NBT BANCORP INC
10-K405, 1998-03-16
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549
                                    FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
 X  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
                                         OR
___ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE  SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-14703

                                NBT BANCORP INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                               DELAWARE 16-1268674
            (State of Incorporation)(IRS Employer Identification No.)

                 52 SOUTH BROAD STREET, NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815
               (Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

        Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 607-337-6000

        Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
           Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                    Common Stock, No Par, $1.00 Stated Value
                   Preferred Stock, No Par, $1.00 Stated Value
                                (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best  of  the  Registrant's   knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in Part  III of this  FORM  10-K or any
amendment to this FORM 10-K. _X_.
There are no delinquent filers to the Registrant's knowledge.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  periods that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ No ___

As of February 28, 1998,  there were  9,429,963  shares  outstanding,  including
380,143 shares held in the treasury,  of the Registrant's  common stock, No Par,
Stated Value $1.00;  of which  8,641,677  common shares having a market value of
$226,325,521 were held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant.  There were no shares
of the Registrant's preferred stock, No Par, Stated Value $1.00,  outstanding at
that date.

                       Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the Proxy Statement of NBT BANCORP INC. dated March 17, 1998 for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 18, 1998 are  incorporated by
reference into Part III of this FORM 10-K as detailed therein.

An index to exhibits follows the signature page of this Form 10-K.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                               CROSS REFERENCE INDEX
<CAPTION>
<S>       <C>      <C>                                                                                       <C>
Part I.   Item 1   Business
                   Description of Business                                                                          II-3,4
                   Average Balance Sheets                                                                             II-7
                   Net Interest Income Analysis - Taxable Equivalent Basis                                            II-7
                   Net Interest Income and Volume/Rate Variance - Taxable Equivalent Basis                            II-8
                   Securities Portfolio                                                                              II-11
                   Securities - Maturity/Yield Schedule                                                              II-30
                   Loans                                                                                             II-12
                   Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates                                II-13
                   Nonperforming and Risk Assets                                                                     II-13
                   Allowance for Loan Losses                                                                          II-9
                   Maturity Distribution of Time Deposits                                                            II-14
                   Return on Equity and Assets                                                                        II-5
                   Short-Term Borrowings                                                                          II-32,33
          Item 2   Properties                                                                                        II-19
          Item 3   Legal Proceedings
                   In the normal course of business there are various outstanding legal proceedings.
                    In the opinion of management, the aggregate amount involved in such proceedings is
                    not material to the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
          Item 4   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
                   There has been no submission of matters to a vote of stockholders during
                    the quarter ended December 31, 1997.
Part II.  Item 5   Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters                       II-15,35
          Item 6   Selected Financial Data                                                                            II-5
          Item 7   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation       II-5 thru 18
          Item 7A  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk                                 II-15 thru 17
          Item 8   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
                   Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996                                         II-23
                   Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in three-year period ended
                    December 31, 1997                                                                                II-24
                   Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in the
                    three-year period ended December 31, 1997                                                        II-25
                   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year
                    period ended December 31, 1997                                                                   II-26
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                II-27 thru 42
                   Independent Auditors' Report                                                                      II-22
          Item 9   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
                   There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting
                    and financial disclosures.
Part III. Item 10  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant*
          Item 11  Executive Compensation                                                                               *
          Item 12  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management                                       *
          Item 13  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                                                       *
Part IV.  Item 14  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on 8-K
                   (a)(1) Financial Statements (See Item 8 for Reference).
                      (2) Financial Statement Schedules normally required on Form 10-K are omitted since
                          they are not applicable.
                      (3) Exhibits have been filed separately with the Commission and are available upon
                          written request.
                   (b)    No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the period covered by
                          this report.
                   (c)    Refer to item 14(a)(3) above.
                   (d)    Refer to item 14(a)(2) above.
<FN>
* Information  called for by Part III (Items 10 through 13) is  incorporated  by
reference to the  Registrant's  Proxy  Statement for the 1998 Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

REGISTRANT
NBT  Bancorp  Inc.   ("Registrant")   is  a  registered   bank  holding  company
headquartered in Norwich, New York. The Registrant is the parent holding company
of NBT  Bank,  N.A.  ("Bank"),  a  nationally  chartered  commercial  bank.  The
principal  asset of the  Registrant is all of the  outstanding  shares of common
stock of the Bank and its  principal  source of revenue is dividends it receives
from the Bank.
         The Bank is a full  service  bank  providing a broad range of financial
products  including  commercial and retail banking and trust services.  The Bank
has thirty-five  locations  serving an eight county area in central and northern
New York.  As of December 31, 1997,  the Bank had 455 full-time and 66 part-time
employees. The Bank is not a party to any collective bargaining agreements,  and
employee relations are considered to be good.

COMPETITION
The banking  business is extremely  competitive and the Bank encounters  intense
competition  from other financial  institutions  located within its market area.
The Bank  competes  not only with  other  commercial  banks but also with  other
financial  institutions such as thrifts,  credit unions, money market and mutual
funds,  insurance  companies,  brokerage firms, and a variety of other companies
offering financial services.

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The Registrant,  as a bank holding company,  is regulated under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended  ("Act"),  and is subject to the  supervision of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB"). Generally, the Act
limits the  business  of bank  holding  companies  to  banking,  or  managing or
controlling banks,  performing certain servicing for subsidiaries,  and engaging
in such other  activities as the FRB may  determine to be so closely  related to
banking as to be a proper  incident  thereto.  The  Registrant is a legal entity
separate and distinct from the Bank.  The principal  source of the  Registrant's
income is the  Bank's  earnings,  and the  principal  source of its cash flow is
dividends from the Bank.  Federal laws impose  limitations on the ability of the
Bank to pay  dividends  as  discussed  in the  Notes to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements.  FRB policy requires bank holding  companies to serve as a source of
financial  strength to their subsidiary banks by standing ready to use available
resources to provide  adequate  capital funds to subsidiary banks during periods
of financial stress or adversity.
         The  Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  Improvement  Act of 1991
("FDICIA")  substantially  revised the  depository  institution  regulatory  and
funding  provisions of the Federal  Deposit  Insurance Act and made revisions to
several other federal  banking  statutes.  Among other things,  federal  banking
regulators  are  required  to  take  prompt  corrective  action  in  respect  of
depository  institutions that do not meet minimum capital  requirements.  FDICIA
identifies the following  capital  categories for financial  institutions:  well
capitalized,    adequately    capitalized,    undercapitalized,    significantly
undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized.
         Rules adopted by the federal banking agencies under FDICIA provide that
an institution is deemed to be well  capitalized if the  institution has a total
risk-based  capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier I risk-based ratio of 6.0%
or greater,  and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and the  institution is not
subject to an order, written agreement,  capital directive, or prompt corrective
action  directive to meet and maintain a specific level for any capital measure.
FDICIA  imposes  progressively  more  restrictive   constraints  on  operations,
management and capital distributions, depending on the capital category in which
an institution is classified.  At December 31, 1997, the Registrant and the Bank
fell into the well capitalized category based on the ratios and guidelines noted
above.
         The   appropriate   Federal   banking   agency   may,   under   certain
circumstances,  reclassify a well capitalized insured depository  institution as
adequately  capitalized.  The appropriate agency is also permitted to require an
adequately  capitalized  or  undercapitalized  institution  to  comply  with the
supervisory  provisions as if the  institution  were in the next lower category,
but  not  treat  a  significantly  undercapitalized  institution  as  critically
undercapitalized, based on supervisory information other than the capital levels
of the institution. The statute provides that an institution may be reclassified
if  the  appropriate  Federal  banking  agency  determines,   after  notice  and
opportunity  for  hearing,  that the  institution  is in an  unsafe  or  unsound
condition  or deems the  institution  to be  engaging  in an  unsafe or  unsound
practice.
         The Act requires  prior  approval of the FRB of the  acquisition by the
Registrant  of more than 5 percent of the voting shares of any bank or any other
bank  holding  company.  Subject to certain  limits,  the Act allows  adequately
capitalized and adequately  managed bank holding companies to acquire control of
banks in any state. An interstate  acquisition may not be approved,  however, if
immediately  before  the  acquisition  the  acquirer  controls  an  FDIC-insured
institution  or branch in the state of the  institution  to be acquired,  and if
immediately  following the  acquisition the acquirer would control 30 percent or
more of the total FDIC-insured deposits in that state; but a state may waive the
30-percent  limitation  by  statute,   regulation,   or  order,  or  by  certain
nondiscriminatory administrative approvals.

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
         The Bank is subject to primary supervision, regulation, and examination
by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC"),  whose regulations are
intended  primarily for the  protection of the Bank's  depositors  and customers
rather  than  holders  of the  Registrant's  securities.  The Bank is subject to
extensive  federal  statutes  and  regulations  that  significantly  affect  its
business  and  activities.  The Bank  must  file  reports  with  its  regulators
concerning its activities and financial condition and obtain regulatory approval
to enter  into  certain  transactions.  The  Bank is also  subject  to  periodic
examinations  by  the  OCC  to  ascertain  compliance  with  various  regulatory
requirements.  Other applicable  statutes and regulations relate to insurance of
deposits,   allowable  investments,   loans,   acceptance  of  deposits,   trust
activities, mergers, consolidations, payment of dividends, capital requirements,
reserves  against   deposits,   establishment  of  branches  and  certain  other
facilities,  limitations  on  loans to one  borrower  and  loans  to  affiliated
persons,  and other aspects of the business of banks. Recent federal legislation
has  instructed  federal  agencies to adopt  standards or  guidelines  governing
banks' internal  controls,  information  systems,  internal audit systems,  loan
documentation,  credit  underwriting,  interest  rate  exposure,  asset  growth,
compensation  and benefits,  asset quality,  earnings and stock  valuation,  and
other matters.  Legislation  adopted in 1994 gives the federal banking  agencies
greater flexibility in implementing  standards on asset quality,  earnings,  and
stock  valuation.  Regulatory  authorities  have  broad  authority  to  initiate
proceedings  designed  to  prohibit  banks from  engaging  in unsafe and unsound
banking practices.

FDIC INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS
The deposits of the Bank are insured,  up to an  applicable  limit,  by the Bank
Insurance Fund ("BIF") of the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  ("FDIC").
During 1995, BIF reached its statutory target of 1.25% of total insured deposits
and the BIF  assessment  rates were  reduced  from .23% to .04% for the  highest
rated banks. For 1996, the highest rated banks were not assessed on the level of
their  deposits  but rather  paid a minimum fee of $2,000 to BIF.  During  1997,
BIF-assessable  deposits were subject to an assessment schedule providing for an
assessment range of 0% to .27%, with banks in the lowest risk category paying no
assessments. The Bank was in the lowest risk category and paid no FDIC insurance
during 1997. BIF assessment  rates are subject to semi-annual  adjustment by the
FDIC Board of Directors within a range of up to five basis points without public
comment.  The FDIC Board of Directors also possesses authority to impose special
assessments from time to time.
         In 1996,  Congress  enacted  the  Deposit  Insurance  Funds  Act  which
establishes a schedule to merge with BIF and Savings Association  Insurance Fund
("SAIF") on January 1, 1999,  provided a law is passed by that date  merging the
bank and thrift  charters.  The act also  provides  for funding  Financing  Corp
("FICO") bonds. BIF-assessable deposits are subject to assessment for payment on
the FICO bond  obligation  at  one-fifth  the rate of  SAIF-assessable  deposits
through year-end 1999, or until the insurance funds are merged, whichever occurs
first.  The  FICO  assessment  is  adjusted   quarterly  based  on  call  report
submissions to reflect changes in the assessment bases of the respective  funds.
During 1997, BIF insured banks paid a rate of .013% for purposes of funding FICO
bond obligations, resulting in an assessment of $116,175 for the Bank.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)        1997            1996            1995           1994            1993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>               <C>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
Interest and fee income                $   96,181      $   84,387      $   77,400     $   70,438        $ 66,957
Interest expense                           42,522          36,365          34,840         25,742          23,200
Net interest income                        53,659          48,022          42,560         44,696          43,757
Provision for loan losses                   3,505           3,175           1,553          3,071           2,281
Noninterest income excluding
 securities gains (losses)                  8,403           7,683           6,957          6,484           8,108
Securities gains (losses)                    (337)          1,179             145            555           1,573
Noninterest expense                        35,170          34,422          33,024         38,674          37,298
Income before income taxes                 23,050          19,287          15,085          9,990          13,859
Net income                                 14,749          12,179           9,329          6,508           8,505
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PER COMMON SHARE*
Basic earnings per share               $     1.65      $     1.37      $     1.01     $     0.70        $   0.92
Diluted earnings per share             $     1.63      $     1.36      $     1.01     $     0.69        $   0.91
Cash dividends paid                    $     0.618     $     0.497     $     0.429    $     0.388       $   0.357
Stock dividends distributed                     5%              5%              5%             5%              5%
Book value at year end                 $    13.68      $    12.11      $    11.85     $    10.59        $  10.87
Tangible book value                    $    12.72      $    10.97      $    10.58     $     9.53        $   9.46
Average diluted common
 shares outstanding                         9,072           8,939           9,240          9,386           9,341
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AT DECEMBER 31,
Assets available for sale              $  443,918      $  373,337      $  399,625     $  119,398        $219,690
Securities held to maturity                36,139          42,239          40,311        272,466         108,077
Loans                                     735,482         654,593         588,385        574,718         559,860
Allowance for loan losses                  11,582          10,473           9,120          9,026           8,652
Total assets                            1,280,585       1,138,986       1,106,266      1,044,557         953,907
Deposits                                1,014,183         916,319         873,032        791,443         807,228
Short-term borrowings                     134,527          88,244         115,945        140,587          26,701
Other borrowings                              183          20,195           3,012          8,734          14,457
Total stockholders' equity                123,343         106,264         108,044         98,307         101,108
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KEY RATIOS
Return on average assets                     1.20%           1.10%           0.90%          0.64%           0.93%
Return on average equity                    12.97%          11.80%           9.18%          6.53%           8.79%
Average equity to average assets             9.25%           9.29%           9.75%          9.88%          10.63%
Net interest margin                          4.67%           4.69%           4.43%          4.81%           5.26%
Efficiency                                  56.09%          60.74%          65.92%         70.22%          71.05%
Cash dividend per share payout              37.91%          36.50%          42.61%         56.13%          39.19%
Tier 1 leverage
 (Regulatory guideline 4%)                   8.91%           8.70%           8.80%          9.05%           9.24%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
 (Regulatory guideline 4%)                  14.88%          14.06%          15.21%         16.09%          15.40%
Total risk-based capital 
 (Regulatory guideline 8%)                  16.13%          15.31%          16.46%         17.35%          16.66%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
*All per  share  data has been  restated  to give  retroactive  effect  to stock
dividends  and the adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No.
128, "Earnings Per Share".
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

The  purpose of this  discussion  and  analysis  is to provide the reader with a
concise  description of the financial condition and results of operations of NBT
Bancorp Inc.  (Bancorp) and its wholly owned  subsidiary,  NBT Bank, N.A. (Bank)
collectively  referred to herein as the Company.  This  discussion will focus on
results   of   operations,    financial   position,   capital   resources,   and
asset/liability management.

OVERVIEW
The Company  achieved  record  operating  performance  during  1997.  Net income
increased to $14.7  million,  a 21.1% gain over 1996 earnings of $12.2  million.
Leading the  improved  earnings  was an increase of $5.6 million in net interest
income.  Other (noninterest) income was $0.8 million less than 1996, while other
(noninterest) operating expenses increased $0.7 million.
         The increase in net interest  income was a result of the $140.8 million
(13.1%) growth in earning  assets,  primarily  loans and investment  securities.
Loan  growth  was  balanced  between  the  commercial,   consumer  and  mortgage
portfolios  with  increases of $44.5  million,  $20.8 million and $15.6 million,
respectively.   At  December  31,  1997,  the  investment  securities  portfolio
amortized  cost of $472.8  million was an  increase  of 14.2% over the  previous
year-end.
         Deposits of $1,014.2  million at December 31, 1997,  were $97.9 million
higher (10.7%) than the year previous.  Deposits averaged $973.6 million for the
year, a 6.2%  increase  over 1996  average  deposits.  Demand and time  deposits
(certificates) accounted for the increase in deposit volume.
         In  January  1998,  the Board of  Directors  approved  a 250,000  share
buyback program.  Shares acquired will be used primarily for employee  benefits,
stock option programs, and the dividend reinvestment plan.
         In December  1997,  the Company  distributed a 5% stock  dividend,  the
thirty-eighth   consecutive   year  of  stock  dividends  and/or  stock  splits.
Throughout this report,  amounts per common share and common shares  outstanding
have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock dividends.
         In December 1996, the Company began a review of its computer systems to
identify any potential  problems of the "Year 2000" issue.  The Company formed a
committee to conduct a  comprehensive  review of all computer  systems,  and has
been actively  working with software  vendors to address the issue.  The Company
has received testing  procedures from its primary software  vendors.  Testing of
system  applications  is expected to be complete by year-end  1998.  The Company
believes  that  modification  of  existing   software  and  previously   planned
application upgrades will prevent any operational problems. The Company does not
expect  the  amount to be  expensed  over the next two years to have a  material
impact on its financial position or results of operations.

NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the difference between interest and fees earned on assets
and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings.  Net interest income is one of
the major determining factors in a financial institution's  performance as it is
the principal source of earnings.  Table 1 presents average balance sheets and a
net interest income analysis on a taxable equivalent basis for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997.
         As reflected in Table 1, net interest income,  on a taxable  equivalent
basis,  increased  $5.5  million or 11.3%  from  $49.0  million in 1996 to $54.5
million in 1997.  Yields on earning assets increased 13 basis points,  while the
cost of interest bearing liabilities increased 19 basis points.
         In 1997,  average  earning  assets  increased  $124.0  million or 11.9%
compared to 1996.  Average  loans  increased  $78.4  million or 12.7% during the
year,  while  average  investment  securities  increased  $41.7 million or 9.9%.
During 1997,  average interest bearing  liabilities  increased $105.4 million or
11.9%.  Growth came  primarily in average time deposits  (certificates)  with an
increase of $63.1 million or 14.7%. As reflected in Table 2, the net increase in
interest  expense of $6.2 million from 1996 to 1997 was comprised of an increase
of $5.7  million  arising from higher  average  balances and an increase of $0.5
million due to higher interest rates.
         In  comparing  1996 to 1995,  the  increase in taxable  equivalent  net
interest income and net interest margin is primarily  attributed to the 18 basis
point  increase in yield on earning  assets,  while at the same time the cost of
interest bearing liabilities was reduced 19 basis points.
         Average total interest bearing  liabilities  increased $74.2 million or
9.2% from 1995 to 1996, as a result of increases in interest  bearing  deposits.
The average cost of liabilities  declined from 4.3% in 1995 to 4.1% in 1996. The
decrease in the cost of interest bearing  liabilities arose as a result of lower
rates paid on certificates of deposits and short-term borrowings.

                                      II-6
<PAGE>
TABLE 1
AVERAGE BALANCES AND NET INTEREST INCOME
The following table includes the condensed  consolidated  average balance sheet,
an analysis of interest  income/expense  and average  yield/rate  for each major
category of earning assets and  interest-bearing  deposits and  liabilities on a
taxable  equivalent  basis.  Interest  income is adjusted  for items exempt from
Federal income taxes and assumes a 35% tax rate.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1997                          1996                          1995
                                    AVERAGE            YIELD/     Average            Yield/   Average              Yield/
(dollars in thousands)              BALANCE  INTEREST  RATES      Balance  Interest  Rates    Balance    Interest  Rates
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>      <C>  
ASSETS
Interest bearing deposits        $      127   $     5  4.48%   $      304   $    16  5.26%   $      472   $    21  4.45%
Federal funds sold                    3,749       194  5.17           323        18  5.57           589        34  5.77
Short-term investments available
 for sale                             2,536       135  5.31         1,088        57  5.24         1,564        91  5.82
Securities available for sale       423,512    29,063  6.86       374,574    24,355  6.50       147,073     9,137  6.21
Loans available for sale              3,620       298  8.24         4,427       372  8.40         6,099       545  8.94

Securities held to maturity:
  Taxable                            13,061       914  7.00        11,914       788  6.61       217,201    13,154  6.06
  Tax exempt                         25,303     1,721  6.80        33,661     2,316  6.88        29,392     2,102  7.15
                                     ------     -----             -------    ------             -------    ------
  Total securities held to
   maturity                          38,364     2,635  6.87        45,575     3,104  6.81       246,593    15,256  6.19

Loans:
  Commercial                        307,101    29,662  9.66       263,193    25,579  9.72       229,481    22,862  9.96
  Real estate mortgage              125,263    10,668  8.52       119,993    10,184  8.49       126,280    10,358  8.20
  Consumer                          263,188    24,376  9.26       233,948    21,668  9.26       219,587    19,886  9.06
                                    -------    ------             -------    ------             -------    ------
    Total Loans                     695,552    64,706  9.30       617,134    57,431  9.31       575,348    53,106  9.23
                                  ---------    ------             -------    ------             -------    ------
Total earning assets              1,167,460    97,036  8.31     1,043,425    85,353  8.18       977,738    78,190  8.00
                                               ------                        ------                        ------
Cash and due from banks              30,918                        36,171                        35,022
Securities available for sale
 valuation allowance                 (1,828)                       (2,752)                       (2,736)
Allowance for loan losses           (11,138)                       (9,657)                       (9,330)
Premises and equipment               17,269                        16,465                        15,671
Other assets                         25,962                        27,316                        25,833
                                     -------                      -------                       -------
TOTAL ASSETS                     $1,228,643                    $1,110,968                    $1,042,198
                                 ----------                    ----------                    ----------
<PAGE>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
 EQUITY
Money market deposit accounts    $   90,732     2,648  2.92    $  101,753     2,977  2.93    $  108,928     3,173  2.91
NOW accounts                        118,761     1,904  1.60       108,806     1,873  1.72        83,807     1,582  1.89
Savings deposits                    154,771     4,376  2.83       159,373     4,650  2.92       154,091     4,554  2.96
Certificates of deposit             493,551    26,306  5.33       430,464    22,442  5.21       376,852    20,374  5.41
                                    -------    ------             -------    ------             -------    ------
  Total interest bearing
   deposits                         857,815    35,234  4.11       800,396    31,942  3.99       723,678    29,683  4.10
Short-term borrowings               119,259     6,581  5.52        73,192     3,745  5.12        80,596     4,700  5.83
Other borrowings                     12,189       707  5.80        10,288       678  6.59         5,424       457  8.43
                                     ------   -------             -------    ------               -----    ------
  Total interest bearing
   liabilities                      989,263    42,522  4.30%      883,876    36,365  4.11%      809,698    34,840  4.30%
                                               ------                        ------                        ------
Demand deposits                     115,826                       116,287                       124,611
Other liabilities                     9,863                         7,565                         6,259
Stockholders' equity                113,691                       103,240                       101,630
                                    -------                       -------                      --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY            $1,228,643                    $1,110,968                    $1,042,198
                                 ----------                    ----------                    -----------
  NET INTEREST INCOME                         $54,514                       $48,988                       $43,350
                                              -------                       -------                       -------
  NET INTEREST MARGIN                                  4.67%                         4.69%                         4.43%
                                                       -----                         -----                         -----
Taxable equivalent adjustment                 $   855                       $   966                       $   790
                                              -------                       -------                       -------
<FN>
(1) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans are included in the
    average loan balances outstanding.
(2) Securities are shown at average amortized cost.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                      II-7
<PAGE>
TABLE 2
ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN TAXABLE EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME
The following  table presents  changes in interest  income and interest  expense
attributable to changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by prior
year rate),  changes in rate (change in rate  multiplied  by prior year volume),
and the net change in net interest  income.  The net change  attributable to the
combined  impact of volume and rate has been  allocated to each in proportion to
the absolute dollar amounts of change.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          INCREASE (DECREASE)            Increase (Decrease)
                                            1997 OVER 1996                  1996 over 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                             VOLUME      RATE      TOTAL      Volume       Rate       Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>      
Interest bearing deposits                $    (8)   $   (3)   $   (11)   $     (8)   $     3    $     (5)
Federal funds sold                           177        (1)       176         (15)        (1)        (16)
Short-term securities available for sale      77         1         78         (26)        (8)        (34)
Securities available for sale              3,308     1,400      4,708      14,773        445      15,218
Loans available for sale                     (67)       (7)       (74)       (142)       (31)       (173)
Securities held to maturity:
 Taxable                                      79        47        126     (13,476)     1,110     (12,366)
 Tax exempt                                 (569)      (26)      (595)        296        (82)        214
Loans                                      7,295       (20)     7,275       3,887        438       4,325
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest income                     10,292     1,391     11,683       5,289      1,874       7,163
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Money market deposit accounts               (322)       (7)      (329)       (210)        14        (196)
NOW accounts                                 165      (134)        31         440       (149)        291
Savings accounts                            (132)     (142)      (274)        155        (59)         96
Certificates of deposit                    3,353       511      3,864       2,816       (748)      2,068
Short-term borrowings                      2,522       314      2,836        (409)      (546)       (955)
Other borrowings                             116       (87)        29         338       (117)        221
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total interest expense                     5,702       455      6,157       3,130     (1,605)      1,525
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGE IN FTE NET INTEREST INCOME        $ 4,590    $  936    $ 5,526    $  2,159    $ 3,479    $  5,638
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The  provision  for loan losses is based upon  management's  judgement as to the
adequacy of the allowance to absorb the future losses. In assessing the adequacy
of the allowance for loan losses, consideration is given to historical loan loss
experience, value and adequacy of collateral, level of nonperforming loans, loan
concentrations,  the growth and composition of the portfolio, and the results of
a  comprehensive  in-house loan review  program  conducted  throughout the year.
Consideration  is given to the results of  examinations  and  evaluations of the
overall  portfolio by senior credit personnel,  internal and external  auditors,
and regulatory examiners.
     Accompanying  tables reflect the five years history of net  charge-offs and
the  allocation  of the allowance by loan  category.  Net  charge-offs,  both as
dollar amounts and as percentages of average loans  outstanding,  have increased
as the Company has experienced a rise in consumer  charge-offs.  The increase in
consumer  charge-offs  can be  attributed  to a rise in  personal  bankruptcies.
Management  considered  it prudent to increase the dollar level of the allowance
to various asset  categories  as depicted in the tables.  The allowance has been
allocated  based on  identified  problem  credits  or  categorical  trends.  The
unallocated  portion is available for further  unforseen or unexpected losses or
unidentified  problem  credits.  At December 31, 1997,  the  allowance  for loan
losses to loans  outstanding  was 1.57%,  compared  to 1.60% at  year-end  1996.
Management  considers the allowance to be adequate for the reporting periods and
will continue to target and maintain a minimum  allowance equal to the allocated
requirement plus an unallocated portion.

                                      II-8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 3
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)                      1997        1996       1995       1994       1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>   
Balance at January 1                     $10,473     $ 9,120     $9,026     $8,652     $9,245
Loans charged off:
  Real estate mortgages                       55         204        112        154         43
  Commercial and agricultural              1,193       1,274        967      1,409      1,222
  Consumer                                 2,040       1,300      1,182      2,159      2,395
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total loans charged off                 3,288       2,778      2,261      3,722      3,660
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recoveries:
  Real estate mortgages                       16          20          -          -          2
  Commercial and agricultural                197         274        193        291        267
  Consumer                                   679         662        609        734        517
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total recoveries                          892         956        802      1,025        786
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net loans charged off                   2,396       1,822      1,459      2,697      2,874
Provision for loan losses                  3,505       3,175      1,553      3,071      2,281
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31                   $11,582     $10,473     $9,120     $9,026     $8,652
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allowance for loan losses to loans
 outstanding at end of year                 1.57%       1.60%      1.55%      1.57%      1.55%
Allowance for loan losses to
 nonaccrual loans                            220%        315%       189%       195%       207%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans             0.71%       0.51%      0.82%      0.81%      0.74%
Nonperforming assets to total assets        0.45%       0.40%      0.62%      0.52%      0.48%
Net charge-offs to average loans
 outstanding                                0.34%       0.29%      0.25%      0.48%      0.52%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 4
ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                  1997                  1996                 1995                1994                  1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 CATEGORY              Category             Category             Category             Category
                                  PERCENT               Percent              Percent              Percent              Percent
(dollars in thousands)ALLOWANCE  OF LOANS   Allowance  of Loans  Allowance  of Loans  Allowance  of Loans  Allowance  of Loans
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>  
Real estate
 mortgages             $   244     18.4%     $   360     18.3%     $  412     20.6%     $  630     22.5%     $  206     24.3%
Commercial
 and agricultural        5,448     44.4%       4,341     43.1%      4,250     42.0%      3,726     37.5%      3,699     36.9%
Consumer                 2,365     37.2%       2,335     38.6%      2,048     37.4%      3,538     40.0%      3,767     38.8%
Unallocated              3,525        -        3,437        -       2,410        -       1,132        -         980        -
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                  $11,582    100.0%     $10,473    100.0%     $9,120    100.0%     $9,026    100.0%     $8,652    100.0%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
NONINTEREST INCOME
Noninterest  income  consists  primarily of trust and  custodian  fees,  service
charges on deposit  accounts,  gains or losses on the sales of  securities,  and
fees and service charges for other banking services.  Total  noninterest  income
for 1997 of $8.1 million  decreased $0.8 million or 9.0% compared to 1996. Other
income in 1997  includes a  one-time  gain of $0.2  million  for the sale of the
Hamden  branch to The National  Bank of Delaware  County.  Excluding  securities
gains and losses,  noninterest  income  increased  $0.7  million or 9.4% in 1997
compared to 1996. Total  noninterest  income for 1996 of $8.9 million  increased
$1.8  million  over 1995,  primarily  the result of the $1.2 million in security
gains realized during 1996.

                                      II-9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 5
NONINTEREST INCOME SUMMARY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      1997/1996                1996/1995
(dollars in thousands)          1997       1996       1995      AMOUNT        CHANGE      Amount      Change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>       <C>  
Trust income                  $2,675     $2,642     $2,439          33         1.25%         203       8.32%
Deposit service charges        3,695      3,372      2,995         323         9.58%         377      12.59%
Securities gains (losses)       (337)     1,179        145      (1,516)     (128.58%)      1,034     713.10%
Other income                   2,033      1,669      1,523         364        21.81%         146       9.59%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest income      $8,066     $8,862     $7,102        (796)       (8.98%)      1,760      24.78%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Trust  Department of the Company had $701 million in assets  (market  value)
under  management at December 31, 1997,  up from $631 million at year-end  1996.
Trust income  stabilized  in 1997, as income often lags asset growth as a result
of timing of fee recognition.
     Service charges on deposit  accounts  increased 9.6% over last year.  There
were no significant changes in the fee structure or in the volume of transaction
accounts;  however,  emphasis was placed on collection vs. waiver,  particularly
for overdraft charges which accounted for a major part of the increase.
     The interest rate  environment  drives the potential for security gains and
losses.  Net losses in 1997 of $0.3  million  were  realized  from sales of U.S.
Treasury and U.S.  Government  agencies  securities  classified as available for
sale,  as  the  Company   repositioned   its  portfolio  into  higher   yielding
instruments. This was accomplished with minimal credit or interest rate risk and
with no significant extension of average maturity.
     Other income  increased by 21.8% as a result of increased  loan and ATM fee
income.  The increased ATM income can be attributed to greater  customer use and
the installation of additional machines throughout our market areas.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE AND OPERATING EFFICIENCY
Table 6 presents noninterest expense and operating efficiency ratios for each of
the three years ending December 31, 1997. Noninterest expense as a percentage of
average  assets of 2.9% in 1997 improved from 3.1% in 1996.  This positive trend
is a result  of the  asset  growth  experienced  during  1997,  at the same time
maintaining stable expense levels. The 1996 percentage of noninterest expense to
average  assets of 3.1%  declined  from  3.2% in 1995,  also  resulting  from an
increase in assets between the reporting periods.
     Salaries and employee benefits  experienced a minimal increase between 1997
and 1996.  Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.5 million or 9.3% in 1996
compared to 1995. Expense increases in 1996 were primarily due to a $0.6 million
increase in performance based incentives and $0.5 million increase in retirement
benefits.
     Expense  control  efforts  have  held  occupancy  and  equipment   expenses
relatively  flat  over the past  three  years.  These  expenses  reflect a small
improvement compared to total average assets.
     Included in the FDIC assessment expense is FDIC insurance and the FICO bond
assessment.  During  1997,  the Company paid no FDIC  insurance,  down from $2.0
thousand  in 1996.  The  Company  has the  highest  rating for  purposes of FDIC
insurance  assessment and,  accordingly has historically paid the lowest deposit
insurance  premium.  During 1997, the Company paid $116.2  thousand in FICO bond
assessments.
     Other operating  expenses  increased $0.4 million between 1997 and 1996, at
the same time  improving  as a percentage  of average  assets.  Other  operating
expenses for 1996 increased $0.7 million from 1995 as a result of an increase in
amortization of intangible  assets arising from the December 1995 acquisition of
three  branches.  Also  contributing  to the 1996  increase  in other  operating
expense was an increase of $0.4 million in data processing and loan  origination
charges, corresponding to increased volumes.

                                     II-10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 6
NONINTEREST EXPENSE AND OPERATING EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS
                            Years Ended December 31,
                                1997                 1996                 1995             1997/1996             1996/1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    PERCENT              Percent              Percent
                                         OF                   of                   of
                                    AVERAGE              Average              Average             Average               Average
(dollars in thousands)      AMOUNT   ASSETS      Amount   Assets      Amount   Assets   Amount     Change     Amount     Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>    <C>          <C>       <C>  
Expenses:
Personnel                  $17,905    1.46%     $17,817    1.60%     $16,309    1.56%     $ 88      0.49%     $1,508      9.25%
Occupancy and equipment      4,298    0.35%       4,156    0.37%       4,055    0.39%      142      3.42%        101      2.49%
FDIC assessments               116    0.01%           2       -%         941    0.09%      114   5700.00%       (939)   (99.79%)
Other                       12,851    1.04%      12,447    1.13%      11,719    1.13%      404      3.25%        728      6.21%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total noninterest expense  $35,170    2.86%     $34,422    3.10%     $33,024    3.17%     $748      2.17%     $1,398      4.23%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expense ratio (1)             2.20%                2.41%                2.51%
Efficiency ratio (2)         56.09%               60.74%               65.92%
Average assets per
 employee (in millions)    $   2.5              $   2.1              $   1.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
(1) Noninterest  expense less noninterest  income,  not including security gains
and other non-recurring income or expense, as a percentage of average assets.

(2)  Noninterest  expense,  less  non-recurring  expenses,  as a  percentage  of
tax-effected net interest income plus noninterest income, less security gains.
</FN>
</TABLE>
INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense was $8.3 million for 1997,  $7.1  million for 1996,  and $5.8
million for 1995. The increases generally  correspond to increased income before
income taxes.  Effective  income tax rates were 36.0% for 1997,  36.9% for 1996,
and 38.2% for 1995. At December 31, 1997, the Company has deferred tax assets of
$6.1  million and deferred  tax  liabilities  of $3.4  million.  Management  has
determined that a valuation  allowance for the deferred tax assets is not needed
at December 31, 1997. Additional  information on income taxes is provided in the
notes to financial statements.

SECURITIES
The securities  portfolio  constituted 39.6% and 40.3% of average earning assets
during  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  At  December  31,  1997,  the  securities
portfolio consists of 92% U.S. Government agencies  guaranteed  securities.  All
purchases of U.S.  Governmental agencies guaranteed securities are classified as
available for sale. Held to maturity  securities are obligations of the State of
New York political subdivisions and do not include any direct obligations of the
state of New York.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 7
SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
As of December 31,                                   1997                     1996                      1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           AMORTIZED        FAIR    Amortized        Fair    Amortized        Fair
(in thousands)                                  COST       VALUE         Cost       Value         Cost       Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>     
Securities Available For Sale:
 U.S. Treasury                              $  2,395    $  2,406     $ 70,811    $ 70,269     $169,801    $171,908
 Federal Agency and mortgage-backed          431,259     435,167      299,202     297,133      217,655     220,305
 State & Municipal and other securities        2,967       3,059        1,775       1,800        1,308       1,323
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total securities available for sale      $436,621    $440,632     $371,788    $369,202     $388,764    $393,536
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Securities Held to Maturity:
 State & Municipal                            23,692      23,692       32,546      32,546       28,521      28,517
 Other securities                             12,447      12,447        9,693       9,692       11,790      11,789
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total securities held to maturity        $ 36,139    $ 36,139     $ 42,239    $ 42,238     $ 40,311    $ 40,306
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                     II-11
<PAGE>
LOANS
The following  Table 8 sets forth the loan  portfolio by major  categories as of
December 31 for the years indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 8
COMPOSITION OF LOAN PORTFOLIO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                              1997          1996          1995          1994          1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                   <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>     
Real estate mortgages                 $128,873      $110,288      $107,611      $125,385      $132,941
Commercial real estate mortgages       151,129       135,061       108,902        71,631        88,487
Real estate construction and
 development                             6,602         9,582        13,361         3,890         3,162
Commercial and agricultural            175,362       146,930       138,391       143,632       118,143
Consumer                               203,016       204,641       185,276       201,359       187,179
Home equity                             70,500        48,091        34,817        28,704        29,741
Lease financing                              -             -            27           117           207
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total loans                           $735,482      $654,593      $588,385      $574,718      $559,860
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The loan  portfolio is the largest  component of earning assets and accounts for
the greatest portion of total interest income. At December 31, 1997, total loans
were $735.5 million, a 12.4% increase from December 31, 1996. In general,  loans
are  internally  generated  and lending  activity is confined to New York State,
principally the  eight-county  area served by the Company.  The Company does not
engage in highly  leveraged  transactions or foreign lending  activities.  There
were no  concentration  of loans  exceeding  10% of total loans other than those
categories reflected in Table 8.
     Real estate mortgages consist primarily of loans secured by first or second
deeds of trust on primary  residencies.  Beginning  in 1996,  the Company  began
retaining  most first  mortgage  loans within the  portfolio.  For several years
prior to 1996,  fixed-rate  mortgages were  originated for sale in the secondary
market. During 1997, the Company sold $0.9 million in mortgage loans compared to
sales of $0.4 million in 1996. There were no gains or losses recognized  related
to sales of mortgages originated in 1997. At December 31, 1997, loans classified
as available  for sale consist of higher  education  loans with  estimated  fair
market values equal to cost.
     Loans in the commercial and  agricultural  category,  as well as commercial
real estate  mortgages,  consist  primarily of short-term  and/or  floating rate
commercial  loans made to small to medium-sized  companies.  Agricultural  loans
totalled $47.8 million at December 31, 1997, and there are no other  substantial
loan concentrations to any one industry or to any one borrower.
     Consumer  loans  consist  primarily of  installment  credit to  individuals
secured by automobiles and other personal property. Management believes consumer
loan  underwriting  guidelines  to be  conservative.  The  guidelines  are based
primarily on satisfactory credit history, down payment, and sufficient income to
service monthly payments.
     Shown in Table 9,  Maturities  and  Sensitivities  of Loans to  Changes  in
Interest Rates,  are the maturities of the loan portfolio and the sensitivity of
loans to interest rate fluctuations at December 31, 1997.  Scheduled  repayments
are reported in the maturity category in which the contractual payment is due.

                                     II-12
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 9
MATURITIES AND SENSITIVITIES OF LOANS TO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               AFTER ONE
                                                YEAR BUT
                                                  WITHIN         AFTER
REMAINING MATURITY AT               WITHIN          FIVE          FIVE
DECEMBER 31, 1997                 ONE YEAR         YEARS         YEARS         TOTAL
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>     
Floating/adjustable rate:
 Commercial and agricultural      $ 89,623      $107,989      $ 45,667      $243,279
 Real estate mortgages               2,418        11,417        73,187        87,022
 Consumer                           55,731             7            13        55,751
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total floating rate loans        147,772       119,413       118,867       386,052
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Rate:
 Commercial and agricultural        23,396        38,999        20,817        83,212
 Real estate mortgages               1,983         8,633        37,837        48,453
 Consumer                           62,071       133,335        22,359       217,765
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total fixed rate loans            87,450       180,967        81,013       349,430
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total loans                     $235,222      $300,380      $199,880      $735,482
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND PAST DUE LOANS
Nonperforming  assets and past due loans are reflected in Table 10 below for the
years indicated.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 10
NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND RISK ELEMENTS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                               1997        1996        1995        1994        1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>   
Impaired commercial and agricultural loans               $3,856      $2,441      $3,945      $    -      $    -
Other nonaccrual loans:
 Real estate mortgages                                      692         251         332         783         365
 Commercial and agricultural                                  -           -           -       3,552       3,693
 Consumer                                                   708         628         540         304         112
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total nonaccrual loans                                  5,256       3,320       4,817       4,639       4,170
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other real estate owned                                     530       1,242       2,000         840         430
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total nonperforming assets                              5,786       4,562       6,817       5,479       4,600
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing:
 Real estate mortgages                                      244         344         448         287         956
 Commercial and agricultural                                176         418         559         133         410
 Consumer                                                   325         289         325         451       1,819
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                                                    745       1,051       1,332         871       3,185
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restructured loans, in compliance with modified terms:        -           -         142           -           -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total assets containing risk elements                  $6,531      $5,613      $8,291      $6,350      $7,785
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total nonperforming assets to loans                        0.79%       0.70%       1.16%       0.95%       0.82%
Total assets containing risk element to loans              0.89%       0.86%       1.41%       1.10%       1.39%
Total nonperforming assets to assets                       0.45%       0.40%       0.62%       0.52%       0.48%
Total assets containing risk elements to assets            0.51%       0.49%       0.75%       0.61%       0.82%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Total  nonperforming  assets  increased $1.2 million or 26.8% from 1996 to 1997;
total assets containing risk elements increased $0.9 million or 16.4% during the
same period.  The changes in nonaccrual and impaired loans is presented in Table
12 below.  The effect of  nonaccrual  and impaired  loans on interest  income is
presented in the following Table 11.

                                     II-13
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 11
NONACCRUAL AND IMPAIRED LOANS INTEREST INCOME
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                          1997       1996     1995     1994     1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>      <C> 
Income that would have been accrued at original
 contract rates                                       $559     $1,125     $765     $465     $284
Amount recognized as income                            148        593      344      216      105
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Interest income not accrued                          $411     $  532     $421     $249     $179
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 12
CHANGES IN NONACCRUAL AND IMPAIRED LOANS
- -------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                       1997         1996
- -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>          <C>    
Balance at January 1              $ 3,320      $ 4,817
 Loans placed on nonaccrual         6,695        6,126
 Charge-offs                       (1,989)      (1,710)
 Payments                          (2,156)      (3,593)
 Transfers to OREO                   (348)        (680)
 Loans returned to accrual           (266)      (1,640)
- -------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31            $ 5,256      $ 3,320
- -------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
CHANGES IN OREO
- -------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                       1997         1996
- -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>          <C>    
Balance at January 1              $ 1,242      $ 2,000
 Additions                            976          758
 Sales                             (1,574)      (1,233)
 Charge-offs and write-downs         (114)        (283)
- -------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31            $   530      $ 1,242
- -------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
DEPOSITS
Deposits are the largest component of the Company's  liabilities and account for
the greatest portion of interest  expense.  At December 31, 1997, total deposits
were  $1,014.2  million,  an increase of 10.7% from  December 31, 1996.  Average
deposits  during 1997 of $973.6  million were 6.2% higher than the 1996 average.
The preceding Table 1 presents average deposits with accompanying average rates.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 13
MATURITY DISTRIBUTION OF TIME DEPOSITS OF $100,000 OR MORE
- -------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                1997         1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                     <C>          <C>     
Within three months                     $210,226     $154,328
After three but within six months         32,467       24,820
After six but within twelve months        11,611        5,994
After twelve months                       15,633        6,201
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                   $269,937     $191,343
- -------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
BORROWED FUNDS
Short-term  borrowings  include federal funds  purchased,  securities sold under
agreement to repurchase, and other short-term borrowings which consist primarily
of FHLB  advances  with an original  maturity  of one day up to one year.  Other
borrowings consist of fixed rate FHLB advances with an original maturity greater
than one year. At December 31, 1997,  total borrowings of $134.7 million were up
24.2% compared to the previous year-end total of $108.4 million.

                                     II-14
<PAGE>
CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 14
CAPITAL MEASUREMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                       1997        1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
(restated to give retroactive effect to stock dividends)
<S>                                              <C>         <C>  
Tier 1 leverage ratio                              8.91%       8.70%
Tier 1 capital ratio                              14.88%      14.06%
Total risk-based capital ratio                    16.13%      15.31%
Cash dividends as a percentage of net income      37.72%      36.10%
Per common share:
 Book value                                      $13.68      $12.11
 Tangible book value                             $12.72      $10.97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 15
QUARTERLY COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    1997                                           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(restated to give retroactive effect to stock dividends)
                                                     CASH                                           Cash
                                                DIVIDENDS                                      Dividends
QUARTER ENDING      HIGH        LOW      CLOSE   DECLARED          High        Low      Close   Declared
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>   
March 31          $19.05     $16.79     $18.57     $0.143        $15.45     $14.51     $15.42     $0.118
June 30            25.60      18.57      25.60      0.143         15.88      14.86      14.86      0.118
September 30       25.48      21.19      25.12      0.162         15.65      14.29      15.30      0.118
December 31        27.69      22.86      27.00      0.170         18.10      15.30      17.14      0.143
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the year      $27.69     $16.79     $27.00     $0.618        $18.10     $14.29     $17.14     $0.497
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
On a per share basis,  cash dividends  declared have been increased in both 1997
and 1996.  The dividend  increases  reflect the  Company's  earnings and capital
strength.  The Company does not have a target dividend payout ratio,  rather the
Board of  Directors  considers  the  Company's  earnings  position  and earnings
potential  when  making   dividend   decisions.   Additionally,   1997  was  the
thirty-eighth consecutive year that the Company declared a stock dividend.
     The  accompanying  Table 15 sets forth the quarterly  high, low and closing
sales  price for the common  stock as  reported  on the NASDAQ  National  Market
System,  and cash dividends  declared per share of common stock. At December 31,
1997,  the  total  market  capitalization  of the  Company's  common  stock  was
approximately  $243.4 million compared with $150.4 million at December 31, 1996.
The change in market capitalization is due to changes in the market price net of
increased shares outstanding.  The Company's price to book value ratio was 1.97,
1.42, and 1.34 at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  The Company's
price was 17, 13, and 16 times diluted  earnings at December 31, 1997,  1996 and
1995, respectively.
     Capital  is an  important  factor in  ensuring  the  safety of  depositors'
accounts.  During both 1997 and 1996,  the Company  earned the highest  possible
national  safety and soundness  rating from two national  bank rating  services,
Bauer Financial  Services and Veribanc,  Inc. Their ratings are based on capital
levels, loan portfolio quality, and security portfolio strength.
     The Company  remains well  capitalized as depicted by the capital ratios in
the table.  Capital  measurements are significantly in excess of both regulatory
minimum  guidelines and meet the  requirements to be considered well capitalized
for all  periods  presented.  Tier 1 and Total  Risk-Based  Capital  ratios have
regulatory minimum guidelines of 4% and 8%,  respectively,  with requirements to
be considered well capitalized of 6% and 10%, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY MANAGEMENT
The primary objectives of asset and liability  management are to provide for the
safety of depositor and investor funds, assure adequate liquidity,  and maintain
an appropriate  balance between interest  sensitive  earning assets and interest
bearing liabilities.  Liquidity management involves the ability to meet the cash
flow  requirements of customers who may be depositors  wanting to withdraw funds
or borrowers  needing  assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet
their  credit  needs.  The  Asset/Liability  Management  Committee  ("ALCO")  is
responsible for liquidity  management and has developed  guidelines  which cover
all  assets  and  liabilities,  as well as off  balance  sheet  items  that  are
potential  sources  or  uses of  liquidity.  Liquidity  must  also  provide  the
flexibility  to  implement   appropriate   strategies   and  tactical   actions.
Requirements  change as loans grow, deposits and securities mature, and payments

                                     II-15
<PAGE>
on borrowings  are made.  Interest rate  sensitivity  management  seeks to avoid
widely  fluctuating net interest  margins and to ensure  consistent net interest
income through periods of changing economic conditions.
     Given the above,  liquidity  to the  Company  is defined as the  ability to
raise cash quickly at a  reasonable  cost without  principal  loss.  The primary
liquidity  measurement  the Company  utilizes is called the Basic  Surplus which
captures the adequacy of its access to reliable  sources of cash relative to the
stability of its funding mix of average  liabilities.  This approach  recognizes
the  importance  of  balancing  levels of cash  flow  liquidity  from  short and
long-term securities with the availability of dependable borrowing sources which
can be  accessed  when  necessary.  Accordingly,  the  Company  has  established
borrowing  facilities  with other banks (federal  funds),  the Federal Home Loan
Bank of New York (short and long-term borrowings which are denoted as advances),
and repurchase agreements with investment companies.
     This Basic  Surplus  approach  enables  the  Company to  adequately  manage
liquidity from both tactical and contingency perspectives. By tempering the need
for cash flow liquidity with reliable borrowing facilities,  the Company is able
to operate with a more fully invested and,  therefore,  higher  interest  income
generating,   securities  portfolio.  The  makeup  and  term  structure  of  the
securities  portfolio  is,  in  part,  impacted  by the  overall  interest  rate
sensitivity  of the balance  sheet.  Investment  decisions  and deposit  pricing
strategies are impacted by the liquidity position.
     At December 31, 1997 and 1996,  the  Company's  Basic  Surplus  ratios (net
access to cash and secured  borrowings  as a  percentage  of total  assets) were
approximately 9% and 14%, respectively, compared to the present internal minimum
guideline  range of 5% to 7%. The December 31, 1997 Basic  Surplus  ratio was in
excess of the  guidelines.  The  Company  had unused  lines of credit  available
totalling  $224 million to meet its short-term  liquidity  needs at December 31,
1997 and considered the Basic Surplus adequate to meet liquidity needs.
     Interest rate risk is determined by the relative  sensitivities  of earning
asset yields and interest bearing  liability costs to changes in interest rates.
Overnight  federal funds on which rates change daily and loans which are tied to
the prime rate differ  considerably  from  long-term  investment  securities and
fixed rate loans.  Similarly,  time  deposits  over  $100,000  and money  market
deposit accounts are much more interest sensitive than NOW and savings accounts.
     The method by which  banks  evaluate  interest  rate risk is to look at the
interest  sensitivity gap, the difference  between interest sensitive assets and
interest sensitive liabilities  repricing during the same period,  measured at a
specific point in time. The funding matrix depicted in the accompanying table is
utilized as a primary tool in managing  interest  rate risk.  The matrix  arrays
repricing  opportunities along a time line for both assets and liabilities.  The
time line for sources of funds,  liabilities and equity, is depicted on the left
hand side of the  matrix.  The  longest  term,  most  fixed  rate  sources,  are
presented in the upper left hand corner while the shorter  term,  most  variable
rate  items,  are at the  lower  left.  Similarly,  uses of funds,  assets,  are
arranged across the top moving from left to right.
     The body of the matrix is  derived by  allocating  the  longest  fixed rate
funding sources to the longest fixed rate assets (upper left corner) and shorter
term variable  sources to shorter term variable uses (lower right  corner).  The
result is a graphical  depiction  of the time  periods over which the Company is
expected to experience  exposure to rising or falling rates. Since the scales of
the  liability  (left) and asset (top) sides are  identical,  all numbers in the
matrix would fall within the diagonal lines if the Company was perfectly matched
across all repricing time frames.  Numbers  outside the diagonal lines represent
two general types of mismatches:  i) liability  sensitive,  where rate sensitive
liabilities  exceed  the  amount  of  rate  sensitive  assets  repricing  within
applicable  time frames (items to the left of/below the diagonal  lines) and ii)
asset sensitive, where rate sensitive assets exceed the amount of rate sensitive
liabilities repricing within applicable time frames (items to the right of/above
the diagonal lines).
     Generally,  the  lower  the  amount of this  gap,  the less  sensitive  are
earnings to interest  rate  changes.  The matrix  indicates  that the Company is
liability sensitive in the short term and supports management's  contention that
the Company is positioned to benefit from a declining  interest rate environment
over the next  twelve  months.  The  nature and  timing of the  benefit  will be
initially  impacted by the extent to which core deposit and borrowing  rates are
lowered as rates decline. The Company becomes asset sensitive after the one-year
time frame and,  therefore,  would benefit in the long-term from rising interest
rates.

                                     II-16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 16
SUMMARY STATIC GAP FUNDING MATRIX
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>
            (ASSETS)   OVER 60    37-60     25-36      13-24      7-12       4-6
             -USES-    MONTHS     MONTHS    MONTHS     MONTHS    MONTHS     MONTHS   MAR 98  FEB 98  JAN 98   ONE DAY  TOTALS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES
- -SOURCES-   TOTALS      305        130       105        145       143         73       24      30      323       3      1,281
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OVER 60      532        305        130        97                                                 Long Liabilities         532
MONTHS                                                                                        Short Assets

37-60         14                               8          6                                                                14
MONTHS

25-36         18                                         18                                                                18
MONTHS

13-24         49                                         49                                                                49
MONTHS

 7-12         85                                         72        13                                                      85
MONTHS 

 4-6          88                                                   88                                                      88
MONTHS

MAR 98       146                                                   42         73       24       7                         146

FEB 98        55                                                                               23      32                  55

JAN 98       198       Long Assets                                                                    198                 198
                       Short Liabilities
ONE DAY       96                                                                                       93        3         96

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS     1,281        305        130       105        145       143         73       24      30      323       3      1,281
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
While the static gap evaluation of interest rate  sensitivity  is useful,  it is
not  indicative  of the impact of  fluctuating  interest  rates on net  interest
income. Once the Company determines the extent of gap sensitivity, the next step
is to quantify the potential impact of the interest  sensitivity on net interest
income.  The  Company  utilizes a  simulation  model which  measures  the effect
certain  assumptions  will have in net  interest  income over a short  period of
time, usually one or two years. These assumptions  include,  but are not limited
to prepayments,  potential call options of the investment  portfolio and various
interest  rate  environments.  The  following  table  presents the impact on net
interest income of a gradual twelve-month increase or decrease in interest rates
compared to a stable  interest rate  environment.  The  simulation  projects net
interest  income over the next year using the December  31, 1997  balance  sheet
position.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
TABLE 17
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
<CAPTION>
Change in interest rates           Percent change in
(in basis points)                net interest income
- -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>    
+200                                          (4.04%)
+100                                          (2.44%)
- -100                                           1.26%
- -200                                           1.60%
- -----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENTS
On December  31,  1997,  the Company  adopted the  provisions  of  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". SFAS No.
128,  which  supersedes  Accounting  Principles  Board  ("APB")  Opinion No. 15,
"Earnings  Per  Share",  establishes  standards  for  computing  and  presenting
earnings per share  ("EPS") for  entities  with  publicly  held common stock and
common  stock  equivalents.  All  prior  period  EPS  amounts  included  in  the
consolidated  financial  statements and in the Company's 1997 Annual Report have
been restated to conform with the computational provisions of SFAS No. 128.

                                     II-17
<PAGE>
         In  February   1997,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  129  Disclosure  of
Information  about  Capital  Structure.   SFAS  No.  129  consolidates  existing
disclosure  requirements and eliminates the exemption of nonpublic entities from
certain capital disclosure requirements. The new Statement contains no change in
disclosure  requirements  for  companies  that were  subject  to the  previously
existing  requirements.  The  adoption  of SFAS No.  129 did not have a material
impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
         In June 1997,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No. 130  Reporting  Comprehensive
Income.  SFAS No. 130  establishes  standards  for the  reporting and display of
comprehensive  income  and  its  components  in a full  set of  general  purpose
financial statements. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of
a business  enterprise  during a period from  transactions  and other events and
circumstances from nonowner sources.  The impact of adopting SFAS No. 130, which
is effective for periods  beginning  after  December 15, 1997,  will not have an
impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
         In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131  Disclosures  about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information.  SFAS No. 131 requires public business
enterprises   to   report   financial   and   other    information   about   key
revenue-producing segments of the entity for which such information is available
and is utilized by the chief operating decision maker's. Specific information to
be reported for individual segments includes profit or loss, certain revenue and
expense  items  and  total  assets.  A  reconciliation   of  segment   financial
information to amounts  reported in the financial  statements would be provided.
SFAS No. 131 is effective for periods  beginning after December 15, 1997 and the
impact of its adoption has not been determined.

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Selected  quarterly  results  are  presented  in Table  18,  Selected  Quarterly
Financial  Data. Net income for the fourth  quarter 1997 of $3.6 million,  $0.39
per diluted share, was up from $3.2 million,  $0.36 per diluted share, earned in
the fourth quarter 1996. Average earning assets for the fourth quarter 1997 were
$138.9 million or 13.0% higher than for the fourth  quarter 1996.  Average loans
increased 13.3% from an average of $643.3 million for the fourth quarter 1996 to
$729.0 million for the fourth quarter of 1997.
         The  1997  fourth  quarter  return  on  average  assets  of  1.11%  was
comparable  to the 1996 ratio of 1.12%.  The  return on  average  equity for the
fourth  quarter  1997 of 11.71% is down from the  fourth  quarter  1996 ratio of
12.11%. Expense and efficiency ratios of 2.30% and 57.86%, respectively, for the
fourth  quarter  1997,  improved  over the  comparable  1996 ratios of 2.33% and
58.52%.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 18
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1997                                            1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)   FIRST      SECOND       THIRD      FOURTH       First     Second       Third      Fourth
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>    
Interest and fee income               $22,283     $23,759     $24,848     $25,291     $20,003    $20,815     $21,678     $21,891
Interest expense                        9,659      10,559      11,075      11,229       8,670      9,007       9,367       9,321
Net interest income                    12,624      13,200      13,773      14,062      11,333     11,808      12,311      12,570
Provision for loan losses                 715       1,000         965         825         600        700         875       1,000
Noninterest income excluding
  securities gains                      2,003       2,270       2,070       2,060       1,792      1,848       1,932       2,111
Securities gains (losses)                  17           1         (90)       (265)        792        219         194         (26)
Noninterest expense                     8,559       8,266       8,904       9,441       8,586      8,636       8,460       8,740
Net income                            $ 3,445     $ 4,037     $ 3,702     $ 3,565     $ 2,911    $ 2,737     $ 3,338     $ 3,193
Basic earnings per share              $  0.39     $  0.45     $  0.41     $  0.40     $  0.32    $  0.31     $  0.38     $  0.36
Diluted earnings per share            $  0.38     $  0.45     $  0.41     $  0.39     $  0.32    $  0.30     $  0.38     $  0.36
Net interest margin                      4.71%       4.65%       4.64%       4.68%       4.66%      4.64%       4.70%       4.77%
Return on average assets                 1.19%       1.33%       1.17%       1.11%       1.09%      0.99%       1.18%       1.12%
Return on average equity                12.82%      14.78%      12.74%      11.71%      10.94%     10.90%      13.28%      12.11%
Average diluted common
 shares outstanding                     8,999       9,053       9,099       9,135       9,119      8,974       8,824       8,843
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                     II-18
<PAGE>
PROPERTIES
<TABLE>
The Company operates the following community banking offices:
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Date       Square
Name of Office         Location                                     County       Established      Footage
<S>                    <C>                                          <C>           <C>              <C>   
Norwich                52 S. Broad St., Norwich, NY                 Chenango      07-15-1856       77,000
Afton                  182 Main St., Afton, NY                      Chenango      09-01-1962        2,779
Bainbridge             9 N. Main St., Bainbridge, NY                Chenango      12-07-1938        4,897
Earlville              2 S. Main St., Earlville, NY                 Chenango      08-07-1937        1,222
Grand Gorge            Rt. 23 & 30, Grand Gorge, NY                 Delaware      11-01-1957        3,000
Margaretville          Main St., Margaretville, NY                  Delaware      09-03-1963        3,152
New Berlin             2 S. Main St., New Berlin, NY                Chenango      12-21-1946        2,195
Sherburne              30 N. Main St., Sherburne, NY                Chenango      08-07-1937        3,393
South Otselic          Gladding St., S. Otselic, NY                 Chenango      10-01-1945        1,326
North Plaza            Rt. 12 & 320, Norwich, NY                    Chenango      10-15-1986        1,849
South Plaza            Rt. 12 S., Norwich, NY                       Chenango      08-20-1986        1,200
Deposit                105 Front St., Deposit, NY                   Broome        02-12-1971        3,550
Newark Valley          2 N. Main St., Newark Valley, NY             Tioga         10-01-1973        3,893
Maine                  67 Main St., Maine, NY                       Broome        10-01-1973        1,458
Hobart                 Maple Ave., Hobart, NY                       Delaware      06-28-1974        2,308
Sidney                 13 Division St., Sidney, NY                  Delaware      12-31-1978        3,500
Oxford                 State St., Oxford, NY                        Chenango      08-01-1984        3,559
Greene                 80 S. Chenango St., Greene, NY               Chenango      12-15-1986        3,200
Binghamton             1256 Front St., Binghamton, NY               Broome        03-29-1993        1,900
Hancock                1 E. Main St., Hancock, NY                   Delaware      10-01-1989        7,500
Oneonta                733 State Highway 28, Oneonta, NY            Otsego        01-14-1998        4,000
Clinton                1 Kirkland Ave., Clinton, NY                 Oneida        10-01-1989        7,960
Rome                   Westgate Plaza, Erie Blvd. W., Rome, NY      Oneida        10-01-1989        1,950
Utica Business Pk      555 French Road, New Hartford, NY            Oneida        10-01-1994        3,396
New Hartford           8549 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford, NY       Oneida        12-16-1995        4,179
Rome Black River       853 Black River Blvd., Rome, NY              Oneida        10-01-1997        3,000
Gloversville           199 Second Ave. Ext., Gloversville, NY       Fulton        10-01-1989        4,263
Northville             192 N. Main St., Northville, NY              Fulton        10-01-1989        3,000
Vail Mills             Rt. 30, Vail Mills, NY                       Fulton        10-01-1989        1,000
Lake Placid            81 Main St., Lake Placid, NY                 Essex         10-01-1989        8,500
Cold Brook Plaza       Saranac Ave., Lake Placid, NY                Essex         10-01-1989        1,300
Saranac Lake           2 Lake Flower Ave., Saranac Lake, NY         Essex         10-01-1989        2,400
Plattsburgh            30 Brinkerhoff St., Plattsburgh, NY          Clinton       05-28-1993        4,396
Plattsburgh North      Rt. 9, Plattsburgh, NY                       Clinton       08-28-1993        3,000
Ellenburg Depot        5084 Rt. 11, Ellenburg Depot, NY             Clinton       08-28-1993        2,346
<FN>
The South  Otselic,  Binghamton,  Vail Mills,  Plattsburgh  North,  Rome,  Utica
Business  Park and Rome  Black  River  Offices  are  leased.  All other  banking
premises are owned by the Company. The Company also has free-standing  automated
banking units.  In 1997,  the Utica  Downtown  Office closed on March 28 and the
Hamden Office was sold effective June 30.
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                     II-19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)        1997             1996             % Change
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>              <C>                       <C>  
FOR THE YEAR
Interest and fee income                $   96,181       $   84,387                14.0%
Interest expense                           42,522           36,365                16.9%
Net interest income                        53,659           48,022                11.7%
Provision for loan losses                   3,505            3,175                10.4%
Noninterest income                          8,066            8,862                (9.0%)
Noninterest expense                        35,170           34,422                 2.2%
Net income                                 14,749           12,179                21.1%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PER COMMON SHARE
Basic earnings per share               $     1.65       $     1.37                20.4%
Diluted earnings per share                   1.63             1.36                19.9%
Cash dividends                              0.618            0.497                24.3%
Book value at year end                      13.68            12.11                13.0%
Tangible book value at year end             12.72            10.97                16.0%
Market price:
 High                                       27.69            18.10                53.0%
 Low                                        16.79            14.29                17.5%
 End of year                                27.00            17.14                57.5%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AT YEAR END
Assets                                 $1,280,585       $1,138,986                12.4%
Earning assets                         $1,214,547       $1,073,705                13.1%
Loans                                  $  735,482       $  654,593                12.4%
Allowance for loan losses              $   11,582       $   10,473                10.6%
Deposits                               $1,014,183       $  916,319                10.7%
Stockholders' equity                   $  123,343       $  106,264                16.1%
Common shares outstanding               9,014,092        8,774,837                 2.7%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AVERAGE BALANCES
Assets                                 $1,228,643       $1,110,968                10.6%
Earning assets                         $1,167,460       $1,043,425                11.9%
Loans                                  $  695,552       $  617,810                12.6%
Deposits                               $  973,641       $  916,683                 6.2%
Stockholders' equity                   $  113,691       $  103,240                10.1%
Common shares outstanding               8,963,120        8,882,747                 0.9%
Diluted common shares outstanding       9,071,728        8,938,667                 1.5%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSET QUALITY
Allowance to loans                           1.57%            1.60%               (1.9%)
Nonperforming assets to assets               0.45%            0.40%               12.5%
Allowance to nonperforming loans              220%             315%              (30.2%)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
KEY RATIOS
Return on average assets                     1.20%            1.10%                9.1%
Return on average equity                    12.97%           11.80%                9.9%
Net interest margin                          4.67%            4.69%               (0.4%)
Tier 1 leverage                              8.91%            8.70%                2.4%
Tier 1 risk-based capital                   14.88%           14.06%                5.8%
Total risk-based capital                    16.13%           15.31%                5.4%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
All per share data has been restated to give  retroactive  effect to stock
dividends and the adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share".
</FN>
</TABLE>
                                     II-20
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY

         Responsibility for the integrity,  objectivity,  consistency,  and fair
presentation of the financial  information presented in this Annual Report rests
with NBT Bancorp Inc.  management.  The  accompanying  financial  statements and
related  information  have been prepared in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles consistently applied and include, where required,  amounts
based on informed judgments and management's best estimates.
         Management  maintains  a system of  internal  controls  and  accounting
policies and procedures to provide  reasonable  assurance of the  accountability
and safeguarding of Company assets and of the accuracy of financial information.
These procedures include management  evaluations of asset quality and the impact
of economic  events,  organizational  arrangements  that provide an  appropriate
segregation  of  responsibilities  and a program of internal  audits to evaluate
independently  the adequacy and application of financial and operating  controls
and compliance with Company policies and procedures.
         The  Board of  Directors  has  appointed  an Audit  Committee  composed
entirely of directors who are not employees of the Company.  The Audit Committee
is responsible  for  recommending  to the Board the  independent  auditors to be
retained for the coming year,  subject to  stockholder  ratification.  The Audit
Committee meets periodically,  both jointly and privately,  with the independent
auditors,  with  our  internal  auditors,  as well as  with  representatives  of
management,  to review  accounting,  auditing,  internal  control  structure and
financial  reporting  matters.  The  Committee  reports  to  the  Board  on  its
activities and findings.




/s/DARYL R. FORSYTHE

   Daryl R. Forsythe
   President and Chief Executive Officer




/S/JOE C. MINOR

   Joe C. Minor
   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

                                     II-21
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
NBT Bancorp Inc.:

         We have audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of NBT
Bancorp Inc. and  subsidiary  as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,  and the related
consolidated statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of  the  years  in  the  three  year  period  ended  December  31,  1997.  These
consolidated  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of the  Company's
management.  Our  responsibility is to express an opinion on these  consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
         We conducted our audits in accordance with generally  accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
         In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects,  the financial position of NBT Bancorp
Inc. and  subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1996,  and the results of their
operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in the three year  period
ended  December 31, 1997,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.





