CENTURY BANCORP INC
S-2, 1998-04-23
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                              --------------------

                                    FORM S-2
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

CENTURY BANCORP, INC.                        CENTURY BANCORP
                                             CAPITAL TRUST

(Exact name of Registrant as                (Exact name of Registrant as
specified in its charter)                   specified in its Trust Agreement)


MASSACHUSETTS                               DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction                (State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)           of incorporation or organization)


6712                                        6719
(Primary Standard Industrial                (Primary Standard Industrial
 Classification Code Number)                 Classification Code Number)

04-2498617                                  (applied for)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                                400 MYSTIC AVENUE
                          MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 02155
                                 (781) 391-4000


   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of
                    Registrant's principal executive offices)

                               MARSHALL M. SLOANE
                 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.
                                400 Mystic Avenue
                          Medford, Massachusetts 02155
                                 (781) 391-4000
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                        of agent for service)
                                   Copies to:

PETER W. COOGAN, ESQ.                       REGINA M. PISA, P.C.
DAVID W. WALKER, ESQ.                       Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP
Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP                     Exchange Place
One Post Office Square                      Boston, MA 02109
Boston, MA 02109                            (617) 570-1000
(617) 832-1000                                                         
<PAGE>   2
         Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As
soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

         If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.|_|

         If the registrant elects to deliver its latest annual report to
security holders, or a complete and legible facsimile thereof, pursuant to Item
11(a)(1) of this form, check the following box: |_|

         If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|

         If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. |_|

         If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. |_|

         If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. |_|



                                       -2-
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                    PROPOSED               PROPOSED
                                                                     MAXIMUM                MAXIMUM              AMOUNT OF
       TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF               AMOUNT TO BE         OFFERING PRICE            AGGREGATE           REGISTRATION
    SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED              REGISTERED             PER UNIT            OFFERING PRICE            FEE(4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                   <C>                   <C>                    <C>
Preferred Securities of Century
Bancorp Capital Trust                       2,875,000(1)          $10.00                $28,750,000            $9,913.79
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Junior Subordinated Debentures of
Century Bancorp, Inc.                       $28,750,000(2)        ____________          ____________           _____________
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guarantee of Century Bancorp, Inc.          __________(3)
with respect to the Preferred Securities                          ____________          _____________          _____________
==============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


(1)      Includes 375,000 Preferred Securities which may be sold by Century
         Bancorp Capital Trust to cover over-allotments.
(2)      The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be purchased by Century Bancorp
         Capital Trust with the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred
         Securities. Such securities may later be distributed for no additional
         consideration to the holders of the Preferred Securities of Century
         Bancorp Capital Trust upon its dissolution and the distribution of its
         assets.
(3)      This Registration Statement is deemed to cover the Junior Subordinated
         Debentures of Century Bancorp, Inc., the rights of holders of Junior
         Subordinated Debentures of Century Bancorp, Inc. under the Indenture
         covering the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the rights of holders
         of the Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement, the Guarantee
         and the Expense Agreement entered into by Century Bancorp, Inc. No
         separate consideration will be received for the Guarantee.
(4)      The registration fee is calculated in accordance with Rule 457(n).
         Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate
         registration fee is payable for the Guarantee.


         The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting
pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

                   PART I. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of any offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.



                                       -3-
<PAGE>   4
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.


PROSPECTUS            SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED                        , 1998
[LOGO]
                         2,500,000 PREFERRED SECURITIES
                          CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST
                    __% CUMULATIVE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
                 (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $10 PER PREFERRED SECURITY)
                       GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY

                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                      ------------------------------------

                $25,000,000 __% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OF
                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                      ------------------------------------


        The % Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities")
offered hereby represent preferred undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of Century Bancorp Capital Trust, a statutory business trust created under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"). Century Bancorp, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation (the "Company"), will own all the common securities
(the "Common Securities" and, together with the Preferred Securities, the "Trust
Securities") representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust.
                                      (Continued on next page)

        Application has been made to have the Preferred Securities approved for
quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market under the Symbol "CNBKP."

                                           ------------------------------------


        SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 13 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.

 THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF A BANK
        AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
             OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY AND INVOLVE INVESTMENT
                  RISKS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.

          THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
           SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
            COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
            PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
            ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===================================================================================================================================
                                                         PRICE TO                   UNDERWRITING                PROCEEDS TO
                                                          PUBLIC                    COMMISSION(1)                TRUST(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                               <C>                    <C>
Per Preferred Security......................              $10.00                         (2)                      $10.00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(3)....................................           $25,000,000                       (2)                    $25,000,000
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


(1)      The Company and the Trust have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters
         against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(2)      In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred
         Securities will be invested in the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
         Company, as issuer of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, has agreed to
         pay the Underwriters, as compensation, $_____ per Preferred Security or
         $_______ in the aggregate ( $_______ if the over-allotment option is
         exercised in full). See "Underwriting." The Company has also agreed to
         pay the expenses of the offering estimated to be $ .
(3)      The Trust has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up
         to a maximum of 375,000 additional Preferred Securities to cover
         over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised in full the total
         Price to Public, Underwriting Commission and Proceeds to Trust will be
         $28,750,000, $[ ] and $28,750,000, respectively. See "Underwriting."

        The Preferred Securities are being offered by the Underwriters, subject
to prior sale when, as and if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriters and
subject to their right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the Preferred Securities will be made on or about May __, 1998.

                           TUCKER ANTHONY INCORPORATED

                The date of this Prospectus is ___________, 1998.
<PAGE>   5
        State Street Bank and Trust Company is the Property Trustee (as defined
herein) of the Trust. The Trust exists for the purpose of issuing the Preferred
Securities and investing the proceeds thereof in an equivalent amount of %
Junior Subordinated Debentures (the "Junior Subordinated Debentures") of the
Company. The Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on June 30, 2029, which
date may be shortened to a date not earlier than June 30, 2003, if certain
conditions are met (including, in the case of shortening the Stated Maturity (as
defined herein), the Company having received prior approval of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve") to do so if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve). The Preferred Securities will have a preference over the Common
Securities under certain circumstances with respect to cash distributions and
amounts payable on liquidation, redemption or otherwise. See "Description of the
Preferred Securities--Subordination of the Common Securities."

        Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to receive preferential
cumulative cash distributions, at the annual rate of __% of the liquidation
amount of $10 per Preferred Security (the "Liquidation Amount"), accruing from
May __, 1998, the date of original issuance, and payable quarterly in arrears on
the last day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing
September 30, 1998 (the "Distributions"). The Company has the right, so long as
no Debenture Event of Default (as defined herein) has occurred and is
continuing, to defer payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures
at any time or from time to time for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive
quarters with respect to each deferral period (each, an "Extension Period");
provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such Extension
Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Company may elect to begin a
new Extension Period subject to the requirements set forth herein. If interest
payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures are so deferred, Distributions on
the Preferred Securities will also be deferred, and the Company will not be
permitted, subject to certain exceptions described herein, to declare or pay any
cash distributions with respect to its capital stock or debt securities that
rank pari passu with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. DURING AN
EXTENSION PERIOD, INTEREST ON THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES WILL CONTINUE
TO ACCRUE (AND THE AMOUNT OF DISTRIBUTIONS TO WHICH HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED
SECURITIES ARE ENTITLED WILL ACCUMULATE) AT THE RATE OF ___% PER ANNUM,
COMPOUNDED QUARTERLY, AND HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES WILL BE REQUIRED
TO INCLUDE INTEREST INCOME IN THEIR GROSS INCOME FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL
INCOME TAX PURPOSES IN ADVANCE OF RECEIPT OF THE CASH DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT
TO SUCH DEFERRED INTEREST PAYMENTS. UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF AN EXTENSION PERIOD,
A HOLDER OF PREFERRED SECURITIES THAT DISPOSES OF ITS PREFERRED SECURITIES
BETWEEN RECORD DATES FOR PAYMENTS OF DISTRIBUTIONS (AND CONSEQUENTLY DOES NOT
RECEIVE A DISTRIBUTION FROM THE TRUST FOR THE PERIOD PRIOR TO SUCH DISPOSITION)
WILL NEVERTHELESS BE REQUIRED TO INCLUDE ACCRUED BUT UNPAID INTEREST ON THE
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES THROUGH THE DATE OF DISPOSITION IN INCOME AS
ORDINARY INCOME AND TO ADD SUCH AMOUNT TO ITS ADJUSTED TAX BASIS IN ITS PRO RATA
SHARE OF THE UNDERLYING JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DEEMED DISPOSED OF. See
"Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period," "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Potential Extension
of Interest Payment Period and Original Issue Discount" and "--Disposition of
Preferred Securities."

        The Company and the Trust believe that, taken together, the obligations
of the Company under the Guarantee, the Trust Agreement, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, the Indenture and the Expense Agreement (each as defined herein)
provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee, on a
subordinated basis, of all of the obligations of the Trust under the Preferred
Securities. See "Relationship Among the Preferred Securities, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee--Full and Unconditional Guarantee."
The Guarantee of the Company guarantees the payment of Distributions and
payments on liquidation or redemption of the Preferred Securities, but only in
each case to the extent of funds held by the Trust, as described herein. See
"Description of the Guarantee--General." If the Company does not make interest
payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust, the Trust will
have insufficient funds to pay Distributions on the Preferred Securities. The
Guarantee does not cover payments of Distributions when the Trust does not have
sufficient funds to pay such Distributions. In such event, a holder of Preferred
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture to enforce payments of amounts equal to
such Distributions to such holder. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of the Preferred
Securities." The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee and the
Preferred Securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations (each as
defined herein) of the Company. The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured
obligations of the Company and are subordinated to all Senior Debt, Subordinated
Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of the Company.


                                        2
<PAGE>   6
        The Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole
or in part, upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at maturity or
their earlier redemption. Subject to Federal Reserve approval, if then required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures are redeemable prior to maturity at the option of
the Company (i) on or after June 30, 2003, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, or (ii) at any time, in whole (but not in part), within 180 days
following the occurrence of a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an
Investment Company Event (each as defined herein), in each case at a redemption
price equal to the accrued and unpaid interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures so redeemed to the date fixed for redemption, plus 100% of the
principal amount thereof. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Redemption or Exchange."

        The Company intends to take the position that the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be classified under current law as indebtedness of the Company
for United States federal income tax purposes and accordingly, the Company
intends to treat the interest payable by the Company on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures as deductible for United States federal income tax purposes. There is
no assurance that such position of the Company will not be challenged by the
Internal Revenue Service or, if challenged, that such a challenge will not be
successful. See "Risk Factors-Proposed Tax Legislation".

        The Company has the right at any time to dissolve the Trust, subject to
the Company having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve to do so if
then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the Trust,
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by
applicable law, the holders of Preferred Securities will be entitled to receive
a Liquidation Amount of $10 per Preferred Security, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of payment, which may be in the form of a
Junior Subordinated Debenture having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
Liquidation Amount of such Preferred Securities (and carrying with it
accrued interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid
Distributions then due on such Preferred Securities), subject to certain
exceptions. See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Redemption or
Exchange" and "--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."

        The Company will provide to the holders of the Preferred Securities
quarterly reports containing unaudited financial statements and annual reports
containing financial statements audited by the Company's independent auditors.
The Company will also furnish annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q free of charge to holders of the Preferred Securities who so
request in writing addressed to the Clerk of the Company.

        CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN
TRANSACTIONS THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE
PREFERRED SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENTS, STABILIZING
TRANSACTIONS, SYNDICATE SHORT COVERING TRANSACTIONS AND PENALTY BIDS.  SUCH
TRANSACTIONS, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.  FOR A
DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."

        IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS (AND SELLING
GROUP MEMBERS) MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE PREFERRED
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY ON THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET'S NATIONAL MARKET IN
ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 OF REGULATION M. SEE "UNDERWRITING."




                                        3
<PAGE>   7
                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                              [MAP OF OPERATIONS]


                                        4
<PAGE>   8
                                     SUMMARY

        The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information, including "Risk Factors" and the Consolidated Financial Statements
and Notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated herein
by reference. The discussion in this Prospectus contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that involve risks and uncertainties. The
Company's actual results and the timing of certain events may differ materially
from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those
discussed in "Risk Factors." As used herein, (i) the "Indenture" means the
Indenture, to be dated as of April __, 1998, as amended and supplemented from
time to time, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
Debenture Trustee (the "Debenture Trustee"), relating to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, (ii) the "Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated
Declaration of Trust relating to the Trust among the Company, as Depositor,
State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Property Trustee (the "Property
Trustee"), Wilmington Trust Company, as Delaware Trustee (the "Delaware
Trustee"), and the Administrative Trustees named therein (collectively, with the
Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the "Issuer Trustees") and (iii) the
"Guarantee" means the Guarantee Agreement relating to the Preferred Securities
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Guarantee
Trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee").

CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

        Century Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (together with its
subsidiary, unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company"), formed in
1972 and headquartered in Medford, Massachusetts, is a one bank holding company
operating primarily through Century Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts bank
formed in 1969 (the "Bank"). The Company had total assets of $631.1 million and
stockholders' equity of $53.9 million on December 31, 1997. The Bank is a
community bank, with 15 banking offices in 14 cities and towns in eastern
Massachusetts ranging from Braintree to Peabody. The Bank's customers consist
primarily of small and medium-sized businesses and retail customers in these
communities and surrounding areas, as well as local governments throughout
eastern Massachusetts.

        The Bank offers a wide range of services to commercial enterprises,
state and local governments and agencies, and individuals with an emphasis on
service to small and medium-sized businesses and retail Customers in its market
area. It makes commercial loans, real estate and construction loans, and
consumer loans, and accepts savings, time, and demand deposits. In addition, the
Bank offers to its corporate customers automated lock box collection services,
cash management services and account reconciliation services, and actively
promotes the marketing of these services to the municipal market.

        The Bank provides full service securities brokerage through Century
Financial Services in conjunction with Commonwealth Equities. In addition, the
Bank is a provider of financial services including cash management, transaction
processing and short term financing to municipalities in Massachusetts. The Bank
has deposit relationships with approximately 30% of the 351 cities and towns in
the state.




                                        5
<PAGE>   9
FINANCIAL SUMMARY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands,                                                              At or for the
except per share data)                                                                Year Ended
                                                                                     December 31,
                                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             1997           1996           1995           1994           1993
                                                             ----           ----           ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Assets                                                     $631,125       $560,857       $531,928       $465,419       $469,823
Deposits                                                    515,449        476,135        458,615        409,542        421,395
Stockholders' equity                                         53,857         47,489         42,935         37,553         35,505
Pre-tax income                                               11,028          8,839          6,240          4,072          1,828
Net income                                                    6,823          5,434          4,574          3,304          1,223
Net yield on average earning assets, taxable                  
  equivalent                                                  4.99%          4.79%          4.86%          4.70%          4.16%
Return on average equity                                     13.56%         12.13%         11.33%          9.11%          3.48%
Return on average assets                                      1.20%          1.01%          0.92%          0.70%          0.25%
</TABLE>




STRATEGY

        The Company has sought to consistently increase earnings per share and
to maximize return on equity through a combination of strategies, including:

o       Personalized Service. The Company seeks to offer a full range of
        products and services to its customers while maintaining the high level
        of personalized service associated with a community bank. Strong,
        long-term relationships are a cornerstone of this strategy. The Company
        strives to respond quickly to customer needs and provides customers with
        direct access to senior lending officers with approval authority. The
        Company intends to use its community-based position to build its
        portfolio of commercial loans to small and medium-sized businesses.

o       Growth through Strategic Acquisitions. The Company is in the process of
        completing the acquisition of Haymarket Cooperative Bank. See "Recent
        Developments" below. The Company continues to seek suitable strategic
        opportunities for consolidation and expansion of its market position
        through selective acquisitions.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

        On December 10, 1997, the Company announced an agreement to acquire
Haymarket Cooperative Bank. Haymarket, located in Boston, Massachusetts, has
approximately $142 million of assets and will be acquired for approximately $20
million in cash. The Haymarket acquisition will add two branch locations in
Boston's financial district, allowing the Company to provide commercial banking
services to a greater number of Boston's small and medium-sized businesses. The
acquisition will also connect the Bank geographically, giving it a market
presence from Beverly on the North Shore of Massachusetts to Quincy and
Braintree on the South Shore. The transaction is subject to federal and state
regulatory approvals.

        On April 14, 1998, the Company announced net income of $1,802,000 or
$0.31 per share for the first quarter of 1998, compared to net income of
$1,376,000, or $0.24 per share for the first quarter of 1997.

        Total stockholders' equity was $55.3 million at March 31, 1998, compared
to $48.4 million at March 31, 1997. The Company's leverage ratio at March 31,
1998, stood at 9.05%, compared to a leverage ratio of 8.62% on March 31, 1997.
Book value at March 31, 1998 was $9.55 per share.

        The Company's allowance for loan losses was $4.7 million, or 1.46% of
loans outstanding at the end of the first quarter, compared to $4.3 million, or
1.46% of loans outstanding at March 31, 1997. Non-accruing loans totaled $1.5
million at March 31, 1998, compared to $1.7 million at the end of the previous
quarter.

        The Company's Board of Directors voted a regular quarterly dividend of 
5 cents ($0.05) per share on the Company's Class A common stock, and 0.70 cents
($0.0070) per share on the Company's Class B common stock. The dividends were
declared payable May 15, 1998 to stockholders of record on May 1, 1998.

        The principal executive office of the Company is located at 400 Mystic
Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155 and its telephone number is (781) 391-4000.






                                        6
<PAGE>   10
CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST

               The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) a trust agreement, dated as of April 21, 1998, executed by the
Company, as depositor, and the trustees of the Trust (together with the Property
Trustee, the "Trustees"), and (ii) a certificate of trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 21, 1998. The initial trust
agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety (as so amended and
restated, the "Trust Agreement") substantially in the form filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part. The Trust
Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). Upon issuance of the Preferred
Securities, the purchasers thereof will own all of the Preferred Securities. The
Company will acquire all of the Common Securities, which will represent an
aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital of the
Trust. The Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made
thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities, except that upon the occurrence
and during the continuance of an Event of Default (as defined herein) under the
Trust Agreement resulting from a Debenture Event of Default, the rights of the
Company as holder of the Common Securities to payment in respect of
Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities. See
"Description of the Preferred Securities--Subordination of Common Securities."
The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Trust Securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (ii)
investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Securities in the Junior Subordinated
Debentures issued by the Company, and (iii) engaging in only those other
activities necessary, advisable, or incidental thereto. The Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be the only assets of the Trust and payments under the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be the only revenue of the Trust. The Trust has a
term of 55 years, but may dissolve earlier as provided in the Trust Agreement.
The principal executive office of the Trust is c/o Century Bancorp, Inc., 400
Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, and its telephone number is (781)
391-4000.


                                        7
<PAGE>   11
                                         THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
Securities Offered..................     2,500,000 Preferred Securities having a Liquidation Amount of $10 per
                                         Preferred Security.  The Preferred Securities represent preferred
                                         undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, which will consist
                                         solely of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and payments thereunder.
                                         The Trust has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable within 30
                                         days after the date of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional
                                         375,000 Preferred Securities at the initial offering price, solely to cover
                                         over-allotments, if any.

Offering Price .....................     $10 per Preferred Security (Liquidation Amount $10).

Distributions ......................     The Distributions payable on each Preferred Security will be fixed at a
                                         rate per annum of ___% of the Liquidation Amount of $10 per Preferred
                                         Security, will be cumulative, will accrue from May __, 1998, the date of
                                         original issuance of the Preferred Securities, and will be payable quarterly
                                         in arrears, on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each
                                         year, commencing September 30, 1998.  See "Description of the Preferred
                                         Securities-Distributions-Payment of Distributions."

Junior Subordinated Debentures......     The Trust will invest the proceeds from the issuance of the Preferred
                                         Securities and Common Securities in an equivalent amount of __% Junior
                                         Subordinated Debentures of the Company.  The Junior Subordinated
                                         Debentures will mature on June 30, 2029. The Junior Subordinated
                                         Debentures will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
                                         Senior Debt and Subordinated Debt of the Company.  In addition, the
                                         Company's obligations under the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
                                         structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities and
                                         obligations of its subsidiaries.

Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period......................     The Company has the right, at any time, so long as no Debenture Event
                                         of Default has occurred and is continuing, to defer payments of interest
                                         on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20
                                         consecutive quarters; provided, that no Extension Period may extend
                                         beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.  As
                                         a consequence of the extension by the Company of the interest payment
                                         period, quarterly Distributions on the Preferred Securities will be deferred
                                         (though such Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon
                                         compounded quarterly, since interest will continue to accrue and
                                         compound on the Junior Subordinated Debentures) during any such
                                         Extension Period.  During an Extension Period, the Company will be
                                         prohibited, subject to certain exceptions described herein, from declaring
                                         or paying any cash distributions with respect to its capital stock or debt
                                         securities that rank pari passu with or junior to the Junior Subordinated
                                         Debentures.  Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the
                                         payment of all amounts then due, the Company may commence a new
                                         Extension Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.  See
                                         "Description of the Preferred Securities--Distributions--Extension
                                         Period" and "Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option
                                         to Extend Interest Payment Period." Should an Extension Period occur,
</TABLE>



                                        8
<PAGE>   12
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
                                         holders of Preferred Securities will be required to include deferred
                                         interest income in their gross income for United States federal income
                                         tax purposes in advance of receipt of the cash distributions with
                                         respect to such deferred interest payments. See "Certain Federal
                                         Income Tax Consequences--Potential Extension of Interest Payment
                                         Period and Original Issue Discount."

Redemption..........................     The Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole
                                         or in part, upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at
                                         maturity or their earlier redemption.  Subject to Federal Reserve approval,
                                         if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the
                                         Federal Reserve, the Junior Subordinated Debentures are redeemable
                                         prior to maturity at the option of the Company (i) on or after June 30,
                                         2003, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, or (ii) at any time,
                                         in whole (but not in part), within 180 days following the occurrence of a
                                         Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event,
                                         in each case at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount
                                         of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, together with any accrued but
                                         unpaid interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the date fixed
                                         for redemption.  See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
                                         Debentures--Redemption or Exchange."

Ranking.............................     The Preferred Securities will rank pari passu, and payments thereon will
                                         be made pro rata, with the Common Securities except as described under
                                         "Description of the Preferred Securities--Subordination of Common
                                         Securities."  The Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank pari passu
                                         with all other Junior Subordinated Debentures (if any) issued by the
                                         Company (the "Other Debentures"), which are issued and sold (if at all)
                                         to other trusts established by the Company (if any), in each case similar
                                         to the Trust ("Other Trusts"), and will constitute unsecured obligations of
                                         the Company and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to
                                         all Senior Indebtedness to the extent and in the manner set forth in the
                                         Indenture.  See "Description of Junior Subordinated Debentures." The
                                         Guarantee will rank pari passu with all other guarantees (if any) issued
                                         by the Company with respect to Preferred Securities (if any) issued by
                                         Other Trusts ("Other Guarantees") and will constitute an unsecured
                                         obligation of the Company and will rank subordinate and junior in right
                                         of payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent and in the manner set
                                         forth in the Guarantee Agreement.  See "Description of Guarantee." In
                                         addition, because the Company is a holding company, the Junior
                                         Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee will be effectively
                                         subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's
                                         subsidiaries, including the Bank's deposit liabilities.  See "Description of
                                         Junior Subordinated Debentures--Subordination."

Distribution of Junior
Subordinated Debentures.............     The Company has the right at any time to dissolve the Trust and cause the
                                         Junior Subordinated Debentures, after satisfaction of liabilities to
                                         creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, to be distributed to
                                         holders of Preferred Securities in liquidation of the Trust, subject to the
                                         Company having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve to do so
                                         if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the
</TABLE>



                                        9
<PAGE>   13
<TABLE>
<S>                                      <C>
                                         Federal Reserve.  See "Description of the Preferred Securities--
                                         Redemption or Exchange" and "Description of the Preferred
                                         Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution."

Guarantee...........................     The Company has guaranteed the payment of Distributions and payments
                                         on liquidation or redemption of the Preferred Securities, but only in each
                                         case to the extent of funds held by the Trust, as described herein.  The
                                         Company and the Trust believe that, taken together, the obligations of the
                                         Company under the Guarantee, the Trust Agreement, the Junior
                                         Subordinated Debentures, the Indenture and the Expense Agreement
                                         provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee,
                                         on a subordinated basis, of all of the obligations of the Trust under the
                                         Preferred Securities.  The obligations of the Company under the
                                         Guarantee and the Preferred Securities are subordinate and junior in right
                                         of payment to all Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior
                                         Obligations of the Company.  If the Company does not make principal or
                                         interest payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust will
                                         not have sufficient funds to make distributions on the Preferred Securities.
                                         In such event, the Guarantee will not apply to such Distributions until the
                                         Trust has sufficient funds available therefor.  See "Description of the
                                         Guarantee."

Voting Rights.......................     The holders of the Preferred Securities will have no voting rights except
                                         in limited circumstances.  See "Description of the Preferred Securities --
                                         Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement."

Use of Proceeds.....................     All of the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities will be invested
                                         by the Trust in the Junior Subordinated Debentures.  The Company
                                         intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Junior Subordinated
                                         Debentures for general corporate purposes, including contributions to the
                                         Bank to fund its operations, the financing of one or more future
                                         acquisitions by the Company if and when suitable opportunities arise, and
                                         the repurchase of outstanding equity securities of the Company.  Initially,
                                         the net proceeds may be used to make short-term investment securities.
                                         See "Use of Proceeds."

Nasdaq National Market
Symbol..............................     Application has been made to have the Preferred Securities approved for
                                         quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market under the
                                         symbol "CNBKP."
</TABLE>





                                       10
<PAGE>   14
                                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                                            OF CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               At or For the Years Ended December 31,
                                                          1997            1996            1995            1994            1993
                                                          ----            ----            ----            ----            ----
                                                                      (dollars in thousands, except share data)
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
OPERATING RESULTS:
Net interest income..............................     $    25,294     $    22,972       $  21,302       $  19,537       $  17,449
Provision for loan losses........................             660           1,020           1,560           1,620           1,800
                                                      -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
      Net interest income after provision for
         loan losses.............................          24,634          21,952          19,742          17,917          15,649
                                                      -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Other operating income...........................           4,994           4,761           4,722           5,420           6,833
                                                      -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Operating expenses...............................          18,600          17,874          18,224          19,265          20,654
                                                      -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Income before income taxes ......................          11,028           8,839           6,240           4,072           1,828
Provision for income taxes.......................           4,205           3,405           1,666             768             605
                                                      -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Net income.......................................     $     6,823     $     5,434     $     4,574     $     3,304     $     1,223
                                                      ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Net income per share, basic......................     $      1.18     $      0.95     $      0.80     $      0.58     $      0.21
                                                      ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Net income per share, diluted....................     $      1.17     $      0.93     $      0.78     $      0.57     $      0.21
                                                      ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Book value per common share......................     $      9.30     $      8.25     $      7.50     $      6.56     $      6.20
                                                      ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Tangible book value per share....................     $      9.12     $      8.03     $      7.25     $      6.55     $      6.19
                                                      ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets.....................................        $631,125        $560,857        $531,928        $465,419        $469,823
Loans, net.......................................         316,390         288,280         285,438         272,721         272,040
Securities available-for-sale....................          89,190          81,015         100,754          69,698          24,494
Securities held-to-maturity......................         109,239         107,715          77,987          48,050          93,544
Core deposit intangibles.........................           1,045           1,252           1,458              95             101
Deposits.........................................         515,449         476,135         458,615         409,542         421,395
Total stockholders' equity.......................          53,857          47,489          42,935          37,553          35,505

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Net yield on average earning
   assets, taxable equivalent....................            4.99%           4.79%           4.86%           4.70%           4.16%
Average equity to average assets.................            8.88            8.29            8.17            7.67            7.30
Return on average stockholders' equity...........           13.56           12.13           11.33            9.11            3.48
Return on average assets.........................            1.20            1.01            0.92            0.70            0.25
Efficiency Ratio.................................            61.4            64.5            70.0            77.1            85.1

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS AS A PERCENTAGE OF:
Total loans and real estate owned................            0.86            1.21            2.11            3.36            7.26
Total assets.....................................            0.43            0.62            1.13            1.99            4.36

ALLOWANCES FOR LOAN LOSSES AS A PERCENTAGE OF
   NON-PERFORMING ASSETS.........................          162.80          119.88           69.27           45.78           25.03

NET LOAN CHARGE-OFFS AS A PERCENTAGE OF
   AVERAGE OUTSTANDING LOANS.....................            0.13            0.37            0.57            0.94            1.32

</TABLE>




                                       11
<PAGE>   15
<TABLE>

<S>                                                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Including interest on deposits...................            1.69            1.56            1.42            1.37            1.15
Excluding interest on deposits...................            7.84           10.40            9.58           12.94            8.20
</TABLE>






                                       12
<PAGE>   16
                                  RISK FACTORS

        Prospective investors should carefully consider, together with the other
information contained and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, the
following risk factors in evaluating the Company and its business and the Trust
before purchasing the Preferred Securities offered hereby. Prospective investors
should note, in particular, that certain statements contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, including, without limitation, statements
containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "intends", "expects" and words
of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business
conditions in those areas in which the Company operates; demographic changes;
competition; fluctuations in interest rates; changes in business strategy or
development plans; changes in governmental regulation; credit quality; the
availability of capital to fund the expansion of the Company's business; and
other factors referenced in this Prospectus or incorporated by reference herein.
Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any
obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any
revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by
reference herein to reflect future events or developments. The considerations
listed below represent certain important factors the Company believes could
cause such results to differ. These considerations are not intended to represent
a complete list of the general or specific risks that may affect the Company and
the Trust. It should be recognized that other risks may be significant,
presently or in the future, and the risks set forth below may affect the Company
and the Trust to a greater extent than indicated.


                RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE PREFERRED SECURITIES

ABILITY TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE PREFERRED SECURITIES AND JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES

        The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its
subsidiaries, including the Bank. The ability of the Trust to pay amounts due on
the Preferred Securities is solely dependent upon the Company making payments on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures as and when required. As a holding company
without significant assets other than its equity interest in the Bank, the
Company's ability to pay interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the
Trust (and consequently, the Trust's ability to pay distributions on the
Preferred Securities and the Company's ability to pay its obligations under the
Guarantee) depends primarily on cash and liquid investments of the Company and
upon cash dividends the Company may receive in the future from the Bank. The
Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company is restricted by Massachusetts
law, which requires that retained earnings are available to pay such dividends.
The Bank had retained earnings of $37.2 million at December 31, 1997, which
amount of retained earnings is unrestricted and available for dividend payments
to the Company. At December 31, 1997, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and
securities available-for-sale of approximately $187.1 million. See "Use of
Proceeds."

RANKING OF SUBORDINATED OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND THE JUNIOR
SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

        The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee issued for the
benefit of the holders of Preferred Securities and under the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are unsecured and rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of the
Company, whether now existing or hereafter incurred. At December 31, 1997, the
Company had no outstanding Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior
Obligations. Because the Company is a holding company, the right of



                                       13
<PAGE>   17
the Company to participate in any distribution of assets of the Bank upon the
Bank's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of
holders of the Preferred Securities to benefit indirectly from such
distribution) is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank, except to
the extent that the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of the Bank.
The Junior Subordinated Debentures, therefore, will be effectively subordinated
to all existing and future liabilities of the Bank and holders of Junior
Subordinated Debentures and Preferred Securities should look only to the assets
of the Company for payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Neither the
Indenture, the Guarantee nor the Trust Agreement places any limitation on the
amount of secured or unsecured debt, including Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt
and Additional Senior Obligations, that may be incurred by the Company. See
"Description of the Guarantee--Status of the Guarantee" and "Description of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures-- Subordination."

        The ability of the Trust to pay amounts due on the Preferred Securities
is solely dependent upon the Company making payments on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures as and when required.

OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD; TAX CONSEQUENCES; MARKET PRICE
CONSEQUENCES

        The Company has the right under the Indenture, so long as no Debenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to defer the payment of
interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time or from time to time
for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters with respect to each
Extension Period; provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated
Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. As a consequence of any such
deferral, quarterly Distributions on the Preferred Securities by the Trust will
be deferred (and the amount of Distributions to which holders of the Preferred
Securities are entitled will accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the
rate of ____% per annum, compounded quarterly from the relevant payment date for
such Distributions) during any such Extension Period. During any such Extension
Period, the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of the Company's capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal, interest
or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the
Company that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with respect to any
guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company
if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (other than payments under the Guarantee), or (iii)
redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
or any of the Preferred Securities. Prior to the termination of any such
Extension Period, the Company may further defer the payment of interest;
provided, that no Extension Period may exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend
beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Upon the
termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all interest then accrued
and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the annual rate of ____%
compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable law), the Company
may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements.
Subject to the foregoing, there is no limitation on the number of times that the
Company may elect to begin an Extension Period. See "Description of the
Preferred Securities--Distributions--Extension Period" and "Description of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period."

        Should an Extension Period occur, each holder of Preferred Securities
will be required to accrue and recognize income (in the form of original issue
discount ("OID")) in respect of its pro rata share of the interest accruing on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust for United States federal
income tax purposes. A holder of Preferred Securities must, as a result, include
such income in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes in
advance of the receipt of cash, and will not receive the cash related to such
income from the Trust if the holder disposes of the Preferred Securities prior
to the record date for the payment of the related Distributions. See "Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences--Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period
and Original Issue Discount."

        The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. Should the Company elect, however, to exercise such
right in the future, the market price of the Preferred Securities is likely to
be adversely affected. A holder


                                       14
<PAGE>   18
that disposes of its Preferred Securities during an Extension Period, therefore,
might not receive the same return on its investment as a holder that continues
to hold its Preferred Securities. As a result of the existence of the Company's
right to defer interest payments, the market price of the Preferred Securities
may be more volatile than the market prices of other securities on which
original issue discount accrues that are not subject to such optional deferrals.

REDEMPTION DUE TO TAX EVENT, CAPITAL TREATMENT EVENT OR INVESTMENT COMPANY EVENT

        The Company has the right to redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures
in whole (but not in part) within 180 days following the occurrence of a Tax
Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event (whether
occurring before or after June 30, 2003), and, therefore, cause a mandatory
redemption of the Preferred Securities. The exercise of such right is subject to
the Company having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve to do so if
then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve.

        "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to,
or change (including any announced prospective change) in the laws (or any
regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official
administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such
laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date
of such opinion, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to
income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) interest
payable by the Company on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not, or, within
90 days of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in
part, for United States federal income tax purposes, or (iii) the Trust is, or
will be within 90 days of the date of the opinion, subject to more than a de
minimis amount of other taxes, duties or other governmental charges. The Company
must request and receive an opinion with regard to such matters within a
reasonable period of time after it becomes aware of the possible occurrence of
any of the events described in clauses (i) through (iii) above. See "--Risk
Factors Relating to the Preferred Securities--Proposed Tax Legislation" for a
discussion of certain legislative proposals that, if adopted, could give rise to
a Tax Event, which may permit the Company to cause a redemption of the Preferred
Securities prior to June 30, 2003.

        "Capital Treatment Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion
of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any
amendment to or any change (including any announced prospective change) in the
laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative
pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or
regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change,
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk of impairment of the Company's ability to treat the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities (or any substantial portion
thereof) as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of
the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then applicable to
the Company; provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all
or any portion of the Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities as Tier 1
Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event if such
inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred capital in excess
of the amount which may qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable
capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve.

        "Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion
of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the
occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation


                                       15
<PAGE>   19
or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental
agency or regulatory authority, the Trust is or will be considered an
"investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), which change
becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred
Securities.

SHORTENING OF STATED MATURITY OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

        The Company has the right, at any time, to shorten the maturity of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures to a date not earlier than June 30, 2003. The
exercise of such right is subject to the Company having received prior approval
of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or
policies of the Federal Reserve. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures-- General."

RIGHTS UNDER THE GUARANTEE

        The Guarantee guarantees to the holders of the Preferred Securities, to
the extent not paid by the Trust, (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions
required to be paid on the Preferred Securities, to the extent that the Trust
has funds available therefor at such time, (ii) the Redemption Price (as defined
herein) with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption, to the
extent that the Trust has funds available therefor at such time, and (iii) upon
a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Trust
(other than in connection with the distribution of Junior Subordinated
Debentures to the holders of Preferred Securities or a redemption of all of the
Preferred Securities), the lesser of (a) the amount of the Liquidation
Distribution (as defined herein), to the extent the Trust has funds available
therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining
available for distribution to holders of the Preferred Securities in liquidation
of the Trust. The holders of not less than a majority in Liquidation Amount of
the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in
respect of the Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust power conferred
upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee. Any holder of the Preferred
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to
enforce its rights under the Guarantee without first instituting a legal
proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person (as
defined in the Guarantee). If the Company were to default on its obligation to
pay amounts payable under the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust would
lack funds for the payment of Distributions or amounts payable on redemption of
the Preferred Securities or otherwise, and, in such event, holders of Preferred
Securities would not be able to rely upon the Guarantee for such amounts. In the
event, however, that a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest on
or principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the payment date on which
such payment is due and payable, then a holder of Preferred Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company for enforcement of
payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on such Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities of such holder (a "Direct
Action"). The exercise by the Company of its right, as described herein, to
defer the payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures does not
constitute a Debenture Event of Default. In connection with such Direct Action,
the Company will have a right of set-off under the Indenture to the extent of
any payment made by the Company to such holder of Preferred Securities in the
Direct Action. Except as described herein, holders of Preferred Securities will
not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures or assert directly any other rights in
respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. See "Description of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures-- Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Preferred
Securities," "Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Debenture
Events of Default" and "Description of the Guarantee." The Trust Agreement
provides that each holder of Preferred Securities by acceptance thereof agrees
to the provisions of the Guarantee and the Indenture.

NO VOTING RIGHTS EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES


                                       16
<PAGE>   20
         Holders of Preferred Securities will have no voting rights except in
limited circumstances relating only to the modification of the Preferred
Securities and the exercise of the rights of the Trust as holder of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee. Holders of Preferred Securities will
not be entitled to vote to appoint, remove or replace the Property Trustee or
the Delaware Trustee, as such voting rights are vested exclusively in the holder
of the Common Securities (except upon the occurrence of certain events described
herein). The Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Company may
amend the Trust Agreement without the consent of holders of Preferred Securities
to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust even if such action adversely affects the interests
of such holders. See "Description of the Preferred Securities--Voting Rights;
Amendment of Trust Agreement" and "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Removal of the Trust Trustees."

PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION

         In both 1996 and 1997 legislation was proposed that would, if enacted,
have adversely affected the tax treatment of the Preferred Securities. On March
19, 1996, President Clinton proposed certain tax law changes (the "1996 Proposed
Legislation") that would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a
deduction for interest in respect of certain debt obligations having a maximum
term in excess of 20 years and not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's
applicable consolidated balance sheet. Neither the 1996 Proposed Legislation or
similar legislation was enacted during the 104th Congress. On February 6, 1997,
President Clinton proposed in the administration's fiscal year 1998 budget
certain tax law changes (the "Administration's 1997 Tax Proposals") that would b
among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest or
OID in respect of certain debt obligations having a maximum term in excess of 15
years and not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated
balance sheet. Neither the Administration's 1997 Tax Proposals nor similar
legislation was enacted by the 105th Congress. There can be no assurance,
however, that legislation enacted after the date hereof will not adversely
affect the ability of the Company to deduct the interest payable on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or otherwise give rise to a Tax Event.

REDEMPTION; EXCHANGE OF PREFERRED SECURITIES FOR JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

         The Company has the right at any time to dissolve the Trust and cause
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust, to be distributed to the holders of the Preferred
Securities in exchange therefor in liquidation of the Trust. The exercise of
such right is subject to the Company having received prior approval of the
Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies
of the Federal Reserve. The Company will have the right, in certain
circumstances, to redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole or in part,
in lieu of a distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures by the Trust, in
which event the Trust will redeem the Trust Securities on a pro rata basis to
the same extent as the Junior Subordinated Debentures are redeemed by the
Company. Any such distribution or redemption prior to the Stated Maturity will
be subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve. See
"Description of the Preferred Securities--Redemption or Exchange--Tax Event
Redemption, Capital Treatment Event Redemption or Investment Company Event
Redemption."

         Under current United States federal income tax law, a distribution of
Junior Subordinated Debentures upon the dissolution of the Trust would not be a
taxable event to holders of the Preferred Securities. If, however, the Trust is
characterized as an association taxable as a corporation at the time of the
dissolution of the Trust, the distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
may constitute a taxable event to holders of Preferred Securities. Moreover,
upon occurrence of a Tax Event, a dissolution of the Trust in which holders of
the Preferred Securities receive cash may be a taxable event to such holders.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Receipt of Junior Subordinated
Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust."


                                       17
<PAGE>   21
         There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Preferred
Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in
exchange for Preferred Securities upon a dissolution or liquidation of the
Trust. The Preferred Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures may trade
at a discount to the price that the investor paid to purchase the Preferred
Securities offered hereby. Because holders of Preferred Securities may receive
Junior Subordinated Debentures, prospective purchasers of Preferred Securities
are also making an investment decision with regard to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and should carefully review all the information regarding the Junior
Subordinated Debentures contained herein.

         If the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of
Preferred Securities upon the liquidation of the Trust, the Company will use its
best efforts to list the Junior Subordinated Debentures on The Nasdaq Stock
Market's National Market or such stock exchanges, if any, on which the Preferred
Securities are then listed.

LIMITED COVENANTS

         The covenants in the Indenture are limited, and there are no covenants
relating to the Company in the Trust Agreement. As a result, neither the
Indenture nor the Trust Agreement protects holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures, or Preferred Securities, respectively, in the event of a material
adverse change in the Company's financial condition or results of operations or
limits the ability of the Company or any subsidiary to incur additional
indebtedness. Therefore, the provisions of these governing instruments should
not be considered a significant factor in evaluating whether the Company will be
able to comply with its obligations under the Junior Subordinated Debentures or
the Guarantee.

TRADING PRICE; ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE PREFERRED SECURITIES

         The Preferred Securities may trade at a price that does not accurately
reflect the value of accrued but unpaid interest (or OID if the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are treated as having been issued, or reissued, with
OID) with respect to the underlying Junior Subordinated Debentures. A holder who
disposes of his Preferred Securities will be required to include in ordinary
income (i) any portion of the amount realized that is attributable to such
accrued but unpaid interest to the extent not previously included in income, or
(ii) any amount of OID, in either case, that has accrued on his pro rata share
of the underlying Junior Subordinated Debentures during the taxable year of sale
through the date of disposition. Any such income inclusion will increase the
holder's adjusted tax basis in his Preferred Securities disposed of. To the
extent that the amount realized in the sale is less than the holder's adjusted
tax basis, a holder will recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain limited
exceptions, capital losses cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for
United States federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences - Disposition of Preferred Securities."

         There is no current public market for the Preferred Securities.
Although application has been made to have the Preferred Securities approved for
quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market, there can be no
assurance that an active public market will develop for the Preferred Securities
or that, if such market develops, the market price will equal or exceed the
public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The public
offering price for the Preferred Securities has been determined through
negotiations between the Company and the Underwriters. Prices for the Preferred
Securities will be determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many
factors, including prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the market for
the Preferred Securities, investor perceptions of the Company and general
industry and economic conditions.

POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET PRICES

         There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Preferred
Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in
exchange for Preferred Securities if a termination of the Trust were to occur.
Accordingly, the Preferred Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures may
trade at a discount from the price


                                       18
<PAGE>   22
that investors paid to purchase the Preferred Securities offered hereby. Because
holders of Preferred Securities may receive Junior Subordinated Debentures in
liquidation of the Trust and because Distributions are otherwise limited to
payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, prospective purchasers of the
Preferred Securities are also making an investment decision with regard to the
Junior Subordinated Debentures and should carefully review all the information
regarding the Junior Subordinated Debentures contained herein. See "Description
of Junior Subordinated Debentures."


PREFERRED SECURITIES ARE NOT INSURED

         The Preferred Securities are not insured by the Bank Insurance Fund
(the "BIF") or the Savings Association Insurance Fund (the "SAIF") of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") or by any other governmental
agency.


                      RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE COMPANY

LENDING RISKS -- CREDIT QUALITY

        A central focus of the Company's and the Bank's strategy is the
continued development and growth of a diversified loan portfolio, with emphasis
on commercial real estate, residential real estate and commercial and industrial
loans. Certain risks are inherent in the lending function, including a
borrower's inability to pay, insufficient collateral coverage and changes in
interest rates. Repayment risk on commercial loans is significantly affected by
changing economic conditions in a particular geographical area, business or
industry which could impair future operating performance. Risks associated with
real estate loans and general business loans include changes in general economic
conditions which may affect the borrower's ability to repay as well as
underlying collateral values. Installment and other consumer loans are subject
to repayment risk.

        Multi-family residential and commercial real estate loans are generally
viewed in the banking community as exposing the lender to greater credit risk
than 1-4 family residential real estate loans and typically involve higher loan
principal amounts. At December 31, 1997, the Bank's multi-family residential and
commercial real estate portfolios totaled $ 140.3 million, or 44.3% of total
loans and loans held for sale. Of this amount, $29.6 million, or 21.1% consisted
of multi-family residential real estate loans and $110.7 million, or 78.9%,
consisted of commercial real estate loans.

        The Bank currently originates loans secured by commercial real estate
properties. The Bank attempts to offset the risks associated with commercial
real estate lending by primarily lending to individuals who have proven
management experience and who will be actively involved in the management of the
property, and by making such loans with lower loan-to-value ratios than 1-4
family residential real estate loans. Economic events and government
regulations, which are outside the control of the borrower or lender, could
affect the value of the security for such loans or the future cash flow of the
affected properties.

        At December 31, 1997, the Bank had $1,831,000 in non-performing
commercial real estate loans and $19,000 in non-performing multi-family
residential real estate loans. For the year ended December 31, 1997, the Bank
experienced charge-offs of $48,000 and $0 on commercial real estate loans and
multi-family residential real estate loans, respectively.

        At December 31, 1997, 24.1% of the Bank's total loans and loans held for
sale were secured by 1-4 family residential mortgages, of which 74% were
adjustable rate mortgages ("ARMs"). Generally, ARMs pose credit risks different
from the risks inherent in fixed-rate loans because when interest rates rise the
borrower's payments


                                       19
<PAGE>   23
rise, thereby increasing the potential for default. However, long-term
fixed-rate loans expose the Bank to higher interest-rate risk.

        At December 31, 1997, 16.0% of the Bank's total loans were commercial
and industrial. Commercial and industrial loans are typically lines of credit
against which the borrowers may draw from time to time to meet cash needs. The
amount available to any customer may be fixed by agreement or may be determined
by a formula based on the borrower's current inventory or accounts receivable or
similar criteria. Interest rates typically float with reference to a prime or
base rate establish by the Bank from time to time. Therefore, in addition to the
risk of the borrower's credit, some commercial or industrial loans may become
unprofitable or less profitable if the reference interest rates decline.

COMPETITION

        The Bank faces significant competition both in generating loans and in
attracting deposits. The eastern Massachusetts area is a highly competitive
market. The Bank faces direct competition from a significant number of financial
institutions operating in its market area, many with a state-wide or regional
presence and, in some cases, a national presence. Many of these financial
institutions are significantly larger and have greater financial resources than
the Bank. The Bank's competition for loans comes principally from commercial
banks, savings banks, mortgage banking companies, credit unions and insurance
companies. The Bank faces competition for deposits from savings and commercial
banks and credit unions. In addition, the Bank faces increasing competition for
deposits from non-bank institutions such as brokerage firms and insurance
companies in such instruments as short-term money market funds, corporate and
government securities funds, mutual funds and annuities. Competition may also
increase as a result of the lifting of restrictions on the interstate operations
of financial institutions.

SENSITIVITY TO LOCAL ECONOMY

        Prevailing economic conditions, as well as government policies and
regulations concerning, among other things, monetary and fiscal affairs,
significantly affect the operations of financial institutions such as the Bank.
The New England region of the United States, including eastern Massachusetts
(the Bank's primary market area), experienced a significant economic decline
which began in 1988 and outlasted the national recession. This decline adversely
affected employment, the real estate markets and the banking industry in the
Bank's market area. Any deterioration of economic conditions or real estate
markets in the Bank's market area could adversely affect the financial condition
and results of operations of the Bank in the future.

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND MONETARY POLICIES

        Conditions beyond the Company's control may have a significant impact on
changes in net interest income from one period to another. Examples of such
conditions could include: (i) the strength of credit demands by customers; (ii)
fiscal and debt management policies of the federal government, including changes
in tax laws; (iii) the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, including the
percentage of deposits that must be held in the form of non-earning cash
reserves; (iv) the introduction and growth of new investment instruments and
transaction accounts by non-bank financial competitors; and (v) changes in rules
and regulations governing the payment of interest on deposit accounts.

SENSITIVITY TO FLUCTUATIONS IN INTEREST RATES

        The Company's profitability, like that of most similarly situated
financial institutions, is dependent to a large extent upon the Bank's net
interest income, which is the difference between its interest income on
interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and its interest expense
on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Accordingly,
the Company's results of operations and financial condition are largely
dependent on


                                       20
<PAGE>   24
movements in market interest rates and its ability to manage its assets in
response to such movements. The difference between the amount of the total
interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which reprice within a
given time period could have a negative effect on the Bank's net interest income
depending on whether such difference was positive or negative and the direction
of movement of interest rates.

        Increases in interest rates may reduce demand for loans and, thus, the
amount of loan and commitment fees. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates
may also result in disintermediation, which is the flow of funds away from
depository institutions into direct investments which pay a higher rate of
return, and may affect the value of the Company's investment securities and
other interest earning assets. Given that the Bank's assets consist of a
substantial number of loans with interest rates which change in accordance with
changes in prevailing market rates, if interest rates rise sharply, many of the
Bank's borrowers would be required to make higher interest payments on their
loans. Thus, increases in interest rates may cause the Bank to experience an
increase in delinquent loans and defaults to the extent that borrowers are
unable to meet their increased debt servicing obligations.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

        The Bank has established an allowance for loan losses in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The Company believes that the
allowance is adequate. Nevertheless, future additions to the allowance in the
form of the provision for loan losses may be necessary due to changes in
economic conditions and growth of the Bank's loan portfolio. In addition,
various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process,
periodically review the Bank's allowance for loan losses. An increase in the
Bank's provision for loan losses would negatively affect the Company's earnings.

LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

        The financial institutions industry is subject to significant regulation
which has materially affected the financial institutions industry in the past
and will do so in the future. Such regulations, which affect the Company on a
daily basis, may be changed at any time, and the interpretation of the relevant
law and regulations are also subject to change by the authorities who examine
the Company and the Bank and interpret those laws and regulations. There can be
no assurance that any present or future changes in the laws or regulations or in
their interpretation will not adversely and materially affect the Company.

POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR UNDERCAPITALIZED SUBSIDIARY BANK

        Under federal law, a bank holding company may be required to guarantee a
capital plan filed by an undercapitalized bank or thrift subsidiary with its
primary regulator. If the subsidiary defaults under the plan, the holding
company may be required to contribute to the capital of the subsidiary bank an
amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the bank's assets at the time it became
undercapitalized or the amount necessary to bring the bank into compliance with
applicable capital standards. It is, therefore, possible that the Company would
be required to contribute capital to the Bank or any other bank it may acquire
in the event that the Bank or such other bank becomes undercapitalized.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

        During 1997 the Company conducted a comprehensive review of its computer
systems to identify the systems that could be affected by the "Year 2000" issue
and has developed an implementation plan to resolve the issue. The Year 2000
problem is the result of computer programs being written using two digits rather
than four to define the applicable year. Any of the Company's programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date ending in "00" as the year 1900
rather than the year 2000. The result might be miscalculations or a major system
failure. The Company plans to convert to a new core processing software and
implement modifications to existing software beginning mid-1998. The Company's
audit committee is also the Year 2000 compliance committee and reports to the
board of directors of the Company. The Company believes that the Year 2000
problem will not pose


                                       21
<PAGE>   25
significant operational problems for the Company's computer systems as so
modified and converted. The new core processing software is designed to be Year
2000 compliant and the modifications currently planned for the Company's other
systems do not involve material cost to the Company. However, if such
modifications and conversions are not completed in a timely manner, the Year
2000 problem may have a material adverse impact on the operations of the
Company.




                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

        Century Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (together with its
subsidiary, unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company"), formed in
1972 and headquartered in Medford, Massachusetts, is a one bank holding company
operating primarily through Century Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts bank
formed in 1969 (the "Bank"). The Company had total assets of $631.1 million and
stockholders' equity of $53.9 million on December 31, 1997. The Bank is a
community bank, with 15 banking offices in 14 cities and towns in eastern
Massachusetts ranging from Braintree to Peabody. The Bank's customers consist
primarily of small and medium-sized businesses and retail customers in these
communities and surrounding areas, as well as local governments throughout
eastern Massachusetts.

        The Bank offers a wide range of services to commercial enterprises,
state and local governments and agencies, and individuals with an emphasis on
service to small and medium-size businesses and retail customers in its market
area. It makes commercial loans, real estate and construction loans, and
consumer loans, and accepts savings, time, and demand deposits. In addition,
the Bank offers to its corporate customers automated lock box collection
services, cash management services and account reconciliation services, and
actively promotes the marketing of these services to the municipal market.

        The Bank provides full service securities brokerage through Century
Financial Services in conjunction with Commonwealth Equities. In addition, the
Bank is a provider of financial services including cash management, transaction
processing and short term financing to municipalities in Massachusetts. The Bank
has deposit relationships with approximately 30% of the 351 cities and towns in
the state.


FINANCIAL SUMMARY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(dollars in thousands,                                                              At or for the
except per share data)                                                                Year Ended
                                                                                     December 31,
                                                           --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             1997           1996           1995           1994           1993
                                                             ----           ----           ----           ----           ----
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Assets                                                     $631,125       $560,857       $531,928       $465,419       $469,823
Deposits                                                    515,449        476,135        458,615        409,542        421,395
Stockholders' equity                                         53,857         47,489         42,935         37,553         35,505
Pre-tax income                                               11,028          8,839          6,240          4,072          1,828
Net income                                                    6,823          5,434          4,574          3,304          1,223
Net yield on average earning assets, taxable                  
  equivalent                                                  4.99%          4.79%          4.86%          4.70%          4.16%
Return on average equity                                     13.56%         12.13%         11.33%          9.11%          3.48%
Return on average assets                                      1.20%          1.01%          0.92%          0.70%          0.25%
</TABLE>


STRATEGY

        The Company has sought to consistently increase earnings per share and
to maximize return on equity through a combination of strategies, including:

o       Personalized Service. The Company seeks to offer a full
        range of products and services to its customers while maintaining the
        high level of personalized service associated with a community bank.
        Strong, long-term relationships are a cornerstone of this strategy. The
        Company strives to respond quickly to customer needs and provides
        customers with direct access to senior lending officers with approval
        authority. The Company intends to use its community-based position to
        build its portfolio of commercial loans to small and medium-sized
        businesses.

o       Growth through Strategic Acquisitions. The Company is in the process of
        completing the acquisition of Haymarket Cooperative Bank. See "Recent
        Developments" below. The Company continues to seek suitable strategic
        opportunities for consolidation and expansion of its market position
        through selective acquisitions.


                                       22
<PAGE>   26
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

        On December 10, 1997, the Company announced an agreement to acquire
Haymarket Cooperative Bank. Haymarket, located in Boston, Massachusetts, has
approximately $142 million of assets and will be acquired for approximately $20
million in cash. The Haymarket acquisition will add two branch locations in
Boston's financial district, allowing the Company to provide commercial banking
services to a greater number of Boston's small and medium-sized businesses. The
acquisition will also connect the Bank geographically, giving it a market
presence from Beverly on the North Shore of Massachusetts to Quincy and
Braintree on the South Shore. The transaction is subject to federal and state
regulatory approvals.

        On April 14, 1998, the Company announced net income of $1,802,000 or
$0.31 per share for the first quarter of 1998, compared to net income of
$1,376,000, or $0.24 per share for the first quarter of 1997.

        Total stockholders' equity was $55.3 million at March 31, 1998, compared
to $48.4 million at March 31, 1997. The Company's leverage ratio at March 31,
1998, stood at 9.05%, compared to a leverage ratio of 8.62% on March 31, 1997.
Book value at March 31, 1998 was $9.55 per share.

        The Company's allowance for loan losses was $4.7 million, or 1.46% of
loans outstanding at the end of the first quarter, compared to $4.3 million, or
1.46% of loans outstanding at March 31, 1997. Non-accruing loans totaled $1.5
million at March 31, 1998, compared to $1.7 million at the end of the previous
quarter.

        The Company's Board of Directors voted a regular quarterly dividend of 5
cents ($0.05) per share on the Company's Class A common stock, and 0.70 cents
($0.0070) per share on the Company's Class B common stock. The dividends were
declared payable May 15, 1998 to stockholders of record on May 1, 1998.

        The principal executive office of the Company is located at 400 Mystic
Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155 and its telephone number is (781) 391-4000.


                          CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST

        The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) a trust agreement, dated as of April 21, 1998, executed by the
Company, as depositor, and the trustees of the Trust and (ii) a certificate of
trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 21,
1998. The initial trust agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety
(as so amended and restated, the "Trust Agreement") substantially in the form
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms
a part. The Trust Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. Upon issuance of the Preferred Securities, the purchasers thereof
will own all of the Preferred Securities. The Company will acquire all of the
Common Securities, which will represent an aggregate liquidation amount equal to
at least 3% of the total capital of the Trust. The Common Securities will rank
pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred
Securities, except that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default (as defined herein) under the Trust Agreement resulting from a
Debenture Event of Default, the rights of the Company as holder of the Common
Securities to payment in respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation,
redemption or otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the
Preferred Securities. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Subordination of Common Securities." The Trust exists for the
exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Trust Securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, (ii) investing the gross
proceeds of the Trust Securities in the Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by
the Company, and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary,
advisable, or incidental thereto. The Junior Subordinated Debentures and
payments thereunder will be the only assets of the Trust and payments under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the only revenue of the Trust. The Trust
has a term of 55 years, but may dissolve earlier as provided in the Trust
Agreement. The principal executive office of the Trust is c/o Century Bancorp,
Inc., 400 Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, and its telephone number
is (781) 391-4000.

