GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
424B3, 1998-11-12
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                                                  Rule 424(b)(3)
                                                                   No. 333-65633


                 PROSPECTUS OF GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP FOR UP TO
                 2,040,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE
           PROXY STATEMENTS OF GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP AND 1ST BANCORP

The Boards of Directors of 1ST BANCORP and German  American  Bancorp have agreed
to merge 1ST BANCORP with and into German American.

If 1ST BANCORP merges with German  American,  German  American will issue German
American common stock to the  shareholders of 1ST BANCORP in an aggregate amount
equal to  $57,120,000.  To determine the total number of shares German  American
will  issue,  the  companies  will value the  German  American  common  stock by
calculating the average closing bid/asked  quotations for German American common
stock  during the 15 trading  days ending on the second day prior to the closing
date and dividing  $57,120,000 by that average value.  If, however,  the average
value  exceeds  $33 per  share,  then the  total  number of  shares  will  equal
1,730,909 ($57,120,000 divided by $33). Similarly, if the average value is below
$28, then the total number of shares will equal 2,040,000  ($57,120,000  divided
by $28). German American is listed on the Nasdaq National Market System (symbol:
GABC).  1ST  BANCORP is listed on the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market  System  (symbol:
FBCV).  On  the  latest  date   practicable   prior  to  the  printing  of  this
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement,  November  4,  1998,  the  average  of the  closing
bid/asked  quotations  for German  American  common stock was $24.125 per share.
Assuming,  for purposes of  illustration  only,  that the average  value remains
$24.125 during the 15 day valuation  period,  then German American will issue an
aggregate 2,040,000 shares of German American common stock, (or 1.8188 shares of
German  American  common stock with an average value of $43.88 for each share of
1ST BANCORP common stock).

We cannot  complete the merger unless the  shareholders of both of our companies
approve it. Each of us will hold a meeting of our  shareholders  to vote on this
merger proposal. Your vote is very important.  Whether or not you plan to attend
your shareholder meeting, please take the time to vote by completing and mailing
the  enclosed  proxy  card to us. If you sign,  date and mail  your  proxy  card
without indicating how you want to vote, your proxy will be counted as a vote in
favor of the merger.  Not returning your card or not instructing your broker how
to vote any shares held for you in "street  name" will have the same effect as a
vote against the merger.

The dates, times and places of the meetings are as follows:

For German American Bancorp Shareholders         For 1ST BANCORP Shareholders

         December 15, 1998                            December 15, 1998
       10:00 a.m. local time                        10:00 a.m. local time
          711 Main Street                               Executive Inn
        Jasper, Indiana 47546                      102 Executive Boulevard
                                                   Vincennes, Indiana 47591

This document  provides you with detailed  information  about these meetings and
the proposed  merger.  You can also get  information  about our  companies  from
publicly  available  documents that our companies have filed with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission.  We  encourage  you  to  read  this  entire  document
carefully.

We strongly  support this merger of our companies and join with all of the other
members of our Boards of Directors  in  enthusiastically  recommending  that you
vote in favor of the merger.


  /s/ George W. Astrike                          /s/ C. James McCormick
      George W. Astrike                              C. James McCormick
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
     German American Bancorp                           1ST BANCORP

Neither  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  nor  any  state  securities
commission has approved or  disapproved of the securities to be issued  pursuant
to this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  or  determined  if  this  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement  is truthful or  complete.  Any  representation  to the  contrary is a
criminal offense.

   
      Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  dated  November 10, 1998 
      and first mailed to  shareholders on November 10, 1998.
    


<PAGE>

                     HOW TO OBTAIN INCORPORATED INFORMATION

         This  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  incorporates  important business and
financial  information about German American Bancorp and 1ST BANCORP that is not
included in or delivered with this Prospectus/Proxy  Statement. This information
is available  without charge to  shareholders  upon written or oral request made
to:

       For German American Bancorp:
                                                     John M. Gutgsell
                                                     German American Bancorp
                                                     711 Main Street, Box 810
                                                     Jasper, Indiana 47546-3042
                                                     (812) 482-1314

       For 1ST BANCORP:
                                                     Lynn Stenftenagel
                                                     1ST BANCORP
                                                     102 North 5th Street
                                                     Vincennes, Indiana 47591
                                                     (812) 885-2255

     In order to assure timely deliver of these documents,  you must request the
information no later than December 8, 1998.

         Also see "Where You Can Find Additional Information" on page 57.

<PAGE>i

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


HOW TO OBTAIN INCORPORATED INFORMATION                        Inside Front Cover

SUMMARY                                                                     1
         The Companies                                                      1
         The Shareholders' Meetings                                         1
         Record Date; Vote Required                                         2
         Our Reasons for the Merger                                         2
         Recommendations to Shareholders                                    3
         The Merger                                                         3
                  General                                                   3
                  Exchange of Shares                                        3
                  Opinion of Financial Advisors                             4
                  What We Need to Do to Complete the Merger                 4
                  Termination of the Agreement; Expenses                    5
                  Waiver and Amendment                                      5
                  Accounting Treatment                                      5
                  Regulatory Approvals                                      6
                  German American and 1ST BANCORP Stock Option Agreement    6
                  Interests of Directors and Officers in the Merger 
                    that are Different From Your Interests                  6
                  Stock Options                                             7
                  Appraisal Rights                                          7
                  Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences                   7
         Pro Forma Comparative Per Share Data                               7
         Selected Financial Data                                            9

RECENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                               14
         German American Bancorp                                           14
         1ST BANCORP                                                       14

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETINGS                                        15
         The German American Special Meeting                               15
                  General                                                  15
                  Votes Required                                           15
                  The 1ST BANCORP Annual Meeting                           16
                  General                                                  16
                  Votes Required                                           16
         Proxies                                                           16
         Solicitation of Proxies                                           17
         Recommendations Relating to the Merger                            17

ELECTION OF  DIRECTORS  OF 1ST  BANCORP                                    17
         The  Board  of  Directors  and  its Committees                    21 
         Management Remuneration and Related Transactions;
         Remuneration of Named Executive Officers                          21
         Stock Options                                                     22
         Director's Fees                                                   23

<PAGE>ii

         Director Deferred Compensation Plan                               24
         Related Party Transactions                                        24
         Indebtedness of Management                                        24

THE MERGER                                                                 24
         General                                                           24
         Background of and Reasons for the Merger                          25
                  German American's Reasons for the Merger and 
                     Recommendation of the German American Board           25
                  1ST BANCORP's Reasons for the Merger and 
                     Recommendation of the 1ST BANCORP Board               26
         Opinion of 1ST BANCORP Financial Advisor                          27
                  Comparable Company Analysis                              29
                  Comparable Transactions Analysis                         29
                  Adjusted Net Asset Value Analysis                        30
                  Discounted Earnings Analysis                             31
                  Specific Acquisition Analysis                            31
                  Pro Forma Merger Analysis                                31
         The Agreements                                                    32
                  Effect of the Merger                                     32
                  Terms of the Merger                                      32
                  Conditions                                               35
                  Termination of Agreements                                36
                  Restrictions on Bank Operations Prior to the Merger      37
                  Covenants                                                37
                  Option Agreement                                         38
         Accounting Treatment                                              40
         Federal Income Tax Consequences                                   40
         Registration Statement                                            41
         Transfer Restrictions                                             42
         Regulatory Matters                                                42
         Rights of Dissenting Shareholders                                 42
         Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger                        43

PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GERMAN AMERICAN                44

INFORMATION ABOUT GERMAN AMERICAN                                          51

INFORMATION ABOUT 1ST BANCORP                                              51

COMPARISON OF 1ST BANCORP COMMON STOCK
         AND GERMAN AMERICAN COMMON STOCK                                  52
         General                                                           52
         Number of Shares Authorized but Unissued                          52
         Preferred Stock                                                   52
         Dividend Rights                                                   52
         Voting Rights                                                     53
         Liquidation Rights                                                53

<PAGE>iii

         Absence of Preemptive Rights                                      53
         Anti-Takeover Provisions                                          53
                  Possible Issuance of Common Stock                        53
                  Possible Issuance of Preferred Stock                     54
                  Supermajority Vote and Minimum Price Required 
                     for Share Acquisitions or Business Combinations       54
                  Classified Board                                         55
                  Removal of Directors                                     56
                  Amendment, Change, or Repeal of Certain Articles         56
                  Control Share Restrictions                               56

LEGAL MATTERS                                                              56

EXPERTS                                                                    56

OTHER MATTERS                                                              57

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION                                  57

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS                                                 59

APPENDIX A
         Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 6, 1998
         by and between 1ST BANCORP and German American                  A-1

APPENDIX B
         Opinion of Olive Corporate Finance, LLC                         B-1

APPENDIX C
         Stock Option Agreement, dated August 6, 1998
         by and between 1ST BANCORP and German American                  C-1

APPENDIX D
         INDIANA CODE 23-1-44 DISSENTERS' RIGHTS                         D-1


<PAGE>1

                                     SUMMARY

This brief summary  highlights  selected  information from the  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.  It does not contain all of the information that is important to you.
You should  carefully read the entire  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement and the other
documents to which this  document  refers to understand  the merger  fully.  See
"Where You Can Find Additional Information" on page 57.

                             The Companies (page 51)

German American Bancorp
711 Main Street, Box 810
Jasper, Indiana 47546
(812) 482-1314

German American is a multi-bank holding company registered under federal law and
incorporated  in  Indiana.  It  operates  banking  offices in seven  counties in
southwestern  Indiana.  It  owns  all of the  outstanding  stock  of The  German
American Bank, Jasper,  Indiana; First State Bank, Southwest Indiana, Tell City,
Indiana;  and German  American  Holdings  Corporation,  an Indiana  bank holding
company,  that in turn has two  banking  subsidiaries:  Peoples  National  Bank,
Washington,  Indiana; and Citizens State Bank, Petersburg,  Indiana. At June 30,
1998, its total assets were $594,161,000,  its total deposits were $516,402,000,
and its total shareholders' equity was $65,705,000.

1ST BANCORP
101 N. 3rd Street
P.O. Box 1417
Vincennes, Indiana 47591
(812) 885-2255

1ST BANCORP is a savings and loan holding company  registered  under federal law
and  incorporated  in Indiana.  Its bank  subsidiary  is First  Federal  Bank, A
Federal  Savings Bank ("First Federal Bank"),  Vincennes,  Indiana.  1ST BANCORP
also owns two other  subsidiaries:  First Financial  Insurance Agency,  Inc. and
First Title  Insurance  Company,  Inc.  Additionally,  First  Federal  Bank owns
Financial Services of Southern Indiana Corporation.  At June 30, 1998, its total
assets were $260,149,000,  its total deposits were  $117,763,000,  and its total
shareholders' equity was $23,855,000.

                      The Shareholders' Meetings (page 15)

German American  Shareholders.  The German American Special Meeting will be held
on Tuesday,  December  15,  1998,  at 10:00 a.m.  local time,  at the  principal
offices of The German American Bank, 711 Main Street,  Jasper,  Indiana.  At the
German American Special Meeting, German American will ask its shareholders:

     1. to approve the merger of 1ST BANCORP into German American; and

     2. to act on any other items that may be submitted to a vote at the Special
        Meeting.

<PAGE>2

1ST  BANCORP  Shareholders.  The  1ST  BANCORP  Annual  Meeting  will be held on
Tuesday, December 15, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Executive Inn, 102
Executive Boulevard,  Vincennes, Indiana. At the 1ST BANCORP Annual Meeting, 1ST
BANCORP will ask its shareholders:

     1. to approve the merger of 1ST BANCORP into German American;

     2. to elect three directors of 1ST BANCORP; and

     3. to act on any other items that may be  submitted to a vote at the Annual
        Meeting.

                  Record Date; Vote Required (pages 15 and 16)

German  American  Shareholders.  You can vote at the meeting of German  American
shareholders  if you owned German American common stock at the close of business
on  November  6, 1998.  You can cast one vote for each share of German  American
common  stock that you owned at that time.  In order to approve the merger,  the
holders of a majority of the shares of German American common stock  outstanding
must  vote in its  favor.  You can vote  your  shares by  attending  the  German
American  meeting and voting in person or you can mark the  enclosed  proxy card
with your vote,  sign it and mail it in the enclosed  return  envelope.  You can
revoke your proxy as late as the date of the meeting  either by sending in a new
proxy or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

1ST  BANCORP  Shareholders.   You  can  vote  at  the  meeting  of  1ST  BANCORP
shareholders  if you owned 1ST BANCORP  common stock at the close of business on
November  6,  1998.  You will be able to cast  one  vote  for each  share of 1ST
BANCORP common stock you owned at that time. In order to approve the merger, the
holders of a majority of the shares of 1ST BANCORP common stock outstanding must
vote in its favor. You can vote your shares by attending the 1ST BANCORP meeting
and voting in  person,  or by marking  the  enclosed  proxy card with your vote,
signing it and mailing it in the enclosed return  envelope.  You can revoke your
proxy as late as the date of the meeting  either by sending in a new proxy or by
attending the meeting and voting in person.

                  Our Reasons for the Merger (pages 25 and 26)

German American.  German  American's  Board of Directors  considered a number of
financial  and  non-financial  factors in making its  decision to merge with 1ST
BANCORP,  including its respect for the ability and integrity of the 1ST BANCORP
Board of Directors,  management  and staff.  The Board  believes that  expanding
German American's operations in the areas 1ST BANCORP operates offers long-range
strategic benefits to German American.

1ST BANCORP.  1ST BANCORP's Board of Directors  considered several financial and
non-financial factors in determining to approve the merger into German American,
including,  among other  things,  the price German  American  offered to the 1ST
BANCORP  shareholders,  the form of  consideration  and  tax-free  nature of the
merger, the fairness opinion of Olive Corporate Finance, LLC, and its underlying
analysis,  the impact of the merger on 1ST BANCORP's customers and employees and
the communities served by 1ST BANCORP,  German American's historical practice of
retaining   employees  of  the  banks  that  it  had  previously  acquired  with
competitive   salary  and  benefits   programs   and  with  career   advancement
opportunities,  and German American's  continuing  commitment to the communities
served by banks German American has previously acquired.

<PAGE>3

                    Recommendations to Shareholders (page 17)

German American Shareholders. The Board of Directors of German American believes
that the  merger is fair to its  shareholders  and in their best  interests  and
unanimously recommends that they vote "FOR" the proposal to approve the merger.

1ST BANCORP  Shareholders.  The Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP  believes that
the  merger  is  fair  to its  shareholders  and in  their  best  interests  and
unanimously recommends that they vote "FOR" the proposal to approve the merger.

                              The Merger (page 24)

We have attached the Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  to this document as
Appendix A. Please read the Agreement. It is the legal document that governs the
merger.

General

We propose a transaction  in which 1ST BANCORP will merge into German  American.
We hope to complete this merger in the first quarter of 1999.

Exchange of Shares  (Page 32)

If you are a German  American  shareholder,  you will not need to exchange  your
shares of German American  common stock.  If you are a 1ST BANCORP  shareholder,
each of your  shares of 1ST  BANCORP  common  stock  will  automatically  become
exchangeable  for shares of German  American  common stock.  The exact number of
shares of German  American  common  stock that you will  receive  depends on the
average  value of the German  American  common  stock during the 15 trading days
ending two days  before the  closing  date of the  merger.  The total  number of
shares  German  American  will issue equals  $57,120,000  divided by the average
value of German  American  common stock during this 15 day period (but not lower
than $28 nor higher than $33 per share, in any case). Therefore, German American
will  issue at least  1,730,909  but no more  than  2,040,000  shares  of German
American  common  stock.  You can  calculate the exact number of shares you will
receive for each share of 1ST BANCORP  common stock by dividing the total number
of shares that German American will issue by the number of outstanding shares of
1ST BANCORP  common stock plus shares  subject to 1ST BANCORP  stock options and
shares  1ST  BANCORP  expects  to  issue  pursuant  to  1ST  BANCORP's  dividend
reinvestment plan (or 1,121,588  shares).  Assuming that 1,121,588 shares of 1ST
BANCORP  common stock are issued and  outstanding  at the effective  time of the
merger,  you will  receive  at least  1.5433 but no more than  1.8188  shares of
German  American's  common  stock for each of your shares of 1ST BANCORP  common
stock.  German  American will not issue  fractional  shares.  Instead,  you will
receive the value of any fractional  share in cash, based on the market value of
German  American's common stock.  Following the merger,  you will be entitled to
exchange your  certificates  for 1ST BANCORP common stock for  certificates  for
German  American common stock by sending your  certificates  and a transfer form
(we will send the form to you) to The Fifth Third Bank of Cincinnati,  Ohio. The
Fifth Third Bank will then exchange your 1ST BANCORP shares for shares of German
American  common stock.  For more  information  on how this  exchange  procedure
works, see "THE MERGER -- The Agreements -- Terms of the Merger -- Conversion of
1ST BANCORP Common Stock" on page 32 of this document.

<PAGE>4

Shares of German  American  and 1ST  BANCORP  are quoted on the Nasdaq  National
Market System and the Nasdaq SmallCap Market System,  respectively.  On June 24,
1998,  the last trading day before we announced  the merger,  the average of the
closing bid and asked  prices of German  American  common  stock was $30.533 per
share, and the average of the closing bid and asked prices of 1ST BANCORP common
stock was $30.25 per share.  On  November 4, 1998,  the day before we  submitted
this document for printing,  German  American  common stock closed at $24.00 per
share and 1ST BANCORP common stock closed at $38.75 per share.

Based on an assumed exchange ratio in the merger of 1.8188,  the market value of
the  consideration  that you will  receive  in the  merger for each share of 1ST
BANCORP  common stock would be $54.75 based on German  American's  closing stock
price on June 24, 1998 (the day prior to the  announcement  of the merger),  and
$43.65 based on German  American's  closing stock price on November 4, 1998 (the
day before we submitted this document for printing). Of course, the market price
of German  American will fluctuate  prior to the merger,  and the exchange ratio
will correspondingly  fluctuate within certain limits. You should obtain current
stock price  quotations for German  American common stock and 1ST BANCORP common
stock.  These quotations are available from your stock broker,  may be published
in major  newspapers  such as The Wall Street  Journal,  and can be found on the
Internet (German  American's trading symbol is "GABC", and 1ST BANCORP's trading
symbol is "FBCV").

Opinion of Financial Advisors  (page 27)

Olive Corporate Finance, LLP has delivered to the 1ST BANCORP Board of Directors
its opinion that, as of the date of this document,  the consideration is fair to
1ST BANCORP from a financial  point of view.  We have  attached  this opinion to
this document as Appendix B. You should read it  completely  to  understand  the
assumptions made, matters considered and limitations of the review made by Olive
Corporate Finance LLC in providing this opinion.

German American did not hire a consultant to advise German  American's  Board of
Directors of the fairness to German American of the terms of the merger.

What We Need to Do to Complete the Merger  (page 35)

The  completion of the merger  depends on a number of  conditions  being met. In
addition to our compliance with the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization,  these
include:

1.   Approval of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and the Plan of Merger
     by both the German American shareholders and 1ST BANCORP shareholders.

2.   Approval of the merger by the Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve
     System.

3.   Receipt by each of us of a legal  opinion  from Leagre  Chandler & Millard,
     counsel to German  American,  that for  United  States  federal  income tax
     purposes,  1ST BANCORP shareholders who exchange their shares for shares of
     German  American  common  stock  will not  recognize  any gain or loss as a
     result of the merger, except in connection with the payment of cash instead
     of  fractional   shares.   These   opinions  will  be  subject  to  various
     limitations,  and we recommend that you read the fuller  description of tax
     consequences provided in this document beginning at page 40.

4.   German  American's  receipt of a letter from Crowe  Chizek & Co.  LLP,  its
     independent  accountant,  that the merger  will  qualify  for  "pooling  of
     interests" accounting treatment.

<PAGE>5

5.   The absence of any  injunction  or legal  restraint  blocking the merger or
     government proceedings trying to block the merger.

The Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  contains other conditions in sections
6.01 and 6.02.

Where the law permits,  German  American or 1ST BANCORP could decide to complete
the merger  even  though one or more of these  conditions  hasn't  been met.  We
cannot be certain when (or if) the conditions to the merger will be satisfied or
waived, or that the merger will be completed.

Termination of the Agreement; Expenses  (page 36 and 35)

We can agree at any time to terminate the  Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization
without  completing the merger,  even if the  shareholders of both our companies
have  approved  it.  Also,  either of us can decide,  without the consent of the
other, to terminate the merger agreement if:

1.   Our shareholders do not approve the merger.

2.   The other party  breaches the  Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  (and
     doesn't  correct the breach within 30 days) in a way that would entitle the
     party that wants to terminate the agreement not to complete the merger.

3.   The Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System does not grant an
     approval we need to complete  the merger,  or if any court or  governmental
     entity issues or seeks an order blocking the merger.

4.   The merger has not been  completed  by June 30,  1999,  despite both German
     American's and 1ST BANCORP's best efforts.

5.   Certain other conditions to closing of the merger have not been satisfied.

Additionally,  German  American may  terminate  our  agreement if it receives an
environmental  report from an environmental expert that recommends over $250,000
of remedial and corrective measures in connection with any 1ST BANCORP property.

Regardless of whether the merger is completed, we will each pay our own fees and
expenses.

Waiver and Amendment  (page 36)

We can agree to amend the Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization,  and each of us
can  waive  our  right to  require  the  other  party to adhere to the terms and
conditions of the  Agreement,  where the law allows.  However,  we may not do so
after our respective  shareholders approve the merger if the amendment or waiver
would have a material adverse effect on the shareholders.

Accounting Treatment  (page 40)

We expect the merger to qualify as a "pooling  of  interests."  This means that,
for accounting and financial reporting purposes,  we will treat our companies as
if they had always been one company.

<PAGE>6

Regulatory Approvals  (page 42)

The merger  must be approved by the Board of  Governors  of the Federal  Reserve
System.  We have filed the required  notification with the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System.

German American and 1ST BANCORP Stock Option Agreement  (page 38)

German American and 1ST BANCORP entered into a stock option  agreement  granting
German American, under certain conditions explained below, an option to purchase
shares of 1ST  BANCORP's  common  stock.  1ST BANCORP  granted  these options to
German  American to increase the likelihood  that 1ST BANCORP would complete the
merger.  The option  agreement could  discourage  other companies from trying or
proposing to combine with 1ST BANCORP before we complete the merger.

Under the Option  Agreement,  German  American  has the right to  purchase up to
218,142 shares of 1ST BANCORP's common stock at $50.94 per share.  Under certain
circumstances  German American may require 1ST BANCORP to repurchase the option,
and/or any shares purchased under the option, at a predetermined price.

German American  cannot  exercise its option unless certain events occur.  These
events are business  combination  or  acquisition  transactions  relating to 1ST
BANCORP and certain related  activities  (other than the merger we are proposing
in this document) such as a merger or the sale of a substantial amount of assets
or stock.  We don't know of any event that has  occurred  as of the date of this
document  that would  permit  German  American to exercise  its option.  We have
attached the Stock Option Agreement to this document as Appendix C.

Interests of Directors and Officers in the Merger that are  Different  From Your
Interests (page 43)

Some of 1ST BANCORP's  directors and officers have  interests in the merger that
are different  from, or in addition to, their  interests as  shareholders in our
companies.  These  interests  exist because of  agreements  that the 1ST BANCORP
directors and officers have with 1ST BANCORP and German American,  including the
following.

From  August 6, 1998 until three  years  after we  complete  the merger,  German
American  will make  payment to certain  directors  and former  employees of 1ST
BANCORP.  These payments will replace  certain health care benefits that will no
longer be available to those individuals  following the merger. We have attached
a  memorandum  that  discusses  these  payments  in detail as  Appendix B to the
Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization,  which is attached as Appendix A to this
Prospectus/Proxy Statement.

When we complete the merger, C. James McCormick will become a director of German
American,  and at the first annual meeting of  shareholders  of German  American
following  the merger,  he will be a candidate for election to serve a full term
as a director. Four members of the Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP will remain
directors of First Federal Bank following the merger.

<PAGE>7

Also,  following  the merger,  German  American  will  purchase  directors'  and
officers'  insurance  for the officers and directors of 1ST BANCORP who continue
to serve in such  capacities  following the merger and will indemnify  directors
and  officers of 1ST BANCORP  for events  occurring  prior to the closing of the
merger,  including  actions  that  are  related  to the  Agreement  and  Plan of
Reorganization, for six years following the merger.

The members of our Boards of Directors  knew about these  additional  interests,
and   considered   them,   when  they   approved  the   Agreement  and  Plan  of
Reorganization.

Stock Options  (page 35)

         The officers,  directors and employees of 1ST BANCORP and First Federal
Bank are required to exercise all their options for shares of 1ST BANCORP common
stock prior to the closing of the merger.

Appraisal Rights  (page 42)

If you are a 1ST BANCORP  shareholder,  Indiana law permits you to dissent  from
the merger and have the fair value of your stock  appraised  by a court and paid
to you in cash. To do this, you must follow certain procedures, including giving
1ST BANCORP  certain  notices and not voting your shares in favor of the merger.
You will not receive any stock in German  American if you dissent and follow all
of the  required  procedures.  Instead,  you will only receive the value of your
stock in cash.  The relevant  sections of Indiana law governing this process are
attached to this document as Appendix D.

German American  shareholders do not have  dissenters'  appraisal  rights in the
merger.

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences  (page 40)

1ST BANCORP  Shareholders.  We expect that for United States  federal income tax
purposes,  your  exchange  of shares of 1ST BANCORP  common  stock for shares of
German  American's  common stock  generally  will not cause you to recognize any
gain or loss. You will,  however,  have to recognize gain in connection with any
cash received instead of fractional shares.

Our  obligation to complete the merger depends on our receipt of a legal opinion
from Leagre  Chandler & Millard  about the federal  income tax  treatment of 1ST
BANCORP  shareholders.  These opinions won't bind the Internal  Revenue Service,
which could take a different view.

This tax treatment may not apply to certain 1ST BANCORP shareholders,  including
the 1ST BANCORP shareholders who dissent from the merger. Determining the actual
tax  consequences of the merger to you can be  complicated.  They will depend on
your  specific  situation  and on variables  not within our control.  You should
consult  your own tax  advisor  for a full  understanding  of the  merger's  tax
consequences.

                      Pro Forma Comparative Per Share Data

The following table shows information about our income per share,  dividends per
share and book value per share,  and similar  information  reflecting the merger
(which we refer to as "pro forma"  information).  In presenting the  comparative
pro forma  information  for certain  time  periods,  we assumed that we had been
merged throughout those periods.

<PAGE>8

We also  assumed  that we will treat our  companies  as if they had always  been
combined for  accounting  and  financial  reporting  purposes (a method known as
"pooling of interests" accounting). The pro forma information,  while helpful in
illustrating the financial  characteristics  of the new company under one set of
assumptions, doesn't attempt to predict or suggest future results.

The  information  in the following  table is based on the  historical  financial
information that we've presented in our prior Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. We have incorporated this material into this document by reference. See
"Where You Can Find Additional Information" on page 57.

                     GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP AND 1ST BANCORP
                 PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Six Months
                                                   Ended     Year Ended   Year Ended    Year Ended
                                                  06/30/98    12/31/97     12/31/96      12/31/95
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS  (A)
  Interest income                                $   32,206   $   63,310   $   60,334   $   60,592
  Interest expense                                   16,871       33,829       32,751       33,679
                                                 ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Net interest income                                15,335       29,481       27,583       26,913
  Provision for loan losses                             694          867          469          192
                                                 ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Net interest income after provision for loan       14,641       28,614       27,114       26,721
     losses
  Non-interest income                                 2,932        4,992        5,665       14,305
  Non-interest expense                               11,050       21,815       23,703       22,582
                                                 ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Income before income tax                            6,523       11,791        9,076       18,444
  Income tax                                          1,960        3,374        3,018        6,499
                                                 ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
  Net Income                                     $    4,563   $    8,417   $    6,058   $   11,945
                                                 ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

PERIOD END BALANCES  (A)
  Total assets                                   $  854,310   $  831,769   $  840,514   $  787,362
  Total  loans, net                                 586,673      557,865      541,467      514,737
  Total deposits                                    634,165      635,701      635,432      590,403
  Long-term debt                                    116,381       95,406      103,442       95,902
  Total shareholders' equity                         89,560       85,053       80,558       77,308
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                        1,929        3,603        3,265        3,012
  Common shares outstanding                       8,387,226    8,385,839    8,374,730    8,366,837

SHARE AND BASIC PER SHARE DATA  (A)
  Net Income                                     $     0.54   $     1.00   $     0.72   $     1.43
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                         0.23         0.43         0.39         0.36
  Shareholders' equity, end of year                   10.68        10.14         9.62         9.24
  Weighted average shares outstanding             8,386,299    8,379,405    8,370,994    8,367,423

</TABLE>

(A)  Pro forma  information  includes  German  American  and 1ST  BANCORP  as if
     combined for all periods presented.  Includes for all periods presented the
     issuance of a total of 995,678 shares of German American in two recent bank
     holding  company  acquisitions,  67,203 common shares of German American in
     exchange for all shares of FSB Financial  Corporation,  and 928,475  common
     shares of German  American in exchange for all shares of CSB  Bancorp.  Pro
     Forma  results  prior to June 1,  1998 do not  include  the  effect  of FSB
     Financial Corporation,  as this would not have a material impact on overall
     financial  results.  Also assumes  issuance of 2,040,000  common  shares of
     German  American  for all shares of 1ST BANCORP.  (See Pro Forma  Financial
     Statements regarding assumed shares issued.) The actual number of shares to
     be issued is not yet  known.  The  assumed  number of shares  issued is for
     illustrative  purposes only and not an attempt to predict the actual number
     of  shares  to be issued  in the  Merger.  Basic  per  share  data does not
     consider the effect of the exercise of outstanding  stock options,  as this
     effect is not  significant.  Basic per share data has not been adjusted for
     the pending 5% stock dividend  payable on December 15, 1998 to shareholders
     of record on November 30, 1998.

(B)  Based upon German American cash dividends declared, without restatement for
     poolings.  Management believes acquisitions will have no significant effect
     on German American dividend policy.

<PAGE>9

Selected Financial Data

The following  tables show summarized  historical  financial data for each of us
and also show similar pro forma information reflecting the merger. The pro forma
information reflects the "pooling of interests" method of accounting.

We expect  that we will incur  reorganization  and  restructuring  expenses as a
result of  combining  our  companies.  We also  anticipate  that the merger will
provide the  combined  company with  financial  benefits  that  include  reduced
operating  expenses  and the  opportunity  to earn more  revenue.  The pro forma
information,  while helpful in illustrating the financial characteristics of the
new  company  under one set of  assumptions,  doesn't  take into  account  these
expected expenses or these anticipated  financial benefits, or otherwise attempt
to predict or suggest future results.

The  information  in the  following  tables  is  based on  historical  financial
information  that  we  have  presented  in our  prior  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission filings.  All of the summary financial  information we provide in the
following  tables should be read in connection  with this  historical  financial
information and with the more detailed financial  information we provide in this
document,  which you can find beginning at page 46. This historical  information
has also been incorporated  into this document by reference.  See "Where You can
Find Additional  Information" on page 57. German American's  audited  historical
financial  statements  were  audited  by  Crowe  Chizek & Co.  LLP,  independent
certified public  accountants,  and 1ST BANCORP's audited  historical  financial
statements were audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,  independent  certified public
accountants.

For more recent information see "Recent Financial Information" on page 14.

<PAGE>10

       Summary of Consolidated Financial Statements and Related Statistics
                  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

German  American  completed two previous bank holding  company  acquisitions  in
1998,  CSB  Bancorp and FSB  Financial  Corporation.  Under  pooling of interest
accounting,  CSB Bancorp and FSB Financial  Corporation  have been combined with
German  American as of and for the six month period ended June 30, 1998. At June
30, 1997, and for the six month period then ended, CSB Bancorp has been combined
with German  American;  however,  FSB  Financial  Corporation  has been excluded
because  restatement  would not result in a material change in overall financial
results. The financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31 have
not been restated to include CSB Bancorp and FSB Financial  Corporation  because
restated audited financial statements have not yet been issued subsequent to the
pooling.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            June 30,                                            December 31,
Summary of Operations:                  1998       1997         1997          1996        1995        1994        1993
                                        ----       ----         ----          ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Interest and Fees on Loans         $   17,900  $    16,530   $    29,350   $   27,846  $   26,197  $   21,545  $   20,238
Interest on Investments                 4,664        4,796         8,118        7,515       7,619       6,378       7,133
                                   ----------  -----------   -----------   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
     Total Interest Income             22,564       21,326        37,468       35,361      33,816      27,923      27,371
                                   ----------  -----------   -----------   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Interest on Deposits                   10,396        9,837        17,221       16,179      15,150      11,599      12,278
Interest on Borrowings                    117          187           300          504         798         420         172
                                   ----------  -----------   -----------   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
     Total Interest Expense            10,513       10,024        17,521       16,683      15,948      12,019      12,450
                                   ----------  -----------   ----------    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net Interest Income                    12,051       11,302        19,947       18,678      17,868      15,904      14,921
Provision for Loan Losses                 119         (426)         (408)         210          49         687         797
                                   ----------  -----------    ----------   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net Interest Income after
     Provision for Loan Losses         11,932       11,728        20,355       18,468      17,819      15,217      14,124
Noninterest Income                      1,556        1,339         2,487        2,227       1,764       1,933       1,836
Noninterest Expenses                    8,276        7,709        13,668       13,288      12,418      10,910      10,874
                                   ----------  -----------    ----------   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Income Before Income Taxes
and Cumulative Effect of Change
in Accounting for Income Taxes          5,212        5,358         9,174        7,407       7,165       6,240       5,086
Income Tax Expense                      1,668        1,826         3,035        2,513       2,323       1,958       1,642
                                   ----------  -----------    ----------   ----------  ----------  ----------   ---------
Income Before Cumulative Effect
of Change in Accounting for Taxes       3,544        3,532         6,139        4,894       4,842       4,282       3,444
Cumulative Effect of Change in
Accounting for Income Taxes                --           --            --           --          --          --         218
                                   ----------  -----------    ----------   ----------  ----------  ----------   ---------
Net Income                         $    3,544  $     3,532   $     6,139   $    4,894  $    4,842  $    4,282  $    3,662
Year-end Balances:
Total Assets                       $  594,161  $   556,124   $   498,831   $  489,443  $  458,604  $  432,939  $  412,203
Total Loans, Net                      406,067      369,084       324,214      306,754     282,457     270,981     243,766
Total Long-term Debt                    1,000           --            --        1,000       1,000       1,000       1,000
Total Deposits                        516,402      486,795       433,948      422,906     395,553     369,180     353,056
Total Shareholders' Equity             65,705       60,019        53,332       48,793      45,788      40,779      38,880
Per Share Data (1)
Income Before Cumulative Effect of
Changes in Accounting for Income
Taxes                                      --           --          1.15   $     0.92  $     0.91  $     0.80  $     0.65
Net Income                               0.56          0.56         1.15         0.92        0.91        0.80        0.69
Cash Dividends (2)                       0.23          0.20         0.43         0.39        0.36        0.32        0.29
Book Value, End of Year                 10.35          9.47         9.97         9.14        8.59        7.65        7.29
Other Data at Year-end:
Number of Shareholders                  2,487         2,432        2,083        1,981       1,910       1,863       1,878
Number of Employees                       253           260          216          218         213         203         188
Weighted Average Number
of Share (1)                        6,346,299     6,337,017    5,343,727    5,335,316   5,331,745   5,331,163   5,331,157

</TABLE>

   
(1)  Share and Per share data has been retroactively adjusted to give effect for
     completed stock dividends and stock splits (except for the pending 5% stock
     dividend payable December15, 1998 to shareholders of record on November 30,
     1998) and excludes the dilutive effect of stock options.
    

(2)  Cash dividends  represent  historical  dividends declared per share without
     retroactive restatement for poolings.

<PAGE>11

                    1ST BANCORP SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        1998        1997       1996      1995     1994
                                                        ----        ----       ----      ----     ----
SUMMARY OF EARNINGS                                     (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
  (for the year ended June 30):
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>

  Interest Income                                       19,453     19,694     20,875    19,903    15,506
  Interest Expense                                      13,004     13,292     14,520    13,419     8,955
  Provision for Loan Losses                                755        373         83       100        75
  Non-Interest Income                                    2,142      3,098     10,391     5,384     3,434
  Non-Interest Expense                                   5,309      8,555      7,528     7,898     7,459
  Income Taxes                                             616       (249)     3,373     1,440       808
  Net Earnings                                           1,911        821      5,762     2,430     1,643

  Basic Earnings Per Share (1)                         $  1.75   $   0.75    $  5.22   $  2.24   $  1.46
  Diluted Earnings Per Share (1)                       $  1.73   $   0.75    $  5.22   $  2.23   $  1.46

FINANCIAL CONDITION (as of June 30):
  Total Assets                                         260,149    270,490    263,483   312,759   253,560
  Securities Available for Sale                         15,504     11,588     10,499        --     5,758
  Securities Held to Maturity                           19,553     44,065     43,624    72,005    51,119
  Loans                                                187,739    174,609    169,339   206,923   176,181
  Deposits                                             117,763    144,316    137,148   209,805   172,791
  Borrowings                                           115,381    100,296    100,885    79,387    59,520
  Stockholders' Equity                                  23,855     22,333     21,729    16,333    13,520

  Stockholders' Equity Per Share (1)(2)                $ 21.85   $  20.32    $ 19.71   $ 14.83   $ 13.79

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA (At or for the year ended June 30):
  Yield on Interest-Earning Assets                        7.93%      7.77%      7.75%     7.22%     6.87%
  Cost of Interest-Earning Liabilities                    5.62%      5.54%      5.67%     5.02%     4.18%
  Net Interest-Rate Spread                                2.31%      2.23%      2.08%     2.20%     2.69%
  Net Interest-Rate Margin                                2.63%      2.52%      2.36%     2.35%     2.89%

  Return on Average Total Assets                          0.73%      0.31%      2.05%     0.84%     0.70%
  Return on Average Shareholders' Equity                  8.28%      3.79%     29.45%    16.62%    12.24%
  Equity to Assets Ratio                                  9.17%      8.26%      8.25%     5.22%     5.33%

  Cash Dividends Per Share (1)                         $  0.26   $   0.25    $  0.24   $  0.11   $  0.11
  Dividend Payout Ratio                                  14.86%     33.37%      4.52%     5.13%     7.81%

</TABLE>

- -----------------------
(1)  All per share  calculations  have been adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split
     effective  November 15, 1997 and the 5% stock dividends  issued February 9,
     1996, January 10, 1997, and January 23, 1998.

(2)  Calculated  by dividing  total  equity by number of shares of common  stock
     outstanding at year end.

<PAGE>12

                     GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP AND 1ST BANCORP
                     HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              German        German American                            1ST BANCORP
                                                             American           Bancorp                                 Equivalent
                                                             Bancorp           Pro Forma           1ST BANCORP           Pro Forma
                                                               (C)                 (A)                                     (D)
                                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>                <C>                  <C> 
06/30/98
Assuming 1.8188 Exchange Ratio (maximum)
  Net income                                                  $0.56               $0.54               $0.93               $0.98
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.23                0.23                0.13                0.42
  Shareholders' equity, end of period                         10.35               10.68               21.36               19.42
Assuming 1.6698 Exchange Ratio (mid-point)
  Net income                                                   0.56                0.55                0.93                0.92
                                           
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.23                0.23                0.13                0.38
  Shareholders' equity, end of period                         10.35               10.88               21.36               18.17
Assuming 1.5433 Exchange Ratio (minimum)
  Net income                                                   0.56                0.56                0.93                0.86
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.23                0.23                0.13                0.35
  Shareholders' equity, end of period                         10.35               11.09               21.36               17.12

12/31/97
Assuming 1.8188 Exchange Ratio (maximum)
  Net income                                                   1.02                1.00                1.79                1.82
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.43                0.43                0.26                0.78
Assuming 1.6698 Exchange Ratio (mid-point)
  Net income                                                   1.02                1.02                1.79                1.70
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.43                0.43                0.26                0.72
Assuming 1.5433 Exchange Ratio (minimum)
  Net income                                                   1.02                1.04                1.79                1.61
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.43                0.43                0.26                0.66

12/31/96
Assuming 1.8188 Exchange Ratio (maximum)
  Net income                                                   0.89                0.72                0.40                1.31
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.39                0.39                0.24                0.71
Assuming 1.6698 Exchange Ratio (mid-point)
  Net income                                                   0.89                0.74                0.40                1.24
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.39                0.39                0.24                0.65
Assuming 1.5433 Exchange Ratio (minimum)
  Net income                                                   0.89                0.75                0.40                1.16
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.39                0.39                0.24                0.60

12/31/95
Assuming 1.8188 Exchange Ratio (maximum)
  Net income                                                   0.88                1.43                5.89                2.60
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.36                0.36                0.17                0.65
Assuming 1.6698 Exchange Ratio (mid-point)
  Net income                                                   0.88                1.45                5.89                2.42
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.36                0.36                0.17                0.60
Assuming 1.5433 Exchange Ratio (minimum)
  Net income                                                   0.88                1.48                5.89                2.28
  Cash dividends declared  (B)                                 0.36                0.36                0.17                0.56

</TABLE>

<PAGE>13

(A)  Pro forma  information  includes  German  American  and 1ST  BANCORP  as if
     combined for all periods presented.

(B)  Based upon German American cash dividends declared, without restatement for
     poolings.  Management believes acquisitions will have no significant effect
     on German American dividend policy.

(C)  Retroactively  restated for all completed stock splits and stock dividends.
     Results have not been adjusted for the pending 5% stock dividend payable on

(D)  December 15, 1998 to shareholders of record on November 30, 1998.  Computed
     by  multiplying  German  American  pro forma per share  information  by the
     indicated Exchange Ratio.

<PAGE>14

                          RECENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

German American Bancorp

   
     On November 2, 1998,  German American Bancorp ("German  American") issued a
press  release that  announced  declaration  by its Board of Directors of German
American's  annual 5% stock dividend,  payable on or before December 15, 1998 to
German  American  shareholders  of record on November 30, 1998.  German American
also  announced  that its Board of Directors  had declared a third  quarter cash
dividend of $.12 per share of German  American  common stock  ("German  American
Common  Stock")  payable  on or before  November  20,  1998 to  German  American
shareholders of record as of November 10, 1998.
    

     The November 2 press release also announced  earnings of $1,588,000 or $.25
per share for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1998  compared to $1,552,000 or
$.24 per share for the same period in 1997.

     Earnings for the nine months ended  September  30, 1998 were  $5,132,000 or
$.81 per share  compared to  $5,084,000 or $.80 per share for the same period in
the prior year.

     Results for periods prior to June 1, 1998 have been retroactively  adjusted
to give effect for all completed stock splits and dividends,  and for the merger
with the parent  company of Citizens State Bank of  Petersburg,  Indiana.  Prior
year  results  exclude  the  effect of the June 1, 1998  merger  with the parent
company  of FSB  Bank of  Francisco,  Indiana,  as  restatement  would  not have
resulted in a material change in overall financial results.

     Results for all  periods  have not been  adjusted  for the pending 5% stock
dividend announced by the November 2, 1998 press release.

     The above summary does not include all information included in the November
2, 1998 press  release.  The press  release is  attached as an exhibit to German
American's   current  report  on  Form  8-K  dated  November  6,  1998,  and  is
incorporated herein by reference.

1ST BANCORP

         On October 20,  1998,  1ST BANCORP  issued a press  release  announcing
earnings of $441,000 or $.40 per share of 1ST BANCORP common stock ("1ST BANCORP
Common  Stock"),  for the quarter  ended  September  30, 1998.  This compares to
earnings of $455,000 or $.41 per share,  for the  quarter  ended  September  30,
1997.

         The  October  20 press  release  stated  that net  interest  income was
$1,719,000  during  the  quarter  ended  September  30,  1998,  as  compared  to
$1,578,000  during the quarter ended  September  30, 1998.  The October 20 press
release  also stated  that the net  interest  margin was 2.75%  during the first
quarter of fiscal  year 1999 as compared  to 2.49%  during the first  quarter of
fiscal year 1998.

     The provision for loan losses was increased for the quarter ended September
30, 1998 to $150,000 as compared to the $90,000 loan loss  provision  during the
quarter ended September 30, 1997.

<PAGE>15

                       INFORMATION CONCERNING THE MEETINGS

                       The German American Special Meeting

General

   
         Each copy of this Prospectus/Proxy Statement that German American mails
to a holder of German American Common Stock is accompanied by a proxy,  which is
solicited by the Board of  Directors  of German  American for use at the Special
Meeting that will be held at the principal  offices of The German American Bank,
711 Main  Street,  Jasper,  Indiana,  at 10:00  a.m.,  local  time,  on Tuesday,
December 15, 1998, and at any adjournment or  adjournments  thereof (the "German
American Special Meeting").  German American  shareholders who are the owners of
German  American  Common Stock of record at the close of business on November 6,
1998, will be entitled to vote at the German American Special  Meeting.  On such
date,  there were 6,348,590  shares of German American Common Stock  outstanding
and entitled to vote, with each such share entitled to one vote.
    

