (other
than routine collection and foreclosure suits initiated in the Ordinary Course
of Business in which the amount sought to be recovered is less than $50,000) is
identified in Schedule 3.13.
              ------------- 

          Section 3.14  Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations.
                        -------------------------------------------------  
Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.14 or where noncompliance would not have a
                       -------------                                        
material and adverse effect upon the condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
liabilities, business,  operations or future prospects of ABC: (i) to the
knowledge of ABC, ABC is in compliance with all statutes, laws, ordinances,
rules, regulations, judgments, orders, decrees, directives, consent agreements,
memoranda of understanding, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses,
and other governmental authorizations or approvals applicable to ABC or to any
of its properties; and (ii) all permits, concessions, grants, franchises,
licenses and other governmental authorizations and approvals necessary for the
conduct of the business of ABC as presently conducted have been duly obtained
and are in full force and effect, and there are no proceedings pending or, to
the knowledge of ABC, threatened which may result in the revocation,
cancellation, suspension or materially adverse modification of any thereof.

          Section 3.15  Insurance.  As of the date hereof, all policies of
                        ---------                                         
insurance relating to ABC's operations (except for title insurance policies),
including without limitation all financial institutions bonds, held by or on
behalf of ABC are listed in Schedule 3.15.  All such policies of insurance are
                            -------------                                     
in full force and effect, and, as of the date hereof, no notices of cancellation
have been received in connection therewith.

          Section 3.16  Financial Institutions Bonds.  Since January, 1991, ABC
                        ----------------------------                           
has continuously maintained in full force and effect one or more financial
institutions bonds

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
listed in Schedule 3.16 insuring ABC against acts of dishonesty by each of its
          -------------                                                       
employees.  As of the date hereof, no claim has been made under any such bond
and ABC is not aware of any fact or condition presently existing which might
form the basis of a claim under any such bond.  ABC has no reason to believe
that its present financial institutions bond or bonds will not be renewed by its
carrier on substantially the same terms as those now in effect.

          Section 3.17  Labor Relations and Employment Agreements.  ABC is not a
                        -----------------------------------------               
party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement.  ABC enjoys a good
working relationship with its employees, and there are no labor disputes
pending, or to the knowledge of ABC threatened, that might materially and
adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities,
business or operations of ABC.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.17, ABC has no
                                                       -------------            
employment contract, severance agreement, deferred compensation agreement,
consulting agreement or similar obligation (an "Employment Obligation") with any
director, officer, employee, agent or consultant, and all such persons are
serving at the will and pleasure of ABC.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.17,
                                                                 ------------- 
as of the Effective Date (as defined in Section 10.2 herein), ABC will not have
any liability for employee termination rights arising out of any Employment
Obligation.

          Section 3.18  Employee Benefit Plans.  All employee benefit plans,
                        ----------------------                              
contracts or arrangements to which ABC is a party or by which ABC is bound,
including without limitation all pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
incentive, bonus, profit sharing, stock purchase, stock option, life insurance,
death or survivor's benefit, health insurance, sickness, disability, medical,
surgical, hospital, severance, layoff or vacation plans, contracts or
arrangements, are identified in Schedule 3.18.  ABC's retirement savings plan, a
                                -------------                                   
contributory defined contribution plan (the "ABC 401(k) Plan"), is exempt from
tax under Sections 401 and 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), and has been maintained and operated in material compliance with
all applicable provisions of the Code and the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").  Except as disclosed in Schedule
                                                                    --------
3.18, no "prohibited transaction" (as such term is defined in the Code or in
- ----                                                                        
ERISA) has occurred in respect of the ABC 401(k) Plan or any other employee
benefit plan, including, without limitation, ABC's nonqualified deferred
compensation plan, nonqualified salary continuation agreement and severance pay
plan (all "employee benefit pension plans" and all "employee welfare benefit
plans", as those terms are defined in ERISA, of ABC being collectively referred
to herein as "ABC Benefit Plans" and individually as a "ABC Benefit Plan"), to
which ABC is a party or by which ABC is bound.  There have been no material
breaches of fiduciary duty by any fiduciary under or with respect to the ABC
401(k) Plan or any other ABC Benefit Plan, and no claim is pending or, to the
knowledge of ABC, threatened with respect to any ABC Benefit Plan other than
claims for benefits made in the Ordinary Course of Business.  ABC has not
incurred any material liability for any tax imposed by Section 4975 of the Code
or for any penalty imposed by the Code or by

                                      10
<PAGE>
 
ERISA with respect to the ABC 401(k) Plan or any other ABC Benefit Plan.  There
has not been any audit of any ABC Benefit Plan by the Department of Labor, the
IRS or the PBGC.

          Section 3.19  Related Party Transactions.  Except as disclosed in
                        --------------------------                         
Schedule 3.19, ABC has no contract, extension of credit, business arrangement or
- -------------                                                                   
other relationship of any kind with any of the following persons: (i) any
executive officer or director (including any person who has served in such
capacity since January 1, 1995) of ABC; (ii) any stockholder owning five percent
(5%) or more of the outstanding ABC Common Stock; and (iii) any "associate" (as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of the
foregoing persons or any business in which any of the foregoing persons is an
officer, director, employee or five percent (5%) or greater equity owner.  Each
such contract or extension of credit disclosed in Schedule 3.19, except as
                                                  -------------           
otherwise specifically described therein, has been made in the Ordinary Course
of Business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and
collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable arms' length
transactions with other persons that do not involve more than a normal risk of
collectability or present other unfavorable features.

          Section 3.20  No Finder.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.20, ABC
                        ---------                          -------------     
has not paid or become obligated to pay any fee or commission of any kind
whatsoever to any broker, finder, advisor or other intermediary for, on account
of or in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

          Section 3.21  Complete and Accurate Disclosure.  Neither this
                        --------------------------------               
Agreement (insofar as it relates to ABC, ABC Common Stock and the involvement of
ABC in the transactions contemplated hereby) nor any financial statement,
schedule (including without limitation its Schedules to this Agreement),
certificate, or other statement or document delivered by ABC to FFC in
connection herewith contains any statement which, at the time and in light of
the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to
any material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements contained herein or therein not false or misleading.  In particular,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the information
provided and the representations made by ABC to FFC in connection with the
Registration Statement (as defined in Section 6.1(b) herein), both at the time
such information and representations are provided and made and at the time of
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, will be true and accurate in
all material respects and will not contain any false or misleading statement
with respect to any material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order (i) to make the statements made therein
not false or misleading, or (ii) to correct any statement contained in an
earlier communication with respect to such information or representations which
has become false or misleading.

                                      11
<PAGE>
 
          Section 3.22  Environmental Matters.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
                        ---------------------                          --------
3.22, ABC has no knowledge that any environmental contaminant, pollutant, toxic
- ----                                                                           
or hazardous waste or other similar substance has been generated, used, stored,
processed, disposed of or discharged onto any of the real estate now or
previously owned or acquired (including without limitation any real estate
acquired by means of foreclosure or exercise of any other creditor's right) or
leased by ABC.  In particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing
sentence, except as disclosed in Schedule 3.22, ABC has no knowledge that:  (i)
                                 -------------                                 
any materials containing asbestos have been used or incorporated in any building
or other structure or improvement located on any of the real estate now or
previously owned or acquired (including without limitation any real estate
acquired by means of foreclosure or exercise of any other creditor's right) or
leased by ABC; (ii) any electrical transformers, fluorescent light fixtures with
ballasts or other equipment containing PCB's are or have been located on any of
the real estate now or previously owned or acquired (including without
limitation any real estate acquired by means of foreclosure or exercise of any
other creditor's right) or leased by ABC; or (iii) any underground storage tanks
for the storage of gasoline, petroleum products or other toxic or hazardous
wastes or similar substances are or have ever been located on any of the real
estate now or previously owned or acquired (including without limitation any
real estate acquired by means of foreclosure or exercise of any other creditor's
right) or leased by ABC.

          Section 3.23  Proxy Statement/Prospectus.  At the time the Proxy
                        --------------------------                        
Statement/ Prospectus (as defined in Section 6.1(b) herein) is mailed to the
stockholders of ABC and at all times subsequent to such mailing, up to and
including the Effective Date, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including any pre-
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto), with respect to all
information relating to ABC, ABC Common Stock and all actions taken and
statements made by ABC in connection with the transactions contemplated herein
(except for information provided by FFC to ABC) will:  (i) comply in all
material respects with applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act"), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "1934 Act"), and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"); and (ii) not contain any statement which, at
the time and in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or omits to state any material
fact that is required to be stated therein or necessary in order (A) to make the
statements therein not false or misleading, or (B) to correct any statement in
an earlier communication with respect to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus which
has become false or misleading.

          Section 3.24  Securities Matters.  The ABC Common Stock is traded in
                        ------------------                                    
the NASDAQ Small Cap Market under the symbol ("ABPA") and is registered with the
FRB under the 1934 Act and has made all appropriate filings under the 1934 Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  On the date of
effectiveness (in the case of any offering circular) or on the date of mailing
(in the case of any proxy statement),

                                      12
<PAGE>
 
no offering circular or proxy statement contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          Section 3.25  Reports.  ABC has filed all material reports,
                        -------                                      
registrations and statements that are required to be filed with the FRB, the
Pennsylvania State Banking Department and any other applicable federal, state or
local governmental or regulatory authorities and such reports, registrations and
statements referred to in this Section 3.25 were, as of their respective dates,
in compliance in all material respects with all of the statutes, rules and
regulations enforced or promulgated by the governmental or regulatory authority
with which they were filed; provided, however, that the failure to file any such
report, registration, or statement or the failure of any report, registration or
statement to comply with the applicable regulatory standard shall not be deemed
to be a breach of the foregoing representation unless such failure has or may
have a material adverse impact on ABC.  ABC has furnished FFC with, or made
available to FFC, copies of all such filings made in the last three fiscal years
and in the period from January 1, 1997 through the date of this Agreement.

          Section 3.26  Loan Portfolio of ABC.    Attached hereto as Schedule
                        ---------------------                        --------
3.26 is a list of:  (w) all outstanding commercial relationships, i.e.
- ----                                                                  
commercial loans, commercial loan commitments and commercial letters of credit,
of ABC with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $250,000; (x) all loans
of ABC classified by ABC or any regulatory authority as  "Substandard,"
"Doubtful" or "Loss"; (y) all commercial and mortgage loans of ABC classified as
"non-accrual"; and (z) all commercial loans of ABC classified as "in substance
foreclosed."  ABC has adequately reserved for or charged off loans in accordance
with applicable regulatory requirements and ABC's reserve for loan losses is
adequate in all material respects.

          Section 3.27  Investment Portfolio.  Attached hereto as Schedule 3.27
                        --------------------                      -------------
is a list of all securities held by ABC for investment, showing the principal
amount, book value and market value of each security as of a recent date, and of
all short-term investments held by it as of September 30, 1997.  These
securities are free and clear of all liens, pledges and encumbrances, except as
shown on Schedule 3.27.
         ------------- 

          Section 3.28  Regulatory Examinations.
                        ----------------------- 

                        (a) Except as shown on Schedule 3.28, within the past
                                               -------------
five years, except for normal examinations conducted by a regulatory agency in
the regular course of the business of ABC, no regulatory agency has initiated
any proceeding or investigation into the business or operations of ABC. ABC has
received no objection from any regulatory agency to ABC's response to any
violation, criticism or exception

                                      13
<PAGE>
 
with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations of ABC
which would have a materially adverse effect on ABC.

                        (b) ABC will not be required to divest any assets
currently held by it or discontinue any activity currently conducted as a result
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, any
regulations promulgated thereunder, or otherwise which would have a materially
adverse effect on ABC.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FFC
                     -------------------------------------

          FFC represents and warrants to ABC, as of the date of this Agreement,
as follows:

          Section 4.1  Authority.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement
                       ---------                                               
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been
authorized by the Board of Directors of FFC, and no other corporate action on
the part of FFC is necessary to authorize this Agreement or the consummation by
FFC of the transactions contemplated herein.  This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by FFC and, assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by ABC, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of FFC.  The
execution, delivery and consummation of this Agreement will not constitute a
violation or breach of or default under:  (i) the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws of FFC; (ii) any statute, rule, regulation, order, decree or directive of
any governmental authority or court applicable to FFC, subject to the receipt of
all required government approvals; or (iii) any agreement, contract, memorandum
of understanding, indenture or other instrument to which FFC is a party or by
which FFC or any of its properties are bound.

          Section 4.2  Organization and Standing.  FFC is a business corporation
                       -------------------------                                
that is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  FFC is a registered bank holding company
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"), and has
full power and lawful authority to own and hold its properties and to carry on
its present business.