        The number of Trustees will, pursuant to the Trust Agreement, initially
be five. Three of the Trustees (the "Administrative Trustees") will be persons
who are employees or officers of, or who are affiliated with, the Company. The
fourth trustee will be a financial institution that is unaffiliated with the
Company, which trustee will serve as institutional trustee under the Trust
Agreement and as indenture trustee for the purposes of compliance with the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (the "Property Trustee"). State Street
Bank and Trust Company, a state chartered trust company organized under the laws
of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will be the Property Trustee until removed
or replaced by the holder of the Common Securities. For purposes of compliance
with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, State Street Bank and Trust
Company, a state chartered trust company organized under the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will also act as trustee (the "Guarantee
Trustee") under the Guarantee and as Debenture Trustee (as defined herein) under
the Indenture. The fifth trustee will be an entity that maintains its principal
place of business in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"). Wilmington
Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, will act as Delaware Trustee.


                                       23
<PAGE>   27
        The Property Trustee will hold title to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures for the benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities and in such
capacity will have the power to exercise all rights, powers and privileges under
the Indenture. The Property Trustee will also maintain exclusive control of a
segregated non-interest-bearing bank account (the "Property Account") to hold
all payments made in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures for the
benefit of the holders of the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee will make
payments of Distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption and otherwise
to the holders of the Trust Securities out of funds from the Property Account.
The Guarantee Trustee will hold the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of
the Preferred Securities. The Company, as the holder of all the Common
Securities, will have the right to appoint, remove or replace any Trustee and to
increase or decrease the number of Trustees. The Company will pay all fees and
expenses related to the Trust and the offering of the Trust Securities.

        The rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities, including
economic rights, rights to information and voting rights, are set forth in the
Trust Agreement, the Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Trust Act") and the Trust
Indenture Act. See "Description of the Preferred Securities."



                                       24
<PAGE>   28
                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

        The Trust will use the gross proceeds from the sale of the Preferred
Securities to purchase Junior Subordinated Debentures of the Company. The
Company intends to use the net proceeds of the sale of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures for general corporate purposes, including contributions to the Bank
to fund its operations, the financing of one or more future acquisitions by the
Company if and when suitable opportunities arise and the repurchase of
outstanding equity securities of the Company. Initially, the net proceeds may be
used to make investments in short-term investment securities pending its use for
the purposes described above.

        The Federal Reserve has approved, subject to certain limitations as to
amount, the use of certain cumulative preferred stock instruments such as the
Preferred Securities as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies such as the
Company. The Company has elected to issue the Preferred Securities because the
Company expects the Preferred Securities to qualify as Tier 1 capital and the
Distributions payable on the Preferred Securities to be a tax deductible expense
of the Company. The Company expects that, upon completion of the sale of the
Preferred Securities offered hereby, Preferred Securities having an aggregate
Liquidation Amount of approximately $17.6 million at December 31, 1997 will be
eligible to qualify as Tier 1 capital under the capital guidelines of the
Federal Reserve. Preferred Securities representing an aggregate Liquidation
Amount in excess of that amount are expected to be treated as Tier 2 capital
until all or some of that excess is eligible to qualify as Tier 1 capital under
the capital guidelines of the Federal Reserve.



                                       25
<PAGE>   29
                       MARKET FOR THE PREFERRED SECURITIES

        Application has been made to have the Preferred Securities approved for
quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market under the symbol "CNBKP."
Although the Underwriters have informed the Company that they currently intend
to make a market in the Preferred Securities, there can be no assurance that an
active and liquid trading market will develop, or, if developed, that such a
market will continue. The offering price and distribution rate have been
determined by negotiations among representatives of the Company and the
Underwriters, and the offering price of the Preferred Securities may not be
indicative of the market price following the offering. See "Underwriting."


                              ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

        The Trust will be treated, for financial reporting purposes, as a
subsidiary of the Company and, accordingly, the accounts of the Trust will be
included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Preferred
Securities will be presented as a separate category of long-term debt in the
consolidated balance sheet of the Company under the caption "Guaranteed
Preferred Beneficial Interests in the Company's Junior Subordinated
Debentures," and appropriate disclosures about the Preferred Securities, the
Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be included in the notes
to consolidated financial statements. The Company will record Distributions
payable on the Preferred Securities as interest expense in the consolidated
statements of income for financial reporting purposes.

        All future reports of the Company filed under the Exchange Act will (a)
present the Trust Securities issued by the Trust on the balance sheet as a
separate category of long-term debt item entitled "Guaranteed preferred
beneficial interests in the Company's junior subordinated debentures," (b)
include in a footnote to the financial statements disclosure that the sole
assets of the Trust are the Junior Subordinated Debentures (including the
outstanding principal amount, interest rate and maturity date of such Junior
Subordinated Debentures), and (c) include in an audited footnote to the
financial statements disclosure that the Company owns all the Common Securities
of the Trust, and that the back-up obligations, in the aggregate, constitute a
full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the obligations of the Trust
under the Preferred Securities.



                                       26
<PAGE>   30
                                 CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth (i) the consolidated capitalization of
the Company at December 31, 1997 and (ii) the consolidated capitalization of the
Company giving effect to the issuance of the Preferred Securities hereby offered
by the Trust and receipt by the Company of the net proceeds from the
corresponding sale of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the Trust, as if the
sale of the Preferred Securities had been consummated on December 31, 1997 and
assuming the Underwriters' over-allotment option was not exercised.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            December 31, 1997
                                                                                            -----------------
                                                                                      Actual              As Adjusted
                                                                                      ------              -----------
                                                                                             (dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                                                              <C>             <C>
LONG-TERM DEBT:
     Guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the Company's
        junior subordinated debentures.......................................               $     0             $25,000(1)

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Class A common stock, par value $1.00 per share; 10,000,000 shares
        authorized; 3,541,447 shares issued and outstanding,
        actual and as adjusted...............................................                 3,541             $ 3,541
     Class B common stock, par value $1.00 per share; 5,000,000
        shares authorized; 2,326,520 shares issued and outstanding,
        actual and as adjusted...............................................                 2,327               2,327
     Additional paid-in capital..............................................                10,877              10,877
     Retained earnings.......................................................                37,180              37,180
     Treasury stock, Class A, 30,000 shares in 1997 at cost..................                 (136)                (136)
     Treasury stock, Class B, 47,550 shares in 1997 at cost .................                  (41)                 (41)
        Unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of taxes.......                   109                 109
               Total stockholders' equity....................................                53,857              53,857
                                                                                            -------             -------
               Total capitalization..........................................                53,857              78,857
                                                                                            =======             =======
               CAPITAL RATIOS:
     Stockholders' equity to total assets....................................                 8.53%              12.02%
     Leverage-based capital ratio(2)(3)(4)...................................                 9.09%              11.61%
     Risk-based capital ratios(3)(4):
               Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets........................                15.51%              20.37%
               Total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets..............                16.76%              21.61%
</TABLE>



- -------------------------

(1)      In connection with the issuance of the guaranteed preferred beneficial
         interests in the Company's Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Company
         estimates it will incur expenses of $________ (including Underwriters'
         compensation of $________). The Junior Subordinated Debentures will
         mature on June 30, 2029, which date may be shortened to a date not
         earlier than June 30, 2003 if certain conditions are met.
(2)      The leverage ratio is Tier 1 capital divided by average quarterly
         assets, after deducting intangible assets and net deferred tax assets
         in excess of regulatory maximum limits.
(3)      The capital ratios, as adjusted, are computed including the total
         estimated net proceeds from the sale of the Preferred Securities, in a
         manner consistent with Federal Reserve guidelines.
(4)      Federal Reserve guidelines for calculation of Tier 1 capital to
         risk-weighted assets limit the amount of cumulative preferred stock and
         securities similar to the Preferred Securities which can be included in
         Tier 1 capital to 25% of other Tier 1 capital. The risk-based capital
         ratio assumes net proceeds are invested in assets that carry a 20%
         risk-weighting.



                                       27
<PAGE>   31
                     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES

        The Preferred Securities will be issued pursuant to the terms of the
Trust Agreement. The Trust Agreement will be qualified as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company,
will act as indenture trustee for the Preferred Securities under the Trust
Agreement for purposes of complying with the provisions of the Trust Indenture
Act. The terms of the Preferred Securities will include those stated in the
Trust Agreement and those made part of the Trust Agreement by the Trust
Indenture Act. The following summary of the material terms and provisions of the
Preferred Securities and the Trust Agreement does not purport to be complete and
is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Trust
Agreement, the Trust Act and the Trust Indenture Act. Wherever particular
defined terms of the Trust Agreement are referred to, but not defined herein,
such defined terms are incorporated herein by reference. The form of the Trust
Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part.

GENERAL

        Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Trustees, on behalf of
the Trust, will issue the Trust Securities. All of the Common Securities will be
owned by the Company. The Preferred Securities will represent preferred
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and the holders
thereof will be entitled to a preference over the Common Securities in certain
circumstances with respect to Distributions and amounts payable on redemption or
liquidation, as well as other benefits as described in the Trust Agreement. The
Trust Agreement does not permit the issuance by the Trust of any securities
other than the Trust Securities or the incurrence of any indebtedness by the
Trust.

        The Preferred Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made
thereon pro rata with the Common Securities, except as described under
"--Subordination of Common Securities." Legal title to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be held by the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the
holders of the Trust Securities. The Guarantee executed by the Company for the
benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities will be a guarantee on a
subordinated basis with respect to the Preferred Securities, but will not
guarantee payment of Distributions or amounts payable on redemption or
liquidation of such Preferred Securities when the Trust does not have funds on
hand available to make such payments. State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
Guarantee Trustee, will hold the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the
Preferred Securities. See "Description of the Guarantee."

DISTRIBUTIONS

        Payment of Distributions. Distributions on each Preferred Security will
be payable at the annual rate of ___% of the stated Liquidation Amount of $10,
payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31
of each year, to the holders of the Preferred Securities on the relevant record
dates (each date on which Distributions are payable in accordance with the
foregoing, a "Distribution Date"). The record date will be the fifteenth day of
the month in which the relevant Distribution Date occurs. Distributions will
accumulate from May __, 1998, the date of original issuance. The first
Distribution Date for the Preferred Securities will be September 30, 1998. The
amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed on the basis of
a 360- day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which
Distributions are payable on the Preferred Securities is not a Business Day,
then payment of the Distributions payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any additional Distributions,
interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and
effect as if made on the date such payment was originally due and payable.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday, a day on which
banking institutions in the City of Boston are authorized or required by law or
executive order to remain closed or a day on which the corporate trust office of
the Property Trustee or the Debenture Trustee is closed for business.


                                       28
<PAGE>   32
         Extension Period. The Company has the right under the Indenture, so
long as no Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to defer
the payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any time, or
from time to time (each, an "Extension Period"), which, if exercised, would
defer quarterly Distributions on the Preferred Securities during any such
Extension Period. Distributions to which holders of the Preferred Securities are
entitled will accumulate additional Distributions thereon at the rate per annum
of _________ % thereof, compounded quarterly from the relevant Distribution
Date. "Distributions," as used herein, includes any such additional
Distributions. The right to defer the payment of interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures is limited, however, to a period, in each instance, not
exceeding 20 consecutive quarters and no Extension Period may extend beyond the
Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. During any such Extension
Period, the Company may not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions
on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to,
any of the Company's capital stock, (ii) make any payment of principal, interest
or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the
Company that rank pari passu with or junior in interest to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or make any guarantee payments with respect to any
guarantee by the Company of the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company
if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in interest to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (other than payments under the Guarantee), or (iii)
redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
or any of the Preferred Securities. Prior to the termination of any such
Extension Period, the Company may further defer the payment of interest;
provided, that such Extension Period may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or
extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Upon
the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then
due, the Company may elect to begin a new Extension Period, subject to the above
requirements. Subject to the foregoing, there is no limitation on the number of
times that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period.

        The Company has no current intention of exercising its right to defer
payments of interest by extending the interest payment period on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.

        Source of Distributions. The funds of the Trust available for
distribution to holders of its Preferred Securities will be limited to payments
under the Junior Subordinated Debentures in which the Trust will invest the
proceeds from the issuance and sale of its Trust Securities. See "Description of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures." Distributions will be paid through the
Property Trustee who will hold amounts received in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures in the Property Account for the benefit of the holders
of the Trust Securities. If the Company does not make interest payments on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will not have funds
available to pay Distributions on the Preferred Securities. The payment of
Distributions (if and to the extent the Trust has funds legally available for
the payment of such Distributions and cash sufficient to make such payments) is
guaranteed by the Company. See "Description of the Guarantee."

REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE

        General. The Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on June 30,
2029. The Company will have the right to redeem the Junior Subordinated
Debentures (i) on or after June 30, 2003, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, or (ii) at any time, in whole (but not in part), within 180 days
following the occurrence of a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an
Investment Company Event, in each case subject to receipt of prior approval by
the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or
policies of the Federal Reserve. The Company will not have the right to purchase
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, in whole or in part, from the Trust until
after June 30, 2003. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures--General."

        Mandatory Redemption. Upon the repayment or redemption, in whole or in
part, of any Junior Subordinated Debentures, whether at Stated Maturity or upon
earlier redemption as provided in the Indenture, the proceeds from such
repayment or redemption will be applied by the Property Trustee to redeem a Like
Amount (as defined herein) of the Trust Securities, upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days notice, at a redemption price (the "Redemption Price") equal
to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities plus

                                       29
<PAGE>   33
accumulated but unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Date"). See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures--Redemption or Exchange." If less than all of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures are to be repaid or redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the proceeds
from such repayment or redemption will be allocated to the redemption of the
Trust Securities pro rata.

         Distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures. Subject to the Company
having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve if so required under
applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, the Company
will have the right at any time to dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction of
the liabilities of creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, cause
the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of Trust
Securities in liquidation of the Trust. See "--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Dissolution."

         Tax Event Redemption, Capital Treatment Event Redemption or Investment
Company Event Redemption. If a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an
Investment Company Event in respect of the Trust Securities occurs and is
continuing, the Company has the right to redeem the Junior Subordinated
Debentures in whole (but not in part) and thereby cause a mandatory redemption
of such Trust Securities in whole (but not in part) at the Redemption Price
within 180 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, Capital Treatment
Event or Investment Company Event. In the event a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment
Event or an Investment Company Event has occurred with respect to the Trust
Securities and the Company does not elect to redeem the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and thereby cause a mandatory redemption of such Trust Securities or
to liquidate the Trust and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to holders of such Trust Securities in liquidation of the Trust as
described below under "--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution," such
Preferred Securities will remain outstanding and Additional Interest (as defined
herein) may be payable on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. "Additional
Interest" means the additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the
amount of Distributions then due and payable by the Trust on the outstanding
Trust Securities will not be reduced as a result of any additional taxes, duties
and other governmental charges to which the Trust has become subject as a result
of a Tax Event.

         "Like Amount" means (i) with respect to a redemption of Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to that portion
of the principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the Indenture, which will be used
to pay the Redemption Price of such Trust Securities, and (ii) with respect to a
distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of Trust Securities in
connection with a dissolution or liquidation of the Trust, Junior Subordinated
Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount of the
Trust Securities of the holder to whom such Junior Subordinated Debentures are
distributed. Each Junior Subordinated Debenture distributed pursuant to clause
(ii) above will carry with it accumulated interest in an amount equal to the
accumulated and unpaid interest then due on such Junior Subordinated Debenture.

         "Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $10 per Trust Security.

         After the liquidation date fixed for any distribution of Junior
Subordinated Debentures for Preferred Securities (i) such Preferred Securities
will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and (ii) any certificates
representing Preferred Securities will be deemed to represent the Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of such Preferred Securities, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in
an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred
Securities until such certificates are presented to the Administrative Trustees
or their agent for transfer or reissuance.

         There can be no assurance as to the market prices for the Preferred
Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed in
exchange for Preferred Securities if a dissolution and liquidation of the Trust
were to occur. The Preferred Securities that an investor may purchase, or the
Junior Subordinated Debentures that an investor may receive on dissolution and
liquidation of the Trust, may, therefore, trade at a discount to the price that
the investor paid to purchase the Preferred Securities offered hereby.



                                       30
<PAGE>   34
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES

        Preferred Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date will be redeemed
at the Redemption Price with the applicable proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Redemptions of the Preferred
Securities will be made and the Redemption Price will be payable on each
Redemption Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand available
for the payment of such Redemption Price. See "--Subordination of the Common
Securities."

        If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of its Preferred
Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, New York time, on the Redemption Date, to the
extent funds are available, the Property Trustee will irrevocably deposit with
the paying agent for the Preferred Securities funds sufficient to pay the
aggregate Redemption Price and will give the paying agent for the Preferred
Securities irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to
the holders thereof upon surrender of their certificates evidencing such
Preferred Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Distributions payable on or
prior to the Redemption Date for any Preferred Securities called for redemption
will be payable to the holders of such Preferred Securities on the relevant
record dates for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption will
have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such
deposit, all rights of the holders of such Preferred Securities so called for
redemption will cease, except the right of the holders of such Preferred
Securities to receive the Redemption Price and any Distribution payable on or
before the Redemption Date, but without interest on such Redemption Price or
Distribution, and such Preferred Securities will cease to be outstanding. In the
event that any date fixed for redemption of Preferred Securities is not a
Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any
additional Distribution, interest or other payment in respect of any such delay)
with the same force and effect as if made on such date. In the event that
payment of the Redemption Price in respect of Preferred Securities called for
redemption is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust,
or by the Company pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Preferred
Securities will continue to accrue at the then applicable rate, from the
Redemption Date originally established by the Trust for such Preferred
Securities to the date such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the
actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for
purposes of calculating the Redemption Price. See "Description of the
Guarantee."

        Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States
federal securities law), and further provided that the Company does not and is
not continuing to exercise its right to defer interest payments on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, the Company or its subsidiaries may at any time and
from time to time purchase outstanding Preferred Securities by tender, in the
open market or by private agreement.

        Payment of the Redemption Price on the Preferred Securities and any
distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of Preferred
Securities will be made to the applicable holders thereof as they appear on the
register for the Preferred Securities on the relevant record date, which date
will be the date 15 days prior to the Redemption Date or liquidation date, as
applicable.

        If less than all of the Trust Securities are to be redeemed on a
Redemption Date, then the aggregate Liquidation Amount of such Trust Securities
to be redeemed will be allocated pro rata to the Trust Securities based upon the
relative Liquidation Amounts of such classes. The particular Preferred
Securities to be redeemed will be selected by the Property Trustee from the
outstanding Preferred Securities not previously called for redemption, by such
method as the Property Trustee deems fair and appropriate and which may provide
for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to $10 or an integral
multiple of $10 in excess thereof) of the Liquidation Amount of Preferred
Securities of a denomination larger than $10. The Property Trustee will promptly
notify the registrar for the Preferred Securities in writing of the Preferred
Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Preferred Securities
selected for partial redemption, the Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all


                                       31
<PAGE>   35
purposes of the Trust Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all
provisions relating to the redemption of Preferred Securities will relate to the
portion of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities which has
been or is to be redeemed.


         Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each holder of Trust Securities to be
redeemed at its registered address. Unless the Company defaults in payment of
the redemption price on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, on and after the
Redemption Date interest will cease to accrue on such Junior Subordinated
Debentures or portions thereof (and Distributions will cease to accrue on the
related Preferred Securities or portions thereof) called for redemption.

SUBORDINATION OF THE COMMON SECURITIES

        Payment of Distributions on, and the Redemption Price of, the Preferred
Securities and Common Securities, as applicable, will be made pro rata based on
the Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities and Common Securities;
provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or Redemption Date a
Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payment of any
Distribution on, or Redemption Price of, any of the Common Securities, and no
other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or other acquisition of
such Common Securities, will be made unless payment in full in cash of all
accumulated and unpaid Distributions on all of the outstanding Preferred
Securities for all Distribution periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in
the case of payment of the Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption
Price on all of the outstanding Preferred Securities then called for redemption,
will have been made or provided for, and all funds available to the Property
Trustee will first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all
Distributions on, or Redemption Price of, the Preferred Securities then due and
payable.

        In the case of any Event of Default resulting from a Debenture Event of
Default, the Company as holder of the Common Securities will be deemed to have
waived any right to act with respect to any such Event of Default under the
Trust Agreement until the effect of such Events of Default with respect to the
Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated. Until any
such Event of Default under the Trust Agreement with respect to the Preferred
Securities has been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property
Trustee will act solely on behalf of the holders of the Preferred Securities and
not on behalf of the Company, as holder of the Common Securities, and only the
holders of the Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the Property
Trustee to act on their behalf.

LIQUIDATION DISTRIBUTION UPON DISSOLUTION

        The Company will have the right at any time to dissolve the Trust and
cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures, after satisfaction of liabilities to
creditors of the Trust, to be distributed to the holders of the Preferred
Securities. Such right is subject, however, to the Company having received prior
approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.

        Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Trust will automatically dissolve
upon expiration of its term and will dissolve earlier on the first to occur of
(i) certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of the Company,
(ii) the Company, as depositor, giving written direction to the Property Trustee
to dissolve the Trust (which direction is optional and wholly within the
discretion of the Company, as depositor), (iii) redemption of all of the
Preferred Securities as described under "Redemption or Exchange--Mandatory
Redemption," or (iv) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the Trust by a
court of competent jurisdiction.

        If an early dissolution occurs as described in clause (i), (ii) or (iv)
of the preceding paragraph, the Trust will be liquidated by the Trustees as
expeditiously as the Trustees determine to be possible by distributing, after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable
law, to the holders of such Trust Securities a Like Amount of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, unless such distribution is determined by the


                                       32
<PAGE>   36
Property Trustee not to be practical, in which event such holders will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to
holders, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as provided
by applicable law, an amount equal to, in the case of holders of Preferred
Securities, the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount plus accumulated but unpaid
Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation
Distribution"). If such Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part
because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate
Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the
Preferred Securities will be paid on a pro rata basis. The Company, as the
holder of the Common Securities, will be entitled to receive distributions upon
any such liquidation pro rata with the holders of the Preferred Securities,
except that, if a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Preferred Securities will have a priority over the Common Securities. See
"--Subordination of Common Securities."

         Under current United States federal income tax law and interpretations
and assuming, as expected, that the Trust is treated as a grantor trust, a
distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures should not be a taxable event
to holders of the Preferred Securities. Should there be a change in law, a
change in legal interpretation, a Tax Event or other circumstances, however, the
distribution could be a taxable event to holders of the Preferred Securities.
See "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences--Receipt of Junior Subordinated
Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust." If the Company elects neither
to redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures prior to maturity nor to liquidate
the Trust and distribute the Junior Subordinated Debentures to holders of the
Preferred Securities, the Preferred Securities will remain outstanding until the
repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

         If the Company elects to dissolve the Trust and thereby causes the
Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to holders of the Preferred
Securities in liquidation of the Trust, the Company will continue to have the
right to shorten or extend the maturity of such Junior Subordinated Debentures,
subject to certain conditions. See "Description of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures--General."

LIQUIDATION VALUE

         The amount of the Liquidation Distribution payable on the Preferred
Securities in the event of any liquidation of the Trust is $10 per Preferred
Security plus accrued but unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment,
which may be in the form of a distribution of such amount in Junior Subordinated
Debentures, subject to certain exceptions. See "--Liquidation Distribution Upon
Dissolution."

EVENTS OF DEFAULT; NOTICE

         Any one of the following events constitutes an event of default under
the Trust Agreement (an "Event of Default") with respect to the Preferred
Securities (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether voluntary
or involuntary or effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):

         (i) the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default (see "Description of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures--Debenture Events of Default"); or

         (ii) default by the Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of any
Distribution when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default
for a period of 30 days; or

         (iii) default by the Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of
any Redemption Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or


                                       33
<PAGE>   37
         (iv) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of
any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in the Trust Agreement (other than a
covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of
which is dealt with in clauses (ii) or (iii) above), and continuation of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Trustee(s) by the holders of at least 25%
in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Preferred Securities, a
written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied
and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under the Trust Agreement;
or

         (v) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with
respect to the Property Trustee and the failure by the Company to appoint a
successor Property Trustee within 60 days thereof.

         Within five Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee will transmit
notice of such Event of Default to the holders of the Preferred Securities, the
Administrative Trustees and the Company, as depositor, unless such Event of
Default has been cured or waived. The Company, as depositor, and the
Administrative Trustees are required to file annually with the Property Trustee
a certificate as to whether or not they are in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to them under the Trust Agreement.

         If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Preferred Securities will have a preference over the Common Securities upon
dissolution of the Trust. See "--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution." The
existence of an Event of Default does not entitle the holders of Preferred
Securities to accelerate the maturity thereof.

REMOVAL OF THE TRUST TRUSTEES

        Unless a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any
Trustee may be removed at any time by the holder of the Common Securities. If a
Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee
and the Delaware Trustee may be removed at such time by the holders of a
majority in Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Preferred Securities. In no
event, however, will the holders of the Preferred Securities have the right to
vote to appoint, remove or replace the Administrative Trustees, which voting
rights are vested exclusively in the Company as the holder of the Common
Securities. No resignation or removal of a Trustee and no appointment of a
successor trustee will be effective until the acceptance of appointment by the
successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement.

CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE PROPERTY TRUSTEE

        Unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at any time
or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the Trust
Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust Property (as
defined in the Trust Agreement) may at the time be located, the Company, as the
holder of the Common Securities, will have power to appoint one or more Persons
(as defined in the Trust Agreement) either to act as a co-trustee, jointly with
the Property Trustee, of all or any part of such Trust Property, or to act as
separate trustee of any such Trust Property, in either case with such powers as
may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or
Persons in such capacity any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or
desirable, subject to the provisions of the Trust Agreement. In case a Debenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee alone will
have power to make such appointment.

MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF TRUSTEES

        Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee that is not a natural person may be merged or converted
or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which such Trustee is a party, or any Person
succeeding to all


                                       34
<PAGE>   38
or substantially all the corporate trust business of such Trustee, will be the
successor of such Trustee under the Trust Agreement, provided such Person is
otherwise qualified and eligible.

MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUST

         The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any Person, except as described below. The Trust
may, at the request of the Company, with the consent of the Administrative
Trustees and without the consent of the holders of the Preferred Securities, the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, merge with or into, consolidate,
amalgamate, or be replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to a trust organized as such under the laws
of any State; provided, that (i) such successor entity either (a) expressly
assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the Preferred
Securities, or (b) substitutes for the Preferred Securities other securities
having substantially the same terms as the Preferred Securities (the "Successor
Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank the same as the Preferred
Securities rank in priority with respect to distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption and otherwise, (ii) the Company expressly appoints a
trustee of such successor entity possessing the same powers and duties as the
Property Trustee in its capacity as the holder of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, (iii) the Successor Securities are listed, or any Successor
Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national
securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred Securities are
then listed (including, if applicable, The Nasdaq Stock Market's National
Market), if any, (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the holders of the Preferred Securities (including any
Successor Securities) in any material respect, (v) prior to such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, the
Company has received an opinion from independent counsel to the effect that (a)
such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or
lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the
holders of the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any
material respect, and (b) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither the Trust nor such successor
entity will be required to register as an "investment company" under the
Investment Company Act, and (vi) the Company owns all of the common securities
of such successor entity and guarantees the obligations of such successor entity
under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Guarantee,
the Indenture, the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Trust Agreement and the
Expense Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust will not, except
with the consent of holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred
Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any other Person or permit any other Person to consolidate, amalgamate, merge
with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Trust or the
successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes.

VOTING RIGHTS; AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT

        Except as provided below and under "Description of the
Guarantee--Amendments and Assignment" and as otherwise required by the Trust Act
and the Trust Agreement, the holders of the Preferred Securities will have no
voting rights.

        The Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the Company, the
Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the
holders of the Preferred Securities (i) with respect to acceptance of
appointment by a successor trustee, (ii) to cure any ambiguity, correct or
supplement any provisions in such Trust Agreement that may be inconsistent with
any other provision, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
questions arising under the Trust Agreement (provided such amendment is not
inconsistent with the other provisions of the Trust Agreement), (iii) to modify,
eliminate or add to any provisions of the Trust Agreement to such extent as is
necessary to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal
income tax purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities
are outstanding or to ensure that the Trust will


                                       35
<PAGE>   39
not be required to register as an "investment company" under the Investment
Company Act, or (iv) to reduce or increase the Liquidation Amount per Trust
Security and simultaneously to increase or reduce the number of Trust Securities
issued and outstanding solely for the purpose of maintaining the eligibility of
the Preferred Securities for listing or quotation on any national securities
exchange or other organization on which the Preferred Securities are then listed
or quoted (including, if applicable, The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market);
provided, however, that in the case of clause (ii), such action may not
adversely affect in any material respect the interests of any holder of Trust
Securities, and that, in the case of clause (iv), the aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the Trust Securities outstanding, upon completion of any such
reduction or increase must be the same as the aggregate Liquidation Amount of
the Trust Securities outstanding immediately prior to any such reduction or
increase, and any amendments of such Trust Agreement will become effective when
notice thereof is given to the holders of Trust Securities (or, in the case of
an amendment pursuant to clause (iv), as of the date specified in the notice).
The Trust Agreement may be amended by the Trustees and the Company with (i) the
consent of holders representing not less than a majority in the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the outstanding Trust Securities, and (ii) receipt by the
Trustees of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendment or the
exercise of any power granted to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment
will not affect the Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes or the Trust's exemption from status as an "investment
company" under the Investment Company Act. Notwithstanding anything in this
paragraph to the contrary, without the consent of each holder of Trust
Securities, the Trust Agreement may not be amended to (a) change the amount or
timing of any Distribution on the Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect
the amount of any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Trust
Securities as of a specified date, or (b) restrict the right of a holder of
Trust Securities to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or
after such date.

         The Trustees will not, so long as any Junior Subordinated Debentures
are held by the Property Trustee, (i) direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or
executing any trust or power conferred on the Property Trustee with respect to
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) waive any past default that is waivable
under the Indenture, (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration
that the principal of all the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be due and
payable, or (iv) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the
Indenture or the Junior Subordinated Debentures, where such consent is required,
without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of a majority
in aggregate Liquidation Amount of all outstanding Preferred Securities;
provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture requires the consent
of each holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures affected thereby, no such
consent will be given by the Property Trustee without the prior consent of each
holder of the Preferred Securities. The Trustees may not revoke any action
previously authorized or approved by a vote of the holders of the Preferred
Securities except by subsequent vote of the holders of the Preferred Securities.
The Property Trustee will notify each holder of Preferred Securities of any
notice of default with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In
addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of the holders of the Preferred
Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing actions, the Trustees must
obtain an opinion of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the
Trust will not be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes on account of such action.

         Any required approval of holders of Preferred Securities may be given
at a meeting of holders of Preferred Securities convened for such purpose or
pursuant to written consent. The Property Trustee will cause a notice of any
meeting at which holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any
matter upon which action by written consent of such holders is to be taken, to
be given to each holder of record of Preferred Securities in the manner set
forth in the Trust Agreement.

         No vote or consent of the holders of Preferred Securities will be
required for the Trust to redeem and cancel its Preferred Securities in
accordance with the Trust Agreement.

         Notwithstanding the fact that holders of Preferred Securities are
entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any
of the Preferred Securities that are owned by the Company, the Trustees or

                                       36
<PAGE>   40
any affiliate of the Company or any Trustee, will, for purposes of such vote or
consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.

PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENCY

         Payments in respect of the Preferred Securities will be made by check
mailed to the address of the holder entitled thereto as such address will appear
on the register of holders of the Preferred Securities. The paying agent for the
Preferred Securities will initially be the Property Trustee and any co-paying
agent chosen by the Property Trustee and acceptable to the Administrative
Trustees and the Company. The paying agent for the Preferred Securities may
resign as paying agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Property Trustee and
the Company. In the event that the Property Trustee no longer is the paying
agent for the Preferred Securities, the Administrative Trustees will appoint a
successor (which must be a bank or trust company acceptable to the
Administrative Trustees and the Company) to act as paying agent.

REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT

         The Property Trustee will act as the registrar and the transfer agent
for the Preferred Securities. Registration of transfers of Preferred Securities
will be effected without charge by or on behalf of the Trust, but upon payment
of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with
any transfer or exchange. The Trust will not be required to register or cause to
be registered the transfer of Preferred Securities after such Preferred
Securities have been called for redemption.

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE

         The Property Trustee, other than upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, undertakes to perform only such duties as
are specifically set forth in the Trust Agreement and, upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, must exercise the same degree of
care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his
or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the Property Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Trust Agreement at
the request of any holder of Preferred Securities unless it is offered
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be
incurred thereby. If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the
Property Trustee is required to decide between alternative causes of action,
construe ambiguous provisions in the Trust Agreement or is unsure of the
application of any provision of the Trust Agreement, and the matter is not one
on which holders of Preferred Securities are entitled under the Trust Agreement
to vote, then the Property Trustee will take such action as is directed by the
Company and if not so directed, will take such action as it deems advisable and
in the best interests of the holders of the Trust Securities and will have no
liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.

MISCELLANEOUS

         The Administrative Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the
affairs of and to operate the Trust in such a way that the Trust will not be
deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act or classified as an association taxable as a corporation
for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Company for
United States federal income tax purposes. The Company and the Administrative
Trustees are authorized, in this connection, to take any action, not
inconsistent with applicable law, the certificate of trust of the Trust or the
Trust Agreement, that the Company and the Administrative Trustees determine in
their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes.

         Holders of the Preferred Securities have no preemptive or similar
rights.


                                       37
<PAGE>   41
         The Trust Agreement and the Preferred Securities will be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware.


                DESCRIPTION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

         Concurrently with the issuance of the Preferred Securities, the Trust
will invest the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Company for the Common Securities, in the Junior Subordinated Debentures issued
by the Company. The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued as unsecured
debt under the Indenture, to be dated as of April __, 1998 (the "Indenture"),
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the
"Debenture Trustee"). The Indenture will be qualified as an indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act. The following summary of the material terms and provisions
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture does not purport to be
complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the Indenture and to the Trust Indenture Act. Wherever particular defined terms
of the Indenture are referred to, but not defined herein, such defined terms are
incorporated herein by reference. The form of the Indenture has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.

GENERAL

         The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be limited in aggregate
principal amount to approximately $25,773,200 (or $29,639,180 if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised) the sum of the aggregate
stated Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities'. The Junior Subordinated
Debentures will bear interest at the annual rate of ___% of the principal amount
thereof, payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30, and
December 31 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date") beginning September
30, 1998, to the Person (as defined in the Indenture) in whose name each
Subordinated Debenture is registered, subject to certain exceptions, at the
close of business on the fifteenth day of the last month of the calendar
quarter. It is anticipated that, until the liquidation of the Trust, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be held in the name of the Property Trustee in
trust for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities. The amount of
interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of the
interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a
Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay), with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was
originally payable. Accrued interest that is not paid on the applicable Interest
Payment Date will bear additional interest on the amount thereof (to the extent
permitted by law) at the rate per annum of __% thereof, compounded quarterly.
The term "interest," as used herein, includes quarterly interest payments,
interest on quarterly interest payments not paid on the applicable Interest
Payment Date and Additional Interest, as applicable.

         The Junior Subordinated Debentures will mature on June 30, 2029 (such
date, as it may be shortened or extended as hereinafter described, the "Stated
Maturity"). Such date may be shortened at any time by the Company to any date
not earlier than June 30, 2003, subject to the Company having received prior
approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve. In the event that the Company
elects to shorten or extend the Stated Maturity of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, it will give notice thereof to the Debenture Trustee, the Trust and
to the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures no more than 180 days and
no less than 90 days prior to the effectiveness thereof. The Company will not
have the right to purchase the Junior Subordinated Debentures, in whole or in
part, from the Trust until on or after June 30, 2003, except if a Tax Event, a
Capital Treatment Event or an Investment Company Event has occurred and is
continuing.

         The Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and will rank
junior and be subordinate in right of payment to all Senior Debt, Subordinated
Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of the Company. Because the


                                       38
<PAGE>   42
Company is a holding company, the right of the Company to participate in any
distribution of assets of the Bank, upon the Bank's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of holders of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures to benefit indirectly from such distribution), is
subject to the prior claim of creditors of the Bank, except to the extent that
the Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of the Bank. The Junior
Subordinated Debentures will, therefore, be effectively subordinated to all
existing and future liabilities of the Bank, and holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures should look only to the assets of the Company for payments on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Indenture does not limit the incurrence or
issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Company, including Senior
Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations, whether under the
Indenture or any existing indenture or other indenture that the Company may
enter into in the future or otherwise. See "--Subordination."

         The Indenture does not contain provisions that afford holders of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction or other similar transaction involving the Company that may
adversely affect such holders.

OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

         The Company has the right under the Indenture at any time during the
term of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, so long as no Debenture Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, to defer the payment of interest at any
time, or from time to time (each, an "Extension Period"). The right to defer the
payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures is limited, however,
to a period, in each instance, not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters and no
Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. At the end of each Extension Period, the Company must
pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the
annual rate of __%, compounded quarterly, to the extent permitted by applicable
law). During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue and holders
of Junior Subordinated Debentures (or the holders of Preferred Securities if
such securities are then outstanding) will be required to accrue and recognize
income for United States federal income tax purposes. See "Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences--Potential Extension of Interest Payment Period and
Original Issue Discount."

         During any such Extension Period, the Company may not (i) declare or
pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock, (ii)
make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu
with or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or make any
guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt
securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu
or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than payments
under the Guarantee), or (iii) redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures or any of the Preferred Securities. Prior to the
termination of any such Extension Period, the Company may further defer the
payment of interest; provided, that no Extension Period may exceed 20
consecutive quarters or extend beyond the Stated Maturity of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and
the payment of all amounts then due on any Interest Payment Date, the Company
may elect to begin a new Extension Period subject to the above requirements. No
interest will be due and payable during an Extension Period, except at the end
thereof. The Company has no present intention of exercising its rights to defer
payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company must
give the Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Debenture Trustee
notice of its election of such Extension Period at least two Business Days prior
to the earlier of (i) the next succeeding date on which Distributions on the
Trust Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin such
Extension Period, or (ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice of the
record date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to The Nasdaq Stock
Market's National Market (or other applicable self-regulatory organization) or
to holders of the Preferred Securities, but in any event at least one Business
Day before such record date. Subject to the foregoing, there is no limitation on
the number of times that the Company may elect to begin an Extension Period.


                                       39
<PAGE>   43
ADDITIONAL SUMS

         If the Trust or the Property Trustee is required to pay any additional
taxes, duties or other governmental charges as a result of the occurrence of a
Tax Event, the Company will pay to the holders of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures as additional amounts (referred to herein as "Additional Interest")
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures such additional amounts as may be required
so that the net amounts received and retained by the Trust after paying any such
additional taxes, duties or other governmental charges will not be less than the
amounts the Trust would have received had such additional taxes, duties or other
governmental charges not been imposed.

REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE

         The Company will have the right to redeem the Junior Subordinated
Debentures prior to maturity (i) on or after June 30, 2003, in whole at any time
or in part from time to time, or (ii) at any time in whole (but not in part),
within 180 days following the occurrence of a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment
Event or an Investment Company Event, in each case at a redemption price equal
to the accrued and unpaid interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures so
redeemed to the date fixed for redemption, plus 100% of the principal amount
thereof. Any such redemption prior to the Stated Maturity will be subject to
prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.

         "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion of counsel
experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any amendment to,
or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any
regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of any official
administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such
laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days after the
date of such opinion of counsel, subject to United States federal income tax
with respect to income received or accrued on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion will not be,
deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income
tax purposes, or (iii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days after the date of
such opinion of counsel, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other
taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges. The Company must
request and receive an opinion with regard to such matters within a reasonable
period of time after it becomes aware of the possible occurrence of any of the
events described in clauses (i) through (iii) above.

         "Capital Treatment Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion
of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of any
amendment to or any change (including any announced prospective change) in the
laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any official administrative
pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or
regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which proposed change,
pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of the
Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk of impairment of the Company's ability to treat the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities (or any substantial portion
thereof) as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for purposes of
the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then applicable to
the Company; provided, however, that the inability of the Company to treat all
or any portion of the Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities as Tier 1
Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital Treatment Event if such
inability results from the Company having cumulative preferred capital in excess
of the amount which may qualify for treatment as Tier 1 Capital under applicable
capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve.

         "Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an opinion
of counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a result of the
occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation


                                       40
<PAGE>   44
or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental
agency or regulatory authority, the Trust is or will be considered an
"investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment
Company Act, which change becomes effective on or after the date of original
issuance of the Preferred Securities.

         Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Junior Subordinated
Debentures to be redeemed at its registered address. Unless the Company defaults
in payment of the redemption price for the Junior Subordinated Debentures, on
and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on such Junior
Subordinated Debentures or portions thereof called for redemption.

         The Junior Subordinated Debentures will not be subject to any sinking
fund.

DISTRIBUTION UPON LIQUIDATION

         As described under "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution," under certain
circumstances involving the dissolution of the Trust, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures may be distributed to the holders of the Preferred Securities in
liquidation of the Trust after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the
Trust as provided by applicable law. Any such distribution will be subject to
receipt of prior approval by the Federal Reserve if then required under
applicable policies or guidelines of the Federal Reserve. If the Junior
Subordinated Debentures are distributed to the holders of Preferred Securities
upon the dissolution of the Trust, the Company will use its best efforts to list
the Junior Subordinated Debentures on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market
or such stock exchanges, if any, on which the Preferred Securities are then
listed. There can be no assurance as to the market price of any Junior
Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed to the holders of Preferred
Securities.

RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PAYMENTS

         If at any time (i) there has occurred a Debenture Event of Default,
(ii) the Company is in default with respect to its obligations under the
Guarantee or (iii) the Company has given notice of its election of an Extension
Period as provided in the Indenture with respect to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and has not rescinded such notice, or such Extension Period, or any
extension thereof, is continuing, the Company will not (1) declare or pay any
dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock, (2)
make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or repay or
repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that rank pari passu
with or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or make any
guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the debt
securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari passu
or junior in interest to the Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than payments
under the Guarantee), or (3) redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures or any of the Preferred Securities.

SUBORDINATION

         The Indenture provides that the Junior Subordinated Debentures are
subordinated and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt, Subordinated
Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of the Company. Upon any payment or
distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding
up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of
assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings
in connection with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings of the Company, the
holders of Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of
the Company will first be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of
(and premium on, if any) and interest on, if any, such Senior Debt, Subordinated
Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of the Company before the holders of
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any payment
in respect of the principal of or interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.


                                       41
<PAGE>   45
        In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Junior
Subordinated Debentures, the holders of all Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and
Additional Senior Obligations of the Company outstanding at the time of such
acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts
due thereon (including any amounts due upon acceleration) before the holders of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be entitled to receive or retain any
payment in respect of the principal of or interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures.

         No payments on account of principal or interest in respect of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures may be made if there has occurred and is
continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt, Subordinated
Debt or Additional Senior Obligations of the Company or an event of default with
respect to any Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior Obligations
of the Company resulting in the acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any
judicial proceeding is pending with respect to any such default.

         "Debt" means, with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or
a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of such Person for money borrowed, (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses, (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued
for the account of such Person, (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business), (v) every capital lease obligation of such Person, and (vi) every
obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of another Person
and all dividends of another Person the payment of which, in either case, such
Person has guaranteed or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as
obligor or otherwise.

         "Senior Debt" means, with respect to the Company, the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after
the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the
Company whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such
proceeding), on Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of the Indenture
or thereafter incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the
same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures or to other Debt which is pari passu with, or subordinated to, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures; provided, however, that Senior Debt will not be
deemed to include (i) any Debt of the Company which when incurred and without
respect to any election under section 1111(b) of the United States Bankruptcy
Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to the Company, (ii) any Debt of
the Company to any of its subsidiaries, (iii) any Debt to any employee of the
Company, (iv) any Debt which by its terms is subordinated to trade accounts
payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business to the
extent that payments made to the holders of such Debt by the holders of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures as a result of the subordination provisions of
the Indenture would be greater than they otherwise would have been as a result
of any obligation of such holders to pay amounts over to the obligees on such
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business as a result of subordination provisions to which such Debt is subject,
and (v) Debt which constitutes Subordinated Debt.

         "Subordinated Debt" means, with respect to the Company, the principal
of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or
after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to
the Company whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in
such proceeding), on Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of the
Indenture or thereafter incurred, which is by its terms expressly provided to be
junior and subordinate to other Debt of the Company (other than the Junior
Subordinated Debentures).

        "Additional Senior Obligations" means, with respect to the Company, all
indebtedness, whether incurred on or prior to the date of the Indenture or
thereafter incurred, for claims in respect of derivative products such as
interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar
arrangements; provided, however, that Additional Senior Obligations do not
include claims in respect of Senior Debt or Subordinated Debt or


                                       42
<PAGE>   46
obligations which, by their terms, are expressly stated to be not superior in
right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or to rank pari passu in
right of payment with the Junior Subordinated Debentures. "Claim," as used
herein, has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 101(4) of the United States
Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended.

         The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional Senior
Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior Obligations that may be incurred by
the Company. The Company expects from time to time to incur additional
indebtedness constituting Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior
Obligations. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had no outstanding Senior
Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior Obligations. Because the Company is
a holding company, the Junior Subordinated Debentures are effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Company's
subsidiaries, including obligations to depositors of the Bank.

PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS

         Payment of principal of and any interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be made at the office of the Debenture Trustee in Boston,
Massachusetts, except that, at the option of the Company, payment of any
interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled
thereto as such address appears in the register of holders of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the
Person entitled thereto as specified in the register of holders of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, provided that proper transfer instructions have been
received by the regular record date. Payment of any interest on Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be made to the Person in whose name such
Subordinated Debenture is registered at the close of business on the regular
record date for such interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. The
Company may at any time designate additional paying agents for the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or rescind the designation of any paying agent for the
Junior Subordinated Debentures; however, the Company will at all times be
required to maintain a paying agent in Boston, Massachusetts and each place of
payment for the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

         Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any paying agent for
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, or then held by the Company in trust, for
the payment of the principal of or interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or
interest has become due and payable will be repaid to the Company on May 31 of
each year or (if then held in trust by the Company) will be discharged from such
trust and the holder of such Junior Subordinated Debenture will thereafter look,
as a general unsecured creditor, only to the Company for payment thereof.

REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT

         The Debenture Trustee will act as the registrar and the transfer agent
for the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Junior Subordinated Debentures may be
presented for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed
thereon, or a satisfactory written instrument of transfer, duly executed), in
Boston, Massachusetts or at the office of the registrar in Boston,
Massachusetts. The Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such
transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such
transfer agent acts. The Company may at any time designate additional transfer
agents with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In the event of any
redemption, neither the Company nor the Debenture Trustee will be required to
(i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange Junior Subordinated Debentures
during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of
selection for redemption of Junior Subordinated Debentures and ending at the
close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or
(ii) transfer or exchange any Junior Subordinated Debentures so selected for
redemption, except, in the case of any Junior Subordinated Debentures being
redeemed in part, any portion thereof not to be redeemed.


                                       43
<PAGE>   47
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE

         The Company and the Debenture Trustee may, from time to time without
the consent of the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, amend, waive
or supplement the Indenture for specified purposes, including, among other
things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies and qualifying, or
maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Debenture
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Junior Subordinated Debentures, to modify
the Indenture; provided, that no such modification may, without the consent of
the holder of each outstanding Subordinated Debenture affected by such proposed
modification, (i) extend the fixed maturity of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest thereon, or (ii) reduce the percentage of
principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such modification of the Indenture; provided that so
long as any of the Preferred Securities remain outstanding, no such modification
may be made that requires the consent of the holders of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, and no termination of the Indenture may occur, and no waiver of any
Debenture Event of Default may be effective, without the prior consent of the
holders of at least a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Preferred Securities and that if the consent of the holder of each Subordinated
Debenture is required, such modification will not be effective until each holder
of Trust Securities has consented thereto.

DEBENTURE EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following described
events with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures that has occurred and
is continuing constitutes an event of default (each, a "Debenture Event of
Default") with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures:

         (i) failure for 30 days to pay any interest on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures, when due (subject to the deferral of any due date in the case of an
Extension Period); or

         (ii) failure to pay any principal on the Junior Subordinated Debentures
when due whether at maturity, upon redemption by declaration or otherwise; or

         (iii) failure to observe or perform in any material respect certain
other covenants contained in the Indenture for 90 days after written notice to
the Company from the Debenture Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures; or

         (iv) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the
Company.

         The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture
Trustee. The Debenture Trustee, or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, may declare
the principal due and payable immediately upon a Debenture Event of Default. The
holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures may annul such declaration and waive the default if the
default (other than the non-payment of the principal of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures which has become due solely by such acceleration) has been cured and
a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal due
otherwise than by acceleration has been deposited with the Debenture Trustee.
Should the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures fail to annul such
declaration and waive such default, the holders of a majority in aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities will have such right.

         The Company is required to file annually with the Debenture Trustee a
certificate as to whether or not the Company is in compliance with all the
conditions and covenants applicable to it under the Indenture.


                                       44
<PAGE>   48
         If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Property Trustee will have the right to declare the principal of and the
interest on such Junior Subordinated Debentures, and any other amounts payable
under the Indenture, to be forthwith due and payable and to enforce its other
rights as a creditor with respect to such Junior Subordinated Debentures.

ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES

         If a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest on or
principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the payment date on which
such payment is due and payable, then a holder of Preferred Securities may
institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company for enforcement of
payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on such Junior
Subordinated Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities of such holder (a "Direct
Action"). In connection with such Direct Action, the Company will have a right
of set-off under the Indenture to the extent of any payment made by the Company
to such holder of Preferred Securities in the Direct Action. The Company may not
amend the Indenture to remove the foregoing right to bring a Direct Action
without the prior written consent of the holders of all of the Preferred
Securities. If the right to bring a Direct Action is removed, the Trust may
become subject to the reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. The Company
has the right under the Indenture to set-off any payment made to such holder of
Preferred Securities by the Company in connection with a Direct Action.

         The holders of the Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise
directly any remedies, other than those set forth in the preceding paragraph,
available to the holders of the Junior Subordinated Debentures unless there has
been an Event of Default under the Trust Agreement. See "Description of the
Preferred Securities--Events of Default; Notice."

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS

         The Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or
convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, and no Person may consolidate with or merge into the Company or sell,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to the Company, unless (i) in the event the Company consolidates
with or merges into another Person or conveys or transfers its properties and
assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor Person is
organized under the laws of the United States or any State or the District of
Columbia, and such successor Person expressly assumes by supplemental indenture
the Company obligations on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, (ii) immediately
after giving effect thereto, no Debenture Event of Default, and no event which,
after notice or lapse of time or both, would become a Debenture Event of
Default, has occurred and is continuing, and (iii) certain other conditions
prescribed in the Indenture are met.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

         The Indenture will cease to be of further effect (except as to the
Company's obligations to pay certain sums due pursuant to the Indenture and to
provide certain officers' certificates and opinions of counsel described
therein) and the Company will be deemed to have satisfied and discharged the
Indenture when, among other things, all Junior Subordinated Debentures not
previously delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation (i) have become
due and payable, or (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity
within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and the
Company deposits or causes to be deposited with the Debenture Trustee funds, in
trust, for the purpose and in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the
entire indebtedness on the Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously
delivered to the Debenture Trustee for cancellation, for the principal and
interest to the date of the deposit or to the Stated Maturity or redemption
date, as the case may be.


                                       45
<PAGE>   49
GOVERNING LAW

         The Indenture and the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DEBENTURE TRUSTEE

         The Debenture Trustee has and is subject to all the duties and
responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust
Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the Debenture Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Indenture at the
request of any holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures, unless offered
reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which might be incurred thereby. The Debenture Trustee is not required to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
performance of its duties if the Debenture Trustee reasonably believes that
repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it.

MISCELLANEOUS

         The Company has agreed, pursuant to the Indenture, for so long as Trust
Securities remain outstanding, (i) to maintain directly or indirectly 100%
ownership of the Common Securities of the Trust (provided that certain
successors which are permitted pursuant to the Indenture may succeed to the
Company's ownership of the Common Securities), (ii) not to voluntarily dissolve
the Trust, except upon prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then so required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve, and (a)
in connection with a distribution of Junior Subordinated Debentures to the
holders of the Preferred Securities in liquidation of the Trust, or (b) in
connection with certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations permitted by
the Trust Agreement, and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts, consistent with
the terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement, to cause the Trust to remain
classified as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation
for United States federal income tax purposes.

                          DESCRIPTION OF THE GUARANTEE

         The Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement (the "Guarantee") will be
executed and delivered by the Company concurrently with the issuance of the
Preferred Securities for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities.
The Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The Guarantee Trustee will act as indenture trustee under the Guarantee for
purposes of complying with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act. The
Guarantee Trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company, will hold the Guarantee
for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities. The following
summary of the material terms and provisions of the Guarantee does not purport
to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to,
all of the provisions of the Guarantee and the Trust Indenture Act. Wherever
particular defined terms of the Guarantee are referred to, but not defined
herein, such defined terms are incorporated herein by reference. The form of the
Guarantee has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus forms a part.

GENERAL

         The Company will, pursuant to the Guarantee, irrevocably agree to pay
in full on a subordinated basis, to the extent set forth therein, the Guarantee
Payments (as defined below) to the holders of the Preferred Securities, as and
when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the
Trust may have or assert other than the defense of payment. The following
payments with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid by or
on behalf of the Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the
Guarantee: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions required to be paid on the
Preferred Securities, to the extent that the Trust has funds available therefor
at such time, (ii) the Redemption Price with respect to any Preferred Securities
called for


                                       46
<PAGE>   50
redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds available therefor at such
time, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or
liquidation of the Trust (other than in connection with the distribution of
Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of Preferred Securities or a
redemption of all of the Preferred Securities), the lesser of (a) the amount of
the Liquidation Distribution, to the extent the Trust has funds available
therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining
available for distribution to holders of Preferred Securities in liquidation of
the Trust. The obligation of the Company to make a Guarantee Payment may be
satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Company to the
holders of the Preferred Securities or by causing the Trust to pay such amounts
to such holders.

         The Guarantee will not apply to any payment of Distributions except to
the extent the Trust has funds available therefor. If the Company does not make
interest payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures held by the Trust, the
Trust will not pay Distributions on the Preferred Securities and will not have
funds legally available therefor.

STATUS OF THE GUARANTEE

         The Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Company
and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt,
Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of the Company in the same
manner as the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Guarantee does not place a
limitation on the amount of additional Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or
Additional Senior Obligations that may be incurred by the Company. The Company
expects from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior
Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations.

         The Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of
collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against any other Person). The Guarantee
will not be discharged except by payment of the Guarantee Payments in full to
the extent not paid by the Trust or upon distribution of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures to the holders of the Preferred Securities. Because the Company is a
holding company, the right of the Company to participate in any distribution of
assets of the Bank upon the Bank's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is
subject to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank, except to the extent the
Company may itself be recognized as a creditor of the Bank. The Company's
obligations under the Guarantee, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to
all existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries, and claimants
should look only to the assets of the Company for payments thereunder.

AMENDMENTS AND ASSIGNMENT

         Except with respect to any changes which do not materially adversely
affect the rights of holders of the Preferred Securities (in which case no vote
will be required), the Guarantee may not be amended without the prior approval
of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate Liquidation Amount
of the outstanding Preferred Securities. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of Trust Agreement." All guarantees and
agreements contained in the Guarantee will bind the successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company and will inure to the
benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         An event of default under the Guarantee will occur upon the failure of
the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder. The
holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the
Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in
respect of the Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the Guarantee.


                                       47
<PAGE>   51
         Any holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Trust, the Guarantee Trustee or
any other Person.

         The Company, as guarantor, is required to file annually with the
Guarantee Trustee a certificate as to whether or not the Company is in
compliance with all the conditions and covenants applicable to it under the
Guarantee.

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

         The Guarantee Trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance
of a default by the Company in performance of the Guarantee, undertakes to
perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Guarantee and,
after default with respect to the Guarantee, must exercise the same degree of
care and skill as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his
or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Guarantee Trustee is under
no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the Guarantee at the
request of any holder of any Preferred Securities, unless it is offered
reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be
incurred thereby.

TERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEE

         The Guarantee will terminate and be of no further force and effect upon
(a) full payment of the Redemption Price of the Preferred Securities, (b) full
payment of the amounts payable upon liquidation of the Trust, or (c)
distribution of the Junior Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the
Preferred Securities. The Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of the Preferred
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under such Preferred Securities
or the Guarantee.

GOVERNING LAW

         The Guarantee will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


                                EXPENSE AGREEMENT

         The Company will, pursuant to the Agreement as to Expenses and
Liabilities entered into by it under the Trust Agreement (the "Expense
Agreement"), irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee to each person or entity
to whom the Trust becomes indebted or liable, the full payment of any costs,
expenses or liabilities of the Trust, other than obligations of the Trust to pay
to the holders of the Preferred Securities or other similar interests in the
Trust of the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred
Securities or such other similar interests, as the case may be. Third party
creditors of the Trust may proceed directly against the Company under the
Expense Agreement, regardless of whether such creditors had notice of the
Expense Agreement.


                  RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE PREFERRED SECURITIES,
              THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE GUARANTEE

FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE

         Payments of Distributions and other amounts due on the Preferred
Securities (to the extent the Trust has funds available for the payment of such
Distributions) are irrevocably guaranteed by the Company as and to the extent
set forth under "Description of the Guarantee." The Company and the Trust
believe that, taken together,


                                       48
<PAGE>   52
the obligations of the Company under the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
Indenture, the Trust Agreement, the Expense Agreement, and the Guarantee
provide, in the aggregate, a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee, on a
subordinated basis, of payment of Distributions and other amounts due on the
Preferred Securities. No single document standing alone or operating in
conjunction with fewer than all of the other documents constitutes such
guarantee. It is only the combined operation of these documents that has the
effect of providing a full, irrevocable and unconditional guarantee of the
obligations of the Trust under the Preferred Securities. If and to the extent
that the Company does not make payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
the Trust will not pay Distributions or other amounts due on the Preferred
Securities. The Guarantee does not cover payment of Distributions when the Trust
does not have sufficient funds to pay such Distributions. In such event, the
remedy of a holder of Preferred Securities is to institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company for enforcement of payment of such Distributions to
such holder. The obligations of the Company under the Guarantee are subordinate
and junior in right of payment to all Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and
Additional Senior Obligations of the Company.

SUFFICIENCY OF PAYMENTS

         As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures, such payments will be sufficient to cover
Distributions and other payments due on the Preferred Securities, primarily
because (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be equal to the sum of the aggregate stated Liquidation Amount of the Trust
Securities, (ii) the interest rate and interest and other payment dates on the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will match the Distribution rate and Distribution
and other payment dates for the Preferred Securities, (iii) the Company will pay
for all and any costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust (except the
obligations of the Trust to holders of the Preferred Securities), and (iv) the
Trust Agreement further provides that the Trust will not engage in any activity
that is not consistent with the limited purposes of the Trust.

