NBT BANCORP INC
10-Q, 2000-05-15
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D. C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
X  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000.
                                                         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)   (I.R.S. 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) 337-2265

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 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  April  30,  2000,  there  were  18,101,302  shares  outstanding  of  the
Registrant's  common  stock,  $0.01  par  value.  There  were no  shares  of the
Registrant's preferred stock, par value $0.01, outstanding at that date.

An index to exhibits follows the signature page of this FORM 10-Q.


                                      -1-
<PAGE>


                                NBT BANCORP INC.
                     FORM 10-Q--Quarter Ended March 31, 2000


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS





PART I       FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1       Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)

             Consolidated  Balance  Sheets at March 31, 2000,  December 31, 1999
             (Audited), and March 31, 1999

             Consolidated Statements of Income for the three month periods ended
             March 31, 2000 and 1999

             Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three month
             periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999

             Consolidated  Statements  of Cash Flows for the three month periods
             ended March 31, 2000 and 1999

             Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three month
             periods ended March 31, 2000 and 1999

             Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements at March 31,
             2000

Item 2       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
             Results of Operations

Item 3       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
             Information  called for by Item 3 is contained in the Liquidity and
             Interest  Rate  Sensitivity  Management  section of the  Management
             Discussion and Analysis.

PART II      OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1       Legal Proceedings
Item 2       Changes in Securities
Item 3       Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4       Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5       Other Information
Item 6       Exhibits and Reports on FORM 8-K

SIGNATURES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


                                      -2-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY                                       MARCH 31,       December 31,       March 31,
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                             2000              1999             1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except share and per share data)                      (UNAUDITED)                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>              <C>
ASSETS
Cash                                                                  $   60,823       $   64,431       $   60,234
Securities available for sale, at fair value                             497,528          500,423          491,502
Securities held to maturity (fair value - $75,808, $73,648
 and $70,094)                                                             78,772           76,706           70,386
Loans                                                                  1,295,651        1,222,654        1,081,971
 Less allowance for loan losses                                           17,543           16,654           15,608
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net loans                                                            1,278,108        1,206,000        1,066,363
Premises and equipment, net                                               40,292           40,830           38,667
Other assets                                                              73,583           73,042           60,356
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                          $2,029,106       $1,961,432       $1,787,508
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
 Demand (noninterest bearing)                                         $  210,579       $  223,143       $  189,659
 Savings, NOW, and money market                                          490,328          487,746          464,058
 Time                                                                    822,842          766,729          680,428
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total deposits                                                       1,523,749        1,477,618        1,334,145
Short-term borrowings                                                    165,445          137,567          119,648
Long-term debt                                                           161,793          172,575          149,887
Other liabilities                                                         15,587           13,195           13,868
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total liabilities                                                    1,866,574        1,800,955        1,617,548
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value at March 31, 2000, no par,
   stated value $1.00 at December 31, 1999 and
   March 31, 1999; shares authorized-2,500,000                                 -                -                -
  Common stock, $0.01 par value and 30,000,000 authorized
   at March 31, 2000, no par,  stated value $1.00 and  15,000,000
   authorized at December  31, 1999 and March 31, 1999;
   issued  18,623,435,  18,616,992,  and
   17,963,950 at March 31, 2000,
   December 31, 1999 and March 31, 1999, respectively                        186           18,617           17,964
  Additional paid-in-capital                                             167,047          148,717          138,146
  Retained earnings                                                       24,225           23,060           26,296
  Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income                          (17,615)         (18,252)             598
  Common stock in treasury at cost 522,567, 538,936,
   and 600,953 shares at March 31, 2000, December 31, 1999
   and March 31, 1999, respectively                                      (11,311)         (11,665)         (13,044)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total stockholders' equity                                             162,532          160,477          169,960
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                            $2,029,106       $1,961,432       $1,787,508
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to interim consolidated financial statements.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY                                                 Three months ended March 31,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME                                           2000                              1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)                                                 (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                    <C>                                <C>
Interest and fee income:
Loans                                                                  $27,189                            $22,679
Securities - available for sale                                          8,872                              7,625
Securities - held to maturity                                              993                                840
Other                                                                      402                                458
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total interest and fee income                                          37,456                             31,602
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest expense:
Deposits                                                                13,446                             11,006
Short-term borrowings                                                    2,054                              1,139
Long-term debt                                                           2,346                              1,739
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total interest expense                                                 17,846                             13,884
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income                                                     19,610                             17,718
Provision for loan losses                                                1,334                              1,120
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses                     18,276                             16,598
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noninterest income:
Trust                                                                      860                                835
Service charges on deposit accounts                                      1,620                              1,408
Securities gains                                                             -                                668
Other                                                                    1,135                              1,365
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total noninterest income                                                3,615                              4,276
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits                                           7,081                              5,970
Office supplies and postage                                                592                                637
Occupancy                                                                1,232                              1,024
Equipment                                                                1,137                                947
Professional fees and outside services                                     756                                697
Data processing and communications                                       1,132                                972
Amortization of intangible assets                                          312                                329
Merger and acquisition costs                                             1,122                                  -
Other operating                                                          1,619                              1,240
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total noninterest expense                                              14,983                             11,816
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                                               6,908                              9,058
Income taxes                                                             2,667                              3,282
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                                             $ 4,241                            $ 5,776
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share:
 Basic                                                                 $  0.24                            $  0.32
 Diluted                                                               $  0.23                            $  0.32
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to interim consolidated financial statements.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Additional                Accumulated
                                                   Paid-in-                  Other
                                     Common        Capital      Retained     Comprehensive     Treasury
                                      Stock        Surplus      Earning      (Loss)/Income     Stock        Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except share and per share data)                        (Unaudited)

<S>                                 <C>           <C>           <C>                <C>         <C>          <C>
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998        $17,946       $137,997      $23,132          $  3,062      $(12,962)    $169,175
Net income                                                        5,776                                        5,776
Cash dividends - $0.162 per share                                (2,596)                                      (2,596)
Payment in lieu of fractional shares                                (16)                                         (16)
Issuance of 18,164 shares to stock plan  18            172                                                       190
Purchase of 77,500 treasury shares                                                               (1,728)      (1,728)
Sale of 76,054 treasury shares to
  employee benefit plans and other
  stock plans                                          (23)                                       1,646        1,623
Unrealized loss on securities
  available for sale, net of
  reclassification adjustment,
  and deferred taxes of $1,615                                                     (2,464)                    (2,464)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1999           $17,964       $138,146      $26,296          $    598      $(13,044)    $169,960
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1999        $18,617       $148,717      $23,060          $(18,252)     $(11,665)    $160,477
Net income                                                        4,241                                        4,241
Cash dividends - $0.170 per share                                (3,076)                                      (3,076)
Issuance of 6,468 shares to stock
  plan                                    6             63                                                        69
Sale of 4,937 treasury shares to
  employee benefit plans and other
  stock plans                                          (29)                                         107           78
Change $1.00 stated value per
  share to $0.01 par value per
  share                             (18,437)        18,437                                                         -
Stock option exercise                                 (141)                                         247          106
Unrealized loss on securities
  available for sale, net of
  reclassification adjustment,
  and deferred taxes of $458                                                          637                        637
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2000           $   186       $167,047      $24,225          $(17,615)     $(11,311)    $162,532
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to interim consolidated financial statements.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY                                              Three Months Ended March 31,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                           2000               1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                                                                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                         <C>               <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income                                                                   $  4,241         $   5,776
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
 by operating activities:
 Provision for loan losses                                                      1,334             1,120
 Depreciation of premises and equipment                                         1,007             1,017
 Net accretion on securities                                                     (516)             (182)
 Amortization of intangible assets                                                312               329
 Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale                                      1,943             5,140
 Origination and purchases of loans held for sale                              (1,073)          (10,000)
 Net gains on sales of loans                                                      122               (69)
 Net gain on sale of other real estate owned                                      (28)             (188)
 Net realized gains on sales of securities                                          -              (668)
 Net (increase) decrease in other assets                                       (1,518)            1,876
 Net increase in other liabilities                                              2,392             1,096
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                       8,216             5,247
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Securities available for sale:
 Proceeds from maturities                                                       7,324            31,233
 Proceeds from sales                                                              200            99,510
 Purchases                                                                     (3,027)         (125,162)
Securities held to maturity:
 Proceeds from maturities                                                       6,885             4,961
 Purchases                                                                     (8,942)          (11,986)
Net increase in loans                                                         (74,339)          (27,070)
Purchase of premises and equipment, net                                          (469)           (1,928)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned                                    140               540
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                                         (72,228)          (29,902)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase (decrease) in deposits                                            46,131           (22,802)
Net increase in short-term borrowings                                          27,878            19,776
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                        5,000            25,000
Repayments of long-term debt                                                  (15,782)             (743)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to stock plan                               69               190
Exercise of stock options                                                         106                 -
Proceeds from issuance of treasury shares to
 employee benefit plans and other stock plans                                      78             1,623
Purchase of treasury stock                                                          -            (1,728)
Cash dividends and payment for fractional shares                               (3,076)           (2,612)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                                      60,404            18,704
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                                      (3,608)           (5,951)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                               64,431            66,185
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD                                   $ 60,823          $ 60,234
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUPPLEMENTAL  DISCLOSURE  OF CASH FLOW  INFORMATION:  Cash paid during the
 period for:
  Interest                                                                   $ 17,443          $ 14,186
  Income taxes                                                                    320               388
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to interim consolidated financial statements.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY                                      Three Months Ended March 31,
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                        2000                 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                                                              (Unaudited)

<S>                                                                 <C>                  <C>
Net Income                                                          $ 4,241              $ 5,776
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
     Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during
         period [pre-tax amounts of $1,095 and $(3,411)]                637               (2,047)
     Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains included
         in net income [pre-tax amounts of $- and $(668)]                 -                 (417)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other comprehensive income (loss)                                 637               (2,464)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income                                                $ 4,878              $ 3,312
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to interim consolidated financial statements.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2000

BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of NBT Bancorp Inc. (the Registrant) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries,
NBT Bank, N.A. (NBT) and LA Bank, N.A. (LA). All intercompany  transactions have
been  eliminated  in  consolidation.  Amounts  in  the  prior  period  financial
statements  are  reclassified  whenever  necessary to conform to current  period
presentation.
     The  consolidated  balance sheet at December 31, 1999 has been derived from
the audited supplemental consolidated financial statements  at that date,  which
appear  in the  Current  Report  on Form  8-K  filed  on  March  31,  2000.  The
accompanying  unaudited  consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles for interim financial
information and with the  instructions to FORM 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation
S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include  all of the  information  and  footnotes
required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete  financial
statements. In the opinion of management,  all adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring  accruals)  considered  necessary  for a fair  presentation  have been
included.  Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2000 are
not  necessarily  indicative  of the results  that may be expected  for the year
ending  December 31, 2000. For further  information,  refer to the  consolidated
financial  statements and footnotes thereto included in the Registrant's  annual
report on FORM 10-K for the year ended  December  31, 1999 and the  supplemental
consolidated  financial statements referred to above. The March 31, 1999 interim
consolidated  financial  statements  have been  restated  to give  effect to the
merger with Lake Ariel  Bancorp, Inc., which closed on February 17, 2000 and was
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests.

EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic  earnings per share excludes  dilution and is computed by dividing  income
available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding  for the period.  Diluted  earnings per share reflects the potential
dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock
were  exercised  or  converted  into common stock or resulted in the issuance of
common stock that then shared in the  earnings of the entity.  All share and per
share data has been adjusted retroactively for stock dividends and splits.
     The following is a  reconciliation  of basic and diluted earnings per share
for the periods presented in the income statement.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months ended March 31,                                           2000                 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                                  <C>                  <C>
Basic EPS:
  Weighted average common shares outstanding                         18,028               17,860
  Net income available to common shareholders                      $  4,241             $  5,776
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic EPS                                                          $   0.24             $   0.32
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Diluted EPS:
  Weighted average common shares outstanding                         18,028               17,860
  Dilutive common stock options                                         106                  244
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Weighted average common shares and common
   share equivalents                                                 18,134               18,104
  Net income available to common shareholders                      $  4,241             $  5,776
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted EPS                                                        $   0.23             $   0.32
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
On February  17,  2000,  the  stockholders  of NBT Bancorp  Inc.  and Lake Ariel
Bancorp,  Inc. (Lake Ariel) approved a merger whereby Lake Ariel was merged with
and into NBT Bancorp Inc. with each issued and  outstanding  share of Lake Ariel
exchanged for 0.9961 shares of NBT Bancorp Inc.  common stock.  The  transaction
resulted in the issuance of 5.0 million shares of NBT Bancorp Inc. common stock,
bringing the Company's  outstanding shares to 18.1 million after the merger. The
merger results in NBT Bancorp Inc. being the surviving  holding  company for NBT
Bank, N.A. and LA Bank,  N.A., a former  subsidiary of Lake Ariel. The merger is
being  accounted  for as a  pooling-of-interests  and  qualifies  as a  tax-free
exchange for Lake Ariel shareholders.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

     LA Bank, N.A. is a commercial bank headquartered in northeast  Pennsylvania
with twenty-two branch offices in five counties and  approximately  $587 million
in assets at March 31,  2000.  The  combined  company,  NBT  Bancorp  Inc.,  has
combined assets over $2.0 billion and fifty-eight branch locations.
On December 8, 1999,  NBT Bancorp  Inc.  and Pioneer  American  Holding  Company
Corp., the parent company of Pioneer American Bank, N.A., announced they entered
into a definitive  agreement of merger. The merger is subject to the approval of
each company's shareholders and of banking regulators. The merger is expected to
close in the second  quarter of 2000 and is  intended to be  accounted  for as a
pooling-of-interests  and qualify as a tax-free  exchange  for Pioneer  American
shareholders.  Shareholders  of Pioneer  American  will receive a fixed ratio of
1.805 shares of NBT Bancorp  Inc.  common  stock for each share  exchanged.  NBT
Bancorp Inc. will issue  approximately  5.2 million shares and share equivalents
in exchange for all of the Pioneer  American common stock and share  equivalents
outstanding.
     Pioneer American Bank, N.A. is a full service  commercial bank with total
assets of approximately  $415 million at March 31, 2000 and eighteen branches in
five  counties in northeast  Pennsylvania.  Pioneer  American  Bank,  N.A.  will
ultimately be merged together with LA Bank,  N.A. to form the largest  community
bank headquartered in northeast Pennsylvania.
     On March 28, 2000, NBT Bancorp Inc. and M. Griffith, Inc. jointly announced
that a definitive  agreement has been signed for NBT Bancorp Inc. to acquire all
of the stock of M. Griffith,  Inc. M. Griffith,  Inc. is a Utica, New York based
securities  firm offering  investment,  financial  advisor and  asset-management
services,   primarily  in  the  Mohawk  Valley  region.  M.  Griffith,  Inc.,  a
full-service  broker/dealer and a Registered  Investment Advisor,  will become a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of NBT Financial Services, Inc. NBT Financial Services,
Inc. was created in September of 1999 to  concentrate  on expanding  NBT Bancorp
Inc.'s menu of financial services beyond traditional bank product offerings.
     On April 20, 2000,  NBT Bancorp Inc. and BSB Bancorp,  Inc.,  the parent
company of BSB Bank and Trust Company,  announced the signing of a definitive
agreement to merge. The merger is subject to the approval of each company's
shareholders and of banking regulators.  The merger is expected to close in the
fourth quarter of 2000 and is intended to be accounted for as a  pooling-of-
interests  and qualify as a tax-free exchange for BSB Bancorp, Inc.
shareholders.  Shareholders of BSB Bancorp,  Inc.  will  receive a fixed  ratio
of 2.0 shares of NBT  Bancorp  Inc. common stock for each share exchanged.
     BSB Bank and Trust  Company is a full  service  commercial  bank with total
assets of approximately  $2.2 billion at March 31, 2000 and twenty-two  branches
in six  counties in central New York and the Southern  Tier.  As a result of the
merger, NBT Bank, N.A. and BSB Bank and Trust Company will be combined to create
one of the  largest  independent  community  banks in  upstate  New  York.  This
strategic  alliance  will  create a bank  holding  company  with  assets of $4.7
billion and proforma market  capitalization of approximately  $539 million.  The
holding  company  will adopt a new name before the merger  occurs.  The combined
company will have three direct  operating  subsidiaries  including two community
banks and a financial services company.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS) No. 133  "Accounting  for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities".  This statement  establishes  comprehensive
accounting and reporting  requirements  for derivative  instruments  and hedging
activities. SFAS No. 133 requires companies to record derivatives on the balance
sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. The accounting for gains
or losses  resulting  from changes in the values of those  derivatives  would be
dependent on the use of the derivative and the type of risk being hedged. During
the second  quarter of 1999,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No.  137,  "Accounting  for
Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date
of FASB No. 133".  FASB No. 137 defers the effective date of FASB No. 133 by one
year from  fiscal  quarters  of fiscal  years  beginning  after June 15, 1999 to
fiscal  quarters of fiscal years  beginning  after June 15, 2000. At the present
time, the Company has not fully analyzed the effect or timing of the adoption of
SFAS No. 133 on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>

NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Item 2 -- 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  subsidiaries,  NBT Bank, N.A. (NBT)
and LA Bank N.A.  (LA)  collectively  referred  to herein as the  Company.  This
discussion  will focus on Results of  Operations,  Financial  Position,  Capital
Resources  and  Asset/Liability  Management.  Reference  should  be  made to the
Company's  consolidated  financial  statements and footnotes thereto included in
this FORM 10-Q as well as to the Company's  1999 FORM 10-K for an  understanding
of the  following  discussion  and  analysis.  In  December  1999,  the  Company
distributed a 5% stock dividend,  the fortieth consecutive year a stock dividend
has been declared.  Throughout this discussion and analysis,  amounts per common
share and common shares  outstanding have been adjusted  retroactively for stock
dividends and splits.
     On April 24, 2000, NBT Bancorp Inc.  announced the declaration of a regular
quarterly  cash  dividend of $0.17 per share.  The cash dividend will be paid on
June 15, 2000 to stockholders of record as of June 1, 2000.

     Certain statements in this release and other public releases by the Company
contain  forward-looking  information,  as  defined  in the  Private  Securities
Litigation  Reform Act. These statements may be identified by the use of phrases
such as "anticipate,"  "believe,"  "expect,"  "forecasts,"  "projects," or other
similar terms.  Actual results may differ materially from these statements since
such statements involve risks and  uncertainties.  Factors that may cause actual
results to differ  materially from those  contemplated  by such  forward-looking
statements include, among others, the following  possibilities:  (1) an increase
in competitive  pressures in the banking  industry;  (2) changes in the interest
rate  environment;  (3)  changes  in the  regulatory  environment;  (4)  general
economic environment  conditions,  either nationally or regionally,  may be less
favorable than expected,  resulting in, among other things,  a deterioration  in
credit quality; and (5) changes may incur in business conditions and inflation.

YEAR 2000
Concerns  over the  arrival  of the Year  2000  ("Y2K")  and its  impact  on the
embedded computer technologies used by financial institutions, among others, led
bank  regulatory   authorities  to  require   substantial  advance  testing  and
preparations by all banking organizations, including the Company. As of the date
of this filing,  the Company has experienced no material  problems in connection
with the arrival of Y2K,  either in connection with the services and products it
provides to its  customers  or in  connection  with the services and products it
receives  from  third  party  vendors  or  suppliers.  However,  while  no  such
occurrence has developed,  Y2K issues may arise that may not become  immediately
apparent. Therefore, the Company will continue to monitor and work to remedy any
issues that arise.  Although the Company  expects that its business  will not be
materially impacted, such future events cannot be known with certainty.

OVERVIEW
Net income of $4.2 million ($0.23 per diluted share) was recognized in the first
quarter of 2000,  down from first quarter 1999 net income of $5.8 million ($0.32
per  diluted  share).  The decline in net income can be  attributed  to the $1.1
million in merger related expenses  recognized during the first quarter of 2000.
Also  contributing to the decline in net income as compared to the first quarter
of 1999 is the $0.7  million in  securities  gains  recognized  during the first
quarter of 1999. After taking these items into consideration, the Company's core
earnings remained at the strong level experienced in the first quarter of 1999.
     Table 1 depicts several measurements of performance on an annualized basis.
Returns on average assets and equity measure how  effectively an entity utilizes
its total resources and capital, respectively. Both the return on average assets
and the return on average equity ratios declined for the quarter compared to the
same period a year previous.
     Net interest margin,  net federal taxable  equivalent (FTE) interest income
divided by average  interest-earning assets, is a measure of an entity's ability
to utilize  its earning  assets in  relation  to the cost of  funding.  Interest
income for tax-exempt  securities and loans is adjusted to a taxable  equivalent
basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TABLE 1
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            FIRST                First
                                                          QUARTER              Quarter
                                                             2000                 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>                  <C>
Return on average assets                                    0.86%                1.35%
Return on average equity                                   10.59%               13.84%
Net interest margin (FTE)                                   4.32%                4.52%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets,
primarily  loans  and  securities,  and  interest  expense  on  interest-bearing
liabilities,  primarily deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is affected
by the interest rate spread,  the difference between the yield on earning assets
and cost of interest-bearing  liabilities, as well as the volumes of such assets
and liabilities.  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 2  represents  an analysis  of net  interest  income on a federal  taxable
equivalent basis.
     Federal taxable equivalent (FTE) net interest income increased $2.1 million
during  the first  quarter of 2000  compared  to the same  period of 1999.  This
increase  can be  attributed  to a $258.4  million  increase in average  earning
assets, primarily the result of continued loan growth.
     Total FTE interest income  increased $6.1 million compared to first quarter
1999, a result of the previously mentioned increase in average earning assets as
well as a 15 basis point  increase in the yield earned on those earning  assets.
The increase in the yield on earning assets can be primarily  attributed to a 16
basis  point  increase  in  the  yield  on the  securities  available  for  sale
portfolio.  During the same time period,  total interest expense  increased $4.0
million,  primarily the result of a $229.4 million  increase in average interest
bearing  liabilities  between  reporting  periods.   Also  contributing  to  the
increased interest expense was a 38 basis point increase in the cost of interest
bearing  liabilities,  the result of the rising interest rate environment during
late 1999 and the first  quarter of 2000.  Driving this  increase in the cost of
funds was a 35 basis point increase in the cost of time deposits and an 86 basis
point increase in the cost of short-term  borrowings.  This increase in the cost
of funds  resulted in a 23 basis point decline in the interest  rate spread,  as
the Company's  liabilities  repriced  faster than the earning  assets during the
rising rate environment.
     Another important performance measurement of net interest income is the net
interest margin. This is computed by dividing annualized FTE net interest income
by average earning assets for the period. Net interest margin decreased to 4.32%
for first quarter 2000,  down from 4.52% for the comparable  period in 1999. The
decrease  in the  net  interest  margin  can  be  attributed  to the  previously
mentioned  decrease  in  the  interest  rate  spread  as  the  interest  bearing
liabilities  repriced  faster than the earning  assets  during the recent rising
interest rate environment.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TABLE 2
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FEDERAL TAXABLE EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME
                 Three months ended March 31,
 ANNUALIZED
 YIELD/RATE                                             AMOUNTS                  VARIANCE
 2000    1999  (dollars in thousands)                 2000      1999     TOTAL     VOLUME       RATE
 ----    ----                                         ----      ----     -----     ------       ----
<S>     <C>    <C>                                 <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>
5.12%   4.07%  Interest bearing deposits           $     6   $     4   $     2     $    -    $     2
5.48%   4.62%  Federal funds sold                       42       131       (89)      (119)        30
6.61%   6.77%  Other                                   354       322        32         40         (8)
6.88%   6.72%  Securities available for sale         9,043     7,734     1,309      1,111        198
               Securities held to maturity:
6.13%   6.12%   Taxable                                357       371       (14)       (14)         -
7.11%   6.60%   Tax exempt                             977       722       255        193         62
8.75%   8.68%  LOANS                                27,387    22,791     4,596      4,506         90
               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.12%   7.97%  Total interest income                38,166    32,075     6,091      5,717        374

3.23%   2.85%  Money market deposit accounts           903       793       110          -        110
1.38%   1.47%  NOW deposit accounts                    562       581       (19)         -        (19)
2.97%   2.99%  Savings deposits                      1,561     1,477        84         38         46
5.27%   4.92%  Time deposits                        10,420     8,155     2,265        178      2,087
5.58%   4.72%  Short-term borrowings                 2,054     1,139       915        884         31
5.62%   5.56%  LONG-TERM DEBT                        2,346     1,739       607        605          2
               ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.49%   4.11%  TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE               17,846    13,884     3,962      1,705      2,257
               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Net interest income                 $20,320   $18,191   $ 2,129     $4,012   $( 1,883)
               ======================================================================================
3.63%   3.86%  Interest rate spread
4.32%   4.52%  Net interest margin
               FTE adjustment                      $   710   $   473
               ==============                      =======   =======
</TABLE>

For purposes of the above yield  computations,  nonaccrual loans are included in
the average loan balances  outstanding  and average  securities are at amortized
cost. Average balances used to calculate the yields are daily averages.


PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses is a valuation  allowance  established  to provide
for the inherent risk of loss in the Company's loan portfolio.  The allowance is
maintained  at a level  considered  adequate to provide  for loan loss  exposure
based on management's  estimate of probable losses in the portfolio  considering
an evaluation of risk,  economic factors,  and past loss experience.  Management
determines  the  provision  and  allowance  for loan losses based on a number of
factors including a comprehensive  loan review program conducted  throughout the
year. The loan portfolio is continually  evaluated in order to identify  problem
loans, credit concentration,  and other risk factors such as economic conditions
and trends. The allowance for loan losses to outstanding loans at March 31, 2000
was  1.35%,  compared  to 1.44% at March  31,  1999.  Management  considers  the
allowance for loan losses to be adequate based on evaluation and analysis of the
loan portfolio.
     Table 3 reflects  changes to the  allowance for loan losses for the periods
presented.  The  allowance  is  increased by  provisions  for losses  charged to
operations  and is reduced  by net  charge-offs.  Charge-offs  are made when the
collectability  of loan  principal  within a reasonable  time is  unlikely.  Any
recoveries  of  previously  charged-off  loans  are  credited  directly  to  the
allowance for loan losses.  Net  charge-offs  for the first quarter of 2000 were
$0.4 million,  or 0.14% of average loans,  compared to $0.8 million, or 0.32% of
average loans for the same period of 1999.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TABLE 3
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Three months ended March 31,
(dollars in thousands)                                    2000                                 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>                                  <C>
Balance, beginning of period                           $16,654                              $15,322
Recoveries                                                 248                                  221
Charge-offs                                               (693)                              (1,055)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net (charge-offs)                                         (445)                                (834)
Provision for loan losses                                1,334                                1,120
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, end of period                                 $17,543                              $15,608
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMPOSITION OF NET CHARGE-OFFS
Commercial and agricultural                            $   (97)     22%                     $  (376)    45%
Real estate mortgage                                       (86)     18%                         (28)     3%
Consumer                                                  (262)     60%                        (430)    52%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net charge-offs                                        $  (445)    100%                     $  (834)   100%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annualized net charge-offs to average loans                       0.14%                               0.32%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net charge-offs to average loans for the year ended
 December 31, 1999                                                                                    0.33%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

NONINTEREST INCOME
Table 4 below  presents  noninterest  income  for the first  quarter of 2000 and
1999. Total noninterest income for the first quarter of 2000, excluding security
gains,  was stable  when  compared to first  quarter  1999.  Service  charges on
deposit accounts increased $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2000 compared to
the same period of 1999.  This  improvement  can be attributed to an increase in
service  fee and  overdraft  income  resulting  from  growth in  demand  deposit
accounts.  Other  income  decreased  $0.2  million in the first  quarter of 2000
compared to the same period of 1999.  This  decrease can be attributed to a mark
to  market  adjustment  as a result  of a  decline  in the  market  value of the
Company's mortgage loans held for sale portfolio.
     Security  gains  decreased  $0.7  million  for the  first  quarter  2000 as
compared to first quarter 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TABLE 4
NONINTEREST INCOME
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               FIRST                First
                                                             QUARTER              Quarter
(dollars in thousands)                                          2000                 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>                  <C>
Trust income                                                  $  860               $  835
Service charges on deposit accounts                            1,620                1,408
Securities gains                                                   -                  668
Other income                                                   1,135                1,365
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total noninterest income                                    $3,615               $4,276
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

NONINTEREST EXPENSE AND OPERATING EFFICIENCY
Table 5 presents components of noninterest expense as well as selected operating
efficiency ratios.  Total noninterest expense increased $3.2 million between the
quarter ended March 31, 2000 and the same period for 1999.  Contributing to this
increase in the first quarter of 2000 was $1.1 million in merger and acquisition
related  expenses  associated  with  the  previously  mentioned  mergers.  It is
anticipated  that  the  Company  will  incur   approximately  $11.2  million  in
additional merger and acquisition expenses related to the Lake Ariel and Pioneer
American  mergers  during 2000.  In  addition,  during 2000 and 2001 the Company
anticipates  incurring   approximately  $16.5  million  of  pre-tax  merger  and
acquisition expenses related to the BSB Bancorp, Inc. merger.
     Salaries and employee benefits for the first quarter of 2000 increased $1.1
million  compared to the same period of 1999,  primarily the result of increased
salaries and performance based incentives.
     Occupancy  expense for the first quarter of 2000 experienced a $0.2 million
increase compared to the same period in 1999. This increase can be attributed to
an  increase  in security  expense  from a third  party  contract to enhance the
maintenance  of the  Company's  security  equipment.  Also  contributing  to the


                                      -13-
<PAGE>

increase in occupancy expense was an increase in rental expense  associated with
the addition of branch and ATM locations through out our market areas.
     Equipment  expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2000  experienced a $0.2
million increase compared to the same period in 1999, primarily  attributable to
increased equipment depreciation and maintenance.
     Other  operating  expense for the first quarter of 2000  experienced a $0.4
million  increase  compared to the first quarter of 1999.  Included in the first
quarter 1999 other operating  expense was a nonrecurring gain of $0.2 million on
the sale of other real estate owned.
     One  important  operating  efficiency  measure  that  the  Company  closely
monitors is the  efficiency  ratio.  The  efficiency  ratio is computed as total
noninterest  expense  (excluding  nonrecurring  charges) divided by net interest
income plus  noninterest  income  (excluding  net security  gains and losses and
nonrecurring  income).  The  efficiency  ratio  increased to 57.24% in the first
quarter of 2000 from  55.16% in the same  period of 1999.  This  increase  was a
result of the increase in noninterest expense between reporting periods.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TABLE 5
NONINTEREST EXPENSE AND PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENTS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             FIRST                First
                                                           QUARTER              Quarter
(dollars in thousands)                                        2000                 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                  <C>
Salaries and employee benefits                               7,081                5,970
Office supplies and postage                                    592                  637
Occupancy                                                    1,232                1,024
Equipment                                                    1,137                  947
Professional fees and outside services                         756                  697
Data processing and communications                           1,132                  972
Amortization of intangible assets                              312                  329
Merger and acquisition costs                                 1,122                    -
Other operating                                              1,619                1,240
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total noninterest expense                                $14,983              $11,816
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Efficiency ratio                                             57.24%               55.16%
Average full-time equivalent
 employees                                                     656                  661
Average assets per average
 full-time  equivalent employee
 (millions)                                                $   3.0              $   2.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense was $2.7  million for the first  quarter of 2000  compared to
$3.3 million for the first quarter of 1999.  The decrease in income taxes during
the first  quarter of 2000 can be  attributed  to the  decreased  income  before
income taxes between reporting periods. The effective tax rate was 38.6% for the
first quarter of 2000 and 36.2% for the same period of 1999. The increase in the
effective tax rate can be attributed to  non-deductible  merger and  acquisition
costs.

BALANCE SHEET
The following  table  highlights the changes in the balance sheet.  Since period
end  balances  can be  distorted by one day  fluctuations,  the  discussion  and
analysis  concentrates  on average  balances when  appropriate  to give a better
indication of balance sheet trends.


                                      -14-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TABLE 6
AVERAGE BALANCES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Three months ended
                                                                      March 31,
(dollars in thousands)                                    2000                               1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                                 <C>
Cash and cash equivalents                           $   53,078                         $   55,533
Securities available for sale, at fair value           496,279                            471,104
Securities held to maturity                             78,691                             68,977
Loans                                                1,258,144                          1,065,313
Deposits                                             1,493,278                          1,334,062
Short-term borrowings                                  148,120                             97,876
Long-term debt                                         168,004                            126,812
Stockholders' equity                                   161,042                            169,273
Assets                                               1,983,649                          1,741,376
Earning assets                                       1,890,843                          1,632,450
Interest bearing liabilities                        $1,599,924                         $1,370,544
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

SECURITIES
Average total  securities  were $34.9  million  greater for the first quarter of
2000 than for the same period of 1999.  The majority of this increase was in the
available for sale  portfolio.  During the first quarter of 2000, the securities
portfolio  represented 32.1% of average earning assets compared to 32.8% for the
first quarter of 1999. At March 31, 2000, the securities portfolio was comprised
of 86% available for sale and 14% held to maturity securities.