Votes Required

         The presence at the German American  Special  Meeting,  in person or by
proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of German American
Common Stock will  constitute  a quorum.  Each share of German  American  Common
Stock is entitled  to one vote on any matter to come before the German  American
Special Meeting.

         The  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of the  outstanding
shares of German  American  Common Stock entitled to vote at the German American
Special Meeting (at least  3,174,296 of the 6,348,590  shares of German American
Common Stock outstanding) is required for approval and adoption of the Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization,  by and between German American and 1ST BANCORP, and
the Plan of Merger, by and between German American and 1ST BANCORP, and attached
to the Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  as Appendix A  (collectively,  the
"Agreements")  pursuant  to which 1ST  BANCORP  shall merge with and into German
American (the "Merger"). Proxies marked as abstentions and shares held in street
name that are  designated  by  brokers  on proxy  cards as not voted will not be
counted  as votes  cast and,  as a result,  will have the same  effect as a vote
against  approval of the Agreements.  Proxies marked as abstentions or as broker
non-votes,  however,  will be  treated  as shares  present  for the  purpose  of
determining  whether a quorum is  present.  All of the  members  of the Board of
Directors  of German  American  have  indicated  their intent to vote all shares
owned of record by them in favor of approval and adoption of the  Agreements  at
the German  American  Special  Meeting.  At November 4, 1998,  the  directors of
German American owned of record 261,848 shares or  approximately  4.1 percent of
the  outstanding  shares  thereof,  and owned  beneficially  (including not only
shares owned by record but also shares  owned by spouses,  minor  children,  and
other close  associates) an aggregate of 662,859 shares,  or approximately  10.4
percent.  Accordingly,  the  vote of an  additional  2,249,589  shares  would be
required to approve the Merger in  addition to the 924,707  shares  beneficially
owned by the directors of German American.

<PAGE>16

                         The 1ST BANCORP Annual Meeting

General

   
         Each copy of this Prospectus/Proxy  Statement that 1ST BANCORP mails to
a holder  of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock  is  accompanied  by a proxy,  which is
solicited by the Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP for use at the Annual Meeting
that will be held at the  Executive  Inn, 102  Executive  Boulevard,  Vincennes,
Indiana,  at 10:00 a.m.,  local time, on Tuesday,  December 15, 1998, and at any
adjournment  or  adjournments  thereof (the "1ST BANCORP Annual  Meeting").  1ST
BANCORP shareholders who are the owners of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock of record at
the close of business  on November 6, 1998,  will be entitled to vote at the 1ST
BANCORP Annual Meeting. On such date, there were 1,096,189 shares of 1ST BANCORP
Common Stock  outstanding and entitled to vote, with each such share entitled to
one vote.
    

Votes Required

         The presence at the 1ST BANCORP Annual Meeting,  in person or by proxy,
of the holders of a majority  of the  outstanding  shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common
Stock will  constitute  a quorum.  Each  share of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock is
entitled  to one  vote on any  matter  to come  before  the 1ST  BANCORP  Annual
Meeting.

         Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Plurality means
that the individuals who receive the largest number of votes cast are elected up
to the maximum  number of directors  to be chosen at the  meeting.  Abstentions,
broker  non-votes,  and  instructions  on the  accompanying  proxy  to  withhold
authority to vote for one or more of the nominees will result in the  respective
nominees receiving fewer votes.  However, the number of votes otherwise received
by the nominee will not be reduced by such action.

         The  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of the  outstanding
shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock  entitled to vote at the 1ST BANCORP  Annual
Meeting (at least  548,095 of the 1,096,189  shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock
outstanding)  is required for approval and adoption of the  Agreements.  Proxies
marked as  abstentions  and shares  held in street name that are  designated  by
brokers on proxy  cards as not voted will not be counted as votes cast and, as a
result,  will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the Agreements.
Proxies marked as abstentions or as broker non-votes,  however,  will be treated
as shares  present for the purpose of  determining  whether a quorum is present.
All of the members of the Board of  Directors  of 1ST  BANCORP  have agreed with
German  American to vote all shares owned of record by them in favor of approval
and adoption of the  Agreements at the 1ST BANCORP Annual  Meeting.  At June 30,
1998,   the  directors  of  1ST  BANCORP  owned  of  record  263,833  shares  or
approximately  24.1  percent  of  the  outstanding  shares  thereof,  and  owned
beneficially (including not only shares owned by record but also shares owned by
spouses,  minor  children,  and other close  associates)  an aggregate of 56,681
shares,  or approximately  5.2 percent.  Accordingly,  the vote of an additional
227,581  shares  would be  required  to approve  the Merger in  addition  to the
320,514 shares beneficially owned by the directors of 1ST BANCORP.

                                     Proxies

         If a German American  shareholder or a 1ST BANCORP shareholder executes
and returns the enclosed  proxy,  the proxy may  nevertheless  be revoked at any
time  insofar  as it has not been  exercised.  The proxy may be  revoked  by (a)
giving written  notice of revocation to the Secretary of German  American or 1ST
BANCORP,  as the  case  may  be,  at the  principal  executive  offices  of such

<PAGE>17

corporation  set  forth in the  Summary,  which  written  revocation  notice  is
actually  received  by the  Secretary  prior to the proxy being  exercised,  (b)
executing a  subsequently  dated proxy,  or (c)  attending  the German  American
Special  Meeting  or the 1ST  BANCORP  Annual  Meeting,  as the case may be, and
voting in person.  Unless  revoked,  the proxy  will be voted at the  meeting in
accordance  with the  instructions of the shareholder as indicated on the proxy.
If no instructions  are given,  the shares will be voted FOR the election of 1ST
BANCORP's  director nominees (in the case of 1ST BANCORP's  proxies) and FOR the
Merger and, on other matters that come before the meeting, as recommended by the
directors;  provided, that, in no event will a proxy that has been voted against
the  Merger be voted in favor of any  motion  to  adjourn  either of the  Annual
Meetings for the purpose of soliciting additional votes in favor of the Merger.

                             Solicitation of Proxies

         In addition to the use of the mails,  directors,  officers, and certain
employees  of  German  American,   and  1ST  BANCORP  may,  without   additional
compensation  therefor,  solicit proxies in person or by telephone.  1ST BANCORP
and  German  American  will  bear the cost of  soliciting  proxies  from  German
American  shareholders  and  1ST  BANCORP  shareholders,  respectively,  and the
expense of preparing  and printing  this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement.  See "THE
MERGER -- The Agreements -- Terms of the Merger -- Expenses."  Brokers and other
custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries are requested to forward proxies and proxy
soliciting  materials to the beneficial  owners of shares held of record by such
persons and will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in so doing.

                     Recommendations Relating to the Merger

         The Boards of  Directors  of both German  American and 1ST BANCORP have
unanimously approved the Agreements and the transactions  contemplated  thereby.
The Boards of Directors of both German American and 1ST BANCORP believe that the
Agreements and the transactions  contemplated  thereby are in the best interests
of German American, 1ST BANCORP, and their respective shareholders. The Board of
Directors of German American  recommends that German American  shareholders vote
FOR approval of the Agreements and the transactions  contemplated  thereby.  The
Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP  recommends that the 1ST BANCORP  shareholders
vote FOR approval of the Agreements and the transactions  contemplated  thereby.
See "THE MERGER -- Background  and Reasons for the Mergers -- German  American's
Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of the German American Board" and "THE
MERGER -- Background of and Reasons for the Merger -- 1ST BANCORP's  Reasons for
the Merger and Recommendation of the 1ST BANCORP Board."

                      ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF 1ST BANCORP

         The By-Laws of 1ST BANCORP  provide that the Board of  Directors  shall
determined  the  number of  directors,  between 5 and 15, and  currently  it has
established a board of nine members.  The By-Laws further provide that the Board
of Directors  is to be divided  into three  classes as nearly equal in number as
possible.  The members of each class are to be elected for a term of three years
and until their successors are elected and qualified.  One class of directors is
to be elected annually.

         The  following  tables  set forth  certain  information  regarding  the
nominees  for the  position of director of 1ST BANCORP and each  director of 1ST
BANCORP  whose term  continues,  including  the  principal  occupations  of such
persons during at least the past five years and the number and percent of shares

<PAGE>18

of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock  beneficially  owned by such persons as of September
9, 1998. No nominee for director or director is related to any other nominee for
director or director or executive officer of 1ST BANCORP by blood,  marriage, or
adoption,  and there are no arrangements or  understandings  between any nominee
and any other person pursuant to which such nominee was selected. The table also
sets forth the number of shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock  beneficially  owned
by all directors and executive officers as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Name and Age           Principal                Director        Director of         Term to             Common Stock
                       Occupation                of the      First Federal Bank     Expire              Beneficially
                     During the Last           Corporation          Since                               Owned as of
                       Five Years                 Since                                                 September 9,
                                                                                                          1998(1)

Nominees                                                                                                  Amount          %
- --------                                                                                                  ------          -
<S>                   <C>                           <C>               <C>             <C>                 <C>           <C>

Donald G. Bell        Vice President and            1989              1988            2001                50,889        4.64%
(Age 68)              Director of 1ST BANCORP;
                      Director of First
                      Federal Bank; Senior
                      Partner with the law
                     firm of Hart, Bell,
                      Cummings, Ewing & Stuckey
                      Vincennes, Indiana

Ruth Mix Carnahan     Director of 1ST BANCORP       1991              1981            2001                 5,414        0.49%
(Age 79)              and Director and
                      Treasurer of First
                      Federal Bank;
                      Secretary-Treasurer of
                      Carnahan Grain, Inc.
                      Edwardsport, Indiana

Rahmi Soyugenc        Director of 1ST BANCORP       1991              1989            2001               105,112(2)     9.58%
(Age 67)              and of First Federal
                      Bank; President of
                      Evansville Metal
                      Products, Evansville,
                      Indiana

Directors Continuing in Office

R. William Ballard    Director of 1ST BANCORP       1991              1971            1999                33,050(3)     3.01%
(Age 64)              and of First Federal
                      Bank; retired Sr. Vice
                      President of First
                      Federal Bank

<PAGE>19

Frank D. Baracani     President and Director          1989              1984            1999           42,612(4)      3.86%
(Age 56)              of 1ST BANCORP and
                      President, Chief
                      Executive Officer and
                      Director of First
                      Federal Bank

James W. Bobe         Director of 1ST BANCORP         1993              1993            2000              356(5)      0.03%
(Age 54)              and of First Federal
                      Bank; President, Bobe
                      Farms, Inc. (farming)

C. James McCormick    Chairman of the Board           1989              1966            2000           39,144(6)      3.55%
(Age 73)              and Chief Executive
                      Officer of 1ST BANCORP
                      and Chairman of the
                      Board of First Federal
                      Bank; Chairman of
                      McCormick, Inc. and
                      Commercial Rentals, Inc.
                      and President of JAMAC
                      Corp., all located in
                      Vincennes, Indiana

Mary Lynn             Director and                    1989              1988            2000           34,167(7)      3.09%
Stenftenagel          Secretary-Treasurer of
(Age 44)              1ST BANCORP; Director,
                      Executive Vice
                      President, Secretary and
                      Chief Financial Officer
                      of First Federal Bank

John J. Summers       Vice Chairman of the            1989              1984            1999           28,672(8)      2.61%
(Age 68)              Board of 1ST BANCORP and
                      First Federal Bank;
                      retired President of
                      Hamilton Glass Products,
                      Inc.
                      Vincennes, Indiana

All directors and                                                                                     339,415(9)     30.43%
executive officers
as a group (9 
persons)

</TABLE>

(1)  Based  upon  information  furnished  by the  respective  directors.  Unless
     otherwise  indicated,  the  named  beneficial  owner  has sole  voting  and
     dispositive power with the shares.

<PAGE>20

(2)  These shares include 4,340 shares held solely by Mr. Soyugenc's wife.

(3)  Of these shares, 5,909 shares are owned jointly with Mr. Ballard's wife.

(4)  Of these shares,  25,506  shares are owned jointly by Mr.  Baracani and his
     wife, 51 shares are held in trust for Mr.  Baracani's  daughter,  and 6,300
     shares are subject to a stock option  granted  under the 1ST BANCORP  Stock
     Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan").

(5)  All shares are owned jointly by Mr. Bobe and his wife.

(6)  These  shares  include  10,037  owned by each of two of  McCormick's  adult
     children, 3,544 owned by a third adult child of Mr. McCormick (collectively
     these  beneficial  owners are  referred to as the  "McCormick  Family") and
     6,300 shares subject to a stock option granted under the Stock Option Plan.
     Except  for the  shares  owned  directly  to  which  Mr.  McCormick  may be
     considered  a  beneficial  owner,  each  member of the  "McCormick  Family"
     disclaims  beneficial  ownership of the shares held of record by each other
     member.

(7)  Includes  6,300 shares  subject to a stock option  granted  under the Stock
     Option Plan.

(8)  All shares are owned by Mr. Summers' wife.

(9)  Includes stock options for 18,900 shares under the Stock Option Plan.

                            Five Percent Shareholders

         The  following  table  sets forth  certain  information  regarding  the
beneficial ownership of the common stock as of September 9, 1998, by each person
who is  known  by 1ST  BANCORP  to own  beneficially  5  percent  or more of the
outstanding shares of common stock of 1ST BANCORP.

   Name and Address of                      Number of Shares of      Percent of
    Beneficial Owner                     Common Stock Beneficially      Class
                                                Owned (1)(2)

Rahmi Soyugenc                                    105,112(3)            9.58%
119 LaDonna Boulevard
Evansville, Indiana 47711

Investors of America Limited 
Partnership                                        99,176               9.04%
(Formerly Dieberg Four, L.P.)
c/o First Securities America, Inc.
39 Glen Eagles Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63124

Joseph H. Moss                                     91,500               8.34%
1100 Circle 75 Parkway
Suite 800
Atlanta, Georgia 30339

(1)  Under applicable regulations, shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by
     a person if he or she  directly  or  indirectly  has or shares the power to
     vote or  dispose  of the  shares.  Unless  otherwise  indicated,  the named
     beneficial owner has sole voting and dispositive  power with respect to the
     shares.

(2)  The  information  in this  chart is  based  on  Schedule  13D  Reports  and
     amendments   thereto  filed  by  the  above  listed  individuals  with  the
     Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC")  containing  information
     concerning  shares  held by  them,  and  written  communications  from  the
     shareholders.  It does not reflect any changes in those shareholdings which
     may  have  occurred  since  the  date  of  such  filings,   amendments,  or
     communications.

(3)  These shares include 4,340 shares held solely by Mr. Soyugenc's wife.

<PAGE>21

                    The Board of Directors and its Committees

         During the year  ended June 30,  1998,  the Board of  Directors  of 1ST
BANCORP met thirteen times. No incumbent  director of 1ST BANCORP attended fewer
than 75% of the aggregate  total number of meetings of the Board of Directors of
1ST BANCORP  held  during the last fiscal year and the total  number of meetings
held by all  committees  of the Board on which he or she served  during the last
fiscal year.  The standing  committees  of the Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP
are the Nominating  Committee,  Audit  Committee,  Executive  Committee,  Option
Administration Committee, By-Laws and Corporate Affairs Committee, and Personnel
Committee. All committee members are appointed by the Board of Directors.

         The Audit  Committee  reviews the records and affairs of 1ST BANCORP to
determine  its  financial  condition,  oversees  the  adequacy of the systems of
internal  control,  and  monitors 1ST  BANCORP's  adherence  in  accounting  and
financial reporting to generally accepted  accounting  principles and regulatory
accounting  principles,  as appropriate.  The Audit  Committee,  which currently
consists of Messrs.  Soyugenc  (Chairman),  Bell, Bobe, Ballard, and Summers and
Mrs. Carnahan, met four times in fiscal 1998.

     The Option  Administration  Committee  administers  the 1ST  BANCORP  Stock
Option  Plan and the 1ST  BANCORP  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan.  The  Option
Administration  Committee,  which currently consists of Messrs. Bell (Chairman),
Summers, and Soyugenc, and Mrs. Carnahan, met one time in fiscal 1998.

Management   Remuneration  and  Related  Transactions;   Remuneration  of  Named
Executive Officers

         During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998,  no cash  compensation  was
paid  directly by 1ST  BANCORP to any of its  executive  officers.  Each of such
officers was compensated by First Federal Bank. However,  1ST BANCORP reimbursed
First Federal Bank for certain of these compensation expenses.

         The following table sets forth information as to annual,  long-term and
other  compensation  for  services  in all  capacities  to 1ST  BANCORP  and its
subsidiaries  for the last three fiscal years,  of (i) the individual who served
as chief executive  officer of 1ST BANCORP during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1998, and (ii) each executive  officer of 1ST BANCORP serving as such during the
1998 fiscal  year,  who earned over  $100,000 in salary and bonuses  during that
year (the "Named Executive Officers").

<PAGE>22

                           Summary Compensation Table

                               Annual Compensation
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Awards                          Long Term Compensation

                                                        Other Annual
                                                        Compensation    Restricted       Securities     All Other
                               Fiscal                   Bonus($)(2)       Stock          Underlying    Compensation
Name and Principle Position     Year     Salary($)(1)     ($)(3)        Awards ($)       Options (#)       ($)
- ---------------------------     ----     ------------    ------         ----------       -----------       ---
<S>                             <C>       <C>           <C>                <C>              <C>            <C>

C. James McCormick              1998      $ 47,218      $33,000  -          -               6,300           --
Chairman of the Board           1997        43,531       25,000  -          -               6,300           --
and Chief Executive             1996        41,865       34,729  -          -                  --           --
Officer of 1ST BANCORP
and Chairman of the Board
of First Federal Bank
                     
Frank D. Baracini              1998       $113,008      $91,750  -          -               6,518           --
President and Director         1997        105,845       72,000  -          -               6,490           --
of 1ST BANCORP                 1996        101,626       97,000  -          -                 171
and First Federal and
Chief Executive Officer
of First Federal Bank

Mary Lynn Stenftenagel         1998       $ 77,816      $58,750  -          -               7,027          --
Director and Secretary-        1997         72,616       48,000  -          -               6,926          --
Treasurer of 1ST               1996         69,471       64,000  -          -                 555          --
BANCORP,
Director, Executive Vice
President, Secretary, and
Chief Financial Officer of
First Federal Bank

</TABLE>

(1)  Salary  consists  of  salary  and  director's  fees.  Directors'  fees were
     deferred by these individuals  pursuant to 1ST BANCORP's  Director Deferred
     Compensation Plan.

(2)  The bonus  amounts  are paid  pursuant  to First  Federal  Bank  Management
     Incentive Plan and were accrued in fiscal years to which they relate.

(3)  The Named Executive  Officers of 1ST BANCORP  receive certain  perquisites,
     but the incremental  cost of providing such perquisites does not exceed the
     lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the officer's salary and bonus.

                                  Stock Options

         The following table sets forth  information  related to options granted
during fiscal year 1998 to each of the Named Executive Officers:

<PAGE>23

                        Option Grants - Last Fiscal Year
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     % of Total
                                                   Options Granted          Exercise or
                                  Options          to Employees in          Base Price
           Name                 Granted (#)          Fiscal Year             ($/Share)           Expiration Date
           ----                 -----------          -----------             ---------           ---------------
<S>                              <C>                    <C>                <C>                      <C>

C. James McCormick                  --                     --                     --                     --

Frank D. Baracani                218 (1)                  4.85%             $16.59 (1)                6/30/98

Mary Lynn  Stenftenagel          727 (1)                 16.23%             $16.59 (1)                6/20/98 

</TABLE>

(1)  Options to acquire  shares of 1ST  BANCORP's  Common Stock  pursuant to 1ST
     BANCORP's  Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The option  exercise price equaled
     85% of the lower of the market value of a share of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock
     on July 1, 1997 and on June 30, 1998, which was $19.52 per share.

         The  following  table  shows  a  stock  option  exercise  by the  Named
Executive Officers during fiscal 1998, including the aggregate value realized by
such officers on the date of exercise.  The following  table includes the number
of shares  covered by stock options held by the Named  Executive  Officers as of
June 30, 1998. Also reported are the values for "in-the-money"  options (options
whose exercise price is lower than the market value of the shares at fiscal year
end) which  represent the spread between the exercise price of any such existing
stock options and the year-end market price of the stock.

               Aggregate Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and
        Outstanding Stock Option Grants and Value Realized as of 6/30/98

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        Shares         Value                                               Value of Unexercised
                       Acquired     Realized at           Number of Securities                 In-The-Money
                          on          Exercise           Underlying Unexercised             Options at Fiscal
       Name          Exercise(#)     Date($)(1)        Options at Fiscal Year End                Year End
       ----          -----------     ----------        --------------------------                --------
                                                   Exercisable      Unexercisable (2)  Exercisable  Unexercisable
                                                   -----------      -----------------  -----------  -------------
<S>                    <C>         <C>                <C>                  <C>          <C>            <C>

C. James McCormick      --              --            6,300                 --          $147,672        --

Frank D. Baracani      218          $5,648            6,300                 --          $147,672        --

Lynn Stenftenagel      727         $18,837            6,300                 --          $147,672        --
</TABLE>

(1)  Aggregate  market  value  of the  shares  covered  by the  option  less the
     aggregate price paid by the Named Executive Officer. (2) Amounts reflecting
     gains on outstanding option are based on the June 30, 1998 closing price of
     $42.50 per share.

                                 Director's Fees

         Directors of 1ST BANCORP are paid $150 for each regular monthly meeting
of the Board of  Directors.  Directors  of First  Federal Bank are paid $600 for
each regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of First Federal Bank and
members of  committees  of First  Federal  Bank Board of  Directors  who are not
employees  of 1ST  BANCORP  subsidiaries  are paid  $300 per  Committee  meeting
attended.

<PAGE>24

                       Director Deferred Compensation Plan

         Effective  July 1, 1993,  First  Federal  Bank  entered  into  deferred
compensation agreements with each of its directors. Under the Agreements,  First
Federal  Bank will  defer an amount  equal to $600 to which the  director  would
otherwise be entitled  from First  Federal Bank for each month of the  deferral.
The  director  will  have the  option of  apportioning  the  deferral  between a
guaranteed  investment  account  which  provides  a fixed  rate of return  and a
phantom unit account which provides a return  equivalent to the  appreciation in
1ST BANCORP's  Common Stock during the period of the  deferral.  At the time the
director  reaches  his or her normal  retirement  date,  the value of his or her
guaranteed  account and phantom stock account will be annuitized and provide him
or her with 180 monthly  payments.  There are other  provisions in the Agreement
which  provide for earlier  payment in the case of  disability or in the case of
death. In addition, there is a one time burial benefit equal to $10,000.

                           Related Party Transactions

     During fiscal 1998 1ST BANCORP and its  subsidiaries  retained the law firm
of Hart,  Bell,  Cummings,  Ewing & Stuckey  ("Hart,  Bell"),  of which firm Mr.
Donald G. Bell,  director of 1ST BANCORP and First  Federal  Bank,  is a retired
partner.

                           Indebtedness of Management

         Since the  beginning  of its fiscal  year ended  June 30,  1998,  First
Federal  Bank had  outstanding  from time to time  loans  which were made to the
directors and executive officers of 1ST BANCORP and their associates, as defined
in  regulations  of the SEC.  First Federal Bank offers loans to its  directors,
officers  and  employees.  However,  all of such loans were made in the ordinary
course of business,  at substantially the same terms,  including  interest rates
and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with
nonaffiliated  persons  and  did  not  involve  more  than  the  normal  risk of
collectibility or present other unfavorable features.


                                   THE MERGER

         The following  information  describes  material  aspects of the Merger.
This  description  does not  purport  to be  complete  and is  qualified  in its
entirety by reference to the Agreements and the Stock Option  Agreement,  by and
between  German  American  and 1ST  BANCORP,  dated  August  6,1998 (the "Option
Agreement"),  which are  attached as  Appendices A and C,  respectively  to this
Prospectus/Proxy   Statement.  The  Agreements  and  the  Option  Agreement  are
incorporated herein by reference.  The parties urge German American shareholders
to read the Appendices in their entirety.

                                     General

         The  Agreements  provide for the  acquisition  of 1ST BANCORP by German
American  pursuant to the Merger of 1ST BANCORP  with and into German  American,
with the effect that German American will be the surviving corporation resulting
from the Merger.  At the  Effective  Time (as defined in the  Agreements),  each
share of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock, $1.00 par value, then issued and outstanding,
will be converted  into the right to receive  shares of German  American  Common

<PAGE>25

Stock,  no  par  value,  at  an  exchange  ratio  defined  below.   1ST  BANCORP
shareholders  shall be  allocated  and  entitled  to  receive  shares  of German
American  Common Stock,  which total number of shares of German  American Common
Stock shall have a value of  $57,120,000  subject to (a) the minimum and maximum
number of shares limitation  described below, (b) the provisions with respect to
fractional  shares,  and (c) the  adjustment  for any stock  dividends  or other
distribution  of  property  or  securities  (excluding  any cash  dividends  and
excluding  the five  percent  stock  dividend  that German  American  intends to
declare  in late  1998)  or any  subdivision,  split  up,  reclassification,  or
combination  of the German  American  Common Stock that occurs  between the date
hereof and the  closing of the Merger.  As of  November 4, 1998,  using a market
price  of  $24.00  per  share of  German  American  Common  Stock,  1ST  BANCORP
shareholders  would have received under the Agreement  $43.65 in market value of
German American Common Stock.

                    Background of and Reasons for the Merger

German American's Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation
   of the German American Board

         In adopting the  Agreements and the Merger,  the German  American Board
considered a number of factors  concerning  the benefits of the Merger.  Without
assigning any relative or specific  weights to the factors,  the German American
Board considered the following material factors:

         (a) German American's  respect for the ability and integrity of the 1ST
BANCORP Board of Directors,  management,  and staff,  and their  affiliates  and
German  American's  belief that  expanding its operations in the areas served by
1ST BANCORP offers important long range strategic benefits to German American;

         (b) a review of (i) the business,  operations,  earnings, and financial
condition  including the capital levels and asset quality,  of 1ST BANCORP on an
historical,  prospective,  and pro forma basis in comparison to other  financial
institutions  in  the  area,  (ii)  the  demographic,  economic,  and  financial
characteristics of the market in which 1ST BANCORP operates,  including existing
competition, history of the market areas with respect to financial institutions,
and average demand for credit, on an historical and prospective basis, and (iii)
the results of German American's due diligence review of 1ST BANCORP; and

         (c) a  variety  of  factors  affecting  and  relating  to  the  overall
strategic focus of German America,  including German American's desire to expand
into  contiguous  markets in  southwestern  Indiana and its desire to pursue the
mortgage lending and other business lines pursued by 1ST BANCORP.

THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  OF  GERMAN  AMERICAN  HAS  UNANIMOUSLY  APPROVED  THE
AGREEMENTS AND UNANIMOUSLY  RECOMMENDS TO THE GERMAN AMERICAN  SHAREHOLDERS THAT
THEY APPROVE AND ADOPT THE AGREEMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.

<PAGE>26

1ST BANCORP's Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation
   of the 1ST BANCORP Board

         Because of various  changes to the banking laws,  acquisition  activity
among financial  institutions  located in Indiana and in other states during the
last several  years has  increased.  This  acquisition  activity has resulted in
regional and large financial  institutions entering Indiana and other markets in
the mid-western United States. In addition, developments and deregulation in the
financial  services industry  generally have led to increases in competition for
bank  services.  Further,  recent  increases  in bank  regulatory  burdens  have
resulted in increased  costs to most  financial  institutions.  These  increased
costs  and  competitive  factors  have  created  an  environment  in which it is
increasingly  difficult  for community  banks such as 1ST BANCORP's  subsidiary,
First  Federal  Bank,  A Federal  Savings  Bank  ("First  Federal")  to  compete
effectively  with other larger  financial  institutions  and financial  services
providers.

         In light of the competitive and regulatory  factors described above and
other financial, legal and market considerations,  the Board of Directors of 1ST
BANCORP discussed from time to time whether to remain  independent or whether to
pursue an affiliation with another financial  institution.  In the first quarter
of calendar year 1995, the Board of Directors  signed an agreement with David A.
Noyes &  Company  ("Noyes")  whereby  Noyes  would  provide  an  opinion  of 1ST
BANCORP's  value and  represent  1ST  BANCORP  in  seeking a Merger  partner.  A
Confidential  Offering  Memorandum  was prepared  and sent to several  potential
acquirors.  The engagement of Noyes was announced in a press release dated March
7, 1995.  After  reviewing  various  proposals  received from several  financial
institutions  and the  analysis  performed  by  Noyes,  the  Board of  Directors
determined that it was in the best interests of 1ST BANCORP and its shareholders
to remain  independent,  and to sell two of First Federal's  branches located in
Tipton and Kokomo,  Indiana.  The sale of these two  branches  was  completed in
December 1995. From time to time,  discussions were held with various interested
financial  institutions  during 1996 and 1997, but none resulted in any bids for
1ST BANCORP,  with one  exception.  The general  engagement of Noyes  terminated
during 1996,  but Noyes was  subsequently  engaged on October 30,  1996,  by 1ST
BANCORP  to  assist  it  in   negotiations   with  one  financial   institution.
Negotiations   occurred  with  that  institution  during  1997  and  1998.  That
institution  submitted a bid to 1ST BANCORP,  but that bid was not as attractive
as the bid later received from German American Bancorp.

         In early 1998,  representatives of 1ST BANCORP met with representatives
of German  American  regarding  the  possibility  of an  affiliation  of the two
corporations.  Several informal  discussions between senior management of German
American and senior management of 1ST BANCORP occurred  throughout the spring of
1998.

         On June 25, 1998,  an agreement in principle was reached for the Merger
of 1ST  BANCORP  with and into  German  American  subject to due  diligence  and
execution  of a definitive  agreement,  approval by  shareholders,  receipt of a
fairness  opinion,  and approval of the appropriate  bank  regulatory  agencies.
Olive Corporate Finance,  LLC ("Olive") was retained by 1ST BANCORP to provide a
fairness opinion.

         Following  additional  discussions  between  German  American  and  1ST
BANCORP  and  after  Olive  had  given  its  verbal  opinion  that the  proposed
consideration to be paid by German American for all of the outstanding shares of
1ST BANCORP Common Stock was fair from a financial  point of view to 1ST BANCORP
shareholders, a definitive agreement was negotiated and signed August 6, 1998.

     The  Board of  Directors  of 1ST  BANCORP  considered  several  factors  in
determining to approve the German American proposal. Those factors are discussed
below.

<PAGE>27

     Among other items  considered  by the Board of  Directors of 1ST BANCORP in
making  its  decision  to  approve  the  Agreements  were the  price and form of
consideration  proposed to be paid by German American;  the financial condition,
results of operation,  dividend payment records and prospects of 1ST BANCORP and
German American;  the relative  strength and  compatibility of the management of
the  two  organizations;  compatibility  of the  markets  of  German  American's
existing subsidiary banks to the market of 1ST BANCORP; the anticipated tax-free
nature  of the  Merger  to 1ST  BANCORP  shareholders  receiving  solely  German
American  Common Stock in exchange for their shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock;
price information from Olive regarding other comparable bank  acquisitions;  and
the  opinion of Olive  that the  consideration  to be  received  by 1ST  BANCORP
shareholders under the Agreements was fair from a financial perspective.

         The Board of  Directors  of 1ST BANCORP  also  considered,  among other
things,  the impact of the Merger on 1ST  BANCORP's  customers and employees and
the communities served by 1ST BANCORP,  German American's historical practice of
retaining   employees  of  the  banks  that  it  had  previously  acquired  with
competitive   salary  and  benefit   programs   and  with   career   advancement
opportunities;  and German American's  continuing  commitment to the communities
served by banks previously acquired by German American.

         Based upon the foregoing factors, the Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP
concluded that it was in the best interests of 1ST BANCORP and its  shareholders
to  affiliate  with German  American.  The  importance  of the  various  factors
discussed  above  relative  to one another  cannot be  precisely  determined  or
stated.

                    Opinion of 1ST BANCORP Financial Advisor

   
         Olive was  engaged by 1ST  BANCORP to advise the 1ST  BANCORP  Board of
Directors as to the fairness of the consideration, from a financial perspective,
to be paid by German  American to 1ST BANCORP  shareholders  as set forth in the
Agreements.  Olive has rendered its written opinion to the Board of Directors of
1ST  BANCORP,  dated  November  10,  1998,  attached  hereto as  Appendix B (the
"Opinion").
    

         As part of its investment banking business,  Olive is regularly engaged
in reviewing the fairness of financial institution acquisition transactions from
a financial perspective and in the valuation of financial institutions and other
businesses and their  securities in connection with mergers,  acquisitions,  and
other  transactions.  Neither  Olive nor any of its  affiliates  has a  material
financial  interest in 1ST  BANCORP or German  American.  Olive was  selected to
advise  the 1ST  BANCORP  Board of  Directors  based upon its  familiarity  with
financial institutions and its knowledge of the banking industry as a whole.

         Except as  described  in this  section,  neither 1ST BANCORP nor German
American  have had any  material or  compensable  relationship  with Olive,  its
affiliates, and/or unaffiliated representatives during the past two years.

         Olive  performed  certain  analyses  described  below and discussed the
range of values for 1ST BANCORP  resulting  from such analyses with the Board of
Directors of 1ST BANCORP in connection with its advice as to the fairness of the
consideration to be paid by German American.

         In arriving at its Opinion,  Olive reviewed certain publicly  available
business and financial  information relating to 1ST BANCORP and German American.
Olive  considered  certain  financial  and stock  market data of 1ST BANCORP and
German  American  and compared  that data with  similar  data for certain  other

<PAGE>28

publicly-held  bank and thrift  holding  companies  which own Midwest  financial
institutions,  and  considered the financial  terms of certain other  comparable
Midwest  thrift  transactions  that  had  recently  been  effected.  Olive  also
considered   such   other   information,   financial   studies,   analyses   and
investigations  and  financial,  economic  and  market  criteria  that it deemed
relevant.  In connection with its review, Olive did not independently verify the
foregoing  information  and relied on such  information  as being  complete  and
accurate in all material respects.  Olive did not make an independent evaluation
or appraisal of the assets of 1ST BANCORP or German American.

         As part of  preparing  the  Opinion,  Olive  performed a due  diligence
review of German American. As part of the due diligence review, Olive spoke with
German American  management,  reviewed Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual
Reports on Form 10-K for each of the three years ended  December 31, 1995,  1996
and 1997;  Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March and June,
1998; the most recent Quarterly  Uniform Bank Performance  Report dated June 30,
1998;  Consolidated  Reports  of  Condition  and Income  filed with the  Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation dated December 31, 1997 and June 30, 1998; various
internal financial reports regarding the operations and the financial condition;
each of the  filings on Form 8-K during the year  ended  December  31,  1997 and
through  September  30, 1998;  and certain  communications  in the form of press
releases from German  American to its  shareholders;  Olive reviewed  investment
security  holdings;  pending  litigation  provided by  management;  analysis and
calculation of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses as of September 30, 1998;
and internally identified special assets and related reports.

         Olive spoke with 1ST BANCORP  management,  reviewed  and  analyzed  the
historical   performance   of  1ST  BANCORP   contained  in  Annual  Reports  to
Shareholders  and Annual  Reports on Form 10-K for each of the five years  ended
June 30, 1994 through June 30, 1998;  Draft of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the period ended September 30, 1998; Thrift Financial Reports dated June 30,
1994 through June 30, 1998;  various internal  financial  reports  regarding the
operations and the financial  condition;  each of the filings on Form 8-K during
the year ended  December 31, 1997 and through  September  30, 1998;  and certain
communications   in  the  form  of  press  releases  from  1ST  BANCORP  to  its
shareholders;  Olive reviewed  statistical  data  regarding the loan  portfolio,
securities  portfolio and other performance ratios and statistics.  In review of
the  aforementioned  information,  Olive took into  account  its  assessment  of
general market and financial  conditions,  its experience in other  transactions
and its knowledge of the banking industry generally.

         In connection  with rendering the Opinion and preparing its written and
oral  presentations  to 1ST  BANCORP's  Board of  Directors,  Olive  performed a
variety of financial analyses, including those summarized below. The summary set
forth  below  does not  purport  to be a complete  description  of the  analyses
performed  by Olive in this  regard.  The  preparation  of an  Opinion  involves
various  determinations  as to the most  appropriate  and  relevant  methods  of
financial  analysis  and the  application  of these  methods  to the  particular
circumstances  and  therefore  such an opinion  is not  readily  susceptible  to
summary   description.   Accordingly,   notwithstanding   the  separate  factors
summarized below, Olive believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole
and that selecting portions of its analyses and of the factors considered by it,
without considering all analyses and factors, could create an incomplete view of
the evaluation process underlying its Opinion. In performing its analyses, Olive
made numerous  assumptions  with respect to industry  performance,  business and
economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond 1ST BANCORP's or
German American's  control.  The analyses performed by Olive are not necessarily
indicative of actual values or future results,  which may be significantly  more
or less  favorable  than  suggested  by such  analyses.  In  addition,  analyses
relating  to the values of  businesses  do not  purport to be  appraisals  or to
reflect the process by which businesses actually may be sold. 

<PAGE>29

Comparable Company Analysis

          Olive  reviewed  and  compared  actual  stock  market  data and actual
selected financial  information for 1ST BANCORP with  corresponding  information
for 38 publicly traded  Midwestern  thrifts with assets between $100 million and
$300 million and a ROAA  between .50% and 1.00% (the "1ST Bancorp Peer  Group").
In addition,  Olive  reviewed  actual  stock market data and selected  financial
information  for  1ST  BANCORP  five  days  prior  to  the  announcement  of the
Transaction.

         The  analysis  of the 1ST  BANCORP  Peer Group  indicated  among  other
things,  that,  based on market  prices as of  November  2, 1998 and the  latest
publicly available  financial data based on June 30, 1998 or September 30, 1998:
(i) the mean and median  multiples of price to  respective  last twelve  months'
earnings  were  17.73x  and  16.38x,  respectively,  compared  to 22.53x for 1ST
BANCORP; (ii) the mean and median multiples of price to tangible book value were
116.32% and 104.89%,  respectively,  compared to 177.26% for 1ST BANCORP;  (iii)
the mean and median dividend yields were 2.06% and 2.24%, respectively, compared
to 0.69% for 1ST  BANCORP;  (iv) the mean and median  return on  average  assets
("ROAA") for the last twelve months were 0.78% and 0.79%, respectively, compared
to 0.73% for 1ST  BANCORP;  (v) the mean and  median  return on  average  equity
("ROAE") for the last twelve months were 7.41% and 7.03%, respectively, compared
to 8.10% for 1ST BANCORP.  Five days prior to the  announcement  indicated among
other  things,  that,  based on market  prices on June 18,  1998 and the  latest
publicly  available  financial data based on March 31, 1998: (i) the multiple of
price to last twelve  months'  earnings  for 1ST  BANCORP  was 15.63x;  (ii) the
multiple  of price to tangible  book for 1ST  BANCORP  was 1.35x;  and (iii) the
multiple of price to book for 1ST BANCORP was 1.33x.

         Olive  reviewed  and  compared  actual stock market data and actual and
estimated selected financial  information for German American with corresponding
information  for 20 publicly  traded  Midwestern  banks with assets between $500
million and $750 million (the "German American Peer Group").

         The analysis of the German  American Peer Group  indicated  among other
things,  that,  based on market  prices as of  November  2, 1998 and the  latest
publicly available  financial data based on June 30, 1998 or September 30, 1998:
(i) the mean and median  multiples of price to  respective  last twelve  months'
earnings  were  23.70x and 18.24x,  respectively,  compared to 22.69x for German
American;  (ii) the mean and median  multiples  of price to tangible  book value
were 211.46% and 197.98%, respectively, compared to 242.09% for German American;
(iii) the mean and median  dividend  yields were 2.07% and 2.19%,  respectively,
compared  to 1.96%  for  German  American;  (iv) the mean and  median  return on
average  assets  ("ROAA")  for the last  twelve  months  were  1.00% and  0.97%,
respectively,  compared  to 1.21% for German  American;  (v) the mean and median
return on average  equity  ("ROAE")  for the last twelve  months were 11.07% and
11.02%, respectively, compared to 11.42% for German American.

Comparable Transactions Analysis

         Olive reviewed and compared actual  information for comparable  pending
or closed  transactions  it deemed  pertinent to the Merger,  including;  (i) 80
Midwest thrift merger and/or acquisition transactions since January 1, 1996; and
(ii) 6 Indiana thrift merger and/or  acquisition  transactions  since January 1,
1996. In addition to reviewing  Midwest and Indiana thrift  transactions,  Olive
performed  separate  comparable  analyses for  acquisitions  of Midwest  thrifts
which, like 1ST BANCORP, had returns on average assets between .60% and .80% and
returns on average equity between 8.0% and 9.6%.

<PAGE>30

         The analysis of Midwest  Transactions  indicated,  among other  things,
that based on the announced transaction value: (i) the mean and median multiples
of transaction  value to respective last twelve months' earnings were 28.27x and
25.60x,  respectively,  compared to an implied  valuation  of 26.75x 1ST BANCORP
earnings in this  transaction;  (ii) the mean and median  ratios of  transaction
value to book value were 167.39% and 158.33%, respectively,  compared to 208.00%
of 1ST  BANCORP's  stated  book  value;  (iii)  the mean and  median  ratios  of
transaction value to tangible book value were 170.75% and 160.39%, respectively,
compared to 211.70% of 1ST BANCORP's  stated  tangible book value;  and (iv) the
mean and median  ratios of  transaction  value to total  assets  were 20.29% and
19.20%,  respectively,  compared  to an  implied  valuation  of  18.93%  of  1ST
BANCORP's total assets.

         The analysis of Indiana  Transactions  indicated,  among other  things,
that based on the announced transaction value: (i) the mean and median multiples
of transaction  value to respective last twelve months' earnings were 19.87x and
19.32x,  respectively,  compared to an implied  valuation  of 26.75x 1ST BANCORP
earnings in this  transaction;  (ii) the mean and median  ratios of  transaction
value to book value were 176.16% and 161.70%, respectively,  compared to 208.00%
of 1ST  BANCORP's  stated  book  value;  (iii)  the mean and  median  ratios  of
transaction value to tangible book value were 165.76% and 161.70%, respectively,
compared to 211.70% of 1ST BANCORP's  stated  tangible book value;  and (iv) the
mean and median  ratios of  transaction  value to total  assets  were 17.72% and
18.93%,  respectively,  compared  to an  implied  valuation  of  18.27%  of  1ST
BANCORP's total assets.

         The analysis of Midwest Transactions  involving thrifts with returns on
average assets between .60% and .80% indicated,  among other things,  that based
on the  announced  transaction  value:  (i) the mean  and  median  multiples  of
transaction  value to respective  last twelve  months'  earnings were 26.31x and
24.53x,  respectively,  compared to an implied  valuation  of 26.75x 1ST BANCORP
earnings in this  transaction;  (ii) the mean and median  ratios of  transaction
value to book value were 159.46% and 147.09%, respectively,  compared to 208.00%
of 1ST  BANCORP's  stated  book  value;  (iii)  the mean and  median  ratios  of
transaction value to tangible book value were 160.81% and 147.09%, respectively,
compared to 211.70% of 1ST BANCORP's  stated  tangible book value;  and (iv) the
mean and median  ratios of  transaction  value to total  assets  were 18.78% and
18.93%,  respectively,  compared  to an  implied  valuation  of  18.27%  of  1ST
BANCORP's total assets.

         The analysis of Midwest Transactions  involving thrifts with returns on
average equity between 8.0% and 9.6% indicated,  among other things,  that based
on the  announced  transaction  value:  (i) the mean  and  median  multiples  of
transaction  value to respective  last twelve  months'  earnings were 22.36x and
20.76x,  respectively,  compared to an implied  valuation  of 26.75x 1ST BANCORP
earnings in this  transaction;  (ii) the mean and median  ratios of  transaction
value to book value were 177.70% and 165.57%, respectively,  compared to 208.00%
of 1ST  BANCORP's  stated  book  value;  (iii)  the mean and  median  ratios  of
transaction value to tangible book value were 177.70% and 165.57%, respectively,
compared to 211.70% of 1ST BANCORP's  stated  tangible book value;  and (iv) the
mean and median  ratios of  transaction  value to total  assets  were 16.80% and
18.81%,  respectively,  compared  to an  implied  valuation  of  18.93%  of  1ST
BANCORP's total assets.

Adjusted Net Asset Value Analysis

         Olive reviewed 1ST BANCORP's balance sheet data to determine the amount
of  material  adjustments  required to the  stockholder's  equity of 1ST BANCORP
based on differences  between the market value of 1ST BANCORP's assets and their
value reflected on 1ST BANCORP's financial statements. Olive determined that one

<PAGE>31

adjustment(s) was warranted.  Olive reflected a value of the noninterest bearing
deposits  of  approximately  $1,445,000.   The  adjusted  net  asset  value  was
determined to be $22.41 per share of 1ST BANCORP 's common stock.