ENFORCEMENT RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES

         A holder of any Preferred Security may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Company to enforce its rights under the Guarantee without
first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee, the Trust or
any other Person. A default or event of default under any Senior Debt,
Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior Obligations of the Company would not
constitute a default or Event of Default. In the event, however, of payment
defaults under, or acceleration of, Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional
Senior Obligations of the Company, the subordination provisions of the Indenture
provide that no payments may be made in respect of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures until such Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt or Additional Senior
Obligations has been paid in full or any payment default thereunder has been
cured or waived. Failure to make required payments on the Junior Subordinated
Debentures would constitute an Event of Default.

LIMITED PURPOSE OF THE TRUST

         The Preferred Securities evidence a preferred undivided beneficial
interest in the assets of the Trust. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes
of (i) issuing the Trust Securities representing undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of the Trust, (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust
Securities in the Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company, and
(iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary, advisable, or
incidental thereto. A principal difference between the rights of a holder of a
Preferred Security and the rights of a holder of a Subordinated Debenture is
that a holder of a Subordinated Debenture is entitled to receive from the
Company the principal amount of and interest accrued on Junior Subordinated
Debentures held, while a holder of Preferred Securities is entitled to receive
Distributions from the Trust (or from the Company under the Guarantee) if and to
the extent the Trust has funds available for the payment of such Distributions.


                                       49
<PAGE>   53
RIGHTS UPON DISSOLUTION

         Upon any voluntary or involuntary dissolution of the Trust involving
the liquidation of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the holders of the
Preferred Securities will be entitled to receive, out of assets held by the
Trust, the Liquidation Distribution in cash. See "Description of the Preferred
Securities--Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution." Upon any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy of the Company, the Property Trustee, as
holder of the Junior Subordinated Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor
of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt,
Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations of the Company (as set forth
in the Indenture), but entitled to receive payment in full of principal and
interest before any shareholders of the Company receive payments or
distributions. Since the Company is the guarantor under the Guarantee and has
agreed to pay for all costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust (other than
the obligations of the Trust to the holders of its Preferred Securities), the
positions of a holder of the Preferred Securities and a holder of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures relative to other creditors and to shareholders of the
Company in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of the Company are expected to
be substantially the same.

                     CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

GENERAL

         The following is a summary of the principal United States federal
income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Preferred
Securities which has been passed upon by Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP, counsel to the
Company and the Trust insofar as it relates to matters of law and legal
conclusions. The discussion only addresses the tax consequences to a person that
acquires Preferred Securities on their original issue at their original offering
price and that is (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a corporation or partnership organized in or under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (iii) an estate or
trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax
regardless of source. This discussion does not attempt to discuss all tax
consequences that may be applicable to a holder of Preferred Securities, nor
does it address the tax consequences to (i) persons who are not United States
Persons, (ii) persons that may be subject to special tax treatment under United
States federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift
institutions, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies,
tax-exempt organizations, and dealers in securities or currencies, (iii) persons
that will hold the Preferred Securities as part of a position in a "straddle,"
as part of a "hedge or "synthetic security," as part of a "conversion
transaction" or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax
purposes, or as other than a capital asset, or (iv) persons whose functional
currency is not the United States dollar. Further, it does not include any
description of any alternative minimum tax consequences or the tax laws of any
state or local government or of any foreign government that may be applicable to
the Preferred Securities.

         The summary is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury regulations thereunder and
administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to
change, with possible retroactive effect. Subsequent changes may cause tax
consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below.
Furthermore, the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to
various interpretations, and it is therefore possible that the federal income
tax treatment of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Preferred Securities
may differ from the treatment described below.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE TRUST

         Under current law and assuming full compliance with the terms of the
Trust Agreement and Indenture (and certain other documents described herein),
the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a
grantor trust and not as an association taxable as a corporation. As a result,
each holder of Preferred Securities generally will be considered the owner of an
undivided beneficial interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures.
Accordingly, for United States federal income tax purposes, each holder of
Preferred Securities will


                                       50
<PAGE>   54
be required to include in its gross income any interest, including original
issue discount, paid or accrued with respect to its allocable share of the
Junior Subordinated Debentures whether or not cash is actually distributed to
such holder.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

         The Company intends to take the position that the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as
indebtedness of the Company under current law and each holder of Preferred
Securities will be treated as owning an indirect beneficial interest in the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. No ruling is being requested from the Internal
Revenue Service and there is no direct authority addressing the characterization
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. No assurance can be given that such
position of the Company will not be challenged by the Internal Revenue Service
or, if challenged that such a challenge will not be successful. The remainder of
this discussion assumes that the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
classified for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness of the
Company.

POTENTIAL EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT

         Under recently issued Treasury regulations (the "Regulations"), a debt
instrument will be deemed to be issued with original issue discount ("OID") if
there is more than a "remote" contingency that periodic stated interest payments
due on the instrument will not be timely paid. Because the exercise by the
Company of its option to defer the payment of stated interest on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures would prevent the Company from declaring dividends on
any class of equity, the Company believes that the likelihood of its exercising
the option is "remote" within the meaning of the Regulations. As a result, the
Company intends to take the position that the Junior Subordinated Debentures
will not be considered to be issued with OID. Accordingly, based on this
position, stated interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
includible in the ordinary income of a holder at the time that such payments are
paid or accrued in accordance with such holder's regular method of tax
accounting. Because the Regulations have not yet been addressed in any published
rulings or other published interpretations issued by the Internal Revenue
Service, it is possible that the Internal Revenue Service could take a position
contrary to the position taken by the Company.

         Under the Regulations, if the Company were to exercise its option to
defer the payment of stated interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures would at that time be treated as issued with OID
and all stated interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures would thereafter
be treated as OID as long as the Junior Subordinated Debentures remain
outstanding. In such event, a holder of the Junior Subordinated Debentures would
be required to include OID in ordinary income, on a current basis, over the
period that the instrument is held even though the Company would not be making
any actual cash payments during the extended interest payment period. The amount
of interest income includible in the taxable income of a holder of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures would be determined on the basis of a constant yield
method over the remaining term of the instrument and the actual receipt of
future payments of stated interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures would
no longer be separately reported as taxable income. The amount of OID that would
accrue, in the aggregate, during the extended interest payment period would be
approximately equal to the amount of the cash payment due at the end of such
period. Any OID included in income would increase the holder's adjusted tax
basis in the Junior Subordinated Debentures and the holder's actual receipt of
interest payments would reduce such basis.

         Because income on the Preferred Securities will constitute interest or
OID, corporate holders of Preferred Securities will not be entitled to a
dividends-received deduction with respect to any income recognized with respect
to the Preferred Securities.

MARKET DISCOUNT AND ACQUISITION PREMIUM


                                       51
<PAGE>   55
         Holders of Preferred Securities other than a holder who purchased the
Preferred Securities upon original issuance may be considered to have acquired
their undivided interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures with "market
discount' or acquisition premium" as such phrases are defined for United States
federal income tax purposes. Such holders are advised to consult their tax
advisors as to the income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of the Preferred Securities.




RECEIPT OF JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OR CASH UPON LIQUIDATION OF THE TRUST

         Under certain circumstances, as described herein (see "Description of
the Preferred Securities -- Redemption or Exchange" and "Description of the
Preferred Securities -- Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution"), the Junior
Subordinated Debentures may be distributed to holders of Preferred Securities
upon a liquidation of the Trust. Under current United States federal income tax
law, such a distribution would be treated as a nontaxable event to each such
holder and would result in such holder having an adjusted tax basis in the
Junior Subordinated Debentures received in the liquidation equal to such
holder's adjusted tax basis in the Preferred Securities immediately before the
distribution. A holder's holding period in the Junior Subordinated Debentures so
received in liquidation of the Trust would include the period for which such
holder held the Preferred Securities. If, however, the Trust is characterized
for United States federal income tax purposes as an association taxable as a
corporation at the time of its dissolution, the distribution of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures may constitute a taxable event to holders of Preferred
Securities.

         Under certain circumstances described herein, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures may be redeemed for cash and the proceeds of such redemption
distributed to holders in redemption of their Preferred Securities. Under
current law, such a redemption would, for United States federal income tax
purposes, constitute a taxable disposition of the redeemed Preferred Securities,
and a holder would recognize gain or loss as if the holder sold such Preferred
Securities for cash. See "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Redemption
or Exchange" and "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Liquidation
Distribution Upon Dissolution."

DISPOSITION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES

         Upon the sale of the Preferred Securities, a holder will recognize gain
or loss in an amount equal to the difference between its adjusted tax basis in
the Preferred Securities and the amount realized in the sale (except to the
extent of any amount received in respect of accrued but unpaid interest not
previously included in income). A holder's adjusted tax basis in the Preferred
Securities generally will be its initial purchase price increased by the amount
of OID accrued and decreased by payments (if any) received on the Preferred
Securities in respect of OID (if any) to the date of disposition. Such gain or
loss generally will be a capital gain or loss and generally will be long-term
capital gain or loss if the Preferred Securities have been held for more than
one year at the time of sale. Amounts attributable to accrued interest with
respect to a holder's share of the Junior Subordinated Debentures not previously
included in income will be taxable as ordinary income.

         Should the Corporation exercise its option to defer any payment of
interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Preferred Securities may
trade at a price that does not accurately reflect the value of accrued but
unpaid interest with respect to the underlying Junior Subordinated Debentures
(or OID if the Junior Subordinated Debentures are treated as having been issued
with OID). In the event of such a deferral, a holder who disposes of its
Preferred Securities will be required to include in ordinary income (i) any
portion of the amount realized that is attributable to such accrued but unpaid
interest to the extent not previously included in income, or (ii) any amount of
OID, in either case, that has accrued on its pro rata share of the underlying
Junior Subordinated Debentures during the taxable year of sale through the date
of disposition. Any such income inclusion will increase the holder's adjusted
tax basis in the Preferred Securities disposed of. To the extent that the amount


                                       52
<PAGE>   56
realized in the sale is less than the holder's adjusted tax basis, a holder will
recognize a capital loss. Subject to certain limited exceptions, capital losses
cannot be applied to offset ordinary income for United States federal income tax
purposes.

BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING

         The amount of interest paid and any OID accrued on the Preferred
Securities held of record by individual citizens or residents of the United
States, or certain trusts, estates, and partnerships, will be reported to the
Internal Revenue Service on Forms 1099, which forms should be mailed to such
holders of Preferred Securities by January 31 following each calendar year.
Payments of interest may be subject to a "backup" withholding tax at a rate of
31% unless the holder complies with certain identification and other
requirements. Payment of the proceeds from the sale of Preferred Securities may
also be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against
the holder's United States federal income tax liability, provided the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN TAX LAWS

         In both 1996 and 1997 legislation was proposed that would, if enacted,
have adversely affected the tax treatment of the Preferred Securities. On March
19, 1996, President Clinton proposed certain tax law changes (the "1996 Proposed
Legislation") that would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a
deduction for interest in respect of certain debt obligations having a maximum
term in excess of 20 years and not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's
applicable consolidated balance sheet. Neither the 1996 Proposed Legislation or
similar legislation was enacted during the 104th Congress. On February 6, 1997,
President Clinton proposed in the administration's fiscal year 1998 budget
certain tax law changes (the "Administration's 1997 Tax Proposals") that would,
among other things, generally deny corporate issuers a deduction for interest or
OID in respect of certain debt obligations having a maximum term in excess of 15
years and not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated
balance sheet. Neither the Administration's 1997 Tax Proposals nor similar
legislation was enacted by the 105th Congress. There can be no assurance,
however, that legislation enacted after the date hereof will not adversely
affect the ability of the Company to deduct the interest payable on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures or otherwise give rise to a Tax Event.

THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE MAY NOT BE
APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A HOLDER'S PARTICULAR SITUATION. HOLDERS SHOULD
CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE
PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE
TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE
EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

         Employee benefit plans that are subject to the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or Section 4975 of the Code
("Plans"), generally may purchase Preferred Securities, subject to the investing
fiduciary's determination that the investment in Preferred Securities satisfies
ERISA's fiduciary standards and other requirements applicable to investments by
the Plan.

         In any case, the Company and/or any of its affiliates may be considered
a "party in interest" (within the meaning of ERISA) or a "disqualified person"
(within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to certain plans
(generally, Plans maintained or sponsored by, or contributed to by, any such
persons with respect to which the Company or an affiliate is a fiduciary or
Plans for which the Company or an affiliate provides services). The acquisition
and ownership of Preferred Securities by a Plan (or by an individual retirement
arrangement or other Plans described in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) with
respect to which the Company or


                                       53
<PAGE>   57
any of its affiliates is considered a party in interest or a disqualified person
may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975
of the Code, unless such Preferred Securities are acquired pursuant to and in
accordance with an applicable exemption.

         As a result, Plans with respect to which the Company or any of its
affiliates is a party in interest or a disqualified person should not acquire
Preferred Securities unless such Preferred Securities are acquired pursuant to
and in accordance with an applicable exemption. Any other Plans or other
entities whose assets include Plan assets subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of
the code proposing to acquire Preferred Securities should consult with their own
counsel.

                                  UNDERWRITING

         The Underwriters named below, represented by Tucker Anthony
Incorporated (the "Representative"), have severally agreed, subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, the form of which is
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms
a part, to purchase from the Trust the number of Preferred Securities set forth
opposite their respective names below. The several Underwriters have agreed in
the Underwriting Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
therein, to purchase all the Preferred Securities offered hereby if any of the
Preferred Securities are purchased. In the event of default by an Underwriter,
the Underwriting Agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, purchase
commitments of the nondefaulting Underwriters may be increased or the
Underwriting Agreement may be terminated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                      Number of Preferred
                Underwriters                                                       Securities
                ------------                                                   -------------------
<S>                                                                            <C>
         Tucker Anthony Incorporated...................................

                  Total................................................
</TABLE>



         The Representative has advised the Trust that it proposes initially to
offer the Preferred Securities to the public at the public offering price set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and to certain dealers at such price
less a concession not in excess of $___ per Preferred Security. The Underwriters
may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $___ per
Preferred Security to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering,
the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed.

         In view of the fact that the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred
Securities will be used to purchase the Junior Subordinated Debentures of the
Company, the Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company will pay as
compensation to the Underwriters arranging the investment therein of such
proceeds, an amount in immediately available funds of $___ per Preferred
Security (or $___ in the aggregate) for the accounts of the several
Underwriters.

         The Trust has granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an
additional 375,000 Preferred Securities at the public offering price. Such
option, which expires 30 days from the date of this Prospectus, may be exercised
solely to cover over-allotments. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise
such option, each of the Underwriters will have a firm commitment, subject to
certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of the
additional Preferred Securities that the number of Preferred Securities to be
purchased initially by the Underwriter is of the 2,500,000 Preferred Securities
initially purchased by the Underwriters.

        To the extent that the Underwriters exercise their option to purchase
additional Preferred Securities, the Trust will issue and sell to the Company
additional Common Securities in such aggregate Liquidation Amount as is required
for the Company to continue to hold Common Securities in an aggregate
Liquidation Amount equal


                                       54
<PAGE>   58
to at least 3% of the total capital of the Trust and the Company will issue and
sell to the Trust Junior Subordinated Debentures in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the total aggregate Liquidation Amount of the additional
Preferred Securities being purchased pursuant to the option and the additional
Common Securities.

         In connection with the offering of the Preferred Securities, the
Underwriters and any selling group members and their respective affiliates may
engage in transactions effected in accordance with Rule 104 of the Securities
and Exchange Commission's Regulation M that are intended to stabilize, maintain
or otherwise affect the market price of the Preferred Securities. Such
transactions may include over-allotment transactions in which the Underwriters
create a short position for their own account by selling more Preferred
Securities than they are committed to purchase from the Trust. In such case, to
cover all or part of the short position, the Underwriters may exercise the
over-allotment option described above or may purchase Preferred Securities in
the open market following completion of the initial offering of the Preferred
Securities. The Underwriters also may engage in stabilizing transactions in
which they bid for, and purchase, Preferred Securities at a level above that
which might otherwise prevail in the open market for the purpose of preventing
or retarding a decline in the market price of the Preferred Securities. The
Underwriters also may reclaim any selling concessions allowed to an Underwriter
or dealer if the Underwriters repurchase shares distributed by that Underwriter
or dealer. Any of the foregoing transactions may result in the maintenance of a
price for the Preferred Securities at a level above that which might otherwise
prevail in the open market. Neither the Company nor any of the Underwriters
makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any
effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the
Preferred Securities. The Underwriters are not required to engage in any of the
foregoing transactions and, if commenced, such transactions may be discontinued
at any time without notice.

         During a period of 180 days from the date of this Prospectus, neither
the Trust nor the Company will, subject to certain exceptions, without the prior
written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly, sell, offer to
sell, grant any option for sale of, or otherwise dispose of, any Preferred
Securities, any security convertible into or exchangeable into or exercisable
for Preferred Securities or Junior Subordinated Debentures or any debt
securities substantially similar to the Junior Subordinated Debentures or equity
securities substantially similar to the Preferred Securities (except for Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Preferred Securities offered hereby).

         Because the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")
is expected to view the Preferred Securities as interests in a direct
participation program, the offering of the Preferred Securities is being made in
compliance with the applicable provisions of Rule 2810 of the NASD's Conduct
Rules.

         Application has been made to have the Preferred Securities approved for
quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market. The Representative has
advised the Trust that it presently intends to make a market in the Preferred
Securities after the commencement of trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market, but no assurances can be made as to the liquidity of such
Preferred Securities or that an active and liquid trading market will develop
or, if developed, that it will continue. The offering price and distribution
rate have been determined by negotiations among representatives of the Company
and the Underwriters, and the offering price of the Preferred Securities may not
be indicative of the market price following the Offering. The Representative
will have no obligation to make a market in the Preferred Securities, however,
and may cease market-making activities, if commenced, at any time.

         The Trust and the Company have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters
against, or contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be required to make
in respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

         Certain matters of Delaware law relating to the validity of the
Preferred Securities, the enforceability of the Trust Agreement and the
formation of the Trust will be passed upon by Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell,



                                       55
<PAGE>   59
Wilmington, Delaware, special Delaware counsel to the Company and the Trust.
Certain legal matters for the Company and the Trust, including matters relating
to United States federal income tax considerations and the validity of the
Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated Debentures, will be passed upon for the
Company and the Trust by Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, counsel
to the Company and the Trust. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the
Underwriters by Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Foley, Hoag
& Eliot LLP will rely on the opinion of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell as to
matters of Delaware law.




                                     EXPERTS

         The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 1997, appearing in the 1997 Annual Report of the Company to its shareholders
and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997, have been incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
and in the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, in
reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, incorporated by reference herein, whose report thereon appears
therein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.


                                       56
<PAGE>   60
                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

        The following document filed by the Company with the Commission is
incorporated into this Prospectus by reference:

                  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1997 (attached hereto as Appendix A).

        Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except
as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

        THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM THIS
PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON, A COPY
OF ANY OR ALL OF THE FOREGOING DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN (OTHER
THAN EXHIBITS, UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN SUCH DOCUMENTS). REQUESTS FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: CENTURY
BANCORP, INC., 400 MYSTIC AVENUE, MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 02155, ATTN: CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER (TELEPHONE (781-391-4000).

        As used herein, the terms "Prospectus" and "herein" mean this
Prospectus, including the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
herein by reference, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to herein do not purport to
be complete, and where reference is made to the particular provisions of such
contract or other document, such provisions are qualified in all respects by
reference to all of the provisions of such contract or other document.


                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

        The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at
the Commission's regional offices at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may also be obtained by
mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. If available, such information
also may be accessed through the Commission's electronic data gathering,
analysis and retrieval system ("EDGAR") via electronic means, including the
Commission's home page on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). The Company's Class
A common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market. Such reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Company also may be inspected at
the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735 K
Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006.

        The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-2 (the "Registration Statement") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the securities offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules relating thereto as
permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information pertaining to the Company and the securities offered hereby,
reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. Items
of information omitted from this Prospectus, but contained in the Registration
Statement, may be obtained at prescribed rates or inspected without charge at
the offices of the Commission set forth above. Any statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not



                                       57
<PAGE>   61
necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of
such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise
filed with the Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by
such reference.

        No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included herein.
The Company does not consider that such financial statements would be material
to holders of the Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting securities
of the Trust will be owned by the Company, a reporting company under the
Exchange Act, (ii) the Trust has no independent operations but exists for the
sole purpose of issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interest in
the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in the Junior
Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company, and (iii) the obligations of the
Company described herein to provide certain indemnities in respect of and be
responsible for certain costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the Trust
under the Indenture and pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the guarantee issued by
the Company with respect to the Preferred Securities, and the Junior
Subordinated Debentures purchased by the Trust and the related Indenture, taken
together, constitute, in the belief of the Company and the Trust, a full and
unconditional guarantee of payments due on the Preferred Securities. See
"Description of the Junior Subordinated Debentures" and "Description of the
Guarantee."

         The Trust is not currently subject to the information reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act. The Trust will become subject to such
requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, although it
intends to seek and expects to receive an exemption therefrom.



                                      58
<PAGE>   62
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
      ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

      For the fiscal year ended        DECEMBER 31, 1997

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

                         Commission file number 0-15752

                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS                                  04-2498617     
(State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                            Identification number)

400 MYSTIC AVENUE, MEDFORD, MA                                          02155
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number including area code:                 (781)391-4000


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                      CLASS A COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE
                                (Title of class)

  Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                                                   X  Yes     No
                                                                  ---     ---

  Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
form 10-K. [ ]

State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of
the registrant as of February 28, 1998:

                                   $7,848,270

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock as of February 28,1998:

         CLASS A COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE     3,523,647    SHARES

         CLASS B COMMON STOCK, $1.00 PAR VALUE     2,268,770    SHARES



                                        i
<PAGE>   63
                              CENTURY BANCORP INC.
                                    FORM 10-K
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                       <C>  
                      PART I

ITEM 1      BUSINESS                                                       1-16

ITEM 2      PROPERTIES                                                       17

ITEM 3      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS                                                17

ITEM 4      SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY                      17
              HOLDERS

                      PART II

ITEM 5      MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED             17-18
              STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 6      SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA                                          18

ITEM 7      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL                18
              CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ITEM 7a     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET            18
              RISK

ITEM 8      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA                      18

ITEM 9      CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS                    18
              ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

                      PART III

ITEM 10     DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT            45-47

ITEM 11     EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION                  47-51

ITEM 12     SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS                  52
              AND MANAGEMENT

ITEM 13     CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS                   53

                      PART IV

ITEM 14     EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND                      53
              REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

                      SIGNATURES                                             54
</TABLE>



                                       ii
<PAGE>   64
                                                       PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

THE COMPANY


Century Bancorp, Inc. (together with its subsidiary, unless the context
otherwise requires, the "Company"), is a Massachusetts state chartered bank
holding company headquartered in Medford, Massachusetts. The Company is a
Massachusetts corporation formed in 1972 and has one banking subsidiary (the
"Bank"): Century Bank and Trust Company formed in 1969. The Company had total
assets of $631.1 million on December 31, 1997. The Company presently operates 15
banking offices in 14 cities and towns ranging from Braintree to Peabody. The
Banks' customers consist primarily of small and medium-sized businesses and
retail customers in these communities and surrounding areas, as well as local
governments throughout Massachusetts.

On December 10, 1997, the Company announced an agreement to merge Haymarket
Cooperative Bank, based in Boston, Massachusetts, into Century Bank and Trust
Company. The agreement called for the Bank to acquire assets of approximately
$142 million and two banking offices located in Boston. Century Bank and Trust
Company will pay approximately $20 million in cash for Haymarket Cooperative
Bank and is subject to federal and state regulatory approval. The transaction
will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.

The Company offers a wide range of services to commercial enterprises, state and
local governments and agencies, and individuals. It makes commercial loans, real
estate and construction loans, and consumer loans, and accepts savings, time,
and demand deposits. In addition, the Company offers to its corporate customers
automated lock box collection services, cash management services and account
reconciliation services, and actively promotes the marketing of these services
to the municipal market.

The Company emphasizes service to small and medium-sized businesses and retail
customers in its market area. It provides business and consumer deposit services
and makes commercial loans, real estate and construction loans and consumer
loans. The Company provides full service brokerage through Century Financial
Services in conjunction with Commonwealth Equities.

The Company is a provider of financial services including cash management,
transaction processing, short term financing and intermediate term leasing to
municipalities in Massachusetts. The Company has deposit relationships with
approximately 30% of the 351 cities and towns in the state.


                                      -1-
<PAGE>   65
The following table sets forth the distribution of the Company's average assets,
liabilities and stockholders' equity, and average rates earned or paid on a
fully taxable equivalent basis for each of the years indicated.

                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997                                 1996                
                                                          ----                                 ----                
                                           Average      Interest       Rate       Average    Interest      Rate    
                                           Balance      Income (1)   Earned (1)   Balance    Income (1)  Earned (1)
                                          ---------     ---------    ----------  ---------   ---------   ----------
                                                                                 (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>       
Assets                                                                          
                                                                                
Interest-earning assets:                                                        
Loans(2)                                  $ 304,147     $  28,479       9.36%    $ 281,943   $  26,429      9.37%  
                                                                                
Securities available-for-sale:                                                  
      Taxable                                82,163         5,054       6.15%       90,652       5,627      6.21%  
      Tax-exempt                              1,327            80       6.03%          872          52      5.96%  
                                                                                
Securities held-to-maturity:                                                    
      Taxable                               109,458         7,047       6.44%       94,335       6,007      6.37%  
      Tax-exempt                                 33             3       9.09%          170          13      7.65%  
                                                                                
 Federal funds sold                          12,864           706       5.49%       15,090         807      5.35%  
 Interest bearing deposits                                                      
    in other banks                               36             1       2.78%           47           2      4.26%  
                                          -----------------------                ---------------------             
                                                                                
           Total interest-earning assets    510,028        41,370       8.11%      483,109      38,937      8.06%  
                                                        ---------       -----                ---------      -----  
                                                                                
 Non  interest-earning assets                61,211                                 61,450                         
                                                                                
 Allowance for loan losses                   (4,412)                                (4,163)                        
                                          ---------                              ---------                         
           Total assets                   $ 566,827                              $ 540,396                         
                                          =========                              =========                         
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1995
                                                      ----
                                           Average   Interest      Rate
                                          Balance    Income (1)  Earned (1)
                                        -----------  ---------   ----------
                                        
<S>                                       <C>        <C>         <C>  
Assets                                  
                                        
Interest-earning assets:                
Loans(2)                                  $ 279,555  $  26,490      9.48%
                                        
Securities available-for-sale:          
      Taxable                                70,467      4,218      5.99%
      Tax-exempt                              1,372         91      6.63%
                                        
Securities held-to-maturity:            
      Taxable                                62,158      3,650      5.87%
      Tax-exempt                                180         15      8.33%
                                        
 Federal funds sold                          29,076      1,723      5.93%
 Interest bearing deposits              
    in other banks                               29          1      3.45%
                                          --------------------
                                        
           Total interest-earning assets    442,837     36,188      8.17%
                                                     ---------   --------
                                        
 Non  interest-earning assets                56,127
                                        
 Allowance for loan losses                   (4,479)
                                        ----------- 
           Total assets                 $   494,485
                                        ===========
</TABLE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) On a fully taxable equivalent basis calculated using a federal tax rate of
34%.

(2) Nonaccrual loans are included in average amounts outstanding.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   66
                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997                                          1996                   

                                       Average   Interest Income    Rate Earned       Average     Interest Income     Rate Earned
                                       Balance    /Expense (1)       /Paid (1)        Balance       /Expense (1)       /Paid (1) 
                                      --------   ---------------    -----------       --------    ---------------     -----------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>                 <C>        
                                                                                      (Dollars In Thousands)
Liabilities and Stockholders' 
    Equity

 Interest-bearing deposits:
   NOW accounts                       $ 91,938     $  2,561               2.79%       $ 84,620       $  2,367              2.80% 
   Savings accounts                     55,911        1,433               2.56%         55,905          1,439              2.57% 
   Money market accounts                66,936        1,888               2.82%         70,735          2,084              2.95% 
   Time deposits                       155,607        8,474               5.45%        158,037          9,020              5.71% 
                                      --------     --------                           --------       --------
         Total interest-bearing
            deposits                   370,392       14,356               3.88%        369,297         14,910              4.04% 

 Securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase           24,994        1,075               4.30%         16,654            713              4.28% 

 Other borrowed funds                    7,908          491               6.21%          3,135            182              5.81% 
                                      --------     --------                           --------       --------

      Total interest-bearing
        liabilities                    403,294       15,922               3.95%        389,086         15,805              4.06% 
                                      --------     --------               ----        --------       --------              ----

 Non interest-bearing
     liabilities
          Demand deposits              105,417                                          99,179                                   
          Other liabilities              7,787                                           7,340                                   
                                       --------                                       --------                                   
                  Total liabilities    516,498                                         495,605                                   
Stockholders' equity                    50,329                                          44,791                                   
                                       --------                                       --------                                   
    Total liabilities &
        stockholders' equity          $566,827                                        $540,396                                   
                                      ========                                        ========                                   
Net interest income(1)                             $ 25,448                                          $ 23,132                    
                                                   ========                                          ========                    

Net interest spread                                                       4.16%                                            4.00% 
                                                                          ----                                             ----  

Net yield on earnings assets                                              4.99%                                            4.79% 
                                                                          ----                                             ----  
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1995

                                         Average     Interest Income     Rate Earned
                                         Balance       /Expense (1)       /Paid (1)
                                         --------    ----------------    -----------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>                 <C>  
                                      
Liabilities and Stockholders' 
    Equity

 Interest-bearing deposits:
   NOW accounts                          $ 82,628       $  2,568              3.11%
   Savings accounts                        50,916          1,335              2.62%
   Money market accounts                   78,029          2,487              3.19%
   Time deposits                          134,769          7,612              5.65%
                                         --------       --------
         Total interest-bearing
            deposits                      346,342         14,002              4.04%

 Securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase              14,390            632              4.39%

 Other borrowed funds                         960             52              5.42%
                                         --------       --------       -----------

      Total interest-bearing
        liabilities                       361,692         14,686              4.06%
                                                        --------              ----
 Non interest-bearing
     liabilities
          Demand deposits                  86,328
          Other liabilities                 6,084
                                      -----------
                  Total liabilities       454,104                                 
Stockholders' equity                       40,381                                 
                                       -----------
    Total liabilities &
        stockholders' equity          $   494,485
                                      ===========
Net interest income(1)                                  $21,502
                                                        =======

Net interest spread                                                           4.11%
                                                                              ---- 

Net yield on earnings assets                                                  4.86%
                                                                              ---- 
</TABLE>



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) On a fully taxable equivalent basis calculated using a federal tax rate of
34%.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   67
The following table summarizes the year-to-year changes in the Company's net
interest income resulting from fluctuations in interest rates and volume changes
in earning assets and interest bearing liabilities. Changes due to rate are the
change in rate multiplied by the prior year's volume. Changes due to volume are
the change in volume multiplied by the prior year's rate. Changes in volume and
rate that cannot be separately identified have been allocated in proportion to
the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts of each change.

Net interest income improved in 1997. Interest income was affected positively by
higher loan volume and by improvements in the interest earned in most categories
of earning assets. Much of the Company's earning assets were repriced to improve
their respective returns. Interest expense rose primarily because of a higher
level of borrowed funds. Interest income on securities increased primarily
because of volume.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Year Ended December 31,

                                      1997 Compared with 1996              1996 Compared with 1995
                                   -------------------------------     -------------------------------
                                   Increase/(Decrease)                 Increase/(Decrease)
                                   Due to Change in                    Due to Change in
                                                           Total                               Total
                                   Average     Average    Increase     Average    Average     Increase
                                   Balance      Rate     (Decrease)    Balance      Rate     (Decrease)
                                   -------     -------     -------     -------    --------     -------

                                                                    (In Thousands)
<S>                                <C>         <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest income:
 Loans                             $ 2,079     $   (29)    $ 2,050     $   225     $  (286)    $   (61)
 Securities available-for-sale:
   Taxable                            (523)        (50)       (573)      1,248         161       1,409
   Tax-exempt                           27           1          28         (31)         (8)        (39)
 Securities held-to-maturity:
   Taxable                             973          66       1,039       2,027         330       2,357
   Tax-exempt                          (12)          2         (10)         (1)         (1)         (2)
 Federal funds sold                   (122)         21        (101)       (762)       (154)       (916)
 Interest-bearing deposits
  in other banks                        (1)          1           0           1           0           1
                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
   Total interest income             2,422          11       2,433       2,707          42       2,749
                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------

Interest expense:
 Deposits:
  NOW accounts                         204         (10)        194          61        (262)       (201)
  Savings accounts                       0          (6)         (6)        129         (25)        104
  Money market accounts               (109)        (87)       (196)       (223)        180         403
  Time deposits                       (137)       (409)       (546)      1,327          81       1,408
                                                                       -------     -------     -------
    Total interest-bearing
     deposits                          (42)       (512)       (554)      1,294        (386)        908
 Securities sold under
 agreements to repurchase              359           3         362          97         (16)         81

Other borrowed funds                   262          13         309         126           4         130
                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
    Total interest expense             612        (495)        117       1,517        (398)      1,119
                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
Change in net interest income      $ 1,811     $   505     $ 2,316     $ 1,190     $   440     $ 1,630
                                   =======     =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
</TABLE>


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   68
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The Company's asset/liability management objective is to attempt to insulate the
balance sheet, and therefore the income statement, from excessive risk due to
changes in market interest rates. It is the responsibility of the Company's ALCO
committee to establish long-term strategies with respect to interest rate
exposure, and to monitor that exposure in relation to present and prospective
market interest rates, economic conditions, and balance sheet composition on an
on-going basis. Monitoring techniques include gap management and simulation
analysis.

The Company attempts to manage its exposure to interest rate risk by closely
monitoring the maturities and interest rate sensitivities of its assets and
liabilities. The following table measures the extent to which interest-sensitive
assets exceed interest-sensitive liabilities (or vice versa) within certain time
periods. This "Gap" analysis is one measure of the Company's sensitivity to
interest rate fluctuations. A Gap is considered positive when the amount of
interest-sensitive assets maturing or repricing within a period exceeds the
amount of interest-sensitive liabilities maturing or repricing within that
period; a Gap is considered negative when the converse occurs. During a
decreasing interest rate environment, a negative Gap would tend to result in an
increase in net interest income while a positive Gap would tend to adversely
affect net interest income. In a rising interest rate environment, an
institution with a positive Gap would generally expect an increase in net
interest income, whereas an institution with a negative Gap would generally be
expected to experience the opposite result.

The Company's targeted Gap range is +/- 10% within 3 months or less and +/- 10%
within 4 to 12 months with a cumulative 1 year Gap at +/- 10%. The table
presents categorical balances based on contractual maturities and repricing
opportunities. The resulting amounts have been modified to reflect a management
adjustment that pertains to NOW and savings accounts. While these core deposit
accounts are subject to immediate withdrawal, the management adjustment is based
on the fact that interest changes on such accounts have been infrequent and have
not coincided with changes in market interest rates. In addition, a management
adjustment has been made in the first maturity interval for the uncollected
portion of cash and due from banks.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Repricing / Maturity Interval Within
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December  31, 1997                             3 months      4 months      One year         Over            Non-
                                               or less     to 12 months   to 5 years       5 years        Maturing(1)    Total
                                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interest-earning assets:                                                   (Dollars in Thousands)
- ------------------------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>         <C>
Loans                                         $ 118,184     $  49,270      $ 131,471      $  15,760     $   1,705      $ 316,390
Securities available-for-sale:                                                                                        
    Taxable                                       8,926        24,004         54,251          1,259             0         88,440
    Tax exempt                                        0           750              0              0             0            750
Securities held-to-maturity:                                                                                          
    Taxable                                       2,524         9,494         79,217         17,981             0        109,216
    Tax exempt                                        0            12             11              0             0             23
Federal funds sold                               51,000             0              0              0             0         51,000
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks:            24             0              0              0             0             24
                                               ---------     --------      ---------       --------       -------      ---------
       Total interest-earning assets            180,658        83,530        264,950         35,000         1,705        565,843
                                               ---------     --------      ---------       --------       -------      ---------
                                                                                                                      
Interest-bearing liabilities:                                                                                         
Deposits:                                                                                                             
    NOW accounts                                 93,825             0              0              0             0         93,825
    Savings accounts                             55,983             0              0              0             0         55,983
    Money market deposits                        50,110        20,951              0              0             0         71,061
    Time deposits                               101,719        55,263         14,297              0             0        171,279
                                               ---------     --------      ---------       --------       -------      ---------
        Total interest-bearing deposits         301,637        76,214         14,297              0             0        392,148
Securities sold under agreements                                                                                      
  to repurchase                                  32,850             0              0              0             0         32,850
Other borrowed funds                             10,972         1,048              0          1,454             0         13,474
                                               ---------     --------      ---------       --------       -------      ---------
        Total interest-bearing liabilities      345,459        77,262         14,297          1,454             0        438,472
                                               ---------     --------      ---------       --------       -------      ---------
                                                                                                                      
Interest-earning assets minus                                                                                         
  interest-bearing liabilities(Gap)           ($164,801)    $   6,268      $ 250,653      $  33,546     $   1,705      $ 127,371
Management adjustment                           126,189       (30,489)       (60,978)             0             0         34,722
                                               ---------     --------      ---------       --------       -------      ---------
Management-adjusted Gap                       ($ 38,612)    ($ 24,221)     $ 189,675      $  33,546     $   1,705      $ 162,093
Management-adjusted Cumulative Gap                            (62,833)       126,842        160,388       162,093             -- 
                                                                                                                      
Management-adjusted Gap / Total Assets           -6.08%        -3.81%          29.84%          5.28%         0.27%         25.50
Management-adjusted Cumulative Gap /                                                                                  
  Total Assets                                                 -9.89%          19.96%         25.24%        25.50%          --
                                                                                                                      
(1) Represents loans placed on nonaccrual status.                                                                     
</TABLE>


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   69
LENDING ACTIVITIES

The following summary shows the composition of the loan portfolio at the dates
indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        December 31,

                                             1997                1996                  1995           
                                             ----                ----                  ----           

                                               Percent               Percent               Percent    
                                      Amount   of Total     Amount   of Total     Amount   of Total   
                                     --------  --------    --------  --------    --------  --------   
                                                                                (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                  <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>        

Construction and land development    $  7,549      2.4%    $  3,576      1.2%    $  1,444      0.5%   
Commercial and industrial              50,560     16.0       41,006     14.2       37,811     13.2    
Industrial revenue bonds                2,693      0.9        3,030      1.1        3,362      1.2    
Commercial real estate                140,270     44.3      133,757     46.4      130,173     45.6    
Residential real estate                76,385     24.1       76,638     26.6       82,132     28.8    
Consumer                               19,254      6.1       12,749      4.4        9,243      3.2    
Home equity                            19,031      6.0       17,330      6.0       21,130      7.4    
Overdrafts                                648      0.2          194      0.1          143      0.1    
                                     --------    -----     --------    -----     --------    -----    
Loans(net of unearned
      discount)                      $316,390    100.0%    $288,280    100.0%    $285,438    100.0%   
                                     ========    =====     ========    =====     ========    =====    
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          

                                            1994                   1993
                                            ----                   ----

                                               Percent                Percent
                                      Amount    of Total    Amount    of Total
                                     --------   --------   --------   --------
                                     
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>

Construction and land development    $  1,924      0.7%    $  1,228        0.5%
Commercial and industrial              33,283     12.2       29,664       10.9
Industrial revenue bonds                3,873      1.4        4,186        1.5
Commercial real estate                122,538     44.9      120,064       44.2
Residential real estate                82,028     30.1       85,260       31.3
Consumer                               12,017      4.4       15,208        5.6
Home equity                            16,826      6.2       16,180        5.9
Overdrafts                                232      0.1          250        0.1
                                     --------    -----     --------      -----
Loans(net of unearned
      discount)                      $272,721    100.0%    $272,040      100.0%
                                     ========    =====     ========      =====
</TABLE>


                                       -6-
<PAGE>   70
The following table summarizes the remaining maturity distribution of certain
components of the Company's loan portfolio at December 31, 1997. The table
excludes loans secured by one-to-four family residential real estate and loans
for household family and other personal expenditures. Maturities are presented
as if scheduled principal amortization payments are due on the last contractual
payment date.

           Remaining Maturities of Selected Loans at December 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   One Year  One to Five    Over
                                   or Less      Years     Five Years     Total
                                   --------  -----------  ----------   --------
                                                  (In Thousands)
<S>                                <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>     

Construction and land development  $  4,927    $  2,622    $      0    $  7,549
Commercial and industrial            36,499      13,964          97      50,560
Industrial revenue bonds                 50       1,902         741       2,693
Commercial real estate               64,668      72,437       3,165     140,270
                                   --------    --------    --------    --------
  Total                            $106,144    $ 90,925    $  4,003    $201,072
                                   ========    ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

The following table indicates the rate variability of the above loans due after
one year.

                                December 31, 1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       One to Five     Over
                                          Years     Five Years    Total
                                         -------      -------    -------
                                                   (In Thousands)    
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>    
Predetermined interest rates             $75,535      $ 3,919    $79,454
Floating or adjustable interest rates     15,390           83     15,473
                                         -------      -------    -------
  Total                                  $90,925      $ 4,002    $94,927
                                         =======      =======    =======
</TABLE>

Individual loan officers have designated lending authorities established by the
Board of Directors, with larger loans requiring a second approval. The Bank has
an Executive Committee of the Board of Directors which meets monthly and
ratifies or approves all credits above a specified size. In addition, the
Company has an Executive Management Committee which meets monthly and monitors
the Company's lending policies and practices. The members of the Executive
Management Committee are: Marshall M. Sloane, Chairman, President and CEO;
George F. Swansburg, Executive Vice President; Jonathan G. Sloane, Senior Vice
President; Paul V. Cusick, Jr., Vice President and Treasurer; all of the
Company, and Donald H. Lang and William J. Sloboda, both Executive Vice
Presidents of the Bank.

The Company's commercial and industrial (C&I) loan customers represent various
small and middle market established businesses involved in manufacturing,
distribution, retailing and services. Most clients are privately owned with
markets that range from local to national in scope. Many of the loans to this
segment are secured by liens on corporate assets and the personal guarantees of
the principals. The Bank has placed greater emphasis on building its C&I base
over the future. The regional economic strength or weakness impacts on the
relative risks in this loan category. There is little concentration to any one
business sector and loan risks are generally diversified among many borrowers.

Commercial real estate loans are extended to finance various manufacturing,
warehouse, light industrial, office, retail and residential properties in the
Banks's market area to generally include Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New
Hampshire. Loans are normally extended in amounts up to a maximum of 80% of
appraised value and normally for terms up to three to five years. Amortization
schedules are long term and thus a balloon payment is due at maturity. Under
most circumstances, the Bank will offer to re-write or otherwise extend the loan
at prevailing interest rates. During recent years, the Bank has emphasized
non-residential type owner-occupied properties. This complements the above C&I
emphasis placed on the operating business entities and will be continued. The
regional economic environment impacts on the risk to both non-residential and
residential mortgages. This environment has improved over the recent period.
Together the above factors have stabilized many sections of the regional market.

                                       -7-
<PAGE>   71
Residential real estate (1-4 family) includes two categories of loans.
Approximately $14 million of loans are classified as "Commercial and Industrial"
type loans secured by 1-4 family real estate. Primarily, these are small
businesses with modest capital or shorter operating histories wherein the
collateral mitigates some risk. The collateral position notwithstanding, this
category of loans shares similar risk characteristics as the C&I loans. The
balance of loans in this category are mostly 1-4 family residential properties
located in the Bank's market area. General underwriting criteria are largely the
same as FNMA but normally only one or three year adjustable interest rates are
used. The Bank does utilize mortgage insurance in order to provide lower down
payment products and has provided a "First Time Homebuyer" product to encourage
new home ownership. Residential real estate loan volume has declined but
nonetheless remains a core consumer product. The regional environment impacts on
the risks to this category. In the recent period, the environment has improved,
and the market has generally been stable. Declining interest rates could
negatively impact the risk on adjustable interest rate loans as they are
repriced in the future.

Home equity loans are extended as both first and second mortgages on owner
occupied residential properties in the Bank's market area. Loans are
underwritten to a maximum loan to value of 75%.

The Bank does intend to maintain a market for construction loans, principally
for smaller local residential projects or an owner occupied commercial project.
Independent appraisals of the project and the costs are obtained and funds are
advanced over the life of the project as inspections of completed work warrant.
Individual consumer residential home construction loans are also extended on a
similar basis.

Bank officers evaluate the feasibility of construction projects, based on
independent appraisals of the project, architects or engineers evaluations of
the cost of construction, and other relevant data. At December 31, 1997, the
Company was obligated to advance a total of $321 thousand to complete projects
under construction.

At December 31, 1997 approximately 44% of the Company's loan portfolio consisted
of commercial real estate loans. Construction loans had increased to 2.4 % of
the Company's outstanding loans.

At December 31, 1997, the Company's residential mortgage loans amounted to $76.4
million. The Company's consumer loan portfolio amounted to $38.3 million at
December 31, 1997, primarily consisting of home equity loans amounting to $19.0
million and personal lines of credit, motor vehicle loans and other installment
loans amounting to $19.3 million.


                                       -8-
<PAGE>   72
NONPERFORMING ASSETS AND ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when any payment of principal and/or
interest is 90 days or more past due, unless the collateral is sufficient to
cover both principal and interest and the loan is in the process of collection.
The Company monitors closely the performance of its loan portfolio. In addition
to internal loan review, the Company has contracted with an independent
organization to review the Company's commercial and commercial real estate loan
portfolios. This independent review was performed in each of the past five
years. The status of delinquent loans, as well as situations identified as
potential problems, are reviewed on a regular basis by senior management and
monthly by the Board of Directors of the Bank.

The following table summarizes the Company's nonperforming assets at the dates
indicated.

                                  December 31,

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     1997        1996        1995        1994       1993
                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
                                               (Dollars in Thousands)

<S>                               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>    
Loans on nonaccrual                $ 1,705     $ 2,140     $ 3,751     $ 2,954     $ 4,676
Loans not included above
   which are nonperforming
   troubled debt restructurings      1,026       1,164       1,457       3,113       5,427
Other real estate owned , net          -0-         182         845       3,192      10,388
                                   -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
     Total nonperforming assets    $ 2,731     $ 3,486     $ 6,053     $ 9,259     $20,491
                                   =======     =======     =======     =======     =======

Percentage of nonperforming
   assets to total loans and
   other related assets               0.86%       1.21%       2.11%       3.36%       7.26%
                                   =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
</TABLE>

The lower level of nonperforming assets in 1997 resulted from a reduction in new
additions to nonperforming assets during the year combined with an improvement
in the resolution of nonperforming assets including payments on nonperforming
loans and sales of other real estate owned (OREO).

The Company identifies loans renegotiated prior to January 1, 1995 at then below
market rates as troubled debt restructurings. Interest income associated with
the $3,306,000 of troubled debt restructurings and performing impaired loans at
December 31, 1997 amounted to $230,000 for the year then ended. Interest income
for the same period would have amounted to $277,000 under the original terms and
agreements of the notes. As a result of placing loans on non-accrual status, the
Company has foregone $118,000 of interest income during 1997 compared to
$172,000 during 1996.

In addition to the above, the Company is monitoring closely $7.7 million of
loans on which management is concerned with the ability of the borrowers to
perform. The majority of the loans are secured by real estate properties
experiencing higher than expected vacancies and lower than expected rental
revenue. While the properties are considered to have adequate value to cover the
loan balances at December 31, 1997, such values can fluctuate with changes in
the economy and the real estate market.

There were no impaired loans with specific reserves at December 31, 1997 and
1996 because, in the opinion of management, none required a specific reserve.
All impaired loans have been measured using the fair value of the collateral
method.

The following table summarizes the Company's loans past due 90 days or more and
still accruing and impaired loans at the dates indicated.


                                  
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             December 31,
                               1997      1996      1995      1994      1993
                              ------    ------    ------    ------    ------
                                          (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Loans past due 90 days or
   more and still accruing    $    7    $  192    $   87    $  114    $  502
Impaired loans                $3,515    $3,055    $3,356       n/a       n/a
</TABLE>

                                       -9-
<PAGE>   73
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses in an amount determined by
management on the basis of the character of the loans, loan performance, the
financial condition of borrowers, the value of collateral securing loans and
other relevant factors. The following table summarizes the changes in the
Company's allowance for loan losses for the years indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Year Ended December 31,
                                                 1997         1996         1995         1994         1993
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
                                                                    (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Year end loans outstanding
  (net of unearned discount)                   $316,390     $288,280     $285,438     $272,721     $272,040
                                               ========     ========     ========     ========     ========

Average loans outstanding
  (net of unearned discount)                   $304,147     $281,943     $279,555     $267,123     $289,007
                                               ========     ========     ========     ========     ========

Balance of allowance for
  loan losses at
  beginning of year                            $  4,179     $  4,193     $  4,239     $  5,129     $  5,644
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------

Loans charged-off:
  Commercial                                         25            2            2          781          657
  Construction and land development                   0            0            0          292           23
  Commercial real estate                             48          380        1,144          433        2,024
  Residential real estate                           363          801          551        1,016        1,075
  Consumer                                          253          120          131          242          408
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
     Total loans charged-off                        689         1303        1,828        2,764        4,187
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
  Commercial                                         76           78           39           23           32
  Real estate                                       162          163          134          204          297
  Consumer                                           58           28           49           27           43
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
     Total recoveries of loans
      previously charged-off                        296          269          222          254          372
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
     Net loans charged-off                          393        1,034        1,606        2,510        3,815
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Additions to allowance charged to
    operating expense                               660        1,020        1,560        1,620        1,800
  Acquired allowance                               --           --           --           --          1,500
                                               --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
  Balance at end of year                       $  4,446     $  4,179     $  4,193     $  4,239     $  5,129
                                               ========     ========     ========     ========     ========

  Ratio of net charge-offs during
    the year to average loans
    outstanding                                    0.13%        0.37%         .57%         .94%        1.32%
                                               ========     ========     ========     ========     ========

  Ratio of allowance for
    loan losses to loans
    outstanding                                    1.41%        1.45%        1.47%        1.55%        1.89%
                                               ========     ========     ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

 The provision for 1997, while below the prior four year average, remains above
 historical levels and reflects significant improvements in the loan portfolio.
 At December 31, 1997 nonperforming assets were $2.7 million or .86% of loans
 and related assets. Such figures are significantly lower than those at the end
 of the last four years.

 While the Company expects a similar level of charge-offs in future periods, the
 pace of the charge-offs depends on many factors including the national and
 regional economy. Cyclical lagging factors may result in charge-offs being
 higher than historical levels.



                                       10

<PAGE>   74
The allowance for loan losses is an estimate of the amount needed for an
adequate reserve to absorb losses in the existing loan portfolio. This amount is
determined by an evaluation of the loan portfolio including input from an
independent organization engaged to review selected larger loans, a review of
loan loss experience and current economic conditions. At December 31, the
allowance was comprised of the following components.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1997                    1996                    1995                    1994  
                                                      ----                    ----                    ----                    ----  
                                                Percent of              Percent of              Percent of              Percent of  
                                                  loans in                loans in                loans in                loans in  
                                             each category           each category           each category           each category  
Balance at end of                                 to total                to total                to total                to total  
period applicable to                 Amount          loans   Amount          loans   Amount          loans   Amount          loans  
- --------------------                 ------          -----   ------          -----   ------          -----   ------          -----  
                                                                        (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>             <C>     <C>             <C>     <C>             <C>     <C>
Construction and land development   $   104            2.4%  $   48            1.2%  $   21            0.5%  $   49            0.7% 
Commercial and industrial               716           16.0      660           14.2      595           13.2      530           12.2  
Industrial revenue bonds                 17            0.9       17            1.1       23            1.2       26            1.4  
Commercial real estate                2,138           44.3    2,201           46.4    2,095           45.6    2,158           44.9  
Residential real estate                 846           24.1      830           26.6    1,031           28.8    1,025           30.1  
Consumer                                402            6.1      233            4.4      228            3.2      293            4.4  
Home equity                             214            6.0      187            6.0      198            7.4      155            6.2  
Overdrafts                                9            0.2        3            0.1        2            0.1        3            0.1  
                                    -------          -----   ------          -----   ------          -----   ------          -----  
                                    $ 4,446          100.0%  $4,179          100.0%  $4,193          100.0%  $4,239          100.0% 
                                    =======          =====   ======          =====   ======          =====   ======          =====  
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1993    
                                                      ----    
                                                Percent of    
                                                  loans in    
                                             each category    
Balance at end of                                 to total    
period applicable to                 Amount          loans    
- --------------------                 ------          -----    
                                    (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                  <C>     <C>
Construction and land development    $  102            0.5%   
Commercial and industrial               958           10.9    
Industrial revenue bonds                 23            1.5    
Commercial real estate                2,422           44.1    
Residential real estate               1,023           31.3    
Consumer                                462            5.6    
Home equity                             139            5.9     
Overdrafts                                0            0.1    
                                     ------          -----    
                                     $5,129          100.0%   
                                     ======          =====    
</TABLE>


Investment Activities

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company's
investment portfolio. Dollar amounts reflect carrying values. At December 31,
1997, the market value of securities available-for-sale was $89.2 million
compared to the amortized cost of $89.0 million for such securities. At December
31, 1997, the market value of securities held-to-maturity was $109.5 million,
compared to the amortized cost of $109.2 million of such securities.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Securities available-for-sale             Securities held-to-maturity
                                                    December 31,                               December 31,
                                         -----------------------------------      -----------------------------------
                                            1997          1996          1995          1997          1996         1995
                                            ----          ----          ----          ----          ----         ----
                                                    (In Thousands)                            (In Thousands)
<S>                                      <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Balance at end of
period applicable to

U.S. Government and Agencies             $84,763      $ 77,155      $ 97,482      $107,117      $105,582      $74,710
Obligations of states and political
 subdivison                                  750         1,241         1,510            22            34          179
 Other                                     3,677         2,619         1,762         2,100         2,099        3,098
                                         -------      --------      --------      --------      --------      -------
                                         $89,190      $ 81,015      $100,754      $109,239      $107,715      $77,987
                                         =======      ========      ========      ========      ========      =======
</TABLE>


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   75
The following table sets forth the maturities of the Company's investment
securities on the basis of their carrying values at December 31, 1997 and the
weighted average yields of securities, which are based on amortized cost,
calculated on a fully taxable equivalent basis.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Securities Available-for-Sale
                                                         -----------------------------
                                                         After One         After Five
                                        Within           But Within        But Within          After
                                       One Year          Five Years        Ten Years         Ten Years         Total
                                       --------          ----------        ----------        ---------         -----
                                     Amount   Yield    Amount    Yield   Amount    Yield   Amount    Yield   Amount    Yield
                                     ------   -----    ------    -----   ------    -----   ------    -----   ------    -----
                                                                          (Dollars In Thousands)                                
<S>                                  <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>
U.S Government and
  Agencies                           $29,503   5.97%   $54,251   6.24%   $1,000    6.50%   $    0    0.00%   $84,754    6.15%
Obligations of states
  and political
  subdivisions                           750   4.18%         0   0.00%        0    0.00%        0    0.00%       750    4.18%
Other                                      0   0.00%         0   0.00%      259    7.80%    3,427    6.38%     3,686    6.48%
                                     -------           -------           ------            ------            -------

                                     $30,253   5.92%   $54,251   6.24%   $1,259    6.77%   $3,427    6.38%   $89,190    6.15%
                                     =======  =====    =======   ====    ======    ====    ======    ====    =======    ====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Securities Held-To-Maturity
                                                        ---------------------------
                                                        After One         After Five
                                      Within            But Within        But Within          After
                                      One Year          Five Years        Ten Years         Ten Years         Total
                                      --------          ----------        ----------        ---------         -----
                                    Amount    Yield   Amount    Yield   Amount    Yield   Amount    Yield   Amount    Yield
                                    ------    -----   ------    -----   ------    -----   ------    -----   ------    -----
                                                                   (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                <C>        <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>
U.S Government and
  Agencies                         $ 9,970    6.12%   $79,191   6.37%   $16,956   6.57%   $1,000    6.65%   $107,117  6.38%
Obligations of states
  and political
  subdivisions                          11    8.65%        11   8.65%         0   0.00%        0    0.00%         22  8.65%
Other                                2,025    4.91%        50   4.19%        25   5.50%        0    0.00%      2,100  4.90%
                                     -----            -------           -------           ------            --------
                                   $12,006    5.91%   $79,252   6.37%   $16.981   6.57%   $1,000    6.65%   $109,239  6.35%
                                   =======    ====    =======   ====    =======   ====    ======    ====    ========  ====
</TABLE>



                                      -12-
<PAGE>   76

Obligations of states and political subdivisions consist primarily of
obligations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and entities within it having
other relationships with the Company. The Company regularly bids on tax
anticipation notes and other short-term instruments of municipalities who have
depository relationships with it. The Company also writes equipment leases to
finance acquisition of computers, fire trucks, snow plows and other equipment
used by municipalities.

Except for obligations of the United States Government, the portfolio at
December 31, 1997 did not include securities of any single issuer in an amount
in excess of 10% of stockholders' equity.

DEPOSITS

The Company offers savings accounts, NOW accounts, demand deposits, certificates
of deposit and money market accounts. The Company offers cash management
accounts which provide either automatic transfer of funds above a specified
level from the customer's checking account to a money market account or
short-term borrowings. Also, an account reconciliation service is offered
whereby the Company provides a computerized report balancing the customer's
checking account.

Interest rates on deposits are set weekly by the Treasurer, based on factors
including loan demand, maturities and a review of competing interest rates
offered. Interest rate policies are reviewed periodically by the Executive
Management Committee.

The following table shows the average amount of and average interest rate paid
on various categories of deposits during the years indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1997                         1996                        1995
                                                     ----                         ----                        ----
                                                              Average                    Average                       Average
                                                              Interest                   Interest                      Interest
                                             Average          Rate        Average        Rate         Average          Rate
                                             Amount           Paid        Amount         Paid         Amount           Paid
                                             ------           ----        ------         ----         ------           ----
<S>                                        <C>               <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>               <C>  
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW accounts                               $ 91,938          2.79%       $ 84,620        2.80%       $ 82,628          3.11%
Savings accounts                             55,911          2.56%         55,905        2.57%         50,916          2.62%
Money market accounts                        66,936          2.82%         70,735        2.95%         78,029          3.19%
Time deposits of $100,000 or more            35,939          5.14%         34,542        5.19%         26,872          5.50%
Other time deposits                         119,668          5.54%        123,495        5.85%        107,897          5.69%
                                           --------                      --------                    --------        

Total interest-bearing deposits             370,392          3.88%        369,297        4.04%        346,342          4.04%

Non interest-bearing demand deposits        105,417                        99,179                      86,328
                                           --------                      --------                    --------


Total average deposits                     $475,809          3.02%       $468,476       3.18%        $432,670          3.24%
                                           ========          ====        ========       ====         ========          ====
</TABLE>

Total deposits at December 31, 1997 amounted to $515 million, including $63
million of time deposits of $100,000 or more. Traditionally, the Company
experiences a decline in deposits during the first and third quarters of each
year because of the deposit cycles of certain of its customers, notably
municipalities.

