LAKE ARIEL BANCORP INC
SC 13D/A, 1999-12-17
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                 SCHEDULE 13D/A
                                 (RULE 13D-101)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
            TO RULE 13D-1(A) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
                                  RULE 13D-2(A)

                                (AMENDMENT NO. 1)

                            Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc.
                            ------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     Common Stock, par value $.21 per share
                     --------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   507467 10 8
                                   -----------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                              Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe
                      President and Chief Executive Officer
                                NBT Bancorp Inc.
                              52 South Broad Street
                             Norwich, New York 13815
                                 (607) 337-6000
            --------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                     to Receive Notices and Communications)
                                December 13, 1999
            --------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

                                    Copy to:
                              Brian D. Alprin, Esq.
                             Laurence S. Lese, Esq.
                          Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
                         1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
                             Washington, D.C. 20006
                                 (202) 776-7800


                                        1

<PAGE>

If the filing person has previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the  acquisition  that is the subject of this  Schedule  13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e),  13d-1(f),  or 13d-1(g),  check the following
box: [ ].



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)      NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
         S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS

         NBT BANCORP INC.
         16-1268674
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2)      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP:
                                                          (a)    [ ]
                                                          (b)    [ ]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3)      SEC USE ONLY

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4)      SOURCE OF FUNDS*

         WC/00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5)      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
         PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
                                                                 [ ]
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6)      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

         DELAWARE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES                             (7)     SOLE VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY                                         965,300(1)
EACH REPORTING PERSON                                ---------------------------
WITH:                                        (8)     SHARED VOTING
                                                                -0-
                                                     ---------------------------


                                        2

<PAGE>

                                              (9)    SOLE DISPOSITIVE

                                                              965,300(1)
                                                     ---------------------------
                                              (10)   SHARED DISPOSITIVE
                                                                -0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11)     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
         PERSON

         965,300(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12)     CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN
         SHARES*                                                [ ]

         N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13)     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11

         APPROXIMATELY 16.6%(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14)     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

         CO
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*        SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

(1)      The  shares  of  Issuer   common  stock  covered  by  this  report  are
         purchasable by the Reporting  Person upon exercise of an option granted
         to the Reporting  Person as of August 16, 1999, and described in Item 4
         of this  report.  Prior to the  exercise of the option,  the  Reporting
         Person is not entitled to any rights as a  stockholder  of Issuer as to
         the shares covered by the option. The option may only be exercised upon
         the  happening of certain  events  referred to in Item 4, none of which
         has  occurred as of the date hereof.  The  Reporting  Person  expressly
         disclaims  beneficial ownership of any of the shares of common stock of
         Issuer which are  purchasable by the Reporting  Person upon exercise of
         the option until such time as the Reporting  Person  purchases any such
         shares  upon  any  such  exercise.   The  number  of  shares  indicated
         represents  19.9% of the total  outstanding  shares of common  stock of
         Issuer as of August 16, 1999,  excluding  shares issuable upon exercise
         of the option.

(2)      After giving effect to the exercise of the option as described herein.

                                        3

<PAGE>

ITEM 1.      SECURITY AND ISSUER.

This statement on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D (the  "Schedule  13D") relates
to the  common  stock,  par value $.21 per share (the  "Shares"  or the  "Issuer
Common  Stock"),  of  Lake  Ariel  Bancorp,  Inc.,  a  Pennsylvania  corporation
("Issuer").  The principal  executive office of Issuer is located at Post Office
Box 67, Route 191, Lake Ariel, PA 18436.

The  information   set  forth  in  the  Exhibits  hereto  is  hereby   expressly
incorporated herein by reference and the responses to each item of this Schedule
13D are qualified in their entirety by the provisions of such Exhibits.

ITEM 2.      IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.

(a)-(c) This Schedule 13D is filed by NBT Bancorp  Inc., a Delaware  corporation
("Reporting Person").

The business address of Reporting Person is 52 South Broad Street,  Norwich, New
York  13815.  The  principal  business  of  Reporting  Person is a bank  holding
company.

To the best of Reporting  Person's  knowledge  as of the date hereof,  the name;
business address;  present principal  occupation or employment;  name, principal
business  and address of any  corporation  or other  organization  in which such
employment is conducted;  and citizenship of each executive officer and director
of Reporting Person is set forth in Schedule I hereto. The information contained
in Schedule I is incorporated herein by reference.

