GOULD INVESTORS L P
SC 13D/A, 1996-12-12
OPERATORS OF NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
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<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                 Schedule 13D

                   Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                              (Amendment No. 31)

                               BFS BANKORP, INC.
                               -----------------
                               (Name of Issuer)

                         Common Stock, $.01 par value
                         ----------------------------
                        (Title of Class of Securities)


                                   055407100
                            -----------------------
                                (CUSIP Number)


                                Simeon Brinberg
                             Gould Investors, L.P.
                              60 Cutter Mill Road
                          Great Neck, New York  11021
                                (516) 466-3100
                ----------------------------------------------
           (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                    to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                   Copy to:

                          William S. Rubenstein, Esq.
                   Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
                               919 Third Avenue
                           New York, New York 10022
                                (212) 735-3000

                               December 3, 1996
      ----------------------------------------------------------         
            (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

     If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this Schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box:  [  ]

 

                                    1 of 16
<PAGE>
 
CUSIP No.     055407100
          ---------------------

1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSON S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON.

                             Gould Investors, L.P.
                     I.R.S. Identification No. 11-2763164

2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

                                (a)____
                                (b)____

3.  SEC USE ONLY

4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS

                                       WC

5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
    2(d) or 2(e)

                                     _____

6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                               State of Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
PERSON WITH

7.  SOLE VOTING POWER
                                    891,664

8.  SHARED VOTING POWER

                                       0

9.  SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                    891,664

10.  SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                       0

                                    2 of 16
<PAGE>
 
11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

                                    891,664

12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

                                      ____

13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                                     54.5 %

14.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

                                       PN

                                    3 of 16
<PAGE>
 
     This statement restates and further amends and supplements the Schedule 13D
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Gould Investors, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Gould Investors"), relating to shares of common
stock, par value $.01 per share ("BFS Common Stock"), of BFS Bankorp, Inc.
("BFS").  Except as disclosed herein there has been no change in the information
previously reported on Schedule 13D, as amended by amendments thereto.

Item   Security and Issuer.
       ------------------- 

     This statement relates to shares of BFS Common Stock (as defined above).
The address of the principal executive offices of BFS is 110 William Street, New
York, NY  10038.

Item   Identity and Background.
       ----------------------- 

     This statement is filed on behalf of Gould Investors.  The address of the
principal business and the address of the principal office of Gould Investors is
60 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck, NY  11021.

     Gould Investors holds and owns all of its shares of BFS Common Stock
through Gould BFS, Inc. ("Gould BFS"), a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of New York.  Gould Investors is the sole shareholder of Gould BFS,
and Fredric H. Gould is its sole director and President.  The only activity of
Gould BFS is the ownership of shares of BFS Common Stock.  Mr. Gould is also a
director of BFS, a general partner of Gould Investors and the Vice Chairman of
the Board and sole shareholder of Georgetown Partners, Inc., the managing
general partner of Gould Investors.

     Gould Investors is engaged in the real estate business; it owns and
operates income producing properties, engages in conversion of rental apartment
buildings to cooperative and condominium ownership, and purchases equity
securities of corporations, real estate investment trusts and publicly traded
limited partnerships.

     Item 2 information with respect to Gould Investors and the individual
general partners and executive

                                    4 of 16
<PAGE>
 
officers and directors of the corporate general partner of Gould Investors
(collectively, the "Reporting Persons") is set forth on Attachment A hereto,
which is incorporated herein by reference.

     During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons has (i) been
convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors) or (ii) been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding
was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future
violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or
state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.  Each
of the individual Reporting Persons is a citizen of the United States.

Item   Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
       ------------------------------------------------- 

     As of the date hereof, Gould Investors has used working capital to acquire
its shares of BFS Common Stock through Gould BFS.  In addition, Gould Investors
has established a standard margin account with Smith Barney Inc. to borrow funds
in order to purchase shares of BFS Common Stock.  Gould Investors used shares of
another publicly traded entity as collateral in the establishment of the margin
account.

Item   Purpose of Transaction.
       ---------------------- 

     Except as otherwise set forth herein, Gould Investors acquired its shares
of BFS Common Stock for investment purposes.

     Gould Investors and Fredric H. Gould (collectively hereinafter "Gould")
entered into an agreement with BFS, dated as of April 3, 1993 (the "1993
Agreement").  Pursuant to the terms of the 1993 Agreement, Gould purchased from
BFS an adjustable rate nonconvertible debenture due April 3, 1996 in the
original principal amount of $1,650,000 (the "Debenture") and 150,000 shares of
BFS Common Stock for $1,650,000.

     Upon executing the 1993 Agreement and purchasing the Debenture, Gould
obtained the right to nominate

                                    5 of 16
<PAGE>
 
one person for election and appointment to the Board of Directors of Bankers
Federal Savings FSB ("Bankers Federal"), a wholly owned subsidiary of BFS,
subject to the approval of the board of Bankers Federal (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld).  In addition, pursuant to the 1993 Agreement, the Board
of Directors of BFS (the "BFS Board") was not permitted to appoint an additional
director to the BFS Board from April 3, 1993 until April 3, 1995 without the
prior approval of Gould.  However, BFS was permitted to appoint one additional
director to the BFS Board who was at the time of the appointment an executive
officer or director of Bankers Federal.  From and after April 3, 1993 and until
the termination of the 1993 Agreement on April 3, 1999, the BFS Board is
permitted to increase the number of directors on the BFS Board subject to the
approval of Gould (which may not be unreasonably withheld), provided, however,
                                                            --------  ------- 
that for each additional person appointed or elected by the BFS Board, Gould is
permitted to designate a person selected by it to serve on the BFS Board,
subject to the approval of the BFS Board (which may not be unreasonably
withheld).

     In the 1993 Agreement, Gould further agreed to vote all of its shares of
BFS Common Stock in favor of any merger agreement approved by a majority of the
BFS Board (the "Merger Voting Obligations"), provided, however, that (i) if
                                             --------  -------             
Gould beneficially owns more than 75% of the BFS Common Stock, any such merger
agreement must offer to BFS shareholders a per share consideration in excess of
the per share consideration that Gould has offered, if any (at the time of
approval by the BFS Board of a proposal as to a merger agreement), and Gould
must be given substantially the same opportunity to submit an offer as any other
party had been given, and (ii) if Gould owns less than 75% of the BFS Common
Stock then Gould would not be obligated to vote for such a merger unless the per
share consideration being offered by any third party was in excess of the per
share consideration that Gould was willing to offer as determined in an open
bidding process (clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the "Bidding Conditions").
Gould's Merger Voting Obligations under the 1993 Agreement originally were set
to expire on April 3, 1999.

     The 1993 Agreement was amended in May 1995 (the "1993 Agreement Amendment")
to extend the time period for Gould's right to approve an additional director to
the

                                    6 of 16
<PAGE>
 
BFS Board from April 3, 1995 to October 3, 1995.  In addition, the termination
date of the original 1993 Agreement was accelerated from April 3, 1999 to April
3, 1998.

     On December 3, 1996, BFS, Dime Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Dime"), and Fifth Avenue Property Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Merger
Sub"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement")
providing for, among other things, the merger (the "Merger") of Merger Sub with
and into BFS, with BFS surviving the Merger and becoming a wholly owned
subsidiary of Dime.

     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of BFS Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (the "Effective Time") of
the Merger (subject to certain exceptions) will be converted into the right to
receive $52.00 in cash, without interest; provided, that, if the Effective Time
                                          --------                             
occurs after June 1, 1997, the price per share payable by Dime in the Merger
will increase by $.01 for each day elapsed during the period beginning on but
excluding June 1, 1997 through and including the date of the Effective Time.

     Consummation of the Merger is subject to certain conditions, including, but
not limited to, approval of the Merger by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of BFS Common Stock and the receipt of all required federal
bank regulatory approvals without any condition or restriction which would
result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) on the
surviving corporation in the Merger or on the surviving bank in the Bank Merger.

     As a condition to Dime's execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement,
Gould entered into a letter agreement with Dime (the "Gould Agreement") pursuant
to which Gould has agreed to vote 891,297 of the shares of BFS Common Stock
beneficially owned by them (constituting approximately 54.5% of the outstanding
shares of BFS Common Stock as of the date hereof) in favor of approval and
adoption of the Merger Agreement.  Specifically, Gould has agreed not to amend,
terminate or otherwise modify or take any action that would have the effect of
amending, terminating or modifying the terms of the 1993 Agreement without the
express written consent of Dime.

                                    7 of 16
<PAGE>
 
In addition, Gould has agreed to waive, with respect to the Merger and the
Merger Agreement, the Bidding Conditions contained in the 1993 Agreement, and to
continue to be bound by the Merger Voting Obligations of the 1993 Agreement in
the event the 1993 Agreement terminates before the termination of the Gould
Agreement.  Gould has also agreed not to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of,
or enter into any agreement to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, the shares
of BFS Common Stock covered by the Gould Agreement.

     In the Merger Agreement the BFS Board has agreed, subject to its fiduciary
duties, to recommend to its stockholders the approval and adoption of the Merger
Agreement.  The Merger Agreement may be terminated by the mutual consent of the
parties, or by either Dime or BFS under certain specified circumstances,
including, without limitation, (i) by Dime or BFS, if the Effective Time has not
occurred on or prior to July 31, 1997, (ii) by Dime, if the BFS Board withdraws,
fails to make or modifies or qualifies in a manner adverse to Dime its
recommendation that the BFS stockholders approve the Merger Agreement, (iii) by
Dime, if the BFS Board participates in negotiations regarding the substantive
terms of a formal Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), and
(iv) by BFS, if, without breaching certain specified obligations under the
Merger Agreement, BFS enters into a definitive agreement with a third party with
respect to an Acquisition Transaction (as defined in the Merger Agreement) on
terms determined by the BFS Board, in its sole discretion after consultation
with its legal and financial advisors, to be more favorable to the BFS
stockholders than the Merger.

     The Gould Agreement further provides that, if prior to or within eighteen
months following a termination of the Merger Agreement as described in clauses
(ii) or (iv) of the preceding paragraph, (a) an Acquisition Transaction is
consummated or Gould sells or otherwise transfers any shares of BFS Common Stock
to any person or group, other than Dime, that has, or as a result of such
transfer will have, a reporting obligation under Section 13(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the BFS Common Stock, and (b) as a result
of a transaction of the type described in (a) above, Gould receives cash or
other property with a fair market value per share in excess of the Applicable
Consideration (as defined be-

                                    8 of 16
<PAGE>
 
low), then at the time of consummation of such transaction, Gould will pay to
Dime (in cash or, at Dime's election, in the form of any other property received
in such transaction) the excess of the fair market value per share of such cash
or other property over the Applicable Consideration.  "Applicable Consideration"
means $52.00, provided, that if the transaction giving rise to Gould's payment
              --------                                                        
obligation occurs after June 1, 1997, then such term means the sum of (x) $52.00
plus (y) the product of $.01 and the number of days elapsed during the period
beginning on but excluding June 1, 1997 through and including the date on which
such transaction occurs.

     The Gould Agreement will terminate upon any termination of the Merger
Agreement, provided, however, that in the event of any such termination, Gould
           --------  -------                                                  
will continue to be bound by the provisions in the Gould Agreement described in
the previous paragraph.

     Gould has also agreed in the Gould Agreement that they will not, and that
they will direct and use all reasonable efforts to cause their respective
officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives not to, initiate,
solicit or encourage any inquiries, proposals or offers with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal, or engage in any discussions or negotiations with, or
provide confidential information or data to, any person relating to any
Acquisition Proposal.  Provided they otherwise comply with the preceding
sentence, Gould may furnish information or cause to be furnished information and
may participate in such discussions or negotiations, either directly or through
representatives, following a determination by the BFS Board (other than Fredric
H. Gould and any other affiliates of Gould who are members of the BFS Board)
that the failure to do so would constitute a breach of their fiduciary duties
under applicable law.

     The 1993 Agreement, the 1993 Agreement Amendment, the Merger Agreement and
the Gould Agreement are attached hereto as Exhibits 1 through 4, respectively,
and are incorporated herein by reference.  The foregoing summaries of the 1993
Agreement, the 1993 Agreement Amendment, the Merger Agreement and the Gould
Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to such exhibits.

                                    9 of 16
<PAGE>
 
     Except as described in Item 4 of this Amendment No. 31, none of the
Reporting Persons have any present plans or proposals that relate to or would
result in any of the actions specified in clauses (a) through (j) of Item 4 of
Schedule 13D.

Item 5.  Interest in Securities of the Issuer
         ------------------------------------

     As of the date of this Amendment No. 31, Gould Investors (through Gould
BFS) owns a total of 891,664 shares of BFS Common Stock representing 54.5% of
the outstanding shares of BFS Common Stock.  Since Amendment No. 30 to Schedule
13D, Gould BFS has purchased 9,764 shares of BFS Common Stock.  None of such
purchases was effected during the past 60 days.

     Gould Investors (through Gould BFS) has sole voting and dispositive power
with respect to the 891,664 shares it owns.

     In addition to the foregoing, Fredric H. Gould owns 6,468 shares of BFS
Common Stock, of which 1,317 shares are restricted and 5,151 were issued upon
the exercise of options granted to him as a director of BFS.  On February 23,
1996, 205 shares of BFS Common Stock were granted to Fredric H. Gould under the
BFS 1994 Directors' Stock Plan.  Israel Rosenzweig, an executive officer of the
Managing General Partner of Gould Investors and a Vice President of Bankers
Federal, owns 247 shares of BFS Common Stock.  These shares are restricted.

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

     Reference is made to Item 4 above with respect to the 1993 Agreement, the
1993 Agreement Amendment and the Gould Agreement.

                                    10 of 16
<PAGE>
 
Item   Material to be Filed as Exhibits
       --------------------------------

Exhibit 1    Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993, among BFS Bankorp, Inc.,
             Fredric H. Gould and Gould Investors, L.P.

Exhibit 2    Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993, among
             BFS Bankorp, Inc., Fredric H. Gould and Gould Investors, L.P.

Exhibit 3    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 1996, by and
             among Dime Bancorp, Inc., Fifth Avenue Property Corp. and BFS
             Bankorp, Inc.

Exhibit 4    Letter Agreement, dated December 3, 1996, among Fredric H. Gould,
             Gould Investors, L.P. and Dime Bancorp, Inc.

                                    11 of 16
<PAGE>
 
     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.

Dated:  December 12, 1996



                                   GOULD INVESTORS, L.P.
                                   By:  Georgetown Partners, Inc.
                                   Managing General Partner
                            
                            
                            
                                   By: /s/ Simeon Brinberg
                                      --------------------------
                                      Simeon Brinberg
                                      Senior Vice President

                                    12 of 16
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS



Exhibit
Number    Exhibit
- -------   -------

  1       Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993, among BFS Bankorp, Inc., Fredric
          H. Gould and Gould Investors, L.P.

  2       Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993, among BFS
          Bankorp. Inc., Fredric H. Gould and Gould Investors, L.P.

  3       Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 3, 1996, by and
          among Dime Bancorp, Inc., Fifth Avenue Property Corp. and BFS Bankorp,
          Inc.

  4       Letter Agreement, dated December 3, 1996, among Fredric H. Gould,
          Gould Investors, L.P. and Dime Bancorp, Inc.

                                    13 of 16
<PAGE>
 
                                  ATTACHMENT A
                                  ------------

                   GENERAL PARTNERS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
               CORPORATE GENERAL PARTNER OF GOULD INVESTORS, L.P.


Item 2.  Identity and Background
         -----------------------
 
  Name             Position     Principal Occupation and Address
  ----             --------     --------------------------------
 
Fredric H.       General        Chairman of the
 Gould           Part-          Board of BRT Real-
                 ner            ty Trust, General
                                Partner of Gould
                                Investors, Presi-
                                dent of REIT Man-
                                agement Corp.,
                                Chairman of the
                                Board of One Liber-
                                ty Properties, Inc.,
                                Vice Chairman of
                                the Board  of
                                Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11021
 
Marshall         General        General Partner of
 Rose            Part-          Gould Investors,
                 ner            Chairman of the
                                Board of REIT
                                Management Corp.,
                                Chairman of the
                                Board of
                                Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc., Presi-
                                dent of Georgetown
                                Equities, Inc.,
                                667 Madison Ave-
                                nue,
                                New York, NY
                                10021
 
Georgetown       Managing
 Partners,       General
 Inc.            Part-
                 ner
 
(1) Matthew      President      President of
    Gould                       Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc., Vice
                                President of BRT
                                Realty Trust, Presi-
                                dent of One Liberty
                                Properties, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11201
 
(2) Marshall     Chairman of    General Partner of
    Rose         the            Gould Investors,
                 Board          Chairman of the
                                Board of REIT
                                Management Corp.,
                                Chairman of the
                                Board of
                                Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc., Presi-
                                dent of Georgetown
                                Equities, Inc.,
                                667 Madison Ave-
                                nue,
                                New York, NY
                                10021

                                    14 of 16
<PAGE>
 
(3)  Fredric     Vice Chair-    Chairman of the
     H. Gould    man of         Board of BRT Real-
                 the Board      ty Trust, General
                                Partner of Gould
                                Investors, Presi-
                                dent of REIT Man-
                                agement Corp.,
                                Chairman of the
                                Board of One Liber-
                                ty Properties, Inc.,
                                Vice Chairman of
                                the Board of
                                Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11021
 
(4)  Israel      Vice Presi-    Executive Vice
     Rosenzweig  dent           President and
                                Chief Lending Offi-
                                cer of Bankers Fed-
                                eral, Vice President
                                of Georgetown
                                Partners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11021
 
(5)  Simeon      Senior Vice    Senior Vice Presi-
     Brinberg    President      dent and Secretary
                 and Secre-     of BRT Realty
                 tary           Trust, Senior Vice
                                President of One
                                Liberty Properties,
                                Inc., Senior Vice
                                President and Sec-
                                retary of
                                Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11201
 
(6)  Mark        Vice Presi-    Vice President of
     H. Lundy    dent           BRT Realty Trust,
                                Secretary of One
                                Liberty Properties,
                                Inc., Vice President
                                of Georgetown
                                Partners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11201
 
(7)  David       Vice Presi-    Vice President and
     W. Kalish   dent           Chief Financial
                                Officer of BRT Re-
                                alty Trust, Vice
                                President and
                                Chief Financial
                                Officer of One Lib-
                                erty Properties,
                                Inc., Vice President
                                and Chief Financial
                                Officer of
                                Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11201
 
(8)  Karen       Treasurer      Treasurer of
     Dunleavy                   Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc., Vice
                                President One Lib-
                                erty Properties,
                                Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11201

                                    15 of 16
<PAGE>
 
(9)  Seth        Vice Presi-    Vice President and
     Kobay       dent -         Treasurer of One
                 Opera-         Liberty Properties,
                 tions          Inc., Vice President
                                and Treasurer of
                                BRT Realty Trust,
                                Vice President-Op-
                                erations of
                                Georgetown Part-
                                ners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY
                                11201
 
(10) Jeffrey     Vice Presi-    President of BRT
     Gould       dent           Realty Trust, Vice
                                President of One
                                Liberty Properties,
                                Inc., Vice President
                                of Georgetown
                                Partners, Inc.,
                                60 Cutter Mill
                                Road,
                                Great Neck, NY 11201

                                    16 of 16

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1

                                1993 AGREEMENT


     Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993, between BFS Bankorp, Inc., a Delaware
Corporation having its principal executive offices at 110 William Street, New
York, New York (the "Company"), and Fredric H. Gould, Gould Investors L.P., and
other persons and entities affiliated with such persons, under their direct or
indirect control, or acting on their behalf or in concert with them
(collectively referred to as the "Gould").

     For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Voting Securities" shall mean the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share, and any other securities of
the Company generally entitled to vote for the election of Directors.