The Company's time certificates of deposit in amounts of $100,000 or more at
December 31, 1997 mature as follows.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         (In Thousands)
<S>                                      <C>    
Three months or less                         $49,960
Three through six months                       6,193
Six through twelve months                      6,279
Over twelve months                               782
                                             -------
                                             $63,214
                                             =======
</TABLE>


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   77
BORROWED FUNDS

The Company sells securities under repurchase agreements and enters into other
borrowings to obtain funds to support asset growth. Pertinent data relating to
borrowed funds is presented below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1997                  1996              1995
                                                           ----                  ----              ----
                                                                     (Dollars In Thousands)
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>              <C>    
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

Amount outstanding at year end                            $32,850               $17,790          $21,580
Weighted average interest rate
  at end of year                                             4.49%                 4.34%            4.25%
Maximum amount outstanding at
  any month end during year                               $39,060               $17,790          $21,580
Daily average amount outstanding
  during year                                             $24,994               $16,654          $14,390
Weighted average interest rate
  during year                                                4.30%                 4.28%            4.39%

Other borrowed funds:

Amount outstanding at year end                            $13,474               $12,353          $ 1,897
Weighted average interest rate
  at end of year                                             6.96%                 7.16%            5.21%
Maximum amount outstanding at
  any month end during year                               $36,609               $17,577          $ 1,897
Daily average amount outstanding
  during year                                             $ 7,908               $ 3,135          $   960
Weighted average interest rate
  during year                                                6.21%                 5.81%            5.42%
</TABLE>

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are primarily over-night demand
obligations and are collateralized by U.S. Government and Agency securities.

OTHER SERVICES

In addition to fees derived from traditional banking activities such as loan
origination fees, the Company derives revenues from its automated lock box
collection system and full service securities brokerage offered through
Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc., a registered securities broker-dealer and
investment adviser.

Under the lock-box program, which is not tied to extensions of credit by the
Company, the Company's customer arranges for payments of its accounts receivable
to be made directly to the Company. The Company records on its computer the
amounts paid to its customers, deposits the funds to the customer's account with
the Company and provides computerized records of the amounts received to the
Company's customers. Typical customers for the lock box service are
municipalities who use it to automate tax collections, cable TV companies, and
other commercial enterprises.


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   78
Through Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc., the Bank provides full service
securities brokerage services. Registered representatives employed by the Bank
offer investment advice, execute transactions and assist customers in financial
and retirement planning. Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc., provides research
to and supervises the representatives in exchange for payment by the Bank for a
fixed fee and a share in the commission revenues.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 201 full-time and 85 part-time
employees. The Company's employees are not represented by any collective
bargaining unit. The Company believes that its employee relations are good.

HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION

The Company is a bank holding company as defined by the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, as amended (the "Holding Company Act") and is registered as such with
the Federal Reserve Board (the "FRB"), which is responsible for administration
of the Holding Company Act. As required by the Holding Company Act, the Company
files with the FRB an annual report regarding its financial condition and
operations, management and intercompany relationships of the Company and the
Bank. It is also subject to examination by the FRB and must obtain FRB approval
before (I) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of
the voting stock of any bank, unless it already owns or controls a majority of
the voting stock of that bank, (ii) acquiring all or substantially all of the
assets of a bank, except through a subsidiary which is a bank, or (iii) merging
or consolidating with any other bank holding company. A bank holding company
must also give the FRB prior written notice before purchasing or redeeming its
equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption,
when aggregated with the net consideration paid by the company for all such
purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more
of the Company's consolidated net worth.

The Holding Company Act prohibits a bank holding company, with certain
exceptions, from (I) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any
voting shares of any company which is not a bank or a bank holding company, or
(ii) engaging in any activity other than managing or controlling banks, or
furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries. A bank
holding company may own, however, shares of a company engaged in activities
which the FRB has determined are so closely related to banking or managing or
controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Such activities include
leasing real or personal property under certain conditions; operating as a
mortgage finance or factoring company; servicing loans and other extensions of
credit; acting as a fiduciary; acting as investment or financial advisor under
certain conditions; acting as insurance agent or broker principally in
connection with extension of credit by the bank holding company or any
subsidiary; acting as underwriter for credit life insurance and credit accident
and health insurance which is directly related to extension of credit by the
bank holding company or any subsidiary; arranging commercial real estate equity
financing under certain circumstances; providing securities brokerage and
related services as agent for the account of customers; providing bookkeeping or
data processing services for the bank holding company, its affiliates and other
institutions, with certain limitations; making certain equity and debt
investments in community rehabilitation and development corporations; and
providing certain kinds of management consulting advice to unaffiliated banks.

A bank holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from acquiring any
voting shares of, interest in, or all or substantially all of the assets of, any
bank located outside the state in which the operations of the bank holding
company's banking subsidiaries are principally conducted, unless the acquisition
is specifically authorized by the statutes of the state in which the bank to be
acquired is located.

The Company and its subsidiaries are examined by federal and state regulators.
The FRB has responsibility for holding company activities and performed a review
in 1997.


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   79
The regulatory standard for capital adequacy assigns risk factors to asset
categories and certain off-balance sheet commitments. The fully-phased in 1992
standard requires a tier-1 capital to risk assets ratio of 4.00% and a total
capital to risk assets ratio of 8.00%. At December 31, 1997, the Company's
ratios were 15.51% and 16.76%, respectively. The Bank also exceeded these
risk-weighted capital measures at December 31, 1997. In addition to these risk
based capital requirements, federal banking regulators have leverage guidelines.
The minimum leverage requirement is 4% as measured by the ratio of core capital,
net of intangible assets, to total assets. At December 31, 1997 the Company's
ratio was 9.09%. The Bank also exceeded the leverage requirement at December 31,
1997.

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1991

On December 19, 1991, the FDIC Improvement Act of 1991 (the "1991 Act") was
enacted. This legislation seeks to recapitalize the Bank Insurance Fund of the
FDIC ("BIF") so that the BIF can continue to resolve its caseload of failed
banks. The recapitalization will be funded through, among other things,
increased deposit insurance assessments payable by BIF-insured institutions,
which will increase the cost of doing business by all BIF-insured institutions,
including the Company's subsidiary. The 1991 Act also provides for, among other
things: enhanced federal supervision of depository institutions, including
greater authority for the appointment of a conservator or receiver for
undercapitalized institutions; the establishment of risk-based deposit insurance
premiums; a requirement that the federal banking agencies amend their risk-based
capital requirements to include components for interest-rate risk, concentration
of credit risk, and the risk of nontraditional activities; expanded authority
for cross-industry mergers and acquisitions; mandated consumer protection
disclosures with respect to deposit accounts; and imposed restrictions on the
activities of state-chartered banks, including the Company's subsidiary.

Provisions of the 1991 Act relating to the activities of state-chartered banks
may significantly impact the way the Company conducts its business. In this
regard, the 1991 Act provides that, effective one year from date of enactment,
insured state banks, such as the Company's subsidiary, may not engage as
principal in any activity that is not permissible for a national bank, unless
the FDIC has determined that the activity would pose no significant risk to the
BIF and the state bank is in compliance with applicable capital standards.
Activities of subsidiaries of insured state banks are similarly restricted to
those activities permissible for subsidiaries of national banks, unless the FDIC
has determined that the activity would pose no significant risk to the BIF and
the state bank is in compliance with applicable capital standards.

COMPETITION

The Company experiences substantial competition in attracting deposits and
making loans from commercial banks, thrift institutions and other enterprises
such as insurance companies and mutual funds. These competitors include several
major commercial banks whose greater resources may afford them a competitive
advantage by enabling them to maintain numerous branch offices and mount
extensive advertising campaigns.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   80
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The Company owns its main banking office, headquarters, and operations center in
Medford, and 11 of the 14 other facilities in which its branch offices are
located. The remaining offices are occupied under leases expiring on various
dates from 1997 to 2026. The Company has renovated its Medford operations center
to provide space for its Executive and Lending staff.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various claims and lawsuits
arising in the course of their normal business activities. Although the ultimate
outcome of these suits cannot be ascertained at this time, it is the opinion of
management that none of these matters, when resolved, will have a material
adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


No matters were submitted to a vote of Security Holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.


                                     PART II


ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS

         (a)      The Class A Common Stock of the Company is traded on the
                  NASDAQ system. The price range of the Company's common stock
                  since January 1, 1996 is shown on page 19.

                  The shares of Class A Common Stock are not entitled to vote in
                  the election of Company Directors but, in limited
                  circumstances, are entitled to vote as a class on certain
                  extraordinary transactions, including any merger or
                  consolidation (other than one in which the Company is the
                  surviving corporation or one which by law may be approved by
                  the directors without any stockholder vote) or the sale,
                  lease, or exchange of all or substantially all of the property
                  and assets of the Company. Since the vote of a majority of the
                  shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a class, is required
                  to approve certain extraordinary corporate transactions, the
                  Board of Directors of the Company has power to prevent any
                  takeover of the Company not approved by them in their capacity
                  as Class B stockholders.


         (b)      Approximate number of equity security holders as of December
                  31, 1997.

                                                     Approximate Number
                     Title of Class                  of Record Holders

                     Class A Common Stock                   347
                     Class B Common Stock                    79

         (C)      Under the Company's Articles of Organization, the holders of
                  the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends per
                  share equal to at least 200% of that paid, if any, from time
                  to time on each share of Class B Common Stock.(cont.)


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   81
                    The following table shows the dividends paid by the Company
                    on the Class A and Class B Common Stock for the periods
                    indicated.

                                                            Dividends Per Share

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Class A           Class B
                                                          -------           -------
<S>                                                       <C>               <C>    
                    1995
                         First quarter                    $  .030           $ .0042
                         Second quarter                      .030             .0042
                         Third quarter                       .030             .0042
                         Fourth quarter                      .030             .0042

                    1996
                         First quarter                    $  .040           $ .0056
                         Second quarter                      .040             .0056
                         Third quarter                       .040             .0056
                         Fourth quarter                      .040             .0056

                    1997
                         First quarter                    $ .050            $ .0070
                         Second quarter                      .050             .0070
                         Third quarter                       .050             .0070
                         Fourth quarter                      .050             .0070
</TABLE>


                    As a bank holding company, the Company's ability to pay
                    dividends is dependent in part upon the dividend payments it
                    receives from the Bank, which are subject to certain
                    restrictions on the payment of dividends. A Massachusetts
                    trust company may pay dividends out of net profits from time
                    to time, provided that either (I) the trust company's
                    capital stock and surplus account equal an aggregate of at
                    least 10% of its deposit liability, or (ii) the amount of
                    its surplus account is equal to at least the amount of its
                    capital account.



ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

         The information required herein is shown on page 19 and 20.


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The information required herein is shown on pages 21 through 24.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

         The information required herein is shown on page 23.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         The information required herein is shown on pages 25 through 44.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         None.


                                      -18-

<PAGE>   82
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1997           1996           1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands except share data)
<S>                                         <C>            <C>            <C>
YEAR-END
Total assets                                $  631,125     $  560,857     $  531,928
Total loans                                    316,390        288,280        285,438
Total deposits                                 515,449        476,135        458,615
Total stockholders' equity                      53,857         47,489         42,935

YEARLY AVERAGES
Total assets                                $  566,827     $  540,396     $  494,485
Total earning assets                           510,028        483,109        442,837
Total securities available-for-sale             83,396         91,524         71,839
Total securities held-to-maturity              109,491         94,505         62,338
Total loans                                    304,147        281,943        279,555
Total deposits                                 475,809        468,476        432,670
Total borrowed funds                            32,902         19,789         15,350
Total stockholders' equity                      50,329         44,791         40,381

EARNINGS
Net income                                  $    6,823     $    5,434     $    4,574
Net interest income, taxable equivalent         25,448         23,132         21,502
Other operating income                           4,994          4,761          4,722
Operating expenses                              18,600         17,874         18,224

PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Earnings per share, basic                   $     1.18     $     0.95     $     0.80
Earnings per share, diluted                 $     1.17     $     0.93     $     0.78
Return on average stockholders' equity           13.56%         12.13%         11.33%
Book value per share at December 31         $     9.30     $     8.25     $     7.50
Return on average assets                          1.20%          1.01%           .92%

COMMON SHARE DATA
Average shares outstanding, basic            5,772,135      5,736,230      5,722,646
Average shares outstanding, diluted          5,830,910      5,818,942      5,831,042
Shares outstanding at year-end               5,790,417      5,758,467      5,724,117
</TABLE>

PER SHARE DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997, Quarter Ended                December 31,     September 30,      June 30,         March 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>
Market price range (Class A)
   High                              $  19.00         $  17.25         $ 13.875         $ 14.125
   Low                                 16.625            13.25           12.625            12.75
Dividends class A                        0.05             0.05             0.05             0.05
Dividends class B                       0.007            0.007            0.007            0.007
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996, Quarter Ended                December 31,     September 30,      June 30,         March 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>              <C>                <C>              <C>
Market price range (Class A)
   High                              $  14.50         $  13.00         $ 12.875         $ 11.375
   Low                                  12.25            11.50            11.00            10.00
Dividends class A                        0.04             0.04             0.04             0.04
Dividends class B                      0.0056           0.0056           0.0056           0.0056
</TABLE>



                                       19
<PAGE>   83
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1997          1996          1995          1994          1993
                                                ----          ----          ----          ----          ----
<S>                                             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
(dollars in thousands except share data)

FOR THE YEAR
Interest income..............................   $   41,216    $   38,777    $   35,988    $   30,461    $   29,262
Interest expense.............................       15,922        15,805        14,686        10,924        11,813
                                                ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Net interest income.......................       25,294        22,972        21,302        19,537        17,449
Provision for loan losses....................          660         1,020         1,560         1,620         1,800
                                                ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Net interest income after provision
     for loan losses.........................       24,634        21,952        19,742        17,917        15,649
Other operating income.......................        4,994         4,761         4,722         5,420         6,833
Operating expenses...........................       18,600        17,874        18,224        19,265        20,654
                                                ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Income before income taxes................       11,028         8,839         6,240         4,072         1,828
Provision for income taxes...................        4,205         3,405         1,666           768           605
                                                ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Net income................................   $    6,823    $    5,434    $    4,574    $    3,304    $    1,223
                                                ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
Average shares outstanding, basic............    5,772,135     5,736,230     5,722,646     5,722,450     5,722,450
Average shares outstanding, diluted..........    5,830,910     5,818,942     5,831,042     5,832,093     5,722,450
Earnings per share:
   Basic.....................................   $     1.18    $     0.95    $     0.80    $     0.58    $     0.21
   Diluted...................................   $     1.17    $     0.93    $     0.78    $     0.57    $     0.21
Dividend payout ratio........................         11.1%         10.9%          9.6%         10.9%         28.9%

AT YEAR-END
Assets.......................................   $  631,125    $  560,857    $  531,928    $  465,419    $  469,823
Loans........................................      316,390       288,280       285,438       272,721       272,040
Deposits.....................................      515,449       476,135       458,615       409,542       421,395
Stockholders' equity.........................       53,857        47,489        42,935        37,553        35,505
Book value per share.........................   $     9.30    $     8.25    $     7.50    $     6.56    $     6.20

SELECTED FINANCIAL PERCENTAGES
Return on average assets.....................         1.20%         1.01%         0.92%         0.70%         0.25%
Return on average stockholders' equity.......        13.56%        12.13%        11.33%         9.11%         3.48%
Net yield on average earning assets,
   taxable equivalent........................         4.99%         4.79%         4.86%         4.70%         4.16%
Net charge-offs as a percent of
   average loans.............................         0.13%         0.37%         0.57%         0.94%         1.32%
Average stockholders' equity to
   average assets............................         8.88%         8.29%         8.17%         7.67%         7.30%
</TABLE>



                                       20

<PAGE>   84
            MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
            FINANCIAL CONDITION


OVERVIEW

Century Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") had net income of $6,823,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1997, compared with net income of $5,434,000 for year ended
December 31, 1996 and net income of $4,574,000 for the year ended December 31,
1995. Basic earnings per share were $1.18 in 1997 compared to $0.95 in 1996 and
$0.80 in 1995. Diluted earnings per share were $1.17 in 1997 compared to $0.94
in 1996 and $0.79 in 1995.

     Total assets were $631,125,000 at December 31, 1997, an increase of 12.5%
from total assets of $560,857,000 on December 31, 1996, which, in turn, were
5.4% higher than total assets of $531,928,000 on December 31, 1995.

     On December 31, 1997, stockholders' equity totaled $53,857,000 compared
with $47,489,000 on December 31, 1996, and $42,935,000 on December 31, 1995.
Book value increased to $9.30 at December 31, 1997 from $8.25 on December 31,
1996, which had increased from $7.50 on December 31, 1995.

     On December 10, 1997 the Company announced an agreement to merge Haymarket
Cooperative Bank, based in Boston, Massachusetts, into Century Bank and Trust
Company. The agreement called for the Bank to acquire assets of approximately
$142 million and operate two banking offices located in Boston. Century Bank and
Trust Company will pay approximately $20 million in cash for Haymarket
Cooperative Bank and is subject to federal and state regulatory approval. The
transaction will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.

     During 1997 the Company conducted a comprehensive review of its computer
systems to identify the systems that could be affected by the "Year 2000" issue
and has developed an implementation plan to resolve the issue. The Year 2000
problem is the result of computer programs being written using two digits rather
than four to define the applicable year. Any of the Company's programs that have
time-sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
then the year 2000. This could result in a major system failure or
miscalculations. The Company presently believes that, with the previously
planned conversion to a new core processing software and modifications to
existing software, the Year 2000 problem will not pose significant operational
problems for the Company's computer systems as so modified and converted. The
new core processing software is Year 2000 compliant and the other systems which
require modifications are not significant and the cost is not material. However,
if such modifications and conversions are not completed timely, the Year 2000
problem may have a material impact on the operations of the Company.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company's operating results depend primarily on net interest income and fees
received for providing services. Net interest income on a fully taxable
equivalent basis increased 10.0% in 1997 to $25,448,000 compared with
$23,132,000 in 1996. Interest income was affected positively by improvements in
the interest earned in most categories of earning assets. Much of the Company's
earning assets were repriced to improve their respective returns. Net interest
income is affected by the level of interest rates, the ability of the Company's
earning assets and deposits to adjust to changes in interest rates and the mix
of the Company's earning assets and deposits. The net yield on earning assets on
a fully taxable equivalent basis increased to 4.99% in 1997 from 4.79% in 1996
which, in turn, had decreased from 4.86% in 1995.

     Average earning assets were $510,028,000 in 1997, an increase of
$26,919,000 or 5.6% from the average in 1996, which was 9.1% higher than the
average in 1995. Total average securities, including securities available for
sale and securities held to maturity, increased 3.7% to $192,887,000. The
increase in securities volume combined with a slight lengthening in the maturity
of the portfolios resulted in higher securities income, which increased 4.1% to
$12,156,000. Total average loans increased 7.9% to $304,147,000 after increasing
$2,388,000 in 1996. The increase in loan volume combined with a slightly higher
level of interest rates resulted in higher loan income, which increased by 7.8%
or $2,062,000 to $28,353,000. Total loan income was $26,326,000 in 1995.

     The Company's sources of funds include deposits and borrowed funds. On
average, deposits showed an increase of 1.6% in 1997 after increasing by 8.3% in
1996. Borrowed funds increased by 66.3% in 1997 following an increase of 28.9%
in 1996. The majority of the Company's borrowed funds are in repurchase
agreements. Interest expense totaled $15,922,000 in 1997, an increase of
$117,000 or .7% from 1996 when interest expense increased 7.6% from 1995. This
increase in interest expense is due primarily to an increase in deposits and
borrowed funds volume.




                                       21
<PAGE>   85
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSS

The provision for loan losses was $660,000 in 1997 compared with $1,020,000 in
1996 and $1,560,000 in 1995. These provisions are the result of management's
evaluation of the quality of the loan portfolio considering such factors as loan
status, collateral values, financial condition of the borrower, the state of the
economy and other relevant information.

     The allowance for loan losses was $4,446,000 at December 31, 1997 compared
with $4,179,000 at December 31, 1996 and $4,193,000 at December 31, 1995.
Expressed as a percentage of outstanding loans at year-end, the allowance was
1.41% in 1997, 1.45% in 1996 and 1.47% in 1995.

     Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate.
Management uses available information to provide for losses but recognizes that
changes in economic conditions may result in additional losses and additional
loss provisions. Also, the allowance is reviewed in conjunction with regulatory
examinations. These reviews may require the Company to make additional
provisions to the allowance based on judgements made by the regulators.

     The Company experienced a decrease in net charge-offs in 1997 with net
charge-offs as a percent of average loans outstanding at 0.13%. The comparable
figures for 1996 and 1995 were 0.37% and 0.57% respectively. Non-performing
loans, which include all non-accruing loans and certain restructured, accruing
loans, totaled $2,731,000 on December 31, 1997, compared with $3,304,000 on
December 31, 1996.

OTHER OPERATING INCOME

The Company continued to experience good results in its fee-based services in
1997. These fee-based services include deposit related services, lock-box
processing, mortgage origination services and securities brokerage services.

     Total other operating income in 1997, was $4,994,000 an increase of
$233,000 or 4.9% compared to 1996. This increase followed an increase of $39,000
or 0.8% in 1996, compared to 1995. Service charge income, which continues to be
the largest area of other operating income with $1,791,000 in 1997, saw an
increase of $164,000 in 1997 as more customers paid demand deposit fees.
Lock-box revenues totaled $1,467,000 up $187,000 in 1997, primarily as a result
of an increase in the lock-box customer base. Brokerage commissions increased
slightly to $1,171,000 in 1997 from $1,072,000 in 1996, which, saw an increase
of $45,000 from 1995. Gain on sale of loans decreased to $136,000 in 1997 from
$290,000 in 1996 and $217,000 in 1995. There were no security transactions in
1997, 1996 and 1995.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Total operating expenses excluding other real estate owned (OREO) expenses and
writedowns were $18,578,000 in 1997 compared to $17,894,000 in 1996 and
$18,007,000 in 1995. Total OREO expenses were $22,000 in 1997, $(20,000) in 1996
and $217,000 in 1995. At year-end the Company had $0 of OREO compared with
$182,000 at December 31, 1996.

     Salaries and employee benefits expenses increased by $379,000 or 3.2% in
1997 after increasing 3.0% in 1996. Nearly all of the increase, for 1997 and
1996, was in the salaries category and was caused by an increase in the wage
base.

     Occupancy expense decreased by $50,000 or 3.8% in 1997 primarily because of
an increase in tenant rents. Occupancy expense decreased by 6.4% in 1996
primarily because of a decrease in building depreciation. Equipment expense
increased by $5,000 in 1997 primarily because of increased equipment
depreciation. Equipment expense increased by $54,000 in 1996 also because of
increased equipment depreciation.

     Other operating expenses increased by $350,000 in 1997, which followed a
$423,000 decrease in 1996. In 1997 increases were primarily the result of
increased marketing, FDIC insurance and other operating expenses. In 1996
decreases in FDIC insurance expense and legal expense were offset by increased
marketing and amortization of the core deposit intangible associated with a
prior branch acquisition.




                                       22
<PAGE>   86
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense was $4,205,000 in 1997, $3,405,000 in 1996 and $1,666,000 in
1995. The relatively low tax expense for 1995 is a result of reductions in the
valuation reserve for deferred income taxes. The effective tax rate was 38.1% in
1997, 38.5% in 1996 and 26.7% in 1995.

MARKET RISK AND ASSET LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates.
The Company's market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in
its lending and deposit taking activities. To that end, management actively
monitors and manages its interest rate risk exposure.

     The Company's profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates.
A sudden and substantial increase in interest rates may adversely impact the
Company's earnings to the extent that the interest rates borne by assets and
liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent, or on the same
basis. The Company monitors the impact of changes in interest on its net
interest income using several tools. One measure of the Company's exposure to
differential changes in interest rates between assets and liabilities is shown
in the Company's gap table shown below. Another measure is an interest rate risk
management test. This test measures the impact on net interest income of an
immediate change in interest rates in 100 basis point increments.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Change in Interest Rates (in Basis Points)      Percentage Change in Net Interest Income (1)
            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>
                               +200                                             5.1%
                               +100                                             2.5%
                               -100                                            (2.0%)
                               -200                                            (3.8%)
</TABLE>

     (1) The percentage change in this column represents net interest income for
12 months in a stable interest rate environment versus the Net Interest Income
in the various rate scenarios.

     The Company's primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to
minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on the Company's net
interest income and capital, while structuring the Company's asset-liability
structure to obtain the maximum yield-cost spread on that structure. The Company
relies primarily on its asset-liability structure to control interest rate risk.

     The Company manages the mix, maturity and pricing of its assets and
liabilities so that changes in interest rates will not impact earnings
adversely. The interest rate gap is used to measure the Company's exposure. At
December 31, 1997 the gap was:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subject to Interest Rate Changes Within     Three Months      Three to Twelve Months
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (in thousands)
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>
                  Assets                                         $ 215,380                   $  83,530
                  Liabilities                                      253,991                     107,751
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Gap                                            $ (38,611)                  $ (24,221)
                  ====================================================================================
</TABLE>

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity is provided by maintaining an adequate level of liquid assets that
include cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and other temporary
investments. Liquid assets totaled $97,892,000 on December 31, 1997 compared
with $67,681,000 on December 31, 1996, and $51,114,000 on December 31, 1995. In
each of the three years deposit activity has generally been adequate to support
asset activity.

     The source of funds for dividends paid by the Company is dividends received
from the Bank. The Company and the Bank are regulated enterprises and their
abilities to pay dividends are subject to regulatory review and restriction.
Certain regulatory and statutory restrictions exist regarding dividends, loans
and advances from the Bank to the Company. Generally, the Bank has the ability
to pay dividends to the Company subject to minimum regulatory capital
requirements.




                                       23
<PAGE>   87
CAPITAL ADEQUACY

Total stockholders' equity was $53,857,000 at December 31, 1997, compared with
$47,489,000 at December 31, 1996 and $42,935,000 at December 31, 1995. The
increases in all years reported were primarily the result of retained earnings
less dividends paid, although there was a $123,000 increase in 1997, a $133,000
increase in 1996 and a $6,000 increase in 1995 from the execution of certain
stock options.

     Federal banking regulators have issued risk-based capital guidelines which
assign risk factors to asset categories and off-balance sheet items. The current
guidelines require a tier-1 capital-to-risk assets ratio of 4.00% and a total
capital-to-risk assets ratio of 8.00%. The Company and the Bank exceeded these
requirements with a tier-1 capital-to-risk assets ratio of 15.51% and 13.38%
respectively, and total capital-to-risk assets ratio of 16.76% and 14.64%,
respectively at December 31, 1997. Additionally, federal banking regulators have
issued leverage ratio guidelines which supplement the risk-based capital
guidelines. The minimum leverage ratio requirement applicable to the Company is
4.00% and at December 31, 1997, the Company and the Bank exceeded this
requirement with leverage ratios of 9.09% and 7.85%, respectively.

RECENT ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and displaying
comprehensive income, which is defined as all changes to equity except
investments by and distributions to shareholders. Net income is a component of
comprehensive income, with all other components referred to in the aggregate as
other comprehensive income. This statement is effective for 1998 financial
statements.

     Also in June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes standards
for reporting information about operating segments. An operating segment is
defined as a components of a business for which separate financial information
is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker
in deciding how to allocate resources and evaluate performance.

     This statement requires a company to disclose certain income statement and
balance sheet information by operating segment, as well as provide a
reconciliation of operating segment information to the company's consolidated
balances. This statement is effective for 1998 annual financial statements.



                                       24
<PAGE>   88
                                                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31,                                                                                   1997          1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands except share data)
<S>                                                                                       <C>           <C>
ASSETS

   Cash and due from banks (note 2)                                                       $  46,868     $  46,681
   Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in other banks                           51,024        21,000
                                                                                          -----------------------
       Total cash and cash equivalents                                                       97,892        67,681

   Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost $89,004,000 in 1997
     and $81,140,000 in 1996 (note 3)                                                        89,190        81,015
   Securities held-to-maturity, market value $109,454,000 in 1997
     and $107,331,000 in 1996 (notes 4 and 10)                                              109,239       107,715

   Loans, net (note 5)                                                                      316,390       288,280
   Less: allowance for loan losses (note 6)                                                   4,446         4,179
                                                                                          -----------------------
       Net loans                                                                            311,944       284,101

   Bank premises and equipment (note 7)                                                       8,718         8,265
   Accrued interest receivable                                                                4,334         4,283
   Other real estate owned, net of allowance for losses (note 8)                                 --           182
   Other assets (note 13)                                                                     9,808         7,615
                                                                                          -----------------------
       Total assets                                                                       $ 631,125     $ 560,857
                                                                                          =======================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Demand deposits                                                                        $ 123,301     $ 111,704
   Savings and NOW deposits                                                                 149,808       129,792
   Money market accounts                                                                     71,061        69,772
   Time deposits (note 9)                                                                   171,279       164,867
                                                                                          -----------------------
       Total deposits                                                                       515,449       476,135

   Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (note 10)                                  32,850        17,790
   Other borrowed funds (note 11)                                                            13,474        12,353
   Other liabilities                                                                         15,495         7,090
                                                                                          -----------------------
       Total liabilities                                                                    577,268       513,368
   Commitments and contingencies (notes 7, 15 and 16)

   Stockholders' equity (note 12):
     Class A common stock,
       $1.00 par value per share; authorized 10,000,000 shares;
         issued 3,541,447 shares in 1997 and 3,488,297 in 1996                                3,541         3,488
     Class B common stock,
       $1.00 par value per share; authorized 5,000,000 shares;
         issued 2,326,520 shares in 1997 and 2,347,720 in 1996                                2,327         2,348
     Additional paid-in-capital                                                              10,877        10,786
     Retained earnings                                                                       37,180        31,117
     Treasury stock, Class A, 30,000 shares in 1997 and 1996, at cost                          (136)         (136)
     Treasury stock, Class B, 47,550 shares in 1997 and 1996, at cost                           (41)          (41)
                                                                                          -----------------------
       Realized stockholders' equity                                                         53,748        47,562
     Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, net of taxes (note 3)          109           (73)
                                                                                          -----------------------
       Total stockholders' equity                                                            53,857        47,489
                                                                                          -----------------------
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                       $ 631,125     $ 560,857
                                                                                          =======================
</TABLE>

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       25
<PAGE>   89
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Year Ended December 31,                                                      1997           1996            1995
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (dollars in thousands except share data)
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>             <C>
      INTEREST INCOME

         Loans                                                              $    28,353    $    26,291     $    26,326
         Securities held-to-maturity                                              7,049          6,016           3,660
         Securities available-for-sale                                            5,107          5,661           4,278
         Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in other banks            707            809           1,724
                                                                            ------------------------------------------
           Total interest income                                                 41,216         38,777          35,988

      INTEREST EXPENSE

         Savings and NOW deposits                                                 3,994          3,806           3,903
         Money market accounts                                                    1,888          2,084           2,487
         Time deposits (note 9)                                                   8,474          9,020           7,612
         Securities sold under agreements to repurchase                           1,075            713             632
         Other borrowed funds                                                       491            182              52
                                                                            ------------------------------------------
           Total interest expense                                                15,922         15,805          14,686
                                                                            ------------------------------------------
             Net interest income                                                 25,294         22,972          21,302

      Provision for loan losses (note 6)                                            660          1,020           1,560
                                                                            ------------------------------------------
             Net interest income after provision for loan losses                 24,634         21,952          19,742

      OTHER OPERATING INCOME

         Service charges on deposit accounts                                      1,791          1,627           1,559
         Lockbox fees                                                             1,467          1,280           1,421
         Brokerage commissions                                                    1,171          1,072           1,027
         Gain on sales of loans                                                     136            290             217
         Other income                                                               429            492             498
                                                                            ------------------------------------------
           Total other operating income                                           4,994          4,761           4,722

      OPERATING EXPENSES

         Salaries and employee benefits (note 14)                                12,120         11,741          11,394
         Occupancy                                                                1,272          1,322           1,413
         Equipment                                                                1,140          1,135           1,081
         Other real estate owned                                                     22            (20)            217
         Other (note 17)                                                          4,046          3,696           4,119
                                                                            ------------------------------------------
           Total operating expenses                                              18,600         17,874          18,224
                                                                            ------------------------------------------

             Income before income taxes                                          11,028          8,839           6,240
      Provision for income taxes (note 13)                                        4,205          3,405           1,666
                                                                            ------------------------------------------

             NET INCOME                                                     $     6,823    $     5,434     $     4,574
                                                                            ==========================================

      SHARE DATA (NOTE 12)

         Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic                 5,772,135      5,736,230       5,722,646
         Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted               5,830,910      5,818,942       5,831,042
         Net income per share, basic                                        $      1.18    $      0.95     $      0.80
         Net income per share, diluted                                      $      1.17    $      0.93     $      0.78
</TABLE>

      See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                       26
<PAGE>   90
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                     Unrealized
                                                                                                                 Gains (losses)
                                                                                                                  on Securities
                                           Class A   Class B    Additional               Treasury    Treasury        available-
                                            Common    Common       Paid-In   Retained       Stock       Stock         for-sale,
                                             Stock     Stock       Capital   Earnings     Class A     Class B      net of taxes
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
(dollars in thousands except share data)

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994                  $3,312    $2,488       $10,683    $22,142       $(136)       $(41)           $ (895)

Conversion of Class B common
     stock to Class A common
     stock, 91,698 shares                       92       (92)           --         --          --          --                --
Stock options exercised,
     1,667 shares                                2        --             4         --          --          --                --
Net income                                      --        --            --      4,574          --          --                --
Cash dividends, Class A common
     stock $0.12 per share                      --        --            --       (397)         --          --                --
Cash dividends, Class B common
     stock $0.0168 per share                    --        --            --        (41)         --          --                --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
     on securities available-for-sale,
     net of taxes                               --        --            --         --          --          --             1,240
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995                   3,406     2,396        10,687     26,278        (136)        (41)              345

Conversion of Class B common
     stock to Class A common
     stock, 48,200 shares                       48       (48)           --         --          --          --                --
Stock options exercised,
     34,350 shares                              34        --            99         --          --          --                --
Net income                                      --        --            --      5,434          --          --                --
Cash dividends, Class A common
     stock $0.16 per share                      --        --            --       (543)         --          --                --
Cash dividends, Class B common
     stock $0.0224 per share                    --        --            --        (52)         --          --                --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
     on securities available-for-sale,
     net of taxes                               --        --            --         --          --          --              (418)
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996                   3,488     2,348        10,786     31,117        (136)        (41)              (73)

Conversion of Class B common
     stock to Class A common
     stock, 21,200 shares                       21       (21)           --         --          --          --                --
Stock options exercised,
     31,950 shares                              32        --            91         --          --          --                --
Net income                                      --        --            --      6,823          --          --                --
Cash dividends, Class A common
     stock $0.20 per share                      --        --            --       (696)         --          --                --
Cash dividends, Class B common
     stock $0.028 per share                     --        --            --        (64)         --          --                --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
     on securities available-for-sale,
     net of taxes                               --        --            --         --          --          --               182
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997                  $3,541    $2,327       $10,877    $37,180       $(136)       $(41)           $  109
                                           =====================================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Total
                                           Stockholders'
                                                  Equity
- --------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>
(dollars in thousands except share data)

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994                       $37,553

Conversion of Class B common
     stock to Class A common
     stock, 91,698 shares                             --
Stock options exercised,
     1,667 shares                                      6
Net income                                         4,574
Cash dividends, Class A common
     stock $0.12 per share                          (397)
Cash dividends, Class B common
     stock $0.0168 per share                         (41)
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
     on securities available-for-sale,
     net of taxes                                  1,240
                                           -------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995                        42,935

Conversion of Class B common
     stock to Class A common
     stock, 48,200 shares                             --
Stock options exercised,
     34,350 shares                                   133
Net income                                         5,434
Cash dividends, Class A common
     stock $0.16 per share                          (543)
Cash dividends, Class B common
     stock $0.0224 per share                         (52)
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
     on securities available-for-sale,
     net of taxes                                   (418)
                                           -------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996                        47,489

Conversion of Class B common
     stock to Class A common
     stock, 21,200 shares                             --
Stock options exercised,
     31,950 shares                                   123
Net income                                         6,823
Cash dividends, Class A common
     stock $0.20 per share                          (696)
Cash dividends, Class B common
     stock $0.028 per share                          (64)
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
     on securities available-for-sale,
     net of taxes                                    182
                                           -------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997                       $53,857
                                           =============
</TABLE>


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                       27
<PAGE>   91
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Year Ended December 31,                                                    1997         1996         1995
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (in thousands)
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
      CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           Net income                                                        $  6,823     $  5,434     $  4,574
           Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
             provided by operating activities:
               Provision for loan losses                                          660        1,020        1,560
               Deferred income taxes                                             (710)        (616)         (82)
               Net depreciation and amortization                                  586          668          548
               (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable                 (51)           9       (1,001)
               (Increase) decrease in other assets                             (1,818)          72        1,382
               Loans originated for sale                                       (9,442)     (18,033)     (16,407)
               Proceeds from sales of loans                                    10,507       19,317       16,025
               Gain on sales of loans                                            (137)        (290)        (226)
               Loss (gain) on sales of other real estate owned                      1          (82)         (27)
               Provision for losses on other real estate owned                     --           --           70
               Increase (decrease) in other liabilities                         8,405          189         (690)
                                                                             ----------------------------------
                 Net cash provided by operating activities                     14,824        7,688        5,726

      CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
           Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale           30,235       49,193       27,860
           Purchase of securities available-for-sale                          (37,934)     (29,999)     (56,543)
           Proceeds from maturities of securities held-to-maturity             39,013       53,946       38,447
           Purchase of securities held-to-maturity                            (40,418)     (83,675)     (68,575)
           Net cash and cash equivalents received from acquisitions                --           --       17,877
           Net increase in loans                                              (29,400)      (4,823)     (13,618)
           Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned                         566        1,121        2,744
           Capital expenditures                                                (1,533)        (608)      (1,416)
                                                                             ----------------------------------
                 Net cash used in investing activities                        (39,471)     (14,845)     (53,224)

      CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
           Net increase in time deposit accounts                                6,412        9,849       17,658
           Net increase in demand, savings,
             money market and NOW deposits                                     32,902        7,671       11,499
           Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock                         123          133            6
           Cash Dividends                                                        (760)        (595)        (438)
           Net increase (decrease) in securities sold
             under agreements to repurchase                                    15,060       (3,790)      11,780
           Net increase in other borrowed funds                                 1,121       10,456          963
                                                                             ----------------------------------
                 Net cash provided by financing activities                     54,858       23,724       41,468
                                                                             ----------------------------------

      Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                     30,211       16,567       (6,030)
           Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                      67,681       51,114       57,144
                                                                             ----------------------------------
           Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                          $ 97,892     $ 67,681     $ 51,114
                                                                             ==================================

      SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
           Cash paid during the year for:
             Interest                                                        $ 14,800     $ 16,170     $ 13,884
             Income taxes                                                       4,784        3,644        1,512
           Noncash transactions:
             Property acquired through foreclosure                           $    385     $    376     $    440
           Change in unrealized gains (losses)
             on securities available-for-sale, net of taxes                  $    182     $   (418)    $  1,240
           Assets acquired and liabilities assumed through acquisitions:
               Assets acquired, net of cash and cash equivalents received          --           --     $  2,040
               Cash and cash equivalents received                                  --           --       17,877
               Liabilities assumed                                                 --           --       19,917
</TABLE>

      See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                       28
<PAGE>   92
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Century Bancorp,
Inc. (the "Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Century Bank and Trust
Company (the "Bank"). The Company provides a full range of banking services to
individual, business and municipal customers in Massachusetts. As a bank holding
company, the Company is subject to the regulation and supervision of the Federal
Reserve Board. The Bank, a state chartered financial institution, is subject to
supervision and regulation by applicable state and federal banking agencies,
including the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency (the "Comptroller"), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the
"FDIC") and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks. The Bank is
also subject to various requirements and restrictions under federal and state
law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions
on the types and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may
be charged thereon, and limitations on the types of investments that may be made
and the types of services that may be offered. Various consumer laws and
regulations also affect the operations of the Bank. In addition to the impact of
regulation, commercial banks are affected significantly by the actions of the
Federal Reserve Board as it attempts to control the money supply and credit
availability in order to influence the economy. All aspects of the Company's
business are highly competitive. The Company faces aggressive competition from
other lending institutions and from numerous other providers of financial
services.

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles and to general practices within the banking
industry. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for
the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

     Material estimates that are susceptible to change in the near-term relate
to the allowance for losses on loans. Management believes that the allowance for
losses on loans is adequate based on independent appraisals and review of other
factors associated with the assets. While management uses available information
to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance for loans may be
necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition, regulatory
agencies periodically review the Company's allowance for losses on loans. Such
agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance for
loans based on their judgements about information available to them at the time
of their examination.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to
maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost; debt
and equity 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; and debt and equity securities not
classified as either held-to-maturity or trading are classified as
available-for-sale and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses
excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders'
equity, net of estimated related income taxes. The Company has no securities
held for trading.

     Premiums and discounts on investment securities are amortized or accreted
into income by use of the level-yield method. If a decline in fair value below
the amortized cost basis of an investment is judged to be other than temporary,
the cost basis of the investment is written down to fair value. The amount of
the writedown is included as a charge to earnings. Gains and losses on the sale
of investment securities are recognized at the time of sale on a specific
identification basis.

LOANS

Interest on loans is recognized based on the daily principal amount outstanding.
Accrual of interest is discontinued when loans become 90 days delinquent unless
the collateral is sufficient to cover both principal and interest and the loan
is in the process of collection. Loans, including impaired loans, on which the
accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated non-accrual loans. When
a loan is placed on non-accrual, all income which has been accrued but remains
unpaid is reversed against current period income and all amortization of
deferred loan fees is discontinued. Non-accrual loans may be returned to an
accrual status when principal and interest payments are not delinquent and the
risk characteristics of the loan have improved to the extent that there no
longer exists a concern as to the collectibility of principal and income. Income
received on non-accrual loans is either recorded in income or applied to the
principal balance of the loan depending on management's evaluation as to the
collectibility of principal.




                                       29
<PAGE>   93
     Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market
value. Gain or loss on sales of loans is recognized at the time of sale when the
sales proceeds exceed or are less than the Bank's investment in the loans.
Additionally, gains and losses are recognized when the average interest rate on
the loans sold, adjusted for normal servicing fee, differs from the agreed yield
to the buyer. The resulting excess service fee receivables, if any, are
amortized using the interest method over the estimated life of the loans,
adjusted for estimated prepayments.

     Discounts and premiums on loans purchased from failed financial
institutions that represent market yield adjustments are accreted or amortized
to interest income over the estimated lives of the loans using the level-yield
method.

     Loan origination fees and related direct incremental loan origination costs
are offset and the resulting net amount is deferred and amortized over the life
of the related loans using the level-yield method.

     The Bank accounts for impaired loans, except those loans that are accounted
for at fair value or at lower of cost or fair value, at the present value of the
expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate.
This method applies to all loans, uncollateralized as well as collateralized,
except large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans that are collectively
evaluated for impairment, loans that are measured at fair value and leases and
debt securities. Management considers the payment status, net worth and earnings
potential of the borrower, and the value and cash flow of the collateral as
factors to determine if a loan will be paid in accordance with its contractual
terms. Management does not set any minimum delay of payments as a factor in
reviewing for impaired classification. Impaired loans are charged-off when
management believes that the collectibility of the loan's principal is remote.
In addition, criteria for classification of a loan as in-substance foreclosure
has been modified so that such classification need be made only when a lender is
in possession of the collateral. The Bank measures the impairment of troubled
debt restructurings using the pre-modification rate of interest.

     The Bank recognizes the rights to service mortgage loans for others as an
asset, including rights acquired through both purchases and originations.
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are amortized over the period of estimated
net servicing income and are periodically evaluated for impairment based on
their fair value.

     Effective January 1, 1997, the Bank adopted SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities."
This statement provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers and
servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities based on
consistent application of a financial-components approach that focuses on
control. It distinguishes transfers of financial assets that are sales from
transfers that are secured borrowings. Under the financial-components approach,
after a transfer of financial assets, an entity recognizes all financial and
servicing assets it controls and liabilities it has incurred and derecognizes
financial assets it no longer controls and liabilities that have been
extinguished. The financial-components approach focuses on the assets and
liabilities that exist after the transfer. Many of these assets and liabilities
are components of financial assets that existed prior to the transfer. If a
transfer does not meet the criteria for a sale, the transfer is accounted for as
a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral. However, SFAS No. 127,
"Deferral of the Effective Date of Certain Provisions of SFAS No. 125," requires
the deferral of implementation as it relates to repurchase agreements,
dollar-rolls, securities lending and similar transactions until after December
31, 1997. Earlier or retroactive applications of this statement is not
permitted. The Company has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 127 will not
have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. The adoption of
SFAS No. 125 did not have a significant impact.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The allowance for loan losses is based on management's evaluation of the quality
of the loan portfolio and is used to provide for losses resulting from loans
which ultimately prove uncollectible. In determining the level of the allowance,
periodic evaluations are made of the loan portfolio which take into account such
factors as the character of the loans, loan status, financial posture of the
borrowers, value of collateral securing the loans and other relevant information
sufficient to reach an informed judgement. The allowance is increased by
provisions charged to income and reduced by loan charge-offs, net of recoveries.




                                       30
<PAGE>   94
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


     While management uses available information in establishing the allowance
for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if
economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the
evaluations. Loans are charged-off in whole or in part when, in management's
opinion, collectibility is not probable.

     Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. In
addition, various regulatory agencies, as part of their examination process,
periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may
require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their
judgements about information available to them at the time of their examination.

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

Other real estate owned ("OREO") includes real estate acquired by foreclosure
and real estate substantively repossessed. Real estate acquired by foreclosure
is comprised of properties acquired through foreclosure proceedings or
acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Real estate substantively
repossessed includes only those loans for which the Company has taken possession
of the collateral, but has not completed legal foreclosure proceedings. Both
in-substance foreclosures and real estate formally acquired in settlement of
loans are recorded at the lower of the carrying value of the loan or the fair
value of the property constructively or actually received. Loan losses from the
acquisition of such properties are charged against the allowance for loan
losses. After foreclosure, if the fair value of an asset minus its estimated
cost to sell is less than the carrying value of the asset, such amount is
recognized as a valuation allowance. If the fair value of an asset less its
estimated cost to sell subsequently increases so that the resulting amount is
more than the asset's current carrying value, the valuation allowance is
reversed by the amount of the increase. Increases or decreases in the valuation
allowance are charged or credited to income. Gains upon disposition of OREO are
reflected in the statement of income as realized. Realized losses are charged to
the valuation allowance.

BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of leases, if shorter. It is
general practice to charge the cost of maintenance and repairs to operations
when incurred; major expenditures for improvements are capitalized and
depreciated.

INCOME TAXES

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes.
Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between
the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under this
method, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

2. CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

The Company is required to maintain a portion of its cash and due from banks as
a reserve balance under the Federal Reserve Act. Such reserve is calculated
based upon deposit levels and amounted to $471,000 at December 31, 1997 and
$10,768,000 at December 31, 1996.

3. SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               December 31,1997                                  December 31,1996
                                -----------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------
                                                 Gross        Gross   Estimated                    Gross        Gross   Estimated
                                Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized      Market   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized      Market
                                     Cost        Gains       Losses       Value        Cost        Gains       Losses       Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                             <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. Government and Agencies      $84,582         $237          $56     $84,763     $77,283          $93         $221     $77,155
Obligations of states
   and political subdivisions         750           --           --         750       1,241           --           --       1,241
FHLB Stock                          3,419           --           --       3,419       2,364           --           --       2,364
Other                                 253            5           --         258         252            3           --         255
                                -----------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------
                                  $89,004         $242          $56     $89,190     $81,140          $96         $221     $81,015
                                ===============================================   ===============================================
</TABLE>




                                       31
<PAGE>   95
The following tables show the maturity distribution of the Company's securities
available-for-sale at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       December 31, 1997
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Obligations
                                          U.S.       of States                      Estimated
                                    Government   and Political                         Market
                                  and Agencies    Subdivisions    Other     Total       Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                               <C>            <C>             <C>      <C>       <C>
Within one year                        $29,460            $750   $   --   $30,210     $30,253
After one but within five years         54,122              --       --    54,122      54,251
After five but within ten years          1,000              --      250     1,250       1,259
Non-maturing                                --              --    3,422     3,422       3,427
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                       $84,582            $750   $3,672   $89,004     $89,190
                                  ===========================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       December 31, 1996
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Obligations
                                          U.S.       of States                      Estimated
                                    Government   and Political                         Market
                                  and Agencies    Subdivisions    Other     Total       Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                               <C>            <C>             <C>      <C>       <C>
Within one year                        $13,988          $1,241   $   --   $15,229     $15,254
After one but within five years         63,295              --       --    63,295      63,142
After five but within ten years             --              --      250       250         250
Non-maturing                                --              --    2,366     2,366       2,369
                                  -----------------------------------------------------------
                                       $77,283          $1,241   $2,616   $81,140     $81,015
                                  ===========================================================
</TABLE>



There were no sales of securities available-for-sale in 1997, 1996 and 1995.

4. SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     December 31, 1997                         December 31, 1996
                               -----------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------
                                                Gross        Gross   Estimated                    Gross        Gross   Estimated
                               Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized      Market   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized      Market
                                    Cost        Gains       Losses       Value        Cost        Gains       Losses       Value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
U.S. Government and Agencies    $107,117         $347         $124    $107,340    $105,582         $211         $574    $105,219
Obligations of states
  and political subdivisions          22           --           --          22          34           --           --          34
Other                              2,100           --            8       2,092       2,099           --           21       2,078
                               -----------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------------
                                $109,239         $347         $132    $109,454    $107,715         $211         $595    $107,331
                               ===============================================   ===============================================
</TABLE>

Included in U.S. Government and Agency securities are securities pledged to
secure public deposits and repurchase agreements amounting to $40,256,000 at
December 31, 1997 and $24,746,000 at December 31, 1996.

     The following tables show the maturity distribution of the Company's
securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 1997 and 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        December 31, 1997
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Obligations
                                          U.S.       of States                       Estimated
                                    Government   and Political                          Market
                                  and Agencies    Subdivisions    Other      Total       Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                               <C>            <C>             <C>      <C>        <C>
Within one year                       $  9,970             $11   $2,025   $ 12,006    $ 12,009
After one but within five years         79,191              11       50     79,252      79,439
After five but within ten years         16,956              --       25     16,981      17,007
More than ten years                      1,000              --       --      1,000         999
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $107,117             $22   $2,100   $109,239    $109,454
                                  ============================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        December 31, 1996
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Obligations
                                          U.S.       of States                       Estimated
                                    Government   and Political                          Market
                                  and Agencies    Subdivisions    Other      Total       Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                               <C>            <C>             <C>      <C>        <C>
Within one year                       $  2,511             $11   $    2   $  2,524    $  2,516
After one but within five years         83,636              23    2,072     85,731      85,562
After five but within ten years         18,935              --       25     18,960      18,759
More than ten years                        500              --       --        500         494
                                  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $105,582             $34   $2,099   $107,715    $107,331
                                  ============================================================
</TABLE>


     There were no sales of securities held-to-maturity in 1997, 1996 or 1995.

5. LOANS

The Company's lending activities are conducted principally in Massachusetts. The
Company grants single and multi-family residential loans, commercial and
commercial real estate loans, and a variety of consumer loans. To a lesser
extent, the Company grants loans for the construction of residential homes,
multi-family properties, commercial real estate properties, and land
development. Most loans granted by the Company are secured by real estate
collateral. The ability and willingness of commercial real estate, commercial,
construction, residential and consumer loan borrowers to honor their repayment
commitments is generally dependent on the health of the real estate market in
the borrowers' geographic areas and the general economy.




                                       32
<PAGE>   96
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


   The composition of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997            1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>
Construction and land development                       $  7,549        $  3,576
Commercial and industrial                                 50,560          41,006
Industrial revenue bonds                                   2,693           3,030
Commercial real estate                                   140,270         133,757
Residential real estate                                   76,160          76,081
Residential real estate held for sale                        225             557
Consumer                                                  19,254          12,749
Home equity                                               19,031          17,330
Overdrafts                                                   648             194
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        $316,390        $288,280
                                                        ========================
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1997 and 1996, loans were carried net of discounts of
$2,875,000 and $3,360,000 respectively. Included in these amounts at December
31, 1997 and 1996, residential real estate loans were carried net of discounts
of $2,847,000 and $3,319,000 respectively, associated with the acquisition of
Wollaston.

     The composition of non-accrual loans, impaired loans and troubled debt
restructuring agreements is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997        1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Loans on non-accrual                                          $1,705      $2,140
  Impaired loans on non-accrual included above                 1,235       1,676

Troubled debt restructuring agreements                        $3,306      $2,543
  Impaired troubled debt restructuring
   agreements included above                                   2,280       1,377

Total recorded investment in impaired loans                   $3,515      $3,055
Average recorded value of impaired loans                      $3,157      $2,935

Loans 90 days past due and still accruing                     $    7      $  192

Interest income on non-accrual loans according to
  their original terms                                        $  202      $  270
Interest income on non-accrual loans
  actually recorded                                           $   84      $   98
Interest income recognized on impaired loans                  $  216      $  149
</TABLE>

     The composition of impaired loans at December 31, is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997            1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>
(in thousands)
Residential real estate:

  1 to 4 family                                           $  250          $  299
  Multi-family                                               771           1,201
Construction and land development                             --              --
Commercial real estate                                     2,323           1,248
Commercial and industrial                                    171             307
                                                          ----------------------
   Total                                                  $3,515          $3,055
Specific valuation allowance                                  --              --
                                                          ----------------------
   Total impaired loans                                   $3,515          $3,055
                                                          ======================
</TABLE>

     There were no impaired loans with specific reserves at December 31, 1997
and 1996 and in the opinion of management, none of the above listed impaired
loans required a specific reserve. All of the impaired loans listed above have
been measured using the fair value of the collateral method.

     The Company was servicing mortgage loans sold to others without recourse of
approximately $18,053,000 at December 31, 1997 and $20,359,000 at December 31,
1996. Additionally, the Company was servicing mortgage loans sold to others with
limited recourse. The outstanding balance of these loans with limited recourse
was approximately $753,000 at December 31, 1997 and $1,092,000 at December 31,
1996.

     Directors and officers of the Company and their associates are customers
of, and have other transactions with, the Company in the normal course of
business. All loans and commitments included in such transactions were made on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and do not
involve more than normal risk of collection or present other unfavorable
features.




                                       33
<PAGE>   97
     The following table shows the aggregate amount of loans to directors and
officers of the Company and their associates during 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Balance at                  Repayments          Balance at
                  December 31, 1996   Additions   and Deletions   December 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)

<S>               <C>                 <C>         <C>             <C>
                             $  928      $1,055          $  556              $1,427
                  -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


6. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1997             1996            1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>             <C>             <C>
Balance at beginning of year                   $4,179          $ 4,193         $ 4,239
Provision charged to operating expense            660            1,020           1,560
Loans charged-off                                (689)          (1,303)         (1,828)
Loan recoveries                                   296              269             222
                                               ---------------------------------------
Balance at end of year                         $4,446          $ 4,179         $ 4,193
                                               =======================================
</TABLE>

7. BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,                                                1997           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>
Land                                                    $  1,839       $  1,839
Bank premises                                              6,533          6,254
Furniture and equipment                                    9,468          8,261
Leasehold improvements                                     1,888          1,888
                                                        -----------------------
                                                          19,728         18,242
Accumulated depreciation and amortization                (11,010)        (9,977)
                                                        -----------------------
                                                        $  8,718       $  8,265
                                                        =======================
</TABLE>

The Company and its subsidiaries are obligated under a number of noncancelable
operating leases for premises and equipment expiring in various years through
the year 2026. Total lease expense approximated $85,000, $144,000 and $168,000
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

     Future minimum rental commitments for noncancelable operating leases with
initial or remaining terms of one year or more at December 31, 1997 were as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Year              Amount
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>                    <C>
                                                      1998             $    80
                                                      1999                  64
                                                      2000                  64
                                                      2001                  28
                                                      2002                  21
                                                Thereafter                 554
                                                ------------------------------
                                                                       $   811
                                                ==============================
</TABLE>


8. ALLOWANCE FOR LOSSES ON OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1997             1996            1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                      <C>              <C>             <C>
Balance at beginning of year             $   19           $   60          $  238
Valuation writedowns                        (19)             (41)           (248)
Provision charged to expense                 --               --              70
                                         ---------------------------------------
Balance at end of year                   $   --           $   19          $   60
                                         =======================================
</TABLE>

9. DEPOSITS

      Time deposits as of December 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1997             1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>
Three months or less                                $101,719         $ 60,569
Three through twelve months                           55,263           57,369
Over twelve months                                    14,297           46,929
                                                    -------------------------
                                                    $171,279         $164,867
                                                    =========================
</TABLE>

Time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more totaled $63,214,000 and
$45,646,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Interest expense
associated with deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more was $2,251,000,
$2,124,000 and $1,749,000 for the years ended 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.




                                       34
<PAGE>   98
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


10. SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1997        1996        1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>
Average rate at December 31,                       4.49%       4.34%       4.25%
Average balance outstanding during the year     $24,994     $16,654     $14,390
Average rate during the year                       4.30%       4.28%       4.39%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end     $39,060     $17,790     $21,580
Amount outstanding at December 31,              $32,850     $17,790     $21,580
</TABLE>

Amounts outstanding at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 carried maturity dates
of the next business day. U.S. Government and Agency securities with a total
book value of $32,776,000, $17,762,000 and $21,497,000 were pledged as
collateral and held by custodians to secure the agreements at December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. The approximate market value of the collateral at
those dates was $32,814,000, $17,605,000 and $21,715,000, respectively.

11. OTHER BORROWED FUNDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,                                          1997                1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>
Treasury tax and loan note                         $   834             $   726
Federal Home Loan Bank - IDEAL Advance                  -               10,000
Federal Home Loan Bank - Advance                    11,454               1,489
Other                                                1,186                 138
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                   $13,474             $12,353
                                                   ===========================
</TABLE>

The Bank serves as a Treasury Tax and Loan depository under a note option with
the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. This open-ended interest bearing borrowing
carries an interest rate equal to the daily Federal funds rate less 0.25%. The
Bank borrowed $10,000,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank on December 31, 1997
as an overnight advance. The interest rate on this advance was 7.05%. The Bank
also borrowed $1,500,000 during 1996 from Federal Home Loan Bank. The borrowing
bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.20%, has a remaining principal balance of
$1,454,000 and matures on July 24, 2006.

12. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

DIVIDENDS

Holders of the Class A common stock may not vote in the election of directors,
but may vote as a class to approve certain extraordinary corporate transactions.
Class A common stockholders are entitled to receive dividends per share equal to
at least 200% per share of that paid, if any, on each share of Class B common
stock. Class A common stock is publicly traded. Class B common stock is not
publicly traded, however, it can be converted on a share for share basis to
Class A common stock at any time. Dividend payments by the Company are dependent
in part on the dividends it receives from its bank subsidiary, which are subject
to certain regulatory restrictions.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which is
effective for financial statements for both interim and annual periods ending
December 31, 1997. Primary EPS has been replaced with basic EPS and fully
diluted EPS has been replaced with diluted EPS. Diluted EPS includes the
dilutive effect of common stock equivalents; basic EPS excludes all common stock
equivalents. Diluted EPS is very similar to fully diluted EPS. The statement
also requires a reconciliation of basic EPS to diluted EPS. The only common
stock equivalents for the Company are the stock options discussed below. The
dilutive effect of these stock options for 1997, 1996 and 1995 was an increase
of 58,775, 82,712 and 108,396 shares, respectively.

STOCK OPTION PLAN

On March 10, 1987, the common stockholders of the Company approved a stock
option plan (the "Option Plan") that provides for granting of options for not
more than 150,000 shares of Class A common stock. Under the Option Plan, all
officers and other key employees of the Company are eligible to receive
non-qualified and incentive stock options to purchase shares of Class A common
stock. The Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee




                                       35
<PAGE>   99
whose members are ineligible to participate in the Option Plan. Based on
management's recommendations, the Committee submits its recommendations to the
Board of Directors as to persons to whom options are to be granted, the number
of shares to be granted to each, the option price (which may not be less than
85% of the fair market value for non-qualified stock options, or the fair market
value for incentive stock options, of the shares on the date of grant) and the
time period over which the options are exercisable (no more than ten years from
the date of grant). Options exercisable at December 31, 1997 totaled 78,533 with
a weighted average option price of $3.75.

     Information with regard to the stock option plan is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Number of            Weighted Average
                                       Option Shares      Option Price Per Share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1994             146,500                       $3.80
Granted                                           --                          --
Exercised                                     (1,667)                       3.75
Cancelled                                         --                          --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995             144,833                        3.80
Granted                                           --                          --
Exercised                                    (34,350)                       3.89
Cancelled                                         --                          --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1996             110,483                        3.78
Granted                                           --                          --
Exercised                                    (31,950)                       3.84
Cancelled                                         --                          --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997              78,533                       $3.75
================================================================================
</TABLE>

A summary of options by maturity is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Expiring During the                    Number of                Weighted average
Year Ended December 31,                   Shares          Option Price Per Share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>
1998                                          --                              --
1999                                          --                              --
2000                                          --                              --
2001                                      78,533                         $  3.75
2002                                          --                              --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          78,533                         $  3.75
================================================================================
</TABLE>

The Company measures compensation cost for stock-based compensation plans using
the intrinsic value based method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25. The Company granted no stock options during 1997, 1996 or 1995
and, therefore, no disclosures of proforma net income and earnings per share as
if the fair value method had been applied are required. The new disclosures will
be provided when additional stock options are granted.

CAPITAL AND OTHER REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

The Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements administered by federal
banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate
certain mandatory- and possibly additional discretionary-actions by regulators
that, if undertaken, could have a direct material affect on the Company's
financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and regulatory framework
for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines
that involve quantitative measures of the Bank's assets, liabilities, and
certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting
practices. The Bank's capital amounts and classification are also qualitative
judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other
factors.

     Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table
below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk
weighted assets (as defined), and Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets
(as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 1997 that the Bank meets
all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

     As of December 31, 1997, the most recent notification from the FDIC
categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for
prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must
maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage ratios
as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that
notification that management believes would cause a change in the Bank's
categorization.




                                       36
<PAGE>   100
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following
table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             To Be Well Capitalized
                                                                                                             Under Prompt Corrective
                                                         Actual              For Capital Adequacy Purposes      Action Provisions
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Amount           Ratio           Amount        Ratio         Amount         Ratio
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S>                                              <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>             <C>
As of December 31, 1997:
  Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)        $49,735          14.64%          $27,179         8.0%        $33,974         10.0%
  Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)        45,474          13.38%           13,590         4.0%         20,384          6.0%
  Tier I capital (to average assets)              45,474           7.85%           22,670         4.0%         28,338          5.0%
As of December 31, 1996:
  Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)        $44,004          14.74%          $23,882         8.0%        $29,852         10.0%
  Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)        40,267          13.49%           11,941         4.0%         17,911          6.0%
  Tier I capital (to average assets)              40,267           7.46%           21,577         4.0%         26,971          5.0%
</TABLE>

     In February 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 129, "Disclosure of Information
about Capital Structure," which is effective for 1997 financial statements. The
Company's disclosures currently comply with the provisions of this statement.

13. INCOME TAXES

The current and deferred components of income tax expense for the years ended
December 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1997             1996            1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                     <C>           <C>                <C>
Current expense:
  Federal                               $3,824        $   2,959          $1,302
  State                                  1,091            1,062             446
                                        ---------------------------------------
   Total current expense                 4,915            4,021           1,748
                                        =======================================
Deferred expense:
  Federal                                 (541)            (238)            716
  State                                   (169)             (78)            337
  Change in valuation reserve               --             (300)         (1,135)
                                        ---------------------------------------
   Total deferred expense                 (710)            (616)            (82)
                                        ---------------------------------------
Provision for income taxes              $4,205        $   3,405          $1,666
                                        =======================================
</TABLE>

Income tax accounts included in other assets and other liabilities at December
31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1997                 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                  <C>                 <C>
Currently payable                                    $ (419)             $  (287)
Deferred income tax asset, net                        2,235                1,655
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     $1,816              $ 1,368
                                                     ===========================
</TABLE>

Income tax expense for the years presented is different from the amounts
computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% to income
before Federal income taxes. The following tabulation reconciles Federal income
tax expense based on statutory rates to the actual income tax expense for the
years ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1997            1996            1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                      <C>             <C>             <C>
Federal income tax expense
  at statutory rates                     $ 3,750         $ 3,005         $ 2,121
State income taxes, net of Federal
  income tax benefit                         608             649             517
Effect of tax-exempt interest               (102)           (105)           (132)
Change in valuation reserve                   --            (300)         (1,135)
Other                                        (51)            156             295
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         $ 4,205         $ 3,405         $ 1,666
                                         =======================================
Effective Tax Rate                          38.1%           38.5%           26.7%
</TABLE>

Management believes that it is more likely than not that the net deferred income
tax asset of $2,235,000 at December 31, 1997 will be realized. The federal tax
portion of $1,622,000 of the deferred tax asset is supported by the availability
of federal income taxes paid in prior carryback years.

     The valuation reserve was reduced by $300,000 in 1996 in recognition of the
operating results achieved and the increase in recoverable federal income taxes
paid in prior years.




                                       37
<PAGE>   101
     The following table sets forth the Company's gross deferred income tax
assets and gross deferred income tax liabilities at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997           1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>
Deferred income tax assets:
  Allowance for loan losses                              $ 1,055        $   722
  Other real estate owned writedowns                          --              8
  Deferred compensation                                    1,625          1,340
  Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale            --             52
  Acquisition premium                                         95             50
  Other                                                       12             79
                                                         ----------------------
   Gross deferred income tax asset                         2,787          2,251
Deferred income tax liabilities:
  Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale           (77)            --
  Purchase accounting                                       (297)          (388)
  Depreciation                                              (157)          (183)
  Other                                                      (21)           (25)
                                                         ----------------------
   Deferred income tax asset, net                        $ 2,235        $ 1,655
                                                         ======================
</TABLE>

14. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Company's noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covers substantially
all full-time employees. Benefits are based on employee's years of service and
highest five year compensation. The plan is funded on a current basis, in
compliance with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1997                1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>
Projected benefit obligation                        $6,319             $ 4,859
Plan assets at fair value                            4,171               3,341
                                                    --------------------------
Projected benefit obligation in
   excess of plan assets                            $2,148             $ 1,518
                                                    ==========================
</TABLE>

     The assumptions used in determining the projected benefits obligation were
as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>
Discount rate                                         7.00%               7.00%
Rate of increase in compensation levels               5.00%               5.00%
</TABLE>

Certain changes in the items shown are not recognized as they occur, but are
amortized over subsequent periods. Unrecognized amounts to be amortized and the
amounts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,                                          1997                1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>
Unrecognized net loss                               $  987             $   200
Unrecognized past service costs                        722                 821
Transition obligation                                    3                   4
Accrued pension expense                                436                 493
                                                    --------------------------
Projected benefit obligation in
   excess of plan assets                            $2,148             $ 1,518
                                                    ==========================
</TABLE>

     The assumptions used and the components of net pension expense for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 include the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,                                1997       1996       1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
Assumptions used
   Discount rate                                        7.00%      7.00%      8.00%
   Rate of increase in compensation levels              5.00%      5.00%      5.00%
   Expected long term rate of return on plan assets     8.00%      8.00%      8.00%

Net pension cost:
   Service cost; benefits earned during this period    $ 357      $ 318      $ 256
   Interest cost on projected benefit obligation         340        308        260
   Actual return on plan assets                         (354)      (208)      (181)
   Net amortization and deferral                         174        120        117
                                                       ---------------------------
Net periodic pension expense                           $ 517      $ 538      $ 452
                                                       ===========================
</TABLE>

     In 1996, the Company began offering a 401(k) defined contribution plan for
all employees reaching minimum age and service requirements. The plan is
voluntary with no matching contributions. Administrative costs associated with
the plan are absorbed by the Company.



                                       38
<PAGE>   102
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


     The Company has a Supplemental Insurance/Retirement Plan which is limited
to certain officers and employees of the Company. The plan is voluntary and
participants are required to contribute to its cost. Under the plan, each
participant will receive a retirement benefit based on compensation and length
of service. Individual life insurance policies are purchased covering the life
of each participant. The Company is the owner of these policies and each
participating employee has received an assignment of a portion of each policy's
proceeds. The amount of pension liability recorded on the books of the Company
related to the supplemental retirement plan was $3.9 million and $3.2 million on
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The net cost to the Company for this
plan for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $558,000, $306,000
and $247,000, respectively.

     The Company does not offer any post retirement benefits other than
pensions.

15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

A number of legal claims against the Bank arising in the normal course of
business were outstanding at December 31, 1997. Management, after reviewing
these claims with legal counsel, is of the opinion that their resolution will
not have a material adverse affect on the Company's consolidated financial
position.

16. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the
normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These
financial instruments primarily include commitments to originate and sell loans,
standby letters of credit, unused lines of credit and unadvanced portions of
construction loans. The 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 those
instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in these
particular classes of financial instruments.

     The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by
the other party to the financial instrument for loan commitments and standby
letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.
The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional
obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

     Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31 are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Contract or Notional Amount                           1997                1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>
Financial instruments whose contract amount
  represents credit risk:
   Commitments to originate 1-4 family mortgages   $   163             $   106
   Standby letters of credit                         1,561                 945
   Unused lines of credit                           85,204              66,696
   Unadvanced portions of construction loans           321               2,190
Financial instruments whose contract amount
  exceeds the amount of credit risk:
   Commitments to sell 1-4 family mortgages            388                 663
</TABLE>

Commitments to originate loans, unadvanced portions of construction loans and
unused lines of credit are generally agreements to lend to a customer provided
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. The Company evaluates each customer's credit
worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed
necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management's
credit evaluation of the borrower.

     Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company
to guarantee the performance by a customer to a third party. The credit risk
involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved
in extending loan facilities to customers.

     In addition to general commitments, the Company originates 1-4 family
mortgages for sale in the secondary markets. These loans are sold with and
without recourse and no loan is originated without its sale having been
pre-arranged. The Company was servicing mortgage loans sold to others with a
maximum recourse provision of 10% of the outstanding balance of approximately
$753,000 at December 31, 1997 and $1,092,000 at December 31, 1996.




                                       39
<PAGE>   103

17. OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,                          1997             1996            1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                            <C>             <C>              <C>   
Marketing                                      $1,024          $   835          $  650
Supplies                                          441              471             522
Telephone                                         227              218             198
Postage and delivery                              465              512             514
Legal and audit                                   330              316             486
Insurance                                         187              184             192
FDIC assessment                                    57                2             473
Core deposit intangible amortization              200              200              25
Other                                           1,115              958           1,059
                                             ------------------------------------------
                                               $4,046          $ 3,696          $4,119
                                             ==========================================
</TABLE>

18. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating
fair values of its financial instruments. Excluded from this disclosure are
certain financial instruments for which it is not practical to estimate their
value and all nonfinancial instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value
amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

     Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the balance
sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate the fair values of these assets
because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

     Securities held-to-maturity and securities available-for-sale: The fair
value of these securities, excluding certain state and municipal securities
whose fair value is estimated at book value because they are not readily
marketable, is estimated based on bid prices published in financial newspapers
or bid quotations received from securities dealers.

     Loans: For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no
significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying amounts.
The fair value of other loans is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis,
based on interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to
borrowers of similar credit quality. Incremental credit risk for non-performing
loans has been considered.

     Accrued interest receivable and payable: The carrying amounts for accrued
interest receivable and payable approximate fair values because of the
short-term nature of these financial instruments.

     Deposits: The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as
noninterest bearing demand deposits, savings, N.O.W. and money market accounts,
is equal to the amount payable on demand as of the balance sheet date. The fair
value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual
cash flows. The discount rate used is estimated based on the rates currently
offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

     Repurchase agreements and other borrowed funds: The carrying amounts
reported in the balance sheet for repurchase agreements and other borrowed funds
approximate the fair values of those liabilities because of the short-term
nature of these financial instruments.

     Off-balance-sheet instruments: The fair values of the Company's unused
lines of credit, commitments to originate and sell loans and standby letters of
credit are estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar
agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the
counterparties' credit standing. The fair value of the Company's commitments to
sell mortgage loans approximates the estimated cost to terminate or otherwise
settle the obligations with the counterparties. Therefore, at December 31, 1997
and 1996, there was no fair value adjustment.


                                       40

<PAGE>   104
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments
at December 31 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997                                     1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Carrying                                  Carrying
                                                  Amounts            Fair Value              Amounts           Fair Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>                 <C>                    <C>                 <C>       
(in thousands)
Financial assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents                    $    97,892         $    97,892            $     67,681        $   67,681
  Securities available-for-sale                     89,190              89,190                  81,015            81,015

  Investment securities held-to-maturity           109,239             109,454                 107,715           107,331
  Net loans                                        311,944             315,653                 284,101           286,494
  Accrued interest receivable                        4,334               4,334                   4,283             4,283

Financial liabilities:

  Deposits                                         515,449             515,904                 476,135           476,787
  Repurchase agreements
   and other borrowed funds                         46,324              46,324                  30,143            30,143
  Accrued interest payable                           3,123               3,123                   2,000             2,000
</TABLE>

LIMITATIONS

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant
market information and information about the type of 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 some of the Bank's financial
instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgements regarding future
expected loss experience, cash flows, current economic conditions, risk
characteristics and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and
involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement and therefore cannot
be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions and changes in the loan,
debt and interest rate markets could significantly affect the estimates.
Further, the income tax ramifications related to the realization of the
unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on the fair value
estimates and have not been considered.

19. QUARTERLY RESULT OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 Quarters                                Fourth         Third          Second         First
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>       
(in thousands, except per share data)

Interest income                            $   10,593     $   10,395     $   10,332     $    9,896
Interest expense                                4,094          3,991          3,992          3,845
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
  Net interest income                           6,499          6,404          6,340          6,051
Provision for loan losses                         135            135            135            255
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
  Net-interest income after provisions

   for loan losses                              6,364          6,269          6,205          5,796
Other operating income                          1,347          1,248          1,255          1,144
Operating expenses                              4,613          4,693          4,663          4,630
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
  Income before income taxes                    3,098          2,824          2,797          2,310
Provision for income taxes                      1,045          1,093          1,133            934
  Net income                               $    2,053     $    1,731     $    1,664     $    1,376
                                          =========================================================
Share Data
  Average shares outstanding, basic         5,779,946      5,777,767      5,769,282      5,761,278
  Average shares outstanding, diluted       5,842,167      5,846,473      5,834,441      5,835,391
Earnings per share, basic                  $     0.36     $     0.30     $     0.29     $     0.24
Earnings per share, diluted                $     0.35     $     0.30     $     0.29     $     0.24
                                          =========================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 Quarters                                Fourth         Third          Second         First
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>       
(in thousands, except per share data)                                               
Interest income                            $    9,789     $    9,887     $    9,706     $    9,395
Interest expense                                3,809          4,052          4,041          3,903
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
  Net interest income                           5,980          5,835          5,665          5,492
Provision for loan losses                         255            255            255            255
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
  Net-interest income after provisions

   for loan losses                              5,725          5,580          5,410          5,237
Other operating income                          1,143          1,060          1,270          1,288
Operating expenses                              4,417          4,337          4,502          4,618
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
  Income before income taxes                    2,451          2,303          2,178          1,907
Provision for income taxes                        903            899            880            723
                                          ---------------------------------------------------------
  Net income                               $    1,548     $    1,404     $    1,298     $    1,184
                                          =========================================================
Share Data
  Average shares outstanding, basic         5,743,657      5,738,706      5,736,220      5,726,227
  Average shares outstanding, diluted       5,831,192      5,836,271      5,828,748      5,818,968
Earnings per share, basic                  $     0.27     $     0.24     $     0.23     $     0.21
Earnings per share, diluted                $     0.27     $     0.24     $     0.22     $     0.20
                                          =========================================================
</TABLE>
                                       41

<PAGE>   105

20. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The balance sheets of Century Bancorp, Inc. ("Parent Company") as of December
31, 1997 and 1996 and the statements of income and cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997 are presented below. The
statements of changes in stockholders' equity are identical to the consolidated
statements of changes in stockholders' equity and are therefore not presented
here.

BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,                                                          1997                1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                  <C>    
(in thousands)
Assets:

     Cash                                                           $  7,602             $ 6,409
     Investment in subsidiary, at equity                              46,550              41,363
     Other assets                                                         83                  87
                                                               ---------------------------------
        Total assets                                                  54,235             $47,859
                                                               =================================

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

     Liabilities                                                    $    378             $   370
     Stockholders' equity                                             53,857              47,489
                                                               ---------------------------------
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                  $ 54,235             $47,859
                                                               =================================
</TABLE>

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,                                 1997             1996            1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>             <C>    
(in thousands)                                      

Income:                                             
                                                    
   Dividends from subsidiary                         $ 1,702          $ 1,544         $   939
   Interest income from deposits in bank                 289              253             216
   Other income                                           12               12              12
                                                     ------------------------------------------
    Total income                                       2,003            1,809           1,167
Operating expenses                                        73               69              79
                                                     ------------------------------------------
   Income before income taxes and equity in         
    undistributed income of subsidiary                 1,930            1,740           1,088
Income tax expense                                       112               89              66
                                                     ------------------------------------------
   Income before equity in undistributed            
    income of subsidiary                               1,818            1,651           1,022
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiary           5,005            3,783           3,552
                                                     ------------------------------------------
   Net income                                        $ 6,823          $ 5,434         $ 4,574
                                                     ==========================================
</TABLE>
                                                    
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                            

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,                                 1997             1996            1995
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>             <C>    
(in thousands)                                      
Cash flows from operating activities:               
                                                    
   Net income                                        $ 6,823          $ 5,434         $ 4,574
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to    
    net cash provided by operating activities:

      Undistributed income of subsidiary              (5,005)          (3,783)         (3,552)
      Depreciation and amortization                        6                6               6
      Increase in other assets                            (2)              (1)             (3)
      Increase (decrease) in liabilities                   8              129            (298)
                                                     -----------------------------------------
       Net cash provided by operating activities       1,830            1,785             727
                                                     -----------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:

   None                                                 --               --              --
Cash flows from financing activities:                
   Stock options exercised                               123              133               6
   Cash dividends paid                                  (760)            (595)           (438)
                                                     -----------------------------------------
       Net cash used by financing activities            (637)            (462)           (432)
                                                     -----------------------------------------
Net increase in cash                                   1,193            1,323             295
Cash at beginning of year                              6,409            5,086           4,791
                                                     -----------------------------------------
Cash at end of year                                  $ 7,602          $ 6,409         $ 5,086
                                                     =========================================
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow                
information: Cash paid during the year               
for:                                                 
                                                     
   Income taxes                                       $  111          $    93         $    70
</TABLE>

                                       42

<PAGE>   106
                                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

21. SUBSEQUENT EVENT - ACQUISITION

In December 1997, Century Bancorp, Inc. announced an agreement to acquire
Haymarket Cooperative Bank ("Haymarket") and merge Haymarket into Century Bank
and Trust Company. This acquisition is expected to be completed on or before
April 1, 1998. Haymarket is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and operates
two banking offices located in Boston. Haymarket is engaged principally in the
business of attracting deposits from the general public and investing those
deposits in residential real estate, consumer and small business loans.

     Total assets of Haymarket were approximately $142 million at December 31,
1997. Under the terms of the agreement, Century Bank and Trust Company will pay
approximately $20 million in cash for Haymarket and the acquisition is subject
to federal and state regulatory approval. The transaction will be accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting.

The following pro-forma condensed balance sheet was prepared as if this
acquisition had taken place at December 31, 1997.

PRO-FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31,1997

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(unaudited)                                     Century                         Pro-Forma        Pro-Forma
                                             Bancorp, Inc.    Haymarket        Adjustments        Combined
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)
<S>                                          <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>   
Assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents                     $  97,892     $   5,015        $ (20,395)(a)     $  82,512
  Securities                                      198,429        54,278 (b)                        252,707 
  Loans, net                                      311,944        79,358 (c)                        391,302 
  Bank premises and equipment                       8,718           725                              9,443 
  Other assets                                     14,142         2,561            3,397 (a)        20,100
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total assets                                 $ 631,125     $ 141,937        $ (16,998)        $ 756,064
                                             ==============================================================
                                                                                                
Liabilities:                                                                                    
                                                                                                
  Deposits                                      $ 515,449     $ 119,984 (c)                      $ 635,433 
  Borrowed funds                                   46,324         3,000 (c)                         49,324 
  Other liabilities                                15,495         1,955                             17,450 
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities                              577,268       124,939                            702,207 
                                                                                                
Stockholders' equity                               53,857        16,998          (16,998)(a)        53,857
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total liabilities & stockholders' equity     $ 631,125     $ 141,937        $ (16,998)        $ 756,064
                                             ==============================================================
</TABLE>
                                                                         
     (a) Purchase of Haymarket funded by sale of federal funds.

     (b) All of Haymarket's securities are classified as available-for-sale and
     carried at fair value.

     (c) Haymarket's loans, deposits and borrowed funds are generally short term
     in nature and approximate fair value.

     The following pro-forma condensed results of Century Bancorp, Inc. were
prepared as if this acquisition had taken place on January 1, 1997. The
pro-forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of
operations had the Company's acquisition of Haymarket actually occurred on
January 1, 1997.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRO-FORMA CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,1997
(unaudited)                                               Century                                 Pro-Forma       Pro-Forma
                                                        Bancorp, Inc.           Haymarket        Adjustments      Combined
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands)                                                                               
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>              <C>              <C>     
Interest income                                           $ 41,216              $ 12,842         $ (1,122)(a)     $ 52,936
Interest expense                                            15,922                 6,859                            22,781
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net interest income                                       25,294                 5,983           (1,122)          30,155
Provision for loan losses                                      660                  (841)                             (181)
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net interest income after provision for loan losses       24,634                 6,824           (1,122)          30,336
                                                                                             
Operating income                                             4,994                   200                             5,194
Operating expenses                                          18,600                 3,995              340 (b)       22,935
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Income before income taxes                                11,028                 3,029           (1,462)          12,595
Provision for income taxes                                   4,205                   890             (464)(c)        4,631
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             
  Net income                                              $  6,823              $  2,139         $   (998)        $  7,964
                                                       =====================================================================
Net income per share, basic                               $   1.18                  --               --           $   1.38
Net income per share, diluted                             $   1.17                  --               --           $   1.37
</TABLE>                                                     
                                                                              
   (a) Foregone interest on federal funds sold to finance purchase of Haymarket.

   (b) Amortization of goodwill assuming ten year amortization period.

   (c) Tax effect of the interest income adjustments.

                                       43

<PAGE>   107

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Certified Public Accountants
99 High Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CENTURY BANCORP, INC.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Century Bancorp,
Inc. and subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and
cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1997. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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 Century
Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

                                             /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


January 12, 1998


                                       44
<PAGE>   108
                                    PART III


ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The directors of the Company and their ages as of December 31, 1997 are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      NAME                                      AGE                           POSITION
<S>                                             <C>        <C>
George R. Baldwin                               54         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.,

Roger S. Berkowitz                              45         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Karl E. Case, Ph. D.                            51         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Henry L. Foster, D.V.M.                         72         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Marshall I. Goldman, Ph. D.                     67         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Russell B. Higley, Esquire                      58         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Jonathan B. Kay                                 38         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Fraser Lemley                                   57         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Joseph P. Mercurio                              49         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Joseph J. Senna, Esquire                        58         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Barry R. Sloane                                 42         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

Jonathan G. Sloane                              39         Director and Senior Vice President, Century Bancorp, Inc.; President
                                                           and COO, Century Bank and Trust Company

Marshall M. Sloane                              71         Chairman, President and CEO, Century Bancorp, Inc., Chairman and
                                                           CEO, Century Bank and Trust Company

Stephanie Sonnabend                             44         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.

George F. Swansburg                             55         Director and Executive Vice President, Century Bancorp, Inc.;
                                                           Director, Vice Chairman, Century Bank and Trust Company

Jon Westling                                    55         Director, Century Bancorp, Inc., and Century Bank and Trust Co.
</TABLE>


                                      -45-

<PAGE>   109

Mr. Baldwin became a director of the Company in 1996. He has been a Director of
Century Bank and Trust Company since January 1995. Mr. Baldwin is President and
CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. of Massachusetts. Inc.

Mr. Berkowitz became a director of the Company in 1996. He was elected a
director of Century Bank/Suffolk in 1986 and has been a director of Century Bank
and Trust Company since the banks merged in 1992. Mr. Berkowitz is President of
Legal SeaFoods, Inc.

Dr. Case became a director of the Company in 1996. Dr. Case has been a director
of Century Bank and Trust Company since March 1995. He is the Marion Butler
McLean Professor of Economics at Wellesley College and a Visiting Scholar at the
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Dr. Foster has been a director of the Company since its organization in 1972. He
was a founding director of Century Bank and Trust Company in 1969. For over 40
years he has been Chairman of the Board of Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

Dr. Goldman has been a director of the Company since its organization in 1972.
He was also a founding director of Century Bank and Trust Company in 1969. He
has been a Professor of Economics at Wellesley College since 1968 and Associate
Director of the Russian Research Center at Harvard University since 1975.

Mr. Higley became a director of the Company in 1996. He has been a director of
Century Bank and Trust Company since April 1986. Mr. Higley is an attorney.

Mr. Kay became a director of the Company in January 1997. He was also elected a
director of Century Bank and Trust Company in January 1997. Mr. Kay is President
of The Kay Companies.

Mr. Lemley became a director of the Company in 1996. He has been a director of
Century Bank and Trust Company since March 1988. Mr. Lemley is Chairman of the
Board of Sentry Ford, Inc., Sentry Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., and Sentry South
Lincoln-Mercury, Inc.

Mr. Mercurio became a director of the Company in 1991. He was formerly a
director of Century Bank and Trust Company from 1989 to 1991. He is an Executive
Vice President of Boston University.

Mr. Senna became a director of the Company in 1986. He has been a director of
Century Bank and Trust Company since 1979. Mr. Senna is an attorney.

Mr. Barry R. Sloane became a director of the Company in January 1997. He was
also elected a director of Century Bank and Trust Company in January 1997. Mr.
Sloane is Head of Private Banking (North America) at Credit Suisse Private
Banking.

Mr. Jonathan G. Sloane became a director of the Company in 1986. He was elected
President and director of Century Bank/Suffolk in 1983. In 1992 he was elected
Executive Vice President of Century Bank and Trust Company and in 1995 promoted
to Senior Executive Vice President. Mr. Sloane is currently President and COO of
Century Bank and Trust Company.

Mr. Marshall M. Sloane is the founder of the Company and has been Chairman,
President and CEO since its organization in 1972. He founded Century Bank and
Trust Company in 1969 and is currently its Chairman and CEO.

Ms. Sonnabend became a director of the Company in July 1997. She has been a
director of Century Bank and Trust Company since April 1997. Ms Sonnabend is
President of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation.

Mr. Swansburg became a director of the Company in 1986 and was elected Executive
Vice President in 1995. He was President of Century North Shore Bank and Trust
Company. In 1992 he was elected President and COO of Century Bank and Trust
Company. He is currently Vice Chairman of Century Bank and Trust Company.

Mr. Westling became a director of the Company in 1996. He has been a director of
Century Bank and Trust Company since April 1995. Mr. Westling is President of
Boston University.

All of the Company's directors are elected annually and hold office until their
successors are duly elected and qualified. There are no family relationships
between any of the directors or executive officers, except that Barry R. Sloane
and Jonathan G. Sloane are the sons of Marshall M. Sloane and Jonathan B. Kay is
the son-in-law of Marshall M. Sloane.


                                      -46-

<PAGE>   110

The Company has a Compensation and Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee
is a committee of the Board of Directors composed of Joseph P. Mercurio as
Chairman, Fraser Lemley and Roger S. Berkowitz. It reviews the salaries of the
Company's officers and administers the Company's Supplemental Executive
Insurance/Retirement Income Plan, Incentive Compensation Plan and Stock Option
Plan.

The Audit Committee is composed of Joseph Senna, Chairman and George Baldwin,
Russell B. Higley and Jon Westling. It meets with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, in connection with the annual audit of
the Company's financial statements and reviews the findings and recommendations
of the FRB, FDIC and Massachusetts Bank Commissioner's staff in connection with
their examinations and the internal audit reports and procedures for the Company
and its subsidiary.

Directors not employed by the Company receive $100 per Board meeting attended
and $200 per committee meeting attended.


ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

Executive officers are elected annually by the Board prior to the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders to serve for a one year term and until their successors are
elected and qualified. The following table sets forth the name of each executive
officer of the Company and the principal positions and offices he holds with the
Company. Unless otherwise noted, each of these officers has served as an
executive officer of the Company or its principal subsidiary for at least five
years.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
Marshall M. Sloane                                      Chairman, President and CEO; Chairman and CEO, Century Bank
                                                        and Trust Company.

George F. Swansburg                                     Director and Executive Vice President; Director and Vice Chairman, Century
                                                        Bank and Trust Company.

Jonathan G. Sloane                                      Director and Senior Vice President; Director President and COO, Century
                                                        Bank and Trust Company.

Paul V. Cusick, Jr.                                     Vice President and Treasurer;
                                                        Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
                                                        Century Bank and Trust Company.  Mr. Cusick is 53 years of age.

Donald H. Lang                                          Executive Vice President, Century Bank and Trust
                                                        Company with responsibility for lending.  Mr. Lang
                                                        is 57 years of age.

William J. Sloboda                                      Executive Vice President, Century Bank and Trust Company with
                                                        responsibility for operations.  Mr. Sloboda is 55 years of age.
</TABLE>

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Decisions on compensation of the Company's executives are generally made by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Each member of the
Compensation Committee is a non-employee director. The goal of the Committee is
to provide competitive levels of compensation in order to attract and retain
qualified executive personnel. The Compensation Committee believes that the
actions of each executive officer have the potential to affect the short and
long term profitability of the Company. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee
places considerable importance on the design and administration of the executive
compensation program.

The Company has an executive compensation program that is driven by the overall
performance of the Company, the increase in shareholder value, the performance
of the business unit directly affected by the executive and by the performance
of the individual executive. The three primary components of the executive
compensation program are base salary, cash incentive plan and stock based
incentive plans.


                                      -47-


<PAGE>   111

BASE SALARY

Base salary levels are set so that the Company has the management talent to meet
the challenges in the financial services industry. Several factors are included
in setting base salaries including the responsibilities of the executive
officer, the scope of the executive's position, individual performance and
salary levels at peer banks. Historically, the Company's executive compensation
practices have been designed to provide total compensation in the middle range
of compensation levels at similar banking institutions. Salary increases for the
senior management group have averaged 3% to 6% during the last several years.

CASH INCENTIVE PLANS

The Company has a cash incentive compensation plan which provides for the award
of bonuses up to a percentage of base salary to officers of the Company or its
subsidiaries. Recipients of incentive compensation are selected by the
Compensation Committee, upon the recommendation of management, as eligible to
participate in the plan. Awards are based upon the attainments of established
objectives including profitability, expense control, sales volume and overall
job performance. No bonuses are paid unless actual earnings are at least 85% of
budgeted net income. Upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the
Board of Directors determines the amounts, if any, to be awarded. Earned bonuses
for 1997, 1996 and 1995 are shown in the Summary Compensation Table.

STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS

One of the Compensation Committee's priorities is for executives to be
significant shareholders so that the interest of the executives are aligned with
the shareholders and decisions are made as owners of the Company. On March 10,
1987, the stockholders approved a Stock Option Plan (the "Option Plan") that the
Board of Directors adopted on February 24, 1987, that provides for grants of
options to purchase no more than 150,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. Options
may be granted, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, to officers and
other key employees of the Company. Options granted under the Option Plan may be
either incentive stock options as defined in the Internal Revenue Code or
non-qualified stock options. The Option Plan is administrated by the
Compensation Committee (whose members are ineligible to participate in the
Option Plan) which makes recommendations, based upon management's
recommendations, to the Board of Directors as to persons to whom options are to
be granted, the number of shares to be optioned to each, the option price (which
may not be less than 85% of the fair market value for non-qualified stock
options, or the fair market value for incentive stock options, of the shares on
the date of grant) and the time periods during which options are exercisable (no
more than ten years from the date of grants). In the event of a reorganization,
as defined in the Option Plan, the Board of Directors may terminate the exercise
period by giving 30 days notice to all participants, during which time all
outstanding options may be exercised. Options for 146,500 shares were granted in
1994.

EXECUTIVE BENEFITS

The Company's executive compensation package includes a special benefits
component in addition to base salary and cash and stock incentive plans. These
special benefits are viewed as less important than the above. Where such
benefits are provided, they are intended to support other business purposes
including facilitating business development efforts.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Mr. Marshall Sloane is eligible to participate in the same executive
compensation plans available to other executive officers described above. The
1997 cash compensation for Mr. Sloane was $563,460 of which $438,200 was base
salary.

CONCLUSION

The Compensation Committee believes that the executive compensation package will
motivate the management team to produce the results the Company has historically
achieved.


                                      -48-

<PAGE>   112
                            Comparison of Five-Year
                            Cumulative Total Return*

[LINE GRAPH]


Value of $100 Invested on December 31, 1992 at:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   12/31/93       12/31/94       12/31/95       12/31/96       12/31/97
<S>                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Century             115.06         267.51         342.97         450.46         621.64
Nasdaq Banks        114.04         119.27         169.27         223.41         377.44
Nasdaq U.S.         114.80         112.16         158.70         195.19         239.53
</TABLE>


* Assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's Common Stock and
each index was $100 on December 31, 1992 and that all dividends were reinvested.


                                      -49-

<PAGE>   113

SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION

The following table shows, for fiscal years ending December 31, 1995, 1996 and
1997, the cash compensation paid by the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as
certain other compensation paid, accrued or granted for those years to the five
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Long-Term Compensation
                                                                       -------------------------------------------
                                       Annual Compensation                       Awards                 Payouts
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Restricted      Securities
Name                                                                      Stock         Underlying        LTIP
and                              Salary      Bonus(1)        Other        Awards         Options/        Payouts        All Other
Principal Position      Year      ($)           ($)           ($)          ($)           SARs (#)          ($)        Compensation
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>     <C>           <C>            <C>        <C>             <C>              <C>          <C>
Marshall M. Sloane      1997    438,200       139,000          0            0               0               0              0
Chairman                1996    413,400       125,260          0            0               0               0              0
                        1995    390,000       107,250          0            0               0               0              0
George F. Swansburg     1997    191,100       50,496           0            0               0               0              0
Vice Chairman           1996    183,800       45,582           0            0               0               0              0
                        1995    173,400       39,015           0            0               0               0              0
Jonathan G. Sloane      1997    154,000       40,905           0            0               0               0              0
President               1996    148,000       36,852           0            0               0               0              0
                        1995    140,000       31,500           0            0               0               0              0
Donald H. Lang          1997    127,000       30,793           0            0               0               0              0
Executive Vice          1996    123,300       27,742           0            0               0               0              0
President               1995    118,600       23,720           0            0               0               0              0
William J. Sloboda      1997    147,900       36,827           0            0               0               0              0
Executive Vice          1996    145,000       29,000           0            0               0               0              0
President               1995    141,900       28,380           0            0               0               0              0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


(1) Bonus amounts are based on performance for the years shown.


STOCK OPTION PLAN

The Company has granted incentive stock options to purchase 126,500 shares of
Class A Common Stock, at 100% of the January 19, 1994 closing price of $3.75 per
share, to 18 officers and employees. The Company also granted incentive stock
options to purchase 20,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at $4.125 to Marshall
M. Sloane. Options granted to the aforementioned officers are as follows.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL                           NUMBER OF SHARES
- --------------------------                   ----------------
<S>                                          <C>
Marshall M. Sloane                                20,000
George F. Swansburg                               20,000
Donald H. Lang                                    15,000
Jonathan G. Sloane                                16,000
William J. Sloboda                                16,000
</TABLE>


Options for the eighteen participants have six year terms and become exercisable
in increments of 33.3% of the shares covered thereby per year, commencing in
January of 1995. Mr. Sloane's options have five year terms.


                                      -50-

<PAGE>   114

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE INSURANCE/RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN


Executive officers of the Company or its subsidiaries who have at least one year
of service may participate in the Supplemental Executive Insurance/Retirement
Income Plan (the "Supplemental Plan").

The Company maintains split dollar life insurance policies for participants, in
addition to the group term life insurance, which provides life insurance equal
to twice the individual's salary with a maximum of $200,000, which they receive
under a policy the Company maintains for its employees generally. The split
dollar insurance provides death benefits if the participant dies while in the
employ of the Company, equal to $2,191,000, $955,500, $635,000, $770,000,
$739,000 for Messrs. Marshall M. Sloane, Swansburg, Lang, Jonathan G. Sloane and
Sloboda.

Premiums paid by the Company in 1997 amounted to $87,800, $31,700, $27,600,
$8,300, $28,400, for policies on the lives of Messrs. Marshall M. Sloane,
Swansburg, Lang, Jonathan G. Sloane and Sloboda. The policies are on an
"insurance bonus" basis, which means that the Company pays the full amount of
all premiums on the policies but an amount equal to the one-year term cost of
the insurance is treated for tax purposes as a bonus to the insured. The Company
is the owner of these policies and each participating employee has received an
assignment of a portion of each policy's proceeds. Upon the death of a
participant, the Company will receive benefits equal to the difference between
the death benefits payable to the named beneficiary under the Supplemental Plan
and the face amount of the policy (less any policy loans then in force).

A participant in the Supplemental Plan is also entitled to retirement benefits.
Participants, upon retirement at age 65, after a specified number of years of
service, are entitled to receive for life, with ten years certain, 75% of their
highest 60 months salary for certain executives, or 66% of such salary if the
participants are Senior Vice Presidents and equivalents (as determined by the
Compensation Committee), less the primary social security benefits and the
benefit received from the defined benefit retirement plan. If a participant
retires or terminates employment prior to age 65 such person is entitled to a
reduced benefit. Five years of service are required for any benefits to become
vested. Thereafter benefits vest incrementally.

The following table illustrates representative annual retirement benefits at
various compensation levels for executive management employees under the
Supplemental Plan who retire at age 65 and with 15 years of service, without
reflecting the required offset of benefits from social security and the defined
benefit retirement plan.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Five Year
                            Average Compensation                       Annual Benefit
                            --------------------                       --------------
<S>                         <C>                                        <C>
                                   $ 50,000                                $ 37,500
                                    100,000                                  75,000
                                    150,000                                 112,500
                                    200,000                                 150,000
                                    250,000                                 187,500
                                    300,000                                 225,000
</TABLE>


As of January 1, 1997, Messrs. Marshall M. Sloane, Swansburg, Lang, Jonathan G.
Sloane, and Sloboda were 100%, 77.5%, 85.0%, 100%, and 100% vested,
respectively, under the Supplemental Plan.


                                      -51-

<PAGE>   115

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information as to the number and
percentage of shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock beneficially owned as
of December 31, 1997 (i) by each person known by the Company to own beneficially
more than 5% of the Company's outstanding shares of Class A or Class B Common
Stock (ii) by each of the Company's directors and certain officers; and (iii) by
all directors and officers of the Company as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF BENEFICIAL
OWNER & ADDRESS OR NUMBER                  CLASS A             % A          CLASS B        % B
OF PERSONS IN GROUP                        OWNED               OWNED         OWNED         OWNED
- ------------------------------------       ---------           -----      -----------      -----
<S>                                        <C>                 <C>        <C>              <C>
Charles J. Moore,(i)                       222,000             6.32%
The Banc Funds
208 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60604

Marshall M. Sloane,(i),(ii)                 15,973(1)          0.45%      1,714,330(2)     75.22%
400 Mystic Ave.
Medford, MA  02155

George R. Baldwin,(ii)                       5,960             0.17%
Roger S. Berkowitz,(ii)                      1,934             0.06%
Karl E. Case,(ii)                              342             0.01%
Paul V. Cusick, Jr., (ii)                    8,200             0.23%
Henry L. Foster, D.V.M.,(ii)                18,471             0.53%          1,000         0.04%
Marshall I. Goldman,(ii)                       261(3)          0.01%         30,000(4)      1.32%
Russell B. Higley, Esquire,(ii)              4,440             0.13%
Jonathan B. Kay,(ii)                         2,946             0.08%         60,000(6)      2.63%
Donald H. Lang,(ii)                          6,600             0.19%
Fraser Lemley,(ii)                           2,219             0.06%
Joseph P. Mercurio,(ii)                      1,362             0.04%
Joseph J. Senna,(ii)                         2,818             0.08%         42,000(5)      1.84%
Barry R. Sloane,(ii)                           251             0.01%
Jonathan G. Sloane,(ii)                        614             0.02%         60,000         2.63%
William J. Sloboda,(ii)                      7,009             0.20%            500         0.02%
Stephanie Sonnabend,(ii)                       126             0.00%
George F. Swansburg,(ii)                    17,100             0.49%
Jon Westling,(ii)                              385             0.01%

All directors and officers as a group
(20 in number),(iii)                       101,111             2.87%      1,907,930        83.72%
</TABLE>


(1)   Includes 2,500 shares owned by Mrs. Sloane and also includes 13,316 shares
      held in trust for Mr. Sloane's grandchildren.

(2)   Includes 1,500 shares owned by Mrs. Sloane, and does not include 120,000
      shares owned by Mr. Sloane's children. Mr. Sloane disclaims beneficial
      ownership of such 120,000 shares.

(3)   Does not include 9,000 shares held of record by Mr. Goldman's children;
      Mr. Goldman disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.

(4)   Does not include 9,000 shares held of record by Mr. Goldman's children;
      Mr. Goldman disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.

(5)   Includes 34,800 shares owned by Mrs. Senna.

(6)   Entire 60,000 shares are owned by Mrs. Kay, Marshall Sloane's daughter.


COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's Executive Officers and
Directors, and any persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the
Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership of securities with the SEC and NASDAQ. Executive Officers, Directors,
and greater than 10% stockholders (of which, to the Company's knowledge, there
currently are none) are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company's with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the
copies of such reports received by it or written representations from certain
reporting persons that no other reports were required, the corporation believes
that, during 1997, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its
Executive Officers and Directors were complied with, except that reports on
initial holdings and subsequent purchases by one director were filed late.


                                      -52-

<PAGE>   116

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         None.


                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

       (a)  (1)   Financial Statements.

                  The following financial statements of the company and its
                  subsidiaries are presented in Item 8:

                  Independent Auditors' Report

                  Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1997 and 1996

                  Consolidated Statements of Income -- Years Ended December 31,
                  1997, 1996 and 1995

                  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
                  -Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-Years Ended December 31,
                  1997, 1996 and 1995

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

            (2)   Financial Statement Schedules

                  All schedules are omitted because either the required
                  information is shown in the financial statements or notes
                  incorporated by reference, or they are not applicable, or the
                  data is not significant.

            (3)   Exhibits

                  Those exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and by
                  paragraph (C) below previously filed.

       (b)  Reports on Form 8K.

            There were no items reported on Form 8K during the last quarter of
            the period covered by this Form.

       (C)  Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

            Required exhibits previously filed

       (d)  Financial Statement required by Regulation S-X.

            Schedules to Consolidated Financial Statements required by
            Regulation S-X are not required under the related instructions or
            are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.


                                      -53-

<PAGE>   117

                                   SIGNATURES


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

                                Century Bancorp, Inc.



                                /s/ Marshall M. Sloane
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                By:  Marshall M. Sloane, Chairman, President and
                                Chief Executive Officer

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


<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
/s/ George R. Baldwin                             /s/ Barry R. Sloane
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
George R. Baldwin, Director                       Barry R. Sloane, Director


/s/ Roger S. Berkowitz                            /s/ Stephanie Sonnabend
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
Roger S. Berkowitz, Director                      Stephanie Sonnabend, Director


/s/ Karl E. Case                                  /s/ Jon Westling
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
Karl E. Case, Ph.D., Director                     Jon Westling, Director


/s/ Henry L. Foster                               /s/ Jonathan G. Sloane
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
Henry L. Foster, D.V.M., Director                 Jonathan G. Sloane, Director and Senior Vice President


/s/ Marshall I. Goldman                           /s/ Marshall M. Sloane
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
Marshall I. Goldman, Ph.D., Director              Marshall M. Sloane, Chairman, President and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer

/s/ Russell B. Higley                             /s/ George F. Swansburg
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
Russell B. Higley, Esquire, Director              George F. Swansburg, Director and Executive
                                                  Vice President

/s/ Jonathan B. Kay                               /s/ Paul V. Cusick, Jr.
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
Jonathan B. Kay, Director                         Paul V. Cusick, Jr., Vice President and Treasurer,
                                                  Principal Financial Officer

/s/ Fraser Lemley                                 /s/ Kenneth A. Samuelian
- ------------------------------------------        -------------------------------------------------------
Fraser Lemley, Director                           Kenneth A. Samuelian, Vice President, Controller and
                                                  Compliance Officer, Century Bank and Trust Company,
                                                  Principal Accounting Officer
/s/ Joseph P. Mercurio
- ------------------------------------------
Joseph P. Mercurio, Director


/s/ Joseph J. Senna
- ------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Senna, Esquire, Director
</TABLE>


                                      -54-
<PAGE>   118
TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                    PAGE

Summary..............................................................    5
Selected Consolidated Financial Data..................................  10
Risk Factors .........................................................  13
Century Bancorp, Inc..................................................  22
Century Bancorp Capital Trust.........................................  23
Use of Proceeds.......................................................  25
Market for the Preferred Securities...................................  26
Accounting Treatment..................................................  26
Capitalization........................................................  27
Description of the Preferred Securities...............................  28
Description of the Junior Subordinated
   Debentures.........................................................  38
Description of the Guarantee..........................................  46
Expense Agreement.....................................................  48
Relationship Among the Preferred Securities,
   the Junior Subordinated Debentures
   and the Guarantee..................................................  48
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences...............................  50
ERISA Considerations..................................................  53
Underwriting..........................................................  54
Legal Matters.........................................................  55
Experts...............................................................  56
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
   Reference..........................................................  57
Available Information.................................................  57

         No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations not contained in this Prospectus
in connection with the offering covered by this Prospectus. If given or made,
such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company or the Underwriters. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the Preferred
Securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful
to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor
any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication
that there has not been any change in the facts set forth in this Prospectus or
the affairs of the Company since the date hereof.


                         2,500,000 PREFERRED SECURITIES




                                 CENTURY BANCORP
                                  CAPITAL TRUST



                              ___% CUMULATIVE TRUST
                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
                           (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $10 PER
                               PREFERRED SECURITY)
                       GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY

                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                           ---------------------------





                                   $25,000,000
                     ___% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES OF
                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.






                           ---------------------------


                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 APRIL __, 1998

                           ---------------------------




                                 TUCKER ANTHONY
                                  INCORPORATED
<PAGE>   119
                 PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.   OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION (1).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     NATURE OF EXPENSE                                                AMOUNT

<S>                                                                                   <C>
SEC filing fee (2)......................................................              $  9,913
Nasdaq Listing Fee......................................................                10,000
NASD Filing Fee.........................................................                 6,000
Printing, postage and mailing...........................................                40,000
Legal fees and expenses.................................................               125,000
Accounting fees and expenses............................................                40,000
Trustees' fees and expenses.............................................                11,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar fees.......................................                10,000
Blue Sky fees and expenses..............................................                10,000
Miscellaneous...........................................................                34,000
                                                                                      --------
        TOTAL...........................................................              $295,913
                                                                                      ========
</TABLE>


- -----------------

(1) The amounts set forth above, except for the SEC and NASD fees, are in
    each case estimated.

(2) Based upon the sale of 2,875,000 Preferred Securities at $10 per
    Preferred Security.


ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Indemnification. The Company is a Massachusetts corporation. Massachusetts
General Laws Chapter 156B, Section 67 provides that a corporation may, subject
to certain limitations, indemnify its directors, officers, employees and other
agents, and persons who serve at its request as directors, officers, employees
or other agents of another organization, or who serve at its request in any
capacity with respect to any employee benefit plan, to the extent specified or
authorized by the corporation's articles of organization, a by-law adopted by
the stockholders, or a vote adopted by the holders of a majority of the shares
of stock entitled to vote on the election of directors.

     Section 67 also provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain
insurance against liability incurred by an officer or director in his capacity
as officer or director, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability.

     The Company's Articles of Organization provide that directors and officers
of the Company and each person who, at the request of or by reason of an
election effected in whole or in major part by the Company shall, be indemnified
by the Company against liabilities and expenses arising out of service for or on
behalf of the Company. The Articles provide that the indemnification provision
in the Articles does not limit any other right to indemnification existing
independently of the Articles including the discretionary power of the Board of
Directors in granting or refusing indemnification to such other personnel.

     Under the Articles, indemnification may include payment by the Company of
expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action or proceeding in
advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding, upon receipt of
an undertaking by the person indemnified to repay such payment unless the
payment of the indemnification with respect to such expenses is authorized by
the Board of Directors in accordance with the Articles. Any such indemnification
may be provided even if the person to be indemnified is no longer an officer or
director of the Company.




                                       60
<PAGE>   120
         The Articles provide that the Company is authorized to enter into
agreements with its directors and officers providing indemnification procedures
different from those set forth in the Articles, and to purchase and maintain
liability insurance for itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of
the Company.

         Limitation of Liability. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 156B,
Section 13 enables a corporation in its original articles of organization or an
amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director for
monetary damages for violations of the director's fiduciary duty, except (i) for
any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Sections
61 and 62 of Chapter 156B (providing for liability of directors for authorizing
illegal distributions and for making loans to directors, officers and certain
shareholders) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an
improper personal benefit. The Company's Articles and By-laws currently contain
no limitation of liability provisions.

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

     The following is a complete list of exhibits filed as part of this
Registration Statement.

*1.1     Underwriting Agreement, dated as of April __, 1998, by and between
         the Company and Tucker Anthony Incorporated as representative of the
         several Underwriters.

 4.1     Form of Indenture of the Company relating to the Junior Subordinated
         Debentures.

 4.2     Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture.

 4.3     Certificate of Trust of Century Bancorp Capital Trust (included as an 
         exhibit to Exhibit 4.4).

 4.4     Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Century Bancorp Capital
         Trust.

 4.5     Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Century Bancorp Capital
         Trust (included as an exhibit to Exhibit 4.4).

 4.6     Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement of the Company
         relating to the Preferred Securities.

 4.7     Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities (included as an
         exhibit to Exhibit 4.4).

*5.1     Opinion of Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP as to legality of the Junior
         Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee to be issued by the Company.

*5.2     Opinion of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell as to legality of the
         Preferred Securities to be issued by Century Bancorp Capital Trust.

*8.1     Opinion of Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP as to certain federal income tax
         matters.

 12.1    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges. 

 13.1    Annual Report on Form 10-K of Century Bancorp, Inc. for the fiscal year
         ended December 31, 1997 (the "10-K") (filed with the Commission on
         March 25, 1998) (included in Prospectus).

 23.1    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

*23.2    Consent of Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).


                                       61
<PAGE>   121
*23.3    Consent of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell (included in Exhibit
         5.2).

 24.1    Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of the Company
         (located on the signature page hereto).

 25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of State Street Bank and Trust
         Company to act as trustee under the Indenture.

 25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of State Street Bank and Trust
         Company to act as trustee under the Declaration of Trust of Century
         Bancorp Capital Trust.

 25.3    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of State Street Bank and Trust
         Company under the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Preferred
         Securities of Century Bancorp Capital Trust.

         * To be filed by amendment.



                                       62
<PAGE>   122
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each undersigned
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by each undersigned Registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer of controlling person of each
Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, each Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by the controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

         The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of
determining any liability under the Act, the information omitted from the form
of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule
430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Company pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part
of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (2)
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each post-effective
amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.




                                       63
<PAGE>   123
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-2 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the Town of Medford, Massachusetts, on April 21, 1998.

                               CENTURY BANCORP, INC.


                               By:/s/Marshall M. Sloane
                               -----------------------------------------------
                               Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

     Pursuant to the requirements of Securities Act of 1933, Century Bancorp
Capital Trust certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all the requirements for filing on Form S-2 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the Town of Medford, Massachusetts, on April 21, 1998.

                                                  CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST

                                                  By:/s/Marshall M. Sloane
                                                     ---------------------
                                                  Administrative Trustee


                                                  By:/s/Jonathan G. Sloane
                                                     ---------------------
                                                  Administrative Trustee


                                                  By:/s/Paul V. Cusick, Jr.
                                                     ---------------------
                                                  Administrative Trustee


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we, the undersigned officers and
directors of Century Bancorp, Inc. hereby severally constitute Marshall M.
Sloane and Jonathan G. Sloane and each of them singly, our true and lawful
attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and
in our names in the capacities indicated below, the Registration Statement filed
herewith and any and all amendments to said Registration Statement, and
generally to do all such things in our names and in our capacities as officers
and directors to enable Century Bancorp, Inc. to comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed
by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration Statement and any
and all amendments thereto.



                                       64
<PAGE>   124
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on April 21, 1998.

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
/s/ George R. Baldwin                       /s/ Barry R. Sloane
- ---------------------------                 ---------------------------
George R. Baldwin, Director                 Barry R. Sloane, Director

/s/ Roger S. Berkowitz                      /s/ Stephanie Sonnabend
- ---------------------------                 ---------------------------
Roger S. Berkowitz, Director                Stephanie Sonnabend, Director

/s/ Karl E. Case                            /s/ Jon Westling
- ---------------------------                 ---------------------------
Karl E. Case, Ph.D., Director               Jon Westling, Director

/s/ Henry L. Foster                         /s/ Jonathan G. Sloane
- ---------------------------                 ---------------------------
Henry L. Foster, D.V.M., Director           Jonathan G. Sloane, Director and
                                            Senior Vice President
/s/ Marshall I. Goldman
- ---------------------------                 /s/ Marshall M. Sloane
Marshall I. Goldman, Ph.D., Director        ---------------------------
                                            Marshall M. Sloane, Chairman, President
/s/ Russell B. Higley                       and Chief Executive Officer
- ---------------------------
Russell B. Higley, Esquire, Director        /s/ George F. Swansburg
                                            ---------------------------
/s/ Jonathan B. Kay                         George F. Swansburg, Director
- ---------------------------
Jonathan B. Kay, Director                   /s/ Paul V. Cusick, Jr.
                                            ---------------------------
/s/ Fraser Lemley                           Paul V. Cusick, Jr., Vice President and
- ---------------------------                 Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer
Fraser Lemley, Director
                                            /s/ Kenneth A. Samuelian
/s/ Joseph P. Mercurio                      ---------------------------
- ---------------------------                 Kenneth A. Samuelian, Vice President,
Joseph P. Mercurio, Director                Controller and Compliance Officer,
                                            Century Bank and Trust Company
/s/ Joseph J. Senna                         Principal Accounting Officer
- ---------------------------
Joseph J. Senna, Esquire, Director
</TABLE>

                                       65
<PAGE>   125
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

*1.1     Underwriting Agreement, dated as of April __, 1998, by and between
         the Company and Tucker Anthony Incorporated, as representative of the
         several Underwriters.

 4.1     Form of Indenture of the Company relating to the Junior Subordinated
         Debentures.

 4.2     Form of Junior Subordinated Debenture.

 4.3     Certificate of Trust of Century Bancorp Capital Trust (included as an 
         exhibit to Exhibit 4.4).

 4.4     Form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Century Bancorp Capital
         Trust.

 4.5     Form of Preferred Security Certificate for Century Bancorp Capital
         Trust (included as an exhibit to Exhibit 4.4).

 4.6     Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement of the Company
         relating to the Preferred Securities.

 4.7     Form of Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities (included as an
         exhibit to Exhibit 4.4).

*5.1     Opinion of Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP as to legality of the Junior
         Subordinated Debentures and the Guarantee to be issued by the Company.

*5.2     Opinion of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell as to legality of the
         Preferred Securities to be issued by Century Bancorp Capital Trust.

*8.1     Opinion of Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP as to certain federal income tax
         matters.

 12.1    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 13.1    Annual Report on Form 10-K of Century Bancorp, Inc. for the fiscal year
         ended December 31, 1997 (the "10-K") (filed with the Commission on
         March 25, 1998) (included in Prospectus).

 23.1    Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

*23.2    Consent of Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

*23.3    Consent of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell (included in Exhibit 5.2).

 24.1    Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of the Company
         (located on the signature page hereto).

 25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of State Street Bank and Trust
         Company to act as trustee under the Indenture.

 25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of State Street Bank and Trust
         Company to act as trustee under the Declaration of Trust of Century
         Bancorp Capital Trust.

 25.3    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of State Street Bank and Trust
         Company under the Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of Preferred
         Securities of Century Bancorp Capital Trust.

         * To be filed by amendment.