          Section 4.3  Capitalization.  The authorized capital of FFC consists
                       --------------                                         
exclusively of 100,000,000 shares of FFC Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of
preferred stock without par value (the "FFC Preferred Stock").  As of December
31, 1997, there were validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable
40,602,088 shares of FFC Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement, and
42,000 shares were held as treasury shares.  No shares of FFC Preferred Stock
have been issued as of the date of this Agreement, and FFC has no present
intention to issue any shares of FFC Preferred Stock.  As of December 31, 1997,
there were no outstanding obligations, options or

                                      14
<PAGE>
 
rights of any kind entitling other persons to acquire shares of FFC Common Stock
or shares of FFC Preferred Stock and there were no outstanding securities or
other instruments of any kind convertible into shares of FFC Common Stock or
into shares of FFC Preferred Stock, except as follows:  (i) 846,466 shares of
FFC Common Stock were issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options
granted under the FFC Incentive Stock Option Plan and the FFC Employee Stock
Purchase Plan; (ii) there are outstanding 40,602,088 Rights representing the
right under certain circumstances to purchase shares of FFC Common Stock
pursuant to the terms of a Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated June 20, 1989,
entered into between FFC and Fulton Bank; (iii) shares of FFC Common Stock
reserved from time to time for issuance pursuant to FFC's Employee Stock
Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plans; and (iv) shares issuable upon
consummation of the transaction contemplated by Merger Agreement by and between
FFC and Keystone Heritage Group, Inc. dated as of August 15, 1997.

          Section 4.4  Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.  The copies of the
                       ------------------------------------                    
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and of the Bylaws, as amended, of FFC
that have been delivered to ABC are true, correct and complete.

          Section 4.5  Subsidiaries.  Schedule 4.5 contains a list of all
                       ------------   ------------                       
subsidiaries ("Subsidiaries") which FFC owns, directly or indirectly.  Except as
otherwise disclosed on Schedule 4.5:  (i) FFC owns, directly or indirectly, all
                       ------------                                            
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary; and (ii) as of
the date of this Agreement: (A) there are no outstanding obligations, options or
rights of any kind entitling persons (other than FFC or any Subsidiary) to
acquire shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary, and (B) there are no
outstanding securities or other instruments of any kind held by persons (other
than FFC or any Subsidiary) that are convertible into shares of capital stock of
any Subsidiary.  Each Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction pursuant to which it is
incorporated.  Each Subsidiary has full power and lawful authority to own and
hold its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted.  Each
Subsidiary which is a banking institution is an insured bank under the
provisions of the FDI Act.

          Section 4.6  Financial Statements.  FFC has delivered to ABC the
                       --------------------                               
following financial statements:  Balance Sheets, Statements of Income,
Statements of Stockholders' Equity, and Statements of Cash Flows for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, certified by Arthur Andersen LLP and set
forth in the Annual Report to the stockholders of FFC for the year ended
December 31, 1996  and Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1997,
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three-month and nine-month periods
ended September 30, 1997, and Consolidated statements of Cash Flows for the six
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, as filed with the SEC in a Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q (the Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1997 being
hereinafter referred to as the "FFC Balance Sheet").  Each of the foregoing
financial statements fairly presents the consolidated financial

                                      15
<PAGE>
 
position, assets, liabilities and results of operations of FFC at its respective
date and for the respective periods then ended and has been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied,
except as otherwise noted in a footnote thereto.

          Section 4.7  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as disclosed
                       ----------------------------------                      
in Schedule 4.7 or as reflected, noted or adequately reserved against in the FFC
   ------------                                                                 
Balance Sheet and disclosed in the Notes thereto, at September 30, 1997 FFC had
no material liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise)
which are required to be reflected, noted or reserved against therein under
generally accepted accounting principles or which are in any case or in the
aggregate material.  Except as described in Schedule 4.7, since September 30,
                                            ------------                     
1997 FFC has not incurred any such liability other than liabilities of the same
nature as those set forth in the FFC Balance Sheet, all of which have been
reasonably incurred in the ordinary course of business.

          Section 4.8  Absence of Changes.  Since September 30, 1997, FFC has
                       ------------------                                    
conducted its business in the Ordinary Course of Business and has not undergone
any changes in its condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities,
business, operations or future prospects of FFC.

          Section 4.9  Litigation and Governmental Directives.  Except as
                       --------------------------------------            
disclosed in Schedule 4.9:  (i) there is no litigation, investigation or
             ------------                                               
proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of FFC threatened, that involves FFC or
its properties and that, if determined adversely to FFC, would materially and
adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities,
business, operations or future prospects of FFC; (ii) there are no outstanding
orders, writs, injunctions, judgments, decrees, regulations, directives, consent
agreements or memoranda of understanding issued by any federal, state or local
court or governmental authority or of any arbitration tribunal against FFC which
materially and adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
liabilities, business, operations or future prospects of FFC or restrict in any
manner the right of FFC to carry on its business as presently conducted; and
(iii) the executive officers of FFC are not aware of any fact or condition
presently existing that might give rise to any litigation, investigation or
proceeding which, if determined adversely to FFC, would materially and adversely
affect the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, business,
operations or future prospects of FFC or restrict in any manner the right of FFC
to carry on its business as presently conducted.

          Section 4.10  Compliance with Laws; Governmental Authorizations.
                        -------------------------------------------------  
Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.10 or where noncompliance would not have a
                       -------------                                        
material and adverse effect upon the condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
liabilities, business, operations or future prospects of FFC:  (i) FFC and each
of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all statutes, laws, ordinances,
rules, regulations, judgments, orders, decrees, directives, consent agreements,
memoranda of understanding, permits,

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, and other governmental authorizations
or approvals applicable to their respective operations and properties; and (ii)
all permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses and other governmental
authorizations and approvals necessary for the conduct of the respective
businesses of FFC and each of its Subsidiaries as presently conducted have been
duly obtained and are in full force and effect, and there are not proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of FFC, threatened which may result in the
revocation, cancellation, suspension or materially adverse modification of any
thereof.

          Section 4.11  Complete and Accurate Disclosure.  Neither this
                        --------------------------------               
Agreement (insofar as it relates to FFC, FFC Common Stock, and the involvement
of FFC in the transactions contemplated hereby) nor any financial statement,
schedule (including, without limitation, its Schedules to this Agreement),
certificate or other statement or document delivered by FFC to ABC in connection
herewith contains any statement which, at the time and under the circumstances
under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact
or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained
herein or therein not false or misleading.  In particular, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing sentence, the information provided and the
representations made by FFC to ABC in connection with the Registration Statement
(as defined in Section 6.1(b)), both at the time such information and
representations are provided and made and at the time of the Closing, will be
true and accurate in all material respects and will not contain any false or
misleading statement with respect to any material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order (i) to make
the statements made not false or misleading, or (ii) to correct any statement
contained in an earlier communication with respect to such information or
representations which has become false or misleading.

          Section 4.12  Labor Relations.  Neither FFC nor any of its
                        ---------------                             
Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement.  FFC
and each of its Subsidiaries enjoy good working relationships with their
employees, and there are no labor disputes pending, or to the knowledge of FFC
or any Subsidiary threatened, that might materially and adversely affect the
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, business or operations
of FFC.

          Section 4.13  Employee Benefits Plans.  FFC's contributory profit-
                        -----------------------                            
sharing plan, defined benefits pension plan and 401(k) plan (hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "FFC Pension Plans") are exempt from tax under
Sections 401 and 501 of the Code, have been maintained and operated in
compliance with all applicable provisions of the Code and ERISA, are not subject
to any accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of ERISA and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, and do not have any outstanding liability to
the PBGC.  No "prohibited transaction" or "reportable event" (as such terms are
defined in the Code or ERISA) has occurred with respect to the FFC Pension Plans
or any other FFC employee benefit plan (each hereinafter called an "FFC

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
Benefit Plan").  There have been no breaches of fiduciary duty by any fiduciary
under or with respect to the FFC Pension Plans or any other FFC Benefit Plan.
FFC has not incurred any liability for any tax imposed by Section 4975 of the
Code or for any penalty imposed by the Code or by ERISA with respect to the FFC
Pension Plans or any other FFC Benefit Plan.

          Section 4.14  Environmental Matters.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
                        ---------------------                          --------
4.14 or as reflected, noted or adequately reserved against in the FFC Balance
- ----                                                                         
Sheet, FFC has no knowledge of any material liability relating to any
environmental contaminant, pollutant, toxic or hazardous waste or other similar
substance that has been used, generated, stored, processed, disposed of or
discharged onto any of the real estate now or previously owned or acquired
(including without limitation real estate acquired by means of foreclosure or
other exercise of any creditor's right) or leased by FFC and which is required
to be reflected, noted or adequately reserved against in FFC's consolidated
financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles.

          Section 4.15  SEC Filings.  No registration statement, offering
                        -----------                                      
circular, proxy statement, schedule or report filed and not withdrawn by FFC
with the SEC under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, on the date of effectiveness
(in the case of any registration statement or offering circular) or on the date
of filing (in the case of any report or schedule) or on the date of mailing (in
the case of any proxy statement), contained any untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

          Section 4.16  Proxy Statement/Prospectus.  At the time the Proxy
                        --------------------------                        
Statement/ Prospectus (as defined in Section 6.1(b)) is mailed to the
stockholders of ABC and at all times subsequent to such mailing, up to and
including the Effective Date, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including any pre-
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto), with respect to all
information relating to FFC, the FFC Common Stock, and actions taken and
statements made by FFC in connection with the transactions contemplated herein
(other than information provided by ABC to FFC), will:  (i) comply in all
material respects with applicable provisions of the 1933 Act and 1934 Act and
the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the FRB thereunder; and (ii)
not contain any statement which, at the time and in light of the circumstances
under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material
fact, or omits to state any material fact that is required to be stated therein
or necessary in order (A) to make the statements therein not false or
misleading, or (B) to correct any statement in an earlier communication with
respect to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus which has become false or misleading.

          Section 4.17  Accounting Treatment.  To the best of FFC's knowledge
                        --------------------                                 
after reasonable investigation and consultation with its advisors, and subject
to any factors

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
beyond FFC's control, the Merger will qualify for pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment.

          Section 4.18  Regulatory Approvals.  FFC is not aware of any reason
                        --------------------                                 
why any of the required regulatory approvals to be obtained in connection with
the Merger should not be granted by such regulatory authorities or why such
regulatory approvals should be conditioned on any requirement which would be a
significant impediment to FFC's ability to carry on its business.


                                   ARTICLE V
                               COVENANTS OF ABC
                               ----------------

          From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Date, ABC
covenants and agrees to do the following:

          Section 5.1  Conduct of Business.  Except as otherwise consented to by
                       -------------------                                      
FFC in writing ABC shall:  (i) use all reasonable efforts to carry on its
business in, and only in, the Ordinary Course of Business; (ii) use all
reasonable efforts to preserve its present business organization, to retain the
services of its present officers and employees, and to maintain its
relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with
ABC; (iii) maintain all of its structures, equipment and other real property and
tangible personal property in good repair, order and condition, except for
ordinary wear and tear and damage by unavoidable casualty; (iv) use all
reasonable efforts to preserve or collect all material claims and causes of
action belonging to ABC; (v) keep in full force and effect all insurance
policies now carried by ABC; (vi) perform in all material respects each of its
obligations under all Material Contracts (as defined in Section 3.12 herein) to
which ABC is a party or by which ABC may be bound or which relate to or affect
its properties, assets and business; (vii) maintain its books of account and
other records in the Ordinary Course of Business; (viii) comply in all material
respects with all statutes, laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, decrees,
orders, consent agreements, memoranda of understanding and other federal, state,
and local governmental directives applicable to ABC and to the conduct of its
business; (ix) not amend ABC's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; (x) not
enter into or assume any Material Contract, incur any material liability or
obligation, or make any material commitment, except in the Ordinary Course of
Business; (xi) not make any material acquisition or disposition of any
properties or assets or subject any of its properties or assets to any material
lien, claim, charge, or encumbrance of any kind whatsoever; (xii) not knowingly
take or permit to be taken any action which would cause any representation or
warranty to be materially inaccurate as of the date of such action or constitute
a material breach of any covenant set forth in this Agreement; (xiii) not
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect
of ABC Common Stock; (xiv) not authorize, purchase, redeem, issue or sell (or
grant options or