/s/KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

   KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


   Syracuse, New York
   January 15, 1998

                                     II-22
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                                                1997            1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>       
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                                             $   37,446      $   35,790
Loans available for sale                                                   3,286           4,135
Securities available for sale, at fair value                             440,632         369,202
Securities held to maturity (fair value-$36,139 and $42,238)              36,139          42,239
Loans:
  Commercial and agricultural                                            326,491         281,991
  Real estate mortgage                                                   135,475         119,870
  Consumer                                                               273,516         252,732
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total loans                                                          735,482         654,593
  Less allowance for loan losses                                          11,582          10,473
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net loans                                                            723,900         644,120
Premises and equipment, net                                               18,761          16,307
Intangible assets, net                                                     8,642           9,953
Other assets                                                              11,779          17,240
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                          $1,280,585      $1,138,986
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
  Demand (noninterest bearing)                                        $  138,985      $  122,115
  Savings, NOW, and money market                                         358,366         359,141
  Time                                                                   516,832         435,063
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total deposits                                                     1,014,183         916,319
Short-term borrowings                                                    134,527          88,244
Other borrowings                                                             183          20,195
Other liabilities                                                          8,349           7,964
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities                                                    1,157,242       1,032,722
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, no par, stated value $1.00; shares
    authorized-2,500,000                                                       -               -
  Common stock, no par, stated value $1.00; shares
    authorized-12,500,000; shares issued 9,429,963 and 9,280,359           9,430           8,838
  Capital surplus                                                         96,494          82,731
  Retained earnings                                                       22,249          24,208
  Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of
    income tax effect                                                      2,373          (1,529)
  Common stock in treasury at cost, 415,871 and 481,449 shares            (7,203)         (7,984)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total stockholders' equity                                             123,343         106,264
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                            $1,280,585      $1,138,986
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See notes to consolidated financial statements
</TABLE>
                                     II-23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,                                     1997         1996         1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>    
Interest and fee income:
Loans and loans available for sale                       $64,781      $57,660      $53,602
Securities - taxable                                      29,887       25,109       22,277
Securities - tax exempt                                    1,179        1,527        1,375
Other                                                        334           91          146
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total interest and fee income                           96,181       84,387       77,400
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest expense:
Deposits                                                  35,234       31,942       29,683
Short-term borrowings                                      6,581        3,745        4,700
Other borrowings                                             707          678          457
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total interest expense                                  42,522       36,365       34,840
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                                       53,659       48,022       42,560
Provision for loan losses                                  3,505        3,175        1,553
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses       50,154       44,847       41,007
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noninterest income:
Trust                                                      2,675        2,642        2,439
Service charges on deposit accounts                        3,695        3,372        2,995
Securities gains (losses)                                   (337)       1,179          145
Other                                                      2,033        1,669        1,523
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total noninterest income                                 8,066        8,862        7,102
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits                            17,905       17,817       16,309
Occupancy                                                  2,598        2,391        2,361
Equipment                                                  1,700        1,765        1,694
FDIC assessments                                             116            2          941
Amortization of intangible assets                          1,351        1,580        1,271
Other operating                                           11,500       10,867       10,448
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total noninterest expense                               35,170       34,422       33,024
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                                23,050       19,287       15,085
Income taxes                                               8,301        7,108        5,756
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                               $14,749      $12,179      $ 9,329
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share:
  Basic                                                  $  1.65      $  1.37      $  1.01
  Diluted                                                $  1.63      $  1.36      $  1.01
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See notes to consolidated financial statements
</TABLE>
                                     II-24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Unrealized
                                                                                  Gain(Loss)
                                                                               On Securities
                                                 Common     Capital     Retained   Available    Treasury
                                                  Stock     Surplus     Earnings    For Sale       Stock         Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)

<S>                                              <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>     
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1994                     $8,050     $69,669     $ 25,446     $(4,273)    $  (585)     $ 98,307
Net income                                                                 9,329                                 9,329
5% stock dividend                                   392       6,333       (6,725)                                    -
Cash dividends - $0.429 per share                                         (3,962)                               (3,962)
Payment in lieu of fractional shares                                         (12)                                  (12)
Purchase of 436,293 treasury shares                                                               (7,075)       (7,075)
Sale of 302,147 treasury shares to
 employee benefit plans and other
 stock plans                                                   (538)                               4,900         4,362
Unrealized gain on securities
 available for sale, net of deferred taxes
 of $4,900                                                                             7,095                     7,095
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995                      8,442      75,464       24,076       2,822      (2,760)      108,044
Net income                                                                12,179                                12,179
5% stock dividend                                   396       7,254       (7,650)                                    -
Cash dividends - $0.497 per share                                         (4,384)                               (4,384)
Payment in lieu of fractional shares                                         (13)                                  (13)
Purchase of 433,848 treasury shares                                                               (7,241)       (7,241)
Sale of 122,675 treasury shares to
 employee benefit plans and other
 stock plans                                                     13                                2,017         2,030
Unrealized loss on securities
 available for sale, net of deferred taxes
 of $3,005                                                                            (4,351)                   (4,351)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996                      8,838      82,731       24,208      (1,529)     (7,984)      106,264
Net income                                                                14,749                                14,749
5% stock dividend                                   428      10,717      (11,145)                                    -
Cash dividends - $0.618 per share                                         (5,544)                               (5,544)
Payment in lieu of fractional shares                                         (19)                                  (19)
Issuance of 164,030 shares to stock plan            164       2,476                                              2,640
Purchase of 131,900 treasury shares                                                               (2,568)       (2,568)
Sale of 197,478 treasury shares to
 employee benefit plans and other
 stock plans                                                    570                                3,349         3,919
Unrealized gain on securities
 available for sale, net of deferred taxes
 of $2,695                                                                             3,902                     3,902
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997                     $9,430     $96,494     $ 22,249     $ 2,373     $(7,203)     $123,343
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See notes to consolidated financial statements
</TABLE>
                                     II-25
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,                                                    1997           1996          1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>     
Net income                                                            $  14,749      $  12,179      $  9,329
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 provided by operating activities:
  Provision for loan losses                                               3,505          3,175         1,553
  Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment                 1,471          1,513         1,478
  Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts
   on securities                                                           (236)           254          (153)
  Amortization of intangible assets                                       1,351          1,580         1,271
  Deferred income tax benefit                                              (435)          (660)         (288)
  Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale                         4,390          4,268        14,704
  Loans originated for sale                                              (3,541)        (4,089)      (11,872)
  Realized (gains) losses on sales of securities                            337         (1,179)         (145)
  Decrease in interest receivable                                           449          1,048           450
 Increase in interest payable                                               809              1           676
 Payments of restructuring liabilities                                        -              -        (1,513)
 Sale of branch, net                                                       (219)             -             -
 Other, net                                                               2,219          2,973         1,827
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                24,849         21,063        17,317
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Securities available for sale:
  Proceeds from maturities                                               50,762         43,924        40,206
  Proceeds from sales                                                   183,818        217,134         2,808
  Purchases                                                            (299,225)      (244,333)      (99,030)
 Securities held to maturity:
  Proceeds from maturities                                               24,987         31,811        59,918
  Purchases                                                             (18,888)       (33,741)      (44,682)
Net increase in loans                                                   (83,285)       (66,255)      (15,126)
Purchase of premises and equipment, net                                  (3,925)        (1,353)       (2,020)
Acquisition of branches, net of cash acquired                                 -              -        (2,960)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                                  (145,756)       (52,813)      (60,886)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in deposits                                                 97,864         43,287        81,589
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings                         46,283        (27,701)      (24,642)
Proceeds from issuance of other borrowings                                    -         20,050             -
Repayments of other borrowings                                          (20,012)        (2,867)       (5,722)
Common stock issued, including treasury shares reissued                   6,559          2,030         4,362
Purchase of treasury stock                                               (2,568)        (7,241)       (7,075)
Cash dividends and payment for fractional shares                         (5,563)        (4,397)       (3,974)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                               122,563         23,161        44,538
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                      1,656         (8,589)          969
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                           35,790         44,379        43,410
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                              $  37,446      $  35,790      $ 44,379
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
 Cash paid during the year for:
  Interest                                                            $  41,713      $  36,364      $ 34,164
  Income taxes                                                            6,126          7,569         5,791
 Noncash investing activity:
  Transfer of loans available for sale to loans held to maturity              -          1,775             -
  Transfer of securities held to maturity to securities
   available for sale                                                         -              -       220,681
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See notes to consolidated financial statements
</TABLE>
                                     II-26
<PAGE>
NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NBT Bancorp  Inc.  ("Bancorp")  and its  subsidiary  follow  generally  accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") and reporting practices applicable to the banking
industry.  The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with GAAP
requires  management to make estimates and assumptions  that affect the reported
amounts  of assets and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting  period.  Actual results could differ
from these estimates. The following is a description of significant policies and
practices:

CONSOLIDATION  The  consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of
Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiary,  NBT Bank, N.A.  ("Bank")  collectively
referred to herein as the Company.  All  significant  intercompany  transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain amounts  previously  reported in
the  financial  statements  have been  reclassified  to conform with the current
presentation.

BUSINESS  The  Company  provides  loan and deposit  services  to its  customers,
primarily  in its eight  county  service  area.  Its only  business  segment  is
domestic commercial banking and the Company is subject to competition from other
financial institutions.  The Bank and the Company are subject to the regulations
of  certain  federal  agencies  and  undergo  periodic   examinations  by  those
regulatory agencies.

TRUST  Assets  held by the  Company in a fiduciary  or agency  capacity  for its
customers  are not included in the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets,
since such assets are not assets of the Company.  Trust income is  recognized on
the accrual method based on  contractual  rates applied to the balances of trust
accounts.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The Company  considers cash on hand,  amounts due from
correspondent  banks,  cash items in process of collection,  federal funds sold,
and federal mutual funds, to be cash and cash equivalents.

SECURITIES  The Company  classifies  its debt  securities at date of purchase as
either  available  for sale or held to maturity as the Company does not hold any
securities  considered to be trading. Held to maturity securities are those that
the  Company  has the  ability  and  intent to hold  until  maturity.  All other
securities  not included as held to maturity  are  classified  as available  for
sale.
         Available  for sale  securities  are  recorded at fair  value.  Held to
maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost. Unrealized holding gains and
losses,  net of the related tax effect,  on available  for sale  securities  are
excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of stockholders'
equity until realized.  Transfers of securities  between categories are recorded
at fair  value at the  date of  transfer.  A  decline  in the fair  value of any
available for sale or held to maturity  security below cost that is deemed other
than temporary is charged to earnings  resulting in the  establishment  of a new
cost basis for the security.
         Premiums and  discounts  are amortized or accreted over the life of the
related security as an adjustment to yield using the interest method.  Dividends
and interest  income are  recognized  when earned.  Realized gains and losses on
securities  sold are  derived  using  the  specific  identification  method  for
determining the cost of securities sold.

LOANS AND LOANS  AVAILABLE FOR SALE Loans are recorded at their  current  unpaid
principal  balance,  net of unearned  income.  Loans classified as available for
sale,  primarily  higher  education loans, are carried at the lower of aggregate
cost or estimated  fair value.  Interest  income on loans is  primarily  accrued
based on the principal amount outstanding.
         The Company's classification of a loan as a nonaccrual loan is based in
part on bank regulatory guidelines. Nonaccrual classification does not mean that
the loan  principal  will not be collected;  rather,  that timely  collection of
interest  is  doubtful.  When in the opinion of  management  the  collection  of
principal appears unlikely, the loan balance is charged-off in total or in part.
Loans are transferred to a nonaccrual basis generally when principal or interest
payments become ninety days  delinquent,  unless the loan is well secured and in
the process of collection,  or when management concludes  circumstances indicate
that borrowers may be unable to meet contractual principal or interest payments.
Accrual of interest is discontinued if the loan is placed on nonaccrual  status.
When a loan is transferred to a nonaccrual  status,  any unpaid accrued interest
is reversed and charged against income.
         Management,  considering  current  information and events regarding the
borrowers'  ability to repay the  obligations,  considers  a loan to be impaired
when it is probable  that the Company  will be unable to collect all amounts due
according  to the  contractual  terms  of the  loan  agreement.  When a loan  is
considered to be impaired, the amount of the impairment is measured based on the
present value of expected future cash flows  discounted at the loan's  effective

                                     II-27
<PAGE>
interest  rate or, as a practical  expedient,  at the loan's  observable  market
price  or the fair  value of  collateral  if the loan is  collateral  dependent.
Impairment losses are included in the allowance for loan losses through a charge
to the provision for loan losses.
         Payments received on nonaccrual and impaired loans are first applied to
principal. Depending on management's assessment of the ultimate collectiblity of
the loan,  interest income may be recognized on a cash basis.  Nonaccrual  loans
are returned to accrual  status when  management  determines  that the financial
condition of the borrower  has improved  significantly  to the extent that there
has been a sustained period of repayment performance so that the loan is brought
current and the collectibility of both principal and interest appears assured.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES The allowance for loan losses is the amount which,  in
the opinion of management,  is necessary to absorb  potential losses in the loan
portfolio when taken as a whole. The allowance is determined by reference to the
market  area the  Company  serves,  local  economic  conditions,  the growth and
composition  of the loan  portfolio  with respect to the mix between the various
types of loans and their related risk characteristics,  a review of the value of
collateral supporting the loans, and comprehensive reviews of the loan portfolio
by the Loan Review staff and management.

COMPANY  PREMISES AND  EQUIPMENT  Company  premises and  equipment are stated at
cost, less accumulated  depreciation.  Depreciation of premises and equipment is
determined using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the
respective assets. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs, and minor replacements
are charged to expense as incurred.

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED Other real estate owned ("OREO")  consists of properties
acquired through  foreclosure or by acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
These  assets are  recorded  at the lower of  outstanding  loan  balance or fair
market value, less any estimated costs of disposal. Loan losses arising from the
acquisition  of such assets are charged to the allowance for loan losses and any
subsequent valuation  write-downs are charged to other expense.  Operating costs
associated with the properties are charged to expense as incurred.  Gains on the
sale of OREO are  included  in income when title has passed and the sale has met
the minimum down payment requirements prescribed by GAAP.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS Certain identified  intangible assets,  including goodwill and
core  deposit  intangible  assets are carried at appraised  fair values,  net of
accumulated amortization, and are being amortized by the straight line method in
amounts  sufficient to write-off those fair values over their  estimated  useful
lives;  such fair values and useful  lives are  reviewed  annually for events or
changes in  circumstances  that may  indicate  that the  carrying  amount of the
assets are not recoverable.  Goodwill, the excess of cost over the fair value of
the net  assets  acquired,  is being  amortized  over  twenty-five  years on the
straight line method.

TREASURY  STOCK  Treasury stock  acquisitions  are recorded at cost.  Subsequent
sales of treasury stock are recorded on an average cost basis. Gains on the sale
of  treasury  stock  are  credited  to  capital  surplus.  Losses on the sale of
treasury stock are charged to capital  surplus to the extent of previous  gains,
otherwise charged to retained earnings.

POSTRETIREMENT  BENEFITS The Company uses actuarial based accrual accounting for
its  postretirement  health care plans,  electing to  recognize  the  transition
obligation  on a  delayed  basis  over the  plan  participants'  future  service
periods, estimated to be twenty years.

INCOME TAXES The Company files a  consolidated  tax return on the accrual basis.
Deferred   income  taxes  are  recognized   for  the  future  tax   consequences
attributable to differences  between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing  assets and liabilities  and their  respective tax bases.  Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to
be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred  taxes of a change in tax rates
is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

PER SHARE  AMOUNTS  Net income per common  share is computed on the basis of the
weighted   average  number  of  common  shares  and  common  share   equivalents
outstanding  during  each  period  after  giving  retroactive  effect  to  stock
dividends.
         On December 31, 1997,  the Company  adopted the provisions of Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". SFAS
No. 128  supersedes  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion No. 15 "Earnings Per
Share" and specifies the computation,  presentation, and disclosure requirements
for earnings per share ("EPS") for entities with publicly held common stock. All
prior  period EPS amounts have been  restated to conform with the  computational

                                     II-28
<PAGE>
provisions of this  statement.  The following is a  reconciliation  of basic and
diluted earnings per share for the years presented in the income statement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,                               1997        1996       1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>         <C>         <C>
Basic EPS:
  Weighted average common shares outstanding         8,963       8,883      9,197
  Net income available to common shareholders      $14,749     $12,179     $9,329
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic EPS                                          $  1.65     $  1.37     $ 1.01
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                <C>         <C>         <C>  
Diluted EPS:
  Weighted average common shares outstanding         8,963       8,883      9,197
  Dilutive common stock options                        109          56         43
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Weighted average common shares and common
   share equivalents                                 9,072       8,939      9,240
  Net income available to common stockholders      $14,749     $12,179     $9,329
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted EPS                                        $  1.63     $  1.36     $ 1.01
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD REQUIREMENT
The Company is required to maintain a reserve  balance with the Federal  Reserve
Bank of New York. The required  average total reserve for the 14 day maintenance
period  ending  December 31, 1997,  was $11.5  million of which $3.7 million was
required to be on deposit with the Federal  Reserve Bank and the remaining  $7.8
million was represented by cash on hand.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK
The Company does not engage in the use of derivative  financial  instruments and
currently the Company's only financial  instruments with off-balance  sheet risk
consist of commitments to originate loans and commitments  under unused lines of
credit.
<PAGE>
SECURITIES
The amortized  cost,  estimated  fair value and  unrealized  gains and losses of
securities available for sale are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Amortized         Unrealized            Fair
(in thousands)             Cost      Gains     Losses        Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>     
U.S. Treasury          $  2,395     $   11     $    -     $  2,406
Federal Agency           95,590        279        199       95,670
State & Municipal         1,648         31          2        1,677
Mortgage-backed         335,669      4,034        206      339,497
Other securities          1,319         67          4        1,382
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                  $436,621     $4,422     $  411     $440,632
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>     
U.S. Treasury          $ 70,811     $   61     $  603     $ 70,269
Federal Agency           94,313        169        922       93,560
State & Municipal         1,450          6          8        1,448
Mortgage-backed         204,889        509      1,825      203,573
Other securities            325         27          -          352
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                  $371,788     $  772     $3,358     $369,202
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
         Gross  realized  gains  and  gross  realized  losses  on  the  sale  of
securities available for sale were $0.4 million and $0.7 million,  respectively,
in  1997.  Gross  realized  gains  and  gross  realized  losses  on the  sale of
securities available for sale were $1.6 million and $0.4 million,  respectively,
in 1996. Gross realized gains on the sale of securities  available for sale were
$0.1 million in 1995.

                                     II-29
<PAGE>
         At  December  31,  1997  and  1996,  securities  with  amortized  costs
totalling  $382.5  million and $316.4  million,  respectively,  were  pledged to
secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

         The amortized  cost,  estimated fair value,  and  unrealized  gains and
losses of securities held to maturity are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Amortized     Unrealized         Fair
(in thousands)                       Cost   Gains  Losses       Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>          <C>     <C>    <C>    
State & Municipal                 $23,692      $-      $-     $23,692
Other securities                    1,518       -       -       1,518
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock       10,929       -       -      10,929
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                             $36,139      $-      $-     $36,139
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>          <C>     <C>    <C>    
State & Municipal                 $32,546      $-      $-     $32,546
Other securities                    1,518       -       1       1,517
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock        8,175       -       -       8,175
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                             $42,239      $-      $1     $42,238
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), the Company holds the required
investment in FHLB stock.

         At December 31, 1997 and 1996 substantially all of the  mortgage-backed
securities held by the Company were issued or backed by Federal agencies.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REMAINING MATURITIES OF SECURITIES AT DECEMBER 31, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             After One Year      After Five Years
                             Within            But Within           But Within          After Ten             Total
                            One Year           Five Years           Ten Years             Years             Portfolio
(dollars in thousands)  Amount   Yield       Amount   Yield      Amount   Yield      Amount   Yield      Amount   Yield
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
U.S. Treasury          $     -       -%    $  2,395    6.07%   $      -       -%   $      -       -%   $  2,395    6.07%
Federal Agency               -       -            -       -      42,990    7.01      52,600    7.86      95,590    7.48
State & Municipal          370    5.25          306    8.35         972    9.42           -       -       1,648    8.28
Mortgage-backed             63    7.23      157,718    7.06      91,243    7.40      86,645    7.36     335,669    7.23
Other securities             -       -            -       -           -       -       1,319    6.54       1,319    6.54
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortized cost         $   433    5.54%    $160,419    7.05%   $135,205    7.29%   $140,564    7.54%   $436,621    7.28%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value             $   431             $162,064            $137,195            $140,942            $440,632
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                    <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>      <C>         <C>  
SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY:
State & Municipal      $19,818    8.28%    $  2,647   10.92%   $  1,150   10.94%   $     77   10.92%   $ 23,692    8.73%
Other securities             -       -            8       -      12,439    6.92           -       -      12,447    6.92
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortized cost         $19,818    8.28%    $  2,655   10.89%   $ 13,589    7.26%   $     77   10.92%   $ 36,139    8.09%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value             $19,818             $  2,655            $ 13,589            $     77            $ 36,139
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
In the tables  setting  forth the maturity  distribution  and  weighted  average
taxable equivalent yield of securities at December 31, 1997, yields on amortized
cost have been calculated  based on effective  yields weighted for the scheduled
maturity of each security using the marginal federal tax rate of 35%.

LOANS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND LOAN SERVICING
The Company  carries loans  available for sale at the lower of aggregate cost or
estimated fair value. It is the Company's  practice to sell its higher education
loans to the Student Loan Marketing  Association at the Company's cost after the
student  leaves  school.  During 1997,  $3.5 million of such loans were sold. At
December  31,  1997,  the  aggregate  cost  and  estimated  fair  value of loans
available for sale were $3.3 million,  while at December 31, 1996 aggregate cost
and estimated market value were $4.1 million.
         During 1997,  $0.9 million in mortgage  loans were sold with  servicing
retained.  At December  31, 1997,  the Company  serviced  $28.5  million of real
estate mortgages on behalf of other financial intermediaries; such loans are not
reflected in the Company's balance sheet.

                                     II-30
<PAGE>
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three years ended  December 31,
1997, are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                  1997        1996        1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>         <C>         <C>    
Balance at January 1,        $10,473     $ 9,120     $ 9,026
Provision                      3,505       3,175       1,553
Recoveries                       892         956         802
- ------------------------------------------------------------
                              14,870      13,251      11,381
Loans charged off              3,288       2,778       2,261
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,      $11,582     $10,473     $ 9,120
- ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
The Company's  concentrations of credit risk are reflected in the balance sheet.
The  concentrations  of credit risk with  standby  letters of credit,  committed
lines of credit and commitments to originate new loans generally follow the loan
classifications.  A substantial  portion of the  Company's  loans are secured by
real estate located in central and northern New York. Accordingly,  the ultimate
collectiblity of a substantial portion of the Company's portfolio is susceptible
to changes in market  conditions of those areas.  Management is not aware of any
material concentrations of credit to any industry or individual borrowers.
         The effect of nonaccrual  loans on interest  income for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 was not material. The Company is not committed
to  advance  additional  funds to these  borrowers.  Nonaccrual  loans were $5.3
million and $3.3 million at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
         At December 31, 1997,  the recorded  investment  in impaired  loans was
$4.3  million.  Included  in this amount is $1.9  million of impaired  loans for
which the  specifically  allocated  allowance for loan loss is $0.6 million.  In
addition,  included in impaired loans is $2.4 million of impaired loans that, as
a result of the adequacy of collateral values and cash flow analysis do not have
a specific  reserve.  At December 31, 1996, the recorded  investment in impaired
loans  was  $2.6  million,  of  which  $0.4  million  had a  specific  allowance
allocation  of $0.1  million  and $2.2  million  for which there was no specific
reserve.  The average  recorded  investment in impaired  loans was $3.1 million,
$4.0 million and $3.6 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  During the
years  ended  December  31,  1997,  1996 and 1995 the  Company  recognized  $0.1
million,  $0.5 million and $0.3  million,  respectively,  of interest  income on
impaired  loans,  all of which was  recognized  using  the cash  basis of income
recognition.
<PAGE>
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the  ordinary  course of business,  the Company has made loans at  prevailing
rates and terms to directors,  officers,  and other related parties. Such loans,
in  management's  opinion,  did  not  present  more  than  the  normal  risk  of
collectiblity or incorporate other unfavorable features. The aggregate amount of
loans outstanding to qualifying related parties and changes during the years are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------
                                1997         1996
- --------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                          <C>          <C>    
Balance at January 1,        $ 4,238      $ 3,933
New loans                      3,226        3,417
Repayments                    (3,901)      (3,112)
- --------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31,      $ 3,563      $ 4,238
- --------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of premises and equipment follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------
December 31,                        1997        1996
- ----------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                              <C>         <C>    
Company premises                 $20,047     $19,394
Equipment                         17,277      17,211
Construction in progress           2,601         253
- ----------------------------------------------------
                                  39,925      36,858
Accumulated depreciation          21,164      20,551
- ----------------------------------------------------
Total premises and equipment     $18,761     $16,307
- ----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Depreciation  and  amortization  of premises and equipment  totaled $1.5 million
annually in 1997, 1996 and 1995.

                                     II-31
<PAGE>
         Rental expense  included in operating expense amounted to $0.3 million 
annually in 1997,  1996, and 1995.  The future minimum rental  commitments as of
December  31,  1997,  for  noncancellable  operating  leases  were  as  follows:
1998--$0.4 million;  1999--$0.3 million; 2000--$0.2 million; 2001--$0.2 million;
and 2002--and beyond--$0.2 million.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The Company,  in a cash transaction,  acquired deposits  totalling $42.6 million
and selected loans totalling $1.1 million, of three branches from Community Bank
Systems Inc.  effective  December 16, 1995.  Also included were related  accrued
interest payable and receivable and premises and equipment, the amounts of which
were not  material.  All  assets  and  liabilities  acquired  were  recorded  at
appraised fair values at that date,  creating additional core deposit intangible
assets and goodwill.  Branch acquisition costs for 1997 and 1996 are adjustments
or reclassification of amounts recorded for the December 1995 transaction.
         The table below presents  significant  balances,  amortization  and the
respective periods of amortization:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                    1997          1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                          <C>           <C>    
Goodwill (25 yrs.):
Beginning balance                            $ 6,022       $ 6,318
Branch acquisition                                35            41
Amortization                                    (339)         (337)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending balance                                 5,718         6,022
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Core deposit intangible assets (3-12 yrs.):
Beginning balance                              3,931         5,233
Branch acquisition                                 5           (59)
Amortization                                  (1,012)       (1,243)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Ending balance                                 2,924         3,931
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total intangible assets, net                 $ 8,642       $ 9,953
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
DEPOSITS
Time deposits of $100,000 or more aggregated $269.9 million,  $191.3 million and
$126.1 million at year-end 1997, 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  Interest expense
on such deposits was approximately $13.3 million, $9.4 million, and $8.6 million
for 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
<PAGE>
         The  following  table  sets  forth the  maturity  distribution  of time
certificates of deposit:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                              1997         1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                   <C>          <C>     
Within one year                       $433,472     $351,816
After one but within two years          50,215       51,478
After two but within three years        18,225       16,579
After three but within four years        9,219       10,414
After four but within five years         5,617        4,679
After five years                            84           97
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Total                                 $516,832     $435,063
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
Short-term  borrowings  consist of Federal funds  purchased and securities  sold
under  repurchase  agreements,  which generally  represent  overnight  borrowing
transactions, and other short-term borrowings,  primarily Federal Home Loan Bank
(FHLB) advances,  with original  maturities of one year or less. The Company has
unused lines of credit  available  for  short-term  financing of $224 million at
December 31, 1997. Securities  collateralizing repurchase agreements are held in
safekeeping by a non-affiliated financial institutions.

                                     II-32
<PAGE>
Information related to short-term borrowings is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997         1996         1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>          <C>          <C>    
FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED
Balance at year end                             $25,000      $48,000      $78,000
Average during the year                          29,501       30,929       30,682
Maximum month end balance                        49,000       56,000       78,000
Weighted average rate during the year              5.70%        5.53%        5.99%
Weighted average rate at December 31               6.13%        7.38%        5.73%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Balance at year end                             $59,721      $40,244      $17,945
Average during the year                          51,427       23,893       16,516
Maximum month end balance                        95,403       40,244       20,225
Weighted average rate during the year              5.04%        4.32%        5.23%
Weighted average rate at December 31               5.03%        4.43%        4.84%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
Balance at year end                             $49,806      $     -      $20,000
Average during the year                          38,331       18,370       33,398
Maximum month end balance                        49,806       50,000       50,000
Weighted average rate during the year              6.02%        5.45%        5.98%
Weighted average rate at December 31               5.82%           -%        5.88%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
OTHER BORROWINGS
Other borrowings consists of obligations having an original maturity at issuance
of more than one year. A summary of other borrowings follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Maturity  Interest        Year end outstanding
(dollars in thousands)     Date      Rate          1997        1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>       <C>           <C>      <C>
  FHLB advance             1997      5.59             -      20,000
  FHLB advance             2008      5.33           137         146
  FHLB advance             2008      7.20            46          49
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                              $183     $20,195
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
FHLB advances are collateralized by the FHLB stock owned by the Company, certain
of its real estate mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities.
<PAGE>
INCOME TAXES
Deferred  income taxes are  recognized  for  temporary  differences  between the
financial statement carrying amount and tax basis of assets and liabilities.
         Total income taxes were allocated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,                          1997          1996        1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>    
Income before income taxes                    $ 8,301      $ 7,108      $ 5,756
Stockholders' equity, capital surplus,
 for stock options exercised                     (329)         (36)        (388)
Stockholders' equity, for unrealized gain
 (loss) on securities                           2,695       (3,005)       4,900
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                         $10,667      $ 4,067      $10,268
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                     II-33
<PAGE>
The significant components of income taxes attributable to operations are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,       1997        1996        1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                         <C>         <C>         <C>   
Current:
  Federal                   $7,297      $6,331      $4,718
  State                      1,439       1,437       1,326
- -----------------------------------------------------------
                             8,736       7,768       6,044
Deferred:
  Federal                     (330)       (472)       (237)
  State                       (105)       (188)        (51)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
                              (435)       (660)       (288)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Total                       $8,301      $7,108      $5,756
- -----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The tax effects of temporary  differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                                 1997       1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>   
Deferred tax assets:
  Allowance for loan losses                                $4,586     $4,103
  Unrealized loss on securities available
   for sale                                                     -      1,057
  Deferred compensation                                       306        266
  Postretirement benefit obligation                           751        557
  Other                                                       455        375
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets                             6,098      6,358
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Prepaid pension obligation                                  532        282
  Premises and equipment, primarily due to accelerated
   depreciation                                               588        582
  Undistributed earnings of Bank subsidiary                   136        379
  Unrealized gain on securities available for sale          1,638          -
  Securities discount accretion                               472         54
  Other                                                        49        118
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities                        3,415      1,415
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net deferred tax assets                                  $2,683     $4,943
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Realization  of deferred tax assets is dependent  upon the  generation of future
taxable  income  or the  existence  of  sufficient  taxable  income  within  the
carryback period. A valuation  allowance is provided when it is more likely than
not that some portion of the  deferred tax asset will not be realized.  Based on
available evidence,  gross deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized and a
valuation allowance was not deemed necessary.

The  following  is a  reconciliation  of the  provision  for income taxes to the
amount  computed by applying the  applicable  Federal  statutory  rate of 35% to
income before taxes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,                       1997        1996        1995  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>         <C>         <C>   
Federal income tax at statutory rate        $8,068      $6,751      $5,280
Benefit of federal tax rates below
 statutory rate                                  -         (10)       (100)
Tax exempt income                             (613)       (627)       (496)
Non-deductible expenses                        220         241         241
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit        867         812         829
Other, net                                    (241)        (59)          2
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes                                $8,301      $7,108      $5,756
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                     II-34
<PAGE>
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Included in the other operating expense category are supplies, communication and
promotional  expense  of $2.7  million,  $2.6  million,  and $2.7  million,  and
professional  fees of $2.2  million,  $2.4 million,  and $2.4 million,  in years
1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
         Also  included  in  the  other  operating  expense  category  are  data
processing fees of $1.9 million,  $1.5 million,  and $1.3 million in years 1997,
1996, and 1995,  respectively.  The future minimum annual  commitments  for data
processing services as of December 31, 1997 were as follows: 1998--$3.5 million;
1999--$3.5  million;  2000--$3.4  million;  2001--$3.4  million;  and  2002--and
beyond--$4.3 million.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The Company is a party to financial  instruments  with off balance sheet risk in
the normal  course of business  to meet the  financing  needs of its  customers.
These  financial  instruments  include  commitments to extend credit and standby
letters  of  credit.  The  Company's  exposure  to  credit  loss in the event of
nonperformance  by the  other  party to the  commitments  to extend  credit  and
standby  letters of credit is  represented  by the  contractual  amount of those
instruments.  The Company uses the same credit  standards in making  commitments
and  conditional  obligations  as it does for on balance sheet  instruments.  At
December 31, 1997, off balance sheet  commitments to extend credit for primarily
variable  rate loans,  amounted to $127.4  million  secured by $70.1  million in
collateral  value. The amount of standby letters of credit at December 31, 1997,
amounted to $1.8 million secured by $0.1 million in cash.
         At December 31, 1997 and 1996,  the Company  held no off balance  sheet
derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, forward contracts,
futures, options on financial futures, or interest rate caps and floors, and was
not  subject  to the  market  risk  associated  with such  derivative  financial
instruments.
         In the normal course of business  there are various  outstanding  legal
proceedings. In the opinion of management, the aggregate amount involved in such
proceedings is not material to the financial  condition or results of operations
of the Company.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan for stockholders under which no new
shares of common stock were issued in 1997 and 1996.  There were 525,762  shares
of common stock reserved for future issuance under the plan at December 31, 1997
(the  number of shares  available  has been  adjusted  for stock  dividends  and
splits).
         Certain  restrictions  exist  regarding  the  ability  of the  Bank  to
transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends. The approval of the
Comptroller of the Currency is required to pay dividends in excess of the Bank's
earnings  retained  in the  current  year  plus  retained  net  profits  for the
preceding  two years or when the Bank fails to meet certain  minimum  regulatory
capital  standards.  At December 31, 1997, the Bank has the ability to pay $16.3
million in dividends to the Company without obtaining prior regulatory approval.
Under the State of Delaware  Business  Corporation  Law, the Company may declare
and pay dividends  either out of  accumulated  net retained  earnings or capital
surplus.
         The Company  currently  is  authorized  to issue 2.5 million  shares of
preferred  stock,  no par value,  $1.00 stated value.  The Board of Directors is
authorized   to  fix   the   particular   designations,   preferences,   rights,
qualifications,  and restrictions for each series of preferred stock issued.  In
November 1994, the Company adopted a Stockholder  Rights Plan (Plan) designed to
ensure that any potential  acquiror of the Company  negotiate  with the Board of
Directors and that all Company  stockholders are treated  equitably in the event
of a  takeover  attempt.  At that  time,  the  Company  paid a  dividend  of one
Preferred  Share  Purchase  Right (Right) for each  outstanding  share of common
stock of the Company. Similar Rights are attached to each share of the Company's
common stock issued after November 15, 1994,  subject to  adjustment.  Under the
Plan,  the  Rights  will not be  exercisable  until a person  or group  acquires
beneficial  ownership of 20 percent or more of the Company's  outstanding common
stock, begins a tender or exchange offer for 25 percent or more of the Company's
outstanding  common  stock,  or an adverse  person,  as declared by the Board of
Directors,  acquires  10 percent  or more of the  Company's  outstanding  common
stock.  Additionally,  until the occurrence of such an event, the Rights are not
severable  from the Company's  common stock and,  therefore,  the Rights will be
transferred upon the transfer of shares of the Company's common stock.  Upon the
occurrence  of such  events,  each Right  entitles  the holder to  purchase  one
one-hundredth  of a share of Series R Preferred  Stock, no par value,  and $1.00
stated value per share of the Company at a price of $100.
         The Plan also  provides that upon the  occurrence of certain  specified
events,  the holders of Rights will be  entitled  to acquire  additional  equity
interests,  in the Company or in the acquiring  entity,  such interests having a
market value of two times the Right's exercise price of $100. The Rights,  which
expire  November 14, 2004,  are  redeemable  in whole,  but not in part,  at the
Company's  option prior to the time they are  exercisable,  for a price of $0.01
per Right.

                                     II-35
<PAGE>
REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital  requirements
administered  by the federal banking  agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital
requirements   can  initiate   certain   mandatory   and   possibly   additional
discretionary  actions by regulators  that, if  undertaken,  could have a direct
material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy
guidelines and the regulatory  framework for prompt corrective  action, the Bank
must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative  measures of the
Bank's assets,  liabilities,  and certain  off-balance sheet items as calculated
under regulatory  accounting  practices.  The capital amounts and classification
are also subject to qualitative  judgements by the regulators about  components,
risk weightings, and other factors.
         Quantitative  measures  established  by  regulation  to ensure  capital
adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios
(set  forth in the table  below) of total  and Tier 1 Capital  to  risk-weighted
assets,  and of Tier 1 capital to average  assets.  Management  believes,  as of
December  31,  1997,  that the Company  and the Bank meets all capital  adequacy
requirements to which it is subject.
         As of December 31, 1997, the most recent  notification  from The Office
of the  Comptroller  of the Currency  categorized  the Bank as well  capitalized
under the regulatory  framework for prompt corrective  action. To be categorized
as well  capitalized  the Bank must maintain  minimum total  risk-based,  Tier 1
risk-based,  Tier 1  leverage  ratios  as set forth in the  table.  There are no
conditions  or events since that  notification  that  management  believes  have
changed the Bank's category.
         The  Company  and the  Bank's  actual  capital  amounts  and ratios are
presented in the following table.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 To Be Well
                                                                                             Capitalized Under
                                                                          For Capital        Prompt Corrective
                                                      ACTUAL          Adequacy Purposes:     Action Provisions:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                                   AMOUNT    RATIO        Amount   Ratio         Amount    Ratio
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>   
As of December 31, 1997:
 Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Company Consolidated                         $121,792    16.13%     $ 60,403     8.00%     $ 75,504    10.00%
  Bank                                         $115,279    15.31%     $ 60,241     8.00%     $ 75,301    10.00%

 Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Company Consolidated                         $112,328    14.88%     $ 30,201     4.00%     $ 45,302     6.00%
  Bank                                         $105,840    14.06%     $ 30,120     4.00%     $ 45,180     6.00%

 Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets):
  Company Consolidated                         $112,328     8.91%     $ 50,438     4.00%     $ 63,047     5.00%
  Bank                                         $105,840     8.43%     $ 50,195     4.00%     $ 62,743     5.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
<S>                                            <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>   
As of December 31, 1996:
 Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Company Consolidated                         $106,559    15.31%     $ 55,663     8.00%     $ 69,579    10.00%
  Bank                                         $104,487    15.03%     $ 55,603     8.00%     $ 69,504    10.00%

 Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
  Company Consolidated                         $ 97,840    14.06%     $ 27,831     4.00%     $ 41,747     6.00%
  Bank                                         $ 95,777    13.78%     $ 27,802     4.00%     $ 41,702     6.00%

 Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets):
  Company Consolidated                         $ 97,840     8.70%     $ 44,971     4.00%     $ 56,214     5.00%
  Bank                                         $ 95,777     8.53%     $ 44,910     4.00%     $ 56,137     5.00%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS Nonpension benefits are accrued over
the employees'  active service  period,  defined as the date of employment up to
the date of the employees'  eligibility for such benefits.  The Company provides
certain  health care benefits for retired  employees.  The health care plans are
contributory  for  participating  retirees  and  also  requires  them to  absorb
deductibles and coinsurance with contributions adjusted annually to reflect cost
sharing provisions and benefit  limitations.  Substantially all of the employees
may become eligible for these benefits if they reach normal retirement age while
working for the Company or its  subsidiaries.  The  benefits are provided by the

                                     II-36
<PAGE>
participants  choice of health  maintenance  organizations  with community rated
premiums or  self-insured  plans  administered  by  insurance  companies,  whose
premiums  are based on the claims  paid during the year.  The Company  funds the
cost of post retirement health care as benefits are paid. The Company elected to
recognize  the  transition  obligation in the balance  sheets and  statements of
income on a delayed basis over the plan  participant's  future service  periods,
estimated to be twenty years.
     The Company used a health care trend rate in calculating its postretirement
benefit  obligation of 8.0% to 9.0% for 1998, grading down uniformly to 5.5% for
2005 and  thereafter.  The  effect  of a  one-percentage-point  increase  in the
assumed  health care cost trend rates for each future year on the  aggregate  of
the service and interest cost components of net periodic  postretirement  health
care benefit cost and the  accumulated  postretirement  benefit  obligation  for
health  care  benefits  would  increase  this  amount  for 1997 by 23%,  to $0.5
million, and by 17%, to $3.4 million, respectively.

     The net  postretirement  health  benefits  expense and funded status are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,                                   1997        1996     1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>        <C> 
Service cost                                            $  182      $  124     $ 90
Interest cost                                              255         183      183
Net amortization and deferral                              113          85      102
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net postretirement benefit cost                         $  550      $  392     $375
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                              1997        1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>   
Fair value of plan assets                               $    -      $    -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
  Retired participants                                   1,256       1,114
  Fully eligible participants                              670         337
  Other active participants                              2,232       1,257
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation      4,158       2,708
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess of projected postretirement
  benefit obligation over plan assets                    4,158       2,708
Less:
  Unrecognized net actuarial loss                        1,306         226
  Unrecognized transition obligation                     1,273       1,358
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued post retirement benefit cost
  included in other liabilities                         $1,579      $1,124
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average discount rate                            7.00%       7.50%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
EMPLOYEE  STOCK  OWNERSHIP  PLAN The  Company  has a  qualified  Employee  Stock
Ownership Plan for employees who meet certain age and service requirements under
which  contributions are made by the Company to a separate trust for the benefit
of participating employees. Provisions for contributions to the Plan amounted to
$0.3 million in 1997, $0.6 million in 1996, and $0.5 million in 1995.

RETIREMENT  SAVINGS PLAN The Company  sponsors a savings plan for  employees and
matched employee  contributions up to 5% for 1997, 3% for 1996, and 2% for 1995.
Expenses of $0.4 million,  $0.2 million,  and $0.1 million were  recognized  for
1997,  1996, and 1995,  respectively.  Effective  January 1, 1997, this plan was
terminated and plan assets and  liabilities  were merged with the Employee Stock
Ownership Plan.

PENSION PLAN The Company has a qualified,  noncontributory pension plan covering
substantially all employees. Benefits paid from the plan are based on age, years
of service,  compensation prior to retirement, social security benefits, and are
determined in accordance with defined formulas.  The Company's policy is to fund
the pension plan in accordance with ERISA standards.

                                     II-37
<PAGE>
         The net  pension  expense  and the  funded  status  of the  plan are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31,                                 1997         1996         1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>    
Service cost                                         $   508      $   454      $   384
Interest cost                                          1,181        1,119          843
Actual return on plan assets                          (3,265)      (2,072)      (3,380)
Net amortization and deferral                          1,971          856        2,230
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension expense                                  $   395      $   357      $    77
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                            1997         1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)

<S>                                                  <C>          <C>    
Plan assets, fair value of primarily listed stocks
 and fixed income securities                         $19,432      $15,589
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial present value of benefits for services
 rendered to date:
Accumulated benefit obligation, including vested
 benefits of $17,371 in 1997 and $14,605 in 1996      17,552       14,670
Additional benefits based on estimated
 future salary levels                                  1,938        1,240
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation                          19,490       15,910
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excess of projected benefit
 obligation over plan assets                             (58)        (321)
Unrecognized net actuarial gain                       (1,399)      (2,673)
Unamortized prior service cost                         4,191        4,448
Unamortized transition asset                          (1,304)      (1,413)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid pension expense included in other assets     $ 1,430      $    41
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average discount rate                          7.00%        7.50%
Assumed increase in future salary                       4.00%        4.00%
Expected rate of return on plan assets                  9.00%        9.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
STOCK OPTION PLANS The Company has two stock option plans  (Plans).  At December
31, 1997,  there were 600,643 shares of the Company's  common stock reserved for
issuance under the Plans. Under the terms of the Plans,  options were granted to
key employees to purchase shares of the Company's  common stock at a price equal
to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. Under the
Plans,  options may be designated as Incentive  Stock Options or as Nonqualified
Stock Options. Options granted terminate eight or ten years from the date of the
grant.
         In 1995,  the  Company  granted  its then  Chairman  stock  options  in
connection  with the discharge of severance  obligations  of the Company and the
Bank under his  employment  agreement.  The agreement  issued  options  covering
143,311  and  30,024  shares  with   exercise   prices  of  $13.99  and  $14.60,
respectively,  and an expiration  date of January 31, 1997 (the number of shares
under option and the option price per share were adjusted for stock  dividends).
The Company filed a registration statement relating to these option shares which
were  issued  January  23,  1997,  upon  payment  of the  exercise  price,  from
authorized,  but unissued  common stock.  These stock options did not reduce the
number available under the previously mentioned Plans.
         At December 31, 1997,  there were 248,836  additional  shares available
for grant under the Plans.  The per share  weighted-average  fair value of stock
options  granted  during  1997,  1996 and  1995  was  $5.14,  $3.14  and  $2.91,
respectively on the date of grant using the Black Scholes  option-pricing  model
with the following weighted-average assumptions: 1997-expected dividend yield of
2.60%,  expected  volatility of 22.56%,  risk-free  interest  rates of 6.52% and
6.58%, and an expected life of 7 years; 1996 - expected dividend yield of 3.16%,
expected volatility of 15.35%,  risk-free interest rates of 5.52% and 6.41%, and
an expected life of 7 years; 1995 - expected  dividend yield of 2.96%,  expected
volatility of 15.35%,  risk-free interest rates ranging from 7.39% to 7.83%, and
expected lives of 2 and 7 years.
         Included in the 1995 grants are options  granted in conjunction  with a
severance agreement, as previously discussed,  with a per share weighted-average
fair  value of $2.05  using  the Black  Scholes  option-pricing  model  with the
following weighted-average  assumptions:  1995-expected dividend yield of 2.96%,
expected volatility of 15.35%, risk-free interest rate of 7.54%, and an expected
life of 2 years.
         The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its Plans and,
accordingly,  no compensation  cost has been recognized for its stock options in
the financial statements.  Had the Company determined compensation cost based on

                                     II-38
<PAGE>
the fair value at the grant date for its stock  options  under SFAS No. 123, the
Company's  net income and  earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro
forma amounts indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1997        1996       1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>             <C>         <C>         <C>   
Net income                     As reported     $14,749     $12,179     $9,329
                                 Pro forma      14,404      11,977      8,901

Basic earnings per share       As reported     $  1.65     $  1.37     $ 1.01
                                 Pro forma        1.61        1.35       0.97

Diluted earnings per share     As reported     $  1.63     $  1.36     $ 1.01
                                 Pro forma        1.59        1.34       0.96
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Pro forma net income  reflects  only  options  granted  in 1997,  1996 and 1995.
Therefore,  the full impact of calculating  compensation  cost for stock options
under  SFAS  No.  123 is not  reflected  in the pro  forma  net  income  amounts
presented above because compensation cost is reflected over the options' vesting
period of 4 years and compensation  cost for options granted prior to January 1,
1995 is not considered.
         The following is a summary of changes in options outstanding:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  Number        Weighted Average of
                                      of          Exercise Price of
                                 Options         Options Under Plan
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>                          <C>   
Balance, December 31, 1994       411,728                     $10.92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted                          287,476                      14.11
Exercised                       (223,813)                      9.88
Lapsed                          (102,388)                     13.86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1995       373,003                     $13.21
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted                          119,621                      14.95
Exercised                        (18,096)                     11.75
Lapsed                           (11,463)                     14.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1996       463,065                     $13.69
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted                          119,070                      17.14
Exercised                       (209,404)                     13.50
Lapsed                           (20,924)                     15.20
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997       351,807                     $14.87
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The following table summarizes  information concerning currently outstanding and
exercisable options:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Options Outstanding                 Options Exercisable
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Weighted
                                          Average
                                        Remaining      Weighted                       Weighted
Range of                              Contractual       Average                        Average
Exercise                  Number             Life      Exercise           Number      Exercise
Prices               Outstanding       (in years)         Price      Exercisable         Price
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>                 <C>         <C>             <C>            <C>
$ 8.01 - $11.00           20,746             1.62        $ 9.08           20,746        $ 9.08
$11.01 - $14.00           26,905             4.10         11.53           26,613         11.52
$14.01 - $17.00          189,706             7.52         14.62           97,220         14.55
$17.01 - $20.00          114,450             9.08         17.11                -             -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 8.01 - $20.00          351,807             7.42        $14.87          144,579        $13.21
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                     II-39
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31,                                              1997         1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>     
ASSETS
Cash                                                  $  2,750     $  1,799
Due from subsidiary bank                                     2           20
Securities available for sale                            3,788          352
Loans                                                       19           20
Investment in subsidiary bank                          116,811      104,185
Other assets                                               117           36
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                          $123,487     $106,412
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Other liabilities                                     $    144     $    148
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                          144          148
Stockholders' equity                                   123,343      106,264
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY            $123,487     $106,412
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                   1997         1996        1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>           <C>   
Dividends from subsidiary bank                        $  6,000     $  9,700      $4,250
Interest and dividend income                               322          180         343
Gain on sale of securities available for sale                -            3         145
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         6,322        9,883       4,738
Interest expense                                             -          234         369
Operating expense                                          299          402         304
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes and equity in
 undistributed income of subsidiary bank                 6,023        9,247       4,065
Income tax expense (benefit)                                26         (170)        (66)
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiary bank        8,752        2,762       5,198
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                            $ 14,749     $ 12,179      $9,329
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
                                     II-40
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                                           1997          1996         1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>          <C>    
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income                                                     $14,749       $12,179      $ 9,329
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 provided by operating activities:
  Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts
   on securities                                                    (4)          (15)         (27)
  Realized gains on sale of securities available for sale            -            (3)        (145)
  (Increase) decrease in other assets                              (83)           62           23
  Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                          (3)           15          (28)
  Undistributed net income of subsidiary bank                   (8,752)       (2,762)      (5,198)
  Other, net                                                       (17)            8           25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                        5,890         9,484        3,979
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Securities available for sale:
 Proceeds from sales of securities                                   -         4,979        7,953
 Purchases                                                      (3,384)         (977)      (5,158)
 Other, net                                                         (1)            -           34
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities            (3,385)        4,002        2,829
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of long-term debt                                          -        (2,857)        (714)
Common stock issued, including treasury shares reissued          6,559         2,030        4,362
Purchase of treasury stock                                      (2,568)       (7,241)      (7,075)
Cash dividends and payment for fractional shares                (5,563)       (4,397)      (3,974)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities                           (1,572)      (12,465)      (7,401)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents               933         1,021         (593)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                   1,819           798        1,391
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                       $ 2,752      $  1,819      $   798
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL  INSTRUMENTS A financial instrument is defined as cash,
evidence of an ownership  interest in an entity,  or a contract that imposes the
obligation to deliver,  receive, or exchange cash or other financial instruments
between willing entities on potentially  favorable or unfavorable  terms.  There
are no off balance sheet derivative  financial  instruments at December 31, 1997
and 1996. The following  methods and assumptions  were used to estimate the fair
value of each class of financial instruments.

CASH AND CASH  EQUIVALENTS  For these  short-term  instruments,  carrying  value
approximates fair value.

SECURITIES  Fair  values for  securities  are based on quoted  market  prices or
dealer quotes,  where  available.  Where quoted market prices are not available,
fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments.

LOANS For variable rate loans that reprice  frequently  and have no  significant
credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. The fair values for fixed
rate loans are estimated  through  discounted  cash flow analyses using interest
rates  currently  being offered for loans with similar terms and credit quality.
The fair value of loans available for sale on an aggregate  basis,  are based on
quoted  market  prices.  Nonperforming  loans are valued  based upon recent loss
history for similar loans.

ACCRUED  INTEREST  RECEIVABLE  AND  PAYABLE  For these  short-term  instruments,
carrying value approximates fair value.

DEPOSITS The fair values  disclosed for savings,  money market,  and noninterest
bearing  accounts  are, by  definition,  equal to their  carrying  values at the
reporting  date.  The fair value of fixed  maturity  certificates  of deposit is
estimated  using a discounted  cash flow  analysis that applies  interest  rates
currently  offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated  expected monthly
maturities on time deposits.

SHORT-TERM  BORROWINGS For short-term  borrowings,  carrying value  approximates
fair value.

                                     II-41
<PAGE>
OTHER  BORROWINGS The fair value of other  borrowings  has been estimated  using
discounted  cash flow analyses that apply interest rates currently being offered
for notes with similar terms.

COMMITMENTS  TO EXTEND  CREDIT AND  STANDBY  LETTERS OF CREDIT The fair value of
commitments to extend credit and standby  letters of credit are estimated  using
fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the
remaining  terms of the  agreements  and the present  credit  worthiness  of the
counterparts. Carrying amounts which are comprised of the unamortized fee income
are immaterial.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                      1997                           1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       CARRYING           FAIR        Carrying         Fair
(in thousands)                           AMOUNT          VALUE          Amount        Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>            <C>               <C>          <C>     
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents            $   37,446     $   37,446        $ 35,790     $ 35,790
Loans available for sale                  3,286          3,286           4,135        4,135
Securities available for sale           440,632        440,632         369,202      369,202
Securities held to maturity              36,139         36,139          42,239       42,238
Loans:
 Commercial and agricultural            326,491        326,472         281,991      280,342
 Real estate mortgage                   135,475        141,229         119,870      120,346
 Consumer                               273,516        273,719         252,732      255,108
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total loans                          735,482        741,420         654,593      655,796
 Less allowance for loan losses          11,582              -          10,473            -
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net loans                              723,900        741,420         644,120      655,796
Accrued interest receivable               7,470          7,470           7,919        7,919
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Deposits:
 Interest bearing:
   Savings and money market             358,366        358,366         359,141      359,141
   Certificates of deposit              516,832        517,252         435,063      442,933
 Noninterest bearing                    138,985        138,985         122,115      122,115
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total deposits                     1,014,183      1,014,603         916,319      924,189
Short-term borrowings                   134,527        134,527          88,244       88,244
Other borrowings                            183            183          20,195       20,185
Accrued interest payable             $    3,240     $    3,240        $  2,431     $  2,431
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
         Fair value  estimates  are made at a specific  point in time,  based on
relevant  market  information and  information  about the financial  instrument.
These estimates are subjective in nature and involve  uncertainties  and matters
of significant  judgment and,  therefore,  cannot be determined  with precision.
Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

                                     II-42
<PAGE>
                             DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS

Certificate of Incorporation of NBT BANCORP INC., as Amended through
 April 22, 1995.
By-laws of NBT BANCORP INC., as amended and restated through November 15, 1995.
NBT BANCORP INC. 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan made as of 
January 1, 1997.
NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amended and restated as of
 October 1, 1989, including Amendments adopted through December 31, 1994.
Amendment #1 dated February 21, 1995 to NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension
 Plan Amended and restated as of October 1, 1989,  including  Amendments adopted
 through December 31, 1994.
Amendment #2 dated May 23, 1995 to NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan
 Amended  and  restated  as of  October 1, 1989,  including  Amendments  adopted
 through December 31, 1994.
NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #3 dated November 
13, 1995.
NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #4 dated January 
22, 1996.
NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #5 dated July 22, 1997.
NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #6 dated August 1, 1997.
NBT BANCORP INC. Stock Option Plan dated November 26, 1986, as amended through 
February 16, 1993.
NBT BANCORP INC. 1993 Stock Option Plan and amendment dated April 24, 1993 to 
 the NBT BANCORP INC. Stock Option Plan dated November 26, 1986, as amended
 through February 16, 1993.
NBT BANCORP INC. 1998 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.
Lease of Binghamton Office.
Lease and Lease Extension of Vail Mills Office.
Lease extension of Vail Mills Office.
Lease of Plattsburgh North Office.
Lease of Rome Office.
Lease extension of Rome Office.
Lease and Lease Extensions of South Otselic Office.
Lease of Utica Business Park Office.
Lease of Utica Downtown Office.
Lease of Black River Boulevard Plaza Office.
Lease of Plattsburgh Brinkerhoff Office.
Lease of Oneonta Office.
Change in control agreement with Daryl R. Forsythe.
Supplemental  Retirement  Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank, National
 Association and Daryl R. Forsythe made as of January 1, 1995.
Death  Benefits   Agreement  between  NBT  Bancorp  Inc.,  NBT  Bank,   National
 Association and Daryl R. Forsythe made August 22, 1995.
Wage Continuation Plan between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank, National  Association
 and Daryl R. Forsythe made as of August 1, 1995.
NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries Master Deferred Compensation Plan of 
 Directors, adopted February 11, 1992.
Wage Continuation Plan between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank, National  Association
 and (Key Management Group) made as of January 2, 1997.
Restricted Stock Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and (Director) made January
 1, 1997.
Restricted Stock Agreement between NBT Bank, National Association and (Director)
 made January 1, 1997.
Restricted Stock Agreement between NBT Bank, National Association and Daryl R.
 Forsythe made January 1, 1997.
Supplemental  Retirement Income Plan between NBT Bank, National  Association and
 Certain Management and Highly Compensated Employees made as of January 1, 1996.
A list of the subsidiaries of the registrant. Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
Financial Data Schedule.

COPIES OF EXHIBITS ARE AVAILABLE UPON PAYMENT OF REPRODUCTION COSTS. SUBMIT YOUR
WRITTEN REQUEST TO JOE C. MINOR,  CHIEF  FINANCIAL  OFFICER AND TREASURER OF NBT
BANCORP INC.

                                     II-43
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report on FORM 10-K to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized,  this tenth
day of March, 1998.

                                NBT BANCORP INC.
                                  (Registrant)


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


                                /s/ JOE C. MINOR
                                  Joe C. Minor
                                 Chief Financial
                              Officer and Treasurer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the  following  persons on behalf of the  Registrant in
the capacities and on the date indicated.


/s/ DARYL R. FORSYTHE                                           March 10, 1998
Daryl R. Forsythe, Director                                     DATE

/s/ EVERETT A. GILMOUR                                          March 10, 1998
Everett A. Gilmour, Director                                    DATE

/s/ PETER B. GREGORY                                            March 10, 1998
Peter B. Gregory, Director                                      DATE

/s/ ANDREW S. KOWALCZYK, JR.                                    March 10, 1998
Andrew S. Kowalczyk, Jr., Director                              DATE

/s/ JOHN C. MITCHELL                                            March 10, 1998
John C. Mitchell, Director                                      DATE

/s/ PAUL O. STILLMAN                                            March 10, 1998
Paul O. Stillman, Director                                      DATE

                                     II-44
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

The  following  documents  are  attached  as  Exhibits  to this FORM 10-K or, if
annotated  by the  symbol  *, are  incorporated  by  reference  as  Exhibits  as
indicated by the page number or exhibit  cross-reference to the prior filings of
the Registrant with the Commission.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM
10-K                                                                                            Exhibit
Exhibit                                                                                         Cross
Number                                                                                          Reference
<S>      <C>                                                                                    <C>
 3.1     Certificate of Incorporation of NBT BANCORP INC., as Amended through                   *
          April 22, 1995.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended June 30, 1995, filed August
            14, 1995 -- Exhibit 3.1.
 3.2     By-laws of NBT BANCORP INC., as amended and restated through November                  *
          15, 1995.
           FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994,  filed March 31, 1995
            -- Exhibit 3.3.
10.1     NBT BANCORP INC. 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan made as                      Herein
          of January 1, 1997.
           Document is attached as Exhibit 10.1.
10.2     NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amended and restated as of               *
         October 1, 1989, including Amendments adopted through December 31, 1994.
           FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994,  filed March 31, 1995
            -- Exhibit 10.2.
10.3     Amendment #1 dated February 21, 1995 to NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit               *
          Pension Plan Amended and restated as of October 1, 1989, including
          Amendments adopted through December 31, 1994.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended June 30, 1995, filed August
           7, 1995 -- Exhibit 10.1.
10.4     Amendment #2 dated May 23, 1995 to NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit                    *
          Pension Plan Amended and restated as of October 1, 1989, including Amendments
          adopted through December 31, 1994.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended June 30, 1995, filed August
            14, 1995 -- Exhibit 10.2.
10.5     NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #3 dated                       *
          November 13, 1995.
           FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995,  filed March 25, 1996
            -- Exhibit 10.6.
10.6     NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #4 dated January               *
          22, 1996.
           FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995,  filed March 25, 1996
            -- Exhibit 10.7.
10.7     NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #5 dated                       *
          July 22, 1997.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended  September 30, 1997,  filed
            November 13, 1997 -- Exhibit 10.2.
10.8     NBT BANCORP INC. Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendment #6 dated                       *
          August 1, 1997.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended  September 30, 1997,  filed
            November 13, 1997 -- Exhibit 10.3.
</TABLE>
                                     II-45
<PAGE>
                            EXHIBIT INDEX (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM
10-K                                                                                            Exhibit
Exhibit                                                                                         Cross
Number                                                                                          Reference
<S>      <C>                                                                                    <C>
10.9     NBT BANCORP INC. Stock Option Plan dated November 26, 1986, as amended                 Herein
          through February 16, 1993.
           Document is attached as Exhibit 10.9.
10.10    NBT BANCORP INC. 1993 Stock Option Plan and amendment dated
          April 24, 1993 to the NBT BANCORP INC.  Stock Option Plan Herein dated
          November 26, 1986, as amended through February 16, 1993.
          Document is attached as Exhibit 10.10.
10.11    NBT BANCORP INC. 1998 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.                           Herein
          Document is attached as Exhibit 10.11.
10.12    Lease of Binghamton Office.                                                            *
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed March 30, 1994 --
           Exhibit 10.21.
10.13    Lease and Lease Extension of Vail Mills Office.                                        *
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed March 30, 1994 --
           Exhibit 10.23.
10.14    Lease extension of Vail Mills Office.                                                  *
          FORM 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997, filed
           August 13, 1997 -- Exhibit 10.1.
10.15    Lease of Plattsburgh North Office.                                                     *
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed March 30, 1994 --
           Exhibit 10.24.
10.16    Lease of Rome Office.                                                                  *
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed March 30, 1994 --
           Exhibit 10.25.
10.17    Lease extension of Rome Office.                                                        *
          FORM 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997, filed
           August 13, 1997 -- Exhibit 10.2.
10.18    Lease and Lease Extensions of South Otselic Office.                                    *
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, filed March 30, 1994 --
           Exhibit 10.26.
10.19    Lease of Utica Business Park Office.                                                   *
          FORM 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1994, filed
           November 14, 1994 -- Exhibit 10.01.
10.20    Lease of Utica Downtown Office.                                                        *
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed March 25, 1996 --
           Exhibit 10.26.
10.21    Lease of Black River Boulevard Plaza Office.                                           Herein
          Document is attached as Exhibit 10.21.
10.22    Lease of Plattsburgh Brinkerhoff Office.                                               Herein
          Document is attached as Exhibit 10.22.
10.23    Lease of Oneonta Office.                                                               Herein
          Document is attached as Exhibit 10.23.
</TABLE>
                                     II-46
<PAGE>
                            EXHIBIT INDEX (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM
10-K                                                                                            Exhibit
Exhibit                                                                                         Cross
Number                                                                                          Reference
<S>      <C>                                                                                    <C>
10.24    Change in control agreement with Daryl R. Forsythe.                                    *
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994, filed March 31, 1995 --
           Exhibit 10.21.
10.25     Supplemental  Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank,
          * National  Association  and Daryl R.  Forsythe  made as of January 1,
          1995.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended  September 30, 1995,  filed
            November 13, 1995 -- Exhibit 10.1.
10.26     Death Benefits Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank,  National
          * Association and Daryl R. Forsythe made August 22, 1995.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended  September 30, 1995,  filed
            November 13, 1995 -- Exhibit 10.2.
10.27    Wage Continuation Plan between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank, National                    *
          Association and Daryl R. Forsythe made as of August 1, 1995.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended  September 30, 1995,  filed
            November 13, 1995 -- Exhibit 10.4.
10.28    NBT Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries Master Deferred Compensation Plan                    *
          of Directors, adopted February 11, 1992.
           FORM 10-Q for the quarterly  period ended  September 30, 1995,  filed
            November 13, 1995 -- Exhibit 10.3.
10.40     Wage Continuation Plan between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank,  National *
          Association and (Key Management Group) made as of January 2, 1997.
           FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed March 14, 1997 --
            Exhibit 10.40.
            Substantially identical contracts for the following have been omitted:
            John R. Bradley, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Division
            Head; Martin A. Dietrich, Senior Vice President, Retail Division Head;
            Joe C. Minor, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;
            and John D. Roberts, Senior Vice President, Trust Division Head.
10.45    Restricted Stock Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and (Director) made                *
          January 1, 1997.
           FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed March 14, 1997 --
            Exhibit 10.45.
            Substantially identical contracts for the following directors have been omitted:
            Andrew S. Kowalczyk, Jr.; Paul O. Stillman; John C. Mitchell; Evertt A. Gilmour
            and Peter B. Gregory.
10.50    Restricted Stock Agreement between NBT Bank, National Association and                  *
          (Director) made January 1, 1997.
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed March 14, 1997 --
            Exhibit 10.50.
            Substantially identical contracts for the following directors have been omitted:
            Dan B. Marshman; Kenneth M. Axtell; J. Peter Chaplin; Andrew S. Kowalxzyk, Jr.;
            Paul O. Stillman; William L. Owens; C. Vernon Stratton; John C. Mitchell; Janet H.
            Ingraham; Everett A. Gilmour; Richard F. Monroe and Peter B. Gregory.
10.55    Restricted Stock Agreement between NBT Bank, National Association and                  *
          Daryl R. Forsythe made January 1, 1997.
          FORM 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed March 14, 1997 --
            Exhibit 10.55.
10.60    Supplemental Retirement Income Plan between NBT Bank, National                         *
          Association and Certain Management and Highly Compensated Employees
           made as of January 1, 1996.
            FORM 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997, filed August
             13, 1997 - Exhibit 10.3.
</TABLE>
                                     II-47
<PAGE>

                            EXHIBIT INDEX (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM
10-K                                                                                            Exhibit
Exhibit                                                                                         Cross
Number                                                                                          Reference
<S>      <C>                                                                                    <C>
21       A list of the subsidiaries of the registrant is attached as Exhibit 21.                Herein
23       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.                                                      Herein
          Document is attached as Exhibit 23.
27       Financial Data Schedule.                                                               Herein
          Document is attached as Exhibit 27.
</TABLE>
                                     II-48
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 10.1

           NBT BANCORP, INC. 401(K) AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
<PAGE>
           NBT BANCORP, INC. 401(K) AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

                                   ARTICLE II
                                 ADMINISTRATION

2.1     POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMPLOYER.......................... 17
2.2     DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY.............................. 18
2.3     ALLOCATION AND DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES........................ 18
2.4     POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR............................... 18
2.5     RECORDS AND REPORTS.................................................. 20
2.6     APPOINTMENT OF ADVISERS.............................................. 20
2.7     PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.................................................. 20
2.8     CLAIMS PROCEDURE..................................................... 20
2.9     CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE.............................................. 21

                                   ARTICLE III
                                   ELIGIBILITY

3.1     CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY............................................ 21
3.2     EFFECTIVE DATE OF PARTICIPATION...................................... 21
3.3     DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY......................................... 22
3.4     TERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY........................................... 22
3.5     OMISSION OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE........................................ 22
3.6     INCLUSION OF INELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE..................................... 23
3.7     ELECTION NOT TO PARTICIPATE.......................................... 23
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE IV
                           CONTRIBUTION AND ALLOCATION

4.1     FORMULA FOR DETERMINING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION........................ 23
4.2     PARTICIPANT'S SALARY REDUCTION ELECTION.............................. 24
4.3     TIME OF PAYMENT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION............................. 28
4.4     ALLOCATION OF CONTRIBUTION, FORFEITURES AND EARNINGS................. 28
4.5     ACTUAL DEFERRAL PERCENTAGE TESTS..................................... 33
4.6     ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL DEFERRAL PERCENTAGE TESTS....................... 34
4.7     ACTUAL CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE TESTS................................. 36
4.8     ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE TESTS................... 37
4.9     MAXIMUM ANNUAL ADDITIONS............................................. 40
4.10    ADJUSTMENT FOR EXCESSIVE ANNUAL ADDITIONS............................ 44
4.11    TRANSFERS FROM QUALIFIED PLANS....................................... 45
4.12    DIRECTED INVESTMENT ACCOUNT.......................................... 47

                                   ARTICLE V
                          FUNDING AND INVESTMENT POLICY

5.1     INVESTMENT POLICY.................................................... 49
5.2     TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING COMPANY STOCK................................. 49

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                   VALUATIONS

6.1     VALUATION OF THE TRUST FUND.......................................... 51
6.2     METHOD OF VALUATION.................................................. 51
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE VII
                   DETERMINATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

7.1     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT............................ 51
7.2     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON DEATH................................. 52
7.3     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS IN EVENT OF DISABILITY..................... 53
7.4     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION........................... 53
7.5     DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS............................................. 57
7.6     HOW PLAN BENEFIT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED................................. 61
7.7     DISTRIBUTION FOR MINOR BENEFICIARY................................... 62
7.8     LOCATION OF PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY UNKNOWN....................... 62
7.9     RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSALS.............................................. 63
7.10    STOCK CERTIFICATE LEGEND............................................. 64
7.11    PUT OPTION........................................................... 64
7.12    ADVANCE DISTRIBUTION FOR HARDSHIP.................................... 66
7.13    QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER DISTRIBUTION...................... 67

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                     TRUSTEE

8.1     BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEE................................ 68
8.2     INVESTMENT POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE.......................... 69
8.3     OTHER POWERS OF THE TRUSTEE.......................................... 70
8.4     LOANS TO PARTICIPANTS................................................ 73
8.5     VOTING COMPANY STOCK................................................. 75
8.6     DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE REGARDING PAYMENTS............................. 75
8.7     TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES AND TAXES........................ 76
8.8     ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE......................................... 77
8.9     AUDIT................................................................ 77
8.10    RESIGNATION, REMOVAL AND SUCCESSION OF TRUSTEE....................... 78
<PAGE>
8.11    TRANSFER OF INTEREST................................................. 79
8.12    DIRECT ROLLOVER...................................................... 79

                                   ARTICLE IX
                       AMENDMENT, TERMINATION AND MERGERS

9.1     AMENDMENT............................................................ 80
9.2     TERMINATION.......................................................... 81
9.3     MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION.............................................. 81

                                    ARTICLE X
                                    TOP HEAVY

10.1    TOP HEAVY PLAN REQUIREMENTS.......................................... 82
10.2    DETERMINATION OF TOP HEAVY STATUS.................................... 82

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

11.1    PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS................................................. 86
11.2    ALIENATION........................................................... 86
11.3    CONSTRUCTION OF PLAN................................................. 87
11.4    GENDER AND NUMBER.................................................... 87
11.5    LEGAL ACTION......................................................... 87
11.6    PROHIBITION AGAINST DIVERSION OF FUNDS............................... 87
11.7    BONDING.............................................................. 88
11.8    EMPLOYER'S AND TRUSTEE'S PROTECTIVE CLAUSE........................... 88
11.9    INSURER'S PROTECTIVE CLAUSE.......................................... 89
11.10   RECEIPT AND RELEASE FOR PAYMENTS..................................... 89
11.11   ACTION BY THE EMPLOYER............................................... 89
<PAGE>
11.12   NAMED FIDUCIARIES AND ALLOCATION OF RESPONSIBILITY................... 89
11.13   HEADINGS............................................................. 90
11.14   APPROVAL BY INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE................................. 90
11.15   UNIFORMITY........................................................... 91
11.16   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION APPROVAL.......................... 91
11.17   SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION FORMS........................................... 91
<PAGE>
NBT BANCORP, INC. 401(K) AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

     THIS AGREEMENT,  hereby made and entered into as of the 1st day of January,
1997, by and between NBT Bancorp,  Inc.  (herein  referred to as the "Employer")
and NBT Bank, N.A. (herein referred to as the "Trustee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  the Employer  heretofore  established an Employee Stock Ownership
Plan and Trust  effective  January 1, 1979  (hereinafter  called the  "Effective
Date"),  known as the NBT  Bancorp,  Inc.  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan and,
effective April 1, 1994,  established a tax deferred  savings plan, known as the
NBT Bancorp 401(k)  Retirement Plan.  Effective January 1, 1997, the NBT Bancorp
401(k)  Retirement  Plan was merged into the NBT Bancorp,  Inc.  Employee  Stock
Ownership  Plan.  This Plan is a restatement of the NBT Bancorp,  Inc.  Employee
Stock  Ownership  Plan  after  the  merger  into  it of the NBT  Bancorp  401(k)
Retirement Plan, and shall hereinafter be known as the NBT Bancorp,  Inc. 401(k)
and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (herein  referred to as the "Plan").  The Plan
contains  trust  provisions  which were formerly  contained in a separate  trust
document.  This Plan was  established  by the  Employer  in  recognition  of the
contribution  made to its  successful  operation  by its  employees  and for the
exclusive benefit of its eligible employees; and

     WHEREAS,  contributions  to the Plan will be made by the  Employer and such
contributions  made to the trust will be invested primarily in the capital stock
of the Employer, and in other investments,  where applicable, as directed by the
Employee.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  effective January 1, 1997, except as otherwise  provided,
the  Employer  and the Trustee in  accordance  with the  provisions  of the Plan
pertaining  to  amendments  thereof,  hereby  amend the Plan in its entirety and
restate the Plan to provide as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

     1.1 "Act" means the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as it
may be amended from time to time.

     1.2 "Administrator"  means the Employer unless another person or entity has
been  designated by the Employer  pursuant to Section 2.2 to administer the Plan
on behalf of the Employer.

     1.3  "Affiliated  Employer"  means any  corporation  which is a member of a
controlled  group of  corporations  (as defined in Code  Section  414(b))  which
includes the Employer; any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which
is under common  control (as defined in Code Section  414(c)) with the Employer;
any  organization  (whether  or  not  incorporated)  which  is a  member  of  an

                                       1
<PAGE>
affiliated  service group (as defined in Code Section 414(m)) which includes the
Employer;  and any other  entity  required to be  aggregated  with the  Employer
pursuant to Regulations under Code Section 414(o).

     1.4 "Aggregate Account" means, with respect to each Participant,  the value
of all accounts maintained on behalf of a Participant,  whether  attributable to
Employer or Employee contributions, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

     1.5 "Anniversary Date" means December 31.