LOANS
The Company has  continued to experience  strong  growth in the loan  portfolio.
Average loan volume for the first quarter of 2000 was $192.8  million,  or 18.1%
greater than the first quarter 1999 average. This growth has been present in all
loan categories, with increases in the average commercial, consumer and mortgage
portfolios of $125.1 million, $53.5 million and $14.2 million, respectively.
     The  Company  has  continued  to  experience  an increase in the demand for
commercial  loans,  primarily in the business  and real estate  categories.  The
Company  does not engage in highly  leveraged  transactions  or foreign  lending
activities.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND PAST DUE LOANS
Nonperforming  assets  consist of  nonaccrual  loans and other real estate owned
(OREO).  Loans are  generally  placed on nonaccrual  when  principal or interest
payments become ninety days past due, unless the loan is well secured and in the
process of collection. Loans may also be placed on nonaccrual when circumstances
indicate  that the borrower may be unable to meet the  contractual  principal or
interest payments.  OREO represents property acquired through foreclosure and is
valued  at the  lower of the  carrying  amount or fair  market  value,  less any
estimated disposal costs.
     Total nonperforming  assets were $8.5 million at March 31, 2000 compared to
$7.9  million at March 31,  1999.  An  increase  of $2.0  million in  nonaccrual
commercial and  agricultural  loans was partially  offset by a decrease in other
real estate  owned of $1.1  million.  A  significant  portion of the increase in
nonaccrual  commercial  loans can be attributed to two  customers.  Total assets
containing risk elements were $9.2 million, or 0.45% of assets at March 31, 2000
compared to $8.8 million, or 0.49% of assets at March 31, 1999. The reduction in
assets  containing  risk elements to assets  indicates an  improvement  in asset
quality.
     At March 31,  2000,  the  recorded  investment  in impaired  loans was $6.4
million. Included in this amount is $3.2 million of impaired loans for which the
specifically  allocated  allowance for loan loss is $1.0  million.  In addition,
included in impaired  loans is $3.1 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, 1999,  the recorded  investment  in impaired
loans  was  $4.7  million,  of  which  $0.9  million  had a  specific  allowance
allocation  of $0.5  million  and $3.8  million  for which there was no specific
reserve.  At March 31, 1999, the recorded  investment in impaired loans was $4.4
million,  of which $1.5  million  had a specific  allowance  allocation  of $0.5
million and $2.8  million of which there was no  specific  reserve.  The Company
classifies all commercial and small business nonaccrual loans as impaired loans.


                                      -15-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 7
NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND RISK ELEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  MARCH 31,                     March 31,
(dollars in thousands)                                               2000                          1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>              <C>         <C>
Commercial and agricultural                                  $6,363        82%              $4,385      73%
Real estate mortgage                                            531         7%                 691      11%
Consumer                                                        846        11%                 953      16%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total nonaccrual loans                                      7,740       100%               6,029     100%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other real estate owned                                         789                          1,896
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total nonperforming assets                                  8,529                          7,925
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing:
 Commercial and agricultural                                     64        10%                  21       3%
 Real estate mortgage                                           423        67%                 515      61%
 Consumer                                                       143        23%                 299      36%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total                                                         630       100%                 835     100%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total assets containing risk elements                      $9,159                         $8,760
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total nonperforming loans to loans                                       0.60%                        0.56%
Total loans containing risk elements to loans                            0.65%                        0.63%
Total nonperforming assets to assets                                     0.42%                        0.44%
Total assets containing risk elements to assets                          0.45%                        0.49%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

DEPOSITS
Customer deposits represent the greatest source of funding assets. Average total
deposits for the quarter ended March 31, 2000 were $1.5 billion compared to $1.3
billion  at March  31,  1999.  This  growth  has  been  present  in all  deposit
categories,  with increases in the average demand,  savings and time deposits of
$21.3 million,  $14.4 million and $123.6  million,  respectively.  As previously
mentioned,  the  increase in demand  deposits  has led to an increase in service
charge fee income.

BORROWED FUNDS
The Company's  borrowed  funds consist of  short-term  borrowings  and long-term
debt.  Average  short-term  borrowings for the first quarter of 2000 were $148.1
million compared to $97.9 million for the same period of 1999. Average long-term
debt for the first quarter of 2000 was $168.0 million compared to $126.8 million
for the same period of 1999.  The increase in borrowed  funds between  reporting
periods can be attributed to the need for funding the strong loan growth.

CAPITAL AND DIVIDENDS
Stockholders'  equity of $162.5 million represents 8.0% of total assets at March
31, 2000,  compared with $170.0  million,  or 9.5% a year  previous,  and $160.5
million, or 8.2% at December 31, 1999.
     In December 1999, the Company distributed a 5% stock dividend, the fortieth
consecutive year a stock dividend has been declared. 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.
     Capital  is an  important  factor in  ensuring  the  safety of  depositors'
accounts.  During both 1999 and 1998,  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.
     As the  capital  ratios  in Table 8  indicate,  the  Company  remains  well
capitalized.  Capital  measurements  are  significantly  in excess of regulatory
minimum  guidelines and meet the  requirements to be considered well capitalized
for all  periods  presented.  Tier 1  leverage,  Tier 1 capital  and  Risk-based
capital ratios have regulatory minimum guidelines of 3%, 4% and 8% respectively,
with  requirements  to be  considered  well  capitalized  of  5%,  6%  and  10%,
respectively.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TABLE 8
CAPITAL MEASUREMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          FIRST                 First
                                                        QUARTER               Quarter
                                                           2000                  1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>  <C>                                                  <C>                   <C>
Tier 1 leverage ratio                                     8.61%                 9.24%
Tier 1 capital ratio                                     12.93%                14.73%
Total risk-based capital ratio                           14.08%                15.90%
Cash dividends as a percentage
 of net income                                           72.53%                44.94%
Per common share:
 Book value                                            $  8.98               $  9.45
 Tangible book value                                   $  8.53               $  8.92
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The accompanying  Table 9 presents the high, low and closing sales price for the
common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market, and cash dividends declared
per share of common stock. At March 31, 2000, total market capitalization of the
Company's common stock was approximately $262 million compared with $358 million
at March 31, 1999. The Company's price to book value ratio was 1.61 at March 31,
2000 and 2.10 a year ago. The Company's price was 16 times  annualized  earnings
at March 31, 2000, compared to 15 times a year previous.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 9
QUARTERLY COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Cash
                                                                             Dividends
Quarter Ending               High              Low             Close          Declared
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>              <C>               <C>               <C>
March 31                   $23.33           $19.89            $19.89            $0.162
June 30                     21.19            19.05             19.52             0.162
September 30                20.90            16.43             16.49             0.162
December 31                 17.98            14.63             15.50             0.170
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31                   $16.50           $11.38            $14.50            $0.170
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
[FN]
*historical NBT Bancorp Inc. only
</FN>


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
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.
     The  Company's  primary  measure of liquidity is called the basic  surplus,
which  compares the adequacy of cash sources to the amounts of volatile  funding
sources.  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. Accordingly, the Company has established borrowing
agreements with other banks (Federal  Funds),  the Federal Home Loan Bank (short
and  long-term  borrowings  which  are  denoted  as  advances),  and  repurchase
agreements with investment companies.  The Asset/Liability  Management Committee
has determined that liquidity is adequate to meet the cash flow  requirements of
the Company.
     Interest rate risk is determined by the relative  sensitivities  of earning
asset yields and interest bearing  liability costs to changes in interest rates.
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.  Through  analysis of the interest  sensitivity  gap, the Company


                                      -17-
<PAGE>

attempts to position its assets and  liabilities to maximize net interest income
in several different interest rate scenarios.
     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 measures interest rate risk based on the potential change in
net interest  income under various rate  environments.  The Company  utilizes an
interest  rate risk model that  simulates  net  interest  income  under  various
interest  rate  environments.  The model  groups  assets  and  liabilities  into
components  with similar  interest rate  repricing  characteristics  and applies
certain assumptions to these products.  These assumptions  include,  but are not
limited to prepayment  estimates  under different rate  environments,  potential
call options of the investment  portfolio and forecasted  volumes of the various
balance  sheet items.  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 March 31, 2000 balance sheet position.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 10
INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in interest rates                    Percent change in
(in basis points)                         net interest income
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>
+200                                                  (3.12%)
+100                                                  (1.80%)
- -100                                                   0.97%
- -200                                                   1.13%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item  1 -- 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  2 -- Changes in Securities

Following are listed changes in the Company's  Common Stock  outstanding  during
the  quarter  ended March 31,  2000 as well as certain  actions  which have been
taken which may affect the number of shares of Common Stock (shares) outstanding
in the future. There was no Preferred Stock outstanding during the quarter ended
March 31, 2000.

     At a Special  Meeting  of  Stockholders  held on  February  17,  2000,  the
stockholders  of NBT Bancorp  Inc.  approved  two  amendments  to the  Company's
Certificate of  Incorporation.  The first amendment changed the Company's common
and  preferred  stock from no par value,  $1.00 stated value per share to shares
having a par value of $.01 per share. The second amendment  increased the number
of  authorized  shares of NBT Bancorp  Inc.  common  stock from 15 million to 30
million.

Item  3 -- Defaults Upon Senior Securities

This item is omitted  because there were no defaults  upon the Company's  senior
securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2000.

Item  4 -- Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The  Company  held a Special  Meeting of  Stockholders  on  February  17,  2000.
Stockholders approved the following proposals:

a. Proposal to approve the amendment to Article  Fourth of NBT's  Certificate of
Incorporation to change NBT's  authorized  common stock and preferred stock from
no par value, stated value $1.00 per share to a par value of $.01 per share.

     The  proposal  was  approved,  with  10,177,577  votes FOR,  489,762  votes
     AGAINST, and 363,007 votes ABSTAINING.


b. Proposal to approve the amendment to Article  Fourth of NBT's  Certificate of
Incorporation  to increase the number of authorized  shares of common stock from
15 million to 30 million.

     The  proposal  was  approved,  with  10,255,583  votes FOR,  556,831  votes
     AGAINST, and 217,895 votes ABSTAINING.


c. To approve a proposal to ratify a change to Article III, Section 2 of the NBT
Bancorp Inc. Bylaws, relating to the number, classification and qualification of
directors, previously approved by the NBT Bancorp Inc. Board of Directors.

     The proposal was approved, with 9,087,635 votes FOR, 929,423 votes AGAINST,
     and 242,839 votes ABSTAINING.


d. To approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 16, 1999, and
amended as of December 13, 1999 and further  amended as of December 27, 1999, by
and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Lake Ariel  Bancorp,  Inc.  which,  among other
things,  Lake Ariel will merge with and into NBT Bancorp Inc.,  with NBT Bancorp
Inc.  being  the  surviving   corporation   and  NBT  Bancorp  Inc.  will  issue
approximately 4.8 million shares of common stock to the Lake Ariel  stockholders
upon completion of the merger.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

     The proposal was approved, with 9,588,479 votes FOR, 518,735 votes AGAINST,
     and 152,681 votes ABSTAINING.

Item  5 -- Other Information

Not Applicable

Item  6 -- Exhibits and Reports on FORM 8-K

(a)  An index to exhibits follows the signature page of this FORM 10-Q.

(b) During  the first  quarter  ended  March 31,  2000,  the  Company  filed the
    following Current Reports on Form 8-K:

         Current  report  on Form 8K filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
         Commission  on February 22, 2000
         Current  report on Form 8K filed with the Securities and Exchange
         Commission on March 3, 2000
         Current report on Form 8K filed with the Securities  and Exchange
         Commission on March 31, 2000

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused this report on FORM 10-Q to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, this 15th day of May, 2000.




                                NBT BANCORP INC.



                           By: /S/ MICHAEL J. CHEWENS
                         -------------------------------
                             Michael J. Chewens, CPA
                            Executive Vice President
                      Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


                                      -21-
<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

The  following  documents  are  attached  as  Exhibits  to this FORM 10-Q 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-Q
Exhibit                                                                                         Exhibit
NUMBER                                                                                          CROSS-REFERENCE
- ------                                                                                          ---------------
<S>      <C>                                                                                    <C>
3.1      Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc., as amended
         through February 17, 2000                                                              Herein

10.1     NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan as amended through
         January 24, 2000                                                                       Herein

10.2     Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
         Daryl R. Forsythe made as of January 1, 2000                                           Herein

10.3     Supplemental Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT
         Bank, National Association and Daryl R. Forsythe made as of January 1,
         1995 and as revised on April 28, 1998, and on January 1, 2000                          Herein

10.4     Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
         Martin A. Dietrich made as of January 1, 2000                                          Herein

10.5     Supplemental Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT
         Bank, National Association and Martin A. Dietrich made as of
         January 1, 2000                                                                        Herein

10.6     Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
         Joe C. Minor made as of January 1, 2000                                                Herein

10.7     Supplemental Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT
         Bank, National Association and Joe C. Minor made as of
         January 1, 2000                                                                        Herein

10.8     Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
         John G. Martines made as of February 17, 2000                                          Herein

10.9     Form of Change-In-Control Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc.
         and the following officers of NBT Bancorp Inc. or one or more of its
         subsidiaries: John R. Bradley, Michael J. Chewens, Rita K. DeMarko,
         Martin A. Dietrich, Joseph J. Earyes, Daryl R. Forsythe, John G. Martines,
         Joe C. Minor, Jane Neal, David E. Raven, Kenneth C. Reilly, and
         John D. Roberts                                                                        Herein

10.10    NBT Bancorp Inc. 2000 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan                            Herein

27.1     Financial Data Schedule for period ending March 31, 2000                               Herein

27.2     Financial Data Schedule for period ending March 31, 1999                               Herein
</TABLE>


                                      -22-
<PAGE>


                                   EXHIBIT 3.1
                Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc.,
                      as amended through February 17, 2000



<PAGE>

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                                NBT BANCORP INC.
                               AS AMENDED THROUGH
                                FEBRUARY 17, 2000

         FIRST:   The name of the corporation (hereinafter called the
Corporation) is NBT BANCORP INC.

         SECOND:  The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the
State of Delaware is 229 South State Street,  City of Dover, County of Kent; and
the name of the registered  agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at
such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.

         THIRD:  The nature of the business and the purpose to be conducted  and
promoted by the Corporation shall be to conduct any lawful business,  to promote
any  lawful  purpose,  and to engage in any  lawful  act or  activity  for which
corporations may be organized under the General  Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.

(A) FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the
Corporation shall have the authority to issue is Thirty-Two Million Five Hundred
Thousand  (32,500,000) shares,  consisting of Thirty Million (30,000,000) shares
of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share and Two Million Five Hundred Thousand
(2,500,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

         Each share of Common Stock having no par value,  stated value $1.00 per
share  (`Existing  Common  Stock')  outstanding  on the  effective  date  of the
amendment including this paragraph shall be reclassified as and changed into one
share of Common Stock,  par value $.01 per share ("New Common Stock"),  upon the
effectiveness   of  such  amendment.   The   certificates   that  prior  to  the
effectiveness of such amendment  represented  Existing Common Stock shall remain
outstanding and shall  thereafter  represent the shares of New Common Stock into
which the Shares of Existing  Common  Stock have been  reclassified  as provided
herein.

         FIFTH:  The Board of Directors is  authorized,  subject to  limitations
prescribed by law and the provisions of the Article  FOURTH,  to provide for the
issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate
pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware,  to establish from time
to time the number of shares to be included in each such series,  and to fix the
designation,  powers,  preferences  and rights of the shares of each such series
and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

         The  authority of the Board with respect to each series shall  include,
but not to be limited to, determination of the following:

                  (a) The number of shares constituting that series and the
distinctive designation of that series;


<PAGE>

                  (b) The dividend  rate on the shares of that  series,  whether
dividends  shall be  cumulative,  and, if so, from which date or dates,  and the
relative  rights of  priority,  if any, of payment of  dividends  shares of that
series;

                  (c) Whether that series shall have voting rights,  in addition
to the voting  rights  provided  by law,  and,  if so, the terms of such  voting
rights;

(A) AS LAST AMENDED FEBRUARY 17, 2000

                  (d) Whether that series shall have conversion privileges, and,
if so, the terms and  conditions of such  conversion,  including  provisions for
adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors shall
determine;

                  (e)  Whether  or not  the  shares  of  that  series  shall  be
redeemable,  and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption,  including
the date or dates upon or after which they shall be  redeemable,  and the amount
per share payable in case of redemption,  which amount may vary under  different
conditions and at different redemption dates;

                  (f)  Whether  that  series  shall have a sinking  fund for the
redemption  or  purchase  of shares of that  series,  and,  if so, the terms and
amount of such sinking fund;

                  (g) The  right of the  shares  of that  series in the event of
voluntary  or  involuntary  liquidation,   dissolution  or  winding  up  of  the
Corporation,  and the relative rights of priority,  if any, of payment of shares
of that series;

                  (h) Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of
that series.

         Dividends on  outstanding  shares of  Preferred  Stock shall be paid or
declared  and set apart  for  payment,  before  any  dividends  shall be paid or
declared  and set apart for payment on the Common Stock with respect to the same
dividend period.

         If upon  any  voluntary  or  involuntary  liquidation,  dissolution  or
winding up of the Corporation,  the assets available for distribution to holders
of shares of  Preferred  Stock of all series shall be  insufficient  to pay such
holders  the full  preferential  amount to which  they are  entitled,  then such
assets shall be distributed  ratably among the shares of all series of Preferred
Stock in accordance with the respective  preferential  amounts (including unpaid
cumulative dividends, if any) payable with respect thereto.

         SIXTH:   The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

         SEVENTH: The name and the mailing address of the incorporator are as
follows:

<PAGE>

         NAME                                        MAILING ADDRESS

         Everett A. Gilmour                          52 South Broad Street
                                                     Norwich, New York 13815

         EIGHTH:  For the  management of the business and for the conduct of the
affairs of the Corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation
of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and of its stockholders or
any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided:

                  A. The  management  of the  business  and the  conduct  of the
affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number
of  directors  shall be fixed by, or in the manner  provided  in,  the  By-Laws.
Directors  need not be elected  by written  ballot,  unless so  required  by the
By-Laws of the Corporation.

                  B. After the original or other By-Laws of the Corporation have
been adopted,  amended, or repealed,  as the case may be, in accordance with the
provisions  of  Section  109 of the  General  Corporation  Law of the  State  of
Delaware,  and after the  Corporation  has  received  any payment for any of its
stock,  the power to adopt,  amend, or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation may
be exercised by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

         NINTH: Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State
of Delaware,  as the By-Laws may provide.  The books of the  Corporation  may be
kept  (subject to any provision  contained in the statute)  outside the State of
Delaware at such place or places as may be  designated  from time to time by the
Board of Directors or in the By-Laws of the Corporation.

         TENTH:  From time to time, any of the provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation  may  be  amended,  altered  or  repealed,  and  other  provisions
authorized  by the laws of the  State of  Delaware  at the time in force  may be
added or inserted,  all in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of
the State of Delaware,  and all rights and powers at any time conferred upon the
stockholders  and  the  directors  of the  Corporation  by this  Certificate  of
Incorporation are granted,  subject to the provisions of this Article TENTH. The
provisions  set forth in Article  ELEVENTH may not be repealed or amended in any
respect,  unless such action is approved by the affirmative  vote of the holders
of not less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding  shares of Voting Stock
(as defined in Article ELEVENTH) of the Corporation; provided, however, if there
is a Major Stockholder as defined in Article ELEVENTH, such eighty percent (80%)
vote must include the  affirmative  vote of at least eighty percent (80%) of the
outstanding  shares of voting  stock held by  shareholders  other than the Major
Stockholder.

(B)      ELEVENTH:

         (a) The affirmative vote of the holders of not less than eighty percent
(80%) of the total voting power of all  outstanding  shares  entitled to vote in
the election of any particular  Class of Directors (as defined in Section (c) of
this Article ELEVENTH) and held by disinterested shareholders (as defined below)
shall  be  required  for  the  approval  or   authorization   of  any  "Business
Combination," as defined and set forth below:

<PAGE>
                  (1) Any merger, consolidation or other business reorganization
or combination  of the  Corporation  or any of its  subsidiaries  with any other
corporation that is a Major Stockholder of the Corporation;

                  (2) Any sale, lease or exchange by the Corporation of all or a
substantial part of its assets to or with a Major Stockholder;

                  (3) Any issue of any stock or other security of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for cash, assets or securities of a Major
Stockholder;

                  (4) Any reverse  stock  split of, or  exchange of  securities,
cash  or  other  properties  or  assets  of any  outstanding  securities  of the
Corporation  or any of its  subsidiaries  or  liquidation  or dissolution of the
Corporation  or any of its  subsidiaries  in any  such  case  in  which  a Major
Stockholder  receives  any  securities,  cash or  other  assets  whether  or not
different  from those  received or retained by any holder of  securities  of the
same class as held by such Major Shareholder.

(B)      AS AMENDED FEBRUARY 21, 1986

The affirmative  vote required by this Article  ELEVENTH shall be in addition to
the vote of the  holders  of any  class or  series  of stock of the  Corporation
otherwise  required  by  law,  by any  other  Article  of  this  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  or as this Certificate of Incorporation  may be amended,  by any
resolution  of the Board of Directors  providing  for the issuance of a class or
series of stock,  or by any agreement  between the  Corporation and any national
securities exchange.

                  (b) For the purpose of this Article ELEVENTH:

                           (1)      The term "Major Stockholder" shall mean and
include any person,  corporation,  partnership, or other person or entity which,
together with its  "Affiliates" and "Associates" (as defined at Rule 12b-2 under
the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934),  "beneficially  owns"  (as  hereinafter
defined) in the aggregate five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of
Voting Stock, and any Affiliates or Associates of any such person,  corporation,
partnership, or other person or entity.

                           (2)      The term "Substantial Part" shall mean more
than  twenty-five   percent  (25%)  of  the  fair  market  value  of  the  total
consolidated  assets of the  Corporation in question,  or more than  twenty-five
percent (25%) of the  aggregate par value of authorized  and issued Voting Stock
of the Corporation in question,  as of the end of its most recent fiscal quarter
ending prior to the time the determination is being made.

                           (3)      The term "Voting Stock" shall mean the stock
of Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors.

<PAGE>
                           (4)      The term "Beneficial Owner" shall mean any
person and certain related  parties,  directly,  or indirectly who own shares or
have the right to acquire or vote shares of the company.

                           (5)      The term "Disinterested Shareholder" shall
mean any  holder of voting  securities  of the  company  other  then (i) a Major
Stockholder  if it or any of them has a financial  interest  in the  transaction
being  voted on (except  for a financial  interest  attributable  solely to such
person's  interest as a  stockholder  of the company  which is  identical to the
interests  of all  stockholders  of the same class) and (ii) in the context of a
transaction  described in (a) (4) above, any Major  Stockholder  (whether or not
having a financial  interest  described in clause (i) of this sentence) if it or
any of them has  directly or  indirectly  proposed  the  transaction,  solicited
proxies to vote in favor of the transaction,  financed any such  solicitation of
proxies or entered into any contract,  arrangement,  or  understanding  with any
person for the voting of securities of the company in favor of the transaction.

                  (c) The  provisions  of this  Article  shall  not  apply  to a
Business  Combination  which is approved by  sixty-six  and  two-thirds  percent
(66-2/3%) of those members of the Board of Directors who were directors prior to
the time when the Major Stockholder became a Major  Stockholder.  The provisions
of this  Article  shall not apply to a Business  Combination  which (i) does not
change any stockholder's percentage ownership in the shares of stock entitled to
vote in the election of directors of any successor of the  Corporation  from the
percentage  of the  shares  of  Voting  Stock  owned by such  stockholder;  (ii)
provides for the  provisions  of this  Article  without any  amendment,  change,
alteration, or deletion, to apply to any successor to the Corporation; and (iii)
does not  transfer  all or a  Substantial  Part of the  Corporation's  assets or
Voting Stock other than to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation.

                  (d)  Nothing contained in the Article shall be construed to
relieve a Major  Stockholder  from any fiduciary  obligation  imposed by law. In
addition, nothing contained in this Article hall prevent any stockholders of the
Corporation  from objecting to any Business  Combination  and from demanding any
appraisal rights which may be available to such stockholder.

(C)

                  (e) The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be divided
into three classes:  Class 1,Class 2 and Class 3, which shall be as nearly equal
as  possible.  Each  Director  shall  serve for a term ending on the date of the
third Annual Meeting of Stockholders  following the Annual Meeting at which such
Director was elected;  provided,  however, that each initial Director in Class 1
shall hold office until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 1987; each initial
Director in Class 2 shall hold office until the Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders
in 1988; and each initial Director in Class 3 shall hold office until the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders  in 1989.  Such initial  Directors for each of the three
Classes of Directors  shall be as follows:  Class 1 - John M. Kolbas and Paul O.
Stillman; Class 2 - Donald E. Stone,

<PAGE>
Darryl R.  Gregson  and Paul R.  Enggaard;  Class 3 - Everett A.  Gilmour,  J.K.
Weinman and Thomas J. Mirabito.  In the event of any increase or decrease in the
authorized  number  of  Directors,  (1)  each  Director  then  serving  as  such
nevertheless  continue as a Director of the Class of which he is a member  until
the  expiration of his current term,  or his earlier  resignation,  removal from
office or death, and (2) the newly created or eliminated directorships resulting
from such  increase or decrease  shall be  appointed  by the Board of  Directors
among the three  Classes of Directors  so as to maintain  such classes as nearly
equal as  possible.  Notwithstanding  any of the  foregoing  provisions  of this
Article  ELEVENTH,  each Director shall serve until his successor is elected and
qualified or until his earlier resignation, removal from office or death.

(D) TWELTH: A director of the Corporation  shall not be personally liable to the
Corporation  or its  stockholders  for monetary  damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as director  except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty
of loyalty to the  Corporation of its  stockholders,  (ii) for acts of omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General  Corporation Law, as the
same exists or hereafter may be amended,  or (iv) for any transaction from which
the director  derived an improper  personal  benefit.  If the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law  hereafter is amended to authorize the further  elimination  or
limitation of the  liability of  directors,  then the liability of a director of
the Corporation,  in addition to the limitation on personal  liability  provided
herein, shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended Delaware
General  Corporation  Law. Any repeal or  modification  of this paragraph by the
stockholders  of the  Corporation  shall be  prospective  only,  and  shall  not
adversely  affect any limitation on the personal  liability of a director of the
Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

(C)      PARAGRAPH (E) ADDED BY AMENDMENT FEBRUARY 21, 1986.

(D)      ARTICLE TWELFTH ADDED BY AMENDMENT FEBRUARY 28, 1987.
<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 10.1
           NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan as amended through
                                January 24, 2000
<PAGE>

                                NBT BANCORP INC.
                             1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN

         1.  Purposes.  (a) 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.

         (b) In furtherance of these  purposes,  all stock options to be granted
pursuant to the Plan shall be non-statutory ("non-qualified") stock options.

         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. It is intended that the Committee at all times comply
with the disinterested administration provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         (b)  The  Committee   shall  have  full  authority  and  discretion  to
determine,  consistent  with the  provisions  of this Plan,  the employees to be
granted 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 8); 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.

<PAGE>
         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 1,100,000
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  certificates.  Each optionee  shall be
entitled  to  receive  an  appropriate  certificate  evidencing  his  option and
referring to the terms and conditions of this Plan.

         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 and the five preceding trading days
prior to the date of grant.  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 for the
five most recent preceding trading days.

         (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. 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 of 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%) 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

<PAGE>
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.

         (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.

         (d) (i) Except as otherwise  provided herein,  for each share of Common
Stock  purchased by an optionee upon the exercise of a stock option  pursuant to
the Plan,  the optionee  upon the approval of the Board or the  Committee  shall
receive a replacement  option (a "Reload  Option") to purchase  another share of
Common Stock at the Fair Market Value,  determined  in  accordance  with Section
6(a). The Board or the Committee  shall grant such Reload Options as of the last
business day of the calendar  quarter  during which the original  stock  options
were exercised.

         (ii) A Reload Option shall become  exercisable two years after the date
of its grant,  provided the optionee is then an employee or retired  employee of
the  Company,  shall be  exercisable  for the  same  number  of  years  that was
originally  assigned to the option which such Reload Option replaced,  and shall
be subject to such other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine.

         (iii) No Reload  Option  shall be  granted  upon  exercise  of a Reload
Option.

         (iv) If an optionee  shall sell shares of Common Stock without Board or
Committee  approval  (which  approval  shall not be  withheld  in the case of an
optionee's  financial  hardship)  within  two years  after the grant of a Reload
Option,  then the number of shares of Common Stock  available for purchase by an
optionee upon the exercise of a Reload Option shall be reduced by that number of
shares of Common Stock that the optionee  shall have sold without such  approval
within such two-year period after the grant date of the Reload Option.

         9.  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.

         10.  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

<PAGE>
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.

         11. Termination of employment.  (a) Except as otherwise provided herein
and  in  Section  12,  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.

         (b)(i) If an optionee's employment with the Company or its subsidiaries
shall terminate for "cause," as defined below, all options held by such optionee
at the  date of such  termination  of  employment  shall  be  deemed  forfeited,
immediately terminated, and rendered null and void.

         (ii) Termination of an optionee's employment by the Company for "cause"
shall mean termination  because, and only because, the optionee committed an act
of fraud,  embezzlement,  or theft constituting a felony or an act intentionally
against the interests of the Company which causes the Company  material  injury.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the optionee  shall not be deemed to have been
terminated  for cause  unless and until there shall have been  delivered  to the
optionee a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less
than  three-quarters  of the entire  membership of the Board at a meeting of the
Board called and held for the purpose (after  reasonable  notice to the optionee
and an opportunity  for the optionee,  together with optionee's  counsel,  to be
heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board the
optionee  was  guilty  of  conduct  constituting  cause  as  defined  above  and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

         12. Retirement, disability, or death of optionee. (a) In the event that
the optionee  shall retire,  the option shall become  exercisable in full on the
date of retirement,  shall otherwise 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 shall otherwise  remain  exercisable in accordance with its
terms for the  remaining  term of the option as  established  upon grant of such
option.

         (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.

         13.  Acceleration  of Vesting.  (a) Immediately  upon the occurrence of
a Change in Control of the  Company,  all  options  shall  immediately  vest and
become  exercisable  in full,  including that portion of any option that had not
theretofore become vested and exercisable.

<PAGE>
         (b) A "Change of Control" of the Company shall mean:

                  (i) A change in control of a nature  that would be required to
be reported in response  to Item 6(e) of Schedule  14A of  Regulation  14A as in
effect on the date hereof  pursuant to the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act");  provided that,  without  limitation,  such a change in control
shall be deemed to have  occurred at such time as any Person  hereafter  becomes
the  "Beneficial  Owner"  (as  defined in Rule 13d-3  under the  Exchange  Act),
directly or  indirectly,  of 30 percent or more of the combined  voting power of
the Company's Voting Securities; or

                  (ii) During any period of two consecutive  years,  individuals
who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority  thereof  unless the election,  or the nomination
for election by the Company's shareholders, of each new director was approved by
a vote of at least  two-thirds  of the  directors  then still in office who were
directors at the beginning of the period; or

                  (iii)  There shall be  consummated  (x) any  consolidation  or
merger of the Company in which the Company is not the  continuing  or  surviving
corporation or pursuant to which Voting Securities would be converted into cash,
securities,  or other property,  other than a merger of the Company in which the
holders  of Voting  Securities  immediately  prior to the  merger  have the same
proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation immediately
after the merger,  or (y) any sale, lease,  exchange,  or other transfer (in one
transaction or a series of related  transactions),  of all, or substantially all
of the assets of the  Company,  provided  that any such  consolidation,  merger,
sale,  lease,  exchange or other  transfer  consummated  at the insistence of an
appropriate  banking regulatory agency shall not constitute a change in control;
or

                  (iv) Approval by the  shareholders  of the Company of any plan
or proposal for the  liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

         (c) For  purposes  of these  "Change in Control"  provisions,  the term
"Person" shall mean and include any individual, corporation, partnership, group,
association,  or other  "person,"  as such term is used in Section  14(d) of the
Exchange Act, other than the Company or any employee  benefit plan(s)  sponsored
by the Company.

         (d) The term "Voting  Securities" shall mean the Company's  outstanding
securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors.

         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

<PAGE>
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 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.

<PAGE>
         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
18, 2008. 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,
(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  VI 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 previously granted 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 canceled SARS,

<PAGE>
the Board of Directors  having  determined that this vas 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.

                                           /S/ Daryl R. Forsythe

                                           Daryl R. Forsythe
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                                           /S/ John D. Roberts

                                           John D. Roberts
                                           Secretary

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 10.2
            Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
                  Daryl R. Forsythe made as of January 1, 2000


                                      -39-
<PAGE>
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered into as of
the first day of January, 2000, by and between DARYL R. FORSYTHE ("Executive")
and NBT BANCORP INC., a Delaware corporation having its principal office in
Norwich, New York ("NBTB")

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

         WHEREAS, Executive is the president and chief executive officer of NBTB
and chairman and chief executive officer of NBT Bank,  National  Association,  a
national banking  association  which is a wholly-owned  subsidiary of NBTB ("NBT
Bank");

         WHEREAS, NBTB desires to secure the continued employment of Executive,
subject to the provisions of this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  Executive is desirous of entering into the Agreement for such
periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

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

         1.       EMPLOYMENT; RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.

                  (a) NBTB  hereby  agrees to employ  Executive,  and  Executive
hereby  agrees to serve as the president  and chief  executive  officer of NBTB,
during  the first  fifteen  months of the Term of  Employment  and as  chairman,
president and chief executive  officer of NBTB during the next twenty-one months
of the Term of  Employment.  NBTB  further  agrees  to cause  NBT Bank to employ
Executive,  and  Executive  hereby  agrees  to serve as the  chairman  and chief
executive  officer of NBT Bank,  during the first fifteen  months of the Term of
Employment  and as chairman of the board of NBT Bank during the next  twenty-one
months of the Term of Employment.  Executive  shall have such executive  duties,
responsibilities,  and authority as shall be set forth in the bylaws of NBTB and
NBT Bank or as may otherwise be determined by NBTB.