(d)-(e) During the last five years,  neither  Reporting  Person nor, to the best
knowledge of Reporting  Person,  any of the  executive  officers or directors of
Reporting Person, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic
violations or similar misdemeanors),  or been a party to a civil proceeding of a
judicial or  administrative  body of competent  jurisdiction  and as a result of
such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining
future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal
or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such items.

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

We hereby incorporate by reference the information  provided under this Item set
forth in Reporting Person's Schedule 13D filed by Reporting Person on August 18,
1999.

ITEM 4.     PURPOSE OF THE TRANSACTION.

We hereby incorporate by reference the information  provided under this Item set
forth in Reporting Person's Schedule 13D filed by Reporting Person on August 18,
1999.

                                        4

<PAGE>



ITEM 5.      INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

We hereby incorporate by reference the information  provided under this Item set
forth in Reporting Person's Schedule 13D filed by Reporting Person on August 18,
1999.

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

We hereby incorporate by reference the information  provided under this Item set
forth in Reporting Person's Schedule 13D filed by Reporting Person on August 18,
1999.

On December 13,  1999,  Reporting  Person and Issuer  amended the Plan of Merger
(the "Amended Plan").  The material  features of the amendments set forth in the
Amended Plan are (1) a reflection of the determination of the Board of Directors
of  Reporting  Person to amend the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of Reporting
Person  to (a)  change  the par value of  Reporting  Person's  common  stock and
preferred  stock from no par  value,  $1.00  stated  value per share to $.01 par
value per share and (b) increase the number of authorized shares common stock of
Reporting  Person  from  15  million  to 30  million;  (2) a  provision  for  an
appropriate amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Reporting Person to
reflect the outcome of the votes of the  stockholders of Reporting Person on the
proposed amendments to Reporting Person's  Certificate of Incorporation,  as set
forth in (1) immediately  above; (3) a change in the identity of the auditors of
Issuer  which must provide the comfort  letters  required by the Plan of Merger;
and (4) an  agreement  by  Reporting  Person to prepare  and file with the SEC a
registration  statement  with  respect  to the  Replacement  Options  issued  in
exchange for the stock options of Issuer  outstanding  at the Effective  Time of
the Merger.

ITEM 7.      MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT      DESCRIPTION

2.1          Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of August 16, 1999, by and
             between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Lake Ariel Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated
             by  reference  to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule  13D filed by NBT Bancorp
             Inc. on August 18, 1999)

2.2          Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 13,
             1999, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Lake Ariel Bancorp,  Inc.
             (filed herewith)

2.3          The Directors'  Agreement,  dated as of August 16, 1999, is part of
             the  Plan  of  Merger,   which  is  filed  as  Exhibit   2.1  above
             (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule 13D filed by
             NBT Bancorp Inc. on August 18, 1999)

2.4          Stock Option Agreement,  dated August 16, 1999, by and between Lake
             Ariel  Bancorp,  Inc. as "Issuer" and NBT Bancorp Inc. as "Grantee"
             (incorporated by

                                        5

<PAGE>

             reference  to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule 13D filed by NBT Bancorp Inc.
             on August 18, 1999)

2.5          Form of Employment Agreement with John G. Martines (incorporated by
             reference  to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule 13D filed by NBT Bancorp Inc.
             on August 18, 1999)

2.6          Form of Change-in-Control  Agreement  (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule 13D filed by NBT Bancorp Inc. on August 18,
             1999)

                                        6

<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE

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

                                                     NBT BANCORP INC.


                                                     By: /s/ Daryl R. Forsythe
                                                     -------------------------
                                                     Name: Daryl R. Forsythe
                                                     Title:  President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer

Dated:  December 17, 1999




                                        7

<PAGE>



                                   SCHEDULE I


              DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF NBT BANCORP INC.

                  The following table sets forth the name,  business address and
present  principal  occupation  or  employment  of each  director and  executive
officer  of  Reporting  Person.  Each  such  person is a U.S.  citizen,  and the
business address of each such person is 52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York
13815.


Name and Business                         Present Principal
    Address                                   Occupation
    -------                                   ----------

*Daryl R. Forsythe                  President and Chief Executive Officer

*Everett A. Gilmour                 Chairman, Retired

Joe C. Minor                        President and Chief Operating Officer,
                                       NBT Financial Services, Inc.

Michael J. Chewens                  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
                                       and Operating Officer

John D. Roberts                     Vice President and Secretary

*J. Peter Chaplin                   Retired

*Peter B. Gregory                   Partner, Gatehouse Antiques

*Andrew S. Kowalczyk, Jr.           Partner, Kowalczyk, Tolles, Deery
                                       & Johnston, attorneys

*Dan B. Marshman                    Marshman Farms, Inc.