Discounted Earnings Analysis

         A dividend discount analysis was performed by Olive pursuant to which a
range of  stand-alone  values of 1ST  BANCORP was  determined  by adding (i) the
present  value of  estimated  future  dividend  streams  that 1ST BANCORP  could
generate over a five-year  period beginning in 1999 and ending in 2003, and (ii)
the present value of the "terminal  value" of 1ST BANCORP's common equity at the
end of 2003. The "terminal  value" of 1ST BANCORP's  common equity at the end of
the  five-year  period  was  determined  by  applying  a  multiple  of 1.58X the
projected  terminal  year's book value.  The median  price paid as a multiple of
book value for all Midwest bank transactions since January 1, 1996 was 1.58X.

         Dividend  streams and terminal values were discounted to present values
using a discount  rate of 8.00%.  The rate  reflects  assumptions  regarding the
required rate of return of holders or buyers of 1ST BANCORP's  common stock. The
value of 1ST BANCORP,  determined  by adding the present value of the total cash
flows, was $35.24 per share of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock. In addition,  using the
five-year  projection as a base, a twenty-year  projection was prepared assuming
an annual growth rate of 6.00%,  return on assets of 0.75% for years one through
five and 0.80% for years six through  twenty.  Dividends also were assumed to be
15% of income for all years.  This long-term  projection  resulted in a value of
$34.07 per share of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock.

Specific Acquisition Analysis

         Olive valued 1ST BANCORP based on an  acquisition  analysis  assuming a
"break-even"  earnings  scenario to an acquirer  as to price,  current  interest
rates,  and  amortization  of the  premium  paid.  Based  on this  analysis,  an
acquiring  institution  would pay $27.08 per share of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock,
assuming  they were  willing  to  accept  no  impact to their net  income in the
initial  year.  This  analysis  was based on a funding  cost of 8% adjusted  for
taxes,  amortization of the  acquisition  premium over 15 years and earnings for
the last twelve months at September 30, 1998 of $1,897,000.

Pro Forma Merger Analysis

         Olive  compared  the  historical  and pro forma  financial  data of 1ST
BANCORP  to that of German  American.  This  included,  among  other  things,  a
comparison of  profitability,  asset quality and capital adequacy  measures.  In
addition,  the  contribution  of each of 1ST BANCORP and German  American to the
income  statement  and  balance  sheet of the pro  forma  combined  company  was
analyzed.

         The  Opinion  is  directed   only  to  the   question  of  whether  the
consideration to be received by 1ST BANCORP's  shareholders under the Agreements
is fair and equitable  from a financial  perspective  and does not  constitute a
recommendation  to any 1ST  BANCORP  shareholder  to vote  in  favor  of the 1ST
BANCORP Merger.  German American and 1ST BANCORP imposed no limitations on Olive
regarding the scope of its investigation or otherwise.

         Based on the results of the various  analyses  described  above,  Olive
concluded  that the  consideration  to be received  by 1ST BANCORP  shareholders
under the 1ST  BANCORP  Agreements  (the amount of which was  determined  on the

<PAGE>32

   
basis of  arm's-length  negotiation  between German American and 1ST BANCORP) is
fair and  equitable  from a financial  perspective  to the  shareholders  of 1ST
BANCORP as of November 10, 1998.
    

         Olive  will  receive  a  fee  of  $25,000  and  reimbursement  for  all
reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses  from  1ST  BANCORP  for  its  services.  In
addition, 1ST BANCORP has agreed to indemnify Olive and its directors,  officers
and employees  from liability in connection  with the Merger,  and to hold Olive
harmless from any losses,  actions,  claims,  damages,  expenses or  liabilities
related to any of Olive's acts or  decisions  made in good faith and in the best
interest of 1ST BANCORP.

                                 The Agreements

         The following  summary of the terms of the Agreements  does not purport
to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the  Agreements,
which are  incorporated  herein by reference  and attached as Appendix A to this
Prospectus/Proxy Statement.

         If approved  by the German  American  shareholders  and the 1ST BANCORP
shareholders,  and if all other  conditions  to the  consummation  of the Merger
specified by the Agreements  are satisfied or waived,  and unless the Agreements
are terminated as provided  therein,  the Merger will be consummated  and become
effective on the date specified in the Agreements. Although no assurances can be
given, it is anticipated that the Effective Time will occur in the first quarter
of 1999.

Effect of the Merger

     At the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of 1ST BANCORP will
cease and 1ST BANCORP will be merged into and become a part of German  American,
which will survive the Merger.

     Following  the Merger,  1ST BANCORP  shareholders  who do not perfect their
dissenters' rights under Chapter 44 of the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the
"IBCL") (see "THE MERGER -- Rights of  Dissenting  shareholders")  will have the
right, upon surrender of the certificates for their shares of 1ST BANCORP Common
Stock or other  evidence  of  ownership  of such  shares  acceptable  to  German
American,  to receive the Merger  Consideration  (as such term is defined in the
following section).

Terms of the Merger

     Conversion of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock

     Pursuant to the Merger,  German American will acquire all 1,121,588  shares
of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock  expected  to be issued  and  outstanding  at the
Effective Time in exchange for shares of German  American  Common Stock,  no par
value,  at an  exchange  ratio  calculated  as follows.  Solely for  purposes of
establishing the exact number of shares of German American Common Stock that 1ST
BANCORP  shareholders  will  receive for each share of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock
(the  "Exchange  Ratio"),  each share of German  American  Common  Stock will be
valued (the "GA Common  Value") at the  average of the  highest  closing bid and
lowest  closing  asked  prices of German  American  Common  Stock as reported by
Nasdaq  National  Market  System  for the 15 trading  days  ending on the second
trading day preceding the Closing Date (the  "Valuation  Period").  The "Closing

<PAGE>33

Date" is the last day of the month in which all the  conditions  of closing,  as
identified in the Agreements,  are satisfied.  Shareholders can obtain the daily
closing  bid/asked  information as reported by Nasdaq for German American Common
Stock by calling  any member  firm of the  National  Association  of  Securities
Dealers   (NASD)  or  by   accessing   Nasdaq's   home  page  on  the   Internet
(http://www.nasdaq.com)  and  entering  the Nasdaq  quotation  symbol for German
American Common Stock (GABC).  Shareholders  can also obtain this information by
calling the German American Investor Relations office at (812) 482-1314.

         The GA Common Value will then be divided into the sum of $57,120,000 to
establish (to the nearest whole share) the aggregate  number of shares of German
American Common Stock into which all of the then issued and  outstanding  shares
of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock will be converted at the Effective Time. This number
of shares of German  American Common Stock will then be divided by the number of
issued and  outstanding  shares of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock  (expected  to be
1,121,588,  assuming stock options for 25,200 shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock
are  exercised  by the  holders  thereof  and 1ST  BANCORP  issues 199 shares in
December,  1998 pursuant to 1ST BANCORP's dividend reinvestment plan; the actual
number of shares of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock will be  determined  immediately
prior to the Closing Date), with the quotient  therefrom  (carried to the fourth
figure past the  decimal  point)  being the number of shares of German  American
Common Stock into which each share of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock will be converted
at the Effective Time,  except for shares as to which  dissenters'  rights under
the IBCL have been perfected.

   
         Notwithstanding  the above, in no event will the total number of shares
of German  American  Common  Stock  issued in the Merger be more than  2,040,000
shares or fewer than 1,730,909 shares, nor, accordingly, will the Exchange Ratio
(assuming  1,121,588 shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock outstanding  immediately
prior to the Closing  Date) be more than  1.8188 or less than  1.5433  shares of
German  American  Common Stock for each share of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock.  The
maximum  and minimum  Exchange  Ratios,  and the maximum and minimum  numbers of
shares, will be further adjusted in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions
of the Agreements in connection with any future stock  dividends,  stock splits,
and the like that German America might declare (excluding cash dividends and the
five percent  stock  dividend  that German  American has declared in late 1998).
German American does not, however, anticipate that it will declare or effect any
such future stock dividends,  stock splits, or the like (other than the excluded
five percent stock dividend)  prior to the Effective Time. At times herein,  the
shares of German American Common stock to be received in exchange for the shares
of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock will be referred to as the "Merger Consideration."
    

         If the GA Common  Value falls  between $28 and $33 per share during the
Valuation Period, then 1ST BANCORP shareholders will receive an aggregate number
of shares of German  American Common Stock that had an aggregate GA Common Value
as measured  during the  Valuation  Period of  $57,120,000.  If however,  the GA
Common  Value  exceeds $33 per share,  then the total number of shares of German
American Common stock issued in the Merger will equal 1,730,909.  Similarly,  if
the GA Common  Value is below  $28,  then the  total  number of shares of German
American  Common  Stock  issued will equal  2,040,000.  On November 4, 1998 (the
latest   practicable  date  prior  to  the  printing  of  the   Prospectus/Proxy
Statement), the GA Common Value for German American Common stock was $24.125 per
share.  Assuming that the GA Common Value  remains  $24.125 per share during the
Valuation  Period (as to which there is no  assurance),  then  1.8188  shares of
German  American  Common Stock for each share of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock and an
aggregate of 2,040,000  shares of German American Common Stock will be issued in
the Merger.

<PAGE>34

         The  following  table  illustrates  a range of  possible  values of the
German American  Common Stock to be received by the 1ST BANCORP  shareholders in
the Merger:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              Aggregate                                           Per 1ST BANCORP Share

                                                                                              GA Common Value
Hypothetical                                    Aggregate Average GA                          During the Valuation
Average                                         Common Value During                           Period of Shares to
GA Common Value During                          the Valuation Period   Shares to be Issued    be Issued Per 1ST
the Valuation Period     Aggregate Shares to    of Shares to be        Per 1ST BANCORP        BANCORP Share
                         be Issued*             Issued                 Share*
<S>                      <C>                    <C>                    <C>                    <C> 

$38.00                   1,730,909              $65,774,542            1.5433                 $58.65
$35.50                   1,730,909              $61,447,270            1.5433                 $54.79
$33.00                   1,730,909              $57,119,997            1.5433                 $50.93
$30.50                   1,872,787              $57,120,004            1.6698                 $50.93
$28.00                   2,040,000              $57,120,000            1.8188                 $50.93
$25.50                   2,040,000              $52,020,000            1.8188                 $46.38
$23.00                   2,040,000              $46,920,000            1.8188                 $41.83

</TABLE>

* Subject to possible  adjustment  on account of future stock  dividends,  stock
splits, or the like.

         No  fractional  shares of German  American  Common Stock will be issued
and, in lieu thereof,  1ST BANCORP  shareholders who would otherwise be entitled
to a  fractional  share  interest  (after  taking into account all shares of 1ST
BANCORP  Common  Stock held by such 1ST  BANCORP  shareholder)  shall be paid an
amount in cash equal to the product of such  fractional  share  interest and the
lowest closing asked prices and highest  closing bid prices of a share of German
American  Common as quoted on the Nasdaq  National Market System on the last day
of the Valuation Period.

     Any 1ST BANCORP shareholders who perfect their dissenters' rights under the
IBCL would receive cash for their shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock rather than
shares of German American Common Stock.

         Surrender of Certificates

         As soon as reasonably  practicable  after the Effective  Time but in no
event  more than 10 days  after  the  Effective  Time,  German  American  or its
designated  exchange  agent (the  "Exchange  Agent")  shall mail to each  record
holder of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock a letter of transmittal  (which shall specify
that  delivery  shall  be  effected,  and  the  risk of loss  and  title  to the
certificates  of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock shall pass,  only upon proper delivery
of the  certificates  to the  Exchange  Agent and shall be in such form and have
such other  provisions as German American shall  reasonably  specify) (each such
letter,  the "Letter of Transmittal")  and instructions for use in effecting the
surrender of each 1ST BANCORP stock certificate (the "1ST BANCORP  Certificate")
in exchange  for the Merger  Consideration.  As soon as  reasonably  practicable
after  surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate,  together with a Letter
of  Transmittal  duly executed and any other  required  documents,  the Exchange
Agent shall  transmit to the holder of such 1ST BANCORP  Certificate  the Merger
Consideration.

<PAGE>35

         No dividends  that are otherwise  payable on shares of German  American
Common  Stock  constituting  the Merger  Consideration  shall be paid to persons
entitled  to receive  such  shares of German  American  Common  Stock until such
persons  surrender their 1ST BANCORP  Certificates.  Upon such surrender,  there
shall be paid to the person in whose name the shares of German  American  Common
Stock shall be issued any dividends which shall have become payable with respect
to such shares of German  American  Common Stock (without  interest and less the
amount of taxes,  if any, which may have been imposed thereon if German American
is required to withhold  taxes)  between the Effective Time and the time of such
surrender.

         If the Merger  Consideration  is to be issued to a person  other than a
person in whose name a surrendered  1ST BANCORP  Certificate is  registered,  it
shall be a condition of issuance that the  surrendered  1ST BANCORP  Certificate
shall be properly  endorsed or  otherwise  in proper form for  transfer  and the
person  requesting  such issuance  shall pay to the Exchange  Agent any required
transfer or other taxes or establish to the  satisfaction  of the Exchange Agent
that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.  German American  reserves the
right in all  cases to  require  that a surety  bond on terms  and in an  amount
satisfactory to German American be provided to German American at the reasonable
expense  of the 1ST  BANCORP  shareholder  in the event  that  such 1ST  BANCORP
shareholder  claims loss of a 1ST  BANCORP  Certificate  for 1ST BANCORP  Common
Stock and requests that German  American waive the  requirement for surrender of
such 1ST BANCORP Certificate.

         Rights Determined at Effective Time

         1ST BANCORP will provide to German American a certified list of the 1ST
BANCORP  shareholders  from 1ST BANCORP  stock  records at the  Effective  Time.
Persons who are not identified as registered holders of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock
on the records of 1ST  BANCORP as of the  Effective  Time but who have  acquired
beneficial  interests  in such shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock and desire to
register  the  transfer of those  rights  after the  Effective  Time will not be
entitled  to do so on the  books of 1ST  BANCORP.  Instead,  such  persons  must
present to German  American  appropriate  instruments of transfer  signed by the
registered holder of such shares as of the Effective Time satisfactory to German
American  to  obtain  registration  in their  name of the  Merger  Consideration
issuable by German American.

         Stock Options

         Officers,  directors  and employees of 1ST BANCORP  holding  options to
purchase 1ST BANCORP Common Stock are required to exercise such options prior to
the Closing Date.

         Expenses

         All costs and expenses  incurred in  connection  with the  transactions
contemplated by the Agreements will be paid by the party incurring the expenses.
However,  if the  Agreements  are  terminated  because  one party has  knowingly
materially  breached any of that party's  representations and warranties made in
the  Agreements and the breach is not cured within thirty (30) days of a written
notice to cure the breach,  then the nonbreaching party may recover  appropriate
damages from the breaching party.

Conditions

         Consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction,  at or prior
to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent:

<PAGE>36

(1)  The Merger shall have been approved by a majority of the outstanding shares
     of German American Common Stock and a majority of the outstanding shares of
     the 1ST BANCORP Common Stock;

(2)  All required regulatory approvals shall have been obtained by the Merger;

(3)  1ST BANCORP shall have received from Olive an opinion dated the date of the
     mailing of this Prospectus/Proxy Statement that the terms of the Merger are
     fair to 1ST  BANCORP  shareholders  from a  financial  point  of view  (the
     Opinion is attached as Appendix B hereto);

(4)  German  American  shall have  received a letter,  dated as of the Effective
     Time, from its independent  public accountants to the effect that, in their
     opinion,  the  Merger  qualifies  for  "pooling  of  interests"  accounting
     treatment;

(5)  German  American and 1ST BANCORP  shall have each  received an opinion from
     Leagre  Chandler & Millard,  counsel for German  American,  concerning  the
     expected federal income tax consequences of the Merger;

(6)  First  Federal  Bank  and each of its  directors  who has not  reached  the
     "Normal  Retirement  Date"  specified  by his or  her  individual  Director
     Deferred  Compensation  Agreement  with the Bank shall have agreed to amend
     such  agreements  to reduce the  monthly  interest  factor to .857% and the
     monthly  interest  credit rate to .521% and to eliminate  the phantom stock
     feature in the Agreements as of December 31, 1998; and

(7)  Other customary  conditions and obligations of the parties set forth in the
     Agreements shall have been satisfied.

     Prior to the Effective  Time,  the  conditions to the  consummation  of the
Agreements may, to the extent not prohibited by law, be waived in writing by the
party entitled to the benefits thereof.

Termination of Agreements

     The Agreements may be terminated as follows:

(a)  By mutual agreement of all parties thereto;

(b)  By German  American or 1ST BANCORP in the event of a material breach by the
     other party of any of its representations and warranties or covenants under
     the  Agreements  and such breach is not cured within thirty (30) days after
     notice to cure such breach is given by the non-breaching party,

(c)  By German American or 1ST BANCORP, if the Merger is not consummated by June
     30, 1999;

(d)  By German American or 1ST BANCORP, if the conditions to its obligations set
     forth in the  Agreements  are not  satisfied  or  waived on or prior to the
     Closing Date;

<PAGE>37

(e)  By German  American or 1ST BANCORP,  if the Agreements and  consummation of
     the Merger are not  approved by the  affirmative  vote of the holders of at
     least a majority  of the  outstanding  shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common  Stock
     entitled to vote at the 1ST BANCORP Annual Meeting; and

(f)  By German American or 1ST BANCORP if the Agreements and consummation of the
     Merger are not approved by the affirmative  vote of the holders of at least
     a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of German  American  Common  Stock
     entitled to the German American Special Meeting.

         The  Agreements  also provide that German  American may  terminate  the
Agreements if the environmental inspection reports on all real property owned or
leased by 1ST BANCORP provided to German American by 1ST BANCORP pursuant to the
Agreements  disclose  any  contamination  or presence of hazardous  wastes,  the
estimated remedial and corrective costs of which exceed $250,000,  as reasonably
estimated  by an  environmental  expert  retained  for such  purpose  by  German
American and  reasonably  acceptable  to 1ST BANCORP;  provided,  however,  that
German  American must exercise such  termination  right within ten business days
following receipt of such estimate.

         In  addition,  if the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System  (the "FRB") is not  received  or if legal  action to enjoin the
Merger is taken by a court or governmental  agency,  then either German American
or 1ST BANCORP may terminate the Agreements.  German American may also terminate
the Merger in the event that any bank regulatory agency takes action against 1ST
BANCORP  or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  seeking  to  enforce  banking  laws  or
regulations.

Restrictions on Bank Operations Prior to the Merger

         Pursuant  to  the  Agreements,   1ST  BANCORP  has  agreed  to  certain
restrictions on the conduct of its business pending  consummation of the Merger.
1ST  BANCORP  has  agreed,  among  other  things,  (i) that it will carry on its
business only in the ordinary course; (ii) that it will not issue any additional
capital stock or change its capitalization  other than shares issued pursuant to
the  exercise  of  outstanding  stock  options,  (iii) that it will not  solicit
proposals for or otherwise seek a Merger or business combination with or sale of
1ST  BANCORP  or its  subsidiaries  to any person or entity  other  than  German
American;  (iv) that it will not amend its Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws;
(v)  that it will  not  make or  agree  to make or pay any  general  or  unusual
increases  in  compensation  or  employee  benefits  to any  of  its  directors,
employees or agents; and (vi) that it will not pay any dividends with respect to
its capital  stock  other than its normal  quarterly  dividends  of no more than
$.0667 per share.

Covenants

     Among its other  obligations  under the  Agreements,  German  American  has
agreed to take certain actions affecting  employees,  directors and employee and
director benefit plans of 1ST BANCORP and its subsidiaries.

     1ST  BANCORP's  stock option plan,  1997 Employee  Stock  Purchase Plan and
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan will be terminated prior
to the Effective Date.

<PAGE>38

         Employees  of First  Federal  Bank will be entitled to  participate  in
German  American's  Retirement  Profit Sharing Plan,  receiving credit for their
service with First Federal Bank for purposes of vesting under and eligibility to
participate  in  that  plan.  First  Federal  Bank's  retirement  plan  will  be
terminated  and  frozen as of the date such  employees  begin  participating  in
German  American's  plan. The accrued  benefits of the participants in the First
Federal  Bank's  retirement  plan will be paid at such times and in such amounts
provided for under that plan.

         German  American  has agreed to cause First  Federal  Bank to honor its
obligations under First Federal Bank's Executive Supplemental  Retirement Income
Agreements  and to honor First  Federal  Bank's  obligations  under its Director
Deferred  Compensation Plan,  provided that certain amendments are to be made to
such plan as of December 31, 1998.
See "Conditions."

Option Agreement

         As an inducement and a condition to German  American  entering into the
Agreements,  1ST  BANCORP  and  German  American  entered  into a  Stock  Option
Agreement, dated August 6, 1998 (the "Option Agreement"),  pursuant to which 1ST
BANCORP  granted  German  American  an option  (the  "Option")  entitling  it to
purchase  up to  218,142  shares  of  1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock  (representing
approximately  19.9% of the  shares  of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock  issued  and
outstanding  before giving  effect to the issuance of  additional  shares of 1ST
BANCORP  Common  Stock  pursuant  to the  exercise of the Option) of 1ST BANCORP
Common Stock under the circumstances  described below, at a cash price per share
equal to $50.94,  subject to possible  adjustment in certain  circumstances (the
"Purchase Price").  This description of the Option Agreement and the Option does
not purport to be complete  and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Option Agreement, which is filed as Appendix C to the Registration Statement and
incorporated herein by reference.

         If no  preliminary  or permanent  injunction or other order against the
delivery of the shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock covered by the Option issued
by any  court of  competent  jurisdiction  is in  effect,  German  American  may
exercise the Option,  in whole or in part, at any time,  from time to time,  if,
but only if, a Purchase  Event (as defined  below)  occurs prior to the Option's
termination;  and German American, at the time, is not in material breach of the
Option  Agreement  or  the  Agreements.  As  defined  in the  Option  Agreement,
"Purchase Event" means either of the following events:

         (a)  without  German  American's  prior  written  consent,  1ST BANCORP
authorizing,   recommending,  publicly  proposing,  or  publicly  announcing  an
intention to authorize, recommend, or propose or entering into an agreement with
any third party to effect (i) a Merger,  consolidation,  or similar  transaction
involving 1ST BANCORP or any of its subsidiaries (other than transactions solely
between 1ST BANCORP's subsidiaries other than transactions involving 1ST BANCORP
or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  in  which  the  voting  securities   outstanding
immediately prior thereto continue to represent (by either remaining outstanding
or being converted into securities of the surviving  entity) at least 75% of the
combined  voting power of the voting  securities of 1ST BANCORP or the surviving
entity outstanding immediately after the consummation of the transaction),  (ii)
the disposition,  by sale, lease, exchange, or otherwise,  of 20% or more of the
consolidated  assets of 1ST BANCORP and its  subsidiaries or (iii) the issuance,
sale, or other  disposition  (including by way of Merger,  consolidation,  share
exchange, or any similar transaction) of securities  representing 20% or more of
the voting  power of 1ST  BANCORP or any of its  subsidiaries  (an  "Acquisition
Transaction"); or

         (b) any person  (other  than  German  American  or any German  American
subsidiary)  acquiring  beneficial  ownership  (as such term is  defined in Rule
13d-3  promulgated under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire a beneficial
ownership  of, or the  formation  of any "group" (as defined  under the Exchange

<PAGE>39

Act),  other  than a group of  which  German  American  or any  German  American
subsidiary  is a member,  that  beneficially  owns or has the  right to  acquire
beneficial  ownership of, 20% or more of the  outstanding  shares of 1ST BANCORP
Common Stock.

         The Option will terminate upon the earliest of the following:

         (a) the Effective Time;

         (b) termination of the Agreements in accordance with their terms before
the  occurrence of a Purchase  Event or a Preliminary  Event (as defined  below)
(other  than  a  termination  of  the  Agreements  under  certain  circumstances
involving  generally  a willful  breach by 1ST  BANCORP of a  representation  or
warranty  contained in the  Agreements  or a breach by 1ST BANCORP of a covenant
contained in the  Agreement or a termination  resulting  from the failure of 1ST
BANCORP shareholders to approve the Agreements) (a "Default Termination");

         (c) 18 months after  termination of the  Agreements by German  American
pursuant to a Default Termination; or

         (d) 18  months  after  termination  of  the  Agreements  following  the
occurrence of a Purchase Event or a Preliminary Purchase Event.

         As  defined  in the  Option  Agreement,  "Preliminary  Purchase  Event"
includes the following events:

         (a)  commencement  or  filing  of a  registration  statement  under the
Securities  Act with  respect  thereto by any third  party of a tender  offer or
exchange  offer to purchase  any shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common  Stock such that,
upon consummation of such offer, such person would own or control 20% or more of
the then-outstanding  shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock (a "Tender Offer" or an
"Exchange Offer," respectively); or

         (b) failure of the  shareholders of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock to approve
the  Agreements at the 1ST BANCORP Annual  Meeting,  the failure to have the 1ST
BANCORP Annual Meeting or another such meeting held for the purpose of voting on
the Agreements or the  cancellation  of such meeting prior to termination of the
Agreements,  or the  withdrawal  or  modification  by the 1ST BANCORP Board in a
manner adverse to German American of the recommendation of the 1ST BANCORP Board
with respect to the Agreements,  in each case, after public  announcement that a
third party (i) made a proposal to engage in an  Acquisition  Transaction,  (ii)
commenced a Tender Offer or filed a registration  statement under the Securities
Act with respect to an Exchange  Offer or (iii) filed an  application  or gave a
notice  under any  federal or state  statutes  or  regulations  for  approval or
consent to engage in an Acquisition Transaction.

         In the event of any change in 1ST BANCORP  Common  Stock by reason of a
stock dividend, stock split, split-up,  recapitalization,  combination, exchange
of shares, or similar transaction,  the type and number of securities subject to
the Option, and the purchase price therefor, shall be adjusted appropriately. In
the event that any  additional  shares of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock are issued
after August 6, 1998 (other than pursuant to an event described in the preceding
sentence),  the  number of shares of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock  subject to the

<PAGE>40

Option will be adjusted so that,  after such  issuance,  it,  together  with any
shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common  Stock  previously  issued  pursuant to the Option
Agreement, shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 19.9% of the number of shares then
issued and outstanding, without giving effect to any shares subject to or issued
pursuant  to the Option and (ii) that  minimum  number of shares of 1ST  BANCORP
Common Stock which when  aggregated  with any other 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock by
German  American would cause the  provisions of any Indiana  takeover laws to be
applicable to the Merger or the Option.

         Upon the  occurrence  of a  Repurchase  Event (as  defined  below) that
occurs prior to the  exercise or  termination  of the Option,  at the request of
German American, delivered within 18 months of the Repurchase Event, 1ST BANCORP
will, subject to regulatory restrictions,  be obligated to repurchase the Option
and any shares of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock  purchased  pursuant to the Option
Agreement at a specified price.

         As defined in the Option Agreement,  a "Repurchase Event" occurs if (i)
any person  (other  than  German  American  or any German  American  subsidiary)
acquires beneficial ownership,  or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, or
any "group"  (as such term is defined  under the  Exchange  Act) shall have been
formed which beneficially owns or has the right to acquire beneficial  ownership
of 50% or more of the  then-outstanding  shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock,  or
(ii)  any  of  the  following  transactions  is  consummated:  (a)  1ST  BANCORP
consolidates  with or merges into any person,  other than German American or one
of  German  American's  subsidiaries,  and is not the  continuing  or  surviving
corporation of such consolidation or Merger; (b) 1ST BANCORP permits any person,
other than German American or one of German  American's  subsidiaries,  to merge
into  1ST  BANCORP  and  1ST  BANCORP  shall  be  the  continuing  or  surviving
corporation, but, in connection with such Merger, the then-outstanding shares of
1ST BANCORP  Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged  for stock or other
securities  of 1ST BANCORP or any other person or cash or any other  property or
the  outstanding  shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock  immediately  prior to such
Merger shall after such Merger represent less than 50% of the outstanding shares
and  share  equivalents  of the  merged  company;  or (c) 1ST  BANCORP  sells or
otherwise transfers all or substantially all of its assets to any person,  other
than German American or one of German American's subsidiaries.

         After the occurrence of a Purchase  Event,  German  American may assign
the Option Agreement and its rights thereunder in whole or in part.

     Upon the occurrence of certain events,  1ST BANCORP has agreed to file with
the SEC and to cause to become effective certain  registration  statements under
the  Securities  Act with  respect to  dispositions  by German  American and its
assigns or all or part of the Option  and/or  any shares of 1ST  BANCORP  Common
Stock into which the Option is exercisable.

                              Accounting Treatment

         The Merger is  expected  to qualify as a  "pooling  of  interests"  for
accounting  and financial  reporting  purposes.  It is a condition of the Merger
that  German  American  shall  have  received  a  letter  from  its  independent
accountants to the effect that, in their  opinion,  the Merger will qualify as a
pooling of interests transaction under generally accepted accounting principles.
Crowe,  Chizek and  Company  LLP,  are the  independent  accountants  for German
American.

                         Federal Income Tax Consequences

         The Merger is expected  to qualify as a  reorganization  under  Section
368(a) of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended  ("Code").  Except for
cash  received  by any 1ST BANCORP  shareholders  perfecting  their  dissenters'
rights and cash  received by 1ST BANCORP  shareholders  in lieu of a  fractional

<PAGE>41

share interest in German American Common Stock,  1ST BANCORP  shareholders  will
recognize no gain or loss on the receipt of German  American Common Stock in the
Merger,  their  aggregate  basis in the shares of German  American  Common Stock
received in the Merger will be the same as their aggregate basis in their shares
of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock,  converted in the Merger,  and, provided the shares
surrendered  are held as a capital  asset,  the  holding  period  of the  German
American  Common Stock received by them will include the holding period of their
shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock,  converted in the Merger.  Cash received by
1ST BANCORP shareholders in lieu of fractional share interests and cash received
by 1ST BANCORP shareholders exercising their dissenters' rights under Chapter 44
of the IBCL will be treated as a distribution in full payment of such fractional
share  interests,  or shares  surrendered  in  exercise of  dissenters'  rights,
resulting  in capital gain or loss or ordinary  income or loss,  as the case may
be, depending upon each 1ST BANCORP shareholder's particular situation.

         Leagre Chandler & Millard, attorneys for German American, has delivered
an opinion dated October 13, 1998 to German  American and 1ST BANCORP upon which
they have  relied in  preparing  the above  summary of the  anticipated  federal
income tax consequences of the Merger.  The Leagre Chandler & Millard  opinions,
and  Representation  Certificates  of German American and 1ST BANCORP upon which
Leagre  Chandler & Millard has relied as to certain factual matters in rendering
its opinion, are filed as exhibits to the Registration  Statement.  Although the
obligations  of German  American  and 1ST BANCORP to  consummate  the Merger are
conditioned  upon the  receipt  of the  opinion  of  Leagre  Chandler  & Millard
regarding  the  intended  federal  income tax  consequences  of the Merger,  the
opinion is not binding upon the Internal  Revenue Service and no ruling has been
sought from the Internal  Revenue  Service  regarding the tax-free nature of the
Merger. If the Merger is consummated, and it is later determined that the Merger
did not  qualify  as a  tax-free  reorganization  under  the Code,  1ST  BANCORP
shareholders  would  recognize  taxable  gain or loss in the Merger equal to the
difference  between the fair market  value of the German  American  Common Stock
such 1ST BANCORP shareholder  received and such 1ST BANCORP  shareholder's basis
in his or her 1ST BANCORP Common Stock.

THE FOREGOING IS ONLY A GENERAL  DESCRIPTION OF THE MATERIAL  FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER AND DOES NOT CONSIDER THE FACTS AND  CIRCUMSTANCES OF
ANY PARTICULAR 1ST BANCORP SHAREHOLDER'S SITUATION. EACH 1ST BANCORP SHAREHOLDER
SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC LEGAL AND
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO HIM OR HER,  INCLUDING THE  APPLICABILITY  AND
EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

                             Registration Statement

         German American has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission  registering under the 1933 Act the shares of
German  American  Common  Stock to be  issued  pursuant  to the  Merger.  German
American Common Stock, for so long as it is listed on the Nasdaq National Market
System, is exempt from the statutory registration  requirements of each state of
the United States,  and German American has,  therefore,  not taken any steps to
register the German American Common Stock under those statutes.

<PAGE>42

                              Transfer Restrictions

         The German American  Common Stock received by 1ST BANCORP  shareholders
in the Merger  will be freely  transferable,  except  that  "affiliates"  of 1ST
BANCORP  as of the  date of the 1ST  BANCORP  Annual  Meeting,  as that  term is
defined in the rules and  regulations  under the  Securities  Act,  may sell any
German American  Common Stock held by them during the one-year period  following
the respective  Merger provided German American remains current in its reporting
obligations under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (and two years if it does
not)  only (a) in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Rule  145(d)  under  the
Securities  Act, (b) pursuant to an effective  Registration  Statement under the
Securities  Act,  or (c) in  transactions  otherwise  exempt  from  registration
thereunder.  In addition,  1ST BANCORP and/or 1ST BANCORP  shareholders  who may
become  "affiliates"  of  German  American  will  be  subject  to  similar  sale
restrictions  for  so  long  as  they  remain  affiliates  of  German  American.
Affiliates  of 1ST BANCORP also will be subject to  prohibitions  on sales until
financial results covering at least 30 days of post-Merger  combined  operations
have been  published.  Generally,  persons who are not officers,  directors,  or
greater  than ten percent  shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP  will not be  considered
"affiliates" in the absence of other factors indicating a control relationship.

                               Regulatory Matters

     The Merger is subject to the approval of the Board of Governors of the FRB.
A  notification  on form FR Y-4 for  such  approval  was  filed  with the FRB on
October 27, 1998.

                        Rights of Dissenting Shareholders

         Pursuant  to  Chapter 44 of the IBCL,  1ST  BANCORP  shareholders  have
dissenters' rights with respect to the Merger.  (German American shareholders do
not have  such  rights  with  respect  to the  Merger.)  Chapter  44 of the IBCL
provides that 1ST BANCORP  shareholders have the right to demand payment in cash
for the fair value of his or her shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock  immediately
before the applicable Effective Time, excluding any appreciation or depreciation
in value in  anticipation  of the  Merger  unless a court  determines  that such
exclusion would be inequitable. To claim this right the 1ST BANCORP shareholder

(a)  must,  before the vote is taken,  deliver to 1ST BANCORP  written notice of
     his or her intent to demand  payment for his or her shares if the Merger is
     effectuated, and

(b)  must  not  vote in favor of the  Merger  in  person  or by proxy at the 1ST
     BANCORP Special Meeting.

         If the Merger is approved by the 1ST BANCORP shareholders,  1ST BANCORP
will send a notice of  dissenters'  rights  to those  1ST  BANCORP  shareholders
satisfying the above conditions within ten days after the shareholder  approval.
The notice will state the procedures  the  dissenting  1ST BANCORP  shareholders
thereafter must follow to exercise his or her  dissenters'  rights in accordance
with Chapter 44 of the IBCL.

         A 1ST BANCORP SHAREHOLDER WHO DOES NOT DELIVER WRITTEN NOTICE OF INTENT
TO DEMAND PAYMENT AND EITHER VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER OR REFRAIN FROM VOTING WILL
BE  CONSIDERED  NOT TO BE ENTITLED TO RIGHTS UNDER  CHAPTER 44 OF THE IBCL.  1ST
BANCORP  shareholders  who  execute  and  return the  enclosed  proxy but do not

<PAGE>43

specify a choice on the Merger  proposals  will be deemed to have voted in favor
of the  respective  Merger and  accordingly  to have  waived  their  dissenters'
rights, unless they revoke the proxy prior to its being voted.

         Upon  consummation of the Merger,  1ST BANCORP will pay each dissenting
1ST BANCORP  shareholder who has complied with all requirements of Chapter 44 of
the IBCL and of the  notice,  1ST  BANCORP's  estimate  of the fair value of the
shares  as  of  the  time  immediately  prior  to  the  Merger,   EXCLUDING  ANY
APPRECIATION IN VALUE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE MERGER.  The  determination  of the
estimate  of  "fair  value"  will be based on the  value of such  shares  of 1ST
BANCORP  Common  Stock  on June  24,  1998,  the day  immediately  prior  to the
announcement of the Merger.

         Dissenters  can object to the fair value by stating  their  estimate of
the fair value and demanding  payment of the  additional  amount claimed as fair
value  within  30 days  after  1ST  BANCORP  makes or  offers  payments  for the
dissenters' shares. 1ST BANCORP can elect to agree to the dissenters' fair value
demand or can  commence  an  action in the  Circuit  or  Superior  Court of Knox
County,  Indiana,  within 60 days after  receiving  the demand for payment for a
judicial  determination of the fair value.  The Court can appoint  appraisers to
determine the fair value.  The costs of the proceeding,  including  compensation
and expenses of the appraisers,  counsel for the parties,  and experts,  will be
assessed  against all  parties to the action in such  amounts as the Court finds
equitable. Each dissenter made a party to the action will be entitled to receive
the amount,  if any, by which the Court finds the fair value of the  dissenters'
shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by 1ST BANCORP.

See the full text of Chapter 44 set forth in Appendix D to this Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.

     TO PERFECT RIGHTS OF DISSENT,  A 1ST BANCORP  SHAREHOLDER  MUST NOT VOTE IN
FAVOR OF THE MERGER AND MUST DELIVER A WRITTEN  DEMAND FOR PAYMENT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 44 OF THE IBCL.

THIS  SUMMARY OF THE  DISSENTERS'  RIGHTS OF 1ST BANCORP  SHAREHOLDERS  DOES NOT
PURPORT  TO BE  COMPLETE  AND IS  QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY  BY THE  STATUTORY
PROVISIONS ATTACHED TO THIS PROSPECTUS AS APPENDIX D. ANY INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERING
EXERCISING  RIGHTS OF DISSENT SHOULD CAREFULLY READ AND CONSIDER THE INFORMATION
DISCLOSED  IN  APPENDIX D AND CONSULT  WITH AN  INDEPENDENT  INVESTMENT  ADVISOR
BEFORE EXERCISING RIGHTS OF DISSENT.

                   Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger

         Certain of the directors and officers of 1ST BANCORP have  interests in
the Merger other than their interests as 1ST BANCORP  shareholders,  pursuant to
certain  agreements  and  understandings  that are reflected in the  Agreements.
German  American has agreed that commencing upon the execution of the Agreements
and ending on a date three years from the Effective  Time,  German American will
make payments to certain  directors and former  employees of 1ST BANCORP in lieu
of certain  health care  benefits  that will not be available  after the Merger.
These payments are described in detail in a memorandum from George W. Astrike to
C. James McCormick,  dated July 27, 1998, which is attached as Appendix B to the
Agreements.  German  American has agreed that it will cause C. James  McCormick,

<PAGE>44

Chairman of the Board of 1ST BANCORP,  to be added to the German  American Board
of Directors as of the Effective Time of the Merger and to be nominated to serve
a full  term as a German  American  director  at the  first  annual  meeting  of
shareholders following the Merger. Four members of the Board of Directors of 1ST
BANCORP will remain directors of First Federal Bank. For six (6) years after the
Effective Time,  German American shall  indemnify,  defend and hold harmless the
present and former  officers and  directors of 1ST BANCORP and its  subsidiaries
against all losses,  expenses,  claims,  damages and liabilities  arising out of
actions or omissions (arising from their present or former status as officers or
directors)  occurring on or prior to the Effective  Time to the full extent then
permitted under the applicable  provisions of the IBCL and the Home Owners' Loan
Act and under the  articles of  incorporation  and bylaws of 1ST BANCORP and the
charter  and  articles  of  incorporation   and  bylaws  of  the  1ST  BANCORP's
subsidiaries.   Also,  following  the  Merger,  German  American  will  purchase
directors'  and officers'  insurance for the officers and directors who continue
to serve in such capacities following the Merger.

           PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GERMAN AMERICAN

         The following pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June
30, 1998, and the pro forma condensed consolidated  statements of income for the
period  ended June 30, 1998 and for each of the years in the  three-year  period
ended  December  31,  1997,  give effect to the Merger  based on the  historical
consolidated  financial  statements of German American and 1ST BANCORP under the
assumptions and adjustments set forth below and in the accompanying notes to the
pro forma financial statements.  The Merger is expected to be accounted for as a
pooling of  interests  and,  therefore,  is included in the pro forma  condensed
consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 1998, as if the transaction had become
effective  on such date.  The pro forma  condensed  consolidated  statements  of
income  for the  period  ended  June 30,  1998 and for each of the  years in the
three-year  period ended December 31, 1997 include the historical  statements of
income of 1ST  BANCORP  and German  American  as if the  transaction  had become
effective at the beginning of the periods presented.

         1ST BANCORP has been operating on a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.
In the following pro forma statements,  the historical  financial  statements of
1ST  BANCORP  have been  recast  from a fiscal year ending June 30 to a calendar
year ending December 31.

         If the proposed Merger is  consummated,  German American will issue not
fewer than 1,730,909 or more than  2,040,000  shares of German  American  Common
Stock. Assuming that 1,121,588 shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock are issued and
outstanding  at the Effective  Time,  German  American will issue not fewer than
1.5433 shares of German American  Common Stock for each of the 1,121,588  shares
of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock (an aggregate of 1,730,909  German American  shares)
or more  than  1.8188  shares of German  American  Common  Stock for each of the
1,121,588  shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock (an aggregate of 2,040,000  shares
of German  American  Common Stock).  The actual number of issued and outstanding
shares of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock will be determined  immediately  prior to the
Closing  Date.  (All such numbers are subject to  adjustment in the event of any
future stock dividends and the like.) The exact number of shares to be issued in
the Merger  will be  determined  within the above  range by the GA Common  Value
during a 15 calendar day period ending on the second  business day preceding the
Closing  Date of the  Merger.  The pro  forma  financial  statements  have  been
prepared  assuming the issuance of 2,040,000  shares of German  American  Common
Stock, which is the number of shares which would have been issued if the Closing
Date of the  Merger  as of  November  4,  1998 in  accordance  with the  formula
included in the Agreements. The use of such number of shares is for illustrative
purposes  only and does not attempt to predict the actual number of shares to be
issued in the Merger.

<PAGE>45

         German   American   completed   two  previous   bank  holding   company
acquisitions in 1998; CSB Bancorp and FSB Financial  Corporation.  Under pooling
of interests accounting,  CSB and FSB have been combined with German American in
the pro forma condensed  consolidated  balance sheet as of June 30, 1998, and as
of the beginning of the period in the pro forma condensed consolidated statement
of income for the period ended June 30, 1998. For periods prior to 1998,  German
American has not yet issued financial  statements in which CSB and FSB have been
combined. Accordingly, the pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income
for each of the three years ended  December  31, 1997  include  German  American
results  as  previously  reported  prior  to the CSB and FSB  acquisitions.  CSB
results are  separately  included in the pro forma income  statements  for 1997,
1996 and 1995. FSB is not included in the pro forma income  statements for 1997,
1996 and 1995  because  inclusion  would not have a  material  impact on overall
financial results.

         Basic earnings per share included in the pro forma financial statements
does not assume the exercise of outstanding stock options.  Diluted earnings per
share  including  the assumed  exercise  of stock  options has not been shown as
there is no significant  difference between basic and diluted earnings per share
amounts.

         The pro forma financial statements have been prepared by the management
of German American based upon the historical  consolidated  financial statements
of German  American  and 1ST  BANCORP.  These pro  forma  statements  may not be
indicative  of the results that  actually  would have occurred if the Merger had
been in effect on the dates  indicated  or which may be  obtained in the future.
The pro  forma  financial  statements  should  be read in  conjunction  with the
historical  consolidated  financial  statements  and  notes  thereto  of  German
American and 1ST BANCORP presented elsewhere in this Prospectus/Proxy  Statement
or that accompany this Prospectus/Proxy Statement.

         German   American  and  1ST  BANCORP   expect  to  incur  total  legal,
accounting, professional and regulatory costs of approximately $175,000 that are
directly  attributable to the Merger.  $145,000 of these costs can reasonably be
expected to be included in the  consolidated  expenses of German American during
the next twelve  months.  $30,000 of these  costs had been paid and  expensed or
accrued and  expensed by German  American  and 1ST BANCORP as of June 30,  1998.
Those  costs  not  previously  paid  or  accrued  were  NOT  considered  in  the
preparation of the Pro Forma Financial Statements.

