SOVEREIGN BANCORP INC
8-K, 1997-06-17
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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================================================================================


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                      The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 17, 1997

                            SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC.
             -----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Pennsylvania                 0-16533                 2-2453088
- ----------------------------        ------------            -------------
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission             (IRS Employer
      of incorporation              File Number)             Ident. No.)


1130 Berkshire Boulevard, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania         19610
- --------------------------------------------------    -------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (610) 320-8400
                                                   --------------
                                      N/A
         -------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)


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


<PAGE>


Item 5. Other Events

     On February 18, 1997, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. ("Sovereign") completed its
acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of First State Financial
Services, Inc. ("FSFS"), the holding company for First DeWitt Bank, a $600
million federal savings bank (the "FSFS Acquisition"). The FSFS Acquisition was
accounted for as pooling of interests.

     On February 5, 1997, Sovereign entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger
with Bankers Corp. ("Bankers") providing, among other things, for the merger
(the "Bankers Merger") of Bankers with and into Sovereign. Bankers, a New Jersey
corporation, is the holding company for Bankers Savings, a New Jersey savings
bank. At March 31, 1997, Bankers had total unaudited consolidated assets,
deposits and shareholders' equity of approximately $2.5 billion, $1.7 billion
and $198 million, respectively. In connection with the Bankers Merger, Sovereign
is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") to register shares of its common
stock for issuance to shareholders of Bankers Merger. Pursuant to Item 11(b) of
Form S-4, Sovereign, among other things, is required to either include in the
Prospectus that constitutes a part of the Registration Statement or incorporate
by reference therein, historical financial statements restated to reflect the
FSFS Acquisition. Accordingly, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated
herein by reference are (i) the audited Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets
as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the Supplemental Consolidated Statements of
Operations, Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and
Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 of Sovereign restated to reflect the FSFS Acquisition
and (ii) the Report of Ernst & Young LLP thereon.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (c) Exhibits

         Exhibit 99.1 - The Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
                        December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the Supplemental
                        Consolidated Statements of Operations, Supplemental
                        Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and
                        Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
                        the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 of
                        Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and the related Notes thereto
                        and the Report of Ernst & Young LLP thereon.

         Exhibit 99.2 - The Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1996
                        and 1995 and the Consolidated Statements of Operations,
                        Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders'
                        Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
                        years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 of First
                        State Financial Services, Inc. and the related Notes
                        thereto and the Report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP thereon.


                                       2

<PAGE>


         Exhibit 99.3 - Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

         Exhibit 99.4 - Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.


                                       3

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


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

                                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP. INC.

Dated: May 30, 1997

                                    By /s/ Mark R. McCollom
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      Mark R. McCollom
                                      Chief Accounting Officer


                                       4

<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
- -------
  99.1    The Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996
          and 1995 and the Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Operations,
          Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and
          Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
          December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and the
          related Notes thereto and the Report of Ernst & Young LLP thereon.

  99.2    The Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1996 and 1995 and
          the Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of
          Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash
          Flows for the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 of First
          State Financial Services, Inc. and the related Notes thereto and the
          Report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP thereon.

  99.3    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

  99.4    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.


                                        5




                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                         Report of Independent Auditors

Board of Directors
Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.


We have audited the supplemental consolidated balance sheets of Sovereign
Bancorp Inc. (Sovereign) (formed as a result of the consolidation of Sovereign
and First State Financial Services, Inc. (First State)) as of December 31, 1996
and 1995, and the related supplemental consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1996. The supplemental consolidated financial statements give
retroactive effect to the merger of Sovereign and First State on February 18,
1997, which has been accounted for using the pooling of interests method as
described in the notes to the supplemental consolidated financial statements.
These supplemental financial statements are the responsibility of the management
of Sovereign. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these supplemental
financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial
statements of First State, which statements reflect total assets constituting 6%
for 1996 and 8% for 1995 of the related supplemental consolidated financial
statement totals, and which reflect net (loss) income constituting approximately
(11%) in 1996, and 7% in 1995 and 1994 of the related supplemental consolidated
financial statement totals for the three year period ended December 31, 1996.
Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished
to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to data included for First State,
is based solely on the report of the other auditors.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits and the report of other auditors provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of other auditors, the
supplemental consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Sovereign at
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the consolidated results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1996, after giving retroactive effect to the merger of First State as described
in the notes to the supplemental consolidated financial statements, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

In 1995, Sovereign changed its method of accounting for mortgage servicing
rights, as discussed in Note 1 to the supplemental consolidated financial
statements. In 1994, Sovereign changed its method of accounting for investment
and mortgage-backed securities, as discussed in Note 1 to the supplemental
consolidated financial statements.


/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
May 27, 1997
Reading, Pennsylvania.

<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                    SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    -----------------------------
                                                                                         1996           1995
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>             <C>
ASSETS
  Cash and amounts due from depository institutions...............................  $      111,296  $     142,039
  Interest-earning deposits.......................................................           6,273         17,524
  Loans held for resale (approximate fair value of $33,162 and $138,939 at
     December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively)....................................          32,955        137,731
  Investment and mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale....................         494,997        905,023
  Investment and mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity (approximate fair
     value of $2,464,844 and $2,127,015 at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
     respectively)................................................................       2,487,615      2,117,062
  Loans...........................................................................       6,649,537      5,142,094
  Allowance for possible loan losses..............................................         (46,093)       (40,938)
  Premises and equipment..........................................................          63,763         67,474
  Real estate owned...............................................................          10,634         13,078
  Accrued interest receivable.....................................................          56,848         46,831
  Goodwill and other intangible assets............................................         113,606        125,592
  Other assets....................................................................          59,928         41,797
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
        TOTAL ASSETS..............................................................  $   10,041,359  $   8,715,307
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
LIABILITIES
  Deposits........................................................................  $    5,606,333  $   5,606,469
  Borrowings
     Short-term...................................................................       2,765,118      1,530,495
     Long-term....................................................................       1,097,076      1,023,266
  Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance...........................          25,949         25,370
  Other liabilities...............................................................          38,044         61,090
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
        Total Liabilities.........................................................       9,532,520      8,246,690
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Preferred stock; no par value; $50 liquidation preference; 7,500,000 shares
     authorized; 2,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996 and
     December 31, 1995............................................................          96,446         96,446
  Common stock; no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 69,492,593 shares
     issued at December 31, 1996 and 63,822,108 shares issued at December 31,
     1995.........................................................................         299,357        269,863
  Unallocated common stock held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plan at cost;
     4,067,047 shares at December 31, 1996 and 3,569,215 shares at December 31,
     1995.........................................................................         (33,015)       (28,772)
  Treasury stock; at cost; 229,168 shares...........................................        (2,300)            --
  Unrecognized gain on investment and mortgage-backed securities
     available-for-sale, net of tax...............................................           2,362          3,899
  Retained earnings...............................................................         145,989        127,181
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
     Total Stockholders' Equity...................................................         508,839        468,617
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
        TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY................................  $   10,041,359  $   8,715,307
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
                                                                                    --------------  -------------
</TABLE>

   See accompanying notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.

                                       1

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                                                1996         1995         1994
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
INTEREST INCOME:
  Interest on interest-earning deposits....................................  $     3,406  $     3,995  $     2,637
  Interest and dividends on investment and mortgage-backed securities
     available-for-sale....................................................       34,561       10,643        7,292
  Interest and dividends on investment and mortgage-backed securities
     held-to-maturity......................................................      176,501      154,416       99,329
  Interest and fees on loans...............................................      451,021      368,326      279,818
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
           Total interest income...........................................      665,489      537,380      389,076
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
  Interest on deposits.....................................................      224,448      230,921      134,899
  Interest on borrowings...................................................      199,146      109,649       77,290
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
           Total interest expense..........................................      423,594      340,570      212,189
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
NET INTEREST INCOME........................................................      241,895      196,810      176,887
Provision for possible loan losses.........................................       11,416        2,650        5,992
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Net interest income after provision for possible loan losses...............      230,479      194,160      170,895
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
OTHER INCOME:
  Other loan fees and service charges......................................       18,692        8,170        6,607
  Deposit fees.............................................................       13,858       11,211        7,341
  Gain on sale of loans and investment and mortgage-backed securities
     available-for-sale....................................................        5,456          294          576
  Gain on sale of loans held for resale....................................        1,622        6,167        1,960
  Miscellaneous income.....................................................        4,535        6,355        2,220
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
           Total other income..............................................       44,163       32,197       18,704
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:
  Salaries and employee benefits...........................................       59,937       48,520       41,544
  Occupancy and equipment expenses.........................................       24,495       21,293       17,954
  Outside services.........................................................       33,595       16,720       10,135
  Deposit insurance premiums...............................................       10,258       11,657        8,724
  Advertising..............................................................        4,218        5,414        4,737
  Other administrative expenses............................................       19,743       16,793       18,185
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
           Total general and administrative expenses.......................      152,246      120,397      101,279
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Non-recurring SAIF assessment............................................       30,914           --           --
  Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets.....................       11,963       12,611        7,044
  Real estate owned losses.................................................        3,770        2,272        1,547
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
           Total other operating expenses..................................       46,647       14,883        8,591
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Income before income taxes.................................................       75,749       91,077       79,729
Income tax provision.......................................................       29,935       30,671       29,830
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
NET INCOME.................................................................  $    45,814  $    60,406  $    49,899
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK......................................  $    39,564  $    55,717  $    49,899
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
EARNINGS PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE(1)                           $       .59  $       .82  $       .74
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE(1)..............................................  $      .077  $      .078  $      .095
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) All per share data have been adjusted to reflect all stock dividends and
    stock splits declared through January 1997.


   See accompanying notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.

                                       2

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

          SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        COMMON        PREFERRED                                                        UNALLOCATED
                                        SHARES         SHARES       COMMON      PREFERRED    RETAINED     TREASURY     COMMON STOCK
COMBINED                              OUTSTANDING    OUTSTANDING     STOCK        STOCK      EARNINGS       STOCK      HELD BY ESOP
- ---------------------------------   ---------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------   -------------
<S>                                <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1993.......       55,296              --      $ 205,793    $      --    $  90,624    $  (1,958)   $  (1,159)
Net income.......................           --              --             --           --       49,899           --           --
Exercise of stock options........          662              --          1,318           --           --           --           --
Cash in lieu of fractional
 shares..........................           (1)             --            (14)          --           --           --           --
Sale of stock under Dividend
 Reinvestment and Employee Stock
 Purchase Plan...................          229              --          2,580           --           --           --           --
Stock dividends..................        4,162              --         38,135           --      (38,135)          --           --
Dividends paid on common stock,
 $.0000 per share................           --              --             --           --       (5,728)          --           --
Treasury stock retired...........           --              --         (1,958)          --           --        1,958           --
Unrecognized loss on investment
 and mortgage-backed securities
 available-for-sale, net of
 tax.............................           --              --             --           --           --           --           --
Allocation of shares under
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan...           --              --             --           --           --           --        1,159
Other............................          (26)             --            (98)          --          622           --           --
                                     ---------       ---------      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994.......       60,322              --        245,756           --       97,282           --           --
                                     ---------       ---------      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net Income.......................           --              --             --           --       60,406           --           --
Exercise of stock options........          481              --            945           --           --           --           --
Cash in lieu of fractional
 shares..........................           --              --             (2)          --           --           --           --
Sale of stock under Dividend
 Reinvestment and Employee Stock
 Purchase Plan...................          251              --          1,963           --           --           --           --
Stock dividends..................        2,743              --         20,571           --      (20,571)          --           --
Dividends paid on common stock,
 $.0000 per share................           --              --             --           --       (4,703)          --           --
Preferred stock offering.........           --           2,000             --       96,446           --           --           --
Dividends paid on preferred
 stock, $0.00 per share..........           --              --             --           --       (4,688)          --           --
Unrecognized gain on investment
 and mortgage-backed securities
 available-for-sale, net of
 tax.............................           --              --             --           --           --           --           --
Purchase of shares under Employee
 Stock Ownership Plan............       (3,757)             --             --           --           --           --      (30,286)
Allocation of shares under
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan...          188              --             --           --           --           --        1,514
Other............................           25              --            630           --         (545)          --           --
                                     ---------       ---------      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995.......       60,253           2,000        269,863       96,446      127,181           --      (28,772)
                                     ---------       ---------      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net Income.......................           --              --             --           --       45,814           --           --
Exercise of stock options........          544              --          1,550           --           --           --           --
Cash in lieu of fractional
 shares..........................           --              --             (2)          --           (9)          --           --
Sale of stock under Dividend
 Reinvestment and Employee Stock
 Purchase Plan...................          201              --          1,699           --           --           --           --
Stock dividends..................        2,905              --         24,509           --      (24,509)          --           --
Stock dividends on unallocated
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan
 shares..........................         (179)             --             --           --        1,506           --       (1,506)
Dividends paid on common stock,
 $.000 per share.................           --              --             --           --       (4,999)          --           --
Dividends paid on preferred
 stock, $0.00 per share..........           --              --             --           --       (6,250)          --           --
Treasury stock repurchase........         (229)             --             --           --           --       (2,300)          --
Unrecognized loss on investment
 and mortgage-backed securities
 available-for-sale, net of
 tax.............................           --              --             --           --           --           --           --
Purchase of shares under Employee
 Stock Ownership Plan............         (544)             --             --           --           --           --       (4,559)
Allocation of shares under
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan...          224              --            643           --           --           --        1,822
Issuance of stock for West
 Jersey..........................        1,996              --          1,030           --        7,255           --           --
Other............................           25              --             65           --           --           --           --
                                     ---------       ---------      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996.......       65,196           2,000      $ 299,357    $  96,446    $ 145,989    $  (2,300)   $ (33,015)
                                     ---------       ---------      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                     ---------       ---------      ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------


<CAPTION>


                                     UNRECOGNIZED      TOTAL
                                        LOSS ON     STOCKHOLDERS'
COMBINED                                  AFS          EQUITY
- ---------------------------------    -------------  -------------
<S>                                <C>              <C>
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1993.......     $      --       $ 293,300
Net income.......................            --          49,899
Exercise of stock options........            --           1,318
Cash in lieu of fractional
 shares..........................            --             (14)
Sale of stock under Dividend
 Reinvestment and Employee Stock
 Purchase Plan...................            --           2,580
Stock dividends..................            --              --
Dividends paid on common stock,
 $.0000 per share................            --          (5,728)
Treasury stock retired...........            --              --
Unrecognized loss on investment
 and mortgage-backed securities
 available-for-sale, net of
 tax.............................        (1,165)         (1,165)
Allocation of shares under
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan...            --           1,159
Other............................            --             524
                                      ---------       ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994.......        (1,165)        341,873
                                      ---------       ---------
Net Income.......................            --          60,406
Exercise of stock options........            --             945
Cash in lieu of fractional
 shares..........................            --              (2)
Sale of stock under Dividend
 Reinvestment and Employee Stock
 Purchase Plan...................            --           1,963
Stock dividends..................            --              --
Dividends paid on common stock,
 $.0000 per share................            --          (4,703)
Preferred stock offering.........            --          96,446
Dividends paid on preferred
 stock, $0.00 per share..........            --          (4,688)
Unrecognized gain on investment
 and mortgage-backed securities
 available-for-sale, net of
 tax.............................         5,064           5,064
Purchase of shares under Employee
 Stock Ownership Plan............            --         (30,286)
Allocation of shares under
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan...            --           1,514
Other............................            --              85
                                      ---------       ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995.......         3,899         468,617
                                      ---------       ---------
Net Income.......................            --          45,814
Exercise of stock options........            --           1,550
Cash in lieu of fractional
 shares..........................            --             (11)
Sale of stock under Dividend
 Reinvestment and Employee Stock
 Purchase Plan...................            --           1,699
Stock dividends..................            --              --
Stock dividends on unallocated
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan
 shares..........................            --              --
Dividends paid on common stock,
 $.000 per share.................            --          (4,999)
Dividends paid on preferred
 stock, $0.00 per share..........            --          (6,250)
Treasury stock repurchase........            --          (2,300)
Unrecognized loss on investment
 and mortgage-backed securities
 available-for-sale, net of
 tax.............................        (1,537)         (1,537)
Purchase of shares under Employee
 Stock Ownership Plan............            --          (4,559)
Allocation of shares under
 Employee Stock Ownership Plan...            --           2,465
Issuance of stock for West
 Jersey..........................            --           8,285
Other............................            --              65
                                      ---------       ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996.......     $   2,362       $ 508,839
                                      ---------       ---------
                                      ---------       ---------
</TABLE>

    See accompanying notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.


                                       3

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

               SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                               ----------------------------------
                                                                                  1996        1995        1994
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income...................................................................  $   45,814  $   60,406  $   49,899
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
  activities:
  Provision for possible loan losses and deferred taxes......................      18,840       6,552      12,429
  Depreciation...............................................................       7,292       6,116       5,960
  Amortization...............................................................       8,713       5,235      (1,216)
  Gain on sale of loans, investment and mortgage-backed securities and real
    estate owned.............................................................      (4,692)     (2,483)     (2,060)
  Allocation of Employee Stock Ownership Plan................................       2,465       1,514          --
  Net change in:
    Loans held for resale....................................................     104,776     (66,200)     63,803
    Accrued interest receivable..............................................      (9,463)    (13,351)    (11,207)
    Prepaid expenses and other assets........................................     (30,336)     (1,740)    (80,291)
    Other liabilities........................................................     (24,084)     14,614      (3,918)
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash provided by operating activities....................................     119,325      10,663      33,399
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales of investment and mortgage-backed securities:
  Available-for-sale.........................................................     696,199      55,973     760,352
Proceeds from repayments and maturities of investment and mortgage-backed
  securities:
  Available-for-sale.........................................................     113,394          --       3,961
  Held-to-maturity...........................................................     471,623     348,461     340,855
Purchases of investment and mortgage-backed securities:
  Available-for-sale.........................................................    (388,939)    (98,795)   (338,473)
  Held-to-maturity...........................................................    (830,844) (1,335,525)   (675,613)
Proceeds from sales of loans.................................................      67,982       7,307       6,515
Purchase of loans............................................................    (885,033)   (306,086)    (72,808)
Net change in loans other than purchases and sales...........................    (622,621)    (86,241) (1,104,124)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment................................       2,970      10,729       2,060
Purchases of premises and equipment..........................................      (6,063)    (19,718)     (5,489)
Proceeds from sales of real estate owned.....................................      10,189       9,758      19,491
Net cash received from business combinations.................................       4,983       5,569      46,659
Other, net...................................................................          --          --      (4,568)
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash used by investing activities........................................  (1,366,160) (1,408,568) (1,021,182)
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Assumption of deposits.......................................................          --     818,913      13,687
Net (decrease) increase in deposits..........................................     (86,497)    176,204     148,887
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings.............................     305,297    (549,300)    757,290
Proceeds from long-term borrowings...........................................   1,005,001     910,499      75,000
Repayments of long-term borrowings...........................................          (2)       (716)     (3,020)
Net increase (decrease) in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and
  insurance..................................................................         464      (3,311)      4,152
Cash dividends paid to stockholders..........................................     (11,249)     (9,391)     (5,728)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock.......................................       4,333       2,991       3,884
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock....................................          --      96,446          --
Advance to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.................................     (10,206)    (30,286)         --
Purchase of Treasury Stock...................................................      (2,300)         --          --
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Net cash provided by financing activities....................................   1,204,841   1,412,049     994,152
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents......................................     (41,994)     14,144       6,369
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.............................     159,563     145,419     139,050
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...................................  $  117,569  $  159,563  $  145,419
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS:
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions............................  $  111,296  $  142,039  $  114,832
Interest-earning deposits....................................................       6,273      17,524      30,587
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period...................................  $  117,569  $  159,563  $  145,419
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                               ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:

     Income tax payments totaled $40.0 million in 1996, $22.8 million in 1995
and $24.9 million in 1994. Interest payments totaled $477.5 million in 1996,
$325.1 million in 1995 and $209.3 million in 1994. Noncash activity consisted of
mortgage loan securitization of $372.1 million in 1996, $200.9 million in 1995
and $159.5 million in 1994; reclassification of long-term borrowings to
short-term borrowings of $931.7 million in 1996, $315.8 million in 1995 and
$159.5 million in 1994; and reclassification of mortgage loans to real estate
owned of $11.9 million in 1996, $6.7 million in 1995 and $9.5 million in 1994.