*John C. Mitchell                   President, I.L. Richer Co.
                                       (agribusiness)

*William L. Owens                   Partner, Stafford, Trombley, Owens
                                       & Curtin, P.C., attorneys

*Paul O. Stillman                   Chairman, Preferred Mutual
                                       Insurance Co.


*Director of NBT Bancorp Inc.



                                        8

<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT     DESCRIPTION

2.1         Agreement  and Plan of Merger,  dated as of August 16, 1999,  by and
            between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Lake Ariel  Bancorp,  (incorporated  by
            reference  to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule  13D filed by NBT Bancorp Inc.
            on August 18, 1999)

2.2         Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger,  dated as of December 13,
            1999,  by and  between  NBT  Bancorp  Inc.  and Lake Ariel  Bancorp,
            Inc.(filed herewith)

2.3         The  Directors'  Agreement,  dated as of August 16, 1999, is part of
            the  Plan  of  Merger,   which  is  filed  as   Exhibit   2.1  above
            (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule 13D filed by
            NBT Bancorp Inc. on August 18, 1999)

2.4         Stock Option  Agreement,  dated August 16, 1999, by and between Lake
            Ariel  Bancorp,  Inc. as "Issuer"  and NBT Bancorp Inc. as "Grantee"
            (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule 13D filed by
            NBT Bancorp Inc. on August 18, 1999)

2.5         Form of Employment Agreement with John G. Martines  (incorporated by
            reference  to Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule  13D filed by NBT Bancorp Inc.
            on August 18, 1999)

2.6         Form of  Change-in-Control  Agreement  (incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit 2.1 of Schedule  13D filed by NBT Bancorp Inc. on August 18,
            1999)




                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2


                                   EXHIBIT 2.2

                    AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


     THIS  AMENDMENT  (the  "Amendment")  dated  as of  the  thirteenth  day  of
December,  1999, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 16, 1999
(the "Merger  Agreement")  made between NBT Bancorp  Inc.  ("NBTB"),  a Delaware
corporation  having its principal  office in Norwich,  New York,  and Lake Ariel
Bancorp,  Inc. ("LABN"), a Pennsylvania  corporation having its principal office
in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania

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

     WHEREAS, NBTB and LABN are bank holding companies which desire to affiliate
with each other  through the merger of LABN with and into NBTB,  with NBTB to be
the surviving corporation (the "Merger");

     WHEREAS,  NBTB and LABN are parties to the Merger Agreement  providing for,
among other things, the Merger;

     WHEREAS,  NBTB wishes to increase  the number of  authorized  shares of its
common stock ("NBTB Common  Stock") in order to ensure that there are sufficient
authorized but unissued  shares of NBTB Common Stock  available for a variety of
business needs as they may arise,  including for the issuance to stockholders of
LABN who do not exercise their dissenter's rights in the Merger;

     WHEREAS,  NBTB desires to make additional changes to its authorized capital
stock to change the NBTB Common Stock and NBTB's  existing  preferred stock from
no par value to a par value of $.01 per share  (together  with the  amendment to
increase  the  number  of   authorized   shares  of  NBTB  Common   Stock,   the
"Amendments");

     WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of NBTB and LABN believe it is in the best
interests  of their  respective  stockholders  to amend the Merger  Agreement to
provide for an appropriate amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of NBTB
in the Merger to reflect the outcome of the  stockholder  votes on the  proposed
Amendments; and

     WHEREAS,  NBTB and LABN  desire to make  additional  changes  to the Merger
Agreement,  including  changes  which would provide for (i) issuance of "comfort
letters" from the  independent  auditors of LABN for the year ended December 31,
1998  instead  of from the  independent  auditors  of LABN  for the  year  ended
December  31,  1999,  and (ii) the  registration  of shares of NBTB Common Stock
purchasable  through the exercise of options into which  options to acquire LABN
Common Stock shall have been converted in the Merger;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and mutual  agreements
hereinafter  set forth,  intending  to be legally  bound,  the parties  agree as
follows:

1.   Amendment  to Section  1.2(g).  Section  1.2(g) of the Merger  Agreement is
     hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:


<PAGE>

         "(g)     Certificate of Incorporation.