<PAGE>46

                             GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
                 PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                  June 30, 1998

                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     German American  1ST            Pro Forma     Pro Forma
         ASSETS                           Bancorp     BANCORP       Adjustments   Consolidated

<S>                                      <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>
Cash and cash equivalents                $  33,697   $  16,163                --    $  49,860
Short-term investments                       2,673          --                --        2,673
Investment in subsidiary                        --          --      $     23,855(C)        --
                                                --          --           (23,855)(A)       --

Securities available for sale              105,837      15,504                --      121,341
Securities held to maturity                 26,230      25,322                --       51,552
Loans                                      406,067     189,204                --      595,271
Allowance for loan losses                   (7,133)     (1,465)               --       (8,598)
Premises and equipment                      13,351       3,077                --       16,428
Intangibles                                  1,478         457                --        1,935
Accrued interest receivable
and other assets                            11,961      11,887                --       23,848
                                          ---------   ---------      ------------    ---------

      Total assets                        $ 594,161   $ 260,149                --    $ 854,310
                                          =========   =========      ============    =========

LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES
  Deposits                                $ 516,402   $ 117,763                --      634,165
  Short-term borrowings                       4,542          --                --        4,542
  FHLB Borrowings                             1,000     115,381                --      116,381
  Other liabilities                           6,512       3,150                --        9,662
                                          ---------   ---------      ------------    ---------
    Total liabilities                       528,456     236,294                --      764,750
                                          ---------   ---------      ------------    ---------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock                                6,347       1,092      2,040 (C)           8,387
                                                                    (1,092)(A)
  Additional paid-in capital                 39,497       2,084      1,136 (C)          40,633
                                                                    (2,084)(A)
  Retained earnings                          19,167      20,715      20,715 (C)         39,882
                                                                    (20,715)(A)
  Net unrealized gain/(loss) on
  securities available for sale                 694         (36)        (36)(C)            658
                                                                         36 (A)
                                          ---------   ---------      ------------    ---------
    Total shareholders' equity               65,705      23,855                --       89,560
                                          ---------   ---------      ------------    ---------

    Total liabilities and
    shareholders' equity                  $ 594,161   $ 260,149      $         --    $ 854,310
                                          =========   =========      ============    =========
</TABLE>

NOTES:

(A)  To eliminate the investment in 1ST BANCORP.

(B)  Includes  goodwill of $1,726 being amortized over 15 years and core deposit
     intangibles of $210 being amortized over 10 years.

(C)  Assumed  issuance of 2,040,000  common shares of German American Bancorp in
     exchange  for all  1,121,588  shares of 1ST BANCORP.  The actual  number of
     shares to be issued is not yet known.  Assumed shares issued are based on a
     minimum  value of $28.00 per share of German  American  stock.  The assumed
     number of shares  issued is for  illustrative  purposes  only and is not an
     attempt to predict the actual number of shares to be issued in the Merger.

(D)  No adjustments to these pro forma  financial  statements  were necessary to
     conform accounting methods as contemplated by APB Opinion 16.

<PAGE>47

                             GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                     For the six months ended June 30, 1998


                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                       German American               1ST               Pro Forma
                                                              Bancorp (A)           BANCORP            Consolidated
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------
<S>                                                   <C>                     <C>                    <C>
INTEREST INCOME
    Interest and fees on loans                                  $ 17,900               $   8,006         $  25,906
    Interest on  securities                                        4,011                   1,390             5,401
    Other interest income                                            653                     246               899
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------

       Total interest income                                      22,564                   9,642            32,206
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------

INTEREST EXPENSE
    Interest on deposits                                         10,396                   3,418            13,814
    Other interest expense                                          117                   2,940             3,057
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------

       Total interest expense                                    10,513                   6,358            16,871
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------

NET INTEREST INCOME                                              12,051                   3,284            15,335
Provision for loan losses                                           119                     575               694
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                                       11,932                   2,709            14,641

NON-INTEREST INCOME                                               1,556                   1,376             2,932
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                                              8,276                   2,774            11,050
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                         5,212                   1,311             6,523
Income taxes                                                       1,668                     292             1,960
                                                      -------------------     -------------------    --------------

NET INCOME                                                $        3,544           $       1,019        $    4,563
                                                      ===================     ===================    ==============

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
    Net income per share                                  $         0.56 (A)                            $     0.54 (B)
    Weighted average number of shares                          6,346,299 (A)                             8,386,299 (B)
      outstanding

</TABLE>

NOTES:

(A)  Includes  issuance of 928,475 common shares of German  American in exchange
     for all shares of CSB  Bancorp  and  67,203  shares of German  American  in
     exchange for all the shares of FSB Financial  Corporation  at the beginning
     of the period in  connection  with two prior  acquisitions  of bank holding
     companies. Results have not been adjusted for the pending 5% stock dividend
     payable on December  15,  1998 to  shareholders  of record on November  30,
     1998.

(B)  Assumes  issuance of 2,040,000 common shares of German American in exchange
     for all shares of 1ST BANCORP at the  beginning  of the period.  The actual
     number  of shares to be issued  is not yet  known.  The  assumed  number of
     shares  issued is for  illustrative  purposes only and is not an attempt to
     predict the actual number of shares to be issued in the Merger.

(C)  No adjustments to these pro forma  financial  statements  were necessary to
     conform accounting methods as contemplated by APB Opinion 16.

<PAGE>48

                             GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      For the year ended December 31, 1997

                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                     German American
                                         Bancorp
                                     (as previously     CSB          Pro Forma      1ST          Pro Forma
                                       presented)      Bancorp     Consolidated   BANCORP       Consolidated

<S>                                    <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C> 
INTEREST INCOME
    Interest and fees on loans         $   29,350    $  4,454        $  33,804     $ 15,530      $   49,334
    Interest on  securities                 7,510         791            8,301        3,721          12,022
    Other interest income                     608         609            1,217          737           1,954
                                       ----------    --------        ---------     --------       ---------

      Total interest income                37,468       5,854           43,322       19,988          63,310
                                       ----------    ---------       ---------     --------       ---------

INTEREST EXPENSE
    Interest on deposits                   17,221       2,905           20,126        7,862          27,988
    Other interest expense                    300          16              316        5,525           5,841
                                       ----------    ---------        ---------    --------       ---------

       Total interest expense              17,521       2,921           20,442       13,387          33,829
                                       ----------    ---------        ---------    --------       ---------

NET INTEREST INCOME                        19,947       2,933           22,880        6,601          29,481
Provision for loan losses                    (408)        808              400          467             867
                                       ----------    --------         ---------    --------      ----------

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                20,355        2,125           22,480        6,134          28,614

NON-INTEREST INCOME                        2,487          322            2,809        2,183           4,992

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                      13,668        2,055           15,723        6,092          21,815
                                       ---------     --------         ---------    --------       ---------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                 9,174          392            9,566        2,225          11,791
Income taxes                               3,035           82            3,117          257           3,374
                                       ---------     --------         ---------    --------       ---------

NET INCOME                             $   6,139     $    310         $  6,449     $  1,968       $   8,417
                                       =========     ========         =========    ========       =========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
    Net income per share               $    1.15(A)                    $  1.02 (B)                $     1.00(C)

    Weighted average number of
     shares outstanding                5,343,727(A)                    6,339,405(B)                8,379,405(C)

</TABLE>

NOTES:

(A)  Retroactively  restated  for all  completed  stock  splits  and  dividends.
     Results have not been adjusted for the pending 5% stock dividend payable on
     December 15, 1998 to shareholders of record on November 30, 1998.

(B)  Includes  issuance of 928,475 common shares of German  American  Bancorp in
     exchange for all shares of CSB Bancorp and 67,203 shares of German American
     Bancorp in exchange for all the shares of FSB Financial  Corporation  (FSB)
     at the beginning of the period. Pro Forma income statement does not include
     the  balances of FSB,  as this would not have a material  impact on overall
     financial results.

(C)  Assumes  issuance of 2,040,000  common shares of German American Bancorp in
     exchange for all shares of 1ST BANCORP at the beginning of the period.  The
     actual number of shares to be issued is not yet known.  The assumed  number
     of shares issued is for illustrative purposes only and is not an attempt to
     predict the actual number of shares to be issued in the Merger.

(D)  No adjustments to these pro forma  financial  statements  were necessary to
     conform accounting methods as contemplated by APB Opinion 16.

<PAGE>49

                             GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      For the year ended December 31, 1996

                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         German American
                                              Bancorp
                                          (as previously        CSB            Pro Forma          1ST            Pro Forma
                                            presented)        Bancorp       Consolidated         BANCORP      Consolidated
<S>                                       <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>             <C>
INTEREST INCOME
    Interest and fees on loans            $  27,846         $     4,434       $   32,280        $   14,963      $   47,243
    Interest on  securities                   6,737                 648            7,385             3,526          10,911
    Other interest income                       778                 570            1,348               832           2,180
                                          ---------         -----------       ----------        ----------      ----------

       Total interest income                 35,361               5,652           41,013            19,321          60,334
                                          ---------         -----------       ----------        ----------      ----------

INTEREST EXPENSE
    Interest on deposits                     16,179               2,785           18,964             7,510          26,474
    Other interest expense                      504                  14              518             5,759           6,277
                                         ----------         -----------       ----------        ----------      ----------

       Total interest expense                16,683               2,799           19,482            13,269          32,751
                                         ----------         -----------       ----------        ----------      ----------

NET INTEREST INCOME                          18,678               2,853           21,531             6,052          27,583
Provision for loan losses                       210                 135              345               124             469
                                         ----------         -----------       ----------        ----------      ----------

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                   18,468               2,718           21,186             5,928          27,114

NON-INTEREST INCOME                           2,227                 251            2,478             3,187           5,665

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                         13,288               1,898           15,186             8,517          23,703
                                         ----------          ----------       ----------        ----------      ----------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                    7,407               1,071            8,478               598           9,076
Income taxes                                  2,513                 344            2,857               161           3,018
                                         ----------          ----------       ----------        ----------      ----------

NET INCOME                               $    4,894          $      727       $    5,621        $       437     $    6,058
                                         ==========          ==========       ==========        ===========     ==========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
    Net income per share                 $     0.92(A)                        $     0.89(B)                     $     0.72(C)
                                                                                                         0.92
    Weighted average number of
     shares outstanding                   5,335,316(A)                         6,330,994(B)                      8,370,994(C)

</TABLE>

NOTES:

(A)  Retroactively  restated  for all  completed  stock  splits  and  dividends.
     Results have not been adjusted for the pending 5% stock dividend payable on
     December 15, 1998 to shareholders of record on November 30, 1998.

(B)  Includes  issuance of 928,475 common shares of German  American  Bancorp in
     exchange for all shares of CSB Bancorp and 67,203 shares of German American
     Bancorp in exchange for all the shares of FSB Financial  Corporation  (FSB)
     at the beginning of the period. Pro Forma income statement does not include
     the  balances of FSB,  as this would not have a material  impact on overall
     financial results.

(C)  Assumes  issuance of 2,040,000  common shares of German American Bancorp in
     exchange for all shares of 1ST BANCORP at the beginning of the period.  The
     actual number of shares to be issued is not yet known.  The assumed  number
     of shares issued is for illustrative purposes only and is not an attempt to
     predict the actual number of shares to be issued in the Merger.

(D)  No adjustments to these pro forma  financial  statements  were necessary to
     conform accounting methods as contemplated by APB Opinion 16.

<PAGE>50

                             GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      For the year ended December 31, 1995

                (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           German American
                                              Bancorp
                                             (as previously        CSB            Pro Forma          1ST         Pro Forma
                                              presented)         Bancorp         Consolidated      Bancorp      Consolidated    

<S>                                         <C>                  <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
INTEREST INCOME
    Interest and fees on loans              $    26,197          $   4,203        $   30,400      $  16,276       $ 46,676

    Interest on  securities                       6,102                623             6,725          4,466         11,191
    Other interest income                         1,517                396             1,913            812          2,725
                                            -----------           --------         ---------       --------       --------

       Total interest income                     33,816              5,222            39,038         21,554         60,592
                                            -----------           --------         ---------       --------       --------

INTEREST EXPENSE
    Interest on deposits                         15,150              2,499            17,649         10,111         27,760
    Other interest expense                          798                 --               798          5,121          5,919
                                            -----------           --------          --------       --------       --------

       Total interest expense                    15,948              2,499            18,447         15,232         33,679
                                            -----------           --------          --------       --------       --------

NET INTEREST INCOME                              17,868              2,723            20,591          6,322         26,913
Provision for loan losses                            49                 48                97             95            192
                                            -----------           --------          --------       --------       --------

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER
 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES                       17,819              2,675            20,494          6,227         26,721

NON-INTEREST INCOME                               1,764                270             2,034         12,271(E)      14,305

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                             12,418              1,889            14,307          8,275         22,582
                                            -----------           --------          --------       --------       --------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                        7,165              1,056             8,221         10,223         18,444
Income taxes                                      2,323                338             2,661          3,838          6,499
                                            -----------           --------          --------       --------       --------

NET INCOME                                  $     4,842           $    718         $   5,560       $  6,385      $  11,945
                                            ===========           ========          ========       ========       ========


BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
    Net income per share                    $      0.91(A)                         $    0.88(B)                  $    1.43(C)
    Weighted average number of
     shares outstanding                       5,331,745(A)                         6,327,423(B)                  8,367,423(C)

</TABLE>

NOTES:

(A)  Retroactively  restated  for all  completed  stock  splits  and  dividends.
     Results have not been adjusted for the pending 5% stock dividend payable on
     December 15, 1998 to shareholders of record on November 30, 1998.

(B)  Includes  issuance of 928,475 common shares of German  American  Bancorp in
     exchange for all shares of CSB Bancorp and 67,203 shares of German American
     Bancorp in exchange for all the shares of FSB Financial  Corporation  (FSB)
     at the beginning of the period. Pro Forma income statement does not include
     the  balances of FSB,  as this would not have a material  impact on overall
     financial results.

(C)  Assumes  issuance of 2,040,000  common shares of German American Bancorp in
     exchange for all shares of 1ST Bancorp at the beginning of the period.  The
     actual number of shares to be issued is not yet known.  The assumed  number
     of shares issued is for illustrative purposes only and is not an attempt to
     predict the actual number of shares to be issued in the Merger.

(D)  No adjustments to these pro forma  financial  statements  were necessary to
     conform  accounting  methods  as  contemplated  by APB  Opinion16.  (E) 1ST
     BANCORP  non-interest income includes a gain of $7,274 from the sale of two
     branches in December 1995.

<PAGE>51

                        INFORMATION ABOUT GERMAN AMERICAN

         German American is a multi-banking holding company organized in Indiana
in 1982. German American's principal  subsidiaries are The German American Bank,
Jasper,  Indiana;  First State Bank, Southwest Indiana,  Tell City, Indiana; and
German American Holdings  Corporation , an Indiana  corporation that owns all of
the outstanding capital stock of Peoples National Bank, Washington, Indiana; and
Citizens State Bank, Petersburg,  Indiana. German American's principal executive
offices are located at 711 Main Street, Jasper, Indiana 47546, and its telephone
number is (812) 482-1314.

   
         Information  concerning  German  American is contained in the following
documents,   which  are  incorporated  in  this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  by
reference:  German  American's  Annual  Report on Form  10-K for the year  ended
December  31,  1997;  German  American's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998;  German  American's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 1998; and German  American's  Current  Reports on
Form 8-K which were filed on February 24, June 16, July 7, and November 6, 1998.
These  documents are available  without  charge upon oral or written  request to
John M. Gutgsell,  German American,  711 Main Street,  Box 810, Jasper,  Indiana
47546-3042  (812)  482-1314.  In  order  to  assure  timely  delivery  of  these
documents, any requests should be made by December 8, 1998.
    

     For  more  recent  information  concerning  German  American,  see  "RECENT
FINANCIAL INFORMATION."

                          INFORMATION ABOUT 1ST BANCORP

         1ST BANCORP is a savings and loan holding company  organized in Indiana
in 1988.  1ST  BANCORP's  banking  subsidiary  is First  Federal Bank, A Federal
Savings  Bank.  It also owns all of the issued and  outstanding  shares of First
Financial Insurance Agency,  Inc. and First Title Insurance Company,  Inc. First
Federal Bank owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Financial Services
of  Southern  Indiana  Corporation.  All of these  subsidiaries  maintain  their
principal offices in Vincennes.  1ST BANCORP's  principal  executive offices are
located at 101 N. 3rd Street, P.O. Box 1417, Vincennes, Indiana 47591.

   
         This  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement  is  accompanied  by a  copy  of  1ST
BANCORP's  Annual  Report to  Shareholders  for the year  ended  June 30,  1998,
portions of which are incorporated by reference as specified below.  This Annual
Report  to  Shareholders,  except to the  extent  specifically  incorporated  by
reference  into the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998,
is not to be  deemed  "filed"  as a part of the  1998  10-K or the  Registration
Statement  of which this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement is a part.  The  following
documents are  incorporated by reference into this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement:
1ST BANCORP's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998;  1ST
BANCORP's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated August 6, 1998 and November 6, 1998;
and the following  portions of 1ST BANCORP's  Annual Report to Shareholders  for
the year ended June 30, 1998:  Selected Financial Data, page 3, and Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, pages 6
to12. These documents are available  without charge upon oral or written request
to Lynn Stenftenagel,  Secretary/Treasurer,  1ST BANCORP,  102 North 5th Street,
Vincennes,  Indiana 47591, (812) 885-2255. In order to assure timely delivery of
these documents, any requests should be made by December 8, 1998.
    

<PAGE>52

                     COMPARISON OF 1ST BANCORP COMMON STOCK
                        AND GERMAN AMERICAN COMMON STOCK

                                     General

         The 1ST BANCORP  Common Stock is similar in many respects to the German
American Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger.  Certain  differences
exist, however, because the Articles of Incorporation of 1ST BANCORP differ from
the Articles of Incorporation of German American.  The following is a comparison
of 1ST BANCORP Common Stock with German  American Common Stock and a description
of certain material differences between them.

                    Number of Shares Authorized but Unissued

         The Articles of  Incorporation  1ST BANCORP  authorize  the issuance of
5,000,000  shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common  Stock,  $1.00 par value per share,  of
which 1,096,189  shares were issued and  outstanding as of the date hereof,  and
2,000,000  shares of  preferred  stock , $1.00 par value per share,  of which no
shares are issued and  outstanding.  The  Articles  of  Incorporation  of German
American  authorize  the issuance of 20,000,000  shares of common stock,  no par
value, $1.00 stated value, of which, upon consummation of the Merger,  8,388,590
shares of German American Common Stock are expected to be issued and outstanding
(assuming  no 1ST  BANCORP  shareholders  exercise  dissenters'  rights  and the
maximum number of shares  specified by the Agreements are issued in the Merger).
The remaining shares of German American Common Stock will remain  authorized but
unissued and may be issued by the Board of Directors of German American  without
further  shareholder  approval  for  any  proper  corporate  purpose,  including
possible  issuance in  connection  with future  Mergers and  acquisitions.  Such
shares could be issued either to existing  German  American  shareholders  or to
persons who are not then German American shareholders. The German American Board
of Directors has no present plans to issue the shares of German  American Common
Stock that will be authorized but unissued after the Merger, other than pursuant
to German American's established annual stock dividend program.

                                 Preferred Stock

         The Articles of  Incorporation  of 1ST BANCORP  authorize  the Board of
Directors to issue up to 2,000,000  shares of Preferred  Stock,  $1.00 par value
per share. Similarly, the Articles of Incorporation of German American authorize
the Board of Directors to issue 500,000 shares of Preferred  Stock, no par value
per share.  The  Articles  give the 1ST  BANCORP and German  American  Boards of
Directors  the  authority  to  establish  the  relative   rights,   preferences,
restrictions  and  limitations  of rights of the  Preferred  Stock.  The  German
American  Board  of  Directors  presently  has  no  plans  to  issue  any of the
authorized shares of Preferred Stock.

                                 Dividend Rights

         1ST BANCORP shareholders and German American shareholders each have the
right to receive,  pro rata,  such  dividends  as are  declared by the Boards of
Directors out of funds legally  available.  1ST BANCORP's and German  American's
ability to pay dividends is dependent upon their receipt of dividends from their
respective bank subsidiaries. Legal and regulatory restrictions limit the amount
of dividends that may be paid by banks to their  shareholders in order to assure
that banks  maintain  adequate  capital.  1ST  BANCORP's  and German  American's
ability to pay  dividends is also  restricted  by the IBCL, to which 1ST BANCORP
and German American are subject. The IBCL prohibits the payment of dividends if,
after giving effect to the payment, the corporation would not be able to pay its
debts as they come due in the  usual  course of  business  or the  corporation's
total assets  would be less than the sum of its  liabilities  plus  preferential
rights of shareholders payable upon dissolution.

<PAGE>53

                                  Voting Rights

         Each  1ST  BANCORP  shareholder  and  German  American  shareholder  is
entitled  to one vote per share of either  1ST  BANCORP  Common  Stock or German
American Common Stock,  as the case may be, on most matters  submitted to a vote
of   shareholders.   Neither  1ST  BANCORP   shareholders  nor  German  American
shareholders have cumulative  voting rights on the election of directors,  which
means that the  directors  standing for election at a particular  meeting can be
elected by a simple plurality of the votes cast.

         Under the IBCL,  the  affirmative  vote of the holders of a majority of
the shares entitled to vote is sufficient to approve most matters submitted to a
shareholder vote of either corporation. Under the IBCL, a Merger, consolidation,
or sale of substantially  all of a corporation's  assets must be approved by the
holders  of a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares  of 1ST  BANCORP  or German
American Common Stock.

         The Articles of  Incorporation of both 1ST BANCORP and German American,
in  addition,   contain  certain   anti-takeover   provisions  which  require  a
supermajority vote of shareholders in certain circumstances.

                               Liquidation Rights

         In the  event  of  liquidation  of  German  American,  German  American
shareholders will be entitled to receive,  pro rata, all of the assets remaining
for distribution to shareholders.  1ST BANCORP's right as a shareholder of First
Federal Bank to receive Bank assets upon the Bank's  liquidation is subordinated
to the rights of certain  depositors of First Federal Bank, on January 31, 1986,
in a liquidation  account  established  at the date First Federal Bank converted
from a mutual to a stock organization.

                          Absence of Preemptive Rights

         Neither 1ST BANCORP shareholders nor German American  shareholders have
preemptive rights to purchase their  proportionate  share of any future offering
of common stock by 1ST BANCORP or German American.

                            Anti-Takeover Provisions

         Like the Articles of Incorporation of German American,  the Articles of
Incorporation of 1ST BANCORP contain provisions that might deter the takeover or
change-in-control  of 1ST BANCORP.  These  provisions  may discourage or prevent
tender or  exchange  offers by a  corporation  or group that  intends to use the
acquisition  of a  substantial  number of shares of 1ST  BANCORP  to  initiate a
takeover culminating in a Merger or other business combination.  In recent years
a number of other companies have adopted similar charter or bylaw provisions for
the same or similar reasons. These provisions may also have the effect of making
the removal of current management more difficult.

Possible Issuance of Common Stock

         As of the date hereof,  there were 5,000,000  authorized  shares of 1ST
BANCORP  Common Stock of which  1,096,189  shares were  outstanding.  Similarly,
there were 20,000,000 authorized shares of German American Common Stock of which
6,348,590 shares were outstanding as of the date hereof. The Board of either 1ST
BANCORP or German  American could use the authorized but unissued  shares at its
discretion  to resist the  consummation  of certain  takeover  attempts  by, for
example,  diluting  the  ownership  interest  of a  substantial  shareholder  or
substantially increasing the amount of consideration necessary for a shareholder
to obtain control.

<PAGE>54

Possible Issuance of Preferred Stock

         1ST BANCORP's Articles of Incorporation authorize the 1ST BANCORP Board
of  Directors to issue up to 2,000,000  shares of 1ST BANCORP  Preferred  Stock.
Similarly,  German  American's  Articles of  Incorporation  authorize the German
American  Board of  Directors to issue up to 500,000  shares of German  American
Preferred Stock in one or more series. Both Boards will be authorized to fix the
number of shares to be  included  in the new series,  the  designation,  powers,
preferences,  and  voting  and  other  rights  of  each  such  series,  and  the
qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof. The Board of either German
American  or 1ST  BANCORP  could  use  the  respective  Preferred  Stock  at its
discretion to resist the consummation of certain takeover attempts.

Supermajority Vote and Minimum Price Required for Share Acquisitions or Business
Combinations

         The  Articles  of  Incorporation  of 1ST  BANCORP  include a  provision
requiring  two thirds of the entire Board of Directors to approve in advance any
acquisitions or offers to acquire the beneficial  ownership of (i) more than 10%
of the issued and  outstanding  shares of any class of 1ST BANCORP,  or (ii) any
securities  convertible  into, or exercisable for, any equity  securities of 1ST
BANCORP if, assuming  conversion or exercise by such person of all securities of
which  such  person is the  beneficial  owner  which are  convertible  into,  or
exercisable for, such equity securities (but of no securities  convertible into,
or  exercisable  for,  such  equity  securities  of which such person is not the
beneficial owner), such person would be the beneficial owner of more than 10% of
any class of an  equity  security  of 1ST  BANCORP.  In the event  shares of 1ST
BANCORP are  acquired in violation of this  provision,  all shares  beneficially
owned by any person in excess of 10% shall be  considered  "Excess  Shares"  and
shall not be  counted as shares  entitled  to vote and shall not be voted by any
person or counted as voting shares in connection  with any matters  submitted to
1ST BANCORP  shareholders  for a vote, and the Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP
may cause such Excess Shares to be  transferred  to an  independent  trustee for
sale on the open market or  otherwise,  with the  expenses of such trustee to be
paid out of the  proceeds of the sales.  In this  provision,  the term  "person"
includes an individual, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership,
an association,  a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated  organization
or similar  company,  a syndicate  or any other group  formed for the purpose of
acquiring,  holding or disposing of the equity  securities  of 1ST BANCORP.  The
term "offer" includes every offer to buy or otherwise  acquire,  solicitation of
any offer to sell,  tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, a
security or interest in a security for value. The term "acquire"  includes every
type of acquisition, whether effected by purchase, exchange, operation of and/or
otherwise.  The term "acting in concert"  means (i) knowing  participation  in a
joint activity or conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not
pursuant to an express agreement,  or (ii) a combination or pooling of voting or
other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose  pursuant to
any  contract,  understanding,  relationship,  agreement or other  arrangements,
whether written or otherwise.  This provision does not apply to any offer with a
view toward public resale made to 1ST BANCORP by underwriters or a selling group
acting on its behalf,  a trustee  holding  stock for the benefit of employees of
1ST BANCORP or its  subsidiaries  pursuant to one or more employee benefit plans
or  arrangements,  or to any  offer or  acquisition  that has been  approved  in
advance  by two thirds of the  entire  Board of  Directors  of 1ST  BANCORP,  as
mentioned above. This entire provision of the Articles of Incorporation  expired
on October 31, 1998.

         The Articles of  Incorporation  of German American  include a provision
imposing  certain  supermajority  vote and  minimum  price  requirements  on any
"Business  Combination"  with a "Related Person" unless the combination has been

<PAGE>55

approved by the vote of two thirds of certain  members of the Board of Directors
of  German  American  who are not  associated  with  the  Related  Person.  This
provision  defines "Business  Combination"  very broadly to include,  subject to
certain conditions, (i) any Merger or consolidation of German American or any of
its  subsidiaries  into or with a Related Person,  its affiliates or associates;
(ii) any sale, exchange, lease, transfer or other disposition by German American
or any of its subsidiaries of all or any substantial part of its or their assets
or businesses to or with a Related Person,  its affiliates or associates;  (iii)
the purchase,  exchange,  lease or acquisition by German  American or any of its
subsidiaries  of all or any  substantial  part of the assets or  businesses of a
Related  Person,  its affiliates or  associates;  (iv) any  reclassification  of
securities,  recapitalization  or  other  transaction  that  has the  effect  of
increasing the proportionate  amount of German American's Common Stock (or other
voting capital security) beneficially owned by a Related Person; (v) any partial
or  complete  liquidation,  spinoff or splitup of German  American or any of its
subsidiaries;  and  (vi) the  acquisition  by a  Related  Person  of  beneficial
ownership  upon  issuance of Common  Stock (or other voting  capital  shares) of
German American or any of its subsidiaries or any securities  convertible  into,
or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares. "Related Person"
also is defined  broadly  to mean any person  (which  includes  any  individual,
corporation or entity other than German  American or its  subsidiaries)  who (i)
beneficially  owns ten percent or more of German American Common Stock (or other
voting  capital  security)  (a "Ten Percent  Shareholder");  (ii) any person who
within the preceding two-year period has been a Ten Percent  Shareholder and who
directly or indirectly  controls,  is controlled  by, or is under common control
with German American; or (iii) any person who has received,  other than pursuant
to or in a series of transactions involving a public offering within the meaning
of the Securities  Act of 1933,  German  American  Common Stock (or other voting
capital  security)  that has been owned by a Related Person within the preceding
two-year period. In the absence of approval by the German American Directors who
are not associated with the Related Person or, in the alternative, the agreement
by the Related Person to pay all other  shareholders a certain minimum price for
their shares,  a Business  Combination  with a Related  Person would require the
approval of 80 percent of the  outstanding  voting  stock plus the approval of a
majority  of the  outstanding  shares  that are not  controlled  by the  Related
Person. In general terms, the restrictions apply to Mergers or consolidations of
German  American  or any  subsidiary  with  any  Related  Person,  transfers  or
encumbrances of all or  substantially  all of the assets of German American to a
Related  Person,  the adoption of any plan of liquidation  proposed by a Related
Person or any transaction  which would have the effect,  directly or indirectly,
of  increasing  the  proportionate  share of any class of equity  securities  of
German American or any shareholder  (including affiliates and associates) who is
the  beneficial  owner of more than 10 percent  of the voting  power of the then
outstanding  shares  entitled to vote  generally in the election of directors of
German American. Absent the provision regulating Business Combinations, Mergers,
consolidations,  and sales of all or substantially all assets would require only
the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors  and (subject to the rights
of any Preferred Stock issued in the future) the affirmative  vote of a majority
of the total number of outstanding shares of German American entitled to vote on
the matter.

Classified Board

         Like German American,  1ST BANCORP has a classified Board of Directors.
The Articles of  Incorporation of 1ST BANCORP divide the Board of Directors into
three equal (or nearly equal as possible) classes of directors serving staggered
three-year  terms. As a result,  approximately one third of the Board is elected
each year. The Bylaws of German American divide the Board of Directors of German
American  into two equal (or as nearly equal as  possible)  classes of directors
serving staggered  two-year terms. As a result, one half of the Board is elected
each year. In either company,  any vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of
the remaining directors of such Board. Any director elected to fill such vacancy
shall hold office for an unexpired term of the class of which he is a member.

<PAGE>56

Removal of Directors

         The Articles of  Incorporation of 1ST BANCORP provide that any director
may be removed by a two-third's affirmative vote of the outstanding voting power
at a shareholders' meeting called for that purpose. 1ST BANCORP directors may be
removed  only for  "cause",  defined in the  Articles  of  Incorporation  as the
conviction of a felony or a determination by a court that the director is liable
for gross  negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties as a
director.  The Articles of Incorporation  of German American  provides for an 80
percent  affirmative  vote of the  outstanding  voting power at a  Shareholders'
meeting called for that purpose to remove a director.  German American directors
may be removed with or without cause.

Amendment, Change, or Repeal of Certain Articles

         Like the Articles of Incorporation of German American,  the Articles of
Incorporation  of 1ST BANCORP provide that any amendment,  change,  or repeal of
certain of the articles of the Articles of  Incorporation  described above would
require the approval of at least  two-thirds of the outstanding  voting power. A
two-thirds vote of  shareholders is also required for any shareholder  amendment
of 1ST BANCORP's Bylaws.

Control Share Restrictions

         German American has elected to be governed by Chapter 42 of the Indiana
Business   Corporation   Law.   Chapter  42,  which  deals  with  Control  Share
Acquisitions,  provides  that shares  acquired  by a person or a group  equaling
certain percentages of the total outstanding shares (20%, 33-1/3%, and 50%) have
only such voting rights as are approved by certain  disinterested  shareholders.
In order to obtain shareholder  approval of voting rights for the excess control
shares,  the acquiring  person or group must give written  notice of the control
share acquisition and request a special  shareholders'  meeting.  1ST BANCORP is
also subject to this statute.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         The due  authorization  and  valid  issuance  of the  shares  of German
American  Common Stock pursuant to the Merger,  and the intended  federal income
tax  consequences  of the  Merger,  will be  passed  upon by Leagre  Chandler  &
Millard.

                                     EXPERTS

         Crowe Chizek & Co. LLP, independent certified public accountants,  have
audited the  consolidated  balance sheets of German  American as of December 31,
1997 and 1996 and the  related  consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in
shareholders'  equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995. Crowe Chizek & Co. LLP's reports thereon are incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

         KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent  certified public accountants,  have
audited the consolidated  statements of financial condition of 1ST BANCORP as of
June 30,  1998 and 1997 and the related  consolidated  statements  of  earnings,
changes in  shareholders'  equity  and cash  flows for the years  ended June 30,
1998,  1997, and 1996. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP's reports thereon are  incorporated
by reference  herein in reliance  upon their  authority as experts in accounting
and auditing.

<PAGE>57

         The Opinion of Olive, and the information  provided by Olive under "THE
MERGER -- Opinion of Financial Adviser to 1ST BANCORP," has been included herein
in reliance upon its authority as experts in valuation of financial institutions
and their securities in connection with Mergers and acquisitions.

                                  OTHER MATTERS

         The Boards of  Directors  of 1ST BANCORP and of German  American do not
know of any  other  matters  that  may  come  before  the  special  meetings  of
shareholders.

         Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires that 1ST BANCORP's  officers and
directors and persons who own more than 10% of 1ST  BANCORP's  Common Stock file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers,  directors
and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish 1ST
BANCORP with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

         Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms  received by it,
and/or written  representations  from certain  reporting persons that no Forms 5
were  required for those  persons,  1ST BANCORP  believes that during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1998,  all filing  requirements  applicable to its officers,
directors and greater than 10%  beneficial  owners with respect to Section 16(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 were satisfied in a timely manner.

         If the  Merger  is not  consummated,  1ST  BANCORP  will hold an annual
shareholder  meeting in 1999.  Any proposal  which a shareholder  wishes to have
presented at that annual meeting and included in the proxy statement and form of
proxy  relating to that meeting must be received by 1ST BANCORP at its principal
executive  offices no later than 120 days in advance of September 26, 1999.  Any
such  proposals  should be sent to the attention of the Secretary of 1ST BANCORP
at 101 North Third Street,  Vincennes,  Indiana  47591.  A shareholder  proposal
being  submitted  outside  the  processes  of Rule 14a-8  promulgated  under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 will be considered untimely if it is received by
1ST BANCORP later than 45 days in advance of September 26, 1999.

                    WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         German American has filed with the Commission a Registration  Statement
under  the  Securities  Act  that  registers  the  distribution  to 1ST  BANCORP
shareholders  of the  shares of German  American  Capital  Stock to be issued in
connection with the Merger. The Registration  Statement,  including the attached
exhibits and schedules,  contain  additional  relevant  information about German
American and German  American  capital stock.  The rules and  regulations of the
Commission  allow us to omit certain  information  included in the  Registration
Statement from this Prospectus/Proxy Statement.

         In addition,  both German American and 1ST BANCORP file reports,  proxy
statements and other information with the Commission under the Exchange Act. You
may read this information at the following locations of the SEC:

 Public Reference Room    New York Regional Office  Chicago Regional Office
 450 Fifth Street, N.W.   7 World Trade Center      Citicorp Center
 Room 1024                Suite 1300                500 West Madison Street
 Washington, D.C. 20549   New York, NY 10048        Suite 1400
                                                    Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511

<PAGE>58

         You may also obtain copies of this  information by mail from the Public
Reference  Section  of the  Commission,  450  Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Room  1024,
Washington,  D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The public may obtain  information
on the  operation  of the Public  Reference  Room by calling the  Commission  at
1-800-SEC-0330.

         The  Commission  also  maintains  an Internet  world wide web site that
contains reports,  proxy statements and other  information  about issuers,  like
German American and 1ST BANCORP,  who file  electronically  with the Commission.
The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

         The Commission  allows German  American and 1ST BANCORP to "incorporate
by reference" information into this Prospectus/Proxy  Statement. This means that
the  companies  can disclose  important  information  to you by referring you to
another  document  filed   separately  with  the  Commission.   The  information
incorporated  by reference is considered  to be a part of this  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement,  except for any information that other information  included directly
in this document supersedes.

         1ST  BANCORP's  1998 Annual  Report to  Shareholders  accompanies  this
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement,  which also incorporates by reference the documents
listed below that German American and 1ST BANCORP have previously filed with the
Commission.  They contain  important  information  about our companies and their
financial condition.

German American

   
Annual Report on Form 10-K         Year ended December 31, 1997 as filed
                                   March 31, 1998
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q      Quarter ended March 31, 1998 as
                                   filed May 14, 1998
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q      Quarter ended June 30, 1998, as filed
                                   August 14, 1998
Current Reports on Form 8-K        Filed February 24, 1998; June 16, 1998;
                                   July 7, 1998; and November 6, 1998
    

The  description  of German  American  Common  Stock set forth in  Pre-Effective
Amendment  No.  3 to  the  German  American  Registration  Statement  (File  No.
333-46913) filed on Form S-4 on May 5, 1998,  including any subsequent amendment
or  report  filed  with  the   Commission  for  the  purpose  of  updating  such
description.

1ST BANCORP

   
Annual Report on Form 10-K         Year ended June 30,1998, as filed
                                   September 28, 1998
Current Reports on Form 8-K        Dated August 6, 1998 and
                                   November 6, 1998
    

The following  portions of 1ST BANCORP's  Annual Report to Shareholders  for the
year ended June 30, 1998:  Selected  Financial  Data,  page 3, and  Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, pages 6
to12, and Market Information and Shareholder Information, page 41.

         German  American  incorporates by reference  additional  documents that
either  company  may  file  with  the  Commission   between  the  date  of  this
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement and the dates of the German American Special Meeting
and the 1ST BANCORP Annual Meeting.  These documents  include periodic  reports,
such as Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well
as proxy statements.

<PAGE>59

         German American has supplied all information  contained or incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus/Proxy  Statement relating to German American, as
well as all pro forma  financial  information,  and 1ST BANCORP has supplied all
such information relating to 1ST BANCORP.

         You can obtain any of the documents  incorporated  by reference in this
document through German American or 1ST BANCORP, as the case may be, or from the
Commission  through the  Commission's  web site at the address  described above.
Documents  incorporated  by reference are available  from the companies  without
charge,  excluding  any  exhibits  to those  documents  unless  the  exhibit  is
specifically  incorporated  by reference as an exhibit in this  Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.   You  can  obtain  documents   incorporated  by  reference  in  this
Prospectus/Proxy  Statement by requesting  them in writing or by telephone  from
the appropriate company at the following addresses:

 German American Bancorp                              1ST BANCORP
   Investor Relations                              Investor Relations
711 Main Street, Box 810                      101 N. 3rd Street, P.O. Box 1417
 Jasper, Indiana 47546                            Vincennes, Indiana 47591
   (812) 482-1314                                     (812) 885-2255

         If you would like to request  documents,  please do so by  December  8,
1998 to receive  them  before the  Meetings.  If you  request  any  incorporated
documents  form us, we will mail them to you by first  class  mail,  or  another
equally prompt means, within one business day after we receive your request.

         We have  not  authorized  anyone  to give any  information  or make any
representation  about the Merger or our companies that is different  from, or in
addition to, that contained in this Prospectus/Proxy  Statement or in any of the
materials that we've incorporated into this document.  Therefore, if anyone does
give you  information  of this sort,  you should not rely on it. If you are in a
jurisdiction  where offers to exchange or sell,  or  solicitations  of offers to
exchange  or  purchase,   the  securities   offered  by  this  document  or  the
solicitation  of  proxies  is  unlawful,  or if you are a  person  to whom it is
unlawful to direct these types of activities,  then the offer  presented in this
document  does not extend to you. The  information  contained  in this  document
speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information  specifically
indicates that another date applies.

                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

         This  Prospectus/Proxy   Statement  contains  certain   forward-looking
statements with respect to the financial condition,  results of operations,  and
business of German American and 1ST BANCORP and of German American following the
consummation of the Merger,  including  statements  relating to the cost savings
and revenue  enhancements  that are expected to be realized  from the Merger and
the expected impact of the Merger on German  American's  financial  performance.
These  forward-looking  statements  involve  certain  risks  and  uncertainties.
Factors  that  may  cause  actual  results  to  differ   materially  from  those
contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the
following  possibilities:  (i) expected  cost savings from the Merger  cannot be
fully realized; (ii) deposit attrition, customer loss, or revenue loss following
the Merger is greater than expected;  (iii) competitive  pressure in the banking
industry  increases  significantly;  (iv) costs or  difficulties  related to the
integration  of the  businesses  of German  American and 1ST BANCORP are greater
than expected; (v) changes in the interest rate environment reduce margins; (vi)
general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, are less favorable
than  expected,  resulting in, among other  things,  a  deterioration  in credit
quality; (vii) changes occur in the regulatory environment; (viii) changes occur
in business  conditions  and  inflation;  (ix) changes  occur in the  securities

<PAGE>60

markets;  and (x) disruptions of the operations of German American,  1ST BANCORP
or any of their  subsidiaries,  or any other governmental or private entity as a
result  of the "Year  2000  Problem."  The  forward-looking  earnings  estimates
included in this  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement have not been examined or compiled
by the independent  public  accountants of German American and 1ST BANCORP,  nor
have  such  accountants  applied  any  procedures  thereto.   Accordingly,  such
accountants  do not express an opinion or any other form of  assurance  on them.
Further  information on other factors that could affect the financial results of
German American after the Merger is included in the SEC filings  incorporated by
reference herein. See "Where You Can Find Additional Information."

<PAGE>A-1


                                   APPENDIX A
           Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 6, 1998
                 by and between 1ST BANCORP and German American





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



                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION



                                 by and between


                                  1ST BANCORP,
                             an Indiana corporation,


                                       and


                            GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP,
                             an Indiana corporation.


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










                                                  Dated: August 6, 1998


<PAGE>A-2


                      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION


         THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF  REORGANIZATION  (this  "Agreement") is made
August 6,  1998,  by and  between  1ST  BANCORP,  an Indiana  corporation  ("1ST
BANCORP"),   and  GERMAN  AMERICAN  BANCORP,  an  Indiana  corporation  ("German
American").

                                    Recitals

     A. 1ST BANCORP is a  corporation  duly  organized  and  existing  under the
Indiana  Business  Corporation  Law ("IBCL")  that is duly  registered  with the
Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") as a savings and loan holding company under
the Home Owners'  Loan Act  ("HOLA").  1ST BANCORP  owns all of the  outstanding
capital stock of First Federal  Bank, A Federal  Savings Bank (the "Bank").  The
principal place of business of 1ST BANCORP is Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana.

     B. The Bank is a federal savings bank duly organized and existing under the
HOLA,  chartered  by the OTS,  with its  principal  banking  office  located  in
Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana

     C.  Financial  Services  of Southern  Indiana  Corporation  ("FSSIC")  is a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Bank, and First Financial Insurance Agency, Inc.
("FFIAI"),   and  First  Title  Insurance   Company  ("FTC")  are   wholly-owned
subsidiaries  of 1ST BANCORP,  all with  principal  offices in  Vincennes,  Knox
County, Indiana (collectively FSSIC, FFIAI and FTC are referred to herein as the
"Subsidiaries").  The Subsidiaries are all Indiana  corporations  duly organized
and existing under the IBCL.

     D. German  American is a corporation  duly organized and existing under the
IBCL and is duly  registered  with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System ("FRB") as a bank holding company under Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
as amended ("BHC Act").  The principal  place of business of German  American is
Jasper, Dubois County, Indiana.

     E. The parties  desire to effect a transaction  whereby 1ST BANCORP will be
merged with and into German American in  consideration of the issuance of German
American Common Stock.

                                   Agreements

     In  consideration  of the premises and the mutual terms and  provisions set
forth in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE
                         TERMS OF THE MERGER AND CLOSING

     Section  1.01.  The Merger.  Pursuant to the terms and  provisions  of this
Agreement,  the IBCL and the Plan of Merger  attached  hereto as  Appendix A and
incorporated herein by reference (the "Plan of Merger"), 1ST BANCORP shall merge
with and into German American (the "Merger").  1ST BANCORP shall be the "Merging
Company" in the Merger and its corporate  identity and  existence,  separate and
apart from German  American,  shall cease on consummation of the Merger.  German
American shall be the "Surviving  Company" in the Merger, and its name shall not
be changed pursuant to the Merger.

     Section 1.02.  Effect of the Merger.  The Merger shall have all the effects
provided by the IBCL.

<PAGE>A-3

     Section 1.03. The Merger - Conversion of Shares.

     (a)  At the  time  of  filing  with  the  Indiana  Secretary  of  State  of
appropriate  Articles of Merger with respect to the Merger or at such later time
as shall be specified by such Articles of Merger (the "Effective Time"):

          (i) Each of the  shares  of common  stock,  $1.00  par  value,  of 1ST
     BANCORP ("1ST BANCORP Common") that are issued and outstanding  immediately
     prior to the Effective Time shall  thereupon and without  further action be
     converted  into shares of common stock,  no par value,  of German  American
     ("German  American Common") at the Exchange Ratio which shall be calculated
     as set forth in this Section  1.03(a)(i).  1ST  BANCORP's  shareholders  of
     record at the  Effective  Time,  for the shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common then
     held by them,  respectively,  shall be  allocated  and  entitled to receive
     (upon surrender of certificates  representing said shares for cancellation)
     shares of German  American  Common,  which total number of shares of German
     American  Common  shall  have  a  value  (as  hereinafter   determined)  of
     $57,120,000 subject, however, to (A) the provisions of this Section 1.03(a)
     with respect to the minimum and maximum  number of shares to be  exchanged,
     (B) the  provisions  of  Section  1.03(f)  of this  Agreement,  and (C) the
     provisions of this Section 1.03(b) with respect to fractional  shares.  The
     consideration  payable to 1ST BANCORP  shareholders  hereunder is sometimes
     hereafter referred to as the "Merger Consideration."