                  (b)  Executive  shall  devote his full  working  time and best
efforts to the performance of his responsibilities and duties hereunder.  During
the Term of Employment,  Executive shall not,  without the prior written consent
of the Board of Directors of NBTB,  render services as an employee,  independent
contractor,  or otherwise,  whether or not compensated,  to any person or entity
other  than  NBTB  or  its  affiliates;   provided  that  Executive  may,  where
involvement  in  such  activities  does  not  individually  or in the  aggregate
significantly  interfere  with the  performance  by  Executive  of his duties or
violate the  provisions of section 4 hereof,  (i) render  services to charitable
organizations,  (ii) manage his personal  investments,  and (iii) with the prior
permission of the Board of Directors of NBTB, hold such other  directorships  or
part-time  academic  appointments  or have such other business  affiliations  as
would otherwise be prohibited under this section 1.

<PAGE>
          2.       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) The term of this Agreement ("Term of Employment") shall be
the period  commencing on the date of this Agreement (the  "Commencement  Date")
and  continuing  until the  Termination  Date,  which shall mean the earliest to
occur of:

                           (i)      the third anniversary of the Commencement
Date, unless the Term of Employment shall be extended for one additional year by
the mutual agreement of the parties;

                           (ii)     the death of Executive;

                           (iii)    Executive's inability to perform his duties
hereunder, as a result of physical or mental disability as reasonably determined
by the personal physician of Executive, for a period of at least 180 consecutive
days or for at least 180 days  during  any period of twelve  consecutive  months
during the Term of Employment; or

                           (iv)     the discharge of Executive by NBTB "for
cause," which shall mean one or more of the following:

                                    (A)     any willful or gross misconduct by
Executive  with respect to the business and affairs of NBTB or NBT Bank, or with
respect  to any of its  affiliates  for which  Executive  is  assigned  material
responsibilities or duties;

                                    (B)     the conviction of Executive of a
felony  (after the earlier of the  expiration  of any  applicable  appeal period
without  perfection  of an appeal by Executive or the denial of any appeal as to
which no further  appeal or review is  available  to  Executive)  whether or not
committed in the course of his employment by NBTB;

                                    (C)    Executive's willful neglect, failure,
or refusal to carry out his duties hereunder in a reasonable  manner (other than
any such failure  resulting  from  disability  or death or from  termination  by
Executive for Good Reason,  as  hereinafter  defined) after a written demand for
substantial  performance is delivered to Executive that specifically  identifies
the manner in which NBTB believes that Executive has not substantially performed
his duties and Executive has not resumed  substantial  performance of his duties
on a continuous basis within thirty days of receiving such demand; or

                                    (D)     the breach by Executive of any
representation or warranty in section 6(a) hereof or of any agreement  contained
in section 1, 4, 5, or 6(b) hereof, which breach is material and adverse to NBTB
or  any  of  its   affiliates   for  which   Executive   is  assigned   material
responsibilities or duties; or

                           (v)      Executive's resignation from his position as
chairman,  president,  or chief executive officer of NBTB or NBT Bank other than
in  implementation  of the schedule set out in section 1(a) of this Agreement or
for "Good Reason," as hereinafter defined; or


                                      -2-
<PAGE>
                           (vi)     the termination of Executive's employment by
NBTB  "without  cause," which shall be for any reason other than those set forth
in subsections (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of this section 2(a), at any time,
upon the thirtieth day following notice to Executive; or

                           (vii)    Executive's resignation for "Good Reason."

"Good  Reason"  shall  mean,  without   Executive's   express  written  consent,
reassignment  of Executive to a position other than as set forth in section 1(a)
of this  Agreement  other than for "Cause," or a decrease in the amount or level
of  Executive's  salary or  benefits  from the  amount or level  established  in
section 3 hereof.

                  (b)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for any  reason  other than that set forth in  section  2(a)(vi)  or
2(a)(vii) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to receive, upon the occurrence of
any such event:

                           (i)      any salary (as hereinafter defined) payable
pursuant  to  section  3(a)(i)  hereof  which  shall  have  accrued  as  of  the
Termination Date; and

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which
he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to reimbursement for
expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date payable  pursuant to section 3(h)
hereof,  and the right to receive the cash  equivalent  of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the Termination Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof.

                  (c)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for the reason set forth in section  2(a)(vi) or  2(a)(vii)  hereof,
Executive shall be entitled to receive:

                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have  accrued as of the  Termination  Date,  and, for the
period  commencing on the date  immediately  following the Termination  Date and
ending upon and including the later of the third anniversary of the Commencement
Date or the first  anniversary of the  Termination  Date,  salary payable at the
rate established pursuant to section 3(a)(i) hereof, in a manner consistent with
the normal  payroll  practices of NBTB with  respect to  executive  personnel as
presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time; and

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive may have accrued as
of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which he
participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof,  any right to  reimbursement  for
expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date payable  pursuant to section 3(h)
hereof,  and the right to receive the cash  equivalent  of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the Termination Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                  (d)  Any   provision   of  this  section  2  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  in the event that the  employment  of  Executive  with NBTB is
terminated  in any  situation  described  in section 3 of the  change-in-control
letter  agreement  dated  January  1,  2000  between  NBTB  and  Executive  (the
"Change-in-Control Agreement") so as to entitle Executive to a severance payment
and other benefits  described in section 3 of the  Change-in-Control  Agreement,
then Executive  shall be entitled to receive the following,  and no more,  under
this section 2:

                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the Termination Date;

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which
he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to reimbursement for
expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date payable  pursuant to section 3(h)
hereof,  and the right to receive the cash  equivalent  of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the  Termination  Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof;
and
                           (iii)    the severance payment and other benefits
provided in the Change-in-Control Agreement.

         3.       COMPENSATION.  For the services to be performed by Executive
for NBTB and its affiliates under this Agreement, Executive shall be compensated
in the following manner:

                  (a)      SALARY.  During the Term of Employment:

                           (i)      NBTB shall pay Executive a salary which, on
an annual basis,  shall not be less than  $300,000  during the first year of the
Term of Employment,  $350,000  during the second year of the Term of Employment,
$400,000  during the third year of the Term of Employment,  and $400,000  during
the additional  year, if any, by which the Term of Employment  shall be extended
pursuant to section 2(a)(i),  assuming  Executive performs  competently.  Salary
shall be payable in accordance  with the normal  payroll  practices of NBTB with
respect to executive personnel as presently in effect or as they may be modified
by NBTB from time to time.

                           (ii)     Executive shall be eligible to be considered
for  performance  bonuses of up to 80 percent of salary,  in accordance with the
compensation  policies of NBTB with respect to executive  personnel as presently
in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                  (b) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS OR ARRANGEMENTS. During the Term of
Employment,  Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee  benefit
plans of NBTB,  as  presently  in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from
time to time,  under such terms as may be applicable to officers of  Executive's
rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  including,  without limitation,  plans
providing retirement benefits, stock options, medical insurance, life insurance,
disability insurance, and accidental death or dismemberment insurance,  provided
that there be no  duplication  of such benefits as are provided  under any other
provision of this Agreement.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
                  (c) STOCK OPTIONS.  Each January or February  annually  during
the Term of Employment,  NBTB will cause Executive to be granted a non-statutory
("non-qualified")  stock  option  (each an  "Option")  to purchase the number of
shares of the common stock of NBTB,  no par value,  $1.00 stated  value,  or the
common stock of NBTB as  reclassified  to have a par value of $.01 per share, as
the case may be (the "NBTB Common Stock"), pursuant to the NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993
Stock Option Plan, as amended,  or any  appropriate  successor  plan (the "Stock
Option  Plan"),  computed by dividing  250 percent of the  annualized  salary of
Executive on the date of grant of the Option by the "Fair Market  Value" of NBTB
Common Stock (as defined in the Stock Option Plan).  The option  exercise  price
per share of the shares  subject to each Option shall be such Fair Market Value,
and the terms, conditions of exercise, and vesting schedule of such Option shall
be as set forth in section 8 of the Stock Option Plan.

                  (d)  VACATION AND SICK LEAVE.  During the Term of  Employment,
Executive  shall be entitled to paid annual  vacation  periods and sick leave in
accordance with the policies of NBTB as in effect as of the Commencement Date or
as may be modified by NBTB from time to time as may be applicable to officers of
Executive's  rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  but in no event less than
five  weeks of paid  vacation  per year  during  the  first  year of the Term of
Employment,  six weeks of paid  vacation  per year during the second year of the
Term of Employment, and three weeks of paid vacation per year during each of the
third year of the Term of Employment and the  additional  year, if any, by which
the Term of Employment  shall be extended  pursuant to section  2(a)(i),  during
each of which third year and additional  year Executive  shall  additionally  be
excused  from  physical  presence  within the Market Area (as defined in section
4(e) of this Agreement) during the months of January, February, and March except
on an as-required basis as mutually agreed by the board of directors of NBTB and
Executive.

                  (e) AUTOMOBILE. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall
be entitled to the use of an  automobile  owned by NBTB or an affiliate of NBTB,
the make and model of which  automobile  shall be  appropriate  to an officer of
Executive's  rank, and which will be replaced with a new  automobile  during the
second year of the Term of Employment.  Executive  shall be responsible  for all
expenses of ownership and use of such  automobile,  subject to  reimbursement of
expenses for business use in accordance with section 3(h).

                  (f)      COUNTRY CLUB DUES.  During the Term of Employment,
Executive shall be reimbursed for dues and assessments incurred in relation to
Executive's membership at Seven Oaks Country Club, Hamilton, New York.

                  (g)      WITHHOLDING. All compensation to be paid to Executive
hereunder shall be subject to required withholding and other taxes.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

                  (h) EXPENSES.  During the Term of Employment,  Executive shall
be  reimbursed  for  reasonable  travel and other  expenses  incurred or paid by
Executive  in  connection  with  the  performance  of his  services  under  this
Agreement,  upon  presentation  of expense  statements or vouchers or such other
supporting information as may from time to time be requested, in accordance with
such policies of NBTB as are in effect as of the Commencement Date and as may be
modified  by NBTB from time to time,  under such terms as may be  applicable  to
officers of Executive's rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates.

         4.       CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION; NON-COMPETITION.

                  (a)  Executive  acknowledges  that certain  business  methods,
creative techniques,  and technical data of NBTB and its affiliates and the like
are deemed by NBTB to be and are in fact  confidential  business  information of
NBTB or its  affiliates or are  entrusted to third  parties.  Such  confidential
information  includes  but  is  not  limited  to  procedures,   methods,   sales
relationships  developed  while  in the  service  of  NBTB  or  its  affiliates,
knowledge  of  customers  and their  requirements,  marketing  plans,  marketing
information,  studies, forecasts, and surveys, competitive analyses, mailing and
marketing  lists, new business  proposals,  lists of vendors,  consultants,  and
other  persons  who render  service or provide  material  to NBTB or NBT Bank or
their affiliates,  and compositions,  ideas,  plans, and methods belonging to or
related to the affairs of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates.  In this regard,
NBTB asserts  proprietary rights in all of its business  information and that of
its affiliates  except for such  information as is clearly in the public domain.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  information  that would be generally  known or
available to persons  skilled in  Executive's  fields shall be  considered to be
"clearly in the public  domain"  for the  purposes  of the  preceding  sentence.
Executive agrees that he will not disclose or divulge to any third party, except
as may be required by his duties hereunder,  by law,  regulation,  or order of a
court or government  authority,  or as directed by NBTB, nor shall he use to the
detriment of NBTB or its  affiliates  or use in any business or on behalf of any
business  competitive with or  substantially  similar to any business of NBTB or
NBT Bank or their affiliates,  any confidential  business  information  obtained
during  the  course  of his  employment  by NBTB.  The  foregoing  shall  not be
construed as  restricting  Executive  from  disclosing  such  information to the
employees of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates.

                  (b) Executive  hereby agrees that from the  Commencement  Date
until the first  anniversary  of the  Termination  Date,  Executive will not (i)
interfere with the relationship of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates with any
of their employees,  suppliers,  agents, or representatives (including,  without
limitation,  causing or helping another business to hire any employee of NBTB or
NBT Bank or their affiliates),  or (ii) directly or indirectly divert or attempt
to divert from NBTB,  NBT Bank or their  affiliates any business in which any of
them has been actively engaged during the Term of Employment, nor interfere with
the  relationship  of  NBTB,  NBT  Bank or  their  affiliates  with any of their
customers or  prospective  customers.  This  paragraph 4(b) shall not, in and of
itself,  prohibit  Executive from engaging in the banking,  trust,  or financial
services business in any capacity, including that of an owner or employee.

                  (c) Executive  acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury
will  result to NBTB in the event of a breach of any of the  provisions  of this
section 4 (the  "Designated  Provisions")  and that  NBTB will have no  adequate
remedy at law with  respect  thereto.  Accordingly,  in the event of a  material
breach of any  Designated  Provision,  and in  addition  to any  other  legal or
equitable  remedy  NBTB may  have,  NBTB  shall be  entitled  to the  entry of a


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

preliminary and permanent injunction  (including,  without limitation,  specific
performance) by a court of competent  jurisdiction in Chenango County, New York,
or  elsewhere,  to restrain the violation or breach  thereof by  Executive,  and
Executive submits to the jurisdiction of such court in any such action.

                  (d) It is the  desire  and  intent  of the  parties  that  the
provisions of this section 4 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under  the  laws and  public  policies  applied  in each  jurisdiction  in which
enforcement is sought.  Accordingly, if any particular provision of this section
4 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or  unenforceable,  such provision shall be
deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of such
provision in the particular  jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. In
addition, should any court determine that the provisions of this section 4 shall
be unenforceable with respect to scope, duration, or geographic area, such court
shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable,  provisions similar
hereto or other  provisions  so as to provide  to NBTB,  to the  fullest  extent
permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by this section 4.

         5. LIFE INSURANCE.  In light of the unusual abilities and experience of
Executive, NBTB in its discretion may apply for and procure as owner and for its
own benefit insurance on the life of Executive,  in such amount and in such form
as NBTB may choose.  NBTB shall make all payments for such  insurance  and shall
receive all benefits from it. Executive shall have no interest whatsoever in any
such policy or policies  but,  at the request of NBTB,  shall  submit to medical
examinations  and supply such  information  and execute  such  documents  as may
reasonably be required by the  insurance  company or companies to which NBTB has
applied for insurance.

         6.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

                  (a)  Executive  represents  and  warrants  to  NBTB  that  his
execution,  delivery,  and  performance  of this Agreement will not result in or
constitute  a breach of or  conflict  with any  term,  covenant,  condition,  or
provision  of any  commitment,  contract,  or  other  agreement  or  instrument,
including,   without  limitation,  any  other  employment  agreement,  to  which
Executive is or has been a party.

                  (b) Executive shall indemnify,  defend, and hold harmless NBTB
for, from, and against any and all losses, claims, suits, damages,  expenses, or
liabilities,  including court costs and counsel fees, which NBTB has incurred or
to which  NBTB may  become  subject,  insofar  as such  losses,  claims,  suits,
damages,  expenses,  liabilities,  costs, or fees arise out of or are based upon
any  failure of any  representation  or warranty of  Executive  in section  6(a)
hereof to be true and correct when made.

         7. NOTICES.  All notices,  consents,  waivers, or other  communications
which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or by messenger, transmitted by telex or
telegram,  by express courier,  or sent by registered or certified mail,  return


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
receipt requested, postage prepaid. All communications shall be addressed to the
appropriate address of each party as follows:

If to NBTB:

         NBT Bancorp Inc.
         52 South Broad Street
         Norwich, New York  13815

         Attention:        Board of Directors

With a required copy to:

         Brian D. Alprin, Esq.
         Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
         1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
         Washington, D.C.  20006

If to Executive:

         Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe
         21 Ridgeland Road
         Norwich, New York  13815

All such  notices  shall be  deemed to have  been  given on the date  delivered,
transmitted, or mailed in the manner provided above.

         8.       ASSIGNMENT.  Neither party may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of the other party.

         9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by,  construed,  and
enforced in accordance  with the laws of the State of New York,  without  giving
effect  to the  principles  of  conflict  of law  thereof.  The  parties  hereby
designate Chenango County, New York to be the proper  jurisdiction and venue for
any suit or action arising out of this Agreement.  Each of the parties  consents
to personal  jurisdiction in such venue for such a proceeding and agrees that it
may be served with process in any action with  respect to this  Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  thereby by  certified  or  registered  mail,  return
receipt  requested,  or to its  registered  agent for  service of process in the
State of New York. Each of the parties  irrevocably and  unconditionally  waives
and agrees,  to the fullest extent  permitted by law, not to plead any objection
that it may now or hereafter  have to the laying of venue or the  convenience of
the  forum  of any  action  or  claim  with  respect  to this  Agreement  or the
transactions contemplated thereby brought in the courts aforesaid.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
         10.  ENTIRE   AGREEMENT.   This   Agreement   constitutes   the  entire
understanding  among NBTB and Executive  relating to the subject  matter hereof.
Any previous agreements or understandings  between the parties hereto or between
Executive and NBTB or any of its affiliates regarding the subject matter hereof,
including   without   limitation   the  terms  and   conditions  of  employment,
compensation,  benefits,  retirement,  competition following employment, and the
like, are merged into and superseded by this  Agreement.  Neither this Agreement
nor any provisions hereof can be modified,  changed,  discharged,  or terminated
except by an instrument in writing  signed by the party against whom any waiver,
change, discharge, or termination is sought.

         11.      ILLEGALITY; SEVERABILITY.

                  (a)    Anything   in   this    Agreement   to   the   contrary
notwithstanding,  this  Agreement  is not intended and shall not be construed to
require  any  payment to  Executive  which  would  violate  any federal or state
statute or  regulation,  including  without  limitation  the  "golden  parachute
payment  regulations" of the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  codified to
Part 359 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.

                  (b)     If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall
be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever:

                           (i)      the validity, legality, and enforceability
of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including,  without  limitation,
each portion of any section of this Agreement containing  any such provision
held to be invalid,  illegal,  or  unenforceable) shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby; and

                           (ii)     to the fullest extent possible, the
provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any
section of this  Agreement  containing any such  provisions  held to be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent
manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.

         12.  ARBITRATION.  Subject to the right of each party to seek  specific
performance  (which  right  shall not be subject to  arbitration),  if a dispute
arises out of or related to this Agreement,  or the breach thereof, such dispute
shall be referred to arbitration in accordance  with the Commercial  Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration  Association ("AAA"). A dispute subject to the
provisions  of this section will exist if either party  notifies the other party
in  writing  that a dispute  subject to  arbitration  exists  and  states,  with
reasonable  specificity,  the issue  subject to  arbitration  (the  "Arbitration
Notice").  The parties agree that, after the issuance of the Arbitration Notice,
the  parties  will try in good faith to resolve  the  dispute  by  mediation  in
accordance  with the Commercial  Rules of Arbitration of AAA between the date of
the  issuance  of the  Arbitration  Notice  and the date the  dispute is set for
arbitration. If the dispute is not settled by the date set for arbitration, then
any  controversy  or claim  arising out of this  Agreement or the breach  hereof
shall be resolved by binding arbitration and judgment upon any award rendered by
arbitrator(s) may be entered in a court having jurisdiction.  Any person serving


                                      -9-
<PAGE>
as a  mediator  or  arbitrator  must  have at least  ten  years'  experience  in
resolving  commercial  disputes through  arbitration.  In the event any claim or
dispute involves an amount in excess of $100,000,  either party may request that
the  matter  be heard by a panel of three  arbitrators;  otherwise  all  matters
subject to arbitration shall be heard and resolved by a single  arbitrator.  The
arbitrator  shall have the same power to compel the  attendance of witnesses and
to order the production of documents or other materials and to enforce discovery
as could be exercised by a United  States  District  Court judge  sitting in the
Northern District of New York. In the event of any arbitration, each party shall
have a reasonable right to conduct discovery to the same extent permitted by the
Federal  Rules  of  Civil  Procedure,  provided  that  such  discovery  shall be
concluded  within ninety days after the date the matter is set for  arbitration.
In the event of any  arbitration,  the arbitrator or arbitrators  shall have the
power to award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Any provision
in this  Agreement  to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  this  section  shall  be
governed by the Federal  Arbitration  Act and the parties have entered into this
Agreement pursuant to such Act.

         13.  COSTS OF  LITIGATION.  In the event  litigation  is  commenced  to
enforce  any of the  provisions  hereof,  or to  obtain  declaratory  relief  in
connection  with any of the provisions  hereof,  the  prevailing  party shall be
entitled to recover  reasonable  attorney's fees. In the event this Agreement is
asserted in any litigation as a defense to any liability, claim, demand, action,
cause of action,  or right asserted in such litigation,  the party prevailing on
the issue of that defense shall be entitled to recovery of reasonable attorney's
fees.

         14.      AFFILIATION.  A company will be deemed to be "affiliated" with
NBTB or NBT Bank according to the definition of "Affiliate" set forth in Rule
12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

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

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  executed  or  caused  this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                           NBT BANCORP INC.



                                           By:   /S/ EVERETT A. GILMOUR
                                                 Everett A. Gilmour
                                                 Chairman of the Board

                                      -10-
<PAGE>



                                DARYL R. FORSYTHE

                                /S/ Daryl R. Forsyte



                                      -11-
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT 10.3
         Supplemental Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT
     Bank, National Association and Daryl R. Forsythe made as of January 1,
          1995 and as revised on April 28, 1998, and on January 1, 2000


<PAGE>


                        SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT

               (AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2000)

         This  sets  forth  the  terms  of  an  agreement  for  the  payment  of
supplemental  retirement income ("Agreement") made as of January 1, 1995 (and as
revised on April 28, 1998, and on January 1, 2000) between (i) NBT BANCORP INC.,
a Delaware  corporation  and a registered  bank holding  company,  and NBT BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association chartered under the laws of
the  United  States,   both  having  offices   located  at  Norwich,   New  York
(collectively,  the "Bank"), and (ii) DARYL R. FORSYTHE,  an individual residing
at 21 Ridgeland Road,  Norwich,  New York 13815, and who is a member of a select
group of  management  or highly  compensated  employees  within  the  meaning of
section  201(2) of the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as
amended ("Forsythe").

         1.       PURPOSE OF THE AGREEMENT.  The purpose of this Agreement is to
provide Forsythe a supplemental  retirement benefit in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement.

         2.       DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following
words shall have the meaning indicated:

                  (a) ACTUARIAL  EQUIVALENT.  "Actuarial  Equivalent" shall
have the same meaning the term "Actuarial  Equivalent" has under Section 2.03 of
the Qualified Plan using the following actuarial assumptions:

                      MORTALITY:       "Applicable  Mortality  Rate" as
such  term is  defined  in  Section  2.03c of the Qualified Plan.

                      INTEREST RATE:   "Applicable Interest Rate" as such
term is defined in Section 2.09b of the Qualified Plan.

                  (b) BENEFICIARY.  "Beneficiary"  shall mean such living person
         or  living   persons   designated  by  Forsythe  in   accordance   with
         subparagraph  5(a) to receive  benefits under this Agreement  after his
         death, or his personal or legal representative, all as herein described
         and  provided.  If no  Beneficiary  is  designated by Forsythe or if no
         Beneficiary  survives  Forsythe,  the  Beneficiary  shall be Forsythe's
         estate.

                  (c) CAUSE.  "Cause" shall mean Forsythe's:

                           (i) willful or gross  misconduct  with respect to the
                  business  and affairs of the Bank,  or with  respect to any of
                  its  affiliates  for  which  Forsythe  is  assigned   material
                  responsibilities or duties;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (after the earlier of the
                  expiration of any applicable appeal period without  perfection
                  of an appeal by  Forsythe  or the  denial of any  appeal as to
                  which no further  appeal or review is  available  to Forsythe)
                  whether or not  committed in the course of his  employment  by
                  the Bank;

<PAGE>
                           (iii) willful neglect,  failure,  or refusal to carry
                  out his duties  under the  Employment  Agreement  between  NBT
                  Bancorp  Inc.  and  Forsythe  dated as of January 1, 2000 (the
                  "Employment Agreement") in a reasonable manner (other than any
                  such  failure  resulting  from  disability  or  death  or from
                  termination  by Forsythe  for Good  Reason,  as defined in the
                  Employment  Agreement)  after a written demand for substantial
                  performance   is  delivered  to  Forsythe  that   specifically
                  identifies the manner in which the Bank believes that Forsythe
                  has not  substantially  performed  his  duties  and he has not
                  resumed substantial  performance of his duties on a continuous
                  basis within thirty days of receiving such demand; or

                           (iv)  breach of any  representation  or  warranty  in
                  section 6(a) of the  Employment  Agreement or of any agreement
                  contained  in  section  1, 4,  5,  or  6(b) of the  Employment
                  Agreement, which breach is material and adverse to the Bank or
                  any of its affiliates for which Forsythe is assigned  material
                  responsibilities or duties.

                  (d) CHANGE OF CONTROL. "Change of Control" shall mean a Change
         in Control  as such term is defined in the Change of Control  Agreement
         between  Forsythe and the Bank dated January 1, 2000 (a revision of the
         April 28, 1998 and February 21, 1995 agreements).

                  (e) CODE.  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  (f) DETERMINATION  DATE.  "Determination  Date"  shall
mean  the  earlier  of (i) the  date of  termination  of Forsythe's employment
with the Bank or (ii) the first day of the month following Forsythe's 65th
birthday.

                  (g) FINAL AVERAGE  COMPENSATION.  "Final Average Compensation"
         shall have the same meaning the term "Final Average  Compensation"  has
         under Section 2.27 of the Qualified  Plan,  except that in  determining
         the amount of Compensation (as defined in Section 2.14 of the Qualified
         Plan)  to be used  in  calculating  Final  Average  Compensation  under
         Section 2.27 of the Qualified Plan,  Compensation  shall not be subject
         to the compensation limitation of section 401(a)(17) of the Code.

                  (h) FULL-TIME  EMPLOYEE.  "Full-Time  Employee"  shall mean an
employee who works not less than 1,000 hours in a calendar year.

                  (i) OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS.  "Other Retirement Benefits"
shall mean the sum of:

                           (i) The annual benefit payable to Forsythe from the
Qualified Plan, plus


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                           (ii) The annual benefit that could be provided by (A)
                  Bank  contributions  (other than elective  deferrals)  made on
                  Forsythe's  behalf  under  the NBT  Bancorp  Inc.  401(k)  and
                  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan,  and (B) actual  earnings on
                  contributions in (A), if such  contributions and earnings were
                  converted  to a benefit  payable at age 65 in the same form as
                  the  benefit  paid  under  this  Agreement,   using  the  same
                  actuarial assumptions as are provided under subparagraph 2(a).

                  The amount of Other Retirement Benefits shall be determined by
         an actuary  selected by the Bank,  with such  determination  to be made
         without  reduction for payment of benefits  prior to any stated "normal
         retirement  date" and without  regard to whether  Forsythe is receiving
         payment  of such  benefits  on the  Determination  Date.  To the extent
         Forsythe receives a payment of Other Retirement  Benefits  described in
         subparagraph  2(i)(ii)  prior to the date the  Supplemental  Retirement
         Benefit is  determined  pursuant to this  Agreement,  the total of such
         Other Retirement Benefits shall be determined by including and assuming
         that such  amounts  earned  interest  at a  variable  rate equal to the
         one-year  United States  Treasury bill rate as reported in the New York
         edition of The Wall Street Journal on the  Determination  Date from the
         date received to the date Other Retirement  Benefits are calculated for
         purposes of this Agreement.

                  (j)      PRESENT  VALUE.  "Present  Value" shall mean the
present  value of a benefit  determined on the basis of the following actuarial
assumptions:

                           MORTALITY:      "Applicable  Mortality  Rate" as such
term is  defined  in  Section  2.03c of the Qualified Plan.

                           INTEREST RATE:  "Applicable Interest Rate" as such
term is defined in Section 2.09b of the Qualified Plan.

                  (k)      QUALIFIED PLAN.  "Qualified Plan" shall mean the NBT
BANCORP Inc. Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

                  (l)      SOCIAL SECURITY  BENEFIT.  "Social Security Benefit"
shall mean Forsythe's actual social security benefit at his Social Security
Retirement Age.

                  (m)      SOCIAL  SECURITY  RETIREMENT  AGE.  "Social  Security
Retirement  Age" shall have the same meaning the term "Social Security
Retirement Age" has under Section 2.58 of the Qualified Plan.

                  (n)      YEAR OF SERVICE.  "Year of Service"  shall mean a
calendar  year in which  Forsythe  completes not less than 1,000 hours of
service.


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         3.       AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

                  (a)      SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

                           (i) AMOUNT  PAYABLE ON AND AFTER AGE 65. If  Forsythe
                  shall  remain  employed  by the Bank until  reaching  his 65th
                  birthday, serving as a Full-Time Employee until such date, and
                  subject to the other terms and  conditions of this  Agreement,
                  the Bank shall pay Forsythe an annual "Supplemental Retirement
                  Benefit" determined as follows:

                                    (A) ON AND  AFTER AGE 65 BUT  BEFORE  SOCIAL
                           SECURITY  RETIREMENT AGE.  Forsythe shall be entitled
                           to a Supplemental Retirement Benefit on and after his
                           65th   birthday   but  before  his  Social   Security
                           Retirement  Age in an amount  equal to the  excess of
                           (1)  75   percent   of   Forsythe's   Final   Average
                           Compensation,  over (2) Forsythe's  Other  Retirement
                           Benefits, determined as of the Determination Date and
                           calculated in accordance with paragraph 2(i).

                                    (B) ON AND AFTER SOCIAL SECURITY  RETIREMENT
                           AGE.  Forsythe  shall be entitled  to a  Supplemental
                           Retirement  Benefit on and after his Social  Security
                           Retirement  Age in an amount  equal to the  excess of
                           (1)  75   percent   of   Forsythe's   Final   Average
                           Compensation,  over  (2) the  sum of (aa)  Forsythe's
                           Other  Retirement  Benefits,  determined  as  of  the
                           Determination  Date and calculated in accordance with
                           paragraph 2(i), plus (bb) Forsythe's  Social Security
                           Benefit.

                           (ii)  AMOUNT  PAYABLE  ON AND AFTER AGE 56 BUT BEFORE
                  AGE 60. If Forsythe  shall  remain  employed by the Bank until
                  reaching his 56th  birthday,  serving as a Full-Time  Employee
                  until  such  date and he  continues  to  serve as a  Full-Time
                  Employee until the date of his retirement, and he retires then
                  or  thereafter  but before  reaching  his 60th  birthday,  and
                  subject to the other terms and  conditions of this  Agreement,
                  the Bank shall pay Forsythe on his 60th birthday,  pursuant to
                  subparagraph  4(b),  or to his  spouse  or other  Beneficiary,
                  pursuant  and  subject  to  subparagraph  6(c) if he has  died
                  before  his  60th  birthday,   a  reduced  early  Supplemental
                  Retirement  Benefit calculated in accordance with subparagraph
                  3(b) and the following schedule:

                                    (A) If the  date  of  Forsythe's  retirement
                           shall be on or after his 56th birthday but before his
                           57th birthday, the Bank shall pay Forsythe 20% of the
                           reduced  early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit  so
                           calculated;

                                    (B) If the  date  of  Forsythe's  retirement
                           shall be on or after his 57th birthday but before his
                           58th birthday, the Bank shall pay Forsythe 40% of the
                           reduced  early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit  so
                           calculated;


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
                                    (C) If the  date  of  Forsythe's  retirement
                           shall be on or after his 58th birthday but before his
                           59th birthday, the Bank shall pay Forsythe 60% of the
                           reduced  early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit  so
                           calculated; and

                                    (D) If the  date  of  Forsythe's  retirement
                           shall be on or after his 59th birthday but before his
                           60th birthday, the Bank shall pay Forsythe 80% of the
                           reduced  early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit  so
                           calculated.

                           (iii)  AMOUNT  PAYABLE ON AND AFTER AGE 60 BUT BEFORE
                  AGE 65. If Forsythe  shall  remain  employed by the Bank until
                  reaching his 60th  birthday,  serving as a Full-Time  Employee
                  until  such  date and he  continues  to  serve as a  Full-Time
                  Employee until the date of his retirement, and he retires then
                  or  thereafter  but before  reaching  his 65th  birthday,  and
                  subject to the other terms and  conditions of this  Agreement,
                  the Bank  shall  pay  Forsythe  a reduced  early  Supplemental
                  Retirement  Benefit calculated in accordance with subparagraph
                  3(b).

                  (b)  EARLY  SUPPLEMENTAL   RETIREMENT  BENEFIT.  If  the  Bank
         commences payment of a reduced early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit
         before Forsythe reaches age 65, the amount paid shall equal the product
         of  (i)  the  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit,  as  calculated  under
         subparagraph 3(a)(i)(A),  times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which
         shall be the number of complete  months of Forsythe's  employment  with
         the Bank after  January 1, 1995,  and the  denominator  of which is 164
         (the number of complete  months of employment  Forsythe  would have had
         after  January 1, 1995 if he  remained  employed  by the Bank until the
         first day of the month following his 65th birthday).