                  "(i) In the event that,  prior to the Effective  Time,  NBTB's
     stockholders   approve  a  proposed  amendment  to  NBTB's  Certificate  of
     Incorporation  to increase the number of  authorized  shares of NBTB common
     stock  from  fifteen   million  to  thirty  million  (the  "Share  Increase
     Amendment"),  and the NBTB Board of Directors  causes NBTB to file with the
     Delaware  Secretary  of  State  an  appropriate  Certificate  of  Amendment
     reflecting such approval,  NBTB's Certificate of Incorporation as it exists
     immediately prior to the Effective Time shall not be further amended in the
     Merger  and shall be the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Surviving
     Corporation, until later amended pursuant to Delaware law.

                  "(ii) in the event  that,  prior to the  Effective  Time,  (A)
     NBTB's  stockholders  approve a proposed amendment to NBTB's Certificate of
     Incorporation  authorizing a change in NBTB's  authorized stock from no par
     value shares to shares having a par value of $.01 per share (the "Par Value
     Amendment"),  and the NBTB Board of Directors  causes NBTB to file with the
     Delaware  Secretary  of  State  an  appropriate  Certificate  of  Amendment
     reflecting  such approval,  but (B) NBTB's  stockholders do not approve the
     Share Increase Amendment,  or NBTB's Board of Directors does not cause NBTB
     to file with the Delaware Secretary of State an appropriate  Certificate of
     Amendment  reflecting  approval  of  the  Share  Increase  Amendment,   the
     Certificate of Incorporation of NBTB as it exists  immediately prior to the
     Effective  Time shall be amended in the Merger by amending  Article  FOURTH
     thereof to read as follows:

                  'FOURTH:  The total  number of shares of all  classes of stock
         which the  Corporation  shall have the authority to issue is Twenty-Two
         Million Five Hundred Thousand (22,500,000) shares, consisting of Twenty
         Million  (20,000,000) shares of Common Stock having a par value of $.01
         per share and Two Million Five Hundred Thousand  (2,500,000)  shares of
         Preferred Stock having a par value of $.01 per share.'

                  "(iii) in the event that,  prior to the  Effective  Time,  (A)
     NBTB's  stockholders  do not approve either the Par Value  Amendment or the
     Share Increase Amendment, or (B) NBTB's stockholders do not approve the Par
     Value  Amendment and NBTB's Board of Directors  does not cause NBTB to file
     with  the  Delaware  Secretary  of  State  an  appropriate  Certificate  of
     Amendment  reflecting  approval  of the Share  Increase  Amendment,  or (C)
     NBTB's  stockholders do not approve the Share Increase Amendment and NBTB's
     Board of Directors does not cause NBTB to file with the Delaware  Secretary
     of State an appropriate Certificate of Amendment reflecting approval of the
     Par Value  Amendment,  or (D) NBTB's Board of Directors does not cause NBTB
     to file  with  the  Delaware  Secretary  of  State  either  an  appropriate
     Certificate  of  Amendment   reflecting  approval  of  the  Share  Increase
     Amendment or an appropriate Certificate of Amendment reflecting approval of
     the Par Value  Amendment,  the Certificate of  Incorporation  of NBTB as it
     exists  immediately  prior to the  Effective  Time  shall be amended in the
     Merger by amending Article FOURTH thereof to read as follows:

                  'FOURTH:  The total  number of shares of all  classes of stock
         which the  Corporation  shall  have  authority  to issue is  Twenty-Two
         Million Five Hundred Thousand (22,500,000) shares, consisting of Twenty
         Million (20,000,000) shares of Common Stock having no par value, stated
         value  $1.00  per  share,   and  Two  Million  Five  Hundred   Thousand
         (2,500,000) shares of Preferred Stock having no par value, stated value
         $1.00 per share.'"

     As so  amended,  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of NBTB  shall be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the

<PAGE>

Surviving Corporation, until later amended pursuant to Delaware law.

  2.   Amendment to Section 1.2(i).  Section 1.2(i) is hereby amended to read in
       its entirety as follows:

                  "(i) The authorized  shares of capital stock of NBTB as of the
         Effective  Time (after  giving  effect to the  Merger)  shall be as set
         forth or referred to in Section  1.2(g)  hereof.  The term "NBTB Common
         Stock" shall mean the common stock of NBTB, no par value,  $1.00 stated
         value,  or the  common  stock  of NBTB as  amended  prior  to or at the
         Effective Time, as the context may require."