     In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein,
the parties agree as follows:

     1.   AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
          -----------------------------------------

     (a)  The Company shall convene a special meeting of its holders of Common
Stock ("Special Meeting") for the purpose of considering and voting upon an
amendment (the "Amendment") to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
("Certificate") to delete Section C of Article FOURTH and to eliminate all
references throughout the Certificate to the "Limit" or to Section C of Article
FOURTH.  Such Amendment shall be proposed by the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") and shall be recommended for approval by the Board to the
Company's stockholders.

     (b)  The Special Meeting shall be held on or before August 31, 1993.

     (c)  The members of the Boards of Directors of the Company and Bankers
Federal Savings Bank FSB ("Bankers Federal") whose names appear on the signature
page of this Agreement, individually agree to vote shares of Common Stock of
the Company as to which they have voting power, in favor of the Amendment.

     (d)  The expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Special
Meeting, including but not limited to legal fees, and printing and mailing
costs, shall be shared equally by the Company and Gould.
<PAGE>
 
     2.   ISSUANCE OF DEBENTURES BY COMPANY; PURCHASE OF DEBENTURES BY GOULD
          ------------------------------------------------------------------
L.P.
- ----

     (a)  Upon execution of this Agreement, Gould shall purchase for cash in the
amount of $1,650,000 (in the form of a certified check or by wire transfer of
immediately available funds), and the Company shall issue to Gould, $1,650,000
principal amount of Adjustable Rate, Nonconvertible Debenture, due April 3, 1996
(the "Debenture"), upon such terms and conditions and in substantially similar
form as set forth in the Form of Adjustable Rate Nonconvertible Debenture
attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.

     (b)  Upon receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals from the Office of
Thrift Supervision ("OTS"), Gould shall purchase for cash in the aggregate
amount of $1,650,000 (in the form of a certified check or by wire transfer of
immediately available funds), and the Company shall issue to Gould, 150,000
shares of Common Stock of the Company (the "Common Stock").  The 150,000 shares
of Common Stock to be sold to Gould in accordance with this Paragraph 2(b) are
hereinafter referred to as the "Shares."

     (c)  In the event that stockholders of the Company fail to approve the
Amendment on or before August 31, 1993, the Company shall, within thirty days of
August 31, 1993, determine to either (i) prepay the entire principal amount of
the Debenture, including accrued interest thereon, or (ii) in lieu of (i)
above, and at the sole discretion of the Company and provided that OTS approval
of the Application (as hereinafter defined), allow Gould to convert the
principal amount of the Debenture into Common Stock at a conversion price of
$11.00 per share.  Gould shall be notified in writing of the Company's election
as to (i) or (ii) above by September 30, 1993.  The Debenture shall be repaid by
the Company, or converted by Gould, within sixty (60) days of the written notice
provided by the Company as to its election.

     (d)  Gould hereby acknowledges that: (i) the Debenture and Shares are being
issued by the Company to Gould for its own account and not with a view to, or
for sale in connection with, any distribution of the Shares, Debenture or the
Common Stock obtainable upon the conversion of the Debenture; and (ii) the
issuance and sale of the Debenture and Shares to Gould is being made in reliance
upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Securities Act") contained in Section 4(2) thereof and Regulation D
of the SEC's rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and in accordance
with comparable exemptions from registration found in State securities or "Blue
Sky" laws.  Accordingly, the Shares and the

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Debenture (including any Common Stock obtained as a result of the conversion of
any Debenture) may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of for value
unless the securities are subsequently registered under the Securities Act or
such state laws, or unless an exemption from such registration is available.

     3.   TWO YEAR AGREEMENTS AS TO VOTING SECURITIES.
          ------------------------------------------- 

     (a)  For a period beginning on the date hereof and ending on April 3, 1995,
neither Gould nor any person or entity affiliated with Gould, shall, without the
prior approval of the Company's Board of Directors specifically expressed in a
resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors of the Company who are not
designated by Gould:

          (1)  acquire, directly or indirectly, by purchase or otherwise, any
     Voting Securities, if after such acquisition Gould would hold or own,
     beneficially or of record, in the aggregate more than 50.00% of the Voting
     Securities outstanding; provided that ownership in excess of 50.00%
     resulting from the Company's purchase of its own shares shall not be a
     violation of the provisions of this paragraph as long as Gould has not
     subsequently purchased additional shares after such repurchase by the
     Company of its own shares; and provided further, that for purposes of this
     Section 3(a)(1), the calculation of the percentage of outstanding Voting
     Securities owned or held by Gould (beneficially or of record) shall be
     satisfied under the following method:

               (i)  Voting Securities obtainable by Gould upon conversion of the
          Debenture (if Paragraph 2(c)(ii) is applicable) or upon exercise of
          options granted under any option plan or arrangement approved by the
          Board of Directors of the Company, and the Shares, shall not be deemed
          to be owned or held by Gould or to be outstanding, and shares
          obtainable pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants issued by
          the Company to persons other than Gould, as well as the Shares, shall
          not be deemed to be outstanding;

          (2)  solicit proxies with respect to Voting Securities under any
     circumstances; or become a "participant," in any "election contest"
     relating to the election of directors of the Company (as such terms are
     used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")); provided, however, that Gould

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     shall not be deemed to be a "participant" by reason of the voting of its
     Voting Securities or by reason of any membership of its representative or
     employees on the Company's Board of Directors;

          (3)  deposit any Voting Securities in a voting trust; or

          (4)  directly or indirectly sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise
     dispose of or encumber any Voting Securities except:

               (i)  monthly sales of Voting Securities that do not-exceed 1% of
          the Voting Securities outstanding, or sales of Voting Securities made
          in accordance with the volume limitation of Rule 144(e) of the General
          Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act, as in effect on the
          date hereof, whichever is greater;

               (ii)  to the Company or to any person, corporation, entity or
          group approved by the Company;

               (iii)  to any other entity or corporation which is an affiliate
          of Gould and which agrees to be bound by this Agreement to the same
          extent as Gould; or

               (iv)  pursuant to a bona fide pledge of, or the granting of a
          security interest in,'Voting Securities Provided that such pledgee or
          secured party acknowledges in writing that it is bound by the
          provisions of this Agreement; or

               (v)  sales made pursuant to a tender offer, or merger,
          recommended by the Board.

          (5)  Except as provided in 3(c) below, not join a partnership, limited
     partnership, syndicate or other group, or otherwise act in concert with any
     other person, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing
     of, or tendering for or requesting tenders for, Voting Securities, or
     otherwise become a "person" within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or
     14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") (in
     each case other than solely as contemplated by this Agreement).

          (6)  Propose or otherwise solicit stockholders for the approval of one
     or more stockholder proposals with respect

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     to the Company, as described in Rule 14a-8 promulgated pursuant to the
     Exchange Act, or as described in the Bylaws of the Company for the
     submission of proposals of stockholders.

     (b)  Gould shall take such action as may be required so that all Voting
Securities owned or held by them are voted, on all matters to be voted on by the
holders of Voting Securities that pertain to compensation plans proposed by the
Board for shareholder approval, either (i) in the same proportion as the votes
cast by other holders of Voting Securities or (ii) as recommended by the Board
to shareholders of the Company.

     (c)  For a period beginning on the date hereof and ending on April 3, 1995,
Gould shall not, directly or indirectly, offer to acquire, whether such offer is
written or oral, public or made solely to the Board, any Voting Securities,
other than in accordance with Section 3(a)(1) above, unless Gould is requested
                                                      ------                   
in writing by the Board to make an offer, or unless the Board has agreed to
                                             ------                        
accept an offer from a third party to acquire all or substantially all of the
Company's Common Stock and Gould is not otherwise required to vote pursuant to
Section 5(a) of this Agreement; provided further, that nothing herein shall be
interpreted as prohibiting Gould from informally seeking the Board's
receptivity to receiving from Gould, and thereby requesting Gould to make, an
offer (informally shall mean nonwritten and in a manner that would not require
public disclosure, and will not be publicly disclosed, by Gould)

     (d)  The Company agrees to support in writing an application
("Application") to be made to the OTS by Gould and/or such other person
affiliated with Gould and approved by the Company (the "Applicant"), which
Application will request OTS permission and approval, pursuant to Part 574 of
the Regulations of the OTS, 12 C.F.R. Part 574 for the Applicant to acquire
"Control" of the Company and Bankers Federal, and the Company agrees to support,
if requested, additional regulatory filings required to be made by the Applicant
in order to acquire "control" of the Company and Bankers Federal. The Company
further agrees to cause its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bankers Federal Savings FSB
("Bankers Feder al"), to support the Application and, if requested, any other
regulatory filings required to be made by the Applicant to acquire control of
the Company and Bankers Federal. The Company also agrees to support in writing,
and to cause Bankers Federal to support in writing, any application required to
be made on behalf of Gould to the OTS in order to enable a designee of Gould, in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, to

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
become a director of the Company and/or Bankers Federal (the "Directors
Application").  The Company shall, and shall cause Bankers Federal to, promptly
file any and all additional documents which may be requested or required by the
OTS in connection with the Application and the Directors Application.  The
Company further agrees to support in writing any application to be filed with
the OTS by the Applicant, after April 3, 1995, to acquire additional Voting
Securities.  The obligation of the Company to support the Applications to be
made to the OTS shall not otherwise operate to restrict the Board in connection
with any acquisition of additional Voting Securities, or proposed acquisition,
by Gould.

     (e)  Subject to the provisions of paragraph 5 of this Agreement, after
April 3, 1995, Gould can acquire Voting Securities in open market transactions,
privately negotiated transactions, by means of a tender offer, or otherwise,
subject to any required OTS approval.

     (f)  Gould hereby consents to the issuance by the Company of the joint
press release by the Company and Gould in substantially similar form as Exhibit
C attached hereto, and Gould agrees to make no further public statement or
announcement unless otherwise required by law, which in any event will not be
contradictory to the press release attached as Exhibit C.

4.   AGREEMENTS AS TO THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
     ----------------------------------------

     (a)  Upon execution of this Agreement and the issuance by the Company and
the purchase by Gould of the Debenture, Gould may propose a person for election
and appointment to the Board of Directors of Bankers Federal, subject to the
approval of the Board of Directors of Bankers Federal, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld.  Following the receipt of any required OTS approval,
the Board of Directors of Bankers Federal shall appoint such person to the
Bankers Federal Board of Directors, and the Company, as the sole stockholder of
the Bankers Federal, shall take such action as necessary to effectuate such
appointment.  Such person shall be elected to a class of directors whose term
expires at the annual meeting of stockholders of Bankers Federal to be held
after fiscal year ending September 30, 1995, and such person shall be
renominated for election to the Bankers Federal's Board for such additional
terms as shall be coincident with the term of this Agreement.

     (b)  During the period from April 3, 1993 to April 3, 1995, the Board of
Directors of the Company will not appoint an addi-

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
tional director to the Board (other than to fill a vacancy as provided below)
without the prior written approval of Gould, provided that the Company may
appoint one additional director to the Board who is at the time of such
appointment an executive officer or director of Bankers Federal, without the
prior approval of Gould.

     (c)  On or after April 3, 1993 and until the termination of this Agreement,
the Board of Directors may determine to increase the number of persons
constituting the entire Board and support and elect an additional director
(inclusive of the addition of a director in accordance with provisions of 4(b)
above, but excluding any director designated by Gould), subject to the approval
of Gould, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld, and provided that
for each additional person appointed or elected by the Board, there is one
person designated by Gould, subject to the approval of the Board, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld, who shall be appointed and elected to the
Board.

     (d)  After April 3, 1995, if Gould has not previously designated a person
who has been appointed and elected to the Board in accordance with (c) above,
Gould may propose a person for appointment and election to the Board, subject to
the approval of the Board, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld,
and subject to any required OTS (or other regulatory) approval.

     (e)  Beginning on the date hereof and ending on April 3, 1999, any
vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors of Bankers Federal or the Company,
including any vacancy in the directorship now being held by Frederic H. Gould,
shall be filled in the following manner;

          (i)  if the vacancy occurs as a result of the departure of Fredric H.
     Gould, or a designee of Gould, then Gould may propose a person to fill the
     vacancy, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company
     or Bankers Federal, as the case may be, which approval shall not be
     unreasonably withheld;

          (ii)  if the vacancy occurs as a result of the departure of a director
     who is not a designee of Gould, then the vacancy shall be filled by a
     person determined by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors of the
     Company or Bankers Federal, as the case may be, other than Fredric Gould
     and persons who are designees of Gould, subject to the approval of the
     respective

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     Board of Directors, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld;

          (iii)  all shares of Common Stock of Bankers Federal or the Company,
     as the case may be, beneficially owned by each of the Company, directors
     of the Company and/or Bankers Federal, and Gould, shall be voted in favor
     of the persons nominated to the Board of Directors of the Company and/or
     Bankers Federal in accordance with this Section 4.

     (f)  The effectiveness of paragraphs 4(b), (c), (d) and (e) shall be
suspended at any time that the number of shares of Common Stock owned or held by
Gould, beneficially or of record, shall constitute less than: 24.9% of the
Common Stock then outstanding, as determined in accordance with Section
3(a)(1)(i), during the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and
ending April 3, 1994; 35% of the Common Stock outstanding,.as determined in
accordance with Section 3(a)(1)(i), during the period commencing April 3, 1994
and ending on April 3, 1995; and 40% of the Common Stock outstanding, determined
in accordance with Section 3(a)(1)(i), during the period commencing April 3,
1995 until April 3, 1999.

5.   ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
     --------------------------------------------

     (a)  For a period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending April
3, 1999, Gould agrees to vote all Voting Securities owned or held by Gould,
beneficially or of record, in favor of any "merger agreement" approved by a
majority of the Board, and which agreement a majority of the Board determines
to, and does, recommend to shareholders, provided that: (i) if Gould
beneficially owns 75% or more of the Common Stock (including shares Gould has
offered or is offering to acquire), (x) the merger agreement offers shareholders
a per share consideration, the value of which is in excess of the per share
consideration that Gould has offered (at the time of approval by the Board of a
proposal as to a merger agreement) in writing to the Board to be provided to the
shareholders, and (y) Gould shall have been given substantially the same
opportunity to submit an offer as the other party that submitted the offer as to
a merger agreement to the Board that was approved by the Board; or (ii) if Gould
beneficially owns less than 75% of the Common Stock (including shares Gould has
offered or is offering to acquire), the merger agreement offers shareholders a
per share consideration, the value of which is, in an "open bidding" process, in
excess of the per share consideration that Gould has offered in writing to the

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Board to be provided to the shareholders.  In interpreting and applying the
foregoing, it is contemplated that the circumstances set forth in (ii) above
would involve an "open bidding process," in accordance with appropriate
procedures adopted by the Board, whereby Gould would be obligated to vote in
favor of a "merger agreement" in accordance with this Section 5 only if his last
offer does not provide shareholders with a per share consideration in excess of
the offer accepted by the Board.

     (b)  In determining the per share value to shareholders of any proposed
merger transaction for purposes of 5(a) above, the Board is entitled to rely on
the advice of its investment advisors, who may take into account all terms and
conditions of any offer, including, without limitation, the form of
consideration to be paid (e.g., cash or stock, common stock or preferred stock,
or debentures); provided that, in order for paragraph (a) above to be effective
as to Gould, as to non-cash consideration included in any offer: any equity
security offered as part of the consideration to be paid shareholders shall be
listed or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or
NASDAQ National Market System; and any debt security offered as part of the
consideration to be paid to shareholders is rated, or will be rated, in one of
the four highest rating categories by at least one nationally recognized
statistical rating organization (as defined under the Exchange Act).

     (c)  If in accordance with 5 (a) above, Gould is required to vote their
Voting Securities in favor of a merger agreement approved by the Board, Gould
shall not publicly offer to acquire Voting Securities, or request tenders of
Voting Securities or tender any Voting Securities other than in accordance with
such merger agreement.

     (d)  Other than as provided in this Agreement, the Company will not issue
additional equity securities (other than pursuant to options outstanding on the
date hereof or that may be issued pursuant to options granted under employee or
outside director option plans adopted and approved by the Board and the
Company's shareholders) or additional debt securities unless Gould is given the
opportunity, in connection with such issuances, to purchase such securities on a
pro rata basis relative to his percentage of beneficial ownership of Common
Stock (such right to purchase shall be on such terms, including pricing, as to
be offered by the Company to any other party or parties).

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
6.   TERM OF AGREEMENT
     -----------------

     Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate
on April 3, 1999, provided that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate at the earlier of either of the
following events: such time as any party (including Gould) shall acquire
beneficial ownership of more than 90% of the Common Stock then outstanding; a
repayment of the Debenture pursuant to Section 2(c) due to the fact that a
majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Special Meeting did not vote to
approve the Amendment.

7.   STOCK CERTIFICATE
     -----------------

     (a)  Gould agrees to the placement on the certificate(s) representing any
Voting Securities owned by Gould of the following legend:

          "The shares represented by this certificate or any certificate issued
     in exchange therefor are subject to certain restrictions on transfer as
     provided in an Agreement dated April 3, 1993 between the holder hereof and
     BFS Bankorp, Inc."

     (b)  The Company may enter a stop transfer order with the transfer agent or
agents for any Voting Securities owned by Gould now or in the future and subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, restricting the transfer of such Voting
Securities except in compliance with the requirements of this Agreement.

     (c)  The Company agrees that it will promptly cause the removal of such
legend and the withdrawal of such stop transfer order with respect to all or the
affected portion of the Voting Securities upon (i) any sale or other disposition
of Voting Securities in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement or (ii)
the termination of this Agreement.

8.   MISCELLANEOUS
     -------------

     (a)  The Company and Gould each acknowledges and agrees that it would be
irreparably damaged in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were
not performed by the other party in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached.  It is accordingly agreed that each party shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
specifically enforce the terms and provisions thereof in any action instituted
in any court of the United States or any

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
state thereof having subject matter jurisdiction, in addition to any other
remedy to which such party may be entitled, at law or in equity.

     (b)  The Company and Gould each represent to the other that (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of this letter agreement by it has been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action and (ii) this letter agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by it, and assuming the authorization,
execution and delivery by the other party, constitutes the valid and binding
obligation of such party.

     (c)  This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes any and all
prior agreements between Gould and the Company, including an Agreement dated
April 3, 1990.  This Agreement may be amended only by an agreement in writing
executed by the parties hereto.

     (d)  Descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or
affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

     (e)  For the convenience of the parties, any number of counterparts of this
Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto and each such executed
counterpart shall be, and shall be deemed to be, an original instrument.

     (f)  All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other
communications provided for herein and all legal process in regard hereto shall
be validly given, made or served, if in writing and delivered personally by
telecopy (except for legal process) or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid,
if to:

          The Company:

               James A. Randall, President and
               Chief Executive Officer
               BFS Bankorp, Inc.
               110 William Street
               New York, New York 10038
               Telecopy: (212) 227-9639

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          Copy to:

               John J. Gorman, Esquire
               Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette
               5101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
               Washington, DC 20016
               Telecopy: (202) 363-5068

          Investors:

               Fredric H. Gould
               Gould Investors, L.P.
               60 Cutter Mill Road
               Great Neck, New York 11021
               Telecopy: (516) 466-3132

          Copy to:

               Simeon Brinberg
               Senior Vice President
               Gould Investors, L.P.
               60 Cutter Mill Road
               Great Neck, New York 11021
               Telecopy: (516) 466-3132

     (g)  From and after the termination of this Agreement, the covenants of the
parties set forth herein shall be of no further force or effect and the parties
shall be under no further obligation with respect thereto.

     (h)  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the
conflict of laws principles thereof.

     (i)  As used herein, the terms "affiliate" and "associate" shall have the
meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act and the term "person"
shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity.
Beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Securities and
Exchange Commission Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except as otherwise
provided herein.