         4.       TIME OF PAYMENT.

                  (a) Except as provided in subparagraph 4(b) (early retirement)
         and paragraph 6 (payment on death), the Bank shall pay the Supplemental
         Retirement  Benefit  commencing on the first day of the month following
         Forsythe's attainment of age 65.

                  (b) Notwithstanding subparagraph 4(a), the Bank shall commence
         payment of a reduced early Supplemental Retirement Benefit on the first
         day of the month following Forsythe's  Determination Date in connection
         with early  retirement  after  reaching age 60 and prior to the date of
         his 65th birthday; provided that, if Forsythe shall retire prior to his
         60th birthday as permitted in this  Agreement,  the Bank shall commence
         payment of the reduced  early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit on the
         first day of the month following Forsythe's 60th birthday.

         5.       FORM OF PAYMENT.

                  (a) The Supplemental Retirement Benefit described in paragraph
         3 of this Agreement  shall be paid as a straight life annuity,  payable


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
         in monthly installments,  for Forsythe's life; provided,  however, that
         if Forsythe has no surviving  spouse and dies before having received 60
         monthly  payments,  such  monthly  payments  shall be  continued to his
         Beneficiary  until the total number of monthly payments to Forsythe and
         his  Beneficiary  equal 60,  whereupon all payments shall cease and the
         Bank's  obligation  under this  Agreement  shall be deemed to have been
         fully  discharged.  If Forsythe  and his  Beneficiary  shall die before
         having received a total of 60 monthly payments,  an amount equal to the
         Actuarial  Equivalent of the balance of such monthly  payments shall be
         paid in a single sum to the estate of the  survivor of Forsythe and his
         Beneficiary.  If  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefits are payable in the
         form described in this subparagraph  5(a),  Forsythe shall designate in
         writing,  as  his  Beneficiary,   any  person  or  persons,  primarily,
         contingently  or  successively,  to whom the Bank  shall  pay  benefits
         following Forsythe's death if Forsythe's death occurs before 60 monthly
         payments have been made.

                  (b)   Notwithstanding   the  form  of  payment   described  in
         subparagraph  5(a),  if Forsythe is married on the date  payment of the
         Supplemental Retirement Benefit commences, the benefit shall be paid as
         a 50%  joint  and  survivor  annuity  with  Forsythe's  spouse  as  the
         Beneficiary.  The 50% joint and survivor annuity shall be the Actuarial
         Equivalent  of the  benefit  described  in  subparagraph  5(a).  If the
         Supplemental   Retirement   Benefit   is  payable   pursuant   to  this
         subparagraph  5(b),  but  Forsythe's  spouse  fails to survive  him, no
         payments will be made pursuant to this Agreement  following  Forsythe's
         death.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph
         5, the Bank, in its sole discretion,  may accelerate the payment of all
         or any portion of the  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit or the reduced
         early  Supplemental   Retirement  Benefit  at  any  time.  Any  payment
         accelerated  in  accordance  with this  subparagraph  5(c) shall be the
         Actuarial Equivalent of the payment being accelerated.

                  (d) If  payment  of a reduced  early  Supplemental  Retirement
         Benefit  commences  pursuant to  subparagraph  4(b),  and  payments are
         accelerated  pursuant to subparagraph 5(c), the reduction  described in
         subparagraph  3(b) shall be applied before any Actuarial  Equivalent is
         determined under this paragraph 5.

         6.       PAYMENTS UPON FORSYTHE'S DEATH.

                  (a)  Except as  provided  in  subparagraphs  6(b) and (c),  if
         Forsythe  shall die before his 65th  birthday,  no payment shall be due
         his estate under this Agreement.

                  (b) If  Forsythe's  death  shall  occur on or  after  his 60th
         birthday,  after he has retired but before payment of any  Supplemental
         Retirement Benefit has commenced,  Forsythe's surviving spouse shall be
         paid  as a  straight  life  annuity  50  percent  of  the  Supplemental
         Retirement  Benefit for her life  commencing  within 30 days  following
         Forsythe's death, calculated in accordance with subparagraph 3(b). Such


                                      -6-
<PAGE>
         payments shall be made in monthly installments, subject to the right of
         the  Bank  to  accelerate  payment  at  any  time  in  accordance  with
         subparagraph 5(c).

                  (c)  If  Forsythe   elects   early   retirement   pursuant  to
         subparagraph  3(a)(ii)  or  (iii)  and he dies  before  payment  of any
         Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit has commenced,  Forsythe's  surviving
         spouse  shall be paid,  in monthly  installments,  as a  straight  life
         annuity,  50 percent of such  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit for her
         life commencing within 30 days following  Forsythe's death,  subject to
         the  right of the Bank to  accelerate  such  payments  as  provided  in
         subparagraph 5(c).  However, if Forsythe's spouse fails to survive him,
         the Bank shall pay to Forsythe's  estate a lump sum benefit equal to 50
         percent of the  Present  Value of  Forsythe's  Supplemental  Retirement
         Benefit.

                  (d) Except as  otherwise  provided in  subparagraph  6(c),  no
         payments  shall be made under this  Agreement  if Forsythe  dies before
         payment of any  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit begins and his spouse
         fails to survive him.

                  (e)  If  Forsythe's  death  shall  occur  after  payment  of a
         Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit  has  commenced,  Forsythe  surviving
         spouse  or  other  Beneficiaries  shall  receive  payments  under  this
         Agreement to the extent provided in paragraph 5.

         7.       FORFEITURE FOR CAUSE.  Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement,  if Forsythe's employment with the Bank is terminated for Cause,
Forsythe and his spouse or other Beneficiaries shall forfeit all rights to any
payment under this Agreement.

         8.      POWERS.  The Bank shall  have such  powers as may be  necessary
to discharge its duties under this  Agreement,  including the power to interpret
and construe this Agreement and to determine all questions regarding employment,
disability status, service,  earnings,  income and such factual matters as birth
and marital status. The Bank's determinations  hereunder shall be conclusive and
binding  upon the  parties  hereto and all other  persons  having or claiming an
interest under this Agreement.  The Bank shall have no power to add to, subtract
from, or modify any of the terms of this  Agreement.  The Bank's  determinations
hereunder  shall be entitled to  deference  upon review by any court,  agency or
other entity  empowered to review its decisions,  and shall not be overturned or
set aside by any court,  agency or other entity  unless  found to be  arbitrary,
capricious or contrary to law.

         9.       CLAIMS PROCEDURE.

                  (a) Any claim for  benefits by  Forsythe,  his spouse or other
         Beneficiaries  shall be made in writing to the Bank. In this paragraph,
         Forsythe and his Beneficiaries are referred to as "claimants."

                  (b) If the Bank  denies a claim in whole or in part,  it shall
         send the claimant a written  notice of the denial  within 90 days after
         the date it receives a claim,  unless it needs  additional time to make
         its decision.  In that case,  the Bank may authorize an extension of an


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
         additional 90 days if it notifies the claimant of the extension  within
         the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall state the reasons
         for the extension and the expected decision date.

                  (c)      A denial notice shall contain:

                            (i)  The specific reason or reasons for the denial
                  of the claim;

                           (ii)  Specific reference to pertinent Agreement
                  provisions upon which the denial is based;

                          (iii)  A  description  of any  additional  material or
                  information   necessary   to  perfect   the  claim,   with  an
                  explanation  of why the material or  information is necessary;
                  and

                           (iv)  An explanation of the review procedures
                  provided below.

                  (d)  Within  60 days  after  the  claimant  receives  a denial
         notice, he or she may file a request for review with the Bank. Any such
         request must be made in writing.

                  (e) A claimant who timely requests review shall have the right
         to review  pertinent  documents,  to submit  additional  information or
         written comments, and to be represented.

                  (f) The Bank shall send the claimant a written decision on any
         request for review  within 60 days after the date it receives a request
         for  review,  unless an  extension  of time is  needed,  due to special
         circumstances.  In that case, the Bank may authorize an extension of an
         additional 60 days,  provided it notifies the claimant of the extension
         within the initial 60-day period.

                  (g)      The review decision shall contain:

                           (i)  The specific reason or reasons for the decision;
                   and

                           (ii) Specific reference to the pertinent Agreement
                   provisions upon which the decision is based.

                  (h) If the Bank does not send the  claimant a review  decision
         within the applicable time period,  the claim shall be deemed denied on
         review.

                  (i) The denial notice or, in the case of a timely review,  the
         review  decision  (including a deemed denial under  subparagraph  9(h))
         shall be the Bank's final decision.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
         10. ASSIGNMENT.  Neither Forsythe nor his spouse or other Beneficiaries
may  transfer  his,  her or their right to payments to which he, she or they are
entitled  under this  Agreement.  Except insofar as may otherwise be required by
law, any Supplemental  Retirement Benefit payable under this Agreement shall not
be  subject  in any  manner  to  alienation  by  anticipation,  sale,  transfer,
assignment,  pledge or  encumbrance,  nor  subject to the debts,  contracts,  or
liabilities of Forsythe or his spouse or other Beneficiaries.

         11.      CONTINUED  EMPLOYMENT.  This  Agreement  shall not be
construed  as  conferring  on  Forsythe  a right to  continued employment with
the Bank.

         12.      FUNDING.

                  (a) The Supplemental  Retirement Benefit at all times shall be
         entirely  unfunded,  and no  provision  shall at any time be made  with
         respect  to  segregating  any  assets of the Bank for  payments  of any
         benefits  hereunder,  except  that in the event of a Change of Control,
         the Bank, within five (5) days of such Change of Control,  shall fund a
         grantor  trust  within the  meaning of section  671 of the Code with an
         amount  sufficient  to  cover  all  potential  liabilities  under  this
         Agreement.

                  (b)  Neither  Forsythe  nor his spouse or other  Beneficiaries
         shall have any interest in any particular  assets of the Bank by reason
         of the right to receive a benefit  under this  Agreement.  Forsythe and
         his spouse or other Beneficiaries shall have only the rights of general
         unsecured  creditors  of the Bank with respect to any rights under this
         Agreement.

                  (c) Nothing  contained in this  Agreement  shall  constitute a
         guarantee  by the Bank or any  entity or person  that the assets of the
         Bank will be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.

         13.  WITHHOLDING.  Any payment made pursuant to this Agreement shall be
reduced by federal and state income, FICA or other employee payroll, withholding
or other similar taxes the Bank may be required to withhold. In addition, as the
Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit accrues during Forsythe's  employment with the
Bank, the Bank may withhold from Forsythe's  regular  compensation from the Bank
any FICA or other employee payroll,  withholding or other similar taxes the Bank
may be required to withhold.

         14.      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement  shall be binding
upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors and assigns of the Bank.

         15.      APPLICABLE  LAW. This Agreement  shall be construed and
administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the
extent preempted by federal law.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>


         16.      AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may not be amended,  modified or
otherwise altered except by written  instrument  executed by both parties.

         17.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties,  and supersedes all prior agreements
or  understanding  (whether  oral or written)  between the  parties,  relating
to deferred  compensation  and/or supplemental retirement income.

The parties hereby execute this Agreement as follows:

                                            NBT BANCORP INC.

                                            By: /S/ EVERETT A. GILMOUR

Date:        1/1/2000                       Its:    CHAIRMAN
      -----------------------------------        ----------------

                                            NBT BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                            By:

Date:                                       Its:
      -----------------------------------



Date:      1/1/2000                         /S/ DARYL R. FORSYTHE
      -----------------------------------   -----------------------------
                                            DARYL R. FORSYTHE


                                      -10-
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT 10.4
            Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
                  Martin A. Dietrich made as of January 1, 2000


<PAGE>


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered into as of
the first day of January,  2000, by and between MARTIN A. DIETRICH ("Executive")
and NBT BANCORP  INC., a Delaware  corporation  having its  principal  office in
Norwich, New York ("NBTB")

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

         WHEREAS,  Executive is the president and chief operating  officer and a
director of NBT Bank, National Association, a national banking association which
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBTB ("NBT Bank");

         WHEREAS, NBTB desires to secure the continued employment of Executive,
subject to the provisions of this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  Executive is desirous of entering into the Agreement for such
periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

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

         1.       EMPLOYMENT; RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.

                  (a) NBTB hereby agrees to cause NBT Bank to employ  Executive,
and  Executive  hereby  agrees to serve as the  president  and  chief  operating
officer of NBT Bank,  during the Term of Employment.  Executive  shall have such
executive duties,  responsibilities,  and authority as shall be set forth in the
bylaws of NBT Bank or as may  otherwise  be  determined  by NBTB or by NBT Bank.
During the Term of  Employment,  Executive  shall  report  directly to the chief
executive officer of NBTB.

                  (b) NBTB hereby  agrees to cause  Executive to be reelected to
the board of directors of NBT Bank for successive  terms  throughout the Term of
Employment.

                  (c)  Executive  shall  devote his full  working  time and best
efforts to the performance of his responsibilities and duties hereunder.  During
the Term of Employment,  Executive shall not,  without the prior written consent
of the Board of Directors of NBTB,  render services as an employee,  independent
contractor,  or otherwise,  whether or not compensated,  to any person or entity
other  than  NBTB  or  its  affiliates;   provided  that  Executive  may,  where
involvement  in  such  activities  does  not  individually  or in the  aggregate
significantly  interfere  with the  performance  by  Executive  of his duties or
violate the  provisions of section 4 hereof,  (i) render  services to charitable
organizations,  (ii) manage his personal  investments,  and (iii) with the prior
permission  of the  Board  of  Directors  of NBTB  or the  president  and  chief
executive officer of NBTB, hold such other  directorships or part-time  academic
appointments  or have such other  business  affiliations  as would  otherwise be
prohibited under this section 1.

<PAGE>

         2.       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) The term of this Agreement ("Term of Employment") shall be
the period  commencing on the date of this Agreement (the  "Commencement  Date")
and  continuing  until the  Termination  Date,  which shall mean the earliest to
occur of:

                           (i)      the third anniversary of the Commencement
Date, provided, however, that on the second anniversary of the  Commencement
Date,  and on each  anniversary of the  Commencement  Date thereafter,  the Term
of  Employment  shall  automatically  extend itself by one additional year;

                           (ii)     the death of Executive;

                           (iii)    Executive's inability to perform his duties
hereunder, as a result of physical or mental disability as reasonably determined
by the personal physician of Executive, for a period of at least 180 consecutive
days or for at least 180 days  during any period of twelve consecutive months
during the Term of Employment; or

                           (iv)     the discharge of Executive by NBTB "for
cause," which shall mean one or more of the following:

                                    (A)     any willful or gross misconduct by
Executive  with respect to the business and affairs of NBTB or NBT Bank, or with
respect  to any of its  affiliates  for which  Executive  is  assigned  material
responsibilities or duties;

                                    (B)     the conviction of Executive of a
felony  (after the earlier of the  expiration  of any  applicable  appeal period
without  perfection  of an appeal by Executive or the denial of any appeal as to
which no further  appeal or review is  available  to  Executive)  whether or not
committed in the course of his employment by NBTB;

                                    (C)    Executive's willful neglect, failure,
or refusal to carry out his duties hereunder in a reasonable  manner (other than
any such failure  resulting  from  disability  or death or from  termination  by
Executive for Good Reason,  as  hereinafter  defined) after a written demand for
substantial  performance is delivered to Executive that specifically  identifies
the manner in which NBTB believes that Executive has not substantially performed
his duties and Executive has not resumed  substantial  performance of his duties
on a continuous basis within thirty days of receiving such demand; or

                                    (D)     the breach by Executive of any
representation or warranty in section 6(a) hereof or of any agreement  contained
in section 1, 4, 5, or 6(b) hereof, which breach is material and adverse to NBTB
or  any  of  its   affiliates   for  which   Executive   is  assigned   material
responsibilities or duties; or


                                      -2-
<PAGE>


                           (v)     Executive's resignation from his position as
president  and chief  operating  officer  of NBT Bank  other  than (A) for "Good
Reason," as  hereinafter  defined,  or (B) following a "Change in Reporting," as
hereinafter defined; or
                           (vi)    the termination of Executive's employment by
NBTB  "without  cause," which shall be for any reason other than those set forth
in subsections (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of this section 2(a), at any time,
upon the thirtieth day following notice to Executive; or

                           (vii)   Executive's resignation for "Good Reason," or

                           (viii)  Executive's resignation following a "Change
in Reporting."

"Good  Reason"  shall  mean,  without   Executive's   express  written  consent,
reassignment  of  Executive  to a  position  other than as  president  and chief
operating  officer  of NBT Bank  other than for  "Cause,"  or a decrease  in the
amount or level of  Executive's  salary  or  benefits  from the  amount or level
established in section 3 hereof.

If during the Term of  Employment  Executive  shall be  required  to report to a
person  or  organizational  level  within  NBTB  different  from the  person  or
organizational  level to which Executive is required to report as of the date of
this  Agreement,   then  during  the  ninety-day   period  commencing  upon  the
communication  of such requirement to Executive (or such longer period agreed to
by NBTB),  Executive  in his sole  discretion  may  either  (x)  consent to such
requirement, in which event this Agreement shall continue in accordance with its
terms, (y) require NBTB to engage in good-faith  re-negotiation  of the terms of
this Agreement,  or (z) resign his employment,  in which event such  resignation
shall be deemed to be a resignation following a "Change in Reporting."

                  (b)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for any  reason  other than that set forth in  section  2(a)(vi)  or
2(a)(vii) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to receive, upon the occurrence of
any such event:

                           (i)      any salary (as hereinafter defined) payable
pursuant to section 3(a)(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the
Termination Date; and

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which
he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to reimbursement for
expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date payable  pursuant to section 3(h)
hereof,  and the right to receive the cash  equivalent  of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the Termination Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof.

                  (c)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for the reason set forth in section  2(a)(vi) or  2(a)(vii)  hereof,
Executive shall be entitled to receive:


                                      -3-
<PAGE>



                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have  accrued as of the  Termination  Date,  and, for the
period  commencing on the date  immediately  following the Termination  Date and
ending  upon  and  including  the  latest  of  the  third   anniversary  of  the
Commencement  Date,  the date to which the Term of  Employment  shall (as of the
Termination Date) have automatically extended itself under section 2(a)(i)(A) or
2(a)(i)(B)  hereof,  or the first  anniversary of the Termination  Date,  salary
payable at the rate established  pursuant to section 3(a)(i) hereof, in a manner
consistent  with the normal payroll  practices of NBTB with respect to executive
personnel as presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to
time; and
                           (ii)     such rights as Executive may have accrued as
of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which he
participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof,  any right to  reimbursement  for
expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date payable  pursuant to section 3(h)
hereof,  and the right to receive the cash  equivalent  of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the Termination Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof.

                  (d)  Any   provision   of  this  section  2  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  in the event that the  employment  of  Executive  with NBTB is
terminated  in any  situation  described  in section 3 of the  change-in-control
letter  agreement  dated  January  1,  2000  between  NBTB  and  Executive  (the
"Change-in-Control Agreement") so as to entitle Executive to a severance payment
and other benefits  described in section 3 of the  Change-in-Control  Agreement,
then Executive  shall be entitled to receive the following,  and no more,  under
this section 2:

                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the Termination Date;

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which
he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to reimbursement for
expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date payable  pursuant to section 3(h)
hereof,  and the right to receive the cash  equivalent  of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the  Termination  Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof;
and

                           (iii)    the severance payment and other benefits
provided in the Change-in-Control Agreement.

         3.       COMPENSATION.  For the services to be performed by Executive
for NBTB and its affiliates under this Agreement, Executive shall be compensated
in the following manner:

                  (a)      SALARY.  During the Term of Employment:

                           (i)      NBTB shall pay Executive a salary which, on
an annual basis,  shall not be less than $230,000 during the Term of Employment,


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
assuming Executive performs  competently.  Salary shall be payable in accordance
with the normal payroll practices of NBTB with respect to executive personnel as
presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                           (ii)     Executive shall be entitled to annual salary
increases of 8 percent  during the Term of  Employment,  beginning in the second
year of the Term of  Employment,  and shall be  eligible  to be  considered  for
further  salary  increases,  upon review,  in accordance  with the  compensation
policies of NBTB with respect to  executive  personnel as presently in effect or
as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                           (iii)    Executive shall be eligible to be considered
for  performance  bonuses of up to 75 percent of salary,  in accordance with the
compensation  policies of NBTB with respect to executive  personnel as presently
in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                  (b) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS OR ARRANGEMENTS. During the Term of
Employment,  Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee  benefit
plans of NBTB,  as  presently  in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from
time to time,  under such terms as may be applicable to officers of  Executive's
rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  including,  without limitation,  plans
providing retirement benefits, stock options, medical insurance, life insurance,
disability insurance, and accidental death or dismemberment insurance,  provided
that there be no  duplication  of such benefits as are provided  under any other
provision of this Agreement.

                  (c) STOCK OPTIONS.  Each January or February  annually  during
the Term of Employment,  NBTB will cause Executive to be granted a non-statutory
("non-qualified")  stock  option  (each an  "Option")  to purchase the number of
shares of the common stock of NBTB,  no par value,  $1.00 stated  value,  or the
common stock of NBTB as  reclassified  to have a par value of $.01 per share, as
the case may be (the "NBTB Common Stock"), pursuant to the NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993
Stock Option Plan, as amended,  or any  appropriate  successor  plan (the "Stock
Option  Plan"),  computed by dividing  250 percent of the  annualized  salary of
Executive on the date of grant of the Option by the "Fair Market  Value" of NBTB
Common Stock (as defined in the Stock Option Plan).  The option  exercise  price
per share of the shares  subject to each Option shall be such Fair Market Value,
and the terms, conditions of exercise, and vesting schedule of such Option shall
be as set forth in section 8 of the Stock Option Plan.

                  (d)  VACATION AND SICK LEAVE.  During the Term of  Employment,
Executive  shall be entitled to paid annual  vacation  periods and sick leave in
accordance with the policies of NBTB as in effect as of the Commencement Date or
as may be modified by NBTB from time to time as may be applicable to officers of
Executive's  rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  but in no event less than
four weeks of paid vacation per year.

                  (e) AUTOMOBILE. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall
be entitled to the use of an  automobile  owned by NBTB or an affiliate of NBTB,
the make, model, and year of which automobile shall be appropriate to an officer
of Executive's  rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates and consistent with that


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
provided  to others of  Executive's  rank  employed  by NBTB or its  affiliates.
During  the  first  year  of the  Term of  Employment,  the  automobile  used by
Executive will be replaced with a new  automobile,  whose value shall not exceed
$45,000  escalated by an amount  calculated by the controller's  division of NBT
Bank to adjust for the effect of inflation upon $45,000 between the Commencement
Date and the date of the replacement of the vehicle (an "Inflation Adjustment").
During the remaining term of the Term of  Employment,  should three years elapse
from the date of the automobile  replacement  described in the previous sentence
(or any subsequent automobile  replacement that takes place under this section),
or, if earlier, should the replaced automobile (or any automobile provided under
such subsequent  automobile  replacement) have accumulated 50,000 miles, then it
will be replaced with a new  automobile  whose value shall not exceed the sum of
$45,000 and an Inflation  Adjustment.  Executive  shall be  responsible  for all
expenses of ownership and use of any such  automobile,  subject to reimbursement
of expenses for business use in accordance with section 3(h).

                  (f)      COUNTRY CLUB DUES.  During the Term of Employment,
Executive shall be reimbursed for dues and assessments incurred in relation to
Executive's membership at [                                 ].

                  (g)      WITHHOLDING.  All compensation to be paid to
Executive hereunder shall be subject to required withholding and other taxes.

                  (h)      EXPENSES.  During the Term of Employment,  Executive
shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred or paid by
Executive  in  connection  with  the  performance  of his  services  under  this
Agreement,  upon  presentation  of expense  statements or vouchers or such other
supporting information as may from time to time be requested, in accordance with
such policies of NBTB as are in effect as of the Commencement Date and as may be
modified  by NBTB from time to time,  under such terms as may be  applicable  to
officers of Executive's rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates.

         4.       CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION; NON-COMPETITION.

                  (a)  Executive  acknowledges  that certain  business  methods,
creative techniques,  and technical data of NBTB and its affiliates and the like
are deemed by NBTB to be and are in fact  confidential  business  information of
NBTB or its  affiliates or are  entrusted to third  parties.  Such  confidential
information  includes  but  is  not  limited  to  procedures,   methods,   sales
relationships  developed  while  in the  service  of  NBTB  or  its  affiliates,
knowledge  of  customers  and their  requirements,  marketing  plans,  marketing
information,  studies, forecasts, and surveys, competitive analyses, mailing and
marketing  lists, new business  proposals,  lists of vendors,  consultants,  and
other  persons  who render  service or provide  material  to NBTB or NBT Bank or
their affiliates,  and compositions,  ideas,  plans, and methods belonging to or
related to the affairs of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates.  In this regard,
NBTB asserts  proprietary rights in all of its business  information and that of
its affiliates  except for such  information as is clearly in the public domain.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  information  that would be generally  known or


                                      -6-
<PAGE>
available to persons  skilled in  Executive's  fields shall be  considered to be
"clearly in the public  domain"  for the  purposes  of the  preceding  sentence.
Executive agrees that he will not disclose or divulge to any third party, except
as may be required by his duties hereunder,  by law,  regulation,  or order of a
court or government  authority,  or as directed by NBTB, nor shall he use to the
detriment of NBTB or its  affiliates  or use in any business or on behalf of any
business  competitive with or  substantially  similar to any business of NBTB or
NBT Bank or their affiliates,  any confidential  business  information  obtained
during  the  course  of his  employment  by NBTB.  The  foregoing  shall  not be
construed as  restricting  Executive  from  disclosing  such  information to the
employees of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates.  On or before the Termination
Date,   Executive  shall  promptly   deliver  to  NBTB  any  and  all  tangible,
confidential information in his possession.

                  (b) Executive  hereby agrees that from the  Commencement  Date
until the earlier of the first  anniversary of the Termination  Date or the date
of Executive's resignation following a "Change in Reporting," Executive will not
(i) interfere with the relationship of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates with
any of  their  employees,  suppliers,  agents,  or  representatives  (including,
without limitation,  causing or helping another business to hire any employee of
NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates),  or (ii) directly or indirectly divert or
attempt to divert from NBTB, NBT Bank or their  affiliates any business in which
any of them  has been  actively  engaged  during  the  Term of  Employment,  nor
interfere with the  relationship of NBTB, NBT Bank or their  affiliates with any
of their customers or prospective  customers.  This paragraph 4(b) shall not, in
and of itself,  prohibit  Executive  from  engaging in the  banking,  trust,  or
financial  services  business  in any  capacity,  including  that of an owner or
employee.

                  (c) Executive  acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury
will  result to NBTB in the event of a breach of any of the  provisions  of this
section 4 (the  "Designated  Provisions")  and that  NBTB will have no  adequate
remedy at law with  respect  thereto.  Accordingly,  in the event of a  material
breach of any  Designated  Provision,  and in  addition  to any  other  legal or
equitable  remedy  NBTB may  have,  NBTB  shall be  entitled  to the  entry of a
preliminary and permanent injunction  (including,  without limitation,  specific
performance) by a court of competent  jurisdiction in Chenango County, New York,
or  elsewhere,  to restrain the violation or breach  thereof by  Executive,  and
Executive submits to the jurisdiction of such court in any such action.

                  (d) It is the  desire  and  intent  of the  parties  that  the
provisions of this section 4 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under  the  laws and  public  policies  applied  in each  jurisdiction  in which
enforcement is sought.  Accordingly, if any particular provision of this section
4 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or  unenforceable,  such provision shall be
deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of such
provision in the particular  jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. In
addition, should any court determine that the provisions of this section 4 shall
be unenforceable with respect to scope, duration, or geographic area, such court
shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable,  provisions similar
hereto or other  provisions  so as to provide  to NBTB,  to the  fullest  extent
permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by this section 4.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>

         5. LIFE INSURANCE.  In light of the unusual abilities and experience of
Executive, NBTB in its discretion may apply for and procure as owner and for its
own benefit insurance on the life of Executive,  in such amount and in such form
as NBTB may choose.  NBTB shall make all payments for such  insurance  and shall
receive all benefits from it. Executive shall have no interest whatsoever in any
such policy or policies  but,  at the request of NBTB,  shall  submit to medical
examinations  and supply such  information  and execute  such  documents  as may
reasonably be required by the  insurance  company or companies to which NBTB has
applied for insurance.

         6.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

                  (a)  Executive  represents  and  warrants  to  NBTB  that  his
execution,  delivery,  and  performance  of this Agreement will not result in or
constitute  a breach of or  conflict  with any  term,  covenant,  condition,  or
provision  of any  commitment,  contract,  or  other  agreement  or  instrument,
including,   without  limitation,  any  other  employment  agreement,  to  which
Executive is or has been a party.

                  (b) Executive shall indemnify,  defend, and hold harmless NBTB
for, from, and against any and all losses, claims, suits, damages,  expenses, or
liabilities,  including court costs and counsel fees, which NBTB has incurred or
to which  NBTB may  become  subject,  insofar  as such  losses,  claims,  suits,
damages,  expenses,  liabilities,  costs, or fees arise out of or are based upon
any  failure of any  representation  or warranty of  Executive  in section  6(a)
hereof to be true and correct when made.

         7. NOTICES.  All notices,  consents,  waivers, or other  communications
which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or by messenger, transmitted by telex or
telegram,  by express courier,  or sent by registered or certified mail,  return
receipt requested, postage prepaid. All communications shall be addressed to the
appropriate address of each party as follows:

If to NBTB:

         NBT Bancorp Inc.
         52 South Broad Street
         Norwich, New York  13815

         Attention:        Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe
                           President and Chief Executive Officer


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
With a required copy to:

         Brian D. Alprin, Esq.
         Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
         1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
         Washington, D.C.  20006

If to Executive:

         Mr. Martin A. Dietrich
         155 Serenity Drive
         Norwich, New York  13815

All such  notices  shall be  deemed to have  been  given on the date  delivered,
transmitted, or mailed in the manner provided above.

         8.       ASSIGNMENT.  Neither party may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of the other party.

         9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by,  construed,  and
enforced in accordance  with the laws of the State of New York,  without  giving
effect  to the  principles  of  conflict  of law  thereof.  The  parties  hereby
designate Chenango County, New York to be the proper  jurisdiction and venue for
any suit or action arising out of this Agreement.  Each of the parties  consents
to personal  jurisdiction in such venue for such a proceeding and agrees that it
may be served with process in any action with  respect to this  Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  thereby by  certified  or  registered  mail,  return
receipt  requested,  or to its  registered  agent for  service of process in the
State of New York. Each of the parties  irrevocably and  unconditionally  waives
and agrees,  to the fullest extent  permitted by law, not to plead any objection
that it may now or hereafter  have to the laying of venue or the  convenience of
the  forum  of any  action  or  claim  with  respect  to this  Agreement  or the
transactions contemplated thereby brought in the courts aforesaid.

         10.  ENTIRE   AGREEMENT.   This   Agreement   constitutes   the  entire
understanding  among NBTB and Executive  relating to the subject  matter hereof.
Any previous agreements or understandings  between the parties hereto or between
Executive and NBT Bank or any of its  affiliates  regarding  the subject  matter
hereof,  including  without  limitation  the terms and conditions of employment,
compensation,  benefits,  retirement,  competition following employment, and the
like, are merged into and superseded by this  Agreement.  Neither this Agreement
nor any provisions hereof can be modified,  changed,  discharged,  or terminated
except by an instrument in writing  signed by the party against whom any waiver,
change, discharge, or termination is sought.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>
         11.      ILLEGALITY; SEVERABILITY.

                  (a)    Anything   in   this    Agreement   to   the   contrary
notwithstanding,  this  Agreement  is not intended and shall not be construed to
require  any  payment to  Executive  which  would  violate  any federal or state
statute or  regulation,  including  without  limitation  the  "golden  parachute
payment  regulations" of the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  codified to
Part 359 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.

                  (b)    If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall
be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever:

                           (i)      the validity, legality, and enforceability
of the remaining  provisions of this Agreement  (including,  without limitation,
each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held
to be invalid,  illegal,  or unenforceable)  shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby; and

                           (ii)     to the fullest extent possible, the
provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any
section of this  Agreement  containing any such  provisions  held to be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent
manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.

         12.  ARBITRATION.  Subject to the right of each party to seek  specific
performance  (which  right  shall not be subject to  arbitration),  if a dispute
arises out of or related to this Agreement,  or the breach thereof, such dispute
shall be referred to arbitration in accordance  with the Commercial  Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration  Association ("AAA"). A dispute subject to the
provisions  of this section will exist if either party  notifies the other party
in  writing  that a dispute  subject to  arbitration  exists  and  states,  with
reasonable  specificity,  the issue  subject to  arbitration  (the  "Arbitration
Notice").  The parties agree that, after the issuance of the Arbitration Notice,
the  parties  will try in good faith to resolve  the  dispute  by  mediation  in
accordance  with the Commercial  Rules of Arbitration of AAA between the date of
the  issuance  of the  Arbitration  Notice  and the date the  dispute is set for
arbitration. If the dispute is not settled by the date set for arbitration, then
any  controversy  or claim  arising out of this  Agreement or the breach  hereof
shall be resolved by binding arbitration and judgment upon any award rendered by
arbitrator(s) may be entered in a court having jurisdiction.  Any person serving
as a  mediator  or  arbitrator  must  have at least  ten  years'  experience  in
resolving  commercial  disputes through  arbitration.  In the event any claim or
dispute involves an amount in excess of $100,000,  either party may request that
the  matter  be heard by a panel of three  arbitrators;  otherwise  all  matters
subject to arbitration shall be heard and resolved by a single  arbitrator.  The
arbitrator  shall have the same power to compel the  attendance of witnesses and
to order the production of documents or other materials and to enforce discovery
as could be exercised by a United  States  District  Court judge  sitting in the
Northern District of New York. In the event of any arbitration, each party shall
have a reasonable right to conduct discovery to the same extent permitted by the
Federal  Rules  of  Civil  Procedure,  provided  that  such  discovery  shall be
concluded  within ninety days after the date the matter is set for  arbitration.
In the event of any  arbitration,  the arbitrator or arbitrators  shall have the


                                      -10-
<PAGE>

power to award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Any provision
in this  Agreement  to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  this  section  shall  be
governed by the Federal  Arbitration  Act and the parties have entered into this
Agreement pursuant to such Act.