                                       66

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.1

                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                                       AND

                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

                                   AS TRUSTEE



                                    INDENTURE

                  ____% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE 2029

                       DATED AS OF _______________, 1998.

<PAGE>   2
                              CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

Section of
Trust Indenture Act                                                   Section of
of 1939, as amended                                                    Indenture

310(a).....................................................................9.10
310(b)................................................................9.9, 9.11
310(c)...........................................................Not Applicable
311(a).....................................................................9.14
311(b).....................................................................9.14
311(c)...........................................................Not Applicable
312(a)............................................................. 6.1, 6.2(a)
312(b).................................................................. 6.2(c)
312(c).................................................................. 6.2(c)
313(a).................................................................. 6.4(a)
313(b).................................................................. 6.4(b)
313(c)...........................................................6.4(a), 6.4(b)
313(d)...................................................................6.4(c)
314(a)...................................................................6.3(a)
314(b)...........................................................Not Applicable
314(c).....................................................................15.7
314(d)...........................................................Not Applicable
314(e).....................................................................15.7
314(f)...........................................................Not Applicable
315(a)..............................................................9.1(a), 9.3
315(b)......................................................................9.2
315(c)...................................................................9.1(a)
315(d)...................................................................9.1(b)
315(e)......................................................................7.7
316(a).................................................................1.1, 7.6
316(b)...................................................................7.4(b)
316(c)..................................................................10.1(b)
317(a)......................................................................7.2
317(b)......................................................................5.3
318(a).....................................................................15.9

Note: This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Indenture and
shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.




                                       -i-
<PAGE>   3
                                    INDENTURE

         INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 1998, between CENTURY BANCORP, INC.,
a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company") and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY, a trust company duly organized and existing under the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as trustee (the "Trustee");

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly
authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the
issuance of securities to be known as its ____% Junior Subordinated Debentures
due 2029 (hereinafter referred to as the "Debentures"), the form and substance
of such Debentures and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set
forth as provided in this Indenture; and

         WHEREAS, Century Bancorp Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory business
trust (the "Trust"), has offered to the public up to $28,750,000 aggregate
liquidation amount of its Preferred Securities (as defined herein) and proposes
to invest the proceeds from such offering, together with the proceeds of the
issuance and sale by the Trust to the Company of $889,180 aggregate liquidation
amount of its Common Securities (as defined herein), in $29,639,180 aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures; and

         WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver
this Indenture; and

         WHEREAS, all requirements necessary to make this Indenture a valid
instrument in accordance with its terms, and to make the Debentures, when
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the
valid obligations of the Company, have been performed, and the execution and
delivery of this Indenture have been duly authorized in all respects; and

         WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Debentures
are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized
the execution of this Indenture; and

         WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement
of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of
the Debentures by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as
follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures:


                                       -1-
<PAGE>   4
                                   ARTICLE I.
                                   DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1.  DEFINITIONS OF TERMS.

         The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as in this Indenture
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all
purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have
the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1 and shall include the
plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are
defined in the Trust Indenture Act, or that are by reference in the Trust
Indenture Act defined in the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the
meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities
Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument. All accounting
terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to
such terms in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

         "Accelerated Maturity Date" means if the Company elects to accelerate
the Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.2(c), the date selected by the
Company which is prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date, but is on or after June
30, 2003.

         "Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

         "Additional Senior Obligations" means all indebtedness of the Company
whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, for claims in respect of derivative products such as interest and
foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar arrangements;
provided, however, that Additional Senior Obligations does not include claims in
respect of Senior Debt or Subordinated Debt or obligations which, by their
terms, are expressly stated to be not superior in right of payment to the
Debentures or to rank pari passu in right of payment with the Debentures. For
purposes of this definition, "claim" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 101(4) of the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended.

         "Administrative Trustees" shall have the meaning set forth in the Trust
Agreement.

         "Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote 10% or
more of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interests of the
specified Person; (b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting
securities or other ownership interests are directly or indirectly owned,
controlled or held with power to vote by the specified Person; (c) any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the specified Person; (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a
general partner; (e) any officer or director of the specified Person; and (f) if
the specified Person is an individual, any entity of which the specified Person
is an officer, director or general partner.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   5
         "Authenticating Agent" means an authenticating agent with respect to
the Debentures appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.12.

         "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.

         "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
duly authorized committee of such Board.

         "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification.

         "Business Day" means, with respect to the Debentures, any day other
than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which federal or state banking
institutions in Boston, Massachusetts, are authorized or required by law,
executive order or regulation to close, or a day on which the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee or the Property Trustee is closed for business.

         "Capital Treatment Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion
of Counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters to the effect
that, as a result of any amendment to or any change (including any announced
prospective change) in the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United
States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, or as a result of any
official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
such proposed change, pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the
date of issuance of the Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is
more than an insubstantial risk of impairment of the Company's ability to treat
the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities (or any substantial
portion thereof) as "Tier 1 Capital" (or the then equivalent thereof) for
purposes of the capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve, as then
applicable to the Company, provided, however, that the inability of the Company
to treat all or any portion of the Liquidation Amount of the Preferred
Securities as Tier 1 Capital shall not constitute the basis for a Capital
Treatment Event if such inability results from the Company having cumulative
preferred capital in excess of the amount which may qualify for treatment as
Tier 1 Capital under applicable capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal
Reserve.

         "Certificate" means a certificate signed by the principal executive
officer, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer, the
treasurer or any vice president of the Company. The Certificate need not comply
with the provisions of Section 15.7.

         "Change in 1940 Act Law" shall have the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Investment Company Event."

         "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time
to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after
the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under


                                       -3-
<PAGE>   6
the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

         "Common Securities" means undivided beneficial interests in the assets
of the Trust which rank pari passu with the Preferred Securities; provided,
however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights of holders
of Common Securities to payment in respect of (i) distributions, and (ii)
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, are subordinated to the
rights of holders of Preferred Securities.

         "Company" means Century Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation , a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and, subject to the provisions of Article XII, shall also include
its successors and assigns.

         "Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

         "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which, at
any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally
administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Two International
Place, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust
Department.

         "Coupon Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

         "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

         "Debentures" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.

         "Debentureholder," "holder of Debentures," "registered holder," or
other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a
particular Debenture shall be registered on the books of the Company or the
Trustee kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

         "Debenture Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(b).

         "Debenture Registrar" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.7(b).

         "Debt" means with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or
a portion of the assets of such Person and whether or not contingent, (i) every
obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments,
including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property,
assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued
for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business); (v) every capital lease obligation of such Person; and (vi) and every
obligation of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of another Person
and all dividends of


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   7
another Person the payment of which, in either case, such Person has guaranteed
or is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor or otherwise.

         "Default" means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

         "Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

         "Dissolution Event" means that as a result of the occurrence and
continuation of a Special Event, the Trust is to be dissolved in accordance with
the Trust Agreement and the Debentures held by the Property Trustee are to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust pro rata
in accordance with the Trust Agreement.

         "Distribution" shall have the meaning set forth in the Trust Agreement.

         "Event of Default" means, with respect to the Debentures, any event
specified in Section 7.1, which has continued for the period of time, if any,
and after the giving of the notice, if any, therein designated.

         "Exchange Act," means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
as in effect at the date of execution of this instrument.

         "Extension Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

         "Federal Reserve" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.

         "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" means such accounting
principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation required
hereunder.

         "Governmental Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged; or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not
callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of
the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such Governmental
Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such
Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of
such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law)
such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable
to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of
principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such
depositary receipt.

         "Herein," "hereof," and "hereunder," and other words of similar import,
refer to this


                                       -5-
<PAGE>   8
Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other
subdivision.

         "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may
from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof.

         "Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.5.

         "Investment Company Act," means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as in effect at the date of execution of this instrument.

         "Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion
of Counsel, rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect
that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change
in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body,
court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change in 1940 Act Law"),
the Trust is or shall be considered an "investment company" that is required to
be registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in 1940 Act Law
becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred
Securities under the Trust Agreement.

         "Maturity Date" means the date on which the Debentures mature and on
which the principal shall be due and payable together with all accrued and
unpaid interest thereon including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest,
if any.

         "Ministerial Action" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

         "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or
a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the
Controller or an Assistant Controller or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Company that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms
hereof. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in
Section 15.7, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.

         "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing of legal counsel, who
may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the
Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the
statements provided for in Section 15.7, if and to the extent required by the
provisions thereof.

         "Outstanding," when used with respect to the Debentures, means, as of
the date of determination, all of the Debentures theretofore executed and
delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

         (a) the Debentures theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any Paying
Agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any Paying Agent for cancellation;

         (b) the Debentures for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has


                                       -6-
<PAGE>   9
been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the
Company) for the holders of such Debentures;

         (c) the Debentures which have been paid or in exchange for or in lieu
of which other Debentures have been executed and delivered pursuant to Section
2.7; provided, however, that in determining whether the holders of a majority or
specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures have given
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
hereunder, the Debentures owned by the Company or any other obligor on the
Debentures or any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Debentures
shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that (a) in
determining whether any Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only the
Debentures that such Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded; and
(b) for the purposes hereof, the Trust shall be deemed not to be controlled by
the Company. The Debentures so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Debentures and the
pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other
obligor.

         "Paying Agent" means any paying agent or co-paying agent appointed
pursuant to Section 5.3.

         "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint-venture,
trust, limited liability company, joint-stock company, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

         "Predecessor Debenture" means every previous Debenture evidencing all
or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Debenture;
and, for the purposes of this definition, any Debenture authenticated and
delivered under Section 2.9 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Debenture
shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen
Debenture.

         "Preferred Securities" means undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by the
Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
rights of holders of Common Securities to payment in respect of (i)
distributions, and (ii) payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise, are
subordinated to the rights of holders of Preferred Securities.

         "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means any guarantee that the Company
may enter into with the Trustee or other Persons that operates directly or
indirectly for the benefit of holders of Preferred Securities.

         "Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in the Trust Agreement.

         "Responsible Officer" when used with respect to the Trustee means the
Chairman of the


                                       -7-
<PAGE>   10
Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the
Treasurer, any trust officer, any corporate trust officer or any other officer
or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to
those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers,
respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his
or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

         "Scheduled Maturity Date" means June 30, 2029.

         "Securities Act," means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in
effect at the date of execution of this instrument.

         "Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or
not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on
Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred, unless, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant
to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not
superior in right of payment to the Debentures or to other Debt which is pari
passu with, or subordinated to, the Debentures; provided, however, that Senior
Debt shall not be deemed to include (i) any Debt of the Company which when
incurred and without respect to any election under section 1111(b) of the United
States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, was without recourse to the Company;
(ii) any Debt of the Company to any of its subsidiaries; (iii) Debt to any
employee of the Company; (iv) Debt which by its terms is subordinated to trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business to the extent that payments made to the holders of such Debt by the
holders of the Debentures as a result of the subordination provisions of this
Indenture would be greater than they otherwise would have been as a result of
any obligation of such holders to pay amounts over to the obligees on such trade
accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business as a result of subordination provisions to which such Debt is subject;
and (v) Debt which constitutes Subordinated Debt.

         "Senior Indebtedness" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.1.

         "Special Event" means a Tax Event, a Capital Treatment Event or an
Investment Company Event.

         "Subordinated Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or
not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on
Debt (other than the Debentures), whether incurred on or prior to the date of
this Indenture or thereafter incurred, which is by its terms expressly provided
to be junior and subordinate to other Debt of the Company (other than the
Debentures).

         "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation at
least a majority of whose outstanding Voting Stock shall at the time be owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or
by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries; (ii)


                                       -8-
<PAGE>   11
any general partnership, joint venture, trust or similar entity, at least a
majority of whose outstanding partnership or similar interests shall at the time
be owned by such Person, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such
Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) any limited partnership of
which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a general partner.

         "Tax Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion of Counsel,
rendered by a law firm experienced in such matters, to the effect that, as a
result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective
change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, or as a result of
any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or
applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of issuance of
the Preferred Securities under the Trust Agreement, there is more than an
insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is, or shall be within 90 days after the
date of such Opinion of Counsel, subject to United States federal income tax
with respect to income received or accrued on the Debentures; (ii) interest
payable by the Company on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days after the
date of such Opinion of Counsel, shall not be, deductible by the Company, in
whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or (iii) the
Trust is, or shall be within 90 days after the date of such Opinion of Counsel,
subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties, assessments or
other governmental charges. The Trust or the Company shall request and receive
such Opinion of Counsel with regard to such matters within a reasonable period
of time after the Trust or the Company shall have become aware of the possible
occurrence of any of the events described in clauses (i) through (iii) above.

         "Trust" means Century Bancorp Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory
business trust.

         "Trust Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated
____________, 1998, of the Trust.

         "Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust Company and, subject to the
provisions of Article IX, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if
at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder,
"Trustee" shall mean each such Person.

         "Trust Indenture Act," means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, subject to the provisions of Sections 11.1, 11.2, and 12.1, as in
effect at the date of execution of this instrument.

         "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and Preferred
Securities, collectively.

         "Voting Stock," as applied to stock of any Person, means shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however
designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power for the election of a
majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such Person, other than shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents having such power only by reason
of the occurrence of a contingency.



                                       -9-
<PAGE>   12
                                   ARTICLE II.
                      ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, CONDITIONS
                   REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF THE DEBENTURES

SECTION 2.1 DESIGNATION AND PRINCIPAL AMOUNT.

         There is hereby authorized Debentures designated the "___% Subordinated
Debentures due 2029," limited in aggregate principal amount up to $29,639,130,
which amount shall be as set forth in any written order of the Company for the
authentication and delivery of Debentures pursuant to Section 2.6.

SECTION 2.2.  MATURITY.

         (a)  The Maturity Date shall be either:

                  (i)  the Scheduled Maturity Date; or

                  (ii) if the Company elects to accelerate the Maturity Date to
         be a date prior to the Scheduled Maturity Date in accordance with
         Section 2.2(b), the Accelerated Maturity Date.

         (b) The Company may, on one occasion, at any time before the day which
is 90 days before the Scheduled Maturity Date and on or after June 30, 2003,
elect to shorten the Maturity Date to the Accelerated Maturity Date provided
that the Company has received the prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.

         (c) If the Company elects to accelerate the Maturity Date in accordance
with Section 2.2(b), the Company shall give notice to the registered holders of
the Debentures, the Property Trustee and the Trust of the acceleration of the
Maturity Date and the Accelerated Maturity Date at least 90 days and no more
than 180 days before the Accelerated Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.3.  FORM AND PAYMENT.

         The Debentures shall be issued in fully registered certificated form
without interest coupons. Principal and interest on the Debentures issued in
certificated form shall be payable, the transfer of such Debentures shall be
registrable and such Debentures shall be exchangeable for Debentures bearing
identical terms and provisions at the office or agency of the Trustee; provided,
however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
check mailed to the holder at such address as shall appear in the Debenture
Register or by wire transfer to an account maintained by the holder as specified
in the Debenture Register, provided that the holder provides proper transfer
instructions by the regular record date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long
as the holder of any Debentures is the Property Trustee, the payment of the
principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and Additional
Interest, if any) on such Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made
at such place and to such account as may


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   13
be designated by the Property Trustee.

SECTION 2.4.  [Intentionally Omitted]

SECTION 2.5.  INTEREST.

         (a) Each Debenture shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum
(the "Coupon Rate") from the original date of issuance until the principal
thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (to the extent
that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded quarterly,
payable (subject to the provisions of Article IV) quarterly in arrears on March
31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year (each, an "Interest
Payment Date," commencing on September 30, 1998), to the Person in whose name
such Debenture or any Predecessor Debenture is registered, at the close of
business on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall
be the fifteenth day of the last month of the calendar quarter.

         (b) The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest
payable for any period shorter than a full quarterly period for which interest
is computed shall be computed on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which
interest is payable on the Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of
interest payable on such date shall be made on the next succeeding day which is
a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was
originally payable.

         (c) If, at any time while the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Debentures, the Trust or the Property Trustee is required to pay any taxes,
duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than
withholding taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other taxing authority,
then, in any case, the Company shall pay as additional interest ("Additional
Interest") on the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, such additional
amounts as shall be required so that the net amounts received and retained by
the Trust and the Property Trustee after paying such taxes, duties, assessments
or other governmental charges shall be equal to the amounts the Trust and the
Property Trustee would have received had no such taxes, duties, assessments or
other government charges been imposed.

SECTION 2.6.  EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATIONS.

         (a) The Debentures shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its
Chief Executive Officer, President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its
corporate seal attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries.
Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature. The Company
may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been a Chief
Executive Officer, President or Vice President thereof, or of any Person who
shall have been a Secretary or Assistant Secretary thereof, notwithstanding the
fact that at the time the Debentures shall be authenticated and delivered or
disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be the Chief Executive Officer,
President or a Vice President, or the Secretary or an Assistant


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   14
Secretary, of the Company. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a
facsimile of such seal and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise
reproduced on the Debentures. The Debentures may contain such notations, legends
or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Debenture
shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.

         (b) A Debenture shall not be valid until manually authenticated by an
authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Debenture so authenticated has
been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled
to the benefits of this Indenture.

         (c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery
of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Debentures executed by the Company to
the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for
the authentication and delivery of such Debentures signed by its Chief Executive
Officer, President or any Vice President and its Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall
authenticate and deliver such Debentures.

         (d) In authenticating such Debentures and accepting the additional
responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debentures, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 9.1) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the form and
terms thereof have been established in conformity with the provisions of this
Indenture.

         (e) The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Debentures
if the issue of such Debentures pursuant to this Indenture shall affect the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Debentures and this
Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.

SECTION 2.7.  REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

         (a) Debentures may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office
or agency of the Company designated for such purpose in Boston, Massachusetts ,
or at the office of the Debenture Registrar, for other Debentures and for a like
aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section
2.7. In respect of any Debentures so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall
execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver
in exchange therefor the Debenture or Debentures that the Debentureholder making
the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously
outstanding.

         (b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or
agency designated for such purpose in Boston, Massachusetts, or at the office of
the Debenture Registrar, or such other location designated by the Company a
register or registers (herein referred to as the "Debenture Register") in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall
register the Debentures and the transfers of Debentures as in this Article II
provided and which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the
Trustee. The registrar for the


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   15
purpose of registering Debentures and transfer of Debentures as herein provided
shall initially be the Trustee and thereafter as may be appointed by the Company
as authorized by Board Resolution (the "Debenture Registrar"). Upon surrender
for transfer of any Debenture at the office or agency of the Company designated
for such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and
such office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees
a new Debenture or Debentures for a like aggregate principal amount. All
Debentures presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as
provided in this Section 2.7, shall be accompanied (if so required by the
Company or the Debenture Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Debenture Registrar, duly
executed by the registered holder or by such holder's duly authorized attorney
in writing.

         (c) No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of
transfer of Debentures, or issue of new Debentures in case of partial
redemption, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges
pursuant to Section 2.8, Section 3.5(b) and Section 11.4 not involving any
transfer.

         (d) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or
register the transfer of any Debentures during a period beginning at the opening
of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
less than all the Outstanding Debentures and ending at the close of business on
the day of such mailing; nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any
Debentures or portions thereof called for redemption.

SECTION 2.8.  TEMPORARY DEBENTURES.

         Pending the preparation of definitive Debentures, the Company may
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Debentures
(printed, lithographed, or typewritten). Such temporary Debentures shall be
substantially in the form of the definitive Debentures in lieu of which they are
issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate
for temporary Debentures, all as may be determined by the Company. Every
temporary Debenture shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the
Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with
like effect, as the definitive Debentures. Without unnecessary delay the Company
shall execute and shall furnish definitive Debentures and thereupon any or all
temporary Debentures may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to
the holders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose
in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or
agency shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Debentures an equal
aggregate principal amount of definitive Debentures, unless the Company advises
the Trustee to the effect that definitive Debentures need not be executed and
furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Debentures shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture
as definitive Debentures authenticated and delivered hereunder.





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   16
SECTION 2.9.  MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN DEBENTURES.

         (a) In case any temporary or definitive Debenture shall become
mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next
succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Company's request the Trustee
(subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Debenture bearing a
number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the
mutilated Debenture, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Debenture so
destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted
Debenture shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in
every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to
the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction,
loss or theft of the applicant's Debenture and of the ownership thereof. The
Trustee shall authenticate any such substituted Debenture and deliver the same
upon the written request or authorization of the Chairman, President or any Vice
President and the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Upon the
issuance of any substituted Debenture, the Company may require the payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed
in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of
the Trustee) connected therewith. In case any Debenture that has matured or is
about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the
Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Debenture, pay or authorize the
payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated
Debenture) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and
the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save them
harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the
satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of
such Debenture and of the ownership thereof.

         (b) Every replacement Debenture issued pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 2.9 shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the
Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debenture shall
be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all
the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Debentures duly issued hereunder. All Debentures shall be held and owned
upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with
respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Debentures, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights
or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to
the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable
instruments or other securities without their surrender.

SECTION 2.10.  CANCELLATION.

         All Debentures surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption,
exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any
Paying Agent, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered
to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debentures shall be issued in
lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions
of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the
Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Debentures held by the Trustee. In
the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Debentures in
accordance with its standard


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   17
procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. If the
Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Debentures, however, such acquisition
shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness
represented by such Debentures unless and until the same are delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation.

SECTION 2.11.  BENEFIT OF INDENTURE.

         Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debentures, express or implied,
shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto
and the holders of the Debentures (and, with respect to the provisions of
Article XVI, the holders of Senior Indebtedness) any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant,
condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and
provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders
of the Debentures (and, with respect to the provisions of Article XVI, the
holders of Senior Indebtedness).

SECTION 2.12.  AUTHENTICATION AGENT.

         (a) So long as any of the Debentures remain Outstanding there may be an
Authenticating Agent for any or all such Debentures, which the Trustee shall
have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act
on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Debentures issued upon exchange,
transfer or partial redemption thereof, and Debentures so authenticated shall be
entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for
all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in
this Indenture to the authentication of Debentures by the Trustee shall be
deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating
Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a
combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it,
sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in
which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise
authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these
provisions, it shall resign immediately.

         (b) Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any
time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any
Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or
cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an
eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor
Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become
vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if
originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.






                                      -15-
<PAGE>   18
                                  ARTICLE III.
                            REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES

SECTION 3.1.  REDEMPTION.

         Subject to the Company having received prior approval of the Federal
Reserve, if then required under the applicable capital guidelines or policies of
the Federal Reserve, the Company may redeem the Debentures issued hereunder on
and after the dates set forth in and in accordance with the terms of this
Article III.

SECTION 3.2.  SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION.

         Subject to the Company having received the prior approval of the
Federal Reserve, if then required under the applicable capital guidelines or
policies of the Federal Reserve, if a Special Event has occurred and is
continuing, then, notwithstanding Section 3.3(a) but subject to Section 3.3(b),
the Company shall have the right upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60
days notice to the holders of the Debentures to redeem the Debentures, in whole
but not in part, for cash within 180 days following the occurrence of such
Special Event (the "180-Day Period") at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to
the date of such redemption (the "Redemption Price"), provided that if at the
time there is available to the Company the opportunity to eliminate, within the
180-Day Period, a Tax Event by taking some ministerial action (a "Ministerial
Action"), such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other
similar reasonable measure which has no adverse effect on the Company, the Trust
or the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust, the Company shall
pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption, and, provided further,
that the Company shall have no right to redeem the Debentures while the Trust is
pursuing any Ministerial Action pursuant to its obligations hereunder. The
Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, Boston time, on the date of
such redemption or such earlier time as the Company determines, provided that
the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the
Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., Boston time, on the date such Redemption Price
is to be paid.

SECTION 3.3.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY COMPANY.

         (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3(b), except as otherwise
may be specified in this Indenture, the Company shall have the right to redeem
the Debentures, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after June 30,
2003, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed
plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of such redemption,
plus Deferred Interest, if any. Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.3(a)
shall be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice to the
holder of the Debentures, at the Redemption Price. If the Debentures are only
partially redeemed pursuant to this Section 3.3, the Debentures shall be
redeemed pro rata or by lot or in such other manner as the Trustee shall deem
appropriate and fair in its discretion. The Redemption Price shall be paid prior
to 12:00 noon, Boston time, on the date of such redemption or at such earlier
time as the Company determines provided that the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee an amount sufficient to pay


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   19
the Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., Boston time, on the date such Redemption
Price is to be paid.

         (b) If a partial redemption of the Debentures would result in the
delisting of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust from The Nasdaq Stock
Market's National Market or any national securities exchange or other
organization on which the Preferred Securities are then listed, the Company
shall not be permitted to effect such partial redemption and may only redeem the
Debentures in whole.

SECTION 3.4.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

         (a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem
all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Debentures in accordance with the
right reserved so to do, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to upon
receipt of 45 days' written notice from the Company (which notice shall, in the
event of a partial redemption, include a representation to the effect that such
partial redemption shall not result in the delisting of the Preferred Securities
as described in Section 3.3(b) above), give notice of such redemption to holders
of the Debentures to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid, a
notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before
the date fixed for redemption to such holders at their last addresses as they
shall appear upon the Debenture Register unless a shorter period is specified in
the Debentures to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give
such notice to the holder of any Debenture designated for redemption in whole or
in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any other Debentures. In the case of any
redemption of Debentures prior to the expiration of any restriction on such
redemption provided in the terms of such Debentures or elsewhere in this
Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
evidencing compliance with any such restriction. Each such notice of redemption
shall specify the date fixed for redemption and the Redemption Price and shall
state that payment of the Redemption Price shall be made at the office or agency
of the Company in Boston, Massachusetts or at the Corporate Trust Office, upon
presentation and surrender of such Debentures, that interest accrued to the date
fixed for redemption shall be paid as specified in said notice and that from and
after said date interest shall cease to accrue. If less than all the Debentures
are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of the Debentures shall specify
the particular Debentures to be redeemed. If the Debentures are to be redeemed
in part only, the notice shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof
to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon
surrender of such Debenture, a new Debenture or Debentures in principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued.

         (b) If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Company
shall give the Trustee at least 45 days' notice in advance of the date fixed for
redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Debentures to be redeemed,
and thereupon the Trustee shall select, by lot or in such other manner as it
shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion, the portion or portions
(equal to $10 or any integral multiple thereof) of the Debentures to be redeemed
and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of
the Debentures to be


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   20
redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so
elect pursuant to the terms hereof, by delivery of instructions signed on its
behalf by its President or any Vice President, instruct the Trustee or any
Paying Agent to call all or any part of the Debentures for redemption and to
give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section 3.4, such
notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such
Paying Agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to
be given by the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, the Company shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such Paying
Agent, as the case may be, such Debenture Register, transfer books or other
records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the
Trustee or such Paying Agent to give any notice by mail that may be required
under the provisions of this Section 3.4.

SECTION 3.5.  PAYMENT UPON REDEMPTION.

         (a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as
above provided, the Debentures or portions of Debentures to be redeemed
specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the
place stated in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price, and interest on
such Debentures or portions of Debentures shall cease to accrue on and after the
date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of
such Redemption Price with respect to any such Debenture or portion thereof. On
presentation and surrender of such Debentures on or after the date fixed for
redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Debentures
shall be paid and redeemed at the Redemption Price (but if the date fixed for
redemption is an Interest Payment Date, the interest installment payable on such
date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the
applicable record date pursuant to Section 3.3).

         (b) Upon presentation of any Debenture that is to be redeemed in part
only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the
office or agency where the Debenture is presented shall deliver to the holder
thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Debenture of authorized
denomination in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
Debenture so presented.

SECTION 3.6.  NO SINKING FUND.

         The Debentures are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

                                   ARTICLE IV.
                      EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

SECTION 4.1.  EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD.

         So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term
of the Debentures, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period of such Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive
quarters (the "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no


                                      -18-
<PAGE>   21
interest shall be due and payable; provided that no Extension Period may extend
beyond the Maturity Date. Interest, the payment of which has been deferred
because of the extension of the interest payment period pursuant to this Section
4.1, shall bear interest thereon at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly for
each quarter of the Extension Period ("Compounded Interest"). At the end of the
Extension Period, the Company shall calculate (and deliver such calculation to
the Trustee) and pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the Debentures,
including any Additional Interest and Compounded Interest (together, "Deferred
Interest") that shall be payable to the holders of the Debentures in whose names
the Debentures are registered in the Debenture Register on the first record date
after the end of the Extension Period. Before the termination of any Extension
Period, the Company may further extend such period, provided that such period
together with all such further extensions thereof shall not exceed 20
consecutive quarters, or extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Debentures. Upon
the termination of any Extension Period and upon the payment of all Deferred
Interest then due, the Company may commence a new Extension Period, subject to
the foregoing requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an
Extension Period, except at the end thereof, but the Company may prepay at any
time all or any portion of the interest accrued during an Extension Period.

SECTION 4.2.  NOTICE OF EXTENSION.

         (a) If the Property Trustee is the only registered holder of the
Debentures at the time the Company selects an Extension Period, the Company
shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the Property Trustee
and the Trustee of its selection of such Extension Period two Business Days
before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding date on which Distributions on the
Trust Securities issued by the Trust are payable; or (ii) the date the Trust is
required to give notice of the record date, or the date such Distributions are
payable, to The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or other applicable
self-regulatory organization or to holders of the Preferred Securities issued by
the Trust, but in any event at least one Business Day before such record date.

         (b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Debentures at
the time the Company selects an Extension Period, the Company shall give the
holders of the Debentures and the Trustee written notice of its selection of
such Extension Period at least two Business Days before the earlier of (i) the
next succeeding Interest Payment Date; or (ii) the date the Company is required
to give notice of the record or payment date of such interest payment to The
Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or other applicable self-regulatory
organization or to holders of the Debentures.

         (c) The quarter in which any notice is given pursuant to paragraphs (a)
or (b) of this Section 4.2 shall be counted as one of the 20 quarters permitted
in the maximum Extension Period permitted under Section 4.1.

SECTION 4.3.  LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS.

         If (i) the Company shall exercise its right to defer payment of
interest as provided in Section 4.1; or (ii) there shall have occurred any Event
of Default, then (a) the Company shall


                                      -19-
<PAGE>   22
not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or
redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of
its capital stock; (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest,
principal or premium, if any, or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities
issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures; or
make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of the
debt securities of any subsidiary of the Company if such guarantee ranks pari
passu with or junior in interest to the Debentures; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing the Company may make payments pursuant to its
obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (c) the Company shall
not redeem, purchase or acquire less than all of the Outstanding Debentures or
any of the Preferred Securities.

                                   ARTICLE V.
                       PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

SECTION 5.1.  PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.

         The Company shall duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the
principal of and interest on the Debentures at the time and place and in the
manner provided herein. Each such payment of the principal of and interest on
the Debentures shall relate only to the Debentures, shall not be combined with
any other payment of the principal of or interest on any other obligation of the
Company, and shall be clearly and unmistakably identified as pertaining to the
Debentures.

SECTION 5.2.  MAINTENANCE OF AGENCY.

         So long as any of the Debentures remain Outstanding, the Company shall
maintain an office or agency in Boston, Massachusetts, and at such other
location or locations as may be designated as provided in this Section 5.2,
where (i) Debentures may be presented for payment; (ii) Debentures may be
presented as hereinabove authorized for registration of transfer and exchange;
and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Debentures and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to
continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by
written notice signed by its President or a Vice President and delivered to the
Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them.
If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or
agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such
presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent
to receive all such presentations, notices and demands. In addition to any such
office or agency, the Company may from time to time designate one or more
offices or agencies outside of Boston, Massachusetts, where the Debentures may
be presented for registration or transfer and for exchange in the manner
provided herein, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation
as the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain any such office or agency in


                                      -20-
<PAGE>   23
Boston, Massachusetts, for the purposes above mentioned. The Company shall give
the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

SECTION 5.3.  PAYING AGENTS.

         (a) The Property Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent. If the Company
shall appoint one or more paying agents for the Debentures, other than the
Property Trustee, the Company shall cause each such paying agent to execute and
deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the
Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3:

                  (i) that it shall hold all sums held by it as such agent for
         the payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures (whether
         such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor
         of such Debentures) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
         thereto;

                  (ii) that it shall give the Trustee notice of any failure by
         the Company (or by any other obligor of such Debentures) to make any
         payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures when the same
         shall be due and payable;

                  (iii) that it shall, at any time during the continuance of any
         failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(ii) above, upon the
         written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums
         so held in trust by such Paying Agent; and

                  (iv) that it shall perform all other duties of Paying Agent as
         set forth in this Indenture.

         (b) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent with respect to
the Debentures, it shall on or before each due date of the principal of or
interest on such Debentures, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal
or interest so becoming due on Debentures until such sums shall be paid to such
Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and shall promptly notify
the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such
Debentures) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more
Paying Agents for the Debentures, it shall, prior to each due date of the
principal of or interest on any Debentures, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum
sufficient to pay the principal or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held
in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal or interest,
and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify
the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.

         (c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.3 to the contrary, (i)
the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 5.3 is subject
to the provisions of Section 13.3 and 13.4; and (ii) the Company may at any
time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any Paying Agent to pay, to
the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such
sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon
which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such
payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying


                                      -21-
<PAGE>   24
Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

SECTION 5.4.  APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.

         The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the
office of Trustee, shall appoint, in the manner provided in Section 9.11, a
Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 5.5.  COMPLIANCE WITH CONSOLIDATION PROVISIONS.

         The Company shall not, while any of the Debentures remain Outstanding,
consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or
substantially all of its property to any other company unless the provisions of
Article XII hereof are complied with.

SECTION 5.6.  LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS.

         If Debentures are issued to the Trust or a trustee of the Trust in
connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Trust and (i) there
shall have occurred any event that would constitute an Event of Default; (ii)
the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations
under the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating to the Trust; or (iii) the
Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on
such Debentures by extending the interest payment period as provided in this
Indenture and such Extension Period, or any extension thereof, shall be
continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make
any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock; (b) the Company
shall not make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, or repay,
repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Company which rank pari
passu with or junior to the Debentures; provided, however, that the Company may
make payments pursuant to its obligations under the Preferred Securities
Guarantee; and (c) the Company shall not redeem, purchase or acquire less than
all of the Outstanding Debentures or any of the Preferred Securities.

SECTION 5.7.  COVENANTS AS TO THE TRUST.

         For so long as the Trust Securities of the Trust remain outstanding,
the Company shall (i) maintain 100% direct or indirect ownership of the Common
Securities of the Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the
Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of the
Common Securities; (ii) not voluntarily terminate, wind up or liquidate the
Trust, except upon prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then so required
under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve; (iii)
use its reasonable efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a business trust,
except in connection with a distribution of Debentures, the redemption of all of
the Trust Securities of the Trust or certain mergers, consolidations or
amalgamations, each as permitted by the Trust Agreement; and (b) to otherwise
continue not to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or
partnership for United States federal income tax purposes; and (iv) use its
reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as
owning an individual beneficial interest in the Debentures. In


                                      -22-
<PAGE>   25
connection with the distribution of the Debentures to the holders of the
Preferred Securities issued by the Trust upon a Dissolution Event, the Company
shall use its best efforts to list such Debentures on The Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market or on such other exchange as the Preferred Securities are then
listed.

SECTION 5.8.  COVENANTS AS TO PURCHASES.

         Except upon the exercise by the Company of its right to redeem the
Debentures pursuant to Section 3.2 upon the occurrence and continuation of a
Special Event, the Company shall not purchase any Debentures, in whole or in
part, from the Trust prior to June 30, 2003.

                                   ARTICLE VI.
                       DEBENTUREHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
                         BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 6.1.  COMPANY TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF
DEBENTUREHOLDERS.

         The Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a)
on a quarterly basis on each regular record date (as described in Section 2.5) a
list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the holders of the Debentures as of such regular record date,
provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish
such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the
most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company (in the event the
Company fails to provide such list on a monthly basis, the Trustee shall be
entitled to rely on the most recent list provided by the Company); and (b) at
such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the
receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content
as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished if the
Trustee shall be the Debenture Registrar.

SECTION 6.2.  PRESERVATION OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS WITH
DEBENTUREHOLDERS.

         (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of
Debentures contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in
Section 6.1 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Debentures received
by the Trustee in its capacity as Debenture Registrar for the Debentures (if
acting in such capacity).

         (b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 6.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

         (c) Debentureholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act with other Debentureholders with respect to their rights
under this Indenture or under the Debentures.


                                      -23-
<PAGE>   26
SECTION 6.3.  REPORTS BY THE COMPANY.

         (a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within
15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission,
copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports
(or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from
time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be
required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information,
documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the
Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations
prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and
periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to
Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on
a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such
rules and regulations.

         (b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the
Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from to time
by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with
respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided
for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and
regulations.

         (c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail, first class
postage prepaid, or reputable overnight delivery service that provides for
evidence of receipt, to the Debentureholders, as their names and addresses
appear upon the Debenture Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with
the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required
to be filed by the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section
6.3 as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by
the Commission.

SECTION 6.4.  REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.

         (a) On or before July 15 in each year in which any of the Debentures
are Outstanding, the Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Debentureholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the
Debenture Register, a brief report dated as of the preceding May 15, if and to
the extent required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

         (b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the
Trust Indenture Act.

         (c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Debentureholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each stock
exchange upon which any Debentures are listed (if so listed) and also with the
Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Debentures become
listed on any stock exchange.





                                      -24-
<PAGE>   27
                                  ARTICLE VII.
                  REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND DEBENTUREHOLDERS
                               ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

SECTION 7.1.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

         (a) Whenever used herein with respect to the Debentures, "Event of
Default" means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is
continuing:

                  (i) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of
         interest upon any of the Debentures, as and when the same shall become
         due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30
         days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment
         period by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
         shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this
         purpose;

                  (ii) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal on
         the Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable
         whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise;
         provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such
         Debentures in accordance with the terms of this Indenture shall not
         constitute a default in the payment of principal;

                  (iii) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its
         covenants or agreements with respect to the Debentures for a period of
         90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure,
         requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a
         "Notice of Default" hereunder, shall have been given to the Company by
         the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or to the Company and the
         Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
         Debentures at the time Outstanding;

                  (iv) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any
         Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case; (ii) consents to the
         entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case; (iii)
         consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or
         substantially all of its property; or (iv) makes a general assignment
         for the benefit of its creditors;

                  (v) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under
         any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an
         involuntary case; (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or
         substantially all of its property; or (iii) orders the liquidation of
         the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for
         90 days; or

                  (vi) the Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily
         dissolved, wound-up its business or otherwise terminated its existence
         except in connection with (i) the distribution of Debentures to holders
         of Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests in the Trust;
         (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities of the
         Trust; or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each
         as permitted by the Trust Agreement.


                                      -25-
<PAGE>   28
         (b) In each and every such case, unless the principal of all the
Debentures shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the
Trustee if given by such Debentureholders) may declare the principal of all the
Debentures to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the
same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, notwithstanding
anything contained in this Indenture or in the Debentures.

         (c) At any time after the principal of the Debentures shall have been
so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment
of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided,
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then
Outstanding hereunder, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may
rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has
paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured
installments of interest upon all the Debentures and the principal of any and
all Debentures that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with
interest upon such principal, and upon overdue installments of interest, at the
rate per annum expressed in the Debentures to the date of such payment or
deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7; and (ii) any
and all Events of Default under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of
principal on Debentures that shall not have become due by their terms, shall
have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 7.6. No such rescission and
annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any
right consequent thereon.

         (d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with
respect to Debentures under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been
discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any
other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in
every such case the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to
their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers
of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had
been taken.

SECTION 7.2.  COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY
TRUSTEE.

         (a) The Company covenants that (1) in case it shall default in the
payment of any installment of interest on any of the Debentures, and such
default shall have continued for a period of 90 Business Days; or (2) in case it
shall default in the payment of the principal of any of the Debentures when the
same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Debentures
or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the
Trustee, the Company shall pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of
the Debentures, the whole amount that then shall have been become due and
payable on all such Debentures for principal or interest, or both, as the case
may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and upon overdue installments
of interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Debentures; and (if the
Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, without duplication
of any other amounts paid by the Trust or trustee in respect thereof) upon
overdue installments of interest at


                                      -26-
<PAGE>   29
the rate per annum expressed in the Debentures; and, in addition thereto, such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of
collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7.

         (b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts set forth in Section
7.2(a) forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee
of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or
proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and
unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final
decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or
other obligor upon the Debentures and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to
be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or
other obligor upon the Debentures, wherever situated.

         (c) In case of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, composition or judicial proceedings
affecting the Company or the creditors or property thereof, the Trustee shall
have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may
be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law)
be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may
be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the
holders of the Debentures allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the
Company under this Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and
for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after
such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of
the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7; and any receiver, assignee
or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the
holders of the Debentures to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the
event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
such Debentureholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section
9.7.

         (d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture,
or under any of the terms established with respect to Debentures, may be
enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Debentures, or the
production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any
such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own
name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 9.7, be
for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Debentures. In case of an Event of
Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and
enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial
proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any
of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise,
whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in
this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture,
or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this
Indenture or by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any
Debentureholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Debentures or the rights of any holder thereof or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of


                                      -27-
<PAGE>   30
the claim of any Debentureholder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 7.3.  APPLICATION OF MONEYS COLLECTED.

         Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VII with
respect to the Debentures shall be applied in the following order, at the date
or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on
account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Debentures, and
notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender
thereof if fully paid:

         FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and of all
amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 9.7;

         SECOND: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and
to the extent required by Article XVI; and

          THIRD: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the
     Debentures for principal and interest, in respect of which or for the
     benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference
     or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such
     Debentures for principal and interest, respectively.

SECTION 7.4.  LIMITATION ON SUITS.

         (a) Except as provided in Section 15.13 hereof, no holder of any
Debenture shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this
Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon
or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver
or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously
shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the
continuance thereof with respect to the Debentures specifying such Event of
Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then Outstanding shall have made
written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in
its own name as trustee hereunder; (iii) such holder or holders shall have
offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the
costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby; and (iv) the
Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of
indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding;
and (v) during such 60 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Debentures do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the
request.

         (b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any
other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of the Debentures to
receive payment of the principal of and interest on the Debentures, as therein
provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debenture (or
in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption
date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and
by accepting a Debenture


                                      -28-
<PAGE>   31
hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and
holder of every Debenture with every other such taker and holder and the
Trustee, that no one or more holders of Debentures shall have any right in any
manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to
affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such
Debentures, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any
other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the
manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all
holders of Debentures. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of
this Section 7.4, each and every Debentureholder and the Trustee shall be
entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

SECTION 7.5.  RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT
WAIVER.

         (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.9, all powers and
remedies given by this Article VII to the Trustee or to the Debentureholders
shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of
any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the
Debentures, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or
observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or
otherwise established with respect to such Debentures.

         (b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the
Debentures to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default
occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or
shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence
therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, every power and remedy
given by this Article VII or by law to the Trustee or the Debentureholders may
be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by
the Trustee or by the Debentureholders.

SECTION 7.6.  CONTROL BY DEBENTUREHOLDERS.

         The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 10.4,
shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee; provided, however, that such direction shall not
be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture. Subject to the
provisions of Section 9.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow
any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer
or Officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would
involve the Trustee in personal liability. The holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding affected
thereby, determined in accordance with Section 10.4, may on behalf of the
holders of all of the Debentures waive any past default in the performance of
any of the covenants contained herein and its consequences, except (i) a default
in the payment of the principal of or interest on, any of the Debentures as and
when the same shall become due by the terms of such Debentures otherwise than by
acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all
matured installments of principal and interest has been deposited with the
Trustee (in accordance


                                      -29-
<PAGE>   32
with Section 7.1(c)); (ii) a default in the covenants contained in Section 5.6;
or (iii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the holder of each Outstanding Debenture
affected; provided, however, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a
trustee of the Trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be
effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of Trust
Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to
such waiver; provided further, that if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a
trustee of the Trust, and if the consent of the holder of each Outstanding
Debenture is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of
the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such waiver. Upon any
such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all
purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the
Debentures shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder,
respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default
or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 7.7.  UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS.

         All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Debentures
by such holder's acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any
court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any
action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in
such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court
may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits
and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the
provisions of this Section 7.7 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder, or group of
Debentureholders holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Debentures, or to any suit instituted by any Debentureholder for the
enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on the Debentures, on
or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debenture or established
pursuant to this Indenture.

                                  ARTICLE VIII.
                      FORM OF DEBENTURE AND ORIGINAL ISSUE

SECTION 8.1.  FORM OF DEBENTURE.

         The Debenture and the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication to be
endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the forms contained as Exhibit A
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 8.2.  ORIGINAL ISSUE OF DEBENTURES.

         Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $25,773,200 may, upon
execution of this Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered to the
Trustee for authentication. If the Underwriters exercise their Option and there
is an Option Closing Date (as such terms are defined in Underwriting Agreement,
dated ______________, 1998, by and among the Company,


                                      -30-
<PAGE>   33
the Trust and Tucker Anthony Incorporated, for itself and as representative of
the Underwriters named therein) then, on such Option Closing Date, Debentures in
the additional aggregate principal amount of $3,865,979 may be executed by the
Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication. In either such event,
the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debentures to or upon
the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman, its Vice Chairman, its
President, or any Vice President and its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer,
without any further action by the Company.

                                   ARTICLE IX.
                             CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 9.1.  CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TRUSTEE.

         (a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and
after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform with respect to the Debentures such duties and only such
duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of
Default has occurred that has not been cured or waived, the Trustee shall
exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use
the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

         (b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                  (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after
         the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have
         occurred:

                           (A) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall
         with respect to the Debentures be determined solely by the express
         provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with
         respect to the Debentures except for the performance of such duties and
         obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no
         implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture
         against the Trustee; and

                           (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
         Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Debentures conclusively
         rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
         opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished
         to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture;
         but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any
         provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
         Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to
         determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this
         Indenture;

                  (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
         made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of
         the Trustee, unless it shall be proved


                                      -31-
<PAGE>   34
         that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

                  (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
         action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
         with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in
         principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding relating to
         the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
         available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
         upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Debentures;
         and

                  (iv) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall
         require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur
         personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or
         in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable
         ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is
         not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or
         adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.

SECTION 9.2.  NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.

         Within 90 days after actual knowledge by a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the
Debentures, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all holders of the Debentures,
as their names and addresses appear in the Debenture Register, notice of such
default, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however,
that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal or
interest (including any Additional Interest) on any Debenture, the Trustee shall
be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of
directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of the directors and/or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee determines in good faith that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of such
Debentures; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the
character specified in section 7.1(a)(iii), no such notice to holders of
Debentures need be sent until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For
the purposes of this Section 9.2, the term "default" means any event which is,
or after notice or lapse of time or both, would become, an Event of Default with
respect to the Debentures.

SECTION 9.3.  CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

         Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1:

         (a) The Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper
or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by
the proper party or parties;

         (b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned
herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument
signed in the name of the Company by the President or any Vice President and by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer thereof (unless other evidence in respect thereof is


                                      -32-
<PAGE>   35
specifically prescribed herein);

         (c) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of a default or
an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default specified in Section
7.1(a)(i); or (ii), unless and until it receives written notification of such
Event of Default from the Company or by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures at the time Outstanding (determined as
provided in Section 10.4);

         (d) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in
good faith and in reliance thereon;

         (e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
direction of any of the Debentureholders, pursuant to the provisions of this
Indenture, unless such Debentureholders shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall,
however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event
of Default (that has not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to the
Debentures such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to
use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

         (f) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to
be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

         (g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or
other papers or documents, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders
of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debentures
(determined as provided in Section 10.4); provided, however, that if the payment
within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities
likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the
opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security
afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require
reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition
to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid
by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon
demand; and

         (h) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder.





                                      -33-
<PAGE>   36
SECTION 9.4.  TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS, ETC.

         (a) The Recitals contained herein and in the Debentures shall be taken
as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for
the correctness of the same.

         (b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debentures.

         (c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by
the Company of any of the Debentures or of the proceeds of such Debentures, or
for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance
with any provision of this Indenture, or for the use or application of any
moneys received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 9.5.  MAY HOLD DEBENTURES.

         The Trustee or any Paying Agent or Debenture Registrar for the
Debentures, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Debentures with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee,
Paying Agent or Debenture Registrar.

SECTION 9.6.  MONEYS HELD IN TRUST.

         Subject to the provisions of Section 13.5, all moneys received by the
Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for
the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it
may agree with the Company to pay thereon.

SECTION 9.7.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.

         (a) The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to, such reasonable compensation (which shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust), as the Company and the Trustee may from time to time agree in
writing, for all services rendered by it in the execution of the trusts hereby
created and in the exercise and performance of any of the powers and duties
hereunder of the Trustee, and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
the Company shall pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all
reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee
in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of
all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Company also
covenants to indemnify the Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and
employees) for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising
out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust,
including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of
liability in the premises.



                                      -34-
<PAGE>   37
         (b) The obligations of the Company under this Section 9.7 to compensate
and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.
Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the
Debentures upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such,
except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular
Debentures.

SECTION 9.8.  RELIANCE ON OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE.

         Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1, whenever in the
administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it
necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or
suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other
evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the
absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be
conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the
part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken,
suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture
upon the faith thereof.

SECTION 9.9.  DISQUALIFICATION; CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

         If the Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within
the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the
Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of
the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 9.10.  CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY.

         There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Debentures
issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or
territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other
Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws
to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial, or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of
this Section 9.10, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be
deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.10, the Trustee
shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section
9.11.

SECTION 9.11.  RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.

         (a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed, may at any time
resign by giving written notice thereof to the Company and by transmitting
notice of resignation by mail, first


                                      -35-
<PAGE>   38
class postage prepaid, to the Debentureholders, as their names and addresses
appear upon the Debenture Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation,
the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to
Debentures by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board
of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning
Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall
have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the
mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with
respect to Debentures, or any Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of
a Debenture or Debentures for at least six months may, subject to the provisions
of Section 9.10, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated,
petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court
may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe,
appoint a successor trustee.

         (b)  In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:

                  (i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of
         Section 9.9 after written request therefor by the Company or by any
         Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or
         Debentures for at least six months; or

                  (ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with
         the provisions of Section 9.10 and shall fail to resign after written
         request therefor by the Company or by any such Debentureholder; or

                  (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall
         be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy
         proceeding, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be
         appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or
         control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
         rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case,
         the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Debentures and
         appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate,
         executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which
         instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to
         the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 9.10,
         unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed as provided herein, any
         Debentureholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Debenture or
         Debentures for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and
         all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
         jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a
         successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any,
         as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a
         successor trustee.

         (c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee by so
notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee with
the consent of the Company.

         (d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a
successor trustee with respect to the Debentures pursuant to any of the
provisions of this Section 9.11 shall


                                      -36-
<PAGE>   39
become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as
provided in Section 9.12.

         (e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 9.11 may
be appointed with respect to the Debentures, and at any time there shall be only
one Trustee with respect to the Debentures.

SECTION 9.12.  ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.

         (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with
respect to the Debentures, every successor trustee so appointed shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the
Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
trustee all the rights, powers, and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and
money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

         (b) Upon request of any successor trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in
paragraph (a) of this Section 9.12.

         (c) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the
time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible
under this Article IX.

         (d) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided
in this Section 9.12, the Company shall transmit notice of the succession of
such trustee hereunder by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the
Debentureholders, as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
Register. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after
acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall
cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 9.13.  MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO
BUSINESS.

         Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be
the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be
qualified under the provisions of Section 9.9 and eligible under the provisions
of Section 9.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act
on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding. In case any Debentures shall have been authenticated, but not
delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any


                                      -37-
<PAGE>   40
successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee
may adopt such authentication and deliver the Debentures so authenticated with
the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such
Debentures.

SECTION 9.14.  PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE COMPANY.

         The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture
Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject
to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.

                                   ARTICLE X.
                         CONCERNING THE DEBENTUREHOLDERS

SECTION 10.1.  EVIDENCE OF ACTION BY HOLDERS.

         (a) Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a
majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures
may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving
of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact
that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or
specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or
any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of
Debentures in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.

         (b) If the Company shall solicit from the Debentureholders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the
Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Debentureholders entitled to give
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date
is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only
the Debentureholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall
be deemed to be Debentureholders for the purposes of determining whether
Debentureholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Debentures have
authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the
Outstanding Debentures shall be computed as of the record date; provided,
however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such
Debentureholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall
become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six
months after the record date.

SECTION 10.2.  PROOF OF EXECUTION BY DEBENTUREHOLDERS.

         Subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, proof of the execution of any
instrument by a Debentureholder (such proof shall not require notarization) or
his agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the
Debentures shall be sufficient if made in the following


                                      -38-
<PAGE>   41
manner:

         (a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any
instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.

         (b) The ownership of Debentures shall be proved by the Debenture
Register of such Debentures or by a certificate of the Debenture Registrar
thereof.

         (c) The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter
referred to in this Section 10.2 as it shall deem necessary.

SECTION 10.3.  WHO MAY BE DEEMED OWNERS.

         Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any
Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent
and any Debenture Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such
Debenture shall be registered upon the books of the Company as the absolute
owner of such Debenture (whether or not such Debenture shall be overdue and
notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other
than the Debenture Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on
account of the principal of and interest on such Debenture (subject to Section
2.3) and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
Paying Agent nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Debenture Registrar shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary.

SECTION 10.4.  CERTAIN DEBENTURES OWNED BY COMPANY DISREGARDED.

         In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal
amount of Debentures have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under
this Indenture, the Debentures that are owned by the Company or any other
obligor on the Debentures or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on
the Debentures shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the
purpose of any such determination, except that (i) for the purpose of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, consent or waiver, only Debentures that the Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be so disregarded and (ii) for purposes of this Section 10.4,
the Trust shall be deemed not to be controlled by the Company. The Debentures so
owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for
the purposes of this Section 10.4, if the pledgee shall establish to the
satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such
Debentures and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the
Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any
decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full
protection to the Trustee.

SECTION 10.5.  ACTIONS BINDING ON FUTURE DEBENTUREHOLDERS.

         At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as
provided in Section 10.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the
majority or percentage in aggregate


                                      -39-
<PAGE>   42
principal amount of the Debentures specified in this Indenture in connection
with such action, any holder of a Debenture that is shown by the evidence to be
included in the Debentures the holders of which have consented to such action
may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as
provided in Section 10.2, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debenture.
Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Debenture shall
be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and
owners of such Debenture, and of any Debenture issued in exchange therefor, on
registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or
not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debenture. Any action taken
by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of
the Debentures specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall
be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the
Debentures.

                                   ARTICLE XI.
                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 11.1.  SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF
DEBENTUREHOLDERS.

         In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this
Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the
consent of the Debentureholders, for one or more of the following purposes:

         (a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency herein, or in the
Debentures;

         (b)  to comply with Article X;

         (c) to provide for uncertificated Debentures in addition to or in place
of certificated Debentures;

         (d) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
holders of all or any of the Debentures or to surrender any right or power
herein conferred upon the Company;

         (e) to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations, and
restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue,
authentication, and delivery of Debentures, as herein set forth;

         (f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
Debentureholder in any material respect;

         (g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and
conditions of the Debentures, to establish the form of any certifications
required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or of the
Debentures, or to add to the rights of the holders of the


                                      -40-
<PAGE>   43
Debentures;

         (h) qualify or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act; or

         (i) to evidence a consolidation or merger involving the Company as
permitted under Section 12.1.

         The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the
execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further
appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the
Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture
that affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture
or otherwise. Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this
Section 11.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent
of the holders of any of the Debentures at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding
any of the provisions of Section 11.2.

SECTION 11.2.  SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF
DEBENTUREHOLDERS.

         With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 10.1) of the holders
of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at
the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by Board Resolutions, and the
Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or
indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions
to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this
Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not
covered by Section 11.1 the rights of the holders of the Debentures under this
Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall without
the consent of the holders of each Debenture then Outstanding and affected
thereby, (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Debentures, reduce the principal
amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest
thereon, without the consent of the holder of each Debenture so affected; or
(ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such supplemental indenture; provided further, that
if the Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust and if the
Debentures are held by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, such supplemental
indenture shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation
preference of Trust Securities of the Trust shall have consented to such
supplemental indenture; provided further, that if the Debentures are held by the
Trust or a trustee of the Trust and if the consent of the holder of each
Outstanding Debenture is required, such supplemental indenture shall not be
effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the Trust shall have
consented to such supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the
consent of the Debentureholders affected thereby under this Section 11.2 to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.





                                      -41-
<PAGE>   44
SECTION 11.3.  EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

         Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the
provisions of this Article XI, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be
modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture
of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Debentures shall thereafter be
determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such
modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such
supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and
conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 11.4.  DEBENTURES AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

         Debentures affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and
delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the
provisions of this Article XI, may bear a notation in form approved by the
Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any exchange upon which
the Debentures may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental
indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Debentures so modified as to
conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, to any
modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may
be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in
exchange for the Debentures then Outstanding.

SECTION 11.5.  EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

         (a) Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board
Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and
upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Debentureholders
required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the
Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental
indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this
Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but
shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee,
subject to the provisions of Sections 9.1, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as
conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this
Article XI is authorized or permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this
Article XI and that it is proper for the Trustee under the provisions of this
Article XI to join in the execution thereof.

         (b) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 11.5, the
Trustee shall transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, a notice, setting
forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the
Debentureholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Debenture
Register. Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein,
shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such
supplemental indenture.



                                      -42-
<PAGE>   45
                                  ARTICLE XII.
                              SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

SECTION 12.1.  COMPANY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC.

         Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debentures shall
prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other
corporation or corporations (whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the
case may be), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company, as
the case may be, or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or
shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the
property of the Company, as the case may be, or its successor or successors as
an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other corporation (whether
or not affiliated with the Company, as the case may be, or its successor or
successors) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, that
the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, (i) upon any such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the due and punctual
payment, in the case of the Company, of the principal of and interest on all of
the Debentures, according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance
and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept
or performed by the Company as the case may be, shall be expressly assumed, by
supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act, as then in effect) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed
and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into
which the Company, as the case may be, shall have been merged, or by the entity
which shall have acquired such property; (ii) in case the Company consolidates
with or merges into another Person or conveys or transfers its properties and
assets substantially then as an entirety to any Person, the successor Person is
organized under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of
Columbia; and (iii) immediately after giving effect thereto, an Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become
an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

SECTION 12.2.  SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED.

         (a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor
corporation, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee
and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and interest on all of the Debentures Outstanding and the due and
punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to
be performed by the Company such successor corporation shall succeed to and be
substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named as the
Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of
all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Debentures.

         (b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or other disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in
substance) may be made in the Debentures thereafter to be issued as may be
appropriate.