     (j)  The term acting in concert shall have the meaning set forth in 12
C.F.R. Part 574, as in effect on the date hereof.

     (k)  Any party to this Agreement that successfully brings an action to
enforce any provision of this Agreement shall be

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
reimbursed by the other party to this Agreement as to the reasonable costs and
expenses of bringing such action.

     (l)  Each party to this Agreement shall pay its own expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Gould have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                         BFS Bankorp, Inc.
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                         By:  /s/ James A. Randall
                                            -----------------------------------
                                              James A. Randall
                                              President and Chief
                                              Executive Officer

                                         Gould Investors, L.P.
                                       
                                       
                                         By:  Georgetown Partners, Inc.
                                              Managing General Partner
                                       
                                       
/s/ Fredric H. Gould                        By:  /s/ Fredric H. Gould 
- -------------------------------             -----------------------------------
Fredric H. Gould                              Fredric H. Gould 
                                              President


                  The Board of Directors of BFS Bankorp, Inc.
                             and Banker's Federal,
              For Purposes of Section 1 and 4 of this Agreement,
             Execute this Agreement in Their Individual Capacities


/s/ James A. Randall                     
- -------------------------------          --------------------------------------
James A. Randall                         Eldon C. Hanes


/s/ Todd M. Poland                       /s/ Fredric H. Gould
- -------------------------------          --------------------------------------
Todd M. Poland                           Fredric H. Gould


                                         /s/ Gerard A. Perri
                                         --------------------------------------
                                         Gerard A. Perri


                                         /s/  Jane Maas
- -------------------------------          --------------------------------------
Raymond A. Lein                          Jane Maas

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                  $1,650,000


                               BFS BANKORP, INC.

               ADJUSTABLE RATE NON-CONVERTIBLE SENIOR DEBENTURE
                               DUE APRIL 3, 1996


     BFS Bankorp, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware, promises to pay to Gould Investors L.P. or registered
assigns, the principal sum of 1,650,000 dollars on April 3, 1996.

Interest Payment Dates:  July 15, October 15, January 15 and April 15


Record Dates:            June 30, November 30, December 31 and March 31

Additional terms of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side hereof and
the provisions set forth on such reverse side shall have the same effect as if
set forth here.


                                         BFS BANKORP, INC.



Dated:                                   By:  __________________________________


____________________________ 
Secretary                                                                 (SEAL)

<PAGE>
 
                               BFS BANKORP, INC.

               ADJUSTABLE RATE NON-CONVERTIBLE SENIOR DEBENTURE
                               DUE APRIL 3, 1996


     1.   Interest.  BFS Bankorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Debenture as it accrues
from the date of issuance for each monthly period.  Each monthly period shall
commence on the first day of each month, except as to the monthly period during
which the Debenture is issued (in which event interest shall accrue beginning
with the date of issuance for such month), and shall end on and include the day
preceding the first day of the next month, at a rate per annum on the principal
amount of this Debenture equal to the Applicable Rate (as defined below).
Interest on the Debenture shall accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of
original issuance of the Debenture.  The Company shall pay interest, to the
extent permitted by law (including post-petition interest in any proceeding
under any Bankruptcy Law), on overdue installments of interest, and on overdue
princpal, at the Default Rate (as defined below).  Interest shall be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     The Applicable Rate shall be that rate which is equal to the sum of (i) the
Prime Rate, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal (the "Prime Rate") and (ii) 2%.
The Default Rate shall be that rate which is equal the sum of (i) the Prime Rate
and (ii) 5%.  The Applicable Rate, or the Default Rate, if applicable, shall be
calculated as of the first business day of each monthly period, except as to the
monthly period during which the Debenture is initially issued, in which event,
the Applicable Rate shall be calculated as of the date of issuance.

     2.   Method of Payment.  The Company shall pay interest on this Debenture
to the person who is the registered holder of this Debenture at the close of
business on the Record Date next preceding the Interest Payment Date.  Unless
earlier redeemed, the Company shall pay the principal amount of this Debenture
on April 3, 1996.  The holder must surrender this Debenture to a Paying Agent to
collect payments of principal and premium.  Payments of interest may be mailed
to the holder's registered address.  The Company shall pay principal, premium,
if any, and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment
is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.  The Company, however,
may pay principal, premium, if any, and

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
interest by its check payable in such money.  If a payment date is a Legal
Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next
succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest on the amount
payable on such payment dates shall accrue for the intervening period.

     3.   Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates will act as paying agent and registrar.

     4.   Transfer and Exchange.  The Debenture cannot be transferred without
the consent of the Company, except to an affiliate of Gould Investors L.P.

     5.   Convertibility.  Except as provided in the 1993 Agreement, dated as
of April 3, 1993, between Gould Investors L.P., Fredric H. Gould and the
Company, this Debenture is not convertible into Common Stock or any other
securities of the Company.  The number of shares into which this Debenture may
be converted and the conversion price applicable thereto, as set forth in the
1993 Agreement, shall be adjusted proportionate to any stock split, stock
dividend or other reclassification relating to the Company's Common Stock.

     6.   Event of Default.  The following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(i) the failure to pay the interest due on or within 15 days of any applicable
Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the failure to pay the principal in full, plus
any accrued interest thereon, on or within 15 days of the maturity date (April
3, 1996).  Upon an Event of Default, the holder of this Debenture shall have the
right to declare, in writing to the Company, the entire principal amount of the
Debenture due and payable.  The right herein provided to accelerate the maturity
of this Debenture upon the occurrence of an Event of Default shall be exclusive
of any other right that the holder of this Debenture may have upon an Event of
Default.

     7.   Persons Deemed Owners.  The registered holder of the Debenture may be
treated as its owner for all purposes, and neither the Company nor any agent
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     8.   Unclaimed Money.  If money for the payment of principal or interest
remains unclaimed for two years, the Paying Agent shall pay the money back to
the Company at its request.  After that, the Debentureholder entitled to the
money must look to the Company for payment unless an abandoned property law
designates

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
another person and all liability of the Paying Agent with respect to such money
shall cease.

     9.   Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity.  If within one year of the
stated maturity of the Debenture the Company deposits with earnest money or U.S.
Government Obligations sufficient to pay principal of, premium, if any, and
accrued interest an the Debenture to redemption or maturity, the Company shall
be discharged from the Debenture.

     10.  Amendments, Supplements, and Waivers.  Subject to certain exceptions,
the Debenture may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of
at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Debenture, and
any existing default may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the then outstanding Debenture.  Without the consent of
any Debentureholder, the Debenture may be amended to cure any ambiguity, defect
or inconsistency, to provide for the assumption of the obligations of the
Company by a successor corporation, or to make any change that does not
adversely affect the rights of the Debentureholder, except certain changes that
adversely affect rights of any holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     11.  Standing of Debenture.  The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture
shall stand pari passu in right or payment with other indebtedness of the
            ---- -----                                                   
Company, unless otherwise provided in such instrument creating any such other
indebtedness, whether now existing or hereafter created or incurred, provided
that no debt senior to the indebtedness shall be issued without the consent of
the holder.

     12.  This Debenture may be redeemed at any time by the Company by the
payment of the principal amount plus accrued interest up to any redemption date.

     13.  No Recourse Against Others.  A director, officer, employee or
shareholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Debenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  The
Debentureholder by acceptance hereof waives and releases all such liability.
The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the
Debenture.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     THIS NOTE IS NOT A DEPOSIT ON ACCOUNT, IS NOT FEDERALLY INSURED, AND IS
NOT GUARANTEED BY BFS BANKORP, INC.  OR BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

                                       4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 2


                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                      TO
                                1993 AGREEMENT


     WHEREAS, as of April 3, 1993, BFS Bankorp, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
having its principal executive offices at 110 William Street, New York, New York
(the "Company"), entered into an Agreement (the "Agreement") with Fredric H.
Gould, Gould Investors L.P., and other persons and entities affiliated with
such persons, under their direct or indirect control, or acting on their behalf
or in concert with them (collectively referred to as "Gould"); and

     WHEREAS, the Company and Gould desire to amend the Agreement for the
purposes of clarifying certain provisions thereof and extending certain time
periods provided therein.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein
and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally found, the parties hereby agree
to amend the Agreement as follows:

     1.   Paragraph 4(b) is hereby amended by replacing "April 3, 1995," with
"October 3, 1995," and as amended reads as follows:

          (b)  During the period from April 3, 1993 to October 3, 1995, the
     Board of Directors of the Company will not appoint an additional director
     to the Board (other than to fill a vacancy as provided below) without the
     prior written approval of Gould, provided that the Company may appoint one
     additional director to the Board who is at the time of such appointment an
     executive officer or director of Bankers Federal, without the prior
     approval of Gould.

     2.   Paragraph 4(d) is hereby amended by replacing "April 3, 1995," with
"October 3, 1995," and as amended reads as follows:

          (d)  After October 3, 1995, if Gould has not previously designated a
     person who has been appointed and elected to the Board in accordance with
     (c) above, Gould may propose a person for appointment and election to the
     Board, subject to the approval of the Board, which approval will not be
     unreasonably withheld, and
<PAGE>
 
     subject to any required OTS (or other regulatory) approval.

     3.   The parties hereby agree that if the Board of Directors elects to
appoint an additional director to the Board (other than to fill a vacancy) who
is at such time an executive officer of Bankers Federal, without the requirement
to obtain the prior approval of Gould, as provided in paragraph (b) of Section 4
of the Agreement, then paragraph (c) of Section 4 shall operate to enable Gould
to appoint an additional director, which person is subject to the approval of
the Board, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     4.   The following paragraph (e) is added to Section 5 of the Agreement:

          (e)  Any sale of shares of Common Stock by Gould shall be subject to
     the condition that the purchaser(s) shall agree to be subject to, and shall
     be subject to, the provisions of Section 4(e)(iii) and Sections 5(a)
     through (c), so that any purchaser(s) shall be required to vote all Voting
     Securities owned by the purchaser(s) as Gould would be required to vote
     Voting Securities (assuming that the percentage of Common Stock owned by
     Gould is the highest percentage of Common Stock owned by Gould at any time
     during the term of the Agreement).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section
     5(e) shall not apply to any purchaser(s) who, giving effect to the proposed
     purchase from Gould, owns less than one percent (1%) of the Common Stock
     then outstanding (for purposes of determining beneficial ownership of a
     purchaser, all shares beneficially owned, or to be purchased from Gould, by
     any person acting in concert with such purchaser, shall be included as
     beneficially owned by such purchaser).

     5.   The following paragraph (f) is added to Section 5 of the Agreement:

          (f)  During the term of this Agreement, and as may from time to time
     be reasonably requested by Gould, the Company and the Bank shall support in
     writing any application filed by Gould, consistent with this Agreement,
     with the OTS to acquire additional shares of Voting Securities.

     6.   Section 6 of the Agreement is amended by changing the reference to
"April 3, 1999" that appears in the second line, to "April 3, 1998," and by
deleting references therein relating to

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
the repayment of the Debenture pursuant to Section 2(c).  As amended, Section 6
shall read as follows:

          Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall
     terminate on April 3, 1998, provided that notwithstanding anything in this
     Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall terminate at such time as
     any party (including Gould) shall acquire beneficial ownership of more than
     90% of the Common Stock then outstanding.

     7.   The Agreement is hereby amended to change the references to "April 3,
1999" that appear in Paragraphs 4(e), (f) and 5(a) to "April 3, 1998."

     8.   All other terms and provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.

     9.   All terms or words used in this Amendment shall have the meaning
ascribed to in the Agreement, unless otherwise defined in this Amendment.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Gould have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed, all as of the day and year above written.


                                         BFS BANKORP, INC.



                                         By:  /s/ James A. Randall
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              James A. Randall
                                              President and Chief Executive 
                                              Officer

                                         GOULD INVESTORS, L.P.


                                         By:  Georgetown Partners, Inc.
                                              Managing General Partner


/s/ Fredric H. Gould                     By:  /s/ Fredric H. Gould
- --------------------------------              ---------------------------------
Fredric H. Gould                              Fredric H. Gould
                                              President

                                       3

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 3


================================================================================


                         ____________________________

                         AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                         ____________________________



                   dated as of the 3rd day of December, 1996


                                 by and among


                              DIME BANCORP, INC.


                          FIFTH AVENUE PROPERTY CORP.


                                      and


                               BFS BANKORP, INC.


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

                                   RECITALS

A.    Dime................................................................  1
B.    Merger Sub..........................................................  1
C.    BFS.................................................................  1
D.    The Merger..........................................................  1
E.    The Bank Merger.....................................................  1
F.    Certain Arrangements................................................  2
G.    Approvals...........................................................  2
 
                                   ARTICLE I

                      THE MERGER; EFFECTIVE TIME; CLOSING

1.1   The Merger..........................................................  2
1.2   Effective Time......................................................  2
1.3   Closing.............................................................  3

                                  ARTICLE II

                   GOVERNING DOCUMENTS; DIRECTORS; OFFICERS

2.1   Certificate of Incorporation........................................  3
2.2   By-laws.............................................................  4
2.3   Directors...........................................................  4
2.4   Officers............................................................  4

                                  ARTICLE III

                          EFFECT OF MERGER ON SHARES;
                   MERGER CONSIDERATION; PAYMENT FOR SHARES

3.1   Effect of the Merger on Shares of BFS
        Common Stock......................................................  4
3.2   Payment for Shares..................................................  5
3.3   Dissenters' Shares..................................................  7

                                  ARTICLE IV

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1   Representations and Warranties of BFS...............................  7
4.2   Representations and Warranties of Dime.............................. 25
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>  
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS
<S>  <C>                                                                    <C> 
5.1  Conduct of Business Pending the Effective
       Time...............................................................  27
5.2  Acquisition Proposals................................................  31
5.3  Certain Policies of BFS..............................................  32
5.4  Employees; Employee Benefit Plans....................................  32
5.5  Access and Information...............................................  33
5.6  Options..............................................................  35
5.7  Stockholder Approval.................................................  35
5.8  Efforts to Consummate; Proxy Statement;
       Other Filings......................................................  36
5.9  Information Supplied.................................................  37
5.10 Publicity............................................................  37
5.11 Notification of Certain Matters......................................  38
5.12 Indemnification; Directors' and Officers'
       Insurance..........................................................  38
5.13 Bank Merger..........................................................  40
5.14 Forbearance by Dime..................................................  40
5.15 Advisory Board.......................................................  40

                                  ARTICLE VI

                                  CONDITIONS

6.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to
       Effect the Merger..................................................  41
6.2  Conditions to Obligation of Dime.....................................  42
6.3  Conditions to Obligation of BFS......................................  42

                                  ARTICLE VII

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

7.1  Termination..........................................................  43
7.2  Effect of Termination................................................  44
7.3  Termination Fee......................................................  44

                                 ARTICLE VIII

                              GENERAL PROVISIONS

8.1  Survival.............................................................  45
8.2  Expenses.............................................................  45
8.3  Modification or Amendment............................................  45
8.4  Waiver of Conditions.................................................  46
8.5  Notices..............................................................  46
</TABLE> 
                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>  
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
<S>   <C>                                                                 <C>  
8.6   Certain Definitions; Interpretation.................................. 47
8.7   Entire Agreement..................................................... 49
8.8   Assignment........................................................... 49
8.9   No Third-Party Beneficiaries......................................... 49
8.10  Governing Law........................................................ 49
8.11  Counterparts......................................................... 49

                                    ANNEXES

Annex 1 - Form of Bank Merger Agreement
Annex 2 - Form of Gould Agreement
Annex 3 - Form of President Agreement

                                   SCHEDULES

Schedule 4.1(c)          -  Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.1(d)          -  Stock Option Plans
Schedule 4.1(g)          -  Certain Agreements
Schedule 4.1(i)          -  Certain Loans
Schedule 4.1(j)(1)       -  Certain Changes
Schedule 4.1(j)(2)       -  Certain Liabilities
Schedule 4.1(k)          -  Title to Assets; Encumbrances
Schedule 4.1(l)          -  Certain Conflicts
Schedule 4.1(m)          -  Certain Litigation
Schedule 4.1(n)          -  Certain Tax Matters
Schedule 4.1(o)          -  Insurance
Schedule 4.1(q)          -  Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 4.1(r)          -  Certain Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.1(s)          -  Material Agreements
Schedule 4.1(v)          -  Derivative Securities
Schedule 4.1(w)          -  Certain Controls
Schedule 5.1             -  Certain Actions
Schedule 5.1(b)(16)      -  Certain Bonus Payments; Salary
                             Increases
Schedule 5.3             -  Certain Policies and Reserves
</TABLE> 


                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>  
                            INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

                                                                     Location of
       Term                                                          Definition
- -------------------                                                 ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>  
1993 Agreement....................................................... 4.1(d)(3)
Acquisition Proposal................................................. 5.2
Acquisition Transaction.............................................. 7.3(b)
Agreement............................................................ Preamble
Asset Classification................................................. 4.1(i)(2)
Balance Sheet........................................................ 4.1(j)(2)
Banking Regulators................................................... 4.1(l)(7)
Bank Merger.......................................................... Recital E
Bank Merger Approvals................................................ Recital E
BFS.................................................................. Preamble
BFS Bank............................................................. Recital E
BFS Common Stock..................................................... Recital C
BFS Employees........................................................ 5.4(a)
BFS ESOP............................................................. 5.4(c)
BFS Meeting.......................................................... 5.7
BFS Options.......................................................... 5.6
BFS Stock Plans...................................................... 4.1(d)(2)
Certificate.......................................................... 3.1(a)
Certificate of Incorporation......................................... 2.1
Certificate of Merger................................................ 1.2(a)
Claim................................................................ 5.12(a)
Closing.............................................................. 1.3
Closing Date......................................................... 1.3
Compensation Plans................................................... 4.1(q)(1)
Contracts............................................................ 4.1(g)(2)
Derivative Securities................................................ 4.1(v)(1)
DGCL................................................................. 1.1
Dime................................................................. Preamble
Dime Savings......................................................... Recital E
Dissenters' Shares................................................... 3.1
Effective Time....................................................... 1.2(a)
Employees............................................................ 4.1(q)(1)
Encumbrances......................................................... 4.1(c)(3)
Environmental Law.................................................... 4.1(r)(1)
ERISA................................................................ 4.1(q)(1)
ERISA Affiliate...................................................... 4.1(q)(3)
Exception Shares..................................................... 3.1
Exchange Act......................................................... 4.1(f)
FDI Act.............................................................. Recital E
FDIC................................................................. 4.1(c)(2)
FHLB................................................................. 4.1(h)(1)
Gould Agreement...................................................... Recital F
Governing Documents.................................................. 4.1(b)
Governmental Entities................................................ 4.1(f)
Hazardous Substances................................................. 4.1(r)(1)
HOLA................................................................. Recital A
</TABLE> 
                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>  
                                                                     Location of
       Term                                                          Definition
- -------------------                                                 ------------
<S>                                                                 <C> 
Indemnified Parties.................................................. 5.12(a)
individually or in the aggregate..................................... 8.6(a)
Insurance Amount..................................................... 5.12(c)
Internal Revenue Code................................................ 4.1(n)(4)
Lending Laws......................................................... 4.1(l)(1)
Liabilities.......................................................... 4.1(j)(2)
Loans................................................................ 4.1(i)(2)
material............................................................. 8.6(a)
Material Adverse Effect.............................................. 8.6(a)
Merger............................................................... Recital D
Merger Consideration................................................. 3.1(a)
Merger Sub........................................................... Preamble
NASD................................................................. 4.1(f)
OREO................................................................. 4.1(i)(4)
OTS.................................................................. Recital E
Paying Agent......................................................... 3.2(a)
PCBs................................................................. 4.1(r)(1)
Pension Plan......................................................... 4.1(q)(2)
Person............................................................... 8.6(a)
Plans................................................................ 4.1(q)(2)
President Agreement.................................................. Recital F
prior consultation................................................... 8.6(a)
Proxy Statement...................................................... 5.8(b)(1)
Regulatory Approvals................................................. Recital G
Reports.............................................................. 4.1(h)(2)
Representatives...................................................... 5.5
SAIF................................................................. 4.1(c)(2)
Shares............................................................... 3.1(a)
SEC.................................................................. 4.1(h)(1)
Securities Act....................................................... 4.1(h)(2)
Securities Laws...................................................... 4.1(h)(2)
significant subsidiary............................................... 7.3(b)(1)
subsidiary........................................................... 8.6(a)
Surviving Bank....................................................... Recital E
Surviving Corporation................................................ Recital D
Tax.................................................................. 4.1(n)(1)
Trigger Event........................................................ 7.3(a)
</TABLE> 

                                      -v-
<PAGE>
 
          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of the 3rd day of December,
1996 (this "Agreement"), by and among Dime Bancorp, Inc. ("Dime"), Fifth Avenue
            ---------                                      ----                
Property Corp. ("Merger Sub") and BFS Bankorp, Inc. ("BFS").
                 ----------                           ---   

                                   RECITALS

          A.  Dime.  Dime has been duly incorporated and is an existing
              ----                                                     
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal executive offices located in New York, New York.  Dime is a savings
and loan holding company registered under the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended
("HOLA").
  ----   

          B.  Merger Sub.  Merger Sub has been duly incorporated and is an
              ----------                                                  
existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
with its principal executive offices located in New York, New York.  Merger Sub
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dime.