         13.  COSTS OF  LITIGATION.  In the event  litigation  is  commenced  to
enforce  any of the  provisions  hereof,  or to  obtain  declaratory  relief  in
connection  with any of the provisions  hereof,  the  prevailing  party shall be
entitled to recover  reasonable  attorney's fees. In the event this Agreement is
asserted in any litigation as a defense to any liability, claim, demand, action,
cause of action,  or right asserted in such litigation,  the party prevailing on
the issue of that defense shall be entitled to recovery of reasonable attorney's
fees.

         14.      AFFILIATION.  A company will be deemed to be "affiliated" with
NBTB or NBT Bank according to the definition of "Affiliate" set forth in Rule
12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

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

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  executed  or  caused  this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                NBT BANCORP INC.



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



                                              MARTIN A. DIETRICH


                                             /S/ MARTIN A. DIETRICH


                                      -11-
<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 10.5
         Supplemental Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT
          Bank, National Association and Martin A. Dietrich made as of
                                 January 1, 2000

<PAGE>
                        SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT


         This  sets  forth  the  terms  of  an  agreement  for  the  payment  of
supplemental  retirement income ("Agreement") made as of January 1, 2000 between
(i) NBT BANCORP  INC.,  a Delaware  corporation  and a  registered  bank holding
company,  and NBT BANK,  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  a national banking  association
chartered  under the laws of the United States,  both having offices  located at
Norwich, New York (collectively,  the "Bank"),  and (ii) MARTIN A. DIETRICH,  an
individual residing at 155 Serenity Drive, Norwich, New York 13815, and who is a
member of a select group of management or highly  compensated  employees  within
the meaning of section 201(2) of the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("Dietrich").

         1.       PURPOSE OF THE AGREEMENT.  The purpose of this Agreement is to
provide Dietrich a supplemental  retirement benefit in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement.

         2.       DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following
words shall have the meaning indicated:

                  (a)      ACTUARIAL  EQUIVALENT.  "Actuarial  Equivalent" shall
have the same meaning the term "Actuarial  Equivalent" has under Section 2.03 of
the Qualified Plan using the following actuarial assumptions:

                           MORTALITY:      "Applicable  Mortality  Rate" as such
term is  defined  in  Section  2.03c of the Qualified Plan.

                           INTEREST RATE:  "Applicable Interest Rate" as such
term is defined in Section 2.09b of the Qualified Plan.

                  (b) BENEFICIARY.  "Beneficiary"  shall mean such living person
         or  living   persons   designated  by  Dietrich  in   accordance   with
         subparagraph  5(a) to receive  benefits under this Agreement  after his
         death, or his personal or legal representative, all as herein described
         and  provided.  If no  Beneficiary  is  designated by Dietrich or if no
         Beneficiary  survives  Dietrich,  the  Beneficiary  shall be Dietrich's
         estate.

                  (c)      CAUSE.  "Cause" shall mean Dietrich's:

                           (i) willful or gross  misconduct  with respect to the
                  business  and affairs of the Bank,  or with  respect to any of
                  its  affiliates  for  which  Dietrich  is  assigned   material
                  responsibilities or duties;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (after the earlier of the
                  expiration of any applicable appeal period without  perfection
                  of an appeal by  Dietrich  or the  denial of any  appeal as to
                  which no further  appeal or review is  available  to Dietrich)
                  whether or not  committed in the course of his  employment  by
                  the Bank;

<PAGE>
                           (iii) willful neglect,  failure,  or refusal to carry
                  out his duties  under the  Employment  Agreement  between  NBT
                  Bancorp  Inc.  and  Dietrich  dated as of January 1, 2000 (the
                  "Employment Agreement") in a reasonable manner (other than any
                  such  failure  resulting  from  disability  or  death  or from
                  termination  by Dietrich  for Good  Reason,  as defined in the
                  Employment  Agreement)  after a written demand for substantial
                  performance   is  delivered  to  Dietrich  that   specifically
                  identifies the manner in which the Bank believes that Dietrich
                  has not  substantially  performed  his  duties  and he has not
                  resumed substantial  performance of his duties on a continuous
                  basis within thirty days of receiving such demand; or

                           (iv)  breach of any  representation  or  warranty  in
                  section 6(a) of the  Employment  Agreement or of any agreement
                  contained  in  section  1, 4,  5,  or  6(b) of the  Employment
                  Agreement, which breach is material and adverse to the Bank or
                  any of its affiliates for which Dietrich is assigned  material
                  responsibilities or duties.

                  (d) CHANGE OF CONTROL. "Change of Control" shall mean a Change
         in Control  as such term is defined in the Change in Control  Agreement
         between  Dietrich and the Bank dated January 1, 2000 (a revision of the
         October 27, 1998 and January 2, 1997 agreements).

                  (e) CODE.  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

                  (f) DETERMINATION  DATE.  "Determination  Date"  shall
mean  the  earlier  of (i) the  date of  termination  of Dietrich's employment
with the Bank or (ii) the first day of the month following Dietrich's 65th
birthday.

                  (g) FINAL AVERAGE  COMPENSATION.  "Final Average Compensation"
         shall have the same meaning the term "Final Average  Compensation"  has
         under Section 2.27 of the Qualified  Plan,  except that in  determining
         the amount of Compensation (as defined in Section 2.14 of the Qualified
         Plan)  to be used  in  calculating  Final  Average  Compensation  under
         Section 2.27 of the Qualified Plan,  Compensation  shall not be subject
         to the compensation limitation of section 401(a)(17) of the Code.

                  (h) FULL-TIME  EMPLOYEE.  "Full-Time  Employee"  shall
mean an employee who works not less than 1,000 hours in a calendar year.

                  (i) OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS.  "Other Retirement Benefits"
shall mean the sum of:

                           (i)  The annual benefit payable to Dietrich from the
Qualified Plan, plus

                           (ii) The annual benefit that could be provided by (A)
                  Bank  contributions  (other than elective  deferrals)  made on
                  Dietrich's  behalf  under  the NBT  Bancorp  Inc.  401(k)  and


                                      -2-
<PAGE>
                  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan,  and (B) actual  earnings on
                  contributions in (A), if such  contributions and earnings were
                  converted to a benefit  payable on the  Determination  Date in
                  the same form as the benefit paid under this Agreement,  using
                  the  same   actuarial   assumptions   as  are  provided  under
                  subparagraph 2(a).

                  The amount of Other Retirement Benefits shall be determined by
         an actuary  selected by the Bank,  with such  determination  to be made
         without  reduction for payment of benefits  prior to any stated "normal
         retirement  date" and without  regard to whether  Dietrich is receiving
         payment  of such  benefits  on the  Determination  Date.  To the extent
         Dietrich receives a payment of Other Retirement  Benefits  described in
         subparagraph  2(i)(ii)  prior to the date the  Supplemental  Retirement
         Benefit is  determined  pursuant to this  Agreement,  the total of such
         Other Retirement Benefits shall be determined by including and assuming
         that such  amounts  earned  interest  at a  variable  rate equal to the
         one-year  United States  Treasury bill rate as reported in the New York
         edition of The Wall Street Journal on the  Determination  Date from the
         date received to the date Other Retirement  Benefits are calculated for
         purposes of this Agreement.

                  (j)      PRESENT  VALUE.  "Present  Value" shall mean the
present  value of a benefit  determined on the basis of the following actuarial
assumptions:

                           MORTALITY:       "Applicable  Mortality  Rate" as
such  term is  defined  in  Section  2.03c of the Qualified Plan.

                           INTEREST RATE:   "Applicable Interest Rate" as such
term is defined in Section 2.09b of the Qualified Plan.

                  (k)      QUALIFIED PLAN.  "Qualified Plan" shall mean the NBT
BANCORP Inc. Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

                  (l)      SOCIAL SECURITY  BENEFIT.  "Social Security Benefit"
shall mean Dietrich's actual social security benefit at his Social Security
Retirement Age.

                  (m)      SOCIAL  SECURITY  RETIREMENT  AGE.  "Social  Security
Retirement Age" shall have the same meaning the term "Social Security Retirement
Age" has under Section 2.58 of the Qualified Plan.

                  (n)      YEAR OF SERVICE.  "Year of Service"  shall mean a
calendar  year in which  Dietrich  completes not less than 1,000 hours of
service.

         3.       AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

                  (a)  AMOUNT  PAYABLE  ON AND AFTER AGE 62. If  Dietrich  shall
         remain  employed by the Bank until reaching his 62nd birthday,  serving

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         as a Full-Time Employee until such date, and subject to the other terms
         and conditions of this Agreement, the Bank shall pay Dietrich an annual
         "Supplemental Retirement Benefit" determined as follows:

                           (i) ON AND AFTER AGE 62 BUT  BEFORE  SOCIAL  SECURITY
                  RETIREMENT  AGE.  Dietrich shall be entitled to a Supplemental
                  Retirement  Benefit on and after his 62nd  birthday but before
                  his Social  Security  Retirement Age in an amount equal to the
                  excess  of  (1)  50  percent  of   Dietrich's   Final  Average
                  Compensation,  over (2) Dietrich's Other Retirement  Benefits,
                  determined  as of the  Determination  Date and  calculated  in
                  accordance with paragraph 2(i).

                           (ii) ON AND AFTER  SOCIAL  SECURITY  RETIREMENT  AGE.
                  Dietrich  shall  be  entitled  to  a  Supplemental  Retirement
                  Benefit on and after his Social Security  Retirement Age in an
                  amount  equal to the excess of (1) 50  percent  of  Dietrich's
                  Final  Average   Compensation,   over  (2)  the  sum  of  (aa)
                  Dietrich's  Other  Retirement  Benefits,  determined as of the
                  Determination Date and calculated in accordance with paragraph
                  2(i), plus (bb) Dietrich's Social Security Benefit.

                  (b)  AMOUNT  PAYABLE ON AND AFTER AGE 60 BUT BEFORE AGE 62. If
         Dietrich  shall  remain  employed by the Bank until  reaching  his 60th
         birthday,  serving  as a  Full-Time  Employee  until  such  date and he
         continues  to  serve  as a  Full-Time  Employee  until  the date of his
         retirement,  and he retires then or thereafter but before  reaching his
         62nd  birthday,  and subject to the other terms and  conditions of this
         Agreement,  the Bank shall pay Dietrich on the date of his  retirement,
         pursuant to subparagraph  4(b), or to his spouse or other  Beneficiary,
         pursuant  and  subject to  subparagraph  6(c) if he has died before his
         62nd  birthday,   a  reduced  early  Supplemental   Retirement  Benefit
         calculated in accordance with the following schedule:

                           (i) If the date of Dietrich's  retirement shall be on
                  or after his 60th birthday but before his 61st  birthday,  the
                  Bank shall pay  Dietrich  60% of the  Supplemental  Retirement
                  Benefit  calculated in accordance with  subparagraph  3(a)(i);
                  and

                           (ii) If the date of Dietrich's retirement shall be on
                  or after his 61st birthday but before his 62nd  birthday,  the
                  Bank shall pay  Dietrich  70% of the  Supplemental  Retirement
                  Benefit so calculated.

         4.       TIME OF PAYMENT.

                  (a) Except as provided in subparagraph 4(b) (early retirement)
         and paragraph 6 (payment on death), the Bank shall pay the Supplemental
         Retirement  Benefit  commencing on the first day of the month following
         Dietrich's attainment of age 62.

                  (b) Notwithstanding subparagraph 4(a), the Bank shall commence
         payment  of an early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit,  in the amount
         determined  under  subparagraph  3(b),  on the  first  day of the month

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

         following  Dietrich's  Determination  Date  in  connection  with  early
         retirement  after  reaching  age 60 and  prior  to the date of his 62nd
         birthday.

         5.       FORM OF PAYMENT.

                  (a) The Supplemental Retirement Benefit described in paragraph
         3 of this Agreement  shall be paid as a straight life annuity,  payable
         in monthly installments,  for Dietrich's life; provided,  however, that
         if Dietrich has no surviving  spouse and dies before having received 60
         monthly  payments,  such  monthly  payments  shall be  continued to his
         Beneficiary  until the total number of monthly payments to Dietrich and
         his  Beneficiary  equal 60,  whereupon all payments shall cease and the
         Bank's  obligation  under this  Agreement  shall be deemed to have been
         fully  discharged.  If Dietrich  and his  Beneficiary  shall die before
         having received a total of 60 monthly payments,  an amount equal to the
         Actuarial  Equivalent of the balance of such monthly  payments shall be
         paid in a single sum to the estate of the  survivor of Dietrich and his
         Beneficiary.  If  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefits are payable in the
         form described in this subparagraph  5(a),  Dietrich shall designate in
         writing,  as  his  Beneficiary,   any  person  or  persons,  primarily,
         contingently  or  successively,  to whom the Bank  shall  pay  benefits
         following Dietrich's death if Dietrich's death occurs before 60 monthly
         payments have been made.

                  (b)   Notwithstanding   the  form  of  payment   described  in
         subparagraph  5(a),  if Dietrich is married on the date  payment of the
         Supplemental Retirement Benefit commences, the benefit shall be paid as
         a 50%  joint  and  survivor  annuity  with  Dietrich's  spouse  as  the
         Beneficiary.  The 50% joint and survivor annuity shall be the Actuarial
         Equivalent  of the  benefit  described  in  subparagraph  5(a).  If the
         Supplemental   Retirement   Benefit   is  payable   pursuant   to  this
         subparagraph  5(b),  but  Dietrich's  spouse  fails to survive  him, no
         payments will be made pursuant to this Agreement  following  Dietrich's
         death.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph
         5, the Bank, in its sole discretion,  may accelerate the payment of all
         or any portion of the  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit or the reduced
         early  Supplemental   Retirement  Benefit  at  any  time.  Any  payment
         accelerated  in  accordance  with this  subparagraph  5(c) shall be the
         Actuarial Equivalent of the payment being accelerated.

         6.       PAYMENTS UPON DIETRICH'S DEATH.

                  (a)  Except as  provided  in  subparagraphs  6(b) and (c),  if
         Dietrich  shall die before his 62nd  birthday,  no payment shall be due
         his estate under this Agreement.

                  (b) If  Dietrich's  death  shall  occur on or  after  his 60th
         birthday,  after he has retired but before payment of any  Supplemental
         Retirement Benefit has commenced,  Dietrich's surviving spouse shall be

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

         paid  as a  straight  life  annuity  50  percent  of  the  Supplemental
         Retirement  Benefit for her life  commencing  within 30 days  following
         Dietrich's death. Such payments shall be made in monthly  installments,
         subject to the right of the Bank to  accelerate  payment at any time in
         accordance with subparagraph 5(c).

                  (c)  If  Dietrich   elects   early   retirement   pursuant  to
         subparagraph  3(b)  and he  dies  before  payment  of any  Supplemental
         Retirement Benefit has commenced,  Dietrich's surviving spouse shall be
         paid, in monthly  installments,  as a straight life annuity, 50 percent
         of such Supplemental  Retirement Benefit for her life commencing within
         30 days following Dietrich's death, subject to the right of the Bank to
         accelerate such payments as provided in subparagraph 5(c).  However, if
         Dietrich's  spouse  fails  to  survive  him,  the  Bank  shall  pay  to
         Dietrich's estate a lump sum benefit equal to 50 percent of the Present
         Value of Dietrich's Supplemental Retirement Benefit.

                  (d) Except as  otherwise  provided in  subparagraph  6(c),  no
         payments  shall be made under this  Agreement  if Dietrich  dies before
         payment of any  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit begins and his spouse
         fails to survive him.

                  (e)  If  Dietrich's  death  shall  occur  after  payment  of a
         Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit  has  commenced,  Dietrich  surviving
         spouse  or  other  Beneficiaries  shall  receive  payments  under  this
         Agreement to the extent provided in paragraph 5.

         7.  FORFEITURE FOR CAUSE.  Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement,  if Dietrich's employment with the Bank is terminated for Cause,
Dietrich and his spouse or other Beneficiaries shall forfeit all rights to any
payment under this Agreement.

         8.  POWERS.  The Bank shall  have such  powers as may be  necessary  to
discharge its duties under this Agreement,  including the power to interpret and
construe this  Agreement and to determine  all questions  regarding  employment,
disability status, service,  earnings,  income and such factual matters as birth
and marital status. The Bank's determinations  hereunder shall be conclusive and
binding  upon the  parties  hereto and all other  persons  having or claiming an
interest under this Agreement.  The Bank shall have no power to add to, subtract
from, or modify any of the terms of this  Agreement.  The Bank's  determinations
hereunder  shall be entitled to  deference  upon review by any court,  agency or
other entity  empowered to review its decisions,  and shall not be overturned or
set aside by any court,  agency or other entity  unless  found to be  arbitrary,
capricious or contrary to law.

         9.  CLAIMS PROCEDURE.

                  (a) Any claim for  benefits by  Dietrich,  his spouse or other
         Beneficiaries  shall be made in writing to the Bank. In this paragraph,
         Dietrich and his Beneficiaries are referred to as "claimants."

                  (b) If the Bank  denies a claim in whole or in part,  it shall
         send the claimant a written  notice of the denial  within 90 days after
         the date it receives a claim,  unless it needs  additional time to make
         its decision.  In that case,  the Bank may authorize an extension of an

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
         additional 90 days if it notifies the claimant of the extension  within
         the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall state the reasons
         for the extension and the expected decision date.

                  (c)      A denial notice shall contain:

                           (i)      The specific reason or reasons for the
                  denial of the claim;

                           (ii)     Specific reference to pertinent Agreement
                  provisions upon which the denial is based;

                           (iii) A  description  of any  additional  material or
                  information   necessary   to  perfect   the  claim,   with  an
                  explanation  of why the material or  information is necessary;
                  and

                           (iv)  An explanation of the review procedures
                  provided below.

                  (d)  Within  60 days  after  the  claimant  receives  a denial
         notice, he or she may file a request for review with the Bank. Any such
         request must be made in writing.

                  (e) A claimant who timely requests review shall have the right
         to review  pertinent  documents,  to submit  additional  information or
         written comments, and to be represented.

                  (f) The Bank shall send the claimant a written decision on any
         request for review  within 60 days after the date it receives a request
         for  review,  unless an  extension  of time is  needed,  due to special
         circumstances.  In that case, the Bank may authorize an extension of an
         additional 60 days,  provided it notifies the claimant of the extension
         within the initial 60-day period.

                  (g)      The review decision shall contain:

                           (i)     The specific reason or reasons for the
                  decision; and

                           (ii)    Specific reference to the pertinent Agreement
                  provisions upon which the decision is based.

                  (h) If the Bank does not send the  claimant a review  decision
         within the applicable time period,  the claim shall be deemed denied on
         review.

                  (i) The denial notice or, in the case of a timely review,  the
         review  decision  (including a deemed denial under  subparagraph  9(h))
         shall be the Bank's final decision.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
         10. ASSIGNMENT.  Neither Dietrich nor his spouse or other Beneficiaries
may  transfer  his,  her or their right to payments to which he, she or they are
entitled  under this  Agreement.  Except insofar as may otherwise be required by
law, any Supplemental  Retirement Benefit payable under this Agreement shall not
be  subject  in any  manner  to  alienation  by  anticipation,  sale,  transfer,
assignment,  pledge or  encumbrance,  nor  subject to the debts,  contracts,  or
liabilities of Dietrich or his spouse or other Beneficiaries.

         11.      CONTINUED  EMPLOYMENT.  This  Agreement  shall not be
construed  as  conferring  on  Dietrich  a right to  continued employment with
the Bank.

         12.      FUNDING.

                  (a) The Supplemental  Retirement Benefit at all times shall be
         entirely  unfunded,  and no  provision  shall at any time be made  with
         respect  to  segregating  any  assets of the Bank for  payments  of any
         benefits  hereunder,  except  that in the event of a Change of Control,
         the Bank, within five (5) days of such Change of Control,  shall fund a
         grantor  trust  within the  meaning of section  671 of the Code with an
         amount  sufficient  to  cover  all  potential  liabilities  under  this
         Agreement.

                  (b)  Neither  Dietrich  nor his spouse or other  Beneficiaries
         shall have any interest in any particular  assets of the Bank by reason
         of the right to receive a benefit  under this  Agreement.  Dietrich and
         his spouse or other Beneficiaries shall have only the rights of general
         unsecured  creditors  of the Bank with respect to any rights under this
         Agreement.

                  (c) Nothing  contained in this  Agreement  shall  constitute a
         guarantee  by the Bank or any  entity or person  that the assets of the
         Bank will be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.

         13.  WITHHOLDING.  Any payment made pursuant to this Agreement shall be
reduced by federal and state income, FICA or other employee payroll, withholding
or other similar taxes the Bank may be required to withhold. In addition, as the
Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit accrues during Dietrich's  employment with the
Bank, the Bank may withhold from Dietrich's  regular  compensation from the Bank
any FICA or other employee payroll,  withholding or other similar taxes the Bank
may be required to withhold.

         14.      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement shall be binding upon,
and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors and assigns of the Bank.

         15.      APPLICABLE  LAW. This Agreement  shall be construed and
administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the
extent preempted by federal law.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
         16.      AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may not be amended,  modified or
otherwise altered except by written  instrument  executed by both parties.

         17.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties,  and supersedes all prior agreements
or  understanding  (whether  oral or written)  between the  parties,  relating
to deferred  compensation  and/or supplemental retirement income.

The parties hereby execute this Agreement as follows:

                              NBT BANCORP INC.

                              By: /S/ DARYL R. FORSYTHE   /S/ EVERETT A. GILMOUR
                                  ----------------------------------------------

Date:       1/1/2000          Its:    PRES & CEO              CHAIRMAN
      ---------------------       ----------------------------------------------

                              NBT BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                              By: /S/ DARYL R. FORSYTHE

Date:      1/1/2000           Its:    CHAIRMAN & CEO
      ---------------------       --------------------------



Date:     1/1/2000                /S/ MARTIN A. DIETRICH
      ---------------------    -----------------------------
                                      MARTIN A. DIETRICH


                                      -9-
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT 10.6
            Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
                     Joe C. Minor made as of January 1, 2000


<PAGE>


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered into as of
the first day of January,  2000, by and between JOE C. MINOR  ("Executive")  and
NBT BANCORP INC., a Delaware corporation having its principal office in Norwich,
New York ("NBTB")
                          W I T N E S S E T H T H A T :

         WHEREAS, Executive is an executive vice president of NBT Bancorp Inc.
and NBT Bank,  National  Association,  a national banking association which is a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of NBTB ("NBT Bank"), and president and chief operating
officer of NBT  Financial  Services,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  which is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of NBT Bank ("NBT FSI");

         WHEREAS, NBTB desires to secure the continued employment of Executive,
subject to the provisions of this Agreement; and

         WHEREAS,  Executive is desirous of entering into the Agreement for such
periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;

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

         1.       EMPLOYMENT; RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.

                  (a) NBTB hereby agrees to cause NBT Bank to employ  Executive,
and Executive hereby agrees to serve as an executive vice president of NBT
Bancorp Inc. and NBT Bank, during the Term of  Employment.  NBTB  hereby  agrees
to cause NBT FSI to employ Executive,  and  Executive  hereby  agrees to serve
as the  president  and chief operating  officer of NBT FSI,  during the Term of
Employment.  Executive  shall have such  executive  duties,  responsibilities,
and  authority as shall be set forth in the  bylaws  of NBT Bank  and NBT  FSI,
as the case may be,  or as may otherwise be  determined by NBTB or by NBT Bank
and NBT FSI, as the case may be, including  supervisory  responsibilities  over
the trust  department of NBT Bank during the period commencing at the time of
the retirement of the individual who is the  chief  trust  officer  of NBT
Bank on the  date of this  Agreement  and continuing until the Termination Date.
During the Term of Employment,  Executive shall report directly to the chief
executive officer of NBTB.

                  (b) NBTB hereby  agrees to cause  Executive to be reelected to
the board of directors of NBT FSI for  successive  terms  throughout the Term of
Employment.

                  (c)  Executive  shall  devote his full  working  time and best
efforts to the performance of his responsibilities and duties hereunder.  During
the Term of Employment,  Executive shall not,  without the prior written consent
of the Board of Directors of NBTB or the president and chief  executive  officer
of NBTB, render services as an employee,  independent contractor,  or otherwise,
whether  or not  compensated,  to any  person or entity  other  than NBTB or its

<PAGE>

affiliates;  provided that Executive may, where  involvement in such  activities
does not  individually  or in the  aggregate  significantly  interfere  with the
performance  by Executive of his duties or violate the  provisions  of section 4
hereof,  (i)  render  services  to  charitable  organizations,  (ii)  manage his
personal  investments,  and  (iii)  with the  prior  permission  of the Board of
Directors  of  NBTB,  hold  such  other   directorships  or  part-time  academic
appointments  or have such other  business  affiliations  as would  otherwise be
prohibited under this section 1.

         2.       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) The term of this Agreement ("Term of Employment") shall be
the period  commencing on the date of this Agreement (the  "Commencement  Date")
and  continuing  until the  Termination  Date,  which shall mean the earliest to
occur of:

                           (i)      the third anniversary of the Commencement
Date, provided, however, that (A) on the first
anniversary of the Commencement Date, the Term of Employment shall automatically
extend itself to the fourth anniversary of the Commencement Date, and (B) on the
second  anniversary  of the  Commencement  Date,  the Term of  Employment  shall
automatically extend itself to December 31, 2004;

                           (ii)     the death of Executive;

                           (iii)    Executive's inability to perform his duties
hereunder, as a result of physical or mental disability as reasonably determined
by the personal physician of Executive, for a period of at least 180 consecutive
days or for at least 180 days  during any period of twelve consecutive months
during the Term of Employment; or

                           (iv)     the discharge of Executive by NBTB "for
cause," which shall mean one or more of the following:

                                    (A)     any willful or gross misconduct by
Executive with respect to the business and affairs of NBTB,  NBT Bank, or NBT
FSI, or with respect to any of its  affiliates for which Executive is assigned
material responsibilities or duties;

                                    (B)     the conviction of Executive of a
felony (after the earlier of the expiration of any applicable  appeal  period
without  perfection of an appeal by Executive or the denial of any appeal as to
which no  further  appeal or review is  available  to Executive) whether or not
committed in the course of his employment by NBTB;

                                    (C)     Executive's willful neglect,
failure, or refusal to carry out his duties hereunder in a reasonable  manner
(other than any such failure  resulting  from  disability or death or from
termination by Executive for Good Reason, as hereinafter  defined) after a
written  demand for  substantial  performance  is delivered to Executive
that  specifically  identifies  the manner in which NBTB believes that Executive
has not  substantially  performed  his  duties  and  Executive  has not  resumed


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

substantial  performance of his duties on a continuous  basis within thirty days
of receiving such demand; or

                                    (D)     the breach by Executive of any
representation or warranty in section 6(a) hereof or of any  agreement
contained  in section 1, 4, 5, or 6(b)  hereof,  which breach is
material  and adverse to NBTB or any of its  affiliates  for which  Executive is
assigned material responsibilities or duties; or

                           (v)      Executive's resignation from his position as
an executive vice president of NBT Bancorp Inc. and NBT Bank or as president and
chief operating officer of NBT FSI other than for "Good Reason," as hereinafter
defined; or

                           (vi)     the termination of Executive's employment by
NBTB "without cause," which shall be for any reason other than those set forth
in subsections (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of this section 2(a), at any time,
upon the thirtieth day following notice to Executive; or

                           (vii)    Executive's resignation for "Good Reason."

"Good  Reason"  shall  mean,  without   Executive's   express  written  consent,
reassignment  of  Executive  to a  position  other  than  as an  executive  vice
president of NBT Bancorp Inc. and NBT Bank and president and chief operating
officer of NBT FSI other than for "Cause," or a decrease in the amount or level
of Executive's  salary or benefits from the amount or level established in
section 3 hereof.

                  (b)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for any  reason  other than that set forth in  section  2(a)(vi)  or
2(a)(vii) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to receive, upon the occurrence of
any such event:

                           (i)      any salary (as hereinafter defined) payable
pursuant to section 3(a)(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the
Termination Date; and

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which
he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to  reimbursement
for  expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date payable  pursuant  to
section  3(i)  hereof,  and the right to receive  the cash equivalent  of paid
annual  leave and sick leave  accrued as of the  Termination Date pursuant to
section 3(e) hereof.

                  (c)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for the reason set forth in section  2(a)(vi) or  2(a)(vii)  hereof,
Executive shall be entitled to receive:

                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the Termination  Date,  and,  for the
period  commencing  on the  date  immediately following the  Termination  Date
and ending upon and including the latest of the third  anniversary  of the
Commencement  Date,  the date to  which  the Term of Employment shall (as of the
Termination Date) have automatically extended itself under section  2(a)(i)(A)
or 2(a)(i)(B)  hereof, or the first anniversary of the


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

Termination  Date,  salary payable at the rate  established  pursuant to section
3(a)(i) hereof, in a manner consistent with the normal payroll practices of NBTB
with  respect to  executive  personnel  as presently in effect or as they may be
modified by NBTB from time to time; and

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive may have accrued as
of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which he
participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof,  any
right to  reimbursement  for expenses accrued as of the Termination Date payable
pursuant to section 3(i) hereof, and the right to receive the cash equivalent of
paid annual leave and sick leave accrued as of the Termination  Date pursuant to
section 3(e) hereof.

                  (d)  Any   provision   of  this  section  2  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  in the event that the  employment  of  Executive  with NBTB is
terminated  in any  situation  described  in section 3 of the  change-in-control
letter  agreement  dated  January  1,  2000  between  NBTB  and  Executive  (the
"Change-in-Control Agreement") so as to entitle Executive to a severance payment
and other benefits  described in section 3 of the  Change-in-Control  Agreement,
then Executive  shall be entitled to receive the following,  and no more,  under
this section 2:

                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the Termination Date;

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any
plans or arrangements in which he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof,
any right to  reimbursement  for  expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date
payable  pursuant  to section  3(i)  hereof,  and the right to receive  the cash
equivalent  of paid annual  leave and sick leave  accrued as of the  Termination
Date pursuant to section 3(e) hereof; and

                           (iii)    the severance payment and other benefits
provided in the Change-in-Control Agreement.

         3.       COMPENSATION.  For the services to be performed by Executive
for NBTB and its affiliates under this Agreement, Executive shall be compensated
in the following manner:

                  (a)      SALARY.  During the Term of Employment:

                           (i)      NBTB shall pay Executive a salary which, on
an annual basis, shall not be less than $230,000 during the Term of Employment,
assuming Executive performs competently.  Salary shall be payable in accordance
with the normal  payroll  practices of NBTB with respect to executive personnel
as presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                           (ii)     Executive shall be entitled to annual salary
increases of 8 percent during the Term of Employment, beginning in the second
year of the Term of Employment, and shall be eligible to

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

be considered for further salary increases,  upon review, in accordance with the
compensation  policies of NBTB with respect to executive  personnel as presently
in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                           (iii)    Executive shall be eligible to be considered
for performance bonuses of up to 75 percent of salary,  in accordance  with the
compensation  policies of NBTB with respect to executive  personnel as presently
in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                  (b) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS OR ARRANGEMENTS. During the Term of
Employment,  Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee  benefit
plans of NBTB,  as  presently  in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from
time to time,  under such terms as may be applicable to officers of  Executive's
rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  including,  without limitation,  plans
providing retirement benefits, stock options, medical insurance, life insurance,
disability insurance, and accidental death or dismemberment insurance,  provided
that there be no  duplication  of such benefits as are provided  under any other
provision of this Agreement.

                  (c)  PERFORMANCE BASED INCREASE TO EXECUTIVE'S RETIREMENT
                       BENEFITS.

                           (1)      MEASURE AND AMOUNT.  If, as a direct result
of Executive's personal performance, NBTB has a "Sustained  Increase" to its net
earnings  before taxes  ("EBT"),  determined in accordance with section 3(c)(2)
hereof,  over the Lookback Period, as defined in section  3(c)(2)(i)  hereof,
then NBTB shall pay Executive an enhanced  benefit under  the  Supplemental
Retirement  Agreement  between  NBTB,  NBT  Bank,  and Executive dated January
1, 2000 ("SRA"), and an additional retirement benefit as follows:

                                    (i)    If the Sustained Increase to EBT over
the Lookback Period is at least $1.5 million, but less  than $4  million,  then
the  benefit  payable  under  the SRA  that  would
otherwise be payable upon Executive's  attaining age 62 shall instead be payable
thereunder  upon his attaining  age 61. In addition,  NBTB shall make a lump-sum
cash payment of $100,000 to a grantor  trust (as described in section 671 of the
Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended)  to be  established  for the sole
benefit of Executive ("Executive's Rabbi Trust") for payment upon his retirement
from  employment  with NBTB, in addition to any and all other  payments  payable
thereupon,  such payment to be made in accordance  with the terms of Executive's
Rabbi Trust.