          For purposes of  establishing  the number of shares of German American
     Common into which each share of 1ST BANCORP  Common  shall be  converted at
     the Effective Time (the "Exchange  Ratio"),  each share of German  American
     Common  shall be valued  (the "GA  Common  Value")  at the  average  of the
     highest  closing bid and the lowest closing asked prices of German American
     Common as reported by the NASDAQ  National Market System for the 15 trading
     days  ending on the second  trading  day  preceding  the  Closing  Date (as
     defined by Section  1.06 hereof) (the  "Valuation  Period").  The GA Common
     Value shall then be divided into the sum of  $57,120,000  to establish  (to
     the nearest whole share) the aggregate  number of shares of German American
     Common  into  which all of the then  issued and  outstanding  shares of 1ST
     BANCORP  Common shall be converted at the Effective  Time.  Notwithstanding
     the above, if the GA Common Value exceeds $33 per share, then the aggregate
     number of shares to be issued in the Merger will be determined by using $33
     as the GA Common Value.  Similarly, if the GA Common Value is below $28 per
     share,  then the aggregate number of shares to be issued in the Merger will
     be determined by using $28 as the GA Common Value.  The number of shares of
     German American Common as so calculated shall then be divided by the number
     of shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common that are issued and  outstanding as of the
     Effective Time, with the quotient  therefrom  (carried to the fourth figure
     past the decimal point) being the Exchange  Ratio.  The maximum and minimum
     figures  for  the GA  Common  Value  shall  be  subject  to  adjustment  in
     accordance with the provisions of Section 1.03(f) of this Agreement.

          (ii) The shares of German American issued and outstanding  immediately
     prior to the  Effective  Time shall  continue to be issued and  outstanding
     shares of German American.

     (b) No fractional  shares of German American Common shall be issued and, in
lieu  thereof,  holders of shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common who would  otherwise be
entitled to a fractional share interest (after taking into account all shares of
1ST BANCORP Common held by such holder) shall be paid an amount in cash equal to
the product of such fractional  share and the average of the highest bid and the
lowest asked price of a share of German  American Common as quoted on the NASDAQ
National Market System on the last day of the Valuation Period.

     (c) At the Effective  Time,  all of the  outstanding  shares of 1ST BANCORP
Common,  by virtue  of the  Merger  and  without  any  action on the part of the
holders  thereof,  shall no longer be  outstanding  and  shall be  canceled  and

<PAGE>A-4

retired  and  shall  cease to  exist,  and each  holder  of any  certificate  or
certificates   which   immediately  prior  to  the  Effective  Time  represented
outstanding shares of 1ST BANCORP Common (the  "Certificates")  shall thereafter
cease to have any rights with respect to such  shares,  except the right of such
holders  to  receive,  without  interest,  the  Merger  Consideration  upon  the
surrender of such Certificate or Certificates in accordance with Section 1.05.

     (d) At the Effective Time,  each share of 1ST BANCORP Common,  if any, held
in the  treasury of 1ST BANCORP or by any direct or indirect  subsidiary  of 1ST
BANCORP,  including  the Bank and the  Subsidiaries  (other  than shares held in
trust  accounts  for the  benefit  of others or in other  fiduciary,  nominee or
similar capacities) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled.

     (e) At  the  Effective  Time,  the  shares  of  common  stock  of the  Bank
outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time shall be unchanged by the
Merger and shall be deemed owned by the Surviving Company.

     (f) If (i) German  American  shall  hereafter  declare a stock  dividend or
other  distribution of property or securities  (excluding any cash dividends and
excluding  the five  percent  stock  dividend  that German  American  intends to
declare in late 1998) upon its shares of common stock or shall subdivide,  split
up,  reclassify or combine its shares of common stock,  and (ii) the record date
for such  transaction  is prior to the date on which the Effective  Time occurs,
appropriate  adjustment or  adjustments  will be made in the maximum and minimum
figures for the GA Common Value as set forth in Section 1.03(a)(i) above.

     (g) If any holders of 1ST BANCORP Common dissent from the Merger and demand
dissenters'  rights  under the IBCL,  any issued and  outstanding  shares of 1ST
BANCORP  Common  held by such  dissenting  holders  shall  not be  converted  as
described  in this  Section  1.03 but shall  from and after the  Effective  Time
represent only the right to receive such  consideration  as may be determined to
be due to such dissenting holders pursuant to the IBCL; provided,  however, that
each share of 1ST BANCORP Common outstanding  immediately prior to the Effective
Time and held by a  dissenting  holder  who  shall,  after the  Effective  Time,
withdraw  his or her demand for  dissenters'  rights or lose his or her right to
exercise  dissenters'  rights shall have only such rights as provided  under the
IBCL.

     Section 1.04. The Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall
take place at the  offices of Leagre  Chandler & Millard (or at such other place
as the parties may agree) at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time on the Closing Date
described in Section 1.06 of this Agreement.

     Section 1.05. Exchange Procedures; Surrender of Certificates.

     (a) The Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio, shall act as Exchange Agent in
the Merger (the "Exchange Agent").

     (b) As soon as reasonably practicable but in no event more than ten working
days after the  Effective  Time,  the  Exchange  Agent shall mail to each record
holder of any Certificate or  Certificates  whose shares were converted into the
right to receive the Merger Consideration,  a letter of transmittal (which shall
specify  that  delivery  shall be  effected,  and risk of loss and  title to the
Certificates  shall pass, only upon proper  delivery of the  Certificates to the
Exchange  Agent  and shall be in such form and have  such  other  provisions  as
German American may reasonably  specify) (each such letter the "Merger Letter of
Transmittal")  and  instructions  for  use in  effecting  the  surrender  of the
Certificates  in exchange for the Merger  Consideration.  As soon as  reasonably
practical  but in no event more than ten days after  surrender  to the  Exchange
Agent of a  Certificate,  together  with a Merger  Letter  of  Transmittal  duly
executed and any other required documents,  the Exchange Agent shall transmit to
the holder of such  Certificate  the Merger  Consideration.  No  interest on the

<PAGE>A-5

Merger  Consideration  issuable upon the surrender of the Certificates  shall be
paid or accrued for the benefit of holders of Certificates.

     With respect to any  certificate for shares of 1ST BANCORP Common which has
been lost, stolen or destroyed, German American shall be authorized to issue its
common stock (or to pay cash as to fractional shares) to the registered owner of
such  certificate  upon German  American's  receipt of an agreement to indemnify
German American against loss from such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate and
an affidavit of lost,  stolen or destroyed stock  certificate,  both in form and
substance  reasonably  satisfactory to German American,  and upon payment by the
1ST  BANCORP  shareholder  of a  reasonable  fee  for a  security  bond  from  a
recognized insurance company.

     (c) No dividends  that are otherwise  payable on shares of German  American
Common  constituting the Merger  Consideration shall be paid to persons entitled
to receive such shares of German  American  Common until such persons  surrender
their  Certificates.  Upon such surrender,  there shall be paid to the person in
whose name the shares of German  American  Common shall be issued any  dividends
which shall have become  payable with respect to such shares of German  American
Common (without interest and less the amount of taxes thereon, if any, which are
required  to be  withheld),  between  the  Effective  Time  and the time of such
surrender.

     Section 1.06.  The Closing  Date.  The Closing shall take place on the last
business  day of the month  during  which  each of the  conditions  in  Sections
6.01(d) and 6.02(d) is satisfied or waived by the appropriate  party, or on such
later or earlier date as 1ST BANCORP and German American may agree (the "Closing
Date").  The parties shall use their best efforts to cause the Effective Time of
the Merger to be as of the first business day of the calendar month that follows
the month in which the Closing occurs; provided, however, that in no event shall
the Effective Time be prior to January 4, 1999.

     Section 1.07. Actions At Closing.

     (a) At the Closing, 1ST BANCORP shall deliver to German American:

          (i) certified copies of (A) the Articles of  Incorporation  and Bylaws
     of 1ST  BANCORP,  as amended;  (B) the  Charter and Bylaws of the Bank,  as
     amended;  and (C) the Articles of  Incorporation  and Bylaws of each of the
     Subsidiaries;

          (ii) a  certificate  or  certificates  signed by the  chief  executive
     officer of 1ST BANCORP, to the best of his knowledge and belief,  after due
     inquiry,  that (A) each of the representations and warranties  contained in
     Article Two hereof is true and correct in all material respects at the time
     of the  Closing  with the same force and effect as if such  representations
     and warranties had been made at Closing, and (B) 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, and
     the  Subsidiaries  have  performed  and complied in all material  respects,
     unless waived by German  American,  with all of its respective  obligations
     and  agreements  required to be  performed  hereunder  prior to the Closing
     Date;

          (iii)  certified  copies of the  resolutions of 1ST BANCORP's Board of
     Directors and shareholders, approving and authorizing the execution of this
     Agreement and the Plan of Merger and  authorizing  the  consummation of the
     Merger;

          (iv) a certificate of the Indiana  Secretary of State,  dated a recent
     date, stating that 1ST BANCORP is duly organized and validly existing under
     the IBCL;

          (v) a certificate  of the OTS,  dated a recent date,  stating that the
     Bank is duly  organized and validly  existing  under the laws of the United
     States of America;

<PAGE>A-6

          (vi)  certificates of the Indiana  Secretary of State,  dated a recent
     date,  stating that each of the  Subsidiaries  is duly organized and exists
     under the IBCL; and

          (vii) the legal opinion of Barnes & Thornburg, counsel for 1ST BANCORP
     to the effect set forth as Exhibit 1.07(a)(vii).

     (b) At the Closing, German American shall deliver to 1ST BANCORP:

          (i) a  certificate  signed by the Chief  Executive  Officer  of German
     American  stating,  to the best of his  knowledge  and  belief,  after  due
     inquiry,  that (A) each of the representations and warranties  contained in
     Article  Three is true and correct in all material  respects at the time of
     the Closing with the same force and effect as if such  representations  and
     warranties  had been made at Closing and (B) German  American has performed
     and complied in all material  respects,  unless  waived by 1ST BANCORP with
     all of its  obligations and agreements  required to be performed  hereunder
     prior to the Closing Date;

          (ii) certified copies of the resolutions of German American's Board of
     Directors and (if required by the NASDAQ NMS listing standards or the IBCL)
     German American's shareholders  authorizing the execution of this Agreement
     and the Plan of Merger and the consummation of the Merger;

          (iii) a certificate of the Indiana Secretary of State,  dated a recent
     date,  stating that German American is duly organized and validly  existing
     under the IBCL; and

          (iv) the legal  opinion  of Leagre  Chandler &  Millard,  counsel  for
     German American, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.07(b)(iv).

     (c) At the Closing,  the parties shall insert the Exchange Ratio determined
in accordance  with Section 1.03 of this Agreement into the Plan of Merger,  and
shall execute  and/or  deliver to one another such Plan of Merger and such other
documents and  instruments  and take such other actions as shall be necessary or
appropriate to consummate the Merger.

                                   ARTICLE TWO
                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF 1ST BANCORP

     1ST BANCORP hereby makes the following representations and warranties:

     Section 2.01. Organization and Capital Stock.

     (a) 1ST BANCORP is a corporation  duly organized and validly existing under
the IBCL and has the corporate  power to own all of its property and assets,  to
incur  all of its  liabilities  and  to  carry  on  its  business  as now  being
conducted.

     (b) The Bank is a federal savings bank duly chartered and validly  existing
under the laws of the United  States of America and has the  corporate  power to
own all of its property and assets, to incur all of its liabilities and to carry
on its business as now being conducted.

     (c) 1ST BANCORP has authorized capital stock of 7,000,000 shares, 5,000,000
of which are 1ST BANCORP  Common,  $1.00 par value,  and  2,000,000 of which are
preferred capital stock,  $1.00 par value. At the date of this Agreement,  there
were  1,096,189  shares  of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  duly and  validly  issued  and

<PAGE>A-7

outstanding,  fully paid and  non-assessable  and no shares of  preferred  stock
issued and outstanding. None of the outstanding shares of 1ST BANCORP Common has
been  issued  in  violation  of any  preemptive  rights of the  current  or past
shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP or in violation of any applicable  federal or state
securities laws or regulations.

     (d) The Bank has  authorized  capital  stock of 5,000,000  shares of common
stock,  $1.00 par value, 1,000 of which shares are issued and outstanding ("Bank
Common") and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which are outstanding.
All of such shares of Bank Common are duly and  validly  issued and  outstanding
and are fully paid and  nonassessable.  None of the  outstanding  shares of Bank
Common has been issued in violation of any  preemptive  rights of the current or
past shareholders of the Bank or in violation of any applicable federal or state
securities laws or regulations.

     (e) FSSIC has authorized  capital stock of 1,000 shares of common stock, no
par  value,  one of which  is  issued  and  outstanding  and is  fully  paid and
nonassessable. None of the outstanding shares of FSSIC Common has been issued in
violation of any preemptive  rights of the current or past shareholders of FSSIC
or  in  violation  of  any  applicable  federal  or  state  securities  laws  or
regulations.

     (f) FFIAI has authorized  capital stock of 1,000 shares of common stock, no
par  value,  100 of which are  issued  and  outstanding  and are fully  paid and
nonassessable. None of the outstanding shares of FFIAI Common has been issued in
violation of any preemptive  rights of the current or past shareholders of FFIAI
or  in  violation  of  any  applicable  federal  or  state  securities  laws  or
regulations.

     (g) FTC has  authorized  capital stock of 1,000 shares of common stock,  no
par  value,  100 of which are  issued  and  outstanding  and are fully  paid and
nonassessable.  None of the outstanding  shares of FTC Common has been issued in
violation of any preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of FTC or
in violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws or regulations.

     (h) Except as otherwise  disclosed  with  particularity  in a  confidential
writing  delivered by 1ST BANCORP to German  American prior to execution of this
Agreement,  which  confidential  writing thereafter shall be executed by all the
parties  concurrently  with the  execution of this  Agreement  (the  "Disclosure
Schedule"),  there are no shares of capital stock or other equity  securities of
1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or the Subsidiaries authorized, issued or outstanding and
no  outstanding  options,  warrants,  rights to subscribe for,  calls,  puts, or
commitments  of any  character  whatsoever  relating to, or securities or rights
convertible  into or  exchangeable  for,  shares  of the  capital  stock  of 1ST
BANCORP,   the  Bank,   or  the   Subsidiaries,   or   contracts,   commitments,
understandings  or  arrangements  by  which  1ST  BANCORP,   the  Bank,  or  the
Subsidiaries are or may be obligated to issue  additional  shares of its capital
stock or options,  warrants  or rights to  purchase  or acquire  any  additional
shares of its capital stock.

     Section  2.02.  Authorization;  No Defaults.  The Board of Directors of 1ST
BANCORP,  by all appropriate  action,  has approved this Agreement,  the Plan of
Merger and the Merger and has authorized the execution of this Agreement and the
Plan of Merger on its behalf by its duly authorized officers and the performance
by 1ST  BANCORP  of its  obligations  hereunder.  Nothing  in  the  Articles  of
Incorporation or Bylaws of 1ST BANCORP,  as amended, or the Charter or Bylaws of
the Bank, as amended,  or the Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws of any of the
Subsidiaries,  as amended,  or in any material  agreement or instrument,  or any
decree,  proceeding, law or regulation (except as specifically referred to in or
contemplated by this Agreement) by or to which 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, or any of
the  Subsidiaries  is  bound  or  subject,   would  prohibit  1ST  BANCORP  from
consummating, or would be violated or breached by 1ST BANCORP's consummation of,
this Agreement and the Merger and other transactions  contemplated herein on the
terms and conditions herein contained.  This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by 1ST BANCORP and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of 1ST BANCORP,  enforceable  against 1ST BANCORP in accordance  with
its terms,  subject to the  provisions  of  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent
conveyance,   reorganization,   moratorium,   or  similar  laws   affecting  the
enforceability  of creditors'  rights  generally from time to time in effect and

<PAGE>A-8

equitable  principles relating to the granting of specific performance and other
equitable remedies as a matter of judicial discretion.  Neither 1ST BANCORP, the
Bank, nor any of the  Subsidiaries is, nor will be by reason of the consummation
of the  transactions  contemplated  herein,  in  material  default  under  or in
material  violation  of any  provision  of,  nor  will the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  herein  afford any party a right to  accelerate  any
indebtedness  under,  1ST  BANCORP's,  the Bank's,  or any of the  Subsidiaries'
articles of incorporation or bylaws, any material promissory note,  indenture or
other evidence of  indebtedness  or security  therefor,  or any material  lease,
contract,  or other  commitment  or agreement to which either 1ST BANCORP or the
Bank is a party or by which it or its property is bound.

     Section  2.03.  Subsidiaries.  Except  (i) as  otherwise  disclosed  in the
Disclosure  Schedule,  (ii) for the  ownership by 1ST BANCORP of all the capital
stock of the Bank and FFIAI and FTC and (iii) for the  ownership  by the Bank of
all of the capital  stock of FSSIC,  neither 1ST BANCORP nor the Bank nor any of
the  Subsidiaries  has (or has had at any time in the last ten years) any direct
or  indirect  ownership  interest  in  any  corporation,   partnership,  limited
liability company, joint venture or other business.

     Section 2.04. Financial Information.

     (a) 1ST BANCORP has  furnished  to German  American  its audited  financial
statements  of 1ST BANCORP for the years ended June 30, 1997,  1996 and 1995 and
all  subsequent  financial  statements  of 1ST  BANCORP  included as part of 1ST
BANCORP's  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Such financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally
accepted  accounting  principles applied on a consistent basis (except as may be
reflected in the notes thereto),  and fairly present the consolidated  financial
position and the  consolidated  results of operations,  changes in shareholders'
equity and cash flows of 1ST BANCORP in all material respects as of the date and
for the period indicated.

     (b) The Bank has furnished to German American its Thrift Financial  Reports
as filed with the OTS for the quarters  ended March 31, 1998,  and June 30, 1998
(the "TFR  Reports").  The TFR  Reports  were  prepared in  accordance  with the
applicable  regulatory  instructions  on a consistent  basis with  previous such
reports,  and fairly present the financial position and results of operations of
the Bank in all material respects as of the dates and for the periods indicated,
subject,  however, to normal recurring year-end adjustments,  none of which will
be material.

     (c) Each of the Subsidiaries has furnished to German American its financial
statements for the year-to-date  periods ended March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998.
Such  reports  were  prepared  in  accordance  with  any  applicable  regulatory
instructions  on a  consistent  basis with  previous  such  reports,  and fairly
present the financial  position and results of operations of the Subsidiaries in
all material  respects as of the dates and for the periods  indicated,  subject,
however,  to  normal  recurring  year-end  adjustments,  none of  which  will be
material.

     (d) Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither 1ST BANCORP,
the Bank, nor any one of the Subsidiaries,  has any material liability, fixed or
contingent,  except to the extent set forth in the financial  statements and the
TFR Reports  described  in  subsections  (a),  (b) and (c) of this  Section 2.04
(collectively,  the "1ST  BANCORP  Financial  Statements")  or  incurred  in the
ordinary  course of business  since the date of the most recent balance sheet of
1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or the Subsidiaries included in the 1ST BANCORP Financial
Statements.

<PAGE>A-9

     (e) Except as otherwise  provided in the Disclosure  Schedule,  1ST BANCORP
does not engage in the lending  business (except by and through the Bank) or any
other business or activity other than that which is incident to its ownership of
all the  capital  stock  of the  Bank or of  FFIAI  and FTC and does not own any
investment securities (except the capital stock of the Bank and FFIAI and FTC).

     Section 2.05.  Absence of Changes.  Since June 30, 1997,  and except to the
extent  reflected  in the TFR Reports,  there has not been any material  adverse
change in the financial condition,  the results of operations or the business of
1ST BANCORP or the Bank, taken as a whole. The making by the Bank after June 30,
1998,  of provisions  for the purpose of  increasing  its allowance for possible
loan losses not exceeding in the aggregate the amount  specified by Section 4.05
of this Agreement shall not be deemed a material  adverse change for purposes of
this Section 2.05.

     Section 2.06. Absence of Agreements with Banking  Authorities.  Neither 1ST
BANCORP nor the Bank is subject to any order  (other than orders  applicable  to
saving and loan holding  companies or savings banks  generally) and neither is a
party to any agreement or memorandum of understanding  with any federal or state
agency  charged with the  supervision  or  regulation of saving and loan holding
companies or savings banks, including without limitation, the OTS or the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC").

     Section 2.07. Tax Matters. 1ST BANCORP and the Bank have filed all federal,
state and local tax returns due in respect of any of their respective  business,
income and properties in a timely fashion and has paid or made provision for all
amounts  shown  due on  such  returns.  All  such  returns  fairly  reflect  the
information  required to be  presented  therein in all  material  respects.  All
provisions for accrued but unpaid taxes  contained in the 1ST BANCORP  Financial
Statements   were  made  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted   accounting
principles.

     Section 2.08. Absence of Litigation. There is no material litigation, claim
or other  proceeding  pending or, to the  knowledge of 1ST BANCORP,  threatened,
before any judicial,  administrative or regulatory agency or tribunal,  to which
1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or any one of the Subsidiaries is a party or to which any
of their  properties  are subject.  Set forth in Section 2.08 of the  Disclosure
Schedule is a listing of all litigation to which 1ST BANCORP is a named party.

     Section 2.09. Employment Matters.

     (a) Except as set forth in the  Disclosure  Schedule,  neither 1ST BANCORP,
the Bank, nor any one of the Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any material
contract arrangement or understanding (written or otherwise) for the employment,
retention  or  engagement  of any  past or  present  officer,  employee,  agent,
consultant or other person or entity which,  by its terms,  is not terminable by
1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or one of the Subsidiaries  respectively,  on thirty (30)
days' written notice or less without the payment of any amount by reason of such
termination.

     (b) 1ST BANCORP, the Bank and each of the Subsidiaries are and have been in
material   compliance  with  all  applicable  laws  respecting   employment  and
employment  practices,  terms and  conditions of employment and wages and hours,
including,   without   limitation,   any   such   laws   respecting   employment
discrimination and occupational safety and health requirements,  and (i) neither
1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, nor any one of the Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair
labor  practice;  (ii) there is no unfair labor practice  complaint  against 1ST
BANCORP,  the Bank, or any of the  Subsidiaries  pending or, to the knowledge of
1ST BANCORP,  threatened before the National Labor Relations Board;  (iii) there
is no labor dispute,  strike,  slowdown or stoppage  actually pending or, to the
knowledge of 1ST BANCORP,  threatened against or directly affecting 1ST BANCORP,
the Bank, or any of the  Subsidiaries;  and (iv) neither 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank,

<PAGE>A-10

nor any one of the  Subsidiaries  has  experienced any material work stoppage or
other material labor difficulty during the past five years.

     (c) Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Schedule,  neither the execution
nor  the  delivery  of  this  Agreement,  nor  the  consummation  of  any of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  will (i) result in any  payment  (including
without  limitation  severance,  unemployment  compensation or golden  parachute
payment)  becoming due to any director or employee of 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, or
any of the  Subsidiaries  from any of such  entities,  (ii) increase any benefit
otherwise  payable  under  any of their  employee  plans or (iii)  result in the
acceleration  of the time of payment  of any such  benefit.  No amounts  paid or
payable by 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, or any of the Subsidiaries to or with respect
to any  employee or former  employee  of 1ST  BANCORP,  the Bank,  or any of the
Subsidiaries  will fail to be  deductible  for  federal  income tax  purposes by
reason of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code")
or otherwise.

     Section 2.10. Reports. Since June 30, 1995, 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, and each
of the  Subsidiaries  have  filed all  reports,  notices  and other  statements,
together with any amendments  required to be made with respect thereto,  if any,
that they were required to file with (i) the Securities and Exchange  Commission
("SEC"), (ii) the OTS, (iii) the FDIC and (iv) any other governmental  authority
with jurisdiction over 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or any of the Subsidiaries.  As of
their  respective  dates,  each of such  reports and  documents,  including  the
financial statements,  exhibits and schedules thereto,  complied in all material
respects  with  the  relevant  statutes,   rules  and  regulations  enforced  or
promulgated by the regulatory authority with which they were filed.

     Section 2.11. Investment Portfolio.  All United States Treasury securities,
obligations  of  other  United  States  Government  agencies  and  corporations,
obligations of States and political  subdivisions of the United States and other
investment  securities  held by the Bank,  as reflected in the TFR Reports,  are
carried  on  the  books  of the  Bank  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles,  consistently  applied. The Bank from and after the date
hereof will not engage in  activities  that would  require  that it  establish a
trading account under applicable regulatory guidelines and interpretations.

     Section 2.12.  Loan Portfolio.  To the knowledge of 1ST BANCORP,  all loans
and  discounts  shown in the TFR Reports,  or which were entered into after June
30,  1998,  but before the Closing  Date,  were and will be made in all material
respects for good, valuable and adequate consideration in the ordinary course of
the business of the Bank, in accordance in all material respects with the Bank's
lending policies and practices unless otherwise  approved by the Bank's Board of
Directors,   and  are  not  subject  to  any  material  defenses,  set  offs  or
counterclaims, including without limitation any such as are afforded by usury or
truth in lending laws,  except as may be provided by  bankruptcy,  insolvency or
similar  laws or by  general  principles  of  equity.  To the  knowledge  of 1ST
BANCORP, the notes or other evidences of indebtedness  evidencing such loans and
all forms of pledges,  mortgages  and other  collateral  documents  and security
agreements are and will be, in all material respects,  enforceable,  valid, true
and genuine and what they purport to be. To the  knowledge  of 1ST BANCORP,  the
Bank has complied and will through the Closing Date  continue to comply with all
laws and regulations relating to such loans, or to the extent there has not been
such compliance,  such failure to comply will not materially  interfere with the
collection of any such loan. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, the
Bank has not sold, purchased or entered into any loan participation  arrangement
except  where  such  participation  is on a pro  rata  basis  according  to  the
respective  contributions of the participants to such loan amount. Except as set
forth  in the  Disclosure  Schedule,  1ST  BANCORP  has no  knowledge  that  any
condition of property in which the Bank has an interest as  collateral to secure
a loan or that is held as an asset of any trust violates the Environmental  Laws
(defined in Section 2.15) in any material  respect or obligates 1ST BANCORP,  or
the Bank,  or the owner or  operator  of such  property  to  remedy,  stabilize,
neutralize or otherwise alter the environmental condition of such property.

<PAGE>A-11
  
     Section 2.13. ERISA.

     (a) Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule,  no person participates
in any "employee  welfare  benefit plan" or "employee  pension benefit plan" (as
those terms are  respectively  defined in Sections 3(1) and 3(2) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA")), nor may any person reasonably
expect to participate in any such plan, in either case, on account of his or her
past or present  employment  with 1ST  BANCORP or the Bank.  1ST BANCORP and the
Bank do not maintain any  retirement  or deferred  compensation  plan,  savings,
incentive,  stock option or stock purchase plan, unemployment compensation plan,
vacation  pay,  severance  pay,  bonus  or  benefit  arrangement,  insurance  or
hospitalization  program or any other fringe benefit  arrangements  (referred to
collectively  hereinafter  as  "fringe  benefit  arrangements")  for any past or
present  employee,  consultant  or agent of 1ST  BANCORP  or the  Bank,  whether
pursuant to contract, arrangement, custom or informal understanding,  which does
not constitute an "employee benefit plan" (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA),
except as listed in the Disclosure Schedule.

     (b)  During the past sixty  months,  1ST  BANCORP  has not  maintained  any
employee  welfare  benefit  plans or employee  pension  benefit plans except for
plans listed on the Disclosure Schedule. There have been no amendments to any of
the employee  pension  benefit plans,  employee  welfare benefit plans or fringe
benefit  arrangements  listed on the  Disclosure  Schedule  since June 30, 1997,
except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule.

     (c) To the knowledge of 1ST BANCORP,  all employee  pension  benefit plans,
employee  welfare  benefit plans and fringe benefit  arrangements  listed on the
Disclosure  Schedule  comply in form and in operation  in all material  respects
with all applicable requirements of law and regulation.  To the knowledge of 1ST
BANCORP,  all employee  pension benefit plans  maintained by 1ST BANCORP and the
Bank comply in form and in operation with all applicable requirements of Section
401(a)  and,  to the  extent  applicable,  Section  401(k) of the  Code.  To the
knowledge  of 1ST  BANCORP,  except as  disclosed  in the  Disclosure  Schedule,
neither 1ST BANCORP nor the Bank has (i)  incurred any  liability  for tax under
Section 4971 of the Code on account of any accumulated funding deficiency and no
plan  or  arrangement  listed  in  the  Disclosure  Schedule  has  incurred  any
accumulated  funding  deficiency  within the meaning of Section 412 or 418(B) of
the Code;  (ii)  applied  for or  obtained  a waiver  by the IRS of any  minimum
funding  requirement  under Section 412 of the Code; (iii) become subject to any
disallowance  of  deductions  under  Sections  419 or 419(A)  of the Code;  (iv)
incurred any liability for excise tax under Sections 4972,  4975, or 4976 of the
Code or any liability under Section 406 of ERISA;  (v) incurred any liability to
the Pension Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation;  (vi) had a reportable event (within
the  meaning  of  Section  4043 of  ERISA)  for which  notice  is not  waived by
applicable regulations; or (vii) breached any of the duties or failed to perform
any of the obligations imposed upon the fiduciaries or plan administrators under
Title I or ERISA.

     (d) A true and correct copy of each of the plans and arrangements listed on
the Disclosure Schedule as in effect on the date hereof and each trust agreement
relating  to each  such  plan and  arrangement,  has  been  supplied  to  German
American.  A true and correct copy of the annual report (as described in Section
103 of  ERISA)  most  recently  filed for each  plan  listed  in the  Disclosure
Schedule has been supplied to German  American,  and there have been no material
changes in the financial  condition in the respective  plans from that stated in
the annual reports supplied. In the case of any plan or arrangement which is not
in written form, the  Disclosure  Schedule  includes an accurate  description of
such plan or  arrangement.  1ST  BANCORP  and the Bank have  provided  to German
American a description  of any liability or  contingent  liability  which may be
incurred  by 1ST  BANCORP or the Bank if any plan or  arrangement  listed on the
Disclosure  Schedule  (including  without  limitation the payment by the Bank of
premiums  for health  care  coverage  for active  employees  or  retirees)  were
terminated or if 1ST BANCORP or the Bank was to cease its participation therein.
To the best of the knowledge of the present non-employee members of the Board of
Directors of 1ST BANCORP and of the Bank (without any independent  review of the
books  and  records  of 1ST  BANCORP  and the Bank or the  making  of any  other

<PAGE>A-12

independent  inquiry),  and to the best of the knowledge of the President of the
Bank  (after  review  of the  books  and  records  of the Bank but  without  the
obligation to make any further independent inquiry), neither 1ST BANCORP nor the
Bank nor any of their affiliates or persons acting on their behalf have made any
written or oral  promises or  statements  to  employees  or retirees who are now
living  which  might  reasonably  have  been  construed  by  them  as  promising
"lifetime"  or other  vested  rights to benefits  under any plan or  arrangement
(other than any employee pension plan disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule) that
cannot be  unilaterally  terminated  or  modified  by the Bank or 1ST BANCORP at
their discretion at any time without further obligation.

     (e) Except as disclosed  in the  Disclosure  Schedule,  in the case of each
plan or arrangement listed in the Disclosure Schedule which is a defined benefit
plan (within the meaning of Section  3(35) of ERISA),  the net fair market value
of the  assets  held to fund such plan or  arrangement  equals  or  exceeds  the
present value of all accrued benefits thereunder,  both vested and nonvested, on
a plan  continuation  basis and as determined  in  accordance  with an actuarial
costs method acceptable under Section 3(31) of ERISA.

     (f) On a timely basis, 1ST BANCORP and the Bank have made all contributions
or  payments  to or under  each plan or  arrangement  listed  in the  Disclosure
Schedule  as  required  pursuant  to  each  such  plan or  arrangemen  or in the
alternative  have made sufficient  provision for reserves to meet  contributions
and payments under such plans or  arrangements  which have not been made because
they are not yet due.

     (g) Except as otherwise  provided in the Disclosure  Schedule,  none of the
plans or  arrangements  listed  in the  Disclosure  Schedule  owns (or has owned
within the past 60 months) any 1ST  BANCORP  Common or other  securities  of 1ST
BANCORP, the Bank or a related entity.

     Section 2.14. Title to Properties;  Insurance.  1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, and
the Subsidiaries  have marketable  title,  insurable at standard rates, free and
clear of all liens,  charges and encumbrances (except taxes which are a lien but
not yet payable and liens, charges or encumbrances  reflected in the 1ST BANCORP
Financial Statements and easements,  rights-of-way, and other restrictions which
are not  material  and,  in the case of other real  estate  owned,  as such real
estate is internally  classified on the books of the Bank,  rights of redemption
under  applicable  law) to all  real  properties  reflected  on the 1ST  BANCORP
Financial   Statements  as  being  owned  by  1ST  BANCORP,  the  Bank,  or  the
Subsidiaries,  respectively.  All  material  leasehold  interests  used  by  1ST
BANCORP, the Bank, and the Subsidiaries in their respective  operations are held
pursuant to lease  agreements which are valid and enforceable in accordance with
their terms,  subject to the  provisions of bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent
conveyance,   reorganization,   moratorium,   or  similar  laws   affecting  the
enforceability  of creditors'  rights  generally from time to time in effect and
equitable  principles relating to the granting of specific performance and other
equitable  remedies as a matter of judicial  discretion.  Except as set forth in
the Disclosure  Schedule,  all such properties  comply in all material  respects
with  all  applicable  private   agreements,   zoning   requirements  and  other
governmental laws and regulations relating thereto and there are no condemnation
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of 1ST BANCORP, threatened with respect
to such properties. 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, and the Subsidiaries have valid title
or other  ownership  or use rights  under  licenses to all  material  intangible
personal  or  intellectual  property  used by 1ST  BANCORP,  the  Bank,  and the
Subsidiaries in their respective  business free and clear of any claim,  defense
or right of any other  person  or entity  which is  material  to such  property,
subject  only  to  rights  of  the  licensor  pursuant  to  applicable   license
agreements,  which rights do not materially  adversely interfere with the use or
enjoyment  of such  property.  All  insurable  properties  owned  or held by 1ST
BANCORP,  the Bank, or the Subsidiaries are insured in such amounts, and against
fire and other risks insured against by extended  coverage and public  liability
insurance,  as is  customary  with  companies  of the same  size and in the same
business.

<PAGE>A-13

     Section 2.15. Environmental Matters.

     (a) As used in this Agreement,  "Environmental Laws" means all local, state
and  federal  environmental,  health  and  safety  laws and  regulations  in all
jurisdictions in which 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or any one of the Subsidiaries has
done business or owned  property,  including,  without  limitation,  the Federal
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Comprehensive  Environmental
Response,  Compensation  and  Liability  Act,  the Federal  Clean Water Act, the
Federal Clean Air Act, and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.

     (b) Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of 1ST
BANCORP, the Bank, or the Subsidiaries,  neither (i) the conduct by 1ST BANCORP,
the Bank,  and the  Subsidiaries  of operations  at any  property,  nor (ii) any
condition of any property  owned by 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, or the  Subsidiaries
within the past ten (10) years and used in its  business  operations,  nor (iii)
the  condition of any property  owned by them within the past ten (10) years but
not used in their  business  operations,  nor (iv) the condition of any property
held by them as a trust  asset  within  the  past ten (10)  years,  violates  or
violated  Environmental Laws in any material respect,  and no condition or event
has occurred with respect to any such property that,  with notice or the passage
of time, or both, would constitute a material violation of Environmental Laws or
obligate (or potentially obligate) 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or the Subsidiaries to
remedy, stabilize,  neutralize or otherwise alter the environmental condition of
any  such  property.  Neither  1ST  BANCORP,  the  Bank,  nor  any  one  of  the
Subsidiaries has received any notice from any person or entity that 1ST BANCORP,
the Bank, or the Subsidiaries or the operation of any facilities or any property
owned by any of them, or held as a trust asset,  are or were in violation of any
Environmental  Laws or that  any one of  them  is  responsible  (or  potentially
responsible)  for the cleanup of any pollutants,  contaminants,  or hazardous or
toxic wastes, substances or materials at, on or beneath any such property.

     Section 2.16.  Compliance with Law. 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, and each of the
Subsidiaries  have  all  material  licenses,   franchises,   permits  and  other
governmental  authorizations  that are legally  required to enable it to conduct
their respective businesses as presently conducted and, to their knowledge,  are
in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations,
the violation of which would be material.

     Section 2.17.  Brokerage.  Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Schedule,
there are no claims,  agreements,  arrangements,  or understandings  (written or
otherwise) for brokerage  commissions,  finders' fees or similar compensation in
connection  with the Merger  payable  by 1ST  BANCORP,  the Bank,  or any of the
Subsidiaries.

     Section 2.18.  Material  Contracts.  Except as set forth in the  Disclosure
Schedule,  neither 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, nor any one of the  Subsidiaries is a
party to or bound by any oral or written  (i)  material  agreement,  contract or
indenture  under  which it has  borrowed  or will  borrow  money (not  including
federal funds and money deposited,  including without  limitation,  checking and
savings  accounts,  certificates  of deposit,  money  market  accounts and other
deposit accounts and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") and the
FRB);  (ii) material  guaranty of any  obligation  for the borrowing of money or
otherwise, excluding endorsements made for collection and guarantees made in the
ordinary  course of business and letters of credit issued in the ordinary course
of business;  (iii) contract,  arrangement or understanding  with any present or
former officer,  director or shareholder  (except for deposit or loan agreements
entered into in the ordinary course of business); (iv) material license, whether
as  licensor  or  licensee;  (v)  contract  or  commitment  for the  purchase of
materials,  supplies or other real or personal  property in an individual amount
in excess of $10,000 or for the  performance  of services  over a period of more
than thirty days and involving an individual  amount in excess of $25,000;  (vi)
joint  venture  or  partnership   agreement  or   arrangement;   (vii)  contract
arrangement or  understanding  with any present or former  consultant,  advisor,

<PAGE>A-14

investment banker, broker, attorney or accountant; or (viii) contract, agreement
or other commitment not made in the ordinary course of business.

     Section 2.19.  Compliance with Americans with  Disabilities Act. (a) To the
best of 1ST BANCORP's  knowledge,  1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, and the Subsidiaries,
and  their  respective  properties  (including  those  held  by any of them in a
fiduciary capacity) are in material compliance with all applicable provisions of
the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA"), and (b) no action under the ADA
against 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, the  Subsidiaries,  or any of its properties has
been initiated nor, to the best of 1ST BANCORP's knowledge,  has been threatened
or contemplated.

     Section 2.20. Statements True and Correct. None of the information supplied
or to be supplied by 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or the Subsidiaries for inclusion in
any  documents  to be filed  with  the SEC,  the OTS,  the  FDIC,  or any  other
regulatory  authority in  connection  with the Merger  will,  to the best of the
knowledge of 1ST BANCORP at the respective  times such  documents are filed,  be
false or  misleading  with  respect  to any  material  fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.

     Section 2.21. 1ST BANCORP's Knowledge.  With respect to representations and
warranties  herein that are made or qualified as being made "to the knowledge of
1ST  BANCORP"  or words of similar  import,  it is  understood  and agreed  that
matters within the knowledge of the directors and the executive  officers of 1ST
BANCORP,  of the Bank and of each of the Subsidiaries  shall be considered to be
within the knowledge of 1ST BANCORP.

                                  ARTICLE THREE
                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GERMAN AMERICAN

     German American hereby makes the following representations and warranties:

     Section 3.01. Organization and Capital Stock.

     (a) German American is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing
under  the  IBCL and has the  corporate  power  to own all of its  property  and
assets,  to incur all of its  liabilities  and to carry on its  business  as now
being conducted.

     (b) German American has authorized  capital stock of (i) 20,000,000  shares
of German American Common, of which, as of the date of this Agreement, 6,346,039
shares are issued and  outstanding  (not  including an additional  approximately
317,302 shares that will be issued and delivered in December  1998,  pursuant to
German American's  annual five percent stock dividend),  and (ii) 500,000 shares
of preferred  stock,  no par value per share,  of which no shares are issued and
outstanding.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of German American Common
are duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable.

     (c) The  shares  of  German  American  Common  that are to be issued to the
shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP  pursuant  to the Merger have been duly  authorized
and, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly
issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable.

     Section 3.02. Authorization. The Board of Directors of German American has,
by all appropriate action,  approved this Agreement,  the Plan of Merger and the
Merger and authorized the execution  hereof on its behalf by its duly authorized
officers  and its  performance  of its  obligations  hereunder.  Nothing  in the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of German American, as amended, or any other

<PAGE>A-15

agreement, instrument, decree, proceeding law or regulation (except for the need
for approval of the issuance of additional  shares pursuant to the Merger by the
shareholders  of  German  American  under the  National  Market  System  listing
standards of NASDAQ or the IBCL,  and except as  specifically  referred to in or
contemplated by this Agreement) by or to which it or any of its  subsidiaries is
bound  or  subject  would  prohibit  German  American  from  entering  into  and
consummating  this Agreement and the Merger on the terms and  conditions  herein
contained.  This  Agreement has been duly and validly  executed and delivered by
German American and constitutes a legal,  valid and binding obligation of German
American enforceable against German American in accordance with its terms and no
other  corporate acts or  proceedings  are required by law to be taken by German
American to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
Except  for any  requisite  approvals  of the FRB and OTS,  and the SEC's  order
declaring   effective  German  American's   registration   statement  under  the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended  ("Securities  Act")  with  respect to the
Merger, and applicable state securities law filings and approvals, no notice to,
filing with,  authorization  by, or consent or approval of, any federal or state
regulatory  authority  is  necessary  for the  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement or the consummation of the Merger by German American.  German American
is not, nor will by reason of the consummation of the transactions  contemplated
herein be, in material default under or material  violation of any provision of,
nor will the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  herein afford any
party a right to accelerate any indebtedness  under,  German American's articles
of incorporation  or bylaws,  any material  promissory note,  indenture or other
evidence of indebtedness of security thereof, or any material lease, contract or
other  commitment  or  agreement  to which  German  American is a party or other
commitment or agreement to which it is a party or by which it or its property is
bound.

     Section 3.03. Subsidiaries.  Each of German American's subsidiaries is duly
organized  and  validly  existing  under  the  laws of the  jurisdiction  of its
incorporation  and has the corporate power to own its respective  properties and
assets,  to incur  its  respective  liabilities  and to carry on its  respective
business as now being conducted.

     Section 3.04.  Financial  Information.  The  consolidated  balance sheet of
German  American  and its  subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1997 and  related
consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in  shareholders'  equity and cash
flows for the year then  ended  together  with the notes  thereto,  included  in
German  American's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC
(the "10-K"),  and the unaudited  consolidated balance sheets of German American
and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 and the related unaudited consolidated
statements  of income,  changes in  shareholders'  equity and cash flows for the
periods then ended included in German American's  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 as filed with the SEC (the "10-Q  Reports")
(collectively  the financial  statements and notes thereto  included in the 10-Q
Reports and the 10-K are sometimes referred to as the "German American Financial
Statements"),   have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted
accounting  principles  applied  on a  consistent  basis  (except  as  disclosed
therein)  and  fairly  present  the  consolidated  financial  position  and  the
consolidated  results of operations,  changes in  shareholders'  equity and cash
flows of German American and its  consolidated  subsidiaries as of the dates and
for the periods indicated (subject, in the case of interim financial statements,
to normal recurring year-end adjustments, none of which will be material).

     Section 3.05.  Absence of Changes.  Since  December 31, 1997 (and except to
the  extent  reflected  in the 10-Q  Reports),  there has not been any  material
adverse  change in the  consolidated  financial  condition  or the  consolidated
results of operations or the business of German  American and its  subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

     Section  3.06.  Reports.  Since  January  1,  1995  (or,  in  the  case  of
subsidiaries  of German  American,  the date of  acquisition  thereof  by German
American, if later), German American and each of its subsidiaries have filed all
reports, notices and other statements,  together with any amendments required to
be made with  respect  thereto,  that it was  required to file with (i) the SEC,
(ii) the FRB, (iii) the FDIC, (iv) the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

<PAGE>A-16

("OCC"), (v) the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions ("IDFI"), (vi) any
applicable  state  securities  or  banking  authorities,  and  (vii)  any  other
governmental  authority  with  jurisdiction  over German  American or any of its
subsidiaries.  As of their respective dates, each of such reports and documents,
as amended, including the financial statements,  exhibits and schedules thereto,
complied  in all  material  respects  with  the  relevant  statutes,  rules  and
regulations  enforced or promulgated by the regulatory authority with which they
were filed.  None of the information  included in such reports or documents was,
at their  respective  dates of filing,  false or misleading  with respect to any
material  fact, or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements  therein not  misleading,  on a consolidated  basis,  taking into
account the  circumstances  under which such reports or documents were filed and
considering the total mix of information that was at the time publicly available
concerning German American and its subsidiaries.