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
rights to purchase or sell) any shares of ABC Common Stock or any other equity
or debt securities of ABC other than the Warrant; (xv) not increase the rate of
compensation of, pay a bonus or severance compensation to, establish or amend
any ABC Benefit Plan except as required by law (as defined in Section 3.18
herein) for, or enter into or amend any Employment Obligation (as defined in
Section 3.17 herein) with, any officer, director, employee or consultant of ABC,
except that ABC may grant reasonable salary increases and bonuses to its
officers and employees in the Ordinary Course of Business to the extent
consistent with its past practice and as set forth in Section 7.2(l); (xvi) not
                                                      --------------           
enter into any related party transaction of the kind contemplated in Section
3.19 herein except in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with past
practice (as disclosed on Schedule 3.19); (xvii) in determining the additions to
loan loss reserves and the loan write-offs, writedowns and other adjustments
that reasonably should be made by ABC during the fiscal year ending December 31,
1997, ABC shall consult with FFC and shall act in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and ABC's customary business practices; (xviii)
file with appropriate federal, state, local and other governmental agencies all
tax returns and other material reports required to be filed, pay in full or make
adequate provisions for the payment of all taxes, interest, penalties,
assessments or deficiencies shown to be due on tax returns or by any taxing
authorities and report all information on such returns truthfully, accurately
and completely; (xix) not renew any existing contract for services, goods,
equipment or the like or enter into, amend in any material respect or terminate
any contract or agreement (including without limitation any settlement agreement
with respect to litigation) that is or may reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on ABC except in the Ordinary Course of Business
consistent with past practice; (xx) not make any capital expenditures other than
in the Ordinary Course of Business or as necessary to maintain existing assets
in good repair; (xxi) not make application for the opening or closing of any, or
open or close any, branches or automated banking facility, provided, however,
that ABC may open a branch office at Saucon Valley Square, Wyandotte Street,
Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania; (xxii) not make any
equity investment or commitment to make such an investment in real estate or in
any real estate development project, other than in connection with foreclosures,
settlements in lieu of foreclosure or troubled loan or debt restructuring in the
Ordinary Course of Business consistent with customary banking practice; (xxiii)
not make purchases of securities for its investment portfolio without prior
consultation with FFC; (xxiv) not take any other action similar to the foregoing
which would have the effect of frustrating the purposes of this Agreement or the
Merger or cause the Merger not to qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment or as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code; (xxv)
not materially expand the current scope of its trust activities by, among other
things, entering into contractual arrangements related thereto, without
consulting FFC; or (xxvi) not extend the term of any existing Material Contract
for a term beyond January 1, 1999.

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
          Section 5.2  Best Efforts.  ABC shall cooperate with FFC and shall use
                       ------------                                             
its best efforts to do or cause to be done all things necessary or appropriate
on its part in order to fulfill the conditions precedent set forth in Article
VII of this Agreement and to consummate this Agreement.  In particular, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, ABC shall:  (i) cooperate
with FFC in the preparation of all required applications for regulatory approval
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and in the preparation of the
Registration Statement (as defined in Section 6.1(b)); (ii) call a meeting of
its stockholders and take, in good faith, all actions which are necessary or
appropriate on its part in order to secure the approval of this Agreement by its
stockholders at that meeting; (iii) cooperate with FFC in making ABC's employees
reasonably available for training by FFC at ABC's facilities prior to the
Effective Date, to the extent that such training is deemed reasonably necessary
by FFC to ensure that ABC's facilities will be properly operated in accordance
with FFC's policies after the Merger; and (iv) satisfy the conditions set forth
in Sections  7.1(h) and 7.2(k) on or before February 13, 1998 (the "Interim
Conditions").

          Section 5.3  Access to Properties and Records.  ABC shall give to FFC
                       --------------------------------                        
and its authorized employees and representatives (including without limitation
its counsel, accountants, economic and environmental consultants and other
designated representatives) such access during normal business hours to all
properties, books, contracts, documents and records of ABC as FFC may reasonably
request subject to the obligation of FFC and its authorized employees and
representatives to maintain the confidentiality of all nonpublic information
concerning ABC obtained by reason of such access and subject to applicable law.

          Section 5.4  Subsequent Financial Statements.  Between the date of
                       -------------------------------                      
signing of this Agreement and the Effective Date, ABC shall promptly prepare and
deliver to FFC as soon as practicable all internal monthly and quarterly
financial statements, all quarterly and annual reports to stockholders and all
reports to regulatory authorities prepared by or for ABC (which additional
financial statements and reports are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Additional ABC Financial Statements").  The representations and warranties set
forth in Sections 3.6, 3.7 and 3.8 shall apply to the Additional ABC Financial
Statements.

          Section 5.5  Update Schedules.  ABC shall promptly disclose to FFC in
                       ----------------                                        
writing any change, addition, deletion or other modification to the information
set forth in its Schedules hereto.

          Section 5.6  Notice.  ABC shall promptly notify FFC in writing of any
                       ------                                                  
material actions, claims, investigations, proceedings or other developments
which, if pending or in existence on the date of this Agreement, would have been
required to be disclosed to FFC in order to ensure the accuracy of the
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement or which otherwise
could materially and adversely affect the condition

                                      21
<PAGE>
 
(financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities business operations or future
prospects of ABC or restrict in any manner its ability to carry on its business
as presently conducted.

          Section 5.7   Other Proposals.  ABC shall not, nor shall it permit any
                        ---------------                                         
of its officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants or other
representatives to: (i) solicit, initiate or encourage any proposal for a merger
or other acquisition of ABC, or any material portion of its properties or
assets, with or by any person other than FFC, or (ii) cooperate with, or furnish
any nonpublic information concerning ABC to, any person in connection with such
a proposal (an "Acquisition Proposal"); provided, however, that the obligations
of ABC and its directors and other representatives under this Section 5.7 are
subject to the limitation that the Board of Directors shall be free to take such
action as the Board of Directors determines, in good faith and after
consultation with outside counsel, that is not legally inconsistent with its
fiduciary duty.  ABC will notify FFC immediately if any discussions or
negotiations are sought to be initiated, any inquiry or proposal is made, or any
such information is requested, with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or
potential Acquisition Proposal or if any Acquisition Proposal is received or
indicated to be forthcoming.

          Section 5.8   Affiliate Letters.  ABC shall deliver or cause to be
                        -----------------                                   
delivered to FFC, at or before the Closing, a letter from each of the executive
officers and directors of ABC (and shall use its best efforts to obtain and
deliver such a letter from each stockholder of ABC) who may be deemed to be an
"affiliate" (as that term is defined for purposes of Rules 145 and 405
promulgated by the SEC under the 1933 Act) of ABC, in form and substance
satisfactory to FFC, under the terms of which each such officer, director or
stockholder acknowledges and agrees to abide by all limitations imposed by the
1933 Act and by all rules, regulations and releases promulgated thereunder by
the SEC with respect to the sale or other disposition of the shares of FFC
Common Stock to be received by such person pursuant to this Agreement.

          Section 5.9   No Purchases or Sales of FFC Common Stock During Price
                        ------------------------------------------------------
Determination Period.  ABC shall not, and shall use its best efforts to ensure
- --------------------                                                          
that its executive officers and directors do not, and shall use its best efforts
to ensure that each stockholder of ABC who may be deemed an "affiliate" (as
defined in SEC Rules 145 and 405) of ABC does not, purchase or sell on NASDAQ,
or submit a bid to purchase or an offer to sell on NASDAQ, directly or
indirectly, any shares of FFC Common Stock or any options, rights or other
securities convertible into shares of FFC Common Stock during the Price
Determination Period.

          Section 5.10  Accounting Treatment.  ABC acknowledges that FFC
                        --------------------                            
presently intends to treat the business combination contemplated by this
Agreement as a "pooling-of-interests" for financial reporting purposes.  ABC
shall not take (and shall use its best efforts not to permit any of the
directors, officers, employees, stockholders, agents, consultants or other
representatives of ABC to take) any action that would

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
preclude FFC from treating such business combination as a "pooling-of-interests"
for financial reporting purposes.

          Section 5.11 Employment Obligations.  Prior to the Effective Date,
                       ----------------------                               
without the prior written consent of FFC, ABC shall not modify the terms of the
Employment Obligations (as defined in Section 3.17) except as contemplated by
Sections 7.2(k) and (l) and ABC shall not create any new Employment Obligation.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                               COVENANTS OF FFC
                               ----------------

          From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Date, or until
such later date as may be expressly stipulated in any Section of this Article
VI, FFC covenants and agrees to do the following:

          Section 6.1  Best Efforts.  FFC shall cooperate with ABC and shall use
                       ------------                                             
its best efforts to do or cause to be done all things necessary or appropriate
on its part in order to fulfill the conditions precedent set forth in Article
VII of this Agreement and to consummate this Agreement.  In particular, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, FFC agrees to do the
following:

                       (a) Applications for Regulatory Approval: FFC shall
                           ------------------------------------
promptly prepare and file, with the cooperation and assistance of (and after
review by) ABC and its counsel and accountants, all required applications for
regulatory approval of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including without limitation an application for approval under the BHC Act, the
FDI Act and the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965, as amended;

                       (b) Registration Statement: FFC shall promptly prepare,
                           ----------------------
with the cooperation and assistance of (and after review by) ABC and its counsel
and accountants, and file with the SEC and the FRB, as applicable, a
registration statement (the "Registration Statement") and a proxy statement and
prospectus which is prepared as a part thereof (the "Proxy
Statement/Prospectus") for the purpose of registering the shares of FFC Common
Stock to be issued to stockholders of ABC, and the soliciting of the proxies of
ABC's stockholders in favor of the Merger, under the provisions of this
Agreement. FFC may rely upon all information provided to it by ABC in this
connection and FFC shall not be liable for any untrue statement of a material
fact or any omission to state a material fact in the Registration Statement, or
in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, if such statement is made by FFC in reliance
upon any information provided to FFC by ABC or by any of its officers, agents or
representatives. ABC shall not be liable for any untrue statement of material
fact or any omission to state

                                      23
<PAGE>
 
a material fact in the Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
if such statement is made by ABC in reliance upon any information provided to
ABC by FFC or by any of its officers, agents or representatives;

                  (c)  State Securities Laws: FFC, with the cooperation and
                       ---------------------
assistance of ABC and its counsel and accountants, shall promptly take all such
actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order to comply with all
applicable securities laws of any state having jurisdiction over the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (d)  Stock Listing: FFC shall promptly take all such actions
                       -------------
as may be necessary or appropriate in order to list the shares of FFC Common
Stock to be issued in the Merger on the NASDAQ;

                  (e)  LB: FFC shall cause LB to be a party to this Agreement
                       --
and approve this Agreement as LB's sole Shareholder; and

                  (f)  Accounting Treatment: FFC shall take no action which
                       --------------------
would have the effect of causing the Merger not to qualify for pooling-of-
interests accounting treatment or as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368
of the Code.

                  (f)  Adopt Amendments: FFC shall not adopt any amendments to
                       ----------------
its charter or bylaws or other organizational documents that would alter the
terms of FFC's Common Stock or could reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the ability of FFC to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.

     Section 6.2  Access to Properties and Records.  FFC shall give to ABC
                  --------------------------------
and to its authorized employees and representatives (including without
limitation ABC's counsel, accountants, economic and environmental consultants
and other designated representatives) such access during normal business hours
to all properties, books, contracts, documents and records of FFC as ABC may
reasonably request, subject to the obligation of ABC and its authorized
employees and representatives to maintain the confidentiality of all nonpublic
information concerning FFC obtained by reason of such access.

     Section 6.3  Subsequent Financial Statements. Between the date of signing
                  -------------------------------
of this Agreement and the Effective Date, FFC shall promptly prepare and deliver
to ABC as soon as practicable each Quarterly Report to FFC's stockholders and
any Annual Report to FFC's stockholders normally prepared by FFC. The
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 herein
shall apply to the financial statements (hereinafter collectively referred to as
the "Additional FFC Financial Statements") set forth in the foregoing Quarterly
Reports and any Annual Report to FFC's stockholders.

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
          Section 6.4  Update Schedules.  FFC shall promptly disclose to ABC in
                       ----------------                                        
writing any change, addition, deletion or other modification to the information
set forth in its Schedules to this Agreement.

          Section 6.5  Notice.  FFC shall promptly notify ABC in writing of any
                       ------                                                  
actions, claims, investigations or other developments which, if pending or in
existence on the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be
disclosed to ABC in order to ensure the accuracy of the representations and
warranties set forth in this Agreement or which otherwise could materially and
adversely affect the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities,
business, operations or future prospects of FFC or restrict in any manner the
right of FFC to carry on its business as presently conducted.

          Section 6.6  Employment Arrangements.
                       ----------------------- 

                 (a) From and after the Effective Date, FFC shall cause ABC: (i)
subject to Section 7.2(l) herein, to honor each of the Employment Obligations
(as defined in Section 3.17 herein); and (ii) to honor ABC's obligations under
the ABC Benefit Plans.