          C.  BFS.  BFS has been duly incorporated and is an existing
              ---                                                    
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its
principal executive offices located in New York, New York.  As of the date
hereof, BFS has 6,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, par value $.01 per
share ("BFS Common Stock"), of which no more than 1,635,480 shares are
        ----------------                                              
outstanding as of the date hereof, and 2,000,000 authorized shares of preferred
stock, par value $.01 per share, of which no shares are issued or outstanding as
of the date hereof (no other class or series of capital stock being authorized).
BFS is a savings and loan holding company registered under HOLA.

          D.  The Merger.  At the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2),
              ----------                                                     
the parties to this Agreement intend to effect the merger (the "Merger") of
                                                                ------     
Merger Sub with and into BFS, with BFS the corporation surviving the Merger.
BFS, as the surviving corporation, is sometimes referred to in this Agreement as
the "Surviving Corporation".
     ---------------------  

          E.  The Bank Merger.  Immediately following the Effective Time, Dime
              ---------------                                                 
and BFS intend that Dime and the Surviving Corporation will effect the merger
(the "Bank Merger") of Bankers Federal Savings FSB, a wholly owned federal
      -----------                                                         
savings bank subsidiary of BFS ("BFS Bank"), with and into The Dime Savings Bank
                                 --------                                       
of New York, FSB, a wholly owned federal savings bank subsidiary of Dime ("Dime
                                                                           ----
Savings").  The Bank Merger shall be effected pursuant to an agreement and plan
- -------                                                                        
of merger in substantially the form of Annex 1 to this Agreement and is subject,
                                       -------                                  
among other
<PAGE>
 
conditions set forth therein, to the prior approval (including any requisite
waiting periods, the "Bank Merger Approvals") of the Office of Thrift
                      ---------------------                          
Supervision (the "OTS") under Sections 5(d)(3) and 18(c) of the Federal Deposit
                  ---                                                          
Insurance Act, as amended (the "FDI Act").  Dime Savings, as the surviving
                                -------                                   
federal savings bank in the Merger, is sometimes referred to in this Agreement
as the "Surviving Bank".
        --------------  

          F.  Certain Arrangements.  As an inducement to and condition of Dime's
              --------------------                                              
willingness to enter into this agreement, (1) Fredric H. Gould and Gould
Investors, L.P. have entered into an agreement with Dime, substantially in the
form of Annex 2 to this Agreement (the "Gould Agreement"), and (2) James A.
        -------                         ---------------                    
Randall, President and Chief Executive Officer of BFS, has entered into an
agreement with Dime, substantially in the form of Annex 3 to this Agreement (the
                                                  -------                       
"President Agreement").
 -------------------   

          G.  Approvals.  The Boards of Directors of Dime and BFS (at meetings
              ---------                                                       
duly called and held) have determined that this Agreement, the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of Dime and
BFS, respectively, and their respective stockholders and have approved this
Agreement.  Consummation of the Merger is subject to (1) the prior approval of
the stockholders of BFS, (2) the prior approval of the OTS under Section 10(e)
of HOLA and (3) the Bank Merger Approvals (items (2) and (3), collectively, the
"Regulatory Approvals"), among other conditions specified herein.
 --------------------                                            

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                      THE MERGER; EFFECTIVE TIME; CLOSING

          1.1  The Merger.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
               ----------                                              
Agreement, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall merge with and into BFS, and
the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease.  The
Merger shall have the effects specified in the Delaware General Corporation Law
(the "DGCL").
      ----   

          1.2  Effective Time.  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this
               --------------                                                  
Agreement, the parties to this Agreement will cause a certificate of merger to
be executed,

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware as provided
in Section 251 of the DGCL (the "Certificate of Merger").  The Merger shall
                                 ---------------------                     
become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger has been filed with
such Secretary of the State, or at such other time as may be specified in the
Certificate of Merger in accordance with applicable law.  The date and time when
the Merger shall become effective is herein referred to as the "Effective Time".
                                                                --------------  

          (b)  The parties to this agreement will use all reasonable efforts to
cause the Effective Time to occur at a time and date specified by Dime, which
time and date shall be not later than the opening of business on the first
business day of the month next commencing after the date of satisfaction or
waiver of the last of the conditions specified in Sections 6.1(a) and (b) of
this Agreement; provided, that if such day is to occur fewer than 10 days after
                --------                                                       
such date of satisfaction or waiver, the Effective Time shall be not later than
the opening of business on the first business day of the next succeeding month.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.2, the parties hereto
may cause the Effective Time to occur on such earlier or later day following the
satisfaction or waiver of such conditions as they may agree in writing,
consistent with the provisions of the DGCL.

          1.3  Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take
               -------                                   -------             
place at such place within The City of New York as the parties hereto shall
agree, at 8:00 a.m. on the date when the Effective Time is to occur.  The date
upon which the Closing shall occur is herein referred to as the "Closing Date".
                                                                 ------------  

                                  ARTICLE II

                   GOVERNING DOCUMENTS; DIRECTORS; OFFICERS

          2.1  Certificate of Incorporation.   By virtue of the Merger, the
               ----------------------------                                
certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and
restated to read in its entirety as the certificate of incorporation of the
Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that
Article I thereof shall be further amended to replace the reference to "Fifth
Avenue Property Corp." therein with "BFS Bankorp, Inc."; such certificate of
incorporation, as so amended and restated, shall be the certificate of
incorporation of the Surviving Corporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"),
                                                 ----------------------------   
until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and the DGCL.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          2.2  By-laws.  By virtue of the Merger, the by-laws of the Surviving
               -------                                                        
Corporation shall be amended and restated to read in their entirety as the by-
laws of the Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time,
until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof, the Certificate of
Incorporation and the DGCL.

          2.3  Directors.  By virtue of the Merger, the Board of Directors of
               ---------                                                     
the Surviving Corporation shall consist of the directors of the Merger Sub
serving immediately prior to the Effective Time, and such directors, together
with any additional directors as may thereafter be elected, shall hold such
office until their successors are elected and qualified in accordance with the
terms of the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation and the by-laws of the
Surviving Corporation.

          2.4  Officers.  By virtue of the Merger, the officers of the Surviving
               --------                                                         
Corporation shall be the officers of the Merger Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time, and such officers, together with any additional officers as may
be agreed upon prior thereto by Dime and BFS or as may be appointed thereafter,
shall serve in accordance with the terms of the DGCL and the Certificate of
Incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Corporation.

                                  ARTICLE III

                          EFFECT OF MERGER ON SHARES;
                    MERGER CONSIDERATION; PAYMENT FOR SHARES

          3.1  Effect of the Merger on Shares of BFS Common Stock.  At the
               --------------------------------------------------         
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
any stockholder:

          (a)  Each share of BFS Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
     prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the "Shares"), other than
                                                     ------              
     Exception Shares (as defined below), shall be converted into the right to
     receive, without interest, an amount in cash equal to $52.00 (the "Merger
                                                                        ------
     Consideration"); provided, that if the Effective Time occurs after June 1,
     -------------    --------                                                 
     1997, the Merger Consideration payable per Share shall be increased by an
     amount equal to the product of $.01 and the number of days elapsed during
     the period beginning on but excluding June 1, 1997, through and including
     the date on which the Effective Time occurs, and all references herein to
     the Merger Consideration shall be deemed to include such increase.  All
     such Shares, other than Exception Shares, shall cease to be outstanding,
     shall be cancelled and retired and shall

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
     cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate formerly representing such
     Shares (a "Certificate") shall thereafter cease to have any rights with
                -----------                                                 
     respect to such Shares, except the right to receive the Merger
     Consideration upon exchange of such Certificate in accordance with Section
     3.2.

          (b)  Each Exception Share, other than Dissenters' Shares (as defined
     below), shall cease to be outstanding, shall be cancelled and retired and
     shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be payable with respect
     thereto.

          (c)  Each share of capital stock of the Merger Sub issued and
     outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into
     a share of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation having the same par
     value and denomination, and such shares shall thereafter constitute all of
     the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving
     Corporation.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Exception Shares" means (1) Shares owned, other
                                 ----------------                               
than in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously
          ---- ----                                                           
contracted in good faith, by Dime or a subsidiary (as defined in Section 8.6) of
Dime, (2) Shares that have not been voted in favor of approval of the Merger and
with respect to which appraisal rights have been perfected in accordance with
Section 262 of the DGCL ("Dissenters' Shares") and (3) shares of BFS Common
                          ------------------                               
Stock held by BFS or a subsidiary of BFS in treasury.

          3.2  Payment for Shares.  (a)  Appointment of Paying Agent.  For the
               ------------------        ---------------------------          
six-month period commencing on the Effective Time, Dime shall cause to be made
available to a paying agent (which may be a subsidiary of Dime) appointed by
Dime (the "Paying Agent") funds sufficient in the aggregate to allow the Paying
           ------------                                                        
Agent to make payments of the Merger Consideration to former holders of Shares
in accordance with Section 3.1.  At the end of such six-month period, Dime shall
be entitled to cause the Paying Agent to deliver to it any of such funds
(including any interest received in respect thereof) that have not then been
disbursed to former holders of Shares.  Any former holders of Shares who have
not theretofore surrendered their Certificates for payment pursuant to this
Article III shall thereafter be entitled to look exclusively to Dime, and only
as general creditors thereof, for any payment due upon surrender of their
Certificates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Paying Agent nor any
party hereto shall be liable to any former holder of Shares for any

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar laws.

          (b)  Procedures for Surrender.  Promptly after the Effective Time,
               ------------------------                                     
Dime shall cause the Paying Agent to mail or deliver to each person who was,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, a holder of record of Shares (other
than Exception Shares) a form of letter of transmittal containing instructions
for use in effecting the surrender of Certificates in exchange for payment
pursuant to this Article III.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a
Certificate for cancellation, together with such letter of transmittal duly
executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder
of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a check in
the amount to which such holder is entitled pursuant to this Article III, after
giving effect to any required tax withholdings, and the Certificate so
surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled.  No interest will accrue or be paid on
any amount payable upon surrender of Certificates.  If any payment is to be made
to a person other than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered
therefor, it shall be a condition of such payment that the Certificate be
properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason
of the making of such payment to a person other than the registered holder of
the Certificate surrendered (or shall establish to the satisfaction of Dime that
any such taxes have been paid or are not applicable).

          (c)  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  If any Certificate shall
               --------------------------------------                           
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that
fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed
and, if required by Dime, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as
Dime may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with
respect to such Certificate, Dime shall, in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate, cause to be paid the amount deliverable in respect
thereof pursuant to this Article III.

          (d)  Transfers.  At and after the Effective Time, there shall be no
               ---------                                                     
further registration or transfers of shares of BFS Common Stock, and the stock
ledgers of BFS shall be closed.  After the Effective Time, Certificates
presented to the Surviving Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and
exchanged for the payment to which the holder thereof is entitled pursuant to
this Article III (any certificates representing Dissenters' Shares so presented
for transfer shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.3).

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
          3.3  Dissenters' Shares.  The Surviving Corporation shall pay for any
               ------------------                                               
Dissenters' Shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL, and the holders
thereof shall not be entitled to receive any Merger Consideration; provided,
                                                                   -------- 
that if appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL with respect to any
Dissenters' Shares shall have been effectively withdrawn or lost, such shares
will thereupon cease to be treated as Exception Shares and shall be converted
into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.1(a).


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          4.1  Representations and Warranties of BFS.  BFS hereby represents and
               -------------------------------------                            
warrants to Dime that:

          (a)  Recitals True.  The statements of fact set forth in Recitals C
               -------------                                                 
     and G of this Agreement with respect to BFS and BFS Bank are true.

          (b)  Organization and Qualification.  Each of BFS and its subsidiaries
               ------------------------------                                   
     has the requisite corporate power and authority to own or lease its
     material properties and material assets and to carry on its business in all
     material respects as it is now being conducted and is duly qualified to do
     business and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the properties
     owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require such
     qualification, except for any failure to be so qualified that, individually
     or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined
     in Section 8.6) on it.  BFS has made available to Dime a complete and
     correct copy of the Governing Documents (as defined below) of BFS and each
     of its subsidiaries, each as amended to date and currently in full force
     and effect.  "Governing Documents" means, with respect to any organization,
                   -------------------                                          
     (1) those instruments that constitute its charter as filed or recorded
     under the general corporation or other applicable law of the jurisdiction
     of its incorporation or organization, including the articles or
     certificates of its incorporation or association, any amendments thereto
     and any articles or certificates of merger or consolidation, and (2) its
     by-laws.

          (c)  Subsidiaries.  (1)  Schedule 4.1(c) lists all of the subsidiaries
               ------------        ---------------                              
     of BFS and its percent ownership thereof.  Except as so listed or as
     otherwise set forth

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     on Schedule 4.1(c), none of BFS or any of its subsidiaries owns any stock,
        ---------------                                                         
     partnership, joint venture or limited liability company interest or any
     other equity security issued by any Person (as defined in Section 8.6) (or
     any security convertible into, or right to acquire, any of the preceding)
     other than in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt
                     ---- ----                                                
     previously contracted in good faith.

          (2)  BFS Bank is the only subsidiary of BFS that accepts demand
     deposits.  BFS Bank is a federal savings bank duly organized under the laws
     of the United States, an "insured depository institution" as defined in the
     FDI Act and applicable regulations thereunder and is a member of the
     Savings Association Insurance Fund (the "SAIF") of the Federal Deposit
                                              ----                         
     Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC").  All of its deposits are subject to
                                 ----                                       
     assessments payable to the SAIF.

          (3)  All the outstanding shares of capital stock of BFS Bank are owned
     directly and of record by BFS, free and clear of all liens, pledges,
     security interests, claims, proxies, preemptive or subscriptive rights or
     other encumbrances or restrictions of any kind (collectively,
                                                                  
     "Encumbrances").  All the shares of capital stock indicated as owned by BFS
      ------------                                                              
     or a subsidiary of BFS on Schedule 4.1(c) are owned directly and of record
                               ---------------                                 
     by BFS or a subsidiary of BFS, free and clear of all Encumbrances.

          (d)  Capital Stock.  (1)  All of the issued and outstanding shares of
               -------------                                                   
     capital stock of BFS and BFS Bank, and all of the shares of capital stock
     of BFS's other subsidiaries that are owned by BFS or a subsidiary of BFS,
     have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
     nonassessable.

          (2) As of the date of this Agreement, there were outstanding under the
     stock option and other plans identified in Schedule 4.1(d) (collectively,
                                                ---------------               
     the "BFS Stock Plans"), options or rights to acquire an aggregate of
          ---------------                                                 
     159,220 shares of BFS Common Stock, at an average exercise price of $9.65
     and on the other terms set forth in Schedule 4.1(d) (subject to adjustment
                                         ---------------                       
     on the terms set forth in the BFS Stock Plans).  As of the date of this
     Agreement, BFS has no shares of BFS Common Stock reserved for issuance,
     other than 17,474 shares reserved for issuance under the BFS Stock Plans,
     and has no shares of preferred stock reserved for issuance.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          (3)  Except as set forth in Recital C and except for shares of BFS
     Common Stock to be issued after the date hereof pursuant to the options
     outstanding as of the date hereof under the BFS Stock Plans, there are no
     shares of capital stock of BFS authorized, issued or outstanding.  There
     are no preemptive rights or any outstanding subscriptions, options,
     warrants, rights, convertible securities or other agreements or commitments
     of BFS or any of its subsidiaries of any character relating to the issued
     or unissued capital stock or other securities of BFS or any of its
     subsidiaries (including those relating to the issuance, sale, purchase,
     redemption, conversion, exchange, redemption, voting or transfer thereof),
     other than (A) the Agreement, dated as of April 3, 1993, between BFS,
     Fredric H. Gould, Gould Investors, L.P. and the other persons and entities
     identified therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto (as so amended,
     the "1993 Agreement"), (B) the Gould Agreement, (C) the President Agreement
          --------------                                                        
     or (D) as set forth in Section 4.1(d)(2).

          (e)  Corporate Authority.  (1) BFS has the requisite corporate power
               -------------------                                             
     and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to
     execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject only to the adoption by the
     holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of BFS Common
     Stock of the agreement of merger contained in this Agreement insofar as
     required by Section 251 of the DGCL, to consummate the transactions
     contemplated hereby.  This Agreement is a valid and legally binding
     agreement of BFS enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
     enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization,
     fraudulent transfer and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally
     and to general equitable principles.

          (2)  The Board of Directors of BFS (at a meeting duly called and held)
     has by requisite vote authorized and approved this Agreement and the
     transactions, including the Merger, contemplated hereby and directed that
     the agreement of merger (as such term is used in Section 251 of the DGCL)
     contained in this Agreement be submitted for consideration to, and adoption
     by, its stockholders in accordance with Section 251 of the DGCL.

          (3)  BFS has taken all action required, if any, to exempt irrevocably
     this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
     from the provisions of Article Eighth of its certificate of

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     incorporation and the requirements of any "business combination",
     "moratorium", "control share" or any other state antitakeover statute or
     regulation, including Section 203 of the DGCL.

          (f)  Governmental Filings.  Other than the Regulatory Approvals, as
               --------------------                                           
     provided in Section 1.2 and as required under the Securities and Exchange
     Act of 1934, as amended (including the rules and regulations thereunder,
     the "Exchange Act"), state securities and "Blue Sky" laws or the rules of
          ------------                                                        
     the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"), no
                                                                ----      
     notices, reports or other filings are required to be made by BFS with, nor
     are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations
     required to be obtained by BFS from, any domestic or foreign governmental
     or regulatory authority, agency, court, commission or other entity
     (collectively, "Governmental Entities"), in connection with the execution,
                     ---------------------                                     
     delivery or performance of this Agreement by BFS and the consummation by
     it of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, other than
     those the failure of which to obtain or make (1) will not have,
     individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on BFS and (2)
     could not prevent, materially delay or materially burden, or permit any
     Person to enjoin the consummation of, the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.