         (c) Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Debentures
shall prevent the


                                      -43-
<PAGE>   46
Company from merging into itself or acquiring by purchase or otherwise all or
any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the
Company).

SECTION 12.3.  EVIDENCE OF CONSOLIDATION, ETC.  TO TRUSTEE.

         The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, may receive an
Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger,
sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, and any such assumption, comply
with the provisions of this Article XII.

                                  ARTICLE XIII.
                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 13.1.  SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE.

         If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation all Debentures theretofore authenticated (other than any Debentures
that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced
or paid as provided in Section 2.9) and Debentures for whose payment money or
Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated
and held in trust by the Company (and thereupon repaid to the Company or
discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 13.5); or (b) all such
Debentures not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have
become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within
one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the
Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds
the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations sufficient or a
combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Debentures
not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal
and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for
redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be
paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; then this Indenture shall
thereupon cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections
2.3, 2.7, 2.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.7 and 9.10, which shall survive until the date
of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 9.6 and 13.5,
which shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of
the Company and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture.


SECTION 13.2.  DISCHARGE OF OBLIGATIONS.

         If at any time all Debentures not heretofore delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section
13.1 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the
Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations
sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized certified public accounting
firm to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Debentures not theretofore
delivered to


                                      -44-
<PAGE>   47
the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and interest due or to become
due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be,
and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable
hereunder by the Company, then after the date such moneys or Governmental
Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee, the obligations
of the Company under this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect except
for the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.7, 2.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 9.6, 9.7, 9.10 and
13.5 hereof which shall survive until such Debentures shall mature and be paid.
Thereafter, Sections 9.6 and 13.5 shall survive.

SECTION 13.3.  DEPOSITED MONEYS TO BE HELD IN TRUST.

         All monies or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to Sections 13.1 or 13.2 shall be held in trust and shall be available
for payment as due, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the
Company acting as its own Paying Agent), to the holders of the Debentures for
the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have
been deposited with the Trustee.

SECTION 13.4.  PAYMENT OF MONIES HELD BY PAYING AGENTS.

         In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any Paying Agent under the
provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the
Trustee and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further
liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.

SECTION 13.5.  REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.

         Any monies or Governmental Obligations deposited with any Paying Agent
or the Trustee, or then held by the Company in trust, for payment of principal
of or interest on the Debentures that are not applied but remain unclaimed by
the holders of such Debentures for at least two years after the date upon which
the principal of or interest on such Debentures shall have respectively become
due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company, as the case may be, on May 31
of each year or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such
trust; and thereupon the Paying Agent and the Trustee shall be released from all
further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and
the holder of any of the Debentures entitled to receive such payment shall
thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for the
payment thereof.



                                      -45-
<PAGE>   48
                                  ARTICLE XIV.
                IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS
                                  AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 14.1.  NO RECOURSE

         No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this
Indenture, or of the Debentures, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or
director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor
or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such
predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution,
statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or
otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations
issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal
liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the
incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of
any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the
creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the
obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of
the Debentures or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal
liability of every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by
constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against,
every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of
the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the
obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of
the Debentures or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as
a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and
the issuance of such Debentures.

                                   ARTICLE XV.
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 15.1.  EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this
Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and
assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 15.2.  ACTIONS BY SUCCESSOR.

         Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or
required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the
Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the
time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.

SECTION 15.3.  SURRENDER OF COMPANY POWERS.

         The Company by instrument in writing executed by appropriate authority
of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may surrender any of the
powers reserved to the Company,


                                      -46-
<PAGE>   49
and thereupon such power so surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company,
as the case may be, and as to any successor corporation.

SECTION 15.4.  NOTICES.

         Except as otherwise expressly provided herein any notice or demand that
by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or
served by the Trustee or by the holders of Debentures to or on the Company may
be given or served by being deposited first class postage prepaid in a
post-office letterbox addressed (until another address is filed in writing by
the Company with the Trustee) to Century Bancorp, Inc., 400 Mystic Avenue,
Medford, Massachusetts 02155, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Any notice,
election, request or demand by the Company or any Debentureholder to or upon the
Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all
purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee.

SECTION 15.5.  GOVERNING LAW.

         This Indenture and each Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the internal laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and for all
purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of such Commonwealth. .
SECTION 15.6. TREATMENT OF DEBENTURES AS DEBT.

         It is intended that the Debentures shall be treated as indebtedness and
not as equity for federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture
shall be interpreted to further this intention.

SECTION 15.7.  COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS.

         (a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to
take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions
precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have
been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in
the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such
documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating
to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion
need be furnished.

         (b) Each certificate or opinion of the Company provided for in this
Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant in this Indenture shall include (1) a statement that the
Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such
Person, he has made such examination or investigation as, in the opinion of such
Person, is necessary to enable him to express an informed


                                      -47-
<PAGE>   50
opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with;
and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 15.8.  PAYMENTS ON BUSINESS DAYS.

         In any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any
Debenture or the date of redemption of any Debenture shall not be a Business
Day, then payment of interest or principal may (subject to Section 2.5) be made
on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on
the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the
period after such nominal date.

SECTION 15.9.  CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

         If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits,
qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 15.10.  COUNTERPARTS.

         This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but
one and the same instrument.

SECTION 15.11.  SEPARABILITY.

         In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture
or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Debentures,
but this Indenture and the Debentures shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

SECTION 15.12.  ASSIGNMENT.

         The Company shall have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such
assignment, the Company shall remain liable for all such obligations. Subject to
the foregoing, this Indenture is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the
parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Indenture may
not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.

SECTION 15.13.  ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RIGHTS; RIGHT OF SETOFF.

         (a) The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Debentures held
by the Trust or a trustee of the Trust, if the Property Trustee fails to enforce
its rights under this Indenture as the holder of the Debentures held as the
assets of the Trust, any holder of Preferred Securities may


                                      -48-
<PAGE>   51
institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such
Property Trustee's rights under this Indenture without first instituting any
legal proceedings against such Property Trustee or any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and notwithstanding the provisions of Section
7.4(a) hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such
event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay principal or interest
on the Debentures on the date such principal or interest is otherwise payable
(or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company acknowledges
that a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for
enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on the
Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount
of the Preferred Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date
specified in the Debentures.

         (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Indenture, the Company shall have the right to setoff any payment it is
otherwise required to make hereunder in respect of any Trust Securities to the
extent that the Company has previously made, or is concurrently making, a
payment to the holder of such Trust Securities under the Preferred Securities
Guarantee or in connection with a proceeding for enforcement of payment of the
principal of or interest on the Debentures directly brought by holders of any
Trust Securities.

         (c) For so long as any of the Preferred Securities remain outstanding,
if, upon an Event of Default, the Trust holds the Debentures and the Property
Trustee fails or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debentures fail to declare the principal of all of the Debentures to
be immediately due and payable, the holders of at least 25% in liquidation
amount of the Preferred Securities then Outstanding (determined as provided in
the Trust Agreement) shall have the right to make such declaration by a notice
in writing to the Depositor and the Property Trustee; and upon any such
declaration such declaration such principal amount of and the accrued interest
on all of the Debentures shall become immediately due and payable, provided that
the payment of principal and interest on such Debentures shall remain
subordinated to the extent provided in this Indenture.

                                  ARTICLE XVI.
                           SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES

SECTION 16.1.  AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE.

         The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Debentures issued
hereunder by such holder's acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees,
that all Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article
XVI; and each holder of a Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon
transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such
provisions. The payment by the Company of the principal of and interest on all
Debentures issued hereunder shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter
set forth, be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Debt, Subordinated Debt and Additional Senior Obligations
of the Company (collectively, "Senior Indebtedness") to the extent provided
herein, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred. No provision of this Article XVI shall prevent the occurrence of any
default or Event of Default hereunder.


                                      -49-
<PAGE>   52
SECTION 16.2.  DEFAULT ON SENIOR DEBT, SUBORDINATED DEBT OR
ADDITIONAL SENIOR OBLIGATIONS.

         In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company
in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, or in the event that the maturity of any
Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default,
then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to
the principal (including redemption payments) of or interest on the Debentures.
In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received
by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding sentence of this
Section 16.2, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall
be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their
respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture
pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their
respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee)
notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then
due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such
notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 16.3.  LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY.

         (a) Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to
creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of
the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness
of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in
money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on
account of the principal or interest on the Debentures; and upon any such
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the
Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, to which the holders of the Debentures
or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the
provisions of this Article XVI, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver,
trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such
payment or distribution, or by the holders of the Debentures or by the Trustee
under this Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of
Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the
respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by
the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may
appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in
money or money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any
payment or distribution is made to the holders of Debentures or to the Trustee.

         (b) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by


                                      -50-
<PAGE>   53
the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness
of the Company is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money
in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in
trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the
trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments
evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective
interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, remaining
unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money
in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

         (c) For purposes of this Article XVI, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XVI with respect
to the Debentures to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as
the case may be, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such
Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from
any such reorganization or readjustment; and (ii) the rights of the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered
by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with,
or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property
as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the
terms and conditions provided for in Article XII shall not be deemed a
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this
Section 16.3 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation,
merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article
XII. Nothing in Section 16.2 or in this Section 16.3 shall apply to claims of,
or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 9.7.

SECTION 16.4.  SUBROGATION.

         (a) Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, the rights of the holders of the Debentures shall be subrogated to the
rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may
be, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of and interest
on the Debentures shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the holders of the
Debentures or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this
Article XVI, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI
to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by holders of
the Debentures or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the
Debentures, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such
Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article XVI
are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of
the holders of the Debentures, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness on the other hand.

                                      -51-
<PAGE>   54
         (b) Nothing contained in this Article XVI or elsewhere in this
Indenture or in the Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the
Company, its creditors (other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company), and the holders of the Debentures, the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Debentures the
principal of and interest on the Debentures as and when the same shall become
due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall
affect the relative rights of the holders of the Debentures and creditors of the
Company, as the case may be, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, as the case may be, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent
the Trustee or the holder of any Debenture from exercising all remedies
otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject
to the rights, if any, under this Article XVI of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the
case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

         (c) Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred
to in this Article XVI, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article IX,
and the holders of the Debentures shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon
any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such
dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending,
or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee,
agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the
Trustee or to the holders of the Debentures, for the purposes of ascertaining
the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the
amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed
thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XVI.

SECTION 16.5.  TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.

         Each holder of Debentures by such holder's acceptance thereof
authorizes and directs the Trustee on such holder's behalf to take such action
as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in
this Article XVI and appoints the Trustee such holder's attorney-in-fact for any
and all such purposes.

SECTION 16.6.  NOTICE BY THE COMPANY.

         (a) The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the
making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Article XVI or any other provision of this Indenture, the
Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that
would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in
respect of the Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article XVI, unless
and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written
notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or
from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice,
the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, shall be entitled in all
respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the
Trustee shall not have received the

                                      -52-
<PAGE>   55
notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least two Business Days prior to the
date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose
(including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of or interest on
any Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to
apply the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be
affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two
Business Days prior to such date.

         (b) The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, shall be
entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a
Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company
(or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been
given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such
holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that
further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder
of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution
pursuant to this Article XVI, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish
evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such
Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts
pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XVI, and, if such
evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.

SECTION 16.7.  RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.

         (a) The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article XVI in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at
any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior
Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of
its rights as such holder. The Trustee's right to compensation and reimbursement
of expenses as set forth in Section 9.7 shall not be subject to the
subordination provisions of the Article XVI.

         (b) With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article XVI, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and,
subject to the provisions of Section 9.1, the Trustee shall not be liable to any
holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to holders of
Debentures, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder
of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XVI or
otherwise.

SECTION 16.8.  SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED.

         (a) No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness
of the Company to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in
any way be prejudiced or

                                      -53-
<PAGE>   56
impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act
or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by
the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture,
regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise
be charged with.

         (b) Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 16.8(a), the
holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time and from time to
time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the holders of the
Debentures, without incurring responsibility to the holders of the Debentures
and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article
XVI or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Debentures to the holders
of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the
manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or
alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner
such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement
under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange,
release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise
securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner
for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain
from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                          CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                                          By:_____________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:

Attest:_______________________


                                          STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
                                          COMPANY as trustee

                                          By:______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:

Attest:________________________



                                      -54-
<PAGE>   57
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS )
                                  ) ss
COUNTY OF _______________________ )

         On this ______ day of ______________________, 1998, before me appeared
___________________, to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did
say that he is the _____________________ of Century Bancorp, Inc. and that the
seal affixed to said instrument is the corporate seal of said corporation, and
that said instrument was signed and sealed in behalf of said corporation by
authority of its board of directors and said _____________________________,
acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said corporation.

         In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
official seal at my office in said county and state the day and year last above
written.

                                                     ___________________________
                                                     Notary Public

                                                     My term expires:


[seal]


THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS )
                                  ) ss
COUNTY OF SUFFOLK                 )


         On this ______ day of ______________________, 1998, before me appeared
___________________, to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn, did
say that he is the _____________________ of State Street Bank and Trust Company,
and that the seal affixed to said instrument is the corporate seal of said
corporation, and that said instrument was signed and sealed in behalf of said
corporation by authority of its board of directors and said
_____________________________, acknowledged said instrument to be the free act
and deed of said corporation.

         In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
official seal at my office in said county and commonwealth the day and year last
above written.

                                                     ___________________________
                                                     Notary Public

                                                     My term expires:


                                      -55-


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.2

Certificate No. 1                                                   $___________
CUSIP No. ____________

                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.
                       ____% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE
                                DUE JUNE 30, 2029

         Century Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Company,"
which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to State Street Bank
and Trust Company, as Property Trustee for Century Bancorp Capital Trust, or
registered assigns, the principal sum of ______________________________ Thousand
Dollars ($__________) on June 30, 2029 (the "Stated Maturity"), and to pay
interest on said principal sum from May __, 1998, or from the most recent
interest payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as
set forth herein) in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31
of each year commencing June 30, 1998, at the rate of _____% per annum until the
principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue principal
and (without duplication) on any overdue installment of interest at the same
rate per annum compounded quarterly. The amount of interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30- day months. The amount of interest for any partial period shall be computed
on the basis of the number of days elapsed in a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this
Debenture is not a business day, then payment of interest payable on such date
shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (as defined in
the Indenture) (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such
delay) with the same force and effect as if made on such date. The interest
installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date shall, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the person
in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor Debentures, as defined
in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business on the regular record
date for such interest installment, which shall be the close of business on the
fifteenth day of the last month of the calendar quarter in which the Interest
Payment Date occurs unless otherwise provided in the Indenture. Any such
interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith
cease to be payable to the registered holders on such regular record date and
may be paid to the person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more
Predecessor Debentures) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such defaulted
interest, notice whereof shall be given to the registered holders of the
Debentures not less than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may be
paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debentures may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in the Indenture. The principal of and the interest on this Debenture
shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
<PAGE>   2
however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear in the
Debenture Register. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder of this
Debenture is the Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest
on this Debenture shall be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Trustee.

         This Debenture may be redeemed by the Company on any date not earlier
than June 30, 2003, subject to the Company having received prior approval of the
Federal Reserve if then required under applicable capital guidelines or policies
of the Federal Reserve.

         The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture is, to the extent provided
in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), and
this Debenture is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect
thereto. Each holder of this Debenture, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and
shall be bound by such provisions; (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his
or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
acknowledge or effectuate the subordination so provided; and (c) appoints the
Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder
hereof, by his or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the
acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture
by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter
incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

         This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the
Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of
the Trustee.

         The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse side
hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect
as though fully set forth at this place.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
executed.

Dated:                   , 1998
                                     CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                                     By:______________________________

                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

Attest:

By: _____________________________

   Vice President and Treasurer
<PAGE>   3
                          ____% SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE

                                   (CONTINUED)

         This Debenture is one of the subordinated debentures of the Company
(herein sometimes referred to as the "Debentures"), all issued or to be issued
under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May __, 1998 (the "Indenture")
duly executed and delivered between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture reference is hereby made
for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and
immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the
Debentures. The Debentures are limited in aggregate principal amount as
specified in the Indenture.

         The Company shall have the right to redeem this Debenture at the option
of the Company, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part at any time on
or after June 30, 2003 (an "Optional Redemption"), or at any time in certain
circumstances upon the occurrence of a Special Event (as defined in the
Indenture), at a redemption price (the "Redemption Price") equal to 100% of the
principal amount hereof plus any accrued but unpaid interest hereon, to the date
of such redemption, plus Additional Interest, if any. Any redemption pursuant to
this paragraph shall be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days
notice, at the Redemption Price. If the Debentures are only partially redeemed
by the Company pursuant to an Optional Redemption, the Debentures shall be
redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee as
described in the Indenture.

         In the event of redemption of this Debenture in part only, a new
Debenture or Debentures for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the
name of the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

         In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Debentures may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, as defined
in the Indenture, to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding
any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions
of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner
the rights of the holders of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of the Debentures
except as provided in the Indenture, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, without the
consent of the holder of each Debenture so affected; or (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the holders of which are required to consent
to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent
<PAGE>   4
of the holders of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby. The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures at the time outstanding, on behalf
of all of the holders of the Debentures, to waive any past default in the
performance of any of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established
pursuant to the Indenture, and its consequences, except a default in the payment
of the principal of or interest on any of the Debentures. Any such consent or
waiver by the registered holder of this Debenture (unless revoked as provided in
the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all
future holders and owners of this Debenture and of any Debenture issued in
exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Debenture.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Debenture
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal and interest on this
Debenture at the time and place and at the rate and in the money herein
prescribed.

         The Company, as further described in the Indenture, shall have the
right at any time during the term of the Debentures and from time to time to
extend the interest payment period of such Debentures for up to 20 consecutive
quarters (each, an "Extended Interest Payment Period"), at the end of which
period the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid, including any
Additional Interest and Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture and
together, the "Deferred Payments") that shall be payable to the holders of the
Debentures in whose names the Debentures are registered in the Debenture
Register on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Before
the termination of any such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may
further extend such Extended Interest Payment Period, provided that such
Extended Interest Payment Period together with all such further extensions
thereof shall not exceed 20 consecutive quarters. At the termination of any such
Extended Interest Payment Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Payments
then due, the Company may commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period.

         As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
set forth, this Debenture is transferable by the registered holder hereof on the
Debenture Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Debenture for
registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee accompanied by a
written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company or the Trustee duly executed by the registered holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Debentures of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount shall be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be
made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation
thereto.

         Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this
Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and the Debenture
Registrar may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner
hereof (whether or not this Debenture shall be overdue and notwithstanding any
notice of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than the Debenture
<PAGE>   5
Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the
principal hereof and interest due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither
the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Debenture Registrar
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

         No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the
interest on this Debenture, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in
respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly
waived and released.

         The Debentures are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $10 and any integral multiple thereof (or such other
denominations and any integral multiple thereof as may be deemed necessary by
the Company for the purpose of maintaining the eligibility of the Debentures for
quotation on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or any successor
thereto).

         All terms used in this Debenture that are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
<PAGE>   6
                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

                  This is one of the Debentures described in the
within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:                  , 1998

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
as Trustee

By ___________________________
     Authorized Signatory



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4


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

                          -----------------------------
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                 TRUST AGREEMENT
                                      AMONG
                       CENTURY BANCORP, INC., AS DEPOSITOR
            STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, AS PROPERTY TRUSTEE
                 WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS DELAWARE TRUSTEE,
                                       AND
                    THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRUSTEES NAMED HEREIN
                            DATED AS OF MAY __, 1998
       ==================================================================



<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  Page
                                                                                                                  ----


<S>                                                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I
         DEFINED TERMS...........................................................................................   2
         SECTION 101.  DEFINITIONS.  ............................................................................   2

ARTICLE II
         ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST
          .......................................................................................................  10
         SECTION 202.               OFFICE OF THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE; PRINCIPAL PLACE
                                    OF BUSINESS..................................................................  10
         SECTION 203.               INITIAL CONTRIBUTION OF TRUST PROPERTY;
                                    ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES......................................................  10
         SECTION 205.               ISSUANCE OF THE COMMON SECURITIES; SUBSCRIPTION
                                    AND PURCHASE OF DEBENTURES...................................................  11
         SECTION 206.               DECLARATION OF TRUST.........................................................  11
         SECTION 207.               AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN
                                    TRANSACTIONS.................................................................  12
         SECTION 208.               ASSETS OF TRUST..............................................................  15
         SECTION 209.               TITLE TO TRUST PROPERTY......................................................  15

ARTICLE III
         PAYMENT ACCOUNT.........................................................................................  16
         SECTION 301.               PAYMENT ACCOUNT..............................................................  16

ARTICLE IV
         DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION...............................................................................  16
         SECTION 401.               DISTRIBUTIONS................................................................  16
         SECTION 402.               REDEMPTION...................................................................  17
         SECTION 403.               SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES...........................................  19
         SECTION 404.               PAYMENT PROCEDURES...........................................................  19
         SECTION 405.               TAX RETURNS AND REPORTS......................................................  19
         SECTION 406.               PAYMENT OF TAXES, DUTIES, ETC.  OF THE TRUST.................................  20
         SECTION 407.               PAYMENTS UNDER INDENTURE.....................................................  20

ARTICLE V
         TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES...........................................................................  20
         SECTION 501.               INITIAL OWNERSHIP............................................................  20
         SECTION 502.               THE TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES............................................  20
</TABLE>

                                       -i-

<PAGE>   3



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         SECTION 503.               EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF TRUST
                                    SECURITIES CERTIFICATES......................................................  21
         SECTION 504.               REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF
                                    PREFERRED SECURITIES CERTIFICATES............................................  21
         SECTION 505.               MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN TRUST
                                    SECURITIES CERTIFICATES......................................................  22
         SECTION 506.               PERSONS DEEMED SECURITYHOLDERS...............................................  23
         SECTION 507.               ACCESS TO LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS' NAMES AND
                                    ADDRESSES....................................................................  23
         SECTION 508.               MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY..............................................  23
         SECTION 509.               APPOINTMENT OF PAYING AGENT..................................................  24
         SECTION 510.               OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SECURITIES BY DEPOSITOR.
                                     ............................................................................  24
         SECTION 511.               PREFERRED SECURITIES CERTIFICATES............................................  24
         SECTION 512.               [Intentionally Omitted]......................................................  25
         SECTION 513.               [Intentionally Omitted]......................................................  25
         SECTION 514.               RIGHTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS....................................................  25

ARTICLE VI
         ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING...............................................................  26
         SECTION 601.               LIMITATIONS ON VOTING RIGHTS.................................................  26
         SECTION 602.               NOTICE OF MEETINGS...........................................................  27
         SECTION 603.               MEETINGS OF PREFERRED SECURITYHOLDERS........................................  27
         SECTION 604.               VOTING RIGHTS................................................................  27
         SECTION 605.               PROXIES, ETC.................................................................  27
         SECTION 606.               SECURITYHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT.....................................  28
         SECTION 607.               RECORD DATE FOR VOTING AND OTHER PURPOSES....................................  28
         SECTION 608.               ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS......................................................  28
         SECTION 609.               INSPECTION OF RECORDS........................................................  29

ARTICLE VII
         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..........................................................................  29
         SECTION 701.               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BANK AND
                                    THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.........................................................  29
         SECTION 702.               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE DELAWARE
                                    BANK AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE................................................  31
         SECTION 703.               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DEPOSITOR.
                                     ............................................................................  32
ARTICLE VIII
         TRUSTEES................................................................................................  32
         SECTION 801.               CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES..........................................  32
         SECTION 802.               CERTAIN NOTICES..............................................................  34
         SECTION 803.               CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE...........................................  34
</TABLE>


                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         SECTION 804.               NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR USE OF PROCEEDS.
                                                                                                                   36
         SECTION 805.               MAY HOLD SECURITIES..........................................................  36
         SECTION 806.               COMPENSATION; INDEMNITY; FEES................................................  36
         SECTION 807.               CORPORATE PROPERTY TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY
                                    OF TRUSTEES..................................................................  37
         SECTION 808.               CONFLICTING INTERESTS........................................................  38
         SECTION 809.               CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE TRUSTEE.............................................  38
         SECTION 810.               RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF
                                    SUCCESSOR....................................................................  39
         SECTION 811.               ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.......................................  41
         SECTION 812.               MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION
                                    TO BUSINESS..................................................................  41
         SECTION 813.               PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST
                                    DEPOSITOR OR TRUST...........................................................  42
         SECTION 814.               REPORTS BY PROPERTY TRUSTEE..................................................  42
         SECTION 815.               REPORTS TO THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE..............................................  42
         SECTION 816.               EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS
                                    PRECEDENT....................................................................  42
         SECTION 817.               NUMBER OF TRUSTEES...........................................................  42
         SECTION 818.               DELEGATION OF POWER..........................................................  43
         SECTION 819.               VOTING.......................................................................  43

ARTICLE IX
         DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER.....................................................................  43
         SECTION 901.               DISSOLUTION UPON EXPIRATION DATE.............................................  43
         SECTION 902.               EARLY TERMINATION............................................................  43
         SECTION 903.               TERMINATION..................................................................  44
         SECTION 904.               LIQUIDATION..................................................................  44
         SECTION 905.               MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR
                                    REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUST....................................................  46

ARTICLE X
         MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS................................................................................  47
         SECTION 1001.              LIMITATION OF RIGHTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS......................................  47
         SECTION 1002.              AMENDMENT....................................................................  47
         SECTION 1003.              SEPARABILITY.................................................................  49
         SECTION 1004.              GOVERNING LAW................................................................  49
         SECTION 1005.              PAYMENTS DUE ON NON-BUSINESS DAY.............................................  49
         SECTION 1006.              SUCCESSORS...................................................................  50
         SECTION 1007.              HEADINGS.....................................................................  50
         SECTION 1008.              REPORTS, NOTICES AND DEMANDS.................................................  50
         SECTION 1009.              AGREEMENT NOT TO PETITION....................................................  51
</TABLE>


                                      -iii-
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         SECTION 1010.              TRUST INDENTURE ACT; CONFLICT WITH TRUST
                                    INDENTURE ACT................................................................  51
         SECTION 1011.              ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS OF TRUST AGREEMENT,
                                    GUARANTEE AND INDENTURE......................................................  51
</TABLE>


                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   6
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
Section of                                                    Section of Amended
Trust Indenture Act                                                 and Restated
of 1939, as amended                                              Trust Agreement
- -------------------                                              ---------------

310(a)(1)....................................................................807
310(a)(2)....................................................................807
310(a)(3)....................................................................807
310(a)(4).............................................................207(a)(ii)
310(b).......................................................................808
311(a).......................................................................813
311(b).......................................................................813
312(a).......................................................................507
312(b).......................................................................507
312(c).......................................................................507
313(a)....................................................................814(a)
313(a)(4).................................................................814(b)
313(b)....................................................................814(b)
313(c)......................................................................1008
313(d)....................................................................814(b)
314(a).......................................................................815
314(b)............................................................Not Applicable
314(c)(1)....................................................................816
314(c)(2)....................................................................816
314(c)(3).........................................................Not Applicable
314(d)............................................................Not Applicable
314(e)..................................................................101, 816
315(a)............................................................801(a), 803(a)
315(b).................................................................802, 1008
315(c)....................................................................801(a)
315(d)..................................................................801, 803
316(a)(2).........................................................Not Applicable
316(b)............................................................Not Applicable
316(c).......................................................................607
317(a)(1).........................................................Not Applicable
317(a)(2).........................................................Not Applicable
317(b).......................................................................509
318(a)......................................................................1010

Note:    This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Agreement
         and shall not affect any interpretation of any of its terms or
         provisions.


                                       -v-
<PAGE>   7
                      AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT

         AMENDED AND RESTATED TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of _________, 1998,
among (i) CENTURY BANCORP, INC., a Massachusetts corporation (including any
successors or assigns, the "Depositor"), (ii) STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY, a trust company duly organized and existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as property trustee (the "Property Trustee" and,
in its separate corporate capacity and not in its capacity as Property Trustee,
the "Bank"), (iii) WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, as Delaware
trustee (the "Delaware Trustee," and, in its separate corporate capacity and not
in its capacity as Delaware Trustee, the "Delaware Bank") (iv) Marshall M.
Sloane, an individual, Jonathan C. Sloane, an individual, and Paul V. Cusick,
Jr., an individual, each of whose address is c/o Century Bancorp, Inc., 400
Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155 (each an "Administrative Trustee"
and collectively the "Administrative Trustees") (the Property Trustee, the
Delaware Trustee and the Administrative Trustees referred to collectively as the
"Trustees"), and (v) the several Holders (as hereinafter defined).

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee, and Marshall M. Sloane,
Jonathan A. Sloane and Paul V. Cusick, Jr., each as an Administrative Trustee,
have heretofore duly declared and established a business trust pursuant to the
Delaware Business Trust Act (as hereinafter defined) by the entering into of
that certain Trust Agreement, dated as of April __, 1998 (the "Original Trust
Agreement"), and by the execution and filing by the Delaware Trustee, the
Depositor and the Administrative Trustees with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware of the Certificate of Trust, filed on April __, 1998, the form
of which is attached as Exhibit A; and

         WHEREAS, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee, the Property Trustee and
the Administrative Trustees desire to amend and restate the Original Trust
Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein to provide for, among other
things, (i) the issuance of the Common Securities (as defined herein) by the
Trust (as defined herein) to the Depositor; (ii) the issuance and sale of the
Preferred Securities (as defined herein) by the Trust pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement (as defined herein); (iii) the acquisition by the Trust
from the Depositor of all of the right, title and interest in the Debentures (as
defined herein); and (iv) the appointment of the Trustees;

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set
forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each party, for the benefit of the
other parties and for the benefit of the Securityholders (as defined herein),
hereby amends and restates the Original Trust Agreement in its entirety and
agrees as follows:
<PAGE>   8
                                    ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINED TERMS

         SECTION 101. DEFINITIONS. For all purposes of this Trust Agreement,
except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

         (a) the terms defined in this Article I have the meanings assigned to
them in this Article I and include the plural as well as the singular;

         (b) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;

         (c) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an
"Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be,
of this Trust Agreement; and

         (d) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
similar import refer to this Trust Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

         "Act" has the meaning specified in Section 608.

         "Additional Amount" means, with respect to Trust Securities of a given
Liquidation Amount and/or a given period, the amount of additional interest
accrued on interest in arrears and paid by the Depositor on a Like Amount of
Debentures for such period.

         "Additional Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 1.1 of the
Indenture.

         "Administrative Trustee" means each of Marshall M. Sloane, Jonathan A.
Sloane and Paul V. Cusick, Jr., solely in his capacity as Administrative Trustee
of the Trust formed and continued hereunder and not in his individual capacity,
or such Administrative Trustee's successor in interest in such capacity, or any
successor trustee appointed as herein provided.

         "Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote 10% or
more of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interests of the
specified Person, any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting securities
or other ownership interests are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or
held with power to vote by the specified Person; (c) any Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
specified Person; (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a general
partner; (e) any officer or director of the specified Person; and (f) if the
specified Person is an individual, any entity of which the specified Person is
an officer, director or general partner.

         "Authenticating Agent" means an authenticating agent with respect to
the Preferred Securities appointed by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section
503.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   9
         "Bank" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust
Agreement.

         "Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person:

         (a) the entry of a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in
the premises adjudging such Person a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as
properly filed a petition seeking liquidation or reorganization of or in respect
of such Person under the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or
any other similar applicable federal or state law, and the continuance of any
such decree or order unvacated and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or the
commencement of an involuntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code of
1978, as amended, in respect of such Person, which shall continue undismissed
for a period of 90 days or entry of an order for relief in such case; or the
entry of a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for
the appointment on the ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver,
custodian, liquidator, trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of such
Person or of its property, or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs,
and such decree or order shall have remained in force unvacated and unstayed for
a period of 90 days; or

         (b) the institution by such Person of proceedings to be adjudicated a
voluntary bankrupt, or the consent by such Person to the filing of a bankruptcy
proceeding against it, or the filing by such Person of a petition or answer or
consent seeking liquidation or reorganization under the United States Bankruptcy
Code of 1978, as amended, or other similar applicable Federal or State law, or
the consent by such Person to the filing of any such petition or to the
appointment on the ground of insolvency or bankruptcy of a receiver or custodian
or liquidator or trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or insolvency of such Person
or of its property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors.

         "Bankruptcy Laws" has the meaning specified in Section 1009.

         "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Depositor to have been duly adopted
by the Depositor's Board of Directors, or such committee of the Board of
Directors or officers of the Depositor to which authority to act on behalf of
the Board of Directors has been delegated, and to be in full force and effect on
the date of such certification, and delivered to the appropriate Trustee.

         "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday, a day on
which banking institutions in the City of Boston are authorized or required by
law, executive order or regulation to remain closed, or a day on which the
Property Trustee's Corporate Trust Office or the Corporate Trust Office of the
Debenture Trustee is closed for business.

         "Certificate of Trust" means the certificate of trust filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware with respect to the Trust, as
amended or restated from time to time.

         "Closing Date" means the date of execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>   10
         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time
to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after
the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing
the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.

         "Common Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the assets
of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $10 and having the rights provided
therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive Distributions
and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.

         "Common Securities Certificate" means a certificate evidencing
ownership of Common Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B.

         "Corporate Trust Office" means the office at which, at any particular
time, the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee or the Debenture
Trustee, as the case may be, shall be principally administered, which office at
the date hereof, in each such case, is located at Two International Place, 4th
Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust Department.

         "Debenture Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in
Section 7.1 of the Indenture.

         "Debenture Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Debentures to be
redeemed under the Indenture, the date fixed for redemption under the Indenture.

         "Debenture Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust Company, a trust
company organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and any
successor thereto, as trustee under the Indenture.

         "Debentures" means the $25,773,200 aggregate principal amount (or up to
$29,639,180 aggregate principal amount if the Underwriter exercises its Option
and there is an Option Closing Date) of the Depositor's ____% Junior
Subordinated Debentures due 2029, issued pursuant to the Indenture.

         "Delaware Bank" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust
Agreement.

         "Delaware Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code, 12 Delaware Code Sections 3801 et seq. as it may be amended from
time to time.

         "Delaware Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company
identified as the "Delaware Trustee" in the Preamble to this Trust Agreement
solely in its capacity as Delaware


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   11
Trustee of the Trust formed and continued hereunder and not in its individual
capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor
trustee appointed as herein provided.

         "Depositor" has the meaning specified in the Preamble to this Trust
Agreement.

         "Distribution Date" has the meaning specified in Section 401(a).

         "Distributions" means amounts payable in respect of the Trust
Securities as provided in Section 401.

         "Early Termination Event" has the meaning specified in Section 902.

         "Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the
reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or
involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):

         (a)  the occurrence of a Debenture Event of Default; or

         (b) default by the Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of any
Distribution when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default
for a period of 30 days; or

         (c) default by the Trust or the Property Trustee in the payment of any
Redemption Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or

         (d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of
any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in this Trust Agreement (other than a
covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the breach of
which is dealt with in clause (b) or (c), above) and continuation of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Trustee or Trustees by the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and
requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default" hereunder; or

         (e) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Property
Trustee and the failure by the Depositor to appoint a successor Property Trustee
within 60 days thereof.

         "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         "Expense Agreement" means the Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities
between the Depositor and the Trust, substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit C, as amended from time to time.

         "Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 901.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>   12
         "Extension Period" has the meaning specified in Section 4.1 of the
Indenture.

         "Guarantee" means the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement executed
and delivered by the Depositor and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
trustee, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, as
amended from time to time.

         "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of April __, 1998, between
the Depositor and the Debenture Trustee, as trustee, as amended or supplemented
from time to time pertaining to the Debentures of the Depositor.

         "Investment Company Act," means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, as in effect at the date of execution of this instrument.

         "Lien" means any lien, pledge, charge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of
trust, adverse ownership interest, hypothecation, assignment, security interest
or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement
of any kind or nature whatsoever.

         "Like Amount" means (a) with respect to a redemption of Trust
Securities, Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal
amount of Debentures to be contemporaneously redeemed in accordance with the
Indenture and the proceeds of which shall be used to pay the Redemption Price of
such Trust Securities; and (b) with respect to a distribution of Debentures to
Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a dissolution or liquidation of
the Trust, Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation Amount
of the Trust Securities of the Holder to whom such Debentures are distributed.
Each Debenture distributed pursuant to clause (b) above shall carry with it
accumulated interest in an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid interest
then due on such Debenture.

         "Liquidation Amount" means the stated amount of $10 per Trust Security.

         "Liquidation Date" means the date on which Debentures are to be
distributed to Holders of Trust Securities in connection with a dissolution and
liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 904(a).

         "Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning specified in Section 904(d).

         "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the President or
a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the
Controller or an Assistant Controller or the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, of the Depositor, and delivered to the appropriate Trustee. One of
the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 816
shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the
Depositor. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Trust Agreement shall include:


                                       -6-
<PAGE>   13
         (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

         (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;

         (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and

         (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.

         "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing of legal counsel, who
may be counsel for the Trust, the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or the
Depositor, but not an employee of any thereof, and who shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Property Trustee.

         "Option" means the grant by the Trust to the Underwriters of an option
to purchase all or any portion of an additional 375,000 Preferred Securities,
pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

         "Option Closing Date" means the time, date of payment and delivery of
the Preferred Securities Certificates purchased pursuant to the Underwriters'
exercise of the Option, as more particularly described in the Underwriting
Agreement.

         "Original Trust Agreement" has the meaning specified in the Recitals to
this Trust Agreement.

         "Outstanding", when used with respect to Preferred Securities, means,
as of the date of determination, all Preferred Securities theretofore executed
and delivered under this Trust Agreement, except:

         (a) Preferred Securities theretofore canceled by the Property Trustee
or delivered to the Property Trustee for cancellation;

         (b) Preferred Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Property Trustee or any
Paying Agent for the Holders of such Preferred Securities; provided that, if
such Preferred Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been
duly given pursuant to this Trust Agreement; and

         (c) Preferred Securities which have been paid or in exchange for or in
lieu of which other Preferred Securities have been executed and delivered
pursuant to Sections 504, 505 and 511; provided, however, that in determining
whether the Holders of the requisite Liquidation Amount of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction,


                                       -7-
<PAGE>   14
notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Preferred Securities owned by the
Depositor, any Trustee or any Affiliate of the Depositor or any Trustee shall be
disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that (a) in determining
whether any Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Preferred Securities
that such Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded; and (b) the
foregoing shall not apply at any time when all of the Outstanding Preferred
Securities are owned by the Depositor, one or more of the Trustees and/or any
such Affiliate. Preferred Securities so owned which have been pledged in good
faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the
satisfaction of the Administrative Trustees the pledgee's right so to act with
respect to such Preferred Securities and the pledgee is not the Depositor or any
other Obligor upon the Preferred Securities or a Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the
Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor.

         "Paying Agent" means any paying agent or co-paying agent appointed
pursuant to Section 509 and shall initially be the Bank.

         "Payment Account" means a segregated non-interest-bearing corporate
trust account maintained by the Property Trustee with the Bank in its trust
department for the benefit of the Securityholders in which all amounts paid in
respect of the Debentures shall be held and from which the Property Trustee
shall make payments to the Securityholders in accordance with Sections 401 and
402.

         "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, limited liability company or corporation, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

         "Preferred Security" means an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Trust, having a Liquidation Amount of $10 and having the rights
provided therefor in this Trust Agreement, including the right to receive
Distributions and a Liquidation Distribution as provided herein.

         "Preferred Securities Certificate", means a certificate evidencing
ownership of Preferred Securities, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit
D.

         "Property Trustee" means the commercial bank or trust company
identified as the "Property Trustee," in the Preamble to this Trust Agreement
solely in its capacity as Property Trustee of the Trust heretofore formed and
continued hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in
interest in such capacity, or any successor property trustee appointed as herein
provided.

         "Redemption Date" means, with respect to any Trust Security to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Trust
Agreement; provided that each Debenture Redemption Date and the stated maturity
of the Debentures shall be a Redemption Date for a Like Amount of Trust
Securities.


                                       -8-
<PAGE>   15
         "Redemption Price" means, with respect to any Trust Security, the
Liquidation Amount of such Trust Security, plus accumulated and unpaid
Distributions to the Redemption Date, paid by the Depositor upon the concurrent
redemption of a Like Amount of Debentures, allocated on a pro rata basis (based
on Liquidation Amounts) among the Trust Securities.

         "Relevant Trustee" shall have the meaning specified in Section 810.

         "Securities Register" and "Securities Registrar" have the respective
meanings specified in Section 504.

         "Securityholder" or "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Trust
Security or Securities are registered in the Securities Register; any such
Person is a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Delaware Business Trust
Act.

         "Trust" means Century Bancorp Capital Trust, the Delaware business
trust created and continued hereby.

         "Trust Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, as
the same may be modified, amended or supplemented in accordance with the
applicable provisions hereof, including all exhibits hereto, including, for all
purposes of this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or
supplement, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a
part of and govern this Trust Agreement and any such modification, amendment or
supplement, respectively.

         "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed;
provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent
required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

         "Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures; (b) the rights of the
Property Trustee under the Guarantee; (c) any cash on deposit in, or owing to,
the Payment Account; and (d) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing
and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held
by the Property Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Trust Agreement.

         "Trust Security" means any one of the Common Securities or the
Preferred Securities.

         "Trust Securities Certificate" means any one of the Common Securities
Certificates or the Preferred Securities Certificates.

         "Trustees" means, collectively, the Property Trustee, the Delaware
Trustee and the Administrative Trustees.

         "Underwriters" means Tucker Anthony Incorporated and the other
underwriters named in the Underwriting Agreement.


                                       -9-
<PAGE>   16
         "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of
__________, 1998, among the Trust, the Depositor and the Underwriters named
therein.

                                   ARTICLE II
                           ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TRUST

         SECTION 201.          NAME.

         The Trust created and continued hereby shall be known as "Century
Bancorp Capital Trust", as such name may be modified from time to time by the
Administrative Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Trust
Securities and the other Trustees, in which name the Trustees may engage in the
transactions contemplated hereby, make and execute contracts and other
instruments on behalf of the Trust and sue and be sued.

         SECTION 202.          OFFICE OF THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE; PRINCIPAL PLACE
                               OF BUSINESS.

         The address of the Delaware Trustee in the State of Delaware is c/o
Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or
such other address in the State of Delaware as the Delaware Trustee may
designate by written notice to the Securityholders and the Depositor. The
principal executive office of the Trust is c/o Century Bancorp, Inc., 400 Mystic
Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.

         SECTION 203.          INITIAL CONTRIBUTION OF TRUST PROPERTY;
                               ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES.

         The Trustees acknowledge receipt in trust from the Depositor in
connection with the Original Trust Agreement of the sum of $10, which
constituted the initial Trust Property. The Depositor shall pay organizational
expenses of the Trust as they arise or shall, upon request of any Trustee,
promptly reimburse such Trustee for any such expenses paid by such Trustee. The
Depositor shall make no claim upon the Trust Property for the payment of such
expenses.

         SECTION 204.          ISSUANCE OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES.

         On __________, 1998, the Depositor and an Administrative Trustee, on
behalf of the Trust and pursuant to the Original Trust Agreement, executed and
delivered the Underwriting Agreement. Contemporaneously with the execution and
delivery of this Trust Agreement, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the
Trust, shall execute in accordance with Section 502 and deliver in accordance
with the Underwriting Agreement, Preferred Securities Certificates, registered
in the name of the Persons entitled thereto, in an aggregate amount of 2,500,000
Preferred Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $25,000,000
against receipt of the aggregate purchase price of such Preferred Securities of
$25,000,000, which amount such Administrative Trustee shall promptly deliver to
the Property Trustee. If the Underwriters


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   17
exercise their Option and there is an Option Closing Date, then an
Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in accordance with
Section 502 and deliver in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, Preferred
Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the Persons entitled thereto,
in an aggregate amount of up to 375,000 Preferred Securities having an aggregate
Liquidation Amount of up to $3,750,000 against receipt of the aggregate purchase
price of such Preferred Securities equal to the product of $10 multiplied by the
number of Preferred Securities purchased pursuant to the Option, which amount
such Administrative Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Property Trustee.

         SECTION 205.          ISSUANCE OF THE COMMON SECURITIES; SUBSCRIPTION
                               AND PURCHASE OF DEBENTURES.

         (a) Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Trust
Agreement, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall execute in
accordance with Section 502 and deliver to the Depositor, Common Securities
Certificates, registered in the name of the Depositor, in an aggregate amount of
77,320 Common Securities having an aggregate Liquidation Amount of $773,200
against payment by the Depositor of such amount. Contemporaneously therewith, an
Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall subscribe to and purchase
from the Depositor Debentures, registered in the name of the Property Trustee on
behalf of the Trust and having an aggregate principal amount equal to
$25,773,200, and, in satisfaction of the purchase price for such Debentures, the
Property Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor the sum
of $25,773,200.

         (b) If the Underwriters exercise the Option and there is an Option
Closing Date, then an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall
execute in accordance with Section 502 and deliver to the Depositor, Common
Securities Certificates, registered in the name of the Depositor, in an
aggregate amount of up to 11,593 Common Securities having an aggregate
Liquidation Amount of up to $115,930 against payment by the Depositor of such
amount. Contemporaneously therewith, an Administrative Trustee, on behalf of the
Trust, shall subscribe to and purchase from the Depositor, Debentures,
registered in the name of the Trust and having an aggregate principal amount of
up to $3,865,980, and, in satisfaction of the purchase price of such Debentures,
the Property Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, shall deliver to the Depositor the
amount received from one of the Administrative Trustees pursuant to the last
sentence of Section 204.

         SECTION 206.          DECLARATION OF TRUST.

         The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and
sell Trust Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the
Debentures; and (b) to engage in those activities necessary, convenient or
incidental thereto. The Depositor hereby appoints the Trustees as trustees of
the Trust, to have all the rights, powers and duties to the extent set forth
herein, and the Trustees hereby accept such appointment. The Property Trustee
hereby declares that it shall hold the Trust Property in trust upon and subject
to the conditions set forth herein for the benefit of the Securityholders. The
Administrative Trustees shall have all rights, powers and duties set


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   18
forth herein and in accordance with applicable law with respect to accomplishing
the purposes of the Trust. The Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to
exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and
responsibilities, of the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees set
forth herein. The Delaware Trustee shall be one of the Trustees of the Trust for
the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of
the Delaware Business Trust Act.

         SECTION 207.  AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

         (a) The Trustees shall conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance
with the terms of this Trust Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in
paragraph (b) of this Section 207 and Article VIII, and in accordance with the
following provisions (i) and (ii), the Administrative Trustees shall have the
authority to enter into all transactions and agreements determined by the
Administrative Trustees to be appropriate in exercising the authority, express
or implied, otherwise granted to the Administrative Trustees under this Trust
Agreement, and to perform all acts in furtherance thereof, including without
limitation, the following:

                  (i) As among the Trustees, each Administrative Trustee, acting
         singly or jointly, shall have the power and authority to act on behalf
         of the Trust with respect to the following matters:

                           (A)  the issuance and sale of the Trust Securities;

                           (B) to cause the Trust to enter into, and to execute,
                  deliver and perform on behalf of the Trust, the Expense
                  Agreement and such other agreements or documents as may be
                  necessary or desirable in connection with the purposes and
                  function of the Trust;

                           (C) assisting in the registration of the Preferred
                  Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
                  under state securities or blue sky laws, and the qualification
                  of this Trust Agreement as a trust indenture under the Trust
                  Indenture Act;

                           (D) assisting in the listing of the Preferred
                  Securities upon The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or
                  such securities exchange or exchanges as shall be determined
                  by the Depositor and the registration of the Preferred
                  Securities under the Exchange Act, and the preparation and
                  filing of all periodic and other reports and other documents
                  pursuant to the foregoing;

                           (E) the sending of notices (other than notices of
                  default) and other information regarding the Trust Securities
                  and the Debentures to the Securityholders in accordance with
                  this Trust Agreement;


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   19
                           (F) the appointment of a Paying Agent, Authenticating
                  Agent and Securities Registrar in accordance with this Trust
                  Agreement;

                           (G) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement,
                  the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust
                  and the preparation, execution and filing of the certificate
                  of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of
                  Delaware;

                           (H) to take all action that may be necessary or
                  appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the
                  Trust's valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as
                  a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of
                  Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such
                  existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the
                  Holders of the Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to
                  effect the purposes for which the Trust was created; and

                           (I) the taking of any action incidental to the
                  foregoing as the Administrative Trustees may from time to time
                  determine is necessary or advisable to give effect to the
                  terms of this Trust Agreement for the benefit of the
                  Securityholders (without consideration of the effect of any
                  such action on any particular Securityholder).

                  (ii) As among the Trustees, the Property Trustee shall have
         the power, duty and authority to act on behalf of the Trust with
         respect to the following matters:

                           (A) the establishment of the Payment Account;

                           (B) the receipt of the Debentures;

                           (C) the collection of interest, principal and any
                  other payments made in respect of the Debentures in the
                  Payment Account;

                           (D) the distribution of amounts owed to the
                  Securityholders in respect of the Trust Securities in
                  accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement;

                           (E) the exercise of all of the rights, powers and
                  privileges of a holder of the Debentures;

                           (F) the sending of notices of default and other
                  information regarding the Trust Securities and the Debentures
                  to the Securityholders in accordance with this Trust
                  Agreement;

                           (G) the distribution of the Trust Property in
                  accordance with the terms of this Trust Agreement;


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   20
                           (H) to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement,
                  the winding up of the affairs of and liquidation of the Trust;

                           (I) after an Event of Default, the taking of any
                  action incidental to the foregoing as the Property Trustee may
                  from time to time determine is necessary or advisable to give
                  effect to the terms of this Trust Agreement and protect and
                  conserve the Trust Property for the benefit of the
                  Securityholders (without consideration of the effect of any
                  such action on any particular Securityholder);

                           (J) registering transfers of the Trust Securities in
                  accordance with this Trust Agreement; and

                           (K) except as otherwise provided in this Section
                  207(a)(ii), the Property Trustee shall have none of the
                  duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the
                  Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 207(a)(i).

         (b) So long as this Trust Agreement remains in effect, the Trust (or
the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust) shall not undertake any business,
activities or transaction except as expressly provided herein or contemplated
hereby. In particular, the Trustees shall not (i) acquire any investments or
engage in any activities not authorized by this Trust Agreement; (ii) sell,
assign, transfer, exchange, mortgage, pledge, set-off or otherwise dispose of
any of the Trust Property or interests therein, including to Securityholders,
except as expressly provided herein; (iii) take any action that would cause the
Trust to fail or cease to qualify as a "grantor trust" for United States federal
income tax purposes; (iv) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any
other debt; or (v) take or consent to any action that would result in the
placement of a Lien on any of the Trust Property. The Administrative Trustees
shall defend all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming any Lien
on any of the Trust Property adverse to the interest of the Trust or the
Securityholders in their capacity as Securityholders.

         (c) In connection with the issue and sale of the Preferred Securities,
the Depositor shall have the right and responsibility to assist the Trust with
respect to, or effect on behalf of the Trust, the following (and any actions
taken by the Depositor in furtherance of the following prior to the date of this
Trust Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects):

                  (i) the preparation and filing by the Trust with the
         Commission and the execution on behalf of the Trust of a registration
         statement on the appropriate form in relation to the Preferred
         Securities and the Debentures, including any amendments thereto;

                  (ii) the determination of the States in which to take
         appropriate action to qualify or, register for sale all or part of the
         Preferred Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than
         actions which must be taken by or on behalf of the Trust, and advise
         the Trustees of actions they must take on behalf of the Trust, and
         prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed
         by the Trust or on behalf of the Trust, as the


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   21
         Depositor deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the
         applicable laws of any such States;

                  (iii) the preparation for filing by the Trust and execution on
         behalf of the Trust of an application to The Nasdaq Stock Market's
         National Market or a national stock exchange or other organizations for
         listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities and to file
         or cause an Administrative Trustee to file thereafter with such
         exchange or organization such notifications and documents as may be
         necessary from time to time;

                  (iv) the preparation for filing by the Trust with the
         Commission and the execution on behalf of the Trust of a registration
         statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Preferred
         Securities under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, including
         any amendments thereto;

                  (v) the negotiation of the terms of, and the execution and
         delivery of, the Underwriting Agreement providing for the sale of the
         Preferred Securities; and

                  (vi) the taking of any other actions necessary or desirable to
         carry out any of the foregoing activities.

         (d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative
Trustees are authorized and directed to conduct the affairs of the Trust and to
operate the Trust so that the Trust shall not be deemed to be an "investment
company" required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, shall be
classified as a "grantor trust" and not as an association taxable as a
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and so that the
Debentures shall be treated as indebtedness of the Depositor for United States
federal income tax purposes. In this connection, subject to Section 1002, the
Depositor and the Administrative Trustees are authorized to take any action, not
inconsistent with applicable law or this Trust Agreement, that each of the
Depositor and the Administrative Trustees determines in their discretion to be
necessary or desirable for such purposes.

         SECTION 208.          ASSETS OF TRUST.

         The assets of the Trust shall consist of the Trust Property.

         SECTION 209.          TITLE TO TRUST PROPERTY.

         Legal title to all Trust Property shall be vested at all times in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) and shall be held and administered by
the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Securityholders in accordance with
this Trust Agreement.


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   22
                                   ARTICLE III
                                 PAYMENT ACCOUNT

         SECTION 301.          PAYMENT ACCOUNT.

         (a) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Property Trustee shall
establish the Payment Account. The Property Trustee and any agent of the
Property Trustee shall have exclusive control and sole right of withdrawal with
respect to the Payment Account for the purpose of making deposits and
withdrawals from the Payment Account in accordance with this Trust Agreement.
All monies and other property deposited or held from time to time in the Payment
Account shall be held by the Property Trustee in the Payment Account for the
exclusive benefit of the Securityholders and for distribution as herein
provided, including (and subject to) any priority of payments provided for
herein.

         (b) The Property Trustee shall deposit in the Payment Account, promptly
upon receipt, all payments of principal of or interest on, and any other
payments or proceeds with respect to, the Debentures. Amounts held in the
Payment Account shall not be invested by the Property Trustee pending
distribution thereof.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                            DISTRIBUTIONS; REDEMPTION

         SECTION 401.          DISTRIBUTIONS.

         (a) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be cumulative, and
shall accumulate whether or not there are funds of the Trust available for the
payment of Distributions. Distributions shall accumulate from May __, 1998, and,
except during any Extension Period with respect to the Debentures, shall be
payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31
of each year, commencing on September 30, 1998. If any date on which a
Distribution is otherwise payable on the Trust Securities is not a Business Day,
then the payment of such Distribution shall be made on the next succeeding day
that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of
any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on such date (each
date on which distributions are payable in accordance with this Section 401(a),
a "Distribution Date").

         (b) The Trust Securities represent undivided beneficial interests in
the Trust Property. Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be payable at a
rate of ___% per annum of the Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities. The
amount of Distributions payable for any full period shall be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of Distributions for
any partial period shall be computed on the basis of the number of days elapsed
in a 360-day year of twelve 30 day months. During any Extension Period with
respect to the Debentures, Distributions on the Preferred Securities shall be
deferred for a period equal to the Extension Period. The amount of Distributions
payable for any period shall include the Additional Amounts, if any.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   23
         (c) Distributions on the Trust Securities shall be made by the Property
Trustee solely from the Payment Account and shall be payable on each
Distribution Date only to the extent that the Trust has funds then on hand and
immediately available by 12:30 p.m., Boston time, on each Distribution Date in
the Payment Account for the payment of such Distributions.

         (d) Distributions on the Trust Securities with respect to a
Distribution Date shall be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the
Securities Register for the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which
shall be 15th day of the month in which the Distribution is payable.

         SECTION 402.          REDEMPTION.

         (a) On each Debenture Redemption Date at maturity of the Debentures,
the Trust shall be required to redeem a Like Amount of Trust Securities at the
Redemption Price.

         (b) Notice of redemption shall be given by the Property Trustee by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Trust Securities to be redeemed,
at such Holder's address appearing in the Securities Register. The Property
Trustee shall have no responsibility for the accuracy of any CUSIP number
contained in such notice. All notices of redemption shall state:

                  (i)  the Redemption Date;

                  (ii)  the Redemption Price;

                  (iii)  the CUSIP number;

                  (iv) if less than all the outstanding Trust Securities are to
         be redeemed, the identification and the aggregate Liquidation Amount of
         the particular Trust Securities to be redeemed; and

                  (v) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall
         become due and payable upon each such Trust Security to be redeemed and
         that Distributions thereon shall cease to accumulate on and after said
         date.

         (c) The Trust Securities redeemed on each Redemption Date shall be
redeemed at the Redemption Price with the proceeds from the contemporaneous
redemption of Debentures. Redemptions of the Trust Securities shall be made and
the Redemption Price shall be payable on each Redemption Date only to the extent
that the Trust has immediately available funds then on hand and available in the
Payment Account for the payment of such Redemption Price.

         (d) If the Property Trustee gives a notice of redemption in respect of
any Preferred Securities, then, by 12:00 noon, Boston time, on the Redemption
Date, subject to Section 402(c), the Property Trustee shall deposit with the
Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the applicable


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   24
Redemption Price and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and
authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders thereof upon surrender of
their Preferred Securities Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Distributions payable on or prior to the Redemption Date for any Trust
Securities called for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of such Trust
Securities as they appear on the Securities Register for the Trust Securities on
the relevant record dates for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of
redemption shall have been given and funds deposited as required, then upon the
date of such deposit, all rights of Securityholders holding Trust Securities so
called for redemption shall cease, except the right of such Securityholders to
receive the Redemption Price and any Distribution payable on or prior to the
Redemption Date, but without interest, and such Trust Securities shall cease to
be Outstanding. In the event that any date on which any Redemption Price is
payable is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on
such date shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and
without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the
same force and effect as if made on such date. In the event that payment of the
Redemption Price in respect of any Trust Securities called for redemption is
improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Trust or by the
Depositor pursuant to the Guarantee, Distributions on such Trust Securities
shall continue to accumulate, at the then applicable rate, from the Redemption
Date originally established by the Trust for such Trust Securities to the date
such Redemption Price is actually paid, in which case the actual payment date
shall be the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the
Redemption Price.

         (e) Payment of the Redemption Price on the Trust Securities shall be
made to the record holders thereof as they appear on the Securities Register for
the Trust Securities on the relevant record date, which shall be the date 15
days prior to the relevant Redemption Date.

