LAKE ARIEL BANCORP INC
10-Q, 1998-11-12
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1998

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

For the transition period from           to

Commission file Number: 2-85306

                            Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc.
        (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

                                  Pennsylvania
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                   23-2244948
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                               Post Office Box 67
                         Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania 18436
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (717) 698-5695
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not Applicable
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                          if changed since last report)


               Check whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Exchange  Act of 1934  during the past 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such
reports),  and (2)has been subject to such filing  requirements  for the past 90
days. Yes X No

               State the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's
classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 4,807,908 shares of
common stock, par value $.21 per share, as of November 6, 1998.


                                        1

<PAGE>



                            LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.
                                    FORM 10-Q
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998

                                      INDEX

                                                                     Page Number
Part I - Financial Information

Item 1.   Financial Statements:
          Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1998
          and December 31, 1997............................................... 3

          Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine
          months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997............................ 4

          Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the nine
          months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997............................ 5

          Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine
          months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997............................ 6

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................... 8

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis or
               Plan of Operations............................................ 10

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk......... 21

Part II - Other Information

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings................................................. N/A

Item 2.   Changes in Securities............................................. N/A

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities................................... N/A

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
               Holders...................................................... N/A

Item 5.   Other Information.................................................. 26

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................... 37

          Signatures......................................................... 38






                                        2

<PAGE>




                            LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                   SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                       1998           1997
                                                  (in thousands) (in thousands)
ASSETS
  
Cash and cash equivalents .........................   $  20,016    $  17,109
Available-for-sale securities .....................      64,487       56,545
Held-to-maturity securities (fair value of $105,674
and $59,008, respectively) ........................     104,471       58,245

Loans and leases ..................................     221,362      216,465
Mortgage loans held for resale ....................       5,412          621
   Less unearned income and loan fees .............      (5,928)      (6,741)
   Less allowance for possible credit losses ......      (1,971)      (2,109)
                                                      ---------    ---------

               Net loans and leases ...............     218,875      208,236
Premises and equipment, net .......................      16,544       13,744
Accrued interest receivable .......................       3,539        3,005
Foreclosed assets held for sale ...................         358          523
Life insurance cash surrender value ...............       8,490        7,891
Other assets ......................................       7,926        2,775
                                                      ---------    ---------
               TOTAL ASSETS .......................   $ 444,706    $ 368,073
                                                      =========    =========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
   Noninterest-bearing ............................   $  50,003    $  39,689
   Interest-bearing:
               Demand .............................      41,703       31,767
               Savings ............................      39,277       36,437
               Time ...............................     132,228      128,538
               Time $100,000 and over .............      39,640       44,019
                                                      ---------    ---------
               Total Deposits .....................     302,851      280,450

Accrued interest payable ..........................       3,222        2,975
Federal funds purchased ...........................        --           --
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ....       2,127          200
Long-term debt ....................................      96,188       47,656
Other liabilities .................................       2,025          977
                                                      ---------    ---------
               Total Liabilities ..................     406,413      332,258
                                                      ---------    ---------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock: Authorized 1,000,000 shares of
  $1.25 par value each; no outstanding shares .....        --           --
Common stock: Authorized, 10,000,000 shares of
  $.21 par value each; issued and outstanding
  4,579,295 shares in 1998 and 4,548,383 in 1997 ..         962          956
Capital surplus ...................................      26,107       25,717
Retained earnings .................................      10,955        9,135
Net unrealized gains (losses) on
  available-for-sale securities ...................         269            7
                                                      ---------    ---------

               Total Stockholders' Equity .........      38,293       35,815
                                                      ---------    ---------
               TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
                 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .............   $ 444,706    $ 368,073
                                                      =========    =========

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.




                                        3

<PAGE>



                            LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                            SEPTEMBER 30,            SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              1998        1997      1998      1997
                                                      --------------------------------------------------
                                                              (in thousands except per share data)

<S>                                                          <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>   
INTEREST INCOME:
Loans and leases .........................................   $13,765   $12,427   $ 4,663    $ 4,388
Investment Securities
    Taxable ..............................................     6,256     4,340     2,045      1,477
    Exempt from federal income taxes .....................     1,282     1,168       446        390
    Dividends ............................................       265       114       145         51
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
       Total Investment Securities Income ................     7,803     5,622     2,636      1,918
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
Deposits in banks ........................................         8         7         1          2
Federal funds sold .......................................       116       196        71         75
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
       TOTAL INTEREST INCOME .............................    21,692    18,252     7,371      6,383
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------

INTEREST EXPENSE:
Deposits .................................................     8,077     7,572     2,664      2,686
Long-term debt ...........................................     4,180     2,262     1,462        775
Federal funds purchased ..................................        35        20         2         10
Short-term borrowings ....................................        23        45         8         31
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ...........        44        11        25          4
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
      TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE .............................    12,359     9,910     4,161      3,506
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------

NET INTEREST INCOME ......................................     9,333     8,342     3,210      2,877
PROVISION FOR POSSIBLE
  CREDIT LOSSES ..........................................       490       730       165        350
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
  FOR POSSIBLE CREDIT LOSSES .............................     8,843     7,612     3,045      2,527
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------

OTHER OPERATING INCOME:
Loan origination fees ....................................        67       168      --           19
Customer service charges and fees ........................     1,114       905       439        304
Mortgage servicing fees ..................................       220       258        72         90
Investment security gains (losses), net ..................        80        80         2         89
Gain (loss) on sale of loans, net ........................       427       185       169         63
Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net .......................       260      --          (5)      --
Other income .............................................     1,065       728       389        332
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
       TOTAL OTHER OPERATING INCOME ......................     3,233     2,324     1,066        897
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries and benefits ....................................     3,663     3,112     1,317      1,062
Occupancy expense ........................................     1,120       986       368        315
Equipment expense ........................................       880       657       287        214
Advertising ..............................................       286       177       115         49
Other expenses ...........................................     2,089     1,842       701        673
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
       TOTAL OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES ....................     8,038     6,774     2,788      2,313
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR
 INCOME TAXES ............................................     4,038     3,162     1,323      1,111
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES ...............................       930       765       300        250
                                                             -------   -------   -------    -------
NET INCOME ...............................................   $ 3,108   $ 2,397   $ 1,023    $   861
                                                             =======   =======   =======    =======

Earnings per share-basic*: ...............................   $  0.65   $  0.61   $  0.21    $  0.22
                                                             =======   =======   =======    =======
Earnings per share-diluted*: .............................   $  0.64   $  0.60   $  0.21    $  0.21
                                                             =======   =======   =======    =======
Dividends per share: .....................................   $  0.28   $  0.25   $  0.10    $  0.09
                                                             =======   =======   =======    =======
Fully diluted weighted average no. of shares outstanding*:     4,911     4,036     4,911      4,036
</TABLE>


*Reflects  adjustment for 5% stock  dividend  issued on October 1, 1998 and 1997
and a two-for-one  stock split  effective  November 10, 1997.  The  accompanying
notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>



                            LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                      NINE MONTHS ENDED     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,          SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                       1998       1997       1998       1997
                                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                                       (in thousands)

<S>                                                   <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>    

NET INCOME .......................................   $ 3,108    $ 2,397    $ 1,023    $   861
Other comprehensive income (loss):
    Unrealized holding gains on
      available-for-sale securities
      Gain (losses) arising during the period ....       477        421        521        354
      Reclassification adjustment ................       (80)       (80)        (2)       (89)
                                                     -------    -------    -------    -------
Other comprehensive income (loss)
  before income taxes ............................       397        341        519        265
Income taxes related to other comprehensive income       135        116        177         91
                                                     -------    -------    -------    -------
Other comprehensive income (loss),
  net of income taxes ............................       262        225        342        174
                                                     -------    -------    -------    -------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME .............................   $ 3,370    $ 2,622    $ 1,365    $ 1,035
                                                     =======    =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                        5

<PAGE>



                            LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                   1998       1997
                                                                ----------------------
                                                                  (in thousands)
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>    

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income ...............................................   $  3,108    $  2,397
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
     Provision for possible credit losses ..................        452         730
     Depreciation, amortization, and accretion .............      1,096         647
     Deferred income taxes .................................         15        --
     Investment security (gain) loss, net ..................        (78)        (80)
     (Gain) on sale of loans ...............................       (427)       (185)
     Loss on sale of foreclosed assets .....................         72         100
     (Gain) on sale of credit card portfolio ...............       (337)       --
     (Gain) loss on sale of equipment ......................          4          (5)
     (Increase) decrease in mortgage loans
       held for resale .....................................     (4,791)     (3,681)
     (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable ....       (534)       (746)
     Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable .......        247         728
     (Increase) decrease in other assets ...................     (4,495)     (6,373)
     Increase (decrease) in other liabilities ..............      1,048         530
                                                               --------    --------

NET CASH (USED) BY
  OPERATING ACTIVITIES .....................................     (4,620)     (5,938)
                                                               --------    --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Held-to-maturity securities:
    Proceeds from maturities and paydowns ..................     12,884       2,911
    Purchases ..............................................    (59,273)    (34,180)
  Available-for-sale securities:
    Proceeds from maturities and paydowns ..................      3,375       3,133
    Proceeds from sales ....................................     18,869      10,737
    Purchases ..............................................    (30,555)    (16,966)
  (Increase) of life insurance policies cash surrender value       (599)       --
  (Increase) decrease in loans and leases ..................    (33,520)    (41,360)
  Purchases of premises and equipment ......................     (3,746)     (2,860)
  Proceeds from sale of loans ..............................     25,290      20,000
  Proceeds from sale of credit card portfolio ..............      2,453        --
  Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets ..................        334         445
  Proceeds from sale of equipment ..........................         37           5
                                                               --------    --------
  NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES ....................    (64,451)    (58,135)
                                                               --------    --------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Net increase (decrease) in deposits ......................     22,401      24,941
  Increase (decrease) in Federal funds purchased ...........       --         4,800
  Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings .............       --         4,500
  Increase (decrease) in securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase ..............................      1,926        (100)
  Proceeds from long-term debt .............................     50,658      30,000
  Principal payments on long-term debt .....................     (2,125)     (1,695)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock ...................        396         316
  Cash dividends ...........................................     (1,278)       (921)
                                                               --------    --------

NET CASH PROVIDED BY
   FINANCING ACTIVITIES ....................................     71,978      61,841
                                                               --------    --------

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
   CASH EQUIVALENTS ........................................      2,907      (2,232)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
   BEGINNING OF YEAR .......................................     17,109      15,971
                                                               --------    --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR ...................   $ 20,016    $ 13,739
                                                               ========    ========

CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR:
   Interest ................................................   $ 12,111    $  9,182
                                                               ========    ========
   Income taxes ............................................   $    800    $    552
                                                               ========    ========
</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.