          (g)  No Conflicts.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
               ------------                                                  
     Agreement by BFS does not and will not, and (upon receipt of the Regulatory
     Approvals, the expiration of any related waiting period, compliance with
     the other requirements identified in Section 4.1(f) and the adoption of
     shareholders referred to in Section 4.1(e)(1)) the consummation by it of
     the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not, with or
     without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both:

               (1)  Conflict with or violate the Governing Documents of BFS or
          any subsidiary of BFS;

               (2)  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(g), constitute or result
                                           ---------------                      
          in a breach of or default under, permit the termination of or permit
          the acceleration of the performance required by, any agreement, lease,
          contract, note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation
          (collectively, "Contracts") of BFS or any subsidiary
                          ---------     
                      
                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
          of BFS (or to which their respective properties are subject);

               (3)  Result in the creation or imposition, pursuant to any
          Contract, of any Encumbrance on any of the properties or assets of BFS
          or any subsidiary of BFS; or

               (4)  Violate or breach any law, rule, ordinance, regulation,
          judgment, decree, order, award or governmental or non-governmental
          permit or license to which BFS or any subsidiary of BFS (or any of
          their respective properties) is subject or permit the termination of
          any of the foregoing;

     except, in the cases of clauses (2) through (4), for such breaches,
     ------                                                             
     defaults, Encumbrances, violations or terminations that, individually or in
     the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (h)  Reports and Financial Statements.  (1) With respect to periods
               --------------------------------                              
     since September 30, 1994, each of BFS and its subsidiaries has timely
     filed, and has paid all fees or assessments due or payable in connection
     with, all material reports and statements, together with any amendments
     required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to file with
     (A) the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), (B) the OTS, (C)
                                                      ---                    
     the FDIC, (D) the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (the "FHLB"), (E) any
                                                                ----           
     other applicable federal or state banking, insurance, securities, or other
     regulatory authorities or (F) the NASD.  Each such report or statement,
     including the financial statements and exhibits thereto, complied (or will
     comply, in the case of reports or statements filed after the date of this
     Agreement) as to form with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations
     as of the (in the case of reports or statements filed prior to the date
     hereof, without giving effect to any amendments or modifications filed
     after the date of this Agreement) date thereof, except for such failures to
     comply that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
     Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (2)  BFS has made available to Dime a true and complete copy of each
     registration statement, offering circular, report, definitive proxy
     statement or information statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended (including the rules and regulations thereunder, the "Securities
                                                                   ----------
     Act"), the Exchange Act, 12 C.F.R. Parts 563d and 563g and state securities
     ---                                                                        
     and

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
     "Blue Sky" laws (collectively, the "Securities Laws") filed, used or
                                         ---------------                 
     circulated by BFS or any subsidiary of BFS with respect to periods since
     September 30, 1994 through the date of this Agreement, and will promptly
     deliver to Dime each such document or statement filed, used or circulated
     after the date hereof (collectively, the "Reports"), each in the form
                                               -------                    
     (including exhibits and any amendments thereto) filed with the SEC or the
     OTS (or if not so filed, in the form used or circulated), including BFS's
     Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 and
     its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended December 31, 1995,
     March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996.

          (3)  As of their respective dates (and without giving effect to any
     amendments or modifications filed after the date of this Agreement), each
     of the Reports, including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules
     thereto, filed, used or circulated prior to the date hereof complied (and
     each of the Reports filed after the date of this Agreement, will comply) in
     all material respects with the applicable Securities Laws and did not (or
     in the case of Reports filed after the date of this Agreement, will not)
     contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
     fact required to be stated therein or neces sary to make the statements
     made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
     not misleading.

          (4)  Each of BFS's consolidated balance sheets included in the Reports
     fairly presents (or, in the case of Reports filed after the date of this
     Agreement, will fairly present) in all material respects the consolidated
     financial position of BFS and its subsidiaries as of the date of such
     balance sheet and each of the consolidated income statements and statements
     of changes in stockholders' equity included in the Reports fairly presents
     (or, in the case of Reports filed after the date of this Agreement, will
     fairly present) in all material respects the consolidated results of
     operations and retained earnings, as the case may be, of BFS and its
     subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of
     interim statements, to normal year-end adjustments that are not material in
     amount or effect), in each case in conformity with generally accepted
     accounting principles consistently applied during the periods involved,
     except as may be noted therein.

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  Loans; OREO.  (1)  The allowance for possible loan losses shown
               -----------                                                    
     on the Balance Sheet (as defined below) was, and such allowance shown on
     each of the consolidated balance sheets of BFS that is as of a date after
     the date hereof and contained in any Report will be, adequate in all
     material respects, as of the date of such balance sheet, to provide for
     estimable and probable losses, net of recoveries relating to loans
     previously charged off, inherent in its loan portfolio.  The term "Balance
                                                                        -------
     Sheet" means the consolidated balance sheet of BFS at June 30, 1996
     -----                                                              
     included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period then ended, as
     filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof.

          (2)  Schedule 4.1(i) sets forth a list, accurate and complete in all
               ---------------                                                
     material respects, of all Loans (as defined below), other than any such
     loans, leases, extensions of credit, commitments or other assets the unpaid
     principal balance of which does not exceed $100,000, of BFS and its
     subsidiaries that have been criticized or classified as of September 30,
     1996 by it or any such subsidiary, separated by category of classification
     or criticism (the "Asset Classification"); no amounts of such Loans that
                        --------------------                                 
     have been classified or criticized as of the date hereof by any
     representative of any Banking Regulator (as defined in Section 4.1(l)) as
     "Other Loans Especially Mentioned", "Substandard", "Doubtful", "Loss" or
     words of similar import are excluded from the amounts disclosed in the
     Asset Classification, other than amounts that were charged off by BFS or
     its subsidiaries prior to the date hereof; and no such Loans as of
     September 30, 1996 that have been or, to its knowledge, should have been
     classified as "non-accrual", "restructured", "90 days past due", "still
     accruing and doubtful of collection" or any comparable classification are
     excluded from the amounts disclosed in the Asset Classification.  For
     purposes of this Agreement, the term "Loans" shall mean loans, leases,
                                           -----                           
     extensions of credit, commitments to extend credit and other assets.

          (3)  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on BFS, each loan or extension of credit of BFS or
     any of its subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement (A) is evidenced
     by notes, agreements or other evidences of indebtedness that are true and
     genuine, (B) is secured to the extent contemplated by the terms thereof,
     (C) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named
     therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
     enforcement, to bankruptcy,

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
     insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and other laws
     affecting creditors' rights generally and to general equity principles, and
     (D) to BFS's knowledge, is not subject to any defenses that may be asserted
     against BFS or any of its subsidiaries.

          (4)  The Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") included in any non-
                                             ----                      
     performing assets of BFS or its subsidiaries is carried net of reserves at
     the lower of cost or market value based on current independent appraisals
     or current management appraisals.

          (j)  Absence of Certain Events and Changes.  (1) Except as set forth
               -------------------------------------                          
     in Schedule 4.1(j)(1), since June 30, 1996, BFS and its subsidiaries have
        ------------------                                                    
     conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary and usual course
     of such businesses and there has not been any change, development or
     combination of changes or developments that, individually or in the
     aggregate, constitutes or has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (2)  BFS and its subsidiaries have no obligations or liabilities
     (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, whether
     due or to become due, and regardless of when asserted), including for any
     Tax (as defined in Section 4.1(n)) (collectively, "Liabilities"), except:
                                                        -----------            
     (A) as reflected on the Balance Sheet, (B) Liabilities that have arisen in
     the ordinary and usual course of business after the date of such Balance
     Sheet, and which will be included in the next following Report of it
     provided to Dime, (C) as set forth in Schedule 4.1(j)(2) or (D) any
                                           ------------------           
     Liability that, either alone or when combined with all other such
     Liabilities, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (k)  Properties.  Except as disclosed or reserved against in its
               ----------                                                 
     Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof or in the Balance Sheet
     or as set forth in Schedule 4.1(k), BFS and its subsidiaries have good and
                        ---------------                                        
     valid title to all of the properties and assets, tangible and intangible,
     reflected on the Balance Sheet or acquired since the date thereof (other
     than real property reflected on the Balance Sheet as OREO), free and clear
     of all Encumbrances, except for Encumbrances that, individually or in the
     aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS and property
     disposed of since the date of the Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of
     business.

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
          (l)  Compliance with Laws.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(l),
               --------------------                          --------------- 
     each of BFS and its subsidiaries:

               (1)  Except for any failure so to comply that, individually or in
          the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS, has
          been since September 30, 1994 in compliance, in the conduct of its
          business, with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign
          statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders or
          decrees applicable thereto or to the employees conducting such
          businesses, including (A) Sections 22(h), 23A and 23B of the Federal
          Reserve Act and (B) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing
          Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
          and all other applicable fair lending laws or other laws relating to
          discrimination (clause (B), collectively, the "Lending Laws");
                                                         ------------   

               (2)  Has all permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders
          and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and
          registrations with, Governmental Entities that are required in order
          to permit it to carry on its business in all material respects as it
          is presently conducted and the absence of which, individually or in
          the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS;

               (3)  Has received since September 30, 1994 no notification or
          communication from any Governmental Entity (including the OTS and any
          other bank, insurance or securities regulatory authorities) or the
          staff thereof (A) asserting that it or any of its subsidiaries is not
          in compliance in any material respect with any of the statutes,
          regulations or ordinances that such Governmental Entity enforces; (B)
          threatening to revoke any material license, franchise, permit or
          governmental authorization; or (C) threatening or contemplating
          termination of FDIC deposit insurance (nor, to its knowledge, do any
          grounds for any of the foregoing exist);

               (4)  Is not required to give prior notice to any federal banking
          agency of the proposed addition of an individual to its board of
          directors or the employment of an individual as a senior executive;

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
               (5)  Is not subject to the limitations on acceptance of deposits
          set forth in Section 29 of the FDI Act;

               (6)  With respect to BFS Bank, has been assigned a rating of
          "outstanding record of meeting community credit needs" or
          "satisfactory record of meeting community credit needs" in its most
          recent examination under Section 4 of the Community Reinvestment Act
          (no other subsidiary of BFS being an "insured depositary institution"
          as defined in the FDI Act); and

               (7)  Is not a party or subject to (nor is any officer, director,
          controlling Person or property of it or any of its subsidiaries a
          party or subject to) any order, decree, agreement, memorandum of
          understanding or similar arrangement with, or a commitment letter or
          similar submission to, any Governmental Entity charged with the
          supervision or regulation of depository institutions or engaged in the
          insurance of deposits, including the OTS and the FDIC (collectively,
          the "Banking Regulators"), or the supervision or regulation of BFS or
               ------------------                                              
          any subsidiary of BFS, and neither BFS nor any subsidiary of BFS has
          been advised by any such Governmental Entity that such Governmental
          Entity is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the
          appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order, decree,
          agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter or similar
          submission.

          (m)  Litigation.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(m), there are no
               ----------                          ---------------              
     criminal or administrative inves tigations or hearings of, before or by any
     Governmental Entity, or civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits,
     claims or proceedings of, before or by any Person (including any
     Governmental Entity) pending or, to BFS's knowledge, threatened or
     contemplated against BFS or any of its subsidiaries (including under or
     relating to any of the Lending Laws or Securities Laws or relating to any
     Plan (as defined in Section 4.1(g)) of BFS or its subsidiaries) that are
     reasonably likely to result in a determination that, individually or in the
     aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (n)  Taxes.  (1)  For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Tax"
               -----                                                      --- 
     shall mean any tax or governmental charge, withholding obligation,
     assessment, impost or

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
     levy (including, without limitation, any income, gross receipts, deposit,
     license, payroll, employee withholding, foreign or domestic withholding,
     backup withholding, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium,
     windfall profits, environmental, capital stock, franchise, disability,
     real or personal property, sales, use, transfer, ad valorem, alternative or
     add-on minimum or other taxes, any customs duty, unemployment insurance,
     social security and workers' compensation), together with any related
     liabilities, penalties, fines, additions to tax or interest (including any
     penalties, fines or similar amounts related to any information return or
     reporting obligations, notwithstanding that no Tax is payable if such
     obligations are properly discharged), imposed by the United States or any
     state, county, provincial, local or foreign government or subdivision or
     agency thereof.

          (2)  Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has filed or will file all
     material Tax returns or reports (including all Tax-related information
     returns or reports) required to be filed (taking into account permissible
     extensions) by them on or prior to the Effective Time.  All such Tax
     returns are (or, with respect to Tax Returns filed after the date of this
     Agreement, will be) correct and complete in all material respects.  Each of
     BFS and its subsidiaries has paid or will pay in a timely manner and as
     required by law all material Taxes due and payable by it or which it is
     obligated to withhold from amounts owing to any employee or third party
     (whether or not shown on any Tax return).  All material Taxes which will be
     due and payable, whether now or hereafter, for any period ending on, prior
     to or including the Effective Time shall have been paid by or on behalf of
     BFS and its subsidiaries or shall be reflected on the books of it and its
     subsidiaries as an accrued Tax liability determined in a manner which is
     consistent with past practices and the Balance Sheet.

          (3)  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), (A) neither BFS nor any
                                      ---------------                         
     of its subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations with respect to
     Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to Taxes or agreed to
     any extension of time with respect to an assessment or deficiency for
     Taxes; (B) no Tax returns or reports of BFS or its subsidiaries have to its
     knowledge been audited by any Governmental Entity; and (C) there are no
     material unresolved questions, material claims or material disputes claimed
     or raised by any relevant taxing authority concerning the liability for
     Taxes of BFS or any of its subsidiaries.

                                     -17-
<PAGE>
 
     (4)  Neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries has made an election under
     Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
     "Internal Revenue Code"), for any taxable years not yet closed for statute
     ----------------------                                                    
     of limitations purposes.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.1(n), there is
                                                      ---------------          
     no material dispute or material claim concerning BFS or any of its
     subsidiaries claimed or raised by any relevant taxing authority with
     respect to any Taxes arising out of membership or participation in any
     consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary group of which it or any of
     such subsidiaries was at any time a member.

          (o)  Insurance.  (1)  Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has taken all
               ---------                                                       
     requisite action (including the making of claims and the giving of notices)
     pursuant to its directors' and officers' liability insurance policy or
     policies in order to preserve all material rights thereunder with respect
     to all matters (other than matters arising in connection with this
     Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby) that are known to it.
                                                                               
     Schedule 4.1(o) contains a list of all directors' and officers' liability
     ---------------                                                          
     insurance policies maintained by BFS or its subsidiaries as of the date of
     this Agreement.

          (2)  BFS and its subsidiaries are, and since September 30, 1994 have
     been, insured for amounts management of BFS believes to be reasonable,
     against such risks as companies engaged in a similar business customarily
     are insured.

          (3)  All of the insurance policies and bonds maintained by BFS and its
     subsidiaries are in full force and effect, it and its subsidiaries are not
     in default thereunder, except for any defaults that could not result in the
     cancellation or loss of material benefits thereunder, and all material
     claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion.

          (p)  Labor Matters.  Neither BFS nor any of BFS's subsidiaries is a
               -------------                                                 
     party to, or is bound by, any collective bargaining agreement, contract or
     other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organiza tion.
     Neither BFS nor any of BFS's subsidiaries is the subject of any material
     proceeding asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice or
     seeking to compel it to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or
     conditions of employment, nor is there any strike involving BFS or any of
     BFS's subsidiaries pending or, to BFS's knowledge, threatened, nor, to

                                     -18-
<PAGE>
 
     BFS's knowledge, is there any activity involving employees of BFS or any of
     its subsidiaries seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or
     engaging in any other organizational activity, in each case, either as of
     the date of this Agreement or as would, individually or in the aggregate,
     have a Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (q)  Employee Benefits.  (1)  Schedule 4.1(q) sets forth a list of all
               -----------------        ---------------                         
     bonus, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit-sharing, thrift,
     savings, welfare, employee stock ownership, severance, stock bonus, stock
     purchase, restricted stock and stock option plans and all employment,
     severance or change in control agreements that cover employees or former
     employees of BFS and its subsidiaries (the "Compensation Plans").  True and
                                                 ------------------             
     complete copies of the Compensation Plans and all other benefit plans,
     contracts or arrangements covering current or former employees or directors
     of it or its subsidiaries (the "Employees"), including, but not limited to,
                                     ---------                                  
     "employee benefit plans" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee
     Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and all
                                                          -----           
     amendments thereto, have been made available to Dime.

          (2)  All of BFS's and its subsidiaries' employee benefit plans, within
     the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, other than "multiemployer plans"
     within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA, covering Employees
     (collectively, its "Plans"), to the extent subject to ERISA, are in all
                         -----                                              
     material respects in compliance with ERISA.  Each of the Plans which is an
     "employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA
     ("Pension Plan") and which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
       ------------                                                             
     of the Internal Revenue Code, has received a favorable determination letter
     from the Internal Revenue Service, and to BFS's knowledge there are no
     circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
     determination letter.  Neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged
     in a transaction with respect to any Plan that, assuming the taxable period
     of such transaction expired as of the date hereof, could subject it or any
     of its subsidiaries to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of
     the Internal Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA in an amount that
     would be material to BFS.

          (3)  No material liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA
     (other than payment of applicable

                                     -19-
<PAGE>
 
     premiums) has been or is expected to be incurred by BFS or any of its
     subsidiaries with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated "single-
     employer plan", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA,
     currently or formerly maintained by any of them, or the single-employer
     plan of any entity which is considered one employer with it under Section
     4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code (an "ERISA
                                                                    -----
     Affiliate").  BFS and its subsidiaries have not incurred and do not expect
     ---------                                                                 
     to incur any material withdrawal liability with respect to a multiemployer
     plan under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA (regardless of whether based on
     contributions of an ERISA Affiliate).  No notice of a "reportable event",
     within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, for which the 30-day reporting
     requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed for any
     Pension Plan or by any of BFS's ERISA Affiliates within the 12-month period
     ending on the date hereof.

          (4)  All material contributions required to be made by BFS and its
     subsidiaries under the terms of any of its Plans have been timely made or
     have been reflected on the Balance Sheet.  Neither any of the Pension Plans
     nor any single-employer plan of any of BFS's ERISA Affiliates has an
     "accumulated funding deficiency" (whether or not waived) within the meaning
     of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.
     Neither BFS nor its subsidiaries has provided, or is required to provide,
     security to any Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA
     Affiliate pursuant to Sections 401(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code.

          (5)  Under each of the Pension Plans which is a single-employer plan,
     as of the last day of the most recent plan year ended prior to the date of
     this Agreement, the actuarially determined present value of all "benefit
     liabilities", within the meaning of Sec tion 4001(a)(16) of ERISA (as
     determined on the basis of the actuarial assumptions contained in the
     Pension Plan's most recent actuarial valuation), did not materially exceed
     the then current value of the assets of such Pension Plan, and to BFS's
     knowledge, there has been no materially adverse change in the financial
     condition of such Pension Plan since the last day of the most recent plan
     year.  To BFS's knowledge, there would be no material withdrawal liability
     of BFS and its subsidiaries under each Compensation Plan which is a
     multiemployer plan to which it, its subsidiaries or its ERISA Affiliates
     has contributed during the

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
     preceding 12 months, if such withdrawal liability were determined as if a
     "complete withdrawal", within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA, had
     occurred as of the date hereof.

          (6)  Except as disclosed in its Reports or as set forth in Schedule
                                                                     --------
     4.1(q), neither BFS nor its subsidiaries has any obligations for retiree
     ------                                                                  
     health and life benefits under any Compensation Plan.  To BFS's knowledge,
     BFS or its subsidiaries may amend or terminate any Compensation Plan
     providing retiree health and life benefits without incurring any liability
     thereunder.

          (7)  Except as provided in this Agreement or as identified in Schedule
                                                                        --------
     4.1(q), the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in
     ------                                                                     
     the vesting or acceleration of any amounts under any Compensation Plan, any
     material increase in benefits under any Compensation Plan or payment of
     any severance or similar compensation under any Compensation Plan.