    See accompanying notes to supplemental consolidated financial statements.


                                       4

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     These supplemental financial statements have been prepared to comply with
the Securities & Exchange Commission's filing requirements for a Registration
Statement on Form S-4. These supplemental financial statements together with the
complete footnote disclosures will become the historical financial statements of
the Registrant once financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997 are issued.

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     The following is a description of the significant accounting policies of
Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries ("Sovereign"). Such accounting policies
are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and have been
followed on a consistent basis, except as separately noted herein.

     a. Principles of Consolidation -- The accompanying financial statements
include the accounts of the parent company, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries: Sovereign Bank and Sovereign Community Bank. All
material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.

     b. Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.

     c. Per Share Information -- Earnings per share have been calculated based
on the average common shares outstanding (including assumed conversion of
preferred shares and excluding unallocated shares in Sovereign's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan ("ESOP")) for the respective periods. Stock options are
considered common stock equivalents and are included in the computation of the
number of outstanding shares using the treasury stock method, unless
anti-dilutive. The number of shares used in the computation of fully diluted
earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 were
77.9 million, 74.1 million and 67.8 million, respectively. All per share data
has been restated to reflect the effect of the 20% stock split which was
authorized on January 16, 1997, with a record date of March 3, 1997, the 5%
stock dividends which were authorized on December 20, 1995 and February 22,
1995, with record dates of February 1, 1996 and March 31, 1995, respectively,
the 10% stock dividend which was authorized on April 19, 1994, with a record
date of April 29, 1994 and all prior stock dividends and stock splits.


     In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. This
statement supersedes APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings per Share" and FASB
Statement No. 85, "Yield Test for Determining whether a Convertible Security Is
a Common Stock Equivalent". The overall objective of SFAS No. 128 is to simplify
the calculation of earnings per share and achieve comparability with the
recently issued International Accounting Standard No. 33, "Earnings Per Share".
SFAS No. 128 is effective for all periods ending after December 15, 1997.
Subsequent to the effective date, all prior-period earnings per share amounts
are required to be restated to conform to the provisions of SFAS No. 128.

     Under SFAS No. 128, primary earnings per share will be replaced with basic
earnings per share. Basic earnings per share will be calculated by dividing
income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares
outstanding, excluding options, warrants, and convertible securities from the
calculation.

     Fully diluted earnings per share has been renamed diluted earnings per
share. Income available to common stockholders will be adjusted for the assumed
conversion of all potentially dilutive securities. In calculating diluted
earnings per share, the dilutive effect of options and warrants will continue to
be calculated using the treasury stock method. However, unlike the existing
calculation of fully diluted earnings per share, the treasury stock method will
be applied using the average market price for the period rather than the higher
of the average market price or the ending market price. The dilutive effect of
convertible debt or preferred stock will continue to be calculated using the
if-converted method.

     d. Interest-Earning Deposits -- Interest-earning deposits consist of
deposit accounts with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh ("FHLB") and
deposits with other financial institutions generally having maturities of three
months or less.

     e. Investment and Mortgage-backed Securities -- Effective January 1, 1994,
Sovereign adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 115,
"Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." Under SFAS
No. 115, debt securities that the company has the intent and ability to hold to
maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost.
Securities expected to be held for an indefinite period of time are classified
as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and
losses reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of
estimated income taxes. Securities that are bought and held principally for the
purpose of selling are classified as trading and reported at fair value, with
unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Sovereign has no securities
held for trading. Gains or losses on the sales of securities are recognized at
trade date utilizing the specific identification method. In 1993 and prior
periods, investment and mortgage-backed securities were intended to be
held-to-maturity and were generally carried at cost, adjusted for amortization
of premiums and accretion of discounts, because Sovereign had both the intent
and ability to hold these securities to maturity or on a long-term basis.
Marketable equity securities were carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair
value on an aggregate basis. Trading securities were carried at fair value.

     f. Forward Commitments and Options -- Sovereign utilizes forward
commitments and/or options to hedge interest rate risk associated with loans
held for resale and/or commitments to fund loans. Gains and losses on these
transactions are included in the net gain or loss when the asset is sold.


                                       5

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)

     g. Mortgage Banking Activity -- Loans held for resale consist of
residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities originated or
purchased by Sovereign. They are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated fair
value on an aggregate basis. Gains and losses are included in the consolidated
statements of operations. The fair value calculation includes consideration of
all open positions, outstanding commitments and related fees paid. Excess
servicing fees are computed as the present value of the difference between the
estimated future net revenues and normal servicing net revenues as established
by the federally sponsored secondary market makers. Resultant premiums are
deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the related mortgages using
the constant yield method.

     Effective July 1, 1995, Sovereign prospectively adopted SFAS No. 122,
"Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights." SFAS No. 122 requires that
management recognize as separate assets, rights to service mortgage loans for
others, however these servicing rights are acquired. Management should allocate
the total cost of mortgage loans, either purchased or originated, to the loans
and the mortgage servicing rights based on their relative fair value. The
Statement also requires that management assess its capitalized mortgage
servicing rights for impairment based on the fair value of those rights, and
that this impairment be recognized through a valuation allowance.

     For purposes of measuring impairment of capitalized mortgage servicing
rights and minimizing the impact of risk, Sovereign conservatively evaluates the
loans underlying these rights by stratifying them into certain homogeneous
categories which include, but are not limited to, residential real estate
30-year and 15-year fixed rate mortgage loans, adjustable rate mortgage loans
and balloon loans. Sovereign also takes into consideration any inherent risks,
which historically have been minimal on these loan types, as well as other
relevant factors associated with each portfolio. Prices are obtained in the
secondary market and are based upon current market prices of similarly traded
loans and/or comparable secondary market instruments.

     h. Allowance for Possible Loan Losses -- An allowance for possible loan
losses is maintained at a level that management considers adequate to provide
for potential losses based upon an evaluation of known and inherent risks in the
loan portfolio. Management's evaluation takes into consideration the risks
inherent in the loan portfolio, past loan loss experience, specific loans which
have loss potential, geographic and industry concentrations, delinquency trends,
economic conditions, the level of originations and other relevant factors. While
management uses the best information available to make such evaluations, future
adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially
from the assumptions used in making the evaluations.

     i. Loans -- Interest on loans is credited to income as it is earned.
Interest income is not recognized on loans when the loan payment is 90 days or
more delinquent (unless government-guaranteed or secured by deposit accounts) or
sooner if management believes the loan has become impaired. Sovereign defines
impairment as the existence of one or a combination of any of the following loan
weaknesses:

          o the primary source of repayment is gone or severely impaired and
            Sovereign may have to rely on the secondary source

          o loss does not seem likely, but sufficient problems have arisen to
            cause Sovereign to go to abnormal lengths to protect its position in
            order to maintain a high probability of repayment

          o Obligors are unable to generate enough cash flow to reduce their
            debts

          o Deterioration in collateral value or inadequate inspection or
            verification of value (if the collateral is expected to be a source
            of repayment)


                                        6

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)

          o Flaws in documentation leave Sovereign in a subordinated or
            unsecured position when the collateral is needed for repayment of
            the loan

     When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, all accrued yet uncollected
interest is reversed from income. In order for a non-accrual loan to revert to
accruing status, all delinquent interest must be paid and Sovereign must approve
a repayment plan.

      Loans delinquent 180 days or more are considered for charge-off unless it
can be clearly demonstrated that repayment will occur regardless of the
delinquency status. Examples of this would include: a loan which is secured by
collateral and is in the process of collection; a loan supported by a valid
guarantee or insurance; or a loan supported by a valid claim against a solvent
estate. A decision to charge-off a loan does not necessarily mean that the asset
has no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical to defer
writing off the balance, even though partial or full recovery may be realized in
the future.

     j. Loan Fees, Discounts and Premiums -- Loan origination fees and certain
direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized as interest income in
the consolidated statement of operations over the contractual life of the loan
utilizing the level yield method, except in the case of certain discounted loans
in which a portion of the net deferred fee may be amortized over the discount
period. Discounts and premiums on loans purchased are amortized into income
utilizing methods which approximate the level yield method.

     k. Premises and Equipment -- Premises and equipment are carried at cost,
less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated utilizing both
accelerated and straight-line methods. Estimated useful lives are as follows:

     Office buildings...............................   15 to 50 years
     Leasehold improvements.........................    5 to 10 years
     Furniture, fixtures and equipment..............    3 to 10 years
     Automobiles....................................          3 years

     Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as
incurred.

     l. Real Estate Owned -- Real estate owned consists of properties acquired
by or in lieu of foreclosure and properties that qualify for in-substance
foreclosure. Real estate owned is stated at the lower of cost or estimated fair
value minus estimated costs to sell. Write-downs of real estate owned which
occur after the initial transfer from the loan portfolio are recorded as other
operating expenses. Costs of holding foreclosed property are charged to expense
in the current period, except for significant property improvements which are
capitalized to the extent that carrying value does not exceed estimated fair
value.

     m. Income Taxes -- Deferred income taxes are provided on temporary
differences between amounts reported for financial statement and tax purposes in
accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."

     n. Interest Rate Exchange Agreements (Including Swaps, Caps, and Floors) --
Sovereign has entered into certain interest rate exchange agreements in
connection with its asset/liability management program as hedges. Related fees
are deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the
interest rate exchange agreement. Net interest payments/receipts are accrued as
an adjustment of interest expense/income on the hedged assets or liabilities.
Gains or losses resulting from early termination of interest rate exchange
agreements are deferred and amortized over the remaining term of the original
exchange agreements. In the event the related asset/liability is disposed of,
such deferred


                                        7

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -- (CONTINUED)

gains or losses are recognized as an adjustment to the respective gain or loss
on disposition. Changes in the value of interest rate exchange agreements are
not recorded in the financial statements because the interest rate exchange
agreements are designated as hedges.

     o. General and Administrative Expenses -- General and administrative
expenses are classified on a functional basis, except for salaries and employee
benefits. Certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and are being
amortized as a yield adjustment through net interest income (see note 1-j).

     p. Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -- For purposes of reporting cash
flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and amounts due from depository
institutions, interest-earning deposits and securities purchased under resale
agreements with an original maturity of three months or less.

     q. Reclassifications -- Certain amounts in the financial statements of
prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the presentation used in
these financial statements. These reclassifications have no effect on net
income.

     r. Long-Lived Assets -- In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of," which requires impairment
losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of
impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated
by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. SFAS No. 121 also
addresses the accounting for long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed
of. Sovereign adopted SFAS No. 121 in 1996 and the effect of adoption was not
material.

     s. Intangibles -- Core deposit intangibles are a measure of the value of
consumer demand and savings deposits acquired in business combinations accounted
for as purchases. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized on accelerated
bases pursuant to core deposit studies and in accordance with SFAS No. 72,
"Accounting for Certain Acquisitions of Banking or Thrift Institutions," over
the estimated lives of the existing deposit relationships acquired, but not
exceeding 15 years. Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair
value of net assets of companies acquired through business combinations
accounted for as purchases. Goodwill is being amortized using the straight line
method over various periods not exceeding 20 years. The carrying amount of the
goodwill is reviewed if facts and circumstances suggest that it may be impaired.
If this review indicates that goodwill will not be recoverable, as determined
based on the loss of economic value, the carrying amount of the goodwill is
reduced by the estimated loss of value. In addition, goodwill associated with
impaired long-lived assets is included in the impairment evaluation which
Sovereign assesses under the rules of SFAS No. 121.

(2) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

     On May 31, 1996, Sovereign acquired West Jersey Bancshares, Inc. ("West
Jersey") in a transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-interests; however, the
consolidated financial statements have not been restated due to immateriality.
Sovereign acquired approximately $100.0 million in assets consisting principally
of investment securities and loans and assumed approximately $73.0 million of
deposit liabilities. West Jersey shareholders received .8335 shares of Sovereign
common stock in exchange for each share of West Jersey common stock, or $8.91
per share. Sovereign issued 1.7 million new shares (2.0 million shares as
adjusted for all subsequent stock dividends and stock splits) of Sovereign
common stock in connection with the transaction, which was tax-free to West
Jersey and West Jersey shareholders.

     On November 17, 1995, Sovereign acquired two branch offices and related
deposits of Berkeley Federal Bank & Trust, FSB ("Berkeley"). Sovereign assumed
approximately $111.7 million of deposits for a premium of $5.5 million. Of this
premium, $604,000 was recorded as a core deposit


                                        8

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(2) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS -- (CONTINUED)

intangible and $4.9 million was recorded as goodwill. The balances of this core
deposit intangible and goodwill at December 31, 1996 were $441,000 and $4.6
million, respectively.

     On November 15, 1995, Sovereign acquired Colonial State Bank in a
transaction accounted for as a purchase. Sovereign acquired $46.5 million of
assets consisting principally of loans and investment securities. Sovereign also
assumed approximately $42.0 million of deposit liabilities. Sovereign acquired
Colonial State Bank in exchange for $6.3 million in cash. This transaction added
goodwill of $3.3 million to Sovereign's balance sheet. The balance of the
goodwill at December 31, 1996 was $3.1 million. After receipt of regulatory
approvals and pursuant to the terms of the agreement entered into by Sovereign
and Colonial State Bank, upon acquisition, Colonial State Bank became a
wholly-owned, BIF-insured subsidiary of Sovereign and converted to a federal
savings bank under the name Colonial Bank for Savings, a Federal Savings Bank.
On April 1, 1996, Colonial Bank for Savings, FSB was renamed Sovereign Community
Bank. It is management's intention to merge Sovereign Community Bank into
Sovereign Bank in 1997.

     On November 10, 1995, Sovereign completed the sale of its Pottsville,
Pennsylvania branch office with related deposits totaling $23.9 million to
Northwest Savings Bank ("Northwest") and the sale of its English Village branch
office in North Wales, Pennsylvania with related deposits of $12.4 million to
Union National Bank & Trust Company ("Union National"). As a result of these
transactions, Sovereign recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.1 million and reduced
goodwill by $568,000, respectively.

     On April 21, 1995, Sovereign completed its sale of seven southern New
Jersey offices with related deposits totaling $106.7 million to Collective
Bancorp, Inc. ("Collective"). Six of these offices had previously been purchased
from Berkeley as part of a transaction which occurred on January 1, 1995. In
addition, Sovereign acquired $7.0 million of deposits from Collective's
Wilmington, Delaware branch office. As a result of this transaction, Sovereign
recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.5 million and reduced its existing core deposit
intangible by approximately $6.0 million.

     On January 1, 1995, Sovereign acquired 23 branch offices located in New
Jersey and Delaware with $909.3 million of deposit liabilities from Berkeley. In
exchange for assuming the deposits of the Berkeley offices, Sovereign acquired
principally cash and fixed assets, net of a deposit premium of $66.6 million
which was recorded as $7.6 million of core deposit intangible and $59.0 million
of goodwill. The balances of this core deposit intangible and goodwill at
December 31, 1996 were $3.4 million and $49.4 million, respectively.

     On November 1, 1994, Sovereign acquired Charter FSB Bancorp, Inc.
("Charter"). Sovereign exchanged a total of 7.0 million new shares (9.3 million
shares as adjusted for all subsequent stock dividends and stock splits) of
Sovereign common stock for all of the outstanding shares of Charter common
stock. The acquisition of Charter was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests
and accordingly, the consolidated financial statements have been restated to
include the accounts of Charter for all periods presented. Sovereign's
consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1994 include
Charter's results of operations for the twelve-month period ended December 31,
1994.

     On September 16, 1994, Sovereign acquired the Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
office and related deposits of Second National Federal Savings Association
("Second National") from the Resolution Trust Corporation ("RTC"), receiver for
Second National. Sovereign assumed approximately $14.4 million of deposits from
the Chadds Ford office for a premium of $675,000, which was recorded as a core
deposit intangible. The balance of this core deposit intangible was $337,000 at
December 31, 1996.

     On August 5, 1994, Sovereign acquired Shadow Lawn Savings Bank ("Shadow
Lawn") in a transaction accounted for as a purchase. Sovereign acquired $787.5
million of assets consisting principally of investment and mortgage-backed
securities and loans. Sovereign also assumed approximately $730.6 million of
deposit liabilities. Sovereign acquired Shadow Lawn in exchange for an estimated
purchase price of $78.4 million of cash. This transaction added a core deposit
intangible


                                        9

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(2) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS -- (CONTINUED)

of $13.0 million and goodwill of $26.7 million to Sovereign's balance sheet. The
balances of this core deposit intangible and goodwill at December 31, 1996 were
$7.4 million and $24.3 million, respectively.

     Following are selected unaudited pro forma results of operations for 1996,
1995 and 1994 as if the Colonial and Shadow Lawn acquisitions (which were
accounted for as purchases) had occurred at the beginning of 1994 (in thousands,
except per share data):


                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                     1996      1995      1994
                                                   --------  --------  --------
Total interest and non-interest income...........  $709,652  $572,877  $442,857
Net interest income..............................   241,895   198,600   193,018
Net income.......................................    45,814    60,600    50,814
Earnings per common and common equivalent share..       .59       .82       .75

     On February 18, 1997, Sovereign acquired First State FinanciaL Services,
Inc. ("First State"), a $603 million savings institution headquartered in West
Caldwell, New Jersey with 14 branch offices located throughout central and
northern New Jersey. In accordance with the merger agreement, First State
shareholders received 1.47 shares of Sovereign common stock in exchange for each
share of First State common stock. Sovereign issued approximately 5.9 million
new shares of Sovereign common stock in connection with the transaction, which
was tax-free to First State and First State shareholders. This transaction was
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests and accordingly, the consolidated
financiaL statements have been restated to include the accounts of First State
for all periods presented.

     The results of operations previously reported by the separated enterprises
and the combined amounts presented in the accompanying supplemental consolidated
financial statements are summarized below:

                                        Years Ended December 31,
                                           1996         1995
                                        ------------------------
     Net interest income
       Sovereign                         $216,710     $174,226
       First State                         25,185       22,584
                                         --------     --------

       Combined                          $241,895     $196,810
                                         ========     ========

    Net income (loss):
       Sovereign                         $ 51,463     $ 56,408
       First State                         (5,649)       3,998
                                         --------     --------

       Combined                          $ 45,814     $ 60,406
                                         ========     ========


     Prior to the combination, First State's fiscal year end was September 30,
and accordingly, Sovereign's consolidated results of operations for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 include First State's results of
operations for the twelve-month periods ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. In 1997, a net decrease to Sovereign's stockholders' equity of
$5.2 million will be made to reflect First State's activity for the three-month
period ended December 31, 1996. That activity will consist of proceeds from the
exercise of stock options of $1.0 million, net loss of $6.4 million and net
change in unrecognized loss on available-for-sale securities of $228,000.

     On February 5, 1997, Sovereign executed a Definitive Agreement to acquire
Bankers Corp., Inc. ("Banker's"), a $2.5 billion financial services holding
company headquartered in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Bankers' sole banking
subsidiary, Bankers Savings, operates 15 branch offices located in Middlesex,
Monmouth, and Ocean counties, New Jersey. The transaction will add loans,
deposits, and shareholders' equity to Sovereign of $1.7 billion, $1.6 billion,
and $193.0 million, respectively. The terms of the Agreement call for Sovereign
to exchange $25.50 in Sovereign common stock for each outstanding common share
of Bankers. The transaction will be tax-free to Bankers and Bankers'
shareholders, and will be accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. Sovereign
anticipates that the transaction will close during the third quarter of 1997.