                                    (ii)    If the Sustained Increase to EBT
over the Lookback Period is at least $4 million, but
less  than $8  million,  then the  benefit  payable  under  the SRA  that  would
otherwise be payable upon Executive's  attaining age 62 shall instead be payable
thereunder  upon his attaining  age 60. In addition,  NBTB shall make a lump-sum
cash  payment of  $300,000  to  Executive's  Rabbi  Trust for  payment  upon his
retirement  from employment with NBTB, in addition to any and all other payments
payable  thereupon,  such  payment  to be made in  accordance  with the terms of
Executive's Rabbi Trust.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
                                    (iii)   If the Sustained Increase to EBT
over the Lookback Period is at least $8 million, then
the benefit  payable under the SRA that  otherwise  would be payable  thereunder
upon  Executive's  attaining  age 62 shall be  calculated  using  the  following
percentages in paragraph 3(a)(i)(1) of the SRA instead of "50%" at the following
retirement ages: 75% for retirement at age 62; 65% for retirement at age 61; and
55% for  retirement  at age 60. In  addition,  NBTB shall  make a lump-sum  cash
payment of $600,000 to  Executive's  Rabbi Trust for payment upon his retirement
from  employment  with NBTB, in addition to any and all other  payments  payable
upon such  retirement,  such payment to be made in accordance  with the terms of
Executive's Rabbi Trust.

                           (2)      LOOKBACK PERIOD AND DETERMINATION.

                                    (i)     The Lookback Period shall be the
period of three (3) full fiscal years of NBTB ending on
the  day  prior  to  the  first  day of the  fiscal  year  in  which  falls  the
Determination Date, as defined in paragraph 2(f) of the SRA.

                                    (ii)    Whether an increase to EBT is an
increase specified above ("Specified Increase") shall be
determined  by  comparing  the  contribution  to  EBT  as  a  direct  result  of
Executive's personal performance over the departments and/or companies for which
Executive is directly  responsible (the "Attributed Amount") for the fiscal year
immediately preceding the first year of the Lookback Period to that of the first
fiscal  year of the  Lookback  Period.  An  increase  to EBT will be  considered
sustained if the Attributed Amount for each of the second and third fiscal years
of the  Lookback  Period  is no less  than the  Attributed  Amount  for the year
immediately  preceding  the first year of the  Lookback  Period plus a Specified
Increase.  If the  Specified  Increase is achieved  and  sustained in the manner
provided in this section  3(c)(2),  then such increase to EBT shall be deemed to
be a "Sustained Increase" under section 3(c)(1).

                                    (iii)   Whether Executive has achieved a
Sustained Increase to EBT shall be determined by a
committee of the board of directors of NBT FSI made up of (a) Daryl R. Forsythe,
if he be a director of NBT FSI,  and (b) those  directors of NBT FSI who are not
employees of NBTB or any of its  affiliates  ("Committee").  Within a reasonable
period after the  Determination  Date, the Committee shall determine  separately
whether there has been a Sustained  Increase to NBTB's EBT and, if the Committee
determines there has been a Sustained Increase,  whether such Sustained Increase
was solely  attributable to Executive's  personal  performance based on the data
and factors described below.

                                    (iv)    If the Determination Date falls on a
date prior to the day following the last day of the
third full fiscal year the first of which began  coincident with, or immediately
following,  the effective date of this Agreement,  then the Executive may make a
reasonable and good faith projection of NBTB's EBT for the balance of what would
be the Lookback Period were the Determination  Date to fall on the earliest date
that would provide a full Lookback Period.  If, under  Executive's  projections,
(A) there would be a Sustained  Increase to EBT for the partial Lookback Period,
(B) such Sustained  Increase would continue for what would be the balance of the

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

Lookback  Period,  and (C) such Sustained  Increase was and would continue to be
solely  attributable  to Executive's  personal  performance,  then Executive may
submit his projections,  with all underlying data, assumptions,  methodology and
factors, to the Committee. The Committee shall review Executive's submission and
determine whether a Sustained  Increase to EBT (AA) was achieved for the partial
Lookback Period, (BB) is likely to continue for what would be the balance of the
Lookback  Period,  and (CC) was and would continue to be a result of Executive's
personal  performance.  The Committee shall make its determination  based on the
data and factors described below.

                                    (v)     In making comparisons and
calculations under this section 3(c)(2), the Committee shall (A) deem each
non-recurring  gain or loss  enjoyed or  suffered  by NBT Capital
Corp. at any time during the Lookback Period to have been enjoyed or suffered in
equal annual amounts during the years of the Lookback  Period,  the sum of which
equal annual amounts shall equal the amount of the particular non-recurring gain
or loss,  rather  than allot it  entirely  to the year in which it was  actually
enjoyed or  suffered,  and (B) deem each  non-recurring  gain or loss enjoyed or
suffered by NBT Capital Corp.  during the fiscal year immediately  preceding the
first year of the  Lookback  Period to have been  enjoyed or  suffered  in equal
annual amounts during such year and the years of the Lookback Period, the sum of
which  equal  annual   amounts   shall  equal  the  amount  of  the   particular
non-recurring  gain or loss,  rather  than allot it  entirely to the fiscal year
immediately  preceding the first year of the Lookback Period.  In addition,  for
determinations  based on Executive's  projections,  the Committee shall consider
whether the data, assumptions and methodology used by Executive in preparing his
projections  were each and, in the  aggregate,  accurate and  reasonable and are
consistent  with  NBTB's  historical  performance.  In making any  determination
hereunder, the Committee may retain and consult with such financial,  accounting
and legal  advisors as it deems  appropriate  and may solicit and accept further
data and analysis from the Executive, NBTB and/or third party advisor(s), as the
Committee believes necessary and/or desirable in its sole discretion.

                                    (vi)    The Committee's determination as to
whether a Sustained Increase has been achieved as a result of  Executive's
personal  performance  and the amount  thereof  shall be
absolute, final and binding on the Executive, NBTB and all other parties.

                  (d) STOCK OPTIONS.  Each January or February  annually  during
the Term of Employment,  NBTB will cause Executive to be granted a non-statutory
("non-qualified")  stock  option  (each an  "Option")  to purchase the number of
shares of the common stock of NBTB,  no par value,  $1.00 stated  value,  or the
common stock of NBTB as  reclassified  to have a par value of $.01 per share, as
the case may be (the "NBTB Common Stock"), pursuant to the NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993
Stock Option Plan, as amended,  or any  appropriate  successor  plan (the "Stock
Option  Plan"),  computed by dividing  250 percent of the  annualized  salary of
Executive on the date of grant of the Option by the "Fair Market  Value" of NBTB
Common Stock (as defined in the Stock Option Plan).  The option  exercise  price
per share of the shares  subject to each Option shall be such Fair Market Value,
and the terms, conditions of exercise, and vesting schedule of such Option shall
be as set forth in section 8 of the Stock Option Plan.


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
                  (e)  VACATION AND SICK LEAVE.  During the Term of  Employment,
Executive  shall be entitled to paid annual  vacation  periods and sick leave in
accordance with the policies of NBTB as in effect as of the Commencement Date or
as may be modified by NBTB from time to time as may be applicable to officers of
Executive's  rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  but in no event less than
four weeks of paid vacation per year.

                  (f) AUTOMOBILE. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall
be entitled to the use of an  automobile  owned by NBTB or an affiliate of NBTB,
the make, model, and year of which automobile shall be appropriate to an officer
of Executive's  rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates and consistent with that
provided  to others of  Executive's  rank  employed  by NBTB or its  affiliates.
During  the  second  year of the  Term of  Employment,  the  automobile  used by
Executive will be replaced with a new  automobile,  whose value shall not exceed
$45,000  escalated by an amount  calculated by the controller's  division of NBT
Bank to adjust for the effect of inflation upon $45,000 between the Commencement
Date and the date of the replacement of the vehicle (an "Inflation Adjustment").
During the remaining term of the Term of  Employment,  should three years elapse
from the date of the automobile  replacement  described in the previous sentence
(or any subsequent automobile  replacement that takes place under this section),
or, if earlier, should the replaced automobile (or any automobile provided under
such subsequent  automobile  replacement) have accumulated 50,000 miles, then it
will be replaced with a new  automobile  whose value shall not exceed the sum of
$45,000 and an Inflation  Adjustment.  Executive  shall be  responsible  for all
expenses of ownership and use of any such  automobile,  subject to reimbursement
of expenses for business use in accordance with section 3(i).

                  (g)  COUNTRY  CLUB  DUES.   During  the  Term  of  Employment,
Executive shall be reimbursed for dues and  assessments  incurred in relation to
Executive's membership at Yahundasis Country Club. Such reimbursement during the
first year of the Term of Employment shall include  reimbursement of Executive's
initiation  fees with respect to  Executive's  membership at Yahundasis  Country
Club.

                  (h)      WITHHOLDING.  All compensation to be paid to
Executive hereunder shall be subject to required withholding and other taxes.

                  (i) EXPENSES.  During the Term of Employment,  Executive shall
be  reimbursed  for  reasonable  travel and other  expenses  incurred or paid by
Executive  in  connection  with  the  performance  of his  services  under  this
Agreement,  upon  presentation  of expense  statements or vouchers or such other
supporting information as may from time to time be requested, in accordance with
such policies of NBTB as are in effect as of the Commencement Date and as may be
modified  by NBTB from time to time,  under such terms as may be  applicable  to
officers of Executive's rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>


         4.       CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION; NON-COMPETITION.

                  (a)  Executive  acknowledges  that certain  business  methods,
creative techniques,  and technical data of NBTB and its affiliates and the like
are deemed by NBTB to be and are in fact  confidential  business  information of
NBTB or its  affiliates or are  entrusted to third  parties.  Such  confidential
information  includes  but  is  not  limited  to  procedures,   methods,   sales
relationships  developed  while  in the  service  of  NBTB  or  its  affiliates,
knowledge  of  customers  and their  requirements,  marketing  plans,  marketing
information,  studies, forecasts, and surveys, competitive analyses, mailing and
marketing  lists, new business  proposals,  lists of vendors,  consultants,  and
other  persons  who render  service or provide  material  to NBTB or NBT Bank or
their affiliates,  and compositions,  ideas,  plans, and methods belonging to or
related to the affairs of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates.  In this regard,
NBTB asserts  proprietary rights in all of its business  information and that of
its affiliates  except for such  information as is clearly in the public domain.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  information  that would be generally  known or
available to persons  skilled in  Executive's  fields shall be  considered to be
"clearly in the public  domain"  for the  purposes  of the  preceding  sentence.
Executive agrees that he will not disclose or divulge to any third party, except
as may be required by his duties hereunder,  by law,  regulation,  or order of a
court or government  authority,  or as directed by NBTB, nor shall he use to the
detriment of NBTB or its  affiliates  or use in any business or on behalf of any
business  competitive with or  substantially  similar to any business of NBTB or
NBT Bank or their affiliates,  any confidential  business  information  obtained
during  the  course  of his  employment  by NBTB.  The  foregoing  shall  not be
construed as  restricting  Executive  from  disclosing  such  information to the
employees of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates.

                  (b) Executive  hereby agrees that from the  Commencement  Date
until the first  anniversary  of the  Termination  Date,  Executive will not (i)
interfere with the relationship of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates with any
of their employees,  suppliers,  agents, or representatives (including,  without
limitation,  causing or helping another business to hire any employee of NBTB or
NBT Bank or their affiliates),  or (ii) directly or indirectly divert or attempt
to divert from NBTB,  NBT Bank or their  affiliates any business in which any of
them has been actively engaged during the Term of Employment, nor interfere with
the  relationship  of  NBTB,  NBT  Bank or  their  affiliates  with any of their
customers or  prospective  customers.  This  paragraph 4(b) shall not, in and of
itself,  prohibit  Executive from engaging in the banking,  trust,  or financial
services business in any capacity, including that of an owner or employee.

                  (c) Executive  acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury
will  result to NBTB in the event of a breach of any of the  provisions  of this
section 4 (the  "Designated  Provisions")  and that  NBTB will have no  adequate
remedy at law with  respect  thereto.  Accordingly,  in the event of a  material
breach of any  Designated  Provision,  and in  addition  to any  other  legal or
equitable  remedy  NBTB may  have,  NBTB  shall be  entitled  to the  entry of a
preliminary and permanent injunction  (including,  without limitation,  specific
performance) by a court of competent  jurisdiction in Chenango County, New York,
or  elsewhere,  to restrain the violation or breach  thereof by  Executive,  and
Executive submits to the jurisdiction of such court in any such action.


                                      -9-
<PAGE>


                  (d) It is the  desire  and  intent  of the  parties  that  the
provisions of this section 4 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under  the  laws and  public  policies  applied  in each  jurisdiction  in which
enforcement is sought.  Accordingly, if any particular provision of this section
4 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or  unenforceable,  such provision shall be
deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of such
provision in the particular  jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. In
addition, should any court determine that the provisions of this section 4 shall
be unenforceable with respect to scope, duration, or geographic area, such court
shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable,  provisions similar
hereto or other  provisions  so as to provide  to NBTB,  to the  fullest  extent
permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by this section 4.

         5. LIFE INSURANCE.  In light of the unusual abilities and experience of
Executive, NBTB in its discretion may apply for and procure as owner and for its
own benefit insurance on the life of Executive,  in such amount and in such form
as NBTB may choose.  NBTB shall make all payments for such  insurance  and shall
receive all benefits from it. Executive shall have no interest whatsoever in any
such policy or policies  but,  at the request of NBTB,  shall  submit to medical
examinations  and supply such  information  and execute  such  documents  as may
reasonably be required by the  insurance  company or companies to which NBTB has
applied for insurance.

         6.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

                  (a)  Executive  represents  and  warrants  to  NBTB  that  his
execution,  delivery,  and  performance  of this Agreement will not result in or
constitute  a breach of or  conflict  with any  term,  covenant,  condition,  or
provision  of any  commitment,  contract,  or  other  agreement  or  instrument,
including,   without  limitation,  any  other  employment  agreement,  to  which
Executive is or has been a party.

                  (b) Executive shall indemnify,  defend, and hold harmless NBTB
for, from, and against any and all losses, claims, suits, damages,  expenses, or
liabilities,  including court costs and counsel fees, which NBTB has incurred or
to which  NBTB may  become  subject,  insofar  as such  losses,  claims,  suits,
damages,  expenses,  liabilities,  costs, or fees arise out of or are based upon
any  failure of any  representation  or warranty of  Executive  in section  6(a)
hereof to be true and correct when made.

         7. NOTICES.  All notices,  consents,  waivers, or other  communications
which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or by messenger, transmitted by telex or
telegram,  by express courier,  or sent by registered or certified mail,  return
receipt requested, postage prepaid. All communications shall be addressed to the
appropriate address of each party as follows:


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
If to NBTB:

         NBT Bancorp Inc.
         52 South Broad Street
         Norwich, New York  13815

         Attention:        Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe
                           President and Chief Executive Officer

With a required copy to:

         Brian D. Alprin, Esq.
         Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
         1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
         Washington, D.C.  20006

If to Executive:

         Mr. Joe C. Minor
         One Wales Drive
         Norwich, New York  13815

All such  notices  shall be  deemed to have  been  given on the date  delivered,
transmitted, or mailed in the manner provided above.

         8.       ASSIGNMENT.  Neither party may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of the other party.

         9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by,  construed,  and
enforced in accordance  with the laws of the State of New York,  without  giving
effect  to the  principles  of  conflict  of law  thereof.  The  parties  hereby
designate Chenango County, New York to be the proper  jurisdiction and venue for
any suit or action arising out of this Agreement.  Each of the parties  consents
to personal  jurisdiction in such venue for such a proceeding and agrees that it
may be served with process in any action with  respect to this  Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  thereby by  certified  or  registered  mail,  return
receipt  requested,  or to its  registered  agent for  service of process in the
State of New York. Each of the parties  irrevocably and  unconditionally  waives
and agrees,  to the fullest extent  permitted by law, not to plead any objection
that it may now or hereafter  have to the laying of venue or the  convenience of
the  forum  of any  action  or  claim  with  respect  to this  Agreement  or the
transactions contemplated thereby brought in the courts aforesaid.

         10.  ENTIRE   AGREEMENT.   This   Agreement   constitutes   the  entire
understanding  among NBTB and Executive  relating to the subject  matter hereof.
Any previous agreements or understandings  between the parties hereto or between
Executive and NBT Bank or any of its  affiliates  regarding  the subject  matter


                                      -11-
<PAGE>
hereof,  including  without  limitation  the terms and conditions of employment,
compensation,  benefits,  retirement,  competition following employment, and the
like, are merged into and superseded by this  Agreement.  Neither this Agreement
nor any provisions hereof can be modified,  changed,  discharged,  or terminated
except by an instrument in writing  signed by the party against whom any waiver,
change, discharge, or termination is sought.

         11.      ILLEGALITY; SEVERABILITY.

                  (a)    Anything   in   this    Agreement   to   the   contrary
notwithstanding,  this  Agreement  is not intended and shall not be construed to
require  any  payment to  Executive  which  would  violate  any federal or state
statute or  regulation,  including  without  limitation  the  "golden  parachute
payment  regulations" of the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  codified to
Part 359 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.

                  (b)      If any provision or provisions of this Agreement
shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason
whatsoever:

                           (i)      the validity, legality, and enforceability
of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including,  without  limitation,
each portion of any section of this Agreement containing  any such provision
held to be invalid,  illegal,  or  unenforceable) shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby; and

                           (ii)     to the fullest extent possible,
the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation,
each portion of any section of this  Agreement  containing  any such  provisions
held to be invalid,  illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give
effect to the intent  manifested by the  provision  held  invalid,  illegal,  or
unenforceable.

         12.  ARBITRATION.  Subject to the right of each party to seek  specific
performance  (which  right  shall not be subject to  arbitration),  if a dispute
arises out of or related to this Agreement,  or the breach thereof, such dispute
shall be referred to arbitration in accordance  with the Commercial  Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration  Association ("AAA"). A dispute subject to the
provisions  of this section will exist if either party  notifies the other party
in  writing  that a dispute  subject to  arbitration  exists  and  states,  with
reasonable  specificity,  the issue  subject to  arbitration  (the  "Arbitration
Notice").  The parties agree that, after the issuance of the Arbitration Notice,
the  parties  will try in good faith to resolve  the  dispute  by  mediation  in
accordance  with the Commercial  Rules of Arbitration of AAA between the date of
the  issuance  of the  Arbitration  Notice  and the date the  dispute is set for
arbitration. If the dispute is not settled by the date set for arbitration, then
any  controversy  or claim  arising out of this  Agreement or the breach  hereof
shall be resolved by binding arbitration and judgment upon any award rendered by
arbitrator(s) may be entered in a court having jurisdiction.  Any person serving
as a  mediator  or  arbitrator  must  have at least  ten  years'  experience  in
resolving  commercial  disputes through  arbitration.  In the event any claim or
dispute involves an amount in excess of $100,000,  either party may request that
the  matter  be heard by a panel of three  arbitrators;  otherwise  all  matters


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
subject to arbitration shall be heard and resolved by a single  arbitrator.  The
arbitrator  shall have the same power to compel the  attendance of witnesses and
to order the production of documents or other materials and to enforce discovery
as could be exercised by a United  States  District  Court judge  sitting in the
Northern District of New York. In the event of any arbitration, each party shall
have a reasonable right to conduct discovery to the same extent permitted by the
Federal  Rules  of  Civil  Procedure,  provided  that  such  discovery  shall be
concluded  within ninety days after the date the matter is set for  arbitration.
In the event of any  arbitration,  the arbitrator or arbitrators  shall have the
power to award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Any provision
in this  Agreement  to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  this  section  shall  be
governed by the Federal  Arbitration  Act and the parties have entered into this
Agreement pursuant to such Act.

         13.  COSTS OF  LITIGATION.  In the event  litigation  is  commenced  to
enforce  any of the  provisions  hereof,  or to  obtain  declaratory  relief  in
connection  with any of the provisions  hereof,  the  prevailing  party shall be
entitled to recover  reasonable  attorney's fees. In the event this Agreement is
asserted in any litigation as a defense to any liability, claim, demand, action,
cause of action,  or right asserted in such litigation,  the party prevailing on
the issue of that defense shall be entitled to recovery of reasonable attorney's
fees.

         14.      AFFILIATION.  A company will be deemed to be "affiliated" with
NBTB or NBT Bank according to the definition of "Affiliate" set forth in Rule
12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

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

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  executed  or  caused  this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                NBT BANCORP INC.



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


                                      -13-
<PAGE>
                                      JOE C. MINOR

                                      /S/ Joe C. Minor



                                      -14-
<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT 10.7
         Supplemental Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT
             Bank, National Association and Joe C. Minor made as of
                                 January 1, 2000


<PAGE>
                        SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT AGREEMENT

         This  sets  forth  the  terms  of  an  agreement  for  the  payment  of
supplemental  retirement income ("Agreement") made as of January 1, 2000 between
(i) NBT BANCORP  INC.,  a Delaware  corporation  and a  registered  bank holding
company,  and NBT BANK,  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  a national banking  association
chartered  under the laws of the United States,  both having offices  located at
Norwich,  New  York  (collectively,  the  "Bank"),  and (ii)  JOE C.  MINOR,  an
individual  residing at One Wales Drive,  Norwich,  New York 13815, and who is a
member of a select group of management or highly  compensated  employees  within
the meaning of section 201(2) of the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("Minor").

         1.       PURPOSE OF THE  AGREEMENT.  The purpose of this Agreement is
to provide Minor a  supplemental  retirement  benefit in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.

         2.       DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following
words shall have the meaning indicated:

                  (a)      ACTUARIAL  EQUIVALENT.  "Actuarial  Equivalent" shall
have the same meaning the term "Actuarial  Equivalent" has under Section 2.03
of the Qualified Plan using the following actuarial assumptions:

                           MORTALITY:       "Applicable Mortality  Rate" as such
                           term is  defined  in  Section  2.03c of the Qualified
                           Plan.

                           INTEREST RATE:   "Applicable Interest Rate" as such
                           term is defined in Section 2.09b of the Qualified
                           Plan.

                  (b) BENEFICIARY.  "Beneficiary"  shall mean such living person
         or living persons  designated by Minor in accordance with  subparagraph
         5(a) to receive  benefits under this Agreement  after his death, or his
         personal or legal representative, all as herein described and provided.
         If no Beneficiary is designated by Minor or if no Beneficiary  survives
         Minor, the Beneficiary shall be Minor's estate.

                  (c)      CAUSE.  "Cause" shall mean Minor's:

                           (i) willful or gross  misconduct  with respect to the
                  business  and affairs of the Bank,  or with  respect to any of
                  its   affiliates   for  which  Minor  is   assigned   material
                  responsibilities or duties;

                           (ii) conviction of a felony (after the earlier of the
                  expiration of any applicable appeal period without  perfection
                  of an appeal by Minor or the  denial of any appeal as to which
                  no further  appeal or review is available to Minor) whether or
                  not committed in the course of his employment by the Bank;
<PAGE>

                           (iii) willful neglect,  failure,  or refusal to carry
                  out his duties  under the  Employment  Agreement  between  NBT
                  Bancorp  Inc.  and  Minor  dated as of  January  1,  2000 (the
                  "Employment Agreement") in a reasonable manner (other than any
                  such  failure  resulting  from  disability  or  death  or from
                  termination  by  Minor  for Good  Reason,  as  defined  in the
                  Employment  Agreement)  after a written demand for substantial
                  performance is delivered to Minor that specifically identifies
                  the  manner  in which  the Bank  believes  that  Minor has not
                  substantially  performed  his  duties  and he has not  resumed
                  substantial  performance  of his duties on a continuous  basis
                  within thirty days of receiving such demand; or

                           (iv)  breach of any  representation  or  warranty  in
                  section 6(a) of the  Employment  Agreement or of any agreement
                  contained  in  section  1, 4,  5,  or  6(b) of the  Employment
                  Agreement, which breach is material and adverse to the Bank or
                  any of its  affiliates  for which Minor is  assigned  material
                  responsibilities or duties.

                  (d) CHANGE OF CONTROL. "Change of Control" shall mean a Change
         in Control  as such term is defined in the Change in Control  Agreement
         between  Minor and the Bank dated  January 1, 2000 (a  revision  of the
         October 27, 1998 and January 2, 1997 agreements).

                  (e) CODE.  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
         1986, as amended.

                  (f) DETERMINATION  DATE.  "Determination  Date" shall
         mean the earlier of (i) the date of termination of Minor's
         employment with the Bank or (ii) the first day of the month following
         Minor's 65th birthday.

                  (g) FINAL AVERAGE  COMPENSATION.  "Final Average Compensation"
         shall have the same meaning the term "Final Average  Compensation"  has
         under Section 2.27 of the Qualified  Plan,  except that in  determining
         the amount of Compensation (as defined in Section 2.14 of the Qualified
         Plan)  to be used  in  calculating  Final  Average  Compensation  under
         Section 2.27 of the Qualified Plan,  Compensation  shall not be subject
         to the compensation limitation of section 401(a)(17) of the Code.

                  (h) FULL-TIME  EMPLOYEE.  "Full-Time  Employee"  shall mean an
         employee who works not less than 1,000 hours in a calendar year.

                  (i) OTHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS.  "Other Retirement
         Benefits" shall mean the sum of:

                           (i) The annual benefit payable to Minor from the
                  Qualified Plan, plus

                           (ii) The annual benefit that could be provided by (A)
                  Bank  contributions  (other than elective  deferrals)  made on
                  Minor's behalf under the NBT Bancorp Inc.  401(k) and Employee
                  Stock Ownership Plan, and (B) actual earnings on contributions

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
                  in (A), if such contributions and earnings were converted to a
                  benefit payable on the Determination  Date in the same form as
                  the  benefit  paid  under  this  Agreement,   using  the  same
                  actuarial assumptions as are provided under subparagraph 2(a).

                  The amount of Other Retirement Benefits shall be determined by
         an actuary  selected by the Bank,  with such  determination  to be made
         without  reduction for payment of benefits  prior to any stated "normal
         retirement  date" and  without  regard to  whether  Minor is  receiving
         payment of such benefits on the Determination Date. To the extent Minor
         receives  a  payment  of  Other   Retirement   Benefits   described  in
         subparagraph  2(i)(ii)  prior to the date the  Supplemental  Retirement
         Benefit is  determined  pursuant to this  Agreement,  the total of such
         Other Retirement Benefits shall be determined by including and assuming
         that such  amounts  earned  interest  at a  variable  rate equal to the
         one-year  United States  Treasury bill rate as reported in the New York
         edition of The Wall Street Journal on the  Determination  Date from the
         date received to the date Other Retirement  Benefits are calculated for
         purposes of this Agreement.

                  (j) PRESENT  VALUE.  "Present  Value" shall mean the present
         value of a benefit  determined on the basis of the following actuarial
         assumptions:

                           MORTALITY:       "Applicable  Mortality  Rate" as
                                            such  term is  defined  in  Section
                                            2.03c of the Qualified Plan.

                           INTEREST RATE:   "Applicable Interest Rate" as such
                                            term is defined in Section 2.09b of
                                            the Qualified Plan.

                  (k)      QUALIFIED PLAN.  "Qualified Plan" shall mean the NBT
                  BANCORP Inc. Defined Benefit Pension Plan.

                  (l)      SOCIAL SECURITY  BENEFIT.  "Social Security  Benefit"
                  shall mean Minor's actual social security  benefit at his
                  Social Security Retirement Age.

                  (m)      SOCIAL  SECURITY  RETIREMENT  AGE.  "Social  Security
                  Retirement  Age" shall have the same meaning the term
                  "Social Security Retirement Age" has under Section 2.58 of the
                  Qualified Plan.

                  (n)      YEAR OF SERVICE.  "Year of Service" shall mean a
                  calendar year in which Minor  completes not less than 1,000
                  hours of service.

         3.       AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

                  (a) AMOUNT  PAYABLE ON AND AFTER AGE 62. If Minor shall remain
         employed by the Bank until  reaching  his 62nd  birthday,  serving as a


                                      -3-
<PAGE>
         Full-Time  Employee until such date, and subject to the other terms and
         conditions  of this  Agreement,  the Bank  shall  pay  Minor an  annual
         "Supplemental Retirement Benefit" determined as follows:

                           (i) ON AND AFTER AGE 62 BUT  BEFORE  SOCIAL  SECURITY
                  RETIREMENT  AGE.  Minor shall be  entitled  to a  Supplemental
                  Retirement  Benefit on and after his 62nd  birthday but before
                  his Social  Security  Retirement Age in an amount equal to the
                  excess  of  (1)  50   percent   of   Minor's   Final   Average
                  Compensation,  over (2)  Minor's  Other  Retirement  Benefits,
                  determined  as of the  Determination  Date and  calculated  in
                  accordance with paragraph 2(i).

                           (ii) ON AND AFTER  SOCIAL  SECURITY  RETIREMENT  AGE.
                  Minor shall be entitled to a Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit
                  on and after his Social  Security  Retirement Age in an amount
                  equal to the excess of (1) 50 percent of Minor's Final Average
                  Compensation,   over  (2)  the  sum  of  (aa)  Minor's   Other
                  Retirement  Benefits,  determined as of the Determination Date
                  and calculated in accordance  with paragraph  2(i),  plus (bb)
                  Minor's Social Security Benefit.

                  (b)  AMOUNT  PAYABLE ON AND AFTER AGE 60 BUT BEFORE AGE 62. If
         Minor  shall  remain  employed  by the  Bank  until  reaching  his 60th
         birthday,  serving  as a  Full-Time  Employee  until  such  date and he
         continues  to  serve  as a  Full-Time  Employee  until  the date of his
         retirement,  and he retires then or thereafter but before  reaching his
         62nd  birthday,  and subject to the other terms and  conditions of this
         Agreement,  the Bank  shall  pay  Minor on the date of his  retirement,
         pursuant to subparagraph  4(b), or to his spouse or other  Beneficiary,
         pursuant  and  subject to  subparagraph  6(c) if he has died before his
         62nd  birthday,   a  reduced  early  Supplemental   Retirement  Benefit
         calculated in accordance with the following schedule:

                           (i) If the date of Minor's  retirement shall be on or
                  after his 60th birthday but before his 61st birthday, the Bank
                  shall  pay Minor 60% of the  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit
                  calculated in accordance with subparagraph 3(a)(i); and

                           (ii) If the date of Minor's retirement shall be on or
                  after his 61st birthday but before his 62nd birthday, the Bank
                  shall pay Minor 70% of the Supplemental  Retirement Benefit so
                  calculated.

                  (c) ENHANCED  BENEFIT.  Notwithstanding  any provision of this
         paragraph  to  the  contrary,   Minor's  benefit   hereunder  shall  be
         calculated in accordance with section 3(c) of the Employment  Agreement
         between  the Bank and Minor if,  in  accordance  with the terms of such
         section, Minor is entitled to the enhancement provided therein.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
         4.       TIME OF PAYMENT.

                  (a) Except as provided in subparagraph 4(b) (early retirement)
         and paragraph 6 (payment on death), the Bank shall pay the Supplemental
         Retirement  Benefit  commencing on the first day of the month following
         Minor's attainment of age 62.

                  (b) Notwithstanding subparagraph 4(a), the Bank shall commence
         payment  of an early  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit,  in the amount
         determined  under  subparagraph  3(b),  on the  first  day of the month
         following   Minor's   Determination   Date  in  connection  with  early
         retirement  after  reaching  age 60 and  prior  to the date of his 62nd
         birthday.

         5.       FORM OF PAYMENT.

                  (a) The Supplemental Retirement Benefit described in paragraph
         3 of this Agreement  shall be paid as a straight life annuity,  payable
         in monthly installments,  for Minor's life; provided,  however, that if
         Minor has no  surviving  spouse  and dies  before  having  received  60
         monthly  payments,  such  monthly  payments  shall be  continued to his
         Beneficiary until the total number of monthly payments to Minor and his
         Beneficiary equal 60, whereupon all payments shall cease and the Bank's
         obligation  under  this  Agreement  shall be deemed to have been  fully
         discharged.  If Minor  and his  Beneficiary  shall  die  before  having
         received  a total  of 60  monthly  payments,  an  amount  equal  to the
         Actuarial  Equivalent of the balance of such monthly  payments shall be
         paid in a single  sum to the  estate of the  survivor  of Minor and his
         Beneficiary.  If  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefits are payable in the
         form  described in this  subparagraph  5(a),  Minor shall  designate in
         writing,  as  his  Beneficiary,   any  person  or  persons,  primarily,
         contingently  or  successively,  to whom the Bank  shall  pay  benefits
         following  Minor's  death if  Minor's  death  occurs  before 60 monthly
         payments have been made.

                  (b)   Notwithstanding   the  form  of  payment   described  in
         subparagraph  5(a),  if Minor is  married  on the date  payment  of the
         Supplemental Retirement Benefit commences, the benefit shall be paid as
         a  50%  joint  and  survivor   annuity  with  Minor's   spouse  as  the
         Beneficiary.  The 50% joint and survivor annuity shall be the Actuarial
         Equivalent  of the  benefit  described  in  subparagraph  5(a).  If the
         Supplemental   Retirement   Benefit   is  payable   pursuant   to  this
         subparagraph 5(b), but Minor's spouse fails to survive him, no payments
         will be made pursuant to this Agreement following Minor's death.