                                        7

<PAGE>



                            LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.
                                    FORM 10-Q

Part I  - Financial Information (Cont'd)
Item 1.  Financial Statements (Cont'd)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The financial information as of December 31, 1997 is audited and for the interim
periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 included herein is unaudited; however,
such  information  reflects all adjustments  consisting of only normal recurring
adjustments,  which are,  in the  opinion  of  management,  necessary  to a fair
presentation of the results for the interim periods.

1.             REPORTING AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

               PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

               The  accounting  and financial  reporting  policies of Lake Ariel
Bancorp,  Inc.  and its  subsidiary  conform to  generally  accepted  accounting
principles and to general practice within the banking industry. The consolidated
statements include the accounts of Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned
subsidiary, LA Bank, N.A. (Bank) including its subsidiaries,  LA Lease, Inc. and
Ariel  Financial   Services,   Inc.   (collectively,   Company).   All  material
intercompany  accounts and transactions  have been eliminated in  consolidation.
The accompanying  interim  financial  statements are unaudited.  In management's
opinion,  the consolidated  financial  statements reflect a fair presentation of
the consolidated  financial position of Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary,
and the results of its  operations  and its cash flows for the  interim  periods
presented, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

2.             CASH FLOWS

               The Company  considers  amounts due from banks and federal  funds
sold as cash equivalents. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods.

               From time to time,  the Company  swaps its  residential  mortgage
loans for  participation  certificates of a similar amount issued by the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage  Corporation.  These certificates do not involve the transfer
of cash for cash flow purposes. No mortgage loans were swapped for participation
certificates during the first nine months of 1998 or 1997.






                                        8

<PAGE>



3.             INVESTMENT SECURITIES

               SFAS  No.  115  requires  the  classification  of  securities  as
held-to-maturity,   available-  for-sale  or  trading.  Securities,  other  than
securities  classified as  available-for-sale,  are carried at amortized cost if
management  has the ability  and intent to hold these  securities  to  maturity.
Securities  expected  to be held for an  indefinite  period of time and not held
until maturity are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at estimated
fair value.  Decisions to sell these  securities are determined by the Company's
financial position, including but not limited to, liquidity, interest rate risk,
asset   liability   management   strategies,    regulatory   requirements,   tax
considerations or capital adequacy. Gains or losses on investment securities are
computed using the specific identification method.

The Company has no derivative financial instruments requiring disclosure under 
SFAS No. 119.

4.             RECLASSIFICATIONS

               Certain prior years' amounts have been reclassified to conform to
the 1998 reporting format.

5.             SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT

               There were no short-term borrowings at September 30, 1998.

               Long-term  debt at September 30, 1998  consisted of the following
(in thousands):

               Unsecured note, payable in the amount
               of $850.32 monthly, fixed interest rate
               of 2.9%, maturing November, 2000.......................$       21

               Mortgage, payable in the amount
               of $7,500 monthly, maturing May 1, 2008...............        642

               Borrowings with The Federal Home Loan Bank...............  95,525
                 Total..................................................$ 96,188

               Annual  maturities of the long-term debt are as follows:  $15,728
in 1998; $3,032 in 1999; $8,232 in 2000; $8,339 in 2001; $5,448 in 2002; $50,065
in 2003; $69 in 2004; $5,074 in 2005; $79 in 2006; $85 in 2007, and $37 in 2008.

               The  borrowings  with the  Federal  Home Loan Bank of  Pittsburgh
(FHLB) require the Company to maintain collateral with a fair value in an amount
which  approximates the total  outstanding  debt. In addition,  the Company must
maintain its membership with the FHLB.




                                        9

<PAGE>



                            LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.
                                    FORM 10-Q

Part I -  Financial Information (Cont'd)
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
           Operations:

The consolidated  financial  review of Lake Ariel Bancorp,  Inc. ("the Company")
provides a comparison  of the  performance  of the Company for the periods ended
September  30, 1998 and 1997.  The  financial  information  presented  should be
reviewed  in  conjunction  with  the  consolidated   financial   statements  and
accompanying notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report.

Background

The Company is a one bank holding company whose principal subsidiary is LA Bank,
N.A.  The  Company  operates  21  full-service  branch  banking  offices  in its
principal market area in Lackawanna,  Luzerne,  Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties.
At September 30, 1998, the Company had 168 full-time equivalent employees.

               NET INTEREST INCOME

               Net income for the first nine months of 1998  increased to $3.108
million,  an increase  of $711,000 or 29.7% over 1997.  Net income for the first
nine  months of 1997 was $2.397  million,  an  increase of $119,000 or 5.2% over
1996. On a per share basis, net income was $0.65 basic and $0.64 diluted in 1998
and $0.61 basic and $0.60 diluted in 1997. Weighted average shares outstanding -
diluted  at  September  30,  1998  and  1997  were  4,911,000,   and  4,036,000,
respectively. Earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding reflect
adjustment for the 5% stock  dividends  paid on October 1, 1998,  1997 and 1996,
and the two-for-one stock split effective November 10, 1997.

               The  growth in net income  during  1998 was  attributable  to the
improvement in net interest income, which increased to $9.3 million, an increase
of $991,000 or 11.9% over 1997,  and which was coupled with an increase in other
operating  income to $3.2  million,  an increase of $909,000 or 39.1% over 1997.
The increase  reflects a gain of $337,000  recognized  on the sale of our credit
card  portfolio,  $427,000 from gains on sales of loans  resulting from positive
market conditions for loan sales, and increases in fees and other income charged
to customers as a result of both volume and rate  increases.  This increase more
than offset the increase in other  operating  expenses,  which increased to $8.0
million,  an increase of $1.3 million or 18.7% over 1997. The Company  continued
to focus its efforts toward retail banking  services within its market area with
specific  attention  given to  increasing  market  share.  During the first nine
months of 1998, the Company opened six new branches to take

                                       10

<PAGE>



advantage  of  strategic  market  opportunities.  The new  branches  are  mainly
responsible for the increases in salaries and benefits,  occupancy and equipment
expenses.

               The  growth in net  income in 1997 was also  attributable  to the
improvement in net interest income, which increased to $8.3 million, an increase
of  $840,000 or 11.2% over 1996 and which was also  coupled  with an increase in
other  operating  income to $2.3 million,  an increase of $435,000 or 23.0% over
1996. This increase more than offset the increase in other operating expenses to
$6.8 million, an increase of $921,000 or 15.7% over 1996.

Analysis of Net Interest Income
               For  the  first  nine  months  of  1998,   net  interest   income
(tax-equivalent  basis) increased to $10.0 million,  an increase of $1.1 million
or 11.8% over 1997 levels. Average loans and leases increased to $215.5 million,
an increase of $26.4 million or 13.9% over 1997.  Average  commercial loans grew
to $77.0  million,  an  increase  of $15.2  million or 24.6%  over 1997  levels.
Interest income on commercial  loans  increased to $5.2 million,  an increase of
$858,000 or 20.0% over 1997.  This was due to increased  volume  through most of
1998.  The national prime rate as reported in a national  publication  published
daily,  an index to which the  majority of these  loans were tied,  was 8.25% at
September  30, 1998 and 8.50% at September  30, 1997.  Average real estate loans
increased  16.7%,  which  contributed to a 13.7% increase in interest  income on
real  estate  loans.   Average  consumer  loans,   which  included  credit  card
receivables (in 1997) and leases, decreased $3.9 million or 10.4% over 1997, and
resulted in a 9.5% decrease in related interest income.

               Net  interest  income  (tax-equivalent  basis) for the first nine
months of 1997  increased to $8.9 million,  an increase of $1.0 million or 13.0%
over 1996.  This  increase  was due to the  continued  strong  growth of earning
assets, which grew 23.6% over 1996 levels.

               On average,  investment  securities  in 1998  increased to $161.2
million,  an increase  of $46.7  million or 40.8% over 1997  levels.  Investment
securities in 1997 increased to $114.5 million,  an increase of $29.6 million or
34.8% over 1996 levels. Income earned on investment securities increased to $8.5
million,  an increase of $2.2 million or 35.6% over 1997.  Income earned in 1997
increased to $6.2 million, an increase of $1.7 million or 37.8% over 1996. As is
discussed  under  "Financial  Condition,"  the  asset/liability  management  and
investment  strategies  that were  employed  during  1998 and 1997  resulted  in
increased  holdings  of  investment   securities  and  created  an  increase  in
investment  income.  The mix of securities in the investment  portfolio  changed
slightly  during  1998.  Taxable  securities,  which  represented  71.9%  of the
investment  portfolio in 1997,  increased to 76.0% or $122.6 million in 1998. At
September 30, 1998,  tax-exempt  securities  represented  20.6% of the portfolio
compared to 25.7% in 1997. In 1998, tax-exempt securities, for part of the year,
provided  better  after-tax  investment  returns than taxable  issues in similar
maturity  and  quality  ranges.  Accordingly,  average  balances  on  state  and
municipal  securities  at  September  30, 1998  increased to $33.1  million,  an
increase of $3.8 million or 12.8% over 1997.


                                       11

<PAGE>



               Average interest-bearing deposits at September 30, 1998 increased
to $238.8  million,  an increase of $9.6 million or 4.2% over 1997.  As interest
rates continued  constant  through most of 1997 and through  September 30, 1998,
more depositors sought higher rate, longer-term deposits.

               Average savings and interest-bearing demand deposits at September
30, 1998 increased to $86.7 million,  an increase of $18.0 million or 26.2% over
1997. As a percentage of total average  interest-bearing  deposits,  savings and
interest-bearing  demand deposits  represented  36.3% in 1998 and 30.0% in 1997.
Due to the shift in the mix of deposits,  the rates at which they were repricing
and the volume increase,  interest expense on deposits for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998  increased to $8.1  million,  an increase of $505,000 or 6.7%
over 1997.  These results were  reflected in the cost of funds on deposits which
increased 6.7% from 1997 through 1998,  while volume  increased 2.3%. There were
no brokered deposits within the Company's deposit base during 1998 or 1997.