(3) RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND AMOUNTS DUE FROM DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS

     Sovereign Bank and Sovereign Community Bank are required to maintain
certain average reserve balances as established by the Federal Reserve Board.
The amounts of those reserve balances for the reserve computation periods which
included December 31, 1996 and 1995 were $43.7 million and $50.8 million,
respectively.

                                       10

<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(4) INVESTMENT AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

     The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment and
mortgage-backed securities are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      AT DECEMBER 31,
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996                                             1995
                              --------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------
                              AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED      FAIR     AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED      FAIR
                                COST     APPRECIATION   DEPRECIATION     VALUE      COST     APPRECIATION   DEPRECIATION     VALUE
                              ---------  ------------   ------------   ---------  ---------  ------------   ------------   ---------
<S>                           <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>
Investment and Mortgage-
  backed Securities
  Available-for-Sale:

Investment Securities:

  U.S. Treasury and
    government agency
    securities..............  $   5,728     $      43      $       7   $   5,764  $ 151,249     $     131      $   1,270   $ 150,110
  Equity securities.........    286,773         3,525             --     290,298    139,237         1,172             89     140,320
  Other securities..........      7,720            --            248       7,472      2,728             6             17       2,717

Mortgage-backed Securities:

  FHLMC.....................     25,288            --            287      25,001    156,123           763          1,357     155,529
  FNMA......................         --            --             --          --    136,861         2,241            657     138,445
  GNMA......................         --            --             --          --     59,215         2,697             --      61,912
  Collateralized mortgage
    obligations.............    164,459           895            129     165,225    245,037         3,568            662     247,943
  Other securities..........      1,259            --             22       1,237      8,130            --             83       8,047
                              ---------     ---------      ---------   ---------  ---------     ---------      ---------   ---------
Total investment and
  mortgage-backed securities
  available-for-sale........  $ 491,227     $   4,463      $     693   $ 494,997  $ 898,580     $  10,578      $   4,135   $ 905,023
                              ---------     ---------      ---------   ---------  ---------     ---------      ---------   ---------
                              ---------     ---------      ---------   ---------  ---------     ---------      ---------   ---------
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      AT DECEMBER 31,
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996                                             1995
                              --------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------
                              AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED      FAIR     AMORTIZED   UNREALIZED     UNREALIZED      FAIR
                                COST     APPRECIATION   DEPRECIATION     VALUE      COST     APPRECIATION   DEPRECIATION     VALUE
                              ---------  ------------   ------------   ---------  ---------  ------------   ------------   ---------
<S>                           <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>
Investment and Mortgage-
  backed Securities Held-to-
  Maturity:

Investment Securities:

  U.S. Treasury and
    government agency
    securities..............  $  13,426     $      60      $     171   $  13,315  $  15,896     $      59      $     171   $  15,784
  Corporate securities......      1,006            32             --       1,038      1,010            60             --       1,070
  Other securities..........     65,086            86            242      64,930     10,468            75            158      10,385

Mortgage-backed Securities:

  FHLMC.....................    145,075           900          3,425     142,550    173,439         1,808          1,307     173,940
  FNMA......................    193,607           374          5,102     188,879    223,754         1,262          2,071     222,945
  GNMA......................    194,782         3,590            370     198,002    173,937         6,587             86     180,438
  RTC.......................         --            --             --          --     28,954            --          4,456      24,498
  Private issues............    272,778            87          9,529     263,336    284,640           622          2,626     282,636
  Collateralized mortgage
    obligations.............  1,599,769         4,589         13,614   1,590,744  1,204,964        10,664            309   1,215,319
  Other securities..........      2,086            --             36       2,050         --            --             --          --
                             ----------     ---------      ---------   --------- ----------     ---------      ---------  ----------
Total investment and
  mortgage-backed securities
  held-to-maturity.......... $2,487,615     $   9,718      $  32,489  $2,464,844 $2,117,062     $  21,137      $  11,184  $2,127,015
                             ----------     ---------      ---------  ---------- ----------     ---------      ---------  ----------
                             ----------     ---------      ---------  ---------- ----------     ---------      ---------  ----------
</TABLE>

                                       11

<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)


(4) INVESTMENT AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

     The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment and
mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 1996 by contractual maturity are
shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because
borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call
or prepayment penalties (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  AMORTIZED     FAIR
                                                                                    COST        VALUE
                                                                                  ---------  -----------
<S>                                                                               <C>        <C>
Investment and Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-Sale:
  Due in one year or less.......................................................  $      --   $      --
  Due after one year through five years.........................................     12,552      12,558
  Due after five years through ten years........................................     15,964      15,832
  Due after ten years...........................................................    174,682     175,086
  No stated maturity............................................................    288,029     291,521
                                                                                  ---------   ---------
    Total investment and mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale..........  $ 491,227   $ 494,997
                                                                                  ---------   ---------
                                                                                  ---------   ---------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  AMORTIZED      FAIR
                                                                                    COST         VALUE
                                                                                 -----------  ----------
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>
Investment and Mortgage-backed Securities Held-to-Maturity:
  Due in one year or less......................................................  $    60,526  $   60,557
  Due after one year through five years........................................       59,557      59,739
  Due after five years through ten years.......................................       52,246      52,429
  Due after ten years..........................................................    2,315,286   2,292,119
                                                                                 -----------  ----------
    Total investment and mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity...........  $ 2,487,615  $2,464,844
                                                                                 -----------  ----------
                                                                                 -----------  ----------
</TABLE>

     There were no sales of investment and mortgage-backed securities
held-to-maturity in 1996, 1995 and 1994. Proceeds from sales of investment and
mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale and the realized gross gains and
losses from those sales are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
                                                                          -------------------------------
                                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          -------------------------------
                                                                            1996       1995       1994
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Proceeds from sales.....................................................  $ 696,199  $  55,973  $ 760,352
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
Gross realized gains....................................................  $   9,034  $     358  $   2,514
Gross realized losses...................................................      4,543        164        895
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
Net realized gains......................................................  $   4,491  $     194  $   1,619
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

     Investment and mortgage-backed securities with an estimated fair value of
$129.0 million and $608.9 million were pledged as collateral for borrowings,
interest rate agreements and public deposits at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

     In May 1993, the FASB issued SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." SFAS No. 115 requires management to
classify investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair
values and all investments in debt securities as either held-to-maturity and
reported at amortized cost, available-for-sale and reported at fair value with
unrealized gains and losses reported in a separate component of stockholders'
equity, or trading securities and reported at fair value with unrealized gains
and losses included in earnings. Effective January 1, 1994, Sovereign adopted
SFAS No. 115 and classified $1.29 billion of securities as held-to-maturity,
$391.0 million of securities as available-for-sale and $6.5 million of
securities as trading securities. The adoption of SFAS No. 115 resulted in an
$836,000 increase to stockholders' equity accounted for as the cumulative effect
of a change in accounting principle in 1994.


                                       12


<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(4) INVESTMENT AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES -- (CONTINUED)

     On November 15, 1995, the FASB issued a Special Report, "A Guide to
Implementation of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt
and Equity Securities." In accordance with provisions in that Special Report,
Sovereign reclassified $759.3 million of securities from held-to-maturity to
available-for-sale. This reclassification resulted in a $1.8 million unrealized
gain, net of tax, which is included in Sovereign's stockholders' equity at
December 31, 1995.

(5) LOANS

     A summary of loans included in the consolidated balance sheets follows (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ----------------------------
                                                                            1996           1995
                                                                        -------------  -------------
                                                                           BALANCE        BALANCE
                                                                        -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>
Residential real estate loans.........................................  $   5,286,017  $   4,282,209
Residential construction loans (net of loans in process of $45,088 and
  $37,683, respectively)..............................................         82,579         43,485
                                                                        -------------  -------------
     Total Residential Loans..........................................      5,368,596      4,325,694
                                                                        -------------  -------------
Multi-family loans....................................................         71,815         98,839
Commercial real estate loans..........................................        140,973        114,607
Commercial loans......................................................        125,706         51,178
                                                                        -------------  -------------
     Total Commercial Loans...........................................        338,494        264,624
                                                                        -------------  -------------
Consumer loans(1).....................................................        942,447        551,776
                                                                        -------------  -------------
     Total Loans......................................................  $   6,649,537  $   5,142,094
                                                                        -------------  -------------
                                                                        -------------  -------------
Total Loans with:
  Fixed rate..........................................................  $   1,503,497  $   1,323,411
  Adjustable rate.....................................................      5,146,040      3,818,683
                                                                        -------------  -------------
     Total Loans......................................................  $   6,649,537  $   5,142,094
                                                                        -------------  -------------
                                                                        -------------  -------------
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) Consumer loan balances at December 31, 1996 and 1995 include home equity
    loans of $583.3 million and $484.5 million, respectively.

     As a result of Sovereign's use of interest rate swaps, $561.2 million of
variable rate mortgage loans have been effectively converted to fixed rate
mortgage loans. Also, $248.6 million of intermediate variable rate mortgage
loans (loans with a five-year fixed rate period) and $150.0 million of
short-term variable rate mortgage loans (loans with less than a five year fixed
rate period) have effectively been converted to a variable rate over the fixed
rate period.

     The majority of all loans are located in Sovereign's marketplace (eastern
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and northern Delaware). This is Sovereign's only
significant geographic concentration.

     The total amount of loans being serviced for the benefit of others was
$1.31 billion and $1.06 billion at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
During 1995, Sovereign recognized a gain of $3.6 million on the sale of
servicing rights related to $238.5 million of residential mortgage loans. At
December 31, 1996 and 1995, Sovereign had capitalized excess servicing assets of
$815,000 and $2.3 million and originated mortgage servicing rights of $6.0
million and $1.9 million, respectively and no purchased servicing assets.

     Effective July 1, 1995, Sovereign prospectively adopted SFAS No. 122,
"Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights." SFAS No. 122 requires that
management recognize as separate assets, rights to service mortgage loans for
others, however those servicing rights are acquired. Management should allocate
the total cost of mortgage loans, either purchased or originated, to the loans
and the


                                       13


<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(5) LOANS -- (CONTINUED)

mortgage servicing rights based on their relative fair value. The Statement also
requires that management assess its capitalized mortgage servicing rights for
impairment based on the fair value of those rights, and that this impairment be
recognized through a valuation allowance.

     The activity in the allowance for possible loan losses is as follows (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                   1996       1995       1994
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Balance, beginning of period...................................  $  40,938  $  42,640  $  41,210
Acquired reserves and other additions..........................        716        485      4,542
Provision for possible loan losses.............................     11,416      2,650      5,992
Charge-offs....................................................      8,415      5,571     10,319
Recoveries.....................................................      1,438        734      1,215
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Balance, end of period.........................................  $  46,093  $  40,938  $  42,640
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

     In May 1993, the FASB issued SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for
Impairment of a Loan." SFAS No. 114 requires that certain impaired loans be
measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at
the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's
observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is
collateral dependent. In October 1994, the FASB issued SFAS No. 118, "Accounting
by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan -- Income Recognition and Disclosures,"
that amends SFAS No. 114 and eliminates its provisions regarding how a creditor
should report income on an impaired loan. Originally, SFAS No. 114 would have
required creditors to apply one of two allowable methods. As a result of the
amendment, creditors may now continue to use existing methods for recognizing
income on impaired loans, including methods that are required by certain
industry regulators. SFAS No. 118 also clarified SFAS No. 114's disclosure
requirements. Consistent with SFAS No. 114, Sovereign excludes all residential
and consumer loans from the requirements of this Statement, as these
smaller-balance, homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.
SFAS No. 114 and SFAS No. 118 were adopted by Sovereign beginning January 1,
1995. The effect of SFAS No. 114 and SFAS No. 118 on Sovereign was not
significant.

(6) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

     A summary of premises and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and
amortization, follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                            ------------------------
                                                                               1996         1995
                                                                            -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                         <C>          <C>
Land......................................................................  $    11,479  $    11,630
Office buildings..........................................................       46,190       46,933
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment........................................       57,686       52,719
Leasehold improvements....................................................        6,881        6,213
Automobiles...............................................................          973          987
                                                                            -----------  -----------
                                                                                123,209      118,482
Less accumulated depreciation.............................................      (59,446)     (51,008)
                                                                            -----------  -----------
     Total premises and equipment.........................................  $    63,763  $    67,474
                                                                            -----------  -----------
                                                                            -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

                                       14


<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(6) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT -- (CONTINUED)

     Sovereign is committed under various non-cancelable operating leases
relating to branch facilities having initial or remaining terms in excess of one
year. The minimum annual rental commitments under these leases at December 31,
1996, are summarized as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
1997................................................................  $   3,239
1998................................................................      2,712
1999................................................................      2,201
2000................................................................      1,789
2001................................................................      1,501
Thereafter..........................................................      4,697
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      $  16,139
                                                                      ---------
                                                                      ---------
</TABLE>

     Total rental expense for all leases for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994 was $3.4 million, $2.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

(7) ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE

     Accrued interest receivable is summarized as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                               --------------------
                                                                                 1996       1995
                                                                               ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>
Accrued interest receivable on:
Investment and mortgage-backed securities....................................  $  18,190  $  17,723
Loans........................................................................     38,658     29,108
                                                                               ---------  ---------
     Total interest receivable...............................................  $  56,848  $  46,831
                                                                               ---------  ---------
                                                                               ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

     Accrued interest receivable is stated net of an allowance for potentially
uncollected interest (for loans on non-accrual and for loans that have been
restructured). If these non-accruing and restructured loans had been current in
accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the
period, gross interest income for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
would have increased by approximately $5.0 million and $4.0 million,
respectively. Interest income, which was recorded on these loans for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $2.2 million and $1.4 million,
respectively.

(8) DEPOSITS

     Deposits are summarized as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        AT DECEMBER 31,
                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         1996                                     1995
                                        -------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
                                                                    WEIGHTED                                 WEIGHTED
                                                                     AVERAGE                                  AVERAGE
TYPE OF ACCOUNT                           BALANCE      PERCENT        RATE         BALANCE      PERCENT        RATE
- ---------------                         -----------  ----------   -----------    -----------  ----------   -----------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>
Demand deposit accounts...............  $   272,445           5%          -- %   $   193,843           3%          -- %
NOW accounts..........................      469,810           8          1.40        424,872           8          1.39
Savings accounts......................    1,091,556          19          2.38      1,036,298          19          2.32
Money market accounts.................      661,987          12          3.96        774,165          14          4.28
Retail certificates of deposit........    2,951,917          53          5.31      2,997,764          53          5.49
Jumbo certificates of deposit.........      158,618           3          5.56        179,527           3          5.70
                                        -----------   ---------     ---------    -----------   ---------     ---------
    Total deposits....................  $ 5,606,333         100%         4.00%   $ 5,606,469         100%         4.24%
                                        -----------   ---------     ---------    -----------   ---------     ---------
                                        -----------   ---------     ---------    -----------   ---------     ---------
</TABLE>


                                       15


<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(8) DEPOSITS -- (CONTINUED)

     Certificate accounts are frequently renewed at maturity rather than paid
out. The following table sets forth the maturity of Sovereign's certificates of
deposit as scheduled to mature contractually at December 31, 1996 (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SIX MOS.
                                          WITHIN          -         ONE -       THREE -      FIVE -        OVER
                                         SIX MOS.      ONE YR.   THREE YRS.    FIVE YRS.    TEN YRS.     TEN YRS.       TOTAL
                                         ---------   ----------  ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Certificate accounts by rate:
2.001 -- 4.000%........................  $  27,726   $      166   $     478    $     284    $      25    $      32   $   28,711
4.001 -- 6.000%........................    169,211    2,050,254     640,377       18,372        7,507           52    2,885,773
6.001 -- 8.000%........................     34,383       20,808      58,540       27,643       38,261        3,347      182,982
8.001 -- 10.000%.......................      1,083        1,063       5,607          727          883          461        9,824
Above 10.000%..........................        198          167         344          843        1,693           --        3,245
                                         ---------   ----------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------   ----------
Total certificate accounts.............  $ 232,601   $2,072,458   $ 705,346    $  47,869    $  48,369    $   3,892   $3,110,535
                                         ---------   ----------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------   ----------
                                         ---------   ----------   ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------   ----------
</TABLE>

     The following table sets forth the maturity of Sovereign's certificates of
deposit of $100,000 or more as scheduled to mature contractually at December 31,
1996:

                                                          AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                               1996
                                                          ---------------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
Three months or less....................................    $    87,468
Over three through six months...........................         60,670
Over six through twelve months..........................         57,021
Over twelve months......................................         62,967
                                                            -----------
     Total..............................................    $   268,126
                                                            -----------
                                                            -----------

     Interest expense on deposits is summarized as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -------------------------------------
                                                        1996         1995         1994
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>
Demand deposit and NOW accounts....................  $     6,042  $     6,204  $     5,323
Savings accounts...................................       26,293       25,809       27,015
Money market accounts..............................       27,558       26,515       10,187
Certificates of deposit............................      164,555      172,393       92,374
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total interest expense on deposits...............  $   224,448  $   230,921  $   134,899
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                     -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

     The majority of Sovereign's deposits are insured by the Savings Association
Insurance Fund ("SAIF") of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").
As a result, for 1996, Sovereign paid insurance fees equal to $.23 per $100.00
(23 basis points) of insured deposits annually, the lowest rate permitted. Banks
which are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") of the FDIC have been
required to pay rates as low as 4.4 basis points since September 30, 1995, and
most BIF-insured institutions have been required to pay only $2,000 in annual
insurance premiums since January 2, 1996.

     On September 30, 1996, legislation was signed into law which effectively
ends the BIF/SAIF disparity by the year 2000. As part of the new law,
SAIF-insured institutions were required to make a one-time payment of 65.7 basis
points for all SAIF-insured deposits held as of March 31, 1995. At Sovereign,
this amounted to an after-tax charge of $19.2 million.


                                       16

<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(9) SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

     Short-term Borrowings.  Short-term borrowings included in the consolidated
balance sheets are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ----------------------------
                                                                            1996           1995
                                                                        -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>
Securities sold under repurchase agreements...........................  $          --  $     382,279
Federal Home Loan Bank advances.......................................      2,765,118      1,146,661
Other borrowings......................................................             --          1,555
                                                                        -------------  -------------
     Total borrowings.................................................  $   2,765,118  $   1,530,495
                                                                        -------------  -------------
                                                                        -------------  -------------
</TABLE>

     Included in short-term borrowings are sales of securities under repurchase
agreements. Securities underlying these repurchase agreements consisted of
mortgage-backed securities which had a book value of $387.2 million and a market
value of $392.6 million at December 31, 1995.

     At December 31, 1995, short-term borrowings include an 11.60% amortizing
loan with principal of $714,000 which is collateralized by 15% of the
outstanding shares of common stock of Sovereign Bank (all of the outstanding
shares of Sovereign Bank are owned by Sovereign Bancorp).