                  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph
         5, the Bank, in its sole discretion,  may accelerate the payment of all
         or any portion of the  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit or the reduced
         early  Supplemental   Retirement  Benefit  at  any  time.  Any  payment
         accelerated  in  accordance  with this  subparagraph  5(c) shall be the
         Actuarial Equivalent of the payment being accelerated.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
         6.       PAYMENTS UPON MINOR'S DEATH.

                  (a) Except as provided in subparagraphs 6(b) and (c), if Minor
         shall die before his 62nd birthday,  no payment shall be due his estate
         under this Agreement.

                  (b)  If  Minor's  death  shall  occur  on or  after  his  60th
         birthday,  after he has retired but before payment of any  Supplemental
         Retirement  Benefit has commenced,  Minor's  surviving  spouse shall be
         paid  as a  straight  life  annuity  50  percent  of  the  Supplemental
         Retirement  Benefit for her life  commencing  within 30 days  following
         Minor's  death.  Such payments  shall be made in monthly  installments,
         subject to the right of the Bank to  accelerate  payment at any time in
         accordance with subparagraph 5(c).

                  (c) If Minor elects early retirement  pursuant to subparagraph
         3(b) and he dies before payment of any Supplemental  Retirement Benefit
         has  commenced,  Minor's  surviving  spouse  shall be paid,  in monthly
         installments,   as  a  straight  life  annuity,   50  percent  of  such
         Supplemental  Retirement Benefit for her life commencing within 30 days
         following Minor's death, subject to the right of the Bank to accelerate
         such payments as provided in  subparagraph  5(c).  However,  if Minor's
         spouse  fails to survive  him,  the Bank shall pay to Minor's  estate a
         lump sum benefit  equal to 50 percent of the  Present  Value of Minor's
         Supplemental Retirement Benefit.

                  (d) Except as  otherwise  provided in  subparagraph  6(c),  no
         payments  shall be made  under  this  Agreement  if Minor  dies  before
         payment of any  Supplemental  Retirement  Benefit begins and his spouse
         fails to survive him.

                  (e)  If  Minor's   death  shall  occur  after   payment  of  a
         Supplemental  Retirement Benefit has commenced,  Minor surviving spouse
         or other  Beneficiaries  shall receive payments under this Agreement to
         the extent provided in paragraph 5.

         7.       FORFEITURE FOR CAUSE.  Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement,  if Minor's employment with the Bank is terminated for Cause,
Minor and his spouse or other Beneficiaries shall forfeit all rights to any
payment under this Agreement.

         8.  POWERS.  The Bank shall  have such  powers as may be  necessary  to
discharge its duties under this Agreement,  including the power to interpret and
construe this  Agreement and to determine  all questions  regarding  employment,
disability status, service,  earnings,  income and such factual matters as birth
and marital status. The Bank's determinations  hereunder shall be conclusive and
binding  upon the  parties  hereto and all other  persons  having or claiming an
interest under this Agreement.  The Bank shall have no power to add to, subtract
from, or modify any of the terms of this  Agreement.  The Bank's  determinations
hereunder  shall be entitled to  deference  upon review by any court,  agency or
other entity  empowered to review its decisions,  and shall not be overturned or
set aside by any court,  agency or other entity  unless  found to be  arbitrary,
capricious or contrary to law.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
         9.       CLAIMS PROCEDURE.

                  (a) Any  claim for  benefits  by  Minor,  his  spouse or other
         Beneficiaries  shall be made in writing to the Bank. In this paragraph,
         Minor and his Beneficiaries are referred to as "claimants."

                  (b) If the Bank  denies a claim in whole or in part,  it shall
         send the claimant a written  notice of the denial  within 90 days after
         the date it receives a claim,  unless it needs  additional time to make
         its decision.  In that case,  the Bank may authorize an extension of an
         additional 90 days if it notifies the claimant of the extension  within
         the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall state the reasons
         for the extension and the expected decision date.

                  (c)      A denial notice shall contain:

                           (i)     The specific reason or reasons for the denial
                  of the claim;

                           (ii)    Specific reference to pertinent Agreement
                  provisions upon which the denial is based;

                           (iii)   A  description  of any additional material or
                  information   necessary   to  perfect   the  claim,   with  an
                  explanation  of why the material or  information is necessary;
                  and

                           (iv)    An explanation of the review procedures
                  provided below.

                  (d)  Within  60 days  after  the  claimant  receives  a denial
         notice, he or she may file a request for review with the Bank. Any such
         request must be made in writing.

                  (e) A claimant who timely requests review shall have the right
         to review  pertinent  documents,  to submit  additional  information or
         written comments, and to be represented.

                  (f) The Bank shall send the claimant a written decision on any
         request for review  within 60 days after the date it receives a request
         for  review,  unless an  extension  of time is  needed,  due to special
         circumstances.  In that case, the Bank may authorize an extension of an
         additional 60 days,  provided it notifies the claimant of the extension
         within the initial 60-day period.

                  (g)      The review decision shall contain:

                           (i)      The specific reason or reasons for the
                  decision; and


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
                           (ii)    Specific reference to the pertinent Agreement
                   provisions upon which the decision is based.

                  (h) If the Bank does not send the  claimant a review  decision
         within the applicable time period,  the claim shall be deemed denied on
         review.

                  (i) The denial notice or, in the case of a timely review,  the
         review  decision  (including a deemed denial under  subparagraph  9(h))
         shall be the Bank's final decision.

         10. ASSIGNMENT. Neither Minor nor his spouse or other Beneficiaries may
transfer  his,  her or their  right to  payments  to which  he,  she or they are
entitled  under this  Agreement.  Except insofar as may otherwise be required by
law, any Supplemental  Retirement Benefit payable under this Agreement shall not
be  subject  in any  manner  to  alienation  by  anticipation,  sale,  transfer,
assignment,  pledge or  encumbrance,  nor  subject to the debts,  contracts,  or
liabilities of Minor or his spouse or other Beneficiaries.

         11.      CONTINUED  EMPLOYMENT.  This Agreement shall not be construed
as conferring on Minor a right to continued  employment with the Bank.

         12.      FUNDING.

                  (a) The Supplemental  Retirement Benefit at all times shall be
         entirely  unfunded,  and no  provision  shall at any time be made  with
         respect  to  segregating  any  assets of the Bank for  payments  of any
         benefits  hereunder,  except  that in the event of a Change of Control,
         the Bank, within five (5) days of such Change of Control,  shall fund a
         grantor  trust  within the  meaning of section  671 of the Code with an
         amount  sufficient  to  cover  all  potential  liabilities  under  this
         Agreement.

                  (b) Neither Minor nor his spouse or other  Beneficiaries shall
         have any interest in any particular assets of the Bank by reason of the
         right to receive a benefit under this  Agreement.  Minor and his spouse
         or other  Beneficiaries shall have only the rights of general unsecured
         creditors of the Bank with respect to any rights under this Agreement.

                  (c) Nothing  contained in this  Agreement  shall  constitute a
         guarantee  by the Bank or any  entity or person  that the assets of the
         Bank will be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.

         13.  WITHHOLDING.  Any payment made pursuant to this Agreement shall be
reduced by federal and state income, FICA or other employee payroll, withholding
or other similar taxes the Bank may be required to withhold. In addition, as the
Supplemental Retirement Benefit accrues during Minor's employment with the Bank,
the Bank may withhold from Minor's regular  compensation  from the Bank any FICA
or other  employee  payroll,  withholding or other similar taxes the Bank may be
required to withhold.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>



         14.      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement shall be binding upon,
and shall inure to the benefit of, the successors and assigns of the Bank.

         15.      APPLICABLE  LAW. This Agreement  shall be construed and
administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the
extent preempted by federal law.

         16.      AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may not be amended,  modified or
otherwise altered except by written  instrument  executed by both parties.

         17.      ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding of the parties,  and supersedes all prior agreements
or understanding  (whether  oral or written)  between the  parties,  relating to
deferred  compensation  and/or supplemental retirement income.



The parties hereby execute this Agreement as follows:

                                     NBT BANCORP INC.

                                     By: /S/ EVERETT A. GILMOUR

Date:        1/1/2000                Its:    CHAIRMAN
      -----------------------------      ---------------

                                     NBT BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                     By: /S/ DARYL R. FORSYTHE

Date:        1/1/2000                Its:  CHAIRMAN & CEO
      -----------------------------      ------------------





Date:        1/1/2000                /S/ JOE C. MINOR
      ----------------------------   -----------------------
                                         JOE C. MINOR


                                      -9-
<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 10.8
            Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
                  John G. Martines made as of February 17, 2000

<PAGE>


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This EMPLOYMENT  AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered into this
seventeenth day of February, 2000, by and between JOHN G. MARTINES ("Executive")
and NBT BANCORP  INC., a Delaware  corporation  having its  principal  office in
Norwich, New York ("NBTB")

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

         WHEREAS,  the  Agreement  and Plan of Merger (the  "Merger  Agreement")
dated as of August 16, 1999, as amended as of December 13, 1999,  and as further
amended as of December 27, 1999, and as further amended as of February 17, 2000,
by and between NBTB and Lake Ariel  Bancorp,  Inc., a  Pennsylvania  corporation
having its principal office in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania ("LABN"),  provides that
LABN will be merged with and into NBTB (the "Merger");

         WHEREAS,  Executive is the president and chief executive  officer of LA
Bank,  National   Association,   a  national  banking  association  which  is  a
wholly-owned   subsidiary  of  LABN  (referred  to  herein,  together  with  the
operations  of any  Pennsylvania-based  bank with which it may combine,  as "New
Bank");

         WHEREAS, NBTB desires to secure the employment of Executive upon
consummation of the Merger;

         WHEREAS,  Executive is desirous of entering into the Agreement for such
periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

         WHEREAS,  to assist in achieving  the  objectives  of the  transactions
described  in  the  Merger  Agreement,  section  4.8  of  the  Merger  Agreement
contemplates  that  Executive  will  enter  into an  employment  agreement  as a
condition to the consummation of the transactions described therein.

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

         1.       EMPLOYMENT; RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.

                  (a) Contingent upon the occurrence of the Merger,  NBTB hereby
agrees to cause New Bank to employ  Executive,  and  Executive  hereby agrees to
serve  as  chief  executive   officer  of  New  Bank,  or  of  the  northeastern
Pennsylvania  operations of any successor entity to New Bank, during the Term of
Employment.  Executive shall have such executive duties,  responsibilities,  and
authority  as shall be set  forth in the  bylaws  of New Bank or such  successor
entity on the date of this  Agreement or as may  otherwise be determined by NBTB
or by New  Bank  or such  successor  entity.  During  the  Term  of  Employment,
Executive shall report directly to the chief executive officer of NBTB.

<PAGE>

                  (b) Contingent upon the occurrence of the Merger,  NBTB hereby
agrees to cause  Executive to be reelected to the board of directors of New Bank
for successive terms throughout the Term of Employment. Subject to the fiduciary
duties of its directors to NBTB, as promptly as practicable after the occurrence
of the Merger NBTB will use its best efforts to cause Executive to be elected or
appointed as a director of NBTB,  to serve as a director of the class whose term
expires in 2000, and to propose to its  stockholders  at its next annual meeting
of stockholders that Executive be reelected to the board of directors of NBTB as
a member of the class whose term shall expire in 2003.

                  (c)  Executive  shall  devote his full  working  time and best
efforts to the performance of his  responsibilities  and duties hereunder and to
the retention of the customer  relationships  to which New Bank has been a party
prior  to the  date  of  this  Agreement  and  the  expansion  of  the  customer
relationships  of New Bank subsequent to the date of this Agreement.  During the
Term of Employment,  Executive  shall not,  without the prior written consent of
the Board of Directors of New Bank, render services as an employee,  independent
contractor,  or otherwise,  whether or not compensated,  to any person or entity
other  than New Bank or its  affiliates;  provided  that  Executive  may,  where
involvement  in  such  activities  does  not  individually  or in the  aggregate
significantly  interfere  with the  performance  by  Executive  of his duties or
violate the  provisions of section 4 hereof,  (i) render  services to charitable
organizations,  (ii) manage his personal  investments,  and (iii) with the prior
permission of the Board of Directors of NBTB, hold such other  directorships  or
part-time  academic  appointments  or have such other business  affiliations  as
would otherwise be prohibited under this section 1.

         2.       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) The term of this Agreement ("Term of Employment") shall be
the period commencing on the first business day following the date of the Merger
(the "Commencement Date") and continuing until the Termination Date, which shall
mean the earliest to occur of:

                           (i)      the third anniversary of the Commencement
Date, unless the Term of Employment shall be extended for one additional year by
Executive,  upon written notice provided by Executive to NBTB not  later  than
nine  months  prior to the  third  anniversary  of the Commencement Date;

                           (ii)     the death of Executive;

                           (iii)    Executive's inability to perform his duties
hereunder, as a result of physical or mental disability as reasonably determined
by the personal physician of Executive, for a period of at least 180 consecutive
days or for at least 180 days  during any period of twelve consecutive months
during the Term of Employment; or

                           (iv)     the discharge of Executive by NBTB "for
cause," which shall mean one or more of the following:


                                      -2-
<PAGE>


                                    (A)     any willful or gross misconduct by
Executive with respect to the business and affairs of NBTB or New Bank, or with
respect to any of its affiliates  for which  Executive is assigned material
responsibilities or duties;

                                    (B)     the conviction of Executive of a
felony (after the earlier of the expiration of any applicable  appeal  period
without  perfection of an appeal by Executive or the denial of any appeal as to
which no  further  appeal or review is  available  to Executive) whether or not
committed in the course of his employment by NBTB;

                                    (C)    Executive's willful neglect, failure,
or refusal to carry out his duties hereunder in a
reasonable  manner  (other than any such failure  resulting  from  disability or
death or from termination by Executive for Good Reason, as hereinafter  defined)
after a written  demand for  substantial  performance  is delivered to Executive
that  specifically  identifies  the manner in which NBTB believes that Executive
has not  substantially  performed  his  duties  and  Executive  has not  resumed
substantial  performance of his duties on a continuous  basis within thirty days
of receiving such demand; or

                                    (D)     the breach by Executive of any
representation or warranty in section 6(a) hereof or of
any  agreement  contained  in section 1, 4, 5, or 6(b)  hereof,  which breach is
material  and  adverse  to NBTB or New Bank or any of its  affiliates  for which
Executive is assigned material responsibilities or duties; or

                           (v)      Executive's resignation from his position as
chief executive officer of New Bank other than for "Good Reason," as hereinafter
defined; or

                           (vi)     the termination of Executive's employment by
NBTB "without cause," which shall be for any reason
other than those set forth in subsections (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of this
section 2(a), at any time, upon the thirtieth day following notice to Executive;
or

                           (vii)    Executive's resignation for "Good Reason."

"Good  Reason"  shall  mean,  without   Executive's   express  written  consent,
reassignment of Executive to a position other than as chief executive officer of
New Bank, or of the northeastern Pennsylvania operations of any successor entity
to New Bank,  other than for  "Cause,"  or a decrease  in the amount or level of
Executive's salary or benefits from the amount or level established in section 3
hereof.

                  (b)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for any  reason  other than that set forth in  section  2(a)(vi)  or
2(a)(vii) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to receive, upon the occurrence of
any such event:


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                           (i)      any salary (as hereinafter defined) payable
pursuant to section 3(a)(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the
Termination Date; and

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any
plans or arrangements in which he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof,
any right to  reimbursement  for  expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date
payable  pursuant  to section  3(j)  hereof,  and the right to receive  the cash
equivalent  of paid annual  leave and sick leave  accrued as of the  Termination
Date pursuant to section 3(e) hereof.

                  (c)  In the  event  that  the  Term  of  Employment  shall  be
terminated  for the reason set forth in section  2(a)(vi) or  2(a)(vii)  hereof,
Executive shall be entitled to receive:

                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the
Termination  Date,  and,  for the  period  commencing  on the  date  immediately
following  the  Termination  Date and  ending  upon  and  including  the  fourth
anniversary of the  Commencement  Date,  salary payable at the rate  established
pursuant  to section  3(a)(i)  hereof,  in a manner  consistent  with the normal
payroll  practices of New Bank with respect to executive  personnel as presently
in effect or as they may be modified by New Bank from time to time; and

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive may have accrued as
of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans
or arrangements in which he  participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof,  any
right to  reimbursement  for expenses accrued as of the Termination Date payable
pursuant to section 3(j) hereof, and the right to receive the cash equivalent of
paid annual leave and sick leave accrued as of the Termination  Date pursuant to
section 3(e) hereof.

                  (d)  Any   provision   of  this  section  2  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  in the event that the employment of Executive with NBTB or New
Bank  is   terminated   in  any   situation   described  in  section  3  of  the
change-in-control  letter  agreement  dated  February  17, 2000 between NBTB and
Executive (the  "Change-in-Control  Agreement") so as to entitle  Executive to a
severance   payment  and  other   benefits   described   in  section  3  of  the
Change-in-Control  Agreement,  then  Executive  shall be entitled to receive the
following, and no more, under this section 2:

                           (i)      any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the Termination Date;

                           (ii)     such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any
plans or arrangements in which he participates  pursuant to section 3(b) hereof,
any right to  reimbursement  for  expenses  accrued as of the  Termination  Date
payable  pursuant  to section  3(j)  hereof,  and the right to receive  the cash
equivalent  of paid annual  leave and sick leave  accrued as of the  Termination
Date pursuant to section 3(e) hereof; and

                           (iii)    the severance payment and other benefits
provided in the Change-in-Control Agreement.


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
         3.       COMPENSATION.  For the services to be performed by Executive
for New Bank under this Agreement, Executive shall be compensated in the
following manner:

                  (a)      SALARY.  During the Term of Employment:

                           (i)      New Bank shall pay Executive a salary which,
on an annual basis, shall not be less than $230,000,
assuming Executive performs  competently.  Salary shall be payable in accordance
with  the  normal  payroll  practices  of New Bank  with  respect  to  executive
personnel  as  presently  in effect or as they may be  modified by New Bank from
time to time.

                           (ii)     Executive shall be eligible to be considered
for salary increases, upon review, in accordance with
the  compensation  policies  of NBTB with  respect  to  executive  personnel  as
presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.

                           (iii)    Executive shall be eligible to be considered
for performance bonuses of up to 75 percent of salary
(with his  performance  evaluated  primarily  based upon the  performance of New
Bank, or of the northeastern  Pennsylvania operations of any successor entity to
New Bank, and secondarily  based upon the performance of NBTB taken as a whole),
in accordance with the  compensation  policies of NBTB with respect to executive
personnel as presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to
time.

                  (b) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS OR ARRANGEMENTS. During the Term of
Employment,  Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee  benefit
plans of NBTB,  as  presently  in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from
time to time,  under such terms as may be applicable to officers of  Executive's
rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  including,  without limitation,  plans
providing retirement benefits, stock options, medical insurance, life insurance,
disability insurance, and accidental death or dismemberment insurance,  provided
that there be no  duplication  of such benefits as are provided  under any other
provision of this Agreement.  During the Term of Employment,  medical  insurance
for Executive will be procured through the same carrier that provided  insurance
coverage to Executive  as an employee of New Bank as of June 30,  1999,  or from
such other  insurance  carrier as shall be mutually  acceptable to Executive and
NBTB.

                  (c) STOCK OPTIONS.  Each January or February  annually  during
the Term of Employment,  NBTB will cause Executive to be granted a non-statutory
("non-qualified")  stock  option  (each an  "Option")  to purchase the number of
shares of the common stock of NBTB,  no par value,  $1.00 stated  value,  or the
common stock of NBTB as  reclassified  to have a par value of $.01 per share, as
the case may be (the "NBTB Common Stock"), pursuant to the NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993
Stock Option Plan, as amended,  or any  appropriate  successor  plan (the "Stock
Option  Plan"),  computed by dividing  250 percent of the  annualized  salary of
Executive on the date of grant of the Option by the "Fair Market  Value" of NBTB
Common Stock (as defined in the Stock Option Plan).  The option  exercise  price
per share of the shares  subject to each Option shall be such Fair Market Value,
and the terms, conditions of exercise, and vesting schedule of such Option shall
be as set forth in section 8 of the Stock Option Plan.


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
                  (d) SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLANS. NBTB shall assume
and continue in effect the LA Bank, N.A. Salary  Continuation  Agreement between
New Bank and Executive dated March 7, 1997, the Supplementary Retirement Benefit
Agreement  between New Bank and Executive  dated January 6, 1995, and the Salary
Continuation Agreement between New Bank and Executive dated May 5, 1989, and, in
return  therefor,   Executive  renounces   entitlement  to  benefits  under  any
supplemental  executive  retirement plan to which he would otherwise be entitled
as an executive of NBTB or an affiliate of NBTB.

                  (e)  VACATION AND SICK LEAVE.  During the Term of  Employment,
Executive  shall be entitled to paid annual  vacation  periods and sick leave in
accordance with the policies of NBTB as in effect as of the Commencement Date or
as may be modified by NBTB from time to time as may be applicable to officers of
Executive's  rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates,  but in no event less than
four weeks of paid vacation per year.

                  (f) AUTOMOBILE. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall
be entitled to the use of an automobile owned by New Bank, the make,  model, and
year of which  automobile shall be appropriate to an officer of Executive's rank
employed by NBTB or its affiliates  and consistent  with that provided to others
of  Executive's  rank  employed by NBTB or its  affiliates.  Executive  shall be
responsible for all expenses of ownership and use of such automobile, subject to
reimbursement of expenses for business use in accordance with section 3(j).

                  (g)      COUNTRY CLUB DUES.  During the Term of Employment,
Executive shall be reimbursed for dues and assessments incurred in relation to
Executive's membership at Country Club of Scranton.

                  (h)  LIFE  INSURANCE.  During  the  Term of  Employment,  life
insurance  paid by New  Bank on the life of  Executive  for the  benefit  of his
designated  beneficiary or beneficiaries shall be maintained at no less than the
level of insurance maintained as of June 30, 1999.

                  (i)      WITHHOLDING.  All compensation to be paid to
Executive hereunder shall be subject to required withholding and other taxes.

                  (j) EXPENSES.  During the Term of Employment,  Executive shall
be  reimbursed  for  reasonable  travel and other  expenses  incurred or paid by
Executive  in  connection  with  the  performance  of his  services  under  this
Agreement,  upon  presentation  of expense  statements or vouchers or such other
supporting information as may from time to time be requested, in accordance with
such policies of NBTB as are in effect as of the Commencement Date and as may be
modified  by NBTB from time to time,  under such terms as may be  applicable  to
officers of Executive's rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
         4.       CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION; NON-COMPETITION.

                  (a)  Executive  acknowledges  that certain  business  methods,
creative techniques,  and technical data of NBTB and its affiliates and the like
are deemed by NBTB to be and are in fact  confidential  business  information of
NBTB or its  affiliates or are  entrusted to third  parties.  Such  confidential
information  includes  but  is  not  limited  to  procedures,   methods,   sales
relationships  developed  while  in the  service  of  NBTB  or  its  affiliates,
knowledge  of  customers  and their  requirements,  marketing  plans,  marketing
information,  studies, forecasts, and surveys, competitive analyses, mailing and
marketing  lists, new business  proposals,  lists of vendors,  consultants,  and
other  persons  who render  service or provide  material  to NBTB or New Bank or
their affiliates,  and compositions,  ideas,  plans, and methods belonging to or
related to the affairs of NBTB or New Bank or their affiliates.  In this regard,
NBTB asserts  proprietary rights in all of its business  information and that of
its affiliates  except for such  information as is clearly in the public domain.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  information  that would be generally  known or
available to persons  skilled in  Executive's  fields shall be  considered to be
"clearly in the public  domain"  for the  purposes  of the  preceding  sentence.
Executive agrees that he will not disclose or divulge to any third party, except
as may be required by his duties hereunder,  by law,  regulation,  or order of a
court or government  authority,  or as directed by NBTB, nor shall he use to the
detriment of NBTB or its  affiliates  or use in any business or on behalf of any
business  competitive with or  substantially  similar to any business of NBTB or
New Bank or their affiliates,  any confidential  business  information  obtained
during the course of his  employment  by New Bank.  The  foregoing  shall not be
construed as  restricting  Executive  from  disclosing  such  information to the
employees of NBTB or New Bank or their affiliates.

                  (b) Executive  hereby agrees that from the  Commencement  Date
until the second  anniversary of the Termination Date (or, in the event that the
Term of  Employment  has been  terminated  for the  reason  set forth in section
2(a)(vi) or 2(a)(vii) hereof,  Executive agrees that until the first anniversary
of the  Termination  Date),  Executive  will not (i) engage in any aspect of the
banking,  trust or financial  services  business  over which  Executive has had,
during   the  Term  of   Employment,   significant   executive   or   managerial
responsibilities,  other than on behalf of NBTB or New Bank or their affiliates,
within the Market Area (as  hereinafter  defined),  (ii)  directly or indirectly
own,  manage,  operate,  control,  be  employed  by, or  provide  management  or
consulting  services in any capacity to any firm,  corporation,  or other entity
(other than NBTB or New Bank or their affiliates)  engaged in the Market Area in
any aspect of the  banking,  trust or  financial  services  business  over which
Executive  has had,  during the Term of  Employment,  significant  executive  or
managerial  responsibilities,   or  (iii)  directly  or  indirectly  solicit  or
otherwise  intentionally  cause any person known to Executive to be an employee,
officer,  or member of the respective  Boards of Directors of New Bank or any of
its  affiliates  to engage in any  action  prohibited  under (i) or (ii) of this
section  4(b);  provided  that the  ownership by Executive as an investor of not
more than five percent of the outstanding shares of stock of any corporation, or
the shares of any  investment  company as defined in section 3 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended,  shall not in itself  constitute a violation of
Executive's obligations under this section 4(b).


                                      -7-
<PAGE>
                  (c) Executive  acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury
will  result to NBTB in the event of a breach of any of the  provisions  of this
section 4 (the  "Designated  Provisions")  and that  NBTB will have no  adequate
remedy at law with  respect  thereto.  Accordingly,  in the event of a  material
breach of any  Designated  Provision,  and in  addition  to any  other  legal or
equitable  remedy NBTB or New Bank may have, NBTB shall be entitled to the entry
of a  preliminary  and  permanent  injunction  (including,  without  limitation,
specific  performance) by a court of competent  jurisdiction in Chenango County,
New York, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, or elsewhere, to restrain the violation or
breach thereof by Executive,  and Executive  submits to the jurisdiction of such
court in any such action.

                  (d) It is the  desire  and  intent  of the  parties  that  the
provisions of this section 4 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under  the  laws and  public  policies  applied  in each  jurisdiction  in which
enforcement is sought.  Accordingly, if any particular provision of this section
4 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or  unenforceable,  such provision shall be
deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of such
provision in the particular  jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. In
addition, should any court determine that the provisions of this section 4 shall
be unenforceable with respect to scope, duration, or geographic area, such court
shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable,  provisions similar
hereto or other  provisions  so as to provide  to NBTB,  to the  fullest  extent
permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by this section 4.

                  (e) As used herein, "Market Area" shall mean the area or areas
delineated by circles formed by radii extending  twenty-five  miles from (i) the
head office of New Bank,  (ii) the  authorized  branches of New Bank as they may
exist  from time to time,  and (iii)  each  branch of a  depository  institution
affiliated  with  New  Bank  for  which  Executive  has or has  had  significant
executive or managerial responsibilities.

         5. LIFE INSURANCE.  In light of the unusual abilities and experience of
Executive, NBTB in its discretion may apply for and procure as owner and for its
own benefit insurance on the life of Executive,  in such amount and in such form
as NBTB may choose.  NBTB shall make all payments for such  insurance  and shall
receive all benefits from it. Executive shall have no interest whatsoever in any
such policy or policies  but,  at the request of NBTB,  shall  submit to medical
examinations  and supply such  information  and execute  such  documents  as may
reasonably be required by the  insurance  company or companies to which NBTB has
applied for insurance.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>
         6.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

                  (a)  Executive  represents  and  warrants  to  NBTB  that  his
execution,  delivery,  and  performance  of this Agreement will not result in or
constitute  a breach of or  conflict  with any  term,  covenant,  condition,  or
provision  of any  commitment,  contract,  or  other  agreement  or  instrument,
including,   without  limitation,  any  other  employment  agreement,  to  which
Executive is or has been a party.

                  (b) Executive shall indemnify,  defend, and hold harmless NBTB
for, from, and against any and all losses, claims, suits, damages,  expenses, or
liabilities,  including court costs and counsel fees, which NBTB has incurred or
to which  NBTB may  become  subject,  insofar  as such  losses,  claims,  suits,
damages,  expenses,  liabilities,  costs, or fees arise out of or are based upon
any  failure of any  representation  or warranty of  Executive  in section  6(a)
hereof to be true and correct when made.

         7. NOTICES.  All notices,  consents,  waivers, or other  communications
which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or by messenger, transmitted by telex or
telegram,  by express courier,  or sent by registered or certified mail,  return
receipt requested, postage prepaid. All communications shall be addressed to the
appropriate address of each party as follows:

If to NBTB:

         NBT Bancorp Inc.
         52 South Broad Street
         Norwich, New York  13815

         Attention:        Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe
                           President and Chief Executive Officer

With a required copy to:

         Brian D. Alprin, Esq.
         Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
         1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
         Washington, D.C.  20006

If to Executive:

         Mr. John G. Martines
         R.D. 1, Box 824
         Carbondale, Pennsylvania  18407


                                      -9-
<PAGE>
All such  notices  shall be  deemed to have  been  given on the date  delivered,
transmitted, or mailed in the manner provided above.

         8.       ASSIGNMENT.

                  (a)      Neither party may assign this Agreement or any rights
or obligations hereunder without the consent of the other party.

                  (b) The parties contemplate that at the time of the Merger, or
subsequent to such time, New Bank may engage in a merger or similar  transaction
with an affiliated  bank, in which case references in this Agreement to New Bank
shall be construed to apply to the successor institution in such transaction.

         9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by,  construed,  and
enforced in accordance  with the laws of the State of Delaware,  without  giving
effect  to the  principles  of  conflict  of law  thereof.  The  parties  hereby
designate  the Chancery  Court in New Castle  County,  Delaware to be the proper
jurisdiction  and venue for any suit or action  arising  out of this  Agreement.
Each of the parties  consents to personal  jurisdiction in such venue for such a
proceeding  and agrees  that it may be served  with  process in any action  with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated thereby by certified
or registered  mail,  return receipt  requested,  or to its registered agent for
service of process in the State of Delaware. Each of the parties irrevocably and
unconditionally  waives and agrees,  to the fullest extent permitted by law, not
to plead any objection  that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue
or the  convenience  of the forum of any  action or claim  with  respect to this
Agreement  or the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  brought  in  the  courts
aforesaid.

         10.  ENTIRE   AGREEMENT.   This   Agreement   constitutes   the  entire
understanding among NBTB, New Bank, and Executive relating to the subject matter
hereof. Any previous agreements or understandings  between the parties hereto or
between  Executive and New Bank or any of its  affiliates  regarding the subject
matter  hereof,  including  without  limitation  the  terms  and  conditions  of
employment,    compensation,   benefits,   retirement,   competition   following
employment,  and the like,  are merged into and  superseded  by this  Agreement.
Neither this  Agreement  nor any  provisions  hereof can be  modified,  changed,
discharged, or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the party
against whom any waiver, change, discharge, or termination is sought.

         11.      ILLEGALITY; SEVERABILITY.

                  (a)    Anything   in   this    Agreement   to   the   contrary
notwithstanding,  this  Agreement  is not intended and shall not be construed to
require  any  payment to  Executive  which  would  violate  any federal or state
statute or  regulation,  including  without  limitation  the  "golden  parachute
payment  regulations" of the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  codified to
Part 359 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
                  (b)    If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall
be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever:

                           (i)      the validity, legality, and enforceability
of the remaining provisions of this Agreement
(including,  without  limitation,  each portion of any section of this Agreement
containing  any such provision held to be invalid,  illegal,  or  unenforceable)
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and

                           (ii)     to the fullest extent possible, the
provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation,
each portion of any section of this  Agreement  containing  any such  provisions
held to be invalid,  illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give
effect to the intent  manifested by the  provision  held  invalid,  illegal,  or
unenforceable.