     1.6  "Beneficiary"  means  the  person  to whom  the  share  of a  deceased
Participant's total account is payable,  subject to the restrictions of Sections
7.2 and 7.5.

     1.7 "Code" means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or replaced
from time to time.

     1.8  "Company  Stock"  means  common  stock issued by the Employer (or by a
corporation  which is a member of the controlled  group of corporations of which
the  Employer  is a  member)  which  is  readily  tradeable  on  an  established
securities  market.  If there is no  common  stock  which  meets  the  foregoing
requirement,  the term "Company Stock" means common stock issued by the Employer
(or by a corporation  which is a member of the same  controlled  group) having a
combination  of voting power and  dividend  rights equal to or in excess of: (A)
that class of common stock of the  Employer  (or of any other such  corporation)
having the  greatest  voting  power,  and (B) that class of common  stock of the
Employer (or of any other such corporation) having the greatest dividend rights.
Noncallable  preferred stock shall be deemed to be "Company Stock" if such stock
is  convertible  at any  time  into  stock  which  constitutes  "Company  Stock"
hereunder and if such conversion is at a conversion  price which (as of the date
of the  acquisition by the Trust) is  reasonable.  For purposes of the preceding
sentence,  pursuant  to  Regulations,   preferred  stock  shall  be  treated  as
noncallable  if after the call  there  will be a  reasonable  opportunity  for a
conversion which meets the requirements of the preceding sentence.

     1.9 "Company  Stock  Account"  means the account of a Participant  which is
credited  with the shares of Company  Stock  purchased and paid for by the Trust
Fund or contributed to the Trust Fund.

     A separate  accounting  shall be maintained with respect to that portion of
the  Company  Stock  Account   attributable   to  Elective   Contributions   and
Non-Elective Contributions.

     1.10 "Compensation" with respect to any Participant means remuneration paid
by  the  Employer  to a  Participant  in the  form  of  base  salary  or  wages,
commissions,   overtime,   and  cash  bonuses,   excluding   distributions  from
non-qualified  plans,  income from the exercise of stock options,  and severance

                                       2
<PAGE>
payments. Compensation must be determined without regard to any rules under Code
Section  3401(a)  that limit the  remuneration  included  in wages  based on the
nature or location of the  employment  or the  services  performed  (such as the
exception for agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)).

     For purposes of this Section,  the  determination of Compensation  shall be
made by:

          (a) including  amounts which are contributed by the Employer  pursuant
     to a salary reduction agreement and which are not includible in the gross
     income of the Participant under Code Sections 125, 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B),
     403(b) or 457(b),  and Employee  contributions  described in Code Section
     414(h)(2) that are treated as Employer contributions.

     For a Participant's  initial year of participation,  Compensation  shall be
recognized as of such  Employee's  effective date of  participation  pursuant to
Section 3.2.

     Compensation in excess of $150,000 shall be disregarded.  Such amount shall
be adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance  with Code Section
401(a)(17),  except  that the  dollar  increase  in effect  on  January 1 of any
calendar year shall be effective for the Plan Year beginning with or within such
calendar year. For any short Plan Year the Compensation limit shall be an amount
equal to the  Compensation  limit for the  calendar  year in which the Plan Year
begins multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing the number of full months in
the short Plan Year by twelve (12).

     If, in connection with the adoption of this amendment and restatement,  the
definition of Compensation has been modified,  then, for Plan Years prior to the
Plan Year which  includes the adoption date of this  amendment and  restatement,
Compensation means compensation determined pursuant to the Plan then in effect.

     1.11  "Deferred  Compensation"  with respect to any  Participant  means the
amount of the Participant's total Compensation which has been contributed to the
Plan in accordance with the Participant's  deferral election pursuant to Section
4.2 excluding any such amounts distributed as excess "annual additions" pursuant
to Section 4.10(a).

     1.12 "Early Retirement Date" means the first day of the month (prior to the
Normal  Retirement  Date)  coinciding  with or  following  the  date on  which a
Participant or Former Participant  attains age 55, and has completed at least 10
Years of Service with the Employer (Early  Retirement Age). A Participant  shall
become fully Vested upon  satisfying  this  requirement if still employed at his
Early Retirement Age.

                                       3
<PAGE>
     A Former Participant who terminates employment after satisfying the service
requirement for Early Retirement and who thereafter  reaches the age requirement
contained herein shall be entitled to receive his benefits under this Plan.

     1.13 "Elective  Contribution" means the Employer  contributions to the Plan
of  Deferred  Compensation  excluding  any such  amounts  distributed  as excess
"annual  additions"  pursuant to Section  4.10(a).  In  addition,  any  Employer
Qualified  Non-Elective  Contribution  made pursuant to Section  4.6(b) which is
used to satisfy the "Actual  Deferral  Percentage"  tests shall be considered an
Elective  Contribution for purposes of the Plan. Any contributions  deemed to be
Elective  Contributions  (whether or not used to satisfy  the  "Actual  Deferral
Percentage"  tests) shall be subject to the  requirements of Sections 4.2(b) and
4.2(c)  and  shall   further  be  required  to  satisfy  the   nondiscrimination
requirements  of  Regulation  1.401(k)-1(b)(5),  the  provisions  of  which  are
specifically incorporated herein by reference.

     1.14 "Eligible Employee" means any Employee except as provided below.

     Employees  who are Leased  Employees  within the  meaning of Code  Sections
414(n)(2) and 414(o)(2) shall not be eligible to participate in this Plan.

     Employees  whose  employment  is  governed  by the  terms  of a  collective
bargaining  agreement  between Employee  representatives  (within the meaning of
Code Section  7701(a)(46)) and the Employer under which retirement benefits were
the subject of good faith bargaining between the parties will not be eligible to
participate in this Plan unless such agreement  expressly  provides for coverage
in this Plan.

     Employees who are  nonresident  aliens  (within the meaning of Code Section
7701(b)(1)(B))  and who  receive no earned  income  (within  the meaning of Code
Section  911(d)(2))  from the  Employer  which  constitutes  income from sources
within the United States  (within the meaning of Code Section  861(a)(3))  shall
not be eligible to participate in this Plan.

     Employees of Affiliated  Employers  shall not be eligible to participate in
this Plan unless such Affiliated  Employers have specifically  adopted this Plan
in writing.

     1.15  "Employee"  means any  person  who is  employed  by the  Employer  or
Affiliated Employer,  but excludes any person who is an independent  contractor.
Employee  shall  include  Leased  Employees  within the meaning of Code Sections
414(n)(2)  and  414(o)(2)  unless  such Leased  Employees  are covered by a plan
described in Code Section  414(n)(5) and such Leased Employees do not constitute
more than 20% of the recipient's non-highly compensated work force.

                                       4
<PAGE>
     1.16 "Employer" means NBT Bancorp,  Inc., including NBT Bank, N.A., and any
successor  which  shall  maintain  this  Plan;  and any  predecessor  which  has
maintained  this Plan. The Employer is a corporation  with principal  offices in
the State of New York.

     1.17 "Excess Aggregate Contributions" means, with respect to any Plan Year,
the excess of the aggregate amount of the Employer matching  contributions  made
pursuant  to Section  4.1(b) and any  qualified  non-elective  contributions  or
elective  deferrals  taken into account  pursuant to Section 4.7(c) on behalf of
Highly  Compensated  Participants for such Plan Year, over the maximum amount of
such contributions permitted under the limitations of Section 4.7(a).

     1.18 "Excess  Contributions" means, with respect to a Plan Year, the excess
of Elective Contributions used to satisfy the "Actual Deferral Percentage" tests
made on  behalf of Highly  Compensated  Participants  for the Plan Year over the
maximum amount of such  contributions  permitted  under Section  4.5(a).  Excess
Contributions  shall be  treated  as an "annual  addition"  pursuant  to Section
4.9(b).

     1.19 "Excess Deferred Compensation" means, with respect to any taxable year
of a  Participant,  the  excess of the  aggregate  amount of such  Participant's
Deferred  Compensation  and the elective  deferrals  pursuant to Section  4.2(f)
actually  made on behalf of such  Participant  for such taxable  year,  over the
dollar  limitation  provided for in Code Section  402(g),  which is incorporated
herein by reference. Excess Deferred Compensation shall be treated as an "annual
addition"  pursuant  to  Section  4.9(b)  when  contributed  to the Plan  unless
distributed  to the  affected  Participant  not later than the first  April 15th
following  the  close  of the  Participant's  taxable  year.  Additionally,  for
purposes  of  Sections  10.2 and  4.4(h),  Excess  Deferred  Compensation  shall
continue to be treated as Employer contributions even if distributed pursuant to
Section 4.2(f).  However, Excess Deferred Compensation of Non-Highly Compensated
Participants  is not taken into  account for  purposes of Section  4.5(a) to the
extent such Excess Deferred Compensation occurs pursuant to Section 4.2(d).

     1.20  "ESOP"  means  an  employee  stock  ownership  plan  that  meets  the
requirements of Code Section 4975(e)(7) and Regulation 54.4975-11.

     1.21  "Fiduciary"  means any person  who (a)  exercises  any  discretionary
authority  or  discretionary  control  respecting  management  of  the  Plan  or
exercises any authority or control  respecting  management or disposition of its
assets, (b) renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or
indirect,  with  respect to any monies or other  property of the Plan or has any
authority or responsibility to do so, or (c) has any discretionary  authority or
discretionary  responsibility in the administration of the Plan, including,  but
not limited to, the Trustee,  the Employer and its representative  body, and the

                                       5
<PAGE>
Administrator.

     1.22  "Fiscal  Year"  means  the  Employer's  accounting  year of 12 months
commencing on January 1st of each year and ending the following December 31st.

     1.23 "Forfeiture" means that portion of a Participant's Account that is not
Vested, and occurs on the earlier of:

               (a) the distribution of the entire Vested portion of a Terminated
          Participant's Account, or


               (b) the last day of the Plan Year in which the Participant incurs
          five (5) consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service.

     Furthermore,  for  purposes  of  paragraph  (a)  above,  in the  case  of a
Terminated Participant whose Vested benefit is zero, such Terminated Participant
shall be deemed to have received a  distribution  of his Vested benefit upon his
termination of  employment.  Restoration of such amounts shall occur pursuant to
Section 7.4(f)(2).  In addition,  the term Forfeiture shall also include amounts
deemed to be Forfeitures pursuant to any other provision of this Plan.

     1.24 "Former  Participant"  means a person who has been a Participant,  but
who has ceased to be a Participant for any reason.

     1.25  "415  Compensation"  with  respect  to  any  Participant  means  such
Participant's wages as defined in Code Section 3401(a) and all other payments of
compensation by the Employer (in the course of the Employer's trade or business)
for a Plan Year for which the Employer is required to furnish the  Participant a
written  statement  under  Code  Sections  6041(d),  6051(a)(3)  and 6052.  "415
Compensation"  must be determined without regard to any rules under Code Section
3401(a)  that limit the  remuneration  included  in wages based on the nature or
location of the employment or the services  performed (such as the exception for
agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)).

     If, in connection with the adoption of this amendment and restatement,  the
definition of "415  Compensation" has been modified,  then, for Plan Years prior
to the  Plan  Year  which  includes  the  adoption  date of this  amendment  and
restatement,  "415 Compensation"  means compensation  determined pursuant to the
Plan then in effect.

     Effective January 1, 1998, the determination of "415 Compensation" shall be
made by including  amounts which are  contributed by the Employer  pursuant to a
salary  reduction  agreement and which are not includible in the gross income of
the  Participant  under Code Sections 125,  402(e)(3),  402(h)(1)(B),  403(b) or

                                       6
<PAGE>
457(b), and Employee contributions  described in Code Section 414(h)(2) that are
treated as Employer contributions.


     1.26  "414(s)  Compensation"  with  respect to any  Participant  means such
Participant's  "415 Compensation" paid during a Plan Year. The amount of "414(s)
Compensation"   with  respect  to  any   Participant   shall   include   "414(s)
Compensation"  for the entire twelve (12) month period ending on the last day of
such Plan Year, except that "414(s)  Compensation"  shall only be recognized for
that portion of the Plan Year during which an Employee was a Participant  in the
Plan.

     For purposes of this Section,  the  determination of "414(s)  Compensation"
shall  be made by  including  amounts  which  are  contributed  by the  Employer
pursuant to a salary  reduction  agreement  and which are not  includible in the
gross  income  of  the   Participant   under  Code  Sections   125,   402(e)(3),
402(h)(1)(B),  403(b) or 457(b),  and Employee  contributions  described in Code
Section 414(h)(2) that are treated as Employer contributions.

     "414(s)  Compensation"  in excess of $150,000  shall be  disregarded.  Such
amount shall be adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance  with
Code Section 401(a)(17),  except that the dollar increase in effect on January 1
of any calendar  year shall be  effective  for the Plan Year  beginning  with or
within such  calendar  year.  For any short Plan Year the "414(s)  Compensation"
limit  shall be an  amount  equal to the  "414(s)  Compensation"  limit  for the
calendar year in which the Plan Year begins  multiplied by the ratio obtained by
dividing the number of full months in the short Plan Year by twelve (12).

     If, in connection with the adoption of this amendment and restatement,  the
definition of "414(s)  Compensation"  has been  modified,  then,  for Plan Years
prior to the Plan Year which  includes the adoption  date of this  amendment and
restatement, "414(s) Compensation" means compensation determined pursuant to the
Plan then in effect.

     1.27  "Highly  Compensated  Employee"  means an Employee  described in Code
Section 414(q) and the Regulations  thereunder,  and generally means an Employee
who performed services for the Employer during the  "determination  year" and is
in one or more of the following groups:

     (a) Employees who at any time during the "determination year" or "look-back
year" were "five percent owners" of the Employer.

     (b) Employees who received "415  Compensation"  during the "look-back year"
from the Employer in excess of $80,000.

                                       7
<PAGE>
     The "determination  year" shall be the Plan Year for which testing is being
performed,   and  the  "look-back  year"  shall  be  the  immediately  preceding
twelve-month period.

     For purposes of this Section, the determination of "415 Compensation" shall
be made by including amounts which are contributed by the Employer pursuant to a
salary  reduction  agreement and which are not includible in the gross income of
the  Participant  under Code Sections 125,  402(e)(3),  402(h)(1)(B),  403(b) or
457(b), and Employee contributions  described in Code Section 414(h)(2) that are
treated as Employer  contributions.  Additionally,  the dollar  threshold amount
specified  in (b) above shall be adjusted at such time and in the same manner as
under Code  Section  415(d),  except that the base period  shall be the calendar
quarter ending September 30, 1996.

     In  determining  who  is a  Highly  Compensated  Employee,  all  Affiliated
Employers shall be taken into account as a single employer and Leased  Employees
within the meaning of Code Sections  414(n)(2) and 414(o)(2) shall be considered
Employees  unless such Leased  Employees are covered by a plan described in Code
Section  414(n)(5) and are not covered in any qualified  plan  maintained by the
Employer. The exclusion of Leased Employees for this purpose shall be applied on
a uniform  and  consistent  basis for all of the  Employer's  retirement  plans.
Highly  Compensated  Former  Employees  shall be treated  as Highly  Compensated
Employees  without  regard  to  whether  they  performed   services  during  the
"determination year."

     1.28 "Highly Compensated Former Employee" means a former Employee who had a
separation year prior to the  "determination  year" and was a Highly Compensated
Employee in the year of separation from service or in any  "determination  year"
after attaining age 55. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employee who separated
from  service  prior to 1987  will be  treated  as a Highly  Compensated  Former
Employee only if during the  separation  year (or year  preceding the separation
year) or any year after the  Employee  attains  age 55 (or the last year  ending
before  the  Employee's  55th  birthday),  the  Employee  either  received  "415
Compensation"  in excess of $50,000 or was a "five percent  owner." For purposes
of this  Section,  "determination  year," "415  Compensation"  and "five percent
owner" shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.27.  Highly  Compensated
Former Employees shall be treated as Highly  Compensated  Employees.  The method
set forth in this Section for  determining who is a "Highly  Compensated  Former
Employee"  shall be applied on a uniform and  consistent  basis for all purposes
for which the Code Section 414(q) definition is applicable.

     1.29 "Highly Compensated Participant" means any Highly Compensated Employee
who is eligible to participate in the Plan.

     1.30  "Hour of  Service"  means  (1) each  hour for  which an  Employee  is
directly or indirectly  compensated or entitled to  compensation by the Employer

                                       8
<PAGE>
for the  performance of duties (these hours will be credited to the Employee for
the  computation  period in which the duties are  performed);  (2) each hour for
which  an  Employee  is  directly  or  indirectly  compensated  or  entitled  to
compensation   by  the  Employer   (irrespective   of  whether  the   employment
relationship  has terminated) for reasons other than performance of duties (such
as vacation, holidays,  sickness, jury duty, disability,  lay-off, military duty
or leave of absence) during the applicable  computation period (these hours will
be  calculated  and  credited   pursuant  to  Department  of  Labor   regulation
2530.200b-2 which is incorporated herein by reference);  (3) each hour for which
back pay is awarded or agreed to by the Employer without regard to mitigation of
damages (these hours will be credited to the Employee for the computation period
or periods to which the award or agreement  pertains rather than the computation
period in which the award,  agreement  or  payment  is made).  The same Hours of
Service  shall not be  credited  both under (1) or (2),  as the case may be, and
under (3).

     Notwithstanding  the  above,  (i) no more  than 501  Hours of  Service  are
required  to be  credited  to an  Employee  on account of any single  continuous
period during which the Employee  performs no duties (whether or not such period
occurs in a single  computation  period);  (ii) an hour for which an Employee is
directly or  indirectly  paid,  or  entitled to payment,  on account of a period
during  which no duties are  performed  is not  required  to be  credited to the
Employee if such payment is made or due under a plan  maintained  solely for the
purpose of complying with  applicable  worker's  compensation,  or  unemployment
compensation  or disability  insurance  laws; and (iii) Hours of Service are not
required to be credited for a payment  which solely  reimburses  an Employee for
medical or medically related expenses incurred by the Employee.

     For purposes of this  Section,  a payment  shall be deemed to be made by or
due from the Employer  regardless of whether such payment is made by or due from
the Employer  directly,  or indirectly  through,  among others, a trust fund, or
insurer,  to which the Employer  contributes  or pays premiums and regardless of
whether  contributions made or due to the trust fund,  insurer,  or other entity
are for the  benefit  of  particular  Employees  or are on  behalf of a group of
Employees in the aggregate.

     For  purposes  of this  Section,  Hours of  Service  will be  credited  for
employment  with other  Affiliated  Employers.  The  provisions of Department of
Labor regulations 2530.200b-2(b) and (c) are incorporated herein by reference.

     1.31  "Income"  means the  income or losses  allocable  to Excess  Deferred
Compensation,  Excess  Contributions  or Excess  Aggregate  Contributions  which
amount shall be  allocated in the same manner as income or losses are  allocated
pursuant to Section 4.4(d).

                                       9
<PAGE>
     1.32 "Investment Manager" means an entity that (a) has the power to manage,
acquire, or dispose of Plan assets and (b) acknowledges fiduciary responsibility
to the Plan in  writing.  Such  entity must be a person,  firm,  or  corporation
registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, a
bank, or an insurance company.

     1.33 "Key Employee" means an Employee as defined in Code Section 416(i) and
the Regulations thereunder.  Generally, any Employee or former Employee (as well
as each of his  Beneficiaries)  is  considered a Key Employee if he, at any time
during  the Plan  Year  that  contains  the  "Determination  Date" or any of the
preceding  four  (4)  Plan  Years,  has been  included  in one of the  following
categories:

               (a) an officer of the  Employer  (as that term is defined  within
          the meaning of the  Regulations  under Code Section 416) having annual
          "415  Compensation"  greater  than 50  percent of the amount in effect
          under Code Section 415(b)(1)(A) for any such Plan Year.

               (b) one of the ten  employees  having  annual "415  Compensation"
          from the Employer  for a Plan Year greater than the dollar  limitation
          in effect under Code  Section  415(c)(1)(A)  for the calendar  year in
          which such Plan Year ends and owning (or  considered  as owning within
          the  meaning  of Code  Section  318) both more than  one-half  percent
          interest and the largest interests in the Employer.

               (c) a "five percent owner" of the Employer.  "Five percent owner"
          means any  person  who owns (or is  considered  as owning  within  the
          meaning  of Code  Section  318)  more than  five  percent  (5%) of the
          outstanding  stock of the Employer or stock  possessing more than five
          percent  (5%) of the total  combined  voting power of all stock of the
          Employer or, in the case of an unincorporated business, any person who
          owns more than five percent (5%) of the capital or profits interest in
          the Employer. In determining percentage ownership hereunder, employers
          that would otherwise be aggregated  under Code Sections  414(b),  (c),
          (m) and (o) shall be treated as separate employers.

               (d) a "one percent  owner" of the Employer  having an annual "415
          Compensation"  from the Employer of more than  $150,000.  "One percent
          owner" means any person who owns (or is  considered  as owning  within
          the meaning of Code  Section  318) more than one  percent  (1%) of the
          outstanding  stock of the Employer or stock  possessing  more than one
          percent  (1%) of the total  combined  voting power of all stock of the
          Employer or, in the case of an unincorporated business, any person who
          owns more than one percent (1%) of the capital or profits  interest in

                                       10
<PAGE>
          the Employer. In determining percentage ownership hereunder, employers
          that would otherwise be aggregated  under Code Sections  414(b),  (c),
          (m) and (o)  shall be  treated  as  separate  employers.  However,  in
          determining  whether an individual has "415 Compensation" of more than
          $150,000,  "415  Compensation"  from  each  employer  required  to  be
          aggregated under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) shall be taken
          into account.

     For purposes of this Section, the determination of "415 Compensation" shall
be made by including amounts which are contributed by the Employer pursuant to a
salary  reduction  agreement and which are not includible in the gross income of
the  Participant  under Code Sections 125,  402(e)(3),  402(h)(1)(B),  403(b) or
457(b), and Employee contributions  described in Code Section 414(h)(2) that are
treated as Employer contributions.

     1.34 "Late  Retirement  Date"  means the first day of the month  coinciding
with or next  following a  Participant's  actual  Retirement  Date after  having
reached his Normal Retirement Date.

     1.35  "Leased  Employee"  means any person  (other  than an Employee of the
recipient)  who pursuant to an  agreement  between the  recipient  and any other
person ("leasing organization") has performed services for the recipient (or for
the recipient  and related  persons  determined in accordance  with Code Section
414(n)(6)) on a substantially full time basis for a period of at least one year,
and such  services  are of a type  historically  performed  by  employees in the
business field of the recipient  employer.  Contributions or benefits provided a
Leased Employee by the leasing  organization  which are attributable to services
performed  for the  recipient  employer  shall be  treated  as  provided  by the
recipient employer. A Leased Employee shall not be considered an Employee of the
recipient:

               (a) if such employee is covered by a money purchase  pension plan
          providing:

                    (1) a non-integrated  employer  contribution rate of at
                    least  10% of  compensation,  as  defined  in  Code  Section
                    415(c)(3),  but including  amounts which are  contributed by
                    the Employer  pursuant to a salary  reduction  agreement and
                    which  are  not  includible  in  the  gross  income  of  the
                    Participant    under   Code   Sections    125,    402(e)(3),
                    402(h)(1)(B),  403(b) or 457(b), and Employee  contributions
                    described  in Code  Section  414(h)(2)  that are  treated as
                    Employer contributions.

                    (2) immediate participation; and

                    (3) full and immediate vesting; and

                                       11
<PAGE>
                    (b) if Leased  Employees do not constitute  more than 20% of
                    the recipient's non-highly compensated work force.

     1.36 "Non-Elective  Contribution"  means the Employer  contributions to the
Plan  excluding,  however,  contributions  made  pursuant  to the  Participant's
deferral  election  provided for in Section 4.2 and any  Qualified  Non-Elective
Contribution used in the "Actual Deferral Percentage" tests.

     1.37 "Non-Highly Compensated  Participant" means any Participant who is not
a Highly Compensated Employee.

     1.38  "Non-Key  Employee"  means any Employee or former  Employee  (and his
Beneficiaries) who is not a Key Employee.

     1.39 "Normal  Retirement  Age" means the  Participant's  65th  birthday.  A
Participant  shall  become  fully  Vested  in  his  Participant's  Account  upon
attaining his Normal Retirement Age.

     1.40 "Normal  Retirement  Date" means the first day of the month coinciding
with or next following the Participant's Normal Retirement Age.

     1.41 "1-Year  Break in Service"  means the  applicable  computation  period
during which an Employee has not  completed  more than 500 Hours of Service with
the  Employer.  Further,  solely  for  the  purpose  of  determining  whether  a
Participant  has incurred a 1-Year Break in Service,  Hours of Service  shall be
recognized  for  "authorized  leaves of absence" and  "maternity  and  paternity
leaves of  absence."  Years of  Service  and 1-Year  Breaks in Service  shall be
measured on the same computation period.

                  "Authorized  leave  of  absence"  means an  unpaid,  temporary
cessation from active  employment  with the Employer  pursuant to an established
nondiscriminatory  policy,  whether occasioned by illness,  military service, or
any other reason.

     A "maternity or paternity leave of absence" means, for Plan Years beginning
after  December 31,  1984,  an absence from work for any period by reason of the
Employee's pregnancy,  birth of the Employee's child,  placement of a child with
the Employee in connection  with the adoption of such child,  or any absence for
the  purpose of caring for such child for a period  immediately  following  such
birth or placement. For this purpose, Hours of Service shall be credited for the
computation  period  in which  the  absence  from  work  begins,  only if credit
therefore is necessary to prevent the Employee from  incurring a 1-Year Break in
Service, or, in any other case, in the immediately following computation period.
The Hours of Service  credited for a "maternity  or paternity  leave of absence"
shall be those which would normally have been credited but for such absence, or,
in any case in which  the  Administrator  is  unable  to  determine  such  hours
normally  credited,  eight  (8) Hours of  Service  per day.  The total  Hours of

                                       12
<PAGE>
Service  required to be credited for a "maternity or paternity leave of absence"
shall not exceed 501.

     1.42 "Other  Investments  Account" means the account of a Participant which
is  credited  with his share of the net gain (or loss) of the Plan,  Forfeitures
and Employer contributions in other than Company Stock and which is debited with
payments made to pay for Company Stock.

     A separate  accounting  shall be maintained with respect to that portion of
the  Other  Investments  Account  attributable  to  Elective  Contributions  and
Non-Elective Contributions.

     1.43 "Participant" means any Eligible Employee who participates in the Plan
and has not for any reason become ineligible to participate further in the Plan.

     1.44 "Participant Direction Procedures" means such instructions, guidelines
or policies, the terms of which are incorporated herein, as shall be established
pursuant  to Section  4.12 and  observed  by the  Administrator  and  applied to
Participants who have Participant Directed Accounts.

         1.45   "Participant's   Account"  means  the  account  established  and
maintained by the  Administrator  for each Participant with respect to his total
interest  in the  Plan  and  Trust  resulting  from  the  Employer  Non-Elective
Contributions.

     A separate  accounting  shall be maintained with respect to that portion of
the Participant's  Account attributable to Employer matching  contributions made
pursuant to Section 4.1(b),  Employer discretionary  contributions made pursuant
to Section 4.1(c) and any Employer Qualified Non-Elective Contributions.

     1.46  "Participant's  Combined Account" means the total aggregate amount of
each Participant's Elective Account and Participant's Account.

     1.47 "Participant's Directed Account" means that portion of a Participant's
interest in the Plan with  respect to which the  Participant  has  directed  the
investment in accordance with the Participant Direction Procedure.

     1.48  "Participant's  Elective  Account" means the account  established and
maintained by the  Administrator  for each Participant with respect to his total
interest  in  the  Plan  and  Trust   resulting   from  the  Employer   Elective
Contributions used to satisfy the "Actual Deferral Percentage" tests. A separate
accounting shall be maintained with respect to that portion of the Participant's
Elective Account attributable to such Elective Contributions pursuant to Section
4.2 and any Employer Qualified Non-Elective Contributions.

                                       13
<PAGE>
     1.49 "Plan" means this instrument, including all amendments thereto.

     1.50 "Plan  Year"  means the Plan's  accounting  year of twelve (12) months
commencing on January 1st of each year and ending the following December 31st.

     1.51 "Qualified Non-Elective Contribution" means any Employer contributions
made pursuant to Section 4.6(b) and Section 4.8(h).  Such contributions shall be
considered  an Elective  Contribution  for the  purposes of the Plan and used to
satisfy  the "Actual  Deferral  Percentage"  tests or the  "Actual  Contribution
Percentage" tests.

     1.52  "Regulation"  means the Income Tax  Regulations as promulgated by the
Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, and as amended from time to time.

     1.53 "Retired  Participant" means a person who has been a Participant,  but
who has become entitled to retirement benefits under the Plan.

     1.54 "Retirement Date" means the date as of which a Participant retires for
reasons  other than Total and  Permanent  Disability,  whether  such  retirement
occurs on a Participant's  Normal Retirement Date, Early or Late Retirement Date
(see Section 7.1).

     1.55 "Super Top Heavy Plan" means a plan described in Section 10.2(b).

     1.56  "Terminated  Participant"  means a person who has been a Participant,
but  whose  employment  has been  terminated  other  than by  death,  Total  and
Permanent Disability or retirement.

     1.57 "Top Heavy Plan" means a plan described in Section 10.2(a).

     1.58 "Top Heavy Plan Year" means a Plan Year during which the Plan is a Top
Heavy Plan.

     1.59 "Top Paid Group" means the top 20 percent of Employees  who  performed
services for the Employer during the applicable  year,  ranked  according to the
amount of "415  Compensation"  (determined  for this purpose in accordance  with
Section  1.27)  received  from the  Employer  during such year.  All  Affiliated
Employers shall be taken into account as a single employer, and Leased Employees
within the meaning of Code Sections  414(n)(2) and 414(o)(2) shall be considered
Employees  unless such Leased  Employees are covered by a plan described in Code
Section  414(n)(5) and are not covered in any qualified  plan  maintained by the
Employer.  Employees  who are  non-resident  aliens and who  received  no earned
income  (within  the  meaning  of Code  Section  911(d)(2))  from  the  Employer
constituting  United  States  source  income  within the meaning of Code Section

                                       14
<PAGE>
861(a)(3)  shall not be treated as Employees.  Additionally,  for the purpose of
determining the number of active Employees in any year, the following additional
Employees  shall  also be  excluded;  however,  such  Employees  shall  still be
considered  for the purpose of identifying  the particular  Employees in the Top
Paid Group:

               (a) Employees with less than six (6) months of service;

               (b)  Employees who normally work less than 17 1/2 hours per week;
               (c)  Employees who normally work less than six (6) months during
                    a year; and

               (d) Employees who have not yet attained age 21.

     In  addition,  if 90 percent or more of the  Employees  of the Employer are
covered  under  agreements  the  Secretary  of  Labor  finds  to  be  collective
bargaining agreements between Employee representatives and the Employer, and the
Plan  covers only  Employees  who are not covered  under such  agreements,  then
Employees  covered  by such  agreements  shall be  excluded  from both the total
number of active  Employees  as well as from the  identification  of  particular
Employees in the Top Paid Group.

     The  foregoing  exclusions  set forth in this Section shall be applied on a
uniform and consistent  basis for all purposes for which the Code Section 414(q)
definition is applicable.

     1.60 "Total and Permanent  Disability" means a physical or mental condition
of a Participant resulting from bodily injury, disease, or mental disorder which
renders him incapable of continuing his usual and customary  employment with the
Employer.  The disability of a Participant  shall be determined a) by a licensed
physician chosen by the Administrator or, b) by a Participant  becoming entitled
to receive long term disability  benefits under a long term  disability  program
sponsored by the Employer.  The determination  shall be applied uniformly to all
Participants.

     1.61 "Trustee" means the person or entity named as trustee herein or in any
separate trust forming a part of this Plan, and any successors.

     1.62 "Trust  Fund" means the assets of the Plan and Trust as the same shall
exist from time to time.

     1.63 "Valuation  Date" means the last day of March,  June,  September,  and
December  in each year,  and such other date or dates  deemed  necessary  by the
Administrator.  The Valuation Date may include any day during the Plan Year that
the Trustee, any transfer agent appointed by the Trustee or the Employer and any

                                       15
<PAGE>
stock exchange used by such agent are open for business.

     1.64 "Vested" means the nonforfeitable portion of any account maintained on
behalf of a Participant.

     1.65  "Year of  Service"  means  the  computation  period  of  twelve  (12)
consecutive months, herein set forth, during which an Employee has at least 1000
Hours of Service.

     For purposes of  eligibility  for  participation,  the initial  computation
period shall begin with the date on which the Employee first performs an Hour of
Service. The participation  computation period beginning after a 1-Year Break in
Service shall be measured from the date on which an Employee  again  performs an
Hour of Service.  The participation  computation  period shall shift to the Plan
Year which  includes the  anniversary  of the date on which the  Employee  first
performed  an Hour of Service.  An Employee  who is credited  with the  required
Hours of  Service in both the  initial  computation  period (or the  computation
period  beginning  after a 1-Year  Break in  Service)  and the Plan  Year  which
includes the  anniversary of the date on which the Employee  first  performed an
Hour of Service, shall be credited with two (2) Years of Service for purposes of
eligibility to participate.

     For  vesting  purposes,  the  computation  periods  shall be the Plan Year,
including periods prior to the Effective Date of the Plan.

     The  computation  period shall be the Plan Year if not  otherwise set forth
herein.

     Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  for any short Plan Year, the determination
of  whether  an  Employee  has  completed  a Year of  Service  shall  be made in
accordance  with  Department  of Labor  regulation  2530.203-2(c).  However,  in
determining  whether an  Employee  has  completed  a Year of Service for benefit
accrual  purposes  in the short  Plan  Year,  the number of the Hours of Service
required shall be proportionately  reduced based on the number of full months in
the short Plan Year.

     Years of Service with any  employer who was acquired by the Employer  shall
be recognized to the extent so provided in the acquisition  agreement,  but only
to the extent any such acquired employer maintained a qualified retirement plan.

     Years of Service with any Affiliated Employer shall be recognized.

                                       16
<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE I
                                 ADMINISTRATION

2.1     POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMPLOYER

               (a)  In  addition  to the  general  powers  and  responsibilities
          otherwise  provided for in this Plan,  the Employer shall be empowered
          to appoint and remove the Trustee and the  Administrator  from time to
          time as it deems necessary for the proper  administration  of the Plan
          to ensure that the Plan is being operated for the exclusive benefit of
          the Participants and their  Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms
          of the Plan, the Code, and the Act. The Employer may appoint  counsel,
          specialists,  advisers,  agents (including any nonfiduciary agent) and
          other  persons  as  the  Employer  deems  necessary  or  desirable  in
          connection with the exercise of its fiduciary  duties under this Plan.
          The Employer may compensate such agents or advisers from the assets of
          the  Plan as  fiduciary  expenses  (but  not  including  any  business
          (settlor)  expenses  of the  Employer),  to the extent not paid by the
          Employer.

               (b) The  Employer  may,  by  written  agreement  or  designation,
          appoint  at its  option an  Investment  Manager  (qualified  under the
          Investment  Company Act of 1940 as amended),  investment  adviser,  or
          other agent to provide direction to the Trustee with respect to any or
          all of the  Plan  assets.  Such  appointment  shall  be  given  by the
          Employer  in writing in a form  acceptable  to the  Trustee  and shall
          specifically  identify  the Plan  assets  with  respect  to which  the
          Investment  Manager or other agent shall have  authority to direct the
          investment.

               (c) The Employer shall  establish a "funding  policy and method,"
          i.e.,  it shall  determine  whether  the Plan has a short run need for
          liquidity  (e.g., to pay benefits) or whether  liquidity is a long run
          goal and  investment  growth (and stability of same) is a more current
          need,  or shall  appoint a qualified  person to do so. The Employer or
          its delegate  shall  communicate  such needs and goals to the Trustee,
          who shall coordinate such Plan needs with its investment  policy.  The
          communication  of  such a  "funding  policy  and  method"  shall  not,
          however, constitute a directive to the Trustee as to investment of the
          Trust Funds. Such "funding policy and method" shall be consistent with
          the  objectives of this Plan and with the  requirements  of Title I of
          the Act.
               (d) The Employer shall periodically review the performance of any
          Fiduciary  or other  person  to whom  duties  have been  delegated  or
          allocated  by it under  the  provisions  of this Plan or  pursuant  to

                                       17
<PAGE>
          procedures established hereunder. This requirement may be satisfied by
          formal  periodic  review  by the  Employer  or by a  qualified  person
          specifically  designated by the Employer,  through  day-to-day conduct
          and evaluation, or through other appropriate ways.

               (e) The Employer will furnish Plan  Fiduciaries and  Participants
          with notices and  information  statements  when voting  rights must be
          exercised pursuant to Section 8.5.

2.2     DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

     The  Employer  shall be the  Administrator.  The  Employer  may appoint any
person, including, but not limited to, the Employees of the Employer, to perform
the duties of the  Administrator.  Any person so  appointed  shall  signify  his
acceptance by filing written acceptance with the Employer.  Upon the resignation
or removal of any  individual  performing the duties of the  Administrator,  the
Employer may designate a successor.

2.3     ALLOCATION AND DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

     If more than one person is appointed as Administrator, the responsibilities
of each  Administrator  may be specified by the Employer and accepted in writing
by each  Administrator.  In the  event  that no such  delegation  is made by the
Employer, the Administrators may allocate the responsibilities among themselves,
in which event the  Administrators  shall notify the Employer and the Trustee in
writing of such action and specify the  responsibilities  of each Administrator.
The Trustee  thereafter shall accept and rely upon any documents executed by the
appropriate  Administrator until such time as the Employer or the Administrators
file with the Trustee a written revocation of such designation.

2.4     POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR

     The primary  responsibility  of the Administrator is to administer the Plan
for the exclusive benefit of the Participants and their  Beneficiaries,  subject
to the specific terms of the Plan. The  Administrator  shall administer the Plan
in accordance with its terms and shall have the power and discretion to construe
the terms of the Plan and to determine all questions  arising in connection with
the  administration,  interpretation,  and  application  of the  Plan.  Any such
determination  by the  Administrator  shall be  conclusive  and binding upon all
persons. The Administrator may establish procedures,  correct any defect, supply
any  information,  or  reconcile  any  inconsistency  in such manner and to such
extent as shall be deemed necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the
Plan; provided,  however, that any procedure,  discretionary act, interpretation
or construction shall be done in a  nondiscriminatory  manner based upon uniform

                                       18
<PAGE>
principles consistently applied and shall be consistent with the intent that the
Plan  shall  continue  to be  deemed a  qualified  plan  under the terms of Code
Section  401(a),  and shall comply with the terms of the Act and all regulations
issued pursuant thereto.  The  Administrator  shall have all powers necessary or
appropriate to accomplish his duties under this Plan.

     The  Administrator  shall  be  charged  with  the  duties  of  the  general
administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the following:

               (a) the  discretion to determine  all  questions  relating to the
          eligibility  of  Employees  to  participate  or  remain a  Participant
          hereunder and to receive benefits under the Plan;

               (b) to compute,  certify,  and direct the Trustee with respect to
          the amount and the kind of benefits to which any Participant  shall be
          entitled hereunder;

               (c) to  authorize  and direct  the  Trustee  with  respect to all
          nondiscretionary or otherwise directed disbursements from the Trust;

               (d) to maintain all necessary  records for the  administration of
          the Plan;

               (e) to  interpret  the  provisions  of the  Plan  and to make and
          publish such rules for regulation of the Plan as are  consistent  with
          the terms hereof;

               (f) to compute  and  certify to the  Employer  and to the Trustee
          from  time to time the  sums of money  necessary  or  desirable  to be
          contributed to the Plan;

               (g) to consult with the Employer  and the Trustee  regarding  the
          short  and  long-term  liquidity  needs of the Plan in order  that the
          Trustee can exercise any investment discretion in a manner designed to
          accomplish specific objectives;

               (h) to prepare  and  implement  a  procedure  to notify  Eligible
          Employees that they may elect to have a portion of their  Compensation
          deferred or paid to them in cash;

               (i) to establish and  communicate  to  Participants  a procedure,
          which  includes  at least  three (3)  investment  options  pursuant to
          Regulations, for allowing each Participant to direct the Trustee as to
          the investment of his Company Stock Account pursuant to Section 4.12;

                                       19
<PAGE>
               (j) to establish and  communicate to Participants a procedure and
          method  to insure  that  each  Participant  will  vote  Company  Stock
          allocated to such  Participant's  Company  Stock  Account  pursuant to
          Section 8.5;

               (k) to assist any Participant regarding his rights,  benefits, or
          elections available under the Plan.

2.5     RECORDS AND REPORTS


     The  Administrator  shall keep a record of all actions taken and shall keep
all other  books of  account,  records,  policies,  and  other  data that may be
necessary for proper  administration  of the Plan and shall be  responsible  for
supplying  all  information  and  reports  to  the  Internal   Revenue  Service,
Department of Labor, Participants, Beneficiaries and others as required by law.

2.6     APPOINTMENT OF ADVISERS

     The  Administrator,  or the Trustee with the consent of the  Administrator,
may appoint  counsel,  specialists,  advisers,  agents  (including  nonfiduciary
agents) and other persons as the Administrator or the Trustee deems necessary or
desirable in connection with the administration of this Plan,  including but not
limited to agents and advisers to assist with the  administration and management
of  the  Plan,  and  thereby  to  provide,   among  such  other  duties  as  the
Administrator  may appoint,  assistance  with  maintaining  Plan records and the
providing of investment  information to the Plan's investment fiduciaries and to
Plan Participants.

2.7     PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

     All  expenses  of  administration  may be paid out of the Trust Fund unless
paid by the Employer.  Such expenses shall include any expenses  incident to the
functioning of the Administrator, or any person or persons retained or appointed
by any Named Fiduciary  incident to the exercise of their duties under the Plan,
including,  but  not  limited  to,  fees  of  accountants,  counsel,  Investment
Managers,  agents (including  nonfiduciary  agents) appointed for the purpose of
assisting the  Administrator  or the Trustee in carrying out the instructions of
Participants  as  to  the  directed  investment  of  their  accounts  and  other
specialists and their agents,  and other costs of administering  the Plan. Until
paid, the expenses shall constitute a liability of the Trust Fund.

2.8     CLAIMS PROCEDURE

     Claims  for  benefits  under  the Plan may be  filed  in  writing  with the
Administrator.  Written notice of the  disposition of a claim shall be furnished
to the claimant  within 90 days after the application is filed. In the event the

                                       20
<PAGE>
claim is denied,  the reasons for the denial shall be specifically  set forth in
the notice in language  calculated to be  understood by the claimant,  pertinent
provisions of the Plan shall be cited, and, where appropriate, an explanation as
to how the  claimant can perfect the claim will be  provided.  In addition,  the
claimant  shall be furnished  with an  explanation  of the Plan's  claims review
procedure.

2.9     CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE

     Any Employee,  former  Employee,  or  Beneficiary  of either,  who has been
denied a benefit by a decision  of the  Administrator  pursuant  to Section  2.8
shall be entitled to request the Administrator to give further  consideration to
his claim by filing with the Administrator (on a form which may be obtained from
the  Administrator)  a request for a review of the denied  claim.  Such request,
together with a written  statement of the reasons why the claimant  believes his
claim should be granted,  must be filed with the  Administrator no later than 60
days after receipt of the written notification of denial provided for in Section
2.8. The claimant may be represented by an attorney or any other  representative
of his choosing and shall have an  opportunity  to submit  written  evidence and
arguments in support of his claim. The claimant or his representative shall have
an opportunity  to review all documents in the  possession of the  Administrator
which are pertinent to the claim at issue and its disallowance. A final decision
as to the  allowance of the claim shall be made by the  Administrator  within 60
days of receipt of the request for review (unless there has been an extension of
60 days due to special  circumstances,  and  provided  the delay and the special
circumstances  occasioning it are communicated to the claimant within the 60 day
period).  Such  communication  shall be  written  in a manner  calculated  to be
understood by the claimant and shall include  specific  reasons for the decision
and specific  references to the pertinent Plan  provisions on which the decision
is based.

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   ELIGIBILITY

3.1     CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY

     Any  Eligible  Employee who has  completed  one (1) Year of Service and has
attained  age 21  shall be  eligible  to  participate  hereunder.  However,  any
Employee who was a Participant  in the Plan prior to the effective  date of this
amendment and restatement shall continue to participate in the Plan.

3.2     EFFECTIVE DATE OF PARTICIPATION

     An Eligible  Employee shall become a Participant  effective as of the first
day of the calendar quarter  coinciding with or next following the date on which
such Employee met the  eligibility  requirements  of Section 3.1,  provided said

                                       21
<PAGE>
Employee was still employed as of such date (or if not employed on such date, as
of the date of rehire if a 1-Year Break in Service has not occurred).

     However,  an Eligible Employee who is scheduled to work 1,000 or more hours
in a  computation  period  shall  be  eligible  to make  Elective  Contributions
pursuant to Section 4.2 on the first day of the calendar quarter coincident with
or next following his date of hire.

     In the  event an  Employee  who is not a  member  of an  eligible  class of
Employees  becomes a member of an eligible class, such Employee will participate
immediately  if  such  Employee  has  satisfied  the  minimum  age  and  service
requirements and would have otherwise previously become a Participant.

3.3     DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

     The  Administrator  shall  determine the  eligibility  of each Employee for
participation in the Plan based upon information furnished by the Employer. Such
determination  shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons,  as long as the
same is made  pursuant  to the  Plan and the Act.  Such  determination  shall be
subject to review per Section 2.9.

3.4     TERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

               (a) In the event a Participant  shall go from a classification of
          an  Eligible   Employee  to  an  ineligible   Employee,   such  Former
          Participant  shall  continue  to vest in his  interest in the Plan for
          each Year of Service  completed  while a noneligible  Employee,  until
          such  time  as  his  Participant's   Account  shall  be  forfeited  or
          distributed  pursuant  to the  terms of the  Plan.  Additionally,  his
          interest in the Plan shall  continue  to share in the  earnings of the
          Trust Fund.

               (b) In the  event a  Participant  is no  longer  a  member  of an
          eligible class of Employees and becomes  ineligible to participate but
          has not  incurred  a  1-Year  Break in  Service,  such  Employee  will
          participate  immediately  upon  returning  to  an  eligible  class  of
          Employees.  If such  Participant  incurs  a 1-Year  Break in  Service,
          eligibility will be determined under the break in service rules of the
          Plan.

3.5     OMISSION OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE

     If, in any Plan Year,  any Employee who should be included as a Participant
in the Plan is  erroneously  omitted and  discovery of such omission is not made
until  after a  contribution  by his  Employer  for the year has been made,  the
Employer  shall make a  subsequent  contribution  with  respect  to the  omitted

                                       22
<PAGE>

Employee  in the amount  which the said  Employer  would have  contributed  with
respect  to him  had he not  been  omitted.  Such  contribution  shall  be  made
regardless of whether or not it is deductible in whole or in part in any taxable
year under applicable provisions of the Code.

3.6     INCLUSION OF INELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE

     If, in any Plan Year,  any person  who should not have been  included  as a
Participant in the Plan is erroneously  included and discovery of such incorrect
inclusion is not made until after a contribution for the year has been made, the
Employer shall not be entitled to recover the contribution  made with respect to
the ineligible person regardless of whether or not a deduction is allowable with
respect to such contribution. In such event, the amount contributed with respect
to the  ineligible  person shall  constitute  a Forfeiture  (except for Deferred
Compensation  which shall be distributed to the ineligible  person) for the Plan
Year in which the discovery is made.

3.7     ELECTION NOT TO PARTICIPATE

     An Employee may, subject to the approval of the Employer, elect voluntarily
not to  participate  in the  Plan.  The  election  not to  participate  must  be
communicated to the Employer,  in writing,  at least thirty (30) days before the
beginning of a Plan Year.
                                   ARTICLE IV
                           CONTRIBUTION AND ALLOCATION

4.1     FORMULA FOR DETERMINING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION

     For each Plan Year, the Employer shall contribute to the Plan:

               (a) The amount of the total  salary  reduction  elections  of all
          Participants  made pursuant to Section  4.2(a),  which amount shall be
          deemed an Employer Elective Contribution.

               (b) On behalf of each  Participant  who is  eligible  to share in
          matching  contributions  for the Plan Year,  a  matching  contribution
          equal to 100% of each such Participant's Deferred Compensation,  which
          amount shall be deemed an Employer Non-Elective Contribution. Matching
          contributions  shall be made in  Company  Stock  or,  if made in cash,
          shall be  converted  to  Company  Stock,  and shall be  subject to the
          diversification requirements of Section 4.12.

               Except,  however, in applying the matching  percentage  specified
          above, only salary reductions up to 5% of eligible  Compensation shall

                                       23
<PAGE>
          be  considered.  For an  Employee's  initial  year  of  participation,
          Compensation  shall be counted from his date of  participation  in the
          Plan.

               (c) A discretionary amount, which amount, if any, shall be deemed
          an Employer Non-Elective Contribution.

               (d)  Additionally,  to the extent  necessary,  the Employer shall
          contribute  to the Plan the amount  necessary to provide the top heavy
          minimum contribution.  All contributions by the Employer shall be made
          in cash or in such property as is acceptable to the Trustee.

4.2     PARTICIPANT'S SALARY REDUCTION ELECTION

               (a) Each  Participant  may  elect to defer  from 1% to 15% of his
          Compensation  which would have been received in the Plan Year, but for
          the deferral  election.  A deferral  election (or  modification  of an
          earlier  election) may not be made with respect to Compensation  which
          is currently available on or before the date the Participant  executed
          such  election.  For purposes of this Section,  Compensation  shall be
          determined prior to any reductions made pursuant to Code Sections 125,
          402(e)(3),  402(h)(1)(B), 403(b) or 457(b), and Employee contributions
          described  in Code  Section  414(h)(2)  that are  treated as  Employer
          contributions.

               The  amount  by  which  Compensation  is  reduced  shall  be that
          Participant's  Deferred  Compensation  and be treated  as an  Employer
          Elective  Contribution  and allocated to that  Participant's  Elective
          Account.

               (b) The balance in each  Participant's  Elective Account shall be
          fully Vested at all times and shall not be subject to  Forfeiture  for
          any reason.

               (c) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, amounts
          held in the  Participant's  Elective  Account may not be distributable
          (including any offset of loans) earlier than:
                           
                    (1) a  Participant's  separation  from  service,  Total  and
                    Permanent Disability, or death;

                    (2) a Participant's attainment of age 59 1/2;

                    (3) the termination of the Plan without the establishment or
                    existence of a "successor plan," as that term is  described
                    in Regulation 1.401(k)-1(d)(3);

                                       24
<PAGE>
                    (4) the date of  disposition  by the  Employer  to an entity
                    that is not an Affiliated  Employer of substantially  all of
                    the assets  (within the meaning of Code  Section  409(d)(2))
                    used in a trade  or  business  of such  corporation  if such
                    corporation  continues  to  maintain  this  Plan  after  the
                    disposition  with  respect to a  Participant  who  continues
                    employment with the corporation acquiring such assets;

                    (5) the date of disposition by the Employer or an Affiliated
                    Employer  who  maintains  the  Plan  of  its  interest  in a
                    subsidiary (within the meaning of Code Section 409(d)(3)) to
                    an entity which is not an Affiliated  Employer but only with
                    respect to a Participant who continues  employment with such
                    subsidiary; or

                    (6) the proven financial hardship of a Participant,  subject
                    to the limitations of Section 7.12.

                    (d)  For  each   Plan   Year,   a   Participant's   Deferred
               Compensation made under this Plan and all other plans,  contracts
               or arrangements of the Employer  maintaining  this Plan shall not
               exceed,   during  any  taxable  year  of  the  Participant,   the
               limitation  imposed by Code Section  402(g),  as in effect at the
               beginning  of such taxable  year.  If such dollar  limitation  is
               exceeded,  a  Participant  will be  deemed to have  notified  the
               Administrator of such excess amount which shall be distributed in
               a manner  consistent with Section 4.2(f).  The dollar  limitation
               shall be adjusted  annually  pursuant  to the method  provided in
               Code Section 415(d) in accordance with Regulations.

                    (e) In the  event a  Participant  has  received  a  hardship
               distribution from his Participant's  Elective Account pursuant to
               Section 7.12(b) or pursuant to Regulation 1.401(k)-1(d)(2)(iv)(B)
               from  any  other  plan  maintained  by the  Employer,  then  such
               Participant  shall  not be  permitted  to elect to have  Deferred
               Compensation  contributed  to the Plan on his behalf for a period
               of twelve (12) months following the receipt of the  distribution.
               Furthermore,  the dollar  limitation  under Code  Section  402(g)
               shall be reduced,  with respect to the Participant's taxable year
               following the taxable year in which the hardship distribution was
               made, by the amount of such Participant's  Deferred Compensation,
               if any,  pursuant to this Plan (and any other plan  maintained by

                                       25
<PAGE>
               the Employer) for the taxable year of the hardship distribution.

                    (f) If a Participant's Deferred Compensation under this Plan
               together  with any elective  deferrals  (as defined in Regulation
               1.402(g)-1(b))   under   another   qualified   cash  or  deferred
               arrangement  (as defined in Code  Section  401(k)),  a simplified
               employee  pension (as defined in Code Section  408(k)),  a salary
               reduction   arrangement  (within  the  meaning  of  Code  Section
               3121(a)(5)(D)),  a deferred  compensation plan under Code Section
               457(b),   or  a  trust  described  in  Code  Section   501(c)(18)
               cumulatively exceed the limitation imposed by Code Section 402(g)
               (as adjusted  annually in accordance  with the method provided in
               Code   Section   415(d)   pursuant  to   Regulations)   for  such
               Participant's  taxable year, the Participant  may, not later than
               March 1 following  the close of the  Participant's  taxable year,
               notify the  Administrator  in writing of such  excess and request
               that his Deferred  Compensation  under this Plan be reduced by an
               amount  specified  by  the   Participant.   In  such  event,  the
               Administrator  may direct the Trustee to  distribute  such excess
               amount (and any Income  allocable  to such excess  amount) to the
               Participant  not later than the first  April 15th  following  the
               close of the Participant's taxable year. Any distribution of less
               than the entire amount of Excess Deferred Compensation and Income
               shall be treated as a pro rata  distribution  of Excess  Deferred
               Compensation and Income.  The amount distributed shall not exceed
               the Participant's  Deferred  Compensation  under the Plan for the
               taxable year (and any Income  allocable  to such excess  amount).
               Any  distribution on or before the last day of the  Participant's
               taxable year must satisfy each of the following conditions:

                    (1) the  distribution  must be made  after the date on which
                    the Plan received the Excess Deferred Compensation;

                    (2) the  Participant  shall  designate the  distribution  as
                    Excess Deferred Compensation; and

                    (3)  the  Plan  must   designate  the   distribution   as  a
                    distribution of Excess Deferred Compensation.

                    Any distribution  made pursuant to this Section 4.2(f) shall
               be  made  first  from  unmatched   Deferred   Compensation   and,
               thereafter, from Deferred Compensation which is matched. Matching
               contributions which relate to such Deferred Compensation shall be
               forfeited.

                                       26
<PAGE>
                    (g)  Notwithstanding  Section 4.2(f) above, a  Participant's
               Excess  Deferred  Compensation  shall be  reduced,  but not below
               zero, by any  distribution  of Excess  Contributions  pursuant to
               Section  4.6(a)  for the Plan Year  beginning  with or within the
               taxable year of the Participant.

                    (h) Employer  Elective  Contributions  made pursuant to this
               Section  may be  segregated  into a  separate  account  for  each
               Participant in a federally  insured savings account,  certificate
               of  deposit  in a bank or  savings  and loan  association,  money
               market certificate,  or other short-term debt security acceptable
               to the  Trustee  until such time as the  allocations  pursuant to
               Section 4.4 have been made.

                    (i) The Employer and the  Administrator  shall implement the
               salary reduction elections provided for herein in accordance with
               the following:

                    (1) A  Participant  must make his  initial  salary  deferral
                    election within a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30)
                    days,  after  entering the Plan  pursuant to Section 3.2. If
                    the  Participant  fails to make an initial  salary  deferral
                    election  within  such  time,  then  such   Participant  may
                    thereafter  make an  election in  accordance  with the rules
                    governing modifications.  The Participant shall make such an
                    election  by  entering  into  a  written  salary   reduction
                    agreement  with the Employer and filing such  agreement with
                    the   Administrator.   Such  election  shall   initially  be
                    effective  beginning  with  the  pay  period  following  the
                    acceptance  of  the  salary   reduction   agreement  by  the
                    Administrator,  shall not have retroactive  effect and shall
                    remain in force until revoked.

                    (2) A  Participant  may modify a prior  election  during the
                    Plan Year and  concurrently  make a new election by filing a
                    written  notice with the  Administrator  within a reasonable
                    time before the pay period for which such modification is to
                    be effective.  However,  modifications  to a salary deferral
                    election shall only be permitted quarterly,  during election
                    periods  established by the Administrator prior to the first
                    day of each Plan Year quarter.  Any  modification  shall not
                    have  retroactive  effect  and shall  remain in force  until
                    revoked.

                    (3) A  Participant  may elect to  prospectively  revoke  his
                    salary  reduction  agreement  in its  entirety  at any  time
                    during the Plan Year by  providing  the  Administrator  with

                                       27
<PAGE>
                    thirty (30) days written notice of such  revocation (or upon
                    such  shorter  notice  period  as may be  acceptable  to the
                    Administrator). Such revocation shall become effective as of
                    the  beginning  of the first pay period  coincident  with or
                    next   following  the   expiration  of  the  notice  period.
                    Furthermore,    the   termination   of   the   Participant's
                    employment,  or  the  cessation  of  participation  for  any
                    reason,  shall be  deemed  to revoke  any  salary  reduction
                    agreement then in effect,  effective  immediately  following
                    the close of the pay period within which such termination or
                    cessation occurs.

4.3     TIME OF PAYMENT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION

     Employer  contributions  will be paid  in  cash,  Company  Stock  or  other
property as the  Employer  may from time to time  determine.  Company  Stock and
other  property  will be valued at their then fair market  value.  The  Employer
shall  generally pay to the Trustee its  contribution  to the Plan for each Plan
Year, within the time prescribed by law,  including  extensions of time, for the
filing of the Employer federal income tax return for the Fiscal Year.

     However,   Employer  Elective  Contributions  accumulated  through  payroll
deductions  shall be paid to the Trustee as of the  earliest  date on which such
contributions can reasonably be segregated from the Employer general assets, but
in any event no later  than the 15th  business  day of the month  following  the
month  during  which  such  amounts  would  otherwise  have been  payable to the
Participant  in  cash.  The  provisions  of  Department  of  Labor   regulations
2510.3-102 are  incorporated  herein by reference.  Furthermore,  any additional
Employer contributions which are allocable to the Participant's Elective Account
for a Plan Year shall be paid to the Plan no later than the twelve-month  period
immediately following the close of such Plan Year.

4.4     ALLOCATION OF CONTRIBUTION, FORFEITURES AND EARNINGS

               (a) The Administrator  shall establish and maintain an account in
          the name of each Participant to which the  Administrator  shall credit
          no later than as of each  Anniversary  Date all amounts  allocated  to
          each such Participant as set forth herein.

               (b)  The  Employer  shall  provide  the  Administrator  with  all
          information  required by the Administrator to make a proper allocation
          of the Employer  contributions for each Plan Year. Within a reasonable
          period of time after the date of receipt by the  Administrator of such
          information,  the  Administrator  shall allocate such  contribution as
          follows:

                                       28
<PAGE>
                    (1) With respect to the Employer Elective  Contribution made
                    pursuant to Section 4.1(a), to each  Participant's  Elective
                    Account  in an  amount  equal  to  each  such  Participant's
                    Deferred Compensation for the year.

                    (2) With respect to the Employer  Non-Elective  Contribution
                    made  pursuant  to  Section  4.1(b),  to each  Participant's
                    Account in accordance with Section 4.1(b).

                    Any Participant actively employed during the Plan Year shall
                    be eligible to share in the  matching  contribution  for the
                    Plan Year.

                    (3) With respect to the Employer  Non-Elective  Contribution
                    made  pursuant  to  Section  4.1(c),  to each  Participant's
                    Account in the same proportion that each such  Participant's
                    Compensation for the year bears to the total Compensation of
                    all Participants for such year.

                    Only  Participants  who  have  completed  a Year of  Service
                    during the Plan Year and are  actively  employed on the last
                    day of the  Plan  Year  shall  be  eligible  to share in the
                    discretionary contribution for the year.

               (c) The  Company  Stock  Account  of each  Participant  shall  be
          credited as of each Anniversary Date with Forfeitures of Company Stock
          and his allocable share of Company Stock (including fractional shares)
          purchased  and  paid  for by the  Plan or  contributed  in kind by the
          Employer.  Stock  dividends on Company Stock held in his Company Stock
          Account shall be credited to his Company Stock Account when paid. Cash
          dividends on Company  Stock held in his Company Stock Account shall be
          credited to his Other Investments Account when paid.

               (d) As of each  Valuation  Date,  any  earnings  or  losses  (net
          appreciation or net depreciation) of the Trust Fund shall be allocated
          in  the  same   proportion   that  each   Participant's   and   Former
          Participant's  time weighted  average  (based on beginning  year base)
          nonsegregated  accounts (other than each  Participant's  Company Stock
          Account)   bear  to  the  total  of  all   Participants'   and  Former
          Participants'  time weighted  average  (based on beginning  year base)
          nonsegregated   accounts  (other  than  Participants'   Company  Stock
          Accounts)  as of such  date.  Earnings  or losses  with  respect  to a
          Participant's  Directed  Account shall be allocated in accordance with
          Section 4.12.

                                       29
<PAGE>
               Participants'  transfers from other  qualified plans deposited in
          the  general  Trust Fund shall share in any  earnings  and losses (net
          appreciation or net depreciation) of the Trust Fund in the same manner
          provided  above.  Each  segregated  account  maintained on behalf of a
          Participant  shall be credited or charged with its  separate  earnings
          and losses.

               (e)  As  of  each  Anniversary  Date  any  amounts  which  became
          Forfeitures  since  the  last  Anniversary  Date  shall  first be made
          available to reinstate previously forfeited account balances of Former
          Participants,  if any,  in  accordance  with  Section  7.4(f)(2).  The
          remaining  Forfeitures,  if any,  shall be allocated to  Participants'
          Accounts and used to reduce the contribution of the Employer hereunder
          for the Plan Year in which  such  Forfeitures  occur in the  following
          manner:

                    (1)   Forfeitures    attributable   to   Employer   matching
                    contributions  made pursuant to Section 4.1(b) shall be used
                    to reduce  the  Employer  contribution  for the Plan Year in
                    which such Forfeitures occur.

                    (2)  Forfeitures   attributable  to  Employer  discretionary
                    contributions made pursuant to Section 4.1(c) shall be added
                    to any Employer discretionary contribution for the Plan Year
                    in which  such  Forfeitures  occur and  allocated  among the
                    Participants'  Accounts in the same  manner as any  Employer
                    discretionary contribution.

               Provided,   however,   that  in  the  event  the   allocation  of
          Forfeitures  provided  herein  shall cause the "annual  addition"  (as
          defined in  Section  4.9) to any  Participant's  Account to exceed the
          amount  allowable  by the Code,  the excess  shall be  reallocated  in
          accordance with Section 4.10.

               (f) For any Top Heavy Plan Year, Employees not otherwise eligible
          to  share  in the  allocation  of  contributions  and  Forfeitures  as
          provided above, shall receive the minimum  allocation  provided for in
          Section  4.4(h) if  eligible  pursuant  to the  provisions  of Section
          4.4(j).

               (g)  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Participants  who  are not
          actively  employed on the last day of the Plan Year due to  Retirement
          (Early, Normal or Late), Total and Permanent Disability or death shall
          share in the allocation of contributions and Forfeitures for that Plan
          Year.

                                       30
<PAGE>

               (h)  Minimum  Allocations  Required  for Top  Heavy  Plan  Years:
          Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any Top Heavy Plan Year, the sum of
          the  Employer   contributions   and   Forfeitures   allocated  to  the
          Participant's  Combined  Account of each Employee shall be equal to at
          least  three  percent  (3%)  of  such  Employee's  "415  Compensation"
          (reduced by contributions and forfeitures,  if any,  allocated to each
          Employee in any defined contribution plan included with this plan in a
          Required  Aggregation Group).  However, if (1) the sum of the Employer
          contributions and Forfeitures allocated to the Participant's  Combined
          Account of each Key Employee for such Top Heavy Plan Year is less than
          three percent (3%) of each Key Employee's "415  Compensation"  and (2)
          this Plan is not  required to be included in an  Aggregation  Group to
          enable a defined benefit plan to meet the requirements of Code Section
          401(a)(4)  or  410,  the  sum  of  the  Employer   contributions   and
          Forfeitures  allocated to the  Participant's  Combined Account of each
          Employee  shall be equal to the largest  percentage  allocated  to the
          Participant's  Combined  Account  of any  Key  Employee.  However,  in
          determining  whether a Non-Key  Employee  has  received  the  required
          minimum allocation,  such Non-Key Employee's Deferred Compensation and
          matching  contributions  needed to satisfy  the  "Actual  Contribution
          Percentage"  tests  pursuant to Section 4.7(a) shall not be taken into
          account.

               However,  no such  minimum  allocation  shall be required in this
          Plan for any Employee who participates in another defined contribution
          plan subject to Code Section 412 included with this Plan in a Required
          Aggregation Group.

               (i) For purposes of the minimum  allocations set forth above, the
          percentage allocated to the Participant's  Combined Account of any Key
          Employee  shall  be  equal  to the  ratio  of the sum of the  Employer
          contributions and Forfeitures allocated on behalf of such Key Employee
          divided by the "415 Compensation" for such Key Employee.

               (j) For any Top Heavy  Plan Year,  the  minimum  allocations  set
          forth above shall be allocated to the  Participant's  Combined Account
          of all  Employees  who are  Participants  and who are  employed by the
          Employer  on the last day of the Plan Year,  including  Employees  who
          have (1) failed to  complete a Year of  Service;  and (2)  declined to
          make mandatory  contributions  (if required) or, in the case of a cash
          or deferred arrangement, elective contributions to the Plan.

               (k) In lieu of the above,  in any Plan Year in which an  Employee
          is a Participant in both this Plan and a defined  benefit pension plan

                                       31
<PAGE>
          included  in a Required  Aggregation  Group  which is top  heavy,  the
          Employer  shall not be required to provide such Employee with both the
          full  separate  defined  benefit  plan  minimum  benefit  and the full
          separate defined contribution plan minimum allocation.

               Therefore,  for any Plan Year when the Plan is a Top Heavy  Plan,
          an Employee who is  participating  in this Plan and a defined  benefit
          plan  maintained  by the  Employer  shall  receive a  minimum  monthly
          accrued  benefit in the defined  benefit  plan equal to the product of
          (1) one-twelfth (1/12th) of "415 Compensation"  averaged over the five
          (5) consecutive  "limitation years" (or actual "limitation  years," if
          less) which produce the highest  average and (2) the lesser of (i) two
          percent (2%) multiplied by years of service when the plan is top heavy
          or (ii) twenty percent (20%).

               (l) For the purposes of this Section, "415 Compensation" shall be
          limited to $150,000.  Such amount  shall be adjusted for  increases in
          the cost of living in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17),  except
          that the dollar  increase in effect on January 1 of any calendar  year
          shall be  effective  for the Plan Year  beginning  with or within such
          calendar  year. For any short Plan Year the "415  Compensation"  limit
          shall  be an  amount  equal to the "415  Compensation"  limit  for the
          calendar  year in which the Plan Year begins  multiplied  by the ratio
          obtained by dividing  the number of full months in the short Plan Year
          by twelve (12).

               (m) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Participants
          who  terminated  employment  for any reason during the Plan Year shall
          share in the salary reduction  contributions  made by the Employer for
          the  year of  termination  without  regard  to the  Hours  of  Service
          credited.

               (n)  If  a  Former  Participant  is  reemployed  after  five  (5)
          consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service,  then separate accounts shall be
          maintained as follows:

                    (1) one account for nonforfeitable  benefits attributable to
                    pre-break service; and

                    (2)  one  account   representing  his  status  in  the  Plan
                    attributable to post-break service.

                                       32
<PAGE>
4.5     ACTUAL DEFERRAL PERCENTAGE TESTS

               (a) Maximum  Annual  Allocation:  For each Plan Year,  the annual
          allocation   derived  from  Employer   Elective   Contributions  to  a
          Participant's  Elective  Account  shall  satisfy one of the  following
          tests:

                    (1)  The  "Actual   Deferral   Percentage"  for  the  Highly
                    Compensated  Participant  group  shall  not be more than the
                    "Actual Deferral  Percentage" of the Non-Highly  Compensated
                    Participant group multiplied by 1.25, or

                    (2) The excess of the "Actual  Deferral  Percentage" for the
                    Highly  Compensated   Participant  group  over  the  "Actual
                    Deferral   Percentage"   for  the   Non-Highly   Compensated
                    Participant  group  shall  not be more  than two  percentage
                    points.  Additionally,  the "Actual Deferral Percentage" for
                    the Highly  Compensated  Participant  group shall not exceed
                    the  "Actual   Deferral   Percentage"   for  the  Non-Highly
                    Compensated   Participant   group   multiplied   by  2.  The
                    provisions  of  Code  Section   401(k)(3)   and   Regulation
                    1.401(k)-1(b) are incorporated herein by reference.

                    However,  in  order  to  prevent  the  multiple  use  of the
                    alternative  method  described  in (2)  above  and  in  Code
                    Section  401(m)(9)(A),  any Highly  Compensated  Participant
                    eligible to make elective  deferrals pursuant to Section 4.2
                    and to make Employee  contributions  or to receive  matching
                    contributions  under  this  Plan or  under  any  other  plan
                    maintained by the Employer or an Affiliated  Employer  shall
                    have a  combination  of his  actual  deferral  ratio and his
                    actual  contribution  ratio  reduced  pursuant to Regulation
                    1.401(m)-2,  the provisions of which are incorporated herein
                    by reference.

               (b) For the purposes of this Section "Actual Deferral Percentage"
          means,  with respect to the Highly  Compensated  Participant group and
          Non-Highly Compensated  Participant group for a Plan Year, the average
          of the ratios,  calculated  separately  for each  Participant  in such
          group, of the amount of Employer Elective  Contributions  allocated to
          each Highly Compensated  Participant's  Elective Account for such Plan
          Year and to each such Non-Highly  Compensated  Participant's  Elective
          Account for the  preceding  Plan Year, to such  Participant's  "414(s)
          Compensation"  for the applicable Plan Year. The actual deferral ratio
          for each  Participant  and the "Actual  Deferral  Percentage" for each

                                       33
<PAGE>
          group shall be calculated to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent.
          Employer   Elective   Contributions   allocated  to  each   Non-Highly
          Compensated Participant's Elective Account for the preceding Plan Year
          shall be reduced by Excess  Deferred  Compensation  for the  preceding
          Plan Year to the extent such  excess  amounts are made under this Plan
          or any other plan maintained by the Employer.