          (r)  Environmental Matters.  (1)  For purposes of this Section 4.1(r),
               ---------------------                                            
     the following terms shall have the indicated meaning:

               "Environmental Law" means any Federal or state law, statute,
               ------------------                                          
          rule, regulation, code, order, judgment, decree, injunction, common
          law or agreement with any Federal or state governmental authority
          relating to (A) the protection, preservation or restoration of the
          environment (including air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater,
          drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal
          life or any other natural resource), (B) human health or safety or (C)
          exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation,
          transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or
          disposal of, hazardous substances, in each case as amended and now in
          effect.

               "Hazardous Substances" means substances that are listed,
                --------------------                                   
          classified or otherwise regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law,
          including any petroleum products or by-products, polychlorinated
          biphenyls ("PCBs"), asbestos, lead paint or plumbing or radioactive
                      ----                                                   
          materials.

          (2)  To BFS's knowledge, except as identified in Schedule 4.1(r) and
                                                           ---------------    
     except to the extent that there

                                     -21-
<PAGE>
 
     would not reasonably be expected to result therefrom a Material Adverse
     Effect on BFS:

               (A)  BFS and its subsidiaries are in compliance with all
          Environmental Laws;

               (B)  No real property owned or operated by BFS or any of its
          subsidiaries is contaminated with any Hazardous Substances;

               (C)  No real property formerly owned or operated by BFS or any of
          its subsidiaries was contaminated with any Hazardous Substances during
          the period of ownership or operation by it or such subsidiaries; and

               (D)  BFS and its subsidiaries are not subject to liability under
          any Environmental Law for any off-site disposal or contamination of
          Hazardous Substances.

          (3)  BFS and its subsidiaries have not received any claims or notices
     concerning any, direct or indirect, potential or actual liability or loss
     of BFS or any of its subsidiaries under any Environmental Law that,
     individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on
     BFS.

          (4)  To BFS's knowledge, there are no circumstances or conditions
     involving BFS or its subsidiaries or their properties (including any
     participation in the management of, or the holding of a security interest
     in, a borrower or any other third party or property or otherwise in a role
     as mortgagor, trustee or fiduciary) that could reasonably be expected to
     result in any claims, liabilities, costs or restrictions on the ownership,
     use or transfer of any property pursuant to any Environmental Law that, if
     adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on BFS.

          (5)  BFS and its subsidiaries have delivered or made available to Dime
     true and complete copies of all environmental reports, studies, sampling
     data, permits, government filings and any other environmental information
     in its possession or reasonably available to it relating to BFS or any of
     its subsidiaries or any of their current or former properties or
     operations.

          (s)  Material Agreements.  (1)  Except for this Agreement or as set
               -------------------                                           
     forth in Schedule 4.1(s) or filed
              ---------------         

                                     -22-
<PAGE>
 
     as an exhibit to its Reports filed with the SEC prior to the date hereof,
     neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries (A) is a party to any written or
     oral (w) contract for the employment of any officer, individual employee or
     other person on a full-time or consulting basis, or relating to severance
     or change-in-control related benefits for any such person, (x) agreement or
     understanding to repurchase assets previously sold (or to indemnify or
     otherwise compensate the purchaser in respect of such assets), except for
     securities sold under a repurchase agreement that has been entered into in
     the ordinary course of business for normal funding purposes and that
     provides a repurchase date 30 days or less after the purchase date, (y)
     contract or group of related contracts with the same Person for the
     purchase or sale of products or services under which the undelivered
     balance of such products or services has a purchase price in excess of
     $50,000 for any individual contract or $50,000 for any group of related
     contracts in the aggregate (including any lease that involves a remaining
     aggregate balance of lease payments payable of more than $50,000 or any
     group of related leases which involves a remaining aggregate balance of
     lease payments payable of more than $50,000) or (z) contract that is
     material to it and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (B) has any
     commitments for capital expenditures in excess of $50,000.

          (2)  Except to the extent set forth in Schedule 4.1(s) and except to 
                                                 ---------------  
     an extent that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
     Adverse Effect on BFS:

               (A)  Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has performed all
          obligations required to be performed by it prior to the date hereof in
          connection with the contracts or commitments set forth in Schedule
                                                                    --------
          4.1(s);
          ------ 

               (B)  None of BFS or any of its subsidiaries is in receipt of any
          claim of default under any such contract or commitment or has any
          present expectation or intention of not fully performing any
          obligation pursuant to any such contract or commitment; and

               (C)  There has been no cancellation, breach or anticipated breach
          by any other party to any such contract or commitment.

                                     -23-
<PAGE>
 
          (3)  Neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to, or
     obligated under, any agreement, arrangement or understanding that
     materially restricts the ability of BFS or any of its subsidiaries, or
     would materially restrict the ability of any successor of the preceding, to
     engage in any and all activities permissible for federal savings banks or
     savings and loan holding companies under applicable laws and regulations.

          (t)  Knowledge as to Conditions.  As of the date of this Agreement, to
               --------------------------                                       
     BFS's knowledge, there is no reason why the Regulatory Approvals and, to
     the extent necessary for the consummation of the Merger, any other
     approvals, authorizations, filings, registrations and notices cannot be
     obtained without the imposition of any condition or restriction described
     in the proviso to Section 6.1(b).

          (u)  Brokers and Finders.  None of BFS, its subsidiaries or any of
               -------------------                                          
     their officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or
     incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finder's fees
     in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except that BFS
                                                              ------         
     has retained Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. as its financial advisor
     pursuant to a letter agreement BFS has made available to Dime, as amended
     to date and currently in full force and effect.

          (v)  Interest Rate Risk Management Instruments; Derivatives; Certain
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
     Other Securities.  (1)  Schedule 4.1(v) sets forth a true and complete list
     ----------------        ---------------                                    
     as of the date of this Agreement of (A) all interest rate swaps, caps,
     floors, option agreements and other interest rate risk management
     arrangements and other instruments generally known as "derivatives" to
     which BFS or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their
     properties or assets may be subject and (B) all securities owned by BFS or
     its subsidiaries that are generally known as "structured notes", "high risk
     mortgage derivatives", "capped floating rate notes" or "capped floating
     rate mortgage derivatives" (instruments or agreements of the type referred
     to in clauses (A) and (B), collectively, "Derivative Securities").
                                               ---------------------   

         (2)   Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
     Material Adverse Effect on BFS:

               (A)  All Derivative Securities to which BFS or any of its
          subsidiaries is a party or to which

                                     -24-
<PAGE>
 
          any of their properties or assets may be subject were entered into in
          the ordinary course of business and, to its knowledge, in accordance
          with prudent banking practice and applicable rules, regulations and
          policies of the Banking Regulators and with counterparties believed to
          be financially responsible at the time;

               (B)  All such Derivative Securities are legal, valid and binding
          obligations enforceable in accordance with their terms (except, as to
          enforceability, as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
          moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of
          creditors generally, and the availability of equitable remedies) and
          are in full force and effect; and

               (C)  BFS and each of its subsidiaries has duly performed in all
          material respects all of its obligations thereunder, and, to its
          knowledge, there are no breaches, violations or defaults or
          allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder.

          (w)  Accounting Controls.  Each of BFS and its subsidiaries has
               -------------------                                       
     devised and maintained systems of internal accounting controls sufficient
     to provide reasonable assurances, in the reasonable judgment of the Board
     of Directors of BFS, that (1) all material transactions are executed in
     accordance with management's general or specific authorization (except as
     set forth in Schedule 4.1(w)); (2) all material transactions are recorded
                  ---------------                                             
     as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in
     conformity with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
     applied; (3) access to the material property and assets of BFS and its
     subsidiaries is permitted only in accordance with management's general or
     specific authorization; and (4) the recorded accountability for items is
     compared with the actual levels at reasonable intervals and appropriate
     action is taken with respect to any differences.

          4.2  Representations and Warranties of Dime.  Dime hereby represents
               --------------------------------------                         
and warrants to BFS that:

          (a)  Recitals True.  The statements of fact set forth in Recitals A, B
               -------------                                                    
     and G of this Agreement with respect to Dime and Merger Sub are true.

                                     -25-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Organization and Qualification.  Each of Dime and Merger Sub has
               ------------------------------                                  
     the requisite corporate power and authority to own or lease its material
     properties and material assets and to carry on its business in all material
     respects as it is now being conducted and is duly qualified to do business
     and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the properties owned,
     leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require such
     qualification, except for any failure to be so qualified that,
     individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect
     on it.

          (c)  Corporate Authority.  Each of Dime and Merger Sub has the
               -------------------                                      
     requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action
     necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate
     the transactions contemplated hereby.  This Agreement is a valid and
     legally binding agreement of each of Dime and Merger Sub enforceable in
     accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
     insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and other laws
     affecting creditors' rights generally and to general equitable principles.

          (d)  Governmental Filings.  Other than the Regulatory Approvals, as
               ---------------------                                         
     provided in Section 1.2 and as required under the Exchange Act, the state
     securities and "Blue Sky" laws or the rules of the NASD, no notices,
     reports or other filings are required to be made by Dime or Merger Sub
     with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, permits or
     authorizations required to be obtained by Dime or Merger Sub from, any
     Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery or
     performance of this Agreement by Dime or the Merger Sub and the
     consummation by them of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
     hereby, other than those the failure of which to obtain or make could not
     prevent, materially delay, or materially burden, or permit any Person to
     enjoin the consummation of, the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.

          (e)  No Conflicts.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
               ------------                                                  
     Agreement by Dime and Merger Sub does not and will not, and (upon receipt
     of the Regulatory Approvals, the expiration of any related waiting period
     and compliance with the other requirements of Section 4.2(d)) the
     consummation by them of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
     hereby, will not, with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time
     or both:

                                     -26-
<PAGE>
 
               (1)  Conflict with or violate the Governing Documents of Dime or
          Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Dime;

               (2)  Constitute or result in a breach of or default under, permit
          the termination of or acceleration of the performance required by, any
          Contracts of Dime or Merger Sub or any other subsidiary of Dime; or

               (3)  Violate or breach any law, rule, ordinance, regulation,
          judgment, decree, order, award or governmental or non-governmental
          permit or license to which Dime or Merger Sub or any other subsidiary
          of Dime is subject;

     except, in the cases of clauses (2) and (3), for such breaches, default or
     ------                                                                    
     violations that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
     Material Adverse Effect on Dime.

          (f)  Knowledge as to Conditions.  As of the date of this Agreement, to
               --------------------------                                       
     Dime's knowledge, there is no reason why the Regulatory Approvals and, to
     the extent necessary for consummation of the Merger, any other approvals,
     authorizations, filings, registrations and notices cannot be obtained
     without the imposition of any condition or restriction described in the
     proviso to Section 6.1(b).

          (g)  Financing.  Dime has available, or at the Effective Time will
               ---------                                                    
     have available, sufficient funds, available lines of credit or other
     sources of immediately available funds sufficient to enable it to
     consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  Dime
     and Merger Sub's obligations hereunder are not subject to any conditions
     regarding Dime's ability to obtain financing for the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated herein.


                                   ARTICLE V

                                   COVENANTS

          5.1  Conduct of Business Pending the Effective Time.  BFS agrees as to
               ----------------------------------------------                   
itself and its subsidiaries that, from and after the date hereof until the
Effective Time, except insofar as Dime shall otherwise consent in writing
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or except

                                     -27-
<PAGE>
 
as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement or set forth in Schedule
                                                                      --------
5.1:
- --- 

          (a)  Conduct of Business in the Ordinary and Usual Course.  BFS and
               ----------------------------------------------------          
     its subsidiaries will conduct their respective businesses (including the
     underwriting and making of any loan or advance) only in the ordinary and
     usual course, and, to the extent consistent therewith, BFS and its
     subsidiaries will use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their
     business organizations and assets and maintain their rights, franchises and
     existing relations with customers, suppliers, employees and business
     associates.

          (b)  Forbearance.  BFS will not, and will cause each of its
               -----------                                           
     subsidiaries not to:

          (1)  Declare, set aside or pay any dividend payable in cash, stock or
     other property with respect to any of its capital stock, other than
     dividends by direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of BFS;

          (2)  Repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly,
     any shares of its capital stock;

          (3)  Grant, issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or permit any Encumbrance
     to be placed on (A) any shares of its capital stock of any class, other
     than issuance of BFS Common Stock pursuant to the BFS Stock Plans, (B)
     securities convertible or exchangeable for such shares of capital stock,
     (C) stock appreciation rights with respect to such shares or (D) options,
     warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind to acquire any of such
     shares;

          (4)  Effect any recapitalization, reclassifica tion, stock split or
     like exchange in capitalization;

          (5)  Enter into, or take any action to cause any stockholders of BFS
     to enter into, any agreement, understanding or commitment relating to the
     right of stockholders of BFS to vote any shares of its capital stock,
     except for the 1993 Agreement or as set forth in Recital F, or cooperate in
     any formation of any voting trust relating to such shares;

          (6)  Amend its Governing Documents;

          (7)  Merge or consolidate with, or, except in satisfaction of a debt
     previously contracted in good

                                     -28-
<PAGE>
 
     faith, make any material acquisition of or investment in the assets, stock
     or securities (including partnership, joint venture or limited liability
     company interests) of, any other Person;

          (8)  Make any change in accounting principles or methods from those
     currently employed, except as required by generally accepted accounting
     principles or applicable regulatory requirements, as concurred in by BFS's
     independent auditors;

          (9)  Sell, transfer, lease, securitize, swap, license, pledge or
     otherwise dispose or permit any Encumbrance to be placed on any material
     amount of its properties or assets (including loans, advances or securities
     constituting assets of it), except in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practice (including FHLB advances in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practice);

          (10)  Other than with respect to loan transactions, enter into,
     accelerate, terminate or cancel any contract, lease or license relating to
     amounts in excess of $50,000 for any individual contract, lease or license
     or $50,000 for any group of related contracts, leases or licenses other
     than entering into such contracts, leases or licenses that can be
     terminated without penalty on notice of 90 days or less;

          (11)  Amend, modify, waive or fail to enforce any provision of, or its
     rights under, the 1993 Agreement;

          (12)  Incur any material amount of indebtedness, other than deposits
     taken and other indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business
     consistent with past practice (including FHLB advances in the ordinary
     course of business consistent with past practice);

          (13)  Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
     past practice, (A) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an
     accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other Person or
     (B) cancel, release, assign or modify any material amount of indebtedness
     of any other Person;

          (14)  Make any loan or advance (A) in excess of $250,000 or (B) other
     than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

                                     -29-
<PAGE>
 
          (15)  Authorize or make any capital expenditures, other than in the
     ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and other than
     capital expenditures for replacements and repairs in amounts less than
     $50,000 in the aggregate;

          (16)  Enter into or modify any employment, severance or similar
     agreements or arrangements with, or grant any bonuses, wage, salary, fee or
     compensation increases, increases in fringe benefits or severance or
     termination pay to, or promote, any director, officer, employee, group of
     employees or consultant or hire any employee, except that it may (A) hire
                                                   ------ ----                
     "at will" employees with an annual salary of less than $50,000 as
     replacements for terminating employees and (B) grant compensation
     increases, bonuses or promotions in the ordinary course of business and
     consistent with past practice to non-executive employees, provided that
                                                               --------     
     such grants do not result in increases in compensation that exceed 3% per
     annum on average, and (C) grant those salary increases, year-end bonuses
     and retention bonuses set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(16);
                                        ------------------- 

          (17)  Release or otherwise terminate the employ ment of any employee
     of it, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
     practice;

          (18)  Establish, adopt or enter into any new, or amend any existing,
     or extend coverage of or waive eligibility requirements with respect to
     any, Compensation Plans (including profit sharing, bonus, director and
     officer incentive compensation, severance, retirement, medical,
     hospitalization, life or other insurance plans, agreements and
     commitments), except in each case for amendments or modifications necessary
     to comply with applicable law (after prior consultation with Dime);

          (19)  Knowingly take any action that would materially and adversely
     affect the ability of any party hereto to obtain, on or before July 31,
     1997, any necessary approvals, consents or waivers of Governmental Entities
     required for the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a
     condition or restriction of the type referred to in the proviso to Section
     6.1(b) or perform its obligations under this Agreement or that is
     reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material
     Adverse Effect on it; or

                                     -30-
<PAGE>
 
          (20)  Authorize or enter into an agreement to take any of the
     foregoing actions.

          (c)  Certain Settlements.  Without prior consultation with Dime,
               -------------------                                         
     neither BFS nor any of its subsidiaries shall enter into any settlement or
     similar agreement (other than such a settlement or agreement involving no
     admission of wrongdoing and requiring only the payment of immaterial
     monetary damages) with respect to, or take any other significant action
     with respect to the conduct of, any action, suit, proceeding, order or
     investigation against or affecting BFS or any of its subsidiaries that is
     set forth in Schedule 4.1(m) or to which BFS or any of such subsidiaries
                  ---------------                                            
     becomes a party after the date of this Agreement (other than any action,
     suit, proceeding or order that is related solely to the collection of any
     loan or other extension of credit in default or to the realization on any
     related collateral).

          5.2  Acquisition Proposals.  BFS agrees that neither BFS nor any of
               ---------------------                                         
its subsidiaries shall, and that BFS and its subsidiaries shall direct and use
all reasonable efforts to cause their respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any investment
banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any of its subsidiaries) not
to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the
making or implementation of any proposal or offer with respect to a merger,
acquisition, consolidation or similar transaction involving, or any purchase of
all or any substantial part of the assets or any equity securities of, BFS or
any of its subsidiaries (any such proposal or offer being hereinafter referred
to as an "Acquisition Proposal") or engage in any discussions or negotiations
          --------------------                                               
with, or provide any confidential information or data to, any Person relating to
an Acquisition Proposal; provided, that, if BFS is not otherwise in violation of
                         --------                                               
this Section 5.2, the Board of Directors of BFS may furnish or cause to be
furnished information and may participate in such discussions and negotiations
directly or through its representatives if such Board of Directors, after having
consulted with and considered the written advice of outside counsel, has
determined that the failure to provide such information or participate in such
negotiations and discussions would constitute a breach of their fiduciary duties
under Delaware law.  If any such inquiries or proposals are received by, any
such information is requested from, or any such negotiations or discussions are
sought to be initiated or continued with, BFS or any of its subsidiaries, BFS
will immediately notify Dime.  BFS will immediately cease and cause to be
terminated

                                     -31-
<PAGE>
 
any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted
heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, will enforce any
confidentiality agreements and will take the necessary steps to inform the
appropriate individuals or entities referred to in the first sentence of this
Section 5.2 of the obligations undertaken in this Section 5.2.

          5.3  Certain Policies of BFS.  Subject to Schedule 5.3 and upon the
               -----------------------              ------------             
request of Dime, BFS shall, consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles and regulatory accounting principles, use its best efforts to record
any accounting adjustments required to conform the loan, litigation and other
reserve and real estate valuation policies and practices (including loan
classifications and levels of reserves) of BFS and its subsidiaries so as to
reflect consistently on a mutually satisfactory basis the policies and practices
of Dime; provided, however, that BFS shall not be obligated to record any such
         --------  -------                                                    
accounting adjustments pursuant to this Section 5.3 (A) unless and until BFS
shall be satisfied that the conditions to the obligation of the parties to
consummate the Merger will be satisfied or waived on or before the Effective
Time, and (B) in no event until the day prior to the Effective Date.  BFS's
representations, warranties (including Section 4.1(i)(1)) and covenants
contained in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be untrue or breached in any
respect for any purpose as a consequence of any modifications or changes
undertaken solely on account of this Section 5.3.