         12.  ARBITRATION.  Subject to the right of each party to seek  specific
performance  (which  right  shall not be subject to  arbitration),  if a dispute
arises out of or related to this Agreement,  or the breach thereof, such dispute
shall be referred to arbitration in accordance  with the Commercial  Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration  Association ("AAA"). A dispute subject to the
provisions  of this section will exist if either party  notifies the other party
in  writing  that a dispute  subject to  arbitration  exists  and  states,  with
reasonable  specificity,  the issue  subject to  arbitration  (the  "Arbitration
Notice").  The parties agree that, after the issuance of the Arbitration Notice,
the  parties  will try in good faith to resolve  the  dispute  by  mediation  in
accordance  with the Commercial  Rules of Arbitration of AAA between the date of
the  issuance  of the  Arbitration  Notice  and the date the  dispute is set for
arbitration. If the dispute is not settled by the date set for arbitration, then
any  controversy  or claim  arising out of this  Agreement or the breach  hereof
shall be resolved by binding arbitration and judgment upon any award rendered by
arbitrator(s) may be entered in a court having jurisdiction.  Any person serving
as a  mediator  or  arbitrator  must  have at least  ten  years'  experience  in
resolving  commercial  disputes through  arbitration.  In the event any claim or
dispute involves an amount in excess of $100,000,  either party may request that
the  matter  be heard by a panel of three  arbitrators;  otherwise  all  matters
subject to arbitration shall be heard and resolved by a single  arbitrator.  The
arbitrator  shall have the same power to compel the  attendance of witnesses and
to order the production of documents or other materials and to enforce discovery
as could be exercised by a United  States  District  Court judge  sitting in the
Northern District of New York. In the event of any arbitration, each party shall
have a reasonable right to conduct discovery to the same extent permitted by the
Federal  Rules  of  Civil  Procedure,  provided  that  such  discovery  shall be
concluded  within ninety days after the date the matter is set for  arbitration.
In the event of any  arbitration,  the arbitrator or arbitrators  shall have the
power to award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Any provision
in this  Agreement  to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  this  section  shall  be
governed by the Federal  Arbitration  Act and the parties have entered into this
Agreement pursuant to such Act.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>
         13.  COSTS OF  LITIGATION.  In the event  litigation  is  commenced  to
enforce  any of the  provisions  hereof,  or to  obtain  declaratory  relief  in
connection  with any of the provisions  hereof,  the  prevailing  party shall be
entitled to recover  reasonable  attorney's fees. In the event this Agreement is
asserted in any litigation as a defense to any liability, claim, demand, action,
cause of action,  or right asserted in such litigation,  the party prevailing on
the issue of that defense shall be entitled to recovery of reasonable attorney's
fees.

         14.      AFFILIATION.  A company will be deemed to be "affiliated" with
NBTB or New Bank according to the definition of "Affiliate" set forth in Rule
12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.

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

          16.      AGREEMENT CONTINGENT UPON MERGER.  This Agreement is
contingent upon the occurrence of the Merger and, if the Merger
fails to occur, this Agreement will be null and void and of no past or
future effect.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  executed  or  caused  this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                NBT BANCORP INC.



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


                                JOHN G. MARTINES



                                /S/ JOHN G. MARTINES


                                      -12-
<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 10.9
          Form of Change-In-Control Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc.
      and the following officers of NBT Bancorp Inc. or one or more of its
       subsidiaries: John R. Bradley, Michael J. Chewens, Rita K. DeMarko,
   Martin A. Dietrich, Joseph J. Earyes, Daryl R. Forsythe, John G. Martines,
         Joe C. Minor, Jane Neal, David E. Raven, Kenneth C. Reilly, and
                                 John D. Roberts


<PAGE>



                                  [ 1 ], 2000

[                                ]
[                                ]
[                                ]

Dear Mr./Ms. [                        ]:
              ------------------------

         NBT  Bancorp  Inc.  (which,  together  with its  wholly-owned  [ 2 ] is
referred to as the  "Company")  considers  the  stability of its key  management
group to be essential to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
The  Company   recognizes   that,  as  is  the  case  with  many   publicly-held
corporations,  the  possibility  of a change in  control  may arise and that the
attendant  uncertainty  may  result  in  the  departure  or  distraction  of key
management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders.

         Accordingly,  the Board of Directors  of the Company (the  "Board") has
determined that  appropriate  steps should be taken to encourage  members of the
Company's key management group to

[FN]
1                 "January 1" for Messrs. Bradley, Chewens, Dietrich, Forsythe,
Minor, Raven, Reilly, Roberts, Ms. DeMarko, and Ms. Neal; "February 17" for
Messrs. Earyes and Martines.
2                 "subsidiary, NBT Bank, National Association," for Messrs.
Bradley, Chewens, Dietrich, Forsythe, Minor, Raven, Reilly, Roberts, Ms.
DeMarko, and Ms. Neal; "subsidiaries, NBT Bank, National Association and LA
Bank, National Association" for Messrs. Earyes and Martines.
</FN>

continue as employees notwithstanding the possibility of a change in control
of the Company.

         The Board also  believes it important  that, in the event of a proposal
for transfer of control of the  Company,  you be able to assess the proposal and
advise the Board  without  being  influenced  by the  uncertainties  of your own
situation.

         In order to induce you to remain in the employ of the Company, [ 3 ]
         1.       AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES; RIGHT TO TERMINATE.

                  (a) TERMINATION  PRIOR TO CERTAIN OFFERS.  Except as otherwise
provided in paragraph (b) below, or in any written employment  agreement between
you and the Company,  the Company or you may  terminate  your  employment at any
time. If, and only if, such termination  occurs after a change in control of the
Company (as defined in section 6), the  provisions of this  Agreement  regarding
the payment of severance compensation and benefits shall apply.

<PAGE>
[FN]
3 "we entered an agreement,  approved by the Board, dated February 21, 1995, and
revised by Board action on April 28, 1998, providing for severance  compensation
that the Board agreed would be provided to you in the event your employment with
the Company terminated subsequent to a change in control ("Agreement").  We have
agreed upon various changes to the Agreement,  agreed to by the Board,  and have
agreed to amend and restate the  Agreement in its entirety as follows:"  for Mr.
Forsythe; "we entered an agreement, approved by the Board, dated January 2, 1997
and  revised by Board  action on  October  27,  1998,  providing  for  severance
compensation  that the Board  agreed  would be provided to you in the event your
employment  with  the  Company  terminated  subsequent  to a change  in  control
("Agreement").  We have agreed upon various changes to the Agreement,  agreed to
by the Board, and have agreed to amend and restate the Agreement in its entirety
as follows:" for Messrs. Dietrich, Minor, and Roberts; "we entered an agreement,
approved  by the Board,  dated  January 2, 1997 and  revised by Board  action on
April 28, 1998, providing for severance compensation that the Board agreed would
be provided  to you in the event your  employment  with the  Company  terminated
subsequent  to a change in control  ("Agreement").  We have agreed upon  various
changes to the Agreement,  agreed to by the Board,  and have agreed to amend and
restate the Agreement in its entirety as follows:" for Mr. Bradley;  "we entered
an agreement,  approved by the Board, dated January 1, 1998 and revised by Board
action on April 28, 1998,  providing for severance  compensation  that the Board
agreed  would be provided to you in the event your  employment  with the Company
terminated subsequent to a change in control ("Agreement").  We have agreed upon
various  changes to the  Agreement,  agreed to by the Board,  and have agreed to
amend and  restate  the  Agreement  in its  entirety  as  follows:"  for Messrs.
Chewens,  Raven,  and  Reilly  and Ms.  Neal;  "this  Agreement,  which has been
approved by the Board, sets forth the severance  compensation  which the Company
agrees will be provided to you in the event your  employment with the Company is
terminated  subsequent  to a  "change  in  control"  of the  Company  under  the
circumstances described below." for Messrs. Earyes and Martines and Ms. DeMarko.
</FN>

                  (b) TERMINATION  SUBSEQUENT TO CERTAIN OFFERS.  In the event a
tender offer or exchange offer is made by a person (as defined in section 6) for
more than 30 percent of the combined  voting power of the Company's  outstanding
securities  ordinarily  having  the  right  to vote at  elections  of  directors
("Voting  Securities"),  including  shares of common stock, no par value, of the
Company (the "Company Shares"),  you agree that you will not leave the employ of
the  Company  (other than as a result of  Disability  as such term is defined in
section 6) and will render  services to the Company in the capacity in which you
then serve  until such  tender  offer or exchange  offer has been  abandoned  or
terminated  or a change in control of the  Company  has  occurred as a result of
such tender offer or exchange offer.  If, during the period you are obligated to
continue in the employ of the Company pursuant to this section 1(b), the Company
reduces your  compensation,  terminates  your  employment  without Cause, or you
provide  written notice of your decision to terminate  your  employment for Good

<PAGE>
Reason,  your obligations under this section 1(b) shall thereupon  terminate and
you will be entitled to payments provided under Section 3(b).

         2. TERM OF AGREEMENT.  This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof
and shall continue in effect until December 31, 2002;  provided,  however,  that
commencing December 31, 2000 and each December 31 thereafter, the remaining term
of this Agreement shall  automatically be extended for one additional year (to a
total of three  years)  unless at least 90 days prior to such  anniversary,  the
Company  or you  shall  have  given  notice  that  this  Agreement  shall not be
extended;  and  provided,  however,  that if a change in control of the  Company
shall  occur  while  this  Agreement  is  in  effect,   this   Agreement   shall
automatically  be  extended  for 24 months  from the date the  change in control
occurs.  This Agreement  shall  terminate if you or the Company  terminates your
employment prior to a change in control of the Company but without  prejudice to
any remedy the Company may have for breach of your  obligations,  if any,  under
section 1(b).

         3.  SEVERANCE  PAYMENT AND  BENEFITS IF  TERMINATION  OCCURS  FOLLOWING
CHANGE IN CONTROL FOR DISABILITY, WITHOUT CAUSE, OR WITH GOOD REASON. If, within
24 months  from the date of  occurrence  of any event  constituting  a change in
control of the  Company (it being  recognized  that more than one such event may
occur in which case the 24-month period shall run from the date of occurrence of
each such event),  your  employment  with the Company is  terminated  (i) by the
Company for Disability,  (ii) by the Company without Cause, or (iii) by you with
Good  Reason (as defined in section 6), or within 90 days of a Change in Control
by you without  Good  Reason,  you shall be entitled to a severance  payment and
other benefits as follows:

                  (a)  DISABILITY.  If  your  employment  with  the  Company  is
terminated  for  Disability,  your  benefits  shall  thereafter be determined in
accordance with the Company's long-term disability income insurance plan. If the
Company's  long-term  disability income insurance plan is modified or terminated
following a change in control,  the Company  shall  substitute  such a plan with
benefits applicable to you substantially  similar to those provided by such plan
prior to its  modification  or  termination.  During any period that you fail to
perform  your  duties  hereunder  as a result of  incapacity  due to physical or
mental illness,  you shall continue to receive your full base salary at the rate
then  in  effect  until  your  employment  is  terminated  by  the  Company  for
Disability.

                  (b) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR WITH GOOD REASON OR WITHIN 90
DAYS OF CHANGE IN CONTROL.  If your  employment  with the Company is  terminated
without  Cause by the  Company or with Good  Reason by you,  or by you within 90
days of a Change in Control  without Good Reason,  then the Company shall pay to
you, upon demand, the following amounts (net of applicable payroll taxes):

                           (i)      Your full base salary plus year-to-date
accrued vacation through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect on the
date the change in control occurs.

<PAGE>
                           (ii)     As severance pay, an amount equal to the
product of your "Base Amount" multiplied by the number [
4 ]. As used in the previous sentence,  your "Base Amount" will be determined in
accordance  with Section 280G of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
which   generally   provides  that  the  base  amount  is  your  average  annual
compensation includible in your gross income for federal income tax purposes for
the five  years  immediately  preceding  the year in which the change in control
occurs (or,  if you shall have been  employed by the Company for less than those
five  years,  for the  number of those  years  during  which you shall have been
employed by the  Company,  with any partial  year  annualized),  including  base
salary, non-deferred amounts under annual incentive,  long-term performance, and
profit-sharing  plans,  distributions of previously  deferred amounts under such
plans, and ordinary income recognized with respect to stock options.

(C)  RELATED  BENEFITS.  Unless you die or your  employment is terminated by the
     Company  for Cause or  Disability,  or by you other than for Good Reason or
     within 90 days of a Change in  Control  by you  without  Good  Reason,  the
     Company shall maintain in full force and effect,  for the continued benefit
     of you for one year after the Date of  Termination,  all  noncash  employee
     benefit plans,  programs, or arrangements  (including,  without limitation,
     pension and retirement  plans and  arrangements,  stock option plans,  life
     insurance and health and accident plans and arrangements, medical insurance
     plans,  disability plans, and vacation plans) in which you were entitled to
     participate immediately prior to the Date of Termination provided that your
     continued  participation  is possible after  Termination  under the general
     terms and provisions of such plans, programs,  and arrangements;  provided,
     however,  that if you become  eligible to  participate  in a benefit  plan,
     program,  or  arrangement of another  employer which confers  substantially
     similar  benefits upon you, you shall cease to receive  benefits under this
     subsection in respect of such plan, program,  or arrangement.  In the event
     that your  participation  in any such  plan,  program,  or  arrangement  is
     barred,   the  Company   shall   arrange  to  provide  you  with   benefits
     substantially similar to those which you are entitled to receive under such
     plans,  programs and arrangements or alternatively,  pay an amount equal to
     the reasonable  value of such  substantially  similar  benefits.  If, after
     termination  of employment  following a Change in Control,  you elect COBRA
     continuation  coverage,  the  Company  will  pay  you [ 5 ]  worth  of  the
     applicable  COBRA  premium.  If  termination  follows a Change  in  Control
     specified  in  Section  6(b)(iii),  then  you may  elect  in lieu of  COBRA
     continuation

[FN]
4                 "2.99" for Messrs. Bradley, Chewens, Dietrich, Forsythe,
Martines, Minor, Roberts, and Ms. Neal; "2" for Mr. Earyes; "1" for Messrs.
Raven and Reilly and Ms. DeMarko.
5                 "18 months" for Messrs. Bradley, Chewens, Dietrich, Earyes,
Forsythe, Martines, Minor, Roberts, and Ms. Neal; "12 months" for Messrs.
Raven and Reilly and Ms. DeMarko.
</FN>
<PAGE>

coverage to have the acquiring entity obtain an individual or
group health insurance coverage and the acquiring entity will pay [ 6 ] worth of
premiums thereunder.

[FN]
6                 "18 months" for Messrs. Bradley, Chewens, Dietrich, Earyes,
Forsythe, Martines, Minor, Roberts, and Ms. Neal; "12 months" for Messrs. Raven
and Reilly and Ms. DeMarko.
</FN>


                  (d)  ESTABLISHMENT  OF  TRUST.   Within  five  days  following
conclusion  of a Change in  Control,  the Company  shall  establish a trust that
conforms in all  regards  with the model trust  published  in Revenue  Procedure
92-64 and deposit an amount sufficient to satisfy all liabilities of the Company
under Section 3(b) of this Agreement.

                  (e) AUTOMATIC EXTENSION.  Notwithstanding the prior provisions
of this  Section,  if an individual is elected to the Board of Directors who has
not  been  nominated  by the  Board of  Directors  as  constituted  prior to his
election,  then the term of this Agreement will  automatically be extended until
two years from the date on which such  individual  was elected if such  extended
termination  date is later than the normal  termination  date of this Agreement,
otherwise,  the  termination  date of this Agreement will be as provided  above.
This  extension  will take effect only upon the first  instance of an individual
being  elected to the Board of Directors  without  having been  nominated by the
original Board.
                  (f)  ALTERNATIVE TO LUMP SUM PAYOUT.  The amount  described in
this  subsection will be paid to you in a single  lump-sum  unless,  at least 30
days  before  the  conclusion  of a Change in  Control,  you elect in writing to
receive the severance  pay in 3 equal annual  payments with the first payment to
be made  within  30 days of demand  and the  subsequent  payments  to be made by
January 31st of each year  subsequent  to the year in which the first payment is
made,  provided that under no  circumstances  will two payments be made during a
single tax year of the recipient.

         4. PAYMENT IF TERMINATION  OCCURS FOLLOWING CHANGE IN CONTROL,  BECAUSE
OF DEATH,  FOR CAUSE,  OR  WITHOUT  GOOD  REASON.  If your  employment  shall be
terminated  following any event  constituting a change in control of the Company
because of your death,  or by the  Company  for Cause,  or by you other than for
Good Reason and not within 90 days of a Change in Control, the Company shall pay
you your full base salary plus year-to-date accrued vacation through the Date of
Termination  at the rate in effect on the date of the change in control  occurs.
The Company shall have no further obligations to you under this Agreement.

         5. NO  MITIGATION.  You shall not be required to mitigate the amount of
any payment  provided  for in this  Agreement  by seeking  other  employment  or
otherwise,  nor,  except as expressly set forth herein,  shall the amount of any

<PAGE>
payment provided for in this Agreement be reduced by any compensation  earned by
you  as the  result  of  employment  by  another  employer  after  the  Date  of
Termination, or otherwise.

         6.       DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS.  For the purpose of this
Agreement, the terms defined in this section 6 shall have the meanings assigned
to them herein.

                  (a) CAUSE.  Termination of your  employment by the Company for
"Cause" shall mean termination  because,  and only because, you committed an act
of fraud,  embezzlement,  or theft constituting a felony or an act intentionally
against the interests of the Company which causes the Company  material  injury.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  you shall not be deemed to have been terminated
for Cause  unless and until there shall have been  delivered  to you a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than  three-quarters
of the entire  membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held
for the purpose  (after  reasonable  notice to you and an  opportunity  for you,
together with your counsel,  to be heard before the Board),  finding that in the
good faith opinion of the Board you were guilty of conduct constituting Cause as
defined above and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

                  (b)      CHANGE IN CONTROL.  A "Change in Control" of the
Company shall mean:

                           (i)      A change in control of a nature that would
be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of
Schedule 14A of Regulation  14A as in effect on the date hereof  pursuant to the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange  Act");  provided that,  without
limitation,  such a change in control  shall be deemed to have  occurred at such
time as any Person hereafter becomes the "Beneficial  Owner" (as defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly,  of 30 percent or more of
the combined voting power of the Company's Voting Securities; or

                           (ii)     During any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute  the Board  cease for any  reason to  constitute  at least a majority
thereof  unless the election,  or the  nomination  for election by the Company's
shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds
of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of the
period; or

                           (iii)    There shall be consummated (x) any
consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is
not the  continuing  or  surviving  corporation  or  pursuant  to  which  Voting
Securities would be converted into cash,  securities,  or other property,  other
than a  merger  of the  Company  in  which  the  holders  of  Voting  Securities
immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate  ownership of common
stock of the  surviving  corporation  immediately  after the merger,  or (y) any
sale,  lease,  exchange,  or other  transfer (in one  transaction or a series of
related transactions) of all, or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
provided that any such  consolidation,  merger,  sale, lease,  exchange or other

<PAGE>
transfer  consummated  at the insistence of an  appropriate  banking  regulatory
agency shall not constitute a change in control; or

                           (iv)     Approval by the shareholders of the Company
of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

                  (c) DATE OF TERMINATION.  "Date of Termination" shall mean (i)
if your  employment is terminated by the Company for  Disability,  30 days after
Notice of Termination is given (provided that you shall not have returned to the
performance of your duties on a full-time basis during such 30-day period),  and
(ii) if your employment is terminated for any other reason,  the date on which a
Notice of Termination is given; provided that if within 30 days after any Notice
of Termination is given the party receiving such Notice of Termination  notifies
the other party that a dispute exists  concerning the  termination,  the Date of
Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either
by mutual written  agreement of the parties or by a final  judgment,  order,  or
decree  of a court of  competent  jurisdiction  (the time for  appeal  therefrom
having expired and no appeal having been perfected).  The term of this Agreement
shall be extended until the Date of Termination.

                  (d) DISABILITY.  Termination of your employment by the Company
for "Disability" shall mean termination because of your absence from your duties
with the Company on a full-time  basis for 180  consecutive  days as a result of
your  incapacity due to physical or mental illness and your failure to return to
the  performance  of your duties on a full-time  basis during the 30-day  period
after Notice of Termination is given.

                  (e)      GOOD REASON.  Termination by you of your employment
for "Good Reason" shall mean termination based on any of the following:

                           (i)      A change in your status or position(s) with
the Company, which in your reasonable judgment, does
not  represent  a  promotion  from  your  status  or  position(s)  as in  effect
immediately  prior to the  change  in  control,  or a change  in your  duties or
responsibilities  which, in your reasonable judgment,  is inconsistent with such
status or  position(s),  or any removal of you from, or any failure to reappoint
or reelect you to, such  position(s),  except in connection with the termination
of your  employment  for Cause or  Disability or as a result of your death or by
you other than for Good Reason.

                           (ii)     A reduction by the Company in your base
salary as in effect immediately prior to the change in control.

                           (iii)    The failure by the Company to continue in
effect any Plan (as hereinafter defined) in which you
are  participating at the time of the change in control of the Company (or Plans
providing  you with at least  substantially  similar  benefits)  other than as a
result of the normal expiration of any such Plan in accordance with its terms as
in effect at the time of the change in control,  or the taking of any action, or
the failure to act, by the Company which would  adversely  affect your continued
participation in any of such Plans on at least as favorable a basis to you as is
the case on the date of the change in control or which would  materially  reduce
your  benefits  in the  future  under any of such  Plans or  deprive  you of any
material benefit enjoyed by you at the time of the change in control.

<PAGE>
                           (iv)     The failure by the Company to provide and
credit you with the number of paid vacation days to
which you are then entitled in accordance  with the  Company's  normal  vacation
policy as in effect immediately prior to the change in control.

                           (v)      The Company's requiring you to be based
anywhere other than where your office is located
immediately  prior to the change in control  except for  required  travel on the
Company's  business  to an extent  substantially  consistent  with the  business
travel  obligations  which you  undertook on behalf of the Company  prior to the
change in control.

                           (vi)     The failure by the Company to obtain from
any successor the assent to this Agreement contemplated by section 8 hereof.

                           (vii)    Any purported termination by the Company of
your employment which is not effected pursuant to a
Notice of Termination  satisfying the  requirements of this  Agreement;  and for
purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective.

                           (viii)   Any refusal by the Company to continue to
allow you to attend to matters or engage in activities
not directly  related to the business of the Company which,  prior to the change
in control, you were permitted by the Board to attend to or engage in.

For purposes of this subsection, "Plan" shall mean any compensation plan such as
an incentive or stock option plan or any employee benefit plan such as a thrift,
pension, profit sharing, medical, disability,  accident, life insurance plan, or
a relocation plan or policy or any other plan, program, or policy of the Company
intended to benefit employees.

                  (f) NOTICE OF  TERMINATION.  A "Notice of Termination" of your
employment  given by the Company shall mean a written notice given to you of the
termination of your  employment  which shall  indicate the specific  termination
provision  in this  Agreement  relied  upon,  and shall set forth in  reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
your employment under the provision so indicated.

                  (g)  PERSON.  The term  "Person"  shall mean and  include  any
individual, corporation,  partnership, group, association, or other "person," as
such term is used in section 14(d) of the Exchange  Act,  other than the Company
or any employee benefit plan(s) sponsored by the Company.

         7. NOTICE.  For the purposes of this  Agreement,  notices and all other
communications  provided for in the  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be

<PAGE>
deemed  to have been  duly  given  when  delivered  or  mailed by United  States
certified  or  registered  mail,  return  receipt  requested,  postage  prepaid,
addressed  to the  respective  addresses  set  forth on the  first  page of this
Agreement,  provided  that all notices to the  Company  shall be directed to the
attention  of the Chief  Executive  Officer  of the  Company  with a copy to the
Secretary  of the  Company,  or to such other  address as either  party may have
furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of
change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

         8.       SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT.

                  (a) This  Agreement  shall  inure to the  benefit  of,  and be
binding upon, any corporate or other  successor or assignee of the Company which
shall acquire, directly or indirectly, by merger,  consolidation or purchase, or
otherwise,  all or  substantially  all of the business or assets of the Company.
The  Company  shall  require any such  successor,  by an  agreement  in form and
substance  satisfactory  to you,  expressly  to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement  in the same  manner and to the same  extent as the  Company  would be
required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

                  (b)  This  Agreement  shall  inure  to the  benefit  of and be
enforceable   by   your   personal   or   legal   representatives,    executors,
administrators,  successors, heirs, distributees,  devisees and legatees. If you
should die while any amount  would still be payable to you  hereunder if you had
continued to live, all such amounts,  unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to your devisee, legatee, or
other designee or, if there is no such designee, to your estate.

         9.       INCREASED SEVERANCE PAYMENTS UPON APPLICATION OF EXCISE TAX.

                  (a)  ADJUSTMENT  OF  PAYMENT.  In the  event any  payments  or
benefits you become  entitled to pursuant to the Agreement or any other payments
or benefits  received or to be  received by you in  connection  with a change in
control of the Company or your  termination of employment  (whether  pursuant to
the terms of any other agreement,  plan, or arrangement,  or otherwise, with the
Company,  any person whose  actions  result in a change in control or any person
affiliated  with  the  Company  or such  person)  (collectively  the  "Severance
Payments") will be subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by section 4999
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Company shall
pay you an  additional  amount (the  "Gross-Up  Payment") so that the net amount
retained by you, after deduction of the Excise Tax (but before deduction for any
federal,  state  or  local  income  tax) on the  Severance  Payments  and  after
deduction  for the  aggregate  of any  federal,  state,  or local income tax and
Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment,  shall be equal to the Severance Payments.
For  purposes of  determining  whether  any of the  Severance  Payments  will be
subject  to the Excise Tax and the  amount of such  Excise  Tax,  (i) the entire
amount of the Severance Payments shall be treated as "parachute payments" within
the meaning of section  280G(b)(2) of the Code and as subject to the Excise Tax,

<PAGE>
unless and to the extent, in the written opinion of outside tax counsel selected
by the Company's independent  accountants and reasonably acceptable to you, such
payments  (in whole or in part) are not subject to the Excise Tax;  and (ii) the
value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit (constituting a
part of the Severance Payments) shall be determined by the Company's independent
auditors in accordance with the principles of sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the
Code. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,  you shall
be  deemed to pay  federal  income  taxes at the  highest  marginal  rate of the
federal income taxation  applicable to individuals  (without taking into account
surtaxes or loss or reduction of deductions)  for the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up  Payment is to be made and state and local  income taxes at the highest
marginal  rates of taxation in the state and  locality of your  residence on the
date of Termination. In the event that the amount of Excise Tax you are required
to pay is subsequently  determined to be less than the amount taken into account
hereunder,  you  shall  repay to the  Company  promptly  after the time that the
amount of such  reduction in Excise Tax is finally  determined the amount of the
reduction, together with interest on the amount of such reduction at the rate of
6 percent  per annum  from the date of the  Gross-Up  Payment,  plus,  if in the
written  opinion of outside tax counsel  selected by the  Company's  independent
accountants  and  reasonably  acceptable  to you,  such  payment  (or a  portion
thereof) was not taxable income to you when reported or is deductible by you for
federal  income tax  purposes,  the net federal  income tax benefit you actually
realize as a result of making such  payment  pursuant to this  sentence.  In the
event  that the  amount of Excise Tax you are  required  to pay is  subsequently
determined to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder,  the Company shall
make an additional  Gross-Up Payment in the manner set forth above in respect of
such excess (plus any  interest,  additions to tax, or penalties  payable by you
with  respect  to such  excess)  promptly  after the time that the amount can be
reasonably determined.

                  (b) TIME OF PAYMENT:  ESTIMATED PAYMENT. The payments provided
for in subsection (a) above, shall be made not later than the fifth business day
following the Date of  Termination;  provided,  however,  that if the amounts of
such  payments  cannot be finally  determined on or before such day, the Company
shall pay to you on such day an  estimate,  as  determined  in good faith by the
Company, of the minimum amount of such payments,  and shall pay the remainder of
such  payments  (together  with  interest at the rate of 6 percent per annum) as
soon as the amount  thereof can be  determined.  In the event that the amount of
the estimated payments exceeds the amount  subsequently  determined to have been
due, such excess shall  constitute a loan by the Company to you,  payable on the
fifth day after demand by the Company  (together  with interest at the rate of 6
percent per annum).

         10.  MISCELLANEOUS.  No  provision of this  Agreement  may be modified,
waived, or discharged unless such  modification,  waiver, or discharge is agreed
to in a writing  signed by you and the Chief  Executive  Officer or President of
the  Company.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the
other party hereto of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this

<PAGE>
Agreement  to be  performed  by such  other  party  shall be  deemed a waiver of
similar or  dissimilar  provisions or conditions at the same, or at any prior or
subsequent,  time. No agreements or representations,  oral or otherwise, express
or implied,  with respect to the subject  matter hereof have been made by either
party  which  are not  expressly  set  forth in this  Agreement.  The  validity,
interpretation,  construction,  and  performance  of  this  Agreement  shall  be
governed  by  laws  of the  State  of New  York  without  giving  effect  to the
principles of conflict of laws thereof.

         11. LEGAL FEES AND  EXPENSES.  The Company  shall pay or reimburse  any
reasonable  legal fees and expenses you may incur in  connection  with any legal
action to  enforce  your  rights  under,  or to defend  the  validity  of,  this
Agreement.  The Company will pay or reimburse  such legal fees and expenses on a
regular,  periodic basis upon  presentation  by you of a statement or statements
prepared by your counsel in accordance with its usual practices.

         12.      VALIDITY.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

         13. PAYMENTS DURING  CONTROVERSY.  Notwithstanding  the pendency of any
dispute  or  controversy,  the  Company  will  continue  to pay  you  your  full
compensation  in effect  when the notice  giving  rise to the  dispute was given
(including,  but not  limited  to, base  salary and  installments  of  incentive
compensation)  and continue you as a participant in all  compensation,  benefit,
and insurance plans in which you were  participating when the notice giving rise
to the dispute was given,  until the dispute is finally  resolved in  accordance
with section 7(c).  Amounts paid under this section are in addition to all other
amounts due under this  Agreement and shall not be offset  against or reduce any
other amounts due under this  Agreement.  You shall be entitled to seek specific
performance  of your right to be paid until the Date of  Termination  during the
pendency of any dispute or controversy  arising under or in connection with this
Agreement.

         14.   ILLEGALITY.   Anything  in  this   Agreement   to  the   contrary
notwithstanding,  this  Agreement  is not intended and shall not be construed to
require any payment to you which would  violate any federal or state  statute or
regulation,   including   without   limitation  the  "golden  parachute  payment
regulations" of the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation  codified to Part 359
of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.

         If this letter correctly sets forth our agreement on the subject matter
hereof,  kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copy of this letter,
which will then constitute our agreement on this subject.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                NBT BANCORP INC.

<PAGE>

                                                 By:__________________________



AGREED TO: ___________________________________

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 10.10
           NBT Bancorp Inc. 2000 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan


<PAGE>


                                                   January 24, 2000













                                NBT BANCORP INC.

                                Norwich, New York

                   2000 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN





<PAGE>


                                NBT BANCORP INC.
                                Norwich, New York



                   2000 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN


                                Table of Contents


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      PAGE

<S>                                                                                                   <C>
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
</TABLE>

<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 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 2000  Executive  Incentive  Compensation  Plan included in the
following pages are below:


     1.        The Plan is competitive,  if not more menerous,  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 consists
               of achieving  certain levels of net income for the company and/or
               its  subsidiaries as applicable.  Certain non recurring  events
               may be excluded from the financial results at the discretion of
               the CEO and the Compensation Committee.


     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  may  contain   corporate,
               subsidiary  and  individual  components;  the  corporate  and
               subsidiary  components awarded by virtue of their performance
               related to their 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 Directors of NBT Bancorp Inc. has  established  this 2000 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
company's   competition  in  its  market  area.  Through  payment  of  incentive
compensation  beyond base  salaries,  the Plan  provides  reward for meeting and
exceeding the 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:  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  company or its
          subsidiaries  as  designated  by the CEO and  approved  by the
          Compensation Committee for participation for the Plan Year.


     PLAN YEAR:  The 2000 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  company 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  company or its  subsidiaries  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,  an award
will be recommended  for such a participant  based on the proportion of the Plan
year that he/she was in active service with the company or its subsidiaries.


SECTION III - ACTIVATING THE PLAN

The operation of the Plan is  predicated  on attaining and exceeding  management
performance  goals.  The goals will  consist of the  attainment  of certain  net
income levels.  Non recurring events may be excluded from the financial  results
at the discretion of the CEO and the  Compensation  Committee.  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  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 - SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The CEO will recommend to the  Compensation  Committee the amounts to be awarded
to individual participants in the incentive Plan. The 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 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 company, 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 company or
any of its subsidiaries 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

NBT 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 adjusted to take into account the effect of such
activities.

SECTION IX - EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

The effective date of the Plan shall be January 1, 2000.

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
                               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 _________, 2000

__________________________________________


<PAGE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


                                  EXHIBIT 27.1
                             Financial Data Schedule
                                 March 31, 2000




<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NBT BANCORP
INC'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                          1,000
<CURRENCY>                            U.S. DOLLARS

<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          59,800
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           1,023
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                    497,528
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          78,772
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            75,808
<LOANS>                                      1,295,651
<ALLOWANCE>                                     17,543
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,029,106
<DEPOSITS>                                   1,523,749
<SHORT-TERM>                                   165,445
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                             15,587
<LONG-TERM>                                    161,793
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           186
<OTHER-SE>                                     162,346
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>               2,029,106
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                 27,189
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                9,865
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   402
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                37,456
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                              13,446
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              17,846
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                           19,610
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                    1,334
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                 14,983
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  6,908
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       4,241
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,241
<EPS-BASIC>                                        .24
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .23
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    4.32
<LOANS-NON>                                      7,740
<LOANS-PAST>                                       630
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                 28,739
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                16,654
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      693
<RECOVERIES>                                       248
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                               17,543
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                            14,568
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                          2,975



</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


                                 EXHIBIT 27.2
                             Financial Data Schedule
                                 March 31, 1999

<ARTICLE>                                            9
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM NBT BANCORP
INC'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
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<CURRENCY>                            U.S. DOLLARS

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                                0
                                          0
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