                 (b) On and after the Effective Date and subject to the
Employment Obligations (subject to the provisions of subsection (c) below), FFC
shall cause LB to use its best efforts to retain each present full-time employee
of ABC at such employee's current position (or, if offered to, and accepted by,
an employee, a position for which the employee is qualified with FFC or an FFC
subsidiary bank at a salary commensurate with the position), (ii) pay
compensation to each person who was employed as of the Effective Date and who
continues to be employed by ABC on and after the Effective Date (including
Messrs. McDonald and Lobach) , that is at least equal to the aggregate
compensation that such person was receiving from ABC prior to the Effective Date
(unless there is a material change in the duties and responsibilities of such
employee) and (iii) provide employee benefits to each such person who is an
employee, on and after the Effective Date, that are substantially equivalent in
the aggregate to the employee benefits that such person was receiving as an
employee from ABC prior to the Effective Date and that are no less favorable
than employee benefits afforded to similarly situated employees of FFC and its
Subsidiaries. For vesting and eligibility purposes for employee benefits, former
ABC employees shall receive credit for years of service with ABC. With respect
to any welfare benefit plans to which such employees may become eligible, FFC
and its Subsidiaries shall cause such plans to provide credit for any co-
payments or deductibles by such employees and waive all pre-existing condition
exclusions and waiting periods.

                 (c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (including,
without limitation, the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) above): (i) FFC
shall, after the Effective Date, discontinue and terminate the plans of ABC
relating to the ABC Rights; (ii) in the event that FFC causes LB to continue to
employ officers or employees of ABC 

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
as of the Effective Date, LB shall employ such persons on the Effective Date, as
"at will" employees subject to the continued satisfactory performance of their
respective duties; and (iii) in the event LB does not employ, or terminate the
employment (other than as a result of unsatisfactory performance of their
respective duties) of any officers or employees of ABC as of the Effective Date,
FFC shall cause LB to pay severance benefits to such employee as follows: (A) in
the event employment is terminated on or prior to the date which is one year
after the Effective Date, one week's salary plus an additional one week's salary
for each year of service with ABC, with a maximum severance benefit of 26 weeks'
salary; and (B) in the event employment is terminated thereafter, in accordance
with the then existing severance policy of LB.

          Section 6.7  No Purchase or Sales of FFC Common Stock During Price
                       -----------------------------------------------------
Determination Period.  Neither FFC nor any Subsidiary of FFC, nor any executive
- --------------------                                                           
officer or director of FFC or any Subsidiary of FFC, nor any shareholder of FFC
who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" (as that term is defined for purposes of
Rules 145 and 405 promulgated by the SEC under the 1933 Act) of FFC, shall
purchase or sell on NASDAQ, or submit a bid to purchase or an offer to sell on
NASDAQ, directly or indirectly, any shares of FFC Common Stock or any options,
rights or other securities convertible into shares of FFC Common Stock during
the Price Determination Period; provided, however, that FFC may purchase shares
                                --------  -------                              
of FFC Common Stock in the ordinary course of business during the Price
Determination Period pursuant to FFC's Benefit Plans or FFC's Dividend
Reinvestment Plan.

          Section 6.8  Post-Merger Operations of LB.
          -----------  ---------------------------- 

                 (a)   Following the Effective Date, LB, as the surviving bank
in the Merger, shall operate as a subsidiary of FFC under a name or names agreed
upon by LB and ABC;

                 (b)   For a period from the Effective Date through a date
determined by FFC (not to be before three (3) years after the Effective Date),
FFC shall (subject to the right of FFC and the ABC Continuing Directors to
terminate such obligations under this Section 6.8(a) under subsections (b) and
(c) below): offer appointment to all present directors of ABC to the board of
directors of LB who indicate their desire to serve (the "ABC Continuing
Directors"),provided, that (A) each non-employee ABC Continuing Director shall
            --------
receive director's fees from LB in the form of an annual retainer of
$8,800; and (B) ABC Continuing Directors who are age 70 or above on the
Effective Date, or who subsequently attain age 70 within three years of the
Effective Date, shall be limited to a maximum of three successive one-year
terms. On the Effective Date, Timothy J. McDonald and David M. Lobach, Jr. shall
be appointed president and chief operating officer and an executive vice
president, respectively, of LB. Mr. McDonald shall become chief executive
officer of LB no later than December 31, 1998;

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
              (c)  FFC shall have the right to terminate its obligations
(subject to the terms of the Employment Obligations with Messrs. McDonald and
Lobach) under subsection (b) of this Section 6.8 as a result of (i) regulatory
considerations, (ii) safe and sound banking practices, or (iii) the exercise of
their fiduciary duties by FFC's directors; and

              (d)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the ABC
Continuing Directors, in their exercise of their fiduciary duty as to the best
interests of ABC and FFC, may, by a majority vote of such directors, modify or
waive any or all of the foregoing provisions in subsection (b) of this Section
6.8.

          Section 6.9  Appointment of FFC Director.
          -----------  --------------------------- 

          FFC shall, on or promptly after the Effective Date, appoint to FFC's
Board of Directors one of ABC's current directors (designated, subject to the
reasonable approval of FFC, by vote of ABC's Board of Directors prior to the
Effective Date) to serve as director of FFC.  During the three-year period after
the Effective Date, the FFC Board of Directors shall nominate such designee for
election, and support his election, for at least one three-year term at the
first annual meeting of shareholders of FFC at which such designee's initial
term expires.  During such period, in the event such designee shall cease to
serve as a director of FFC, the ABC Continuing Directors shall have the right to
designate one other person then serving on the Board of LB to serve as a
director of FFC (subject to the reasonable concurrence of FFC as to the person
designated).


                                  ARTICLE VII
                             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
                             --------------------

          Section 7.1  Common Conditions.  The obligations of the parties to
                       -----------------                                    
consummate this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the
following common conditions prior to or as of the Closing, except to the extent
that any such condition shall have been waived in accordance with the provisions
of Section 8.4 herein:

                       (a) Stockholder Approval: This Agreement shall have been
                           --------------------
duly authorized, approved and adopted by the stockholders of ABC;

                       (b) Regulatory Approvals: The approval of each federal as
                           --------------------
regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including without limitation, the Federal Reserve Board, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), and the Pennsylvania Banking
Department, shall have been obtained and all applicable waiting and notice
periods shall have expired, subject to no terms or conditions which would: (i)
require or could reasonably be 

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
expected to require (A) any divestiture by FFC of a portion of the business of
FFC, or any subsidiary of FFC, or (B) any divestiture by ABC of a portion of its
business which FFC in its good faith judgment believes will have a significant
adverse impact on the business or prospects of ABC; or (ii) impose any condition
upon FFC, or any of its subsidiaries, which in FFC's good faith judgment, (x)
would be materially burdensome to FFC and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, (y)
would significantly increase the costs incurred or that will be incurred by FFC
as a result of consummating the Merger, or (z) would prevent FFC from obtaining
any material benefit contemplated by it to be attained as a result of the
Merger;

                       (c) Stock Listing. The shares of FFC Common Stock to be
                           -------------
issued in the Merger shall have been authorized for listing on NASDAQ;

                       (d) Tax Opinion. Each of FFC and ABC shall have received
                           -----------
an opinion of FFC's counsel, Barley, Snyder, Senft & Cohen, LLC, reasonably
acceptable to FFC and ABC, addressed to FFC and ABC, with respect to federal tax
laws or regulations, to the effect that:

                           (1) The Merger will constitute a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) and (a)(2)(D) of the Code;

                           (2) No gain or loss will be recognized by FFC,
LB or ABC by reason of the Merger;

                           (3) The bases of the assets of ABC immediately after
the Merger will be the same as the bases of such assets immediately prior to the
Merger;

                           (4) The holding period of the assets of ABC
immediately after the Merger will include the period during which such assets
were held by ABC prior to the Merger;

                           (5) A holder of ABC Common Stock who receives shares
of FFC Common Stock in exchange for his ABC Common Stock pursuant to the
reorganization (including fractional shares of FFC Common Stock deemed issued as
described below) will not recognize any gain or loss upon the exchange;

                           (6) A holder of ABC Common Stock who receives cash in
lieu of a fractional share of FFC Common Stock will be treated as if he received
a fractional share of FFC Common Stock pursuant to the reorganization and FFC
then redeemed such fractional share for the cash. The holder of ABC Common Stock
will recognize capital gain or loss on the constructive redemption of the
fractional share in an amount equal to the difference between the cash received
and the adjusted basis of the fractional share; 

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
                           (7) The tax basis of the FFC Common Stock to be
received by the stockholders of ABC pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will
be equal to the tax basis of the ABC Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor, decreased by the amount of cash received and increased by the amount
of any gain (and by the amount of any dividend income) recognized on the
exchange; and

                           (8) The holding period of the shares of FFC Common
Stock to be received by the stockholders of ABC will include the period during
which they held the shares of ABC Common Stock surrendered, provided the shares
of ABC Common Stock are held as a capital asset on the date of the exchange.

                       (e) Registration Statement: The Registration Statement
                           ----------------------
(as defined in Section 6.1(b), including any amendments thereto) shall have been
declared effective or approved by the SEC by the FRB, as applicable; the
information contained herein shall be true, complete and correct in all material
respects as of the date of mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined
in Section 6/1(b) to the stockholders of ABC; regulatory clearance for the
offering contemplated by the Registration Statement (the "Offering") shall have
been received from each state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the
Offering; and no stop order shall have been issued and no proceedings shall have
been instituted or threatened by any federal or state regulatory authority to
suspend or terminate the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the
Offering;

                       (f) No Suits: No action, suit or proceeding shall be
                           --------
pending or threatened before any federal, state or local court or governmental
authority or before any arbitration tribunal which seeks to modify, enjoin or
prohibit or otherwise adversely and materially affect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; and

                       (g) Pooling: FFC and ABC shall have been advised in
                           -------
writing by Arthur Anderson LLP on the Effective Date that the Merger should be
treated as a pooling transaction for financial accounting purposes.

                       (g) Employment Obligations Amendment: Timothy J. McDonald
                           --------------------------------
and David M. Lobach, Jr. shall each agree to amend his existing Employment
Agreement with ABC dated August 23, as amended, to eliminate any right
thereunder to voluntarily terminate such Employment Agreements solely as a
result of the Merger and receive the severance payments provided therein;
provided, however, that such amendment shall further provide that Messrs.
McDonald and Lobach shall retain the right to terminate their employment and
receive the severance benefits provided for therein in the event their duties or
responsibilities are materially lessened or if their places of employment are
changed by 25 miles or more. In addition, Mr. Lobach's Employment Agreement
shall be amended to establish a fixed term of five (5) years from the Effective
Date. The 

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
amendments required by this Section 7.1(h) shall be in a form mutually
acceptable to FFC and Messrs. McDonald and Lobach.


          Section 7.2  Conditions Precedent to Obligations of FFC.  The
                       ------------------------------------------      
obligations of FFC to consummate this Agreement shall be subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions prior to or as of the Closing,
except to the extent that any such condition shall have been waived by FFC in
accordance with the provisions of Section 8.4 herein:

                       (a) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties: All of
                           ------------------------------------------
the representations and warranties of ABC as set forth in this Agreement, all of
the information contained in the Schedules hereto and all ABC Closing Documents
(as defined in Section 7.2(l)) shall be true and correct in all material
respects as of the Closing as if made on such date (or on the date to which it
relates in the case of any representation or warranty which expressly relates to
an earlier date); except to the extent that any misrepresentations and breaches
of warranty at the Closing shall not in the aggregate be material to ABC;

                       (b) Covenants Performed: ABC shall have performed or
                           -------------------
complied in all material respects with each of the covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by it;

                       (c) Opinion of Counsel for ABC: FFC shall have received
                           --------------------------
an opinion, dated the Effective Date, from Fredric C. Jacobs, Esquire, counsel
to ABC, in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto. In rendering any such
                                     ---------
opinion, such counsel may require and, to the extent he deems necessary or
appropriate may rely upon, opinions of other counsel and upon representations
made in certificates of officers of ABC, FFC, affiliates of the foregoing, and
others;

                       (d) Affiliate Agreements. Stockholders of ABC who are or
                           --------------------
will be affiliates of ABC or FFC for the purposes of Accounting Series Release
No. 135 and the 1933 Act shall have entered into agreements with FFC, in form
and substance satisfactory to FFC, reasonably necessary to assure (i) the
ability of FFC to use pooling-of-interests accounting for the Merger; and (ii)
compliance with Rule 145 under the 1933 Act;

                       (e) ABC Rights. All holders of ABC Rights shall have
                           ----------
delivered documentation reasonably satisfactory to FFC canceling the ABC Rights
in exchange for FFC Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.3 herein;