     Section 3.07. Absence of Litigation. There is no material litigation, claim
or other proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of German American, threatened,
before any judicial,  administrative  or regulatory  agency or tribunal  against
German American or any of its  subsidiaries,  or to which the property of German
American  or any  of its  subsidiaries  is  subject,  which  is  required  to be
disclosed  in SEC reports  under Item 103 of  Regulation  S-K, and which has not
been so disclosed.

     Section  3.08.  Absence of  Agreements  with Banking  Authorities.  Neither
German American nor any of its  subsidiaries is subject to any order (other than
orders applicable to bank holding companies or banks generally) or is a party to
any agreement or memorandum  of  understanding  with any federal or state agency
charged with the  supervision or regulation of banks or bank holding  companies,
including without limitation the FDIC, the OCC, the IDFI, and the FRB.

     Section 3.09.  Compliance with Law.  German  American and its  subsidiaries
have  all  material  licenses,   franchises,   permits  and  other  governmental
authorizations  that are  legally  required  to  enable  them to  conduct  their
respective  businesses as presently  conducted and are, and all times while this
Agreement is in effect shall be, in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable  laws and  regulations,  including,  without  limitation,  all rules,
regulations  and  requirements  of the SEC,  the  violation  of  which  would be
material.

     Section 3.10. Environmental Matters.

     (a) As used in this Agreement,  "Environmental Laws" means all local, state
and  federal  environmental,  health  and  safety  laws and  regulations  in all
jurisdictions  in which  German  American  or any of its  subsidiaries  has done
business or owned property,  including, without limitation, the Federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation  and Liability  Act, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean
Air Act, and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.

     (b) Except as  previously  disclosed to 1ST BANCORP  regarding  the banking
offices at 9th and Main  Streets,  Petersburg,  Indiana  and 231 West  Broadway,
Princeton,  Indiana,  to  the  knowledge  of  German  American  or  any  of  its
subsidiaries,  neither  (i)  the  conduct  by  German  American  or  any  of its
subsidiaries  of  operations  at any  property,  nor (ii) any  condition  of any
property owned by German American or any of its subsidiaries within the past ten
(10) years and used in its business  operations,  nor (iii) the condition of any
property  owned by them  within  the past ten (10)  years  but not used in their
business  operations,  nor (iv) the  condition of any property held by them as a
trust asset within the past ten (10) years,  violates or violated  Environmental
Laws in any  material  respect,  and no  condition  or event has  occurred  with
respect to any such property that,  with notice or the passage of time, or both,
would  constitute  a material  violation of  Environmental  Laws or obligate (or
potentially  obligate)  German  American or any of its  subsidiaries  to remedy,

<PAGE>A-17

stabilize, neutralize or otherwise alter the environmental condition of any such
property.  Neither German American or any of its  subsidiaries  has received any
notice from any person or entity that German American or any of its subsidiaries
or the operation of any facilities or any property owned by any of them, or held
as a trust asset, are or were in violation of any Environmental Laws or that any
one of them is responsible (or potentially  responsible)  for the cleanup of any
pollutants,  contaminants, or hazardous or toxic wastes, substances or materials
at, on or beneath any such property.

     Section 3.11. Statements True and Correct. None of the information supplied
or to be supplied by German American or any of its subsidiaries for inclusion in
any  documents  to be filed  with  the SEC,  the OTS,  the  FDIC,  or any  other
regulatory  authority in  connection  with the Merger  will,  to the best of the
knowledge of German  American at the respective  times such documents are filed,
be false or  misleading  with respect to any material  fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.

     Section 3.12. German American's Knowledge.  With respect to representations
and warranties herein that are made or qualified as being made "to the knowledge
of German American" or words of similar import, it is understood and agreed that
matters  within the knowledge of the  directors  and the  executive  officers of
German  American  shall be  considered  to be  within  the  knowledge  of German
American.


                                  ARTICLE FOUR
                            COVENANTS OF 1ST BANCORP


     The parties hereto agree that the covenants  contained in this Article Four
shall be  effective  from the date hereof  through the earlier of the  Effective
Time or the termination of this Agreement.

     Section 4.01. Conduct of Business.

     (a) 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, and the Subsidiaries shall continue to carry on
their  respective  businesses,  and shall  discharge  or incur  obligations  and
liabilities,  only in the ordinary  course of business as  heretofore  conducted
and, by way of amplification and not limitation with respect to such obligation,
neither 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank nor any one of the Subsidiaries will, without the
prior written consent of German American:

          (i)  declare or pay any  dividend  or make any other  distribution  to
     shareholders,  whether in cash, stock or other property, except as provided
     in Section 4.09 of this Agreement; or

          (ii)  issue (or  agree to issue)  any  common or other  capital  stock
     (other  than  common  stock for an  aggregate  of 25,200  shares  issued to
     directors or  employees  of 1ST BANCORP upon the exercise of stock  options
     issued and outstanding prior to the execution of the Letter of Intent dated
     June 15, 1998 between  German  American and 1ST  BANCORP),  or any options,
     warrants or any other  rights to  subscribe  for or purchase  common or any
     other capital stock or any securities  convertible into or exchangeable for
     any capital stock; or

          (iii) directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire (or
     agree to redeem,  purchase  or  acquire)  (except  for shares  acquired  in
     satisfaction  of a debt  previously  contracted) any of their own common or
     any other capital stock; or

<PAGE>A-18

          (iv) effect a split, reverse split, reclassification, or other similar
     change in, or of, any common or other capital stock or otherwise reorganize
     or recapitalize; or

          (v) change the Articles of  Incorporation  or Bylaws of 1ST BANCORP or
     the Charter or Bylaws of the Bank; or

          (vi) pay or agree to pay, conditionally or otherwise,  any bonus other
     than bonuses  that were  accrued as of June 30,  1998,  for the fiscal year
     ended June 30, 1998,  in the  aggregate  amount of $278,000 and bonuses for
     the six month period ended  December  31,  1998,  equal to $124,500  (which
     amount  approximates  50  percent  of the  average  of the total  amount of
     bonuses paid in each of the prior two fiscal years); or

          (vii)  pay or agree to pay,  conditionally  or  otherwise,  additional
     compensation  (other than ordinary and normal salary  increases  consistent
     with past practices) or severance benefit or otherwise make any changes out
     of the ordinary course of business with respect to the fees or compensation
     payable or to become payable to consultants,  advisors, investment bankers,
     brokers,  attorneys,  accountants,  directors,  officers or  employees  or,
     except as  required by law or this  Agreement,  adopt or make any change in
     any Employee Plan or other  arrangement or payment made to, for or with any
     of such consultants,  advisors,  investment  bankers,  brokers,  attorneys,
     accountants,  directors, officers or employees; provided, however, that 1ST
     BANCORP and the Bank may pay the fees,  expenses and other  compensation of
     consultants,   advisors,   investment  bankers,   brokers,   attorneys  and
     accountants disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule when, if, and as earned by
     them; or

          (viii)  borrow or agree to borrow any material  amount of funds except
     in the ordinary course of business,  or directly or indirectly guarantee or
     agree to  guarantee  any  material  obligations  of  others  except  in the
     ordinary  course of business or pursuant to outstanding  letters of credit;
     or

          (ix) make or  commit  to make (or  renew or  commit to renew)  any new
     loan,  or issue or commit  to issue  (or renew or commit to renew)  any new
     letter  of  credit  or line of  credit,  or make (or  commit  to make)  any
     additional  discretionary  advance  (not  including  any  advance  for  the
     purposes and in the amount already  committed) under any existing letter of
     credit or line of credit,  or purchase or agree to purchase any interest in
     a loan  participation,  in  aggregate  principal  amounts  (A) in excess of
     $300,000 to any one borrower (or group of affiliated borrowers) or (B) that
     would cause the Bank's credit extensions or commitments to any one borrower
     (or group of affiliated  borrowers) to exceed $500,000  (German  American's
     consent to credit extensions in the ordinary course of business will not be
     unreasonably withheld); or

          (x) other than U.S.  Treasury  obligations or asset-backed  securities
     issued or guaranteed by United  States  governmental  agencies or financial
     institution  certificates  of deposit  insured by the FDIC,  in either case
     having  an  average  remaining  life of five  years  or less  (except  that
     maturities may extend to seven years on variable-rate securities), purchase
     or otherwise  acquire any  investment  security for their own accounts,  or
     sell any investment security owned by either of them which is designated as
     held-to-maturity,  or  engage  in  any  activity  that  would  require  the
     establishment of a trading account for investment securities; or

          (xi) increase or decrease the rate of interest paid on time  deposits,
     or on certificates of deposit,  except in a manner and pursuant to policies
     consistent with past practices; or

          (xii) enter into or amend any agreement, contract or commitment out of
     the ordinary course of business; or

<PAGE>A-19

          (xiii)  except in the  ordinary  course of  business,  place on any of
     their assets or properties any mortgage,  pledge,  lien,  charge,  or other
     encumbrance; or

          (xiv) except in the  ordinary  course of  business,  cancel,  release,
     compromise or accelerate  any material  indebtedness  owing to 1ST BANCORP,
     the Bank,  or the  Subsidiaries,  or any  claims  which  either of them may
     possess, or voluntarily waive any material rights with respect thereto; or

          (xv) sell or  otherwise  dispose of any real  property or any material
     amount  of  any  personal  property  other  than  properties   acquired  in
     foreclosure   or  otherwise  in  the  ordinary   course  of  collection  of
     indebtedness to 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or the Subsidiaries; or

          (xvi)  foreclose  upon or  otherwise  take title to or  possession  or
     control  of  any  real  property   without  first  obtaining  a  phase  one
     environmental  report thereon,  prepared by a reliable and qualified person
     or firm reasonably acceptable to German American,  which indicates that the
     property is free of  pollutants,  contaminants  or hazardous or toxic waste
     materials;  provided,  however, that neither 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, nor any
     one of the  Subsidiaries  shall be  required  to obtain  such a report with
     respect to single  family,  non-agricultural  residential  property of five
     acres or less to be  foreclosed  upon unless it has reason to believe  that
     such  property  might  contain  such   materials  or  otherwise   might  be
     contaminated; or

          (xvii)  commit  any  act or  fail to do any  act  which  will  cause a
     material breach of any material agreement,  contract or commitment to which
     it is a party; or

          (xviii) violate any law,  statute,  rule,  governmental  regulation or
     order,  which  violation  could  reasonably  be expected to have a material
     adverse effect on its business, financial condition, or earnings; or

          (xix) purchase any real or personal property or make any other capital
     expenditure  where the amount  paid or  committed  therefor is in excess of
     $10,000 other than (a) purchases of property made in the ordinary course of
     business or (b) purchases  made or costs  incurred in connection  with loan
     collection  activities or foreclosure  sales in connection  with any of 1ST
     BANCORP's,  the Bank's, or any one of the Subsidiaries'  loans, without the
     consent  of  German  American,  which  consent  shall  not be  unreasonably
     withheld; or

          (xx) issue  certificate(s) for shares of 1ST BANCORP Common to any 1ST
     BANCORP  shareholder in replacement of certificate(s)  claimed to have been
     lost or destroyed without first obtaining from such shareholder(s),  at the
     expense of such shareholder(s),  reasonable payments for a surety bond from
     a  recognized  insurance  company  in an amount  that would  indemnify  1ST
     BANCORP (and its successors)  against lost  certificate(s)  and obtaining a
     usual and  customary  affidavit of loss and indemnity  agreement  from such
     shareholder(s);  provided,  however,  that 1ST BANCORP may waive the surety
     bond   requirement   in  connection   with  the  issuance  of   replacement
     certificates  to any  shareholder  if the  number of shares of 1ST  BANCORP
     Common so reissued (together with the number of shares previously  reissued
     since January 1, 1997, to such  shareholder and all other  shareholders who
     are affiliated or associated with such shareholder) has an aggregate market
     value of $2,500 or less; or

          (xxi) hold a special,  regular or annual  meeting  (or take  action by
     consent in lieu thereof) of the Board of Directors or the sole  shareholder
     of the Bank or of any one of the Subsidiaries for the purpose of appointing
     or electing any new member to the Board of Directors of the Bank or any one
     of the  Subsidiaries  (whether to fill a vacancy or otherwise)  unless such
     new member is approved in advance in writing by German American.

<PAGE>A-20

     (b) 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, and the  Subsidiaries  shall take all necessary
action to ensure that all bonus  arrangements  of 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, or the
Subsidiaries,  including all arrangements  pursuant to the Management  Incentive
Award Plan for the fiscal  year ended June 30,  1998,  and the six months  ended
December 31, 1998, have been paid and terminated prior to the Closing Date.

     (c) Neither 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, nor any one of the Subsidiaries  shall,
without the prior written consent of German American,  engage in any transaction
or take any other action that would render untrue in any material respect any of
the  representations  and  warranties  of 1ST BANCORP  contained  in Article Two
hereof if such  representations and warranties were given as of the date of such
transaction or action.

     (d) 1ST BANCORP shall  promptly  notify  German  American in writing of the
occurrence  of any matter or event known to 1ST BANCORP that is, or is likely to
become, materially adverse to the business,  operations,  properties,  assets or
condition (financial or otherwise) of 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or the Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.

     (e) Neither 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, nor any of the  Subsidiaries  shall (a)
directly or indirectly  solicit or encourage (nor shall they permit any of their
respective  officers,  directors,  employees or agents directly or indirectly to
solicit or encourage), including by way of furnishing information other than the
terms of this  Agreement,  any  inquiries or proposals  from third parties for a
Merger,  consolidation,  share  exchange or similar  transaction  involving  1ST
BANCORP,  the Bank, or the  Subsidiaries  or for the acquisition of the stock or
substantially  all of the assets or business of 1ST  BANCORP,  the Bank,  or the
Subsidiaries,  or (b) subject to the  fiduciary  duties of the  Directors of 1ST
BANCORP as advised by counsel in a written  opinion,  discuss with or enter into
conversations with any person concerning any such Merger,  consolidation,  share
exchange,  acquisition or other  transaction.  1ST BANCORP shall promptly notify
German  American  orally (to be  confirmed  in  writing  as soon as  practicable
thereafter) of all of the relevant details concerning any inquiries or proposals
that it may receive relating to any such matters,  including  actions it intends
to take with respect to such matters.

     Section 4.02. Breaches. 1ST BANCORP shall, in the event it has knowledge of
the  occurrence  of any event or  condition  which would cause or  constitute  a
breach (or would have caused or  constituted a breach had such event occurred or
been known prior to the date of this Agreement) of any of its representations or
agreements  contained  or referred  to in this  Agreement,  give  prompt  notice
thereof to German  American  and use its best  efforts  to  prevent or  promptly
remedy the same.

     Section  4.03.  Submission to  Shareholders.  1ST BANCORP shall cause to be
duly called and held,  on a date  mutually  selected by German  American and 1ST
BANCORP,  an annual or special  meeting of its  shareholders  (the "1ST  BANCORP
Shareholders'  Meeting")  for  submission  of this  Agreement and the Merger for
approval of 1ST BANCORP shareholders as required by the IBCL. In connection with
the 1ST BANCORP Shareholders'  Meeting, (i) 1ST BANCORP shall cooperate with and
assist  German  American  in  preparing  and  filing  a  registration  statement
containing a Prospectus/Proxy Statement (the "Prospectus/Proxy  Statement") with
the SEC in accordance with SEC requirements and 1ST BANCORP shall mail it to its
shareholders,  (ii) 1ST BANCORP shall furnish  German  American all  information
concerning itself that German American may reasonably request in connection with
such Prospectus/Proxy Statement, and (iii) the Board of Directors of 1ST BANCORP
shall (unless a written opinion of independent  counsel for 1ST BANCORP relating
to the  fiduciary  duties  of the  Board of  Directors  advises  against  such a
recommendation,  in which event the individual members of the Board of Directors
shall nevertheless remain personally  obligated to support the Agreement and the
Merger  pursuant to their  personal  undertakings  on the signature page of this
Agreement)  unanimously recommend to 1ST BANCORP's  shareholders the approval of
this Agreement and the Merger contemplated hereby.

<PAGE>A-21

     Section 4.04.  Consummation  of  Agreement.  1ST BANCORP shall use its best
efforts to perform and fulfill all conditions and  obligations on its part to be
performed  or  fulfilled  under  this  Agreement  and to  effect  the  Merger in
accordance  with the terms and provisions  hereof.  1ST BANCORP shall furnish to
German  American in a timely manner all  information,  data and documents in the
possession  of 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, or the  Subsidiaries  requested by German
American  as may be  required  to  obtain  any  necessary  regulatory  or  other
approvals of the Merger or to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form
S-4 (the  "Registration  Statement")  relating to the shares of German  American
Common to be issued to the  shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP  pursuant to the Merger
and this Agreement,  and shall otherwise cooperate fully with German American to
carry out the purpose and intent of this Agreement.

     Section  4.05.  Financial  Information.  1ST  BANCORP  shall  allow  German
American  to make a  special  review  of the  assets  of the Bank with a view to
determining the consistency of the procedures and standards employed by the Bank
in  determining  its allowance for possible loan losses with the  procedures and
standards  employed by German  American's  present bank  subsidiaries.  If, as a
result of such review or  otherwise,  the Bank after June 30, 1998,  has made or
hereafter  makes  additions to its  allowance  for possible  loan losses for the
purpose of increasing  the amount of the  allowance  above its amount as of June
30, 1998,  German  American  shall not assert that such additions (to the extent
that the amount  thereof does not exceed an  aggregate of $300,000)  violate any
representation,  warranty  or  covenant  of 1ST  BANCORP  in this  Agreement  or
otherwise entitle German American to terminate its obligations to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     Section  4.06.  Environmental  Reports.  Except  as German  American  shall
otherwise  consent with respect to any  residential  real estate (which  consent
will not be unreasonably withheld by German American), 1ST BANCORP shall, at 1ST
BANCORP's and German American's shared expense,  cooperate with an environmental
consulting  firm designated by German American in connection with the conduct by
such firm of a phase one environmental  investigation on all real property owned
or leased by 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, or the  Subsidiaries as of the date of this
Agreement, and any real property acquired or leased by 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or
the Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement,  except as otherwise provided
in Section 4.01(a)(xvi).  If further investigation procedures are required as to
any property by the report of the phase one  investigation in German  American's
reasonable opinion,  1ST BANCORP shall as soon as practicable,  at 1ST BANCORP's
and German  American's  shared  expense,  commission  the taking of such further
procedures  and  provide  a report of the  results  of such  further  procedures
("Phase Two Report") to German American. German American shall have fifteen (15)
business days from German  American's  receipt of any Phase Two Report to notify
1ST BANCORP of any objection to the contents of the Phase Two Report. Should the
cost of taking all remedial and corrective  actions and measures (i) required by
applicable  law, or (ii)  recommended  or  suggested in the Phase Two Report and
prudent in light of the  recommendations  or suggestions in the Phase Two Report
findings, in the aggregate,  exceed the sum of $250,000, as reasonably estimated
by the  environmental  expert  retained for such purpose by German  American and
reasonably  acceptable  to 1st  BANCORP,  or if the  cost  of such  actions  and
measures  cannot be so reasonably  estimated by such expert with any  reasonable
degree of  certainty,  then  German  American  shall have the right  pursuant to
Section 7.03 hereof,  for a period of 10 business days following receipt of such
estimate or indication  that the costs of such actions and measures cannot be so
reasonably  estimated to terminate this Agreement without further  obligation to
1ST BANCORP, which shall be German American's sole remedy in such event.

     Section 4.07.  Restriction on Resales. 1ST BANCORP shall obtain and deliver
to German American,  at least thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date, signed
representations,  in form  reasonably  acceptable  to German  American,  of each
shareholder who may reasonably be deemed an "affiliate" of 1ST BANCORP as of the
date of the 1ST BANCORP Shareholders' Meeting within the meaning of such term as
used in Rule 145 under the Securities Act regarding their prospective compliance
with the  provisions of such Rule 145. 1ST BANCORP shall also obtain and deliver
to German  American  at least 30 days  prior to the  Closing  Date,  the  signed

<PAGE>A-22

agreements of each  shareholder  who may reasonably be deemed an "affiliate" (as
such term is described in the preceding  sentence) of 1ST BANCORP as of the date
of the Shareholders'  Meeting agreeing not to sell any shares of German American
Common or otherwise  reduce his or her risk relative to such shares,  until such
time as  financial  results  covering at least  thirty (30) days of  post-Merger
combined  operations  have  been  filed  by  German  American  with the SEC in a
quarterly report on Form 10-Q or in an annual report on Form 10-K.

     Section  4.08.  Access to  Information.  1ST BANCORP  shall  permit  German
American  reasonable  access,  in a manner which will avoid undue  disruption or
interference with 1ST BANCORP's normal  operations,  to its, the Bank's, and the
Subsidiaries'  properties  and  shall  disclose  and make  available  to  German
American all books,  documents,  papers and records relating to its, the Bank's,
and  the  Subsidiaries'   assets,  stock  ownership,   properties,   operations,
obligations and liabilities, including, but not limited to, all books of account
(including  general  ledgers),  tax  records,  minute  books of  directors'  and
shareholders'  meetings,   organizational  documents,   material  contracts  and
agreements,  loan files,  filings with any  regulatory  authority,  accountants'
workpapers,  litigation files, plans affecting employees, and any other business
activities  or prospects in which German  American may have an interest in light
of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  During the period from the
date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, 1ST BANCORP will cause one or more
of its, the Bank's, or the Subsidiaries' designated representatives to confer on
a regular  basis with the  President  of German  American,  or any other  person
designated in a written notice given to 1ST BANCORP by German American  pursuant
to this Agreement, to report the general status of the ongoing operations of 1ST
BANCORP, the Bank, and the Subsidiaries. 1ST BANCORP will promptly notify German
American of any  material  change in the normal  course of the  operation of its
business or  properties  and of any  regulatory  complaints,  investigations  or
hearings (or  communications  indicating that the same may be contemplated),  or
the institution or the threat of litigation  involving 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, or
any of the  Subsidiaries,  and will keep German  American fully informed of such
events. German American hereby understands and agrees that all books, documents,
papers and records relating to 1ST BANCORP's,  the Bank's, and the Subsidiaries'
assets,  stock ownership,  properties,  operations,  obligations and liabilities
which it obtains,  receives,  reviews or has access to pursuant to this  Section
4.08 shall be subject to the  Confidentiality  Agreement between 1ST BANCORP and
German American ("Confidentiality Agreement").

     Section 4.09. Dividends. Notwithstanding Section 4.01(a) of this Agreement,
1ST  BANCORP  may  (in  the  absence  of  any  material  adverse  change  in its
consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or business, other than
the adverse change that might result from additional provisions made to increase
the Bank's  allowance for loan losses as contemplated  by, and not exceeding the
maximum amount  specified by,  Section 4.05, and other than the adverse  changes
that are  expected to result from the  expenses  associated  with the Merger and
accruals under the Director Deferred  Compensation Plan of 1ST BANCORP resulting
from the Merger),  continue to declare and pay quarterly cash dividends  (during
September  and  December  1998 and  during  the third  month of each  subsequent
calendar  quarter  with  respect  to  that  calendar  quarter)  to  1ST  BANCORP
shareholders in a quarterly amount not to exceed $.0667 per share of 1ST BANCORP
Common,  or an  aggregate  of not more than $.2668 per share for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 1998; provided,  however,  that no dividend may be paid to 1ST
BANCORP's shareholders during the quarter in which the Merger is consummated if,
during such quarter, 1ST BANCORP's  shareholders will become entitled to receive
dividends on their shares of German American  Common Stock received  pursuant to
this Agreement.

     Section 4.10.  Termination and  Modification of Benefit Plans. On or before
the Closing Date, 1ST BANCORP shall terminate the 1ST BANCORP Stock Option Plan,
the 1ST BANCORP 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the 1ST BANCORP Automatic
Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock Purchase Plan. On or before the date employees
of 1ST BANCORP and its Subsidiaries  may begin  participating in German American
Bancorp's Retirement Profit Sharing Plan, 1ST BANCORP shall terminate and freeze

<PAGE>A-23

its defined  benefit pension plan and, in connection  therewith,  shall take and
shall have taken all  necessary  action to apply to the IRS for a  determination
letter  in  connection  with  such   termination  and  provide  all  notices  to
participants and to the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation as required by and
in  accordance  with  ERISA.  Upon such  termination,  all  accrued  benefits of
participants  in the  pension  plan  shall be  payable  at the  times and in the
amounts  provided  for  under  that  plan.  The  Bank  shall  continue  to  make
contributions  to the pension plan through the date of such  termination only to
the extent required to maintain the plan's tax-qualified status and to avoid any
federal income taxes or penalties  attributable  to the plan's  funding  status.
Subject to Section 5.12 hereof, on or before November 1, 1998, 1ST BANCORP shall
take and have taken all necessary  steps to  discontinue  all medical  insurance
benefits provided to any party who would not be eligible for such benefits under
the German American Bancorp Employee Benefits Plan.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE
                          COVENANTS OF GERMAN AMERICAN

     Section 5.01. Regulatory Approvals and Registration Statement.

     (a) German  American shall file (and cooperate with 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank,
and the Subsidiaries,  in filing) all regulatory  applications required in order
to consummate  the Merger,  including all necessary  applications  for the prior
approval  of the FRB under  the BHC Act and the OTS  under the HOLA,  as soon as
practicable  after the date  hereof.  German  American  shall  keep 1ST  BANCORP
reasonably  informed as to the status of such  applications and promptly send or
deliver copies of such applications,  and of any supplementally filed materials,
to counsel for 1ST BANCORP.

     (b)  German  American  shall file with the SEC the  Registration  Statement
relating  to  the  shares  of  German  American  Common  to  be  issued  to  the
shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP  pursuant to this  Agreement as soon as practicable
after the date hereof,  and shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration
Statement  to  become  effective  as  soon  as  practicable.  At  the  time  the
Registration Statement becomes effective, the form of the Registration Statement
shall comply in all material  respects with the provisions of the Securities Act
and the published  rules and regulations  thereunder,  and shall not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated  therein or  necessary  to make the  statements  therein  not false or
misleading.  At the time of the mailing thereof to the  shareholders  and at the
time of any Shareholders'  Meeting, the  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement included as
part of the Registration  Statement, as amended or supplemented by any amendment
or supplement, shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact regarding  German American or the Merger necessary to
make the  statements  therein not false or  misleading.  German  American  shall
timely file all documents  required to obtain all necessary Blue Sky permits and
approvals,  if any,  required  to carry out the Merger,  shall pay all  expenses
incident  thereto  and shall use its best  efforts to obtain  such  permits  and
approvals on a timely basis. German American shall promptly and properly prepare
and file any other filings  required under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
(the  "Exchange  Act")  relating  to the  Merger or the Stock  Option  Agreement
referred  to in Section  8.04  hereof,  or  otherwise  required  of it under the
Exchange Act prior to the Effective  Time,  and shall deliver  copies thereof to
1ST BANCORP's counsel promptly upon the filing thereof with the SEC.

     Section  5.02.  Breaches.  German  American  shall,  in  the  event  it has
knowledge  of the  occurrence  of any event or  condition  which  would cause or
constitute a breach (or would have caused or constituted a breach had such event
occurred  or been  known  prior  to the  date of this  Agreement)  of any of its
representations or agreements  contained or referred to in this Agreement,  give
prompt  notice  thereof to 1ST  BANCORP  and use its best  efforts to prevent or
promptly remedy the same.

<PAGE>A-24

     Section 5.03. Consummation of Agreement. German American shall use its best
efforts to perform and fulfill all conditions and obligations to be performed or
fulfilled  under this Agreement and to effect the Merger in accordance  with the
terms and  conditions of this  Agreement,  and use its best efforts to cause the
Effective Time to occur on January 4, 1999 or as soon thereafter as practicable.

     Section 5.04. Directors' and Officers' Indemnification.

     (a)  Following  the  Effective  Time,  German  American  will  provide  the
directors and officers of 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank, and the Subsidiaries from time
to time with the same directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage that
German  American  provides  to  directors  and  officers  of its  other  banking
subsidiaries.

     (b) For six (6) years after the Effective Time,  German American shall (and
shall cause the Bank to)  indemnify,  defend and hold  harmless  the present and
former  officers and directors of 1ST BANCORP,  the Bank,  and the  Subsidiaries
(each, an "Indemnified Party") against all losses, expenses, claims, damages and
liabilities  arising out of actions or omissions  (arising from their present or
former status as officers or  directors)  occurring on or prior to the Effective
Time to the full extent then permitted  under the  applicable  provisions of the
IBCL and the HOLA and under the  articles  of  incorporation  and  bylaws of 1ST
BANCORP  and the  charter  and  bylaws  of the Bank and under  the  articles  of
incorporation and bylaws of the Subsidiaries.

     (c) If during  the six (6) year  period  after the  Effective  Time  German
American  or the Bank or any of its or their  successors  or  assigns  (i) shall
consolidate with or merge into any other  corporation or entity and shall not be
the  continuing  or surviving  corporation  or entity of such  consolidation  or
Merger or (ii) shall  transfer all or  substantially  all of its  properties and
assets to any  individual,  corporation  or other entity,  then and in each such
case,  proper  provision  shall be made so that the  successors  and  assigns of
German  American  and/or the Bank shall assume the obligations set forth in this
Section 5.04.

     Section 5.05. Board of Directors of German American.  German American shall
cause the  Chairman of the Board of 1ST BANCORP to be  appointed to the Board of
Directors of German  American as of the Effective  Time and shall take action to
waive the  retirement  provision in the German  American  Bylaws to allow him to
serve as a Director until the third annual meeting of German American  following
the Closing Date.

     Section 5.06.  Board of Directors of the Bank. At the Effective  Time,  the
Board of Directors of the Bank shall be  reconstituted at the sole discretion of
German American;  provided,  however,  that German American agrees that no fewer
than  four  current  members  of the  Board of  Directors  of the Bank  shall be
appointed  to serve as members of the Board of  Directors  of the Bank after the
Effective Time.

         Section 5.07.  Preservation of Business.  German  American  shall:  (a)
conduct its business substantially in the manner as is presently being conducted
and  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  and  not  amend  its  articles  of
incorporation in any manner that requires the approval of shareholders of German
American  under the IBCL;  (b) file,  and cause its  subsidiaries  to file,  all
required  reports with applicable  regulatory  authorities;  (c) comply with all
laws,  statutes,  ordinances,  rules or regulations  applicable to it and to the
conduct of its business, the noncompliance with which results or could result in
a material  adverse  effect on the financial  condition,  results of operations,
business,  assets or capitalization of German American on a consolidated  basis;
and  (d)  comply  in  all  material  respects  with  each  contract,  agreement,
commitment, obligation, understanding, arrangement, lease or license to which it
is a party by which it is or may be subject or bound,  the breach of which could
result in a  material  adverse  effect on the  financial  condition,  results of
operations,   business,  assets  or  capitalization  of  German  American  on  a
consolidated basis.

<PAGE>A-25

     Section 5.08.  Securities and Exchange Commission Filings.  German American
will provide 1ST BANCORP with copies of all filings made by German American with
the SEC under the Exchange Act; and the Securities Act and the respective  rules
and regulations of the SEC thereunder as soon as practicable  after such filings
are made at any time prior to the Effective Time.

     Section 5.09. Rule 144(c) Information. Following the Effective Time, German
American shall make available  adequate current public  information about itself
as that  terminology  is used in and as required by Rule 144(c) of the SEC under
the Securities Act.

     Section 5.10.  Authorization  of Common Stock. At the Effective Time and on
such  subsequent  dates when the former  shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP  surrender
their 1ST BANCORP  share  certificates  for  cancellation,  the shares of German
American  Common to be exchanged with former  shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP shall
have been duly  authorized  and validly  issued by German  American and shall be
fully paid and  non-assessable  and subject to no pre-emptive  rights and listed
for trading on the NASDAQ NMS.

     Section 5.11.  Benefit Plan Eligibility and Past Service Credit.  Employees
of the Bank shall  receive  full  vesting and  eligibility  credit  under German
American's defined contribution  retirement and other employee benefit plans for
their  years  and,  if  applicable,  months of  service  to the Bank;  provided,
however,  that German  American  reserves the right to retain  health  insurance
benefits for eligible  employees of the Bank under the current  existing plan or
plans  pertaining to such  employees,  which benefits and costs to the employees
shall be substantially  equal to those under German  American's health insurance
plan.

     Section 5.12.  Director and Retiree  Benefit  Payments.  From and after the
date  hereof and for a period of three years after the  Effective  Time,  German
American  will make payments to certain  Directors  and former  employees of 1ST
BANCORP as outlined in a memorandum  from George Astrike to Jim McCormick  dated
July 27, 1998, a copy of which is attached to this  Agreement as Appendix B. Any
post-retirement  health  insurance  benefits  other than the cash payments to be
made in lieu of such  benefits as described  in Appendix B for any  employees or
directors  of 1ST  BANCORP and its  Subsidiaries,  shall be  discontinued  as of
November 1, 1998, as provided in Section 4.10 hereof.

     Section  5.13.   Executive   Supplemental   Retirement  Income  Agreements.
Following the Effective Time,  German American agrees to cause the Bank to honor
all obligations  under the Executive  Supplemental  Retirement Income Agreements
effective  January 1, 1993,  between the Bank and C. James  McCormick,  Frank D.
Baracani,  Lynn  Stenftenagel,  Robert W. Ballard,  Bradley M. Rust,  Carroll C.
Hamner,  and  Gerald  R.  Belanger,  and to  guarantee  the  Bank's  obligations
thereunder.

     Section 5.14.  Director Deferred  Compensation Plan. German American agrees
to honor all obligations to the individuals listed in the Disclosure Schedule as
parties to the related agreements under the Director Deferred  Compensation Plan
as amended  pursuant to Section  6.01(j)  hereof.  No  additional  director  fee
deferrals will be permitted on and after the date hereof.

<PAGE>A-26

                                   ARTICLE SIX
                       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE MERGER

     Section 6.01. Conditions of German American's Obligations.  The obligations
of German American to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction (or
waiver by German  American)  prior to or on the  Closing  Date of the  following
conditions:

     (a)  The  representations  and  warranties  made  by 1ST  BANCORP  in  this
Agreement  shall be true in all material  respects on and as of the Closing Date
with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made
or given on and as of the Closing Date.

     (b) 1ST BANCORP shall have performed and complied in all material  respects
with all of its obligations and agreements  required to be performed on or prior
to the Closing Date under this Agreement.

     (c) No temporary restraining order,  preliminary or permanent injunction or
other  order  issued  by any  court of  competent  jurisdiction  or other  legal
restraint or prohibition  preventing the  consummation of the Merger shall be in
effect,   nor  shall  any  proceeding  by  any  bank  regulatory   authority  or
governmental agency seeking any of the foregoing be pending.  There shall not be
any action taken, or any statute,  rule,  regulation or order enacted,  entered,
enforced or deemed  applicable to the Merger which makes the consummation of the
Merger illegal.

     (d) All necessary regulatory approvals, consents,  authorizations and other
approvals  required by law or stock market  requirements for consummation of the
Merger,  including approval of the Merger by the shareholders of German American
in order to comply with the NASDAQ NMS listing standards or the IBCL, shall have
been obtained and all waiting periods required by law shall have expired.

     (e) German American shall have received the environmental  reports required
by Sections 4.06 and 4.01(a)(xvi) hereof and shall not have elected, pursuant to
Section 4.06 hereof, to terminate and cancel this Agreement.

     (f) German  American  shall have  received  all  documents  required  to be
received  from 1ST BANCORP or the Bank on or prior to the Closing  Date,  all in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to German American.

     (g) German American shall have received a letter, dated as of the Effective
Time, from Crowe,  Chizek and Company,  LLP, its independent public accountants,
to the effect that the Merger will qualify for pooling of  interests  accounting
treatment  under  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion  No. 16 if  closed  and
consummated in accordance with this Agreement.

     (h) The Registration  Statement shall be effective under the Securities Act
and no stop orders  suspending the  effectiveness of the Registration  Statement
shall be in effect or proceedings  for such purpose pending before or threatened
by the SEC.

     (i) German American shall have received from its counsel, Leagre Chandler &
Millard,  an  opinion  to the  effect  that  if the  Merger  is  consummated  in
accordance  with the terms  set forth in this  Agreement,  (i) the  Merger  will
constitute a  reorganization  within the meaning of Section  368(a) of the Code;
(ii) no gain or loss will be  recognized by the holders of shares of 1ST BANCORP
Common upon  receipt of the Merger  Consideration  (except for cash  received in
lieu of fractional shares);  (iii) the basis of shares of German American Common
received by the  shareholders  of 1ST  BANCORP  will be the same as the basis of
shares of 1ST BANCORP Common exchanged therefor;  and (iv) the holding period of
the shares of German American Common received by the shareholders of 1ST BANCORP
will include the holding  period of the shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common  exchanged

<PAGE>A-27

therefor,  provided such shares were held as capital  assets as of the Effective
Time.

     (j) The Bank and each of its  directors  who have not  reached and will not
reach, on or before the Effective Time, the "Normal  Retirement  Date" specified
by his or her individual Director Deferred Compensation Agreement with the Bank,
shall have agreed to amend such  Agreement  from and after the Effective Time as
follows:

          (i) the  monthly  interest  factor  set forth in  Section  1.7 of such
     Agreement shall be 0.857%;

          (ii) the monthly interest  crediting rate set forth in Section 1.11 of
     such Agreement shall be 0.521%; and

          (iii) the phantom stock feature set forth in Section 1.14 and referred
     to throughout such Agreement shall be eliminated as of December 31, 1998.

     (k) All officers, directors and employees of 1ST BANCORP, the Bank, and the
Subsidiaries  shall  have  exercised  all stock  options  such that no  options,
warrants,  or other rights to purchase 1ST BANCORP Common are outstanding at the
Closing Date.

     Section  6.02.  Conditions  of 1ST  BANCORP's  Obligations.  1ST  BANCORP's
obligations to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver
by 1ST BANCORP) prior to or on the Closing Date of the following conditions:

     (a) The  representations  and  warranties  made by German  American in this
Agreement  shall be true in all material  respects on and as of the Closing Date
with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made
or given on the Closing Date.

     (b) German  American  shall have  performed  and  complied in all  material
respects with all of its  obligations  and  agreements  required to be performed
prior to the Closing Date under this Agreement.

     (c) No temporary restraining order,  preliminary or permanent injunction or
other  order  issued  by any  court of  competent  jurisdiction  or other  legal
restraint or prohibition  preventing the  consummation of the Merger shall be in
effect,  nor shall any  proceeding  by any bank  regulatory  authority  or other
governmental agency seeking any of the foregoing be pending.  There shall not be
any action taken, or any statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, enforced or
deemed  applicable  to the Merger  which  makes the  consummation  of the Merger
illegal.

     (d) All necessary regulatory approvals, consents,  authorizations and other
approvals  required  by law  for  consummation  of  the  Merger,  including  the
requisite approval of the Merger by the shareholders of 1ST BANCORP,  shall have
been obtained and all waiting periods required by law shall have expired.

     (e) 1ST BANCORP shall have  received all documents  required to be received
from German  American on or prior to the Closing Date, all in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to 1ST BANCORP.

     (f) The Registration  Statement shall be effective under the Securities Act
and no stop orders  suspending the  effectiveness of the Registration  Statement
shall be in effect or proceedings  for such purpose pending before or threatened

<PAGE>A-28

by the SEC, and German  American  shall have  received all state  securities  or
"Blue Sky" approvals,  authorizations,  exemptions or permits  required to issue
the  shares  of  German  American  Common  as the  Merger  Consideration  to the
shareholders of 1ST BANCORP.

     (g) 1ST BANCORP  shall have  received  from  counsel  for German  American,
Leagre Chandler & Millard, an opinion reasonably  satisfactory to 1ST BANCORP to
the effect that if the Merger is  consummated  in accordance  with the terms set
forth in this Agreement,  (i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within
the  meaning  of  Section  368(a)  of the  Code;  (ii) no  gain or loss  will be
recognized  by the holders of shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common upon  receipt of the
Merger  Consideration  (except for cash received in lieu of fractional  shares);
(iii) the basis of German American  Common  received by the  shareholders of 1ST
BANCORP will be the same as the basis of 1ST BANCORP Common exchanged  therefor;
and (iv) the holding period of the shares of German  American Common received by
the shareholders of 1ST BANCORP will include the holding period of the shares of
1ST BANCORP Common exchanged therefor, provided such shares were held as capital
assets as of the Effective Time.

     (h) The German  American  Common to be exchanged for the 1ST BANCORP Common
pursuant to the Merger  shall have an  aggregate  value (as  measured by the per
share average value of the German  American  Common during the Valuation  Period
that is utilized to determine the Exchange Ratio pursuant to Section 1.03(a)) of
at least $57,120,000.

     (i) 1ST BANCORP shall have received from Olive  Corporate  Finance,  LLC or
another reputable  financial advisor a written fairness opinion stating that the
terms of the Merger are fair to the shareholders of 1ST BANCORP from a financial
point of view. Such written  fairness opinion shall (i) be in form and substance
reasonably  satisfactory to 1ST BANCORP, (ii) be dated as of the mailing date of
the  Prospectus/Proxy  Statement,  and (iii) be  included  as an exhibit to such
Prospectus/Proxy Statement.


                                  ARTICLE SEVEN
                           TERMINATION OR ABANDONMENT

     Section 7.01.  Mutual  Agreement.  This  Agreement may be terminated by the
mutual written  agreement of the parties approved by their respective  Boards of
Directors  at any time  prior  to the  Effective  Time,  regardless  of  whether
shareholder approval of this Agreement and the Merger by the shareholders of 1ST
BANCORP or German American shall have been previously obtained.

     Section 7.02. Breach of  Representations,  Warranties or Covenants.  In the
event  that  there  is a  material  breach  in any of  the  representations  and
warranties or covenants of the parties,  which breach is not cured within thirty
(30) days after notice to cure such breach is given by the non-breaching  party,
then the Board of Directors of the  non-breaching  party,  regardless of whether
approval by the  shareholders  of this  Agreement and the Merger shall have been
previously  obtained,  and in  addition  to any  other  remedies  to  which  the
non-breaching  party may be entitled,  may terminate  and cancel this  Agreement
effective  immediately  by providing  written  notice thereof to the other party
hereto.

     Section  7.03.   Adverse   Environmental   Reports.   German   American  as
specifically  provided by Section 4.06 may  terminate  this  Agreement by giving
written notice thereof to1ST BANCORP.

     Section 7.04. Failure of Conditions.  In the event any of the conditions to
the  obligations  of either party are not satisfied or waived on or prior to the
Closing Date, and if any applicable  cure period provided in Section 7.02 hereof
has lapsed, then the Board of Directors of such party may, regardless of whether
approval by its  shareholders  of this  Agreement and the Merger shall have been

<PAGE>A-29

previously obtained,  terminate and cancel this Agreement on the Closing Date by
delivery of written notice thereof to the other party on such date.

     Section  7.05.   Shareholder   Approval  Denial.   If  this  Agreement  and
consummation  of the Merger is not approved by the  shareholders of 1ST BANCORP,
or if the issuance of the additional  German  American  Common is required to be
approved  by the  shareholders  of German  American  pursuant  to the NASDAQ NMS
listing  standards  or the IBCL and is not so  approved at the meeting of German
American's  shareholders called to consider such issuance, then either party may
terminate  this  Agreement by giving  written notice thereof to the other party,
subject to Section 7.02.

     Section 7.06. Regulatory Enforcement Matters. In the event that 1ST BANCORP
or the Bank,  on the one hand,  or German  American,  on the other  hand,  shall
become a party or subject to any memorandum of  understanding,  cease and desist
order, or civil money  penalties  imposed by any federal or state agency charged
with the  supervision  or regulation of savings  associations,  savings and loan
holding companies, or bank holding companies,  after the date of this Agreement,
then the party that is not subject to such regulatory  enforcement may terminate
this Agreement by giving written notice thereof to the other party.

     Section 7.07. Lapse of Time. If the Closing Date does not occur on or prior
to June 30, 1999,  despite each party's best efforts to consummate the Merger on
or before  that date,  then this  Agreement  may be  terminated  by the Board of
Directors  of either 1ST  BANCORP or German  American by giving  written  notice
thereof to the other party.


                                  ARTICLE EIGHT
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     Section 8.01.  Liabilities.  In the event that this Agreement is terminated
or the Merger is abandoned  pursuant to the  provisions of Article Seven hereof,
no party hereto shall have any liability to any other party for costs, expenses,
damages,  termination fees, or otherwise.  Directors,  officers and employees of
each party hereto shall have no personal  liability  under this  Agreement  with
respect to the representations and warranties of their respective parties except
for fraud or for their personal  intentional  and knowing  participation  in the
making of false or misleading statements in such representation and warranties.