               Short-term  borrowings,  including  federal funds purchased,  and
securities  sold under  agreements to repurchase,  averaged $2.5 million in 1998
and $1.4 million in 1997.

               Interest  expense as a percent of earning  assets  increased by 5
basis  points from 4.30% in 1997 to 4.35% in 1998 due to the volume  increase in
interest  bearing  liabilities,  the mix in the  makeup of the  interest-bearing
deposits, and the increase in the related interest rates paid.

               The overall  effect of the decrease in yield on  investments  and
loans and  leases,  increase in  interest  rates  paid,  the shift in mix of and
growth in deposit  accounts and long-term  debt and the growth in earning assets
produced a negative  impact on net  interest  margin.  The net  interest  margin
decreased by 36 basis points to 3.52% in 1998 from 3.88% in 1997.

               The  following  tables  provide  an  analysis  of  changes in net
interest  income  with  regard to volume,  rate and  yields of  interest-bearing
assets and liabilities based on average balances for each period.  Components of
interest income and expenses are presented on a  tax-equivalent  basis using the
statutory federal income tax rate of 34% each year.


                                       12

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       For Nine Months Ended September 30,
                                                   1998                                         1997
                                           -----------------------------------       -----------------------------
                                            Average       Interest                  Average     Interest
                                            Balance       Income/        Yield/     Balance     Income/    Yield/
                                            (1)            Expense         Rate     (1)         Expense    Rate
                                           ------------    -------        ------   ----------   -------     -----
                                                  (Dollars in thousands)
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Earning assets:
Federal funds sold .......................     $2,869        $116           5.41%  $4,611       $196        5.68%
Deposits in Federal Home Loan Bank .......        234           8           4.57      224          7        4.18
Investment securities:
    U.S. government agencies .............    122,578       6,256           6.82   82,274      4,340        7.05
    State and municipal(2) ...............     33,146       1,942           7.83   29,394      1,770        8.05
    Other securities .....................      5,472         265           6.47    2,806        114        5.43
                                                                        -------- --------   --------       -----
        Total investment securities ......    161,196       8,463           7.02  114,474      6,224        7.27
Loans and leases:
    Commercial, financial and industrial .     77,021       5,150           8.94   61,811      4,292        9.28
    Real estate-construction and mortgage     105,147       6,169           7.84   90,116      5,426        8.05
    Installment loans to individuals(3) ..     29,451       2,094           9.51   34,590      2,491        9.63
    Lease financing(3) ...................      3,843         357          12.42    2,584        218       11.28
                                               --------    --------                --------    -----
        Total loans and leases ...........    215,462      13,770           8.54  189,101     12,427        8.79

Total earning assets .....................    379,761      22,357           7.87  308,410     18,854        8.17

Cash and due from banks ..................     10,328                              10,131
Premises and equipment ...................     14,161                              10,261

Other, less allowance for credit losses
    and loan fees ........................     13,510                               9,436
                                             --------                               -----
Total assets .............................   $417,760                            $338,238
                                             ========                               =====

Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
Interest-bearing deposits:
    Demand ...............................    $33,457     $   555           2.22% $30,026       $460        2.05%
    Savings ..............................     53,244       1,122           2.82   38,677        585        2.02
    Time .................................    113,058       4,794           5.67  120,441      4,804        5.33
    Time over $100,000 ...................     39,062       1,606           5.50   40,064      1,723        5.75
                                             --------    --------                --------      -----
        Total interest-bearing deposits ..    238,821       8,077           4.52  229,208      7,572        4.42
Federal funds purchased ..................        787          35           5.95      530         23        5.80
Short-term borrowings ....................        579          23           5.31      591         26        5.88
Securities sold under agreements
    to repurchase ........................      1,168          44           5.04      279         11        5.27
Long-term debt ...........................     92,394       4,180           6.05   47,593      2,278        6.40
                                             --------    --------                --------      -----
Total interest-bearing liabilities .......    333,749      12,359           4.95  278,201      9,910        4.76
                                                         --------                              -----
Demand - noninterest - bearing ...........     42,874                              34,768

Other liabilities ........................      4,629                               3,490
                                               ------                               -----
Total liabilities ........................    381,252                             316,459
Stockholders' equity .....................     36,508                              21,779
                                              -------                               -----
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $417,760                            $338,238
                                             ========                               =====

Net interest income ......................                 $9,998                             $8,944
                                                           ========                            =====
Net interest spread ......................                                  2.92%                           3.41%
                                                                            ========                        =====
Net interest margin(4) ...................                                  3.52%                           3.88%
                                                                           ========                         =====
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------
(1)  Average   balances  have  been  computed  using  daily  balances.
     Nonaccrual loans are included in loan balances.
(2)  Interest and yield are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using a 34.0%
     statutory tax rate.
(3)  Installment loans and leases are presented net of unearned interest.
(4)  Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, 
     divided by average total earning





                                       13

<PAGE>



                                                     1998 Compared to 1997(1)
                                                      Caused by          Total
                                                  Volume      Rate      Variance
                                                           (In thousands)
Interest income:
    Federal funds sold .....................       $(70)       $(10)       $(80)
    Deposits in Federal Home Loan Bank .....       --             1           1
    Investment securities ..................      2,409        (170)      2,239
    Loans and leases .......................      1,651        (308)      1,343
                                                -------     -------     -------
Total interest income ......................      3,990        (487)      3,503
                                                -------     -------     -------

Interest expense:
    Demand and savings deposits ............        318         314         632
    Time deposits ..........................       (357)        230        (127)
    Borrowed funds .........................      2,071        (127)      1,944
                                                -------     -------     -------
Total interest expense .....................      2,032         417       2,449
                                                -------     -------     -------

Net interest income ........................     $1,958       $(904)     $1,054
                                                =======     =======     =======

- ------------------------------
(1)  The portion of the total change attributable to both volume and rate 
     changes during the period has been allocated to the volume and rate 
     components based upon the absolute dollar amount of the change in each
     component prior to the allocation.


Provision for Possible Credit Losses
               The  provision  for  possible  credit  losses for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 decreased to $490,000,  a decrease of $240,000 or 32.9%
over 1997. In 1998,  the  provision for possible  credit losses was 77.9% of net
charge-offs,  compared to 179.4% in 1997. The provision represented management's
assessment of the risks inherent in the loan and lease portfolio while providing
the amounts necessary to cover potential charge-offs.

               Net  charge-offs  in 1998  increased to $629,000,  an increase of
$222,000 or 54.5% over the same period in 1997. The net charge-offs in 1998 were
primarily attributed to the commercial and consumer installment loan portfolio.

               Net charge-offs on commercial and industrial  loans for 1998 were
$385,000 or 61.3% of net charge-offs in 1998 compared to $56,000 or 13.8% of net
charge-offs for 1997. Consumer and credit card, lease financing, and real estate
related debt accounted for 38.7% in 1998 and 86.2% in 1997, of net  charge-offs,
respectively.









                                       14

<PAGE>



Other Operating Income
               Other operating income in the first nine months of 1998 increased
to $3.2 million,  an increase of $909,000 or 39.1% over 1997. Mortgage servicing
fee income in 1998  decreased to  $220,000,  a decrease of $38,000 or 14.7% over
1997. These fees were directly  influenced by the volume of loans that were sold
in the secondary  market.  Gains or losses on sales of mortgage  loans  occurred
when the coupon  rates on  mortgage  loans  exceeded or fell short of the yields
required by the purchasers.  The net gain of $427,000 recorded in 1998, compared
with the net gain of $185,000 in 1997, was indicative of the changes in interest
rates during the periods in which the sales occurred.

               Fee  income  from  service  charges  on  demand  deposits,   item
processing,  return  items  and other  service  fees in 1998  increased  to $1.1
million,  an increase of $209,000 or 23.1%.  These fees, which represented 34.5%
of other operating income, were influenced by both pricing changes and increases
in the number of consumer and business demand deposit accounts.

               Net   gains   on   available-for-sale    securities   represented
approximately  2.5%  in  1998  and  3.4% in  1997  of  other  operating  income,
respectively. The sales of these securities resulted from the Company's decision
to  liquidate  certain  securities  to capture  market gains with the ability to
reinvest in bonds with similar risk and yield.

               Included in other income are earnings on directors' and officers'
life insurance policies,  credit card annual fees and merchant  discounts,  safe
deposit  box  rentals,  rental  income  on excess  office  space in three of the
Company's branch offices, automated teller machine surcharge income, commissions
on check orders and other general  service fees.  Other income in 1998 increased
to $1.1  million,  an  increase  of  $337,000  or 46.3% over 1997.  Earnings  on
directors'  and officers' life insurance  policies  represented  $128,000 of the
increase.

               OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

               Other  operating  expenses in 1998 increased to $8.0 million,  an
increase of $1.3 million or 18.7% over 1997.  Salaries and benefits,  which were
the most significant of the noninterest expenses, increased in each of the years
reported.  Salaries and benefits for 1998 increased to $3.7 million, an increase
of $551,000 or 17.7% over 1997. This increase was due to the additional staffing
needs  in  both  new and  existing  branch  and  administrative  offices,  merit
increases and the added costs  associated  with health care  insurance and other
benefits which were provided by the Company.

               Equipment  and  occupancy  expenses  in  1998  increased  to $2.0
million,  an  increase  of $357,000  or 21.7% over 1997.  These  increases  were
primarily  attributable  to the  growth  in the  number of  branch  offices,  in
addition  to overall  increases  in  overhead  expenses,  maintenance  costs and
equipment  upgrades  (including  computer hardware and software)  throughout the
branch network.

                                       15

<PAGE>



               FDIC  insurance  assessments  decreased from $222,000 in 1995, to
$2,000 in 1996 and $0 in 1997.  The  decrease in the FDIC  insurance  assessment
reflected the decision by the FDIC in late 1995 to charge well-capitalized banks
a $1,000 semi-annual membership fee without any deposit-based insurance premium,
then reducing this amount to zero in 1997 and beyond.