               (c) For the  purposes  of  Sections  4.5(a)  and  4.6,  a  Highly
          Compensated Participant and a Non-Highly Compensated Participant shall
          include any Employee  eligible to make a deferral election pursuant to
          Section  4.2,  whether  or not  such  deferral  election  was  made or
          suspended pursuant to Section 4.2.

               (d) For  purposes of this  Section and Code  Sections  401(a)(4),
          410(b) and 401(k), this Plan may not be combined with any other plan.

4.6     ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL DEFERRAL PERCENTAGE TESTS

     In  the  event  that  the  initial  allocations  of the  Employer  Elective
Contributions  made  pursuant to Section 4.4 do not satisfy one of the tests set
forth in Section 4.5(a),  the  Administrator  shall adjust Excess  Contributions
pursuant to the options set forth below:

               (a) On or before the fifteenth  day of the third month  following
          the end of each Plan Year, the Highly  Compensated  Participant having
          the  greatest  actual  deferral  ratio shall have his actual  deferral
          ratio  reduced  until one of the tests set forth in Section  4.5(a) is
          satisfied,  or until his  actual  deferral  ratio  equals  the  actual
          deferral ratio of the Highly Compensated Participant having the second
          largest actual deferral  ratio.  This process shall continue until one
          of the tests set forth in Section 4.5(a) is satisfied. Once one of the
          tests  set forth in  Section  4.5(a) is  satisfied,  the total  dollar
          amount of Elective  Contributions  represented  by such  reduction  or
          reductions in actual  deferral  ratio or ratios shall be identified as
          the total  amount of Excess  Contributions  to be  distributed.  These
          Excess  Contributions  will be attributed to and distributed  from the
          accounts of Highly  Compensated  Employees  as follows.  The  Elective
          Contribution  for the Highly  Compensated  Employee  with the  largest
          Elective  Contribution  shall be  reduced  until  either  a) the total
          amount of Excess  Contributions  is  distributed,  or b) the  Elective
          Contribution  for the Highly  Compensated  Employee  with the greatest
          Elective  Contribution  is  reduced  to  the  level  of  the  Elective
          Contribution  for  the  Highly  Compensated  Employee  with  the  next
          greatest Elective Contribution.  This process shall continue until the

                                       34
<PAGE>
          total amount of Excess Contributions is distributed.

                    (1) With respect to the distribution of Excess Contributions
                    pursuant to (a) above, such distribution:

                        (i) may be postponed but not later than the close of the
                        Plan Year following the  Plan Year  to  which  they  are
                        allocable;

                        (ii) shall be adjusted for Income; and

                        (iii) shall be designated by the Employer as a
                        distribution of Excess Contributions (and Income).

                    (2) Any  distribution  of less  than the  entire  amount  of
                    Excess  Contributions  and Income  shall be treated as a pro
                    rata distribution of Excess Contributions and Income.

                    (3)   Matching   contributions   which   relate   to  Excess
                    Contributions shall be forfeited unless the related matching
                    contribution   is   distributed   as  an  Excess   Aggregate
                    Contribution pursuant to Section 4.8.

               (b) Within twelve (12) months after the end of the Plan Year, the
          Employer may make a special  Qualified  Non-Elective  Contribution  on
          behalf  of  Non-Highly   Compensated   Participants   electing  salary
          reductions  pursuant to Section 4.2 in an amount sufficient to satisfy
          one of the tests set forth in Section 4.5(a).  Such contribution shall
          be allocated to the Participant's  Elective Account of each Non-Highly
          Compensated Participant electing salary reductions pursuant to Section
          4.2 in the same  proportion  that  each  such  Non-Highly  Compensated
          Participant's  Deferred  Compensation  for the year bears to the total
          Deferred Compensation of all such Non-Highly Compensated Participants.

               (c) If  during a Plan  Year the  projected  aggregate  amount  of
          Elective  Contributions  to be  allocated  to all  Highly  Compensated
          Participants  under this Plan would,  by virtue of the tests set forth
          in  Section  4.5(a),  cause  the  Plan to fail  such  tests,  then the
          Administrator may automatically reduce proportionately or in the order
          provided  in  Section   4.6(a)  each   affected   Highly   Compensated
          Participant's  deferral  election  made  pursuant to Section 4.2 by an
          amount  necessary  to  satisfy  one of the tests set forth in  Section
          4.5(a).

                                       35
<PAGE>

4.7     ACTUAL CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE TESTS

               (a)  The  "Actual   Contribution   Percentage"   for  the  Highly
          Compensated Participant group shall not exceed the greater of:

                    (1) 125  percent  of  such  percentage  for  the  Non-Highly
                    Compensated Participant group; or

                    (2) the  lesser of 200  percent of such  percentage  for the
                    Non-Highly Compensated Participant group, or such percentage
                    for the  Non-Highly  Compensated  Participant  group  plus 2
                    percentage points.  However,  to prevent the multiple use of
                    the alternative  method described in this paragraph and Code
                    Section  401(m)(9)(A),  any Highly  Compensated  Participant
                    eligible to make elective  deferrals pursuant to Section 4.2
                    or any other cash or deferred arrangement  maintained by the
                    Employer  or an  Affiliated  Employer  and to make  Employee
                    contributions  or to receive  matching  contributions  under
                    this Plan or under any other plan maintained by the Employer
                    or an Affiliated  Employer  shall have a combination  of his
                    actual  deferral  ratio and his  actual  contribution  ratio
                    reduced pursuant to Regulation 1.401(m)-2. The provisions of
                    Code  Section  401(m)  and  Regulations   1.401(m)-1(b)  and
                    1.401(m)-2 are incorporated herein by reference.

               (b) For the  purposes of this  Section and Section  4.8,  "Actual
          Contribution  Percentage"  for a Plan Year means,  with respect to the
          Highly  Compensated   Participant  group  and  Non-Highly  Compensated
          Participant  group, the average of the ratios  (calculated  separately
          for each Participant in each group) of:

                    (1) the sum of Employer matching contributions made pursuant
                    to Section 4.1(b) on behalf of each such Highly  Compensated
                    participant   for  such  Plan   Year  and  each   Non-Highly
                    Compensated Participant for the preceding Plan Year; to

                    (2)  the   Participant's   "414(s)   Compensation"  for  the
                    applicable Plan Year.

               (c)  For  purposes  of  determining   the  "Actual   Contribution
          Percentage" and the amount of Excess Aggregate  Contributions pursuant
          to Section 4.8(d), only Employer matching contributions contributed to
          the  Plan  prior  to the end of the  succeeding  Plan  Year  shall  be
          considered.  In  addition,  the  Administrator  may elect to take into
          account,  with respect to Employees eligible to have Employer matching

                                       36
<PAGE>
          contributions  pursuant to Section 4.1(b) allocated to their accounts,
          elective  deferrals  (as  defined  in  Regulation  1.402(g)-1(b))  and
          qualified  non-elective  contributions  (as  defined  in Code  Section
          401(m)(4)(C)) contributed to any plan maintained by the Employer. Such
          elective deferrals and qualified  non-elective  contributions shall be
          treated as  Employer  matching  contributions  subject  to  Regulation
          1.401(m)-1(b)(5)  which is incorporated herein by reference.  However,
          the Plan  Year  must be the same as the plan year of the plan to which
          the elective  deferrals and the qualified  non-elective  contributions
          are made.

               (d) For  purposes of this  Section and Code  Sections  401(a)(4),
          410(b) and 401(m), this Plan may not be combined with any other plan.

               (e) For purposes of Sections 4.7(a) and 4.8, a Highly Compensated
          Participant and Non-Highly  Compensated  Participant shall include any
          Employee eligible to have Employer matching  contributions pursuant to
          Section  4.1(b)  (whether  or not a  deferral  election  was  made  or
          suspended pursuant to Section 4.2(e)) allocated to his account for the
          Plan Year.

4.8     ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE TESTS

               (a) In the event that the "Actual  Contribution  Percentage"  for
          the  Highly   Compensated   Participant   group  exceeds  the  "Actual
          Contribution  Percentage" for the Non-Highly  Compensated  Participant
          group pursuant to Section 4.7(a), the Highly  Compensated  Participant
          having the greatest  actual  contribution  ratio shall have his actual
          contribution ratio reduced until one of the tests set forth in Section
          4.7(a) is satisfied, or until his actual contribution ratio equals the
          actual contribution ratio of the Highly Compensated Participant having
          the second  largest  actual  contribution  ratio.  This process  shall
          continue  until  one of the  tests  set  forth in  Section  4.7(a)  is
          satisfied.  Once one of the  tests  set  forth in  Section  4.7(a)  is
          satisfied,   the  total  dollar  amount  of  aggregate   contributions
          represented  by such  reduction or reductions  in actual  contribution
          ratio or ratios  shall be  identified  as the  total  amount of Excess
          Aggregate  Contributions  to be distributed  and/or  forfeited.  These
          Excess Aggregate  Contributions  will be attributed to and distributed
          (with income),  if vested,  or forfeited (with income),  if not vested
          from the  accounts of Highly  Compensated  Employees  as follows.  The
          matching  contribution  for the Highly  Compensated  Employee with the
          largest  matching  contribution  shall be reduced  until either a) the
          total amount of Excess Aggregate  Contributions is distributed,  or b)

                                       37
<PAGE>
          the matching  contributions for the Highly  Compensated  Employee with
          the  greatest  matching  contributions  is reduced to the level of the
          matching  contributions for the Highly  Compensated  Employee with the
          next greatest  matching  contributions.  This process  shall  continue
          until  all  Excess  Aggregate  Contributions  are  eliminated.  Excess
          Aggregate Contributions shall be distributed to or forfeited by Highly
          Compensated  Participants  on or before the fifteenth day of the third
          month  following the end of the Plan Year,  but in no event later than
          the close of the following Plan Year.

          To the  extent  necessary  to  affect  correction,  distributions  and
          forfeitures shall occur  proportionately  from the vested portion of a
          Highly  Compensated  Employee's  aggregate  contributions  (and Income
          allocable  to  such  contributions)  and,  if  forfeitable,  from  the
          non-Vested  Excess  Aggregate  Contributions  attributable to Employer
          matching contributions (and Income allocable to such forfeitures).  If
          the  correction  of Excess  Aggregate  Contributions  attributable  to
          Employer matching contributions is not in proportion to the Vested and
          non-Vested portion of such  contributions,  then the Vested portion of
          the   Participant's   Account   attributable   to  Employer   matching
          contributions after the correction shall be subject to Section 7.5(k).

               (b) Any  distribution  and/or  Forfeiture of less than the entire
          amount of Excess Aggregate Contributions (and Income) shall be treated
          as a pro rata  distribution  and/or  Forfeiture  of  Excess  Aggregate
          Contributions   and   Income.   Distribution   of   Excess   Aggregate
          Contributions shall be designated by the Employer as a distribution of
          Excess  Aggregate  Contributions  (and Income).  Forfeitures of Excess
          Aggregate  Contributions  shall be treated in accordance  with Section
          4.4.

               (c) Excess Aggregate Contributions,  including forfeited matching
          contributions, shall be treated as Employer contributions for purposes
          of Code Sections 404 and 415 even if distributed from the Plan.

               Forfeited   matching   contributions   that  are  reallocated  to
          Participants'  Accounts  for the  Plan  Year in which  the  forfeiture
          occurs  shall be treated as an "annual  addition"  pursuant to Section
          4.9(b) for the Participants to whose Accounts they are reallocated and
          for the Participants from whose Accounts they are forfeited.

                                       38
<PAGE>
               (d) For each Highly Compensated Participant, the amount of Excess
          Aggregate   Contributions   is   equal   to  the   Employer   matching
          contributions  made  pursuant  to Section  4.1(b),  and any  qualified
          non-elective  contributions  or elective  deferrals taken into account
          pursuant  to  Section  4.7(c)  on  behalf  of the  Highly  Compensated
          Participant  (determined  prior to the  application of this paragraph)
          minus the amount  determined  by  multiplying  the Highly  Compensated
          Participant's  actual contribution ratio (determined after application
          of  this   paragraph)  by  his  "414(s)   Compensation."   The  actual
          contribution ratio must be rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of one
          percent. In no case shall the amount of Excess Aggregate  Contribution
          with respect to any Highly  Compensated  Participant exceed the amount
          of Employer  matching  contributions  made pursuant to Section 4.1(b),
          and any qualified  non-elective  contributions  or elective  deferrals
          taken into account pursuant to Section 4.7(c) on behalf of such Highly
          Compensated Participant for such Plan Year.

               (e)  The   determination   of  the  amount  of  Excess  Aggregate
          Contributions  with respect to any Plan Year shall be made after first
          determining  the  Excess  Contributions,  if  any,  to be  treated  as
          voluntary  Employee  contributions due to  recharacterization  for the
          plan year of any other  qualified  cash or  deferred  arrangement  (as
          defined in Code Section  401(k))  maintained by the Employer that ends
          with or within the Plan Year.

               (f) If  during a Plan  Year the  projected  aggregate  amount  of
          Employer  matching   contributions  to  be  allocated  to  all  Highly
          Compensated Participants under this Plan would, by virtue of the tests
          set forth in Section 4.7(a),  cause the Plan to fail such tests,  then
          the Administrator may automatically  reduce  proportionately or in the
          order  provided in Section  4.8(a) each  affected  Highly  Compensated
          Participant's  projected  share  of such  contributions  by an  amount
          necessary to satisfy one of the tests set forth in Section 4.7(a).

               (g)  Notwithstanding  the above,  within twelve (12) months after
          the end of the Plan Year,  the Employer  may make a special  Qualified
          Non-Elective   Contribution   on  behalf  of  Non-Highly   Compensated
          Participants  in an amount  sufficient to satisfy one of the tests set
          forth in Section 4.7(a).  Such contribution  shall be allocated to the
          Participant's  Account of each Non-Highly  Compensated  Participant in
          the same  proportion that each  Non-Highly  Compensated  Participant's
          Compensation  for the year  bears  to the  total  Compensation  of all

                                       39
<PAGE>
          Non-Highly  Compensated  Participants.  A separate  accounting  of any
          special Qualified Non-Elective Contribution shall be maintained in the
          Participant's Account.

4.9     MAXIMUM ANNUAL ADDITIONS

               (a) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum "annual additions"
          credited to a Participant's  accounts for any "limitation  year" shall
          equal the lesser of: (1) $30,000 adjusted annually as provided in Code
          Section 415(d) pursuant to the Regulations, or (2) twenty-five percent
          (25%) of the  Participant's  "415  Compensation"  for such "limitation
          year." For any short  "limitation  year," the dollar limitation in (1)
          above shall be reduced by a fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the
          number  of  full  months  in  the  short  "limitation  year"  and  the
          denominator of which is twelve (12).

               (b) For purposes of applying the limitations of Code Section 415,
          "annual additions" means the sum credited to a Participant's  accounts
          for any "limitation year" of (1) Employer contributions,  (2) Employee
          contributions, (3) forfeitures, (4) amounts allocated, after March 31,
          1984, to an  individual  medical  account,  as defined in Code Section
          415(l)(2) which is part of a pension or annuity plan maintained by the
          Employer and (5) amounts  derived from  contributions  paid or accrued
          after  December  31,  1985,  in taxable  years ending after such date,
          which are attributable to  post-retirement  medical benefits allocated
          to the separate  account of a key employee (as defined in Code Section
          419A(d)(3))  under a welfare  benefit plan (as defined in Code Section
          419(e))  maintained  by  the  Employer.   Except,  however,  the  "415
          Compensation"  percentage  limitation  referred to in paragraph (a)(2)
          above shall not apply to: (1) any  contribution  for medical  benefits
          (within the meaning of Code Section  419A(f)(2)) after separation from
          service which is otherwise treated as an "annual addition," or (2) any
          amount  otherwise  treated as an "annual  addition" under Code Section
          415(l)(1).

               (c) For purposes of applying the limitations of Code Section 415,
          the  transfer  of funds from one  qualified  plan to another is not an
          "annual  addition."  In  addition,  the  following  are  not  Employee
          contributions  for the  purposes of Section  4.9(b)(2):  (1)  rollover
          contributions  (as  defined  in Code  Sections  402(e)(6),  403(a)(4),
          403(b)(8)  and   408(d)(3));   (2)  repayments  of  loans  made  to  a
          Participant from the Plan; (3) repayments of distributions received by
          an Employee  pursuant to Code Section  411(a)(7)(B)  (cash-outs);  (4)

                                       40
<PAGE>
          repayments of distributions  received by an Employee  pursuant to Code
          Section  411(a)(3)(D)  (mandatory  contributions);  and  (5)  Employee
          contributions to a simplified  employee pension  excludable from gross
          income under Code Section 408(k)(6).

               (d) For purposes of applying the limitations of Code Section 415,
          the "limitation year" shall be the Plan Year.

               (e) For  the  purpose  of this  Section,  all  qualified  defined
          benefit  plans  (whether  terminated  or not) ever  maintained  by the
          Employer  shall  be  treated  as one  defined  benefit  plan,  and all
          qualified defined  contribution plans (whether terminated or not) ever
          maintained   by  the   Employer   shall  be  treated  as  one  defined
          contribution plan.

               (f) For the purpose of this Section,  if the Employer is a member
          of a controlled  group of  corporations,  trades or  businesses  under
          common  control (as defined by Code  Section  1563(a) or Code  Section
          414(b) and (c) as modified by Code Section 415(h)),  is a member of an
          affiliated service group (as defined by Code Section 414(m)),  or is a
          member of a group of entities  required to be  aggregated  pursuant to
          Regulations under Code Section 414(o), all Employees of such Employers
          shall be considered to be employed by a single Employer.

               (g)  For the  purpose  of this  Section,  if this  Plan is a Code
          Section  413(c) plan,  each Employer who  maintains  this Plan will be
          considered to be a separate Employer.

               (h)(1) If a  Participant  participates  in more than one  defined
          contribution  plan  maintained  by the Employer  which have  different
          Anniversary  Dates,  the maximum  "annual  additions"  under this Plan
          shall equal the maximum "annual  additions" for the "limitation  year"
          minus any "annual additions" previously credited to such Participant's
          accounts during the "limitation year."

               (2) If a Participant  participates in both a defined contribution
               plan subject to Code Section 412 and a defined  contribution plan
               not subject to Code Section 412  maintained by the Employer which
               have  the  same  Anniversary  Date,  "annual  additions"  will be
               credited  to  the   Participant's   accounts  under  the  defined
               contribution  plan subject to Code Section 412 prior to crediting
               "annual  additions"  to  the  Participant's  accounts  under  the

                                       41
<PAGE>
               defined contribution plan not subject to Code Section 412.

               (3) If a  Participant  participates  in  more  than  one  defined
               contribution  plan not subject to Code Section 412  maintained by
               the Employer  which have the same  Anniversary  Date, the maximum
               "annual additions" under this Plan shall equal the product of (A)
               the maximum "annual  additions" for the  "limitation  year" minus
               any "annual additions"  previously  credited under  subparagraphs
               (1) or (2) above,  multiplied by (B) a fraction (i) the numerator
               of which is the  "annual  additions"  which  would be credited to
               such Participant's accounts under this Plan without regard to the
               limitations of Code Section 415 and (ii) the denominator of which
               is such  "annual  additions"  for  all  plans  described  in this
               subparagraph.

               (i) For Plan  Years  beginning  before  January  1,  2000,  if an
          Employee is (or has been) a Participant in one or more defined benefit
          plans and one or more defined  contribution  plans  maintained  by the
          Employer, the sum of the defined benefit plan fraction and the defined
          contribution  plan fraction for any  "limitation  year" may not exceed
          1.0.

               (j) The defined benefit plan fraction for any  "limitation  year"
          prior to January 1, 2000 is a fraction,  the numerator of which is the
          sum of the  Participant's  projected  annual  benefits  under  all the
          defined  benefit plans (whether or not  terminated)  maintained by the
          Employer, and the denominator of which is the lesser of 125 percent of
          the dollar limitation  determined for the "limitation year" under Code
          Sections  415(b)  and  (d)  or 140  percent  of  the  highest  average
          compensation, including any adjustments under Code Section 415(b).

               Notwithstanding  the above,  if the Participant was a Participant
          as of the first day of the first  "limitation  year"  beginning  after
          December 31, 1986, in one or more defined benefit plans  maintained by
          the Employer which were in existence on May 6, 1986,  the  denominator
          of this  fraction  will not be less than 125 percent of the sum of the
          annual  benefits under such plans which the Participant had accrued as
          of the close of the last "limitation year" beginning before January 1,
          1987, disregarding any changes in the terms and conditions of the plan
          after May 5, 1986. The preceding  sentence applies only if the defined
          benefit  plans  individually  and  in  the  aggregate   satisfied  the

                                       42
<PAGE>
          requirements of Code Section 415 for all "limitation  years" beginning
          before January 1, 1987.

               (k) For Plan  Years  beginning  prior to  January  1,  2000,  the
          defined  contribution  plan  fraction for any  "limitation  year" is a
          fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the annual additions to
          the  Participant's  Account under all the defined  contribution  plans
          (whether or not terminated) maintained by the Employer for the current
          and all prior  "limitation  years"  (including  the  annual  additions
          attributable to the Participant's nondeductible Employee contributions
          to all defined benefit plans, whether or not terminated, maintained by
          the Employer,  and the annual  additions  attributable  to all welfare
          benefit  funds,  as defined in Code  Section  419(e),  and  individual
          medical accounts, as defined in Code Section 415(l)(2),  maintained by
          the Employer),  and the denominator of which is the sum of the maximum
          aggregate amounts for the current and all prior "limitation  years" of
          service   with  the   Employer   (regardless   of  whether  a  defined
          contribution  plan  was  maintained  by  the  Employer).  The  maximum
          aggregate amount in any "limitation year" is the lesser of 125 percent
          of the dollar limitation determined under Code Sections 415(b) and (d)
          in  effect  under  Code  Section  415(c)(1)(A)  or 35  percent  of the
          Participant's Compensation for such year.

               If the Employee was a Participant  as of the end of the first day
          of the first  "limitation  year" beginning after December 31, 1986, in
          one or more  defined  contribution  plans  maintained  by the Employer
          which were in existence on May 6, 1986, the numerator of this fraction
          will be adjusted if the sum of this  fraction and the defined  benefit
          fraction  would  otherwise  exceed  1.0 under the terms of this  Plan.
          Under the adjustment, an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess
          of the sum of the fractions over 1.0 times (2) the denominator of this
          fraction,  will be permanently  subtracted  from the numerator of this
          fraction.  The  adjustment is  calculated  using the fractions as they
          would  be  computed  as of  the  end  of the  last  "limitation  year"
          beginning  before January 1, 1987, and disregarding any changes in the
          terms and conditions of the Plan made after May 5, 1986, but using the
          Code Section 415 limitation  applicable to the first "limitation year"
          beginning  on or after  January 1, 1987.  The annual  addition for any
          "limitation  year"  beginning  before  January  1,  1987  shall not be
          recomputed to treat all Employee contributions as annual additions.

               (l) Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  for any "limitation year" in
          which the Plan is a Top Heavy  Plan  prior to  January  1,  2000,  100

                                       43
<PAGE>
          percent shall be  substituted  for 125 percent in Sections  4.9(j) and
          4.9(k).

               (m) For Plan Years  prior to  January 1, 2000,  if the sum of the
          defined  benefit  plan  fraction  and the  defined  contribution  plan
          fraction shall exceed 1.0 in any "limitation year" for any Participant
          in this Plan,  the  Administrator  shall  adjust the  numerator of the
          defined  benefit plan fraction so that the sum of both fractions shall
          not exceed 1.0 in any "limitation year" for such Participant.

               (n)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in this Section to the
          contrary,   the  limitations,   adjustments  and  other   requirements
          prescribed  in  this  Section  shall  at all  times  comply  with  the
          provisions  of Code Section 415 and the  Regulations  thereunder,  the
          terms of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

4.10    ADJUSTMENT FOR EXCESSIVE ANNUAL ADDITIONS

               (a)  If,  as  a  result  of  the  allocation  of  Forfeitures,  a
          reasonable  error  in  estimating  a  Participant's  Compensation,   a
          reasonable  error in  determining  the  amount of  elective  deferrals
          (within the meaning of Code Section  402(g)(3))  that may be made with
          respect to any  Participant  under the limits of Section  4.9 or other
          facts and  circumstances  to which Regulation  1.415-6(b)(6)  shall be
          applicable,  the  "annual  additions"  under this Plan would cause the
          maximum  "annual  additions" to be exceeded for any  Participant,  the
          Administrator  shall (1) distribute any elective deferrals (within the
          meaning  of  Code   Section   402(g)(3))   or  return   any   Employee
          contributions   (whether   voluntary  or   mandatory),   and  for  the
          distribution  of gains  attributable  to those elective  deferrals and
          Employee contributions,  to the extent that the distribution or return
          would  reduce the "excess  amount" in the  Participant's  accounts (2)
          hold any "excess  amount"  remaining  after the return of any elective
          deferrals  or  voluntary  Employee  contributions  in a  "Section  415
          suspense  account" (3) use the  "Section 415 suspense  account" in the
          next  "limitation   year"  (and  succeeding   "limitation   years"  if
          necessary) to reduce Employer  contributions  for that  Participant if
          that  Participant  is  covered  by  the  Plan  as of  the  end  of the
          "limitation  year," or if the Participant is not so covered,  allocate
          and  reallocate  the  "Section  415  suspense  account"  in  the  next
          "limitation year" (and succeeding  "limitation years" if necessary) to
          all   Participants  in  the  Plan  before  any  Employer  or  Employee
          contributions  which would constitute  "annual  additions" are made to

                                       44
<PAGE>
          the Plan for such "limitation year" (4) reduce Employer  contributions
          to the Plan for such  "limitation  year" by the amount of the "Section
          415  suspense   account"   allocated  and   reallocated   during  such
          "limitation year."

               (b)  For  purposes  of  this  Article,  "excess  amount"  for any
          Participant for a "limitation  year" shall mean the excess, if any, of
          (1) the  "annual  additions"  which  would be  credited to his account
          under the terms of the Plan without regard to the  limitations of Code
          Section  415  over  (2)  the  maximum  "annual  additions"  determined
          pursuant to Section 4.9.

               (c) For purposes of this Section,  "Section 415 suspense account"
          shall mean an unallocated account equal to the sum of "excess amounts"
          for all  Participants  in the Plan during the  "limitation  year." The
          "Section  415  suspense  account"  shall not share in any  earnings or
          losses of the Trust Fund.

4.11    TRANSFERS FROM QUALIFIED PLANS

               (a)  With  the  consent  of  the  Administrator,  amounts  may be
          transferred from other qualified plans by Eligible Employees, provided
          that the trust  from  which such  funds are  transferred  permits  the
          transfer  to be made  and the  transfer  will not  jeopardize  the tax
          exempt status of the Plan or Trust or create adverse tax  consequences
          for  the  Employer.  The  amounts  transferred  shall  be  set up in a
          separate  account  herein  referred  to as a  "Participant's  Rollover
          Account."  Such  account  shall be fully Vested at all times and shall
          not be subject to Forfeiture for any reason.

               (b) Amounts in a Participant's  Rollover Account shall be held by
          the  Trustee  pursuant to the  provisions  of this Plan and may not be
          withdrawn by, or distributed to the Participant,  in whole or in part,
          except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Section.

               (c) Except as  permitted  by  Regulations  (including  Regulation
          1.411(d)-4),   amounts  attributable  to  elective  contributions  (as
          defined in Regulation 1.401(k)-1(g)(3)),  including amounts treated as
          elective  contributions,  which are transferred from another qualified
          plan in a plan-to-plan  transfer shall be subject to the  distribution
          limitations provided for in Regulation 1.401(k)-1(d).

               (d) The Administrator,  at the election of the Participant, shall
          direct  the  Trustee  to  distribute  all or a portion  of the  amount

                                       45
<PAGE>
          credited to the Participant's  Rollover Account.  Any distributions of
          amounts held in a  Participant's  Rollover  Account shall be made in a
          manner  which is  consistent  with and  satisfies  the  provisions  of
          Section  7.5,  including,  but not  limited to, all notice and consent
          requirements   of  Code  Section   411(a)(11)   and  the   Regulations
          thereunder. Furthermore, such amounts shall be considered as part of a
          Participant's  benefit in determining whether an involuntary  cash-out
          of benefits without Participant consent may be made.

               (e) The  Administrator  may direct that employee  transfers  made
          after a valuation date be segregated into a separate  account for each
          Participant in a federally  insured  savings  account,  certificate of
          deposit  in a bank or  savings  and  loan  association,  money  market
          certificate,  or other  short  term debt  security  acceptable  to the
          Trustee until such time as the allocations  pursuant to this Plan have
          been made, at which time they may remain  segregated or be invested as
          part of the general Trust Fund, to be determined by the Administrator.

               (f) For purposes of this Section, the term "qualified plan" shall
          mean any tax  qualified  plan  under  Code  Section  401(a).  The term
          "amounts  transferred  from other  qualified  plans"  shall mean:  (i)
          amounts transferred to this Plan directly from another qualified plan;
          (ii)  distributions  from  another  qualified  plan which are eligible
          rollover  distributions  and  which  are  either  transferred  by  the
          Employee to this Plan  within  sixty (60) days  following  his receipt
          thereof  or are  transferred  pursuant  to a  direct  rollover;  (iii)
          amounts transferred to this Plan from a conduit individual  retirement
          account provided that the conduit individual retirement account has no
          assets other than assets which (A) were previously  distributed to the
          Employee by another qualified plan as a lump-sum distribution (B) were
          eligible  for  tax-free  rollover  to a  qualified  plan  and (C) were
          deposited in such conduit  individual  retirement account within sixty
          (60) days of receipt  thereof and other than  earnings on said assets;
          and (iv) amounts distributed to the Employee from a conduit individual
          retirement account meeting the requirements of clause (iii) above, and
          transferred by the Employee to this Plan within sixty (60) days of his
          receipt thereof from such conduit individual retirement account.

                                       46
<PAGE>
               (g)  Prior to  accepting  any  transfers  to which  this  Section
          applies,  the Administrator may require the Employee to establish that
          the amounts to be  transferred to this Plan meet the  requirements  of
          this  Section and may also  require the Employee to provide an opinion
          of  counsel  satisfactory  to the  Employer  that  the  amounts  to be
          transferred meet the requirements of this Section.

               (h) This Plan shall not accept any direct or  indirect  transfers
          (as that term is defined and interpreted under Code Section 401(a)(11)
          and the Regulations  thereunder)  from a defined  benefit plan,  money
          purchase plan (including a target benefit plan), stock bonus or profit
          sharing plan which would  otherwise  have  provided for a life annuity
          form of payment to the Participant.

               (i) Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,  a transfer
          directly to this Plan from another  qualified  plan (or a  transaction
          having the effect of such a transfer)  shall only be  permitted  if it
          will not  result  in the  elimination  or  reduction  of any  "Section
          411(d)(6) protected benefit" as described in Section 9.1.

4.12    DIRECTED INVESTMENT ACCOUNT

               (a) Participants  may, subject to Section 4.12(c) and a procedure
          established   by  the   Administrator   (the   Participant   Direction
          Procedures) and applied in a uniform  nondiscriminatory manner, direct
          the Trustee to invest all or a portion of their Participant's Elective
          Account  (and  such  other  account   balances  as  specified  in  the
          Procedures) in specific  assets,  specific funds or other  investments
          permitted  under the Plan and the  Participant  Direction  Procedures.
          That portion of the  interest of any  Participant  so  directing  will
          thereupon be considered a Participant's Directed Account.

               (b) As of each Valuation Date, all Participant  Directed Accounts
          shall be charged or credited with the net earnings,  gains, losses and
          expenses as well as any  appreciation  or  depreciation  in the market
          value  using  publicly  listed fair market  values when  available  or
          appropriate.

               (1) To the  extent  that the assets in a  Participant's  Directed
               Account are accounted for as pooled  assets or  investments,  the
               allocation  of earnings,  gains and losses of each  Participant's
               Directed Account shall be based upon the total amount of funds so
               invested, in a manner proportionate to the Participant's share of

                                       47
<PAGE>
               such pooled investment.

               (2) To the extent that the assets in the  Participant's  Directed
               Account are accounted for as segregated assets, the allocation of
               earnings,  gains and losses from such  assets  shall be made on a
               separate and distinct basis.

               (c) Each  "Qualified  Participant"  may elect within  ninety (90)
          days after the close of each Plan Year during the "Qualified  Election
          Period" to direct the  Trustee in writing as to the  investment  of 25
          percent of the total number of shares of Company Stock  acquired by or
          contributed  to the  Plan  that  have  ever  been  allocated  to  such
          "Qualified Participant's" Company Stock Account (reduced by the number
          of shares of Company  Stock  previously  invested  pursuant to a prior
          election).  In the case of the election year in which the  Participant
          can make his last election, the preceding sentence shall be applied by
          substituting   "50  percent"  for  "25  percent."  If  the  "Qualified
          Participant"  elects to direct the Trustee as to the investment of his
          Company Stock Account, such direction shall be effective no later than
          180 days  after  the close of the Plan  Year to which  such  direction
          applies.  In lieu of directing the Trustee as to the investment of his
          Company  Stock  Account,  the  "Qualified  Participant"  may  elect  a
          distribution  in cash or Company  Stock of the  portion of his Company
          Stock  Account  covered by the election  within ninety (90) days after
          the last day of the period during which the election can be made.  Any
          such  distribution  of Company Stock shall be subject to Section 7.11.
          Furthermore,  the Participant must be given a choice of at least three
          distinct investment options.

               Notwithstanding  the above, if the fair market value  (determined
          pursuant  to  Section  6.1  at the  Plan  Valuation  Date  immediately
          preceding the first day on which a "Qualified Participant" is eligible
          to make an election) of Company Stock  acquired by or  contributed  to
          the Plan and  allocated to a "Qualified  Participant's"  Company Stock
          Account is $500 or less,  then such Company Stock shall not be subject
          to this paragraph. For purposes of determining whether the fair market
          value  exceeds  $500,  Company  Stock held in accounts of all employee
          stock ownership plans (as defined in Code Section  4975(e)(7)) and tax
          credit  employee  stock  ownership  plans (as defined in Code  Section
          409(a)) maintained by the Employer or any Affiliated Employer shall be
          considered as held by the Plan.

                                       48
<PAGE>
               (d) For the  purposes of this Section the  following  definitions
          shall apply:

               (1)  "Qualified  Participant"  means  any  Participant  or Former
               Participant who has completed ten (10) years as a Participant and
               has attained age 55.

               (2)  "Qualified  Election  Period"  means  the six (6) Plan  Year
               period  beginning  with the later of (i) the  first  Plan Year in
               which the Participant first became a "Qualified  Participant," or
               (ii) the first Plan Year beginning after December 31, 1986.

                                    ARTICLE I
                          FUNDING AND INVESTMENT POLICY

5.1     INVESTMENT POLICY

               (a) The Plan is designed to invest primarily in Company Stock.

               (b) With due regard to subparagraph (a) above, the  Administrator
          may also  direct the  Trustee to invest  funds under the Plan in other
          property described in the Trust, or the Trustee may hold such funds in
          cash or cash equivalents.

               (c) The Plan may not  obligate  itself to acquire  Company  Stock
          from a particular holder thereof at an indefinite time determined upon
          the happening of an event such as the death of the holder.

               (d) The Plan may not  obligate  itself to acquire  Company  Stock
          under a put option binding upon the Plan.  However,  at the time a put
          option is  exercised,  the Plan may be given an  option to assume  the
          rights and obligations of the Employer under a put option binding upon
          the Employer.

               (e) All  purchases  of  Company  Stock  shall  be made at a price
          which, in the judgment of the Administrator,  does not exceed the fair
          market value  thereof.  All sales of Company  Stock shall be made at a
          price which,  in the judgment of the  Administrator,  is not less than
          the fair  market  value  thereof.  The  valuation  rules  set forth in
          Article VI shall be applicable.

5.2     TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING COMPANY STOCK

               (a) No portion of the Trust Fund attributable to (or allocable in
          lieu of)  Company  Stock  acquired by the Plan in a sale to which Code
          Section 1042 applies may accrue or be allocated directly or indirectly

                                       49
<PAGE>
          under any plan maintained by the Employer  meeting the requirements of
          Code Section 401(a):

               (1) during the "Nonallocation Period," for the benefit of

                    (i) any  taxpayer  who makes an election  under Code Section
                    1042(a) with respect to Company Stock,

                    (ii) any individual  who is related to the taxpayer  (within
                    the meaning of Code Section 267(b)), or

               (2)  for  the  benefit  of  any  other  person  who  owns  (after
               application of Code Section 318(a) applied  without regard to the
               employee trust  exception in Code Section  318(a)(2)(B)(i))  more
               than 25 percent of

                    (i) any  class  of  outstanding  stock  of the  Employer  or
                    Affiliated Employer which issued such Company Stock, or

                    (ii) the total  value of any class of  outstanding  stock of
                    the Employer or Affiliated Employer.

               (b)  Except,  however,  subparagraph  (a)(1)(ii)  above shall not
          apply  to  lineal  descendants  of the  taxpayer,  provided  that  the
          aggregate   amount  allocated  to  the  benefit  of  all  such  lineal
          descendants  during the  "Nonallocation  Period"  does not exceed more
          than five (5) percent of the Company  Stock (or amounts  allocated  in
          lieu thereof) held by the Plan which are attributable to a sale to the
          Plan by any person related to such descendants  (within the meaning of
          Code Section 267(c)(4)) in a transaction to which Code Section 1042 is
          applied.

               (c) A person  shall  be  treated  as  failing  to meet the  stock
          ownership limitation under paragraph (a)(2) above if such person fails
          such limitation:

               (1) at any time during the one (1) year period ending on the date
               of sale of Company Stock to the Plan, or

               (2) on the  date  as of  which  Company  Stock  is  allocated  to
               Participants in the Plan.

               (d) For purposes of this  Section,  "Nonallocation  Period" means
          the period  beginning on the date of the sale of the Company Stock and

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<PAGE>
          ending on the date which is ten (10) years after the date of sale.

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   VALUATIONS

6.1     VALUATION OF THE TRUST FUND

     The Administrator  shall direct the Trustee,  as of each Valuation Date, to
determine the net worth of the assets  comprising the Trust Fund as it exists on
the Valuation Date. In determining  such net worth,  the Trustee shall value the
assets  comprising the Trust Fund at their fair market value as of the Valuation
Date and shall  deduct all  expenses  for which the Trustee has not yet obtained
reimbursement  from the  Employer or the Trust Fund.  The Trustee may update the
value of any shares held in the Participant Directed Account by reference to the
number of shares held by that Participant,  priced at the market value as of the
Valuation Date.

6.2     METHOD OF VALUATION

     Valuations must be made in good faith and based on all relevant factors for
determining  the fair market value of  securities.  In the case of a transaction
between a Plan and a  disqualified  person,  value must be  determined as of the
date  of  the  transaction.  For  Plan  distribution  purposes,  value  will  be
determined as of the date of the transaction. For all other Plan purposes, value
will be  determined  as of the most  recent  valuation  date under the Plan.  An
independent  appraisal will not in itself be a good faith determination of value
in the  case of a  transaction  between  the  Plan  and a  disqualified  person.
However,  in other cases, a determination of fair market value based on at least
an annual appraisal  independently  arrived at by a person who customarily makes
such appraisals and who is independent of any party to the  transaction  will be
deemed to be a good faith  determination  of value.  Company  Stock not  readily
tradeable on an established  securities market shall be valued by an independent
appraiser  meeting  requirements  similar to the requirements of the Regulations
prescribed under Code Section 170(a)(1).

                                    ARTICLE I
                   DETERMINATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

7.1     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT

     Every Participant may terminate his employment with the Employer and retire
for the purposes hereof on his Normal  Retirement Date or Early Retirement Date.
However,  a Participant  may postpone the termination of his employment with the
Employer to a later date, in which event the  participation  of such Participant
in the Plan, including the right to receive allocations pursuant to Section 4.4,
shall continue until his Late Retirement  Date. Upon a Participant's  Retirement
Date,  or as soon  thereafter  as is  practicable,  the  Trustee  shall,  at the

                                       51
<PAGE>
election  of  the   Participant,   distribute  all  amounts   credited  to  such
Participant's Combined Account in accordance with Sections 7.5 and 7.6.

7.2     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON DEATH

               (a) Upon the death of a Participant before his Retirement Date or
          other  termination  of his  employment,  all amounts  credited to such
          Participant's  Combined Account shall become fully Vested. If elected,
          distribution of the Participant's  Combined Account shall commence not
          later than one (1) year after the close of the Plan Year in which such
          Participant's   death  occurs.  The  Administrator  shall  direct  the
          Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.5 and 7.6, to
          distribute  the value of the  deceased  Participant's  accounts to the
          Participant's Beneficiary.

               (b) Upon the  death of a Former  Participant,  the  Administrator
          shall  direct  the  Trustee,  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of
          Sections  7.5 and 7.6, to  distribute  any  remaining  Vested  amounts
          credited to the  accounts  of a deceased  Former  Participant  to such
          Former Participant's Beneficiary.

               (c) Any  security  interest  held by the  Plan  by  reason  of an
          outstanding  loan to the  Participant or Former  Participant  shall be
          taken into account in determining the amount of the death benefit.

               (d) The  Administrator may require such proper proof of death and
          such  evidence  of the right of any person to  receive  payment of the
          value of the account of a deceased  Participant or Former  Participant
          as  the   Administrator  may  deem  desirable.   The   Administrator's
          determination  of death  and of the  right of any  person  to  receive
          payment shall be conclusive.

               (e) The Beneficiary of the death benefit payable pursuant to this
          Section  shall  be the  Participant's  spouse.  Except,  however,  the
          Participant may designate a Beneficiary other than his spouse if:

               (1) the  spouse  has  waived  the  right to be the  Participant's
               Beneficiary, or

               (2) the  Participant  is legally  separated or has been abandoned
               (within the meaning of local law) and the Participant has a court
               order  to  such  effect  (and  there  is no  "qualified  domestic
               relations order" as defined in Code Section 414(p) which provides
               otherwise), or

                                       52
<PAGE>
               (3) the Participant has no spouse, or

               (4) the spouse cannot be located.

                                     In  such  event,   the   designation  of  a
               Beneficiary   shall  be  made  on  a  form  satisfactory  to  the
          Administrator. A Participant may at any time revoke his designation of
          a Beneficiary  or change his  Beneficiary  by filing written notice of
          such  revocation  or  change  with  the  Administrator.  However,  the
          Participant's  spouse  must again  consent in writing to any change in
          Beneficiary  unless the original consent  acknowledged that the spouse
          had the right to limit consent only to a specific Beneficiary and that
          the spouse voluntarily  elected to relinquish such right. In the event
          no  valid  designation  of  Beneficiary  exists  at  the  time  of the
          Participant's death, the death benefit shall be payable to his estate.

               (f) Any consent by the  Participant's  spouse to waive any rights
          to the death benefit must be in writing,  must  acknowledge the effect
          of such waiver, and be witnessed by a Plan  representative or a notary
          public.  Further,  the spouse's  consent must be irrevocable  and must
          acknowledge the specific nonspouse Beneficiary.

7.3     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS IN EVENT OF DISABILITY

     In the event of a Participant's Total and Permanent Disability prior to his
Retirement Date or other termination of his employment,  all amounts credited to
such Participant's Combined Account shall become fully Vested. In the event of a
Participant's  Total and Permanent  Disability,  the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of Sections 7.5 and 7.6, shall distribute to such Participant all
amounts  credited  to such  Participant's  Combined  Account  as  though  he had
retired. If such Participant elects,  distribution shall commence not later than
one (1) year  after  the close of the Plan  Year in which  Total  and  Permanent
Disability occurs.

7.4     DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION

               (a) If a Participant's employment with the Employer is terminated
          for any reason other than death,  Total and  Permanent  Disability  or
          retirement, such Participant shall be entitled to such benefits as are
          provided hereinafter pursuant to this Section 7.4.

               If a portion of a  Participant's  Account is  forfeited,  Company
          Stock  allocated to the  Participant's  Company  Stock Account must be
          forfeited only after the Participant's  Other Investments  Account has
          been depleted. If interest in more than one class of Company Stock has

                                       53
<PAGE>
          been allocated to a Participant's  Account,  the  Participant  must be
          treated as forfeiting the same proportion of each such class.

               Distribution of the funds due to a Terminated  Participant  shall
          be made on the  occurrence  of an  event  which  would  result  in the
          distribution had the Terminated  Participant remained in the employ of
          the  Employer  (upon the  Participant's  death,  Total  and  Permanent
          Disability,  Early or Normal Retirement).  However, at the election of
          the Participant,  the Administrator  shall direct the Trustee to cause
          the entire Vested  portion of the  Terminated  Participant's  Combined
          Account to be payable to such  Terminated  Participant on or after the
          Valuation   Date  next  following   termination  of  employment.   Any
          distribution  under this paragraph  shall be made in a manner which is
          consistent  with and satisfies the provisions of Sections 7.5 and 7.6,
          including,  but not limited to, all notice and consent requirements of
          Code Section 411(a)(11) and the Regulations thereunder.

               If the value of a Terminated Participant's Vested benefit derived
          from  Employer  and  Employee  contributions  does not  exceed  $3,500
          ($5,000  beginning  in 1998) and has  never  exceeded  $3,500  ($5,000
          beginning  in  1998)  at the  time  of  any  prior  distribution,  the
          Administrator  shall  direct the  Trustee  to cause the entire  Vested
          benefit to be paid to such Participant in a single lump sum.

               (b) The Vested  portion of any  Participant's  Account shall be a
          percentage of the total amount credited to his  Participant's  Account
          determined  on the  basis  of the  Participant's  number  of  Years of
          Service according to the following schedule:

                                Vesting Schedule
                    Years of Service          Percentage


                     less than 1                   0 %
                          1                       20 %
                          2                       40 %
                          3                       60 %
                          4                       80 %
                          5 or more              100 %

               (c)  Notwithstanding  the  vesting  schedule  above,  the  Vested
          percentage  of a  Participant's  Account  shall  not be less  than the
          Vested  percentage  attained as of the later of the effective  date or
          adoption date of this amendment and restatement.

                                       54
<PAGE>
               (d) Notwithstanding the vesting schedule above, upon the complete
          discontinuance  of the Employer  contributions to the Plan or upon any
          full or partial  termination of the Plan, all amounts  credited to the
          account of any affected Participant shall become 100% Vested and shall
          not thereafter be subject to Forfeiture.

               (e) The computation of a Participant's  nonforfeitable percentage
          of his  interest in the Plan shall not be reduced as the result of any
          direct or indirect amendment to this Plan. For this purpose,  the Plan
          shall be treated as having been  amended if the Plan  provides  for an
          automatic  change in vesting due to a change in top heavy  status.  In
          the event that the Plan is  amended  to change or modify  any  vesting
          schedule, a Participant with at least three (3) Years of Service as of
          the  expiration  date of the  election  period  may  elect to have his
          nonforfeitable  percentage  computed  under the Plan without regard to
          such  amendment.  If a Participant  fails to make such election,  then
          such  Participant  shall be subject to the new vesting  schedule.  The
          Participant's  election  period shall commence on the adoption date of
          the amendment and shall end 60 days after the latest of:

               (1) the adoption date of the amendment,

               (2) the effective date of the amendment, or

               (3) the date  the  Participant  receives  written  notice  of the
               amendment from the Employer or Administrator.

               (f)(1)  If any  Former  Participant  shall be  reemployed  by the
          Employer before a 1-Year Break in Service occurs, he shall continue to
          participate in the Plan in the same manner as if such  termination had
          not occurred.

               (2) If any Former Participant shall be reemployed by the Employer
               before five (5)  consecutive  1-Year Breaks in Service,  and such
               Former  Participant  had  received a  distribution  of his entire
               Vested interest prior to his reemployment,  his forfeited account
               shall be reinstated only if he repays the full amount distributed
               to him before the  earlier of five (5) years after the first date
               on  which  the  Participant  is  subsequently  reemployed  by the
               Employer or the close of the first period of five (5) consecutive
               1-Year Breaks in Service  commencing after the  distribution.  In
               the event  the  Former  Participant  does  repay the full  amount

                                       55
<PAGE>
               distributed   to   him,   the   undistributed   portion   of  the
               Participant's Account must be restored in full, unadjusted by any
               gains  or  losses  occurring  subsequent  to the  Valuation  Date
               coinciding with or preceding his termination. The source for such
               reinstatement shall first be any Forfeitures occurring during the
               year.  If such source is  insufficient,  then the Employer  shall
               contribute  an amount  which is  sufficient  to restore  any such
               forfeited  Accounts  provided,  however,  that if a discretionary
               contribution  is made for such year  pursuant to Section  4.1(c),
               such  contribution  shall  first be applied  to restore  any such
               Accounts and the remainder  shall be allocated in accordance with
               Section 4.4.

               (3) If any Former  Participant is reemployed after a 1-Year Break
               in Service has occurred,  Years of Service shall include Years of
               Service  prior to his  1-Year  Break in  Service  subject  to the
               following rules:

                    (i) If a Former  Participant  has a 1-Year Break in Service,
                    his  pre-break  and  post-break  service  shall  be used for
                    computing  Years of Service for  eligibility and for vesting
                    purposes only after he has been employed for one (1) Year of
                    Service  following  the  date of his  reemployment  with the
                    Employer;

                    (ii) Any Former Participant who under the Plan does not have
                    a nonforfeitable right to any interest in the Plan resulting
                    from  Employer  contributions  shall lose credits  otherwise
                    allowable under (i) above if his  consecutive  1-Year Breaks
                    in Service  equal or exceed  the  greater of (A) five (5) or
                    (B) the aggregate number of his pre-break Years of Service;

                    (iii) After five (5) consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service, a
                    Former  Participant's Vested Account balance attributable to
                    pre-break  service  shall  not be  increased  as a result of
                    post-break service;

                    (iv) If a Former  Participant  who has not had his  Years of
                    Service  before  a  1-Year  Break  in  Service   disregarded
                    pursuant  to (ii)  above  completes  a Year of  Service  for
                    eligibility  purposes  following his  reemployment  with the
                    Employer,  he shall  participate  in the Plan  retroactively

                                       56
<PAGE>
                    from his date of reemployment;

                    (v) If a  Former  Participant  who has not had his  Years of
                    Service  before  a  1-Year  Break  in  Service   disregarded
                    pursuant to (ii) above completes a Year of Service (a 1-Year
                    Break in Service previously occurred, but employment had not
                    terminated),  he shall participate in the Plan retroactively
                    from the first day on which he is  credited  with an Hour of
                    Service after the first  eligibility  computation  period in
                    which he incurs a 1-Year Break in Service.

               (g) In determining Years of Service for purposes of vesting under
          the Plan, Years of Service prior to the vesting  computation period in
          which an Employee attained his eighteenth birthday shall be excluded.

7.5     DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

               (a)  The   Administrator,   pursuant  to  the   election  of  the
          Participant   (or  if  no   election   has  been  made  prior  to  the
          Participant's death, by his Beneficiary),  shall direct the Trustee to
          distribute to a Participant or his  Beneficiary any amount to which he
          is entitled  under the Plan in one  lump-sum  payment,  subject to the
          provisions of Section 11.17.

               (b) Any  distribution  to a  Participant  who has a benefit which
          exceeds,  or has ever exceeded,  $3,500 ($5,000  beginning in 1998) at
          the time of any prior  distribution  shall require such  Participant's
          consent if such  distribution  occurs prior to the later of his Normal
          Retirement Age or age 62. With regard to this required consent:

               (1) The  Participant  must be  informed  of his  right  to  defer
               receipt of the  distribution.  If a Participant fails to consent,
               it shall be deemed an election to defer the  distribution  of any
               benefit.  However,  any election to defer the receipt of benefits
               shall not apply with respect to distributions  which are required
               under Section 7.5(e).

               (2) Notice of the rights  specified under this paragraph shall be
               provided no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days before the
               date the distribution commences.

               (3) Written consent of the Participant to the  distribution  must
               not be made before the  Participant  receives the notice and must

                                       57
<PAGE>
               not be made more than 90 days  before  the date the  distribution
               commences.

               (4) No  consent  shall  be valid if a  significant  detriment  is
               imposed under the Plan on any Participant who does not consent to
               the distribution.

               Any such  distribution  may commence  less than 30 days after the
          notice required under  Regulation  1.411(a)-11(c)  is given,  provided
          that: (1) the  Administrator  clearly informs the Participant that the
          Participant  has a  right  to a  period  of at  least  30  days  after
          receiving  the notice to  consider  the  decision of whether or not to
          elect a distribution  (and, if applicable,  a particular  distribution
          option),  and  (2)  the  Participant,   after  receiving  the  notice,
          affirmatively elects a distribution.

               (c)  Notwithstanding   anything  herein  to  the  contrary,   the
          Administrator,  in his sole discretion, may direct that cash dividends
          on  shares of  Company  Stock  allocable  to  Participants'  or Former
          Participants'   Company  Stock   Accounts  be   distributed   to  such
          Participants or Former  Participants within 90 days after the close of
          the Plan Year in which the dividends are paid.

               (d) Any part of a Participant's  benefit which is retained in the
          Plan after the  Anniversary  Date or other valuation date on which his
          participation  ends will  continue  to be treated  as a Company  Stock
          Account or as an Other Investments Account (subject to Section 7.4(a))
          as provided in Article IV.  However,  neither account will be credited
          with any further Employer contributions or Forfeitures.

               (e)  Notwithstanding  any  provision in the Plan to the contrary,
          the  distribution  of  a  Participant's  benefits  shall  be  made  in
          accordance with the following  requirements and shall otherwise comply
          with Code Section 401(a)(9) and the Regulations  thereunder (including
          Regulation  1.401(a)(9)-2),  the provisions of which are  incorporated
          herein by reference:

               (1) A  Participant's  benefits shall be distributed or must begin
               to be distributed to him not later than April 1st of the calendar
               year  following  the later of (i) the calendar  year in which the
               Participant attains age 70 1/2 or (ii) the calendar year in which
               the Participant retires, provided, however, that this clause (ii)
               shall not apply in the case of a  Participant  who is a "five (5)

                                       58
<PAGE>
               percent  owner" at any time  during the five (5) Plan Year period
               ending in the calendar year in which he attains age 70 1/2 or, in
               the case of a Participant  who becomes a "five (5) percent owner"
               during  any  subsequent  Plan Year,  clause  (ii) shall no longer
               apply and the required  beginning  date shall be the April 1st of
               the  calendar  year  following  the  calendar  year in which such
               subsequent Plan Year ends. Such  distributions  shall be equal to
               or greater than any required distribution.

               (2)  Distributions to a Participant and his  Beneficiaries  shall
               only be made in  accordance  with the  incidental  death  benefit
               requirements  of Code Section  401(a)(9)(G)  and the  Regulations
               thereunder.

               (f)  Notwithstanding  any  provision in the Plan to the contrary,
          distributions  upon  the  death  of a  Participant  shall  be  made in
          accordance with the following  requirements and shall otherwise comply
          with Code Section 401(a)(9) and the Regulations  thereunder.  If it is
          determined   pursuant  to  Regulations  that  the  distribution  of  a
          Participant's  interest has begun and the Participant  dies before his
          entire interest has been distributed to him, the remaining  portion of
          such interest  shall be  distributed  at least as rapidly as under the
          method of distribution selected pursuant to Section 7.5 as of his date
          of death.  If a  Participant  dies  before he has begun to receive any
          distributions  of his interest under the Plan or before  distributions
          are  deemed to have  begun  pursuant  to  Regulations,  then his death
          benefit shall be distributed to his  Beneficiaries by December 31st of
          the calendar year in which the fifth  anniversary of his date of death
          occurs.

               However,  the 5-year  distribution  requirement  of the preceding
          paragraph shall not apply to any portion of the deceased Participant's
          interest  which  is  payable  to or for the  benefit  of a  designated
          Beneficiary.  In such event,  such portion may, at the election of the
          Participant  (or  the  Participant's   designated   Beneficiary),   be
          distributed  over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of
          such  designated  Beneficiary  provided such  distribution  begins not
          later than December 31st of the calendar  year  immediately  following
          the calendar year in which the Participant died. However, in the event
          the   Participant's   spouse   (determined  as  of  the  date  of  the
          Participant's   death)  is  his  Beneficiary,   the  requirement  that
          distributions  commence within one year of a Participant's death shall
          not apply. In lieu thereof,  distributions  must commence on or before

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          the later of:  (1)  December  31st of the  calendar  year  immediately
          following  the calendar  year in which the  Participant  died;  or (2)
          December 31st of the calendar year in which the Participant would have
          attained age 70 1/2. If the surviving spouse dies before distributions
          to such spouse begin, then the 5-year distribution requirement of this
          Section shall apply as if the spouse was the Participant.

               (g) For  purposes  of this  Section,  the  life  expectancy  of a
          Participant  and a  Participant's  spouse shall not be redetermined in
          accordance with Code Section  401(a)(9)(D).  Life expectancy and joint
          and last  survivor  expectancy  shall be  computed  using  the  return
          multiples in Tables V and VI of Regulation 1.72-9.

               (h) Except as  limited  by  Sections  7.5 and 7.6,  whenever  the
          Trustee is to make a  distribution,  the  distribution  may be made as
          soon as is practicable. However, unless a Former Participant elects in
          writing to defer the receipt of benefits (such election may not result
          in a death  benefit  that is more than  incidental),  the  payment  of
          benefits  shall  occur not later  than the 60th day after the close of
          the Plan Year in which the latest of the following events occurs:

               (1) the date on which the Participant  attains the earlier of age
               65 or the Normal Retirement Age specified herein;

               (2) the 10th  anniversary  of the year in which  the  Participant
               commenced participation in the Plan; or

               (3) the date the  Participant  terminates  his  service  with the
               Employer.

               (i) The restrictions imposed by this Section shall not apply if a
          Participant has, prior to January 1, 1984, made a written  designation
          to  have  his  retirement   benefit  paid  in  an  alternative  method
          acceptable  under  Code  Section  401(a)  as in  effect  prior  to the
          enactment of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982. Any
          such written  designation made by a Participant  shall be binding upon
          the Plan  Administrator  notwithstanding  any  contrary  provision  of
          Section 7.5.

               (j) Subject to the spouse's  right of consent  afforded under the
          Plan,  the  restrictions  imposed by this Section shall not apply if a
          Participant has, prior to January 1, 1984, made a written  designation

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          to have his death  benefits paid in an alternative  method  acceptable
          under Code Section  401(a) as in effect prior to the  enactment of the
          Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982.

               (k) If a distribution is made at a time when a Participant is not
          fully  Vested in his  Participant's  Account and the  Participant  may
          increase the Vested percentage in such account:

               (1) a separate account shall be established for the Participant's
               interest in the Plan as of the time of the distribution; and

               (2) at any relevant time, the Participant's Vested portion of the
               separate  account shall be equal to an amount ("X") determined by
               the formula:

               X equals P(AB plus (R x D)) - (R x D)

               For purposes of applying the formula:  P is the Vested percentage
               at the relevant  time, AB is the account  balance at the relevant
               time, D is the amount of distribution,  and R is the ratio of the
               account balance at the relevant time to the account balance after
               distribution.

7.6     HOW PLAN BENEFIT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED

               (a)  Distribution of a Participant's  benefit may be made in cash
          or Company Stock or both, provided,  however, that if a Participant or
          Beneficiary  so  demands,  such  benefit  (other  than  Company  Stock
          reinvested  pursuant to Section  4.12(c)) shall be distributed only in
          the form of Company Stock. Prior to making a distribution of benefits,
          the Administrator shall advise the Participant or his Beneficiary,  in
          writing, of the right to demand that benefits be distributed solely in
          Company Stock.

               (b) If a  Participant  or  Beneficiary  demands that  benefits be
          distributed  solely in Company Stock,  distribution of a Participant's
          benefit  will be made  entirely  in whole  shares  or  other  units of
          Company  Stock.  Any  balance  in a  Participant's  Other  Investments
          Account will be applied to acquire for distribution the maximum number
          of whole  shares  or other  units of  Company  Stock at the then  fair
          market value. Any fractional unit value unexpended will be distributed
          in  cash.  If  Company  Stock is not  available  for  purchase  by the
          Trustee,  then the Trustee shall hold such balance until Company Stock

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          is  acquired  and then make such  distribution,  subject  to  Sections
          7.5(h) and 7.5(e).

               (c) The  Trustee  will make  distribution  from the Trust only on
          instructions from the Administrator.

               (d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if
          the Employer  charter or by-laws  restrict  ownership of substantially
          all  shares of  Company  Stock to  Employees  and the Trust  Fund,  as
          described  in  Code  Section   409(h)(2),   the  Administrator   shall
          distribute a Participant's  Combined  Account entirely in cash without
          granting the Participant the right to demand distribution in shares of
          Company Stock.

               (e)  Except  as  otherwise   provided   herein,   Company   Stock
          distributed by the Trustee may be restricted as to sale or transfer by
          the by-laws or articles of  incorporation  of the  Employer,  provided
          restrictions are applicable to all Company Stock of the same class. If
          a  Participant  is required to offer the sale of his Company  Stock to
          the  Employer  before  offering to sell his  Company  Stock to a third
          party, in no event may the Employer pay a price less than that offered
          to the distributee by another potential buyer making a bona fide offer
          and in no event  shall  the  Trustee  pay a price  less  than the fair
          market value of the Company Stock.

7.7     DISTRIBUTION FOR MINOR BENEFICIARY

     In  the  event  a  distribution  is  to  be  made  to  a  minor,  then  the
Administrator  may direct that such  distribution be paid to the legal guardian,
or if none, to a parent of such Beneficiary or a responsible adult with whom the
Beneficiary  maintains his residence,  or to the custodian for such  Beneficiary
under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or Gift to Minors Act, if such is permitted
by the laws of the state in which said  Beneficiary  resides.  Such a payment to
the legal  guardian,  custodian  or parent of a minor  Beneficiary  shall  fully
discharge  the Trustee,  Employer,  and Plan from  further  liability on account
thereof.

7.8     LOCATION OF PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY UNKNOWN

     In the event that all, or any  portion,  of the  distribution  payable to a
Participant  or  his   Beneficiary   hereunder   shall,  at  the  later  of  the
Participant's  attainment of age 62 or his Normal  Retirement Age, remain unpaid
solely  by  reason  of the  inability  of the  Administrator,  after  sending  a
registered  letter,  return receipt  requested,  to the last known address,  and
after further diligent effort,  to ascertain the whereabouts of such Participant
or his Beneficiary, the amount so distributable shall be treated as a Forfeiture

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pursuant  to the Plan.  In the event a  Participant  or  Beneficiary  is located
subsequent  to his benefit  being  reallocated,  such benefit  shall be restored
unadjusted for earnings or losses.

7.9     RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSALS

               (a) If any  Participant,  his  Beneficiary or any other person to
          whom  shares  of  Company  Stock  are  distributed  from the Plan (the
          "Selling  Participant") shall, at any time, desire to sell some or all
          of such  shares  (the  "Offered  Shares") to a third party (the "Third
          Party"),  the Selling  Participant  shall give written  notice of such
          desire to the  Employer  and the  Administrator,  which  notice  shall
          contain the number of shares  offered for sale,  the proposed terms of
          the sale and the names and  addresses of both the Selling  Participant
          and Third Party.  Both the Trust Fund and the Employer shall each have
          the right of first refusal for a period of fourteen (14) days from the
          date the Selling Participant gives such written notice to the Employer
          and  the   Administrator   (such  fourteen  (14)  day  period  to  run
          concurrently  against the Trust Fund and the  Employer) to acquire the
          Offered Shares. As between the Trust Fund and the Employer,  the Trust
          Fund shall have  priority to acquire the shares  pursuant to the right
          of first  refusal.  The  selling  price and terms shall be the same as
          offered by the Third Party.

               (b) If the Trust  Fund and the  Employer  do not  exercise  their
          right of first  refusal  within the required  fourteen (14) day period
          provided above, the Selling  Participant  shall have the right, at any
          time  following the  expiration  of such fourteen (14) day period,  to
          dispose of the Offered Shares to the Third Party;  provided,  however,
          that (i) no disposition shall be made to the Third Party on terms more
          favorable  to the Third  Party  than  those  set forth in the  written
          notice  delivered by the Selling  Participant  above, and (ii) if such
          disposition shall not be made to a third party on the terms offered to
          the  Employer  and the Trust Fund,  the offered  Shares shall again be
          subject to the right of first refusal set forth above.

               (c) The closing  pursuant  to the  exercise of the right of first
          refusal  under  Section  7.9(a)  above  shall take place at such place
          agreed upon between the Administrator and the Selling Participant, but
          not later  than ten (10) days  after the  Employer  or the Trust  Fund
          shall have  notified  the Selling  Participant  of the exercise of the
          right of first refusal. At such closing, the Selling Participant shall
          deliver certificates  representing the Offered Shares duly endorsed in
          blank for  transfer,  or with stock powers  attached  duly executed in

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          blank with all required  transfer tax stamps attached or provided for,
          and the Employer or the Trust Fund shall  deliver the purchase  price,
          or an appropriate portion thereof, to the Selling Participant.

7.10    STOCK CERTIFICATE LEGEND

     Certificates for shares distributed  pursuant to the Plan shall contain the
following legend:

     "The shares  represented by this  certificate  are  transferable  only upon
compliance  with the  terms of NBT  BANCORP,  INC.  401(K)  AND  EMPLOYEE  STOCK
OWNERSHIP  PLAN  effective  as of January 1, 1997,  which grants to NBT Bancorp,
Inc.  and the trust for the Plan a right of first  refusal,  a copy of said Plan
being on file in the office of NBT Bancorp, Inc."

7.11    PUT OPTION

               (a) If Company Stock is  distributed  to a  Participant  and such
          Company Stock is not readily  tradeable on an  established  securities
          market,  a  Participant  has  a  right  to  require  the  Employer  to
          repurchase the Company Stock  distributed to such Participant  under a
          fair valuation formula.  Such Stock shall be subject to the provisions
          of Section 7.11(b).

               (b) The put option must be exercisable only by a Participant,  by
          the  Participant's  donees, or by a person (including an estate or its
          distributee)  to  whom  the  Company  Stock  passes  by  reason  of  a
          Participant's  death.  (Under  this  paragraph  Participant  or Former
          Participant  means  a  Participant  or  Former   Participant  and  the
          beneficiaries  of the  Participant  or  Former  Participant  under the
          Plan.) The put option  must  permit a  Participant  to put the Company
          Stock to the Employer.  Under no circumstances may the put option bind
          the Plan.  However,  it shall  grant the Plan an option to assume  the
          rights and obligations of the Employer at the time that the put option
          is  exercised.  If it is known at the time a loan is made that Federal
          or State  law  will be  violated  by the  Employer  honoring  such put
          option,  the put option must permit the Company  Stock to be put, in a
          manner  consistent with such law, to a third party (e.g., an affiliate
          of the  Employer  or a  shareholder  other  than  the  Plan)  that has
          substantial net worth at the time the loan is made and whose net worth
          is reasonably expected to remain substantial.

               The put option shall  commence as of the day  following  the date
          the Company Stock is distributed to the Former  Participant and end 60
          days  thereafter and if not exercised  within such 60-day  period,  an

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<PAGE>
          additional  60-day option shall commence on the first day of the fifth
          month  of the  Plan  Year  next  following  the  date  the  stock  was
          distributed to the Former  Participant (or such other 60-day period as
          provided in Regulations).  However,  in the case of Company Stock that
          is publicly traded without restrictions when distributed but ceases to
          be so traded  within  either of the 60-day  periods  described  herein
          after  distribution,  the  Employer  must  notify  each holder of such
          Company Stock in writing on or before the tenth day after the date the
          Company  Stock  ceases to be so traded that for the  remainder  of the
          applicable  60-day  period  the  Company  Stock is  subject to the put
          option. The number of days between the tenth day and the date on which
          notice is actually  given,  if later than the tenth day, must be added
          to the duration of the put option. The notice must inform distributees
          of the term of the put options  that they are to hold.  The terms must
          satisfy the requirements of this paragraph.

               The put option is exercised by the holder  notifying the Employer
          in writing  that the put option is being  exercised;  the notice shall
          state the name and  address  of the holder and the number of shares to
          be sold. The period during which a put option is exercisable  does not
          include any time when a  distributee  is unable to exercise it because
          the party bound by the put option is  prohibited  from  honoring it by
          applicable  Federal or State law. The price at which a put option must
          be  exercisable  is the  value  of the  Company  Stock  determined  in
          accordance with Section 6.2.  Payment under the put option involving a
          "Total  Distribution"  shall be paid in  substantially  equal monthly,
          quarterly,  semiannual or annual  installments  over a period  certain
          beginning  not later than thirty  (30) days after the  exercise of the
          put option and not extending beyond (5) years. The deferral of payment
          is reasonable if adequate  security and a reasonable  interest rate on
          the unpaid  amounts are provided.  The amount to be paid under the put
          option involving installment distributions must be paid not later than
          thirty (30) days after the exercise of the put option. Payment under a
          put option must not be restricted  by the  provisions of a loan or any
          other  arrangement,  including  the terms of the Employer  articles of
          incorporation, unless so required by applicable state law.

               For  purposes  of  this  Section,  "Total  Distribution"  means a
          distribution  to a Participant or his  Beneficiary  within one taxable
          year of the entire Vested Participant's Combined Account.

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<PAGE>
               (a) An  arrangement  involving the Plan that creates a put option
          must  not  provide  for the  issuance  of put  options  other  than as
          provided  under this  Section.  The Plan (and the Trust Fund) must not
          otherwise  obligate  itself to acquire Company Stock from a particular
          holder thereof at an indefinite  time determined upon the happening of
          an event such as the death of the holder.

7.12       ADVANCE DISTRIBUTION FOR HARDSHIP

               (a) The Administrator,  at the election of the Participant, shall
          direct the Trustee to  distribute to any  Participant  in any one Plan
          Year up to the lesser of 100% of his  Participant's  Elective  Account
          valued as of the transaction  date or the amount  necessary to satisfy
          the  immediate  and  heavy  financial  need  of the  Participant.  The
          Participant's  Elective Account shall be reduced by the amount of such
          hardship distribution accordingly. Withdrawal under this Section shall
          be authorized only if the distribution is on account of:

               (1) Expenses for medical  care  described in Code Section  213(d)
               previously incurred by the Participant, his spouse, or any of his
               dependents  (as defined in Code  Section  152) or  necessary  for
               these persons to obtain medical care;

               (2) The costs  directly  related to the  purchase  of a principal
               residence for the Participant (excluding mortgage payments);

               (3) Payment of tuition,  related  educational  fees, and room and
               board expenses for the next twelve (12) months of  post-secondary
               education  for  the  Participant,   his  spouse,   children,   or
               dependents; or

               (4) Payments necessary to prevent the eviction of the Participant
               from his principal  residence or  foreclosure  on the mortgage of
               the Participant's principal residence.