     Section 8.02. Notices. Any notice or other communication hereunder shall be
in  writing  and shall be  deemed to have been  given or made (a) on the date of
delivery,  in the case of hand  delivery,  or (b) three (3) business  days after
deposit in the United States  Registered or Certified Mail, with mailing receipt
postmarked by the Postal Service to show date of mailing,  postage  prepaid,  or
(c) upon actual receipt if transmitted  during  business hours by facsimile (but
only if receipt  of a legible  copy of such  transmission  is  confirmed  by the
recipient); addressed (in any case) as follows:

     If to German American:

                           German American Bancorp
                           711 Main Street
                           Box 810
                           Jasper, Indiana 47546
                           Attn:  George W. Astrike, Chairman of the Board

<PAGE>A-30

    with a copy to:
                           Leagre Chandler & Millard
                           1400 First Indiana Plaza
                           135 North Pennsylvania
                           Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
                           Attn:   Mark B. Barnes
                                   John R. Zerkle
and

    If to 1ST BANCORP or the Bank:

                           1ST BANCORP
                           101 North Third Street
                           Vincennes, Indiana 47951-1220
                           Attn: C. James McCormick, Chairman of the Board

    with a copy to:

                           Barnes & Thornburg
                           1313 Merchants Bank Building
                           11 South Meridian Street
                           Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
                           Attn: Claudia V. Swhier

or to such other address as any party may from time to time  designate by notice
to the other.

     Section  8.03.   Non-survival  of   Representations   and  Agreements.   No
representation,  warranty or covenant  contained in this Agreement shall survive
(and no claims for the breach or  nonperformance  thereof may be brought  after)
the  Effective  Time except the covenants of German  American in Sections  5.04,
5.05,  5.06,  5.09, 5.10, 5.12, 5.13, and 5.14 which shall survive the Effective
Time. No representation,  warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement shall
survive (and, except for any intentional breach or nonperformance, no claims for
the breach or  nonperformance,  thereof may be brought after) the termination of
this Agreement  pursuant to Article Seven hereof.  The  reliability  and binding
effect of any  representation  or warranty  made by any party in this  Agreement
shall  not be  diminished  or  limited  in any  way  by  any  review,  or by the
opportunity to conduct any review,  by or on behalf of the intended  beneficiary
of the subject matter of the representation or warranty, whether before or after
the date of this  Agreement,  unless and to the extent that the reviewing  party
and the other party expressly agree otherwise in writing.

     Section 8.04. Stock Option  Agreement.  Concurrently  with the execution of
this  Agreement,  German American and 1ST BANCORP are executing and delivering a
Stock Option  Agreement  that  provides  for the grant to German  American of an
option to purchase up to 19.9% of the  outstanding  common  stock of 1ST BANCORP
upon the  occurrence  of certain  events that create the  potential  for another
party to acquire  control of 1ST BANCORP.  German American hereby agrees to make
all necessary filings with the SEC and the OTS or other governmental agencies in
connection with the receipt of such option from 1ST BANCORP.

     Section 8.05.  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire
agreement  between  the  parties  and  supersedes  and cancels any and all prior
discussions,  negotiations,  undertakings  and  agreements  between  the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, the Letter
of Intent dated June 15, 1998 of German American accepted by 1ST BANCORP.

<PAGE>A-31

     Section 8.06. Headings and Captions.  The captions of Articles and Sections
hereof are for  convenience  only and shall not control or affect the meaning or
construction of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

     Section 8.07.  Waiver,  Amendment or  Modification.  The conditions of this
Agreement which may only be waived by written notice  specifically  waiving such
condition addressed to the party claiming the benefit of the waiver. The failure
of any party at any time or times to require performance of any provision hereof
shall in no manner affect the right of such party at a later time to enforce the
same. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written document
duly executed by the parties hereto.

     Section 8.08. Rules of Construction.  Unless the context otherwise requires
(a) a term used  herein has the meaning  assigned  to it, and (b) an  accounting
term not otherwise  defined has the meaning  assigned to it in  accordance  with
generally accepted accounting principles.

     Section 8.09.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original  and all of which shall
be deemed one and the same instrument.

     Section 8.10. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their  respective  successors.  Except for
Sections 5.04,  5.10,  5.12, 5.13 and 5.14 of this Agreement (which are intended
to be for the benefit of present and former  officers  and  directors  and their
spouses, to the extent contemplated thereby, and their beneficiaries, and may be
enforced by such persons), there shall be no third party beneficiaries hereof.

     Section 8.11. Governing Law;  Assignment.  This Agreement shall be governed
by the laws of the State of Indiana.  This  Agreement may not be assigned by any
of the parties hereto.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above  written,  with the unanimous  approval of their
respective Boards of Directors.

                                             GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP


                                             By   /s/ George W. Astrike
                                                 George W. Astrike
                                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                                 Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>A-32

                                             1ST BANCORP


                                             By   /s/ C. James McCormick
                                                  C. James McCormick
                                                  Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer


       APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF 1ST BANCORP:

The undersigned Directors of 1ST BANCORP hereby (a) agree in their capacities as
Directors of 1ST BANCORP to recommend to 1ST BANCORP's shareholders the approval
of this Agreement and the Merger in accordance  with 4.03 hereof,  and (b) agree
to vote their shares of 1ST BANCORP Common that are registered in their personal
names (and agree to use their best efforts to cause all additional shares of 1ST
BANCORP Common over which they have voting  influence or control to be voted) in
favor of the Merger at the 1ST BANCORP  Shareholders'  Meeting.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  the execution of the Agreement by the  undersigned  Directors of
1ST  BANCORP  or  anything  herein  to  the  contrary,  German  American  hereby
understands and agrees,  as evidenced by its execution of this Agreement  above,
that none of the  undersigned  Directors of 1ST BANCORP will have any obligation
or liability  under this Agreement or otherwise to German  American or any other
person or entity,  except as provided in the  foregoing  sentence and in Section
8.01 hereof.


/s/ R. William Ballard                         /s/ Ruth Mix Carnahan
R. William Ballard                             Ruth Mix Carnahan


/s/ Frank Baracani                            /s/ C. James McCormick
Frank Baracani                                C. James McCormick


/s/ Donald G. Bell                           /s/ Rahmi Soyugenc
Donald G. Bell                               Rahmi Soyugenc


/s/ James W. Bobe                            /s/ Lynn Stenftenagel
James W. Bobe                                Lynn Stenftenagel


                                             /s/ John S. Summers
                                             John J. Summers

<PAGE>A-33

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

                                 PLAN OF MERGER


                                 by and between


                                   1ST BANCORP
                            (an Indiana corporation)


                                       and


                             GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP
                            (an Indiana corporation)


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















                                   APPENDIX A

<PAGE>A-34

                                 PLAN OF MERGER

     THIS PLAN OF Merger,  made and entered into as of _________,  1998, between
1ST  BANCORP,  an Indiana  corporation  ("1ST  BANCORP"),  and  German  American
Bancorp, an Indiana corporation ("German American").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  1ST BANCORP and German American deem it advisable for 1ST BANCORP
to merge  with and into  German  American  pursuant  to this  Plan of  Merger in
accordance with the IBCL (as defined in Section 1.01); and

     WHEREAS,  the Boards of  Directors of the parties  hereto have  approved an
Agreement  and Plan of  Reorganization  that was  executed  and  delivered as of
August 6, 1998 between them (the "Agreement and Plan of Reorganization");

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE
                                   THE MERGER

     Section 1.01. The Merger. Pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Plan
of Merger and the Indiana Business  Corporation Law ("IBCL"),  1ST BANCORP shall
merge  with and  into  German  American  (the  "Merger").  The  Merger  shall be
effective at 12:01 a.m. on _______ , 1999, subject to the filing of this Plan of
Merger in the Office of the Indiana  Secretary  of State prior to such time (the
"Effective Time").

     Section  1.02.  Merging  Corporation.  1ST  BANCORP  shall  be the  merging
corporation under the Merger and its corporate identity and existence,  separate
and apart from German American, shall cease on consummation of the Merger.

     Section 1.03. Surviving Corporation. German American shall be the surviving
corporation in the Merger and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of German
American in effect prior to the Merger  shall be the  Articles of  Incorporation
and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

                                   ARTICLE TWO
                               TERMS OF THE MERGER
                            AND CONVERSION OF SHARES

     Section  2.01.  Effect of the  Merger.  The  Merger  shall  have all of the
effects provided by the IBCL.

     Section 2.02. Conversion of Shares. At the Effective Time:

     (a) Each of the not more  than  ________  shares of  common  stock,  no par
     value,  of  1ST  BANCORP  ("1ST  BANCORP   Common")  that  are  issued  and
     outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time shall  thereupon and
     without  further action be converted into the right to receive ______ [Here
     insert the Exchange Ratio to be determined in accordance with the Agreement
     and Plan of Reorganization.]shares of common stock, no par value, of German
     American ("German American Common") (the "Merger Consideration").

     (b) The shares of German American Common issued and outstanding immediately
     prior to the  Effective  Time shall  continue to be issued and  outstanding
     shares of German American.

<PAGE>A-35

     (c) If any holders of 1ST BANCORP Common dissent from the Merger and demand
     dissenters' rights under the IBCL, any issued and outstanding shares of 1ST
     BANCORP  Common held by such  dissenting  holders shall not be converted as
     described in Section  2.02(a) but shall from and after the  Effective  Time
     represent only the right to receive such consideration as may be determined
     to be due to  such  dissenting  holders  pursuant  to the  IBCL;  provided,
     however,  that each share of 1ST  BANCORP  Common  outstanding  immediately
     prior to the  Effective  Time and held by a  dissenting  holder  who shall,
     after the Effective  Time,  withdraw his demand for  dissenters'  rights or
     lose his right to exercise  dissenters'  rights shall have only such rights
     as provided under the IBCL.

     Section 2.03.  Fractional  Shares.  No fractional shares of German American
Common  shall be issued and, in lieu  thereof,  holders of shares of 1ST BANCORP
Common who would  otherwise be entitled to a fractional  share  interest  (after
taking into account all shares of 1ST BANCORP  Common held by such holder) shall
be paid an amount in cash equal to the product of  multiplying  such  fractional
share by  $______.  [Here  insert the  average of the highest bid and lowest ask
price of a share of German  American  Common as  quoted on the  NASDAQ  National
Market System on the last day of the Valuation Period.]

     Section 2.04. Exchange Procedures; Surrender of Certificates.

     (a) The Fifth  Third Bank shall act as  Exchange  Agent in the Merger  (the
     "Exchange Agent").

     (b) As soon as reasonably practicable but in no event more than ten working
     days after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each record
     holder of any Certificate or Certificates  whose shares were converted into
     the right to receive  the  Merger  Consideration,  a letter of  transmittal
     (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected,  and risk of loss and
     title to the  Certificates  shall pass,  only upon  proper  delivery of the
     Certificates  to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such
     other  provisions as German  American may  reasonably  specify)  (each such
     letter the "Merger  Letter of  Transmittal")  and  instructions  for use in
     effecting  the  surrender  of the  Certificates  in exchange for the Merger
     Consideration.  As soon as  reasonably  practical but in no event more than
     ten days after  surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate,  together
     with a Merger Letter of  Transmittal  duly executed and any other  required
     documents,  the  Exchange  Agent  shall  transmit  to the  holder  of  such
     Certificate   the  Merger   Consideration.   No   interest  on  the  Merger
     Consideration issuable upon the surrender of the Certificates shall be paid
     or  accrued  for the  benefit of  holders  of  Certificates.  If the Merger
     Consideration is to be issued to a person other than a person in whose name
     a  surrendered  Certificate  is  registered,  it  shall be a  condition  of
     issuance that the  surrendered  Certificate  shall be properly  endorsed or
     otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person  requesting  such
     issuance  shall pay to the Exchange  Agent any  required  transfer or other
     taxes or establish to the  satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax
     has been paid or is not applicable.  German American  reserves the right in
     all  cases  to  require  that a  surety  bond  on  terms  and in an  amount
     satisfactory  to German  American  be  provided  to German  American at the
     reasonable  expense of the 1ST BANCORP  shareholder  in the event that such
     shareholder  claims loss of a Certificate and requests that German American
     waive the requirement for surrender of such Certificate.


                                  ARTICLE THREE
                       AMENDMENT; TERMINATION; ASSIGNMENT

     Section  3.01.  Amendment.  At any time prior to the  Effective  Time,  the
parties to this Plan of Merger by mutual written  agreement  authorized by their
respective  Boards of Directors (and whether before or after the shareholders of
German  American and 1ST BANCORP have  approved and adopted this Plan of Merger)
may amend this Plan of Merger;  provided,  however,  that if the shareholders of
1ST BANCORP have  approved and adopted this Plan of Merger,  any such  amendment
shall not have a material adverse effect on the shareholders of 1ST BANCORP.

<PAGE>A-36

     Section  3.02.  Termination.  This Plan of Merger may be  terminated by the
parties hereto prior to the Effective Time under the circumstances  provided in,
and strictly in  accordance  with,  the  provisions of the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization.

     Section 3.03.  Successors  and Assigns.  This Plan of Merger and all of the
provisions  hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective  successors but none of the provisions  hereof shall
inure to the  benefit of any other  person,  firm,  or  corporation  whomsoever.
Neither  this Plan of Merger nor any of the rights,  interests,  or  obligations
hereunder shall be assigned by either of the parties hereto.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Plan of Merger as
of the day and year first above written.

                                       1ST BANCORP


                                       By   
                                            C. James McCormick
                                            Chairman of the Board and
                                            Chief Executive Officer


                                       GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP


                                       By   
                                            George W. Astrike,
                                            Chairman of the Board and
                                            Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>A-37

                            GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP


MEMO TO:   Jim McCormick

FROM:      George Astrike

DATE:      July 27, 1998

SUBJECT:   Director and Retiree Health Benefits Coverage

     It is our  understanding  that 1ST  BANCORP  and its  subsidiaries  have no
contractual  obligation  to provide  ongoing  health  benefits to any current or
former director and surviving  spouses  (excluding the obligation as outlined in
the  agreement  dated  December 5, 1988 by and between  Arthur L. Hart and First
Federal  Bank).  It is our  further  understanding  that  1ST  BANCORP  and  its
subsidiaries have no contractual  obligation to provide  post-retirement  health
benefits to any  current or former  employees.  Promptly  after the signing of a
definitive  agreement,  appropriate  disclosures  will be  provided  to all such
directors and employees  confirming  these  assumptions.  Such  disclosures will
clearly  communicate  to all  parties  that  the  right of 1ST  BANCORP  and its
subsidiaries to terminate or make  modifications  to any current health benefits
exists and that 1ST BANCORP and its subsidiaries  have the right to terminate or
make further  modifications to any such benefits  without further  obligation or
notice.

     In  consideration  of the change from your  Company's  current  practice of
paying the cost of health benefits for certain directors,  former directors, and
retired  employees,  we agree,  for a 36-month period from the effective time of
the Merger, to the following financial consideration:

          GROUP ONE: DIRECTORS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE COVERAGE

          Directors: Bell, Carnahan, McCormick and Summers

          Payment:   Will  pay  up  to  $200  per  month  ($2,400  annually)  as
          reimbursement  of  the  Director's  cost  of  obtaining  Medicare  and
          Medicare supplemental insurance coverage.

          (In the  event any of the  above  named  directors  are  rejected  for
          Medicare supplemental insurance coverage, GABC will pay $250 per month
          for a  three-year  period from the date of our Merger  transaction  in
          lieu of the $200 monthly payment for Medicare and Medicare  supplement
          coverage).

          GROUP TWO: DIRECTORS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE COVERAGE

          Directors: Bobe and Soyugenc

          Payment:  If  Director  is or becomes  ineligible  for any other group
          medical  plan,  will pay up to $250 per  month  ($3,000  annually)  as
          reimbursement  of the  Director's  cost of obtaining  other  insurance
          coverage.

                                   APPENDIX B

<PAGE>A-38

          GROUP THREE: ACTIVE EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

          Directors: Baracani and Stenftenagel

          Payment:  Not  applicable.  Coverage  and  Employee  premiums  will be
          consistent  to those  provided and charged to other  full-time  active
          employees.

          GROUP FOUR: RETIRED EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE FOR EARLY RETIREE BENEFITS

          Individuals: Ballard and Hamner

          Payment: During the time the director/retired employee is eligible for
          coverage as an early  retiree  under GABC's  standard  health  benefit
          plan,  a  payment  of  up to  $250  per  month  ($3,000  annually)  as
          reimbursement of a portion of the premium paid by the director/retired
          employee  toward  coverage under GABC's health benefit plan.  Upon the
          director/retired  employee's  eligibility for Medicare  coverage,  the
          monthly payment will be equal to that paid to Group One.

          GROUP FIVE: FORMER DIRECTORS,  SPOUSES OF FORMER DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN
          RETIRED EMPLOYEES

          Individuals: Long, McClure, Riley, Rutledge and Floyd

          Payment:   Will  pay  up  to  $200  per  month  ($2,400  annually)  as
          reimbursement  of the  individual's  cost of  obtaining  Medicare  and
          Medicare supplemental insurance coverage.

          GROUP SIX: RETIRED EMPLOYEE PAYING THEIR OWN PREMIUM

          Individuals: Jones and Cunningham

          Payment:   Not   applicable.   Cunningham  will  not  be  eligible  to
          participate  in GABC's health  benefit plan.  Jones may be eligible to
          participate   in  GABC's  plan  as  an  early  retiree  and  would  be
          responsible for the full premium amount charged for such coverage.

<PAGE>A-39


                              EXHIBIT 1.10 (a)(vii)

<PAGE>A-40

                         [BARNES & THORNBURG LETTERHEAD]



_________________, 1998


German American Bancorp
711 Main Street
Box 810
Jasper, Indiana 47546

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special  counsel for 1ST BANCORP,  an Indiana  corporation
("1ST  BANCORP"),  and First  Federal  Bank,  a  Federal  Savings  Bank  ("First
Federal"),  in connection  with the Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  dated
____________________,  1998  ("Master  Agreement"),  among 1ST  BANCORP,  German
American  Bancorp,  an  Indiana  corporation  ("German  American"),  and  German
American Holdings Corporation,  an Indiana corporation ("GAHC"), and the Plan of
Merger dated  ______________,  1998, between 1ST BANCORP and GAHC, and joined in
by German  American (the  Agreement and Plan of  Reorganization  and the Plan of
Merger are referred to collectively herein as the "Agreements").

     This opinion is being delivered to you pursuant to Section  1.07(a)(vii) of
the Master Agreement. Terms used herein that are defined in the Agreements shall
have the meanings set forth therein unless otherwise defined herein.

     In rendering the opinion hereinafter expressed, we have examined and relied
upon originals or copies of originals, certified to our satisfaction, of (a) the
Agreements;  (b) the Articles of Incorporation  and Bylaws,  as amended,  of 1ST
BANCORP;  (c) the  Charter  and  Bylaws,  as amended of First  Federal;  (d) the
Certificate  of Existence  dated  _______________,  1998,  issued by the Indiana
Secretary of State with respect to 1ST BANCORP; (e) the Certificate of Existence
dated  _____________,  1998  issued by the  Office of  Thrift  Supervision  with
respect to First Federal;  (f) the  organizational  documents of 1ST BANCORP and
First Federal; (g) the corporate minute books, records of corporate  proceedings
and stock transfer  records of 1ST BANCORP and First Federal;  (h)  certificates
executed  by 1ST  BANCORP and First  Federal,  respectively;  and (i) such other
corporate documents and records of 1ST BANCORP and First Federal and such public
documents  and  records  as  we  have  deemed   relevant.   We  have  made  such
investigation of facts and law, relied upon the  representations  and warranties
of 1ST BANCORP and First  Federal  contained  in the  Agreements,  and done such
other things as we have  determined are necessary or appropriate for the purpose
of issuing the following opinions.

     Based solely on the foregoing and subject to the  assumptions,  limitations
and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

     1. 1ST BANCORP is a corporation  duly  incorporated  and existing under the
laws of the State of Indiana,  and First Federal is a federal  savings bank duly
chartered  and  existing  under the laws of the United  States of  America.  1ST
BANCORP and First Federal each have all requisite  corporate power and authority
to own and operate their respective  businesses as they now are being conducted.
1ST BANCORP and First Federal have all requisite  corporate  power and authority
to enter into the Agreements and to consummate the transactions  contemplated by
the Agreements.

<PAGE>A-41

     2. To the best of our knowledge after due inquiry, 1ST BANCORP holds all of
the issued and  outstanding  shares of capital  stock of First  Federal free and
clear of any claims, liens, pledges and other encumbrances.

     3. All  corporate  acts and other  proceedings  required to be taken by 1ST
BANCORP and First Federal to authorize the execution,  delivery and  performance
of the Agreements  have been duly taken.  The Agreements have been duly executed
and delivered by 1ST BANCORP and First Federal and constitute legal,  valid, and
binding  obligations  of 1ST BANCORP and First Federal  enforceable  against 1ST
BANCORP  and First  Federal  in  accordance  with  their  terms,  subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance,  reorganization,
moratorium,  or similar laws affecting the  enforceability  of creditors' rights
generally from time to time in effect and equitable  principles  relating to the
granting of specific  performance  and other  equitable  remedies as a matter of
judicial discretion.

     4. To the best of our  knowledge  after due inquiry,  neither the execution
and  delivery  by 1ST  BANCORP  and  First  Federal  of the  Agreements  nor the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated by the Agreements will constitute
a material  default under or a material  violation of any provision of, nor will
the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by the Agreements  afford any
party  a  right  to  accelerate  any   indebtedness   under,   the  Articles  of
Incorporation or Bylaws of 1ST BANCORP or First Federal, any material promissory
note,  indenture or other evidence of indebtedness or security therefor,  or any
material lease,  contract, or other commitment or agreement to which 1ST BANCORP
or First  Federal is a party or by which either 1ST BANCORP or First  Federal or
its property is bound, or any judgment,  order, or decree against 1ST BANCORP or
First Federal.

     5. 1ST BANCORP's  authorized capital stock consists of _____________ shares
of common stock, no par value per share (the "1ST BANCORP Common").  To the best
of our knowledge  after due inquiry,  ___________  of such shares are issued and
outstanding and no shares of preferred stock have been issued.

     6. First Federal's  authorized capital stock consists of ________ shares of
common stock,  $____ par value per share (the "First  Federal  Common").  To the
best of our knowledge  after due inquiry,  _______ of such shares are issued and
outstanding.

     7. To the best of our knowledge after due inquiry, there is no action, suit
or proceeding  pending or overtly  threatened in writing  against 1ST BANCORP or
First  Federal  before or by any court or  governmental  body which (a) seeks to
affect the  enforceability  of the  Agreements  or  challenge  the  validity  or
propriety of the  transactions  contemplated  by the  Agreements or (b) which is
likely, if decided adversely to 1ST BANCORP or First Federal, to have a material
adverse  effect  on  the  financial   condition,   results  of  operations,   or
capitalization of 1ST BANCORP or First Federal taken as a whole.

     This  opinion  is  solely  for  the  benefit  of the  addressee  hereof  in
connection with the closing of the transactions  contemplated by the Agreements,
and no person or entity may rely upon this  opinion  without the prior,  express
written  consent of this firm. This opinion is based on our knowledge of the law
and facts as of the date hereof,  and we assume no duty to communicate  with you
with respect to any matter that comes to our attention hereafter.


                                            Very truly yours,
<PAGE>A-42


                               EXHIBIT 1.10(b)(iv)

<PAGE>A-43




_______________, 1998

1ST BANCORP
101 North Third Street
Vincennes, Indiana 47951-1220

Gentlemen:

     We  have  acted  as  counsel  for  German  American  Bancorp,   an  Indiana
corporation  ("German  American"),  in connection with the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization  dated  ________,  1998 (the  "Master  Agreement"),  between  1ST
BANCORP,  an Indiana  corporation  ("1ST BANCORP"),  and German American and the
Plan of Merger dated  _________,  1998  between 1ST BANCORP and German  American
(the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and the Plan of Merger are referred to
collectively herein as the "Agreements").

     This opinion is being  delivered to you pursuant to Section  1.07(b)(iv) of
the  Agreement of Merger.  Terms used herein that are defined in the  Agreements
shall have the meaning set forth therein unless otherwise defined herein.

     In  connection  with this  opinion,  we have  examined  and relied upon the
Agreements,  the Articles of Incorporation  and Bylaws of German  American,  and
such  other  corporate  documents  and  records  of German  American  and public
documents  and  records as we have  deemed  necessary  or  appropriate  for this
opinion.  As to questions of fact  material to our opinion,  we have relied upon
representations  of officers of German  American and public  officials,  none of
which   representations   have  been  independently   verified  by  us.  In  our
examination,  we have  assumed  the  genuineness  of all  signatures,  the legal
capacity of natural persons,  the authenticity of all documents  submitted to us
as originals and conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted
to us as certified or photostatic  copies,  the authenticity of the originals of
the latter documents,  and the due authorization,  execution and delivery of all
documents by parties other than German American.

     Based solely on the foregoing and subject to the  assumptions,  limitations
and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

     1. German American is a corporation duly  incorporated and validly existing
under  the laws of the  State of  Indiana.  German  American  has all  requisite
corporate  power and  authority and all licenses,  permits,  and  authorizations
necessary  to own and operate  its  properties  and assets,  to incur all of its
liabilities,  and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.  German
American  has all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to enter into the
Agreements,  to merge 1ST BANCORP with German  American in  accordance  with the
terms of the Agreements,  and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Agreements.

     2. All corporate acts and other proceedings  required to be taken by German
American to authorize the execution,  delivery and performance of the Agreements
have been duly taken.  The  Agreements  have been duly executed and delivered by
German American and constitute legal,  valid, and binding  obligations of German
American  enforceable  against German  American in accordance  with their terms,
subject to the  provisions of  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance,
reorganization,  moratorium,  or similar laws  affecting the  enforceability  of
creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and equitable principles

<PAGE>A-44

relating to the granting of specific performance and other equitable remedies as
a matter of judicial discretion.

     3. Each of German  American's  subsidiaries  is duly  organized and validly
existing under the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation  and has the
corporate  power to own its  respective  properties  and  assets,  to incur  its
respective  liabilities  and to carry on its  respective  business  as now being
conducted.

     4. To the best of our  knowledge  after due inquiry,  neither the execution
and delivery by German  American of the Agreements nor the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by the Agreements will constitute a default under or a
material  violation  of any  provision  of,  nor  will the  consummation  of the
transaction  contemplated  by  the  Agreements  afford  any  party  a  right  to
accelerate any  indebtedness  under,  the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
German American,  any material  promissory note,  indenture or other evidence of
indebtedness or security  therefor,  or any material lease,  contract,  or other
commitment  or agreement to which German  American is a party or by which German
American or its property is bound,  or any judgment,  order,  or decree  against
German American.

     5. Except as set forth in the  Agreements  and to the best of our knowledge
after  due  inquiry,  no  consent,  approval,  order  or  authorization  of,  or
registration,  declaration or filing with or notice to any court, administrative
agency,  or  commission  or other  governmental  authority  or  instrumentality,
domestic or foreign, or any other governmental entity or entities  ("Approvals")
is required to be obtained  or made by German  American in  connection  with the
execution and delivery of the Agreements or the  consummation by German American
of the transaction  contemplated  by the Agreement,  and all such Approvals have
been obtained as of the date hereof.

     6. German American's authorized capital stock consists of 20,000,000 shares
of common stock,  ("German  American  Common"),  and 500,000 shares of preferred
stock,  no par value per share.  To the best of our knowledge after due inquiry,
________  shares of German American  Common are issued and  outstanding,  and no
shares of preferred stock have been issued.

     7. The  shares  of  German  American  Common  that are to be  issued to the
security holders of 1ST BANCORP pursuant to the Merger have been duly authorized
and,  when so issued in  accordance  with the terms of the  Agreements,  will be
validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable.

     8. To the best of our  knowledge  after due  inquiry,  there is no material
litigation, claim or other proceeding pending or threatened before any judicial,
administrative  or regulatory  agency or tribunal against German American or any
of its  subsidiaries,  or to which the property of German American or any of its
subsidiaries  is  subject  which can  reasonably  be  expected  to result in any
material adverse change in the financial condition,  operations,  or business of
German American and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     The  foregoing  opinions  are based on and are  limited  to the laws of the
State of Indiana,  and the laws of the United States of America,  and we express
no opinion with regard to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

     This  opinion  is  solely  for  the  benefit  of the  addressee  hereof  in
connection with the closing of the transactions  contemplated by the Agreements,
and no person or entity may rely upon this  opinion  without the prior,  express
written  consent of this firm. This opinion is based on our knowledge of the law
and facts as of the date hereof,  and we assume no duty to communicate  with you
with respect to any matter that comes to our attention hereafter.

                                              Very truly yours,


<PAGE>B-1

                                   APPENDIX B
                     Opinion of Olive Corporate Finance, LLC




   
November 10, 1998
    



Board of Directors
1ST BANCORP
Third and Busseron Streets
Vincennes, IN  47591

Gentlemen:


You have  requested  our opinion as to the fairness,  from a financial  point of
view, to the shareholders of 1ST BANCORP of the merger ("Merger") of 1ST BANCORP
with German American Bancorp ("German American"),  as set forth in the Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization ("Agreement") between 1ST BANCORP and German American
dated August 6, 1998.

The terms of the  Agreement  provide,  among other  things,  that subject to the
Merger  receiving  approvals from the  shareholders  of 1ST BANCORP and from the
Federal Reserve Board; approval of the Registration  Statement by the Securities
and Exchange  Commission  relating to the shares of German American common stock
to be issued to the shareholders of 1ST BANCORP  pursuant to the Agreement;  and
subject to the  satisfaction of certain other  conditions,  the shares of common
stock,  $1.00  par  value,  of 1ST  BANCORP  that  are  issued  and  outstanding
immediately  prior to the effective  date of the Merger shall be converted  into
shares  of common  stock,  no par  value of  German  American  having a value of
$57,120,000,  subject,  however,  to provisions  set forth in the Agreement with
respect to the  minimum and maximum  number of shares to be  exchanged  and with
respect to  fractional  shares.  To determine  the total number of shares German
American will issue,  the companies will value the German  American common stock
by calculating  the average  closing  bid/asked  quotations for German  American
Common  Stock  during the 15 trading  days ending on the second day prior to the
closing date and dividing  $57,120,000 by that average value.  If, however,  the
average value exceeds $33 per share,  then the total number of shares will equal
1,730,909 ($57,120,000 divided by $33). Similarly, if the average value is below
$28, then the total number of shares will equal 2,040,000  ($57,120,000  divided
by $28).

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

        (i)         Reviewed the Agreement,  the Proxy Statement relating to the
                    Special Meeting of Shareholders of 1ST BANCORP to be held in
                    connection with the merger;  and the Registration  Statement
                    on Form S-4 relating to this transaction;

        (ii)        Reviewed certain publicly  available  business and financial
                    information relating to 1ST BANCORP and German American that
                    we deemed to be relevant;

        (iii)       Reviewed 1ST BANCORP's  Annual Reports to  Shareholders  and
                    Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each of the five years ended
                    June 30, 1994 through June 30, 1998;  Draft of the Quarterly
                    Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1998;
                    Thrift  Financial  Reports  dated June 30, 1994 through June
                    30, 1998;  various internal  financial reports regarding the
                    operations and the financial condition of 1ST BANCORP;  each
                    of the  filings on Form 8-K  during the year ended  December
                    31,  1997  and  through  September  30,  1998;  and  certain
                    communications  in the  form  of  press  releases  from  1ST
                    BANCORP to its shareholders;

         (iv)       Reviewed  German  American's  Annual Reports to Shareholders
                    and Annual  Reports on Form 10-K for each of the three years
                    ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997; Quarterly Reports on
                    Form 10-Q for the periods  ended March and June,  1998;  the
                    most recent Quarterly Uniform Bank Performance  Report dated
                    June 30, 1998;  Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income
                    filed with the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation dated
                    December  31,  1997  and  June 30,  1998;  various  internal
                    financial reports regarding the operations and the financial
                    condition;  each of the  filings on Form 8-K during the year
                    ended December 31, 1997 and through  September 30, 1998; and
                    certain  communications  in the form of press  releases from
                    German American to its shareholders;


<PAGE>B-2


         (v)        Participated  in  discussions  with  members  of the  senior
                    management of 1ST BANCORP and German American regarding past
                    and current  business  operations,  financial  condition and
                    future prospects of the company;

         (vi)       Compared  the  financial  performance,  prices  and  trading
                    activity of German  American  and 1ST  BANCORP  with that of
                    certain other comparable publicly-traded companies and their
                    securities;

         (vii)      Reviewed the historical market prices,  trading activity and
                    yields  of the  common  stock  of  German  American  and 1ST
                    BANCORP for recent years;

         (viii)     Reviewed  the  financial   terms,  to  the  extent  publicly
                    available,   of  certain  recent  business  combinations  of
                    Midwest and Indiana thrifts; and

         (ix)       Performed  such other  analyses  and  considered  such other
                    factors as we have deemed appropriate.

In  conducting  our review and arriving at our opinion,  we have relied upon the
accuracy and completeness of all financial and other information  provided to us
without independent verification.  We have not made any independent valuation or
appraisal of the assets or reserves against future  liabilities or losses of 1ST
BANCORP or German  American.  We have also taken into account our  assessment of
general economic,  market, and financial  conditions and our experience in other
transactions,  as  well  as our  experience  in  securities  valuation  and  our
knowledge of the banking industry generally.

Olive, as part of its investment  banking business,  is engaged in the valuation
of banks and  thrifts  and their  securities  in  connection  with  mergers  and
acquisitions,   negotiated   underwritings,   competitive  biddings,   secondary
distributions  of  listed  and  unlisted  securities,   private  placements  and
valuations for various purposes. Olive is registered with the SEC as a Member of
the NASD and SIPC.

Olive has never acted as a market  maker for the common  stock of 1ST BANCORP or
German  American.  Except  for  this  engagement,  1ST  BANCORP  has not had any
material or compensable  relationship  with Olive or its  affiliates  during the
past two years. Neither Olive nor any of its affiliates has a material financial
interest in 1ST BANCORP or German American.

Based upon and subject to the  foregoing  and such other  matters we  considered
relevant,  it is  our  opinion  that  as of  the  date  hereof,  the  terms  and
consideration  of the  Merger  are  fair to 1ST  BANCORP's  shareholders  from a
financial point of view.

Sincerely,


   
/s/ OLIVE CORPORATE FINANCE LLC
OLIVE CORPORATE FINANCE LLC
    


<PAGE>C-1

                                   APPENDIX C
                  Stock Option Agreement, dated August 6, 1998
                 by and between 1ST BANCORP and German American


                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of  August  6,  1998,  by  and  between  1ST  BANCORP,  an  Indiana  corporation
("Issuer"), and GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP, an Indiana corporation ("Grantee").

     WHEREAS,  Grantee and Issuer have entered into that certain  Agreement  and
Plan of  Reorganization,  dated as of August 6, 1998 (the  "Merger  Agreement"),
providing  for,  among other things,  the Merger of Issuer with and into Grantee
with Grantee as the surviving entity; and

     WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Grantee's execution of the Merger
Agreement,  Grantee has required  that Issuer agree,  and Issuer has agreed,  to
grant Grantee the Option (as defined below);

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  respective   representations,
warranties,  covenants  and  agreements  set  forth  herein  and in  the  Merger
Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Issuer and Grantee agree as
follows:

     1. DEFINED TERMS.  Capitalized  terms which are used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

     2. GRANT OF OPTION.  Subject to the terms and  conditions set forth herein,
Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase
up to 218,142  shares (as  adjusted as set forth  herein,  the "Option  Shares,"
which shall  include  the Option  Shares  before and after any  transfer of such
Option  Shares)  of common  stock,  $1.00 par  value per share  ("Issuer  Common
Stock"),  of Issuer at a purchase  price per Option Share (subject to adjustment
as set forth herein,  the "Purchase  Price") equal to $50.94 provided,  however,
that in no event  shall the  number of shares of Issuer  Common  Stock for which
this Option is exercisable exceed the lesser of (i) 19.9% of the lssuer's issued
and  outstanding  shares of Issuer  Common Stock  without  giving  effect to any
shares subject to or issued  pursuant to the Option and (ii) that minimum number
of shares of Issuer Common Stock which when  aggregated with any other shares of
Issuer Common Stock beneficially owned by Grantee or any Affiliate thereof would
cause the  provisions  of any Takeover  Laws of the IBCL to be applicable to the
Merger or the Option.

     3.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.

     (a)  Provided  that (i)  Grantee or Holder  (as  hereinafter  defined),  as
applicable,  shall not be in  material  breach of its  agreements  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 Option  issued by any court of competent  jurisdiction  in the United States
shall be in effect,  Holder may exercise the Option, in whole or in part, at any
time and from time to time  following  the  occurrence  of a Purchase  Event and
prior to the termination of the Option.  The Option shall terminate and be of no
further force and effect upon the earliest to occur of (A) the  Effective  Time,

<PAGE>C-2

(B)  termination  of the Merger  Agreement in accordance  with the terms thereof
prior to the  occurrence  of a Purchase  Event or a Preliminary  Purchase  Event
(other than a  termination  of the Merger  Agreement by Grantee  pursuant to (i)
Section  7.02 thereof  (but only if such  termination  was a result of a willful
breach by Issuer) or (ii) Section 7.05 thereof (but only if such termination was
as a result of the failure of the  shareholders of Issuer to approve the Merger)
(each a "Default Termination")),  (C) 18 months after a Default Termination, and
(D) 18 months  after any  termination  of the  Merger  Agreement  following  the
occurrence of a Purchase Event or a Preliminary  Purchase Event. Any purchase of
shares  upon  exercise  of the  Option  shall  be  subject  to  compliance  with
applicable law, including, without limitation, any required regulatory approvals
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"),  and the
Savings and Loan Holding Company Act. The term "Holder" shall mean the holder or
holders of the Option from time to time, and which initially is the Grantee. The
rights set forth in Section 8 shall  terminate  when the right to  exercise  the
Option  terminates (other than as a result of a complete exercise of the Option)
as set forth herein.

     (b) As used herein,  a "Purchase  Event" means any of the following  events
subsequent to the date of this Agreement:

          (i)  without  Grantee's  prior  written  consent,  Issuer  shall  have
     authorized,   recommended,  publicly  proposed  or  publicly  announced  an
     intention to authorize,  recommend or propose, or entered into an agreement
     with any person (other than Grantee or any Subsidiary of Grantee) to effect
     an Acquisition  Transaction  (as defined below).  As used herein,  the term
     Acquisition  Transaction shall mean (A) a Merger,  consolidation or similar
     transaction  involving  Issuer,  or  any of its  Subsidiaries  (other  than
     transactions   solely  between   Issuer's   Subsidiaries  and  transactions
     involving Issuer or any Subsidiary in which the voting securities of Issuer
     outstanding  immediately  prior  thereto  continue to represent  (by either
     remaining  outstanding or being  converted into securities of the surviving
     entity or the parent  thereof) at least 75% of the combined voting power of
     the voting  securities of the Issuer or the surviving  entity or the parent
     thereof outstanding immediately after the consummation of the transaction),
     (B) the disposition,  by sale, lease,  exchange or otherwise,  of Assets of
     Issuer or any of its  Subsidiaries  representing in either case 20% or more
     of the  consolidated  assets of  Issuer  and its  Subsidiaries,  or (C) the
     issuance,  sale  or  other  disposition  of  (including  by way of  Merger,
     consolidation,  share  exchange  or  any  similar  transaction)  securities
     representing  20% or more  of the  voting  power  of  Issuer  or any of its
     Subsidiaries (any of the foregoing, an "Acquisition Transaction"); or

          (ii) any person  (other  than  Grantee or any  Subsidiary  of Grantee)
     shall have acquired  beneficial  ownership (as such term is defined in Rule
     13d-3  promulgated  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
     (the "Exchange Act")), of or the right to acquire beneficial  ownership of,
     or any "group" (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act), other than
     a group of which Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries is a member, shall have
     been formed which  beneficially owns or has the right to acquire beneficial
     ownership of, 20% or more of the  then-outstanding  shares of Issuer Common
     Stock,

     (c) As  used  herein,  a  "Preliminary  Purchase  Event"  means  any of the
following events:

          (i) any person (other than Grantee or any Subsidiary of Grantee) shall
     have  commenced  (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the  Exchange
     Act), or shall have filed a registration statement under the Securities Act
     of 1933, as amended (the "Securities  Act") with respect to, a tender offer
     or exchange  offer to purchase any shares of Issuer Common Stock such that,
     upon  consummation  of such offer,  such person would own or control 20% or
     more of the  then-outstanding  shares of Issuer Common Stock (such an offer
     being  referred  to  herein as a "Tender  Offer"  or an  "Exchange  Offer,"
     respectively); or

<PAGE>C-3

          (ii) the holders of Issuer  Common  Stock shall not have  approved the
     Merger Agreement at the meeting of such  stockholders  held for the purpose
     of voting on the Merger Agreement, such meeting shall not have been held or
     shall have been canceled prior to termination of the Merger  Agreement,  or
     Issuer's  Board of Directors  shall have  withdrawn or modified in a manner
     adverse to Grantee the  recommendation  of Issuer's Board of Directors with
     respect  to the  Merger  Agreement,  in each case  after it shall have been
     publicly announced that any person (other than Grantee or any Subsidiary of
     Grantee)  shall  have (A)  made a  proposal  to  engage  in an  Acquisition
     Transaction, (B) commenced a Tender Offer or filed a registration statement
     under the Securities Act with respect to an Exchange Offer, or (C) filed an
     application (or given a notice),  whether in draft or final form, under any
     federal or state statute or regulation  (including a notice filed under the
     HSR Act and an  application,  or notice  filed under the BHC Act,  the Bank
     Merger Act, or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978)  seeking the Consent
     to an Acquisition  Transaction  from any federal or state  governmental  or
     regulatory authority or agency.

     As used in this  Agreement,  "person"  shall have the meaning  specified in
Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

     (d) In the event  Holder  wishes to exercise  the Option,  it shall send to
Issuer a written  notice  (the date of which  being  herein  referred  to as the
"Notice  Date")  specifying  (i) the total number of Option Shares it intends to
purchase  pursuant to such  exercise  and (ii) a place and date not earlier than
three business days nor later than 30 business days from the Notice Date for the
closing (the "Closing") of such purchase (the "Closing Date").  If prior Consent
of any governmental or regulatory  agency or authority is required in connection
with such  purchase,  Issuer  shall  cooperate  with Holder in the filing of the
required  notice or  application  for such  Consent  and the  obtaining  of such
Consent  and the  Closing  shall  occur  immediately  following  receipt of such
Consents (and expiration of any mandatory waiting periods).

     4. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES.

     (a) On each Closing Date,  Holder shall (i) pay to Issuer,  in  immediately
available  funds by wire  transfer to a bank account  designated  by Issuer,  an
amount equal to the Purchase Price  multiplied by the number of Option Shares to
be purchased on such Closing Date, and (ii) present and surrender this Agreement
to the Issuer at the address of the Issuer specified in Section 13(f) hereof.

     (b) At each  Closing,  simultaneously  with  the  delivery  of  immediately
available funds and surrender of this Agreement as provided in Section 4(a), (i)
Issuer shall deliver to Holder (A) a certificate  or  certificates  representing
the Option Shares to be purchased at such Closing,  which Option Shares shall be
free and  clear of all  liens,  claims,  charges  and  encumbrances  of any kind
whatsoever  and  subject  to no  pre-emptive  rights,  and (B) if the  Option is
exercised in part only,  an executed new  agreement  with the same terms as this
Agreement  evidencing  the right to purchase the balance of the shares of Issuer
Common Stock  purchasable  hereunder,  and (ii) Holder shall deliver to Issuer a
letter agreeing that Holder shall not offer to sell or otherwise dispose of such
Option  Shares  in  violation  of  applicable  federal  and  state law or of the
provisions of this Agreement.

     (c) In addition to any other  legend  that is required by  applicable  law,
certificates  for the Option Shares  delivered at each Closing shall be endorsed
with a restrictive legend which shall read substantially as follows:

          THE TRANSFER OF THE STOCK  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT
          TO RESTRICTIONS  ARISING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
          AND  PURSUANT  TO THE TERMS OF A STOCK  OPTION  AGREEMENT  DATED AS OF
          AUGUST 6,  1998.  A COPY OF SUCH  AGREEMENT  WILL BE  PROVIDED  TO THE
          HOLDER HEREOF  WITHOUT  CHARGE UPON RECEIPT BY THE ISSUER OF A WRITTEN
          REQUEST THEREFOR.

<PAGE>C-4

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

     5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ISSUER.  Issuer hereby represents and
warrants to Grantee as follows:

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

     (b)  Issuer  has taken all  necessary  corporate  action to  authorize  and
reserve and to permit it to issue,  and, at all times from the date hereof until
the  obligation  to deliver  Issuer Common Stock upon the exercise of the Option
terminates,  will have reserved for issuance,  upon exercise of the Option,  the
number of shares of Issuer  Common  Stock  necessary  for Holder to exercise the
Option,  and Issuer will take all necessary  corporate  action, to authorize and
reserve for  issuance  all  additional  shares of Issuer  Common  Stock or other
securities  which may be issued  pursuant  to  Section  7 upon  exercise  of the
Option.  The shares of Issuer Common Stock to be issued upon due exercise of the
Option,  including  all  additional  Shares  of  Issuer  Common  Stock  or other
securities which may be issuable  pursuant to Section 7, upon issuance  pursuant
hereto,  shall be duly and validly issued,  fully paid, and  nonassessable,  and
shall  be  delivered  free  and  clear  of  all  liens,  claims,   charges,  and
encumbrances of any kind or nature  whatsoever,  including any preemptive rights
of any stockholder of Issuer.