          5.4  Employees; Employee Benefit Plans.  (a)  Dime agrees that, as of
               ---------------------------------                               
the Effective Time, the employees of BFS and its subsidiaries at such time ("BFS
                                                                             ---
Employees") shall be employed upon terms and conditions (including retiree and
- ---------                                                                     
other benefits) no less favorable than those generally afforded to other
employees of Dime and its subsidiaries holding similar positions; provided, that
                                                                  --------      
service with BFS or its subsidiaries or any predecessor thereto prior to the
Effective Time shall be treated as service with Dime or its subsidiaries for
purposes of any length-of-service requirements, waiting periods, eligibility
periods, vesting periods or differential benefits based upon length-of-service
requirements (but not for pension benefit accrual purposes), including length-
of-service requirements used to determine the number of weeks of vacation to
which a BFS Employee is entitled under the relevant Dime policy and to satisfy
any waiting periods concerning "preexisting conditions" and any "copayment" or
deductible requirements); and provided, further, that nothing herein shall (1)
                              --------  -------                               
prevent the amendment or termination of any Compensation Plan of BFS in
accordance with its terms, (2) require the Surviving

                                     -32-
<PAGE>
 
Corporation to maintain an employee stock ownership plan or to provide or permit
investment in the securities of BFS or the Surviving Corporation or (3) limit or
restrict the ability of the Surviving Corporation to terminate the employment of
any officer or employee.

          (b)  Dime agrees to honor in accordance with their terms all
employment, severance and termination contracts, agreements and arrangements and
employee benefit plans set forth in Schedule 4.1(q); provided, that the
                                    ---------------  --------          
foregoing shall not prevent the Surviving Corporation from amending or
terminating any such plan, contract, agreement, arrangement or plan in
accordance with its terms.  It is Dime's present intention that current
recipients of retiree medical benefits from BFS and its subsidiaries will
receive retiree medical benefits no less favorable than those generally afforded
to employees of Dime and its subsidiaries holding similar positions; provided,
                                                                     -------- 
that service with BFS or its subsidiaries or any predecessor thereto prior to
the Effective Time shall be treated as service with Dime or its subsidiaries;
and provided, further, that such recipients shall not be required to make any
    --------  -------                                                        
contribution in respect of such benefits unless required in good faith by Dime
for reasons related to the accounting by Dime for postemployment benefits other
than pensions under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106 (or any
amendment or successor thereto).

          (c)  BFS shall take such action as is necessary to terminate the BFS
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("BFS ESOP") effective as of the Effective Time.
                                --------                                       
Subject to applicable laws and regulations, prior to the Effective Time, BFS
shall cause the BFS ESOP to be amended to provide that, in the event of the
termination of the BFS ESOP, participants in the BFS ESOP shall be entitled to
rollover the amounts then credited to their respective accounts under the BFS
ESOP to the 401(k) Savings Plan maintained by Dime.  Dime shall use reasonable
efforts to have the 401(k) Savings Plan accept such rollovers in the form of
cash or cash equivalents.

          5.5  Access and Information.  (a)  Upon reasonable notice and subject
               ----------------------                                          
to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, BFS agrees to (and
shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) afford Dime's officers, employees,
counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives (collectively, its
"Representatives") reasonable access (together with the right to copy), during
- ----------------                                                              
normal business hours throughout the period until the Closing Date, to its
books, properties, contracts and records (including loan and credit files, tax
returns and work papers of independent auditors) and, during such period, shall
(and shall cause

                                     -33-
<PAGE>
 
each of its subsidiaries to) furnish to Dime and its Representatives all
information concerning its business, property and personnel as may reasonably be
requested and instruct its officers, employees, counsel and accountants to be
available for, and respond to reasonable questions of, Dime and its
Representatives at reasonable hours and with reasonable notice and to cooperate
with Dime in planning for the integration of the business of BFS and its
subsidiaries with the business of Dime and its subsidiaries.  Neither BFS nor
any of its subsidiaries shall be required to provide access to or to disclose
information where such access or disclosure would violate or prejudice the
rights of BFS's customers, jeopardize the attorney-client privilege of the
institution in possession or control of such information or contravene any law,
rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree, fiduciary duty or binding agreement
entered into prior to the date of this Agreement.  The parties hereto will make
appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the
restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.

          (b)  Each of Dime and BFS agree that it and its subsidiaries will not,
and will cause their Representatives not to, use any nonpublic information
obtained from the other party in connection with or relating to this Agreement,
the investigation leading up to its execution or the transactions contemplated
hereby (including by Dime pursuant to Section 5.5(a)) for any purpose unrelated
to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Pending consummation of the transactions herein contem plated, each of Dime and
BFS agrees that it and each of its subsidiaries will keep confidential, and will
cause its Representatives to keep confidential, all nonpublic information and
documents so obtained from the other party; provided, that the obligation to
                                            --------                        
keep such information or documents confidential shall not apply to (1) any
information or document that (A) was already in Dime or BFS's possession prior
to the disclosure thereof by the other party, (B) was then generally known to
the public, (C) became known to the public through no fault of Dime or BFS, as
the case may be, or (D) was disclosed to Dime or BFS, as the case may be, by a
third party not bound by an obligation of confidentiality or (2) disclosures
required by law, governmental or regulatory authority.  Upon any termination of
this Agreement, each party will collect and deliver to the other party all
nonpublic documents obtained by any of it, its subsidiaries or any of their
Representatives and then in their possession (other than documents of the type
described in the proviso to the preceding sentence) and any copies thereof and
destroy or cause to be destroyed all notes, memoranda or other documents in

                                     -34-
<PAGE>
 
the possession of it, its subsidiaries or their Representatives containing or
reflecting any nonpublic information obtained from the other party (other than
information of the type described in the proviso to the preceding sentence),
except to the extent that any such information may be embodied in minutes of the
meetings of such party's Board of Directors or in filings, reports or
submissions to or with any Governmental Entity.  Promptly after any such
termination, each of Dime and BFS shall deliver to the other a certificate
signed on its behalf by a senior executive officer to the effect of its
compliance with the agreements of it set forth in the preceding sentence.

          (c)  Without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 5.5(a), BFS
shall provide to Dime within 30 days of the end of each calendar month between
the date hereof and the Closing Date (1) consolidated financial statements
(including a balance sheet and income statement) as of, and for the period
ended, on such month-end, in the form in which such statements are prepared for
use by BFS's management, and (2) such other information customarily prepared by
BFS as may be reasonably requested by Dime.

          (d)  No investigation, whether pursuant to this Section 5.5 or
otherwise, shall affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty
herein.

          5.6  Options.  BFS shall terminate at its sole cost and expense the
               -------                                                       
BFS Stock Plans listed on Schedule 4.1(d), effective as of the Effective Time;
                          ---------------                                     
provided, however, that immediately prior to the Effective Time, BFS shall take
- --------  -------                                                              
such action as may be necessary so that all options to purchase BFS Common Stock
granted by BFS under the BFS Stock Plans and that are outstanding at the
Effective Time (collectively, the "BFS Options"), whether or not then
                                   -----------                       
exercisable, shall be cancelled by BFS and shall thereafter represent the right
to receive (immediately prior to the Effective Time) in lieu of each share of
BFS Common Stock that would otherwise have been issuable upon exercise thereof,
consideration in an amount computed by multiplying (a) the excess, if any, of
the Merger Consideration over the per share exercise price under such BFS Option
by (b) the number of shares subject to such BFS Option.

          5.7  Stockholder Approval.  BFS agrees to take, subject to and in
               --------------------                                        
accordance with applicable law and its Governing Documents, all action necessary
to convene a meeting of holders of BFS Common Stock (the "BFS Meeting") as
                                                          -----------     
promptly as practicable to consider and vote upon the adoption of the agreement
of merger (within the meaning of

                                     -35-
<PAGE>
 
Section 251 of the DGCL) contained in this Agreement.  Subject to the next
sentence, the Board of Directors of BFS will recommend such approval, and BFS
will take all reasonable lawful action to solicit such approval by its
stockholders.  The Board of Directors of BFS may fail to make such a
recommendation, or withdraw, modify or change any such recommendation only if
such Board of Directors, after having consulted with and considered the written
advice of outside counsel to such Board, has determined that the making of such
recommendation, or the failure so to withdraw, modify or change its
recommendation, would constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of such direc
tors under Delaware law.

          5.8  Efforts to Consummate; Proxy Statement; Other Filings.
               -----------------------------------------------------
          (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
applicable law, each of Dime and BFS shall use all reasonable efforts to take,
or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable,
including such actions or things as the other party may reasonably request in
order to cause any of the conditions to such party's obligation to consummate
the Merger specified in Article VI of this Agreement to be fully satisfied.

          (b)  Without limiting the generality of Section 5.8(a):

          (1)  BFS shall prepare as promptly as practicable after the date
     hereof a proxy statement and the other proxy solicitation materials
     constituting a part thereof or, in the alternative, an information
     statement (as determined by mutual agreement of BFS and Dime) for the BFS
     Meeting (collectively, the "Proxy Statement"). BFS agrees to use all
                                 ---------------  
     
     reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to holders of
     record of BFS Common Stock as promptly as practicable after the date
     hereof.

          (2)  Dime and BFS agree to cooperate and, subject to the terms and
     conditions set forth in this Agreement, use reasonable efforts to (A)
     prepare and file all necessary documentation, (B) effect all necessary
     applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents, (C) obtain
     all necessary permits, consents, orders, approvals and authorizations of,
     or any exemption by, all third parties and Governmental Entities, including
     the Regulatory Approvals, to make

                                     -36-
<PAGE>
 
     effective the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement as soon as practicable.

          (3)  Each of Dime and BFS agrees, upon request, to furnish the other
     with all information concerning itself, its subsidiaries, directors,
     officers and stockholders and such other matters as may be reasonably
     necessary or advisable in connection with the Proxy Statement or any other
     statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of such other
     party or any of its subsidiaries to any Governmental Entity in connection
     with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          5.9  Information Supplied.  Each of Dime and BFS agrees that none of
               --------------------                                           
the information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation
by reference in the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto
will, at the date of mailing to the stockholders of BFS and at the time of the
BFS Meeting, contain any state ment which, in the light of the circumstances
under which such statement is made, will be false or misleading with respect to
any material fact, or which will omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein not false or misleading or necessary to
correct any earlier statement in the Proxy Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto which has become false or misleading.  The Proxy Statement
shall not be filed with the SEC or used, and, prior to the termination of this
Agreement, no amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement shall be used or
so filed, by BFS without the prior consent of Dime and its counsel, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned (including in
a manner that would interfere with the taking by the Board of Directors of BFS
of the actions contemplated by the third sentence of Section 5.7).

          5.10  Publicity.  Dime and BFS shall consult with each other (a) prior
                ---------                                                       
to issuing any press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) prior to making any filings with
any Governmental Entity (including any self-regulatory organization) with
respect to such transactions and (c) prior to issuing any press releases or
otherwise making public statements with respect to significant regulatory
developments.  In any press release or other public statement, each of Dime and
BFS warrants that neither it nor any of its authorized officers has made or will
make, regarding the Merger or any Acquisition Proposal, any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements made, in the

                                     -37-

<PAGE>
 
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not  misleading.

          5.11  Notification of Certain Matters.  Each of Dime and BFS will give
                -------------------------------                                 
prompt notice to the other upon its discovery of the occurrence or failure to
occur of any fact, event or circumstance that would, individually or in the
aggregate, result in (a) a Material Adverse Effect on it, (b) any of the
representations or warranties of such party contained herein being untrue or
inaccurate when made, at the Effective Time or at any time prior to the
Effective Time, (c) a material breach of any of the covenants or agreements of
such party contained herein or (d) the preclusion of the satisfaction of any
condition to consummation set forth in Article VI.  Each of Dime and BFS will
give prompt notice to the other of any notice or other communication from any
Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          5.12  Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.  (a)  From
                ---------------------------------------------------            
and after the Effective Time through the sixth anniversary thereof, Dime agrees
to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each present and former director and
officer of BFS and its subsidiaries determined as of the Effective Time (the
"Indemnified Parties") against all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses
- --------------------                                                       
(including reasonable attorneys' fees), liabilities or judgments of or in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out
of matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (a "Claim")
                                                                       -----  
in which an Indemnified Party is, or is threatened to be made, a party or a
witness based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of BFS or any of its
subsidiaries, regardless of whether such Claim is asserted or claimed prior to,
at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent to which directors and
officers of BFS are entitled under Delaware or other applicable law as in effect
on the date hereof (and Dime shall pay expenses in advance of the final
disposition of any such action or proceeding to each Indemnified Party to the
extent permissible to a Delaware corporation under Delaware law as in effect on
the date hereof; provided, that the person to whom expenses are advanced
                 --------                                               
provides an undertaking to repay such expenses if it is ultimately determined
that such person is not entitled to indemnification).  All rights to
indemnification in respect of a Claim asserted or made within the period
described in the preceding sentence shall continue until the final disposition
of such Claim.

                                     -38-
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
Section 5.12(a), upon learning of any Claim, shall promptly notify Dime, but the
failure to so notify shall not relieve Dime of any liability it may have to such
Indemnified Party except to the extent that such failure materially prejudices
Dime.  In the event of any Claim, (1) Dime shall have the right to assume the
defense thereof and shall not be liable to such Indemnified Parties for any
legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Parties in connection with the defense thereof, except that, if
Dime elects not to assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified Parties
advises that there are issues which raise conflicts of interest between Dime and
the Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory
to them, and Dime shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for
the Indemnified Parties promptly as statements therefor are received, (2) the
Indemnified Parties will cooperate in the defense of any such Claim and (3) Dime
shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its prior written
consent (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld).

          (c)  Dime shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the persons
serving as officers and directors of BFS immediately prior to the Effective Time
to be covered for a period of three years from the Effective Time by the
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy maintained by BFS (provided
that Dime may substitute therefor policies of at least the same coverage and
amounts containing terms and conditions which are not less advantageous than
such policy) with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective
Time which were committed by such officers and directors in their capacity as
such; provided, however, that in no event shall Dime be required to expend more
      --------  -------                                                        
than 200% of the current amount expended by BFS (the "Insurance Amount") to
                                                      ----------------     
maintain or procure insurance coverage pursuant hereto; and provided, further,
                                                            --------  ------- 
that if Dime is unable to maintain or obtain the insurance called for by this
Section 5.12(c), Dime shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain as much
comparable insurance as is available for the Insurance Amount.

          (d) In the event Dime or any of is successors or assigns (1)
consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not continue or
survive such consolidation or merger, or (2) transfers or conveys all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each
such case, to the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of Dime assume the obligations set forth in this Section
5.12.

                                     -39-
<PAGE>
 
          (e)   The provisions of this Section 5.12 are intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her
heirs and representatives.

          5.13  Bank Merger.  Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, Dime and
                -----------                                                   
BFS will take all action necessary and appropriate to cause the Bank Merger to
occur immediately after or, if the Bank Merger cannot be effected immediately
after, as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 5.14, Dime and BFS may cause the Bank
Merger to occur on such later date as may be agreed in writing.

          5.14  Forbearance by Dime.  Dime agrees that, from and after the date
                -------------------                                            
hereof until the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly contemplated by
this Agreement, Dime will not, and will cause each of its subsidiaries not to,
knowingly take any action that would materially and adversely affect the ability
of any party hereto to obtain, on or before July 31, 1997, any necessary
approvals, consents or waivers of Governmental Entities required for the
transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or
restriction of the type referred to in the proviso to Section 6.1(b) or perform
its obligations under this Agreement.

          5.15  Advisory Board.  Dime agrees, promptly following the Effective
                --------------                                                
Time, to cause the members of BFS's board of directors immediately prior to the
Effective Time who are (a) not officers or employees of BFS or any of its
subsidiaries, (b) nominated by BFS and (c) are willing so to serve to be elected
or appointed as members of a newly formed advisory board to Dime Savings, the
function of which shall be as determined by the Board of Directors of Dime
Savings from time to time; provided, however, that Dime Savings may request the
                           --------  -------                                   
resignation of any member of the advisory board, and such member promptly shall
so resign, if Dime Savings reasonably determines that such member has a conflict
of interest or other circumstances exist that compromise such member's ability
to effectively serve as a member of the advisory board.  The advisory board
shall terminate on the first anniversary of the Effective Time.  The members of
the advisory board shall receive a retainer fee of $25,000 for their year of
service.

                                     -40-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VI

                                  CONDITIONS

          6.1  Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger.  The
               ----------------------------------------------------------      
respective obligation of each of Dime, Merger Sub and BFS to consummate the
Merger is subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by each of Dime and BFS
of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time:

          (a)  Stockholder Approval.  The agreement of merger contained in this
               --------------------                                            
     Agreement shall have been duly adopted by the requisite vote of the holders
     of the outstanding shares of BFS Common Stock in accordance with Section
     251 of the DGCL, other applicable law and the Governing Documents of BFS.

          (b)  Governmental and Regulatory Consents.  The Regulatory Approvals
               ------------------------------------                           
     shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect and all
     related waiting periods shall have expired; and all other material
     approvals and authorizations of, filings and registrations with, and
     notifications to, all Governmental Entities required for the consummation
     of the Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full force
     and effect and all waiting periods required by law shall have expired;
     provided, however, that none of the preceding shall be deemed obtained or
     --------  -------                                                        
     made if it shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner that,
     individually or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect
     on the Surviving Corporation or the Surviving Bank.

          (c)  Third Party Consents.  All consents or approvals of all Persons
               --------------------                                            
     (other than Governmental Entities) required for or in connection with the
     execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation
     of the Merger shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and
     effect, unless the failure to obtain any such consent or approval,
     individually or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse
     Effect on the Surviving Corporation or the Surviving Bank.

          (d)  No Prohibition.  No jurisdiction or Governmental Entity shall
               --------------                                                
     have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
     regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
     preliminary or permanent) which is in effect

                                     -41-
<PAGE>
 
     and prohibits consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement.

          6.2  Conditions to Obligation of Dime.  The obligation of Dime and
               --------------------------------                             
Merger Sub to consummate the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or
written waiver by Dime of each of the following conditions prior to the
Effective Time:

          (a)  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
               ------------------------------                           
     warranties of BFS set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as
     of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on
     and as of the Closing Date, except that representations and warranties that
     by their terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date
     certain shall be true and correct as of such date; and Dime shall have
     received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of BFS by
     its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to such effect.

          (b)  Performance of Covenants.  BFS shall have performed in all
               ------------------------                                  
     material respects all covenants required to be performed by it under this
     Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and Dime shall have received a
     certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of BFS by its Chief
     Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to such effect.

          6.3  Conditions to Obligation of BFS.  The obligation of BFS to
               -------------------------------                            
consummate the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by
BFS of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time:

          (a)  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
               ------------------------------                           
     warranties of Dime set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as
     of the date of this Agreement and as of Closing Date as though made on and
     as of the Closing Date, except that representations and warranties that by
     their terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date
     certain shall be true and correct as of such date, and BFS shall have
     received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Dime by
     a senior officer of Dime to such effect.