               (b) No distribution shall be made pursuant to this Section unless
          the  Administrator,  based upon the Participant's  representation  and
          such other facts as are known to the  Administrator,  determines  that
          all of the following conditions are satisfied:

               (1)  The  distribution  is not in  excess  of the  amount  of the
               immediate and heavy financial need of the Participant. The amount
               of the immediate and heavy financial need may include any amounts
               necessary  to pay any  federal,  state,  or local income taxes or

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<PAGE>
               penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution;

               (2) The  Participant has obtained all  distributions,  other than
               hardship  distributions,  and all  nontaxable (at the time of the
               loan) loans currently available under all plans maintained by the
               Employer;

               (3) The Plan,  and all other plans  maintained  by the  Employer,
               provide that the Participant's  elective  deferrals and voluntary
               Employee contributions will be suspended for at least twelve (12)
               months  after  receipt  of  the  hardship  distribution  or,  the
               Participant,  pursuant to a legally enforceable  agreement,  will
               suspend   his   elective   deferrals   and   voluntary   Employee
               contributions  to the Plan and all other plans  maintained by the
               Employer  for at least  twelve (12) months  after  receipt of the
               hardship distribution; and

               (4) The Plan,  and all other plans  maintained  by the  Employer,
               provide that the Participant may not make elective  deferrals for
               the Participant's  taxable year immediately following the taxable
               year of the  hardship  distribution  in excess of the  applicable
               limit under Code  Section  402(g) for such next taxable year less
               the  amount  of such  Participant's  elective  deferrals  for the
               taxable year of the hardship distribution.

               (c)   Notwithstanding   the   above,   distributions   from   the
          Participant's  Elective  Account  pursuant  to this  Section  shall be
          limited, as of the date of distribution, to the Participant's Elective
          Account  as of the end of the last Plan  Year  ending  before  July 1,
          1989, plus the total  Participant's  Deferred  Compensation after such
          date, reduced by the amount of any previous  distributions pursuant to
          this Section.

               (d) Any distribution  made pursuant to this Section shall be made
          in a manner which is consistent  with and satisfies the  provisions of
          Sections  7.5 and 7.6,  including,  but not limited to, all notice and
          consent  requirements  of Code Section  411(a)(11) and the Regulations
          thereunder.

7.13    QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER DISTRIBUTION

     All rights and benefits, including elections,  provided to a Participant in
this Plan shall be subject to the rights afforded to any "alternate payee" under
a "qualified  domestic  relations  order."  Furthermore,  a  distribution  to an
"alternate  payee" shall be permitted if such  distribution  is  authorized by a

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"qualified  domestic relations order," even if the affected  Participant has not
separated from service and has not reached the "earliest  retirement  age" under
the Plan.  For the  purposes  of this  Section,  "alternate  payee,"  "qualified
domestic  relations order" and "earliest  retirement age" shall have the meaning
set forth under Code Section 414(p).

                                    ARTICLE I
                                     TRUSTEE

8.1     BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEE

               (a)  The  Trustee   shall  have  the   following   categories  of
          responsibilities:

               (1) Consistent with the "funding policy and method" determined by
               the  Employer,  to invest,  manage,  and  control the Plan assets
               subject,  however, to the direction of a Participant with respect
               to  his  Participant  Directed  Accounts,   the  Employer  or  an
               Investment  Manager appointed by the Employer or any agent of the
               Employer;

               (2)  At  the  direction  of the  Administrator,  to pay  benefits
               required  under the Plan to be paid to  Participants,  or, in the
               event of their death, to their Beneficiaries; and

               (3) To maintain records of receipts and disbursements and furnish
               to the Employer and/or Administrator for each Plan Year a written
               annual report per Section 8.8.

               (b)  In the  event  that  the  Trustee  shall  be  directed  by a
          Participant (pursuant to the Participant Direction Procedures), or the
          Employer,  or an  Investment  Manager or other agent  appointed by the
          Employer with respect to the investment of any or all Plan assets, the
          Trustee shall have no liability with respect to the investment of such
          assets,  but shall be  responsible  only to  execute  such  investment
          instructions as so directed.

               (1) The  Trustee  shall be  entitled to rely fully on the written
               instructions  of  a  Participant  (pursuant  to  the  Participant
               Direction  Procedures),  or the  Employer,  or any  Fiduciary  or
               nonfiduciary  agent of the  Employer,  in the  discharge  of such
               duties,  and shall not be liable for any loss or other liability,
               resulting  from  such  direction  (or lack of  direction)  of the
               investment of any part of the Plan assets.

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<PAGE>
               (2)  The  Trustee  may   delegate   the  duty  to  execute   such
               instructions to any nonfiduciary agent, which may be an affiliate
               of the Trustee or any Plan representative.

               (3) The Trustee may refuse to comply with any direction  from the
               Participant  in the event the  Trustee,  in its sole and absolute
               discretion,   deems  such   directions   improper  by  virtue  of
               applicable  law. The Trustee shall not be  responsible  or liable
               for any loss or  expense  which  may  result  from the  Trustee's
               refusal  or  failure  to  comply  with  any  directions  from the
               Participant.

               (4) Any  costs  and  expenses  related  to  compliance  with  the
               Participant's  directions  shall be  borne  by the  Participant's
               Directed Account, unless paid by the Employer.

               (c) If there shall be more than one Trustee,  they shall act by a
          majority of their  number,  but may  authorize  one or more of them to
          sign papers on their behalf.

8.2     INVESTMENT POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE

               (a) The Trustee  shall invest and reinvest the Trust Fund to keep
          the Trust Fund  invested  without  distinction  between  principal and
          income and in such securities or property, real or personal,  wherever
          situated,  as the Trustee  shall deem  advisable,  including,  but not
          limited to, stocks, common or preferred,  bonds and other evidences of
          indebtedness  or ownership,  and real estate or any interest  therein.
          The Trustee shall at all times in making investments of the Trust Fund
          consider, among other factors, the short and long-term financial needs
          of the Plan on the basis of information  furnished by the Employer. In
          making  such  investments,  the  Trustee  shall not be  restricted  to
          securities or other property of the character expressly  authorized by
          the applicable law for trust investments;  however,  the Trustee shall
          give due regard to any  limitations  imposed by the Code or the Act so
          that at all times the Plan may qualify as an Employee Stock  Ownership
          Plan and Trust.

               (b) The  Trustee may employ a bank or trust  company  pursuant to
          the terms of its usual and  customary  bank  agency  agreement,  under
          which  the  duties  of  such  bank  or  trust  company  shall  be of a
          custodial, clerical and record-keeping nature.

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<PAGE>
               (c) The  Trustee  may from  time to time  transfer  to a  common,
          collective,  pooled trust fund or money market fund  maintained by any
          corporate Trustee or affiliate thereof hereunder,  all or such part of
          the Trust Fund as the Trustee may deem advisable, and such part or all
          of the Trust Fund so transferred shall be subject to all the terms and
          provisions  of the  common,  collective,  pooled  trust  fund or money
          market fund which contemplate the commingling for investment  purposes
          of such trust  assets with trust assets of other  trusts.  The Trustee
          may, from time to time, withdraw from such common, collective,  pooled
          trust fund or money  market fund all or such part of the Trust Fund as
          the Trustee may deem advisable.

               (d) In the event the Trustee  invests any part of the Trust Fund,
          pursuant  to the  directions  of the  Administrator,  in any shares of
          stock issued by the Employer, and the Administrator thereafter directs
          the Trustee to dispose of such investment,  or any part thereof, under
          circumstances  which,  in the  opinion  of  counsel  for the  Trustee,
          require  registration  of the  securities  under the Securities Act of
          1933 and/or qualification of the securities under the Blue Sky laws of
          any state or states,  then the Employer at its own expense,  will take
          or cause to be taken any and all such  action as may be  necessary  or
          appropriate to effect such registration and/or qualification.

8.3     OTHER POWERS OF THE TRUSTEE

     The Trustee,  in addition to all powers and  authorities  under common law,
statutory authority,  including the Act, and other provisions of the Plan, shall
have the following powers and authorities, to be exercised in the Trustee's sole
discretion:

               (a) To  purchase,  or  subscribe  for,  any  securities  or other
          property and to retain the same. In  conjunction  with the purchase of
          securities, margin accounts may be opened and maintained;

               (b)  To  sell,  exchange,  convey,  transfer,  grant  options  to
          purchase,  or otherwise  dispose of any  securities or other  property
          held by the  Trustee,  by private  contract or at public  auction.  No
          person  dealing  with  the  Trustee  shall  be  bound  to  see  to the
          application  of the purchase  money or to inquire  into the  validity,
          expediency,  or propriety of any such sale or other disposition,  with
          or without advertisement;

               (c) To vote upon any stocks, bonds, or other securities;  to give
          general or special proxies or powers of attorney with or without power
          of substitution;  to exercise any conversion privileges,  subscription

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<PAGE>
          rights or other options,  and to make any payments incidental thereto;
          to oppose,  or to consent to, or otherwise  participate in,  corporate
          reorganizations or other changes affecting corporate  securities,  and
          to  delegate  discretionary  powers,  and to pay  any  assessments  or
          charges in connection therewith;  and generally to exercise any of the
          powers of an owner with respect to stocks, bonds, securities, or other
          property.  However,  the Trustee  shall not vote  proxies  relating to
          securities  for  which  it  has  not  been  assigned  full  investment
          management  responsibilities.  In those cases where  another party has
          such investment authority or discretion,  the Trustee will deliver all
          proxies  to said  party who will then  have  full  responsibility  for
          voting those proxies;

               (d) To cause any securities or other property to be registered in
          the  Trustee's own name or in the name of one or more of the Trustee's
          nominees,  and to hold any  investments  in bearer form, but the books
          and  records  of the  Trustee  shall at all  times  show that all such
          investments are part of the Trust Fund;
               (e) To borrow or raise money for the purposes of the Plan in such
          amount, and upon such terms and conditions,  as the Trustee shall deem
          advisable;  and for any sum so borrowed, to issue a promissory note as
          Trustee,  and to secure the repayment  thereof by pledging all, or any
          part,  of the Trust Fund;  and no person  lending money to the Trustee
          shall be  bound  to see to the  application  of the  money  lent or to
          inquire into the validity, expediency, or propriety of any borrowing;

               (f) To  keep  such  portion  of the  Trust  Fund  in cash or cash
          balances as the Trustee may, from time to time, deem to be in the best
          interests of the Plan, without liability for interest thereon;

               (g) To accept and retain  for such time as the  Trustee  may deem
          advisable  any  securities or other  property  received or acquired as
          Trustee  hereunder,  whether or not such  securities or other property
          would normally be purchased as investments hereunder;

               (h) To  make,  execute,  acknowledge,  and  deliver  any  and all
          documents of transfer and conveyance and any and all other instruments
          that may be necessary or  appropriate  to carry out the powers  herein
          granted;

               (i) To settle,  compromise,  or submit to arbitration any claims,
          debts,  or damages  due or owing to or from the Plan,  to  commence or
          defend suits or legal or administrative proceedings,  and to represent

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<PAGE>
          the Plan in all suits and legal and administrative proceedings;

               (j) To  employ  suitable  agents  and  counsel  and to pay  their
          reasonable expenses and compensation, and such agent or counsel may or
          may not be agent or counsel for the Employer;

               (k) To invest  funds of the  Trust in time  deposits  or  savings
          accounts bearing a reasonable rate of interest;

               (l) To invest in Treasury  Bills and other forms of United States
          government obligations;

               (m) To invest in shares of investment  companies registered under
          the Investment Company Act of 1940;

               (n) To deposit monies in federally  insured  savings  accounts or
          certificates of deposit in banks or savings and loan associations;

               (o) To vote Company Stock as provided in Section 8.5;

               (p) To consent to or otherwise  participate  in  reorganizations,
          recapitalizations,  consolidations,  mergers and similar  transactions
          with respect to Company Stock or any other  securities  and to pay any
          assessments or charges in connection therewith;

               (q) To deposit such Company  Stock (but only if such deposit does
          not violate the provisions of Section 8.5 hereof) or other  securities
          in any voting trust, or with any protective or like committee, or with
          a trustee or with depositories designated thereby;

               (r) To sell or  exercise  any  options,  subscription  rights and
          conversion privileges and to make any payments incidental thereto;

               (s) To exercise  any of the powers of an owner,  with  respect to
          such Company Stock and other  securities or other property  comprising
          the Trust Fund. The Administrator,  with the Trustee's  approval,  may
          authorize the Trustee to act on any administrative  matter or class of
          matters with respect to which  direction or instruction to the Trustee
          by  the   Administrator  is  called  for  hereunder  without  specific
          direction or other instruction from the Administrator;

               (t) To sell,  purchase  and  acquire  put or call  options if the
          options  are traded on and  purchased  through a  national  securities
          exchange  registered  under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as

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          amended,  or, if the options  are not traded on a national  securities
          exchange,  are  guaranteed  by a  member  firm of the New  York  Stock
          Exchange;

               (u) To  appoint a  nonfiduciary  agent or  agents  to assist  the
          Trustee in carrying out any investment  instructions  of  Participants
          and of any  Investment  Manager or Fiduciary,  and to compensate  such
          agent(s)  from the  assets of the Plan,  to the extent not paid by the
          Employer;

               (v)  To do all  such  acts  and  exercise  all  such  rights  and
          privileges, although not specifically mentioned herein, as the Trustee
          may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of the Plan.

8.4     LOANS TO PARTICIPANTS

               (a) The Trustee may, in the Trustee's  discretion,  make loans to
          Participants and Beneficiaries under the following circumstances:  (1)
          loans shall be made available to all Participants and Beneficiaries on
          a reasonably  equivalent  basis; (2) loans shall not be made available
          to Highly  Compensated  Employees in an amount greater than the amount
          made  available to other  Participants  and  Beneficiaries;  (3) loans
          shall  bear  a  reasonable  rate  of  interest;  (4)  loans  shall  be
          adequately  secured;  (5) loans  shall  provide for  repayment  over a
          reasonable  period  of time;  and (6)  loans  shall not be made from a
          Participant's   Company   Stock  Account   attributable   to  Employer
          Non-Elective  Contributions pursuant to Sections 4.1(b) and 4.1(c) nor
          may such Company Stock Account be used as security for any loan.

               (b)  Loans  made  pursuant  to this  Section  (when  added to the
          outstanding  balance  of all  other  loans  made  by the  Plan  to the
          Participant) shall be limited to the lesser of:

               (1)  $50,000  reduced  by the  excess  (if  any)  of the  highest
               outstanding  balance  of loans  from the Plan to the  Participant
               during the one year  period  ending on the day before the date on
               which such loan is made,  over the  outstanding  balance of loans
               from the Plan to the  Participant  on the date on which such loan
               was made, or

               (2) one-half  (1/2) of the present  value of the  non-forfeitable
               accrued benefit of the Participant under the Plan ( excluding the
               Participant's Company Stock Account).

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<PAGE>
               For purposes of this limit,  all plans of the  Employer  shall be
          considered one plan.

               (c) Loans shall provide for level  amortization  with payments to
          be made not less frequently than quarterly over a period not to exceed
          five (5)  years.  However,  loans used to acquire  any  dwelling  unit
          which, within a reasonable time, is to be used (determined at the time
          the loan is made) as a principal  residence of the  Participant  shall
          provide for periodic  repayment over a reasonable  period of time that
          may exceed five (5) years. For this purpose, a principal residence has
          the same meaning as a principal residence under Code Section 1034.

               (d) Any loans  granted or renewed on or after the last day of the
          first  Plan Year  beginning  after  December  31,  1988  shall be made
          pursuant to a  Participant  loan  program.  Such loan program shall be
          established  in writing and must include,  but need not be limited to,
          the following:

               (1)  the  identity  of the  person  or  positions  authorized  to
               administer the Participant loan program;

               (2) a procedure for applying for loans;

               (3) the basis on which loans will be approved or denied;

               (4)  limitations,  if any,  on the  types  and  amounts  of loans
               offered;

               (5) the procedure  under the program for determining a reasonable
               rate of interest;

               (6) the types of collateral which may secure a Participant  loan;
               and

               (7) the events  constituting  default  and the steps that will be
               taken to preserve Plan assets.

               Such  Participant  loan program  shall be contained in a separate
          written document which, when properly executed, is hereby incorporated
          by  reference  and  made  a  part  of  the  Plan.  Furthermore,   such
          Participant  loan  program may be modified or amended in writing  from
          time to time without the necessity of amending this Section.

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<PAGE>
8.5     VOTING COMPANY STOCK

     The Trustee, as directed by the Administrator, shall vote all Company Stock
held by it as part of the Plan assets. Provided,  however, that if any agreement
entered  into by the Trust  provides  for voting of any shares of Company  Stock
pledged as security for any obligation of the Plan,  then such shares of Company
Stock shall be voted in accordance with such agreement.  If the Trustee does not
timely receive voting  directions from a Participant or Beneficiary with respect
to any Company Stock allocated to that  Participant's or  Beneficiary's  Company
Stock  Account,  the Trustee shall vote such Company  Stock,  as directed by the
Administrator.

     Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if the Employer  has a  registration-type
class of securities, each Participant or Beneficiary shall be entitled to direct
the  Trustee as to the manner in which the  Company  Stock  which is entitled to
vote and which is allocated to the Company Stock Account of such  Participant or
Beneficiary  is to be voted.  If the Employer does not have a  registration-type
class of  securities,  each  Participant  or  Beneficiary  in the Plan  shall be
entitled to direct the Trustee as to the manner in which voting rights on shares
of Company  Stock  which are  allocated  to the  Company  Stock  Account of such
Participant  or  Beneficiary  are to be exercised  with respect to any corporate
matter which  involves the voting of such shares with respect to the approval or
disapproval  of  any  corporate  merger  or   consolidation,   recapitalization,
reclassification,  liquidation, dissolution, sale of substantially all assets of
a trade or business,  or such similar  transaction as prescribed in Regulations.
For purposes of this Section the term  "registration-type  class of  securities"
means:  (A) a class of securities  required to be registered under Section 12 of
the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934; and (B) a class of securities  which would
be required  to be so  registered  except for the  exemption  from  registration
provided in subsection (g)(2)(H) of such Section 12.

     If the Employer does not have a  registration-type  class of securities and
the by-laws of the  Employer  require the Plan to vote an issue in a manner that
reflects a one-man,  one-vote philosophy,  each Participant or Beneficiary shall
be entitled  to cast one vote on an issue and the Trustee  shall vote the shares
held by the Plan in  proportion to the results of the votes cast on the issue by
the Participants and Beneficiaries.

8.6     DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE REGARDING PAYMENTS

               (a) The Trustee shall make  distributions  from the Trust Fund at
          such  times and in such  numbers  of shares or other  units of Company
          Stock and amounts of cash to or for the benefit of the person entitled
          thereto under the Plan as the  Administrator  directs in writing.  Any
          undistributed  part of a Participant's  interest in his accounts shall

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<PAGE>
          be  retained  in the Trust Fund until the  Administrator  directs  its
          distribution.  Where  distribution  is directed in Company Stock,  the
          Trustee  shall cause an  appropriate  certificate  to be issued to the
          person entitled thereto and mailed to the address  furnished it by the
          Administrator.  Any portion of a Participant's  Combined Account to be
          distributed in cash shall be paid by the Trustee  mailing its check to
          the same person at the same address.  If a dispute arises as to who is
          entitled to or should receive any benefit or payment,  the Trustee may
          withhold or cause to be withheld  such  payment  until the dispute has
          been resolved.

               (b) As directed  by the  Administrator,  the  Trustee  shall make
          payments out of the Trust Fund. Such  directions or instructions  need
          not specify the  purpose of the  payments so directed  and the Trustee
          shall  not be  responsible  in  any  way  respecting  the  purpose  or
          propriety of such payments except as mandated by the Act.

               (c) In the event that any distribution or payment directed by the
          Administrator  shall be mailed by the Trustee to the person  specified
          in such  direction at the latest address of such person filed with the
          Administrator,  and shall be  returned  to the  Trustee  because  such
          person cannot be located at such address,  the Trustee shall  promptly
          notify the Administrator of such return.  Upon the expiration of sixty
          (60) days after such  notification,  such direction  shall become void
          and  unless  and until a further  direction  by the  Administrator  is
          received by the Trustee with respect to such  distribution or payment,
          the Trustee shall  thereafter  continue to administer  the Trust as if
          such  direction  had not been made by the  Administrator.  The Trustee
          shall not be obligated to search for or ascertain the  whereabouts  of
          any such person.

8.7     TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES AND TAXES

     The Trustee shall be paid such  reasonable  compensation as shall from time
to time be agreed upon in writing by the Employer and the Trustee. An individual
serving as Trustee who already  receives  full-time pay from the Employer  shall
not receive  compensation  from the Plan.  In  addition,  the  Trustee  shall be
reimbursed  for any  reasonable  expenses,  including  reasonable  counsel  fees
incurred by it as Trustee. Such compensation and expenses shall be paid from the
Trust Fund unless paid or  advanced by the  Employer.  All taxes of any kind and
all kinds  whatsoever  that may be levied or assessed  under  existing or future
laws upon, or in respect of, the Trust Fund or the income thereof, shall be paid
from the Trust Fund.

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<PAGE>
8.8     ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE

     Within a reasonable  period of time after the later of the Anniversary Date
or receipt of the Employer  contribution  for each Plan Year,  the Trustee shall
furnish to the Employer and  Administrator  a written  statement of account with
respect to the Plan Year for which such contribution was made setting forth:

               (a) the net income, or loss, of the Trust Fund;

               (b) the gains,  or losses,  realized by the Trust Fund upon sales
          or other disposition of the assets;

               (c) the increase, or decrease, in the value of the Trust Fund;

               (d) all payments and distributions made from the Trust Fund; and

               (e) such further information as the Trustee and/or  Administrator
          deems  appropriate.  The Employer,  forthwith upon its receipt of each
          such  statement  of  account,  shall  acknowledge  receipt  thereof in
          writing and advise the Trustee and/or Administrator of its approval or
          disapproval  thereof.  Failure by the Employer to disapprove  any such
          statement of account within thirty (30) days after its receipt thereof
          shall be deemed an approval  thereof.  The approval by the Employer of
          any statement of account  shall be binding as to all matters  embraced
          therein as between the  Employer and the Trustee to the same extent as
          if the account of the  Trustee had been  settled by judgment or decree
          in an action for a judicial  settlement  of its  account in a court of
          competent  jurisdiction  in which the  Trustee,  the  Employer and all
          persons  having or  claiming  an  interest  in the Plan were  parties;
          provided,  however,  that nothing herein  contained  shall deprive the
          Trustee of its right to have its  accounts  judicially  settled if the
          Trustee so desires.

8.9     AUDIT

               (a) If an audit of the Plan's  records  shall be  required by the
          Act  and  the   regulations   thereunder   for  any  Plan  Year,   the
          Administrator  shall  direct  the  Trustee  to engage on behalf of all
          Participants  an  independent  qualified  public  accountant  for that
          purpose.  Such  accountant  shall,  after an audit  of the  books  and
          records of the Plan in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
          standards,  within a  reasonable  period  after  the close of the Plan
          Year,  furnish to the  Administrator  and the  Trustee a report of his
          audit  setting  forth  his  opinion  as  to  whether  any  statements,
          schedules  or  lists  that  are  required  by Act  Section  103 or the

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<PAGE>
          Secretary  of Labor to be filed with the  Plan's  annual  report,  are
          presented  fairly in conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
          principles  applied  consistently.  All auditing and  accounting  fees
          shall be an expense of and may, at the election of the  Administrator,
          be paid from the Trust Fund.

               (b) If some or all of the  information  necessary  to enable  the
          Administrator  to comply with Act Section 103 is maintained by a bank,
          insurance company,  or similar  institution,  regulated and supervised
          and subject to periodic  examination by a state or federal agency,  it
          shall  transmit  and certify the accuracy of that  information  to the
          Administrator  as provided in Act  Section  103(b)  within one hundred
          twenty (120) days after the end of the Plan Year or by such other date
          as may be prescribed under regulations of the Secretary of Labor.

8.10    RESIGNATION, REMOVAL AND SUCCESSION OF TRUSTEE

               (a) The  Trustee  may  resign  at any time by  delivering  to the
          Employer,  at least  thirty (30) days  before its  effective  date,  a
          written notice of his resignation.

               (b) The Employer may remove the Trustee by mailing by  registered
          or  certified  mail,  addressed  to such  Trustee  at his  last  known
          address,  at least  thirty  (30) days  before its  effective  date,  a
          written notice of his removal.

               (c) Upon the death,  resignation,  incapacity,  or removal of any
          Trustee,  a  successor  may be  appointed  by the  Employer;  and such
          successor,  upon accepting such  appointment in writing and delivering
          same to the Employer,  shall,  without further act, become vested with
          all  the  estate,  rights,  powers,  discretions,  and  duties  of his
          predecessor  with like  respect  as if he were  originally  named as a
          Trustee  herein.  Until such a successor is  appointed,  the remaining
          Trustee or Trustees  shall have full  authority to act under the terms
          of the Plan.

               (d) The Employer may  designate one or more  successors  prior to
          the death,  resignation,  incapacity,  or removal of a Trustee. In the
          event a successor  is so  designated  by the Employer and accepts such
          designation,  the successor shall,  without further act, become vested
          with all the estate,  rights, powers,  discretions,  and duties of his
          predecessor  with the like  effect as if he were  originally  named as
          Trustee herein immediately upon the death, resignation, incapacity, or

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<PAGE>
          removal of his predecessor.

               (e) Whenever any Trustee  hereunder  ceases to serve as such,  he
          shall furnish to the Employer and Administrator a written statement of
          account  with  respect to the portion of the Plan Year during which he
          served as Trustee. This statement shall be either (i) included as part
          of the annual  statement of account for the Plan Year  required  under
          Section 8.8 or (ii) set forth in a special statement. Any such special
          statement of account  should be rendered to the Employer no later than
          the due date of the annual statement of account for the Plan Year. The
          procedures  set forth in Section 8.8 for the  approval by the Employer
          of annual  statements of account shall apply to any special  statement
          of account rendered hereunder and approval by the Employer of any such
          special statement in the manner provided in Section 8.8 shall have the
          same effect upon the statement as the Employer's approval of an annual
          statement of account.  No successor to the Trustee shall have any duty
          or  responsibility  to  investigate  the acts or  transactions  of any
          predecessor  who has rendered all  statements  of account  required by
          Section 8.8 and this subparagraph.

8.11    TRANSFER OF INTEREST

     Notwithstanding  any other provision contained in this Plan, the Trustee at
the direction of the Administrator  shall transfer the Vested interest,  if any,
of such  Participant  in his account to another trust forming part of a pension,
profit sharing or stock bonus plan maintained by such Participant's new employer
and represented by said employer in writing as meeting the  requirements of Code
Section 401(a), provided that the trust to which such transfers are made permits
the transfer to be made.

8.12    DIRECT ROLLOVER

               (a)  Notwithstanding  any  provision  of the Plan to the contrary
          that  would  otherwise  limit  a  distributee's  election  under  this
          Section,  a  distributee  may  elect,  at the time  and in the  manner
          prescribed  by the  Administrator,  to have any portion of an eligible
          rollover  distribution that is equal to at least $500 paid directly to
          an eligible  retirement  plan specified by the distributee in a direct
          rollover.

               (b) For purposes of this Section the following  definitions shall
          apply:

               (1) An eligible rollover  distribution is any distribution of all
               or any portion of the  balance to the credit of the  distributee,
               except that an eligible  rollover  distribution does not include:

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<PAGE>
               any distribution  that is one of a series of substantially  equal
               periodic  payments (not less  frequently  than annually) made for
               the life (or life  expectancy)  of the  distributee  or the joint
               lives (or joint life  expectancies)  of the  distributee  and the
               distributee's  designated beneficiary,  or for a specified period
               of ten  years  or  more;  any  distribution  to the  extent  such
               distribution  is  required  under  Code  Section  401(a)(9);  the
               portion of any other distribution that is not includible in gross
               income  (determined  without  regard  to the  exclusion  for  net
               unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities); and
               any other distribution that is reasonably  expected to total less
               than $200 during a year.

               (2) An  eligible  retirement  plan  is an  individual  retirement
               account   described  in  Code  Section   408(a),   an  individual
               retirement  annuity  described in Code Section 408(b), an annuity
               plan  described  in Code  Section  403(a),  or a qualified  trust
               described in Code Section 401(a),  that accepts the distributee's
               eligible  rollover  distribution.  However,  in  the  case  of an
               eligible  rollover  distribution  to  the  surviving  spouse,  an
               eligible  retirement plan is an individual  retirement account or
               individual retirement annuity.

               (3) A  distributee  includes an Employee or former  Employee.  In
               addition,  the Employee's or former  Employee's  surviving spouse
               and the Employee's or former  Employee's  spouse or former spouse
               who is the alternate payee under a qualified  domestic  relations
               order, as defined in Code Section 414(p),  are distributees  with
               regard to the interest of the spouse or former spouse.

               (4) A direct  rollover  is a payment by the Plan to the  eligible
               retirement plan specified by the distributee.

                                    ARTICLE I
                       AMENDMENT, TERMINATION AND MERGERS

9.1     AMENDMENT

               (a) The  Employer  shall  have the right at any time to amend the
          Plan, subject to the limitations of this Section.

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<PAGE>
               (b) No amendment to the Plan shall be effective if it  authorizes
          or  permits  any part of the Trust  Fund  (other  than such part as is
          required to pay taxes and  administration  expenses) to be used for or
          diverted to any purpose  other than for the  exclusive  benefit of the
          Participants  or  their   Beneficiaries  or  estates;  or  causes  any
          reduction in the amount credited to the account of any Participant; or
          causes or permits any portion of the Trust Fund to revert to or become
          property of the Employer.

               (c) Except as  permitted  by  Regulations,  no Plan  amendment or
          transaction  having the effect of a Plan amendment  (such as a merger,
          plan transfer or similar transaction) shall be effective to the extent
          it eliminates or reduces any "Section 411(d)(6)  protected benefit" or
          adds or modifies  conditions  relating to "Section 411(d)(6) protected
          benefits" the result of which is a further restriction on such benefit
          unless such protected  benefits are preserved with respect to benefits
          accrued as of the later of the adoption date or effective  date of the
          amendment.   "Section  411(d)(6)   protected  benefits"  are  benefits
          described in Code Section 411(d)(6)(A),  early retirement benefits and
          retirement-type subsidies, and optional forms of benefit.

9.2     TERMINATION

               (a) The  Employer  shall have the right at any time to  terminate
          the Plan. Upon any full or partial  termination,  all amounts credited
          to the  affected  Participants'  Combined  Accounts  shall become 100%
          Vested as provided in Section 7.4 and shall not  thereafter be subject
          to forfeiture,  and all unallocated  amounts shall be allocated to the
          accounts of all Participants in accordance with the provisions hereof.

               (b) Upon the full  termination  of the Plan,  the Employer  shall
          direct  the   distribution   of  the  assets  of  the  Trust  Fund  to
          Participants  in a manner which is  consistent  with and satisfies the
          provisions   of  Sections   7.5  and  7.6.   Except  as  permitted  by
          Regulations,  the  termination  of the Plan  shall  not  result in the
          reduction of "Section 411(d)(6) protected benefits" in accordance with
          Section 9.1(c).

9.3     MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION

     This  Plan and Trust may be merged  or  consolidated  with,  or its  assets
and/or  liabilities  may be  transferred to any other plan and trust only if the
benefits  which would be received by a Participant of this Plan, in the event of
a  termination  of  the  plan  immediately   after  such  transfer,   merger  or

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consolidation,  are at least equal to the  benefits the  Participant  would have
received if the Plan had terminated  immediately before the transfer,  merger or
consolidation,  and such transfer,  merger or  consolidation  does not otherwise
result in the  elimination  or  reduction of any  "Section  411(d)(6)  protected
benefits" in accordance with Section 9.1(c).

                                    ARTICLE I
                                    TOP HEAVY

10.1    TOP HEAVY PLAN REQUIREMENTS

     For any Top Heavy Plan Year,  the Plan shall  provide the  special  vesting
requirements  of Code Section 416(b) pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Plan and the
special  minimum  allocation  requirements  of Code Section  416(c)  pursuant to
Section 4.4 of the Plan.

10.2    DETERMINATION OF TOP HEAVY STATUS

               (a) This  Plan  shall be a Top  Heavy  Plan for any Plan  Year in
          which, as of the Determination  Date, (1) the Present Value of Accrued
          Benefits of Key Employees and (2) the sum of the Aggregate Accounts of
          Key Employees  under this Plan and all plans of an Aggregation  Group,
          exceeds sixty  percent (60%) of the Present Value of Accrued  Benefits
          and the Aggregate Accounts of all Key and Non-Key Employees under this
          Plan and all plans of an Aggregation Group.

               If any  Participant is a Non-Key  Employee for any Plan Year, but
          such  Participant  was a Key  Employee  for any prior Plan Year,  such
          Participant's  Present  Value  of  Accrued  Benefit  and/or  Aggregate
          Account  balance  shall not be taken  into  account  for  purposes  of
          determining  whether  this Plan is a Top Heavy or Super Top Heavy Plan
          (or whether any  Aggregation  Group which  includes this Plan is a Top
          Heavy Group). In addition,  if a Participant or Former Participant has
          not  performed any services for any Employer  maintaining  the Plan at
          any time during the five year period ending on the Determination Date,
          any accrued benefit for such Participant or Former  Participant  shall
          not be taken into account for the purposes of determining whether this
          Plan is a Top Heavy or Super Top Heavy Plan.

               (b) This Plan  shall be a Super Top Heavy  Plan for any Plan Year
          in which,  as of the  Determination  Date,  (1) the  Present  Value of
          Accrued  Benefits of Key  Employees  and (2) the sum of the  Aggregate
          Accounts  of Key  Employees  under  this  Plan  and  all  plans  of an
          Aggregation  Group,  exceeds ninety percent (90%) of the Present Value
          of Accrued Benefits and the Aggregate  Accounts of all Key and Non-Key

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          Employees under this Plan and all plans of an Aggregation Group.

               (c) Aggregate  Account:  A Participant's  Aggregate Account as of
          the Determination Date is the sum of:

               (1) his  Participant's  Combined  Account  balance as of the most
               recent  valuation  occurring  within a twelve  (12) month  period
               ending on the Determination Date;

               (2)  an  adjustment   for  any   contributions   due  as  of  the
               Determination  Date. Such  adjustment  shall be the amount of any
               contributions  actually made after the Valuation  Date but due on
               or before the Determination  Date, except for the first Plan Year
               when  such  adjustment  shall  also  reflect  the  amount  of any
               contributions   made  after  the  Determination   Date  that  are
               allocated as of a date in that first Plan Year.

               (3) any  Plan  distributions  made  within  the  Plan  Year  that
               includes the Determination  Date or within the four (4) preceding
               Plan Years.  However, in the case of distributions made after the
               Valuation  Date  and  prior  to  the  Determination   Date,  such
               distributions  are not  included as  distributions  for top heavy
               purposes  to the  extent  that  such  distributions  are  already
               included in the Participant's Aggregate Account balance as of the
               Valuation Date.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
               all distributions,  including distributions made prior to January
               1, 1984, and  distributions  under a terminated  plan which if it
               had not been  terminated  would have been required to be included
               in an Aggregation Group, will be counted. Further,  distributions
               from  the  Plan  (including  the  cash  value  of life  insurance
               policies) of a  Participant's  account  balance  because of death
               shall be  treated  as a  distribution  for the  purposes  of this
               paragraph.

               (4) any Employee  contributions,  whether voluntary or mandatory.
               However,   amounts   attributable  to  tax  deductible  qualified
               voluntary employee  contributions shall not be considered to be a
               part of the Participant's Aggregate Account balance.

               (5)  with  respect  to  unrelated   rollovers  and   plan-to-plan
               transfers (ones which are both initiated by the Employee and made
               from a plan  maintained  by one employer to a plan  maintained by

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               another  employer),  if  this  Plan  provides  the  rollovers  or
               plan-to-plan  transfers,  it shall always consider such rollovers
               or plan-to-plan  transfers as a distribution  for the purposes of
               this Section.  If this Plan is the plan  accepting such rollovers
               or plan-to-plan  transfers,  it shall not consider such rollovers
               or plan-to-plan transfers as part of the Participant's  Aggregate
               Account  balance.  However,  rollovers or plan-to-plan  transfers
               accepted  prior to January 1, 1984 shall be considered as part of
               the Participant's Aggregate Account balance.

               (6) with respect to related rollovers and plan-to-plan  transfers
               (ones  either not  initiated  by the  Employee  or made to a plan
               maintained  by the same  employer),  if this  Plan  provides  the
               rollover or plan-to-plan  transfer,  it shall not be counted as a
               distribution  for purposes of this  Section.  If this Plan is the
               plan accepting such rollover or plan-to-plan  transfer,  it shall
               consider  such rollover or  plan-to-plan  transfer as part of the
               Participant's Aggregate Account balance, irrespective of the date
               on which such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer is accepted.

               (7) For the purposes of determining  whether two employers are to
               be  treated  as the  same  employer  in (5)  and (6)  above,  all
               employers  aggregated under Code Section 414(b), (c), (m) and (o)
               are treated as the same employer.

               (d) "Aggregation Group" means either a Required Aggregation Group
          or a Permissive Aggregation Group as hereinafter determined.

               (1)  Required   Aggregation  Group:  In  determining  a  Required
               Aggregation Group hereunder, each plan of the Employer in which a
               Key Employee is a  participant  in the Plan Year  containing  the
               Determination  Date or any of the four preceding Plan Years,  and
               each other plan of the Employer which enables any plan in which a
               Key  Employee  participates  to  meet  the  requirements  of Code
               Sections  401(a)(4)  or 410,  will be required to be  aggregated.
               Such group shall be known as a Required Aggregation Group.

               In the case of a  Required  Aggregation  Group,  each plan in the
               group  will  be  considered  a Top  Heavy  Plan  if the  Required
               Aggregation  Group is a Top Heavy Group.  No plan in the Required
               Aggregation  Group  will be  considered  a Top Heavy  Plan if the

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               Required Aggregation Group is not a Top Heavy Group.

               (2) Permissive  Aggregation  Group: The Employer may also include
               any  other  plan not  required  to be  included  in the  Required
               Aggregation  Group,  provided  the  resulting  group,  taken as a
               whole,  would continue to satisfy the provisions of Code Sections
               401(a)(4)  and 410.  Such  group  shall be known as a  Permissive
               Aggregation Group.

               In the case of a Permissive  Aggregation  Group, only a plan that
               is part of the Required  Aggregation  Group will be  considered a
               Top Heavy Plan if the Permissive Aggregation Group is a Top Heavy
               Group.  No  plan  in the  Permissive  Aggregation  Group  will be
               considered a Top Heavy Plan if the Permissive  Aggregation  Group
               is not a Top Heavy Group.

               (3) Only those plans of the  Employer in which the  Determination
               Dates fall within the same  calendar  year shall be aggregated in
               order to determine whether such plans are Top Heavy Plans.

               (4) An Aggregation Group shall include any terminated plan of the
               Employer  if it was  maintained  within  the last  five (5) years
               ending on the Determination Date.

               (e) "Determination  Date" means (a) the last day of the preceding
          Plan Year, or (b) in the case of the first Plan Year,  the last day of
          such Plan Year.

               (f) Present  Value of Accrued  Benefit:  In the case of a defined
          benefit plan,  the Present Value of Accrued  Benefit for a Participant
          other than a Key  Employee,  shall be as  determined  using the single
          accrual  method  used for all  plans of the  Employer  and  Affiliated
          Employers,  or if no such single method  exists,  using a method which
          results in benefits accruing not more rapidly than the slowest accrual
          rate permitted under Code Section  411(b)(1)(C).  The determination of
          the Present  Value of Accrued  Benefit  shall be  determined as of the
          most recent Valuation Date that falls within or ends with the 12-month
          period  ending on the  Determination  Date  except as provided in Code
          Section 416 and the  Regulations  thereunder  for the first and second
          plan years of a defined benefit plan.

               (g) "Top Heavy Group" means an Aggregation  Group in which, as of
          the Determination Date, the sum of:

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<PAGE>
               (1) the Present Value of Accrued  Benefits of Key Employees under
               all defined benefit plans included in the group, and

               (2) the  Aggregate  Accounts of Key  Employees  under all defined
               contribution plans included in the group,

               exceeds sixty percent (60%) of a similar sum  determined  for all
          Participants.

                                    ARTICLE I
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

11.1    PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS

     This Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between the Employer
and any Participant or to be a consideration or an inducement for the employment
of any Participant or Employee.  Nothing  contained in this Plan shall be deemed
to give any  Participant  or Employee the right to be retained in the service of
the  Employer or to interfere  with the right of the  Employer to discharge  any
Participant  or  Employee  at any  time  regardless  of the  effect  which  such
discharge shall have upon him as a Participant of this Plan.

11.2    ALIENATION

               (a) Subject to the exceptions  provided  below,  no benefit which
          shall be  payable  out of the Trust Fund to any  person  (including  a
          Participant  or his  Beneficiary)  shall be  subject  in any manner to
          anticipation,   alienation,   sale,  transfer,   assignment,   pledge,
          encumbrance, or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell,
          transfer,  assign, pledge, encumber, or charge the same shall be void;
          and no such benefit  shall in any manner be liable for, or subject to,
          the debts, contracts,  liabilities,  engagements, or torts of any such
          person,  nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or
          against  such  person,  and the same  shall not be  recognized  by the
          Trustee, except to such extent as may be required by law.

               (b) This provision shall not apply to the extent a Participant or
          Beneficiary  is indebted  to the Plan,  as a result of a loan from the
          Plan.  At  the  time  a  distribution  is  to  be  made  to  or  for a
          Participant's or Beneficiary's  benefit, such proportion of the amount
          distributed as shall equal such loan indebtedness shall be paid by the
          Trustee to the Trustee or the  Administrator,  at the direction of the
          Administrator,  to apply against or discharge such loan  indebtedness.
          Prior to making a payment,  however,  the  Participant  or Beneficiary
          must be given  written  notice  by the  Administrator  that  such loan

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<PAGE>
          indebtedness is to be so paid in whole or part from his  Participant's
          Combined  Account.  If the  Participant or Beneficiary  does not agree
          that  the  loan  indebtedness  is a valid  claim  against  his  Vested
          Participant's  Combined  Account,  he shall be entitled to a review of
          the validity of the claim in accordance  with  procedures  provided in
          Sections 2.8 and 2.9.

               (c) This  provision  shall  not  apply to a  "qualified  domestic
          relations  order"  defined in Code  Section  414(p),  and those  other
          domestic   relations   orders  permitted  to  be  so  treated  by  the
          Administrator  under the  provisions of the  Retirement  Equity Act of
          1984.  The  Administrator  shall  establish  a  written  procedure  to
          determine the  qualified  status of domestic  relations  orders and to
          administer  distributions under such qualified orders. Further, to the
          extent provided under a "qualified domestic relations order," a former
          spouse of a  Participant  shall be treated as the spouse or  surviving
          spouse for all purposes under the Plan.

11.3    CONSTRUCTION OF PLAN

     This Plan and Trust shall be construed  and  enforced  according to the Act
and the laws of the State of New York to the extent not preempted by the Act.

11.4    GENDER AND NUMBER

     Wherever  any words are used  herein in the  masculine,  feminine or neuter
gender,  they shall be construed as though they were also used in another gender
in all cases where they would so apply,  and  whenever any words are used herein
in the singular or plural form, they shall be construed as though they were also
used in the other form in all cases where they would so apply.

11.5    LEGAL ACTION

     In the event any claim,  suit, or proceeding is brought regarding the Trust
and/or Plan  established  hereunder  to which the  Trustee,  the Employer or the
Administrator may be a party, and such claim, suit, or proceeding is resolved in
favor of the Trustee, the Employer or the Administrator,  they shall be entitled
to be reimbursed from the Trust Fund for any and all costs, attorney's fees, and
other  expenses  pertaining  thereto  incurred by them for which they shall have
become liable.

11.6    PROHIBITION AGAINST DIVERSION OF FUNDS

               (a) Except as provided below and otherwise specifically permitted
          by law,  it shall be  impossible  by  operation  of the Plan or of the
          Trust, by termination of either,  by power of revocation or amendment,

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<PAGE>
          by the happening of any contingency,  by collateral  arrangement or by
          any  other  means,  for any part of the  corpus or income of any trust
          fund maintained  pursuant to the Plan or any funds contributed thereto
          to be used for,  or diverted  to,  purposes  other than the  exclusive
          benefit of Participants, Retired Participants, or their Beneficiaries.

               (b)  In  the  event  the   Employer   shall  make  an   excessive
          contribution   under  a  mistake  of  fact  pursuant  to  Act  Section
          403(c)(2)(A),  the  Employer may demand  repayment  of such  excessive
          contribution  at any time  within one (1) year  following  the time of
          payment and the  Trustees  shall  return  such amount to the  Employer
          within the one (1) year period.  Earnings of the Plan  attributable to
          the excess  contributions  may not be returned to the Employer but any
          losses attributable thereto must reduce the amount so returned.

11.7    BONDING

     Every Fiduciary,  except a bank or an insurance company, unless exempted by
the Act and regulations  thereunder,  shall be bonded in an amount not less than
10% of the amount of the funds such Fiduciary handles;  provided,  however, that
the minimum bond shall be $1,000 and the maximum bond,  $500,000.  The amount of
funds  handled  shall be  determined  at the  beginning of each Plan Year by the
amount of funds handled by such person,  group, or class to be covered and their
predecessors,  if any,  during  the  preceding  Plan  Year,  or if  there  is no
preceding  Plan Year,  then by the amount of the funds to be handled  during the
then current  year.  The bond shall  provide  protection to the Plan against any
loss by  reason  of acts of fraud or  dishonesty  by the  Fiduciary  alone or in
connivance with others.  The surety shall be a corporate surety company (as such
term is used in Act Section 412(a)(2)), and the bond shall be in a form approved
by the Secretary of Labor. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary,
the cost of such bonds  shall be an expense of and may,  at the  election of the
Administrator, be paid from the Trust Fund or by the Employer.

11.8    EMPLOYER'S AND TRUSTEE'S PROTECTIVE CLAUSE

     Neither  the  Employer,  the  Administrator,  nor the  Trustee,  nor  their
successors  shall  be  responsible  for  the  validity  of any  Contract  issued
hereunder  or for the  failure  on the  part  of the  insurer  to make  payments
provided by any such  Contract,  or for the action of any person which may delay
payment or render a Contract null and void or unenforceable in whole or in part.

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11.9    INSURER'S PROTECTIVE CLAUSE

     Any  insurer  who  shall  issue  Contracts  hereunder  shall  not  have any
responsibility  for the validity of this Plan or for the tax or legal aspects of
this  Plan.  The  insurer  shall be  protected  and held  harmless  in acting in
accordance with any written direction of the Trustee,  and shall have no duty to
see to the  application  of any funds paid to the  Trustee,  nor be  required to
question any actions  directed by the Trustee.  Regardless  of any  provision of
this Plan,  the  insurer  shall not be  required to take or permit any action or
allow any benefit or privilege  contrary to the terms of any  Contract  which it
issues hereunder, or the rules of the insurer.

11.10   RECEIPT AND RELEASE FOR PAYMENTS

     Any payment to any Participant,  his legal representative,  Beneficiary, or
to any guardian or committee  appointed for such  Participant  or Beneficiary in
accordance with the provisions of the Plan, shall, to the extent thereof,  be in
full  satisfaction of all claims hereunder against the Trustee and the Employer,
either of whom may require such Participant, legal representative,  Beneficiary,
guardian or committee,  as a condition  precedent to such payment,  to execute a
receipt and release  thereof in such form as shall be  determined by the Trustee
or Employer.

11.11   ACTION BY THE EMPLOYER

     Whenever the Employer  under the terms of the Plan is permitted or required
to do or perform any act or matter or thing, it shall be done and performed by a
person duly authorized by its legally constituted authority.

11.12   NAMED FIDUCIARIES AND ALLOCATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

     The  "named  Fiduciaries"  of  this  Plan  are (1)  the  Employer,  (2) the
Administrator  and (3) the Trustee.  The named Fiduciaries shall have only those
specific powers, duties,  responsibilities,  and obligations as are specifically
given them under the Plan or as accepted by or assigned to them  pursuant to any
procedure  provided  under the Plan,  including but not limited to any agreement
allocating  or  delegating  their  responsibilities,  the  terms  of  which  are
incorporated herein by reference.  In general, unless otherwise indicated herein
or pursuant to such agreements,  the Employer shall have the duties specified in
Article  II  hereof,  as the  same may be  allocated  or  delegated  thereunder,
including  but not limited to the  responsibility  for making the  contributions
provided  for under  Section  4.1;  and shall have the  authority to appoint and
remove the Trustee  and the  Administrator;  to  formulate  the Plan's  "funding
policy and method";  and to amend or terminate,  in whole or in part,  the Plan.
The Administrator  shall have the  responsibility  for the administration of the
Plan,  including  but not  limited to the items  specified  at Article II of the

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Plan,  as the same may be allocated or delegated  thereunder.  The Trustee shall
have the  responsibility  of management and control of the assets held under the
Trust,  except to the extent directed  pursuant to Article II or with respect to
those  assets,  the  management  of which  has been  assigned  to an  Investment
Manager,  who shall be  solely  responsible  for the  management  of the  assets
assigned to it, all as specifically  provided in the Plan and any agreement with
the  Trustee.   Each  named  Fiduciary   warrants  that  any  directions  given,
information  furnished,  or action taken by it shall be in  accordance  with the
provisions of the Plan, authorizing or providing for such direction, information
or action.  Furthermore,  each named Fiduciary may rely upon any such direction,
information or action of another named Fiduciary as being proper under the Plan,
and is not  required  under the Plan to inquire  into the  propriety of any such
direction,  information or action. It is intended under the Plan that each named
Fiduciary  shall be  responsible  for the  proper  exercise  of its own  powers,
duties,  responsibilities  and  obligations  under  the  Plan  as  specified  or
allocated  herein.  No named  Fiduciary  shall  guarantee  the Trust Fund in any
manner against  investment loss or  depreciation  in asset value.  Any person or
group may serve in more than one Fiduciary capacity. In the furtherance of their
responsibilities  hereunder,  the  "named  Fiduciaries"  shall be  empowered  to
interpret and apply the Plan and Trust, including the power to resolve questions
of law and/or fact and to resolve  ambiguities,  inconsistencies  and omissions,
which findings shall be binding, final and conclusive.

11.13   HEADINGS

     The  headings  and   subheadings  of  this  Plan  have  been  inserted  for
convenience  of  reference  and are to be  ignored  in any  construction  of the
provisions hereof.

11.14   APPROVAL BY INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

               (a)   Notwithstanding    anything   herein   to   the   contrary,
          contributions to this Plan are conditioned  upon the  qualification of
          the Plan under  Code  Section  401.  If the Plan  receives  an adverse
          determination  with  respect to its  qualification,  then the Plan may
          return such  contributions  to the Employer within one year after such
          determination,  provided the application for the determination is made
          by the time prescribed by law for filing the Employer's return for the
          taxable year in which the Plan was adopted,  or such later date as the
          Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.

               (b)  Notwithstanding  any  provisions  to  the  contrary,  except
          Sections 3.5, 3.6, and 4.1(d), any contribution by the Employer to the
          Trust Fund is conditioned  upon the  deductibility of the contribution

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          by the Employer  under the Code and, to the extent any such  deduction
          is  disallowed,  the Employer may,  within one (1) year  following the
          disallowance  of the deduction,  demand  repayment of such  disallowed
          contribution and the Trustee shall return such contribution within one
          (1) year following the disallowance. Earnings of the Plan attributable
          to the excess  contribution  may not be returned to the Employer,  but
          any losses attributable thereto must reduce the amount so returned.

11.15   UNIFORMITY

     All provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted  and applied in a uniform,
nondiscriminatory manner. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this
Plan and any Contract purchased hereunder, the Plan provisions shall control.

11.16   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION APPROVAL

     The Employer may request an  interpretative  letter from the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  stating that the transfers of Company  Stock  contemplated
hereunder do not involve  transactions  requiring a registration of such Company
Stock  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933.  In  the  event  that  a  favorable
interpretative letter is not obtained,  the Employer reserves the right to amend
the Plan and Trust  retroactively  to their Effective Dates in order to obtain a
favorable interpretative letter or to terminate the Plan.

11.17   SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION FORMS

     Notwithstanding  any language  contained in the Plan to the contrary,  with
respect to Employer  contributions  made to the Plan on and before  December 31,
1994, the following provisions shall apply:

               (a) Upon the death of a Participant before his Retirement Date or
          other  termination  of his  employment,  all amounts  credited to such
          Participant's Company Stock Account shall become fully Vested.

               (b) Upon the  death of a Former  Participant,  the  Administrator
          shall direct the Trustee,  to distribute any remaining  Vested amounts
          credited to the  accounts  of a deceased  Former  Participant  to such
          Former Participant's Beneficiary.

               (c) Any  security  interest  held by the  Plan  by  reason  of an
          outstanding  loan to the  Participant or Former  Participant  shall be
          taken into  account in  determining  the amount of the  Pre-Retirement
          Survivor Annuity.

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<PAGE>
               (d) The  Administrator may require such proper proof of death and
          such  evidence  of the right of any person to  receive  payment of the
          Company Stock Account  attributable to Employer  contributions made on
          or before  December  31, 1994 on behalf of a deceased  Participant  or
          Former  Participant  as the  Administrator  may  deem  desirable.  The
          Administrator's  determination of death and of the right of any person
          to receive payment shall be conclusive.

               (e)  Unless  otherwise  elected,  the  Beneficiary  of the  death
          benefit  shall be the  Participant's  spouse,  who shall  receive such
          benefit in the form of a Pre-Retirement  Survivor Annuity, which is an
          immediate annuity form of payment for the life of the surviving spouse
          of a Participant who dies prior to his annuity starting date, which is
          the first day of the  first  period  for which an amount is paid as an
          annuity,  or in the case of a benefit  not  payable  in the form of an
          annuity, the first day on which all events have occurred which entitle
          the Participant to such benefit.  Except, however, the Participant may
          designate a Beneficiary other than his spouse if:

               (1) the  Participant  and his  spouse  have  validly  waived  the
               Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity, and the spouse has waived his or
               her right to be the Participant's Beneficiary, or

               (2) the  Participant  is legally  separated or has been abandoned
               (within the meaning of local law) and the Participant has a court
               order  to  such  effect  (and  there  is no  "qualified  domestic
               relations order" as defined in Code Section 414(p) which provides
               otherwise), or

               (3) the Participant has no spouse, or

               (4) the spouse cannot be located.

     In such event,  the  designation  of a Beneficiary  shall be made on a form
satisfactory  to the  Administrator.  A  Participant  may at any time revoke his
designation of a Beneficiary or change his  Beneficiary by filing written notice
of such revocation or change with the Administrator.  However, the Participant's
spouse  must again  consent in writing to any change in  Beneficiary  unless the
original  consent  acknowledged  that the spouse had the right to limit  consent
only to a  specific  Beneficiary  and that the  spouse  voluntarily  elected  to
relinquish such right. In the event no valid  designation of Beneficiary  exists
at the time of the  Participant's  death,  the death benefit shall be payable to
his estate.

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               (f)(1) Unless otherwise  elected as provided below, a Participant
          who is  married  on the  Annuity  Starting  Date  and who does not die
          before  the  Annuity  Starting  Date  shall  receive  the value of his
          Company Stock  Account  derived from  Employer  contributions  made or
          before December 31, 1994 in the form of a joint and survivor  annuity.
          The  joint  and  survivor   annuity  is  an  annuity  that   commences
          immediately and shall be equal in value to a single life annuity. Such
          joint and survivor benefits  following the  Participant's  death shall
          continue to the spouse during the spouse's lifetime at a rate equal to
          50%  of  the  rate  at  which  such   benefits  were  payable  to  the
          Participant.  This joint and 50% survivor  annuity shall be considered
          the designated qualified joint and survivor annuity and automatic form
          of payment of Employer  contributions made to a Participant's  Company
          Stock Account on or before December 31, 1994. An unmarried Participant
          shall  receive the value of his Company  Stock  Account  derived  from
          Employer contributions made on or before December 31, 1994 in the form
          of a life annuity. Such unmarried  Participant,  however, may elect in
          writing to waive the life  annuity.  The election must comply with the
          provisions  of this  Section  as if it were an  election  to waive the
          joint and survivor annuity by a married  Participant,  but without the
          spousal  consent  requirement.  The  Participant may elect to have any
          annuity  provided for in this Section  distributed upon the attainment
          of the  "earliest  retirement  age"  under  the  Plan.  The  "earliest
          retirement  age" is the earliest  date on which,  under the Plan,  the
          Participant could elect to receive retirement benefits.

               (2) Any election to waive the joint and survivor  annuity must be
               made by the Participant in writing during the election period and
               be consented  to by the  Participant's  spouse.  If the spouse is
               legally incompetent to give consent, the spouse's legal guardian,
               even if such guardian is the Participant,  may give consent. Such
               election  shall  designate a Beneficiary  (or a form of benefits)
               that may not be  changed  without  spousal  consent  (unless  the
               consent  of the  spouse  expressly  permits  designations  by the
               Participant  without the  requirement  of further  consent by the
               spouse).  Such  spouse's  consent shall be  irrevocable  and must
               acknowledge  the effect of such  election  and be  witnessed by a
               Plan representative or a notary public. Such consent shall not be
               required  if  it  is  established  to  the  satisfaction  of  the
               Administrator  that  the  required  consent  cannot  be  obtained
               because  there is no spouse,  the spouse  cannot be  located,  or
               other  circumstances  that may be prescribed by Regulations.  The

                                       93
<PAGE>
               election made by the  Participant  and consented to by his spouse
               may be revoked by the  Participant in writing without the consent
               of the spouse at any time during the election period.  The number
               of revocations shall not be limited. Any new election must comply
               with the requirements of this paragraph. A former spouse's waiver
               shall not be binding on a new spouse.

               (3) The election  period to waive the joint and survivor  annuity
               shall be the 90 day period ending on the Annuity Starting Date.

               (4) With regard to the election,  the Administrator shall provide
               to the  Participant no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days
               before the Annuity Starting Date a written explanation of:

                    (i) the terms  and  conditions  of the  joint  and  survivor
                    annuity,

                    (ii) the Participant's  right to make, and the effect of, an
                    election to waive the joint and survivor annuity,

                    (iii) the right of the  Participant's  spouse to  consent to
                    any election to waive the joint and survivor annuity, and

                    (iv) the right of the  Participant  to revoke such election,
                    and the effect of such revocation.

               (5) Any  distribution  provided  for in this Section may commence
               less  than 30 days  after the  notice  required  by Code  Section
               417(a)(3) is given, provided that:

                    (i) the  Administrator  clearly informs the Participant that
                    the  Participant  has a right to a period  of 30 days  after
                    receiving the notice to consider  whether to waive the joint
                    and survivor  annuity and consent to a form of  distribution
                    other than a joint and survivor annuity,

                    (ii) the  Participant  is permitted to revoke an affirmative
                    distribution  election at least  until the Annuity  Starting
                    Date,  or, if later,  at any time prior to the expiration of
                    the 7-day  period that begins the day after the  explanation
                    of  the  joint  and  survivor  annuity  is  provided  to the

                                       94
<PAGE>
                    Participant,

                    (iii) the Annuity  Starting  Date is after the date that the
                    explanation of the joint and survivor annuity is provided to
                    the Participant.  However,  the Annuity Starting Date may be
                    before the date that any affirmative  distribution  election
                    is made by the  Participant  and  before  the date  that the
                    distribution is permitted to commence under (iv) below, and

                    (iv)   distribution   in  accordance  with  the  affirmative
                    election  does not  commence  before the  expiration  of the
                    7-day  period that begins the day after the  explanation  of
                    the  joint  and   survivor   annuity  is   provided  to  the
                    Participant.

               (g) In the event a married Participant duly elects not to receive
          his benefit in the form of a joint and  survivor  annuity,  or if such
          Participant  is not  married,  in the  form  of a  life  annuity,  the
          Administrator,  pursuant  to the  election of the  Participant,  shall
          direct the Trustee to distribute to a Participant  or his  Beneficiary
          any  amount to which he is  entitled  under the Plan in one or more of
          the following methods:

               (1) One lump-sum payment in cash.

               (2)  Payments  over  a  period  certain  in  monthly,  quarterly,
               semi-annual, or annual cash installments.

               (h) The  present  value of a  Participant's  joint  and  survivor
          annuity  derived from Employer and Employee  contributions  may not be
          paid  without his written  consent if the value  exceeds,  or has ever
          exceeded,  $3,500 ($5,000  beginning in 1998) at the time of any prior
          distribution.  Further,  the spouse of a  Participant  must consent in
          writing to any  immediate  distribution.  Any written  consent must be
          obtained   not  more  than  90  days   before   commencement   of  the
          distribution.

               If the value of the  Participant's  benefit derived from Employer
          and Employee contributions does not exceed $3,500 ($5,000 beginning in
          1998) and has never exceeded $3,500 ($5,000  beginning in 1998) at the
          time of any prior  distribution,  the  Administrator  may  immediately
          distribute  such  benefit  without  such  Participant's   consent.  No
          distribution  may be made  under  the  preceding  sentence  after  the

                                       95
<PAGE>
          Annuity Starting Date unless the Participant and his spouse consent in
          writing to such distribution.

               (i) Any  distribution  to a  Participant  who has a benefit which
          exceeds,  or has ever exceeded,  $3,500 ($5,000  beginning in 1998) at
          the time of any prior  distribution  shall require such  Participant's
          consent  if such  distribution  commences  prior  to the  later of his
          Normal Retirement Age or age 62. With regard to this required consent:

               (1) No consent shall be valid unless the Participant has received
               a general description of the material features and an explanation
               of the relative values of the optional forms of benefit available
               under the Plan that would satisfy the notice requirements of Code
               Section 417.

               (2) The  Participant  must be  informed  of his  right  to  defer
               receipt of the  distribution.  If a Participant fails to consent,
               it shall be  deemed an  election  to defer  the  commencement  of
               payment of any benefit.

               (3) Notice of the rights  specified under this paragraph shall be
               provided no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days before the
               Annuity Starting Date.

               (4) Written consent of the Participant to the  distribution  must
               not be made before the  Participant  receives the notice and must
               not be made more than 90 days before the Annuity Starting Date.

               (5) No  consent  shall  be valid if a  significant  detriment  is
               imposed under the Plan on any Participant who does not consent to
               the distribution.

               Any such  distribution  may commence  less than 30 days after the
          notice required under  Regulation  1.411(a)-11(c)  is given,  provided
          that: (1) the  Administrator  clearly informs the Participant that the
          Participant  has a  right  to a  period  of at  least  30  days  after
          receiving  the notice to  consider  the  decision of whether or not to
          elect a distribution  (and, if applicable,  a particular  distribution
          option),  and  (2)  the  Participant,   after  receiving  the  notice,
          affirmatively elects a distribution.

                                       96
<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Plan has been executed the 6 day of
December, 1997, effective January 1, 1997 forward.

                                                        NBT Bancorp, Inc.

                                                        By/s/John D. Roberts
                                                          -------------------
                                                          EMPLOYER


                                                        NBT Bank, N.A.

                                                        By/s/Todd Griffin
                                                          -------------------
                                                          TRUSTEE

                                                        ATTEST/s/Warren Nash
                                                              ---------------

                                       97
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 10.9

               NBT Bancorp Inc. 1986 Stock Option Plan as Amended
<PAGE>



                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                STOCK OPTION PLAN


                                   AS AMENDED

                              (A) January 26, 1987
                              (B) January 12, 1988
                              (C) November 17, 1992
                              (D) February 16, 1993
<PAGE>


                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                Table of Contents

                                                                            PAGE

I.    DEFINITIONS       1

II.   PURPOSES OF PLAN  4
        2.1 Purposes...........................................................4
        2.2 Administration.....................................................5
        2.3 Participation......................................................6
        2.4 Number of Shares Subject to the Plan...............................6

III.  NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS..............................................7
        3.1 Option Price.......................................................7
        3.2 Payment of Option Price............................................7
        3.3 Expiration.........................................................8
        3.4 Exercise of Options................................................8
        3.5 Issuance of Stock Certificate......................................9

IV.   INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS..................................................9
        4.1 Incentive Stock Options............................................9

V.    TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT...............................................10
        5.1 Termination of Employment.........................................10
<PAGE>


VI.   STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS...............................................11
        6.1 Grant.............................................................11
        6.2 Appreciation Benefit..............................................12
        6.3 Exercise..........................................................12
        6.4 Expiration or Termination of Stock
            Appreciation Rights...............................................13

VII.  OTHER PROVISIONS........................................................14
        7.1  Adjustments Upon Changes in
             Capitalization...................................................14
        7.2  Dissolution, Liquidations,
             Mergers or Reorganization........................................15
        7.3  Provisions of Financial Assistance--
             Direct Loan or Guarantee.........................................16
        7.4  Rights of Participant's and
             Beneficiaries....................................................17
        7.5  Assignment or Transfer...........................................17
        7.6  Compliance with Law and Regulations..............................18
        7.7  Withholding......................................................18
        7.8  Amendment and Termination........................................19
        7.9  Time of Grant and Exercise.......................................19
        7.10 No Rights as Shareholder.........................................20
        7.11 Securities Act of 1933...........................................21
        7.12 Effective Date of the Plan.......................................22
<PAGE>
                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                STOCK OPTION PLAN

I. DEFINITIONS:

      1.1 DEFINITIONS.

          Unless otherwise required by the context:

          (a) "Anniversary  date" shall mean the same day of the same month of a
          succeeding year.

          (b)  "Board"  shall mean the Board of  Directors  of the  Company or a
          Subsidiary thereof.

          (c) "Cause" shall mean the discharge by the Company of any Participant
          for (i)  refusal to perform  duties  assigned in  accordance  with the
          Participant's  employment  agreement  with the Company  (ii) overt and
          willful disobedience of orders or directives issued to the Participant
          by  the  Company  within  the  scope  of   Participant's   duties  and
          responsibilities  (iii) conviction of illegal act or (iv) violation of
          the Company's rules and regulations concerning conflicts of interest.

          (d) "Committee" shall mean the NBT Bancorp, Inc. Board of Directors or
          such one or more  subordinate  committees  as  designated by the Chief
          Executive  Officer and  approved by the Board to serve for purposes of
          this 
(B)       Plan.  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY  SUBSTITUTE,  ADD OR REMOVE MEMBERS 
                                     ******
(B) Added by amendment January 12, 1988; copy of amendment attached.

                                       -1-
<PAGE>
          OF THE COMMITTEE(S) IN ITS DISCRETION SO LONG AS ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
          ARE "DISINTERESTED  PERSONS" AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED BY RULE 16B-3 (D)
          PROMULGATED UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

          (e) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

          (f)  "Company"  shall mean NBT  Bancorp  Inc.,  its  subsidiaries  and
          successors.

          (g)"Eligible Employee" means a person who at the end of the applicable
          fiscal  year  is  a  regular  full-time  salaried  employee,   and  is
          President,  Chief Executive Officer,  Department Head, Branch Manager,
          or a Division  Manager of the Company as such terms are  defined  from
          time  to time by the  Company,  and  further  who  earns a  designated
          minimum annual salary determined from time to time by the Committee. A
          Director of the Company is not an Eligible  Employee unless he is also
          a regular full-time  salaried  employee of the Company.  A "full time"
          employee means any employee who is customarily  employed for more than
          twenty hours per week and at least six months per year.

(D)       (h) "FAIR MARKET  VALUE" AS USED IN THIS PLAN,  SHALL MEAN THE AVERAGE
          BETWEEN  THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST  QUOTED  SELLING  PRICES OF THE COMMON
          STOCK ON THE  NATIONAL  MARKET  SYSTEM  OF NASDAQ ON THE DATE OF GRANT
          WITH  RESPECT TO  INCENTIVE  STOCK  OPTIONS AND ON THE FIVE  PRECEDING
          TRADING  DAYS  PRIOR TO DATE OF GRANT  WITH  RESPECT  TO  NONQUALIFIED
          OPTIONS. IF THERE IS NO SALE REPORTED ON THE NATIONAL MARKET SYSTEM OF
                                     ******
(D) Changed by amendment February 16, 1993; copy of amendment attached.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>


          NASDAQ  ON THE  APPROPRIATE  DATE,  THE  FAIR  MARKET  VALUE  SHALL BE
          DETERMINED BY TAKING THE AVERAGE  BETWEEN THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST SALES
          ON THE NEAREST DATE BEFORE THE APPROPRIATE VALUATION DATE WITH RESPECT
          TO INCENTIVE  STOCK  OPTIONS AND SUCH AVERAGE FOR THE FIVE MOST RECENT
          PRECEDING TRADING DAYS WITH RESPECT TO NONQUALIFIED OPTIONS.
                 
          (i) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option issued in accordance
(B)       with the  provisions of Section 422A of the Internal  Revenue Code of
          1986 as amended.

          (j)  "Optionee"  shall  mean an  eligible  employee  to whom  has been
          granted an option under this Plan.

          (k) "Option  Price" shall mean the  purchase  price for stock under an
          Option as determined at Article III hereof.

          (l) "Option" shall mean a right to purchase stock granted  pursuant to
          this Plan.

          (m) "Total  Disability"  means  complete  and  permanent  inability by
          reason of illness or  accident  to perform his or her duties on behalf
          of the  Company as of the date such  disability  first  occurred.  All
          determinations  as to  the  date  and  extent  of  disability  of  any
          Participant  shall be made by the  Committee,  upon the  basis of such
          evidence,  including  independent  medical  reports  and data,  as the
          Committee deems necessary or desirable. The Committee's  determination
          shall be final.
                                     ******
(B) Changed by amendment January 12, 1988; copy of amendment attached.
                                                  
                                       -3-
<PAGE>
          (n) "Plan" shall mean this Stock Option Plan.

          (o) "Retirement" shall mean a participant's normal or early retirement
          as of the date  established as the normal or early  retirement date in
          accordance  with  (1)  the  terms  of  such  participant's  employment
          agreement with the Company,  or (2) if no such agreement,  the date or
          dates established in any qualified retirement program sponsored by the
          Company or (3) any such other date as the  Committee  in its  absolute
          discretion shall determine.

(D)       (p) "Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company, NO par value.

          (q) "Stock  Appreciation  Right" shall mean a right to receive cash or
          stock granted pursuant to Article VI hereof.

          (r)  "Subsidiary"  shall mean any  corporation  of which a majority or
          more of its  outstanding  voting stock or voting power is beneficially
          owned directly or indirectly by the Company.

          (s)  "Termination of Employment"  shall mean a cessation of employment
          with the Company as determined by the Committee.

II. PURPOSES OF PLAN.

      2.1 PURPOSES.
                 
               The Purposes of this Plan are as follows:

          (a) To provide financial incentives in the form of current or deferred
          compensation to key employees.
                                     ******
(D) Changed by amendment February 16, 1993; copy of amendment attached.

                                       -4-
<PAGE>
          (b) To further the growth,  development,  and financial success of the
          Company by recognizing and rewarding  those key employees  responsible
          therefor.

          (c) To provide the ability for key  employees  to share in the Company
          growth and  financial  success by assisting  them in acquiring  common
          stock of the Company.

          (d) To provide  incentive  compensation  programs  which will  attract
          highly  skilled  employees  necessary  for the  continued  growth  and
          financial success of the Company.