                       (f) Financial Confirmation: FFC (together with its
                           ----------------------
accountants, if the advice of such accountants is deemed necessary or desirable
by FFC) shall have

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
established to its reasonable satisfaction that, since September 30, 1997, there
shall not have been any material and adverse change in the condition (financial
or otherwise), assets, liabilities, business or operations or future prospects
of ABC.  In particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing
sentence, the Additional ABC Financial Statements (as defined in Section 5.4)
shall indicate that the consolidated financial condition, assets, liabilities
and results of operations of ABC as of the respective dates reported therein do
not vary adversely in any material respect from the consolidated financial
condition, assets, liabilities and results of operations presented in the ABC
Balance Sheet.  For purposes of this Section 7.2(e), a material and adverse
change shall mean an event, change, or occurrence which, individually or
together with any other event, change, or occurrence, has a material adverse
impact on (i) the financial position, business, results of operations or future
prospects of ABC or (ii) the ability of ABC to perform its obligations under
this Agreement, provided that "material and adverse change" shall not be deemed
to include the impact of (a) changes in banking and similar laws of general
applicability or interpretations thereof by court of governmental authorities,
(b) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to
banks and their holding companies, (c) actions or omissions of ABC taken with
the prior written consent of FFC in contemplation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, (d) changes in economic conditions generally affecting
financial institutions including changes in the general level of interest rates,
and (e) the direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating
performance of ABC, including expenses incurred by ABC in consummating the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement (subject to disclosure herein or
FFC's prior written approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, of
such expenses);

          (g)  Accountants' Letter.  At its option, FFC shall have received a
               -------------------                                           
"comfort" letter from the independent certified public accountants for ABC,
dated (i) the effective date of the Registration Statement, and (ii) the
Effective Date, in each case substantially to the effect that:

               (1) it is a firm of independent public accounts with respect to
ABC and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder;

               (2) in its opinion the audited financial statements of ABC
examined by it and included in the Registration Statement comply as to form in
all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the
applicable published rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder with respect to
registration statements on the form employed; and

               (3) on the basis of specified procedures (which do not constitute
an examination in accordance with generally accepted audit standards),
consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial statements, if any, of ABC
included in

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
such Registration Statement and of the latest available unaudited financial
statements of ABC, inquiries of officers responsible for financial and
accounting matters of ABC and a reading of the minutes of meetings of
stockholders and the Board of Directors of ABC, nothing has come to its
attention which causes it to believe:  (i) that the financial statements, if
any, of ABC included in such Registration Statement do not comply in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act
and the published rules and regulations thereunder; and (ii) that any such
unaudited financial statements of ABC from which unaudited quarterly financial
information set forth in such Registration Statement has been derived, are not
fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements.

          (h)  Federal and State Securities and Antitrust Laws:  FFC and its
               -----------------------------------------------              
counsel shall have determined to their satisfaction that, as of the Closing, all
applicable securities and antitrust laws of the federal government and of any
state government having jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall have been complied with;

          (i)  Dissenting Stockholders:  Dissenters' rights shall have been
               -----------------------                                     
exercised with respect to less than 10% of the outstanding shares of ABC Common
Stock;

          (j)  Environmental Matters:  No environmental problem of the kind
               ---------------------                                       
contemplated in Section 3.22 and not disclosed in Schedule 3.22 shall have been
                                                  -------------                
discovered which would, or which potentially could, materially and adversely
affect the condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, business,
operations or future prospects of ABC, provided, that for purposes of
                                       --------                      
determining the materiality of an undisclosed environmental problem or problems,
the definition of "material" shall be governed by the proviso to Section 7.2(a)
of this Agreement;

          (k)  Keystone Financial, Inc.:  Keystone Financial, Inc., as a
               ------------------------                                 
stockholder of ABC, shall vote its ABC Common Stock in favor of the Merger and
enter into an agreement, in a form reasonably satisfactory to FFC, not to
dispose of its ABC Common Stock or any ABC Rights, or take any action, prior to
the Effective Date which may promote or assist a proposal from any party other
than FFC or which may be inconsistent with this Agreement;

          (l)  Required Notices, Consents and Approvals:  ABC shall have 
               ----------------------------------------
received any material required notice, consent or approval as contemplated by
Section 3.1 herein; and

          (m)  Closing Documents:  ABC shall have delivered to FFC:  (i) a
               -----------------                                          
certificate signed by ABC's President and Secretary (or other officers
reasonably acceptable to FFC) verifying that, to the best of their knowledge
after reasonable

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
investigation, all of the representations and warranties of ABC set forth in
this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing
and that ABC has performed in all material respects each of the covenants
required to be performed by it under this Agreement; (ii) all consents and
authorizations of landlords and other persons that are necessary to permit this
Agreement to be consummated without violation of any lease or other agreement to
which ABC is a party or by which it or any of its properties are bound; and
(iii) such other certificates and documents as FFC and its counsel may
reasonably request (all of the foregoing certificates and other documents being
herein referred to as the "ABC Closing Documents").

          Section 7.3  Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of ABC.  The
                       ----------------------------------------------      
obligation of ABC to consummate this Agreement shall be subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions prior to or as of the Closing,
except to the extent that any such condition shall have been waived by ABC in
accordance with the provisions of Section 8.4 herein:

                       (a) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties:  All of 
                           ------------------------------------------
the representations and warranties of FFC as set forth in this Agreement, all of
the information contained in its Schedules and all FFC Closing Documents (as
defined in Section 7.3(f) of this Agreement) shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the Closing as if made on such date (or on the date to
which it relates in the case of any representation or warranty which expressly
relates to an earlier date);

                       (b) Covenants Performed: FFC shall have performed or
                           -------------------
complied in all material respects with each of the covenants required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by FFC;

                       (c) Opinion of Counsel for FFC: ABC shall have received
                           ------------------
an opinion from Barley, Snyder, Senft & Cohen, LLC, counsel to FFC, dated the
Effective Date, in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto. In rendering any
                                             ---------
such opinion, such counsel may require and, to the extent they deem necessary or
appropriate may rely upon, opinions of other counsel and upon representations
made in certificates of officers of FFC, ABC, affiliates of the foregoing, and
others;

                       (d) Fairness Opinion: ABC shall have obtained from
                           ----------------
Danielson Associates, Inc., or from another independent financial advisor
selected by the Board of Directors of ABC, an opinion dated within five (5) days
of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be furnished to the stockholders of ABC
stating that the terms of the acquisition contemplated by this Agreement are
fair to the stockholders of ABC from a financial point of view;

                       (e) Financial Confirmation: ABC (together with its
                           ----------------------
accountants, if the advice of such accountants is deemed necessary or desirable
by ABC) shall have

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
established to its reasonable satisfaction that, since September 30, 1997, there
has not been any material and adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise), assets, liabilities, business, operations or future prospects of
FFC.  In particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence,
the Additional FFC Financial Statements shall indicate that the financial
condition, assets, liabilities and results of operations of FFC as of the
respective dates reported therein do not vary adversely in any material respect
from the financial condition, assets, liabilities and results of operations
presented in the FFC Balance Sheet.  For purposes of this Section 7.3(e), a
material and adverse change shall mean an event, change, or occurrence which,
individually or together with any other event, change, or occurrence, has a
material adverse impact on (i) the consolidated financial position, business,
results of operations or future prospects of FFC or (ii) the ability of FFC to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, provided that "material and
adverse change" shall not be deemed to include the impact of (a) changes in
banking and similar laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by
court of governmental authorities, (b) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting
principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies or (c)
changes in economic conditions generally affecting financial institutions
including changes in the general level of interest rates;

                       (f) Closing Documents: FFC shall have delivered to ABC:
                           -----------------
(i) a certificate signed by FFC's President and Secretary (or other officers
reasonably acceptable to ABC) verifying that, to the best of their knowledge
after reasonable investigation, all of the representations and warranties of FFC
set forth in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of
the Closing and that FFC has performed in all material respects each of the
covenants required to be performed by FFC; and (ii) such other certificates and
documents as ABC and its counsel may reasonably request (all of the foregoing
certificates and documents being herein referred to as the "FFC Closing
Documents"); and

                       (g)  Market Price of FFC Common Stock: The Closing Market
                            --------------------------------
Price (as adjusted appropriately for an event described in section 2.1(b) herein
and assuming the Effective Date is thirty (30) days after receipt of the last
required approval under Section 9.1 hereunder) shall be either (a) in excess of
82.5% of the closing bid price (the "Pre-Announcement Price") of FFC Common
Stock on the business day immediately preceding the public announcement of the
Merger (the "Pre-Announcement Price") or (b) in excess of an amount per share
equal to (i) the Pre-Announcement Price multiplied by (ii) 0.825 multiplied by
(iii) the quotient obtained by dividing the average NASDAQ Bank Index for the
Price Determination Period by the NASDAQ Bank Index on the Pre-Announcement Date
(the "Market Test"). Thus, for example, assuming the Pre-Announcement Price is
$31.00 and the average NASDAQ Bank Index for the Price Determination Period
reflects a decline of 10% from the Pre-Announcement Date, (a) would be $25.58
and (b) would be $23.02 ($31.00 x 0.825 x 0.90) and the Closing Market Price
would be required to be $ or lower for this condition precedent not to be

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
satisfied or for ABC to terminate this Agreement under Section 8.1(c)(iii)
herein.  If, on the other hand, the average NASDAQ Bank Index for the Price
Determination Period remains unchanged or increases from the Pre-Announcement
Date, the Closing Market Price would be required to be $23.02 or lower for this
condition precedent not to be satisfied or for ABC to terminate this Agreement
under Section 8.1(c)(iii) herein.



                                  ARTICLE VIII
                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
                       ---------------------------------

          Section 8.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated at any
                       -----------                                          
time before the Effective Date (whether before or after the authorization,
approval and adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of ABC) as follows:

                       (a) Mutual Consent: This Agreement may be terminated by
                           --------------
mutual consent of the parties upon the affirmative vote of a majority of each of
the Boards of Directors of ABC and FFC, followed by written notices given to the
other party;

                       (b) Unilateral Action by FFC: This Agreement may be
                           ------------------------
terminated unilaterally by the affirmative vote of the Board of Directors of
FFC, followed by written notice given to ABC, if: (i) there has been a material
breach by ABC of any representation, warranty or material failure to comply with
any covenant set forth in this Agreement which breach results in a material and
adverse change as to ABC (as such standard is set forth in Sections 7.2(a) and
(e) herein) and such breach has not been cured within thirty (30) days after
written notice of such breach has been given by FFC to ABC, provided that FFC is
not then in material breach of any representation, warranty or covenant
contained in the Agreement; (ii) any condition precedent to FFC's obligations as
set forth in Article VII of this Agreement remains unsatisfied, through no fault
of FFC, on January 31, 1999; or (iii) the Interim Conditions are not satisfied
on or before February 13, 1998;

                       (c) Unilateral Action By ABC: This Agreement may be
                           ------------------------
terminated unilaterally by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of
Directors of ABC, followed by written notice given to FFC, if: (i) there has
been a material breach by FFC of any representation, warranty or material
failure to comply with any covenant set forth in this Agreement which breach
results in a material and adverse change as to FFC (as such standard is set
forth in Sections 7.3(a) and (e) herein) and such breach has not been cured
within thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach has been given by
ABC to FFC, provided that ABC is not then in material breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement; (ii) any
condition precedent to ABC's obligations as set forth in Article VII of this
Agreement remains unsatisfied, through no fault of ABC, on January 31, 1999; or
(iii) the Market Test would not be met.

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
          Section 8.2  Effect of Termination.
                       --------------------- 

                       (a) Effect. In the event of a permitted termination of
                           ------
this Agreement under Section 8.1 herein, this Agreement shall become null and
void and the transactions contemplated herein shall thereupon be abandoned,
except that the provisions relating to limited liability and confidentiality set
forth in Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) herein shall survive such termination.

                       (b) Limited Liability. The termination of this Agreement
                           -----------------
in accordance with the terms of Section 8.1 herein shall create no liability on
the part of either party, or on the part of either party's directors, officers,
stockholders, agents or representatives, except that if this Agreement is
terminated by FFC by reason of a material breach by ABC, or if this Agreement is
terminated by ABC by reason of a material breach by FFC, and such breach
involves an intentional, willful or grossly negligent misrepresentation or
breach of covenant, the breaching party shall be liable to the nonbreaching
party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the nonbreaching party
in connection with the preparation, execution and attempted consummation of this
Agreement, including the fees of its counsel, accountants, consultants and other
advisors and representatives.

                       (c) Confidentiality. In the event of a termination of
                           ---------------
this Agreement, neither FFC nor ABC shall use or disclose to any other person
any confidential information obtained by it during the course of its
investigation of the other party or parties, except as may be necessary in order
to establish the liability of the other party or parties for breach as
contemplated under Section 8.2(b) herein and each party shall promptly return to
the party all non-public proprietary and business information received from such
party.