          (b)  Performance of Covenants.  Dime shall have performed in all
               ------------------------                                   
     material respects all covenants required to be performed by it under this
     Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and BFS shall have

                                     -42-
<PAGE>
 
     received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Dime by
     a senior officer of Dime to such effect.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                       TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

          7.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
               -----------                                                  
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, either before or after the
approval by the stockholders of BFS of the Merger:

          (a)  By the mutual written consent of Dime and BFS;

          (b)  By either Dime or BFS, if (1) the Effective Time shall not have
     occurred on or prior to July 31, 1997, (2) any approval or authorization of
     any Governmental Entity, the lack of which would result in the failure to
     satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section 6.1(b), shall have been
     denied by such Governmental Entity or such Governmental Entity shall have
     requested the withdrawal of any application therefor or indicated an
     intention to deny, or impose a condition of a type referred to in the
     proviso to Section 6.1(b) with respect to, such approval or authorization
     or (3) the approval of the stockholders of BFS referred to in Section
     6.1(a) shall not have been obtained at the BFS Meeting or at any
     adjournment thereof; provided, however, that the right to terminate this
                          --------  -------                                  
     Agreement under this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to any party
     whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement shall have
     been the cause of, or shall have resulted in, either the failure of the
     Effective Time to occur on or prior to such date or such action by such
     Governmental Entity or the stockholders of BFS, as the case may be;

          (c)  By Dime, if (1) BFS shall have breached any representation,
     warranty or covenant contained herein that would result in the failure to
     satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or 6.2(b) and
     such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving
     of a written notice to BFS of such breach, (2) as provided in Section 5.7,
     the Board of Directors of BFS withdraws its recommendation of this
     Agreement, fails to make such recommendation or modifies or qualifies its
     recommendation in a manner adverse to Dime or (3) as provided in Section
     5.2, the Board of Directors of BFS participates in (or

                                     -43-
<PAGE>
 
     authorizes participation in) negotiations regarding the substantive terms
     of a formal Acquisition Proposal; or

          (d)  By BFS, if (1) Dime shall have breached any representation,
     warranty or covenant contained herein that would result in the failure to
     satisfy the closing condition set forth in Section 6.3(a) or 6.3(b) and
     such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving
     of a written notice to Dime of such breach or (2) without breaching Section
     5.2, BFS shall have entered into a definitive agreement with a third party
     providing for an Acquisition Transaction (as defined in Section 7.3(b)(1)
     hereof) on terms determined by the Board of Directors of BFS, in its sole
     discretion, after consultation with and considering the advice of its legal
     and financial advisors, to be more favorable to the stockholders of BFS
     than the Merger; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under
                      --------                                                  
     Section 7.1(d)(2) shall not be available to BFS unless it delivers to Dime
     simultaneously with such termination the fee referred to in Section 7.3;

provided, that to the extent required by Section 251(d) of the DGCL, any
- --------                                                                
termination of the Agreement after the approval of the Merger by the
stockholders of BFS shall be by action of the Board of Directors of Dime or BFS,
as the case may be.

          7.2  Effect of Termination.  In the event of termination of this
               ---------------------                                      
Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to Section 7.1, no party to
this Agreement shall have any liability or further obligation to any other party
hereunder except (a) as set forth in Sections 7.3 and 8.1 and (b) such
termination will not relieve a breaching party of liability for any breach
directly or indirectly giving rise to such termination.

          7.3  Termination Fee.  (a)  If this Agreement (1) is terminated by
               ---------------                                              
Dime pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(2) or by BFS pursuant to Section 7.1(d)(2) and
(2) prior thereto or within eighteen months after such termination:

          (A)  BFS shall have entered into an agreement to engage in an
     Acquisition Transaction or an Acquisition Transaction shall have occurred;
     or

          (B)  The Board of Directors of BFS shall have authorized or approved
     an Acquisition Transaction or shall have publicly announced an intention to
     authorize or approve an Acquisition Transaction or shall have

                                     -44-
<PAGE>
 
     recommended that the stockholders of BFS approve or accept an Acquisition
     Transaction (each of the events set forth in clause (A) or (B), a "Trigger
                                                                        -------
     Event");
     -----   

BFS shall pay to Dime, and Dime shall be entitled to payment of, a fee of
$3,000,000.

          (b)  The term "Acquisition Transaction" means (1) a merger or
                         -----------------------                       
consolidation, or any similar transaction, involving BFS or any of its
significant subsidiaries (the term "significant subsidiary" for purposes of this
                                    ----------------------                      
definition having the meaning assigned thereto in Regulation S-X promulgated by
the SEC), (2) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or substantially all
of the assets or deposits of BFS or any of its significant subsidiaries or (3) a
purchase or other acquisition (including by way of merger, consolidation, share
exchange or otherwise) of securities representing 25% or more of the voting
power of BFS or any of its significant subsidiaries, in each case other than
with or by Dime or a subsidiary of Dime.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

          8.1  Survival.  Only those agreements and cove nants of the parties
               --------                                                      
that by their express terms apply in whole or in part after the Effective Time
shall survive the Effective Time.  All other representations, warranties,
agreements and covenants shall be deemed only to be condi tions of the Merger
and shall not survive the Effective Time.  If the Merger shall be abandoned and
this Agreement terminated, the provisions of Sections 7.2 and 7.3 shall apply
and the agreements of the parties in Sections 5.5(b) and (d), 5.10 and 8.2 shall
survive such abandonment.

          8.2  Expenses.  Each of Dime and BFS shall bear and pay all costs and
               --------                                                        
expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereunder, including fees and expenses of its own financial or
other consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel; provided,
                                                                -------- 
however, that the costs and expenses of preparing, printing and mailing the
- -------                                                                    
Proxy Statement and all filing and other fees paid to the SEC in connection with
the Merger shall be borne equally by Dime and BFS.

          8.3  Modification or Amendment.  (a)  Subject to the applicable
               -------------------------                                 
provisions of the DGCL, at any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties
hereto may modify or amend

                                     -45-
<PAGE>
 
this Agreement by written agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized
officers of the respective parties.

          (b)  At any time prior to the Effective Time, Dime shall be entitled
to revise the structure of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated
hereby or the manner of effecting such transactions; provided, that each of the
                                                     --------                  
transactions comprising such revised structure or manner shall not, as a result
of such revision, (1) subject any of the stockholders of BFS (or, prior to the
Effective Time, BFS) to adverse Tax consequences, (2) adversely affect the
consideration to be received by any such stockholder or (3) result in any
material delay in the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement and any related documents shall be appropriately amended in order
to reflect any such revised structure.

          8.4  Waiver of Conditions.  The conditions to each party's obligation
               --------------------                                            
to consummate the Merger are for the sole benefit of such party and may be
waived by such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable
law.  No waiver shall be effective unless it is in a writing signed by a duly
authorized officer of the waiving party that makes express reference to the
provision or provisions subject to such waiver.

          8.5  Notices.  Any notice, request, instruction or other document to
               -------                                                        
be given hereunder by any party to the other shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given (1) on the date of delivery if delivered
personally or by telefacsimile upon confirmation of receipt, (2) on the first
business day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered next-day
courier service or (3) on the third business day following the date of mailing
if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid.  All notices, requests, instructions or other documents to be given
hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other
instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such
notice, request, instruction or document:


          (a)  If to Dime:

               Dime Bancorp, Inc.
               589 Fifth Avenue
               New York, New York  10017
               Attention:  Chief Executive Officer
               Facsimile:  (212) 326-6194

                                     -46-
<PAGE>
 
               with a copy to:

               Mitchell S. Eitel, Esq.
               Sullivan & Cromwell
               125 Broad Street
               New York, New York   10004
               Facsimile:  (212) 558-3588

          (b)  If to BFS:

               BFS Bankorp, Inc.
               110 William Street
               New York, New York  10038
               Attention:  James A. Randall
                           President and Chief
                             Executive Officer
               Facsimile:  (212) 267-2723

               with copies to:

               John J. Gorman, Esq.
               Luse, Lehman, Gorman,
                 Pomerenk & Schick
               5335 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
               Washington, D.C.   20015
               Facsimile:  (202) 362-2902

               and

               William S. Rubenstein, Esq.
               Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
                 & Flom LLP
               919 Third Avenue
               New York, New York   10022
               Facsimile:  (212) 735-2000

          8.6  Certain Definitions; Interpretation.  (a)  As used in this
               -----------------------------------                       
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

          "individually or in the aggregate", when used in or with respect to
           --------------------------------                                  
     Articles IV, V or VI, includes all events, occurrences and circumstances
     described in any Section of that Article and is not limited to any specific
     Section.

          "material" means, with respect to a Person, material to such Person
           --------                                                          
     and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                                     -47-
<PAGE>
 
          "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to a Person, a material
           -----------------------                                             
     adverse effect upon (1) the present or prospective financial condition,
     business or results of operations of such Person and its subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole (provided, that in relation to the prospective condition,
                       --------                                                
     business or results such effect must be reasonably likely to occur), or (2)
     the ability of any party hereto to perform its material obligations under
     this Agreement; provided, that in determining whether a Material Adverse
                     --------                                                
     Effect has occurred there shall be excluded any effect on the referenced
     party the cause of which is (1) any change in banking and similar laws,
     rules or regulations of general applicability or interpretations thereof by
     courts or governmental authorities, (2) any change in generally accepted
     accounting principles or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to
     thrift institutions or their holding companies generally or (3) any changes
     in general economic conditions (including changes in interests rates)
     affecting generally thrift institutions in the Greater New York
     metropolitan area and their holding companies (provided, that such economic
                                                    --------                    
     conditions shall not (A) affect BFS and its subsidiaries to any
     substantially greater extent than thrift institutions in the Greater New
     York metropolitan area and their holding companies generally or (B) cause
     the total stockholder's equity of BFS at any date (calculated in accordance
     with past practice and the Balance Sheet but determined without regard to
     any modification or change undertaken solely on the account of Section 5.3)
     to be less than the amount publicly disclosed as such at September 30, 1996
     by BFS in its press release dated October 29, 1996).

          "Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership,
           ------                                                    
     association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

          "prior consultation" means, with respect to any action, advance notice
           ------------------                                                   
     of such action and a reasonable opportunity to discuss such action in good
     faith prior to the taking thereof.

          "subsidiary" with respect to a Person, means any other person
           ----------                                                  
     controlled (as defined in Section 10 of the HOLA) by such Person.

          (b)  When a reference is made in this Agreement to Articles or
Sections, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of this Agreement
unless otherwise indicated.  The table of contents, index of defined terms and
headings

                                     -48-
<PAGE>
 
contained in this Agreement are for ease of reference only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  Whenever the words "include",
"includes", or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed
followed by the words "without limitation".  Any singular term in this Agreement
shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular.

          (c)  Insofar as any provision of this Agreement shall require a
subsidiary to take or omit to take any action, such provision shall be deemed a
covenant by Dime or BFS, as the case may be, to cause such action or omission to
occur.

          (d)  It is the intention of the parties that this Agreement shall not
be construed more strictly with regard to one party than with regard to any
other party.

          8.7  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including the Annexes and
               ----------------                                            
Schedules thereto, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and
undertakings, both written and oral.

          8.8  Assignment.  Without the prior written consent of the other party
               ----------                                                       
hereto, this Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise
(any attempted assignment in contravention hereof being null and void).

          8.9  No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  Nothing con tained in this
               ----------------------------                             
Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any person or entity
other than the parties hereto, any benefit right or remedies, except that the
                                                              ------         
provisions of Section 5.6 shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the BFS
Options, Section 5.12 shall inure to the benefit of the persons referred to
therein and Section 5.15 shall inure to the benefit of the members of the
advisory board referred to therein.

          8.10  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
                -------------                                           
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.

          8.11  Counterparts.  For the convenience of the parties hereto, this
                ------------                                                  
Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each such
counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts
shall together constitute the same agreement.

                                     -49-
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Dime, Merger Sub and BFS have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized.


                                          DIME BANCORP, INC.
                        
                        
                        
                                          By: /s/  James M. Large Jr.
                                              --------------------------
                                              Name:  James M. Large, Jr.
                                              Title:  Chairman and Chief       
                                                      Executive Officer
                        
                        
                        
                                          FIFTH AVENUE PROPERTY CORP.
                        
                        
                        
                                          By: /s/  David E. Sparks
                                              --------------------------
                                              Name:  David E. Sparks
                                              Title:  President
                        
                        
                        
                        
                                          BFS BANKORP, INC.
                        
                        
                        
                                          By: /s/  James A. Randall
                                              --------------------------
                                              Name:  James A. Randall
                                              Title:  President and 
                                                      Chief Executive
                                                      Officer

                                     -50-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4


                                                  December 3, 1996



Dime Bancorp, Inc.,
   589 Fifth Avenue,
      New York, New York  10017.


          Re:  Agreement and Plan of Merger by
               and between Dime Bancorp, Inc. and 
               BFS Bankorp, Inc.
               ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          The undersigned understand that Dime Bancorp, Inc. ("Dime") is
                                                               ----     
considering entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, to be dated as of the
date hereof (the "Merger Agreement"), with BFS Bankorp, Inc. ("BFS") and
                  ----------------                             ---      
providing for the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of Dime with and into BFS
(the "Merger").  In consideration of the substantial expenses and other
      ------                                                           
obligations Dime will incur in connection with the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement and in order to induce Dime to execute the Merger Agreement
and to proceed to incur such expenses, the undersigned agree and undertake as
follows:

          1.  The undersigned represent and warrant that they collectively are
     the beneficial owners of not less than 891,297 shares (the "Shares") of
                                                                 ------     
     common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of BFS.  The
                                                  ------------                
     Shares are held of record by the undersigned directly and by Gould BFS,
     Inc. (of which Fredric H. Gould is the President and sole Director and
     Gould Investors, L.P. is the sole stockholder).

          2.  The undersigned hereby waive, with respect to the Merger Agreement
     and the Merger, the conditions set forth in the proviso to Section 5(a) of
     the 1993 Agreement (the "Bidding Conditions").  The undersigned agree that
                              ------------------                               
     the Merger Agreement is the type of agreement contemplated by Section 5(a)
     of the 1993 Agreement and agree to comply with Section 5 of the 1993
     Agreement with respect to the Merger Agreement and the Merger (in all
     respects as if the Bidding Conditions were satisfied).  For purposes
     hereof, the "1993 Agreement" shall mean the Agreement, dated as of
                  --------------                                       
<PAGE>
 
Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                        Page 2


     April 3, 1993, between BFS, Fredric H. Gould, Gould Investors, L.P. and the
     other persons and entities identified therein, as amended by Amendment No.
     1 thereto (a true and complete copy of which has been attached to this
     letter agreement by the undersigned upon execution hereof).

          3.  The undersigned agree not to amend, terminate, or otherwise
     modify, or take any action that would have the effect of amending,
     terminating or modifying, the terms of the 1993 Agreement, without the
     express written consent of Dime.  If the 1993 Agreement terminates for any
     reason before termination of this letter agreement (including as a result
     of the acquisition by the undersigned of additional shares of Common
     Stock), the undersigned agree to continue to be bound by Section 5 of the
     1993 Agreement (as in effect prior to such termination) for purposes of,
     and after giving effect to, this letter agreement.

          4.  The undersigned agree not to, directly or indirectly, sell,
     transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any
     contract, option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with
     respect to the sale, transfer, pledge, assignment or other disposition of,
     any of the Shares (including as part of a transaction involving the sale of
     BFS).  In the case of any transfer by operation of law, this letter
     agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the transferee.  Any transfer
     or other disposition in violation of the terms of this paragraph 4 shall be
     null and void.

          5.  The undersigned agree that they shall not, and shall direct and
     use all reasonable efforts to cause their respective directors, officers,
     employees, agents and representatives (including, without limitation, any
     investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by them) not to, (a)
     initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries with
     respect to, or the making or implementation of, any Acquisition Proposal
     (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or engage in any discussions or
     negotiations with, or provide any confidential information or data to, any
     person relating to any such Acquisition Proposal; provided that, if the
                                                       --------             
     undersigned are not otherwise in violation of this paragraph 5, the
     undersigned may furnish or cause to be furnished information and may
     participate
<PAGE>
 
Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                        Page 3


     in such discussions or negotiations directly or through its representatives
     following a determination by the Board of Directors of BFS (other than the
     undersigned and any of their affiliates who are members of such Board) that
     it is required to take the actions contemplated by the proviso to Section
     5.2 of the Merger Agreement.

          6.  As stockholders of BFS, the undersigned shall cooperate with Dime
     and BFS in (a) preparing and filing documentation, (b) effecting
     applications, notices, petitions, filings and other documents and (c)
     obtaining permits, consents, orders, approvals and authorizations necessary
     to make effective the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the
     Merger Agreement and, except as otherwise permitted under this letter
     agreement or the Merger Agreement, shall not wilfully take, or cause to be
     taken, any action that could significantly impair the prospects of
     completing the Merger in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

          7.  If the Merger Agreement shall terminate in any manner described in
     Section 7.3(a) of the Merger Agreement and prior to or within eighteen
     months after the date of such termination:

               (1) An Acquisition Transaction (as defined in Section 7.3 of the
          Merger Agreement) shall be consummated or any of the undersigned shall
          transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock to
          any person or group (such terms having the meaning assigned thereto
          under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that has,
          or as a result thereof will have, a reporting obligation under Section
          13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the
          Common Stock; and

               (2) As a result of, or in connection with, an event or
          transaction of the type described in the preceding clause, the
          undersigned (directly or indirectly) received or will receive, in
          exchange for or otherwise in respect of shares of Common Stock
          beneficially owned by them, property the fair market value of which
          per share exceeds the Applicable Consideration (such fair market value
          being determined in a mutually agreed upon manner),
<PAGE>
 
Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                        Page 4


     then the undersigned will, jointly and severally, pay to Dime at the time
     of consummation of such transaction an amount equal to the excess of the
     fair market value per share of such property over the Applicable
     Consideration. The amount paid shall be either in cash or in the form of
     any other property received by the undersigned in such transaction, at the
     election of Dime; provided, that Dime shall make its election before the
                       --------                                              
     consummation of any such transaction if it has reasonable notice thereof
     (or, in any other case, shall make its election promptly upon the receipt
     of notice); and provided, further, that if the undersigned shall receive
                     --------  -------                                       
     property other than cash and Dime shall elect a cash payment, then the
     amount paid will be net of reasonable and customary expenses actually
     incurred in the sale of such property (solely in an amount necessary to
     comply with the terms of this letter agreement) by the undersigned.  The
     "Applicable Consideration" for purposes of this letter agreement shall mean
     -------------------------                                                  
     $52.00; provided, that if the event or transaction referred to in paragraph
             --------                                                           
     7(1) of this letter agreement occurs after June 1, 1997, the Applicable
     Consideration shall be increased by an amount equal to the product of $.01
     and the number of days elapsed during the period beginning on but excluding
     June 1, 1997, through and including the date on which such event or
     transaction occurs.

          8.  The undersigned agree to cause those other persons and entities
     that are parties to the 1993 Agreement (other than BFS), or successors to
     such parties, to comply with this letter agreement as if they were a party
     hereto.

          9.  Except for paragraphs 7 and 8, which shall survive the termination
     of this letter agreement for the period specified in paragraph 7, this
     letter agreement shall terminate at the time of the termination of the
     Merger Agreement, except that any such termination shall be without
     prejudice to your rights arising out of any breach of any agreement or
     representation contained herein.

<PAGE>
 
Dime Bancorp, Inc.                                                        Page 5


          This letter agreement constitutes the complete understanding between
the undersigned and Dime concerning the subject matter hereof.  THIS LETTER
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY
WITHIN SUCH STATE.

                                 Very truly yours,                   
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                 FREDRIC H. GOULD                    
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                 /s/  Fredric H. Gould               
                                 --------------------------          
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                 GOULD INVESTORS, L.P.,              
                                   a Delaware limited partnership    
                                                                     
                                   By: Georgetown Partners, Inc.,    
                                       its Managing General Partner  
                                                                     
                                                                     
                                       By: /s/  Fredric H. Gould     
                                           ------------------------- 
                                            Name:  Fredric H. Gould  
                                            Title:  Chairman          


Accepted:

DIME BANCORP, INC.



By: /s/  James M. Large, Jr.
    ------------------------
    Name:  James M. Large, Jr.
    Title:  Chairman and Chief
            Executive Officer


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