     (c) Issuer has taken all action so that the entering into of this Agreement
and the consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement do not
and will not result in the grant of any rights to any Person  under the Articles
of Incorporation, Bylaws, or other governing instruments of Issuer or any of its
subsidiaries  or restrict or impair the ability of Grantee to vote, or otherwise
to exercise the rights of a stockholder with respect to, shares of Issuer or any
of its subsidiaries that may be directly or indirectly acquired or controlled by
it.

     6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GRANTEE. Grantee hereby represents and
warrants to Issuer that:

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

<PAGE>C-5

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

     (c)  Grantee  has taken all  necessary  action to exempt  the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement from any applicable Takeover Laws.


     7. ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, ETC.

     (a) In the event of any change in Issuer  Common Stock by reason of a stock
dividend,  stock split,  split-up,  recapitalization,  combination,  exchange of
shares or  similar  transaction,  the type and  number  of shares or  securities
subject to the  Option,  and the  Purchase  Price  therefor,  shall be  adjusted
appropriately,  and proper  provision shall be made in the agreements  governing
such  transaction,  if any, so that Holder shall  receive,  upon exercise of the
Option,  the number and class of shares or other  securities  or  property  that
Holder would have  received in respect of Issuer  Common Stock if the Option had
been exercised  immediately prior to such event, or the record date therefor, as
applicable. If any additional shares of Issuer Common Stock are issued after the
date of this Agreement  (other than pursuant to an event  described in the first
sentence of this Section 7(a) or pursuant to this Option),  the number of shares
of Issuer  Common Stock  subject to the Option shall be adjusted so that,  after
such issuance,  it,  together with any shares of Issuer Common Stock  previously
issued pursuant  hereto,  shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 19.9% of the number
of shares of Issuer  Common Stock then issued and  outstanding,  without  giving
effect to any shares  subject to or issued  pursuant to the Option and (ii) that
minimum number of shares of Issuer Common Stock,  which when aggregated with any
other  shares  of Issuer  Common  Stock  beneficially  owned by  Grantee  or any
Affiliate thereof would cause the provisions of any Takeover Laws of the IBCL to
be applicable to the Merger or the Option.

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

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

     (d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of
the Substitute Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) as is equal to the Assigned
Value (as hereinafter  defined) multiplied by the number of shares of the Issuer

<PAGE>C-6

Common Stock for which the Option was  theretofore  exercisable,  divided by the
Average Price (as  hereinafter  defined).  The exercise  price of the Substitute
Option  per share of the  Substitute  Common  Stock  (the  "Substitute  Purchase
Price") shall then be equal to the Purchase  Price,  multiplied by a fraction in
which the numerator is the number of shares of the Issuer Common Stock for which
the Option was  theretofore  exercisable  and the  denominator  is the number of
shares for which the Substitute Option is exercisable.

     (e) The following terms have the meanings indicated:

          (i) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (x) the continuing or surviving
     corporation  of a  consolidation  or Merger  with  Issuer  (if  other  than
     Issuer),  (y)  Issuer in a Merger  in which  Issuer  is the  continuing  or
     surviving person,  and (z) the transferee of all or any substantial part of
     the Issuer's assets (or the assets of its Subsidiaries).

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

          (iii)  "Assigned  Value"  shall mean the  highest of (x) the price per
     share of the Issuer Common Stock at which a Tender Offer or Exchange  Offer
     therefor has been made by any person  (other than  Grantee),  (y) the price
     per share of the Issuer  Common Stock to be paid by any person  (other than
     the Grantee) pursuant to an agreement with Issuer, and (z) the highest last
     sale price per share of Issuer  Common Stock quoted on the Nasdaq  National
     Market  (or if Issuer  Common  Stock is not  quoted on such  exchange,  the
     highest bid price per share on any day as quoted on the  principal  trading
     market or  securities  exchange on which such shares are traded as reported
     by a  recognized  source  chosen by Grantee)  within the  six-month  period
     immediately preceding the agreement;  provided, that in the event of a sale
     of less than all of Issuer's assets, the Assigned Value shall be the sum of
     the price paid in such sale for such assets and the current market value of
     the remaining  assets of Issuer as  determined  by a nationally  recognized
     investment  banking firm  selected by Grantee (or by a majority in interest
     of the  Grantees  if there  shall  be more  than one  Grantee  (a  "Grantee
     Majority")) and reasonably  acceptable to Issuer,  divided by the number of
     shares of the Issuer Common Stock  outstanding at the time of such sale. In
     the event that an exchange  offer is made for the Issuer Common Stock or an
     agreement  is  entered  into  for  a  Merger  or  consolidation   involving
     consideration  other  than  cash,  the  value  of the  securities  or other
     property  issuable or  deliverable  in exchange for the Issuer Common Stock
     shall be  determined  by a nationally  recognized  investment  banking firm
     selected by Grantee and reasonably  acceptable to Issuer (or if applicable,
     Acquiring Corporation).  (If there shall be more than one Grantee, any such
     selection shall be made by a Grantee Majority.)

          (iv) "Average  Price" shall mean the average  closing price of a share
     of the Substitute  Common Stock for the one year immediately  preceding the
     consolidation,  Merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the
     last sale price of the  shares of the  Substitute  Common  Stock on the day
     preceding such  consolidation,  Merger or sale;  provided that if Issuer is
     the issuer of the  Substitute  Option,  the Average Price shall be computed
     with  respect  to a share of common  stock  issued by  Issuer,  the  person
     merging into Issuer or by any company  which  controls or is  controlled by
     such Merger person, as Grantee may elect.

     (f) In no event  pursuant  to any of the  foregoing  paragraphs  shall  the
Substitute  Option be  exercisable  for more than 19.9% of the  aggregate of the
shares of the  Substitute  Common  Stock  outstanding  prior to  exercise of the
Substitute  Option. In the event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable
for more than 19.9% of the  aggregate of the shares of  Substitute  Common Stock

<PAGE>C-7

but for this clause (f), the Substitute  Option Issuer shall make a cash payment
to Grantee equal to the excess of (i) the value of the Substitute Option without
giving  effect to the  limitation  in this clause (f) over (ii) the value of the
Substitute Option after giving effect to the limitation in this clause (f). This
difference in value shall be determined  by a nationally  recognized  investment
banking  firm  selected  by  Grantee  (or a  Grantee  Majority)  and  reasonably
acceptable to the Acquiring Corporation.

     (g) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in subsection (b)
of this Section 7 unless the Acquiring  Corporation and any person that controls
the  Acquiring  Corporation  assume in  writing  all the  obligations  of Issuer
hereunder  and  take  all  other  actions  that  may be  necessary  so that  the
provisions of this Section 7 are given full force and effect (including, without
limitation,  any action that may be necessary  so that the shares of  Substitute
Common Stock are in no way  distinguishable  from or have lesser  economic value
than other shares of common stock issued by the Substitute Option Issuer).

     (h) The  provisions  of  Sections  8,  9,  10,  and 11  shall  apply,  with
appropriate  adjustments,  to  any  securities  for  which  the  Option  becomes
exercisable  pursuant to this Section 7 and, as  applicable,  references in such
sections to "Issuer," "Option," "Purchase Price" and "Issuer Common Stock" shall
be deemed to be references to "Substitute Option Issuer,"  "Substitute  Option,"
"Substitute Purchase Price" and "Substitute Common Stock," respectively.

     8. REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

     (a) Subject to the last  sentence of Section 3(a), at the request of Holder
at any time  commencing  upon the first  occurrence  of a  Repurchase  Event (as
defined in Section  8(d)) and ending 18 months  immediately  thereafter,  Issuer
shall  repurchase  from Holder the Option and all shares of Issuer  Common Stock
purchased  by Holder  pursuant  hereto  with  respect to which  Holder  then has
beneficial  ownership.  The date on which Holder exercises its rights under this
Section 8 is referred to as the "Request Date." Such  repurchase  shall be at an
aggregate price (the "Section 8 Repurchase Consideration") equal to the sum of:

          (i) the  aggregate  Purchase  Price  paid by Holder  for any shares of
     Issuer Common Stock acquired by Holder  pursuant to the Option with respect
     to which Holder then has beneficial ownership;

          (ii) the  excess,  if any,  of (x) the  Applicable  Price (as  defined
     below) for each share of Issuer  Common Stock over (y) the  Purchase  Price
     (subject to adjustment  pursuant to Section 7), multiplied by the number of
     shares of Issuer Common Stock with respect to which the Option has not been
     exercised; and

          (iii) the excess,  if any, of the  Applicable  Price over the Purchase
     Price  (subject to adjustment  pursuant to Section 7) paid (or, in the case
     of Option  Shares with respect to which the Option has been  exercised  but
     the  Closing  Date has not  occurred,  payable) by Holder for each share of
     Issuer Common Stock with respect to which the Option has been exercised and
     with respect to which Holder then has beneficial  ownership,  multiplied by
     the number of such shares.

     (b) If Holder  exercises  its rights  under this  Section 8, Issuer  shall,
within ten business  days after the Request  Date,  pay the Section 8 Repurchase
Consideration to Holder in immediately  available  funds, and  contemporaneously
with  such  payment  Holder  shall  surrender  to  Issuer  the  Option  and  the
certificates  evidencing the shares of' Issuer Common Stock purchased thereunder
with respect to which  Holder then has  beneficial  ownership,  and Holder shall
warrant that it has sole record and beneficial ownership of such shares and that
the same are then free and clear of all liens, claims,  charges and encumbrances
of any kind whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that prior
notification to or

<PAGE>C-8

Consent of any  governmental  or  regulatory  agency or authority is required in
connection  with the payment of all or any  portion of the Section 8  Repurchase
Consideration,  Holder  shall have the ongoing  option to revoke its request for
repurchase pursuant to Section 8, in whole or in part, or to require that Issuer
deliver from time to time that portion of the Section 8 Repurchase Consideration
that it is not then so  prohibited  from paying and  promptly  file the required
notice or application for Consent and  expeditiously  process the same (and each
party  shall  cooperate  with the  other in the  filing  of any such  notice  or
application  and the  obtaining of any such  Consent).  If any  governmental  or
regulatory  agency or  authority  disapproves  of any part of Issuer's  proposed
repurchase pursuant to this Section 8, Issuer shall promptly give notice of such
fact to Holder. If any governmental or regulatory agency or authority  prohibits
the repurchase in part but not in whole, then Holder shall have the right (i) to
revoke the repurchase  request or (ii) to the extent permitted by such agency or
authority,  determine  whether the repurchase  should apply to the Option and/or
Option Shares and to what extent to each,  and Holder shall  thereupon  have the
right to  exercise  the Option as to the  number of Option  Shares for which the
Option was  exercisable at the Request Date less the sum of the number of shares
covered  by the Option in respect of which  payment  has been made  pursuant  to
Section  8(a)(ii) and the number of shares  covered by the portion of the Option
(if  any)  that  has  been  repurchased.  Holder  shall  notify  Issuer  of  its
determination  under the preceding sentence within five business days of receipt
of notice of disapproval of the repurchase.

     Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the contrary,  all of Holder's  rights
under this Section 8 shall  terminate on the date of  termination of this Option
pursuant to Section 3(a).

     (c) For  purposes  of this  Agreement,  the  "Applicable  Price"  means the
highest of (i) the highest  price per share of Issuer  Common Stock paid for any
such share by the person or groups described in Section 8(d)(i),  (ii) the price
per share of Issuer  Common Stock  received by holders of Issuer Common Stock in
connection with any Merger or other business combination  transaction  described
in Section 7(b)(i),  7(b)(ii) or 7(b)(iii), or (iii) the highest last sale price
per share of Issuer  Common  Stock quoted on the Nasdaq  National  Market (or if
Issuer  Common Stock is not quoted on such  exchange,  the highest bid price per
share as quoted on the principal trading market or securities  exchange on which
such  shares are traded as  reported by a  recognized  source  chosen by Holder)
during the 60 business days preceding the Request Date; provided,  however, that
in the event of a sale of less than all of Issuer's Assets, the Applicable Price
shall be the sum of the price paid in such sale for such  assets and the current
market value of the remaining  assets of Issuer as determined by an  independent
nationally  recognized investment banking firm selected by Holder and reasonably
acceptable to Issuer (which  determination  shall be conclusive for all purposes
of this  Agreement),  divided by the number of shares of the Issuer Common Stock
outstanding at the time of such sale. If the  consideration to be offered,  paid
or  received  pursuant to either of the  foregoing  clauses (i) or (ii) shall be
other than in cash, the value of such consideration  shall be determined in good
faith by an independent  nationally  recognized investment banking firm selected
by Holder and  reasonably  acceptable to Issuer,  which  determination  shall be
conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.

     (d) As used  herein,  a  "Repurchase  Event"  shall occur if (i) any person
(other than Grantee or any subsidiary of Grantee) shall have acquired beneficial
ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3  promulgated under the Exchange
Act), or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, or any "group" (as such term
is defined  under the Exchange  Act) shall have been formed  which  beneficially
owns or has the  right to  acquire  beneficial  ownership  of 50% or more of the
then-outstanding  shares of Issuer Common Stock, or (ii) any of the transactions
described in Section 7(b)(i), 7(b)(ii), or 7(iii) shall be consummated.

     9. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

     (a) Issuer shall,  subject to the conditions of subparagraph  (c) below, if
requested  by  any  Holder,  including  Grantee  and  any  permitted  transferee

<PAGE>C-9

("Selling Holder"), as expeditiously as possible prepare and file a registration
statement  under the Securities Laws if necessary in order to permit the sale or
other  disposition  of any  or all  shares  of  Issuer  Common  Stock  or  other
securities  that have been  acquired by or are  issuable to Selling  Holder upon
exercise of the Option in accordance  with the intended  method of sale or other
disposition  stated by Holder in such  request (it being  understood  and agreed
that  any  such  sale  or  other  disposition  shall  be  effected  on a  widely
distributed basis so that, upon consummation thereof, no purchaser or transferee
shall  beneficially  own more than 5% of the shares of Issuer  Common Stock then
outstanding),  including,  without limitation,  a "shelf" registration statement
under Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor  provision,  and Issuer
shall use its best efforts to qualify such shares or other  securities  for sale
under any applicable  state  securities laws. Each such Holder shall provide all
information  reasonably  requested by Issuer for  inclusion in any  registration
statement to be filed hereunder.

     (b) If Issuer at any time after the  exercise of the  Option,  but prior to
the termination of the Option,  proposes to register any shares of Issuer Common
Stock  under the  Securities  Laws in  connection  with an  underwritten  public
offering of such Issuer Common Stock,  Issuer will promptly give written  notice
to Holder of its  intention  to do so and,  upon the  written  request of Holder
given  within 30 days after  receipt of any such  notice  (which  request  shall
specify the number of shares of Issuer  Common Stock  intended to be included in
such  underwritten  public  offering  by Selling  Holder),  Issuer  will use all
reasonable  efforts to cause all such  shares,  the  holders of which shall have
requested  participation in such registration,  to be so registered and included
in such  underwritten  public offering;  provided,  that Issuer may elect to not
cause any such shares to be so registered (i) if the  underwriters in good faith
determine that the inclusion of such shares would  interfere with the successful
marketing  of the shares of Issuer  Common  Stock for the account of Issuer,  or
(ii) in the case of a registration  solely to implement a dividend  reinvestment
or similar plan, an employee benefit plan or a registration filed on Form S-4 or
any  successor  form,  or a  registration  filed on a form which does not permit
registrations  of resales;  provided,  further,  that such election  pursuant to
clause  (i) may only be made  once.  If some but not all the  shares  of  Issuer
Common  Stock,  with respect to which Issuer  shall have  received  requests for
registration  pursuant to this  subparagraph  (b),  shall be excluded  from such
registration,   Issuer  shall  make  appropriate  allocation  of  shares  to  be
registered  among Selling Holders and any other person (other than Issuer or any
person   exercising   demand   registration   rights  in  connection  with  such
registration)  who or which is  permitted  to  register  their  shares of Issuer
Common Stock in connection  with such  registration  pro rata in the  proportion
that the number of shares  requested to be  registered  by each  Selling  Holder
bears to the total number of shares  requested to be  registered  by all persons
then desiring to have Issuer Common Stock registered for sale (other than Issuer
or any person  exercising  demand  registration  rights in connection  with such
registration).

     (c)  Issuer  shall use all  reasonable  efforts  to cause the  registration
statement  referred  to in  subparagraph  (a) above to become  effective  and to
obtain all consents or waivers of other parties which are required  therefor and
to keep such registration statement effective,  provided,  that Issuer may delay
any  registration of Option Shares required  pursuant to subparagraph  (a) above
for a  period  not  exceeding  90 days,  provided  Issuer  shall  in good  faith
determine that any such  registration  would adversely  affect an offerings,  or
contemplated offering of other securities by Issuer. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary  contained herein,  Issuer shall not be required to register Option
Shares under the Securities Laws pursuant to subparagraph (a) above:

          (i) prior to the  occurrence  of a Purchase  Event and  following  the
     termination of the Option;

          (ii) more than twice;

          (iii)  within  90 days  after  the  effective  date of a  registration
     referred to in subparagraph (b) above pursuant to which the Selling Holders
     concerned  were afforded the  opportunity to register such shares under the
     Securities Laws and such shares were registered as requested; and

<PAGE>C-10

          (iv) unless a request  therefor  is made to Issuer by Selling  Holders
     holding at least 15% or more of the aggregate  number of Option Shares then
     outstanding or the right to acquire at least 15% of the Option Shares.

     In addition to the foregoing,  Issuer shall not be required to maintain the
effectiveness  of any  registration  statement  after the expiration of 120 days
from the effective  date of such  registration  statement.  Issuer shall use all
reasonable efforts to make any filings, and take all steps, under all applicable
state  securities  laws to the  extent  necessary  to  permit  the sale or other
disposition  of the Option Shares so registered in accordance  with the intended
method of  distribution  for such  shares,  provided,  that Issuer  shall not be
required  to consent to general  jurisdiction  or qualify to do  business in any
state where it is not otherwise  required to so consent to such  jurisdiction or
to so qualify to do business.

     (d) Except where applicable state law prohibits such payments,  Issuer will
pay all expenses (including without limitation registration fees,  qualification
fees,  blue sky fees and expenses  (including  the fees and expenses of Issuer's
counsel),  accounting  expenses,  printing  expenses,  expenses of underwriters,
excluding  discounts and commissions but including liability insurance if Issuer
so desires or the underwriters so require,  and the reasonable fees and expenses
of any necessary special experts) in connection with each registration  pursuant
to subparagraph (a) or (b) above  (including the related  offerings and sales by
Selling  Holders)  and all other  qualifications,  notifications  or  exemptions
pursuant  to  subparagraph  (a)  or  (b)  above.   Underwriting   discounts  and
commissions  relating to Option Shares and any other  expenses  incurred by such
Selling Holders in connection with any such registration  (including expenses of
Selling Holders' counsel) shall be borne by such Selling Holders.

     (e) In connection with any registration under subparagraph (a) or (b) above
Issuer  hereby  agrees to indemnify the Selling  Holders,  and each  underwriter
thereof,  including each person, if any, who controls such holder or underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the  Securities  Act,  against all expenses,
losses,  claims,  damages and  liabilities  caused by any untrue  statement of a
material fact contained in any registration  statement or prospectus  (including
any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus,  or caused
by any omission to state therein a material  fact required to be stated  therein
or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading,  except insofar as such expenses,  losses,
claims,  damages  or  liabilities  of such  indemnified  party are caused by any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or any omission or alleged omission
made in reliance upon and in conformity with,  information  furnished in writing
to Issuer by such  indemnified  party expressly for use therein,  and Issuer and
each officer,  director and controlling person of Issuer shall be indemnified by
such Selling Holder,  or by such  underwriter,  as the case may be, for all such
expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages and  liabilities  caused by any untrue,  or
alleged  untrue,  statement or omission made in reliance upon, and in conformity
with,  information  furnished  in  writing  to  Issuer  by such  holder  or such
underwriter, as the case may be, expressly for such use.

     Promptly upon receipt by a party indemnified under this subparagraph (e) of
notice of the  commencement  of any action  against  such  indemnified  party in
respect  of  which  indemnity  or  reimbursement   may  be  sought  against  any
indemnifying  party under this  subparagraph  (e), such indemnified  party shall
notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of such action, but
the  failure so to notify the  indemnifying  party  shall not  relieve it of any
liability  which it may  otherwise  have to any  indemnified  party  under  this
subparagraph  (e),  except to the  extent  such  failure  to  notify  materially
prejudices the  indemnifying  party.  In case notice of commencement of any such
action  shall  be  given  to the  indemnifying  party  as  above  provided,  the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it may
wish, jointly with any other indemnifying  party similarly  notified,  to assume

<PAGE>C-11

the defense of such action at its own  expense,  with  counsel  chosen by it and
reasonably  satisfactory to such indemnified  party. The indemnified party shall
have the right to employ separate  counsel in any such action and participate in
the  defense  thereof,  but the fees and  expenses of such  counsel  (other than
reasonable costs of investigation) shall be paid by the indemnified party unless
(i) the indemnifying  party either agrees to pay the same, (ii) the indemnifying
party falls to assume the defense of such action with  counsel  satisfactory  to
the  indemnified  party,  or (iii) the  indemnified  party has been  advised  by
counsel that one or more legal  defenses  may be  available to the  indemnifying
party that may be contrary to the interest of the  indemnified  party,  in which
case the  indemnifying  party  shall be  entitled  to assume the defense of such
action notwithstanding its obligation to bear fees and expenses of such counsel;
provided,  however,  that the  indemnifying  party  shall not be liable  for the
expenses  of more than one firm of counsel  for all  indemnified  parties in any
jurisdiction.  No indemnifying  party shall be liable for any settlement entered
into without its consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld

     If the indemnification provided for in this subparagraph (e) is unavailable
to a party  otherwise  entitled to be  indemnified  in respect of any  expenses,
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then the indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such party otherwise  entitled to be indemnified,
shall  contribute to the amount paid or payable by such party to be  indemnified
as a result of such  expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities in such
proportion  as is  appropriate  to reflect  the  relative  benefits  received by
issuer,  all  Selling  Holders  and the  underwriters  from the  offering of the
securities  and also the relative fault of Issuer,  all Selling  Holders and the
underwriters  in connection  with the statements or omissions  which resulted in
such expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities,  as well as any other
relevant  equitable  considerations.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a
result of the expenses,  losses,  claims,  damages and  liabilities  referred to
above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses  reasonably
incurred by such party in connection with  investigating or defending any action
or claim; provided, that in no case shall any Selling Holder be responsible,  in
the  aggregate,   for  any  amount  in  excess  of  the  net  offering  proceeds
attributable to its Option Shares included in the offering.  No person guilty of
fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within  the  meaning  of  Section  1 (f)  of the
Securities  Act) shall be entitled to  contribution  from any person who was not
guilty of such  fraudulent  misrepresentation.  Any  obligation by any holder to
indemnify shall be several and not joint with other holders.

     In connection with any  registration  pursuant to  subparagraph  (a) or (b)
above,  Issuer and each Selling  Holder (other than Grantee) shall enter into an
agreement containing the indemnification provisions of this subparagraph (e).

     (f)  Issuer  shall  use its best  efforts  to  comply  with  all  reporting
requirements and will do all such other things as may be necessary to permit the
expeditious  sale at any time of any Option Shares by Holder in accordance  with
and to the extent  permitted by any rule or  regulation  promulgated  by the SEC
from time to time, including, without limitation, Rules 144 and 144A.

     (g) Issuer will pay all stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and the
sale of the Option Shares and in connection with the exercise of the Option, and
will save Holder harmless,  without  limitation as to time,  against any and all
liabilities, with respect to all such taxes.

     10. QUOTATION;  LISTING.  If Issuer Common Stock or any other securities to
be acquired  upon  exercise of the Option are then  authorized  for quotation or
trading or listing on any securities exchange or any automated quotations system
maintained  by a  self-regulatory  organization,  Issuer,  upon the  request  of
Holder,  will  promptly  file an  application,  if required,  to  authorize  for
quotation  or  trading or listing  the  shares of Issuer  Common  Stock or other
securities to be acquired upon exercise of the Option on the securities exchange
or any automated quotations system maintained by a self-regulatory  organization
and will use its best efforts to obtain approval, if required, of such quotation
or listing as soon as practicable.

<PAGE>C-12

     11. DIVISION OF OPTION.  This Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are
exchangeable,  without expense,  at the option of Holder,  upon presentation and
surrender  of this  Agreement  at the  principal  office  of  Issuer  for  other
Agreements providing for Options of different denominations entitling the holder
thereof to purchase in the  aggregate the same number of shares of Issuer Common
Stock purchasable  hereunder.  The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as used herein
include any other  Agreements and related  Options for which this Agreement (and
the Option granted hereby) may be exchanged.  Upon receipt by Issuer of evidence
reasonably  satisfactory to it of the loss, theft,  destruction or mutilation of
this  Agreement,  and (in the case of loss,  theft or destruction) of reasonably
satisfactory  indemnification,  and  upon  surrender  and  cancellation  of this
Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of like
tenor and date. Any such new Agreement  executed and delivered shall  constitute
an additional  contractual  obligation on the part of Issuer, whether or not the
Agreement  so  lost,  stolen,  destroyed  or  mutilated  shall  at any  time  be
enforceable by anyone.

     12. MISCELLANEOUS.

     (a)  EXPENSES.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in  Section  9, each of the
parties  hereto shall bear and pay all costs and  expenses  incurred by it or on
its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including
fees  and  expenses  of  its  own  financial  consultants,  investment  bankers,
accountants and counsel.

     (b) WAIVER AND AMENDMENT.  Any provision oft his Agreement may be waived at
any time by the party that is entitled to the benefits of such  provision.  This
Agreement may not be modified,  amended, altered or supplemented except upon the
execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties hereto.

     (c)  ENTIRE  AGREEMENT;  NO  THIRD-PARTY  BENEFICIARY;  SEVERABILITY.  This
Agreement,  together  with the  Merger  Agreement  and the other  documents  and
instruments  referred  to herein and  therein,  between  Grantee  and Issuer (a)
constitutes  the  entire  agreement  and  supersedes  all prior  agreements  and
understandings,  both written and oral,  between the parties with respect to the
subject  matter  hereof and (b) is not  intended to confer upon any person other
than the parties hereto (other than any  transferees of the Option Shares or any
permitted  transferee of this Agreement pursuant to Section 12(h) and other than
as provided in the Merger  Agreement) any rights or remedies  hereunder.  If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of
competent  jurisdiction or a federal or state  governmental or regulatory agency
or authority to be invalid,  void or unenforceable,  the remainder of the terms,
provisions,  covenants and  restrictions  of this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected,  impaired or  invalidated.  If
for any reason such court or regulatory  agency  determines that the Option does
not permit Holder to acquire, or does not require Issuer to repurchase, the full
number of shares of Issuer  Common  Stock as  provided  in  Sections 3 and 8 (as
adjusted  pursuant to Section 7), it is the express intention of Issuer to allow
Holder to acquire or to  require  Issuer to  repurchase  such  lesser  number of
shares as may be permissible without any amendment or modification hereof.

     (d)  GOVERNING  LAW.  This  Agreement  shall be governed  and  construed in
accordance  with  the  laws  of the  State  of  Indiana  without  regard  to any
applicable conflicts of law rules.

     (e) DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings contained herein are for
convenience  of  reference  only and shall not affect in any way the  meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.

<PAGE>C-13

     (f) NOTICES.  All notices and other  communications  hereunder  shall be in
writing and shall be deemed  given if  delivered  personally,  telecopied  (with
confirmation)  or  mailed  by  registered  or  certified  mail  (return  receipt
requested) to the parties at the addresses set forth in the Merger Agreement (or
at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice).

     (g) COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed
in two  counterparts,  each of  which  shall  be  considered  one  and the  same
agreement and shall become effective when both counterparts have been signed, it
being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.

     (h) ASSIGNMENT.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations  hereunder  or under  the  Option  shall be  assigned  by any of the
parties  hereto  (whether by  operation of law or  otherwise)  without the prior
written  consent  of the other  party,  except  that  Grantee  may  assign  this
Agreement  to a wholly  owned  Subsidiary  of Grantee and Grantee may assign its
rights  hereunder in whole or in part after the occurrence of a Purchase  Event.
Subject to the preceding  sentence,  this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure
to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  parties  and  their  respective
successors and assigns.

     (i)  FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  In the event of any  exercise  of the  Option by
Holder,  Issuer and Holder  shall  execute and deliver all other  documents  and
instruments and take all other action that may be reasonably  necessary in order
to consummate the transactions provided for by such exercise.

     (j) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties hereto agree that this Agreement may
be enforced by either party through specific performance,  injunctive relief and
other equitable relief.  Both parties further agree to waive any requirement for
the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such
equitable  relief  and that this  provision  is without  prejudice  to any other
rights  that the  parties  hereto  may  have for any  failure  to  perform  this
Agreement.

     (k)  CONFIDENTIALITY   AGREEMENTS.  The  parties  hereto  agree  that  this
Agreement supersedes any provision of the Confidentiality  Agreements that could
be interpreted to preclude the exercise of any rights or the  fulfillment of any
obligations  under this Agreement,  and that none of the provisions  included in
the  Confidentiality  Agreements will act to preclude Holder from exercising the
Option or  exercising  any other rights under this  Agreement or act to preclude
Issuer from fulfilling any of its obligations under this Agreement.

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

                                            GERMAN AMERICAN BANCORP


                                            BY:  /s/ George W. Astrike
                                                 George W. Astrike
                                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                                 Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>C-14

                                             1ST BANCORP


                                             BY:   /s/ C. James McCormick
                                                   C. James McCormick
                                                   Chairman of the Board and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer



<PAGE>D-1

                                   APPENDIX D

                     INDIANA CODE 23-1-44 DISSENTERS' RIGHTS


Ind. Code 23-1-44-1. "Corporation" defined

     As used in this chapter,  "corporation" means the issuer of the shares held
by a dissenter  before the  corporate  action,  or the  surviving  or  acquiring
corporation by Merger or share exchange of that issuer.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-2. "Dissenter" defined

     As used in this chapter, "dissenter" means a shareholder who is entitled to
dissent from corporate action under section 8 [IC 23-1-44-8] of this chapter and
who exercises that right when and in the manner  required by sections 10 through
18 [IC 23-1-44-10 through IC 23-1-44-18] of this chapter.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-3. "Fair value" defined

     As used in this  chapter,  "fair  value,"  with  respect  to a  dissenter's
shares, means the value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of the
corporate action to which the dissenter  objects,  excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the corporate  action unless  exclusion would be
inequitable.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-4. "Interest" defined

     As used in this chapter,  "interest" means interest from the effective date
of the corporate action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently
paid by the  corporation on its principal bank loans or, if none, at a rate that
is fair and equitable under all the circumstances.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-5. "Record shareholder" defined

     As used in this  chapter,  "record  shareholder"  means the person in whose
name shares are  registered  in the records of a corporation  or the  beneficial
owner of shares to the extent that treatment as a record shareholder is provided
under a recognition  procedure or a disclosure  procedure  established  under IC
23-1-30-4.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-6. "Beneficial shareholder" defined

     As used in this chapter, "beneficial shareholder" means the person who is a
beneficial owner of shares held by a nominee as the record shareholder.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-7. "Shareholder" defined

     As used in this chapter,  "shareholder" means the record shareholder or the
beneficial shareholder.

<PAGE>D-2

Ind. Code 23-1-44-8. Shareholder dissent

     (a) A shareholder  is entitled to dissent from,  and obtain  payment of the
fair value of the  shareholder's  shares in the event of,  any of the  following
corporate actions:

          (1)  Consummation  of a plan of Merger to which the  corporation  is a
     party if:

               (A)  Shareholder  approval  is  required  for  the  Merger  by IC
          23-1-40-3 or the articles of incorporation; and

               (B) The shareholder is entitled to vote on the Merger.

          (2)  Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation
     is a  party  as the  corporation  whose  shares  will be  acquired,  if the
     shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan.

          (3) Consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or  substantially  all,
     of the  property  of the  corporation  other than in the usual and  regular
     course of business,  if the  shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or
     exchange,  including  a sale  in  dissolution,  but  not  including  a sale
     pursuant to court order or a sale for cash  pursuant to a plan by which all
     or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to
     the shareholders within one (1) year after the date of sale.

          (4) The approval of a control share acquisition under IC 23-1-42.

          (5) Any corporate  action taken pursuant to a shareholder  vote to the
     extent the articles of incorporation,  bylaws, or a resolution of the board
     of directors provides that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to
     dissent and obtain payment for their shares.

   (b) This  section  does not  apply to the  holders  of shares of any class or
series if, on the date fixed to determine the  shareholders  entitled to receive
notice of and vote at the meeting of shareholders  at which the Merger,  plan of
share exchange, or sale or exchange of property is to be acted on, the shares of
that class or series were:

          (1) Registered on a United States securities exchange registered under
     the Exchange Act (as defined in IC 23-1-43-9); or

          (2) Traded on the National  Association  of Securities  Dealers,  Inc.
     Automated Quotations System  Over-the-Counter  Markets ---- National Market
     Issues or a similar market.

     (c) A shareholder:

          (1)  Who  is  entitled   to  dissent   and  obtain   payment  for  the
     shareholder's shares under this chapter; or

          (2) Who would be so entitled to dissent and obtain payment but for the
     provisions  of  subsection  (b); may not  challenge  the  corporate  action
     creating (or that,  but for the  provisions of subsection  (b),  would have
     created) the shareholder's entitlement.

<PAGE>D-3

Ind. Code 23-1-44-9. Beneficial shareholder dissent

     (a) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all
the shares registered in the shareholder's name only if the shareholder dissents
with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one (1) person and notifies
the  corporation  in  writing of the name and  address  of each  person on whose
behalf  the  shareholder  asserts  dissenters'  rights.  The rights of a partial
dissenter  under this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which the
shareholder  dissents and the shareholder's  other shares were registered in the
names of different shareholders.

     (b) A beneficial  shareholder  may assert  dissenters'  rights as to shares
held on the shareholder's behalf only if:

          (1) The beneficial  shareholder  submits to the corporation the record
     shareholder's  written  consent to the  dissent not later than the time the
     beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters' rights; and

          (2)  The  beneficial  shareholder  does  so  with  respect  to all the
     beneficial  shareholder's  shares or those shares over which the beneficial
     shareholder has power to direct the vote.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-10. Notice of dissenters' rights preceding shareholder vote

     (a) If proposed corporate action creating  dissenters' rights under section
8 [IC  23-1-44-8]  of this  chapter is  submitted  to a vote at a  shareholders'
meeting,  the meeting notice must state that shareholders are or may be entitled
to assert dissenters' rights under this chapter.

   (b) If corporate action creating  dissenters'  rights under section 8 of this
chapter is taken without a vote of shareholders, the corporation shall notify in
writing all shareholders  entitled to assert  dissenters' rights that the action
was taken and send them the  dissenters'  notice  described  in  section  12 [IC
23-1-44-12] of this chapter.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-11. Notice of intent to dissent

     (a) If proposed corporate action creating  dissenters' rights under section
8 [IC  23-1-44-8]  of this  chapter is  submitted  to a vote at a  shareholders'
meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters' rights:

          (1) Must deliver to the  corporation  before the vote is taken written
     notice of the shareholder's  intent to demand payment for the shareholder's
     shares if the proposed action is effectuated; and

          (2) Must not vote the  shareholder's  shares in favor of the  proposed
     action.

     (b) A shareholder  who does not satisfy the  requirements of subsection (a)
is not entitled to payment for the shareholder's shares under this chapter.

Ind. Code  23-1-44-12.  Notice of dissenters'  rights  following action creating
rights

     (a) If proposed corporate action creating  dissenters' rights under section
8 [IC 23-1-44-8] of this chapter is authorized at a shareholders'  meeting,  the
corporation shall deliver a written  dissenters'  notice to all shareholders who
satisfied the requirements of section 11 [IC 23-1-44-11] of this chapter.

<PAGE>D-4

     (b) The  dissenters'  notice must be sent no later than ten (10) days after
approval by the  shareholders,  or if corporate action is taken without approval
by the  shareholders,  then ten (10) days after the corporate  action was taken.
The dissenters' notice must:

          (1) State  where the  payment  demand  must be sent and where and when
     certificates for certificated shares must be deposited;

          (2) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of
     the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received;

          (3) Supply a form for demanding  payment that includes the date of the
     first  announcement  to news media or to  shareholders  of the terms of the
     proposed   corporate   action  and  requires  that  the  person   asserting
     dissenters'  rights certify whether or not the person  acquired  beneficial
     ownership of the shares before that date;

          (4) Set a date by which  the  corporation  must  receive  the  payment
     demand,  which date may not be fewer than  thirty  (30) nor more than sixty
     (60) days after the date the subsection (a) notice is delivered; and

          (5) Be accompanied by a copy of this chapter.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-13. Demand for payment by dissenter

     (a) A shareholder  sent a dissenters'  notice described in IC 23-1-42-11 or
in section 12 [IC  23-1-44-12]  of this  chapter  must demand  payment,  certify
whether the shareholder  acquired beneficial  ownership of the shares before the
date required to be set forth in the dissenter's  notice under section  12(b)(3)
[IC   23-1-44-12(b)(3)]   of  this  chapter,   and  deposit  the   shareholder's
certificates in accordance with the terms of the notice.

     (b) The  shareholder  who demands  payment and deposits  the  shareholder's
shares  under  subsection  (a) retains all other rights of a  shareholder  until
these rights are  cancelled or modified by the taking of the proposed  corporate
action.

     (c) A shareholder who does not demand payment or deposit the  shareholder's
share  certificates  where  required,  each by the date  set in the  dissenters'
notice,  is not  entitled to payment  for the  shareholder's  shares  under this
chapter  and is  considered,  for  purposes of this  article,  to have voted the
shareholder's shares in favor of the proposed corporate action.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-14. Transfer of shares restricted after demand for payment

     (a) The corporation may restrict the transfer of uncertificated shares from
the date the demand for their payment is received  until the proposed  corporate
action is taken or the restrictions released under section 16 [IC 23-1-44-16] of
this chapter.

     (b)  The  person  for  whom   dissenters'   rights  are   asserted   as  to
uncertificated  shares  retains all other  rights of a  shareholder  until these
rights are cancelled or modified by the taking of the proposed corporate action.

<PAGE>D-5

Ind. Code 23-1-44-15. Payment to dissenter

     (a) Except as provided in section 17 [IC  23-1-44-17]  of this chapter,  as
soon as the proposed  corporate  action is taken, or, if the transaction did not
need  shareholder  approval  and has been  completed,  upon receipt of a payment
demand,  the  corporation  shall pay each dissenter who complied with section 13
[IC 23-1-44-13] of this chapter the amount the  corporation  estimates to be the
fair value of the dissenter's shares.

     (b) The payment must be accompanied by:

          (1) The  corporation's  balance  sheet as of the end of a fiscal  year
     ending not more than  sixteen  (16) months  before the date of payment,  an
     income  statement  for that year, a statement  of changes in  shareholders'
     equity  for  that  year,  and  the  latest  available   interim   financial
     statements, if any;

          (2) A statement of the corporation's estimate of the fair value of the
     shares; and

          (3) A  statement  of the  dissenter's  right to demand  payment  under
     section 18 [IC 23-1-44-18] of this chapter.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-16. Return of shares and release of restrictions

     (a) If the corporation  does not take the proposed action within sixty (60)
days after the date set for demanding payment and depositing share certificates,
the corporation shall return the deposited certificates and release the transfer
restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares.

     (b) If  after  returning  deposited  certificates  and  releasing  transfer
restrictions,  the  corporation  takes the proposed  action,  it must send a new
dissenters'  notice under section 12 [IC  23-1-44-12] of this chapter and repeat
the payment demand procedure.

Ind.  Code  23-1-44-17.  Offer of fair value for  shares  obtained  after  first
announcement

     (a) A corporation may elect to withhold  payment required by section 15 [IC
23-1-44-15]  of this  chapter  from a  dissenter  unless the  dissenter  was the
beneficial  owner of the  shares  before  the date set forth in the  dissenters'
notice as the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of
the terms of the proposed corporate action.

     (b)  To the  extent  the  corporation  elects  to  withhold  payment  under
subsection (a), after taking the proposed  corporate  action,  it shall estimate
the fair  value of the shares and shall pay this  amount to each  dissenter  who
agrees  to  accept  it in  full  satisfaction  of the  dissenter's  demand.  The
corporation  shall send with its offer a statement  of its  estimate of the fair
value of the shares and a statement of the  dissenter's  right to demand payment
under section 18 [IC 23-1-44-18] of this chapter.

Ind. Code 23-1-44-18. Dissenter demand for fair value under certain conditions

     (a) A dissenter may notify the  corporation  in writing of the  dissenter's
own estimate of the fair value of the  dissenter's  shares and demand payment of
the  dissenter's  estimate (less any payment under section 15 [IC 23-1-44-15] of
this  chapter),   or  reject  the  corporation's  offer  under  section  17  [IC
23-1-44-17]  of this  chapter  and  demand  payment  of the  fair  value  of the
dissenter's shares, if:

<PAGE>D-6

          (1) The  dissenter  believes  that the amount paid under section 15 of
     this chapter or offered  under  section 17 of this chapter is less than the
     fair value of the dissenter's shares;

          (2) The  corporation  fails to make payment  under  section 15 of this
     chapter within sixty (60) days after the date set for demanding payment; or

          (3) The corporation,  having failed to take the proposed action,  does
     not return the deposited  certificates or release the transfer restrictions
     imposed on uncertificated  shares within sixty (60) days after the date set
     for demanding payment.

     (b) A  dissenter  waives the right to demand  payment  under  this  section
unless the  dissenter  notifies the  corporation  of the  dissenter's  demand in
writing under  subsection (a) within thirty (30) days after the corporation made
or offered payment for the dissenter's shares.

Ind.  Code  23-1-44-19.  Effect of  failure  to pay  demand --  Commencement  of
judicial appraisal proceeding

     (a) If a demand for payment  under IC  23-1-42-11  or under  section 18 [IC
23-1-44-18] of this chapter remains unsettled,  the corporation shall commence a
proceeding  within  sixty  (60) days  after  receiving  the  payment  demand and
petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares. If the corporation
does not commence the proceeding  within the sixty (60) day period, it shall pay
each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled the amount demanded.

     (b) The  corporation  shall  commence  the  proceeding  in the  circuit  or
superior court of the county where a corporation's principal office (or, if none
in Indiana,  its registered office) is located.  If the corporation is a foreign
corporation  without a  registered  office in  Indiana,  it shall  commence  the
proceeding in the county in Indiana where the registered  office of the domestic
corporation merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign corporation
was located.

     (c) The corporation shall make all dissenters  (whether or not residents of
this state) whose demands  remain  unsettled  parties to the proceeding as in an
action  against  their  shares and all parties must be served with a copy of the
petition.  Nonresidents  may be served by  registered  or  certified  mail or by
publication as provided by law.

     (d) The  jurisdiction  of the court in which the  proceeding  is  commenced
under subsection (b) is plenary and exclusive.  The court may appoint one (1) or
more persons as  appraisers to receive  evidence and  recommend  decision on the
question of fair value.  The appraisers  have the powers  described in the order
appointing  them or in any amendment to it. The  dissenters  are entitled to the
same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.

     (e) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment:

          (1) For the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of
     the  dissenter's  shares,  plus  interest,  exceeds  the amount paid by the
     corporation; or

          (2) For the fair value,  plus  accrued  interest,  of the  dissenter's
     after-acquired shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment
     under section 17 [IC 23-1-44-17] of this chapter.

<PAGE>D-7

Ind. Code 23-1-44-20. Judicial determination and assessment of costs

     (a) The court in an appraisal  proceeding  commenced  under  section 19 [IC
23-1-44-19]  of this  chapter  shall  determine  all  costs  of the  proceeding,
including the reasonable  compensation  and expenses of appraisers  appointed by
the court.  The court shall  assess the costs  against  such parties and in such
amounts as the court finds equitable.

     (b) The court may also assess the fees and  expenses of counsel and experts
for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:

          (1) Against the  corporation  and in favor of any or all dissenters if
     the court  finds the  corporation  did not  substantially  comply  with the
     requirements   of  sections  10  through  18  [IC  23-1-44-10   through  IC
     23-1-44-18] of this chapter; or

          (2) Against  either the  corporation  or a dissenter,  in favor of any
     other  party,  if the court finds that the party  against whom the fees and
     expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily,  vexatiously, or not in good faith
     with respect to the rights provided by this chapter.

     (c) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter  were
of substantial benefit to other dissenters  similarly situated and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may
award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the
dissenters who were benefitted.



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