               Other expenses in 1998 increased to $2.1 million,  an increase of
$247,000 or 13.4% over 1997. Included in these expenses were such costs as legal
fees,  professional  and audit,  state  shares' tax,  directors'  fees and other
general operating expenses.

               INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended  September 30, 1998 was
$930,000,  an increase of 21.6% or $165,000 in 1998.  The effective tax rate for
1998 and 1997 was 23.0% and 24.2%, respectively.

               FINANCIAL CONDITION

September 30, 1998 Compared to December 31, 1997

               The  Company's  total  assets  increased  to  $444.7  million  at
September 30, 1998, an increase of $76.6 million or 20.8% from $368.1 million at
December 31, 1997. The increase in assets was primarily  attributable to a $10.6
million  growth  in  net  loans  and a  $50.0  million  purchase  of  investment
securities in January, 1998.

               The   amortized   cost  of   investment   securities,   including
held-to-maturity (HTM) and available-for-sale (AFS), increased to $168.2 million
at September 30, 1998, an increase of $56.4 million or 50.5% from $111.8 million
at  December  31,  1997.   The  continued   attention   given  to   management's
asset/liability  and  investment  strategies  resulted  in an  increase  in  net
interest  income  while  controlling  interest  rate  risk.  By again  utilizing
structured  borrowings  with the FHLB,  the Company  was able to  purchase  both
taxable and tax-exempt  investments that provided a favorable spread between the
interest  rate on deposits and  borrowings  versus the yield on invested  funds.
During  the first  quarter  of 1998,  the  Company  purchased  $50.0  million of
securities  with funds  borrowed  from the FHLB.  The strategy that was employed
provided a favorable spread between the rates on invested and borrowed funds. At
September  30,  1998,  gross  unrealized  gains  in  the  HTM  investments  were
$1,214,000 while gross unrealized losses amounted to $12,000.

               The  following  table  presents  the  maturity  distribution  and
weighted  average yield of the securities  portfolio of the Company at September
30, 1998.  Weighted average yields on tax-exempt  obligations have been computed
on a taxable equivalent basis.



                                       16

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                  Available for Sale September 30 , 1998
                                                         After 1 Year But After 5 Years But After 10 Years
                                        Within 1 Year    Within 5 Years   Within 10 Years  or no maturity      Total
                                       ---------------   ---------------- ---------------- --------------  --------------

                                        Amount  Yield    Amount   Yield  Amount    Yield   Amount  Yield   Amount   Yield
                                        ------  -----    ------   -----  ------    -----   ------  -----   ------   -----
                             (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                     <C>       <C>    <C>     <C>       <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>    <C>

Amortized cost:
U.S. government agencies and
    corporations ..................    $5,500     7.0%  $8,492     7.0%  $6,827     6.9% $23,808     6.6% $44,627     6.7%
Obligations of state and
    political subdivisions ........       100     7.5      855     7.1      324     7.5   11,916     7.1   13,195     7.1
Equity securities .................        --      --       -        -        -       -    5,941     5.9    5,941     5.9
                                          ---             ----            -----          -------              ---
Total securities available for sale    $5,600     7.0%  $9,347     7.0%  $7,151     6.9% $41,665     6.6% $63,763     6.7%
                                        =====           =======          ======          =======           =======

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                Held to Maturity September 30, 1998
                                                        After 1 Year But After 5 Years But After 10 Years
                                     Within 1 Year       Within 5 Years   Within 10 Years  or no maturity       Total
                                    ---------------     ---------------- ----------------  --------------  --------------

                                    Amount     Yield    Amount   Yield    Amount    Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount     Yield
                                    ------     -----    ------   -----    ------    -----   ------   -----  ------      -----
<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Amortized cost: .................                                       (Dollars in thousands)
U.S. government agencies and
    corporations ................    $14,210     7.1%  $36,873     6.9%  $20,927     7.2%   $8,534     6.8%  $80,544     7.0%
Obligations of state and
    political subdivisions ......       -           -    1,286     6.5%   11,797     6.9%   10,845     7.7%   23,928     7.2%
                                      ------          --------            ------    --------   ---
Total securities held to maturity    $14,210     7.1%  $38,159     6.9%  $32,724     7.1%  $19,379     7.3% $104,472     7.0%
                                    ========            ======          ========           =======          ========      ===
</TABLE>


               Total net loans  increased  to $218.9  million at  September  30,
1998, an increase of $10.7  million or 5.1% from $208.2  million at December 31,
1997. The increase in net loans was directly related to the growth in commercial
loans and residential mortgages,  reduced by the $25.3 million of mortgage loans
sold  during  the first  nine  months  of 1998 and the sale of our $2.2  million
credit card portfolio.  Residential  mortgage loans,  which included real estate
construction  loans,  increased  to $108.1  million at September  30,  1998,  an
increase of $5.1 million or 5.0% from $103.0 million at December 31, 1997.

               Consumer loans and leases, net of unearned  discounts,  increased
to $38.9  million at September  30,  1998,  an increase of $300,000 or 0.1% from
$38.6 million at December 31, 1997.  Commercial loans increased to $80.2 million
at September  30, 1998, an increase of $10.7 million or 15.4% from $69.5 million
at  December  31,  1997.  Commercial  loans  consisted  of  loans  made to small
businesses  within the Company's market area and were generally  secured by real
estate and other assets of the borrowers.

               Life insurance cash surrender  value increased to $8.5 million at
September  30,  1998,  an  increase  of  $600,000  or 7.6% from $7.9  million at
December 31, 1997. The increase represents an investment in 1997 in various life
insurance  policies to fund both a  non-qualified  supplemental  retirement plan
(SERP)  and an  officer  group  term  life  insurance  replacement  plan  on the
executive officers and certain other officers of the Company.




                                       17

<PAGE>



               Total deposits increased to $302.9 million at September 30, 1998,
an increase of $22.4  million or 8.0% from $280.5  million at December 31, 1997.
Noninterest-bearing  demand deposits increased to $50.0 million at September 30,
1998,  an increase of $10.3  million or 26.0% from $39.7 million at December 31,
1997. In the aggregate,  savings and interest- bearing demand deposits increased
to $81.0  million at September  30, 1998,  an increase of $12.8 million or 18.7%
from $68.2  million at December 31, 1997.  As a  percentage  of total  deposits,
savings and interest-bearing demand deposits represented 26.7% in 1998, compared
to 24.3% in 1997.  Time  deposits,  which  include  certificates  of  deposit in
denominations of $100,000 or more,  decreased to $171.9 million at September 30,
1998,  a decrease of $689,000 or 0.4% from $172.6  million at December 31, 1997.
As a percentage of total deposits,  these deposits represented 56.8% in 1998 and
61.5% in 1997.  Approximately  $10.4  million of these  deposits are from public
funds of school  districts and local  governments  located  within the Company's
market area. Included in  interest-bearing  deposits are certificates of deposit
in amounts of  $100,000  or more.  There are no  brokered  deposits  included in
certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more.

               NONPERFORMING ASSETS

               Nonperforming assets included  nonperforming loans and foreclosed
assets held for sale. Nonperforming loans consisted of loans where the principal
and/or  interest  was 90 days or more past due and loans that had been placed on
nonaccrual status. When loans were placed on nonaccrual status,  income from the
current  period was  reversed  from current  earnings  and  interest  from prior
periods was charged to the allowance for possible credit losses.  Consumer loans
were charged-off when principal or interest was 120 days or more delinquent,  or
were placed on nonaccrual status if a sufficient  amount of collateral  existed.
The following  table shows  information  concerning  loan  delinquency and other
nonperforming assets of the Company at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997:


                                             1998       1997
                                           (in thousands)
Loans past due 90 days or more ..........   $1,979    $1,453
Impaired loans in nonaccrual status .....    1,337       411
Other nonaccrual loans ..................      123       123
                                            ------    ------
               Total nonperforming loans     3,439     1,987

Foreclosed assets held for sale .........      358       523
                                            ------    ------
               Total nonperforming assets   $3,797    $2,510
                                            ======    ======

Nonperforming loans as a
     percentage of loans ................     1.56%     0.94%
Nonperforming assets as a
     percentage of assets ...............     0.85%     0.68%





                                       18

<PAGE>



               Nonperforming   loans   increased   73.1%  from  year-end   1997.
Nonaccrual  loans  increased  $926,000 or 173.4% from year-end 1997.  Commercial
loans accounted for 91.6% of all  nonaccruals,  followed by real estate loans at
8.4%.  Within the $1.5 million of total nonaccrual  loans,  100% were secured by
mortgages,  primarily first liens, against residential or commercial properties.
Loans past due 90 days or more  increased  $526,000 from 1997  year-end  levels.
These loans  included  $497,000 in real estate  mortgages,  $292,000 in consumer
credit,  $1.155 million in commercial loans and $35,000 in leasing.  These loans
were  reviewed by management at its  quarterly  loan review  meetings  regarding
collection efforts.

               Legal  proceedings on the nonaccrual loans are ongoing,  routine,
and are reviewed by management  on a continuing  basis.  No material  losses are
expected as a result of these proceedings.

               Foreclosed  assets held for sale were  $358,000 at September  30,
1998 compared to $523,000 at year-end  1997.  The decrease was a result of sales
during the year without any substantial  additions.  The Company does not expect
any material losses on the sales of these properties based on current  appraised
values  exceeding book values.  See "Factors That May Affect Future Results" for
factors that could affect sales prices of foreclosed assets.

               POTENTIAL PROBLEM LOANS

               At September 30, 1998, the Company had approximately $1.3 million
of   potential   problem   loans  not   included  in  the   nonperforming   loan
classification.  Known  information  about possible credit  problems  related to
these  borrowers  caused  management to have serious doubts as to the ability of
such  borrowers to comply with present  loan  repayment  terms and may result in
future  classification of such loans as  nonperforming.  These potential problem
loans were taken into  consideration by management when determining the adequacy
of the allowance for possible  credit losses at September 30, 1998. See "Factors
That May Affect Future Results" for further discussion.

               ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE CREDIT LOSSES

               The Company  determined the provision for possible  credit losses
through a quarterly  review of the loan  portfolio.  Factors  such as  declining
economic trends;  the volume of nonperforming  loans;  concentrations  of credit
risk;  adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay; prior
loss  experience  within the various  categories of the  portfolio;  and current
economic  conditions  were considered when reviewing the risks in the portfolio.
Larger  exposures were analyzed  individually.  Over the past several years, the
Company implemented more stringent  underwriting standards in commercial lending
as this  category of loans  continues  to grow.  While  management  believed the
allowance  for possible  credit  losses was  adequate,  future  additions to the
allowance may be necessary based on changes in


                                       19

<PAGE>



economic  conditions.  The adequacy of the allowance for possible  credit losses
was reviewed  quarterly by a loan review  committee  comprised of members of the
Board of  Directors  and senior  management  of the  Company.  The full Board of
Directors  reviewed the relevant  ratios with respect to the allowance after the
loan review committee made its  recommendations.  At both September 30, 1998 and
December 31, 1997, the allowance for possible  credit losses was 1.00% of loans.
For  further  discussion  on factors  that could  influence  the  allowance  for
possible credit losses, see "Factors That May Affect Future Results."

Changes in the  allowance  for possible  credit losses at September 30, 1998 and
December 31, 1997 were as follows:

                                                            1998            1997
                                                          (dollars in thousands)

Balance at beginning of period .....................       $2,109        $1,830
                                                           ------        ------

Charge-offs:
               Real estate-construction ............         --            --
               Real estate-mortgage ................           37           103
               Commercial and industrial ...........          390           106
               Consumer installment ................          212           363
               Lease financing .....................           29            11
                                                           ------        ------

                             Total .................          668           583
                                                           ------        ------

Recoveries:
               Real estate-construction ............         --            --
               Real estate-mortgage ................         --            --
               Commercial and industrial ...........            5            42
               Consumer installment ................           35            40
               Lease financing .....................         --            --
                                                           ------        ------

                             Total .................           40            82
                                                           ------        ------

Net charge-offs ....................................          628           501
                                                           ------        ------
Provision for possible credit losses ...............          490           780
                                                           ------        ------

Balance at end of period ...........................       $1,971        $2,109
                                                           ======        ======

Ratio of net charge-offs during period to
  average loans outstanding during period ..........         0.29%         0.26%
                                                           ======        ======


               The  Company's  management  is unable to  determine  in what loan
category  future  charge-offs and recoveries may occur.  The following  schedule
sets forth the  allocation  of the  allowance  for possible  credit losses among
various  categories.  At September 30, 1998,  approximately 70% of the allowance
for possible  credit  losses is allocated to general risk to protect the Company
against  potential  yet  undetermined  losses.  The  allocation  is  based  upon
historical  experience.  The entire  allowance  for  possible  credit  losses is
available to absorb future loan losses in any loan category.




                                       20

<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                        September 30,      December 31,
                                                            1998              1997
                                                              Percent             Percent
                                                              of Loans            of Loans
                                                              in Each             in Each
                                                              Category            Category
                                                      Amount  to Loans(1)  Amount to Loans(1)
                                                            (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>   

Allocation of allowance for possible credit losses:
Real Estate .......................................     $331       49%     $278       49%
Commercial and industrial .........................      607       36       868       33
Consumer installment ..............................      440       13       465       17
Lease financing ...................................       77        2        68        1
Unallocated .......................................      516     --         430     --
                                                      ------   ------    ------   ------
      Total .......................................   $1,971      100%   $2,109      100%
                                                      ======   ======    ======   ======
</TABLE>

(1) Loans, net of unearned income.

Item 3.

Interest Rate Risk Management
               The  following   discussion   contains  certain   forward-looking
statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995).
These forward-looking statements may involve significant risks and uncertainties
that are described under the caption "Factors That May Affect Future Results."

               Interest  rate risk  management  involves  managing the extent to
which interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive  liabilities are matched.
Interest rate sensitivity is the relationship  between market interest rates and
earnings  volatility  due  to  the  repricing   characteristics  of  assets  and
liabilities.  The  Company's  net interest  income is affected by changes in the
level  of  market  interest  rates.  In order to  maintain  consistent  earnings
performance,  the Company seeks to manage, to the extent possible, the repricing
characteristics of its assets and liabilities.

               Asset/Liability  Management.  One major  objective of the Company
when managing the rate sensitivity of its assets and liabilities is to stabilize
net interest  income.  The  management of and authority to assume  interest rate
risk is the responsibility of the Company's Asset/ Liability Committee ("ALCO"),
which is comprised of senior management and Board members.  ALCO meets quarterly
to  monitor  the  ratio of  interest  sensitive  assets  to  interest  sensitive
liabilities.  The process to review  interest rate risk  management is a regular
part  of  management  of the  Company.  Consistent  policies  and  practices  of
measuring and reporting interest rate risk exposure,  particularly regarding the
treatment of noncontractual assets and liabilities,  are in effect. In addition,
there is an annual  process to review the  interest  rate risk  policy  with the
Board of Directors  which includes  limits on the impact to earnings from shifts
in interest rates.



                                       21

<PAGE>



               Interest Rate Risk  Measurement.  Interest rate risk is monitored
through the use of three complementary measures:  static gap analysis,  earnings
at risk  simulation  and economic  value at risk  simulation.  While each of the
interest rate risk measurements has limitations, taken together they represent a
reasonably  comprehensive  view of the  magnitude  of interest  rate risk in the
Company and the  distribution  of risk along the yield curve,  the level of risk
through  time,  and the amount of exposure to changes in certain  interest  rate
relationships.

               Static Gap. The ratio between assets and liabilities repricing in
specific  time  intervals is referred to as an interest  rate  sensitivity  gap.
Interest rate  sensitivity gaps can be managed to take advantage of the slope of
the yield  curve as well as  forecasted  changes in the level of  interest  rate
changes.

               To  manage  this  interest  rate  sensitivity  gap  position,  an
asset/liability  model  called  "static  gap  analysis"  is used to monitor  the
difference  in the  volume  of  the  Company's  interest  sensitive  assets  and
liabilities  that mature or reprice within given periods.  A positive gap (asset
sensitive)  indicates that more assets reprice during a given period compared to
liabilities, while a negative gap (liability sensitive) has the opposite effect.
The Company  employs  computerized  net interest income  simulation  modeling to
assist in  quantifying  interest rate risk exposure.  This process  measures and
quantifies  the impact on net interest  income  through  varying  interest  rate
changes and balance sheet  compositions.  The use of this model assists the ALCO
to gauge the effects of the interest rate changes on interest  sensitive  assets
and  liabilities  in order to determine what impact these rate changes will have
upon the net interest spread.

               At September 30, 1998, LA Bank  maintained a one year  cumulative
gap of negative  $19.0 million or 4.27% of total assets.  The effect of this gap
position provided a negative mismatch of assets and liabilities which can expose
LA Bank to interest rate risk during a period of rising interest rates.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Interest Sensitivity Gap at September 30, 1998
                                                3 months     3 through     1 through       Over
                                                 or less     12 months       3 years    3 years        Total
                                            ------------     ---------   -----------    -------       ------
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)

<S>                                             <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>    

Cash and cash equivalents ..................      $6,980          $91     $    --        $12,946      $20,017
Investment securities(1)(2) ................      25,685       15,761        32,318       94,879      168,643
Loans(2) ...................................      57,893       60,124        58,801       43,678      220,496
Fixed and other assets .....................        --           --            --         35,056       35,056
                                               ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------
Total assets ...............................     $90,558      $75,976       $91,119     $186,559     $444,212
                                               =========    =========     =========    =========    =========

Non interest-bearing transaction deposits(3)   $    --      $    --         $25,019      $25,019      $50,038
Interest-bearing transaction deposits(3) ...       1,221       14,088        17,906       51,016       84,231
Time .......................................      27,580       79,716        11,892        9,789      128,977
Time over $100,000 .........................      10,829       23,828         4,982         --         39,639
Short-term borrowings ......................      12,481        1,062          --           --         13,543
Long-term debt .............................      11,179        3,537         8,625       61,432       84,773
Other liabilities ..........................        --           --            --          5,033        5,033
                                               ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------      -------
        Total Liabilities ..................   $  63,290      $122,231      $68,424     $152,289     $406,234
                                               =========     =========    =========    =========     ========

Interest sensitivity gap ...................     $27,268     $(46,255)      $22,695      $34,270
                                               =========     =========    =========    =========

Cumulative gap .............................     $27,268     $(18,987)       $3,708      $37,978
                                               =========     =========    =========    =========

Cumulative gap to total assets .............        6.14%        (4.27)%       0.83%        8.55%
</TABLE>

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


                                       22

<PAGE>



(1)  Gross of unrealized gains/losses on available for sale securities.
(2)  Investments and loans are included in the earlier of the period in which 
     interest rates were next scheduled to adjust or the period in
     which they are due.  In addition, loans were included in the periods 
     in which they are scheduled to be repaid based on scheduled
     amortization.  For amortizing loans and mortgage-backed securities, annual 
     prepayment rates are assumed reflecting historical experience as well as 
     management's knowledge and experience of its loan products.
(3)  LA Bank's demand and savings accounts were generally subject to immediate 
     withdrawal.  However, management considers a certain amount of such 
     accounts to be core accounts having significantly longer effective 
     maturities based on the retention experiences of such deposits in changing
     interest rate environments.  The effective maturities presented are the 
     recommended maturity distribution limits for nonmaturing deposits based 
     on our historic deposit studies.

               Upon  reviewing  the  current  interest   sensitivity   scenario,
decreasing interest rates could positively effect net income because the Company
is liability sensitive. In a rising interest rate environment,  net income could
be negatively  affected because more liabilities than assets will reprice during
a given period.

               Certain  shortcomings  are  inherent  in the  method of  analysis
presented in the above table.  Although  certain assets and liabilities may have
similar maturities or periods of repricing,  they may react in different degrees
to changes in market  interest  rates.  The interest  rates on certain  types of
assets and  liabilities  may fluctuate in advance of changes in market  interest
rates,  while  interest rates on other types of assets and  liabilities  may lag
behind changes in market interest rates. Certain assets, such as adjustable-rate
mortgages,  have  features  which  restrict  changes  in  interest  rates  on  a
short-term  basis  and over the life of the  asset.  In the event of a change in
interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels may deviate significantly
from those assumed in  calculating  the table.  The ability of many borrowers to
service their adjustable-rate debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate
increase.