     Qualifying repurchase agreements are treated as financings and the
obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the
balance sheet. The dollar amount of securities underlying the agreements remains
in the asset accounts, although the securities underlying the agreements are
delivered to the brokers who arranged the transactions. In certain instances,
the broker may have sold, loaned, or disposed of the securities to other parties
in the normal course of their operations, and have agreed to resell to Sovereign
substantially similar securities at the maturity of the agreements. The
broker/dealers who participate with Sovereign in these agreements are primary
broker/dealers reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The following
table summarizes information regarding securities sold under repurchase
agreements (in thousands):

                  SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                                1996         1995         1994
                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
Balance....................................................  $        --  $   382,279  $   608,810
Weighted average interest rate.............................           --%        6.38%        5.72%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the
  period...................................................  $   288,155  $   630,077  $   608,810
Average amount outstanding during the period...............  $   181,526  $   477,195  $   427,509
Weighted average interest rate during the period...........         6.57%        6.01%        4.49%
</TABLE>


                                       17


<PAGE>


                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(9) SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BORROWINGS -- (CONTINUED)

     The following table summarizes information regarding short-term FHLB
advances (in thousands):

                        FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,
                                                       -------------------------------------------
                                                           1996           1995           1994
                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance..............................................  $   2,765,118  $   1,146,661  $   1,142,116
Weighted average interest rate.......................           5.79%          5.67%          5.34%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during
  the period.........................................  $   3,323,966  $   1,151,286  $   1,142,116
Average amount outstanding during the period.........  $   2,009,989  $     807,794  $     623,814
Weighted average interest rate during the period.....           5.88%          5.55%          4.58%
</TABLE>

     Long-term Borrowings.  Long-term FHLB advances had weighted average
interest rates of 6.04% and 5.89% at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Long-term borrowings are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           ----------------------------
                                                                               1996           1995
                                                                           -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>
FHLB advances, maturing January 1998 to September 2006...................  $     929,328  $     855,995
6.75% senior notes, due July 1, 2000.....................................         49,517         49,379
6.75% subordinated debentures, due 2000..................................         49,585         49,472
8.50% subordinated debentures, due 2002..................................         19,550         19,471
8.00% subordinated debentures, due 2003..................................         49,096         48,949
                                                                           -------------  -------------
     Total long-term borrowings..........................................  $   1,097,076  $   1,023,266
                                                                           -------------  -------------
                                                                           -------------  -------------
</TABLE>

     The 6.75% notes are non-amortizing and are not redeemable prior to
maturity. The 6.75% debentures are non-amortizing and are not redeemable prior
to maturity. The 6.75% debentures have, through the use of an interest rate
swap, been effectively converted from a fixed rate obligation to a variable rate
obligation tied to the 3-month LIBOR plus 140.5 basis points. The 8.50%
debentures are non-amortizing and are redeemable at the option of Sovereign in
whole or in part at any time on or after September 15, 1999. The 8.00%
debentures are non-amortizing and are not redeemable prior to maturity.


                                       18

<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(10) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act ("FIRREA")
requires institutions regulated by the OTS to have minimum regulatory tangible
capital equal to 1.5% of total tangible assets, a minimum leverage capital ratio
equal to 3% of tangible assets and 4% of risk-adjusted assets and a risk-based
capital ratio equal to 8%. Sovereign Bank and Sovereign Community Bank were in
compliance with all of these capital requirements as of December 31, 1996. The
following schedule summarizes the actual capital balances of Sovereign Bank and
Sovereign Community Bank at December 31, 1996 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            TANGIBLE     LEVERAGE      LEVERAGE      RISK-BASED
                                                           CAPITAL TO   CAPITAL TO    CAPITAL TO     CAPITAL TO
                                                            TANGIBLE     TANGIBLE    RISK-ADJUSTED  RISK-ADJUSTED
                                                             ASSETS       ASSETS        ASSETS         ASSETS
                                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
Sovereign Bank:
- --------------
Regulatory capital.......................................  $   521,370  $   521,370   $   521,370    $   557,622
Minimum capital requirement..............................      146,871      293,740       185,757        371,513
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
  Excess.................................................  $   374,499  $   227,630   $   335,613    $   186,109
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
Capital ratio............................................         5.32%        5.32%        11.23%         12.01%

Sovereign Community Bank:
- ------------------------
Regulatory capital.......................................  $    12,246  $    12,246   $    12,246    $    13,495
Minimum capital requirement..............................        3,444        6,888         5,367         10,734
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
  Excess.................................................  $     8,802  $     5,358   $     6,879    $     2,761
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
Capital ratio............................................         5.33%        5.33%         9.13%         10.06%
</TABLE>

     OTS capital regulations do not apply to holding companies. The following
schedule summarizes actual capital balances of Sovereign Bancorp at December 31,
1996 as if those regulations did apply to Sovereign Bancorp (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            TANGIBLE     LEVERAGE      LEVERAGE      RISK-BASED
                                                           CAPITAL TO   CAPITAL TO    CAPITAL TO     CAPITAL TO
                                                            TANGIBLE     TANGIBLE    RISK-ADJUSTED  RISK-ADJUSTED
                                                             ASSETS       ASSETS        ASSETS         ASSETS
                                                           -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
Sovereign Bancorp:
- ------------------
Regulatory capital.......................................  $   401,615  $   401,615   $   401,615    $   609,116
Minimum capital requirement..............................      148,097      296,194       191,745        383,488
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
  Excess.................................................  $   253,518  $   105,421   $   209,870    $   225,628
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
                                                           -----------  -----------   -----------    -----------
Capital ratio............................................         4.07%        4.07%         8.38%         12.70%
</TABLE>

     The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act ("FDICIA")
established five capital tiers: well-capitalized, adequately-capitalized,
undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically
undercapitalized. A depository institution's capital tier depends upon its
capital levels in relation to various relevant capital measures, which include
leverage and risk-based capital measures and certain other factors. Depository
institutions that are not classified as well-capitalized or
adequately-capitalized are subject to various restrictions regarding capital
distributions, payment of management fees, acceptance of brokered deposits and
other operating activities. At December 31, 1996, Sovereign Bank and Sovereign
Community Bank were both classified as well-capitalized and were in compliance
with all capital requirements. Management anticipates that Sovereign Bank and

                                       19
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(10) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY -- (CONTINUED)

Sovereign Community Bank will each continue to be classified as well-capitalized
and will be in compliance with all regulatory capital requirements.

     As a result of provisions of the Small Business Jobs Protection Act of 1996
(the "Jobs Protection Act"), which repealed the tax reserve method for bad debts
for thrift institutions and the circumstances requiring bad debt recapture for
large institutions, Sovereign must determine the tax deduction for bad debt
based on actual charge-offs. The Jobs Protection Act retained the existing base
year bad debt reserve and requires recapture into taxable income in certain
circumstances such as in the case of certain excess distributions or complete
redemptions. None of the limited circumstances requiring recapture are
anticipated by Sovereign. Retained earnings at December 31, 1996 includes $58.9
million in bad debt reserves, for which no deferred taxes have been provided due
to the indefinite nature of the recapture provisions.

     Sovereign maintains a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan which
permits holders of record of Sovereign common stock to purchase additional
shares of common stock directly from Sovereign via reinvestment of cash
dividends and optional cash purchases. At December 31, 1996, purchases of common
stock with reinvested dividends are made at a 5% discount from the current
market price as defined and optional cash purchases are limited to a maximum of
$5,000 per quarter.

     Sovereign maintains a Stockholder Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan"). The
Rights Plan is designed to protect stockholders from attempts to acquire control
of Sovereign at an inadequate price. Under the Rights Plan, Sovereign
distributed a dividend of one right to purchase a unit of preferred stock on
each outstanding share of Sovereign's common stock. The rights are not currently
exercisable or transferable and no separate certificates evidencing such rights
will be distributed, unless certain events occur. The rights attach to shares of
common stock outstanding on October 2, 1989 and will expire on September 27,
2004 as stated in the amendment to the Rights Plan dated September 27, 1995. The
rights will entitle the holders to purchase either Sovereign's common stock or
the common stock of the potential acquirer at a substantially reduced price.

     On May 17, 1995, Sovereign completed the sale of 2.0 million shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock, raising $96.7 million in capital. The 6 1/4%
non-voting, Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at the option
of the holder at any time, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion rate
(adjusted to reflect all stock dividends and stock splits declared through
January 1997) of 5.987 shares of common stock for each share of preferred stock;
equivalent to a conversion price of $8.352 per share of common stock. The
preferred stock may not be redeemed prior to May 15, 1998. Thereafter, the
preferred stock is redeemable at the option of Sovereign, in whole or in part,
at $52.188 per share during the twelve months beginning May 15, 1998, and
thereafter at prices declining ratably to par on and after May 15, 2005.

(11) STOCK OPTION PLANS

     Sovereign grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to key officers
and directors with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at
the date of grant. Sovereign accounts for stock option grants in accordance with
APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and accordingly,
recognizes no compensation expense for the stock option grants. There are 10.8
million shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the plans. These
shares, along with the per share data in the following summary of option
transactions, have been adjusted to reflect all stock dividends and stock splits
declared through January 1997.

                                       20
<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(11) STOCK OPTION PLANS -- (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           OPTIONS                                         OPTIONS                                       OPTIONS
                         OUTSTANDING                                     OUTSTANDING                                   OUTSTANDING
               OPTION     DEC. 31,                                        DEC. 31,                                      DEC. 31,
PLAN            PRICE       1994        GRANTED    EXERCISED  FORFEITED     1995       GRANTED   EXERCISED  FORFEITED     1996
- ----          ---------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>           <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
1986........  $1.15-$8.33 1,184,952        8,820    (176,264)        --   1,017,508      71,820   (114,254)    (1,260)    973,814
1987........     $3.74      345,377           --     (27,930)        --     317,447          --    (37,118)        --     280,329
1988........     $1.52      103,554           --    (103,554)        --          --          --         --         --          --
1989........     $5.00           --           --          --         --          --     134,937   (126,935)                 8,002
1990........     $1.56      434,978           --    (161,784)        --     273,194          --   (205,141)        --      68,053
1993........  $4.54-$4.76    74,676        9,335          --         --      84,011       9,335    (18,669)        --      74,677
1993........     $4.84      137,645           --     (41,158)    (1,799)     94,688          --    (42,284)        --      52,404
1993........  $4.93-$9.01        --       76,146          --         --      76,146     114,513         --     (7,938)    182,721
1993........     $5.25      720,894           --          --   (115,260)    605,634          --         --    (46,104)    559,530
1994........     $6.75       22,701           --          --         --      22,701          --         --         --      22,701
1996........     $8.33           --           --          --         --          --       9,600         --         --       9,600
                          ---------    ---------   ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------   ---------
 Total......              3,024,777       94,301    (510,690)  (117,059)  2,491,328     340,205   (544,401)   (55,302)  2,231,831
                          ---------    ---------   ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------   ---------
                          ---------    ---------   ---------  ---------   ---------   ---------  ---------  ---------   ---------

<CAPTION>
                OPTIONS
              EXERCISABLE
               DEC. 31,
PLAN             1996
- ----          -----------
<S>           <C>
1986........     901,994
1987........     280,329
1988........          --
1989........       8,002
1990........      68,053
1993........      74,677
1993........      52,404
1993........     182,721
1993........          --
1994........      22,701
1996........          --
               ---------
 Total......   1,590,881
               ---------
               ---------
</TABLE>

     In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," which provides companies with a choice either to expense the fair
value of employee stock options over the vesting period (recognition method) or
to continue the previous practice but disclose the pro forma effects on net
income and earnings per share had the fair value method been used (disclosure
only method). Companies electing the disclosure only method will be required to
include the pro forma effects of all awards granted in fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1994. Sovereign adopted the disclosure only method during
1996.

     Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by SFAS No. 123 and has been determined as if Sovereign had accounted
for its employee stock options under the fair value method of that statement.
The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1986 PLAN             1993 PLAN          1996 PLAN
                                                                   --------------------  --------------------   -----------
<S>                                                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Grant date.......................................................    12/6/95    1/24/96   11/15/95    4/10/96      6/26/96
Options granted..................................................      8,820     71,820    114,513      9,335        9,600
Options forfeited................................................         --      1,260      3,381         --           --
Expected volatility..............................................       .292       .292       .292       .292         .292
Expected life in years...........................................          6          6          4          6            6
Stock price on date of grant.....................................    $  8.33    $  7.84    $  9.01    $  4.54      $  8.33
Exercise price...................................................    $  8.33    $  7.84    $  9.01    $  4.54      $  8.33
Expected dividend yield..........................................        .21%       .22%       .21%       .21%         .21%
Risk-free interest rate..........................................       5.55%      6.30%      5.70%      6.42%        6.86%
Vesting period in years..........................................          1          1          1          1            1
</TABLE>

     The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in
estimating the fair market value of traded options which have no vesting
restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models
require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock
price volatility. Because Sovereign's employee stock options have
characteristics significantly different from those traded options and because
changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value
estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily
provide reliable single measure of fair value of its employee stock options.

     Pro forma disclosures of the impact on net income and earnings per share
are not shown as the impact of applying SFAS No. 123's fair value method to
Sovereign's stock-based awards is immaterial.

                                       21
<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(12) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     Sovereign sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan which
covers substantially all employees who have attained the age of 21 and completed
one year of service. Benefits under the plan are based upon years of service and
the employees' average compensation computed based upon the five consecutive
plan years of highest pay during the ten years preceding retirement or
termination.

     It is Sovereign's policy to fund the minimum contribution as determined by
an actuarial valuation. The net periodic pension costs for this plan are
comprised of the following components (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1996        1995       1994
                                                                                -----------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                             <C>          <C>        <C>
Service cost benefits earned during the period................................  $     1,194  $   1,124  $   1,347
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation.................................        1,714      1,604      1,535
Actual return on plan assets..................................................       (3,532)    (4,768)       138
Amortization of unrecognized net assets and other deferred amounts, net.......        1,163      2,963     (1,739)
Curtailment loss..............................................................          542         --         --
                                                                                -----------  ---------  ---------
  Net periodic pension expense................................................  $     1,081  $     923  $   1,281
                                                                                -----------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                -----------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

     The following table sets forth the pension plan's funded status at December
31, 1996 and 1995 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1996       1995
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                               <C>        <C>
Fair value of plan assets.......................................................  $  29,198  $  25,562
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
Projected benefit obligation:
  Vested benefits...............................................................  $  23,067  $  22,660
  Non-vested benefits...........................................................        724        581
  Effect of projected future salary increases...................................      2,411      2,002
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
     Projected benefit obligation...............................................  $  26,202  $  25,243
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
Plan assets in excess of the projected benefit obligation.......................  $   2,997  $     319
Unrecognized net asset existing at transition date..............................       (173)      (214)
Unrecognized net loss...........................................................        100      1,683
Unrecognized prior service cost.................................................       (102)       731
Additional minimum balance sheet liability......................................         --       (496)
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
  Net pension asset included in balance sheet...................................  $   2,822  $   2,023
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
                                                                                  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

     In determining the projected benefit obligation, the assumed discount rates
at December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 7.06%, 7.07% and 7.93%, respectively.
The weighted average rate of salary increase was 5.06% for 1996, 5.07% for 1995
and 4.85% for 1994. The expected long-term rate of return on assets used in
determining net periodic pension expense was 9.00% for all three years.

     The pension plan's assets consist primarily of common stock, fixed income
securities such as corporate bonds and U.S. Treasury securities and units of
certain common trust funds.

     Sovereign also maintains a 401(k) savings plan. Substantially all employees
of Sovereign are eligible to participate in the 401(k) savings plan on the
January 1 and July 1 following their completion of one year of service and
attaining age 21. Sovereign's contributions to this plan were $211,000, $191,000
and $186,000 during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Pursuant to this plan,
employees can contribute up to 10% of their compensation to the plan. Sovereign
contributes 50% of the employee contribution up to 6% of compensation in the
form of Sovereign common stock.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(12) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS -- (CONTINUED)

     Sovereign maintains an ESOP.  Substantially all employees of Sovereign are
eligible to participate in the ESOP on the January 1 or July 1 following their
completion of one year of service and attaining age 21. The ESOP is a deferred
contribution plan which provides retirement benefits for participants and
beneficiaries by purchasing Sovereign common stock in the open market. The
amount of annual contributions to the ESOP by Sovereign is determined by the
Board of Directors based upon the financial performance of Sovereign each year.
Sovereign recognized as expense $2.5 million, $1.6 million and $1.5 million to
the ESOP during 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     On November 21, 1994, Sovereign's Board of Directors authorized an
amendment to Sovereign's ESOP to add a leverage feature to purchase up to 4.2
million shares of Sovereign's outstanding common stock in the open market or in
negotiated transactions. The ESOP is funded through direct loans from Sovereign
totaling $40.0 million in 1996. The proceeds from these loans were used to
purchase outstanding shares of Sovereign's common stock. As the debt on these
loans is repaid, shares of Sovereign common stock are released and become
eligible for allocation to employee accounts. In addition, dividends are paid on
all shares of Sovereign common stock, including unallocated shares held by the
ESOP. Dividends on the unallocated shares are allocated on a pro-rata basis when
purchased shares are released. Compensation expense is recognized based on the
fair value of the shares committed to be released to employees and the shares
then become outstanding for earnings per share computations. Sovereign has
committed to make contributions sufficient to provide for the ESOP debt
requirements. At December 31, 1996, the ESOP held 4.7 million shares of which
583,000 shares were allocated to employee accounts. The unallocated ESOP shares
are presented as a reduction of stockholders' equity in the consolidated
financial statements. At December 31, 1996, the fair value of the unallocated
shares held by the ESOP was $44.5 million.

     Sovereign's Compensation Committee administers the ESOP. Under the ESOP,
the trustees are directed to vote all allocated shares held in the ESOP in
accordance with the instructions of the participants to whom the shares have
been allocated. In addition, the trustees shall vote in their sole discretion
any shares in the unallocated suspense account.

     In 1992, Sovereign implemented the Employee Stock Purchase Plan which
permits eligible employees to purchase Sovereign common stock directly from
Sovereign. Purchases of common stock are limited to 15% of a participant's
compensation. During 1996, 1995 and 1994, participants purchased Sovereign
common stock at a price equal to 92.5% of the fair value of Sovereign common
stock on the offering date. Compensation expense for this plan for the year
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $41,000, $31,000 and $31,000,
respectively.

                                       23
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(13) INCOME TAXES

     The provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations
is comprised of the following components (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                   1996       1995       1994
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal......................................................................  $  23,662  $  24,826  $  14,536
  State........................................................................      2,401      3,078      3,297
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    26,063     27,904     17,833
Deferred.......................................................................      3,872      2,767     11,997
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total income tax expense.....................................................  $  29,935  $  30,671  $  29,830
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

     The following is a reconciliation of the actual tax provisions with taxes
computed at the federal statutory rate of 35% for 1996, 1995 and 1994:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       -------------------------------
                                                                                         1996       1995       1994
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
Federal income tax at statutory rate.................................................       35.0%      35.0%      35.0%
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
  Tax-exempt interest................................................................       (1.9)       (.5)       (.3)
  State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit.....................................        2.0        2.1        2.7
  Amortization of intangible assets and other purchase accounting adjustments........        2.3        2.4        2.7
Other................................................................................        2.1       (5.3)      (2.5)
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                            39.5%      33.7%      37.6%
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

                                       24
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(13) INCOME TAXES -- (CONTINUED)

     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented
below (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             -------------------------------------
                                                                                1996         1995         1994
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Allowance for possible loan losses.......................................  $    15,669  $    15,787  $    15,690
  Merger related liabilities...............................................        1,006          785          392
  Purchase accounting adjustments..........................................        2,329        3,538        7,846
  Unrealized loss on available-for-sale portfolio..........................           89           30          567
  Net operating loss carryforwards.........................................          417           --           --
  Other....................................................................        5,146        2,102        2,549
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total gross deferred tax assets..........................................       24,656       22,242       27,044
  Less valuation allowance.................................................       (2,006)      (1,181)      (1,583)
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
  Net deferred tax assets..................................................  $    22,650  $    21,061  $    25,461
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Purchase accounting adjustments..........................................  $    (7,188) $    (8,559) $    (9,038)
  Deferred loan fees.......................................................       (5,353)      (2,826)      (1,826)
  Unrealized gain on available-for-sale portfolio..........................       (1,815)      (2,708)          --
  Other....................................................................       (9,867)      (6,546)      (1,179)
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
  Total gross deferred tax liabilities.....................................  $   (24,223) $   (20,639) $   (12,043)
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
  Net deferred tax (liability) asset.......................................  $    (1,573) $       422  $    13,418
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                             -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

     The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is unchanged from the
balance at January 1, 1994, and is primarily related to state deductible
temporary differences resulting from the Harmonia acquisition.