          Section 8.3  Amendment.  To the extent permitted by law, this
                       ---------                                       
Agreement may be amended at any time before the Effective Date (whether before
or after the authorization, approval and adoption of this Agreement by the
stockholders of ABC), but only by a written instrument duly authorized, executed
and delivered by FFC and by ABC; provided, however, that (i) any amendment to
                                 --------  -------                           
the provisions of Section 2.1 herein relating to the consideration to be
received by the former stockholders of ABC in exchange for their shares of ABC
Common Stock shall not take effect until such amendment has been approved,
adopted or ratified by the stockholders of ABC in accordance with applicable
law; and (ii) LB shall be permitted to join as a party to this Agreement without
execution of such joinder by FFC or ABC.

          Section 8.4  Waiver.  Any term or condition of this Agreement may be
                       ------                                                 
waived, to the extent permitted by applicable federal and state law, by the
party or parties entitled

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
to the benefit thereof at any time before the Effective Date (whether before or
after the authorization, approval and adoption of this Agreement by the
stockholders of ABC) by a written instrument duly authorized, executed and
delivered by such party or parties.


                                  ARTICLE IX
                   RIGHTS OF DISSENTING STOCKHOLDERS OF ABC
                   ----------------------------------------

          Section 9.1  Rights of Dissenting Stockholders of ABC.  The
                       ----------------------------------------      
stockholders of ABC shall be entitled to and may exercise dissenters' rights if
and to the extent they are entitled to do so under the provisions of 7 P.S.
(S)(S) 1222 and 1607.


                                  ARTICLE X
                           CLOSING AND EFFECTIVE DATE
                           --------------------------

          Section 10.1  Closing.  Provided that all conditions precedent set
                        -------                                             
forth in Article VII of this Agreement shall have been satisfied or shall have
been waived in accordance with Section 8.4 of this Agreement, the parties shall
hold a closing (the "Closing") at the offices of FFC at One Penn Square,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, within thirty (30) days after the receipt of all
required regulatory approvals and after the expiration of all applicable waiting
periods on a date to be agreed upon by the parties, at which time the parties
shall deliver the ABC Closing Documents, the FFC Closing Documents, the opinions
of counsel required by Sections 7.1(d), 7.2(c) and 7.3(c) herein, and such other
documents and instruments as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
purposes of this Agreement.

          Section 10.2  Effective Date.  Pursuant to 7 P.S. (S)(S) 1606, the
                        --------------                                      
Merger shall become effective on the date of filing of Articles of Merger with
the Pennsylvania Department of State or on such later date specified in the
Articles of Merger.


                                  ARTICLE XI
                 NO SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                 ---------------------------------------------

          Section 11.1  No Survival.  The representations and warranties of ABC
                        -----------                                            
and of FFC set forth in this Agreement shall expire and be terminated on the
Effective Date by consummation of this Agreement, and no such representation or
warranty shall thereafter survive.

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE XII
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS
                               ------------------

          Section 12.1  Expenses.  Except as provided in Section 8.2(b) herein,
                        --------                                               
each party shall pay its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.  For purposes of
this Section 12.1 herein, the cost of printing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
shall be deemed to be an expense of FFC.

          Section 12.2  Other Mergers and Acquisitions.  Subject to the right of
                        ------------------------------                          
ABC to refuse to consummate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(c) herein by
reason of a material breach by FFC of the warranty and representation set forth
in Section 4.7 herein, nothing set forth in this Agreement shall be construed:
(i) to preclude FFC from acquiring, or to limit in any way the right of FFC to
acquire, prior to or following the Effective Date, the stock or assets of any
other financial services institution or other corporation or entity, whether by
issuance or exchange of FFC Common Stock or otherwise; (ii) to preclude FFC from
issuing, or to limit in any way the right of FFC to issue, prior to or following
the Effective Date, FFC Common Stock, FFC Preferred Stock or any other equity or
debt securities; or (iii) to preclude FFC from taking, or to limit in any way
the right of FFC to take, any other action not expressly and specifically
prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

          Section 12.3  Notices.  All notices, claims, requests, demands and
                        -------                                             
other communications which are required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly delivered if
delivered in person, transmitted by telegraph or facsimile machine (but only if
receipt is acknowledged in writing), or mailed by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, as follows:

                  (a)  If to FFC, to:
                  
                              Rufus A. Fulton, Jr., President
                                and Chief Executive Officer
                              Fulton Financial Corporation
                              One Penn Square
                              P.O. Box 4887
                              Lancaster, Pennsylvania  17604
                  
                       With a copy to:
                  
                              Paul G. Mattaini, Esq.
                              Barley, Snyder, Senft & Cohen, LLC
                              126 East King Street
                              Lancaster, Pennsylvania  17602
                  
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
                  (b)  If to ABC, to:
                  
                              Timothy J. McDonald
                              President and Chief Executive Officer
                              Ambassador Bank of the Commonwealth
                              4127 Tilghman Street
                              Allentown, Pennsylvania  18104
                  
                       With a copy to:
                  
                              Fredric C. Jacobs, Esquire
                              214 Bushkill Street
                              Easton, Pennsylvania  18042

          Section 12.4  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed
                        ------------                                 
simultaneously in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all such counterparts together shall be deemed to be one and the
same instrument.

          Section 12.5  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be deemed to have
                        -------------                                         
been made in, and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
substantive laws of, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

          Section 12.6  Parties in Interest.  This Agreement shall be binding
                        -------------------                                  
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors, assigns and legal representatives; provided, however, that neither
                                               --------  -------              
party may assign its rights or delegate its duties under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of the other party.

          Section 12.7  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the
                        ----------------                                    
Warrant Agreement and the Warrant being executed by the parties on the date
hereof, sets forth the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto
and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings,
whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

                                      39
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their duly authorized officers all as of the day and year first
above written.


                         FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                         By:        
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    Rufus A. Fulton, Jr., President
                                    and Chief Executive Officer


                         Attest:  
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    William R. Colmery, Secretary


                         AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH


                         By:        
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    Timothy J. McDonald, President
                                    and Chief Executive Officer



                         Attest:    
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    David M. Lobach, Jr., Secretary
<PAGE>
 
                                    WARRANT

                    to Purchase up to 475,000 Shares of the
                    Common Stock, Par Value $4.00 Per Share,
                                       of

                      AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH


     This is to certify that, for value received, Fulton Financial Corporation
("FFC") or any permitted transferee (FFC or such transferee being hereinafter
called the "Holder") is entitled to purchase, subject to the provisions of this
Warrant, from Ambassador Bank of the Commonwealth, a Pennsylvania bank ("ABC"),
at any time on or after the date hereof, an aggregate of up to 475,000 fully
paid and non-assessable shares of common stock, par value $4.00 per share, of
ABC (the "Common Stock") at a price per share equal to $26.75, subject to
adjustment as herein provided (the "Exercise Price").  This Warrant is
transferable only in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Warrant
Agreement (as defined below) the terms of which are deemed incorporated herein.

     1.   Exercise of Warrant.  Subject to the provisions hereof and the
          -------------------                                           
limitations set forth in Paragraph 2 of a Warrant Agreement of even date
herewith by and between FFC and ABC (the "Warrant Agreement"), which Warrant
Agreement was entered into in connection with a Merger Agreement of even date
between FFC and ABC (the "Merger Agreement"), this Warrant may be exercised in
whole or in part or sold, assigned or transferred at any time or from time to
time on or after the date hereof.  This Warrant shall be exercised by
presentation and surrender hereof to ABC at the principal office of ABC,
accompanied by (i) a written notice of exercise, (ii) payment to ABC, for the
account of ABC and in the form of a certified or bank check, of the Exercise
Price for the number of shares of Common Stock specified in such notice, and
(iii) a certificate of the Holder specifying the event or events which have
occurred and entitle the Holder to exercise this Warrant.  The Exercise Price
for the number of shares of Common Stock specified in the notice shall be
payable in immediately available funds.

     Upon such presentation and surrender, ABC shall issue promptly (and within
one business day if requested by the Holder) to the Holder or its assignee,
transferee or designee the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder
is entitled
<PAGE>
 
hereunder.  ABC covenants and warrants that such shares of Common Stock, when so
issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable,
and free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

     If this Warrant should be exercised in part only, ABC shall, upon surrender
of this Warrant for cancellation, execute and deliver a new Warrant evidencing
the rights of the Holder thereof to purchase the balance of the shares of Common
Stock issuable hereunder.  Upon receipt by ABC of this Warrant, in proper form
for exercise, the Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise, notwithstanding that the
stock transfer books of ABC may then be closed or that certificates representing
such shares of Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to the Holder.
ABC shall pay all expenses, and any and all United States federal, state and
local taxes and other charges, that may be payable in connection with the
preparation, issue and delivery of stock certificates pursuant to this Paragraph
1 in the name of the Holder or its assignee, transferee or designee.

     2.   Reservation of Shares; Preservation of Rights of Holder.
          ------------------------------------------------------- 

     ABC shall at all times, while this Warrant is outstanding and unexercised,
maintain and reserve, free from preemptive rights, such number of authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock as may be necessary so that this Warrant may be
exercised without any additional authorization of Common Stock after giving
effect to all other options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights
to acquire shares of Common Stock at the time outstanding.  ABC further agrees
that (i) it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization,
consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act or omission, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of
the covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder
or under the Warrant Agreement by ABC, (ii) it will promptly take all action
(including (A) complying with all premerger notification, reporting and waiting
period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. (S)18a and the regulations
promulgated thereunder and (B) in the event that, under Section 3 of the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (12 U.S.C. (S)1842(a)(3)), the Change in
Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended (12 U.S.C. (S)1817(j)), or the Pennsylvania
Banking Code of 1965, as amended, prior approval of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (the "Board"), the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (the "FDIC"), or the Pennsylvania Banking Department (the
"Department") is necessary before this Warrant may be exercised, cooperating
fully with the Holder in preparing any and all such applications and providing
such information as the Board, the FDIC or the Department may require) in order
to permit the Holder to exercise this Warrant and ABC duly and effectively to
issue shares of its Common Stock hereunder, and (iii) it will promptly take all
action necessary to protect the rights of the Holder against dilution as
provided herein.
<PAGE>
 
     3.   Fractional Shares.  ABC shall not be required to issue fractional
          -----------------                                                
shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant but shall pay for any
fractional shares in cash or by certified or official bank check at the Exercise
Price.

     4.   Exchange or Loss of Warrant.  This Warrant is exchangeable, without
          ---------------------------                                        
expense, at the option of the Holder, upon presentation and surrender hereof at
the principal office of ABC for other warrants of different denominations
entitling the Holder to purchase in the aggregate the same number of shares of
Common Stock issuable hereunder.  The term "Warrant" as used herein includes any
warrants for which this Warrant may be exchanged.  Upon receipt by ABC of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of this Warrant, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of
reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of
this Warrant, if mutilated, ABC will execute and deliver a new Warrant of like
tenor and date.

     5.   Repurchase.  The Holder shall have the right to require ABC to
          ----------                                                    
repurchase all or any portion of this Warrant under the terms and conditions of
Paragraph 7 of the Warrant Agreement.

     6.   Adjustment.  The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
          ----------                                                         
exercise of this Warrant and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment
from time to time as provided in this Paragraph 6.

          (A)  Stock Dividends, etc.
               ---------------------

               (1) Stock Dividends.  In case ABC shall pay or make a dividend or
                   ---------------                                              
other distribution on any class of capital stock of ABC in Common Stock, the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be
increased by multiplying such number of shares by a fraction of which the
denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the
close of business on the day immediately preceding the date of such distribution
and the numerator shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total number
of shares of Common Stock constituting such dividend or other distribution, such
increase to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the
day following such distribution.

               (2) Subdivisions.  In case outstanding shares of Common Stock
                   ------------
shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, the number
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant at the opening
of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes
effective shall be proportionately increased, and, conversely, in case
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall each be combined into a smaller number
of shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
<PAGE>
 
exercise of this Warrant at the opening of business on the day following the day
upon which such combination becomes effective shall be proportionately
decreased, such increase or decrease, as the case may be, to become effective
immediately after the opening of business on the day following the date upon
which such subdivision or combination becomes effective.

               (3) Reclassifications.  The reclassification of Common Stock into
                   -----------------                                            
securities (other than Common Stock) and/or cash and/or other consideration
shall be deemed to involve a subdivision or combination, as the case may be, of
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such
reclassification into the number or amount of securities and/or cash and/or
other consideration outstanding immediately thereafter and the effective date of
such reclassification shall be deemed to be "the day upon which such subdivision
becomes effective," or "the day upon which such combination becomes effective,"
as the case may be, within the meaning of clause (2) above.