      2.2 ADMINISTRATION

          This Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  The Committee shall
     act by majority  vote of all members taken at a meeting of the Committee or
     by the written affirmation of a majority of its members without a meeting.

          Subject to the express  provisions of the Plan,  the  Committee  shall
     have the power to:

          (a) determine and designate  from time to time those  employees of the
          Company eligible for participation  under the Plan and to whom Options
          (either  nonqualified or incentive) and/or Stock  Appreciation  Rights
          are to be granted.  Director's of the Company who are not employees of
          the Company  shall not be eligible to receive  Options under the Plan.
          All  participants  shall be  "Disinterested  Persons" as defined under
          Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

          (b) authorize the granting of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights to
          participants,  and determine  which options are to be Incentive  Stock
          Options and which are to be Non-Qualified Stocks Options, and

                                       -5-
<PAGE>
                           
          (c)  determine  the  number of shares  subject  to each  Option or the
          number of Stock Appreciation Rights to be granted to each participant.

          (d) determine  what terms and  conditions,  if any, shall be placed on
          the exercise of any such grants.


     The Committee  shall have the authority to construe and interpret the plan,
define  the terms  used  therein,  prescribe,  amend  and/or  rescind  rules and
regulations  necessary and/or appropriate for the administration of the Plan and
make such other  determinations  or take such  other  actions as it shall in its
sole and absolute discretion deem necessary or advisable to fulfill the purposes
of the Plan.

     The  interpretation  and  construction of any provisions of the Plan by the
Committee shall be final unless otherwise  determined by the Board. No member of
the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination  made
by him in good faith.

      2.3 PARTICIPATION.

          Eligible  employees  who are not members of the Committee and have not
     served as a member of the  Committee  for a period of one year prior to the
     grant shall be eligible for selection to participate in the Plan. Directors
     who are not  officers  or  employees  of the  Company  are not  eligible to
     participate  in the Plan. An individual who has been granted an Option may,
     if otherwise  eligible,  be granted an additional  Option or Options if the
     Committee shall so determine.
        
      2.4 NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

     Subject to the adjustments as provided in Section 2 hereof, Options may be

                                       -6-
<PAGE>
     granted to participants under the Plan to purchase in the aggregate 300,000
     shares of the  Company's  Common Stock ($.001 par value).  The shares to be
     issued upon  exercise of Options  granted  under the Plan may be authorized
     but  unissued  shares of shares  held by the  Company  in its  treasury.  A
     sufficient  number of shares  will be  reserved  by the Company for Options
     granted under the Plan. If any Option granted  hereunder  shall expire,  be
     forfeited or terminate for any reason without having been fully  exercised,
     the unpurchased  forfeited shares shall again be available for the purposes
     of this Plan.

III. NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS.

      3.1 OPTION PRICE.

          The Option  price for shares  issued upon  exercise  of  non-qualified
     Stock  Options per share shall be  determined  by the Committee at the time
     any such  Options are granted but in no event shall such price be less than
     100% of the fair market value of such stock as of the date of granting such
     Options.
       
      3.2 PAYMENT OF OPTION PRICE.

          The Option  price of any shares  purchased  shall be paid in full,  in
     cash at the time of such purchase,  provided,  however, that subject to the
     discretion  of the  Committee  and provided  that all  required  regulatory
     approvals,   if  any,  have  been   obtained,   the  Optionee  may  deliver
     certificates  of the Common Stock of the Company in part or full payment of
     the  purchase  price in which  event such  certificates  shall be valued at
     their fair market value as of the date of the exercise of the Option.

                                       -7-
<PAGE>
      3.3 EXPIRATION.

          Each Option agreement shall specify the period for which the Option is
     granted but in no event shall such period  exceed  eight (8) years from the
     date of the grant of the Option  (herein  after called the option  period).
     The Option shall expire as of the end of such period.

      3.4 EXERCISE OF OPTIONS.

          (a) Each Option shall be  exercisable  (and the total number of shares
          subject  thereto  shall be available  for  purchase) in such amount or
          amounts,  which may or may not be equal, over the period of the Option
          as the Committee shall determine. To the extent an Option is not fully
          exercised as of the date on which such Option may be exercisable,  the
          Option holder may exercise such Option for the purchase of such shares
          not previously purchased until the expiration or sooner termination of
          such Holders'  Option.  The Committee  may, at any time after grant of
          the  Option  and from  time to time,  increase  the  number  of shares
          purchasable in any installment,  limited to the total number of shares
          subject  to the  Option.  No Option or  installment  thereof  shall be
          exercisable except in respect of whole shares. Fractional shares shall
          be disregarded except that they may be accumulated until a whole share
          is realized.

          (b) To the extent an Optionee may hold two or more options  granted at
          different  times,  the Committee  shall be authorized to determine the
          sequential order, if any, that such options must be exercised.

                                       -8-
<PAGE>
          (c)  Anything  herein  to the  contrary,  all  options  must be  fully
          exercised  by the Optionee no later than his normal  retirement  date.
          Any  options  unexercised  as of said date shall lapse and be null and
          void.

(D)       (d) UPON EXERCISE OF A STOCK OPTION,  THE NUMBER OF STOCK APPRECIATION
          RIGHTS SUBJECT TO EXERCISE, SHALL BE AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED BY ONE-HALF
          OF THE NUMBER OF OPTIONS EXERCISED.

      3.5 ISSUANCE OF STOCK CERTIFICATE

          Upon exercise of an Option, the person exercising such Option shall be
     entitled  to one stock  certificate  evidencing  the shares  acquired  upon
     exercise;  provided,  however,  that any person who tenders Common Stock of
     the Company  when  exercising  the Option  shall be entitled to receive two
     certificates,  one representing the number of shares equal to the number of
     shares  exchanged  for  the  stock  acquired  upon  exercise,  and  another
     representing the additional  shares,  if any, acquired upon exercise of the
     Option.

IV. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION.

      4.1 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.

          In addition  to the  requirements  set forth in Article III above,  an
     Incentive  Option  must  comply  with  the  following  conditions:  (a) The
     aggregate fair market value  (determined at the time the option is granted)
     of the stock with respect to which an Incentive Stock Option is exercisable
     (for the first time) by the Optionee during any calendar year
                                     ******
D) Added by amendment February 1993; Copy of amendment attached.

                                       -9-
<PAGE>
          (under all such plans of the Company) shall not exceed $100,000.

          (b)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of Section 3.3 above,  Incentive
          Stock  Options  granted  to ten  (10)  percent  stockholders  shall be
          exercisable  only within five years after the date of grant, or within
          such shorter period as may be determined by the Board.

          (c) The option  price for each share of stock  subject to an Incentive
          Stock Option granted to ten percent (10%) or higher  stockholder shall
          be 110 percent of the fair  market  value of such share as of the date
          on which  the  option is  granted,  or such  greater  amount as may be
          determined by the Board.

          (d) All provisions of the Plan shall be administered so as to preserve
          the  status  of  any  option  granted  under  this  Article  IV  as an
(B)       "Incentive Stock Option" within the meaning of the  Internal  Revenue
          Code of 1986 as amended or restated.

V. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

      5.1 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

          (a) Retirement or Permanent  Disability.  If the Optionee's employment
          with the Company is  terminated  by reason of  retirement or permanent
          disability,  the optionee for a period of three months thereafter (but
          in no event  later  than the  expiration  date set forth at  Article 3
          hereof) may exercise the option(s) granted and outstanding in whole or
          in  part  including  any  installment   option  granted  but  not  yet
        
                                     ******
(B) Changed by amendment January 12, 1988; copy of amendment attached.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
          exercisable.
                  
          (b) Other Terminations.  If the optionee's employment with the company
          is terminated  for reasons other than death,  retirement or disability
          whether  voluntary  or  involuntary,  the  optionee  may  exercise any
          options hereunder to the extent he was entitled to do so as of the day
          of his or her  termination  at any time or from time to time within 30
          days of his or her  termination  of  employment  but in no event later
          than the expiration date set forth in Article 3 hereof.

          (c) Death. In the event of the death of the optionee while an employee
          of the company,  and at a time when one or more of his options remains
          outstanding,  then unless the terms of the Option  provide  otherwise,
          each Option (i) shall  remain  outstanding  until six (6) months after
          the date of his death,  and (ii) shall be exercisable by Participant's
          Beneficiary, Executor or Administrator of his Estate.

VI. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

      6.1 GRANT.

          The Company,  upon  recommendation  of the Committee,  may grant Stock
     Appreciation Rights to participants  concurrently with the grant of Options
     under  the  Plan.  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  shall  be  evidenced  by an
     agreement or agreements  containing  terms and conditions  consistent  with
     those set forth in this Plan. Each Stock Appreciation Right shall relate to
     a  specific  Option  granted  under  the  Plan  and may be  granted  either
     concurrently  with an Option or at such later time as the  Committee  shall
     
                                      -11-
<PAGE>
     determine.
        
      6.2 APPRECIATION BENEFIT

          Subject to  agreement  by and  conditions  imposed  by the  Committee,
     participant  upon  exercise  of a Stock  Appreciation  Right,  may elect to
     receive either in cash or shares of the Common Stock of the Company or both
     an amount  equal in value to the excess of the fair market value of a share
     of Common  Stock of the  Company  as of the  exercise  date over the Option
     price of the share of the  Common  Stock of the  Company to which the Stock
     Appreciation Right relates. Notwithstanding the above, no fractional shares
     shall be issued upon the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights.

      6.3 EXERCISE.

          (a) A Stock  Appreciation  Right shall not be  exercised  prior to the
          time,  and only to the extent that, a related  Option is exercised.  A
          Stock  Appreciation  Right  shall be  exercisable  only by the  person
          entitled to exercise the related Option.  Except as otherwise provided
          herein,  a Stock  Appreciation  Right is  further  subject  to all the
          provisions  of the Option  Agreement  with  respect to which the Stock
          Appreciation Right relates.
                 
          (b) Upon exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights,  whether settlement is
          made in  shares  of  Common  Stock or in cash,  the  number  of shares
          subject  to  exercise  under  the  related  Option,  if any,  shall be
          automatically  reduced  by the  number  of Stock  Appreciation  Rights
          exercised. Such shares will be available for further grants under this
          Plan.
                                           
                                      -12-
<PAGE>
          (c)  An  election  to  receive  cash  upon  the  exercise  of a  Stock
          Appreciation  Right cannot be made until at least six months after the
          day the Stock  Appreciation  Right is granted and then only during the
          period  beginning  on the third  business day  following  the date the
          Company  releases  for  publication  its regular  quarterly  or annual
          summary statement of revenues and income (assuming such financial data
          appears  on a wire  service,  in a  financial  news  service,  or in a
          newspaper  of  general  circulation,  or is  otherwise  made  publicly
          available) and ending on the twelfth business day following such date.

          (d) The Committee may impose such additional conditions or limitations
          on  the  exercise  of  Stock  Appreciation   Rights  as  it  may  deem
          appropriate.

          (e)  Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the contrary,  the Committee
          may,  in  the  agreement  evidencing  the  Stock  Appreciation  Right,
          determine the maximum amount of cash or Common Stock which the Company
          may be required to be delivered upon exercise of a Stock  Appreciation
          Right.

          (f)The Committee, in its discretion, may defer payment with respect to
          an exercise of a Stock  Appreciation  Right to some later time, but in
          no event  later than  twelve  months  after the  exercise of the Stock
          Appreciation Right.

      6.4 EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     Each  Stock Appreciation  Right will expire  upon the expiration of the 
     Related  Option  and as set forth in the  agreement  evidencing  such Stock
     Appreciation Rights.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
VII. ADJUSTMENTS.

      7.1 ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.

          If the  outstanding  shares of the stock of the Company are increased,
     decreased,  or changed into, or exchanged for a different number or kind of
     shares or  securities  through  reorganization,  merger,  recapitalization,
(C)  reclassification,  stock split-up,  stock dividend,  stock consolidation or
     OTHER LIKE TRANSACTION, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall
     be made in the  number  and  kind of  shares  to  which  Options  or  Stock
     Appreciation Rights may be granted. A corresponding adjustment changing the
     number or kind of shares  and the  exercise  price per share  allocated  to
     unexercised Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or portions thereof, which
     shall have been granted prior to any such change,  shall  likewise be made.
     Any such adjustment  shall not change the aggregate price applicable to all
     unexercised Options.

(C)  NOTWITHSTANDING  THE FOREGOING,  ANY INCREASE IN THE OUTSTANDING  SHARES OF
     THE COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY  RESULTING  FROM THE SALE BY THE COMPANY OF
     ITS COMMON STOCK IN THE OPEN MARKET IN AN  SEC-REGISTERED  OFFERING OR IN A
     PRIVATELY-PLACED EXEMPT OFFERING (HEREINAFTER, EITHER OF THE AFOREMENTIONED
     OFFERINGS BEING AN "EQUITY OFFERING") OR THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
     THE PURCHASE PLAN (THE "DRIP") OR
                                     ******
(C) CHANGED  AND ADDED  BY AMENDMENT  NOVEMBER  17,  1992;  COPY  OF  AMENDMENT
    ATTACHED.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
     THE  EMPLOYEES'  STOCK  OWNERSHIP  PLAN (THE "ESOP")  SHALL NOT TRIGGER THE
     ADJUSTMENT  PROVISIONS  OF THIS  SECTION  7.1 (A);  IT BEING THE  COMPANY'S
     INTENT  UNDER THIS  SECTION 7.1 (A) THAT,  WITH RESPECT TO INCREASES IN THE
     OUTSTANDING  SHARES OF THE SHARES IN EQUITY  OFFERINGS  OR THE  ISSUANCE OF
     SHARES  OUTSTANDING  OPTIONS  OR  STOCK  APPRECIATION  RIGHTS  WILL  NOT BE
     ADJUSTED TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OR KIND OF SHARES  AND/OR THE EXERCISE  PRICE
     PER SHARE  ALLOCATED TO UNEXERCISED  OPTIONS OR STOCK  APPRECIATION  RIGHTS
     WILL NOT BE  ADJUSTED  TO CHANGE  THE  NUMBER OR KIND OF SHARES  AND/OR THE
     EXERCISE  PRICE  PER  SHARE  ALLOCATED  TO  UNEXERCISED  OPTIONS  OR  STOCK
     APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

      7.2 DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATIONS, MERGERS OR REORGANIZATION

          Upon:  (i) the  dissolution  or  liquidation  of the  Company;  (ii) a
     reorganization,  merger or  consolidation  of the Company  with one or more
     corporations  as a  result  of  which  the  Company  is not  the  surviving
     cooperative, or (iii) a sale of substantially all the assets of the Company
     to another  corporation,  the Board of Directors shall cause written notice
     of the  proposed  transaction  to be given to the optionee not less than 40
     days prior to the anticipated  effective date of the proposed  transaction,
     and the stock option shall be accelerated and, prior to a date specified in
     such notice, which shall be not more than ten days prior to the anticipated
     effective  date of the proposed  transaction,  the optionee  shall have the
     right to  exercise  the stock  option to  purchase  any or all shares  then
     subject  to the  option,  including  those,  if any,  which have not become
     available for purchase under other provisions of the

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
     plan.  The  optionee,  by so  notifying  the  company in  writing,  may, in
     exercising the stock option, condition such exercise upon, and provide that
     such exercise shall become  effective at the time of but immediately  prior
     to, the consummation of the  transaction,  in which event the optionee need
     not make  payment  for the  shares of  common  stock to be  purchased  upon
     exercise of the stock  option until five days after  written  notice by the
     company to the optionee that the  transaction  is  consummated.  Each stock
     option, to the extent not previously  exercised prior to the date specified
     in the foregoing  notice,  shall  terminate on the  effective  date of such
     consummation.  If the  proposed  transaction  is  abandoned,  any shares of
     common stock not purchased upon exercise of the stock option shall continue
     to be available for exercise in accordance with the other provisions of the
     plan, and the shares of common stock, if any,  purchased upon exercise of a
     stock  option  pursuant  to this  subsection  shall be  deemed to have been
     purchased  in the order in which they first become  available  for purchase
     under other provisions of the plan.

      7.3 PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE -- DIRECT LOAN OR GUARANTEE

          The Board of  Directors  or the  Committee  may cause the  company  to
     provide or arrange for financial  assistance  (including without limitation
(A)  direct loans, secured OR UNSECURED, or guarantees of the third-party loans)
     to an optionee for the purpose of providing funds for the purchase of stock
     pursuant to the exercise of an option granted  under the plan, when in the
                                     ******
(A) Deleted by Amendment January 13, 1987; copy of amended attached

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
     judgement of the Board of Directors or the Committee such assistance shall:

          (a) Be deemed to be in the best  interests of the  company,  not be in
          violation  of the  certificate  of  incorporation,  or  by-laws of the
          Company nor any state, federal or local law or regulation and;

          (b) Permit the stock to be fully paid and non-assessable when issued.

      7.4 RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES.

          (a)  Nothing  contained  in  the  Plan  (or  in any  Option  or  Stock
          Appreciation Right granted pursuant to the Plan) shall confer upon any
          employee  any  right  of  continued   employment   with  the  Company;
          constitute any contract or agreement of  employment;  interfere in any
          way with the right of the company to reduce such person's compensation
          from the rate in  existence  at the time of  granting  an Option or to
          terminate such person's  employment.  Nothing  contained  herein shall
          affect any  contractual  rights of an  employee  pursuant to any other
          contract between the employee and the Company.

      7.5 ASSIGNMENT OR TRANSFER

          The Option and Stock  Appreciation  Rights subject to grant  hereunder
     shall be exercisable only by the Optionee of such Stock Appreciation Rights
     as the case may be (or a duly appointed  guardian or legal  representative)
     during  the  Optionee's  or  Holder's  lifetime  and  shall  not  be  sold,
     transferred,  assigned,  pledged,  hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in
     any other way (whether by operation of law or otherwise)  except by will or
     the laws of  descent and  distribution.  Option(s) and Stock Appreciation

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
     Rights shall  not be subject  to execution,  attachment,  garnishment or
     similar  process.  Upon any  attempt  to sell,  transfer,  assign,  pledge,
     hypothecate or otherwise dispose of an Option, Stock Appreciation Rights or
     of any other  right or  privilege  conferred  under this Plan such  Option,
     Stock  Appreciation  Rights and any other  rights or  privileges  conferred
     hereunder  shall  be  deemed  forfeited,  and  immediately  terminated  and
     rendered null and void.

      7.6 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND REGULATIONS.

          This Plan,  the grant and  exercise  of Options or Stock  Appreciation
     Rights anticipated  pursuant to this Plan and the obligation of the Company
     to sell  and  deliver  shares  of its  Common  Stock  hereunder  or to make
     payments upon exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to all
     applicable  federal,  state and local  laws,  rules  and  regulations.  The
     Company's  obligation  hereunder shall be further subject to receipt of and
     compliance with all approvals issued by any government or regulatory agency
     as the Company shall deem appropriate.

      7.7 WITHHOLDING.

          The  Company  shall  have the right to deduct  any sums that  federal,
     state or local tax laws require to be withheld with respect to the exercise
     of any Option or Stock Appreciation  Right, or as otherwise may be required
     by such laws.  The Company may  require as a condition  to issuing  shares,
     that  upon  exercise  of  the  Option  or  Stock   Appreciation  Right  the
     Participant  or other person  exercising  the Option or Stock  Appreciation
     Rights  pay any sums to the  Company  for  deposit  with the  deposit  with
     appropriate governmental authority that federal, state or local tax law

                                      -18-
<PAGE>


     requires to be  withheld with  respect to such  exercise or payment. There
     is no obligation hereunder that any Participant be advised of the existence
     of the tax or the amount  which the  Company  may be required to withhold.

      7.8 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.

          The Board or the Committee may at anytime suspend,  amend or terminate
     this Plan and may,  with the  consent  of the  holder of an Option or Stock
     Appreciation Rights, make such modifications of the terms and conditions of
     such  Holder's  Option  or  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  as it  shall  deem
     advisable. No Option or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted during any
     suspension of the Plan or after its termination. The amendment,  suspension
     or termination of the Plan shall not,  without the consent of the Holder of
     an Option  or Stock  Appreciation  Right,  alter or  impair  any  rights or
     obligations  under any  Option  or Stock  Appreciation  Rights  theretofore
     granted under the Plan.


      7.9 TIME OF GRANT AND EXERCISE.

          (a) The granting of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, pursuant to
          the Plan shall take place at the time of the  Committee's  action,  as
          described in Article II, Section 2.2 hereof;  provided,  however, that
          if the  appropriate  resolutions  of the  Committee  indicate  that an
          Option or Stock  Appreciation Right is to be granted as of and at some
          future date, the date of grant shall be such future date. In the event
          action by the  Committee  is taken by written  consent of its members,
          the action of the Committee shall be deemed to be at the time the last
          member signs the consent.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
(D)       (b) AN  OPTION  SHALL BE  EXERCISED  BY  WRITTEN  NOTICE  OF INTENT TO
          EXERCISE  THE  OPTION OF SAR WITH  RESPECT  TO A  SPECIFIED  NUMBER OF
          SHARES  DELIVERED  TO THE  COMPANY'S  SECRETARY  OR  TREASURER  AT ITS
          PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN NORWICH,  NEW YORK, AND,  MOREOVER WITH RESPECT TO
          OPTIONS,  PAYMENT IN FULL TO THE  COMPANY AT SUCH OFFICE OF THE AMOUNT
          OF THE  OPTION  PRICE FOR THE  NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON  STOCK  WITH
          RESPECT TO WHICH THE OPTION IS  EXERCISED.  IN  ADDITION TO AND AT THE
          TIME OF PAYMENT OF THE OPTION PRICE AND AT THE TIME OF THE EXERCISE OF
          AN SAR, THE OPTIONEE  SHALL PAY TO THE COMPANY IN CASH THE FULL AMOUNT
          OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE  WITHHOLDING OR OTHER TAXES APPLICABLE TO THE
          TAXABLE INCOME OF SUCH OPTIONEE RESULTING FROM SUCH EXERCISE.

      7.10 NO RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER.

          The granting of an Option or Stock Appreciation Rights hereunder shall
     not  confer to the  Optionee  or Holder any  rights as a  shareholder  with
     respect  to  shares of the  Company's  Common  Stock  until the date of the
     issuance of a stock certificate or stock  certificates upon exercise of the
     Option  or  Stock  Appreciation  Rights.  No  adjustment  will be made  for
     dividends  or other  rights if the record  date  pertaining  to such shares
     preceded the date of issuance of such shares.
                                     ******
(D) Changed by amendment February 16,1993; copy of amendment attached.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
      7.11 SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.

          Optionee shall represent and agrees that if the Optionee  exercises an
     Option or Stock Appreciation Right at a time when:

          (a.) There is not in effect a registration  statement  filed under the
          Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the "Act"),  relating to the shares
          issuable  upon exercise of such Option or Stock  Appreciation  Rights,
          and

          (b.) A prospectus  available for  distribution to the Optionee meeting
          the  requirements  of the Act and the Optionee shall  represent to the
          Company  on the  notice of  exercise  that the shares to be issued are
          being  purchased for investment and not with a view to their resale or
          distribution.  Any person or persons entitled to exercise an Option or
          a Stock  Appreciation Right under this Agreement shall be obligated to
          provide in writing to the Company the representation contained in this
          paragraph. Holder or Optionee acknowledges and agrees that the Company
          shall not be required to issue  shares upon the exercise of the Option
          or  Stock   Appreciation   Rights  unless  and  until  all  applicable
          requirements  of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  any other
          regulatory  agency  having  jurisdiction  over  the  Company,  and any
          security  exchanges  with which the  Company  stock may be listed have
          been fully complied with.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
      7.12 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN.

          This Plan shall be effective as of the 25TH DAY of NOVEMBER, 1986.

          This  Plan is hereby  executed  this 25TH day of  NOVEMBER,  1986,  on
     behalf of the Company by the undersigned duly authorized officer.
                             
                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                /S/ DONALD E. STONE
                                ------------------------

                                Attest; /S/ JAMES A. HOY
                                        ----------------
                                            Secretary

                                      -22-

<PAGE>
                       NBT BANCORP INC. Board of Directors

                      Special Meeting held January 13, 1987

"Upon the  recommendation of management and the Bank's SEC attorneys,  the Board
voted for a Resolution  to amend the recently  approved  Stock Option Plan.  The
amendment  includes the  elimination  of the provision for  recipients to borrow
from the Bank on an unsecured basis the funds needed to pay for the participants
options being exercised."


I hereby  certify the above  Resolution  is a true and accurate  copy of the NBT
Bancorp Inc. Board of Directors Minutes for the Special Meeting held January 13,
1987.


    /S/  JAMES A. HOY
    -----------------
         James A. Hoy
         Vice President and Secretary

Dated:  26 January 1987

<PAGE>
                       NBT BANCORP INC. Board of Directors

                          Meeting held January 12, 1988

"Upon the  recommendation of management and the Bank's SEC attorneys,  the Board
voted for a  Resolution  amending  the NBT  BANCORP  INC.  Stock  Option Plan as
follows:

      1.       The following sentence is added to Article I. (d):

               "The Board of Directors may substitute,  add or remove members of
               the  Committee(s)  in its  discretion  so long  as all  Committee
               members  are  "disinterested  persons" as that term is defined by
               Rule 16b-3(d)  promulgated  under the Securities  Exchange Act of
               1934."

      2.       ...the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended..." shall
               replace"...the  Internal  Revenue Code of 1954 as  amended..." in
               Articles I. (i) and IV.4.1(d)."

I hereby  certify the above  Resolution  is a true and accurate  copy of the NBT
BANCORP INC. Board of Directors Minutes for the meeting held January 12, 1988.



                                          /S/     JOHN D. ROBERTS
                                          -----------------------
                                                  John D. Roberts
                                                  Vice President and Secretary

Dated:   January 12, 1988
<PAGE>
         PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE CORPORATION'S STOCK OPTION PLAN TO DEFINE
                    MORE CLEARLY THE ANTI-DILUTIVE PROVISIONS

     RESOLVED,  that, in accordance with Section 7.7 of the Corporation's  Stock
Option  Plan (the  "Plan"),  the  President  of the  Corporation,  or such other
officer(s) as he so  designates,  is hereby  authorized and directed to take all
requisite action to amend the Plan as follows:

          Section 7.1(a) of the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

          A. The first  clause of the first  sentence is amended by deleting the
          word  "otherwise"  and inserting the phrase "other like  transaction".
          Thus the first clause shall read as follow:

          If the  outstanding  shares of the stock of the Company are increased,
          decreased,  or changed into,  or exchanged  for a different  number or
          kind  of  shares  or  securities   through   reorganization,   merger,
          recapitalization,  reclassification,  stock split-up,  stock dividend,
          stock consolidation or other like transaction,...

          B. The following  language  should be inserted after the last sentence
          of the section:

          Notwithstanding the foregoing,  any increase in the outstanding shares
          of the  common  stock of the  Company  resulting  from the sale by the
          Company of its common  stock in the open  market in an  SEC-registered
          offering or in a privately-placed exempt offering (hereinafter, either
          of the  aforementioned  offerings  being an "equity  offering") or the
          issuance of shares  pursuant to the Purchase  Plan (the "DRIP") or the
          Employees'  Stock  Ownership  Plan (the "ESOP")  shall not trigger the
          adjustment  provisions of this Section 7.1(a);  it being the Company's
          intention under this Section 7.1(a) that, with respect to increases in
          the  outstanding  Options or Stocks  Appreciation  Rights  will not be
          adjusted  to change the number or kind of shares  and/or the  exercise
          price per share allocated to unexercised Options or Stock Appreciation
          Rights.

                                             Approved by Bancorp Board 11/17/92
<PAGE>
                    RESOLUTIONS TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF
                              NBT STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                     AND THE
             AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

1.   Proposal to amend the  Corporation's  Stock  Option Plan to redefine  "Fair
     Value" and to provide more definitive procedures for exercising options.

RESOLVED,  that in accordance with Section 7.7 of the Corporation's Stock Option
Plan (the "Plan"), the President of the Corporation, or such other officer(s) as
he so designates, is hereby authorized and directed to take all requisite action
to amend the Plan as follows:

A.    Section 1.(h) of the Plan is hereby amended to read as follows:

         (h) "Fair  Market  Value" as used in this Plan,  shall mean the average
         between  the  highest and lowest  quoted  selling  prices of the Common
         Stock on the National Market System of NASDAQ on the date of grant with
         respect to incentive  stock options on the five preceding  trading days
         prior to date of grant with respect to nonqualified  options.  If there
         is no sale  reported  on the  National  Market  System of NASDAQ on the
         appropriate  date,  the Fair Market Value shall be determined by taking
         the average  between the highest and lowest  sales on the nearest  date
         before the  appropriate  valuation date with respect to incentive stock
         options and such  average for the five most  recent  preceding  trading
         days with respect to non-qualified options.

B.    Section 1.(p) of the Plan is hereby amended to read as follows:

         (p) "Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company, no par value.

C.    Section 7.9(b) of the Plan is hereby amended to read as follows:

         (b) An  option  shall be  exercised  by  written  notice  of  intent to
         exercise the option or SAR with respect to a specified number of shares
         delivered to the  Company's  secretary  or  treasurer at its  principal
         officer in Norwich,  New York,  and,  moreover with respect to Options,
         payment  in full to the  Company  at such  office of the  amount of the
         option  price for the number of shares of Common  Stock with respect to
         which the Option is then being  exercised.  In  addition  to and at the
         time of payment of the option  price and at the time of the exercise of
         an SAR, the  optionee  shall pay to the Company in cash the full amount
         of all federal and state  withholding or other taxes  applicable to the
         taxable income of such optionee resulting from such exercise.
<PAGE>
D.    Section 3.4 of the Plan is hereby amended to read as follows:

         (d) Upon exercise of a Stock Option,  the number of Stock  Appreciation
         Rights subject to exercise,  shall be automatically reduced by one-half
         of the number of Options exercised.

2.   Proposal to amend the  Corporation's  Automatic  Dividend  Reinvestment and
     Stock  Purchase  Plan to describe  the method of  determining  the purchase
     price of shares  acquired  from the treasury or from  authorized,  unissued
     shares.

RESOLVED that in accordance  with Section 20(b) of the  Corporation's  Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan, the President of the Corporation,
or such other officer(s) as he so designates,  is hereby authorized and directed
to take all requisite action to amend the Plan as follows:

         Section 11 is hereby amended to read...
         ...,  such shares will be  purchased by the Plan  Administrator  at the
         direction  of the Agent  within  thirty  (30) days  after thE  Dividend
         Payment Dates or monthly  purchase  dates at a price per share equal to
         the five day average of the highest and lowest quoted  selling price of
         the Common Stock on the National  Market  System of NASDAQ prior to the
         applicable  investment  date on which  the  National  Market  System of
         NASDAQ quoted a trade in the Stock of the Company.

                                             Approved by Bancorp Board 2/16/93
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 10.10

                     NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan
<PAGE>
                                    ANNEX A

                                NBT BANCORP INC.
                             1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN

     1.  Purposes.  The  purposes of the 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") are
(a) to attract and retain outstanding key management  employees,  (b) to further
the  growth,  development,  and  financial  success  of NBT  Bancorp  Inc.  (the
"Company")  by  recognizing  and  rewarding  those  key  employees   responsible
therefore,  (c) to provide an incentive to, and encourage stock ownership in the
Company,  by those employees  responsible for the policies and operations of the
Company or its  subsidiaries,  and (d) to revise and amend the  Company's  stock
option plan dated  November 25, 1986, as amended  January 12, 1988  (referred to
herein as the "1986 Plan"), in the manner set forth in Section 22, below.

     2.  Administration.  (a) This Plan  shall be  administered  by the Board of
Directors of the Company,  the Compensation and Benefits  Committee of the Board
of Directors of the Company (or successor  committee) or a subcommittee  thereof
(the  "Committee").  The Committee shall consist of not fewer than three members
of the Board of Directors who have not during their incumbency as members of the
Committee  and have not at any time for one year prior to their  appointment  to
the  Committee  been  granted  or  awarded  an option  under this Plan or stock,
options,  or stock appreciation  rights under another plan of the Company or its
subsidiaries  (except as otherwise  provided by Rule 16b 3, or  successor  rule,
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

     (b) The Committee  shall have full  authority and  discretion to determine,
consistent  with the  provisions  of this  Plan,  the  employees  to be  granted
options;  whether the options  granted will be "incentive  stock options" within
the meaning of the  Internal  Revenue  Code or options  which are not  incentive
stock  options  ("nonqualified  options");  the times at which  options  will be
granted;  the option  price of the shares  subject to each  option  (subject  to
Section  6); the number of  options to be granted to each  employee;  the period
during  which each option  becomes  exercisable  (subject to Section 9); and the
terms to be set forth in each option  agreement.  The Committee  shall also have
full  authority and  discretion to adopt and revise such rules and procedures as
it shall deem necessary for the administration of this Plan. The Committee shall
act by majority  vote of all members  taken at a meeting of the  Committee or by
the written affirmation of a majority of its members without a meeting.

     (c) The Committee's  interpretation  and  construction of any provisions of
this  Plan or any  option  granted  hereunder  shall be final,  conclusive,  and
binding.

     3.  Eligibility.  The Committee  shall from time to time  determine the key
management  employees of the Company and its  subsidiaries  who shall be granted
options under this Plan.  For purposes of this Plan,  key  management  employees
shall be deemed to be those  employees who are  responsible for the policies and
operation of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  including its president,  chief
executive officer, other executive officers,  department heads, branch managers,
and division managers of the Company or its subsidiaries.  A person who has been
granted  an option  may be  granted  additional  options  under this Plan if the
Committee  shall so  determine.  The granting of an option under this Plan shall
not affect any outstanding stock option previously  granted to an optionee under
this Plan or any other plan of the Company.

     4. Shares of stock subject to this plan.  The number of shares which may be
issued  pursuant  to options  granted  under this Plan shall not exceed  500,000
shares of the no par value,  stated  value $1.00 per share,  common stock of the
Company (the "Common Stock").  Such shares may be authorized and unissued shares
or shares  previously  acquired  or to be  acquired  by the  Company and held in
treasury.  The Company shall  reserve a sufficient  number of shares for options
granted  under the Plan.  Any shares  subject to an option which expires for any
reason or is terminated unexercised as to such shares may again be subject to an
option under this Plan.

     5.  Issuance  and terms of option  certif  rates.  Each  optionee  shall be
entitled  to  receive  an  appropriate  certificate  evidencing  his  option and
referring to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

<PAGE>
     6. Granting price of options.  (a) The grant of each option shall state the
number of shares to which it pertains and shall state the exercise price,  which
shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock.  "Fair
Market Value," as used in this Plan,  shall mean the average between the highest
and lowest  quoted  selling  prices of the Common Stock on the  National  Market
System of NASDAQ on the date of grant with  respect to incentive  stock  options
and on the date of grant and the five  preceding  trading days prior to the date
of grant with respect to nonqualified  options.  If there is no sale reported on
the National  Market System of NASDAQ on the  appropriate  date, the Fair Market
Value shall be determined  by taking the average  between the highest and lowest
sales on the nearest date before the appropriate  valuation date with respect to
incentive  stock  options and such  average  for the five most recent  preceding
trading days with respect to nonqualified options.

     (b) The option price shall be payable in United States  dollars and be paid
in full upon the  exercise  of the  option  and may be paid in cash or by check,
provided,  however, that subject to the discretion of the Committee and provided
that all required regulatory approvals, if any, have been obtained, the optionee
may deliver  certificates  of the Common Stock of the Company in part or in full
payment of the purchase price  (including the payment of all applicable  federal
and state taxes due upon  exercise)  in which event such  certificates  shall be
valued at their Fair Market Value upon exercise of the option.

     7. Use of  proceeds.  The  proceeds  from the sale of the Common Stock upon
exercise of options  shall be added to the general funds of the Company and used
for its corporate purposes.

     8.  Special  rules  regarding  incentive  stock  options.  The  granting of
incentive stock options shall be pursuant to a written  agreement and shall also
be subject to the following requirements, in addition to those required by law:

     (a) At the time the option is  granted,  the  employee  shall not own stock
representing  more than 10% of the voting  power of the Company;  the  foregoing
limitation  shall not apply if, at the time the  option is  granted,  the option
price is at least  110% of the Fair  Market  Value of the stock  subject  to the
option,  and the  option by its terms is not  exercisable  more than five  years
after the date of grant;

     (b) The aggregate  fair market value,  determined at the date of grant,  of
the stock for which the incentive  stock options are  exercisable  for the first
time by the optionee shall not exceed $100,000  during the calendar year,  under
all plans of the Company;

     (c) In order  to  receive  capital  gains  tax  treatment  upon  sale of an
incentive stock option under current tax law, the option agreement shall provide
that the optionee  cannot dispose of the  underlying  stock (i) within two years
after  the  option is  granted  and (ii)  within  one year  after the  option is
exercised; and

     (d) The Company shall  administer  the Plan so as to preserve the status of
any option  granted  as an  incentive  stock  option  within the  meaning of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     9. Term and exercise of options.  (a) Each option  granted  under this Plan
shall be  exercisable  on the dates,  for the number of shares and on such other
terms as shall be provided in the agreement evidencing the option granted by the
Committee.  An  option  granted  under  the Plan  shall  become  exercisable  in
installments  as follows:  to the extent to forty percent (40%) of the number of
shares  originally  covered  thereby  with respect to each  particular  grant of
options,  at any time after the  expiration  of one year from the date of grant,
and to the  extent of an  additional  twenty  percent  (20~o) of such  number of
shares upon the expiration of each succeeding  year, so that upon the expiration
of four years from the date of grant one hundred  percent  (100%) of such number
of shares will be eligible for exercise by the optionee;  and such  installments
shall be cumulative.

     (b) An option may be  exercised at any time or from time to time during the
term of the option as to any or all full shares  which have  become  purchasable
under the  provisions of the option and this Plan.  However,  no option shall be
exercisable  until  after  one year  from  the  date of  grant,  nor  after  the
expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

<PAGE>
     (c) An option shall be  exercised  by written  notice of intent to exercise
the  option  with  respect  to a  specified  number of shares  delivered  to the
Company's  secretary or treasurer at its principal  office in Norwich,  New York
and  payment in full to the  Company at such  office of the amount of the option
price for the number of shares of Common  Stock with respect to which the option
is then being exercised. In addition to and at the time of payment of the option
price,  the optionee  shall pay to the Company in cash or in Common Stock of the
Company  the full amount of all  federal  and state  withholding  or other taxes
applicable to the taxable income of such optionee resulting from such exercise.

     10.  Nontransferability.  All  options  granted  under  this Plan  shall be
nontransferable  by the optionee,  otherwise than by will or the laws of descent
and distribution, and shall be exercisable during his lifetime, only by him, nor
may any option be assigned, pledged,  hypothecated,  or otherwise disposed of in
any other way. Upon any attempt to sell, transfer,  assign, pledge,  hypothecate
or  otherwise  dispose of an option or any other  right or  privilege  conferred
under  this  Plan,  such  option and any other  rights or  privileges  conferred
hereunder shall be deemed forfeited,  immediately terminated,  and rendered null
and void.

     11. Requirements of law. The granting of options and the issuance of shares
of  Common  Stock  upon  the  exercise  of an  option  shall be  subject  to all
applicable  laws,  rules,  and regulations and shares shall not be issued except
upon  approval  of  proper  government  agencies  or stock  exchanges  as may be
required.

     12. Termination of employment.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 13,
if an optionee's employment with the Company or its subsidiaries shall terminate
for any reason,  he may, but only within a period of 30 days  beginning  the day
following the date of such  termination of employment,  exercise his option,  to
the extent that he was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination.

     13. Retirement, disability, or death of optionee. (a) In the event that the
optionee shall retire,  the option shall continue in full force and effect as if
the optionee were still employed by the Company or its subsidiaries and shall be
exercisable in accordance with its terms.

     (b) In the event that the  optionee  shall become  permanently  and totally
disabled,  as determined by the Committee in accordance with applicable  Company
personnel policies,  such option shall become exercisable in full on the date of
such disability,  and such option shall remain  exercisable for six months after
the date of such disability.

     (c) In the event of the  death of an  optionee  while in the  employ of the
Company  or its  subsidiaries,  the option  theretofore  granted to him shall be
exercisable only by the proper personal  representative of the optionee's estate
within a period of six  months  after the date of death  and such  option  shall
become exercisable in full on the date of such death.

     14.  Adjustments.  In the event of any change in the outstanding  shares of
Common  Stock by  reason  of any  stock  dividend  or  split,  recapitalization,
reclassification,  merger, consolidation,  combination or exchange of shares, or
other similar  corporate change,  then if the Committee shall determine,  in its
sole  discretion,   that  such  change  necessarily  or  equitably  requires  an
adjustment in the number of shares  subject to each  outstanding  option and the
option  prices or in the  maximum  number of shares  subject to this Plan,  such
adjustments  shall be made by the Committee and shall be conclusive  and binding
for all purposes of this Plan.  No adjustment  shall be made in connection  with
the  sale by the  Company  of its  Common  Stock in the  open  market  in an SEC
registered  offering or in a privately placed exempt offering or the issuance by
the  Company  of Common  Stock  pursuant  to the  Company's  Automatic  Dividend
Reinvestment  and Stock Purchase Plan or the Employees'  Stock Ownership Plan or
of any warrants, rights, or options to acquire additional shares of Common Stock
or of securities convertible into Common Stock.

     15. Extraordinary transactions.  Upon (i) the dissolution or liquidation of
the Company, (ii) a reorganization,  merger or consolidation of the Company with
one or more corporations or other entity as a result of which the Company is not
the surviving  corporation,  or (iii) a sale of substantially  all the assets of
the Company to another corporation or other entity, the Board of Directors shall
cause written notice of the proposed  transaction to be given to the optionee or
grantee not less than 40 days prior to the anticipated

<PAGE>
effective date of the proposed transaction,  and the option shall be accelerated
and, prior to a date specified in such notice,  which shall be not more than ten
days prior to the anticipated  effective date of the proposed  transaction,  the
optionee  shall have the right to exercise  the stock  option to purchase any or
all shares then subject to the option,  including  those, if any, which have not
become  available for purchase under other provisions of the Plan. The optionee,
by so notifying the Company in writing,  may, in exercising  the stock  options,
condition  such  exercise  upon,  and provide  that such  exercise  shall become
effective  at the time of but  immediately  prior to,  the  consummation  of the
transaction, in which event the optionee need not make payment for the shares of
Common Stock to be purchased  upon  exercise of the option until five days after
written  notice  by  the  Company  to  the  optionee  that  the  transaction  is
consummated.  Each option,  to the extent not previously  exercised prior to the
date specified in the foregoing notice, shall terminate on the effective date of
such  consummation.  If the proposed  transaction  is  abandoned,  any shares of
Common Stock not  purchased  upon  exercise of the option  shall  continue to be
available for exercise in accordance with the other  provisions of the Plan, and
the  shares  of Common  Stock,  if any,  purchased  upon  exercise  of an option
pursuant to this subsection  shall be deemed to have been purchased in the order
in which they first become  available for purchase under other provisions of the
plan.

     16. Claim to stock option,  ownership, or employment rights. No employee or
other  person  shall  have any claim or right to be granted  options  under this
Plan. No optionee,  prior to issuance of the stock,  shall be entitled to voting
rights,  dividends, or other rights of stockholders except as otherwise provided
in this Plan.  Neither this Plan nor any other action taken  hereunder  shall be
construed  as giving any  employee any right to be retained in the employ of the
Company or a subsidiary.

     17.  Unsecured  obligation.  Optionees  under  this Plan shall not have any
interest in any fund or specific asset of the Company by reason of this Plan. No
trust  fund  shall  be  created  in  connection  with  this  Plan  or any  award
thereunder,  and there shall be no required  funding of amounts which may become
payable to any optionee.

     18. Expenses of plan. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne
by the Company.

     19.  Reliance on reports.  Each member of the  Committee and each member of
the Board of  Directors  shall be fully  justified  in relying or acting in good
faith upon any report made by the independent  public accountants of the Company
and its subsidiaries and upon any other information furnished in connection with
the Plan by any person or  persons  other than  himself.  In no event  shall any
person  who is or shall have been a member of the  Committee  or of the Board of
Directors  be liable for any  determination  made or other  action  taken or any
omission  to act in  reliance  upon any such  report or  information  or for any
action, including the furnishing of information,  taken or failure to act, if in
good faith.

     20. Indemnification.  Each person who is or shall have been a member of the
Committee or of the Board of Directors shall be indemnified and held harmless by
the Company against and from any loss, cost,  liability,  or expense that may be
imposed upon or reasonably  incurred by him in connection with or resulting from
any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he may be a party or in which he
may be involved by reason of any action  taken or failure to act, in good faith,
under  the  Plan  and  against  and  from  any  and all  amounts  paid by him in
settlement thereof,  with the Company's approval, or paid by him in satisfaction
of judgment in any such action,  suit,  or proceeding  against him,  provided he
shall give the Company an opportunity,  at its own expense, to handle and defend
the same before he  undertakes  to handle and defend it on his own  behalf.  The
foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of
indemnification  to which  such  person  may be  entitled  under  the  Company's
Articles of  Incorporation or Bylaws,  as a matter of law, or otherwise,  or any
power than the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

     21. Amendment and termination. Unless this Plan shall theretofore have been
terminated as  hereinafter  provided,  no options may be granted after April 24,
2003.  The Board of Directors  may  terminate  this Plan or modify or amend this
Plan in such respect as it shall deem  advisable,  provided,  however,  that the
Board  of  Directors  may  not  without   further   approval  by  the  Company's
shareholders,  (a) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as to
which options may be granted under the Plan except as provided in Section 14,

<PAGE>
(b) change  the class of persons  eligible  to receive  options,  (c) change the
provisions of the Plan regarding the option price,  (d) extend the period during
which  options may be granted,  (e) extend the maximum  period after the date of
grant during which  options may be exercised or (f) change the  provision in the
Plan as to the qualification for membership on the Committee.  No termination or
amendment  of the Plan may,  without  the  consent of a person to whom an option
shall theretofore have been granted,  adversely affect the rights of such person
under such option.

     22. Revision and amendment of 1986 Plan. (a) Upon the adoption of the Plan,
the Board of  Directors  and the  Committee  shall  have no  authority  to grant
additional  options  or SARs  pursuant  to the 1986  Plan,  except as  otherwise
provided in this Section.

     (b) Article Vl of the 1986 Plan is hereby amended to authorize the Board of
Directors or the  Committee to (i) dissolve the in tandem  feature of previously
granted  options  and SARs  and (ii)  cancel  previouslygranted  SARs and  grant
replacement  options on the basis of seven  tenths (.7) options for each SAR and
such  replacement  options having terms similar to those of the cancelled  SARs,
the Board of Directors  having  determined that this was the amount necessary to
induce holders of SARs to surrender such SARs.

     23. Gender. Any masculine  terminology used in this Plan shall also include
the feminine gender.

     24.  Effective  date of plan.  The Plan was  approved  by a majority of the
shareholders  of the  Company  at its  annual  meeting  on  April  24,  1993 (or
adjournment thereof) and shall become effective as of April 24, 1993.

     25.  Plan  binding  on  successors.  The  Plan  shall be  binding  upon the
successors and assigns of the Company.

     26. Ratification of actions. By accepting any option or other benefit under
the Plan, each participant in the Plan and each person claiming under or through
such  participant  shall be conclusively  deemed to have indicated such person's
acceptance and  ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan
by the Company, the Board, or the Committee.

     27. Invalidity or unenforceability. If any term or provision of the Plan is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable,
the remainder of the terms and  provisions  will remain in full force and effect
and will in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated.


                                NBT BANCORP INC.




                                Joseph J. Butare, Jr.
                                Chairman, President, and
                                Chief Executive Officer



                                Shirley M. Walsh
                                Assistant Secretary

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 10.11

           NBT Bancorp Inc. 1998 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan
<PAGE>
                                                              January 27, 1998



                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                Norwich, New York

                   1998 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
<PAGE>

                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                Norwich, New York

                   1998 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

                                Table of Contents


                                                                            PAGE

Introduction.................................................................1-2
INCENTIVE PLAN
Section I - Definitions........................................................3
Section II - Participation.....................................................4
Section III - Activating the Plan..............................................4
Section IV - Calculation of Awards.............................................4
Section V - President's Special Recommendations................................4
Section VI - Distribution of Awards............................................5
Section VII - Plan Administration..............................................6
Section VIII - Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination..............6
Section IX - Effective Date....................................................6
Section X - Employer Relations with Participants...............................6
Section XI - Governing Law.....................................................6

Incentive Plan Participants...........................................Appendix A
Distribution of Awards................................................Appendix B
<PAGE>
                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                Norwich, New York


                                  INTRODUCTION

It is important to examine the benefits which accrue to the organization through
the operation of the Executive  Incentive  Compensation  Plan.  The Plan impacts
directly on senior and middle management - those critical to the  organization's
success - and its purpose can be summarized as follows:

     *    PROVIDES  MOTIVATION: The opportunity  for  incentive awards  provides
          executives  with  the  impetus  to  "stretch"  for  challenging,   yet
          attainable, goals.

     *    PROVIDES RETENTION:  by enhancing  the  organization's  competitive
          compensation posture.

     *    PROVIDES  MANAGEMENT TEAM BUILDING:  by making the incentive award
          dependent  on  the  attainment  of  organization  goals,  a  "team 
          orientation" is fostered among the participant group.

     *    PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL MOTIVATION:  by making a portion of the incentive
          award dependent on the attainment of individual goals, a participant
          is encouraged  to make  significant personal  contribution  to  the 
          corporate effort.

     *    PROVIDES COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION STRATEGY:  The  implementation  of
          incentive arrangements is  competitive with  current practice  in the
          banking industry.

                                       -1-
<PAGE>
Highlights of the 1997  Executive  Incentive  Compensation  Plan included in the
following pages are as follows:

1.   The Plan is competitive  compared with similar sized banking  organizations
     and the banking industry in general.


2.   The Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors  controls all aspects
     of the Plan.


3.   Management employees are eligible for participation.


4.   The financial  criteria  necessary for Plan operation  consist of Return on
     Average  Assets (25%  Weight) and Return of Equity (50%  Weight) and Profit
     Improvement (25% Weight).


5.   Incentive  distributions  will be made during the first quarter of the year
     following the Plan Year.


6.   Incentive  awards will be based on  attainment  of corporate  goals.  Total
     Incentive  Awards  contain both Corporate and  Individual  components;  the
     corporate  component awarded by virtue of corporate  performance related to
     corporate  goals  and  the  individual   component  awarded  by  virtue  of
     individual  performance related to individual goals.  Component percentages
     are shown in Appendix B.


7.   Incentive distributions will be based on the matrix in Appendix B.

                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                Norwich, New York

The Board of Director of NBT Bancorp Inc. has  established  this 1998  Executive
Incentive  Compensation  Plan.  The  purpose  of the Plan is to meet and  exceed
financial  goals and to promote a superior level of performance  relative to the
bank's competition in its market area. Through payment of incentive compensation
beyond base  salaries,  the Plan  provides  reward for meeting and exceeding the
bank's financial goals.


SECTION I - DEFINITIONS

     Various terms used in the Plan are defined as follows:


     BASE SALARY:  the base  salary at the end of the Plan year,  excluding  any
          bonuses,   contributions  to  employee  benefit  programs,   or  other
          compensation not designated as salary.


     BOARD OF DIRECTORS:  The Board of Directors of NBT Bancorp Inc.


     PRESIDENT & CEO: President and CEO of NBT Bancorp Inc.


     CORPORATE GOALS:  Those pre-set  objectives and goals which are required to
          activate distribution of awards under the Plan.


     INDIVIDUAL GOALS: Key objectives mutually agreed upon between  participants
          and superior, and approved by the CEO.


     COMPENSATION  COMMITTEE:   The  Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  of
          Directors of the Bank.


     PLAN PARTICIPANT:  An  eligible  employee  of the  bank  designated  by the
          President  & CEO  and  approved  by  the  Compensation  Committee  for
          participation for the Plan Year.


     PLAN YEAR:  The 1998 calendar year.

                                       -3-
<PAGE>
SECTION II - ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

To be  eligible  for an award  under the  Plan,  a Plan  participant  must be an
officer  in the  full-time  service  of the bank at the  start  and close of the
calendar  year and at the time of the award unless the CEO by special  exception
recommends to the Compensation Committee a special arrangement for a newly hired
executive  who may be  designated  by the CEO and  approved by the  Compensation
Committee as eligible for an award as determined in the employment agreement.  A
Plan participant must be in the same or equivalent position, at year end as they
were when named a  participant  or have been  promoted  during the course of the
year, to be eligible for an award. If a Plan participant  voluntarily leaves the
employ of the bank prior to the payment of the award,  he/she is not eligible to
receive an award.  However,  if the active full-time service of a participant in
the Plan is terminated by death, disability,  retirement,  or if the participant
is on an approved leave of absence,  the President  should recommend an award to
such a participant  based on the  proportion of the Plan year that he/she was in
active service with the bank.

SECTION III - ACTIVATING THE PLAN

The operation of the Plan is  predicated  on attaining and exceeding  management
performance goals. The goals will consist of return on average assets, return on
shareholders'  equity,  and profit  improvement.  The Corporation must achieve a
minimum net income set forth in  Appendix B to trigger an award  pursuant to the
terms of this plan.

SECTION IV - CALCULATION OF AWARDS

The Compensation Committee designates the incentive formula as shown in Appendix
B. The actual  rate of  distribution  is based  upon  Company  performance.  The
Compensation  Committee will make final  decisions with respect to all incentive
awards and will have final  approval over all incentive  awards.  The individual
participant  data regarding  maximum award and formulas used in calculation  has
been customized and appears as Appendix A.

SECTION V - PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The President & CEO will recommend to the Compensation  Committee the amounts to
be awarded to individual participants in the incentive Plan. The President & CEO
may  recommend  a change  beyond  the  formula  to a bonus  award  (increase  or
decrease)  to an  individual  participant  by a  specified  percentage  based on
assessment of special  individual  performance  beyond the individual goals. The
Compensation  Committee may amend the President & CEO's bonus award.  The amount
of the  adjustment is from 0%-20% of the actual award.  No award will be granted
to an officer whose performance is unacceptable.

                                       -4-
<PAGE>
SECTION VI - DISTRIBUTION OF AWARDS

Unless a  participant  elects the  deferred  option  outlined  in the  following
paragraph,  distribution  of awards will be made during the first quarter of the
year following the Plan year.  Distribution  of the bonus award must be approved
by the Compensation Committee.

A  participant  may elect by written  notice to the Committee at any time during
the month of  December  of the Plan Year  preceding  the year to which the award
relates to have all or a portion of his award  deferred  (Deferred  Award).  Any
such election shall be irrevocable except unforeseeable financial emergency.

Any  portion  of  participant's  award  that is  deferred  shall  bear  interest
commencing  on the Award Date based on the lowest  balance in the  participant's
account during the month,  as if invested at an annual rate equal to the highest
annual rate offered at NBT on any customer deposit account in effect on the last
day of the preceding  calendar  year.  Interest shall be computed  monthly,  and
credited to the participant's account as of the last day of each calendar month.

The  Deferred  Award  shall be paid in five  (5)  annual  installments  upon the
participant's  ceasing to be  actively  employed  by the Company for any reason.
Payment  shall begin on the 31st day of January  following the year in which the
participant  ceases  to be  actively  employed  with  the  Company.  However,  a
participant  with  the  consent  of  the  Committee,  prior  to  termination  of
employment,  may elect in  writing  to have the  aggregate  amount in his or her
Deferred Award Account paid to him or her in a lump sum on a designated date.

Nothing contained in this Plan and no action taken pursuant to the provisions of
this Plan shall  create or be  constructed  to create a trust of any kind,  or a
fiduciary  relationship  between NBT and the participant,  his or her designated
beneficiary  or any other person,  nor shall the  participant  or any designated
beneficiary  have any  preferred  claim on,  any  title  to,  or any  beneficial
interest in, the assets of NBT or the payments  deferred  hereunder prior to the
time such  payments are actually paid to the  participant  pursuant to the terms
herein. To the extent that the participant, his or her designated beneficiary or
any person  acquires a right to receive  payments from NBT under this Plan, such
right shall be no greater than the right of any  unsecured  general  creditor of
NBT.

The intent of this Section of the Plan is to create a voluntary,  non-qualified,
unfunded,  deferred executive  incentive  compensation Plan which will defer the
deduction of such incentive  compensation for tax purposes by NBT and which will
correspondingly  defer the  recognition of such  compensation by the participant
until such  compensation  is actually paid. It is therefore  intended,  and this
Plan shall be construed and where necessary  modified,  so that the participants
shall not be deemed to have constructively received such deferred compensation.

In the event of death,  any approved  award earned under the  provisions of this
plan will become payable to the beneficiary designated under this Plan; or if no
such designation,  to the designated  beneficiary of the participant as recorded
under the bank's  group life  insurance  program;  or in the  absence of a valid
designation, to the participant's estate.

                                       -5-
<PAGE>
SECTION VII - PLAN ADMINISTRATION

The Compensation  Committee shall,  with respect to the Plan have full power and
authority to construe,  interpret and manage,  control and administer this Plan,
and to pass and decide upon cases in conformity  with the objectives of the Plan
under such rules as the Board of Directors of the bank may establish.

Any decision made or action taken by the Bank,  the Board of  Directors,  or the
Compensation   Committee   arising   out  of,  or  in   connection   with,   the
administration,  interpretation,  and  effect  of the  Plan  shall  be at  their
absolute discretion and will be conclusive and binding on all parties. No member
of the Board of Directors, Compensation Committee, or employee of the bank shall
be liable for any act or action hereunder, whether of omission or commission, by
a Plan participant or employee or by any agent to whom duties in connection with
the  administration  of the Plan  have been  delegated  in  accordance  with the
provision of the Plan.

SECTION VIII - AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION

The bank  reserves  the right,  by and through its Board of  Directors to amend,
modify, suspend, reinstate or terminate all or part of the Plan at any time. The
Compensation  Committee will give prompt  written notice to each  participant of
any amendment,  suspension or termination  or any material  modification  of the
Plan. In the event of a merger or  acquisition,  the Plan and related  financial
formulas will be reviewed  and, if  necessary,  revised to take into account the
financial status of any merged institution.

SECTION IX - EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

The effective date of the Plan shall be January 1, 1998.

SECTION X - EMPLOYER RELATION WITH PARTICIPANTS

Neither  establishment  nor the  maintenance  of the Plan shall be  construed as
conferring  any  legal  rights  upon  any   participant  or  any  person  for  a
continuation of employment, nor shall it interfere with the right of an employer
to discharge any  participant or otherwise  deal with him/her  without regard to
the existence of the Plan.

SECTION XI - GOVERNING LAW

Except to the extent  pre-empted  under federal law, the  provisions of the Plan
shall be construed,  administered  and enforced in accordance  with the domestic
internal law of the State of New York.  In the event of relevant  changes in the
Internal Revenue Code, related rulings and regulations, changes imposed by other
regulatory  agencies  affecting  the continued  appropriateness  of the Plan and
awards made  thereunder,  the Board may, at its sole  discretion,  accelerate or
change the manner of payments of any unpaid  awards or amend the  provisions  of
the Plan.

                                       -6-
<PAGE>
                           DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
                   FOR OFFICERS OF NBT BANCORP & SUBSIDIARIES
                               ELECTION AGREEMENT

I, _____________________________,  hereby elect |_| to |_| not to participate in
the  Deferred  Compensation  Plan for  Officers of NBT with respect to Executive
Incentive  Compensation  (EICP) awards which I may receive for the calendar year
of __________.  I hereby elect to defer the payment of _________  (________%) of
the EICP award which I would otherwise be entitled to receive.

     |_|  Please  defer  payment of the  percentage  of my EICP award  specified
          above until the earlier of the following dates:

     |_|  Until ___________________(Specify date which may not be later than the
          date on which I will retire).

     |_|  Until the date of my death.

     |_|  Begin annual payments of deferred balance on __________________ in the
          amount of 1/5th the balance  each year until the balance has been paid
          in full (5 year payout).

     |_|  Because terms of the plan have changed since my election to defer EICP
          awards, please discontinue my deferral election and:

     |_|  Roll my deferred  account  proceeds into the following  account at the
          institution indicated:
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
          ---------------------------------------------------------------

     |_|  Please pay me out in cash, the balance of my account, at this time.

     |_|  I hereby  designate  the  following  person or persons as  beneficiary
          hereunder in the event of my death:

     Primary Beneficiary _____________________________________________________

     Secondary Beneficiary ___________________________________________________

I hereby revoke any prior election that may be inconsistent with the above.

I acknowledge that I have reviewed the plan and understand that my participation
will be subject to the terms and  conditions  contained  in the plan.  Words and
phrases used in this Election  Agreement shall have the meanings assigned by the
plan.

Dated this ________ day of _________, 199_.

__________________________________________
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 10.21

                   Lease of Black River Boulevard Plaza Office
<PAGE>
                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

     THIS LEASE AGREEMENT made and entered into by and between THE WEDGEWOOD,  a
New York General  Partnership,  d/b/a BLACK RIVER  BOULEVARD  PLAZA,  1300 Floyd
Avenue,  Rome, New York 13440,  hereinafter  referred to as `LANDLORD,'  and NBT
BANK,  N.A.,  a  National  Banking  Corporation  maintaining  an office  for the
transaction  of  business  at 52 South Broad  Street,  Norwich,  New York 13815,
hereinafter referred to as `TENANT.'

                                   WITNESSETH:

     Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant hereby takes from Landlord the
following described premises situated within the County of Oneida, City of Rome,
State of New York,  and being a store  located in the  shopping  center known as
Black River Boulevard Plaza of approximate size of Thirty (30) feet in width and
One hundred  (100) feet in depth,  said store  being  located at 855 Black River
Boulevard,  together with all rights,  privileges,  easements and  appurtenances
belonging to or in any way pertaining to the said premises, hereinafter referred
to as the  `Demised  Premises,'  and in addition to the  Demised  Premises,  the
Landlord shall, during the term and all renewals,  reserve for the exclusive use
of the Tenant,  a strip of land bounded on the east by the building  line of the
present  shopping  center  buildings;  on the south by the northerly line of the
building line of the present  shopping  center  buildings; on the west by the

                                       1
<PAGE>
westerly line of the present shopping center buildings extended; on the north by
the northerly  property line of the Landlord's  premises at the shopping center.
The Tenant  agrees  that the use of the  property  so  reserved  is limited  for
drive-in  access to the Demised  Premises,  TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same for the
term of Five (5) years  beginning on  Commencement  Date as defined in paragraph
`2' hereof, upon the following terms, conditions and covenants.

     1.  RENTALS:  Tenant  agrees to pay at such place as may be  designated  by
Landlord,  rent for said premises at a rental of $45,045.00 annually, to be paid
in monthly installments of $3,753.75 in United States currency.  Installments to
be paid on the first day of each month, in advance.

     2. TERM:  The term of this Lease  shall  commence on the 1st day of October
1997 and expire on the 30th day of September 2002.

     3. USE OF PREMISES: The Demised Premises shall be used and occupied for the
purpose of a Bank.  At no time shall the premises be used for any other  purpose
without  the  consent of Landlord  or its  Agents,  which  consent  shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

     4.  COMPLIANCE WITH LAW:  Tenant shall comply with all  governmental  laws,
ordinances,  and regulations  applicable to the use of the Demised Premises, and
shall  promptly  comply  with  all  government  orders  and  directives  for the
correction,  prevention,  and abatement of nuisance in or upon or connected with
the Demised Premises, all at the Tenant's sole expense.

     5. REAL ESTATE TAXES & INSURANCE:  

          (a) Landlord  agrees to pay, before they become  delinquent,  all real

                                       2
<PAGE>
     estate taxes and special  assessments  lawfully levied or assessed  against
     the above  described  premises;  however,  Landlord  may,  at its  expense,
     contest and dispute the same and in such case,  the disputed  item need not
     be paid until finally adjudged valid.

          (b) Tenant  hereby  covenants and agrees that for each tax year during
     the term of the Lease or any  renewal  period  which the total  annual real
     estate taxes which shall be imposed or assessed upon the land and buildings
     comprising the Shopping  Center shall exceed the Tax and Insurance Base (as
     hereinafter  defined in  paragraph  5 (c)),  Tenant shall pay to Landlord,
     within  thirty (30) days after  receipt of an itemized  statement  thereof,
     including  copies of the tax bills and insurance bills, as additional rent,
     a sum equal to six percent (6%) of the total excess. Said percentage is the
     same  percentage  of such excess as the building  floor area of the Demised
     Premises  bears to the total  floor area of the  buildings  comprising  the
     Shopping  Center.  Any such  percentage of such excess for less than a year
     shall be pro-rated and apportioned.

          (c) The tax and insurance  base shall be the annual fire and liability
     insurance  premiums  and real estate  taxes  imposed or  assessed  upon the
     Shopping  Center for the 1997 tax year with  respect to which the  Shopping
     Center shall be assessed as  completed  for the entire tax year. A tax year
     shall be the twelve (12) month period ending on the latest  available  date
     for the payment of such taxes without interest or penalty.

                                       3
<PAGE>
     6. INSURANCE:

          (a)  Landlord  agrees to carry  adequate  fire and  extended  coverage
     insurance on the building of which the Demised Premises are a part.

          (b) If Tenant  should change its  operations  in the Demised  Premises
     subsequent to its initial use and occupancy, and thereby causes an increase
     in the premium for the fire and extended coverage  insurance policy carried
     by Landlord  (the premium for said policy having been based on such initial
     use and  occupancy  of Tenant),  the amount of such  increase in net annual
     premium shall be paid to Landlord by Tenant as additional  rental  annually
     upon  demand and  presentation  of written  evidence by  Landlord,  whether
     Landlord has consented to such change of operations or not.

          (c) Tenant  shall not  permit any  operation  to be  conducted  in the
     Demised  Premises that would cause  suspension or  cancellation of the fire
     and extended coverage insurance policy carried by Landlord.

          (d) Any insurance  which may be carried by Landlord or Tenant  against
     loss or  damage to the  building  and other  improvements  situated  on the
     Demised Premises,  shall be for the sole benefit of the party carrying such
     insurance under its sole control.

          (e) Tenant shall maintain and keep in force public liability insurance
     in the amounts of $250,000.00  per person or $500,000.00 per occurrence and
     $25,000.00 for property damage. Tenant shall furnish landlord a Certificate
     of Insurance.

                                       4
<PAGE>
     7. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:

          (a) Landlord shall be responsible  for the  maintenance  and repair of
     the roof and  structural  portion  of the walls  forming  a porting  of the
     Demised  Premises,  as well as all necessary repairs to the exterior of the
     Demised Premises, including sidewalks and parking lot.

          (b) Tenant shall be responsible  for the maintenance and repair of all
     interior walls, floors, ceilings, lights, air conditioning, plumbing, glass
     doors and windows,  heating  systems,  and plumbing and  electrical  wiring
     within the Demised Premises.

          (c) Tenant  shall,  throughout  the Lease term,  take good care of the
     Demised  Premises and other  improvements  and keep them free from waste or
     nuisance,  and shall deliver up the premises broom-clean at the termination
     of  this  Lease  or  any  renewal  hereof  in  good  repair  and  condition
     (reasonable  wear and tear and damage by fire,  tornado  or other  casualty
     excepted).

          (d) In the event  Tenant  should  neglect to  reasonably  maintain the
     Demised Premises, Landlord shall have the right (but not the obligation) to
     cause repairs or corrections  to be made, and any reasonable  costs thereof
     shall be payable by Tenant to  Landlord  as  additional  rental on the next
     rental installment date.

          (e) Tenant shall be  responsible  to keep the sidewalk in front of the
     Demised Premises free and clear of debris and foreign matter,  and will not
     store any  material,  displays,  waste or other  matters  upon the Shopping
     Center premises  outside of the Demised  Premises at any time. In the event
     Tenant neglects reasonably to keep said area maintained, Landlord shall

                                        5
<PAGE>
     have the right (but not the  obligation) to perform such  maintenance,  and
     the cost thereof shall be payable by Tenant to Landlord as additional  rent
     on the next rental installment date.

     8. COMMON AREA CHARGES:

          (a) Tenant  agrees to pay to Landlord  each Lease year during the term
     hereof, as additional rent,  Tenant's pro-rata share of the following costs
     incurred  in  the  maintenance  of the  Common  Area:  striping,  lighting,
     policing,  cleaning,  maintaining  and repairing the parking area and walks
     and ways;  removal of snow and ice, rubbish and obstruction from the Common
     Area; and maintaining  planted and landscaped  areas.  Notwithstanding  any
     herein  contained  to the  contrary,  Tenant shall not pay Landlord for the
     cost of any capital  improvement  or  expenditure,  including any equipment
     properly  chargeable  to a  capital  account,  management  of the  Shopping
     Center,   Landlord's   home  office  overhead  and/or  for  the  Landlord's
     administrative costs in operating the Shopping Center. Statements of actual
     costs incurred by Landlord for Common Area maintenance shall be rendered by
     Landlord  once a year,  together with copies of invoices  identifying  with
     particularity,  the work or  service  performed.  Tenant  agrees to pay its
     pro-rata  shares of such  Common  Area  maintenance  charges,  promptly  on
     receipt  of such  statement.  Tenant  shall have the right once per year to
     examine  Landlord's  books and records with respect to the aforesaid Common
     Area  maintenance  charges  at a  reasonable  time and  upon ten (10)  days
     written notice.

                                       6
<PAGE>
          (b) For the  purpose of this  paragraph,  Tenant's  pro-rata  share of
     common area  maintenance  charges  shall be six  percent  (6%) of the total
     costs  set  forth in  paragraph  8 (a)  hereof.  Said  percentage  has been
     computed as follows:  The product of total Common Area maintenance  charges
     payable  for the entire  Shopping  Center  divided  by the total  number of
     square  feet  of  building  floor  area   comprising  the  Shopping  Center
     (including  office and  storage as well as retail  floor  area),  times the
     number of  square  feet of  building  floor  area  comprising  the  Demised
     premises.

          (c) During any part of the term hereof which shall be less than a full
     year,  Tenant's  share of the  Common  Area  maintenance  charges  shall be
     pro-rated  on a daily basis  between the parties  and, to that end,  Tenant
     shall only pay the Common  Area  maintenance  charges  attributable  to the
     fractional part of the year occurring  within the term of this Lease or any
     renewal hereof.

     9. ALTERATIONS, ADDITONS AND IMPROVEMENTS:

          (a)  Tenant  shall not  create any  openings  in the roof or  exterior
     walls,  nor make any structural  alterations,  additions or improvements to
     the Demised  Premises  without  prior  written  consent of Landlord,  which
     consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Tenant shall have the right at
     all times to erect or install shelves,  bins, machinery and trade fixtures,
     provided  that  Tenant  complies  with all  applicable  governmental  laws,
     ordinances  and  regulations.  Tenant shall have the right to remove at the
     termination  of the Lease such items so installed;  however,  Tenant shall,
     prior to the  termination  of this Lease,  repair any damage caused by such
     removal.