     Sovereign has determined that it is not required to establish any
additional valuation reserve for deferred tax assets since it is more likely
than not that deferred tax assets (other than those for which a valuation
allowance has been established) will be principally realized through carry back
to taxable income in prior years. Sovereign's conclusion that it is "more likely
than not" that the deferred tax assets will be realized is based on a history of
growth in earnings and the prospects for continued growth including an analysis
of potential uncertainties that may affect future operating results. Sovereign
will continue to review the criteria related to the recognition of deferred tax
assets on a quarterly basis.

(14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

  Financial Instruments

     Sovereign is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk
in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers
and to manage its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These
financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of
credit, loans sold with recourse, forward contracts and interest rate swaps,
caps and floors. These financial instruments involve, to varying degrees,
elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in
the consolidated balance sheet. The contract or notional amounts of these
financial instruments reflect the extent of involvement Sovereign has in
particular classes of financial instruments.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -- (CONTINUED)

     Sovereign's exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the
other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit,
standby letters of credit and loans sold with recourse is represented by the
contractual amount of those instruments. Sovereign uses the same credit policies
in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance
sheet instruments. For interest rate swaps, caps and floors and forward
contracts, the contract or notional amounts do not represent exposure to credit
loss. Sovereign controls the credit risk of its interest rate swaps, caps and
floors and forward contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring
procedures. Unless noted otherwise, Sovereign does not require and is not
required to pledge collateral or other security to support financial instruments
with credit risk.

     The following schedule summarizes Sovereign's off-balance sheet financial
instruments (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            CONTRACT OR
                                                                                          NOTIONAL AMOUNT
                                                                                          AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    ----------------------------
                                                                                        1996           1995
                                                                                    -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
  Commitments to extend credit....................................................  $   538,035    $   472,663
  Standby letters of credit.......................................................        2,763          2,763
  Loans sold with recourse........................................................       60,113         60,113
Financial instruments whose notional or contract amounts exceed the amount of
  credit risk:
  Forward contracts...............................................................       32,500         77,250
  Interest rate swaps.............................................................    2,517,013      1,211,130
  Interest rate caps..............................................................      500,000      1,446,000
</TABLE>

     Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long
as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.
Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses
and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to
expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily
represent future cash requirements. Sovereign evaluates each customer's
creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained upon
extension of credit is based on management's credit evaluation of the
counterparty. Collateral held usually consists of real estate but may include
securities, accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant and equipment.

     Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by Sovereign
to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The guarantees are
primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. Most
guarantees expire in 1997, one guarantee expires in September 2000 and one
guarantee for $1.4 million expires in January 2011. The credit risk involved in
issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending
loan facilities to customers. Sovereign holds various collateral to support the
commitments.

     Loans sold with recourse primarily represent residential loans.

     The forward contracts used by Sovereign in its mortgage banking activities
are contracts for delayed delivery of securities in which Sovereign agrees to
make delivery of a specified instrument, at a specified future date, at a
specified price or yield. Risks arise from the possible inability of
counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from movements in
securities' values and interest rates.

     Interest rate swaps, caps and floors enable Sovereign to transfer, modify
or reduce its interest rate risk and are used as part of asset and liability
management. Sovereign may become a principal in the exchange of interest
payments with another party and therefore, is exposed to loss should one of the
other parties default. Sovereign minimizes this risk by performing credit
reviews on counterparties.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -- (CONTINUED)

Notional principal amounts often are used to express the volume of these
transactions, but the amounts potentially subject to credit risk are much
smaller.

  Litigation

At December 31, 1996, Sovereign was party to a number of lawsuits. While any
litigation has an element of uncertainty, management, after reviewing these
actions with legal counsel, is of the opinion that the liability, if any,
resulting from these actions will not have a material effect on the financial
condition or results of operations of Sovereign.

(15) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     The following table presents disclosures about the fair value of financial
instruments as defined by SFAS No. 107, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments."
These fair values are presented based upon subjective estimates of relevant
market conditions at a specific point in time and information about each
financial instrument. In cases where quoted market prices are not available,
fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation
techniques. These techniques involve uncertainties resulting in variability in
estimates affected by changes in assumptions and risks of the financial
instruments at a certain point in time. Therefore, the derived fair value
estimates presented below cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent
markets. In addition, the fair values do not reflect any premium or discount
that could result from offering for sale at one time an entity's entire holdings
of a particular financial instrument nor does it reflect potential taxes and the
expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement. Accordingly,
the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value
of Sovereign (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   1996                          1995
                                                       ----------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                         CARRYING         FAIR         CARRYING         FAIR
                                                           VALUE          VALUE          VALUE          VALUE
                                                       -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Financial Assets:
  Cash and amounts due from depository
     institutions....................................  $     111,296  $     111,296  $     142,039  $     142,039
  Interest-earning deposits..........................          6,273          6,273         17,524         17,524
  Loans held for resale..............................         32,955         33,162        137,731        138,939
  Investment and mortgage-backed securities
     available-for-sale..............................        494,997        494,997        905,023        905,023
  Investment and mortgage-backed securities
     held-to-maturity................................      2,487,615      2,464,844      2,117,062      2,127,015
  Loans, net.........................................      6,603,444      6,600,072      5,101,156      5,134,975
  Excess servicing...................................            815          4,187          2,328          7,330
  Originated mortgage servicing rights...............          5,954          7,428          1,894          2,840
  Cash surrender value of life insurance.............         11,978         11,978         11,582         11,582
Financial Liabilities:
  Deposits...........................................      5,606,333      5,602,633      5,606,469      5,617,265
  Borrowings(1)......................................      3,876,341      3,880,372      2,565,570      2,581,149
Unrecognized Financial Instruments:(2)
  Commitments to extend credit.......................          1,315          1,239            930            869
  Standby letters of credit..........................              7             12              4              6
  Loans sold with recourse...........................            301            120            391            156
  Interest rate swaps, caps and floors...............          9,283          3,755         12,777         (9,873)
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) Borrowings are shown without unamortized cap premiums, as cap premiums are
    reflected separately below in "Interest rate swaps, caps and floors."

(2) The amounts shown under "carrying value" represent accruals or deferred
    income (cost) arising from those unrecognized financial instruments.

     The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value
of each class of financial instruments:

     Cash and amounts due from depository institutions and interest-earning
deposits.  For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable
estimate of fair value.

                                       27

<PAGE>
                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(15) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     Loans held for resale.  Fair values are estimated using quoted rates based
upon secondary market sources for securities backed by similar loans. Fair value
estimates include consideration of all open positions (including forward
contracts), outstanding commitments and related fees paid.

     Investment and mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale.  The fair
value of investment and mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale are based
on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date.

     Investment and mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity.  The carrying
amounts for short-term investment and mortgage-backed securities
held-to-maturity approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these
instruments and they do not present unanticipated credit concerns. The fair
value of long-term investments and mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity
is estimated based upon bid quotations received from securities dealers and an
independent pricing servicing bureau.

     Loans.  Fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using estimated
market discount rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers and
reflect similar credit ratings and interest rate risk for the same remaining
maturities.

     Excess servicing and originated mortgage servicing rights.  The fair value
of excess servicing and originated mortgage servicing rights is estimated using
quoted rates based upon secondary market sources. The estimated fair value
approximates the amount for which the servicing could currently be sold.

     Deposits.  The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as
non-interest bearing demand deposits, NOW accounts, savings accounts and certain
money market accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand as of the
balance sheet date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is
estimated by discounting cash flows using currently offered rates for deposits
of similar remaining maturities.

     Borrowings.  Fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using rates
currently available to Sovereign for other borrowings with similar terms and
remaining maturities.

     Commitments to extend credit.  The fair value of commitments to extend
credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar
agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the
present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate loan commitments,
fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest
rates and the committed rates.

     Standby letters of credit.  The fair value of letters of credit is based on
fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to
terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties.

     Loans sold with recourse.  The fair value of loans sold with recourse is
estimated based upon the cost to terminate Sovereign's obligations under the
recourse provisions.

     Interest rate swaps, caps and floors.  The fair value of interest rate
swaps, caps and floors which represent the estimated amount Sovereign would
receive or pay to terminate the contracts or agreements, taking into account
current interest rates and when appropriate, the current creditworthiness of the
counterparties are obtained from dealer quotes.

                                       28
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(16) INTEREST RATE EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS

     Amortizing and non-amortizing interest rate swaps are generally used to
convert fixed rate assets and liabilities to variable rate assets and
liabilities and vice versa. Interest rate caps are generally used to limit the
exposure from the repricing and maturity of liabilities. Interest rate floors
are generally used to limit the exposure from repricing and maturity of assets.
Interest rate caps and floors are also used to limit the exposure created by
other interest rate swaps. In certain cases, interest rate caps or floors are
simultaneously bought and sold to create a range of protection against changing
interest rates while limiting the cost of that protection. The following table
presents information regarding interest rate exchange agreements at the dates
indicated (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              AT DECEMBER 31, 1996                              AT DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                ------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------
                                                                     WEIGHTED                                          WEIGHTED
                                                                      AVERAGE                                           AVERAGE
                                NOTIONAL     BOOK      ESTIMATED     MATURITY     NOTIONAL     BOOK      ESTIMATED     MATURITY
                                 AMOUNT      VALUE    FAIR VALUE     IN YEARS      AMOUNT      VALUE    FAIR VALUE     IN YEARS
                                ---------  ---------   ---------     ---------    ---------  ---------   ---------     ---------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Amortizing interest rate
  swaps:
  Pay variable-receive
    fixed(1)..................  $ 713,448  $      --   $ (10,459)          3.6    $ 585,429  $      --   $  (4,066)          4.2
  Pay fixed-receive
    variable(2)...............    398,565         --        (464)          2.3      295,701         --      (3,653)          3.3
Non-amortizing interest rate
  swaps:
  Pay variable-receive
    fixed(3)..................     50,000         --      (1,738)          3.7       50,000         --        (837)          4.6
  Pay fixed-receive
    variable(4)...............  1,355,000         --       9,152           2.2      280,000         --      (2,780)          1.8
Interest rate caps(5).........    500,000      9,283       7,264           4.5    1,446,000     12,777       1,463           1.6
                               ----------  ---------   ---------                 ----------  ---------   ---------
                               $3,017,013  $   9,283   $   3,755                 $2,657,130  $  12,777   $  (9,873)
                               ----------  ---------   ---------                 ----------  ---------   ---------
                               ----------  ---------   ---------                 ----------  ---------   ---------
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) The weighted average pay rate was 5.50% and 5.56% and the weighted average
    receive rate was 5.93% and 5.61% at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
    respectively.

(2) The weighted average pay rate was 6.76% and 6.87% and the weighted average
    receive rate was 6.18% and 6.92% at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
    respectively.

(3) The weighted average pay rate was 6.91% and 7.28% and the weighted average
    receive rate was 6.75% and 6.75% at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
    respectively.

(4) The weighted average pay rate was 5.28% and 5.91% and the weighted average
    receive rate was 5.53% and 5.89% at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
    respectively.

(5) The weighted average contract rate was 6.00% and 6.36% at December 31, 1996
    and 1995, respectively.

     The following table summarizes by notional amounts the activity of
Sovereign's interest rate exchange agreements (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             AMORTIZING          NON-AMORTIZING
                                                              INTEREST              INTEREST         INTEREST RATE
                                                             RATE SWAPS            RATE SWAPS            CAPS
                                                         ------------------  ----------------------  -------------
<S>                                                      <C>                 <C>                     <C>
Balance, December 31, 1993.............................    $      620,934        $       50,000      $     300,000
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
  Additions............................................           591,800               200,000            980,000
  Maturities/Amortization..............................           127,089                    --             50,000
  Terminations.........................................                --                    --            780,000
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
Balance, December 31, 1994.............................         1,085,645               250,000            450,000
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
  Additions............................................           300,000               280,000            996,000
  Maturities/Amortization..............................           326,795               200,000                 --
  Terminations.........................................           177,720                    --                 --
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995.............................           881,130               330,000          1,446,000
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
  Additions............................................           300,000             1,125,000            500,000
  Maturities/Amortization..............................            69,117                    --            450,000
  Terminations.........................................                --                50,000            996,000
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
Balance, December 31, 1996.............................    $    1,112,013        $    1,405,000      $     500,000
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
                                                           --------------        --------------      -------------
</TABLE>

                                       29
<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(16) INTEREST RATE EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     At December 31, 1996, Sovereign's balance sheet included a net deferred
loss of $4.9 million related to interest rate exchange agreements terminated in
December 1995 and June 1996 which were originally accounted for as hedges. Of
this net deferred loss, $4.4 million will amortize into interest expense in 1997
and $465,000 will amortize into interest expense in 1998.

     Net interest income resulting from interest rate exchange agreements
includes $5.1 million of income and $7.4 million of expense for 1996, $1.7
million of income and $3.6 million of expense for 1995 and $10.0 million of
income and $2.0 million of expense for 1994.

(17) PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Condensed financial information for Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. is as follows
(in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            BALANCE SHEETS
                                                                                       ------------------------
                                                                                           AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       ------------------------
                                                                                          1996         1995
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                    <C>          <C>
Assets
  Interest-earning deposits..........................................................  $       120  $       500
  Investment securities..............................................................       15,805       10,503
  Investment in subsidiaries.........................................................      649,010      582,648
  Other assets.......................................................................       16,559       46,561
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Total Assets.........................................................................  $   681,494  $   640,212
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  Short-term borrowings..............................................................  $        --  $       714
  Long-term borrowings...............................................................      167,748      167,271
  Other liabilities..................................................................        4,907        3,610
  Stockholders' equity...............................................................      508,839      468,617
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity...........................................  $   681,494  $   640,212
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
                                                                                       -----------  -----------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                   1996       1995       1994
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest income................................................................  $   2,752  $   4,384  $     223
Other income...................................................................          3      2,791     13,008
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Total income...................................................................      2,755      7,175     13,231
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Interest expense...............................................................     13,117     11,758      9,341
Other expense..................................................................      5,474      4,808      4,132
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Total expense..................................................................     18,591     16,566     13,473
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before taxes, dividends and undistributed earnings of subsidiaries......    (15,836)    (9,391)       242
Income taxes...................................................................     (5,431)    (4,565)        --
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Income before earnings of subsidiaries.........................................    (10,405)    (4,826)      (242)
Distributed earnings from subsidiaries.........................................         --     20,544     19,496
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.........................................     56,219     44,688     30,645
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Net Income.....................................................................  $  45,814  $  60,406  $  49,899
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
                                       30

<PAGE>

                    SOVEREIGN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

(17) PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION -- (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                   1996       1995       1994
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income...................................................................  $  45,814  $  60,406  $  49,899
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
     activities:
     Dividends received from subsidiaries(1)...................................         --     20,544     19,496
     Earnings from subsidiaries................................................    (56,219)   (65,232)   (50,141)
     Allocation of Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares........................      2,465      1,514         --
     Change in other assets....................................................     29,992    (45,038)    10,539
     Change in other liabilities...............................................      1,297      2,608     (3,168)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities...............................     23,349    (25,198)    26,625
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Investment in subsidiaries...................................................    (10,282)   (88,168)   (17,063)
  Maturity and repayments of investment securities.............................      1,259      1,221      5,319
  Net change in investment securities(1).......................................     (6,561)    (1,551)   (10,606)
  Other, net...................................................................      5,867      4,839       (385)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash used by investing activities..........................................     (9,717)   (83,659)   (22,735)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Net change in short-term borrowings..........................................       (714)      (714)        --
  Net change in long-term borrowings...........................................        477       (376)    (1,092)
  Cash dividends paid to stockholders..........................................    (11,249)    (9,391)    (5,728)
  Net cash received from debt offering.........................................         --     49,379         --
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock...................................      4,333      2,991      3,884
  Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock................................         --     96,446         --
  Purchase of Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares.............................     (4,559)   (30,286)        --
  Purchase of treasury stock...................................................     (2,300)        --         --
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities...............................    (14,012)   108,049     (2,936)
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents...............................       (380)      (808)       954
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period...............................        500      1,308        354
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.....................................  $     120  $     500  $   1,308
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>

- ------------------
(1) The 1996 results reflect the dissolution and subsequent merger of Sovereign
    Investment Corporation into Sovereign Bancorp during 1996.


(18) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

     During March 1997, Sovereign issued $100 million of preferred capital
securities ("Trust Preferred") through Sovereign Capital Trust I ("Trust"), a
special-purpose statutory trust created expressly for the issuance of these
securities. Distributions on the Trust Preferred will be payable at an annual
rate of 9% of the stated liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security,
payable semi-annually. After issuance costs, proceeds of $97.6 million were
invested in Junior Subordinated Debentures of Sovereign, at terms identical to
the Trust Preferred offering. Cash distributions on the Trust Preferred are
made to the extent interest on the debentures is received by the Trust. In the
event of certain changes or amendments to regulatory requirements or federal
tax rules, the Trust Preferred securities are redeemable in whole. Otherwise,
the Trust Preferred securities are generally redeemable in whole or in part on
or after April 1, 2007, at a declining redemption price ranging from 103.875%
to 100% of the liquidation amount. On or after April 1, 2017, the Trust
Preferred securities may be redeemed at 100% of the liquidation amount.

     The Trust Preferred offering is classified as and is similar to minority
interests and is presented as "Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable
capital securities of subsidiary trust holding solely subordinated debentures
of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc." The Trust Preferred offering qualifies for Tier I
capital treatement for Sovereign and the loan payments from Sovereign to the
Trust are fully tax deductible. Sovereign intends to use the proceeds of the
transaction for general corporate purposes.

                                       31




                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

FIRST STATE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Directors
First State Financial Services, Inc.


     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First State
Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity,
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September
30, 1996. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Corporation's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First State
Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiaries at September 30, 1996 and 1995 and the
results of their operations, and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended September 30, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.