               (4) Optional Adjustments.  ABC may make such increases in the
                   --------------------
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant, in
addition to those required by this subparagraph (A), 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.

               (5) Adjustment to Exercise Price.  Whenever the number of shares
                   ----------------------------
of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant is adjusted as provided
in this Paragraph 6(A), the Exercise Price shall be adjusted by a fraction in
which the numerator is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
prior to the adjustment and the denominator is equal to the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable after the adjustment.

          (B)  Certain Sales of Common Stock.
               ----------------------------- 

               (1) Adjustment to Shares Issuable.  If and whenever ABC sells or
                   -----------------------------                               
otherwise issues (other than under circumstances in which Paragraph 6(A)
applies) any shares of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be increased by multiplying such
number of shares by a fraction, the denominator of which shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on the day
immediately preceding the date of such sale or issuance and the numerator of
which shall be the sum of such number of shares and the total number of shares
constituting such sale or other issuance, such increase to become effective
immediately after the opening of business on the day following such sale or
issuance.
<PAGE>
 
               (2) Adjustment to Exercise Price.  If and whenever ABC sells or
                   ----------------------------                               
otherwise issues any shares of Common Stock (excluding any stock dividend or
other issuance not for consideration to which Paragraph 6(A) applies) for a
consideration per share which is less than the Exercise Price at the time of
such sale or other issuance, then in each such case the Exercise Price shall be
forthwith changed (but only if a reduction would result) to the price
(calculated to the nearest cent) determined by dividing: (i) an amount equal to
the sum of (aa) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
prior to such issue or sale, multiplied by the then effective Exercise Price,
plus (bb) the total consideration, if any, received and deemed received by ABC
upon such issue or sale, by (ii) the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such issue or sale.

          (C)  Definition.  For purposes of this Paragraph 6, the term "Common
               ----------                                                     
Stock" shall include (1) any shares of ABC of any class or series which has no
preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of ABC and which is not subject to redemption by ABC, and (2) any rights or
options to subscribe for or to purchase shares of Common Stock or any stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock (such
convertible or exchangeable stock or securities being hereinafter called
"Convertible Securities"), whether or not such rights or options or the right to
convert or exchange any such Convertible Securities are immediately exercisable.
For purposes of any adjustments made under Paragraph 6(A) or 6(B) as a result of
the distribution, sale or other issuance of rights or options or Convertible
Securities, the number of Shares of Common Stock outstanding after or as a
result of the occurrence of events described in Paragraph 6(A)(1) or 6(B)(1)
shall be calculated by assuming that all such rights, options or Convertible
Securities have been exercised for the maximum number of shares issuable
thereunder.

     7.   Notice.  (A)  Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock for which
          ------                                                               
this Warrant is exercisable is adjusted as provided in Paragraph 6, ABC shall
promptly compute such adjustment and mail to the Holder a certificate, signed by
the principal financial officer of ABC, setting forth the number of shares of
Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable as a result of such
adjustment having become effective.

          (B)  Upon the occurrence of any event which results in the Holder
having the right to require ABC to repurchase this Warrant, as provided in
Paragraph 7 of the Warrant Agreement, ABC shall promptly notify the Holder of
such event; and ABC shall promptly compute the Warrant Repurchase Price and
furnish to the Holder a certificate, signed by the principal financial officer
of ABC, setting forth the Warrant Repurchase Price and the basis and computation
thereof.
<PAGE>
 
     8.   Rights of the Holder.  (A)  Without limiting the foregoing or any
          --------------------                                             
remedies available to the Holder, it is specifically acknowledged that the
Holder would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of the provisions
of this Warrant and shall be entitled to specific performance of ABC's
obligations under, and injunctive relief against any actual or threatened
violation of the obligations of any Person (as defined in Paragraph 7 of the
Warrant Agreement) subject to, this Warrant.

          (B)  The Holder shall not, by virtue of its status as Holder, be
entitled to any rights of a shareholder in ABC.

     9.   Termination.  This Warrant and the rights conferred hereby shall
          -----------                                                     
terminate (i) upon the Effective Date of the merger provided for in the Merger
Agreement, (ii) upon a valid termination of the Merger Agreement prior to the
occurrence of an event described in Paragraph 2 of the Warrant Agreement, or
(iii) to the extent this Warrant has not previously been exercised, 60 days
after the occurrence of an event described in Paragraph 2 of the Warrant
Agreement.

     10.  Governing Law.  This Warrant shall be deemed to have been delivered
          -------------                                                      
in, and shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the substantive
laws of, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Dated:  January 26, 1998


                         AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH


                         By:
                            -------------------------------------
                            Timothy J. McDonald, President
                              and Chief Executive Officer



                         Attest:
                                ---------------------------------
                                David M. Lobach, Jr., Secretary
<PAGE>
 
                               WARRANT AGREEMENT
                               -----------------


          THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT is made January 26, 1998 by and between Fulton
Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania business corporation ("FFC") and the
Ambassador Bank of the Commonwealth, a Pennsylvania bank ("ABC").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - - 

          WHEREAS, FFC and ABC have entered into a Merger Agreement of even date
(the "Merger Agreement"); and

          WHEREAS, as a condition to FFC's entry into the Merger Agreement and
in consideration of such entry, ABC has agreed to issue to FFC, on the terms and
conditions set forth herein, a warrant entitling FFC to purchase up to an
aggregate of 475,000 shares of ABC's common stock, par value $4.00 per share
(the "Common Stock");

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the execution of the Merger
Agreement and the premises herein contained, and intending to be legally bound,
FFC and ABC agree as follows:

          1.  Issuance of Warrant.  Concurrently with the execution of the
              -------------------                                         
Merger Agreement and this Agreement, ABC shall issue to FFC a warrant in the
form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Warrant", which term as used herein
shall include any warrant or warrants issued upon transfer or exchange of the
original Warrant) to purchase up to 475,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to
adjustment as provided in this Agreement and in the Warrant.  The Warrant shall
be exercisable at a purchase price of $26.75 per share, subject to adjustment as
provided in the Warrant (the "Exercise Price").  So long as the Warrant is
outstanding and unexercised, ABC shall at all times maintain and reserve, free
from preemptive rights, such number of authorized but unissued shares of Common
Stock as may be necessary so that the Warrant may be exercised, without any
additional authorization of Common Stock, after giving effect to all other
options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to acquire shares of
Common Stock.  ABC represents and warrants that it has duly authorized the
execution and delivery of the Warrant and this Agreement and the issuance of
Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant.  ABC covenants that the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant shall be, when so issued,
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and subject to no
preemptive rights.  The Warrant and the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon
exercise of the Warrant are hereinafter collectively referred to, from time to
time, as the "Securities."  So long as the Warrant is owned by FFC, the Warrant
will in no event be exercised for more than that number of shares of Common
Stock
<PAGE>
 
equal to 475,000 (subject to adjustment as provided in this Agreement and in the
Warrant) less the number of shares of Common Stock at the time owned by FFC.

          2.  Assignment, Transfer, or Exercise of Warrant.  FFC will not sell,
              --------------------------------------------                     
assign, transfer or exercise the Warrant, in whole or in part, without the prior
written consent of ABC except (A) if (I) FFC is not in material breach of the
agreement or covenants contained in this Agreement or the Merger Agreement and
(II) no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order against the delivery
of shares covered by the Warrant issued by any court of competent jurisdiction
in the United States shall be in effect and (B) upon or after the occurrence of
any of the following:  (i) a knowing and intentional breach of any
representation, warranty, or covenant set forth in the Merger Agreement by ABC
which would permit a termination of the Merger Agreement by FFC pursuant to
Section 8.1(b)(i) thereof which is not cured and which occurs following a
proposal from any person (other than FFC) to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction; (ii) the failure of ABC's shareholders to approve the Merger
Agreement at a meeting called for such purpose if at the time of such meeting
there has been a public announcement by any Person (other than FFC) of an offer
or proposal to effect an Acquisition Transaction and, within twelve (12) months
from the date of such shareholder's meeting, ABC engages in, or enters into a
written agreement with respect to, an Acquisition Transaction; (iii) the
acquisition by any Person of Beneficial Ownership of 25% or more of the Common
Stock (before giving effect to any exercise of the Warrant); (iv) ABC shall have
entered into an agreement, letter of intent, or other written understanding with
any Person (other than FFC) providing for such Person (A) to engage in an
Acquisition Transaction or (B) to negotiate with ABC with respect to an
Acquisition Transaction; or (v) termination, or attempted termination, of the
Merger Agreement by ABC under Section 5.7 of the Merger Agreement following
receipt of a written proposal to engage in an Acquisition Transaction from a
third party.  As used in this Paragraph 2, the terms "Beneficial Ownership" and
"Person" shall have the respective meanings set forth in Paragraph 7(g) herein.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Transaction" shall mean (x) a
merger or consolidation of statutory share exchange or any similar transaction
involving ABC, (y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or
substantially all of the assets of ABC or (z) a purchase or other acquisition of
beneficial ownership of securities resulting in ownership of 25% or more of the
voting power of ABC.

          3.  Governmental Filing, Etc.  If, at any time after the Warrant may
              ------------------------                                        
be exercised or sold, ABC shall receive a written request therefor from FFC, ABC
shall prepare, file and keep effective and current any required application or
filing to register such shares or to obtain required regulatory or other
approval for their issuance, and provide or file such documentation as may be
required by, all applicable governmental entities or agencies (any such
governmental filing(s) hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Governmental
Filing"), covering, or in connection with, the Warrant and/or the Common Stock
issued or issuable upon
<PAGE>
 
exercise of the Warrant.  ABC shall use its best efforts to cause the
Governmental Filing to become effective and remain current.  Without the prior
written consent of FFC, neither ABC nor any other holder of securities of ABC
may include any other securities in the Governmental Filing.  Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, FFC shall have right to request the
Governmental Filing described in this Section 3 on one occasion only.

      4.  Duties of ABC upon Governmental Filing.  If and whenever ABC is
          --------------------------------------                         
required by the provisions of Paragraph 3 of this Agreement to make any
Governmental Filing or to take any other action, ABC shall:

          (a)  prepare and file with the all applicable governmental entities or
     agencies such amendments to the Governmental Filing and supplements thereto
     as may be necessary to keep the Governmental Filing effective, current, and
     accurate;

          (b)  furnish to FFC and to any underwriters of the Securities being
     registered such reasonable number of copies of the Governmental Filing, any
     documents contained therein, and such other documents as FFC or such
     underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public
     offering of the Securities;

          (c)  use its best efforts to register or qualify the Securities
     covered by the Governmental Filing under the state securities or blue sky
     laws of such jurisdictions as FFC or such underwriters may reasonably
     request;

          (d)  notify FFC, promptly after ABC shall receive notice thereof, of
     the time when the Governmental Filing has become effective or any
     supplement or amendment to any document forming a part of the Governmental
     Filing has been filed;

          (e)  notify FFC promptly of any request by any governmental entities
     or agencies for the amending or supplementing of the Governmental Filing or
     any document contained therein, or for additional information;

          (f)  prepare and file with all applicable governmental entities or
     agencies promptly upon the request of FFC, any amendments or supplements to
     the Governmental Filing or any document contained therein which, in the
     opinion of counsel for FFC, are required under any law or regulation;

          (g)  prepare and promptly file with all governmental entities or
     agencies such amendments of or supplements to (i) the Governmental Filing
     or the document contained therein; or (ii) the Governmental Filing as may
     be
<PAGE>
 
     necessary to correct any statements or omissions if, at the time when a
     Governmental Filing relating to such Securities is required to be delivered
     under law or regulation, any event shall have occurred as the result of
     which such Governmental Filing as then in effect would include an untrue
     statement of a material fact or would omit to state any material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading;

          (h)  advise FFC, promptly after ABC shall receive notice or obtain
     knowledge of the issuance of any stop order by any governmental entity or
     agency suspending the effectiveness of the Governmental Filing or of any
     action by any governmental entity or agency preventing the exercise of any
     right or obligation hereunder or that may be exercised in connection
     herewith, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
     purpose, and promptly use its best efforts to prevent such action or to
     obtain its withdrawal if such action should be taken; and

          (i)  at the request of FFC, furnish on the date or dates provided for
     in any underwriting agreement: (i) an opinion or opinions of counsel for
     ABC for the purposes of such Governmental Filing, addressed to the
     underwriters and to FFC, covering such matters as such underwriters and FFC
     may reasonably request and as are customarily covered by issuer's counsel
     at that time; and (ii) a letter or letters from the independent certified
     public accountants for ABC, addressed to the underwriters and to FFC,
     covering such matters as such underwriters or FFC may reasonably request,
     in which letters such accountants shall state (without limiting the
     generality of the foregoing) that they are independent certified public
     accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), and that, in the opinion of such accountants, the
     financial statements and other financial data of ABC included in the
     Governmental Filing or any amendment or supplement thereto comply in all
     material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
     Securities Act or such other law or regulation as may be at issue.