               Earnings  at Risk and  Economic  Value at Risk  Simulations.  The
Company  recognizes  that  more  sophisticated  tools  exist for  measuring  the
interest rate risk in the balance sheet beyond static gap analysis.  Although it
will  continue  to  measure  its  static  gap  position,  the  Company  utilizes
additional  modeling for identifying and measuring the interest rate risk in the
overall  balance  sheet.  The ALCO is  responsible  for focusing on "earnings at
risk" and  "economic  value at  risk",  and how both  relate  to the  risk-based
capital position when analyzing the interest rate risk.

               Earnings at Risk. Earnings at risk simulation measures the change
in net interest  income and net income should  interest rates rise and fall. The
simulation  recognizes that not all assets and  liabilities  reprice one for one
with market rates (e.g.,  savings rate). The ALCO looks at "earnings at risk" to
determine  income  changes  from a base  case  scenario  under an  increase  and
decrease of 200 basis points in interest rates simulation model.

               Economic Value at Risk.  Earnings at risk simulation measures the
short-term  risk in the balance sheet.  Economic value (or portfolio  equity) at
risk measures the long-term  risk by finding the net present value of the future
cashflows from the Company's existing assets and liabilities.  The ALCO examines
this ratio  quarterly  utilizing an increase and decrease of 200 basis points in
interest rates  simulation  model.  The ALCO recognizes that, in some instances,
this ratio may contradict the "earnings at risk" ratio.




                                       23

<PAGE>



               The following table illustrates the simulated impact of 200 basis
points upward or downward movement in interest rates on net interest income, net
income,  and the change in economic  value  (portfolio  equity).  This  analysis
assumed that  interest-earning  asset and  interest-bearing  liability levels at
September  30, 1998  remained  constant.  The impact of the rate  movements  was
developed by simulating the effect of rates changing over a twelve-month  period
from the September 30, 1998 levels.

                                                         Rates +200   Rates -200

Earnings at risk:
Percent change in:
Net Interest Income                                     (0.04)%         (2.87)%
Net Income                                              (0.18)%         (7.02)%

Economic value at risk:
Percent change in:
Economic value of equity                               (12.10)%        (12.70)%
Economic value of equity as a
percent of book assets                                  (1.42)%         (1.50)%

               Economic  value  has the most  meaning  when  viewed  within  the
context of risk-based capital.  Therefore,  the economic value may change beyond
the  Company's  policy  guideline  for a  short  period  of  time as long as the
risk-based  capital ratio (after  adjusting  for the excess equity  exposure) is
greater than 10%.

               CAPITAL

               The adequacy of the  Company's  capital is reviewed on an ongoing
basis with regard to size,  composition and quality of the Company's  resources.
An adequate  capital base is important  for  continued  growth and  expansion in
addition to providing an added protection against unexpected losses.

               An important  indicator  in the banking  industry is the leverage
ratio,  defined  as the ratio of common  stockholders'  equity  less  intangible
assets, to average quarterly assets less intangible  assets.  The leverage ratio
at September  30, 1998 was 8.51%  compared to 10.26% at December 31, 1997.  This
decrease is the direct  result of the increase in average  assets in 1998 caused
by the  borrowings  from  the FHLB  which  were  invested  in  investment  grade
securities,  in addition to the increase in stockholders'  equity as a result of
the public stock offering in 1997. For 1998 and 1997, the ratios were well above
minimum regulatory guidelines.

               As  required  by  the  federal  banking  regulatory  authorities,
guidelines have been adopted to measure capital adequacy.  Under the guidelines,
certain  minimum  ratios are required  for core  capital and total  capital as a
percentage of risk-weighted assets and other off-balance sheet instruments.  For
the  Company,  Tier I capital  consists  of  common  stockholders'  equity  less
intangible  assets,  and Tier II capital  includes the allowable  portion of the
allowance for possible loan losses,  currently limited to 1.25% of risk-weighted
assets.



                                       24

<PAGE>



By  regulatory  guidelines,  neither  Tier I nor  Tier II  capital  reflect  the
adjustment of SFAS No. 115,  which requires  adjustment in financial  statements
prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting   principles  by
including  as a  separate  component  of equity,  the  amount of net  unrealized
holding  gains or losses on debt and  equity  securities  that are  deemed to be
available-for-sale.

                                                           At September 30, 1998
                                                          (Dollars in thousands)

Primary capital                                                         $37,709
Intangible assets                                                         2,370
                                                                       --------
Tier I capital                                                           35,339
Tier II capital                                                           1,894
                                                                       --------
Total risk-based capital                                                $37,233
                                                                       ========

Total risk-weighted assets                                             $242,387
Tier I ratio                                                              14.58%
Risk-based capital ratio                                                  15.36%
Tier I leverage ratio                                                      8.51%

               Regulatory   guidelines  require  that  core  capital  and  total
risk-based capital must be at least 4.0 % and 8.0 %, respectively.

               LIQUIDITY AND FUNDS MANAGEMENT

               Liquidity  management  is to ensure that  adequate  funds will be
available  to meet  anticipated  and  unanticipated  deposit  withdrawals,  debt
servicing payments, investment commitments,  commercial and consumer loan demand
and ongoing operating expenses.  Funding sources include principal repayments on
loans and  investments,  sales of assets,  growth in core  deposits,  short- and
long-term  borrowings  and  repurchase  agreements.  Regular loan payments are a
dependable source of funds,  while the sale of loans and investment  securities,
deposit flows,  and loan  prepayments  are  significantly  influenced by general
economic conditions and level of interest rates.

               At September 30, 1998,  the Company  maintained  $20.0 million in
cash and cash equivalents (including Federal funds sold) in the form of cash and
due from banks (after reserve  requirements).  In addition, the Company had $5.4
million of mortgage  loans held for resale and $64.5 million in AFS  securities.
This  combined  total of $89.9  million  represented  20.2% of total  assets  at
September 30, 1998. The Company believes that its liquidity is adequate.

               The Company  considers its primary  source of liquidity to be its
core deposit  base.  This funding  source has grown  steadily over the years and
consists of deposits from customers  throughout the branch network.  The Company
will continue to promote the acquisition of deposits through its branch offices.
At September 30, 1998 , approximately  68.1% of the Company's assets were funded
by core deposits  acquired  within its market area.  An  additional  8.6% of the
assets were  funded by the  Company's  equity.  These two  components  provide a
substantial and stable source of funds.


                                       25

<PAGE>



               Net cash used by  operating  activities  was $4.6 million for the
nine months ended  September 30, 1998, as compared to net cash used by operating
activities of $5.9 million for the comparable  period in 1997. This $1.3 million
decrease is primarily related to a net $711,000 increase in net income and a net
$1.9 million decrease in the change in other assets.  Net cash used in investing
activities  increased $6.4 million for the year ended  September 30, 1998,  from
$58.1 million to $64.5 million, which was primarily attributable to purchases of
investment securities. Net cash provided by financing activities increased $10.1
million from 1997. A net increase in FHLB  borrowings  of $20.7 million was used
to fund investment purchases.

               FUTURE OUTLOOK

               The  national  prime  lending  rate fell to 8.5% at December  31,
1995, falling again to 8.25% in February 1996, where it remained at December 31,
1996. In June 1997,  the national  prime lending rate increased to 8.5% where it
stood  until  September,  1998  when the prime  rate was  reduced  to 8.25%.  In
October,  1998,  the national prime lending rate fell again to its current level
of 8.00%.  Management  and the Board of  Directors  do not have the  ability  to
determine if another rate adjustment will occur;  however,  the Company believes
it is very well  prepared  to meet the  challenges  and  effects  of a  changing
interest rate environment.  Management's  belief is that a significant impact on
earnings  depends on its ability to react to changes in interest rates.  Through
its ALCO,  the Company  continually  monitors  interest rate  sensitivity of its
earning assets and interest-bearing  liabilities to minimize any adverse effects
on future  earnings.  The Company's  commitment  to remaining a  community-based
organization  is strong and the  intention is to recognize  steady growth in its
consumer,   mortgage  and  commercial  loan   portfolios   while  obtaining  and
maintaining a strong core deposit base.

               The banking and  financial  services  industries  are  constantly
changing. The Company is not aware of any pending pronouncements that would have
a material impact on the results of operations.

               Beginning September 1995, bank holding companies are permitted to
acquire banks in other states  without  regard to state law. In addition,  banks
can merge with  other  banks in  another  state  beginning  in  September  1997.
Predictions  are that  consolidation  will  continue  to  occur  as the  banking
industry  strives for greater cost  efficiencies  and market  share.  Management
believes  that such  consolidation  may  enhance its  competitive  position as a
community bank.

               A normal  examination of LA Bank by the Office of the Comptroller
of the  Currency  ("OCC") in 1997  resulted in no  significant  findings  and no
impact is anticipated on current or future operations.






                                       26

<PAGE>



               The FDIC Board of Directors voted on November 26, 1996, to retain
the existing BIF assessment  schedule of 0 to 27 basis points (annual rates) for
the first semiannual period of 1997, and to collect an assessment  against BIF -
assessable  deposits  to be  paid  to the  Financing  Corporation  ("FICO").  In
addition,  the  Board  eliminated  the  $2,000  minimum  annual  assessment  and
authorized the refund of the  fourth-quarter  minimum assessment of $500 paid by
certain  BIF-insured  institutions  on September 30, 1996. LA Bank's current and
future FDIC BIF assessment is expected to be $0;  however,  the FICO  assessment
for 1998 is expected to be approximately $35,000.

               In 1996,  LA Bank  acquired the real estate and deposit  customer
lists of the Milford (Pike County) and Mountainhome  (Monroe County) branches of
PNC Bank.  These  branches  opened in December  1996.  The  amortization  of the
customer lists was $100,000 for 1997 and is expected to be $100,000 in 1998.