/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey
November 26, 1996
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST STATE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                           September 30,
                                                    -----------------------
                                                        1996          1995
                                                    ----------   ----------
                                                          (in thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>
ASSETS
Cash on hand and in banks                           $  12,395    $  11,792
Investment securities available for sale (note 3)       9,466       11,799
Investment securities, market value of $24,355 and
   $20,657 at September 30, 1996 and 1995 (note 3)     24,643       20,889
Stock in FHLB of New York, at cost                      3,404        3,715
Loans receivable, net (note 4)                        480,931      461,648
Mortgage loans held for resale, market value of
   $9,106 and $67,642 at September 30, 1996 and 1995    9,106       67,219
Mortgage-backed securities, market value of $30,560
   and $19,002 at September 30, 1996 and 1995
   (notes 3 and 6)                                     31,024       18,961
Accrued interest receivable (note 8)                    3,942        4,046
Office properties and equipment, net (note 7)          10,171       10,523
Real estate owned                                       4,045        8,564
Cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired     2,149        2,349
Cash surrender value of life insurance (note 11)       11,978       11,582
Other assets                                            7,163        3,933
                                                    ----------   ----------
                                                    $ 610,417    $ 637,020
                                                    ==========   ==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits (note 5)                                   $ 554,320    $ 567,710
Borrowed money (note 6)                                 5,928       23,105
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and
   insurance                                            2,614        3,253
Accrued expenses and other liabilities                 12,319        1,360
                                                    ----------   ----------
  Total liabilities                                   575,181      595,428
                                                    ----------   ----------
Stockholders' Equity (note 14 and note 16):
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 2 million
   shares authorized; none issued                           -            -
Common stock, $.01 par value, 8 million
   shares authorized;3,938,815 issued,
   3,929,455 outstanding in 1996 and 3,883,765
   issued,  3,874,405 outstanding in 1995                  39           39
Additional paid-in capital                             21,242       20,949
Net unrealized loss on securities
   available for sale                                    (228)         (89)
Retained income, substantially restricted
   (notes 10 and 16)                                   14,183       20,693
                                                    ----------   ----------
   Total stockholders' equity                          35,236       41,592
Commitments and Contingencies (note 12)             ----------   ----------
                                                    $ 610,417    $ 637,020
                                                    ==========   ==========
See accompanying notes to the consolidated
financial statements
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIRST STATE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                    Year Ended September 30,
                                                -------------------------------
                                                   1996        1995       1994
                                                --------   --------    --------
<S>                                             <C>        <C>         <C>
Interest income:
   Interest on mortgage loans (note 4)           31,948     32,738      25,217
   Interest on consumer and commercial loans     12,914      8,138       5,885
   Interest on mortgage-backed securities         1,943      1,238       1,587
   Interest on investments available for sale       839        525       1,104
   Interest on investment securities              1,595      1,710       1,142
                                                --------   --------    --------
      Total interest income                      49,239     44,349      34,935
                                                --------   --------    --------
Interest expense:
   Interest on deposits (note 5)                 22,965     20,654      13,087
   Interest on borrowed money                     1,089      1,111         361
                                                --------   --------    --------
   Total interest expense                        24,054     21,765      13,448
                                                --------   --------    --------
      Net interest income                        25,185     22,584      21,487
Provision for loan losses (note 4)                8,900      1,650       1,892
                                                --------   --------    --------
Net interest income after
   provision for loan losses                     16,285     20,934      19,595
                                                --------   --------    --------
Other income:
   Loan fees and other loan charges              13,591      3,725       1,589
   Service charges on deposit accounts            1,874      1,784       1,586
   Net gain on sales of loans                     1,070         88         474
   Net gain (loss) on sales of investments           69       (125)         82
   Other                                            876        896         419
                                                --------   --------    --------
      Total other income                         17,480      6,368       4,150
                                                --------   --------    --------
Operating expenses:
   Compensation and employee benefits (note 11)   8,457      7,362       7,648
   Premises and occupancy expense, net            2,324      2,007       2,046
   Amortization of cost of intangible assets        200        427         536
   Loan expenses                                 17,270      4,491       1,254
   Data processing                                1,250      1,100       1,036
   Advertising and promotion                        642        812         724
   Federal insurance premiums                     1,261      1,234       1,097
   SAIF special assessment (note 16)              3,096          -           -
   Problem asset expenses, inclusive of
      real estate owned writedowns                3,671      1,615       1,456
   Other expenses (note 9)                        2,851      3,124       3,084
                                                --------   --------    --------
      Total operating expenses                   41,022     22,172      18,881
                                                --------   --------    --------
      Income (loss) before income tax
        expense (benefit)                        (7,257)     5,130       4,864
Income tax expense (benefit) (note 10)           (1,608)     1,132       1,363
                                                --------   --------    --------
   Net income (loss)                            $(5,649)   $ 3,998     $ 3,501
                                                ========   ========    ========
   Net income (loss) per share                  $ (1.40)   $  1.01     $  0.91
                                                ========   ========    ========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                      FIRST STATE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
           Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                Common Stock
                                                                              Net Unrealized      Acquired by
                                                                  Retained        Loss on          Employees
                                                    Additional     Income        Securities         Stock
                                           Common    Paid-In    Substantially    Available        Ownership
                                           Stock     Capital      Restricted      for Sale           Plan         Total
                                           -------   ---------     ---------       --------        --------      ---------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>
Balance at September 30, 1993              $   38    $ 20,869      $ 14,431        $     -         $(1,159)      $ 34,179
 Distributions of Employee Stock
    Ownership Plan Stock - 210,798 shares                                                            1,159          1,159
 Cash dividends declared and paid                                      (476)                                         (476)
 Change in net unrealized loss on securities
    classified as available for sale                                                  (278)                          (278)
 Net income for the year                                              3,501                                         3,501
 Stock cancellation upon Ocean
    merger - 18,302 shares                               (109)                                                       (109)
 Adjustment for the pooling of a company
      with a different year end                                          (3)                                           (3)
                                           -------   ---------     ---------       --------        --------      ---------
 Balance at September 30, 1994             $   38    $ 20,760      $ 17,453        $  (278)        $     -       $ 37,973
 Cash dividends declared and paid                                      (758)                                         (758)
 Issuance of common stock under stock
     option plans (note 14) - 46,142 shares     1         189                                                         190
 Change in net unrealized loss on securities
     classified as available for sale                                                  189                            189
 Net income for the year                                              3,998                                         3,998
                                           -------   ---------     ---------       --------        --------      ---------
 Balance at September 30, 1995             $   39    $ 20,949      $ 20,693        $   (89)        $     -       $ 41,592
 Cash dividends declared and paid                                      (861)                                         (861)
 Issuance of common stock under stock
    option plans (note 14) - 55,050 shares       -        293                                                         293
 Change in net unrealized loss on securities
    classified as available for sale                                                  (139)                          (139)
 Net loss for the year                                               (5,649)                                       (5,649)
                                           -------   ---------     ---------       --------        --------      ---------
 Balance at September 30, 1996             $   39    $ 21,242      $ 14,183        $  (228)        $     -       $ 35,236
                                           =======   =========     =========       ========        ========      =========

         See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                      FIRST STATE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                                               Year ended September 30,
                                                          -------------------------------
                                                               1996      1995     1994
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income                                         $  (5,649) $  3,998   $  3,501
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangible assets                               200       428        534
Depreciation                                                  1,263       962      1,087
Net accretion of loan fees and discounts                       (255)     (376)      (382)
Net amortization and (accretion) of investment
   premium and discount                                          67       (96)      (733)
Net amortization and (accretion) of MBS
   premium and discount                                          34        58       (102)
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable                      104      (935)      (598)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for resale                 81,856     7,012     26,864
Proceeds from sales of credit cards receivable               59,635         -          -
Origination of loans held for resale                        (21,414)  (10,278)    (7,962)
Net gain on sale of real estate owned                          (261)      (19)         -
Net gain on sale of loans                                    (1,070)      (88)      (474)
Net (gain) loss on sale of investments                          (69)      125        (82)
Provision for losses on loans                                 8,900     1,650      1,892
Provision for writedowns of real estate owned                 3,000       900        700
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance             (396)     (572)   (11,010)
(Increase) decrease in other assets                          (3,230)      734       (192)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                     10,959      (260)       908
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                   133,674     3,243     13,951
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in loans receivable                            (90,760)  (82,753)   (91,881)
Mortgage loans purchased                                          -      (292)         -
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities                      (15,174)   (5,809)    (5,048)
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities
   available for sale                                        (1,241)        -          -
Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities                 -     1,630      5,207
Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities
   available for sale                                         1,224         -          -
Principal payments on mortgage-backed securities              3,094     4,065      7,029
Proceeds from dispositions of real estate owned               3,718     3,231      6,935
Office properties and equipment expenditures                   (911)   (1,167)      (669)
Purchase of investment securities                           (14,132)   (8,297)   (14,901)
Purchase of investment securities available
   for sale                                                 (30,588)  (12,934)    (1,427)
Proceeds from sale of investment securities
   available for sale                                        39,746    16,538      4,704
Redemption (purchase) of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock           311      (710)       414
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities             3,416     9,419          -
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                      (101,297)  (77,079)   (89,637)
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net (decrease) increase in deposits                         (13,390)   88,346     47,352
Dividends paid on common stock                                 (861)     (758)      (476)
Principal repayments of borrowings                          (17,177)  (13,633)    (1,176)
Additional borrowings                                             -     5,000     27,234
Net (decrease) increase in advance payments by
  borrowers for taxes and insurance                            (639)      465        160
Common stock issued                                             293       190          -
Adjustment for the pooling of a company with a
   different year-end                                             -         -       (173)
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
NET CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES            (31,774)   79,610     72,921
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                603     5,774     (2,765)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR               11,792     6,018      8,783
                                                          ---------- ---------  ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                  $  12,395  $  11,792  $  6,018
                                                          ========== =========  =========
CASH PAID DURING THE YEAR FOR:
   Interest                                               $ 24,165   $  21,467  $ 13,346
   Income taxes                                           $    375   $   2,213  $  1,235

NON-CASH TRANSFERS:
Loans classified as Real Estate Owned                     $   1,938  $   2,672  $  2,319
Transfer of investment securities held to maturity
   to investment securities available for sale            $   8,454  $   2,300         -
Transfer of investment securities available for
   sale to investment securities held to maturity         $   1,559          -         -
Transfer of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
   to mortgage-backed securities available for sale       $     627          -         -
Transfer of mortgage-backed securities available for
   sale to mortgage-backed securities held to
   maturity                                               $     644          -         -
Reclassification of Loans rec. to mortgage
   loans held for resale                                          -  $  60,770         -
Cancellation of common shares in conjunction
   with Ocean merger                                              -          -  $    109
Release of ESOP stock                                             -          -  $  1,159

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

FIRST STATE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(1)  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a description of the more significant accounting policies used
in preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements are comprised of the accounts of First
State Financial Services, Inc. (First State and/or the Corporation), its wholly
owned subsidiaries, First DeWitt Bank, (First DeWitt or the Bank), and First
State Investment Services, Inc. (FSIS); and First DeWitt's wholly owned
subsidiaries, Cedar Grove Service Corporation (CGSC), Ridge (Caldwell)
Associates (Ridge) and Southport (Wall) Associates (Southport). All intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Business

First State conducts its principal business activity through First DeWitt Bank
First DeWitt provides a full range of banking services to individual and
corporate customers through branch offices in New Jersey. First DeWitt is
subject to competition from other financial institutions and is subject to the
regulations of certain federal agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by
those regulatory authorities.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In preparing the consolidated
financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the balance
sheet date. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in
the next accounting cycle relate to the determination of the allowance for loan
losses and the current valuation of real estate acquired in connection with
foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with the determination
of these allowances and the valuation of real estate owned, management obtains
independent appraisals for significant properties.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The caption of cash and cash equivalents used in the statements of cash flows
includes the balance sheet caption cash on hand and in banks.

Investments, Investments Available for Sale and Mortgage-backed Securities

Investment securities and mortgage-backed securities are carried at amortized
cost. Investment securities available for sale are carried at market value. They
are adjusted for unamortized premiums and unearned discounts which are
recognized as interest income over the terms of the securities for investments
and the estimated remaining lives based on anticipated prepayments for
mortgage-backed securities using a method which approximates the level-yield
interest method. Investment and mortgage-backed securities are carried at cost
because First State intends and has the ability to hold them to maturity. Gains
or losses on the sale of securities are determined using the specific
identification method and are recognized upon realization.

Under Statement of Accounting Standards No. 115 "Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" (SFAS 115), debt securities to be
held for indefinite periods of time and not intended to be held to maturity, as
well as marketable equity securities, are classified as available for sale.
Investment securities available for sale are carried at fair value and
unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, on such securities are
excluded from earnings but are included in stockholders' equity.

<PAGE>


First DeWitt, as a member of the FHLB of N.Y., is required to hold shares of
capital stock in the FHLB of N.Y. in an amount equal to 1% of the outstanding
balance of residential mortgage loans and similar obligations or 5% of its
outstanding advances from the FHLB of N.Y., whichever is greater. First DeWitt
complied with this requirement as of September 30, 1996.

Loans

Loans are stated at their principal amounts outstanding net of unearned income.
Interest is accrued monthly as earned, except when a loan becomes 90 days or
more past due or collection becomes uncertain, in which case the accrual of
income is discontinued. Any accrued but unpaid interest on such loans is
reversed against current earnings. These loans are classified as nonaccrual and
interest income is only recognized subsequently in the period collected. Loans
are returned to an accrual status when all past due amounts have been collected
and factors indicating doubtful collectability on a timely basis no longer
exists.

Discounts on loans purchased are accreted to income over the expected lives of
such loans using a method that approximates the level-yield interest method of
accounting.

Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and
amortized into income using a method which approximates the level-yield interest
method over the estimated lives of the related loans as an adjustment to the
related loan yields.

Mortgage Loans Held for Resale

First DeWitt from time to time sells its fixed rate conforming loan originations
and retains all other types of loan originations for its loan portfolio.
Mortgage loans intended for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market
using the aggregate method. Valuation adjustments, if applicable, are reflected
in current operations. Gains and losses on sales are recorded using the specific
identification method.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Provisions for losses on loans are charged to operations based upon periodic
review and management's assessment of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio in
relation to the level of the allowance for loan losses, loan loss experience,
changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, estimated value of the
collateral underlying the loan agreements, economic conditions and other matters
which warrant consideration.

Management believes that the allowance for losses on loans is adequate. While
management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future
additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic
conditions in their market area. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an
integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance
for losses on loans. Such agencies may require the Corporation to recognize
additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available
to them at the time of their examination.

On October 1, 1995, First State adopted Statement of Accounting Standards No.
114, "Accounting by Creditors for the Impairment of a Loan", as amended by SFAS
118, "Accounting by Creditors for the Impairment of a Loan-Income Recognition
and Disclosures. As defined by these statements, a loan is considered impaired
when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor
will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of
the loan agreement. As a result, certain impaired loans are reported at the
present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective
interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral
dependent. The adoption of these statements did not impact the Corporation's
operating results or total allowances for loan losses.

Office Properties and Equipment

Office properties and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated
depreciation. Depreciation of office properties and equipment is accumulated on
a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of three to forty years.

<PAGE>

Real Estate Owned

Real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, is
recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. An
allowance for REO losses is maintained for subsequent declines in fair value.
Gains and losses from sales are recognized as incurred. Carrying costs are
generally expensed as incurred.

Cost in Excess of Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired

Costs in excess of fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations
are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of either 10 or 25
years. The remaining balance at September 30, 1996, is being amortized over 25
years.

Income Taxes

The Corporation and the Bank file a consolidated Federal income tax return.
State income tax returns are filed on a separate basis.

Loan Servicing

The Bank services real estate loans for investors which are not included in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Fees earned for servicing loans are
reported as income when the related mortgage loan payments are collected. Loan
servicing costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Originated Mortgage Servicing Rights

Effective October 1, 1995, First State adopted Statement of Accounting Standards
No. 122, "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights" (SFAS 122). SFAS 122
requires that a mortgage banking enterprise recognize as separate assets the
rights to service mortgage loans for others that have been acquired through
either the purchase or origination of a loan. A mortgage banking enterprise that
sells or securitizes those loans with servicing rights retained should allocate
the total cost of the mortgage loans to the mortgage servicing rights and the
loans based on their relative fair values.

The fair value of capitalized originated mortgage servicing rights is determined
based on the estimated discounted net cash flows to be received. Originated
mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of
estimated net loan servicing income. These capitalized mortgage servicing rights
are periodically reviewed for impairment based on the fair value of those
rights. First State capitalized $535,000 of originated mortgage servicing rights
during the year ended September 30, 1996.

Net Income Per Share

Net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the average number of
common shares outstanding during the period. Shares exercisable under stock
option plans have been included in the calculation of primary earnings per share
using the treasury stock method for periods in which this calculation was
dilutive.

Financial Statement Presentation

Certain amounts in the 1995 and 1994 consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified to comply with the 1996 presentation.

<PAGE>

(2)  Merger Agreement and Business Combinations

On June 24, 1996, the Corporation signed a definitive merger agreement providing
for the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of First State Financial
Services, Inc. by Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. (Sovereign). This merger agreement was
amended by an agreement (the "amendment") signed by both parties on November 26,
1996. The amendment calls for First State shareholders to receive between 1.225
and 1.84 shares of Sovereign's common stock under a floating exchange ratio for
each share of First State common stock if Sovereign's average closing price as
defined in the amendment (the "Sovereign Market Value") is greater than or equal
to $8.00 but less than or equal to $12.04. Within this range, the exchange ratio
will be $14.75 divided by the Sovereign Market Value. If the Sovereign Market
Value is greater than $12.04, the exchange ratio will be 1.225. If the Sovereign
Market Value falls below $8.00, the agreement may be terminated by First State
unless certain conditions are met. In a related agreement, Sovereign was given
an option to purchase up to 783,000 shares of First State's issued and
outstanding common stock if certain conditions occur. The merger is subject to
certain conditions, including approval by First State's shareholders and various
regulatory authorities and is expected to be completed by the first calendar
quarter of 1997.

On October 21, 1994, the Corporation issued approximately 678,000 shares of its
common stock for all the outstanding stock of Ocean Independent Bank, a New
Jersey chartered bank located in Ocean, New Jersey (Ocean). This business
combination was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests combination and,
accordingly, the Corporation's historical consolidated financial statements have
been restated to include the accounts and results of operations of Ocean for all
years presented. The results of operation of the Corporation and Ocean for the
year ended September 30, 1994 prior to restatement is as follows:

                                             Year ended
                                            September 30,
                                                1994
                                            ------------- 
                                            (in thousands)
             The Corporation:            
             Net Interest Income             $   19,058
             Net Income                           3,189
                                                       
             Ocean:                                    
             Net Interest Income                  2,429
             Net Income                             312
                                                       
             Combined:                                 
             Net Interest Income                 21,487
             Net Income                           3,501

Prior to the combination, Ocean's fiscal year ended December 31. In recording
the pooling-of-interests combination, Ocean's unaudited financial statements for
the twelve months ended September 30, 1994 were combined with the Corporation's
financial statements for the same period. In addition, Ocean's financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992 were combined with the
Corporation's financial statements for the years ended September 30, 1993 and
1992. Ocean's unaudited results of operation for the three months ended December
31, 1993, included net interest income of $649,000 and net income of $3,000. An
adjustment has been made to stockholders' equity to eliminate the effect of
including Ocean's results of operations for the three months ended December 31,
1994 in both the year ended September 30, 1994 and the year ended September 30,
1993.
 