  3.   Amendment  to Section 7.5.  Section 7.5 is hereby  amended to read in its
       entirety as follows:


                  "7.5.  Comfort Letter. At the time of the effectiveness of the
         Registration  Statement,  but prior to the  mailing of the Joint  Proxy
         Statement,  and on the date of the Effective  Time,  LABN shall furnish
         NBTB with a letter from Parente, Randolph, Orlando, Carey & Associates,
         its independent  auditors for the year ended December 31, 1998, in form
         and substance acceptable to NBTB, stating that (a) in their opinion the
         consolidated  financial statements of LABN included in the Registration
         Statement  comply  as  to  form  in  all  material  respects  with  the
         applicable  accounting  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  and  the
         published  rules and regulations  thereunder,  and (b) a reading of the
         latest available unaudited  consolidated  financial  statements of LABN
         and inquiries of certain  officials of LABN and LA Bank responsible for
         financial and accounting  matters as to  transactions  and events since
         the  date  of the  most  recent  consolidated  statement  of  condition
         included in their most recent audit report with respect to LABN did not
         cause  them  to  believe  that  (i)  such  latest  available  unaudited
         consolidated  financial  statements  of LABN are not  stated on a basis
         consistent with that followed in LABN's audited consolidated  financial
         statements;  or (ii) except as disclosed in the letter,  at a specified
         date not more than five business days prior to the date of such letter,
         there  was  any  change  in  LABN's  capital  stock  or any  change  in
         consolidated  long-term  debt or any decrease in the  consolidated  net
         assets of LABN or the consolidated  allowance for loan and lease losses
         of LABN as  compared  with  the  respective  amounts  shown in the most
         recent LABN audited  consolidated  financial  state  ments.  The letter
         shall also cover such other matters  pertaining to LABN's and LA Bank's
         financial data and statistical information included in the Registration
         Statement as may reasonably be requested by NBTB."

  4.   Amendment to Section 8.5(a). Section 8.5(a) is hereby amended by changing
       the number "12,500,000" to "15,000,000". LABN hereby waives any claims it
       may have had by virtue of the  inclusion  in the Merger  Agreement of the
       language amended hereby.

  5.   Section 9.8. A new section 9.8 is hereby added to read in its entirety as
       follows:


                  "9.8.  Registration of Shares Subject to Option. Within thirty
         days after the Effective Time, NBTB shall file a registration statement
         on Form S-3 or Form S-8, as the case may be (or any  successor or other
         appropriate  forms),  with  respect to the shares of NBTB Common  Stock
         subject  to  Replacement  Options  and  shall use its  reasonable  best
         efforts  to  maintain  the  current   status  of  the   prospectus   or
         prospectuses  contained  therein  for so  long as  Replacement  Options
         remain outstanding."

  6.   Defined Terms.  Capitalized  terms not otherwise  defined herein have the
       meanings given them in the

<PAGE>



     Merger Agreement.

7.   Counterparts.  This  Amendment may be executed in two or more  counterparts
     each of  which  shall  be  deemed  to  constitute  an  original,  but  such
     counterparts together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument and
     to become effective when one or more  counterparts have been signed by each
     of the parties  hereto.  It shall not be  necessary in making proof of this
     Amendment  or any  counterpart  hereof to produce or account  for the other
     counterpart.

8.   Entire Agreement. The Merger Agreement, as amended by this Amendment,  sets
     forth the entire  understanding of the parties hereto with respect to their
     commitments  to each other and their  undertakings  vis-a-vis each other on
     the subject matter hereof. This Amendment shall not constitute an amendment
     or waiver of any provision of the Merger  Agreement not expressly  referred
     to herein.

9.   Section  Headings.  The  section  headings  herein have been  inserted  for
     convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify or restrict any of
     the terms or provisions hereof.

10.  Choice of Law. This Amendment shall be governed by,  construed and enforced
     in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect
     to the principles of conflicts of law thereof,  except that the BCL (in the
     case of LABN) shall govern with respect to the terms and  conditions of the
     Merger,  the approval and  effectiveness  thereof,  and the  authorization,
     cancellation  or  issuance  of the stock or  options  of LABN with  respect
     thereto.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.

                                  NBT BANCORP INC.



                                  By:          /s/     DARYL R. FORSYTHE
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                        Daryl R. Forsythe
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer



                                  By:          /s/      JOHN D. ROBERTS
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                        John D. Roberts
                                            Senior Vice President and Secretary


<PAGE>


                                 LAKE ARIEL BANCORP, INC.



                                 By:           /s/      JOHN G. MARTINES
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                        John G. Martines
                                                     Chief Executive Officer



                                 By:                   DONALD E. CHAPMAN
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                       Donald E. Chapman
                                                           Secretary


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