                                       7
<PAGE>
          (b) All alterations, additions or improvements made by Tenant that are
     permanently  attached to the real estate  shall  become the property of the
     Landlord at the  termination of the lease;  however,  Tenant shall promptly
     remove, if Landlord so elects, all alterations,  additions and improvements
     and any other  property  place in the premises by Tenant,  and Tenant shall
     repair  any  damage  caused by such  removal.  Tenant has the right to make
     minor alterations of a non-structural  nature such as wallpaper,  ceilings,
     non-structural walls and partitions,  flooring and floor covering,  without
     Landlord's  consent,  and the Tenant  shall not be  required to remove such
     items upon the termination of this Lease or any renewal hereof.

     10. SIGNS: Tenant shall have the right to erect a sign on the canopy of the
Shopping  Center,  securely  attached to and parallel to said walls,  subject to
applicable  laws and deed  restrictions.  Tenant shall not erect any signs other
than customary  trade signs  identifying  its business.  Tenant shall remove all
signs at the  termination  of this Lease,  and shall repair any damage and close
any holes  caused by such  removal.  Tenant may erect signs on Demised  Premises
only.

     11.  WAIVER OF  SUBROGATION:  Each party hereto  waives any and every claim
which arises or may arise in its favor and against the other party hereto during
the term of this Lease or any renewal or extension thereof, for any and all loss
of , or damage to, any of its property located within or upon, or constituting a
part of, the premises leased to Tenant hereunder, which loss or damage is

                                       8
<PAGE>
covered by valid and collectable fire and extended coverage insurance  policies,
to the  extent  that such loss or damage is  recoverable  under  said  insurance
policies.  Said mutual waivers shall be in addition to, and not in limitation or
derogation of, any other waiver or release  contained in this Lease with respect
to any loss of, or damage to,  property of the parties  hereto.  Inasmuch as the
above mutual waivers  preclude the  assignment of any aforesaid  claim by way of
subrogation (or otherwise) to an insurance  company (or any other person).  Each
party hereto hereby agrees  immediately to give each insurance company which has
issued to it policies of fire and extended coverage insurance, written notice of
the terms of said mutual waivers,  and to have said insurance  policies properly
endorsed, if necessary,  to prevent the invalidation of said insurance coverages
by reason of said waivers.

         12.  LANDLORD'S RIGHT OF ENTRY:

          (a) Landlord and its  authorized  agents shall have the right to enter
     the  Demised  Premises  during  normal  working  hours  for  the  following
     purposes:

               (1)  inspecting  the  general  condition  and  state of repair of
               premises;

               (2) the making of repairs required of Landlord; and

               (3) the showing of the premises to any prospective purchaser.

          (b) If Tenant shall not have  renewed or extended  this Lease prior to
     the  final  thirty  (30) day  period of the Lease  Term,  Landlord  and its

                                       9
<PAGE>
     authorized agents shall have the right to erect on or about the Demised
     Premises a customary sign  advertising  the property for lease or for sale.
     During  said thirty (30) day period,  Landlord  and its  authorized  agents
     shall have the right to enter the Demised  Premises  during normal  working
     hours for the showing of the premises to prospective tenants or purchasers.

     13. UTILITY SERVICES:  Landlord shall provide at the beginning date of this
Lease,  the normal and  customary  utility  service  connections  in the Demised
Premises.  Tenant  shall pay all  charges  for gas and  electricity  used on the
Demised  premises  and for all  electric  light lamps or tubes after the initial
installation. Tenant shall also pay all water and sewer charges.

     14. FIRE AND CASUALTY DAMAGE:

          (a) If the  building or other  improvements  on the  Demised  Premises
     shall be damaged or destroyed by fire,  tornado or other  casualty,  Tenant
     shall give immediate written notice thereof to Landlord.

          (b)  Total  Destruction:  If the  building  situated  on  the  Demised
     Premises should be so damaged that rebuilding or repairs cannot  reasonably
     be completed  within one hundred twenty (120) working days from the date of
     written  notification by Tenant to landlord of the happening of the damage,
     this Lease  shall  terminate,  and rent  shall be abated for the  unexpired
     portion  of  this  Lease,   effective  as  of  the  date  of  said  written
     notification.

          (c) Partial Damage: If the building or other improvements  situated on
     the Demised Premises should be damaged by fire,  tornado or other casualty,

                                       10
<PAGE>
     but not to such an extent that rebuilding or repairs cannot reasonably be
     completed  within one hundred  twenty  (120)  working days from the date of
     written  notification by Tenant to landlord of the happening of the damage,
     this Lease shall not  terminate,  but Landlord  shall,  if the casualty has
     occurred prior to final eighteen (18) months of the Lease term, at its sole
     cost and risk,  proceed  forthwith  to rebuild or repair such  building and
     other  improvements  substantially  to the  condition in which they existed
     prior to such damage. If the casualty occurs during the final eighteen (18)
     months of the Lease  term,  Landlord  shall not be  required  to rebuild or
     repair such damage unless Tenant shall  exercise its renewal option (if any
     is contained herein),  whereupon Landlord shall, at its sole cost and risk,
     proceed  forthwith  to rebuild or repair  such  damage.  If Tenant does not
     elect to exercise its renewal  option (if any is contained  herein)  within
     thirty  (30)  days  from the date of  written  notification  by  Tenant  to
     Landlord of the  happening of the damage,  this Lease shall  terminate  and
     rent shall be abated for the unexpired portion of this Lease,  effective as
     of the  date  of said  written  notification.  If the  building  and  other
     improvements are to be rebuilt or repaired and are untenantable in whole or
     in part following such damage, the rent payable hereunder during the period
     in which they are untenantable  shall be adjusted  equitably.  In the event
     that Landlord  should fail to complete such rebuilding or repairs within on
     hundred eighty (180) working days from the date of written  notification by
     Tenant to  Landlord  of the  happening  of the  damage,  Tenant may, at its
     

                                       11
<PAGE>
     option,  terminate  this  Lease by  written  notification  at such  time to
     Landlord,  whereupon all rights and obligations  hereunder shall cease, and
     rent shall be abated for the unexpired term of this Lease,  effective as of
     the date of said written notification.

     15.  HOLD  HARMLESS:  Landlord  shall not be  liable to Tenant or  Tenant's
employees, agents or invitees or to any other persons whomsoever, for any injury
to person  or damage to  property  on or about the  Demised  Premises  caused by
negligence or misconduct  of Tenant,  its employees or agents.  Tenant agrees to
indemnify Landlord and hold it harmless from any loss, expense or claims arising
out of any damage or injury, unless such damage or injury result from Landlord's
act or neglect or the act or neglect of the Landlord's agents or employees.

     16. CONDEMNATION:

          (a) If,  during  the term of this  Lease or any  extension  or renewal
     thereof,  all or a substantial part of the Demised Premises should be taken
     for any public or quasi-public use under any governmental law, ordinance or
     regulation,  or by  right  of  eminent  domain,  or  should  be sold to the
     condemning  authority  under  threat  of  condemnation,  this  Lease  shall
     terminate and the rent shall be abated during the unexpired portion of this
     Lease,  effective  as of the date of the  taking  of said  premises  by the
     condemning authority.

          (b) If less than a substantial  part of the Demised  Premises shall be
     taken for any  public or  quasi-public  use  under  any  governmental  law,

                                       12
<PAGE>
     ordinance or regulation, or by right of eminent domain, or should be sold
     to the condemning authority under threat of condemnation,  this Lease shall
     not terminate,  but Landlord shall  forthwith at its sole expense,  restore
     and  reconstruct  the  buildings  and other  improvements  situated  on the
     Demised Premises,  provided such restoration and reconstruction  shall make
     the same  reasonably  tenantable  and  suitable  for the uses for which the
     premises  are leased as defined in  paragraph  `3' above.  The rent payable
     hereunder  during the  unexired  portion of this  Lease  shall be  adjusted
     equitably.

          (c) Any  such  award  as a result  of  condemnation  shall be the sole
     property  of the  Landlord,  and no  portion  of any award  shall be due or
     payable to the tenant.

     17. HOLDING OVER: Should Tenant, or any of its successors in interest, hold
over the Demised Premises, or any part thereof, after expiration of the term of
this  Lease,  unless  otherwise  agreed in  writing,  such  holding  over  shall
constitute and be construed as tenancy from month-to-month,  at a monthly rental
equal to the rent paid for the last month of the term of this Lease.

     18. DEFAULT BY TENANT:

          (a) The  following  event  shall be deemed to be events of  default by
     Tenant under this Lease:  (1) Tenant shall fail to pay any  installment  of
     the rent on the date that same is due and such failure shall continue for a
     period of thirty (30) days after written notice from Landlord.

                                       13
<PAGE>
          (2) Tenant  shall fail to comply with any term,  condition or covenant
          of this Lease, other than the payment of rent, and shall not cure such
          failure  within  thirty (30) days,  after  written  notice  thereof to
          Tenant, or, if such default cannot reasonably be cured within the said
          thirty  (30) days and  Tenant  shall not have  commenced  to cure such
          failure  within  thirty  (30) days  after  written  notice  thereof to
          Tenant.

          (3) Tenant shall become  insolvent,  or shall make a transfer in fraud
          of  creditors,  or  shall  make  an  assignment  for  the  benefit  of
          creditors.

          (4) Tenant  shall file a Petition  under any section or chapter of the
          National  Bankruptcy  Act as  amended,  or under  any  similar  law or
          statute of the United States or any State thereof;  or Tenant shall be
          adjudged  bankrupt or insolvent in  proceedings  filed against  Tenant
          thereunder.

          (5) A Receiver Or Trustee shall be appointed for all or  substantially
          all of the assets of Tenant.  

          (b) Upon the  occurrence  of any of such events of  default,  Landlord
     shall have the option to pursue any one or more of the  following  remedies
     without any notice or demand whatsoever:

          (1)  Terminate  this Lease,  in which event Tenant  shall  immediately
          surrender  the  premises to  Landlord,  and if Tenant  fails to do so,
          Landlord may, without  prejudice to any other remedy which it may have
          for possession or arrearages in rent,  enter upon and take  possession
          of the  Demised  Premises  and  expel or remove  Tenant  and any other
          person  who may be  occupying  said  premises  thereof,  by  force  if

                                       14
<PAGE>
          necessary,  without  being  liable  for  prosecution  or any claim for
          damages  therefor;  and Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord on demand the
          amount of all loss and damage  which  landlord may suffer by reason of
          such termination,  whether through inability to re-let the premises on
          satisfactory terms or otherwise.

          (2) Enter upon and take  possession of the Demised  Premises and expel
          or remove Tenant and any person who may be occupying  said premises or
          any part  thereof,  by force if  necessary,  without  being liable for
          prosecution or any claim for damages therefor, and re-let the premises
          and receive the rent therefor; and Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord on
          demand any deficiency that may arise by reason of such re-letting.

          (3) Enter upon the  Demised  Premises by force if  necessary,  without
          being liable for prosecution or any claim for damages therefor, and do
          whatever Tenant is obligated to do under the terms of this Lease,  and
          Tenant  agrees to  reimburse  Landlord  on demand for  expenses  which
          Landlord  may  incur  in  this  effecting   compliance  with  Tenant's
          obligation  under this Lease,  and Tenant further agrees that Landlord
          shall not be liable for any damages  resulting to the Tenant from such
          action, whether caused by negligence of Landlord or otherwise.

          (c) Pursuit of any of the foregoing shall not preclude  pursuit of any
     of the other remedies  herein  provided or any other  remedies  provided by
     law,  nor  shall  pursuit  of  any  remedy  herein  provided  constitute  a
     forfeiture or waiver of any rent due to Landlord hereunder or of any

                                       15
<PAGE>
     damages  accruing  to  Landlord  by reason of the  violation  of any of the
     terms, conditions and covenants herein contained.

     19. QUIET ENJOYMENT:  Landlord warrants that it has full right and power to
execute and perform this Lease and to grant the estate  demised  herein and that
Tenant,  on payment of the rent and performing the covenants  herein  contained,
shall peacably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Demised  Premises during the
full term of this Lease and any extension or renewal hereof, provided,  however,
that Tenant accepts the Lease subject and subordinate to any recorded  mortgage,
deed of trust,  or other lien  presently  existing  upon the  Demised  Premises;
Landlord is hereby vested with full power and authority to subordinate  Tenant's
interest  hereunder  to any  mortgage,  deed of trust,  or other lien  hereafter
placed on the Demised  Premises,  and Tenant  agrees upon demand to execute such
further instruments,  subordinating the Lease as Landlord may request,  provided
such further  subordination  shall be upon the express condition that this Lease
shall be recognized by the mortgagee, and that the rights of Tenant shall remain
in full force and effect  during the term of this Lease so long as Tenant  shall
continue to perform all of the covenants of this Lease.

     20.  WAIVER OF DEFAULT:  No waiver by the parties  hereto of any default or
breach of any term,  condition or covenant of this Lease shall be deemed to be a
waiver of any  subsequent  default  or breach  of the same,  or any other  term,
condition or covenant contained herein.

                                       16
<PAGE>
     21. FORCE MAJEURE:  Landlord or Tenant shall not be required to perform any
term, condition or covenant in this Lease so long as such performance is delayed
or prevented by force majeure, which shall mean acts of God, strikes,  lockouts,
material  or labor  restrictions  by any  governmental  authority,  civil  riot,
floods,  and any other  cause not  reasonably  within the control of Landlord or
Tenant and which by the exercise of due diligence  Landlord or Tenant is unable,
wholly or in part, to prevent or overcome.

     22. EXHIBITS:  All exhibits,  attachments,  annexed instruments and addenda
referred to herein shall be  considered  a part hereof ro all purposes  with the
same force and effect as if copied at full length herein.

     23. USE OF  LANGUAGE:  Words of any gender used in this Lease shall be held
and  construed to include any other gender,  and words in the singular  shall be
held to include the plural, unless the context otherwise requires.

     24.  CAPTIONS:  The  captions or headings of  paragraphs  in this Lease are
inserted for  convenience  only,  and shall not be considered in construing  the
provisions hereof if any question of intent should arise.

     25. ACCESS:  The Landlord shall, at any reasonable time, have access to the
Demised  Premises  for the  purpose  of  examining  the same,  making  necessary
repairs,  or for the  purpose of showing the  Demised  Premises  to  prospective
purchasers.

     26.  MAINTENANCE  OF BUSINESS:  The Tenant will,  during the entire term of
this Lease and any renewal periods,  operate and maintain the business for which

                                       17
<PAGE>
the Demised  Premises  are  leased,  except  that the Tenant may  sub-lease  the
Demised  Premises,  only with the consent of the Landlord,  to a third party who
will then operate a business in the Demised Premises.  The Landlord's consent to
such sub-leasing shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     27. RENEWAL:  In the event the Tenant has well and truly complied with each
and every term, condition and covenant of this Lease, the Landlord grants to the
Tenant  the right to renew the term of this  Lease for one  additional  five (5)
year term, upon the following terms and conditions:
                 
          (1) The Tenant  shall give the  Landlord not less than six (6) months'
     written notice of its election to exercise the option to renew;

          (2) The rental during the renewal term shall be the amount obtained by
     the following formula: (A) For the purpose of this formula:

          (i)  `index'  shall  mean the U.S.  Department  of  Labor,  All  Urban
          Consumers  (CPI-UN) U.S.  City Average  1982-84 =100) now published by
          the U.S. Department of Labor or any replacement thereof comprising the
          same  component  factors and applicable to the City of Rome, New York,
          or,  if  none  is  specifically   applicable  thereto,   most  closely
          applicable  to the  region  in which  the  City of  Rome,  New York is
          located.  If the `index' is not  published,  landlord and Tenant shall
          agree upon a substitute  index, and if no such agreement is made, then
          a  Justice  of the  Supreme  Court  of the  State  of New  York,  upon

                                       18
<PAGE>
          application of either Landlord or Tenant, shall designate a substitute
          index,  which designation shall be non-appealable and final with costs
          of litigation to be divided equally between Landlord and Tenant;

          (ii)  `Base  index'  shall  refer to the index  applicable  during the
          calendar month  immediately  preceding the month in which the original
          term of this Lease commences;

          (iii)  `Adjustment  date'  shall refer to the first day of the renewal
          term;

          (iv) `Current  index' shall refer to the index  applicable  during the
          calendar month immediately preceding the adjustment date.

          (B) If upon the adjustment  date,  current index shall be greater than
     base  index,  then:

          (i) Current index shall be divided by base index, producing quotient;

          (ii) Quotient  shall be multiplied by Forty-five  Thousand  Forty-five
          dollars  ($45,045.00);  and the amount so obtained shall be the annual
          minimum  rent  during the  renewal  term.  However,  in no event shall
          annual  rental   payments   during  the  renewal  term  be  more  than
          twenty-five  percent (25%) greater than annual rental  payments during
          the assigned term hereunder.

          (C) If upon the adjustment date, current index shall be less than base
     index,  then  annual  rental  payments  during  the  renewal  term shall be
     $45,045.00.

     28. SUCCESSORS:  The terms, conditions and covenants conained in this Lease
shall apply to, inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon the parties  hereto

                                       19
<PAGE>
and their respective successors in interest and legal representatives, except as
otherwise herein expressly provided. All rights, powers, privileges,  immunities
and duties of  Landlord  under this  Lease,  including,  but not limited to, any
notices  required or permitted to be delivered by Landlord to Tenant  hereunder,
may at  Landlord's  option,  be exercised or  performed by  Landlord's  agent or
Attorney.

     29.  NOTICE:  Any notice or document  required or permitted to be delivered
hereunder  shall be deemed to be delivered,  whether  actually  received or not,
when  deposited  in the United  States  mail,  postage  prepaid,  registered  or
certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the parties hereto at the
respective  addresses  set forth below,  or at notice  delivered  in  accordance
herewith.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed and sealed this Lease
as of the date set opposite their respective signature.




                                                     NBT BANK, N.A. (Tenant)
                                                     52 South Broad Street
                                                     Norwich, New York  13815

Dated:  March 19, 1997                               By  /s/DARYL R. FORSYTHE
        ---------------                                  --------------------
                                                            Daryl R. Forsythe
                                                            President

<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 10.22

                     Lease of Plattsburgh Brinkerhoff Office
<PAGE>
    
                                   L E A S E


     THIS LEASE  AGREEMENT  made this ; day of  October,  1997,  between  ROBERT
GARRAND,  residing  in  Plattsburgh,  County of  Clinton  and State of New York,
hereinafter  "Landlord",  and NBT BANK,  N.A.  with offices at 52 So. Broad St.,
Norwich, New York 13815, hereinafter "Tenant".

                             W I T N E S S E T H :

     For and in  consideration  of the promises and agreements  herein contained
Tenant hereby leases from Landlord certain real property  hereinafter  described
on the following terms and conditions:

     1. PREMISES.  The leased  premises are located in the building known as the
former Beaver Restaurant at 83 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh,  County of Clinton,
State of New York, and consist of approximately two thousand one hundred (2,100)
sq. ft. +/ on the first floor,  consisting of unfinished space and use of entire
basement below the leased premises.

     The Tenant shall also be allowed and permitted to park five (5) automobiles
in the adjoining lot located in the rear of the subject leased premises which is
located at the  corner of Marion  Avenue  and  Protection  Avenue in the City of
Plattsburgh, New York.

     The Tenant shall have the option to lease not less than five (5) additional
parking spaces in the lot hereinafter mentioned a. the then market rental of the
such spaces.

     2. TERM & RENTAL:  Tenant  shall pay Landlord  rent for leased  premises as
follows:

     a) TERM: The term of this lease shall be five (5) years commencing December
1, 1997 and ending November 30, 2002, subject to termination as provided herein.

     OPTION TO RENEW:  The  Tenant has the right to elect to renew the lease for
five (S) five (5) year terms upon the same terms and conditions  except the rent
shall be adjusted as follows:

     (i) For the first  renewal  term,  the  fixed  minimum  base rent  shall be
increased to Twelve and S0\100 Dollars ($12.50) per square foot; (to wit: Twenty
Six  Thousand Two Hundred  Fifty and 00\100  Dollars  [$26,250.00]  annual rent)
payable in monthly  installments  of Two Thousand  One Hundred  Eighty Seven and
S0\100  Dollars  ($2,187.50)  on the first  day of each and every  month of said
renewal term.

     (ii)For the second and each renewal term  thereafter the fixed minimum base
rent shall be determined  by the sum of the changes in the Consumer  Price Index
for the  previous  five (5) year period but not to exceed  twenty  five  percent
(25%) and multiply the same to the previous annual rent for the last twelve (12)
month term.

                                       1
<PAGE>
     b) RENT: The Tenant's rent for the first year shall be the following:

     At the  commencement  of the term and for the first thirty six (36) months,
the fixed minimum base rent shall be Eight and 00\100 Dollars ($8.00) per square
foot; (to wit:  Sixteen  Thousand Eight Hundred and 00\100 Dollars  [$16,800.00]
annual rent) payable in monthly installments on the 1st day of each month of the
term in the amount of One Thousand Four Hundred and 00\100 Dollars ($1,400.00).

     Beginning the thirty  seventh  (37th) month of the term,  the fixed minimum
base rent shall  increase to Nine and 00\100  ($9.00) per square  foot;  to wit:
Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred and 00\100 ($18,900.00),  and shall be payable in
monthly installments of One Hundred Five Hundred Seventy Five $1,575.00 for each
and every month thereafter until and including the month of November, 2002.

     Such  additional  rent as may be due and owing as provided  herein.  Tenant
agrees to pay  additional  rent within  Fifteen  (15) days of receipt of written
notice by Landlord of such additional rent.

     The rent  shall be paid on the first of each and  every  month of the lease
term.

     3. SECURITY/DEPOSITS: NONE

     4. U.S. FUNDS: All sums of money herein described shall be in U.S. funds.

     5. LATE PAYMENT: Tenant acknowledges that prompt payment of the sums herein
provided for is necessary  for the smooth and  efficient  conduct of  Landlord's
business,  and  Tenant  therefore  agrees  that if any such  payment is not made
within Ten (10) days of the date it is due, then Tenant shall pay to Landlord an
additional sum equal to Five Percent (5%) of such overdue payment.

     TAX ADJUSTMENT:  The Tenant  covenants and agrees to pay its  proportionate
share of any and all increase taxes assessed and levied against the premises for
the leased term and any renewal term hereof.  The  Landlord,will  be responsible
for the base  taxes  which  shall be the  1997  laid tax bill and the 1997  1998
school tax bill and the Tenant shall be responsible for its proportionate  share
of any increase, which proportionate share shal' be calculated as that which the
leased square  footage (that square footage which is leased by the Tenant hereby
as leased premises) relates to the leasable square footage of the building. Said
adjustment  shall be paid within  thirty (30) days of the tenant's  receipt of a
copy of the paid tax receipt for the applicable period.

                                       2
<PAGE>
     7. COMMON CHARGE: The Tenant agree to pay a monthly  maintenance and common
charge of Fifty and 00\100  Dollars  ($50.00),  for the  Tenant's  share of snow
removal and general  cleaning  of the common  area and in  consideration  of the
Landlord  paying for the water and sewer fees and not  separately  metering  the
leased premises.  Such common charge shall be deemed  additional rent which will
be  determined  as one  third  (1/3) of the  costs  for such  work as  described
hereinabove.  The  common  charge is  determined  to be one  third  (1/3) of the
monthly  costs for snow  removal of  sidewalks,  general  cleaning of  sidewalks
(washdown) and commercial store fronts. Said costs are now One Hundred Fifty and
00\100  Dollars  ($150.00)  of which  this  Tenant's  share is Fifty and  00\100
Dollars  ($50.00).  The common charge shall be adjusted at the  commencement  of
each renewal term to a reasonable charge.

     8. UTILITY:  Tenant shall pay for all electricity and other utility charges
consumed  and/or used on the leased  premises,  for heat or other  purpose based
upon a metered  reading  exclusive of said  premises,  except as provided in the
common charge hereinabove provided.

     9. TAXES:  The Landlord  shall be  responsible  for all real property taxes
except as provided herein above.

     10.  BUILDING  MAINTENANCE:  Tenant shall maintain the leased  premises and
shall repair and maintain all equipment,  appliances,  lighting fixtures, glass,
including  storefront  windows,  and  all  other  systems  within  the  building
including  the heating,  plumbing,  and air  conditioning  system.  Tenant shall
promptly  repair any  equipment,  systems or facility  the  malfunction  and the
maintenance  and repair of which is the  Tenant's  obligation.  Tenant  shall be
responsible  for  cleaning  the  leased  premises  and for  replacing  broken or
otherwise  malfunctioning light bulbs and tubes. Tenant shall be responsible for
trash removal and hauling.  The Landlord shall be responsible for the structural
portion of the building  intended to include the roof and walls of the structure
and further the plumbing and electrical  wiring up to the point of entrance into
the leased  premises.  Landlord  shall be  responsible  for snow removal for the
sidewalk on Margaret  Street and the rear alley from the back door to Protection
Avenue subject to the Tenant's  obligation to the payment of common charges (see
paragraph 7 hereof).

     MODIFICATIONS BY TENANT:  Tenant shall not structurally alter or modify the
leased premises  without written consent of Landlord;  said consent shall not be
unreasonably  withheld  by  the  Landlord.  Any  alterations,  modifications  or
installed items which, upon installation, become fixtures, except trade fixtures
shall become the  property of the  Landlord  and may not be removed  without the
Landlord's prior written consent. It is hereby agreed between the parties hereto
that the Tenant shall be responsible for the interior improvements including all
modifications to electrical and telephone so to adapt premises to Tenant's use.

                                       3
<PAGE>
     12.  COMMUNICATIONS  SYSTEMS:  Tenant  will  install  any  phone  or  Other
communications  systems  it  desires  at its own  expense.  It shall be the sole
responsibility  of the Tenant to install their own telephone  lines and computer
requirements.

     13. USE OF PREMISES AND CONDITIONS: Tenant warrants and represents that the
leased premises will be used for banking and associated activities, services and
uses.  The Tenant has  inspected  the leased  premises and accepts the building,
system fixtures, and improvement, "as is".

     14. CODE COMPLIANCE:  Tenant shall ensure that his operations, use, and any
equipment or other  facilities it installs or any  renovations,  it shall comply
with all applicable State, Federal, and local rules, regulations and ordinances.
Landlord represents that the leased premises complies with local zoning laws and
regulation as to the intended use as stated herein at paragraph 13 hereinabove.

     So long as the Tenant is in compliance with the terms and the provisions of
this  lease,  then the Tenant  shall be  entitled  to the  unrestricted  use and
enjoyment of the leased Premises.

     15.  INSURANCE  (HAZARD):  Landlord  shall insure the premises  however the
Tenant  releases the Landlord  from any and all claims for loss or damage to its
personal  property  and  records  and any  property  of any third  party that is
located in the  leased  premises  during  the  Tenant's  term.  Tenant  shall be
responsible for insuring its personal property that is stored, installed or used
on the  leased  premises.  The  Tenant  shall not  permit  any use of the leased
premises  which will make  voidable  any  insurance on the property of which the
leased  premises are a part.  Tenant shall  provide  proof of insurance  for all
personal property and Tenant's contents upon demand.

     16. TENANT'S SIGNS: Tenant will provide its own signs which will conform to
local zoning ordinances with respect to the same.

     17. DAMAGE PREVENTION:  The Tenant shall take all reasonable precautions to
ensure that its use of the leased  premises  does not damage them in any way. At
the  expiration of the lease term, the Tenant shall deliver up possession of the
leased premises in the same condition as they were at the beginning of the lease
term, normal wear and tear excepted, broom clean.

     18.  LANDLORD'S  ACCESS:  Landlord may enter the premises during the normal
banking  hours,  for the purpose of  inspecting,  maintaining,  or repairing the
leased premises.  If repairs of an emergency  nature are required,  Landlord may
enter the leased premises to effectuate such repairs at any time.

                                       4
<PAGE>
     19. PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE:  Tenant shall obtain and keep in full force
and effect a policy of  insurance  in the face  amount of One Million and 00\100
Dollars  ($1,000,000.00)  insuring against liability for injuries to the persons
or property  of third  parties  occurring  on or in  connection  with the leased
premises,  and  Landlord  shall be listed  as an  additional  insured.  Proof of
compliance of the provisions shall be given to the Landlord within ten (10) days
of the demand thereof.

     20. LIENS:  Tenant shall promptly  discharge all liens which attains to the
leased premises through its acts or omissions,  including,  without  limitation,
mechanics liens, judgments and lis pendis.

     21.  INDEMNIFICATIONS:  Tenant shall  indemnify  Landlord and hold Landlord
harmless from all injuries or property damage occurring on or in connection with
the leased premises, except that which arises through the actions and negligence
of Landlord.

     22. TOTAL DESTRUCTION: In the event the building is totally destroyed, this
lease shall  terminate and the parties shall be liable only for  obligations and
rights which arose prior to the time of termination.

     23.  PARTIAL  DESTRUCTION:  In the  event of a partial  destruction  of the
leased premises or other improvements, or of the interior of the premises, which
renders the use of such portion totally  unusable at their option,  Landlord may
terminate  this lease,  or may elect to rebuild the building or repair and shall
be given a reasonable  time not to exceed the period of One Hundred Twenty (120)
days to do so.  Landlord  must advise  Tenant of their  intentions,  in writing,
within  fifteen  (15) days of the  event.  From the  occurrence  of the  partial
destruction to the time when the rebuilding is completed, the rent due hereunder
shall be reduced to proportion  of the original rent equal to the  proportion of
the leased premises available suitable for use by the Tenant.

     24. CONDEMNATION:  If all of the leased premises,  or so large a portion as
to leave the remainder unusable by the Tenant, is taken by eminent domain,  then
this Lease shall  terminate,  and no further rights or  obligations  shall arise
hereunder.  If a portion of the  premises is taken,  and the  remainder is still
usable by the Tenant, then this lease shall remain in effect.

     25.  INTERRUPTIONS  OF  SERVICE:  Landlord  shall  not be  responsible  for
interruptions  of service herein to be furnished by him which caused  conditions
beyond their control,  and such interruptions  shall not constitute a failure of
performance under this lease by Landlord.

     26.  FAILURE OF  PERFORMANCE  BY TENANT:  If Tenant fails to make payments,
incur all costs, and perform all other obligations herein agreed by it, Landlord

                                       5
<PAGE>
may,  at their  option,  take all  reasonable  actions to ensure  that  Tenant's
obligations or any of them, are fulfilled,  and Tenant shall reimburse  Landlord
upon demand, then Landlord may add such costs and expenses to the rent, and they
shall be paid as part of the rental  installment  next due, and  Landlord  shall
have all other remedies provided by law.

     27.  SUBORDINATION:  This lease shall be subject and subordinate to any and
all mortgages,  deeds of trust and other instruments in the nature of a mortgage
now or at any  time  hereafter,  a lien or liens on the  property  of which  the
leased premises are a part and the Tenant shall, when requested promptly execute
and  deliver  such  written  instruments  as  shall  be  necessary  to show  the
subordination  of this  lease to said  mortgages,  deeds of trust or other  such
instruments in the nature of a mortgage.

     28. DEFAULT: A default by Tenant hereunder shall include without limitation
(1) Non payment of a rental  installment  due; (2) Non compliance with any other
term of the lease  which is not  promptly  cured as  hereinafter  provided;  (3)
Abandonment  by Tenant of the leased  premises;  (4) Tenant's  seeking relief in
Bankruptcy  Court  and/or  adjudication  as a  bankrupt;  (5)  Appointment  of a
receiver or trustee  over  Tenant;  (6)  Assignment  for the benefit of Tenant's
creditors;  (7) Taking of Tenant's  leasehold  interest of estate by  execution,
judgment  enforcement or other process  against Tenant.  Upon Tenant's  default,
Landlord may do any or all of the following: (1) Take possession of the premises
without  terminating the lease, in which case Tenant shall remain liable for any
deficiency  between the new rental and the rental hereunder provided for and for
all  reasonable  costs of  reletting;  (2)  Declare  the  balance  provided  for
immediately  due and  payable in full.  If  default is a failure to perform  any
obligation  hereunder,  other than the payment of rent,  Landlord  shall  inform
Tenant of such default at the address above, and Tenant shall promptly cure such
default. Tenant's failure to so promptly cure the default shall entitle Landlord
to take any of the actions  hereinabove listed. Upon Tenant's default hereunder,
Landlord may take all reasonable actions to mitigate damages.

     LANDLORD'S DEFAULT:  If Landlord fails to perform the obligation  hereunder
taken by him,  Tenant  may take  reasonable  actions  to have  such  obligations
fulfilled and deduct the reasonable  costs thereof from the repayments then next
due hereunder.

     30. REMOVAL OF TENANT'S PROPERTY: Upon expiration of earlier termination of
the lease term,  Tenant shall promptly remove his property,  the lease premises,
excluding all property which is owned, at the time of expiration or termination,
by the Landlord.  In the event of the Tenant's failure to remove any of Tenant's
property  from the  leased  premises,  Landlord  is  hereby  authorized  without
liability to Tenant for loss or damage there and at the sole risk of Tenant, to

                                       6
<PAGE>
remove and store any of the  property at Tenant's  expense,  or to dispose of it
without liability to the Landlord.  The Tenant hereby waives any right, claim or
action  for any loss  sustained  by  reason  of  Landlord's  disposition  of the
property pursuant to the terms of this agreement.

     31.  LEASEHOLD  AS  SECURITY:  Tenant  shall not  mortgage  or  pledge  its
leasehold in any manner.

     32.  LANDLORD'S  FAILURE TO PURSUE:  Landlord's  failure to pursue a remedy
shall not  constitute a waiver of such remedy,  nor shall it constitute a waiver
of any future default whether of the same or of a different nature.

     33. TENANT'S EXPENSES:  Except for those items of maintenance,  service and
expenses specifically herein undertaken by Landlord, Tenant shall pay all of the
costs of operating its business on the leased premises.

     34.  ASSIGNMENT,  SUBLEASE:  This  lease may not be  assigned  without  the
express written  consent of the Landlord.  Such consent will be exercised in the
sole  discretion  of the  Landlord.  Tenant may sublease the premises only for a
similar use,  notwithstanding  such  sublease the Tenant shall remain liable for
obligations of this lease.

     35.  VENUE  JURISDICTION:  This  lease is made in the State of New York and
shall be construed  under New York State Law.  For the purpose of any  lawsuits,
actions or  proceedings  brought in  connection  with this lease  Tenant  hereby
submits in person to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, in
Clinton County.

     36.  NOTICE:  Any notice from the  Landlord  to the Tenant  relative to the
leased  premises or to the occupancy  thereof,  shall be deemed duly served,  if
sent registered or certified mail,  return receipt  requested,  postage prepaid,
addressed to the Tenant.  Any notice from the Tenant to the Landlord relating to
the leased  premises or to the occupancy  thereof,  shall be deemed duly served,
only if mailed to the Landlord by registered or certified  mail,  return receipt
requested,  postage  prepaid,  addressed  to the Landlord at such address as the
Landlord may from time to time advise in writing.  All rent and notices shall be
paid and sent to the Landlord.

37. CONTINGENCIES:

     (i) This lease shall be contingent upon the purchase and acquisition by the
Tenant from the Landlord of the Key Bank facility located on the corner of Route
3 and LaBarre Street in the Town of Plattsburgh.

                                       7
<PAGE>
     (ii)  This  lease  shall  further  be  contingent  upon  Tenant   receiving
regulatory approval to relocate its downtown office from its current location to
the leased premises. If said regulatory approval is not forthcoming the Landlord
agrees to lease to Tenant the said  Brinkerhoff  Street property for a period of
time not less than a five (5) year term upon terms to be negotiated  between the
parties.


     The  parties  hereto  sign  this  agreement  the day and year  first  above
written.


                                        LANDLORD

                                        /s/ R.W. Garrand
                                        ----------------
                                        ROBERT GARRAND


                                        TENANT

                                        NBT BANK, N.A

                                        By: Daryl R. Forsythe  Pres & CEO
                                            -----------------------------
                                                                  , Title
                                       8
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT 10.23

                             Lease of Oneonta Office
<PAGE>
                                      LEASE


                            dated September 17, 1997

                                     between

                          Bettiol Enterprises Ltd, Inc.

                                    as Lessor

                                       and

                                 NBT Bank, N.A.

                                    as Lessee





Affecting premises commonly known as Route 28, in Town of Oneonta, New York.
<PAGE>


                                                           TABLE OF CONTENTS

 1 -- Demised Premises and Lease Term
 2 -- Rent
 3 -- No Counterclaim or Abatement
 4 -- Use of Demised Premises
 5 -- Condition of Demised Premises
 6 -- Lessor's Site Work
 7 -- Construction of Bank Building
 8 -- Remodeling and Expansion Rights
 9 -- Maintenance  and Repair 
10 -- Common Area  Maintenance 
11 -- Alterations and Additions
12 -- Compliance  With  Requirements
13 -- Liens
14 -- Permitted Contests
15 -- Utility  Services
16 -- Insurance
17 -- Indemnification By Lessee
18 -- Damage or Destruction
19 -- Taking of the Demised Premises
20 -- Quiet Enjoyment
21 -- Right to Cure Lessee's Default
22 -- Events of Default and Termination
23 -- Repossession
24 -- Re-letting
25 -- Mitigation of Damages
26 -- Assignment of Subrents
27 -- Lessee's Equipment
28 -- Security Deposit
29 -- Survival of Obligations; Damages
30 -- Injunction
31 -- Waivers
32 -- Lessor's Remedies Cumulative
33 -- Estoppel Certificates
34 -- Assignment and Subletting
35 -- Subordination and Attornment
36 -- Entry by Lessor
37 -- Conveyance by Lessor
38 -- No Merger of Title
39 -- Acceptance of Surrender
<PAGE>
                          TABLE OF CONTENTS - continued




40 -- End of Lease Term
41 -- No Renewal
42 -- Liability Only for Negligence
43 -- Brokerage
44 -- Mediation
45 -- Arbitration
46 -- Definitions
47 -- Notices
48 -- Miscellaneous
49 -- Environmental Responsibility
50 -- Conduct of Business
51 -- Contingencies
52 -- Restrictive Covenant


Exhibit A -- Description of Land/Site Plan
Exhibit B -- Permitted Encumbrances
Exhibit C -- Lessor's Site Work
Exhibit D -- The Bank  Building
Exhibit E -- Agreements and Restrictions
<PAGE>
                                     LEASE

     LEASE, dated September 17, 1997,  between Bettiol  Enterprises Ltd, Inc., a
New York  corporation,  having an address  at Route 23  Southside,  Oneonta,  NY
13820-0848  ("Lessor"),  and NBT Bank,  N.A.,  a national  banking  association,
having an address at 52 South Broad St, Norwich, New York 13815 ("Lessee").

          1. THE DEMISED PREMISES AND LEASE TERM

     In consideration of the Rent hereinafter reserved and the terms,  covenants
and  conditions  set forth in this Lease to be observed and performed by Lessee,
Lessor  hereby  demises and leases to Lessee,  and Lessee hereby rents and takes
from Lessor, the following property (collectively hereinafter referred to as the
"Demised Premises"):  (a) all the land (the "Land") outlined in Exhibit A hereto
attached,  being a portion of the Lessor's existing Shopping Center and proposed
expansion, all as set forth within Exhibit B hereto and (b) all rights of way or
of use, easements, access to public highways,  servitudes,  licenses, tenements,
appurtenances and easements now or hereafter belonging or pertaining to the Land
(Exhibit B); and the Demised Premises.  TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Demised Premises
unto  Lessee,  and the  permitted  successors  and  assigns of Lessee,  upon and
subject to all of the terms, covenants and conditions herein contained.

1.1  TERM:

     The term of this Lease shall  commence on the 17th day of September,  1997,
and  expire on the 17th day of  September,  2002,  unless  the Lease  Term shall
sooner  terminate  pursuant  to any  of the  conditional  limitations  or  other
provisions of this Lease.

1.2  OPTION TO RENEW:

     In the event Lessee has well and truly  complied  with each and every term,
condition and covenant of this Lease,  the Lessor grants to the Lessee the right
to renew  the term of this  Lease for  seven  (7)  additional  terms of five (5)
years.  The Lessee shall give the Lessor not less than six months written notice
of its election to exercise each option to renew.

          2. RENT

     Lessee  covenants to pay to Lessor as a net minimum rent (the "Fixed Rent")
during the Lease  Term  $30,000.00  per annum for the first  five years  through
September  17,  2002;  $35,250.00  per  annum for the next  five  years  through
September  17,  2007;  $42,300.00  per  annum for the next  five  years  through
September  17, 2012;  and  $51,800.00  per annum for the next five years through
September  17, 2017;  and  $62,200.00  per annum for the next five years through
September  17, 2022;  and  $74,600.00  per annum for the next five years through
September  17, 2027;  and  $89,500.00  per annum for the next five years through
September 17, 2032 and  $107,400.00 for the last five years for the remainder of
the Lease Term through September 17, 2037.
<PAGE>
     The Fixed Rent shall be payable in advance in equal annual  installments at
the beginning of each year during the Lease Term.  Each date on which Fixed Rent
is payable hereunder is hereinafter referred to as a "Rent Payment Date".

     Lessee also  covenants to pay, from time to time as provided in this Lease,
as Additional  Rent: all other amounts and  obligations  which Lessee assumes or
agrees to pay under this Lease; a late payment charge equal to 3% percent of the
amount of any  installment of Fixed Rent not paid within ten days after the date
when due. If Lessee fails to pay any such Additional Rent, Lessor shall have all
the  rights,  powers  and  remedies  provided  for in this Lease or at law or in
equity or otherwise in the case of nonpayment of rent.

     All Fixed Rent and Additional Rent (collectively hereinafter referred to as
"Rent") shall be paid in such coin or currency (or,  subject to  collection,  by
good check  payable in such coin or currency) of the United States of America as
at the time shall be legal  tender for the payment of public and private  debts,
at the office of Lessor as set forth above,  or at such place and to such person
as Lessor from time to time may designate.

     All Rent shall be  absolutely  net to Lessor so that this Lease shall yield
to Lessor the full amount of the installments  thereof throughout the Lease Term
and  except  as  otherwise  provided  herein.  All Rent  shall be paid to Lessor
without notice, demand, counterclaim,  setoff, deduction or defense, and nothing
shall suspend,  defer,  diminish,  abate or reduce any Rent, except as otherwise
specifically provided in this Lease.

     The fixed rent shall commence on the date that is six months  subsequent to
Lessor's and Lessee's  execution of this Lease or the date that the Lessee opens
its doors for regular business,  whichever date is sooner. If such date shall be
a day other than the first day of the month,  then a period  equal to the number
of days  between  the  commencement  date and the first  day of the  month  next
following shall be added to the base term of the Lease.

          3. NO COUNTERCLAIM OR ABATEMENT

     The  obligations  and  liabilities  of Lessee  hereunder in no way shall be
released, discharged or otherwise affected (except as expressly provided herein)
by reason  of:  any damage to or  destruction  of or any  Taking of the  Demised
Premises or any part thereof;  any substantial  restriction or prevention of the
use use of the  Demised  Premises  or any part  thereof;  any  title  defect  or
encumbrance  or any  eviction  from the Demised  Premises or any part thereof by
title  paramount  or  otherwise;  any  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,
composition,  adjustment,  dissolution,  liquidation  or other  like  proceeding
relating  to  Lessor,  or any  action  taken  with  respect to this Lease by any
trustee or  receiver of Lessor,  or by any court,  in any such  proceeding;  any
claim  which  Lessee  has or might  have  against  Lessor;  whether  similar  or
dissimilar  to the  foregoing,  whether  or not  Lessee  shall  have  notice  or
<PAGE>
knowledge of any of the foregoing.  Except as expressly provided herein,  Lessee
waives all rights now or  hereafter  conferred  by statute or otherwise to quit,
terminate or surrender  this Lease or the Demised  Premises or any part thereof,
or to receive any abatement,  suspension,  deferment, diminution or reduction of
any Rent payable by Lessee hereunder.

          4. USE OF DEMISED PREMISES

4.1  USE:

     (a) PERMITTED USES. Lessee may use the demised premises for any lawful use,
except  Lessee  shall  not  use the  Demised  Premises  for  any use or  purpose
expressly prohibited by the provisions of this Lease.
     (b) PROHIBITED USES. Lessor and Lessee each agrees that no part or parts of
the  Demised  Premises  shall be used at any time for  manufacturing  industrial
purposes or for any purpose which is noxious or unreasonably  offensive  because
of the emission of noise, dust or odors or for any purpose which is offensive or
illegal,  and Lessor and Lessee  agree not to permit any act or thing to be done
within the Demised  Premises which shall  constitute a nuisance.  Lessee further
agrees that it will not sub-lease,  use or permit to be used, any portion of the
Demised Premises for the operation of a movie theater, bowling alley or drive-up
photography  kiosk nor will it lease,  use or permit the Demised  Premises to be
used for  purposes of gambling or for the sale,  distribution  or display of (i)
any drug  paraphernalia  commonly used in the use or ingestion of illicit drugs,
or (ii) any x-rated,  pornographic,  lewd or so-called "adult" newspaper,  book,
magazine,  film, picture, video tape, video disc or other similar representation
or merchandise of any kind, or for any use which requires  overnight parking and
(iii) it will not use or  permit  to be used the  Demised  Premises  or any part
thereof for a so-called "penny arcade", "video game room", or "amusement center"
featuring  electronic  video games,  pinball  machines,  slot  machines or other
similar coin-operated devices.

     Lessee covenants and agrees that Lessee will not directly or indirectly use
or permit the Demised Premises for any of the additional following purposes:

     (a) the operation of a  supermarket,  warehouse  supermarket or combination
store;

     (b) for the sale (for  consumption away from the premises on which they are
sold) of groceries,  fresh  vegetables,  fresh fruits,  dairy  products,  frozen
foods, fish, fowl or meat, or for the sale of any combination of the foregoing;

     (c) as a food store, grocery store or convenience store;

     (d) the operation or a bakery or delicatessen; or

     (e) any combination of the foregoing.
<PAGE>
     The Lessee  covenants  and agrees that it will not  directly or  indirectly
lease, use or permit the Demised Premises or any part thereof to be used for the
operation of a drug store, a pharmacy or a store  primarily  engaged in the sale
of health and beauty aids. For the purposes  hereof, a "pharmacy" shall mean any
store  or  department  or  counter  within  a store,  which  sells  prescription
medicines  or  drugs  or  any  items  requiring  the  presence  of a  registered
pharmacist.

     The Lessee  further  agrees that it will not directly or indirectly  lease,
use or  permit  the  Demised  Premises  or any part  thereof  to be used for any
business  purpose  which  would be in  competition  with any of the stores  then
existing in the Shopping Center at the time of the proposed use.

     Lessee  shall not do or permit any act or thing  which is  contrary  to any
Legal Requirements or Insurance Requirements, or which might impair the value or
usefulness of the Demised Premises or any part thereof. Lessee shall not use, or
allow the  Demised  Premises  or any part  thereof  or any  Improvements  now or
hereafter erected thereon or any  appurtenances  thereto to be used or occupied,
for any unlawful  purpose or in violation of any  certificate of occupancy,  and
shall not suffer any act to be done or any condition to exist within the Demised
Premises or any part thereof,  or in any Improvements  now or hereafter  erected
thereon,  or on any appurtenance to the Demised Premises,  or permit any article
to be brought therein, which may be dangerous, unless safeguarded as required by
law, or which may  constitute a nuisance,  public or private,  or which may make
void or voidable any insurance in force with respect thereto.

     Lessee shall not do or suffer any waste, damage, disfigurement or injury to
the Demised Premises.

     Lessee  shall not  permit  the  spilling,  discharge  release,  deposit  or
placement on the Demised Premises or any part thereof,  whether in containers or
other  impoundments,  of any substance  which is a hazardous or toxic  substance
within the meaning of any applicable environmental law.

4.2  AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE:

     Lessee may  install,  maintain,  and operate one or more  automated  teller
machines  (each,  an "ATM" and  collectively,  "ATMs"),  together  with  related
equipment,  accessories,  and identifying  signage (the "ATM  Equipment") in the
location or locations  within the Premises shown on Exhibit A, subject to all of
the terms, conditions, and provisions of this Clause:

     (a) PERMITS AND  APPROVALS.  Lessee  shall  obtain all  necessary  federal,
state,  or local permits,  licenses,  and approvals and pay all costs  connected
therewith;
<PAGE>
     (b) COMPLIANCE  WITH LAWS.  Lessee shall comply with all Laws applicable to
the  installation,  use, and operation of the ATM and ATM Equipment,  including,
without  limitation,  any provisions of the Americans with  Disabilities  Act of
1990;

     (c) INDEMNIFICATION OF LESSOR. Lessee shall protect,  defend, indemnify and
hold harmless Lessor, its heirs, successors and assigns from any and all claims,
demands, causes of action,  judgment,  costs, expenses,  liabilities and damages
(including  consequential  and punitive  damages) arising from the installation,
operation  or  use  of  the  ATM or ATM  Equipment  or  relating  to any  act or
occurrence  happening  in or about  the  ATM,  however  the same may be  caused,
including without limitation, if caused in whole or in part by the act, omission
or active or passive negligence of Lessor or by criminal activity of any kind;

     (d) NO LESSOR  RESPONSIBILITY.  Lessor shall have no responsibility for the
ATM or ATM  Equipment  and shall not be liable for any damage or  disruption  to
same however  caused,  including  without  limitation,  due to a  disruption  in
electrical or telecommunication service.

          5. CONDITION OF DEMISED PREMISES

     Lessee  represents  that Lessee has examined and is fully familiar with the
physical  condition of the Demised  Premises.  Lessee accepts the same in an "as
is" condition,  without recourse to Lessor,  in the condition and state in which
they now are, except for the work to be done by Lessor pursuant to the Exhibit C
hereto,  and agrees that the Demised Premises  complies in all respects with all
requirements of this Lease. Lessor makes no representation or warranty,  express
or implied in fact or by law of its fitness or  availability  for any particular
use, or the income from or expenses of operation of the Demised Premises. Lessor
shall not be liable for any latent or patent defect therein. Lessor acknowledges
that the Demised Premises need some fill and grading in order to comply with the
site plan and the Town of Oneonta approval,  and Lessor agrees to fill and grade
the Demised  Premises in accordance with the requirements of the Town of Oneonta
in obtaining  approval of the Lessor's  Final Site Plan of the Demised  Premises
and the Shopping Center.

          6. LESSOR'S SITE WORK

     (a) Description of Site Work:  Lessor agrees to complete the following site
work (the "Lessor's Site Work") at its own cost and expense:

     1. Lessor,  at its sole cost and expense,  shall fill and grade the Demised
Premises in accordance with the  requirements of the Town of Oneonta,  and shall
obtain  approval from the Town of Oneonta for the Final Site Plan of the Demised
Premises and the Shopping Center.

     2. Lessor  warrants and  represents  that the Demised  Premises have direct
access to electric,  natural gas, telephone and sewer lines.  Lessor shall bring
the  electric,  natural gas telephone and sewer lines to within five (5) feet of
the Demised Premises.
<PAGE>
     3. Lessor shall construct at its own cost and expense the Access Road Area,
drives  and  curbing  within the Access  Road  Area,  and curb cuts to  Lessor's
existing  Shopping  Center.  In addition the Lessor will  designate  twelve (12)
additional  employee  parking  spaces upon  Lessor's  Common Area,  prior to the
commencement date of this Lease.

     4. Lessor shall  perform the Lessor's  Site Work in a good and  workmanlike
manner,  at its own cost and expense in accordance with all applicable  building
codes, laws, ordinances,  regulations and other requirements of the governmental
authorities having jurisdiction.

     5. Lessor  shall grant Lessee any  easements  necessary to connect its Bank
Building to said utilities.

          7. CONSTRUCTION OF BANK BUILDING

     Promptly after the execution of the Lease and subject to the  contingencies
within  this  Article 7, Lessee  shall  construct,  develop and  complete on the
Demised  Premises a new building (the "Bank Building") as provided in Exhibit D,
the height of which shall not exceed  fifteen (15) feet,  including  the parking
lot, paving,  parking lot lighting and landscaping on the Demised Premises.  The
Bank Building shall be constructed in accordance  with plans and  specifications
furnished to Lessor and shall be completed  within one year from the date of the
execution  of this  lease,  in  accordance  with  Exhibit  D and the  plans  and
specifications,  provided that if any requirements of Lessor shall conflict with
requirements of governmental  authorities having jurisdiction,  the requirements
of such governmental  authorities shall take precedence over the requirements of
Lessor. Such construction shall be effected with due diligence and in a good and
workmanlike  manner and in compliance with all Legal  Requirements and Insurance
Requirements,  and shall be under the  supervision of an architect and engineer.
Lessee  shall  obtain  at its own  expense,  all  permits,  licenses,  the final
certificate of occupancy and any other approvals required for the lawful use and
occupancy  of the Demised  Premises  and the  construction  of the  Improvements
thereon.

     Subject to the provisions of Article 18, that shall prevail in the event of
damage or destruction of the Demised Premises, title to the Bank Building and to
all additions,  repairs and replacements to any improvements shall be and remain
in Lessee  during the Lease  Term,  provided  that the terms of this Lease shall
govern the use and operation of the  improvements,  including the Bank Building,
and the exercise of Lessee's rights with respect  thereto,  and provided further
that  upon  the  expiration  or  termination  of the  Lease  Term,  title to and
ownership of the Improvements,  including the Bank Building, shall automatically
vest in Lessor free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances, without the
execution of any further  instrument and without any payment therefor by Lessor.
In such  event,  Lessee  shall  execute  any  further  assurances  of title  and
ownership  to the  Improvements,  including  the Bank  Building,  as Lessor  may
request.

     (a) TESTING. Upon execution of this lease, Lessee and its agents,  servants
and  authorized  independent  contractors  shall be  entitled  to enter upon the
Lessor's  Property  and the Demised  Premises  for purposes of making a physical
inspection of the Lessor's Property and the Demised Premises and making
<PAGE>
subsurface tests, test borings,  water surveys,  percolation tests, boundary and
topographical  surveys,  sewerage  disposals surveys,  drainage  determinations,
utility  surveys,  tests  for  Hazardous  Materials  (as  hereinafter  defined),
including test pits and ground water sampling and/or  monitoring wells if Lessee
shall so desire, and for such other inspection,  testing or planning purposes as
shall seem necessary or desirable to Lessee (all of the foregoing being referred
to herein as the  "Testing").  All testing  shall be completed by Lessee  within
ninety (90) days from the  execution of this Lease.  In the event the testing is
not completed  within the ninety (90) days as above required,  Lessee waives the
right to cancel and  terminate  this lease and accepts the Demised  Premises "as
is".  Lessee shall defend,  indemnify and hold harmless  Lessor from and against
any and all claims, demands, liabilities,  damages, costs or expenses, including
without  limitation,  reasonable attorney fees, arising out of injury (including
death) to persons or  property  damage  caused by such  entry or  activities  by
Lessee,  its authorized  agents or contractors.  In the event the results of the
Testing prove  unsatisfactory  to Lessee,  in Lessee 's sole discretion,  Lessee
shall have the right to cancel and terminate this lease by giving written notice
of such  cancellation-and  termination  to  Lessor,  and upon the giving of such
notice Lessor shall  immediately  return to Lessee any  additional  rent paid by
Lessee  pursuant to any  provision  of this  lease.  This lease shall be thereby
cancelled  and  terminated,  and  Lessee  shall  have  no  further  obligations;
provided,  however, that except as provided hereinafter, if Lessee shall fail to
exercise  such right of  cancellation  within ninety (90) days after the date of
execution of this lease,  Lessee shall have no right to the return of additional
rent  paid by  Lessee  pursuant  to any  provision  of this  lease by  reason of
Lessee's  cancellation  of this lease (but nothing  herein shall limit  Lessee's
right to the return of such  additional rent if Lessee shall cancel or terminate
this lease pursuant to another provision of this lease so providing).

     (b) NON-WAIVER.  Lessee's performance of Testing pursuant to this Article 7
shall be solely for  Lessee's  own  purposes,  and  neither  the Testing nor any
failure of Lessee to cancel and terminate  this lease pursuant to this Article 7
shall relieve Lessor of any of its  obligations,  warranties and covenants under
this lease,  including  its  obligation  to complete the  Lessor's  Site Work in
accordance  with the  requirements  of this  lease,  free of  defects in design,
workmanship and materials.

     (c) TITLE  REPORT.  Subject to the  execution  of this lease,  Lessor shall
furnish to Lessee a certified copy of Lessor's  existing title insurance  policy
upon the Shopping  Center,  if any,  including that portion  forming the Demised
Premises.  Subsequent to the examination of the title insurance  policy,  Lessee
shall have the right,  at its sole expense,  to obtain a commitment of leasehold
title insurance with respect to the demised premises and the Lessor's  Property.
Lessee shall procure the title insurance within sixty (60) days from the date of
the execution of this Lease. In the event that such  commitment  shall show that
the Lessor is not the fee owner of the Lessor's Property or that any of Lessor's
warranties  and  representations  contained in this lease are  inaccurate in any
respect, or in the event that Lessee shall otherwise be dissatisfied in Lessee's
sole discretion, with such commitment, Lessee shall have the right to cancel and
terminate this Lease by giving notice of such  cancellation  and  termination to
Lessor,  and upon the giving of such notice,  Lessor shall immediately return to
Lessee any  additional  rent paid by Lessee  pursuant to any  provision  of this
lease,  this lease shall be thereby  cancelled and terminated,  and Lessee shall
have no further obligations hereunder;  provided,  however, that if Lessee shall
<PAGE>
fail to exercise  such right of  cancellation  within  sixty (60) days after the
date of  execution  of this lease,  Lessee  shall have no right to the return of
additional rent paid by Lessee by reason of Lessee's  cancellation of this lease
pursuant to this Article 7 (but nothing herein shall limit Lessee's right to the
return of such  additional  rent if Lessee shall cancel and terminate this lease
pursuant  to another  provision  of this  lease so  providing).  Lessee's  title
insurance commitment shall be solely for Lessee's own purposes, and neither such
commitment, nor any failure of Lessee to obtain a commitment, nor any failure of
Lessee to cancel and  terminate  this Lease  pursuant  to this  Article 7, shall
relieve  Lessor  of any  of its  obligations,  warranties,  representations  and
covenants  under this  lease.  If the Lessee  fails to obtain a title  insurance
policy  within the said sixty (60) days,  Lessee  waives any objection to title,
and  thereafter  shall not be  entitled  to  terminate  this  Lease  under  this
subdivision (c).

     (d) PERMITS.  Lessor and Lessee  acknowledge  that the land description and
site plan  attached  hereto as Exhibit A depicts the  Demised  Premises as being
developed with a masonry and steel frame bank building (the "Bank Building") and
appurtenant  parking  areas.  Lessor  agrees that  anything in this lease to the
contrary notwithstanding, Lessee shall not have the right to modify the size and
location of the Bank  Building  and  parking  area  without the express  written
approval of Lessor,  whose approval shall not be  unreasonably  nor  arbitrarily
withheld,  and subject to the approvals of all governmental  authorities  having
jurisdiction and the minimum parking space size requirements pursuant to Article
7(g) hereinafter set forth. Lessee shall obtain at its own cost and expenses any
and all permits,  licenses and approvals from any  governmental  authority which
may be required to construct said Bank Building and adjacent  parking lot within
the Demised Premises.

     (e)  LESSOR'S  WARRANTIES.  Lessor  warrants  and  represents,  upon  which
warranty and representation Lessee has relied in the execution of this lease,

     (1) that  Lessor  has  obtained  all  governmental  licenses,  permits  and
approvals  necessary  for Lessor to perform the  Lessor's  Site Work  ("Lessor's
Permits"), and all of the Lessor's Permits are in effect;

     (2) that none of the  Lessor's  Permits  are  subject to any  challenge  or
appeal and all periods  within  which any such  challenge  or appeal may be made
have expired, and

     (3) that all conditions and  requirements  imposed by the Lessor's  Permits
will be satisfied by completion of the Lessor's Site Work in accordance with the
terms of this lease,

     (4) that the Demised Premises have direct access to electric, telephone and
sewer lines  within five (5) feet to the  Demised  Premises  and that Lessor has
obtained all necessary permits from any governmental  agency having jurisdiction
thereunder  for direct  access to and from the  public  highways  adjoining  the
Demised Premises as shown in Exhibit B. Lessor covenants and agrees that it will
not cause the Demised  Premises to be  disconnected  from any  necessary  public
utility during the term of this Lease.
<PAGE>
     (5)  Lessor is the fee owner of the land  which  constitutes  the  Lessor's
property  free and clear of all defects,  encumbrances  and  restrictions  which
would  prevent or interfere  with the use of the Demised  Premises for a bank or
other financial institution.

     (6) Lessor and any person executing this Lease in a representative capacity
has the full right and  authority  to execute  the Lease for the term and in the
manner and upon the conditions and provisions contained herein.

     (7) That on and after the date hereof,  the Demised Premises shall continue
to be zoned for retail banking and business purposes.

     (f) SIGNS.  Lessee may not erect any signage  without  the express  written
approval of the Lessor,  which approval will not be unreasonably  withheld.  Any
signage  approved by the Lessor  will be at  Lessee's  sole cost and expense and
subject to and in conformity with all application laws, rule and ordinances.

     (g) PARKING  SPACES.  Lessee shall provide a minimum of 4.5 parking  spaces
for standard  size  automobiles  per each one  thousand  square foot of building
space.  In  addition,  the  Lessor  will  designate  not less than  twelve  (12)
additional  employee  parking spaces for automobiles  within the Common Areas as
shown on Exhibit B.

     (h) WELL.  Lessee at its own cost and expense will be  responsible to drill
its own well.

          8. REMODELING AND EXPANSION RIGHTS

     The parties hereto  acknowledge that in addition to the Bank Building being
constructed  by the  Lessee  the Lessor is  developing  the  balance of the real
estate as a small shopping center ( the "Shopping Center").

     Lessor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, at all times, and from
time to time  throughout  the Lease Term,  without  incurring  any  liability to
Lessee and without it constituting an eviction, to:

     (a)  CHANGE  SIZE OF  LAYOUT.  Change the area,  appearance,  size,  level,
location,  and/or  arrangement  of the  Shopping  Center  or any  part  thereof.
However,  Lessor may not change the  entrances  and exits to and from the public
highways as shown upon Exhibit B nor the entrances and exits to the common areas
as shown thereon without prior written consent of the Lessee, whose consent will
not be unreasonably nor arbitrarily withheld. The provisions of this subdivision
shall not apply to any changes that are required by governmental authority.

     (b) BUILDING NEW  BUILDINGS  AND  STRUCTURES.  Construct  other  buildings,
structures,  or  improvements  in the common areas and elsewhere in the Shopping
Center  (including,  without  limitation,  construction  of kiosks in the common
areas), and make alterations and additions thereto,  or rearrangements  thereof,
demolish parts thereof, build additional stories on any building in the Shopping
Center  (and for such  purposes  to  construct  and erect  columns  and  support
<PAGE>
facilities in any building),  and construct  additional  buildings or facilities
adjoining or proximate to the Shopping Center;

         (c) EXPAND OR ALTER PARKING AREA. Expand,  reduce, or alter the parking
areas in any manner whatsoever including,  without limitation,  the construction
of multiple-deck,  elevated,  or underground parking  facilities,  providing the
Lessee shall be given alternate employee parking;

     (d)  RELOCATE  BUILDINGS.  Relocate or  rearrange  the  various  buildings,
parking areas, and other parts of the Shopping Center;

     (e) ADD PIPES  AND  COLUMNS.  Make  changes  and  additions  to the  pipes,
conduits,  and ducts or other structural and nonstructural  installations in the
premises  where  desirable to serve the common  areas and other  premises in the
Shopping  Center or to  facilitate  the  expansion or alteration of the Shopping
Center (including,  without limitation, the construction and erection of columns
and support facilities);

     (f) ADD  ADDITIONAL  LAND.  Add  additional  real  property to the Shopping
Center; and

     (g) TEMPORARILY BLOCK COMMON AREAS.  Temporarily  obstruct or close off the
Common Areas or any parts thereof for the purpose of maintenance  upon condition
that any maintenance of the Common Areas shall not totally  restrict the ingress
and egress to the Demised Premises or the employee parking.

          9. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

     Lessee, at all times during the Lease Term and at Lessee's  expense,  shall
put,  keep,  replace  and  maintain  in good order and  appearance,  the Demised
Premises,  and  all  Improvements  now or  hereafter  located  thereon,  and all
facilities and equipment thereon, and the adjoining sidewalks, curbs, vaults and
vault space, if any, parking lot, streets and ways, and all appurtenances to the
Demised  Premises,  and  in  such  condition  as may be  required  by all  Legal
Requirements and Insurance  Requirements,  and promptly shall make all necessary
or appropriate repairs,  replacements and renewals thereof,  whether interior or
exterior, structural or nonstructural, ordinary or extraordinary, or foreseen or
unforeseen. All repairs, replacements and renewals shall be equal in quality and
class to the original  work.  Lessee  waives any right created by any law now or
hereafter in force to make repairs to the Demised Premises at Lessor's expense.

          10. COMMON AREA MAINTENANCE

10.1 DEFINITION:

     As used in this lease the  designation  "Common Area" means all portions of
the Shopping Center, except those portions now or hereafter covered by buildings
as and when they are so covered.  The Common  Area  facilities  of the  Shopping
Center shall be deemed to include, without limitation, all of the following:
<PAGE>
all parking areas in the Shopping Center together with such aisles,  approaches,
access areas, driveways,  entrances, exits, malls, sidewalks,  roadways, loading
areas, service roads, lighting facilities,  drainage facilities,  paving, curbs,
culverts,  surfacing,  landscaping,  grading,  directional  and shopping  center
signs,  marking of the parking area, plumbing system,  sewer and sewage disposal
systems,  water  supply  lines,  sprinkler  lines and other  service and utility
lines,  pipes,  and  installations of every kind erected within the Common Area,
whether on, in, to, under or above same,  serving the  buildings in the Shopping
Center, all of the foregoing as may from time to time, exist in, on, to under or
above the Common Area of the Shopping  Center,  and any plantings and landscaped
areas which  Lessor  and/or  Lessee may,  from time to time,  construct  thereon
and/or thereto.

     Lessor covenants and agrees with Lessee as follows:

     (a)  Subject to  Lessor's  right of access as  provided  for in this Lease,
Lessee and all those having business with it shall have the  nonexclusive  right
to use the access area and all of the Common Area  facilities in common with the
other Lessees and occupants of the Shopping Center and their agents,  employees,
invitees and those having  business with them,  together with Lessor's rights of
access as aforesaid.

     (b)  Neither  Lessor nor  Lessee  shall  permit the use of the Common  Area
facilities by any person,  firm or corporation  other than those occupying space
in the Shopping  Center or Demised  Premises  and their  agents,  employees  and
invitees and those having  business with them therein,  and other than Lessor in
accordance with its rights and/or obligations under this lease.

     (c) Except as otherwise  specifically  provided in this lease,  the parties
hereto shall not by way of construction,  alteration or otherwise,  do or permit
anything  to be done in the Common  Area as shown upon  Exhibit  B,  which:  (i)
obstructs the free passage of vehicles and  pedestrians in the Common Area; (ii)
obstructs,  or changes the exit(s) and entrance(s) of the Shopping Center to and
from the adjacent streets as provided by Lessor in its construction work, except
as may be duly required by governmental authority.

     (d)  Lessor  and  Lessee  shall  have  mutual  nonexclusive   easements  or
rights-of-way for purposes of ingress and egress to the Demised Premises and the
Shopping  Center  from  New York  State  Route  28 and  over  and  across  their
respective properties.

10.2  LESSEE PAYMENTS:

     In addition  to the minimum  rent  provided in Article 2  hereinabove,  and
commencing on the date that any rent commences under this Lease, or the date the
Lessee  has the right to take  possession  of the  Demised  Premises,  whichever
occurs  first,  Less shall pay to Lessor,  Lessee's  proportionate  share of the
following items:
<PAGE>
A.  COMMON AREA MAINTENANCE.

     Lessee  shall be  responsible  for its  proportionate  share of common area
maintenance  costs  in  proportion  to the  number  of  square  feet of the Bank
Building in relations to the total number of square feet of the buildings in the
Shopping Center (including the Bank Building).  Common Area costs means all sums
expended by Lessor for the maintenance, repair, replacement and operation of the
Common Areas including costs for Lessor's  supervisions of maintenance,  repair,
replacement  and  operation  of the  Common  Areas.  For  the  purpose  of  this
subdivision,  Common Areas  excludes  the existing  area under lease to Martin's
Foods of  Burlington,  Inc.,  which lie  adjacent  and to the west of the common
access entrance road. In addition,  Common Area Maintenance excludes the initial
capital  expenditures  to develop the  Shopping  Center.  Cost for  maintenance,
repair,  replacement  and  operation of the common areas shall  include  without
limitations, costs of resurfacing,  repainting,  restriping,  cleaning, sweeping
and other maintenance services,  policing,  security guards or security patrols,
purchase, construction and maintenance or repair of refuse receptacles, planting
and  relandscaping,  stop lights and  directional  signs and other markers,  car
stops, lighting and other utilities,  drainage, storm water lines, fountains and
other  equipment  serving the property on which the Shopping Center and the Bank
Building  or any part  thereof is  constructed,  such fees as may be paid to any
third  party in  connection  with  such  maintenance,  repair,  replacement  and
operation and other costs  necessary in Lessor's  judgment for the  maintenance,
repair, replacement and operation of the Common Areas. Lessee shall also pay for
its proportionate share of any parking charges,  utility surcharges or any other
costs levied,  assessed or imposed by or at the direction of, or resulting  from
statutes  or  regulations  or  interpretations   thereof,   promulgated  by  any
governmental  authority in  connection  with the use or occupancy of the Demised
Premises or Shopping Center or the parking facilities serving the same.

B.  LESSEE TO PAY TAXES.

     For each lease year  during the Term of this  lease,  Lessee  shall pay, as
Additional Rent, its Proportionate  Share of all real estate taxes,  general and
special assessment,  water rents, rates and charges,  sewer rents, and all other
governmental impositions and charges or every kind and nature,  extraordinary as
well as ordinary,  and any taxes in lieu of the foregoing  real estate taxes and
assessments,  as  hereinafter  provided,  all of which are  referred to below as
"Taxes,"  levied or  assessed  by the  governmental  authorities  upon the land,
building  and or other  improvements  constituting  the  Demised  Premises.  For
purposes of this  subdivision  the real estate  taxes are those which are solely
attributable to the Demised  Premises.  Such taxes shall be paid at least twenty
(20)  days  prior to the last day upon  which the same may be paid  without  any
interest,  penalty,  fine or costs being added for the late payment  thereof and
Lessee  shall  furnish  Lessor  with  copies  of the  official  receipts  of the
appropriate  taxing  authority.  Within  thirty  days  from the  receipt  of the
official tax bills from the taxing  authorities,  Lessor shall submit  copies to
the Lessee together with a statement setting forth the amount of taxes for which
Lessee is  obligated  to pay. If Lessee has  overpaid  any amount,  Lessor shall
refund (or at  Lessee's  option,  credit  Lessee's  account  for) such amount of
overpayment.  If Lessee  has  underpaid,  it shall pay the  amount due to Lessor
within  fourteen (14) days of receipt of notice of same. In connection  with its
<PAGE>
construction  project,  Lessee  shall be  entitled  to avail  itself  of the tax
exemptions granted under Section 485-B of the New York State Tax Law.