<PAGE>

(3)  Investment Securities Available for Sale, Investments and
     Mortgage-Backed Securities

The amortized costs, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated market
values of investment debt securities are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            September 30, 1996
                                     --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Gross           Gross          Estimated
                                     Amortized       Unrealized      Unrealized        Market
                                        Cost           Gains           Losses          Value
                                     ----------     ------------     ----------      -----------
                                                         (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                  <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>
Held to Maturity Portfolio:
Investment Securities
  US Treasury Securities             $    847        $        6      $        -       $    853
  US Government & Agency Obligations    9,310                 8            (146)         9,172
  Municipal Obligations                14,486                86            (242)        14,330
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
                                       24,643               100            (388)        24,355
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
Mortgage-Backed Securities                                       
  GNMA                                  6,839                31            (163)         6,707
  FNMA                                  7,102                61            (106)         7,057
  FHLMC                                14,997                63            (314)        14,746
  FHA                                   2,086                 -             (36)         2,050
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
                                       31,024               155            (619)        30,560
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
                                     $ 55,667        $      255      $   (1,007)      $ 54,915
                                     ========        ==========      ==========       ========
Available for Sale Portfolio:                                    
Investment Securities                                            
  US Treasury Securities             $    750        $        -      $       (7)      $    743
  Municipal Obligations                 7,720                 -            (248)         7,472
  Other Investments                         3                11               -             14
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
                                        8,473                11            (255)         8,229
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
Mutual Funds                                                     
  US Government Securities                250                 -               -            231
  Adjustable Rate Mortgages               582                 -               -            579
  Commercial Paper                        427                 -               -            427
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
                                        1,259                 -             (22)         1,237
                                     --------        ----------      ----------       --------
                                     $  9,732        $       11      $     (277)      $  9,466
                                     ========        ==========      ==========       ========
</TABLE>                                                          

<TABLE>                                                  
<CAPTION>                                               
                                                        September 30, 1995
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                         Gross             Gross          Estimated
                                     Amortized         Unrealized        Unrealized        Market
                                        Cost             Gains             Losses          Value
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     -----------
                                                         (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                  <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Held to Maturity Portfolio:
Investment Securities
  US Treasury Securities             $  1,256         $       12       $       -        $  1,268
  US Government & Agency Obligations    9,647                 10            (171)          9,486
  Municipal Obligations                 9,986                 75            (158)          9,903
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
                                       20,889                 97            (329)         20,657
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
Mortgage-Backed Securities
  GNMA                                  3,873                 39              (6)          3,906
  FNMA                                  6,396                120             (79)          6,437
  FHLMC                                 8,692                 88            (121)          8,659
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
                                       18,961                247            (206)         19,002
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
                                     $ 39,850         $      344       $    (535)      $  39,659
                                     ==========       ============     ============     =========
Available for Sale Portfolio:
Investment Securities
  US Treasury Securities             $  1,007         $        -       $      (6)      $   1,001
  Municipal Obligations                 2,728                  6             (17)          2,717
  Other Investments                        28                  6               -              34
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
                                        3,763                 12             (23)          3,752
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
Mutual Funds
  US Government Securities                236                  -             (15)            221
  Adjustable Rate Mortgages             7,475                  -             (68)          7,407
  Commercial Paper                        419                  -               -             419
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
                                        8,130                  -             (83)          8,047
                                     ----------       ------------     ------------     ---------
                                     $ 11,893         $       12       $    (106)      $  11,799
                                     ==========       ============     ============     =========
</TABLE>

The amortized cost and estimated market value of investment debt securities at
September 30,1996, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities
will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to
call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The contractual maturities
of mortgage-backed securities generally exceeds twenty years; however, the
effective lives are expected to be less due to anticipated prepayments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Estimated
                                                      Amortized          Market      Average
                                                         Cost            Value        Yield(a)
                                                      ---------        ---------     ---------
                                                                (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>              <C>             <C>
Held to Maturity Portfolio:
  Investment Securities
   Due in one year or less                            $  2,055         $  2,057        6.11%
   Due after one year through five years                 7,597            7,562        6.01
   Due after five years through ten years                3,030            2,948        6.72
   Due after ten years                                  11,961           11,788        7.81
                                                      ---------        ---------     ------
                                                        24,643           24,355        6.98

  Mortgage-Backed Securities                            31,024           30,560        6.78
                                                      ---------        ---------     ------
                                                      $ 55,667         $ 54,915        6.85%
                                                      =========        =========     ======
Available for Sale Portfolio:
  Investment Securities
   Due in one year or less                            $      -         $      -           -%
   Due after one year through five years                   750              743        5.03
   Due after five years through ten years                  419              408        6.76
   Due after ten years                                   7,304            7,078        7.47
                                                      ---------        ---------     ------
                                                         8,473            8,229        7.22 

  Mutual Funds
   Due in one year or less                               1,259            1,237        5.74 
                                                      ---------        ---------     ------
                                                      $  9,732         $  9,466        7.03%
                                                      =========        =========     ======
  (a) Tax equivalent yields

</TABLE>

The carrying value of investment securities pledged as required for public funds
and deposits amounted to $2.6 million at September 30,1996. In addition, certain
investment and mortgage-backed securities are pledged as collateral under
various borrowing agreements. See note 6.

Pursuant to the provisions and implementation guidance contained within the
Financial Accounting Standards Board's special report "A Guide to Implementation
of Statement 115 on Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities", on November 15, 1995, the Corporation reassessed the classification
of all securities within its portfolio and transferred $9.1 million from its
held-to-maturity investment portfolio to its available- for-sale portfolio.
These securities had a market value of $9.2 million which resulted in the
Corporation recording an unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, net
of tax, within stockholders' equity of $87,000. Gross gains (losses) realized on
sales of investment securities and mortgage-backed securities for the years
ended September 30, 1996, 1995, and 1994 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1996      1995        1994
                                        --------    -------     -------
                                                (in thousands)
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>
Gross gains                             $   177     $   32      $ 137
Gross losses                               (108)      (157)       (55)
                                        --------    -------     -------
Net gain (loss) on sales of investments $    69     $ (125)     $  82
                                        ========    =======     =======
</TABLE>

Cash proceeds from sales transactions approximated $41.0 million, $18.2 million
and $9.9 million for the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995, and 1994,
respectively.

(4)  Loans Receivable, Net

Loans receivable, net consists of the following:
<TABLE>                                                   
<CAPTION>
                                                          
                                                         September 30,
                                                  --------------------------
                                                      1996             1995
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                         (in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>             <C>
First Mortgage loans:
    Conventional                                   $ 380,530       $ 351,416
    Partially guaranteed by VA or insured by FHA       1,889           2,377
    Participation in conventional loans               13,539          10,093
    Loans for land and construction                   17,624          23,031
                                                  -----------     -----------  
                                                     413,582         386,917
                                                  -----------     -----------

Commercial loans                                      38,289          35,470
Property improvement loans                            26,503          28,847
Credit card receivable                                17,079          19,729
Guaranteed student loans                                 306             658
Loans secured by deposits                              1,263           1,122
Other loans                                            2,528           3,022
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                      85,968          88,848
                                                  -----------     -----------
Less:
    Allowance for loan losses                         12,284           6,082
    Deferred loan fees                                   847             350
    Net unearned discounts                                10              22
    Loans in process                                   5,478           7,663
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                      18,619          14,117
                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                   $ 480,931       $ 461,648
                                                  ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

First DeWitt has granted loans to officers, directors, and to associates.
Related party loans are made on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with unrelated persons and do not involve more than the normal risk
of collectibilty. The aggregate dollar amount of these loans was $10.6 million
and $4.3 million at September 30,1996 and 1995, respectively.

The following table presents information concerning loans accounted for on a
nonaccrual basis and loans whose terms have been restructured to provide a
reduction of interest rate charged to the borrower:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            September 30,
                              ----------------------------------------
                                    1996                   1995
                              -----------------      -----------------
                               No.      Amount        No.      Amount
                                            (in thousands)
<S>                           <C>     <C>           <C>      <C> 
Nonaccrual loans               113    $ 19,859        159    $ 18,503 
Current restructured loans       1       1,416          3       3,476  
                              -----  ----------      -----  ----------
    Total                      114    $ 21,275        162    $ 21,979
                              =====  ==========      =====  ==========
</TABLE>

There were approximately $2.4 million and $1.1 million in loans that were 90
days or more past due in principal repayments while maintaining current interest
payments at September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. If the total nonaccrual
loans had been current and performing in accordance with their original terms,
total interest income would have been increased by approximately $1.7 million,
$1.5 million, and $899,000 for the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.

At September 30,1996, the impaired loan portfolio was primarily collateral
dependent as defined under SFAS 114 and totaled $14.6 million for which general
and specific allocations to the allowance for loan losses of $6.4 million were
identified. The average balance of impaired loans during 1996 was approximately
$12.1 million. The amount of cash basis interest income that was recognized on
impaired loans during 1996 was $407,000.

The following is an analysis of the allowance for loan losses:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Year ended September 30,    
                                         -------------------------------
                                              1996       1995      1994
                                         ----------  --------- ---------
                                                (in thousands)

<S>                                       <C>        <C>       <C>
Balance, beginning of period              $  6,082   $  6,351  $  8,111
Adjustment for the pooling of a company                              
     with a different year-end                   -          -       170
Provisions charged to operations             8,900      1,650     1,722
Recoveries                                     141         72       409
Losses charged against the allowance        (2,839)    (1,991)   (4,061)
                                         ----------  --------- --------- 
Balance, end of period                    $ 12,284   $  6,082  $  6,351
                                         ==========  ========= ========= 
</TABLE>
                                         
First DeWitt services real estate loans for investors which are not included in
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The total of such loans serviced
amounted to approximately $166.8 million, $113.4 million, and $115.2 million at
September 30, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Servicing income generated
from these loans amounted to $562,000, $390,000, and $351,000 for the years
ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

As discussed in note (1), the Corporation prospectively adopted SFAS 122 on
October 1, 1995. The Corporation capitalized originated mortgage servicing
rights of $535,000 during the year ended September 30, 1996. Amortization of
originated mortgage servicing rights for the year ended September 30, 1996 was
$63,000.

(5)  Deposits

Savings deposits are comprised of the following:
<TABLE>                                             
<CAPTION>
                                                    September 30,
                            ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1996                             1995
                            -----------------------------    -------------------------------
                                 Rate      Amount      %          Rate      Amount      %
                            ----------  --------- -------    ----------  --------- ---------
                                                      (dollars in thousands)
<S>                         <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>
Balance by type of account                                      
   and interest rate:
    Commercial Checking             -%  $  23,651   4.27%            -%  $  19,563   3.45 %
    Personal Checking            2.47      58,776  10.60          2.47      50,075   8.82  
    Money Market Checking        2.52      19,070   3.44          2.52      21,268   3.75  
    Money Market Passbook   2.52-4.89      32,426   5.85     2.52-3.93      31,898   5.62
    Savings                      2.13      97,361  17.56          2.37     108,240  19.06  
    Club                         2.13       2,225   0.40          2.37       2,064   0.36  
                                        --------- -------                --------- -------
                                          233,509  42.12                   233,108  41.06  
                                        --------- -------                --------- -------
    Certificates:                                                        
    Regular                 3.40-5.84(a)  279,350  50.40     3.20-5.51     266,754  46.99  
    Negotiable              4.35-7.68(a)   41,033   7.40     5.50-7.68      67,464  11.88  
                                        --------- -------                --------- -------
                                          320,383  57.80                   334,218  58.87  
                                        --------- -------                --------- -------
    Accrued interest payable                  428   0.08                       384   0.07  
                                        --------- -------                --------- -------
                                        $ 554,320 100.00%                $ 567,710 100.00%
                                        ========= =======                ========= =======
</TABLE>
(a)  At September 30,1996, the weighted average interest rates
     for regular and negotiable certificates were 5.32% and
     5.87%, respectively.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  1996                  1995       
                          ------------------    ------------------
                            Amount       %        Amount       %  
                          ---------- -------    ---------- -------
                                   (dollars in thousands)
<S>                       <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>
Contractual maturity of
certificate accounts:
Within one year           $ 288,982   90.20%    $ 298,070   89.18%
One to two years             14,089    4.40        18,553    5.56  
Two to three years            4,702    1.47         5,627    1.68 
Three to Five Years           6,111    1.91         4,853    1.45  
Over Five Years               6,499    2.02         7,115    2.13  
                          ---------- -------    ---------- -------  
                          $ 320,383  100.00%    $ 334,218  100.00%
                          ========== =======    ========== =======  

</TABLE>
Interest expense on deposits is comprised of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Year Ended September 30,
                                   -----------------------------------
                                       1996         1995         1994
                                   ---------    ---------    ---------
                                           (Dollars in thousands)
<S>                                <C>          <C>         <C>
Personal and money market          
   checking accounts               $  1,877     $  1,742     $  1,450
Savings, money market passbook                                
   and certificate accounts.         21,088       18,912       11,637
                                   ---------    ---------    --------- 
                                   $ 22,965     $ 20,654     $ 13,087
                                   =========    =========    ========= 

</TABLE>

(6)  Borrowed Money

Notes payable and other borrowings are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      September 30,
                                       Interest  --------------------
                          Due Date        Rate       1996       1995
                        -------------- --------  ---------  ---------
                                         (dollars in thousands)
<S>                     <C>               <C>    <C>        <C> 
FHLB of N.Y. (a)(d)     Mar.   3, 2008    6.56%  $    128   $    130
FHLB of N.Y. (b)(d)     Sept. 11, 2006    8.16        200        200
FHLB of N.Y. (b)(d)     May   25, 2000    6.63      3,000      3,000
FHLB of N.Y. (b)(d)     Jan.  30, 1998    7.97      2,000      2,000
FHLB of N.Y. (c)(d)     Demand            6.13        600          -
FHLB of N.Y. (c)(d)     Demand            6.63          -     17,775
                                                 ---------  --------- 
                                                 $  5,928   $ 23,105
                                                 =========  ========= 
</TABLE>
(a)  These borrowings require periodic amortization.
(b)  These borrowings do not require periodic amortization.
(c)  The Corporation maintains a $63.3 million line of credit.
(d)  First DeWitt maintains a blanket collateral agreement with
     FHLB for the above borrowings.  The amortized cost of 
     mortgage-backed securities, investments, and mortgage loans 
     pledged toward this agreement at September 30,1996 was $28.0
     million, $8.1 million and $25.5 million, respectively. The
     maximum borrowings outstanding cannot exceed 90% of the
     amounts pledged. 

(7)  Office Properties and Equipment

Office properties and equipment are summarized as follows:

                                             September 30,
                                        ----------------------
                                            1996        1995
                                        ----------   ---------
                                            (in thousands)
At cost:                                                 
   Land                                  $  1,584    $  1,563
   Buildings and improvements               9,138       9,076
   Furniture, equipment and automobiles     7,888       7,111
                                        ----------   ---------  
                                           18,610      17,750
   Less accumulated depreciation            8,439       7,227
                                        ----------   ---------    
  
                                         $ 10,171    $ 10,523
                                        ==========   =========


(8)   Accrued Interest Receivable

A breakdown of accrued interest receivable on assets follows:
                                                         
                                         September 30,
                                      --------------------
                                         1996        1995
                                      --------    --------
                                          (in thousands)
Mortgage and other loans              $ 5,140     $ 5,292
Mortgage-backed securities                212         122
Investments                               579         495
                                      --------    --------  
                                        5,931       5,909
Reserve for uncollectible interest     (1,989)     (1,863)
                                      --------    --------
                                      $ 3,942     $ 4,046 
                                      ========    ========
                                    

(9) Other Expenses

Other expenses include the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Year ended September 30,
                                       --------------------------------
                                          1996        1995        1994
                                       --------    --------    --------
                                                  (in thousands)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>
Telephone, postage and supplies        $   687     $   669     $   559
Insurance and bond premium                 328         457         425
Legal expenses                             314         256         215
Branch operations expense                  304         276         223
Examination and audit services expense     317         315         445
Other employee expense                     217         280         246
Other                                      684         871         971
                                       --------    --------    --------
                                       $ 2,851     $ 3,124     $ 3,084
                                       ========    ========    ========

</TABLE>

(10) Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) is made up of the following
components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year ended September 30,
                                      ---------------------------------
                                         1996        1995        1994
                                      ---------    --------    --------
                                                 (in thousands)
<S>                                   <C>          <C>         <C>
Current tax expense:                                          
   Federal                            $    336     $ 1,575     $ 1,550
   State                                     -         147         142
                                      ---------    --------    --------
                                           336       1,722       1,692
                                      ---------    --------    --------
Deferred federal tax benefit            (1,944)       (590)       (329)
                                      ---------    --------    --------
   Total income tax expense (benefit) $ (1,608)    $ 1,132     $ 1,363
                                      =========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at September 30, 1996
and 1995 are as follows:

                                             1996         1995
                                          --------     --------
Deferred tax assets:                                      
   Allowance for losses on loans                            
     and real estate owned per books      $ 3,633      $ 1,850
   Loan origination fees deferred         
     for book purposes                        177          126
   Accrued SAIF special assessment          1,115            -
   Reserve for uncollected interest           426          476
   Other, net                                 344           89
   Net operating loss carryforwards           417          564
                                          --------     --------
      Total gross deferred tax assets       6,112        3,105
                                          --------     --------
         Less valuation allowance           1,106          281
                                          --------     --------
                                            5,006        2,824
                                          --------     --------
Deferred tax liabilities:                                 
   Depreciation                               867          862
   Tax reserve for bad-debt                   174            -
                                          --------     --------
       Total gross deferred tax liability   1,041          862
                                          --------     --------
                                          $ 3,965      $ 1,962
                                          ========     ========

A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) per consolidated financial
statements and the "expected" income tax expense (benefit) follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year ended September 30,
                                           ------------------------
                                               1996         1995
                                            --------     --------
                                                (in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>          <C>
Expected income tax expense (benefit)       $(2,467)     $ 1,744
Amortization of excess cost over fair                        
   value of net assets acquired                  68          145
State tax, net of Federal benefit                 -           33
Increase in cash surrender value of                      
   insurance policies                          (135)        (227)
Interest income exclusion                      (241)        (265)
Other, net                                      342          104
Change in the beginning-of-the-year                             
   balance of the valuation allowance 
   for deferred tax assets allocated 
   as income tax expense                        825         (402)
Income tax expense (benefit) per            --------     --------
   consolidated financial statements        $(1,608)     $ 1,132
                                            ========     ========
</TABLE>

The valuation allowance for deferred assets as of October 1, 1995 was $281,000.
The net change in the total valuation allowance for the year ended September 30,
1996 was an increase of $825,000. Included in deferred tax assets "Other, net"
is an asset related to the unrealized loss on securities available for sale, in
the amounts of $89,000 and $30,000 for 1996 and 1995, respectively.

The Corporation will need to generate future taxable income, in order to fully
realize the deferred tax asset. Management believes it is more likely than not
that the Corporation will realize the benefit of net deductible temporary
differences and that such net deductible temporary differences will reverse
during periods in which the Corporation generates net taxable income. The net
deferred tax asset is predicated on the Corporation generating sufficient
taxable income to utilize the deferred tax assets. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Corporation will generate any earnings or any specific level
of continuing earnings.

The Congress in August of 1996, repealed, for tax purposes, the percentage of
taxable income bad debt reserve method. Pursuant to SFAS 109, retained income at
September 30, 1996 includes approximately $10.0 million for which no provision
for income tax has been made. This amount represents an allocation of income to
bad-debt deductions for tax purposes only. Events that would result in taxation
of these reserves include failure to qualify as a bank for tax purposes,
distributions in complete or partial liquidation, and excess distributions to
shareholders. The Corporation at September 30, 1996 had an unrecognized deferred
tax liability of $3.6 million with respect to this reserve.

(11) Employee Benefit Plans

The Corporation has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan. The plan
covers all employees provided they are at least 21 years of age and have worked
a minimum of 1000 hours in the plan year. Benefits are generally based on years
of service and the employee's compensation during the last 5 years of
employment. In 1995, the Bank froze all future benefit accruals to participants
in the pension plan. Accordingly, 1996 net periodic pension cost and the
projected benefit obligation reflect the effects of the plan curtailment.

The following table sets forth the plan's funded status:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       September 30,
                                                     -------------------
                                                      1996        1995
                                                     -------     -------
                                                       (in thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>
Plan assets at fair value, primarily                                
   investment rated bonds and
   mortgages with call protection                    $3,126      $2,337
                                                     -------     -------
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
   Accumulated benefit obligation for service                          
     rendered to date, including vested benefits 
     of $2,791 and $2,860, respectively               3,066       3,106
   Additional future benefits based on estimated     
     salary levels                                        -         301
                                                     -------     -------
Projected benefit obligation                          3,066       3,407
                                                     -------     -------
Excess of projected benefit obligation over             
   plan assets                                           60      (1,070) 
 Unrecognized net transition asset being                            
   recognized over 20.5 and 21.5 years, respectively     (9)         (9)
Unrecognized prior service cost                           -         843
Unrecognized net gain                                  (398)        (37)
Additional minimum balance sheet liability                -        (496)
                                                     -------     -------
Accrued pension cost included in other           
   (assets) liabilities                              $ (347)     $ (769)
                                                     =======     =======
<CAPTION>
                                            Year ended September 30,
                                            ------------------------
                                              1996    1995    1994
                                             ------  ------ -------  
                                                 (in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>     <C>     <C>
Net periodic pension cost included the                               
  following components:
Service cost-benefits earned during the       
  period                                     $   -   $ 273   $ 265
Interest cost on projected benefit             
  obligation                                   244     226     202
Actual return on plan assets                  (586)   (112)    (43)
Net amortization and deferral                  361      10     (72)
Curtailments loss                              542       -       -
                                             ------  ------ -------
Total net periodic pension cost              $ 561   $ 397   $ 352

</TABLE>

Annual pension contributions are made by the Bank in accordance with the
requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The
weighted average discount rate of 7.5% in 1996, 1995 and 1994, and the rate of
increase in future compensation levels of 5.5% in 1995 and 1994 were used in
determining the actuarial present value of benefit obligations. The expected
long-term rate of return on assets was 9.0% for 1996, 1995 and 1994.