     5.   Expenses of Registration.  With respect to the Governmental Filing
          ------------------------                                          
requested pursuant to Paragraph 3 of this Agreement, (a) ABC shall bear all
registration, filing and NASD fees, printing and engraving expenses, fees and
disbursements of its counsel and accountants and all legal fees and
disbursements and other expenses of ABC to comply with state securities or blue
sky laws of any jurisdictions in which the Securities to be offered are to be
registered or qualified; and (b) FFC shall bear all fees and disbursements of
its counsel and accountants, underwriting discounts and commissions, transfer
taxes for FFC and any other expenses incurred by FFC.
<PAGE>
 
     6.  Indemnification.  In connection with any Registration Statement or
         ---------------                                                   
Governmental Filing or any amendment or supplement thereto:

         (a)  ABC shall indemnify and hold harmless FFC, any underwriter for
     FFC, and each person, if any, who controls FFC or such underwriter from and
     against any and all loss, damage, liability, cost or expense to which FFC
     or any such underwriter or controlling person may become subject under any
     applicable law, insofar as such loss, damage, liability, cost or expense
     arises out of or is caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue
     statement of any material fact contained in the Governmental Filing, any
     document contained therein or any amendment or supplement to the foregoing,
     or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
     therein 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; provided, however, that ABC will not be
                                     --------  -------                      
     liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, damage,
     liability, cost or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so
     made in conformity with information furnished by FFC, such underwriter or
     such controlling person in writing specifically for use in the preparation
     thereof.

         (b)  FFC shall indemnify and hold harmless ABC, any underwriter and
     each person, if any, who controls ABC or such underwriter from and against
     any and all loss, damage, liability, cost or expense to which ABC or any
     such underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the
     Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, liability, cost
     or expense arises out of or is caused by any untrue or alleged untrue
     statement of any material fact contained in the Governmental Filing, any
     document contained therein or any amendment or supplement to the foregoing,
     or arises out of or is based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
     state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
     order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in
     which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that FFC will not
                                           --------  -------                   
     be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, damage,
     liability, cost or expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so
     made in conformity with information furnished by ABC, such underwriter,
     such underwriter or such controlling person in writing specifically for use
     in the preparation thereof.

         (c)  Promptly after receipt by any party which is entitled to be
     indemnified, pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (a) or (b) of this
     Paragraph 6, of any claim in writing or of notice of the commencement of
     any action involving the subject matter of the foregoing indemnity
     provisions, such
<PAGE>
 
     indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made
     against the indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph
     (a) or (b) of this Paragraph 6, promptly notify the indemnifying party of
     the receipt of such claim or notice of the commencement of such action, but
     the omission to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from
     any liability which it may otherwise have to any indemnified party
     hereunder.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified
     party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof,
     the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in and, to the
     extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party
     similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
     satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if the
                                             --------  -------             
     defendants in any action include both the indemnified party or parties and
     the indemnifying party and there is a conflict of interest which would
     prevent counsel for the indemnifying party from also representing any
     indemnified party, such indemnified party shall have the right to select
     separate counsel to participate in the defense of such indemnified party.
     After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
     election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not
     be liable to such indemnified party, pursuant to the provisions of
     subparagraph (a) or (b) of this Paragraph 6, for any legal or other
     expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
     the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation, unless
     (i) such indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in
     accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence, (ii) the
     indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the
     indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable
     time after the notice of the commencement of the action, or (iii) the
     indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the
     indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party.

          (d)  If recovery is not available under the foregoing indemnification
     provisions, for any reason other than as specified therein, any party
     entitled to indemnification by the terms thereof shall be entitled to
     obtain contribution with respect to its liabilities and expenses, except to
     the extent that contribution is not permitted under Section 11(f) of the
     Securities Act or such other law or regulation as may be applicable.  In
     determining the amount of contribution to which the respective parties are
     entitled there shall be considered the parties' relative knowledge and
     access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim
     was asserted, the opportunity to correct and/or prevent any statement or
     omission, and any other equitable considerations appropriate under the
     circumstances.  FFC and ABC agree that it would not be equitable if the
     amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita
     allocation even if the underwriters and FFC as a group were considered a
     single entity for such purpose.
<PAGE>
 
     7.  Redemption and Repurchase Rights.
         -------------------------------- 

         (a)  From and after the date on which any event described in Paragraph
     2 of this Agreement occurs, the Holder as defined in the Warrant (which
     shall include a former Holder), who has exercised the Warrant in whole or
     in part shall have the right to require ABC to redeem some or all of the
     shares of Common Stock for which the Warrant was exercised at a redemption
     price per share (the "Redemption Price") equal to the highest of:  (i) the
     Exercise Price, (ii) the highest price paid or agreed to be paid for any
     share of Common Stock by an Acquiring Person (as defined below) during the
     one year period immediately preceding the date of redemption, and (iii) in
     the event of a sale of all or substantially all of ABC's assets: (x) the
     sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets and the current market
     value of the remaining assets of ABC as determined by a recognized
     investment banking firm selected by such Holder, divided by (y) the number
     of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  If the price paid consists in
     whole or in part of securities or assets other than cash, the value of such
     securities or assets shall be their then current market value as determined
     by a recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder.

         (b)  From and after the date on which any event described in Paragraph
     2 of this Agreement occurs, the Holder as defined in the Warrant (which
     shall include a former Holder), shall have the right to require ABC to
     repurchase all or any portion of the Warrant at a price (the "Warrant
     Repurchase Price") equal to the product obtained by multiplying: (i) the
     number of shares of Common Stock represented by the portion of the Warrant
     that the Holder is requiring ABC to repurchase, times (ii) the excess of
     the Redemption Price over the Exercise Price.

         (c)  The Holder's right, pursuant to this Paragraph 7, to require ABC
     to repurchase a portion or all of the Warrant, and/or to require ABC to
     redeem some or all of the shares of Common Stock for which the Warrant was
     exercised, shall expire on the close of business on the 60th day following
     the occurrence of any event described in Paragraph 2.

         (d)  The Holder may exercise its right, pursuant to this Paragraph 7,
     to require ABC to repurchase all or a portion of the Warrant, and/or to
     require ABC to redeem some or all of the shares of Common Stock for which
     the Warrant was exercised, by surrendering for such purpose to ABC, at its
     principal office within the time period specified in the preceding
     subparagraph, the Warrant and/or a certificate or certificates representing
     the number of shares to be redeemed accompanied by a written notice stating
     that it elects to require ABC to repurchase the Warrant or a portion
     thereof and/or to redeem
<PAGE>
 
     all or a specified number of such shares in accordance with the provisions
     of this Paragraph 7.  As promptly as practicable, and in any event within
     five business days after the surrender of the Warrant and/or such
     certificates and the receipt of such notice relating thereto, ABC shall
     deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder:  (i) the applicable
     Redemption Price (in immediately available funds) for the shares of Common
     Stock which it is not then prohibited under applicable law or regulation
     from redeeming, and/or (ii) the applicable Warrant Repurchase Price, and/or
     (iii) if the Holder has given ABC notice that less than the whole Warrant
     is to be repurchased and/or less than the full number of shares of Common
     Stock evidenced by the surrendered certificate or certificates are to be
     redeemed, a new certificate or certificates, of like tenor, for the number
     of shares of Common Stock evidenced by such surrendered certificate or
     certificates less the number shares of Common Stock redeemed and/or a new
     Warrant reflecting the fact that only a portion of the Warrant was
     repurchased.

          (e)  To the extent that ABC is prohibited under applicable law or
     regulation, or as a result of administrative or judicial action, from
     repurchasing the Warrant and/or redeeming the Common Stock as to which the
     Holder has given notice of repurchase and/or redemption, ABC shall
     immediately so notify the Holder and thereafter deliver or cause to be
     delivered, from time to time to the Holder, the portion of the Warrant
     Repurchase Price and/or the Redemption Price which it is no longer
     prohibited from delivering, within five business days after the date on
     which ABC is no longer so prohibited; provided, however, that to the extent
                                           --------  -------                    
     that ABC is at the time and after the expiration of 25 months, so
     prohibited from delivering the Warrant Repurchase Price and/or the
     Redemption Price, in full (and ABC hereby undertakes to use its best
     efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal approvals as promptly
     as practicable), ABC shall deliver to the Holder a new Warrant (expiring
     one year after delivery) evidencing the right of the Holder to purchase
     that number of shares of Common Stock representing the portion of the
     Warrant which ABC is then so prohibited from repurchasing, and/or ABC shall
     deliver to the Holder a certificate for the shares of Common Stock which
     ABC is then so prohibited from redeeming, and ABC shall have no further
     obligation to repurchase such new Warrant or redeem such Common Stock; and
                                                                            ---
     provided further, that upon receipt of such notice and until five days
     -------- -------                                                      
     thereafter the Holder may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Warrant
     and/or redemption of Common Stock by written notice to ABC at its principal
     office stating that the Holder elects to revoke its election to exercise
     its right to require ABC to repurchase the Warrant and/or redeem the Common
     Stock, whereupon ABC will promptly redeliver to the Holder the Warrant
     and/or the certificates representing shares of Common Stock surrendered to
     ABC for purposes of such repurchase and/or
<PAGE>
 
     redemption, and ABC shall have no further obligation to repurchase such
     Warrant and/or redeem such Common Stock.

          (f)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, ABC shall be
     obligated to pay any sums due FFC or any other Holders under this Paragraph
     7 only upon consummation of an Acquisition Transaction referenced in
     Paragraph 2 herein; provided, however, ABC's obligation to make such a
     payment due to the exercise event described in clause (iii) or the
     definition of Acquisition Transaction described in clause (z) of Paragraph
     2 shall become binding only upon an acquisition of Beneficial Ownership
     resulting in ownership of 50% or more of the ABC Common Stock or securities
     resulting in ownership of 50% or more of the voting power of ABC.

          (g)  As used in this Agreement the following terms have the meanings
     indicated:

               (1)  "Acquiring Person" shall mean any "Person" (hereinafter
          defined) who or which is the "Beneficial Owner" (hereinafter defined)
          of 25% or more of the Common Stock;

               (2)  A "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or
          other entity and shall also include any syndicate or group deemed to
          be a "Person" by operation of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

               (3)  A Person shall be a "Beneficial Owner", and shall have
          "Beneficial Ownership", of all securities:

                    (i)   which such Person or any of its Affiliates (as
               hereinafter defined) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;
               and

                    (ii)  which such Person or any of its Affiliates or
               Associates has (1) the right to acquire (whether such right is
               exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or
               otherwise) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
               understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
               rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (2) the right to
               vote pursuant to any proxy, power of attorney, voting trust,
               agreement, arrangement or understanding; and

               (4)  "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective
          meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the regulations
          promulgated by the SEC under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
          as amended.
<PAGE>
 
     8.  Remedies.  Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to
         --------                                                              
FFC, it is specifically acknowledged that FFC would not have an adequate remedy
at law for any breach of this Warrant Agreement and shall be entitled to
specific performance of ABC's obligations under, and injunctive relief against
any actual or threatened violation of the obligations of any Person subject to,
this Agreement.

     9.  Miscellaneous.
         ------------- 

         (a)  The representations, warranties, and covenants of ABC set forth in
     the Merger Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference in and made a
     part of this Agreement, as if set forth in full herein.

         (b)  This Agreement, the Warrant and the Merger Agreement set forth the
     entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto and supersede any
     and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, whether written
     or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. No amendment,
     supplement, modification, waiver, or termination of this Agreement shall be
     valid and binding unless executed in writing by both parties.

         (c)  This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made in, and shall be
     governed by and interpreted in accordance with the substantive laws of, the
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     10. Termination.  This Agreement, and all of ABC's obligations hereunder,
         -----------                                                          
shall automatically terminate, without further action of the parties, at the
time the Warrant terminates.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above
written.


                         FULTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                         By:
                            --------------------------------------
                            Rufus A. Fulton, Jr., President
                              and Chief Executive Officer

                         Attest:
                                ----------------------------------
                                William R. Colmery, Secretary



                         AMBASSADOR BANK OF THE COMMONWEALTH


                         By:
                            --------------------------------------
                            Timothy J. McDonald, President
                              and Chief Executive Officer

                         Attest:
                                ----------------------------------
                                David M. Lobach, Jr., Secretary


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