C.  CERTAIN TAXES EXCLUDED

     Lessee shall not be chargeable  with, nor obligated to pay, by the terms of
this lease any income tax,  inheritance tax, devolution tax, gift tax, franchise
tax,  corporate tax, gross receipts tax, tax on the business of Lessor,  capital
levy or estate  tax which may be at any time  levied  or  assessed  against,  or
become a lien upon the Demised Premises or the rents payable hereunder, it being
the intent hereof that Lessee shall be liable  hereunder for the payment of only
its  Proportionate  Share of Taxes as are assessed  against the Demised Premises
outlined in Exhibit A hereof, inclusive of the building and improvements thereon
as such; provided,  however,  that if at any time during the term of this lease,
the present method of taxation or assessment  shall be so changed that the whole
or any part of the taxes now levied,  assessed or imposed on real estate and the
buildings and improvements thereon shall in lieu thereof be imposed, assessed or
levied  wholly  or  partially  as a  capital  levy or  otherwise  upon the rents
reserved  herein or any part  thereof or as a tax,  corporation  franchise  tax,
assessment,  levy or charge or any part thereof,  measured by or based, in whole
or in part upon the  Demised  Premises  or on the rents  derived  therefrom  and
imposed upon Lessor, then Lessee shall pay all such taxes or the part thereof so
measured or based to the extent  that any such  change in the present  method of
taxation or assessment relieves the Lessee from the payment of such taxes on the
real  estate as they are now known,  together  with any  interest  or  penalties
lawfully imposed upon the late payment thereof; provided, further, however, that
Lessee shall not in any event be  obligated to pay in respect  thereof any taxes
or charges in an amount in excess of the amount  which  would have been  payable
had the rents upon which such tax or excise was  imposed  been the sole  taxable
income,  or the Demised Premises the sole asset, of Lessor for the relevant year
in question.

D.  TENANT'S FAILURE TO BRING PROCEEDING

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereinbefore contained in this
Article 10 or in Article  14, if Lessee  shall fail to  commence  all  available
application(s)  and/or  proceeding(s)  and/or  appeal(s)  to  obtain  a  review,
abatement,  refuted or other form of  reduction  of the Taxes by sixty (60) days
prior  to  the  statutory   expiration  date  for  such  application(s)   and/or
proceedings(s)  and/or appeal(s)  and/or shall fail to diligently  prosecute the
same if  commenced,  then Lessor shall have the right but not the  obligation to
commence and/or prosecute such  application(s),  proceeding(s)  and/or appeal(s)
not so commenced  and/or  prosecuted,  as the case may be, in its name and/or in
the name of Lessee and/or such other party(ies) as Lessor deems appropriate, and
if Lessor shall be successful in obtaining any such  abatement,  refund or other
form of  reduction  of such Taxes,  then it shall pay to Lessee its  appropriate
share in the same proportion as Lessee's  liability for such Taxes,  pursuant to
this Article 10, less all of Lessor's  reasonable costs and expenses,  including
attorney's  fees,  in connection  with such  application(s),  proceeding(s)  and
appeal(s),  and if the abatement refund or other form of reduction shall be paid
directly  to Lessee,  then Lessee  shall  promptly  pay to Lessor such  portions
thereof as may exceed Lessee's share, plus all of Lessor's  reasonable costs and
<PAGE>
expenses,  including  attorney's  fees, in connection with such  application(s),
proceeding(s) and/or appeal(s).

E.  INSURANCE COSTS

     Lessee shall pay its  proportionate  share of all insurance  costs covering
the Common Areas of the Demised Premises and the Shopping Center.

F.  PAYMENT

     On or before the date the Lessee  has the right to take  possession  of the
Demised  Premises,  Lessor shall submit to Lessee a statement of the anticipated
monthly expenses for the period between the commencement date and the end of the
calendar year.  Lessee shall pay such anticipated  charges on a pro rata monthly
basis  concurrent  with the payment of rent.  Lessee shall continue to make such
monthly  payments  until  notified by Lessor of a change  thereof.  Lessor shall
furnish to Lessee prior to the date Lessee has the right to take  possession  of
the Demised  Premises and  thereafter on the first day of each calendar  year, a
statement  showing the total  Common Area  maintenance  charges  incurred by the
Lessor,  setting forth with such  particularity  as the Lessee may require,  the
nature of the charge,  the vendor,  the amount incurred,  etc. Lessee's share of
the total  charges for the prior  calendar  year and the payments made by Lessee
with respect to such calendar year, within sixty (60) days after the end of each
calendar year,  covering the calendar year just ended. If Lessee's share of such
charges for the calendar year exceeds the payments made by Lessee,  Lessee shall
pay  Lessor  the  deficiency  within  thirty  (30)  days  after  receipt  of the
statement.  If Lessee's  payments made during the calendar year exceed  Lessee's
share of  reimbursements,  Lessor shall credit the sum of such excess toward the
monthly  charges next coming due. The actual  costs of the prior  calendar  year
shall  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  calculating  the   anticipated   monthly
reimbursements for the then current year.

          11. ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS

     If not at the time in default  under this Lease,  with the express  written
approval of Lessor, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld,  Lessee at
Lessee's expense may make reasonable alterations of and additions to the Demised
Premises,  provided that any alteration or addition shall not change the general
character of the Demised Premises, or reduce the fair market value thereof below
its value  immediately  before  such  alteration  or  addition,  or  impair  the
usefulness of the Demised  Premises,  is effected with due diligence,  in a good
and  workmanlike  manner  and in  compliance  with all  Legal  Requirements  and
Insurance Requirements and is promptly and fully paid for by Lessee.

     The title to all additions,  repairs and  replacements to any  Improvements
shall be subject to Article 7 of this lease.
<PAGE>
          12. COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS

     Subject to Article 14 relating to contests, Lessee, at all times during the
Lease Term and at Lessee's expense,  promptly and diligently shall:  comply with
all Legal  Requirements  and Insurance  Requirements,  whether or not compliance
therewith shall require structural changes in the Improvements or interfere with
the use and enjoyment of the Demised  Premises or any part thereof;  comply with
any instruments of record at the time affecting the Demised Premises or any part
thereof  including  the  restrictions  listed in Exhibit E hereto;  and procure,
maintain  and  comply  with  all  permits,   licenses,   franchises   and  other
authorizations  required for any use of the Demised Premises or any part thereof
then being  made,  including  without  limitation  all  permits,  licenses,  and
franchises  which  Lessee  is  required  to  obtain  for  the  proper  erection,
installation,  operation or maintenance of the Bank Building and Improvements or
Lessee's Equipment or any part thereof.

     From time to time at the  request of  Lessor,  Lessee at  Lessee's  expense
shall execute,  file and record such  certificates  of compliance,  continuation
statements,  and other documents and  certificates,  and shall pay such fees and
comply  with such laws and  regulations,  as are  necessary  or  appropriate  to
preserve and protect any right of Lessor under this Lease. Only upon the written
request of Lessor,  Lessee shall  furnish to Lessor an opinion  satisfactory  to
Lessor, of counsel  satisfactory to Lessor, with respect to the adequacy of such
filings and recording.

         Lessee  shall not permit all or any part of the Demised  Premises to be
availed  of  to  qualify  for  fulfillment  of  any  municipal  or  governmental
requirements  for the  construction  or  maintenance  of any  buildings or other
improvements  on property  other than the Demised  Premises,  and no building or
other  improvement  constructed  on the  Demised  Premises  shall  rely on other
property  not  demised  hereunder  in order to qualify  for  fulfillment  of any
governmental  requirements.  Lessee  shall  not by act or  omission  impair  the
integrity  of the Demised  Premises as a zoning lot or lots  separate  and apart
from all other  property.  Any attempt by Lessee to take any action  which would
violate any provision of this paragraph shall be null and void.

          During any period of the Lease Term when any perimeter  portion of the
Demised  Premises  shall be unimproved by any  structure,  wall,  fence or gate,
Lessee shall  prevent the same from being used by the public,  as such,  without
restriction  or in such  manner as might  tend to impair  Lessor's  title to the
Demised  Premises  or any part  thereof,  or in such  manner as might  create an
enforceable  claim or claims of adverse use or possession  by the public,  or of
implied  dedication of the Demised Premises or any part thereof.  Such perimeter
portion of the Demised  Premises so  unimproved at all times shall be subject to
such rules or directions as Lessor from time to time may make or give in writing
with  respect to the  maintenance  and use  thereof,  consistent  with  Lessor's
protection  against  a claim  or  claims  of the  public.  All  such  rules  and
directions  so made or given  shall be deemed to be and become  incorporated  in
this Lease by  reference  and shall be  complied  with and  performed  fully and
promptly by Lessee at Lessee's expense.  Lessee hereby  acknowledges that Lessor
<PAGE>
does not hereby consent, expressly or by implication, to the unrestricted use or
possession of any portion of the Demised Premises by the public.

          13. LIENS

     Lessee shall not directly or  indirectly  create or permit to be created or
to  remain,  and  shall  discharge,   any  mortgage,  lien,  security  interest,
encumbrance  or charge  on,  pledge of or  conditional  sale or other  retention
agreement  with respect to the Demised  Premises or any part  thereof,  Lessee's
interest  therein,  or any Fixed Rent or other Rent  payable  under this  Lease,
other  than:  liens for  Impositions  not yet  payable,  or payable  without the
addition  of any  fine,  penalty,  interest  or cost  for  nonpayment,  or being
contested as permitted in Article 14 hereof; the Permitted Encumbrances; and the
liens of mechanics,  materialmen,  suppliers vendors, or right thereto, incurred
in the ordinary course of business for sums which under the terms of the related
contract  are not at the time due,  provided  that  adequate  provision  for the
payment  thereof shall have been made and provisions of the following  paragraph
are complied with.

     If, in  connection  with any work being  performed  by or for Lessee or any
subtenant or in connection  with any materials  being furnished to Lessee or any
subtenant,  any  mechanic's  lien or other lien or charge shall be filed or made
against the Demised Premises or any part thereof,  or if any such lien or charge
shall be filed or made against Lessor, then Lessee, at Lessee's expense,  within
thirty days after such lien or charge shall have been filed or made, shall cause
the same to be canceled and discharged of record by payment  thereof or filing a
bond or otherwise.  Lessee promptly and diligently shall defend any suit, action
or proceeding  which may be brought for the  enforcement of such lien or charge;
shall satisfy and discharge any judgment entered therein within thirty days from
the entering of such judgment by payment  thereof or filing a bond or otherwise;
and on demand shall pay all damages,  costs and expenses,  including  reasonable
attorneys' fees, suffered or incurred by Lessor in connection therewith.

     Nothing  contained in this Lease shall constitute any consent or request by
Lessor,  express or implied, for the performance of any labor or services or the
furnishing of any materials or other property in respect of the Demised Premises
or any part  thereof,  nor as giving  Lessee any right,  power or  authority  to
contract  for  or  permit  the  performance  of any  labor  or  services  or the
furnishing of any  materials or other  property in any fashion that would permit
the filing or making of any lien or claim against Lessor.

          14. PERMITTED CONTESTS

     Lessee,  at Lessee's  expense,  after prior written  notice to Lessor,  may
contest,  by appropriate legal proceedings  conducted in good faith and with due
diligence,  the amount or validity or  application,  in whole or in part, of any
real  estate  taxes  assessed   against  the  Demised   Premises  or  any  legal
requirement,  provided  that:  Lessee shall first make all  contested  payments,
under  protest if Lessee  desires,  unless such  proceedings  shall  suspend the
collection  thereof  from Lessor,  from any Rent and from the Demised  Premises;
<PAGE>
neither the Demised Premises,  nor any part thereof or interest therein, nor any
Rent would be in any danger of being sold,  forfeited,  lost or interfered with;
in the case of a Legal  Requirement,  Lessor  would not be in any  danger of any
additional  civil or criminal  liability for failure to comply therewith and the
Demised  Premises would not be subject to the imposition of any lien as a result
of such failure;  and Lessee shall have furnished such security,  if any, as may
be reasonably requested by Lessor.

     Prior to any real estate tax being contested becoming due, and from time to
time  thereafter  until payment thereof shall be made or shall be determined not
to be payable by the appropriate body having jurisdiction,  Lessee shall deposit
and maintain with Lessor an amount of money,  or other security  satisfactory to
Lessor,  sufficient  to pay the items so  contested  or intended to be contested
together  with the interest and  penalties  thereon which may accrue during such
contest,  which  amount  shall be held by Lessor and may be applied by Lessor to
the  payment of such items,  interest  and  penalties,  when  finally  fixed and
determined.  If the amount deposited with Lessor shall exceed the amount of such
items,  and any interest and penalties,  any excess  remaining in Lessor's hands
after the payment thereof shall be returned to Lessee.  At any time, prior to or
during any such contest,  Lessor,  after written  notice to Lessee,  may pay and
apply said money,  or so much thereof as may be required,  to the payment of any
Impositions,  interest and penalties which, in Lessor's judgment, should be paid
to prevent the sale of the Demised  Premises or any part  thereof or of the lien
created thereby,  or to prevent the commencement of any action of foreclosure or
otherwise,  by the  holder of any such lien.  To the  extent  that the amount of
money so  deposited  with  Lessor  shall be  insufficient  fully to satisfy  and
discharge any such Imposition,  and interest and penalties  thereon,  Lessor may
pay  the  same  and  the  deficiency  so  paid by  Lessor  shall  be and  become
immediately due and payable by Lessee to Lessor, as additional rent.

          15. UTILITY SERVICES

     (a)  Lessee  shall  pay all  charges  for all  public  or  private  utility
services,  including but not limited to electric, natural gas, telephone, sewer,
refuse  removal  and  snow  and ice  removal,  and  all  sprinkler  systems  and
protection  services at any time rendered to or in  connection  with the Demised
Premises or any part thereof;  shall comply with all  contracts  relating to any
such services;  and shall do all other things  required for the  maintenance and
continuance of all such services.

     (b) Lessee  shall  indemnity  and save Lessor  harmless  against all costs,
expenses,  liabilities,  losses, damages,  suits, fines,  penalties,  claims and
demands,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees because of Lessee's  failure to
comply  with the  foregoing  and  Lessee  shall  not call  upon  Lessor  for any
disbursement or outlay whatsoever in connection therewith,  and hereby expressly
releases and discharges  Lessor of and from any liability  therefor,  except for
Lessor negligence and as may be otherwise provided in this lease.
<PAGE>
          16. INSURANCE

     Lessee, at all times during the Lease Term and at Lessee's  expense,  shall
provide and maintain in full force and effect with insurers  approved by Lessor:
(a) insurance with respect to the Bank Building and Improvements against loss or
damage by fire,  lightning,  windstorm,  hail,  explosion,  riot, riot attending
strike, civil commotion,  aircraft, vehicles, smoke and other risks from time to
time included under "extended coverage" policies, in an amount equal to at least
100% of the full replacement value of the  Improvements,  and in any event in an
amount  sufficient to prevent  Lessor or Lessee from becoming a coinsurer of any
loss under  applicable  policies,  which shall be written on a replacement  cost
basis;  (b) public  liability and property damage  insurance  protecting  Lessor
against any and all liability occasioned by negligence,  occurrence, accident or
disaster  in or  about  the  Demised  Premises  or  any  part  thereof,  or  the
Improvements now or hereafter erected thereon,  or adjoining  sidewalks,  curbs,
vaults and vault space, if any, streets or ways, or any  appurtenances  thereto,
in  amounts  approved  from time to time by  Lessor,  which  amounts at the date
hereof shall be, in the case of public  liability,  $1,000,000.00 per person and
$3,000,000.00  aggregate, and in the case of property damage,  $500,000.00;  (c)
explosion  insurance  in respect of any steam and  pressure  boilers and similar
apparatus  located on the Demised Premises in amounts approved by Lessor,  which
amount at the date hereof shall be $500,000.00; (d) insurance against such other
hazards  and in such  amounts as is  customarily  carried by prudent  owners and
operators of similar  properties,  and as Lessor reasonably may request.  Lessee
shall comply with such other requirements as Lessor from time to time reasonably
may request for the protection by insurance of Lessor's interests.

     All insurance  maintained by Lessee  pursuant to this Article 16: (a) shall
name Lessor and Lessee as insured, as their respective interests may appear, and
shall  include an  effective  waiver by the issuer of all rights of  subrogation
against any named insured or such insured's  interest in the Demised Premises or
any income derived  therefrom;  (b) shall provide,  except in the case of public
liability and workers' compensation insurance,  that insurance proceeds shall be
payable to Lessor for the  benefit of Lessor  and  Lessee,  as their  respective
interests  may appear;  (c) shall  provide  that no  cancellation,  reduction in
amount or material change in coverage  thereof shall be effective until at least
ten days after receipt by Lessor and Lessee of written notice  thereof;  (d) any
deductible  shall not be greater than $5,000;  in the event Lessee increases its
deductible during the term or any renewals,  it shall be in an amount reasonably
satisfactory  to Lessor,  and (e) shall be satisfactory in all other respects to
Lessor  acting  reasonably.  Any such  insurance,  at  Lessee's  option,  may be
provided through a blanket policy or policies in form and substance satisfactory
to Lessor,  provided such policies  shall  provide in a manner  satisfactory  to
Lessor for specific  allocation to the Demised Premises of the coverage afforded
by such  blanket  policy or  policies,  and  provided  further that such blanket
policy or policies  give to Lessor no less  protection  than that which would be
afforded by separate policies.

          Upon the execution of this Lease and  thereafter not less than fifteen
days prior to the  expiration  date of any  policy  delivered  pursuant  to this
Article 16, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor the originals of all policies  or
<PAGE>
renewal policies,  as the case may be, required by this Lease, bearing notations
evidencing the payment of the premiums  therefor.  In lieu of any such policies,
Lessee  may  deliver   certificates  of  the  insurer,  in  form  and  substance
satisfactory to Lessor,  as to the issuance and  effectiveness  of such policies
and the  amounts of coverage  afforded  thereby,  accompanied  by copies of such
policies.

     If at any  time  Lessee  shall  neglect  or fail  to  provide  or  maintain
insurance or to deliver  insurance  policies in accordance with this Article 16,
Lessor may effect such insurance as agent for Lessee,  by taking out policies in
companies  selected  by  Lessor,  and the amount of the  premiums  paid for such
insurance  shall be paid by Lessee to Lessor on demand.  Lessor,  in addition to
Lessor's other rights and remedies,  shall be entitled to recover as damages for
any  breach of this  Article  16 the  uninsured  amount of any loss,  liability,
damage,  claim, costs and expenses suffered or incurred by Lessor, and shall not
be limited in the proof of damages to the amount of the  insurance  premium  not
paid by Lessee for such insurance.

     The Lessor and Lessee  hereby waive all rights of action  against the other
for any loss, cost,  damage, or expense resulting from fire,  explosion,  or any
other casualty or occurrence  incurred by either,  which loss, cost,  damage, or
expense is then covered in whole or in part by insurance maintained, or required
to be  maintained  pursuant  to this Lease,  and each party  waives any right of
subrogation  that  might  otherwise  exist in or accrue to any person on account
thereof.

     Lessor agrees to procure  public  liability and property  damage  insurance
protecting  Lessee  against  any and all  liability  occasioned  by  negligence,
occurrence,  accident  or  disaster  in or about the  Common  Areas of which the
Demised  Premises  form a part in an amount which shall be in the case of public
liability  $1,000,000.00 per person and $3,000,000.00  aggregate and in the case
of property  damage,  $500,000.00,  naming the Lessee as a party assured  within
such  coverage and the policy shall provide that no  cancellation,  reduction in
amount or material change in coverage shall be effective until at least ten days
after the receipt by Lessee of written notice  thereof and such insurance  shall
continue during the term of the Lease and all renewals.

          17. RECIPROCAL INDEMNIFICATION

     From and after delivery of possession of the Demised Premises to Lessee and
thereafter throughout the Term of this Lease, Lessee shall defend, indemnify and
save Lessor  harmless from all loss,  claim or damage arising from injury to any
person  or  property  while in,  on or about  any part of the  Demised  Premises
(unless occasioned by the negligence of Lessor, its employees, agents, licensees
or contractors) arising, directly or indirectly out of the business conducted in
the  Demised  Premises  or  arising,  directly  or  indirectly,  from any act or
omission  of  Lessee  or any  licensee,  concessionaire  or  subtenant  or their
respective agents, servants,  employees or contractors, and from and against any
and all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with any claim or
proceeding brought thereon.
<PAGE>
     From and after delivery of possession of the Demised Premises to Lessee and
thereafter throughout the Term of this Lease, Lessor shall defend, indemnify and
save Lessee  harmless from all loss,  claim or damage arising from injury to any
person or  property  while in,  on or about any part of the  Shopping  Center or
Common Areas (unless  occasioned by the  negligence  of Lessee,  its  employees,
agents,  licensees or  contractors)  arising,  directly or indirectly out of the
business  conducted in the Shopping Center or Common Areas or arising,  directly
or   indirectly,   from  any  act  or  omission  of  Lessor  or  any   licensee,
concessionaire or subtenant or their respective agents,  servants,  employees or
contractors,  and from and against any and all costs,  expenses and  liabilities
incurred in connection with any claim or proceeding brought thereon.

          18. DAMAGE TO OR DESTRUCTION OF THE DEMISED PREMISES

     If there is any material  damage to or destruction of the Demised  Premises
or any part  thereof,  Lessee  promptly  shall give  written  notice  thereof to
Lessor,   generally   describing  the  nature  and  extent  of  such  damage  or
destruction.

     In the event  that,  at any time  during the term of this  Lease,  the Bank
Building  erected by Lessee  upon the Demised  Premises  shall be  destroyed  or
damaged, in whole or in part, by fire or other casualty,  Lessee shall promptly,
at its own cost and expense,  either repair and restore the damaged  building in
accordance  with the original  plans and  specifications,  or revised  plans and
specifications prepared by Lessee that shall not enlarge the exterior dimensions
of the  Bank  Building  and  drive-through  facilities,  and  any  extension  or
enlargement,  shall be upon the prior  written  consent of the Lessor that shall
not be  unreasonably  or  arbitrarily  withheld or may  demolish and remove said
damaged  buildings from the Demised  Premises and fill any cellar holes,  remove
all rubble, and seed and grade the Demised Premises. Lessee will not be entitled
to any suspension or abatement of rent by reason of any destruction or damage to
the buildings and improvements upon the Demised Premises.

     All insurance  proceeds received on account of damages to or destruction of
the Demised  Premises  shall be payable to Lessee who shall apply the  proceeds:
(i) in the case of  repair  or  restoration  of the  building  erected  upon the
Demised  Premises,  to the cost of such repair or restoration with any resulting
balance to be retained by Lessee;  (ii) in the case of  demolition or removal of
the building erected upon the Demised Premises,  such proceeds shall be retained
by Lessee.

          19. TAKING OF THE DEMISED PREMISES

19.1  TOTAL TAKING:

     If there is a Taking of the fee of the entire Demised Premises,  other than
for a temporary  use, this Lease shall  terminate as of the date of such Taking.
In case of a Taking, other than for temporary use, or such perpetual easement on
the  entire  Demised  Premises,  or of such a  substantial  part of the  Demised
Premises, or the Lessor's Premises of which the Demised Premises form a part, as
<PAGE>
shall result,  in the good faith  judgment of Lessor and Lessee,  in the Demised
Premises  remaining after such Taking (even after  Restoration where made) being
unsuitable  for Lessee's use,  Lessee may terminate this Lease by written notice
to Lessor given within sixty (60) days after such Taking, as of a date specified
in such  notice  within  ninety (90) days after such  Taking.  Any Taking of the
Demised Premises of the character  referred to in this Article 19, which results
in the termination of this Lease, is referred to herein as a "Total Taking".

19.2   PARTIAL TAKING:

     If there is a Taking of the  Demised  Premises  other than a Total  Taking,
which )(a) renders the Demised Premises unusable in the Lessee's opinion for the
business  then being  conducted on the Demised  Premises,  or (b) results in the
Demised Premises being  permanently  deprived of direct  reasonable and adequate
ingress and egress to and from the  adjacent  public  streets,  then and in such
event, Lessee may at its election, terminate this Lease by giving Lessor written
notice of the exercise of Lessee's election within thirty (30) days after notice
of such taking.  In the event of  termination  by Lessee under the provisions of
this sub-article 19.2, this Lease shall terminate as of the date of such taking.

19.3   AWARDS:

     In the event of a Total or Partial  Taking that results in a termination of
this Lease pursuant to the provisions of this Article 19, the parties agree that
Lessor and Lessee may each pursue  independent  claims to the Taking  authority,
free and clear of any award that may otherwise be for the benefit of the other.

     In the event that any statute,  judicial decision,  or any other regulation
prohibits  or prevents  Lessor and Lessee  from  pursuing  separate  independent
claims,  then and in such event,  Lessor and Lessee agree that a singular  claim
shall be pursued against the Taking  authority in the name of the Lessor wherein
the  Lessor  shall  request  that the  Taking  authority,  as a  portion  of its
proceedings and decision, determine the percentage of such award attributable to
lessor's and Lessee's interests.

     Notwithstanding  any provision of this Article to the contrary,  Lessor and
Lessee may by agreement, settle any claim by an appropriate settlement agreement
between Lessor and Lessee and the Taking authority.

          20. QUIET ENJOYMENT

     Lessor covenants that so long as Lessee is not in default  hereunder in the
payment of any Rent or compliance  with or the  performance of any of the terms,
covenants or  conditions  of this Lease on Lessee's  part to be complied with or
performed,  Lessee shall peaceably and quietly have, hold,  occupy and enjoy the
Demised  Premises and all  appurtenances  thereto,  including  the Common Areas,
without hindrance or molestation.
<PAGE>
          21. RIGHT TO CURE LESSEE'S DEFAULT

     If Lessee  fails to make any payment or to comply with or perform any term,
covenant or condition of this Lease to be complied  with or performed by Lessee,
Lessor may,  but shall be under no  obligation  to, after thirty days' notice to
Lessee (or upon  shorter  notice,  or without  notice,  if  necessary to meet an
emergency  situation  or time  limitation  of a Legal  Requirement),  make  such
payment or perform or cause to be performed such work, labor, services,  acts or
things,  and take such other steps as Lessor may deem advisable,  to comply with
any such term,  covenant or condition which is in default.  Entry by Lessor upon
the Demised Premises for such purpose shall not waive or release Lessee from any
obligation or default  hereunder.  Lessee shall reimburse Lessor for all sums so
paid by Lessor and all costs and expenses  incurred by Lessor in connection with
the making of any payments,  the  performance of any act or other steps taken by
Lessor  pursuant to this  Article 21. This Article 21 does not apply to payments
of Fixed Rent or  Additional  rents to be paid by Lessee to Lessor  under  other
provisions of this Lease.

          22. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND TERMINATION

     If any one or more of the  following  events  ("Events of  Default")  shall
occur:

     (a) if Lessee shall fail to pay any Fixed Rent when as the same becomes due
and payable; or

     (b) if Lessee shall fail to pay any Rent,  other than Fixed Rent,  when and
as the same  becomes due and payable and such  failure  shall  continue for more
than ten days; or

     (c) if Lessee  shall fail to comply with or perform  any term,  covenant or
condition of Articles 9, 10, 12, 13 or 16, and such failure  shall  continue for
more than thirty days after Lessee receives  notice of such failure,  regardless
of the source of such notice; or

     (d) if Lessee shall fail to comply with or perform any other term, covenant
or condition  hereof,  and such failure shall continue for more than thirty days
after  notice  thereof from Lessor,  and Lessee  within said period,  subject to
Unavoidable  Delays,  shall not  commence  with due  diligence  and dispatch the
curing of such  default,  or,  having so  commenced,  thereafter  shall  fail or
neglect to prosecute or complete  with due  diligence and dispatch the curing of
such default for reasons other than Unavoidable Delays; or

     (e) if Lessee shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or shall  admit in writing  Lessee's  inability  to pay  Lessee's  debts as they
become due, or shall file a petition in  bankruptcy,  or shall be  adjudicated a
bankrupt or  insolvent,  or shall file a petition  seeking  any  reorganization,
arrangement,  composition,  readjustment,  liquidation,  dissolution  or similar
relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation,  or shall file an
answer  admitting,  or shall fail to  contest,  the  material  allegations  of a
petition filed against Lessee in any such  proceeding,  or shall seek or consent
to or acquiesce in the appointment of  any trustee, receiver  or liquidator of
<PAGE>
Lessee or any material part of Lessee's properties; or

     (f) if, within ninety days after the commencement of any proceeding against
Lessee  seeking  any  reorganization,  arrangement,  composition,  readjustment,
liquidation,  dissolution or similar relief under any present or future statute,
law or regulation,  such proceeding shall not have been dismissed, or if, within
ninety days after the appointment without the consent of acquiescence of Lessee,
of any trustee,  receiver or  liquidator  of Lessee or of any  material  part of
Lessee's properties,  such appointment shall not have been vacated; then, and in
any such Event of Default,  regardless of the pendency of any  proceeding  which
has or might have the effect of preventing Lessee from complying with the terms,
covenants or conditions of this Lease, Lessor, at any time thereafter may give a
written  termination  notice to Lessee, and on the date specified in such notice
this Lease  shall  terminate  and,  subject to Article  29, the Lease Term shall
expire and  terminate by  limitation,  and all rights of Lessee under this Lease
shall cease,  unless  before such date (i) all arrears of Rent and all costs and
expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  incurred by or on behalf of
Lessor hereunder, shall have been paid by Lessee, and (ii) all other defaults at
the time  existing  under this  Lease  shall  have been  fully  remedied  to the
satisfaction  of  Lessor.  Lessee  shall  reimburse  Lessor  for all  costs  and
expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  incurred by or on behalf of
Lessor  occasioned  by or in  connection  with any default by Lessee  under this
Lease.

          23. REPOSSESSION

     If an Event of  Default  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing,  Lessor,
whether or not the Lease Term shall have been terminated pursuant to Article 22,
may enter upon and repossess the Demised Premises or any part thereof by summary
proceedings, ejectment or otherwise, and may remove Lessee and all other persons
and any and all property therefrom.

          24. RELETTING

     At any time or from time to time  after  the  repossession  of the  Demised
Premises or any part  thereof  pursuant to Article 23,  whether or not the Lease
Term shall have been terminated pursuant to Article 22, Lessor may (but shall be
under no obligation to) re-let the Demised  Premises or any part thereof for the
account of  Lessee,  for such term or terms  (which may be greater  than or less
than the period which would otherwise have  constituted the balance of the Lease
Term) and on such  conditions  (which may include  concessions or free rent) and
for such uses as Lessor, in Lessor's absolute discretion, may determine, and may
collect and receive the rents therefrom.  Lessor,  at Lessor's option,  may make
such alterations and decorations in the Demised Premises as Lessor,  in Lessor's
sole  judgment,  considers  necessary or advisable for the purpose of re-letting
the Demised Premises or any part thereof, and the making of such alterations and
decorations  shall not  operate  or be  construed  to  release  Lessee  from any
liability  under this Lease.  Lessor shall not be  responsible or liable for any
<PAGE>
failure to re-let the Demised Premises or any part thereof or for any failure to
collect any rent due upon any such re-letting.

          25. MITIGATION OF DAMAGES

     (a) Commercially  Reasonable Efforts. Both Lessor and Lessee shall each use
commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate any damages resulting from a default
of the other party under this lease.

     (b) Criteria for Substitute Lessee. Lessor's obligation to mitigate damages
after a default by Lessee  under this  Lease  that  results in Lessor  regaining
possession  of all or part of the premises  shall be satisfied in full if Lessor
undertakes to lease the premises to another  Lessee (a  "Substitute  Lessee") in
accordance with the following criteria:

     1. Lessor shall have no  obligation  to solicit or  entertain  negotiations
with any other  prospective  Lessees for the premises  until Lessor obtains full
and complete possession of the premises including, without limitation, the final
and  nonappealable  legal  right to  re-let  the  premises  free of any claim of
Lessee.

     2. Lessor shall not be  obligated to offer the premises to any  prospective
Lessee when other premises in the Shopping Center suitable for that  prospective
Lessee's use are currently available, or will be available within the next three
months.

     3. Lessor  shall not be  obligated  to lease the  premises to a  Substitute
Lessee for a rental less than the current fair market rental then prevailing for
similar bank space in comparable  bank  buildings in the same market area as the
Bank Building.

     4. Lessor  shall not be obligated to enter into a new lease under terms and
conditions  that are  unacceptable to Lessor under Lessor's then current leasing
policies for comparable space in the Bank Building.

     5. Lessor  shall not be  obligated  to enter into a lease with any proposed
Substitute Lessee than does not have in Lessor's reasonable opinion,  sufficient
financial  resources  or  operating  experience  to operate  the  premises  in a
first-class manner.

     6.  Lessor  shall not be  required  to expend any amount of money to alter,
remodel,  or otherwise made the premises suitable for use by a Substitute Lessee
unless:

     (i) Lessee pays any such sum to Lessor in advance of Lessor's  execution of
a lease with such  Substitute  Lessee (which payment shall not be in lieu of any
damages or other sums to which Lessor may be entitled to as a result of Lessee's
default under this lease); or

     (ii)  Lessor,  in  Lessor's  sole  discretion,  determines  that  any  such
expenditure is financially  justified in connection with entering into any lease
with such Substitute Lessee.
<PAGE>
     (c) Mitigation Obligation Deemed Satisfied.  Upon compliance with the above
criteria  regarding the  re-letting  of the Premises  after a default by Lessee,
Lessor shall be deemed to have fully satisfied  Lessor's  obligation to mitigate
damages  under this Lease and under any law or judicial  ruling in effect on the
date of this lease or at the time of  Lessee's  default;  and Lessee  waives and
re-lets, to the fullest extent legally  permissible,  any right to assert in any
action by Lessor to enforce the terms of this lease, any defense,  counterclaim,
or rights of setoff or  recoupment  respecting  the  mitigation  of  damages  by
Lessor, unless and to the extent Lessor maliciously or in bad faith fails to act
in accordance with the requirements of this clause.

     (d) Lessee's Mitigation Responsibility. Lessee's right to seek damages from
Lessor as a result of a default by Lessor under this Lease shall be  conditioned
on Lessee taking all actions reasonably  required,  under the circumstances,  to
minimize  any loss or damage to  Lessee's  property  or  business,  or to any of
Lessee's officers,  employees, agents, invitees, or other third parties that may
be caused by any such default of Lessor.

          26. ASSIGNMENT OF SUBRENTS

     Lessee hereby irrevocably  assigns to Lessor all rents due or to become due
from any assignee of Lessee's interest hereunder and any subtenant or any Lessee
or occupant of the Demised Premises or any part thereof, together with the right
to collect and receive such rents,  provided  that,  so long as Lessee is not in
default under this Lease,  Lessee shall have the right to collect such rents for
Lessee's  own use and  purposes.  Upon any  default by Lessee  under this Lease,
Lessor shall have absolute title to such rents and the absolute right to collect
the same.  Lessor  shall  apply to the Rent due under  this Lease the net amount
(after deducting all costs and expenses  incident to the collection  thereof and
the operation and maintenance,  including  repairs,  of the Demised Premises) of
any rents so collected and received by Lessor. Lessee shall not demand or accept
from any  subtenant,  Lessee or  occupant  of the  Demised  Premises or any part
thereof, any payment,  prepayment or advance payment in respect of more than one
rental period under the applicable  sublease and in no event shall Lessee demand
or accept any payment,  prepayment or advance payment for a period exceeding one
month.

          27. LESSEE'S EQUIPMENT

     All Lessee's  Equipment  shall be the property of Lessee provided that upon
the  occurrence  of an  Event of  Default,  Lessor  shall  have,  to the  extent
permitted  by law and in addition to all other  rights,  a right of distress for
rent and a lien on all Lessee's  Equipment  (other than  Lessee's  Equipment not
owned by Lessee) then on the Demised Premises as security for the Rent.

     Any Lessee's  Equipment not removed by Lessee, at Lessee's expense,  within
thirty days after any repossession of the Demised Premises,  or upon termination
of this Lease, shall be considered  abandoned by Lessee and may be appropriated,
sold,  destroyed or otherwise disposed of by Lessor without notice to Lessee and
without obligation to account therefor; and Lessee shall pay Lessor, on demand
<PAGE>
all costs and expenses  incurred by Lessor in removing,  storing or disposing of
any of Lessee's  Equipment.  Lessee shall immediately repair at Lessee's expense
all damage to the Demised  Premises caused by any removal of Lessee's  Equipment
therefrom,  whether effected by Lessee or by any other person.  Lessor shall not
be responsible for any loss or damage to Lessee's Equipment.

          28. SECURITY DEPOSIT

     Lessee has  deposited  with Lessor the sum of $2,500.00 as security for the
full and faithful  observance and performance by Lessee of the terms,  covenants
and  conditions  of  this  Lease.  If  Lessee  defaults  in  the  observance  or
performance of any term, covenant or condition of this Lease,  including without
limitation the payment of Rent, Lessor may use, apply or retain the whole or any
part of the security so deposited to the extent  required for the payment of any
Rent or any other  sum as to which  Lessee  is in  default  or for any sum which
Lessor may expend or may be required  to expend by reason of  Lessee's  default,
including without  limitation any damages or deficiency  accrued before or after
summary  proceedings  or other  reentry by  Lessor.  If Lessee  shall  fully and
faithfully  observe and perform all of the terms,  covenants  and  conditions of
this Lease, the security,  without  interest,  shall be returned to Lessee after
the end of the Lease Term and after delivery of entire possession of the Demised
Premises to Lessor.

     In the event of a sale,  transfer  or leasing of the  Demised  Premises  by
Lessor,  Lessor  shall have the right to  transfer  the  security to the vendee,
transferee or lessee,  and Lessor thereupon shall be released by Lessee from all
liability for the return of such security.  Lessee agrees to look solely to such
new owner or Lessor  for the return of said  security.  The  provisions  of this
paragraph  shall apply to every  transfer or assignment of the security to a new
owner or Lessor.  Lessee  shall not assign or  encumber  or attempt to assign or
encumber  the  security,  and neither  Lessor nor the  successors  or assigns of
Lessee  shall  be  bound  by any  such  assignment,  encumbrance,  or  attempted
assignment or encumbrance.

     If Lessor applies or retains all or any portion of the security,  Lessee on
demand  shall pay to Lessor the amount so applied  or  retained  which  shall be
added to the security so that the same shall be replenished to its former amount
and so that at all times the amount deposited shall be $2,500.00.

          29. SURVIVAL OF LESSEE'S OBLIGATIONS AND DAMAGES

     No expiration or termination  of the Lease Term pursuant to this Lease,  by
operation of law or  otherwise  (except as expressly  provided  herein),  and no
repossession of the Demised  Premises or any part thereof pursuant to this Lease
or  otherwise,  shall  relieve  Lessee of Lessee's  obligations  or  liabilities
hereunder,   all  of  which  shall  survive  such  expiration,   termination  or
repossession.

     In the event of any such expiration,  termination or  repossession,  Lessee
shall pay to Lessor all Rent up to the time of such  expiration,  termination or
repossession, together with all costs and expenses incurred by Lessor in
<PAGE>
connection with such termination or repossession  including attorneys' fees, and
thereafter  Lessee,  until the end of what would have been the Lease Term in the
absence of such expiration,  termination or repossession, and whether or not the
Demised Premises or any part thereof shall have been re-let,  shall be liable to
Lessor  for,  and shall pay to Lessor,  as  liquidated  and  agreed and  current
damages for  Lessee's  default,  (a) all Rent which would be payable  under this
Lease by Lessee in the absence of such expiration,  termination or repossession,
less (b) all net rents  collected by Lessor from the Lessees or subtenant of the
Demised  Premises,  if any,  and the net  proceeds,  if any,  of any  re-letting
affected for the account of Lessee  pursuant to Article 23 after  deducting from
such proceeds all Lessor's expenses in connection with such re-letting and other
sums owed Lessor, including without limitation all repossession costs, brokerage
commissions,   legal  and  accounting  expenses,   attorneys'  fees,  employees'
expenses,  promotional  expenses,  reasonable  alteration costs, and expenses of
preparation for such  re-letting.  Lessee shall pay such current damages monthly
on the  Rent  Payment  Dates  applicable  in the  absence  of  such  expiration,
termination  or  repossession,  and Lessor shall be entitled to recover the same
from Lessee on each such date.  Any suit brought to collect said amounts for any
month or months  shall not  prejudice in any way the rights of Lessor to collect
the deficiency for any subsequent month by similar action or proceeding.

          30. INJUNCTION

     Lessor,  in  addition  to  all  other  rights,   powers  and  remedies  and
notwithstanding   the  concurrent   pendency  of  summary  or  other  dispossess
proceedings,  at Lessor's  option,  shall have the right at all times during the
Lease  Term to seek  judicial  relief  by way of  injunction  any  violation  or
attempted  violation by Lessee of any of the terms,  covenants or  conditions of
this  Lease,  and to enforce  by  injunction  any of such  terms,  covenants  or
conditions.

          31. WAIVERS

     To the extent permitted by law, Lessee waives:  any notice of reentry or of
the  institution  of legal  proceedings  to that end;  any right of  redemption,
reentry or repossession;  any right to trial by jury in any action or proceeding
or in any matter in any way connected  with this Lease or the Demised  Premises;
and the benefit of any laws now or  hereafter  in force  exempting  property for
rent or for debt.

     No failure by Lessor or Lessee to insist upon the strict performance of and
compliance with any term, covenant or condition hereof or to exercise or enforce
any right,  power or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof,  and no submission
by Lessee or acceptance by Lessor of full or partial Rent during the continuance
of any such breach,  shall constitute a waiver of any such breach or of any such
term,  covenant or condition.  No waiver of any breach of any term,  covenant or
condition of this Lease shall affect or alter this Lease,  which shall  continue
in full force and effect, or the respective rights, powers or remedies of Lessor
<PAGE>
or Lessee with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach.

          32. LESSOR'S REMEDIES CUMULATIVE

     All of the rights, powers and remedies of Lessor provided for in this Lease
or now or hereafter  existing at law or in equity,  or by statute or  otherwise,
shall be deemed to be separate,  distinct,  cumulative and concurrent. No one or
more of such rights, powers or remedies, nor any mention of reference to any one
or more of them in this Lease,  shall be deemed to be in the  exclusion of, or a
waiver of, any other rights,  powers or remedies  provided for in this Lease, or
now or hereafter  existing at law or in equity, or by statute or otherwise.  The
exercise or enforcement  by Lessor of any one or more of such rights,  powers or
remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise or enforcement by
Lessor of any or all of such other rights, powers or remedies.

          33. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES

     Lessee shall  execute,  acknowledge  and deliver to Lessor,  promptly  upon
request, a certificate certifying: (a) that this Lease is unmodified and in full
force and effect  (or,  if there have been  modifications,  that the Lease is in
full force and effect, as modified, and identifying the modifications);  (b) the
dates to which Rent has been  paid;  (c)  whether  or not there is any  existing
default by Lessor or Lessee  with  respect to which a notice of default has been
delivered,  and if there is any such default,  specifying  the nature and extent
thereof; and (d) whether or not there are any setoffs, defenses or counterclaims
against the  enforcement of any term,  covenant or condition of this Lease.  Any
such certificate may be relied upon by any prospective purchaser or mortgagee of
the Demised Premises or any part thereof.

          34. ASSIGNMENT, SUBLETTING AND MORTGAGES

     Lessee  shall have the right to assign this Lease and to sub-let all or any
part of the Demised Premises at any time, and from time to time, during the term
of this Lease, provided that notwithstanding any such assignment or sub-letting,
Lessee shall remain  directly and primarily  liable for the  performance  of its
obligations  under  this  Lease.  Any act  required  to be  performed  by Lessee
pursuant to the terms of this Lease may, with Lessee's prior written consent, be
performed  by any  sub-Lessee  or  assignee  of  Lessee  occupying  the  Demised
Premises,  and the  performance  of such act by a  sub-Lessee  or assignee  with
Lessee's prior written consent shall be accepted as Lessee's act by Lessor.

     Lessee  shall  within ten (10) days  after any  sub-letting  or  assignment
deliver to Lessor a copy of such  sub-lease or  sub-assignment.  Lessee shall in
consideration of the assignment or sub-letting,  pay to the Lessor as Additional
Rent, fifty percent of the Excess Sub-lease Rent (as defined hereinafter),  less
the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket  transaction costs incurred by Lessee
in  connection  with  such  sub-letting,   including  attorney  fees,  brokerage
<PAGE>
commissions and alteration costs (which  transaction costs shall be amortized on
a straight-line basis over the sub-lease term).

     Rents,  additional charges and other consideration payable to Lessee by the
sub-tenant  for or by reason of such  sub-lease and which are, in the aggregate,
excess of the rent paid  under this lease for the  sub-leased  space  during the
term of the sub-lease, including but not limited to:

     (a) Sums paid for the rental of Lessee's fixtures,  leasehold improvements,
equipment, furniture,  furnishings or other personal property, less the then net
unamortized or undepreciated  costs thereof  determined on the basis of Lessee's
federal income tax returns, and

     (b) Sums paid for services provided by Lessee to such sub-tenant (including
without  limitation,  secretarial,  word  processing,  receptionist,  conference
rooms, library) in excess of the fair market value of such services.

     The Lessor  shall have the right at any time and from time to time on prior
reasonable notice to Lessee to inspect the Lessee's books, records, accounts and
federal  income tax  returns  to verify the  determination  of  Additional  Rent
payable under this section.

          35. SUBORDINATION AND ATTORNMENT

     This Lease,  and all rights of Lessee  hereunder,  are and shall be subject
and  subordinate  in all  respects to all  mortgages  which may now or hereafter
affect the  Demised  Premises,  whether or not such  mortgages  shall also cover
other lands or buildings, to each and every advance made or hereafter to be made
under  such  mortgages  and  to  all  renewals,   modifications,   replacements,
spreaders,  consolidations and extensions of such mortgages. In the event of any
sale of the  Demised  Premises  in a  foreclosure  of any such  mortgage  or the
exercise by the holder of any such mortgages of any other remedies  provided for
by law or in such mortgage, Lessee, either upon written request of the holder of
the mortgage or the purchaser at such  foreclosure  or any person  succeeding to
the interest of the holder of the mortgage,  or at Lessee's option, shall attorn
to such holder,  purchaser or successor in interest, as the case may be, without
change in the terms, covenants or conditions of this Lease. If such a request is
made, or at Lessee's option,  this Lease shall not be deemed to be terminated by
any  foreclosure  proceedings  or  other  remedies  for the  enforcement  of the
mortgage by such holder,  purchaser or successor in interest.  The provisions of
this  Article  35  shall  be  self-operative   and  no  further   instrument  of
subordination  and/or  attornment  shall be required.  In  confirmation  of such
subordination  and/or  attornment,  Lessee promptly shall execute and deliver at
Lessee's  expense any instrument  that Lessor or the holder of any such mortgage
may reasonably  request to evidence such subordination  and/or  attornment;  and
Lessee  hereby   irrevocably   constitutes   and  appoints  Lessor  as  Lessee's
attorney-in-fact,  coupled with an interest, to execute, acknowledge and deliver
any such instruments for and on behalf of Lessee.
<PAGE>
          36. ENTRY BY LESSOR

     Lessor and the authorized representatives of Lessor shall have the right to
enter the Demised  Premises  at all  reasonable  times and only during  Lessee's
normal public  banking  hours for the purpose of inspecting  the same or for the
purpose of doing any work  permitted to be done by Lessor under this Lease,  and
to take all such  actions  thereon as may be necessary  or  appropriate  for any
other purpose. Nothing contained in this Lease shall create or imply any duty on
the part of Lessor to make any such  inspection  or do any such act.  Lessor and
representatives  of Lessor shall have the right to enter the Demised Premises at
all  reasonable  times for the  purpose  of  showing  the  Demised  Premises  to
prospective  purchasers or  mortgagees,  and at any time during the twelve month
period  preceding the expiration or termination of this Lease for the purpose of
showing  the same to  prospective  Lessees.  No such entry shall  constitute  an
eviction of Lessee.

          37. CONVEYANCE BY LESSOR

     If the original or any successor  Lessor shall convey or otherwise  dispose
of the Land and  Improvements,  Lessor  shall  thereupon  be  released  from all
obligations  and  liabilities  of Lessor under this Lease (except those accruing
prior  to such  conveyance  or other  disposition),  and  such  obligations  and
liabilities  shall  be  binding  solely  on  the  then  owner  of the  Land  and
Improvements.

     In any action  brought to enforce the  obligations or liabilities of Lessor
under this Lease,  any judgment or decree shall be  enforceable  against  Lessor
only to the extent of  Lessor's  interest in the Land and  Improvements,  and no
such  judgment  shall be the basis of execution  on, or be a lien on,  assets of
Lessor other that Lessor's interest in the Land and Improvements.

          38. NO MERGER OF TITLE

     There shall be no merger of the leasehold estate created by this Lease with
the fee  estate  in the  Demised  Premises  by  reason of the fact that the same
person  may own or hold (a) the  leasehold  estate  created by this Lease or any
interest therein, and (b) the fee estate in the Demised Premises or any interest
in such fee  estate.  No such merger  shall  occur  unless and until all persons
having any interest in the leasehold  estate  created by this Lease,  and in the
fee estate in the Demised Premises, shall join in a written instrument effecting
such merger and shall duly record the same.

          39. ACCEPTANCE OF SURRENDER

     No modification, termination or surrender of this Lease or surrender of the
Demised  Premises or any part thereof or of any interest therein by Lessee shall
be valid or effective unless agreed to and accepted in writing by Lessor, and no
act by any  representative  or  agent  of  Lessor,  other  than  such a  written
agreement and acceptance, shall constitute an acceptance thereof.
<PAGE>
          40. END OF LEASE TERM

     Upon the expiration or  termination  of the Lease Term,  Lessee shall quit,
surrender  and  deliver to Lessor the  Demised  Premises  with the  Improvements
thereon in good order and condition,  ordinary wear and tear excepted, and shall
remove all Lessee's Equipment therefrom.

     If Lessee vacates the Demised  Premises at any time prior to the expiration
or  termination  of this Lease,  Lessee  shall cause the Demised  Premises to be
patrolled  by guards so as to prevent  vandalism  or other damage to the Demised
Premises.

          41. NO RENEWAL

     If Lessee  continues in occupancy of the Demised  Premises after the end of
the Term, such occupancy shall not be deemed to extend or renew the term of this
lease.  Such occupancy shall be deemed a tenancy from month to month  terminable
on thirty days notice by either  party to the other upon all of the terms herein
contained, except that the Minimum Rent shall be two times that in effect during
the last lease year prior to the end of the Term,  prorated and payable  monthly
in advance for the period of such  occupancy,  and Lessee  shall have no further
options to renew or extend this lease.

          42. LIABILITY ONLY FOR NEGLIGENCE

     Lessor shall not be  responsible or liable to Lessee for any loss or damage
that may be occasioned  by the acts or omissions of persons  occupying any other
space in the  Shopping  Center,  or adjacent  to or  adjoining  thereto,  or any
part(s)  thereof,  or for any loss or damage resulting to Lessee or its property
from water,  gas steam,  fire,  or the bursting,  stoppage,  or leaking of sewer
pipes,  unless such loss or damage is occasioned by the  negligence of Lessor or
its agents, contractors, servants or employees.

          43. BROKERAGE

     Lessor and Lessee each represents and warrants to the other that such party
has not dealt with any broker or finder in connection with the Demised  Premises
or this Lease.  Lessor and Lessee each  agrees to  indemnify  and hold the other
harmless from and against any and all commission, liability, claim, loss, damage
or expense,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees, arising from any claims for
brokerage or any other fee or  commission by any person with whom such party has
dealt.

          44. MEDIATION

     If a dispute  arises out of or relates to this Lease or the breach  thereof
and if the dispute  cannot be settled  through  negotiation,  the parties  agree
first to try in good faith to settle the dispute by  mediation  administered  by
the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Mediation Rules before
<PAGE>
resorting to arbitration, litigation, or some other dispute resolution
procedure.

          45. ARBITRATION

     Unless  specifically  provided to the contrary herein,  wherever this lease
provides  that a claim,  dispute,  question  or other  matter is to be  decided,
determined  or  settled  by  arbitration,  the  arbitration  shall  be by  three
arbitrators  and take  place  in the City of  Oneonta,  State  of New  York,  in
accordance with the prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association and
judgment  upon the award  rendered  may be  entered  in any  court of  competent
jurisdiction,  including a Federal Court.  The Arbitrators  shall decide whether
one party or both shall bear the cost and expense of  arbitration  and, if both,
in what proportions.

          46. DEFINITIONS

     As used in this Lease,  the following  terms have the following  respective
meanings:

     "default"  -- any  condition  or event  which  constitutes,  or which after
notice or lapse of time or both would constitute, an Event of Default.

     "Demised Premises" -- as defined in Article 1.

     "Event of Default" -- as defined in Article 22.

     "Fixed Rent" -- as defined in Article 2.

     "Impositions"  (Taxes)  --  all  taxes,   assessments   (including  without
limitation all assessments for public  improvements or benefits,  whether or not
commenced  or  completed  prior  to the date  hereof  and  whether  or not to be
completed within the Lease Term), water and sewer rents and charges, charges for
public utilities,  excises,  levies,  license fees, permit fees, inspection fees
and  other  authorization  fees  and  other  charges  of every  nature  and kind
whatsoever (including all interest and penalties thereon), in each case, whether
general or special, ordinary or extraordinary,  foreseen or unforeseen, of every
character,  which at any time  during or in  respect  of the  Lease  Term may be
assessed, levied, charged, confirmed or imposed on or in respect of or be a lien
upon (a) the Demised  Premises or any part thereof or any rent  therefrom or any
estate, right or interest therein, or (b) any occupancy, use or possession of or
activity  conducted  on the  Demised  Premises  or any  part  thereof.  The term
"Impositions" shall exclude,  however, any income taxes assessed against Lessor,
franchise, estate, inheritance or transfer taxes of Lessor, or any tax or charge
in replacement or substitution of the foregoing or of a
 similar character; provided, however, that if at any time during the Lease Term
the then  prevailing  method of taxation or assessment  shall be changed so that
the whole or any part of the Impositions  theretofore payable by Lessee as above
provided,  shall  instead  be levied,  charged,  assessed  or  imposed  whole or
partially on the rents  received by Lessor from the Demised  Premises,  or shall
otherwise be imposed against Lessor in the form of a franchise tax or otherwise,
<PAGE>
then  Lessee  shall pay the same (and the same shall be deemed  Impositions)  at
least  twenty days prior to the last day upon which the same may be paid without
interest or penalty for the late payment thereof.

     "Improvements"  -- as defined in Article 7. The term  "Improvements"  shall
include the Bank Building, all fixtures, equipment,  machinery, automated teller
machine and parking lot of the Demised Premises, other than Lessee's Equipment.

     "Insurance  Requirements"  -- all terms of any insurance policy covering or
applicable to the Demised Premises or any part thereof,  all requirements of the
issuer  of any  such  policy,  and all  orders,  rules,  regulations  and  other
requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, or its successor or any
other body exercising similar functions,  applicable to or affecting the Demised
Premises or any part thereof or any use or condition of the Demised  Premises or
any part thereof.

     "Land" -- as defined in Article 1.

     "Lease" -- this Lease, as at the time amended, modified or supplemented.

     "Lease Term"  -- as defined  in Article 1,  as the same may be extended or
renewed.

     "Legal  Requirements"  -- all  laws,  statutes,  codes,  acts,  ordinances,
orders, judgments, decrees, injunctions, rules, regulations,  permits, licenses,
authorizations,  directions and  requirements of all  governments,  departments,
commissions,  boards,  courts,  authorities,  agencies,  officials and officers,
foreseen  or  unforeseen,  ordinary or  extraordinary,  which now or at any time
hereafter may be applicable to the Demised Premises or any part thereof,  or the
Improvements now or hereafter  located  thereon,  or the facilities or equipment
therein,  or any of the adjoining  sidewalks,  curbs,  vaults or vault space, if
any,  streets or ways,  or the  appurtenances  to the  Demised  Premises  or the
franchises and privileges  connected  therewith,  or any use or condition of the
Demised  Premises or any part  thereof.  Legal  Requirements  shall  include the
Comprehensive  Environmental  Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.
Section 9601 et seq.,  the  Resource  Conservation  and Recovery  Act, 42 U.S.C.
Section  6901  et  seq.,  and  all  other  applicable   environmental  laws  and
regulations,   and  all  requirements  to  be  complied  with  pursuant  to  any
certificate of occupancy affecting the Demised Premises.

     "Lessee's  Equipment" -- all  fixtures,  machinery,  apparatus,  furniture,
furnishings  and other  equipment  and all  temporary  or  auxiliary  structures
installed  by or at the  request  of  Lessee,  if any,  in or about the  Demised
Premises or any part  thereof,  which (a) are not used and are not  procured for
use, in whole or in part,  in  connection  with the  operation,  maintenance  or
protection of the Demised Premises,  and (b) are removable without damage to the
Demised Premises.

     "Occupancy  Lease"  -- any  lease  of any  space  constituting  part of the
Demised Premises.
<PAGE>
     "Occupancy  Lessee" -- any Lessee or occupant under any Occupancy Lease.

     "Occupancy  Lessees'  Equipment" -- all Lessee's  Equipment which under the
terms of any  Occupancy  Lease or  otherwise  is the  property  of an  Occupancy
Lessee.

     "person" -- an individual, a corporation,  an association, a partnership, a
joint venture,  an organization,  or other business entity, or a governmental or
political unit or agency.

     "Rent Payment Date" -- as defined in Article 2.

     "Restoration" -- all restorations,  replacements, rebuildings, alterations,
additions,  temporary  repairs  and  property  protection  to  be  performed  in
connection with a Taking of the Demised Premises or the damage to or destruction
of the Demised Premises.

     "Taking"  -- a  taking  during  the  Lease  Term of all or any  part of the
Demised  Premises,  or any leasehold or other interest therein or right accruing
thereto,  as the result of the exercise of the right of  condemnation or eminent
domain  or a sale in lieu or in  anticipation  of such  exercise  or a change or
grade affecting the Demised Premises or any part thereof.

     "Total Taking" -- as defined in Article 19.

     "Unavoidable  Delays" -- delays due to strikes,  acts of God,  governmental
restrictions, enemy action, riot, civil commotion, fire, unavoidable casualty or
other  causes  beyond the  control of Lessee,  provided  that no delay  shall be
deemed an  Unavoidable  Delay if the  Demised  Premises  or any part  thereof or
interest  therein or any Rent would be in any danger of being  sold,  forfeited,
lost or interfered with, or if any Occupancy  Lessee,  Lessor or Lessee would be
in danger of incurring  any civil or criminal  liability  for failure to perform
the required  act.  Lack of funds shall not be deemed a cause beyond the control
of Lessee.

          47. NOTICES

     All  notices,  demands,  elections  and  other  communications  desired  or
required to be  delivered  or given  under this Lease  shall be in writing,  and
shall be deemed to have been  delivered and given when  delivered by hand, or on
the fifth business day after the same have been mailed by first class registered
or certified mail,  return receipt  requested,  postage  prepaid,  enclosed in a
securely  sealed  envelop  addressed  to the  party to  which  the same is to be
delivered or given at such party's address as set forth in this Lease or at such
other address as said party shall have  designated in writing in accordance with
this Article 48.

          48. MISCELLANEOUS

     All rights,  powers and remedies  provided  herein may be exercised only to
the extent that the exercise  thereof does not violate any  applicable  law, and
are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render
<PAGE>
this Lease  invalid,  unenforceable  or not  entitled to be  recorded  under any
applicable  law. If any term,  covenant or condition of this Lease shall be held
to be  invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable,  the  validity  of the other  terms,
covenants and conditions of this Lease shall in no way be affected  thereby.  If
any interest or late charge  provided for herein shall be deemed to be in excess
of the maximum amount  permitted under applicable law, Lessee shall be deemed to
be entitled to the maximum amount permitted under applicable law.

48.1  LIABILITY UNDER LEASE:

     Wherever this lease requires the  performance of an act by either party, it
is agreed  that such party shall  perform  the act at its own cost and  expense,
unless expressly provided to the contrary.

48.2  SEVERABILITY OF CLAUSES:

     If any provision of this lease or the application  thereof to any person or
circumstance  shall,  to any  extent,  be  adjudged  to be invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction,  the remainder of this lease and the application of such
provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

48.3 ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY BY SUCCESSOR:

     (a) The term  "Lessor"  as used in this  lease  means only the owner or the
mortgagee in possession for the time being of the Demised  Premises or the owner
of  Lessor's  interest  under this lease so that in the event of any sale of the
Demised  Premises or an  assignment of Lessor's  interest in this lease,  Lessor
shall be entirely freed and relieved of all obligations of Lessor  hereunder and
it shall be deemed  without  further  agreement  between  the  parties  and such
purchaser(s)  or  assignee(s)  that the  purchaser  or assignee  has assumed and
agreed to observe and perform all obligations of Lessor hereunder.

     (b) If Lessor or a successor  in interest is an  individual  (which as used
herein includes  aggregates of individuals,  such as joint ventures,  general or
limited  partnerships  or  associations),  such  individual  shall  be  under no
personal  liability with respect to any of the provisions of this lease,  and if
such  individual  party  hereto is in  breach or  default  with  respect  to his
obligations  or  otherwise  under this  lease,  Lessee  shall look solely to the
equity  of  such  individual  in the  Demised  Premises  or this  lease  for the
satisfaction of Lessee's  remedies.  It is expressly  understood and agreed that
Lessor's  liability  under the  terms,  covenants,  conditions,  warranties  and
obligations  of this  lease  shall in no  event  exceed  the loss of its  equity
interest in the Demised  Premises.  If, at any time,  Lessor's  interest in this
lease  shall  be  held  by  anyone  acting  in  a  fiduciary   capacity,   then,
notwithstanding  any other provision of this lease,  Lessor's  obligations shall
not be binding  upon such  fiduciary  individually  or upon any  beneficiary  or
shareholder  for whom such fiduciary  acts, but only upon such fiduciary in that
capacity and upon the estate held by such  fiduciary in the Demised  Premises or
this lease.
<PAGE>
48.4  LESSOR-LESSEE RELATIONSHIP ONLY:

     Nothing in this Lease shall be deemed to render Lessor and Lessee partners,
joint  venturers  or  participants  in any other type of joint  enterprise.  The
relationship of the parties shall always be that of Lessor/Lessee.

48.5  INDEX NOT PART OF LEASE BODY:

     Section  headings  if any,  used in this  lease  and any  index or table of
contents  which  may be  attached  to this  lease  are used  only as a matter of
convenience  in reference,  and are not to be construed as part of this lease or
used to determine the intent of the parties.

48.6  MODIFICATION:

     This lease may be modified  only by written  instrument  executed by a duly
authorized  officer of Lessee and by Lessor or a duly authorized  representative
of Lessor.

48.7  MERGER INTO DOCUMENT:

     The parties  acknowledge that all prior oral and written agreements between
them and all  representations  on which  either of them has relied in  executing
this lease have been incorporated in this document.

48.8  MEANING OF TERMS:

     Any  pronoun  used in this lease shall be read in such number and gender as
the context may  require.  Each and every term and  provision of the lease which
requires any performance,  whether  affirmative or negative,  by Lessee shall be
deemed to be both a covenant and a condition.

48.9  HABENDUM:

     Except as otherwise  provided  for in this lease,  the  provisions  of this
lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Lessor, Lessee and their
respective heirs, devisees, personal representatives, successors and assigns.


48.10 APPLICABILITY TO LEASE EXTENSION:

     All of the provisions of this lease shall apply during any extension of the
Original Term,  except as may be specifically  otherwise  provided  elsewhere in
this  lease,  excluding  however,  any  further  options  to extend  this  lease
following the extension period described in Article 5 hereof.
<PAGE>
48.11  NO PRESUMPTION AGAINST DRAFTER:

     Lessor and Lessee stand, agree and acknowledge that:

     (a) This Lease has been freely negotiated and

     (b)  That,  in any  controversy,  dispute,  or  contest  over the  meaning,
interpretation, validity, or enforceability of this Lease or any of its terms or
conditions,  there  shall be no  inference,  presumption,  or  conclusion  drawn
whatsoever  against  either  party by virtue of that party  having  drafted this
Lease or any portion thereof.

48.12  FORCE MAJEURE:

     In any case where either party hereto is required to do any act (except for
the payment of money), the time for the performance thereof shall be extended by
a period  equal to any delay  caused or resulting  from act of God,  war,  civil
commotion,  fire or other  casualty,  labor  difficulties,  shortages or energy,
labor, materials or equipment,  government regulations,  delays caused by either
party to the other or other  causes  beyond  such  party's  reasonable  control,
whether such time be  designated  by a fixed date, a fixed time or a "reasonable
time".

          49. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

     Lessee shall have received proof in such form,  which shall be satisfactory
to Lessee and its counsel, that the Demised Premises and Common Area are not and
have  never been used by the Lessor or any  previous  owner to refine,  produce,
store, handle, transfer, process, or transport hazardous substances as such term
or terms of similar import may be defined in any Federal,  State, or local laws,
rules, and regulations (the `Environmental  Laws') to which the Demised Premises
shall be  subject;  that the  Lessor  does not  intend in the  future to use the
Premises for any of such purposes;  and that the Demised Premises and the entire
Shopping  Center are in  compliance  with all  Environmental  Laws,  rules,  and
regulations applicable to the Premises on the date of execution of the Lease.

     The Lessor  shall  furnish to the  Lessee,  at Lessor's  expense,  a report
(commonly referred to as a Phase I Report) in form and substance satisfactory to
the Lessee from a qualified  engineer  acceptable to the Lessee  certifying that
the Demised Premises and Common Areas and any site in the immediate  vicinity of
the Demised Premises comply with the  requirements of the  immediately-preceding
paragraph and do not contain,  or have never contained,  any underground storage
tanks,  and  certifying  that  there are no  indications  that any  asbestos  or
polychlorinated biphenyles (`PCB') are present on the Demised Premises or Common
Areas. If such report indicates any of the foregoing  conditions do or may exist
or  may  previously  have  existed,  or  if  the  findings  of  the  report  are
inconclusive,  Lessee may at its  option,  at the  Lessor's  expense,  require a
report (commonly called a Phase II Report) in form and substance satisfactory to
Lessee from a qualified engineer  acceptable to Lessee certifying to Lessee that
on the basis of a detailed  physical  evaluation  of the  Demised  Premises  and
Common Areas, including without limitation, such test, soil analysis,  and other
sampling, testing and analysis as such engineer or Lessee may require, that the
<PAGE>
Demised  Premises  and  Common  Areas are free of PCB,  hazardous  waste,  toxic
substances,  and any other  pollutants  and  contaminants  which are or could be
detrimental  to the Demised  Premises and Common  Areas,  human  health,  or the
environment, or in violation of any Environmental Laws, rules or regulations.

     The Lessor  covenants and represents that it shall,  during the term of the
Lease and all renewals,  maintain the entire Shopping Center Premises to be free
of any subsequent occurrence of contaminants, toxic waste, hazardous substances,
releases,  as such terms are or may be defined in any Environmental Laws, and/or
any other  breach  of  Environmental  Law by the  Lessor  or other  Lessees  and
occupants of the Premises,  and  indemnifies  and saves harmless the Lessee from
and  against  the claims of any  Governmental  or  regulatory  authority  having
jurisdiction  of the  Demised  Premises,  Common  Areas and  Premises,  from any
violation of any  Environmental  Laws,  rules or  regulations  subsequent to the
commencement  of the Term other than a  violation  caused by the Lessee or those
under the active control of the Lessee.

          50. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

     Nothing in this  Lease  shall  give rise to any  obligation  on the part of
Lessee to continue to operate within the Demised  Premises for business with the
public.

          51. CONTINGENCIES

     The  commencement  of this Lease is  contingent  upon the Lessee  obtaining
approval of the location and facility from the Controller of the Currency of the
United State of America within a period of sixty (60) days from execution of the
Lease. In the event Lessee has promptly filed such application and is diligently
pursuing  the  application,  if not  approved  with such sixty (60) day  period,
Lessee shall have two (2) additional periods of thirty (30) days to continue the
application process.

          52. RESTRICTIVE COVENANT

     So long as the Lessee is not in default of any of the terms,  covenants and
conditions  of this  Lease,  Lessor  covenants  that it will not sell,  lease or
otherwise  permit the occupancy  within the Shopping Center of which the Demised
Premises  form a part,  of any other  entity  that may  conduct  banking  or ATM
facilities,  including but not limited to, banking institutions chartered by the
United States of America or the State of New York, so-called thrift institutions
licensed by the State of New York or United States of America,  and/or any other
institution that offers competitive  products and services to the general public
similar  to the  business  of the  Lessee  during the term of this Lease and any
renewals.  This restrictive covenant shall not apply to the premises to the west
of the Demised  Premises which have  heretofore been leased to Martin's Foods of
South Burlington, Inc., dated July 1, 1992, and as amended.
<PAGE>
     Lessor  and Lessee  agree that a  memorandum  of this  Lease,  but not this
Lease, may be recorded by Lessee, at Lessee's expense.

     This  Lease  shall be  binding  upon and  inure  to the  benefit  of and be
enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Lessor and Lessee have executed this Lease on the date
first above written.


                                 BETTIOL ENTERPRISES LTD, INC.

                                 By /s/Eugene Bettiol
                                    -----------------
                                       President


                                 NBT BANK, N.A.

                                 By /s/Daryl R. Forsythe
                                    --------------------
                                       President






<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT 21

                     List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant
<PAGE>
                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

NBT BANCORP INC. has one subsidiary, which is wholly owned:

NBT Bank, National Association
52 South Broad Street
Norwich, New York  13815

Telephone:  (607) 337-6000

E.I.N. 15-0395735
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT 23

                        Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
<PAGE>
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
NBT Bancorp Inc.:


We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration  statements on Form
S-3  (File  No.  33-12247)  and Form  S-8  (File  Nos.  33-18976,  33-77410  and
333-02925) of NBT Bancorp Inc. of our report dated January 15, 1998, relating to
the  consolidated  balance  sheets of NBT  Bancorp  Inc.  and  subsidiary  as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related  consolidated  statements of income,
stockholders'  equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 1997, which report has been included herein.




/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Syracuse, New York
March 13, 1998
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT 27

                             Financial Data Schedule
<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NBT BANCORP
INC'S FORM 10-K FOR YEAR END, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                               1,000
<CURRENCY>                                 U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-1-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          34,427
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           3,019
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    440,632
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          36,139
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            36,139
<LOANS>                                        735,482
<ALLOWANCE>                                     11,582
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,280,585
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,014,183
<SHORT-TERM>                                   134,527
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              8,349
<LONG-TERM>                                        183
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         9,430
<OTHER-SE>                                     113,913
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               1,280,585
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 64,781
<INTEREST-INVEST>                               31,066
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   334
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                96,181
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              35,234
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              42,522
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           53,659
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    3,505
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                               (337)
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 35,170
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 23,050
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                      14,749
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,749
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.63
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.67
<LOANS-NON>                                      5,256
<LOANS-PAST>                                       745
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 30,880
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                10,473
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                    3,288
<RECOVERIES>                                       892
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               11,582
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             8,057
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          3,525
        

</TABLE>


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