First DeWitt has established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"). This
plan covers all employees included in the pension benefit plan except the
President and Chief Executive Officer. The ESOP, which is a tax-qualified
employee benefit plan, became effective upon conversion. At September 30, 1996,
the ESOP held, in trust, 171,302 shares of the Corporation's common stock.

First DeWitt has established a qualified defined contribution 401(k) Thrift Plan
(the Plan) under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Substantially all
employees are eligible for participation after one year of credited service, as
defined, provided they have attained age 21. Under the Plan, employee
contributions are partially matched by the Corporation. All employee and
employer matching contributions and income thereon are fully vested at all
times. Total 401(k) expense was $111,000, $82,000 and $75,000 for the years
ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

As of October 1, 1994, the Bank adopted deferred compensation plans for the
benefit of certain executive officers. Under the plans, the Bank agrees (i) in
return for the participants relinquishing the right to a portion of their
current compensation and (ii) as a supplemental retirement benefit, to pay
certain officers retirement benefits in a lump sum or in the form of monthly
payments of up to 240 months. The Bank will accrue on the books the present
value of the benefits, so the amounts required will be provided at normal
retirement dates and thereafter. Full retirement benefits are immediately
payable to the participant's beneficiary if death of the participant occurs
prior to retirement. The Bank incurred $666,000 and $198,000 of expense relating
to these plans during the years ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

In conjunction with the formation of these plans, the Bank purchased life
insurance on the participants. The cash surrender value of that insurance was
approximately $12.0 million and $11.6 million at September 30, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

(12) Commitments and Contingencies

Certain bank facilities are occupied under non-cancelable long term operating
leases which expire at various dates through 2007. Certain lease agreements
provide for renewal options and increases in rental payments based upon
increases in the consumer price index. Minimum aggregate lease payments for the
remainder of the lease terms are as follows:

             September 30,       (in thousands)
             -------------       --------------
                   1997               $    253
                   1998                    246
                   1999                    247
                   2000                    258
                   2001                    163
                Thereafter                 465
                                 --------------
       Total lease commitments        $  1,632
                                 ============== 

Net premises and occupancy expenses for 1996, 1995, and 1994 includes
approximately $239,800, $137,000 and $148,200, respectively, of rental expenses
for bank facilities.


In the ordinary course of business, to meet the financing needs of its
customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, the
Bank is a party to various financial instruments which are not reflected in the
consolidated financial statements. These instruments consist of commitments to
extend credit and unused lines of credit available under consumer loan credit
lines and involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the
amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Bank uses the
same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it
does for on-balance sheet instruments. The amount of collateral obtained, if
deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based upon management's credit
evaluation of the counterparty.

Loan commitments outstanding at September 30, 1996 and 1995 totaled $9.9
million and $17.3 million, respectively. The loan commitments outstanding at
September 30, 1996 consist of variable rate commitments approximating $6.7
million and fixed rate commitments approximating $3.2 million. The later
commitments had rates primarily from 6.63% to 8.75%. Unused line of credit
available under credit lines aggregated $28.8 million and $34.6 million at
September 30, 1996 and 1995. These off-balance sheet commitments generally have
fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses.

In addition, the Bank had commitments to sell mortgage loans outstanding at
September 30, 1996 totaling $4.8 million with interest rates ranging from 6.50%
to 8.75%. At September 30, 1995, there were similar commitments to sell mortgage
loans outstanding totaling $34.7 million.

The Bank grants residential, consumer, construction and commercial loans secured
generally by real estate to customers located primarily in New Jersey.
Accordingly, as with most financial institutions in the market area, the
ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio and
recoverability of in-substance foreclosed loans and real estate acquired by
foreclosure are susceptible to changes in market conditions.

In the normal course of business, First State may be party to various
outstanding legal proceedings and claims. In the opinion of management, the
disposition of such legal proceedings and claims will not materially affect
First State's consolidated financial statements.

(13) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

Quarterly results from 1996 and 1995 are shown below (in thousands, except per
share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  1996
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                    First    Second      Third      Fourth
                                   --------  --------   --------   --------
<S>                                <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest income                     11,844    11,601     13,050     12,744
Net interest income                  5,905     5,880      6,928      6,472
Provisions for loan losses             300       900      4,400      3,300
Income (loss) before income taxes    2,263       439     (3,503)    (6,456)
Net income (loss)                    1,505       308     (2,809)    (4,653)
Net income (loss) per share           0.36      0.08      (0.69)     (1.15)
                                        
                                                                

<CAPTION>
                                                    1995
                                   ----------------------------------------
                                    First    Second      Third      Fourth
                                   --------  --------   --------   --------
<S>                                <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest income                     10,151    10,907     11,450     11,841
Net interest income                  5,569     5,669      5,724      5,622
Provisions for loan losses             200       300        600        550
Income before income taxes           1,476     1,487      1,332        835
Net income                             961       988        958      1,091
Net income per share                  0.25      0.25       0.24       0.27

</TABLE>

(14) Stock Option Plans

The Corporation has various stock option plans which have been approved by the
Corporation's stockholders. The table below details their status at September
30, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    STOCK OPTIONS                 STOCK AWARDS
                                        -------------------------------------    ---------------
                            Total                             Wht.                                    Total
                           Shares                             Avg.   Options                          Shares
    Plan                 Outstanding      Issued   Vested    Price  Exercised    Issued   Vested     Unissued
- -------------------------  -------------  --------  -------  -------  ---------    ------   ------     --------
<S>                         <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
The 1987 Plan               190,700(a)   190,700  190,700  $  5.50     44,250       N/A      N/A           -
The 1993 Directors Plan      50,800       50,800   12,700  $  6.98     12,700         -        -           -
The 1993 Plan:                                                              
  1995 Distribution         254,000       48,700   19,480  $  7.25          -    11,700    4,680
  1996 Distribution                       75,600   15,120  $ 13.25          -    17,100    3,420      95,500

(a) Options that have expired under this plan total 82,550.
</TABLE>

On October 14, 1994, Ocean Independent Bank issued shares under an existing
stock option plan that converted to 15,443 shares of First State common stock.

(15) Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 September 30,
                                           ---------------------
                                              1996         1995
                                           ---------   ---------
                                                 (in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>          <C>
Balance Sheets
Assets   
   Cash                                      $     59    $    220
   Investments securities available for sale    1,007         964
   Investment securities                            -         410
   Loans receivable                               207         217
   Investments in subsidiaries                 33,965      39,779
   Other assets                                     -           2
                                             ---------   ---------
     Total assets                            $ 35,238    $ 41,592
                                             =========   =========
Liabilities and Stockholders' equity
   Other liabilities                                2           -
   Stockholders' equity                        35,236      41,592
                                             ---------   ---------
     Total stockholders' equity              $ 35,238   $  41,592
                                             =========   =========
<CAPTION>

                                             Years ended September 30,
                                          -----------------------------
                                              1996      1995      1994
                                          ---------  --------  --------
                                               (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>       <C>
Statement of Operations:                       
   Dividends from subsidiary              $      -   $ 1,000   $ 1,250
   Other income                                 76        76        31
                                          ---------  --------  --------
     Total income                               76     1,076     1,281
                                                  
Operating expenses                             109       276       274
Income (loss) before income taxes and     
  equity in undistributed earnings of
  subsidiaries                                 (33)      800     1,007
Income tax benefit                             (58)     (384)        -
                                          ---------  --------  --------
Income before equity in undistributed 
   earnings of subsidiaries                     25     1,184     1,007
Equity in undistributed earnings (losses)                              
   of subsidiaries                          (5,674)    2,814     2,494
                                          ---------  --------  --------
Net income (loss)                         $ (5,649)  $ 3,998   $ 3,501
                                          =========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Years ended September 30,
                                                      ----------------------------
                                                          1996      1995     1994
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
                                                               (in thousands)
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>      <C>
Statement of Cash Flows:                                 
Operating activities:
   Net income (loss)                                  $ (5,649)  $ 3,998  $ 3,501
   Net accretion of investment discount                      -       (29)       -
   Provision for losses on loans                             -        50        -
   Decrease in other assets                                  2       218      100
   Increase in other liabilities                             2         -        -
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
   Net cash (used) provided by operating activities     (5,645)    4,237    3,601
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
Investing activities:
   Decrease (increase) in investment in subsidiaries     5,675    (2,845)  (2,417)
   Proceeds from loan repayments                            10         8       20
   Origination of loans receivable                           -       (44)    (154)
   Purchase of investment securities available for sale   (473)     (454)    (510)
   Purchase of investment securities                         -    (1,097)       -
   Proceeds from sale of investment securities available 
      for sale                                             430         -        -
   Proceeds from maturities of investment securities       410       716        -
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
   Net cash provided (used) by investing activities      6,052    (3,716)  (3,061) 
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
Financing activities:
   Dividends paid on common stock                         (861)     (758)    (476)
   Common stock issued                                     293       190        - 
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
   Net cash used by financing activities                  (568)     (568)    (476)
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
(Decrease) increase in cash                               (161)      (47)      64
Cash at beginning of year                                  220       267      203
                                                      ---------  -------- --------
Cash at end of year                                   $     59   $   220  $   267
                                                      =========  ======== ========
NON-CASH TRANSFERS:
   Release of Employee Stock Ownership Plan stock     $      -   $     -  $ 1,159
   Cancellation of common shares in conjunction with
     merger                                           $      -   $     -  $   109

</TABLE>


(16) Stockholders' Equity and Regulatory Matters

Subject to applicable law, the Board of Directors of the Bank and of the
Corporation may each provide for the payment of dividends.

Future declaration of cash dividends by First State will depend upon
dividend payments by the Bank to the Corporation, which is its primary source of
income. Under Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") regulations, if the Bank
satisfies all applicable capital requirements, the Bank is permitted to pay cash
dividends during a calendar year in an amount equal to 100% of its net income to
date during that calendar year plus 50% of the amount by which its capital
exceeds its capital requirements at the beginning of the year. The Bank is
required to give 30 days' prior notice to the OTS of the intention to pay a
dividend, and the OTS may prohibit the payment of the dividend.

Earnings allocated to bad debt reserves for losses and deducted for federal
income tax purposes are not available for dividends or other distributions with
respect to the Bank's capital stock without the payment of tax at the then
current income tax rate on approximately 150% of the amount so used, assuming a
34% corporate income tax rate.

At the time of conversion from mutual to stock form, a liquidation account was
established in an amount equal to the Bank's retained income at December 31,
1986. The liquidation account was established for the benefit of eligible
account holders who continue to maintain their accounts at First DeWitt after
conversion. The liquidation account will be reduced annually to the extent that
eligible account holders have reduced their eligible deposits. Subsequent
increases will not restore an eligible account holder's interest in the
liquidation account. In the event of a complete liquidation, each eligible
account holder will be entitled to receive a distribution from the liquidation
account in a proportionate amount to the current adjusted eligible account
balances then held. The balance of the liquidation account at September 30, 1996
was $69,000 ($1.7 million at September 30, 1995).

OTS regulations require savings institutions to maintain minimum levels of
regulatory capital. Under the regulations in effect at September 30, 1996, the
Bank was required to maintain a minimum ratio of tangible capital to total
adjusted assets of 1.5%; a minimum ratio of Tier 1 (core) capital to total
adjusted assets of 3.0%; and a minimum ratio of total (core and supplementary)
capital to risk- weighted assets of 8.0%.

Under its prompt corrective action regulations, the OTS is required to take
certain supervisory actions (and may take additional discretionary actions) with
respect to an undercapitalized institution. Such actions could have a direct
material effect on the institution's financial statements. The regulations
establish a framework for the classification of savings institutions into five
categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized,
significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. Generally, an
institution is considered adequately capitalized if it has a Tier 1 (core)
capital ratio of at least 3.0%; a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least
4.0%; and a total risk- based capital ratio of at least 8.0%. Under the
framework, the Bank's capital levels do not allow the Bank to accept brokered
deposits without prior approval from regulators.

The foregoing capital ratios are based in part on specific quantitative measures
of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under
regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also
subject to qualitative judgments by the OTS about capital components, risk
weightings, and other factors.

Management believes that, as of September 30, 1996, the Bank meets all capital
adequacy requirements to which it is subject. The following is a summary of the
Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios as of September 30, 1996 and 1995,
compared to the OTS minimum capital adequacy requirements and the OTS
requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            To Be Well
                                                           Capitalized
                                                              Under
                                                              Prompt
                                             Minimum        Corrective
                                             Capital          Action
                             Actual        Requirements     Provisions: 
                          --------------  --------------  ---------------
                          Amount  Ratio   Amount  Ratio   Amount  Ratio
                          ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  -------
                                      ( in thousands )
<S>                       <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
As of September 30, 1996:
Tangible Capital          31,954   5.24%    9,143  1.50%    9,143   1.50%
Core Capital              31,954   5.24%   18,285  3.00%   30,474   5.00%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital 31,954   8.14%   15,710  4.00%   23,565   6.00%
Risk-Based Capital        36,921   9.40%   31,419  8.00%   39,274  10.00%
                                                                    
                                                                    
As of September 30, 1995:
Tangible Capital          37,404   5.87%    9,563  1.50%    9,563   1.50%
Core Capital              37,404   5.87%   19,126  3.00%   31,877   5.00%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital 37,404   9.27%   16,137  4.00%   24,205   6.00%
Risk-Based Capital        42,448  10.52%   32,273  8.00%   40,341  10.00%
</TABLE>

SAIF Special Assessment

The Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 (the "Act") was signed into law on
September 30, 1996. Among other things, the Act requires depository institutions
to pay a one-time special assessment of 65.7 basis points on their
SAIF-assessable deposits, in order to recapitalize the SAIF to the reserve level
required by law. The Corporation's financial statements for the year ended
September 30, 1996 reflect a separate charge of $3.1 million this special
assessment.

(17) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair
Value of Financial Instruments" (Statement 107), requires disclosure of
estimated fair value for financial instruments. Fair value estimates, methods
and assumption are set forth below for the Bank's financial instruments for
which it is practical to estimate those values.

Cash on hand and in banks

For cash on hand and in banks the carrying amount approximates fair value.

Investments Available for Sale, Investments and Mortgage-backed Securities

The fair value of investments available for sale, investments and
mortgage-backed securities, were based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes,
if available. If a quoted market price or dealer quote was not available, fair
value was estimated using quoted market prices of similar securities.

Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of New York

The fair value for FHLB stock is its carrying value, since this is the amount
for which it could be redeemed. There is no active market for this stock and the
Bank is required to maintain a minimum balance based upon the unpaid principal
of home mortgage loans and similar obligations.

Loans, Receivable

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial
characteristics. Loans were segregated by type. Each loan category was further
segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms.

The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows and
prepayments using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to
borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining terms.

Cash surrender value of life insurance

The fair value of the cash surrender value of life insurance is the approximate
cash value at September 30, 1996 and 1995.

Deposit Liabilities

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as passbook, NOW, money
market and commercial deposit accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand
as of September 30,1996 and 1995. The fair value of certificates of deposit is
based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is
estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining
maturities.

Borrowed Money

The fair value of borrowed money is the carrying value for short-term
obligations while long-term borrowing fair values are estimated using rates
available on borrowings with similar terms and maturities.

The estimated fair values of the Bank's financial instruments as of September
30, 1996 and 1995 are presented in the following table. Since the fair value of
off-balance-sheet commitments approximates book value, these disclosures are not
included.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996                1995
                                          ------------------- -------------------
                                              Book      Fair      Book      Fair
                                             Value     Value     Value     Value
                                          --------- --------- --------- ---------
                                                        (in thousands)
<S>                                        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Financial assets:                                       
Cash on hand and in banks                 $ 12,395  $ 12,395  $ 11,792  $ 11,792
Investment securities                       24,643    24,355    20,889    20,657
Investment securities,available for sale     9,466     9,466    11,799    11,799
Mortgage-backed securities                  31,024    30,560    18,961    19,002
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock     3,404     3,404     3,715     3,715
Loans receivable, net                      480,931   486,529   461,648   465,742
Mortgage loans held for resale               9,106     9,106    67,219    67,642
Cash surrender value of life insurance      11,978    11,978    11,582    11,582
                                          --------- --------- --------- ---------
Financial liabilities:                                         
Deposits                                  $554,320  $553,205  $567,710  $567,126
Borrowed money                               5,928     5,997    23,105    23,159
                                          --------- --------- --------- ---------
</TABLE>

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant
market information and information about the financial instrument. These
estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering
for sale at one time the Bank's entire holdings of a particular financial
instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Bank's
financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding
future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk
characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These
estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of
significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes
in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on-balance-sheet financial
instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future
business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered
financial instruments. The tax ramifications related to the realization of the
unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value
estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

(18) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" (SFAS 123). This statement establishes financial accounting and
reporting standards for stock-based employee compensation plans. SFAS 123
encourages all entities to adopt the "fair value base method" of accounting for
employee stock compensation plans. However, SFAS 123 also allows an entity to
continue to measure compensation cost under such plans using the "intrinsic
value based method." Under the fair value based method, compensation cost is
measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized
over the service period, usually the vesting period. Fair value is determined
using an option pricing model that takes into account the stock price at the
grant date, the exercise price, the expected life of the option, the volatility
of the underlying stock and the expected dividends on it, and the risk-free
interest rate over the expected life of the option. Under the intrinsic value
based method, compensation cost is the excess, if any, of the quoted market
price of the stock at the grant date or other measurement date over the amount
an employee must pay to acquire the stock. Most stock plans have no intrinsic
value at date of grant, and under previous accounting guidance, no compensation
cost was to be recognized.

The accounting requirements of this statement are effective for transactions
entered into in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 1995. The Bank
intends to continue accounting for compensation costs under the intrinsic value
based method and will provide pro forma disclosures for all awards granted after
October 1, 1995. Such disclosures include net income and earnings per share
after the fair value based method of accounting has been applied.

In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 125 "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing
of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities" (SFAS 125). SFAS 125
amends portions of SFAS 115, and extends to all servicing assets and
liabilities, the accounting standards for mortgage servicing rights now governed
by SFAS 65, and SFAS 122. The statement provides consistent standards for
distinguishing transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers that
are secured borrowings. Those standards are based upon consistent application of
a financial components approach that focuses on control. The statement also
defines accounting treatment for servicing assets and other retained interests
in the assets that are transferred. SFAS 125 is effective for transfers and
servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities occurring after
December 31, 1996 and is to be applied prospectively. The Bank does not expect
the adoption of SFAS 125 to have material effect on its future financial
position or results of operations.




                                                                  Exhibit 99.3
                                                                                
                        Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements     
(Form S-8 No. 33-20186, Form S-8 No. 33-29038, Form S-8 No. 33-39453, Form S-8  
No. 33-44108, Form S-8 No. 33-89586, Form S-8 No. 33-89592, Form S-8 No.        
333-05309, Form S-8 No. 333-05251 Form S-3 No. 33-46870, and Form S-3 No.       
333-09113) of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. of our report dated May 27, 1997, with    
respect to the supplemental consolidated financial statements of Sovereign      
Bancorp, Inc. included in its Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed on or about
June 13, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.               


/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Reading, Pennsylvania
June 12, 1997





                                                                  Exhibit 99.4

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Board of Directors
Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.:


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 No. 33-20186, Form S-8 No. 33-29034, Form S-8 No. 33-39453,
Form S-8 No. 33-44108, Form S-8 No. 33-89586, Form S-8 No. 33-89592, Form S-3
No. 33-46870, Form S-3 No. 333-39113, Form S-8 No. 333-05309 and Form S-8
No. 333-05251) of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. of our report dated November 26, 1996,
with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of First State Financial
Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 1996,
which report appears in the Form 8-K of Sovereign Bancorp, Inc. dated June 13,
1997.


/s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK, LLP
Short Hills, New Jersey
June 13, 1997




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