               On August 13,  1998,  LA Bank  announced  it reached a definitive
agreement  with  Honesdale  National  Bank,  Honesdale,  PA  to  sell  its  Lake
Wallenpaupack and Lackawaxen branches located in Pike County. Management felt it
was a  sound  financial  business  decision  for it to  take  advantage  of this
opportunity  and  will,  therefore,  be in a  better  position  to  focus on its
expansion plans to the more populated areas of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

               On  September  4, 1998,  LA Bank  acquired the deposits and fixed
assets  of  Mellon  Bank's   Mountainhome   branch.   The  acquired  office  was
consolidated  into LA Bank's  existing  Mountainhome  branch.  LA Bank  received
approximately  $16  million  of  deposits  for a premium of  approximately  $1.9
million. Amortization of the premium is $16,000 per month.

               The OCC granted approval to establish new branches as follows:

 Location                                                         Date Approved

 Kingston                                                              05/12/98
 East Mountain (Scranton)                                              05/12/98
 Wilkes-Barre Boulevard                                                09/02/98

               In addition,  the Company opened three new branches  during 1998.
On March 18, 1998, a branch opened in the Wal-Mart  Supercenter in Dickson City;
the  Lackawaxen  branch  opened  on  April 2,  1998;  the  Wal-Mart  Supercenter
Honesdale branch opened on June 17, 1998; the Taylor branch opened on August 14,
1998; the  Tannersville  branch opened on August 31, 1998; and the  Wilkes-Barre
Public Square branch opened on September 14, 1998.








                                       27

<PAGE>



               Management is hopeful that the newest additional  banking offices
will continue to expand the Company's deposit base by attracting new depositors,
while providing quality service to both new and existing customers.  The initial
costs  associated  with the branch  openings,  such as  salaries  and  benefits,
advertising, overhead expenses and marketing, will have a negative impact on the
Company's  earnings until the growth in deposits reaches a level to offset these
expenses.  Management  thinks the market share  opportunities and related profit
potential  are here and during  the next 6 months  will  continue  to expand the
branch  network  to a total of 22 offices  covering  five  counties.  Management
expects its ambitious branch  expansion to have a short-term  negative impact on
earnings.  However,  the  projections for future earnings growth is positive and
should provide a significant return for its stockholders.

               YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE; MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

               The Board of Directors  has  established  a Year 2000  compliance
committee  to address the risks of the critical  internal  bank systems that are
affected by date sensitive applications, as well as external systems provided by
third  parties.  A  comprehensive  plan was developed  detailing the sequence of
events and actions to be taken as the Year 2000 approaches.

               The Year  2000  (Y2K)  Committee  was  formed  in May  1997.  The
Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Operating  Officer  was named  liaison to
executive  management.  Co- chairpersons of the committee are Senior  Operations
Manager and Deposit  Operations  Manager.  Other  committee  members include MIS
Supervisor,  Controller,  Senior Lending Officer,  Loan Review Officer,  Special
Assets Officer,  and Internal Auditor.  The committee  currently meets weekly to
discuss the progress of the project.

               An outline was developed by the Committee to manage the phases of
our year 2000  readiness  program.  The outline  addresses the necessary  phases
(identification, renovation, testing, and implementation) necessary to conduct a
detailed review of the Company's readiness.

               A list was compiled of all vendors. The list included information
technology vendors and non-information  technology vendors. The Company does not
utilize any in- house developed programs.  A letter was sent to vendors early in
the third quarter of 1997 seeking  assurance and testing scripts to ensure their
products are Year 2000 ready.  Each vendor was evaluated and  prioritized  as to
the Company's  reliance on the  application.  The Company's MIS  Department  has
conducted testing on all personal computers and file servers. Those that did not
successfully roll into the Year 2000 were replaced.  Unisys Corporation has been
contracted  to assist and consult the Company  with the Year 2000  testing.  The
Company is planning during the third quarter to age its entire  operating system
Company wide and conduct detailed testing.

               When conducting  testing,  we will identify any mission  critical
application  that is not Year 2000  ready.  In the event an  application  is not
compliant,  the Company will  contract with an alternate  vendor.  The Year 2000
Committee  has   identified   alternate   vendors  for  each  mission   critical
application.

                                       28

<PAGE>




               Lending officers have compiled a Year 2000 questionnaire for each
client with a total lending  relationship  of $250,000 or more.  Loan review has
incorporated  into their  evaluations  of the borrower's  credit  worthiness the
question  of the impact that the Year 2000 will have on an  individual  business
and the risk associated with non-compliance  resulting in business disruption. A
Year 2000 legal  addendum has been added to the loan  documentation  for all new
and renewed commercial loans.

               Large  depositors  have also been  personally  contacted and made
aware of the Year 2000 issue and how it may effect  them.  The  Company has also
developed a Year 2000  awareness  brochure that was inserted with the customer's
Company statements.

               The Year 2000 Committee has  established a timeline for Year 2000
Readiness. This timeline is updated as actions are completed.

































                                       29

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                    TIME LINE
                         AWARENESS AND ASSESSMENT PHASES


<S>     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    

*2nd Quarter 1997                  *3rd Quarter 1997             *4th Quarter 1997        *1st Quarter 1998

- -Y2K Committee was formed          -Complaint letters were       -Vendors were ranked     -Commercial customers with a borrowing
- -Vendor list was compiled          sent to all vendors           according to mission     relationship of $250,000 or greater were
- -P.O.S. terminals were tested      -Y2K Outline was developed    critical application     contacted as to their Y2K status
                                                                                          -Committee Chairpersons attended ITI Y2K 
                                                                                          training PC's and proof machines were 
                                                                                          tested for Y2Kcompliance
                                                                                          -Assessment of all vendors & hardware was
                                                                                          completed
</TABLE>


*Denotes completion





                                       30

<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    TIME LINE
                  RENOVATION, TESTING AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASES

<S>                                <C>                          <C>                           <C>      


*2nd Quarter 1998                  *3rd Quarter 1998             4th Quarter 1998              1st Quarter 1999

- -Testing of ITI core applications  -All depositors will be sent  -Seek alternate hardware and  -Implement any new hardware and/or
- -Begin renovation of PC's and      a letter stating the bank's   software vendors for those    software vendors
  routers                          Y2K status                    which are not Y2K ready       -Continue testing core applications 
- -Prepare contingency plan          -Complete renovation          -Continue testing core        for critical dates
                                   -Continue testing core        applications for critical dates
                                   applications for critical 
                                   dates                                    
                                   -Commercial customers
                                   with a  borrowing relationship
                                   between $150,000 to $250,000,
                                   and any others heavily reliant
                                   on technology will be assessed for
                                   Y2K status
</TABLE>



                                       31

<PAGE>



               In accordance with the Office of the Comptroller of Currency Year
2000  advisory  letters,  the Y2K committee has prepared a budget of current and
anticipated  expenditures.  The total budget for this  project is $250,000.  The
following is a breakdown as of June 30, 1998:

o    **$11,250  has been spent to upgrade the  personal  computers  at
     various branch locations.  The previous  personal  computers were
     not Year 2000 ready.

o    **$3,840 has been spent for an outside consultant to assist with the 
     upgrade of the branch personal computers.

o    **$6,500 has been spent to purchase  Year 2000  testing  software
     from ITI.  This  software  enables us to age the ITI  application
     into the Year 2000 and perform testing to ensure compliance.

o    **LA Bank has entered into a contract with Unisys that will allow
     the bank to age the entire automated  platform into the Year 2000
     and perform  testing on all mission  critical  applications.  The
     anticipated cost of this project is $55,000.

o    **$20,000 has been  budgeted to upgrade the operating  system and
     hardware  for four NCR ATMs.  This  amount  was based on a signed
     contract that LA Bank has entered into with Retec Inc.

     o    LA  Bank  is  currently  reviewing  proposals  to  upgrade  the  check
          processing  system due to the fact that the current system is not Year
          2000  compliant.  A proposal to upgrade  the  current  system has been
          received from NCR and the expenditures were estimated at approximately
          $85,000. It is management's position that it may not be cost justified
          to upgrade the current check processing system.  With the Bank's rapid
          growth,  the current  system will not be able to handle the  increased
          volume.  A proposal  from  Unisys  Corporation  has been  received  to
          replace  the  current   system  with  a  check  and   document   image
          environment.   The  costs   associated   with  this  project  will  be
          capitalized and depreciated over the expected life.

The Year 2000 Committee will submit periodic updates of this budget.

**      -  Expense  associated  with  these  projects  will be  capitalized  and
        depreciated over the expected life of the assets.

        The core business  processes that the Year 2000 Committee has identified
are  Information   Technology   Incorporated,   Bankers  Systems   Incorporated,
Attachmate   Incorporated,   Unisys  Corporation,   NCR,  Goldleaf  Technologies
Incorporated,  Novell  Incorporated,  and  Leasetek  Incorporated.  All of these
processes  will be tested during the third quarter of 1998.  The Company is very
optimistic that by conducting the necessary tests there will not be any
interruption of services.



                                       32

<PAGE>



        The process  that is most  heavily  relied upon in the  Company's  daily
operations is Information  Technology  Incorporated.  Without this process,  the
Company would not function  adequately.  The Year 2000  Committee has identified
this as a  high-risk  process and has  developed  out a very  intensive  testing
schedule. The Company has already conducted detailed testing of this process and
currently has generated a schedule that will continue into the Year 1999.

        The Company has developed a written contingency plan. The plan addresses
alternate  vendors  for these  mission  critical  applications,  a timeline  for
implementation  and action,  circumstances  and  trigger  dates,  core  business
processes  that  pose  the  greatest  amount  of  risk to the  Company.  The Y2K
committee  will be  responsible  for updating the  contingency  plan,  reporting
progress and  implementation  changes.  A specific  recovery  plan for each core
business  process will be developed  after  completion of the initial testing by
Unisys Corporation. The contingency plan will be modified to reflect any changes
at that time.  However, no assurance can be made that the systems of others that
the  Company  relies upon will be  converted  on a timely  basis,  or that their
failure to be compliant would not have an adverse effect on the company.

        In October 1997,  the Company  purchased and installed an upgrade to its
current  bank  operating  systems  to improve  efficiencies  of  operations  and
position itself for future growth.  The cost of the new system was approximately
$775,000.  Preconversion testing demonstrated that the new hardware and software
are Year 2000 compliant.

        FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

General

        Banking is affected,  directly and  indirectly,  by local,  domestic and
international economic and political conditions,  and by government monetary and
fiscal policies. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, volatile
interest rates, tight money supply, real estate values,  international conflicts
and other  factors  beyond the control of the Company may  adversely  affect the
future results of operations of the Company.  Management does not expect any one
particular  factor to affect results of operations.  A downward trend in several
areas, however, including real estate, construction and consumer spending, could
have an  adverse  impact  on the  Company's  ability  to  maintain  or  increase
profitability. Therefore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to
continue  its current  rate of  profitability  and growth.  See  "Allowance  For
Possible Credit Losses."

Interest Rates

        The Company's  earnings  depend,  to a large  extent,  upon net interest
income,  which is primarily  influenced by the relationship  between its cost of
funds  (deposits and borrowings)  and the yield on its  interest-earning  assets
(loans and investments). This relationship, known as the net interest spread, is
subject to fluctuate  and is affected by  regulatory,  economic and  competitive
factors  which  influence   interest  rates,   the  volume,   rate  and  mix  of
interest-earning

                                       33

<PAGE>



assets and interest-bearing  liabilities, and the level of nonperforming assets.
As part of its  interest  rate risk  management  strategy,  management  seeks to
control its  exposure to interest  rate  changes by managing  the  maturity  and
repricing   characteristics  of  interest-earning  assets  and  interest-bearing
liabilities.  Through its  asset/liability  committee,  the Company  continually
monitors  interest rate  sensitivity of its earning assets and  interest-bearing
liabilities to minimize any adverse effects on future earnings.

        As of June 30, 1998, total interest-earning assets maturing or repricing
within one year were less than total  interest-bearing  liabilities  maturing or
repricing  in the  same  period  by $19.0  million,  representing  a  cumulative
one-year  interest  rate  sensitivity  gap as a  percentage  of total  assets of
negative  4.27%.  This  condition  suggests  that  the  yield  on the  Company's
interest-earning  assets should adjust to changes in market  interest rates at a
slower  rate  than  the  cost  of the  Company's  interest-bearing  liabilities.
Consequently, the Company's net interest income could decrease during periods of
rising interest rates. See "Interest Rate Risk Management."

Adequacy of Allowance for Possible Credit Losses

        In originating loans, there is a likelihood that some credit losses will
occur.  This risk of loss varies  with,  among other  things,  general  economic
conditions, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness and debt servicing
capacity  of the  borrower  over  the  term of the  loan  and,  in the case of a
collateralized  loan, the value and marketability of the collateral securing the
loan.  Management  maintains an allowance  for possible  credit losses based on,
among other things, historical loan loss experience, known inherent risks in the
loan portfolio,  adverse  situations  that may affect the borrower's  ability to
repay,  the estimated  value of any  underlying  collateral and an evaluation of
current economic conditions. Management believes that the allowance for possible
credit losses is adequate.  There can be no assurance that  nonperforming  loans
will not increase in the future.

Effects of Inflation

        The majority of assets and  liabilities of a financial  institution  are
monetary in nature. Therefore, a financial institution differs greatly from most
commercial and industrial  companies that have significant  investments in fixed
assets or inventories.  Management  believes that the most significant impact of
inflation on financial  results is the Company's  ability to react to changes in
interest  rates.  As discussed  previously,  management  attempts to maintain an
essentially balanced position between rate sensitive assets and liabilities over
a one year time  horizon  in order to protect  net  interest  income  from being
affected by wide interest rate fluctuations.







                                       34

<PAGE>



NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Mortgage Servicing Rights

        In 1995,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  122,  "Accounting  for  Mortgage
Servicing  Rights,"  which  amends  Statement  No. 65,  "Accounting  for Certain
Mortgage  Banking  Activities."  The Statement  applies to all mortgage  banking
activities  in which a mortgage loan is originated or purchased and then sold or
securitized with the right to service the loan retained by the seller. The total
cost of the mortgage loans is allocated  between the mortgage  servicing  rights
and the  mortgage  loans  based on their  relative  fair  values.  The  mortgage
servicing  rights are  capitalized  as assets and  amortized  over the period of
estimated net servicing income. Additionally,  they are subject to an impairment
analysis  based on their  fair  value  in  future  periods.  The  Statement  was
effective  for  transactions  in which  mortgage  loans are sold or  securitized
beginning  January 1, 1996. The impact on the Company's  financial  position and
results of operations will be dependent upon the future volume of mortgage loans
sold  with  servicing  rights  retained.  In  1997  and  1998,  the  impact  was
immaterial.

Stock-Based Compensation

        In 1996, the Company  adopted SFAS No. 123,  "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation."  This  standard  provides  the  Company  with a choice  of how to
account for the issuance of stock options and other stock grants.  The Statement
encourages  companies  to  account  for stock  options  at their  fair value and
recognize the expense as compensation over the service period,  but also permits
companies to follow existing accounting rules under Accounting  Principles Board
("APB")  Opinion No. 25.  Companies  electing to follow APB Opinion No. 25 rules
will be  required  to  disclose  pro forma net  income  and  earnings  per share
information as if the new fair value  approach had been adopted.  The Company is
continuing  to follow  existing  accounting  rules  under APB Opinion No. 25 for
options granted,  with pro forma disclosure in the footnotes to the consolidated
financial statements.

Earnings Per Share and Capital Structure

     In 1997,  the FASB  issued  Statement  No.128,  "Earnings  Per  Share"  and
Statement No. 129,  "Disclosure of Information  about Capital  Structure."  Both
Statements are effective for periods  ending after December 15, 1997.  Statement
No. 128 is designed to simplify the  computation  of earnings per share and will
require  disclosure of "basic  earnings per share" and, if applicable,  "diluted
earnings per share." Statement No. 128 requires  restatement of all prior period
earnings per share data when  adopted.  The adoption of Statement No. 129 had no
impact on the Company.







                                       35

<PAGE>



Reporting Comprehensive Income

        In  June  1997,   the  FASB  issued   Statement   No.  130,   "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income." This Statement  establishes  standards for the reporting
and  display  of  comprehensive  income  and  its  components  in a full  set of
general-purpose financial statements.  Statement No. 130 requires that all items
that are required to be  recognized as  components  of  comprehensive  income be
reported in a financial  statement that is displayed with the same prominence as
other  financial  statements.  This Statement does not require a specific format
for that financial statement,  but requires that an enterprise display an amount
representing  total  comprehensive  income  for the  period  in  that  financial
statement.  Statement  No. 130 is  effective  for fiscal years  beginning  after
December  15,  1997.  The impact of this  Statement on the Company is to require
additional disclosures in the Company's financial statements.

Operating Segment Disclosure

        In June 1997,  the FASB issued  Statement  No. 131,  "Disclosures  About
Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related   Information."   Statement  No.  131
establishes  standards  for the way  that  public  business  enterprises  report
information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires
that those enterprises  report selected  information about operating segments in
interim financial reports issued to shareholders.  It also establishes standards
for related disclosures about products and services,  geographic areas and major
customers.  Statement No. 131 is effective for periods  beginning after December
15,  1997.  The impact,  if any, of this  Statement on the Company is to require
additional disclosures in the Company's financial statements.

Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

             In  February,  1998,  the  FASB  issued  Statement  No.  132.  This
Statement revises employers'  disclosures about pension and other postretirement
benefit plans. It does not change the measurement or recognition of those plans.
It   standardizes   the   disclosure   requirements   for   pensions  and  other
postretirement   benefits  to  the  extent   practicable,   requires  additional
information on changes in the benefit obligations and fair values of plan assets
that will facilitate financial analysis, and eliminates certain disclosures that
are no longer  useful.  This  Statement is effective for fiscal years  beginning
after December 15, 1997. The impact, if any, of this statement on the Company is
to require additional disclosure in the Company's financial statements.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

             FASB No.  133,  issued in June  1998,  establishes  accounting  and
reporting  standards for derivative  instruments,  including certain  derivative
instruments in other contracts, and for hedging activities.  It requires that an
entity  recognize  all  derivatives  as  either  assets  or  liabilities  in the
statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The
impact on the Company's  financial  position and results of  operations  will be
dependent  upon  the  future  volume  (if  any) of  acquisitions  of  derivative
instruments and hedging activities. In 1997 and 1998, the impact is immaterial.

                                       36

<PAGE>



Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a) Exhibits required by item 601 of Regulation S-K

         Exhibit Number           Description of Exhibit
               2                         None
               3(i)                      None
               3(ii)                     None
               4                         None
              10                         None
              11                         None
              15                         None
              18                         None
              19                         None
              22                         None
              23                         None
              24                         None
              27                         Financial Data Schedule
              99                         None

         (b) Reports on Form 8-K

On  September  10, 1998,  the  Registrant  filed Form 8-K  reporting a corporate
resolution of September 8, 1998 approving a 5% common stock dividend  payable on
October 1, 1998.


                                       37

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


          Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


        LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.



Date:  November 10, 1998      By   /s/ John G. Martines
                              ----------------------
                              John G. Martines
                              CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER



                              /s/ Joseph J. Earyes
                              Joseph J. Earyes, CPA
                              VICE PRESIDENT and TREASURER


                                       38

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                                            9
<CIK>                   0000723878                        
<NAME>                    LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.    
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                        JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                         SEP-30-1998
<CASH>                                                                    12,945
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                                                       121
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                                           6,950
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                                               0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                               64,487
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                                                   104,471
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                                                     105,674
<LOANS>                                                                  220,846
<ALLOWANCE>                                                                1,971
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           444,706
<DEPOSITS>                                                               302,851
<SHORT-TERM>                                                               2,127
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                                        5,247
<LONG-TERM>                                                               96,188
                                                          0
                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                     962
<OTHER-SE>                                                                37,331
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                                           444,706
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                                           13,765
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                                          7,803
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                                             124
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                                          21,692
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                                                         8,077
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                         4,282
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                                                      9,333
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                                                490
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                                            80
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                                            8,038
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                            4,038
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                                                 4,038
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                               3,108
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               0.64
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                                                 0
<LOANS-NON>                                                                1,460
<LOANS-PAST>                                                               1,979
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                                           3,439
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                                            1,300
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                                           2,109
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                                                668
<RECOVERIES>                                                                  39
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                                          1,971
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                                       1,971
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                                            0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                                                    1,971
        

</TABLE>


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