         (f) Subject to Section 403(a), if less than all the Outstanding Trust
Securities are to be redeemed on a Redemption Date, then the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of Trust Securities to be redeemed shall be allocated on a
pro rata basis (based on Liquidation Amounts) among the Common Securities and
the Preferred Securities. The particular Preferred Securities to be redeemed
shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the
Property Trustee from the Outstanding Preferred Securities not previously called
for redemption, by such method (including, without limitation, by lot) as the
Property Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the
selection for redemption of portions (equal to the Liquidation Amount or an
integral multiple of the Liquidation Amount in excess thereof) of the
Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities of a denomination larger than the
Liquidation Amount. The Property Trustee shall promptly notify the Securities
Registrar in writing of the Preferred Securities selected for redemption and, in
the case of any Preferred Securities selected for partial redemption, the
Liquidation Amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Trust
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the
redemption of Preferred Securities shall relate, in the case of any Preferred
Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the
Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.


                                      -18-
<PAGE>   25
         SECTION 403.          SUBORDINATION OF COMMON SECURITIES.

         (a) Payment of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if
applicable) on, and the Redemption Price of, the Trust Securities, as
applicable, shall be made, subject to Section 402(f), pro rata among the Common
Securities and the Preferred Securities based on the Liquidation Amount of the
Trust Securities; provided, however, that if on any Distribution Date or
Redemption Date any Event of Default resulting from a Debenture Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, no payment of any Distribution (including
Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or Redemption Price of, any Common
Security, and no other payment on account of the redemption, liquidation or
other acquisition of Common Securities, shall be made unless payment in full in
cash of all accumulated and unpaid Distributions (including Additional Amounts,
if applicable) on all Outstanding Preferred Securities for all Distribution
periods terminating on or prior thereto, or in the case of payment of the
Redemption Price the full amount of such Redemption Price on all Outstanding
Preferred Securities then called for redemption, shall have been made or
provided for, and all funds immediately available to the Property Trustee shall
first be applied to the payment in full in cash of all Distributions (including
Additional Amounts, if applicable) on, or the Redemption Price of, Preferred
Securities then due and payable.

         (b) In the case of the occurrence of any Event of Default resulting
from a Debenture Event of Default, the Holder of Common Securities shall be
deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to any such Event of Default
under this Trust Agreement until the effect of all such Events of Default with
respect to the Preferred Securities shall have been cured, waived or otherwise
eliminated. Until any such Event of Default under this Trust Agreement with
respect to the Preferred Securities shall have been so cured, waived or
otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee shall act solely on behalf of the
Holders of the Preferred Securities and not the Holder of the Common Securities,
and only the Holders of the Preferred Securities shall have the right to direct
the Property Trustee to act on their behalf.

         SECTION 404.  PAYMENT PROCEDURES.

         Payments of Distributions (including Additional Amounts, if applicable)
in respect of the Preferred Securities shall be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the
Securities Register. Payments in respect of the Common Securities shall be made
in such manner as shall be mutually agreed between the Property Trustee and the
Common Securityholder.

         SECTION 405.  TAX RETURNS AND REPORTS.

         The Administrative Trustees shall prepare (or cause to be prepared), at
the Depositor's expense, and file all United States federal, state and local tax
and information returns and reports required to be filed by or in respect of the
Trust. In this regard, the Administrative Trustees shall (a) prepare and file
(or cause to be prepared and filed) the appropriate Internal Revenue Service
form required to be filed in respect of the Trust in each taxable year of the
Trust; and (b) prepare and furnish (or cause to be prepared and furnished) to
each Securityholder the appropriate


                                      -19-
<PAGE>   26
Internal Revenue Service form required to be furnished to such Securityholder or
the information required to be provided on such form. The Administrative
Trustees shall provide the Depositor with a copy of all such returns and reports
promptly after such filing or furnishing. The Property Trustee shall comply with
United States federal withholding and backup withholding tax laws and
information reporting requirements with respect to any payments to
Securityholders under the Trust Securities.

         SECTION 406.          PAYMENT OF TAXES, DUTIES, ETC.  OF THE TRUST.

         Upon receipt under the Debentures of Additional Interest, the Property
Trustee, at the direction of an Administrative Trustee or the Depositor, shall
promptly pay any taxes, duties or governmental charges of whatsoever nature
(other than withholding taxes) imposed on the Trust by the United States or any
other taxing authority.

         SECTION 407.          PAYMENTS UNDER INDENTURE.

         Any amount payable hereunder to any Holder of Preferred Securities
shall be reduced by the amount of any corresponding payment such Holder has
directly received under the Indenture pursuant to Section 514(b) or (c) hereof.

                                    ARTICLE V
                          TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES

         SECTION 501.          INITIAL OWNERSHIP.

         Upon the creation of the Trust and the contribution by the Depositor
pursuant to Section 203 and until the issuance of the Trust Securities, and at
any time during which no Trust Securities are outstanding, the Depositor shall
be the sole beneficial owner of the Trust.

         SECTION 502.          THE TRUST SECURITIES CERTIFICATES.

         The Preferred Securities Certificates shall be issued in minimum
denominations of the Liquidation Amount and integral multiples of the
Liquidation Amount in excess thereof, and the Common Securities Certificates
shall be issued in denominations of the Liquidation Amount and integral
multiples thereof. The Trust Securities Certificates shall be executed on behalf
of the Trust by manual or facsimile signature of at least one Administrative
Trustee. Trust Securities Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile
signatures of individuals who were, at the time when such signatures shall have
been affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Trust, shall be validly issued
and entitled to the benefits of this Trust Agreement, notwithstanding that such
individuals or any of them shall have ceased to be so authorized prior to the
delivery of such Trust Securities Certificates or did not hold such offices at
the date of delivery of such Trust Securities Certificates. A transferee of a
Trust Securities Certificate shall become a Securityholder, and shall be
entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Securityholder
hereunder, upon due


                                      -20-
<PAGE>   27
registration of such Trust Securities Certificate in such transferee's name
pursuant to Sections 504 and 511.

         SECTION 503.          EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF TRUST
                               SECURITIES CERTIFICATES.

         (a) On the Closing Date and on the Option Closing Date, the
Administrative Trustees shall cause Trust Securities Certificates, in an
aggregate Liquidation Amount as provided in Sections 204 and 205, to be executed
on behalf of the Trust by at least one of the Administrative Trustees and
delivered to or upon the written order of the Depositor, signed by its Chief
Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer without further corporate action by the Depositor, in authorized
denominations.

         (b) A Preferred Securities Certificate shall not be valid until
authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Property
Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Preferred
Securities Certificate has been authenticated under this Trust Agreement. Each
Preferred Securities Certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication.

         (c) Upon the written order of the Trust signed by the Administrative
Trustee, the Property Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
the Preferred Securities Certificates.

         (d) The Property Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent acceptable
to the Trust to authenticate the Preferred Securities. An Authenticating Agent
may authenticate the Preferred Securities whenever the Property Trustee may do
so. Each reference in this Trust Agreement to authentication by the Property
Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An Authenticating Agent has the
same rights as the Property Trustee to deal with the Depositor or the Trust.

         SECTION 504.          REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF
                               PREFERRED SECURITIES CERTIFICATES.

         (a) The Depositor shall keep or cause to be kept, at the office or
agency maintained pursuant to Section 508, a register or registers for the
purpose of registering Trust Securities Certificates and transfers and exchanges
of Preferred Securities Certificates (herein referred to as the "Securities
Register") in which the registrar designated by the Depositor (the "Securities
Registrar"), subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, shall
provide for the registration of Preferred Securities Certificates and Common
Securities Certificates (subject to Section 510 in the case of the Common
Securities Certificates) and registration of transfers and exchanges of
Preferred Securities Certificates as herein provided. The Property Trustee shall
be the initial Securities Registrar.

         (b) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Preferred
Securities Certificate at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section
508, the Administrative Trustees or any one of them shall execute and deliver,
in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or


                                      -21-
<PAGE>   28
more new Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized denominations of a like
aggregate Liquidation Amount dated the date of execution by such Administrative
Trustee or Trustees. The Securities Registrar shall not be required to register
the transfer of any Preferred Securities that have been called for redemption.
At the option of a Holder, Preferred Securities Certificates may be exchanged
for other Preferred Securities Certificates in authorized denominations of the
same class and of a like aggregate Liquidation Amount upon surrender of the
Preferred Securities Certificates to be exchanged at the office or agency
maintained pursuant to Section 508.

         (c) Every Preferred Securities Certificate presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange shall be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Property Trustee and the
Securities Registrar duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized
in writing. Each Preferred Securities Certificate surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange shall be canceled and subsequently disposed of by the
Property Trustee in accordance with its customary practice. The Trust shall not
be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Preferred
Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 calendar days
before the date of mailing of a notice of redemption of any Preferred Securities
called for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such
mailing; or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Preferred Securities
so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any such Preferred Securities being redeemed in part.

         (d) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Preferred Securities Certificates, but the Securities Registrar may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of Preferred
Securities Certificates.

         SECTION 505.          MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN TRUST
                               SECURITIES CERTIFICATES.

         If (a) any mutilated Trust Securities Certificate shall be surrendered
to the Securities Registrar, or if the Securities Registrar shall receive
evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Trust
Securities Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Securities
Registrar, the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees such security or
indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then in the
absence of notice that such Trust Securities Certificate shall have been
acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Administrative Trustees, or any one of
them, on behalf of the Trust shall execute and make available for delivery, in
exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Trust
Securities Certificate, a new Trust Securities Certificate of like class, tenor
and denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new Trust Securities
Certificate under this Section 505, the Administrative Trustees or the
Securities Registrar may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
Any duplicate Trust Securities Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 505
shall constitute conclusive evidence of an undivided beneficial interest in the
assets of the Trust, as if originally


                                      -22-
<PAGE>   29
issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Trust Securities
Certificate shall be found at any time.

         SECTION 506.          PERSONS DEEMED SECURITYHOLDERS.

         The Trustees, the Paying Agent and the Securities Registrar shall treat
the Person in whose name any Trust Securities Certificate shall be registered in
the Securities Register as the owner of such Trust Securities Certificate for
the purpose of receiving Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever,
and neither the Trustees nor the Securities Registrar shall be bound by any
notice to the contrary.

         SECTION 507.          ACCESS TO LIST OF SECURITYHOLDERS' NAMES AND
                               ADDRESSES.

         At any time when the Property Trustee is not also acting as the
Securities Registrar, the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor shall furnish
or cause to be furnished to the Property Trustee (a) semi-annually on or before
January 15 and July 15 in each year, a list, in such form as the Property
Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Securityholders as of the most recent record date; and (b) promptly after
receipt by any Administrative Trustee or the Depositor of a request therefor
from the Property Trustee in order to enable the Property Trustee to discharge
its obligations under this Trust Agreement, in each case to the extent such
information is in the possession or control of the Administrative Trustees or
the Depositor and is not identical to a previously supplied list or has not
otherwise been received by the Property Trustee in its capacity as Securities
Registrar. The rights of Securityholders to communicate with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Trust Agreement or under
the Trust Securities, and the corresponding rights of the Trustee shall be as
provided in the Trust Indenture Act. Each Holder, by receiving and holding a
Trust Securities Certificate, and each owner shall be deemed to have agreed not
to hold the Depositor, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees
accountable by reason of the disclosure of its name and address, regardless of
the source from which such information was derived.

         SECTION 508.          MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.

         The Administrative Trustees shall maintain in a location or locations
designated by the Administrative Trustees, an office or offices or agency or
agencies where Preferred Securities Certificates may be surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon
the Trustees in respect of the Trust Securities Certificates may be served. The
Administrative Trustees initially designate the Corporate Trust Office of the
Property Trustee, Two International Place, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, as the principal corporate trust office for such purposes. The
Administrative Trustees shall give prompt written notice to the Depositor and to
the Securityholders of any change in the location of the Securities Register or
any such office or agency.


                                      -23-
<PAGE>   30
         SECTION 509.          APPOINTMENT OF PAYING AGENT.

         The Paying Agent shall initially be the Property Trustee, and any
co-paying agent chosen by the Property Trustee must be acceptable to the
Administrative Trustees and the Depositor. The Paying Agent shall make
Distributions to Securityholders from the Payment Account and shall report the
amounts of such Distributions to the Property Trustee and the Administrative
Trustees. Any Paying Agent shall have the revocable power to withdraw funds from
the Payment Account for the purpose of making the Distributions referred to
above. The Administrative Trustees may revoke such power and remove the Paying
Agent if such Trustees determine in their sole discretion that the Paying Agent
shall have failed to perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement in any
material respect. Any Person acting as Paying Agent shall be permitted to resign
as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Depositor. In the event that the Property Trustee shall
no longer be the Paying Agent or a successor Paying Agent shall resign or its
authority to act be revoked, the Administrative Trustees shall appoint a
successor that is acceptable to the Property Trustee and the Depositor to act as
Paying Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company). The Administrative
Trustees shall cause such successor Paying Agent or any additional Paying Agent
appointed by the Administrative Trustees to execute and deliver to the Trustees
an instrument in which such successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agent
shall agree with the Trustees that as Paying Agent, such successor Paying Agent
or additional Paying Agent shall hold all sums, if any, held by it for payment
to the Securityholders in trust for the benefit of the Securityholders entitled
thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Securityholders. The Paying Agent
shall return all unclaimed funds to the Property Trustee and, upon removal of a
Paying Agent, such Paying Agent shall also return all funds in its possession to
the Property Trustee. The provisions of Sections 801, 803 and 806 shall apply to
the Property Trustee also in its role as Paying Agent, for so long as the
Property Trustee shall act as Paying Agent and, to the extent applicable, to any
other Paying Agent appointed hereunder. Any reference in this Trust Agreement to
the Paying Agent shall include any co-paying agent unless the context requires
otherwise.

         SECTION 510.          OWNERSHIP OF COMMON SECURITIES BY DEPOSITOR.

         On the Closing Date, the Depositor shall acquire and retain beneficial
and record ownership of the Common Securities. To the fullest extent permitted
by law, any attempted transfer of the Common Securities (other than a transfer
in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Depositor into another
corporation pursuant to Section 12.1 of the Indenture) shall be void. The
Administrative Trustees shall cause each Common Securities Certificate issued to
the Depositor to contain a legend stating "THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT
TRANSFERABLE".

         SECTION 511.          PREFERRED SECURITIES CERTIFICATES.

         (a) Each owner shall receive a Preferred Securities Certificate
representing such owner's interest in such Preferred Securities. Upon the
issuance of Preferred Securities Certificates, the Trustees shall recognize the
record holders of the Preferred Securities Certificates as


                                      -24-
<PAGE>   31
Securityholders. The Preferred Securities Certificates shall be printed,
lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably
acceptable to the Administrative Trustees, as evidenced by the execution thereof
by the Administrative Trustees or any one of them.

         (b) A single Common Securities Certificate representing the Common
Securities shall be issued to the Depositor in the form of a definitive Common
Securities Certificate.

         SECTION 512.          [Intentionally Omitted]

         SECTION 513.          [Intentionally Omitted]

         SECTION 514.          RIGHTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

         (a) The legal title to the Trust Property is vested exclusively in the
Property Trustee (in its capacity as such) in accordance with Section 209, and
the Securityholders shall not have any right or title therein other than the
undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust conferred by their
Trust Securities and they shall have no right to call for any partition or
division of property, profits or rights of the Trust except as described below.
The Trust Securities shall be personal property giving only the rights
specifically set forth therein and in this Trust Agreement. The Trust Securities
shall have no preemptive or similar rights. When issued and delivered to Holders
of the Preferred Securities against payment of the purchase price therefor, the
Preferred Securities shall be fully paid and nonassessable interests in the
Trust. The Holders of the Preferred Securities, in their capacities as such,
shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

         (b) For so long as any Preferred Securities remain Outstanding, upon a
Debenture Event of Default, the Debenture Trustee fails or the holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debentures fail to declare
the principal of all of the Debentures to be immediately due and payable, the
Holders of at least 25% in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities then
Outstanding shall have such right by a notice in writing to the Depositor and
the Debenture Trustee; and upon any such declaration such principal amount of
and the accrued interest on all of the Debentures shall become immediately due
and payable, provided that the payment of principal and interest on such
Debentures shall remain subordinated to the extent provided in the Indenture.

         (c) For so long as any Preferred Securities remain Outstanding, upon a
Debenture Event of Default arising from the failure to pay interest or principal
on the Debentures, the Holders of any Preferred Securities then Outstanding
shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have the right to directly
institute proceedings for enforcement of payment to such Holders of principal of
or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities of such Holders.


                                      -25-
<PAGE>   32
                                   ARTICLE VI
                    ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS; MEETINGS; VOTING

         SECTION 601.          LIMITATIONS ON VOTING RIGHTS.

         (a) Except as provided in this Section 601, in Sections 514, 810 and
1002 and in the Indenture and as otherwise required by law, no Holder of
Preferred Securities shall have any right to vote or in any manner otherwise
control the administration, operation and management of the Trust or the
obligations of the parties hereto, nor shall anything herein set forth, or
contained in the terms of the Trust Securities Certificates, be construed so as
to constitute the Securityholders from time to time as partners or members of an
association.

         (b) So long as any Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the
Trustees shall not (i) direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or executing any
trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to such
Debentures; (ii) waive any past default which is waivable under Article VII of
the Indenture; (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that
the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable; or (iv) consent to
any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures,
where such consent shall be required, without, in each case, obtaining the prior
approval of the Holders of at least a majority in Liquidation Amount of all
Outstanding Preferred Securities; provided, however, that where a consent under
the Indenture would require the consent of each holder of outstanding Debentures
affected thereby, no such consent shall be given by the Property Trustee without
the prior written consent of each Holder of Preferred Securities. The Trustees
shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the
Holders of the Outstanding Preferred Securities, except when authorized by a
subsequent vote of the Holders of the Outstanding Preferred Securities. The
Property Trustee shall notify each Holder of the Outstanding Preferred
Securities of any notice of default received from the Debenture Trustee with
respect to the Debentures. In addition to obtaining the foregoing approvals of
the Holders of the Preferred Securities, prior to taking any of the foregoing
actions, the Trustees shall, at the expense of the Depositor, obtain an Opinion
of Counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that the Trust shall
continue to be classified as a grantor trust and not as an association taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes on account of
such action.

         (c) If any proposed amendment to the Trust Agreement provides for, or
the Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely
affect in any material respect the powers, preferences or special rights of the
Preferred Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Trust Agreement or
otherwise; or (ii) the dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust,
other than pursuant to the terms of this Trust Agreement, then the Holders of
Outstanding Preferred Securities as a class shall be entitled to vote on such
amendment or proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective
except with the approval of the Holders of at least a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Outstanding Preferred Securities. No amendment to this Trust
Agreement may be made if, as a result of such amendment, the Trust would cease
to be


                                      -26-
<PAGE>   33
classified as a grantor trust or would be classified as an association taxable
as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

         SECTION 602.          NOTICE OF MEETINGS.

         Notice of all meetings of the Preferred Securityholders, stating the
time, place and purpose of the meeting, shall be given by the Property Trustee
pursuant to Section 1008 to each Preferred Securityholder of record, at his
registered address, at least 15 days and not more than 90 days before the
meeting. At any such meeting, any business properly before the meeting may be so
considered whether or not stated in the notice of the meeting. Any adjourned
meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.

         SECTION 603.          MEETINGS OF PREFERRED SECURITYHOLDERS.

         (a) No annual meeting of Securityholders is required to be held. The
Administrative Trustees, however, shall call a meeting of Securityholders to
vote on any matter in respect of which Preferred Securityholders are entitled to
vote upon the written request of the Preferred Securityholders of 25% of the
Outstanding Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount)
and the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee may, at any time in
their discretion, call a meeting of Preferred Securityholders to vote on any
matters as to which the Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote.

         (b) Preferred Securityholders of record of 50% of the Outstanding
Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount), present in
person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of Securityholders.

         (c) If a quorum is present at a meeting, an affirmative vote by the
Preferred Securityholders of record present, in person or by proxy, holding more
than a majority of the Preferred Securities (based upon their aggregate
Liquidation Amount) held by the Preferred Securityholders of record present,
either in person or by proxy, at such meeting shall constitute the action of the
Securityholders, unless this Trust Agreement requires a greater number of
affirmative votes.

         SECTION 604.          VOTING RIGHTS.

         Securityholders shall be entitled to one vote for each dollar value of
Liquidation Amount represented by their Trust Securities in respect of any
matter as to which such Securityholders are entitled to vote (and such dollar
value shall be $10 per Preferred Security until such time, if any, as the
Liquidation Amount is changed as provided herein).

         SECTION 605.          PROXIES, ETC.

         At any meeting of Securityholders, any Securityholder entitled to vote
thereat may vote by proxy, provided that no proxy, shall be voted at any meeting
unless it shall have been placed on


                                      -27-
<PAGE>   34
file with the Administrative Trustees, or with such other officer or agent of
the Trust as the Administrative Trustees may direct, for verification prior to
the time at which such vote shall be taken. When Trust Securities are held
jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or
by proxy in respect of such Trust Securities, but if more than one of them shall
be present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their
proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall not be
received in respect of such Trust Securities. A proxy purporting to be executed
by or on behalf of a Securityholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at
or prior to its exercise, and, the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on
the challenger. No proxy shall be valid more than three years after its date of
execution.

         SECTION 606.          SECURITYHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT.

         Any action which may be taken by Securityholders at a meeting may be
taken without a meeting if Securityholders holding more than a majority of all
Outstanding Trust Securities (based upon their aggregate Liquidation Amount)
entitled to vote in respect of such action (or such larger proportion thereof as
shall be required by any express provision of this Trust Agreement) shall
consent to the action in writing.

         SECTION 607.          RECORD DATE FOR VOTING AND OTHER PURPOSES.

         For the purposes of determining the Securityholders who are entitled to
notice of and to vote at any meeting or by written consent, or to participate in
any Distribution on the Trust Securities in respect of which a record date is
not otherwise provided for in this Trust Agreement, or for the purpose of any
other action, the Administrative Trustees may from time to time fix a date, not
more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of Securityholders or the
payment of Distribution or other action, as the case may be, as a record date
for the determination of the identity of the Securityholders of record for such
purposes.

         SECTION 608.          ACTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

         (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Trust Agreement to be
given, made or taken by Securityholders may be embodied in and evidenced by one
or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such
Securityholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, such action shall become effective when
such instrument or instruments are delivered to an Administrative Trustee. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Securityholders
signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such
instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any
purpose of this Trust Agreement and (subject to Section 801) conclusive in favor
of the Trustees, if made in the manner provided in this Section 608.


                                      -28-
<PAGE>   35
         (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which any Trustee receiving the same deems sufficient.

         (c) The ownership of Preferred Securities shall be proved by the
Securities Register.

         (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other Act of the Securityholder of any Trust Security shall bind every
future Securityholder of the same Trust Security and the Securityholder of every
Trust Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange
therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to
be done by the Trustees or the Trust in reliance thereon, whether or not
notation of such action is made upon such Trust Security.

         (e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Securityholder entitled hereunder
to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Trust Security may do
so with regard to all or any part of the Liquidation Amount of such Trust
Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so
pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such Liquidation
Amount.

         (f) A Securityholder may institute a legal proceeding directly against
the Depositor under the Guarantee to enforce its rights under the Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee (as
defined in the Guarantee), the Trust or any Person.

         SECTION 609.          INSPECTION OF RECORDS.

         Upon reasonable notice to the Administrative Trustees and the Property
Trustee, the records of the Trust shall be open to inspection and copying by
Securityholders and their authorized representatives during normal business
hours for any purpose reasonably related to such Securityholder's interest as a
Securityholder.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION 701.          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BANK AND
                               THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.

         The Bank and the Property Trustee, each severally on behalf of and as
to itself, as of the date hereof, and each successor Property Trustee at the
time of the successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as
Property Trustee hereunder (the term "Bank" being used to refer


                                      -29-
<PAGE>   36
to such successor Property Trustee in its separate corporate capacity) hereby
represents and warrants (as applicable) for the benefit of the Depositor and the
Securityholders that:

         (a) the Bank is a trust company duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

         (b) the Bank has full corporate power, authority and legal right to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement and has
taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
by it of this Trust Agreement;

         (c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Property Trustee and constitutes the valid and legally binding
agreement of the Property Trustee enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors, rights and to general equity principles;

         (d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
other action on the part of the Property Trustee and does not require any
approval of stockholders of the Bank and such execution, delivery and
performance shall not (i) violate the Bank's charter or by-laws; (ii) violate
any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of time, a
default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on any
properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any
indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument
to which the Property Trustee or the Bank is a party or by which it is bound; or
(iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United States or
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as the case may be, governing the banking or
trust powers of the Bank or the Property Trustee (as appropriate in context) or
any order, judgment or decree applicable to the Property Trustee or the Bank;

         (e) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Property
Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions
by the Property Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or
approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any
other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any
existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Bank or the
Property Trustee, as the case may be, under the laws of the United States or the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and

         (f) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of the Property
Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Bank or the Property
Trustee in any court or before any governmental authority, agency or arbitration
board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, would materially and
adversely affect the Trust or would question the right, power and authority of
the Property Trustee to enter into or perform its obligations as one of the
Trustees under this Trust Agreement.


                                      -30-
<PAGE>   37
         SECTION 702.          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE DELAWARE
                               BANK AND THE DELAWARE TRUSTEE.

         The Delaware Bank and the Delaware Trustee, each severally on behalf of
and as to itself, as of the date hereof, and each successor Delaware Trustee at
the time of the successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of appointment as
Delaware Trustee hereunder (the term "Delaware Bank" being used to refer to such
successor Delaware Trustee in its separate corporate capacity), hereby
represents and warrants (as applicable) for the benefit of the Depositor and the
Securityholders that:

         (a) the Delaware Bank is a Delaware banking corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

         (b) the Delaware Bank has full corporate power, authority and legal
right to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Trust Agreement
and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance by it of this Trust Agreement;

         (c) this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Delaware Trustee and constitutes the valid and legally binding
agreement of the Delaware Trustee enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors, rights and to general equity principles;

         (d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Delaware Trustee of
this Trust Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
other action on the part of the Delaware Trustee and does not require any
approval of stockholders of the Delaware Bank and such execution, delivery and
performance shall not (i) violate the Delaware Bank's charter or by-laws; (ii)
violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or lapse of
time, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of, any Lien on
any properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the provisions of, any
indenture, mortgage, credit agreement, license or other agreement or instrument
to which the Delaware Bank or the Delaware Trustee is a party or by which it is
bound; or (iii) violate any law, governmental rule or regulation of the United
States or the State of Delaware, as the case may be, governing the banking or
trust powers of the Delaware Bank or the Delaware Trustee (as appropriate in
context) or any order, judgment or decree applicable to the Delaware Bank or the
Delaware Trustee;

         (e) neither the authorization, execution or delivery by the Delaware
Trustee of this Trust Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions
by the Delaware Trustee contemplated herein or therein requires the consent or
approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any
other action with respect to any governmental authority or agency under any
existing federal law governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Bank
or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, under the laws of the United States
or the State of Delaware; and


                                      -31-
<PAGE>   38
         (f) there are no proceedings pending or, to the best of the Delaware
Trustee's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Delaware Bank or the
Delaware Trustee in any court or before any governmental authority, agency or
arbitration board or tribunal which, individually or in the aggregate, would
materially and adversely affect the Trust or would question the right, power and
authority of the Delaware Trustee to enter into or perform its obligations as
one of the Trustees under this Trust Agreement.

         SECTION 703.          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DEPOSITOR.

         The Depositor hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the
Securityholders that:

         (a) the Trust Securities Certificates issued on the Closing Date or the
Option Closing Date, if applicable, on behalf of the Trust have been duly
authorized and, shall be, as of such date or dates, if applicable, duly and
validly executed, issued and delivered by the Administrative Trustees pursuant
to the terms and provisions of, and in accordance with the requirements of, this
Trust Agreement and the Securityholders shall be, as of such date or dates, if
applicable, entitled to the benefits of this Trust Agreement; and

         (b) there are no taxes, fees or other governmental charges payable by
the Trust (or the Trustees on behalf of the Trust) under the laws of the State
of Delaware or any political subdivision thereof in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance by the Bank, the Property Trustee or the
Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, of this Trust Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    TRUSTEES

         SECTION 801.          CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

         (a) The duties and responsibilities of the Trustees shall be as
provided by this Trust Agreement and, in the case of the Property Trustee, by
the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Trust Agreement shall require the Trustees to expend or risk their own funds or
otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of their
duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of their rights or powers, if they
shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
them. No Administrative Trustee nor the Delaware Trustee shall be liable for its
act or omissions hereunder except as a result of its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Property Trustee's liability shall be determined under
the Trust Indenture Act. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Trust Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the
liability of or affording protection to the Trustees shall be subject to the
provisions of this Section 801. To the extent that, at law or in equity, the
Delaware Trustee or an Administrative Trustee has duties (including fiduciary
duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to the Securityholders,
the Delaware Trustee or such Administrative Trustee shall not be liable to the
Trust or to any Securityholder for such Trustee's good faith reliance on the
provisions of this Trust Agreement. The provisions of this Trust Agreement, to
the extent that


                                      -32-
<PAGE>   39
they restrict the duties and liabilities of the Delaware Trustee or the
Administrative Trustees otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by
the Depositor and the Securityholders to replace such other duties and
liabilities of the Delaware Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, as the case
may be.

         (b) All payments made by the Property Trustee or a Paying Agent in
respect of the Trust Securities shall be made only from the revenue and proceeds
from the Trust Property and only to the extent that there shall be sufficient
revenue or proceeds from the Trust Property to enable the Property Trustee or a
Paying Agent to make payments in accordance with the terms hereof. With respect
to the relationship of each Securityholder and the Trustee, each Securityholder,
by its acceptance of a Trust Security, agrees that it shall look solely to the
revenue and proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent legally available for
distribution to it as herein provided and that the Trustees are not personally
liable to it for any amount distributable in respect of any Trust Security or
for any other liability in respect of any Trust Security. This Section 801(b)
does not limit the liability of the Trustees expressly set forth elsewhere in
this Trust Agreement or, in the case of the Property Trustee, in the Trust
Indenture Act.

         (c) No provision of this Trust Agreement shall be construed to relieve
the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                  (i) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
         judgment made in good faith by an authorized officer of the Property
         Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was
         negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

                  (ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to
         any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
         accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a
         majority in Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities relating to the
         time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
         available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
         conferred upon the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement;

                  (iii) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the
         custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and
         the Payment Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar
         manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own
         account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability
         afforded to the Property Trustee under this Trust Agreement and the
         Trust Indenture Act;

                  (iv) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest
         on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree with the
         Depositor and money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated
         from other funds held by it except in relation to the Payment Account
         maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 301 and except
         to the extent otherwise required by law; and


                                      -33-
<PAGE>   40
                  (v) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for
         monitoring the compliance by the Administrative Trustees or the
         Depositor with their respective duties under this Trust Agreement, nor
         shall the Property Trustee be liable for the negligence, default or
         misconduct of the Administrative Trustees or the Depositor.

         SECTION 802.          CERTAIN NOTICES.

         (a) Within 5 Business Days after the occurrence of any Event of Default
actually known to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall transmit, in
the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1008, notice of such Event of
Default to the Securityholders, the Administrative Trustees and the Depositor,
unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived. For purposes of
this Section 802 the term "Event of Default" means any event that is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.

         (b) The Administrative Trustees shall transmit, to the Securityholders
in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 1008, notice of the
Depositor's election to begin or further extend an Extension Period on the
Debentures (unless such election shall have been revoked), and of any election
by the Depositor to accelerate the Maturity Date of the Debentures within the
time specified for transmitting such notice to the holders of the Debentures
pursuant to the Indenture as originally executed.

         SECTION 803.          CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE.

         Subject to the provisions of Section 801:

         (a) the Property Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting in good faith upon any resolution, Opinion of Counsel,
certificate, written representation of a Holder or transferee, certificate of
auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

         (b) if (i) in performing its duties under this Trust Agreement the
Property Trustee is required to decide between alternative courses of action; or
(ii) in construing any of the provisions of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee finds the same ambiguous or inconsistent with other provisions contained
herein; or (iii) the Property Trustee is unsure of the application of any
provision of this Trust Agreement, then, except as to any matter as to which the
Preferred Securityholders are entitled to vote under the terms of this Trust
Agreement, the Property Trustee shall deliver a notice to the Depositor
requesting written instructions of the Depositor as to the course of action to
be taken and the Property Trustee shall take such action, or refrain from taking
such action, as the Property Trustee shall be instructed in writing to take, or
to refrain from taking, by the Depositor; provided, however, that if the
Property Trustee does not receive such instructions of the Depositor within 10
Business Days after it has delivered such notice, or such reasonably shorter
period of time set forth in such notice (which to the extent practicable shall
not


                                      -34-
<PAGE>   41
be less than 2 Business Days), it may, but shall be under no duty to, take or
refrain from taking such action not inconsistent with this Trust Agreement as it
shall deem advisable and in the best interests of the Securityholders, in which
event the Property Trustee shall have no liability except for its own bad faith,
negligence or willful misconduct;

         (c) any direction or act of the Depositor or the Administrative
Trustees contemplated by this Trust Agreement shall be sufficiently evidenced by
an Officers' Certificate;

         (d) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be established before
undertaking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee
(unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officer's
Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by
the Depositor or the Administrative Trustees;

         (e) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording,
filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or
continuation statement, any filing under tax or securities laws or any filing
under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or reregistration
thereof;

         (f) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel of its choice (which
counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates) and the advice
of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith
and in reliance thereon and, in accordance with such advice, such counsel may be
counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its
employees; the Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Trust Agreement from any
court of competent jurisdiction;

         (g) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement at the request,
order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to this Trust
Agreement, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Property
Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request, order
or direction; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Property
Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (that has
not been cured or waived) to exercise with respect to the Debentures, such of
the rights and powers vested in it by this Trust Agreement, and to use the same
degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or
use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

         (h) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document,
unless requested in writing to do so by one or more Securityholders, but the


                                      -35-
<PAGE>   42
Property Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts
or matters as it may see fit;

         (i) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through its
agents or attorneys, provided that the Property Trustee shall be responsible for
its own negligence or recklessness with respect to selection of any agent or
attorney appointed by it hereunder;

         (j) whenever in the administration of this Trust Agreement the Property
Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to
enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder the Property
Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Trust Securities
which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in
Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities as would be entitled to direct the
Property Trustee under the terms of the Trust Securities in respect of such
remedy, right or action; (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or
taking such other action until such instructions are received; and (iii) shall
be protected in acting in accordance with such instructions; and

         (k) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Trust Agreement, the
Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is
discretionary under the provisions of this Trust Agreement. No provision of this
Trust Agreement shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Property
Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or
obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be
illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in
accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise
any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority
available to the Property Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

         SECTION 804.          NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR USE OF PROCEEDS.

         The Recitals contained herein and in the Trust Securities Certificates
shall be taken as the statements of the Trust, and the Trustees do not assume
any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees shall not be accountable
for the use or application by the Depositor of the proceeds of the Debentures.

         SECTION 805.          MAY HOLD SECURITIES.

         Any Trustee or any other agent of any Trustee or the Trust, in its
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Trust
Securities and, subject to Sections 808 and 813 and except as provided in the
definition of the term "Outstanding" in Article I, may otherwise deal with the
Trust with the same rights it would have if it were not a Trustee or such other
agent.

         SECTION 806.          COMPENSATION; INDEMNITY; FEES.

         The Depositor agrees:


                                      -36-
<PAGE>   43
         (a) to pay to the Trustees from time to time reasonable compensation
for all services rendered by them hereunder (which compensation shall not be
limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an
express trust);

         (b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
Trustees upon request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustees in accordance with any provision of this Trust
Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to such Trustee's negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct (or, in the case of the Administrative Trustees or the
Delaware Trustee, any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its, his or her gross negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct); and

         (c) to indemnify each of the Trustees or any predecessor Trustee for,
and to hold the Trustees harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability,
penalty or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising
out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Trust
Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any
claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its
powers or duties hereunder, except any such expense, disbursement or advance as
may be attributable to such Trustee's negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct (or, in the case of the Administrative Trustees or the Delaware
Trustee, any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to
its, his or her gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct).

         No Trustee may claim any Lien on any Trust Property as a result of any
amount due pursuant to this Section 806.

         SECTION 807.          CORPORATE PROPERTY TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY
                               OF TRUSTEES.

         (a) There shall at all times be a Property Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Trust Securities. The Property Trustee shall be a Person that is
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section
807, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition
so published. If at any time the Property Trustee with respect to the Trust
Securities shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 807, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article VIII.

         (b) There shall at all times be one or more Administrative Trustees
hereunder with respect to the Trust Securities. Each Administrative Trustee
shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal
entity that shall act through one or more persons authorized to bind that
entity.


                                      -37-
<PAGE>   44
         (c) There shall at all times be a Delaware Trustee with respect to the
Trust Securities. The Delaware Trustee shall either be (i) a natural person who
is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the State of Delaware; or (ii) a
legal entity with its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and
that otherwise meets the requirements of applicable Delaware law that shall act
through one or more persons authorized to bind such entity.

         SECTION 808.          CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

         If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest
within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Trust
Agreement.

         SECTION 809.          CO-TRUSTEES AND SEPARATE TRUSTEE.

         (a) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
at any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of the
Trust Indenture Act or of any jurisdiction in which any part of the Trust
Property may at the time be located, the Depositor shall have power to appoint,
and upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the Depositor shall for
such purpose join with the Property Trustee in the execution, delivery and
performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint,
one or more Persons approved by the Property Trustee either to act as
co-trustee, jointly with the Property Trustee, of all or any part of such Trust
Property, or to the extent required by law to act as separate trustee of any
such property, in either case with such powers as may be provided in the
instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or Persons in the capacity
aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable,
subject to the other provisions of this Section 809. If the Depositor does not
join in such appointment within 15 days after the receipt by it of a request so
to do, or in case a Debenture Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
the Property Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment. Any
co-trustee or separate trustee appointed pursuant to this Section 809 shall
either be (i) a natural person who is at least 21 years of age and a resident of
the United States; or (ii) a legal entity with its principal place of business
in the United States that shall act through one or more persons authorized to
bind such entity.

         (b) Should any written instrument from the Depositor be required by any
co-trustee or separate trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such
co-trustee or separate trustee such property, title, right, or power, any and
all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged, and delivered
by the Depositor.

         (c) Every co-trustee or separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted
by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms,
namely:

                  (i) The Trust Securities shall be executed and delivered and
         all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the
         custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or
         required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustees


                                      -38-
<PAGE>   45
         specified hereunder, shall be exercised, solely by such Trustees and
         not by such co-trustee or separate trustee.

                  (ii) The rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby
         conferred or imposed upon the Property Trustee in respect of any
         property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon
         and exercised or performed by the Property Trustee or by the Property
         Trustee and such co-trustee or separate trustee jointly, as shall be
         provided in the instrument appointing such co-trustee or separate
         trustee, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in
         which any particular act is to be performed, the Property Trustee shall
         be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event such
         rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed
         by such co-trustee or separate trustee.

                  (iii) The Property Trustee at any time, by an instrument in
         writing executed by it, with the written concurrence of the Depositor,
         may accept the resignation of or remove any co-trustee or separate
         trustee appointed under this Section 809, and, in case a Debenture
         Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Property Trustee
         shall have the power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such
         co-trustee or separate trustee without the concurrence of the
         Depositor. Upon the written request of the Property Trustee, the
         Depositor shall join with the Property Trustee in the execution,
         delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or
         proper to effectuate such resignation or removal. A successor to any
         co-trustee or separate trustee so resigned or removed may be appointed
         in the manner provided in this Section 809.

                  (iv) No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be
         personally liable by reason of any act or omission of the Property
         Trustee or any other trustee hereunder.

                  (v) The Property Trustee shall not be liable by reason of any
         act of a co-trustee or separate trustee.

                  (vi) Any Act of Holders delivered to the Property Trustee
         shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such co-trustee and
         separate trustee.

         SECTION 810.          RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF
                               SUCCESSOR.

         (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, no resignation or removal of
any Trustee (the "Relevant Trustee") and no appointment of a successor Trustee
pursuant to this Article VIII shall become effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable
requirements of Section 811.

         (b) Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Relevant
Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Trust Securities by giving
written notice thereof to the Securityholders. If the instrument of acceptance
by the successor Trustee required by Section


                                      -39-
<PAGE>   46
811 shall not have been delivered to the Relevant Trustee within 30 days after
the giving of such notice of resignation, the Relevant Trustee may petition, at
the expense of the Depositor, any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust
Securities.

         (c) Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, any Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Common
Securityholder. If a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, or both of them, may
be removed at such time by Act of the Holders of a majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Preferred Securities, delivered to the Relevant Trustee (in its
individual capacity and on behalf of the Trust). An Administrative Trustee may
be removed by the Common Securityholder at any time.

         (d) If any Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting as Trustee, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of any Trustee for
any cause, at a time when no Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, the Common Securityholder, by Act of the Common Securityholder
delivered to the retiring Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or
Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, and the successor
Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 811. If the
Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall resign, be removed or become
incapable of continuing to act as the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee,
as the case may be, at a time when a Debenture Event of Default shall have
occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securityholders, by Act of the
Securityholders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities
then Outstanding delivered to the retiring Relevant Trustee, shall promptly
appoint a successor Relevant Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Trust
Securities and the Trust, and such successor Trustee shall comply with the
applicable requirements of Section 811. If an Administrative Trustee shall
resign, be removed or become incapable of acting as Administrative Trustee, at a
time when a Debenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Common Securityholder, by Act of the Common Securityholder delivered to an
Administrative Trustee, shall promptly appoint a successor Administrative
Trustee or Administrative Trustees with respect to the Trust Securities and the
Trust, and such successor Administrative Trustee or Administrative Trustees
shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 811. If no successor
Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities shall have been so
appointed by the Common Securityholder or the Preferred Securityholders and
accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 811, any Securityholder
who has been a Securityholder of Trust Securities for six consecutive months on
behalf of himself and all others similarly situated may petition a court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Relevant Trustee with
respect to the Trust Securities.

         (e) The Property Trustee shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of a Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all
Securityholders in the manner provided in Section 1008 and shall give notice to
the Depositor. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Relevant
Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office if it is the Property
Trustee.


                                      -40-
<PAGE>   47
         (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Trust
Agreement, in the event any Administrative Trustee or a Delaware Trustee who is
a natural person dies or becomes, in the opinion of the Depositor, incompetent
or incapacitated, the vacancy created by such death, incompetence or incapacity
may be filled by (a) the unanimous act of remaining Administrative Trustees if
there are at least two of them; or (b) otherwise by the Depositor (with the
successor in each case being a Person who satisfies the eligibility requirement
for Administrative Trustees set forth in Section 807).

         SECTION 811.          ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR.

         (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Relevant
Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and the Trust, the retiring
Relevant Trustee and each successor Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust
Securities shall execute and deliver an instrument hereto wherein each successor
Relevant Trustee shall accept such appointment and which shall contain such
provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to
vest in, each successor Relevant Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities and
the Trust and upon the execution and delivery of such instrument the resignation
or removal of the retiring Relevant Trustee shall become effective to the extent
provided therein and each such successor Relevant Trustee, without any further
act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts
and duties of the retiring Relevant Trustee with respect to the Trust Securities
and the Trust; but, on request of the Trust or any successor Relevant Trustee
such retiring Relevant Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
successor Relevant Trustee all Trust Property, all proceeds thereof and money
held by such retiring Relevant Trustee hereunder with respect to the Trust
Securities and the Trust.

         (b) Upon request of any such successor Relevant Trustee, the Trust
shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in
and confirming to such successor Relevant Trustee all such rights, powers and
trusts referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph, as the case may be.

         (c) No successor Relevant Trustee shall accept its appointment unless
at the time of such acceptance such successor Relevant Trustee shall be
qualified and eligible under this Article VIII.

         SECTION 812.          MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION
                               TO BUSINESS.

         Any Person into which the Property Trustee, the Delaware Trustee or any
Administrative Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be
consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which such Relevant Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of such Relevant Trustee, shall be the successor of such Relevant Trustee
hereunder, provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under
this Article VIII, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto.


                                      -41-
<PAGE>   48
         SECTION 813.          PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST
                               DEPOSITOR OR TRUST.

         If and when the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee shall be or
become a creditor of the Depositor or the Trust (or any other obligor upon the
Debentures or the Trust Securities), the Property Trustee or the Delaware
Trustee, as the case may be, shall be subject to and shall take all actions
necessary in order to comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
regarding the collection of claims against the Depositor or Trust (or any such
other obligor).

         SECTION 814.          REPORTS BY PROPERTY TRUSTEE.

         (a) The Property Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders such reports
concerning the Property Trustee, its actions under this Trust Agreement and the
property and funds in its possession as Property Trustee as may be required
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided
pursuant thereto.

         (b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Holders, be filed by the Property Trustee with The Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market, and each national securities exchange or other organization
upon which the Trust Securities are listed, and also with the Commission and the
Depositor.

         SECTION 815.          REPORTS TO THE PROPERTY TRUSTEE.

         The Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the Trust
shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as
required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act (if any) and the compliance
certificate required by Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act in the form,
in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act.

         SECTION 816.  EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

         Each of the Depositor and the Administrative Trustees on behalf of the
Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any
conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Trust Agreement that relate
to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Any certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to
Section 314(c)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate.




         SECTION 817.          NUMBER OF TRUSTEES.


                                      -42-
<PAGE>   49
         (a) The number of Trustees shall be five, provided that the Holder of
all of the Common Securities by written instrument may increase or decrease the
number of Administrative Trustees. The Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee
may be the same Person.

         (b) If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of
Administrative Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 817(a), or if the
number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 817(a), a vacancy shall
occur. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with
Section 810.

         (c) The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy,
incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate
to annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Administrative Trustees
shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of an
Administrative Trustee in accordance with Section 810, the Administrative
Trustees in office, regardless of their number (and notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement), shall have all the powers granted to the
Administrative Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the
Administrative Trustees by this Trust Agreement.

         SECTION 818.          DELEGATION OF POWER.

         (a) Any Administrative Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent
with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his
or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section
207(a); and

         (b) The Administrative Trustees shall have power to delegate from time
to time to such of their number or to the Depositor the doing of such things and
the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names
of the Administrative Trustees or otherwise as the Administrative Trustees may
deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable
law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein.

         SECTION 819.          VOTING.

         Except as otherwise provided in this Trust Agreement, the consent or
approval of the Administrative Trustees shall require consent or approval by not
less than a majority of the Administrative Trustees, unless there are only two,
in which case both must consent.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                       DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND MERGER

         SECTION 901.          DISSOLUTION UPON EXPIRATION DATE.

         Unless earlier dissolved, the Trust shall automatically dissolve on
March 31, 2053 (the "Expiration Date") and the Trust Property shall be
distributed in accordance with Section 904.

         SECTION 902.          EARLY TERMINATION.


                                      -43-
<PAGE>   50
         The first to occur of any of the following events is an "Early
Termination Event:"

         (a) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event in respect of, or the
dissolution or liquidation of, the Depositor;

         (b) delivery of written direction to the Property Trustee by the
Depositor at any time (which direction is wholly optional and within the
discretion of the Depositor) to dissolve the Trust and distribute the Debentures
to Securityholders in exchange for the Preferred Securities in accordance with
Section 904;

         (c) the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities in connection
with the redemption of all of the Debentures; and

         (d) the entry of an order for dissolution of the Trust by a court of
competent jurisdiction.

         SECTION 903.          TERMINATION.

         The respective obligations and responsibilities of the Trustees and the
Trust created and continued hereby shall terminate upon the latest to occur of
the following: (a) the distribution by the Property Trustee to Securityholders
upon the liquidation of the Trust pursuant to Section 904, or upon the
redemption of all of the Trust Securities pursuant to Section 402, of all
amounts required to be distributed hereunder upon the final payment of the Trust
Securities; (b) the payment of any expenses owed by the Trust; (c) the discharge
of all administrative duties of the Administrative Trustees, including the
performance of any tax reporting obligations with respect to the Trust or the
Securityholders; and (d) the filing of a Certificate of Cancellation by the
Administrative Trustee under the Delaware Business Trust Act.

         SECTION 904.          LIQUIDATION.

         (a) If an Early Termination Event specified in clause (a), (b), or (d)
of Section 902 occurs or upon the Expiration Date, the Trust shall be liquidated
by the Trustees as expeditiously as the Trustees determine to be possible by
distributing, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Trust as
provided by applicable law, (including, without limitation, after paying or
making reasonable provision to pay all claims and obligations of the Trust in
accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Delaware Business Trust Act), to each
Securityholder a Like Amount of Debentures, subject to Section 904(d). Notice of
liquidation shall be given by the Property Trustee by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, mailed not later than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Liquidation
Date to each Holder of Trust Securities at such Holder's address appearing in
the Securities Register. All notices of liquidation shall:

                  (i)  state the Liquidation Date;


                                      -44-
<PAGE>   51
                  (ii) state that from and after the Liquidation Date, the Trust
         Securities shall no longer be deemed to be Outstanding and any Trust
         Securities Certificates not surrendered for exchange shall be deemed to
         represent a Like Amount of Debentures; and

                  (iii) provide such information with respect to the mechanics
         by which Holders may exchange Trust Securities Certificates for
         Debentures, or, if Section 904(d) applies, receive a Liquidation
         Distribution, as the Administrative Trustees or the Property Trustee
         shall deem appropriate.

         (b) Except where Section 902(c) or 904(d) applies, in order to effect
the liquidation of the Trust and distribution of the Debentures to
Securityholders, the Property Trustee shall establish a record date for such
distribution (which shall be not more than 45 days prior to the Liquidation
Date) and, either itself acting as exchange agent or through the appointment of
a separate exchange agent, shall establish such procedures as it shall deem
appropriate to effect the distribution of Debentures in exchange for the
Outstanding Trust Securities Certificates.

         (c) Except where Section 902(c) or 904(d) applies, after the
Liquidation Date, (i) the Trust Securities shall no longer be deemed to be
outstanding; (ii) certificates representing a Like Amount of Debentures shall be
issued to Holders of Trust Securities Certificates upon surrender of such
certificates to the Administrative Trustees or their agent for exchange; (iii)
the Depositor shall use its reasonable efforts to have the Debentures listed on
The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market or on such other securities exchange
or other organization as the Preferred Securities are then listed or traded;
(iv) any Trust Securities Certificates not so surrendered for exchange shall be
deemed to represent a Like Amount of Debentures, accruing interest at the rate
provided for in the Debentures from the last Distribution Date on which a
Distribution was made on such Trust Securities Certificates until such
certificates are so surrendered (and until such certificates are so surrendered,
no payments of interest or principal shall be made to holders of Trust
Securities Certificates with respect to such Debentures); and (v) all rights of
Securityholders holding Trust Securities shall cease, except the right of such
Securityholders to receive Debentures upon surrender of Trust Securities
Certificates.

         (d) In the event that, notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Section 904, whether because of an order for dissolution entered by a court of
competent jurisdiction or otherwise, distribution of the Debentures in the
manner provided herein is determined by the Property Trustee not to be
practical, the Trust Property shall be liquidated, and the Trust shall be
dissolved by the Property Trustee in such manner as the Property Trustee
determines. In such event, on the date of the dissolution of the Trust,
Securityholders shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust
available for distribution to Securityholders, after satisfaction of liabilities
to creditors of the Trust as provided by applicable law, (including, without
limitation, after paying or making reasonable provision to pay all claims and
obligations of the Trust in accordance with Section 3808(e) of the Delaware
Business Trust Act), an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount per Trust
Security plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of
payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"). If, upon any such
dissolution the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the
Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in


                                      -45-
<PAGE>   52
full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then, subject to the next
succeeding sentence, the amounts payable by the Trust on the Trust Securities
shall be paid on a pro rata basis (based upon Liquidation Amounts, subject to
Section 407). The Holder of the Common Securities shall be entitled to receive
Liquidation Distributions upon any such dissolution pro rata (determined as
aforesaid) with Holders of Preferred Securities, except that, if a Debenture
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Securities shall
have a priority over the Common Securities.

         SECTION 905.          MERGERS, CONSOLIDATIONS, AMALGAMATIONS OR
                               REPLACEMENTS OF THE TRUST.

         The Trust may not merge with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, or be
replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other Person, except pursuant
to this Section 905. At the request of the Depositor, with the consent of the
Administrative Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities, the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, the Trust may merge
with or into, consolidate, amalgamate, be replaced by or convey, transfer or
lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to a trust
organized as such under the laws of any State; provided, that (i) such successor
entity either (a) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust with
respect to the Preferred Securities; or (b) substitutes for the Preferred
Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Preferred
Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor Securities rank
the same as the Preferred Securities rank in priority with respect to
distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; (ii) the
Depositor expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing
substantially the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the holder
of the Debentures; (iii) the Successor Securities are listed or traded, or any
Successor Securities shall be listed or traded upon notification of issuance, on
any national securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred
Securities are then listed, if any; (iv) such merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely
affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect; (v)
prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance,
transfer or lease, the Depositor has received an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that (a) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, replacement,
conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights, preferences
and privileges of the Holders of the Preferred Securities (including any
Successor Securities) in any material respect; and (b) following such merger,
consolidation, amalgamation, replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease, neither
the Trust nor such successor entity shall be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act; and (vi) the Depositor
owns all of the Common Securities of such successor entity and guarantees the
obligations of such successor entity under the Successor Securities at least to
the extent provided by the Guarantee, the Debentures, the Indenture, this Trust
Agreement and the Expense Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust
shall not, except with the consent of Holders of 100% in Liquidation Amount of
the Preferred Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be
replaced by or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially
as an entirety to any other Person or permit any other


                                      -46-
<PAGE>   53
Person to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such
consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or the
successor entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United
States federal income tax purposes.

                                    ARTICLE X
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION 1001.         LIMITATION OF RIGHTS OF SECURITYHOLDERS.

         The death or incapacity of any Person having an interest, beneficial or
otherwise, in Trust Securities shall not operate to terminate this Trust
Agreement, nor entitle the legal representatives or heirs of such Person or any
Securityholder for such Person, to claim an accounting, take any action or bring
any proceeding in any court for a partition or winding-up of the arrangements
contemplated hereby, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and
liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them.

         SECTION 1002.         AMENDMENT.

         (a) This Trust Agreement may be amended from time to time by the
Trustees and the Depositor, without the consent of any Securityholders, (i) as
provided in Section 811 with respect to acceptance of appointment by a successor
Trustee; (ii) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision herein
or therein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein or therein,
or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising
under this Trust Agreement, that shall not be inconsistent with the other
provisions of this Trust Agreement; or (iii) to modify, eliminate or add to any
provisions of this Trust Agreement to such extent as shall be necessary to
ensure that the Trust shall be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust at all times that any Trust Securities are
outstanding or to ensure that the Trust shall not be required to register as an
"investment company" under the Investment Company Act; or (iv) to reduce or
increase the Liquidation Amount per Trust Security and simultaneously to
increase or reduce the number of Trust Securities issued and outstanding solely
for the purpose of maintaining the eligibility of the Preferred Securities for
listing or quotation on any national securities exchange or other organization
on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted (including, if
applicable, The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market), provided, however, that
in the case of clause (ii), such action shall not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of any Securityholder, and that, in the case of
clause (iv), the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities
outstanding upon completion of any such reduction or increase, must be the same
as the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities outstanding
immediately prior to such reduction or increase, and any amendments of such
Trust Agreement will become effective when notice thereof is given to the
Securityholders (or, in the case of an amendment pursuant to clause (iv), as of
the date specified in the notice).

         (b) Except as provided in Section 601(c) or Section 1002(c) hereof, any
provision of this Trust Agreement may be amended by the Trustees and the
Depositor (i) with the consent of Trust


                                      -47-
<PAGE>   54
Securityholders representing not less than a majority (based upon Liquidation
Amounts) of the Trust Securities then Outstanding; and (ii) upon receipt by the
Trustees of an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment or the
exercise of any power granted to the Trustees in accordance with such amendment
shall not affect the Trust's status as a grantor trust for United States federal
income tax purposes or the Trust's exemption from status of an "investment
company" under the Investment Company Act.

         (c) In addition to and notwithstanding any other provision in this
Trust Agreement, without the consent of each affected Securityholder (such
consent being obtained in accordance with Section 603 or 606 hereof), this Trust
Agreement may not be amended to (i) change the amount or timing of any
Distribution on the Trust Securities or otherwise adversely affect the amount of
any Distribution required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a
specified date; or (ii) restrict the right of a Securityholder to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date; notwithstanding
any other provision herein, without the unanimous consent of the Securityholders
(such consent being obtained in accordance with Section 603 or 606 hereof), this
paragraph (c) of this Section 1002 may not be amended.

         (d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Trust Agreement, no
Trustee shall enter into or consent to any amendment to this Trust Agreement
which would cause the Trust to fail or cease to qualify for the exemption from
status of an "investment company" under the Investment Company Act or to fail or
cease to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax
purposes.

         (e) Notwithstanding anything in this Trust Agreement to the contrary,
without the consent of the Depositor, this Trust Agreement may not be amended in
a manner which imposes any additional obligation on the Depositor.

         (f) In the event that any amendment to this Trust Agreement is made,
the Administrative Trustees shall promptly provide to the Depositor a copy of
such amendment.

         (g) Upon the request of the Depositor, accompanied by its board
resolutions authorizing the execution of any such amendments to this Trust
Agreement, and upon the filing with the Property Trustee and the Delaware
Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Securityholders required to consent
thereto as aforesaid, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee shall join
with the Depositor in the execution of such amendment to this Trust Agreement
unless such amendment affects the Property Trustee's or the Delaware Trustee's
own rights, duties, or immunities under this Trust Agreement or otherwise, in
which case the Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee may in their own discretion
but shall not be obligated to enter into such amendment to this Trust Agreement.
The Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section
801, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any amendment
to this Trust Agreement executed pursuant to this Article X is authorized or
permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Article X and that it is proper
for the Property Trustee and Delaware Trustee under the provisions of this
Article X to join in the execution thereof.


                                      -48-
<PAGE>   55
         SECTION 1003.         SEPARABILITY.

         In case any provision in this Trust Agreement or in the Trust
Securities Certificates shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in
any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         SECTION 1004.         GOVERNING LAW.

         THIS TRUST AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
AND ALL RIGHTS AND REMEDIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY SUCH LAWS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER
JURISDICTION THAT WOULD CALL FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANY JURISDICTION
OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THERE SHALL NOT BE
APPLICABLE TO THE PARTIES HEREUNDER OR THIS TRUST AGREEMENT ANY PROVISION OF THE
LAWS (STATUTORY OR COMMON) OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE PERTAINING TO TRUSTS THAT
RELATE TO OR REGULAR, IN A MANNER INCONSISTENT WITH THE TERMS HEREOF (A) THE
FILING WITH ANY COURT OR GOVERNMENTAL BODY OR AGENCY OF TRUSTEE ACCOUNTS OR
SCHEDULES OF TRUSTEE FEES AND CHARGES (B) AFFIRMATIVE REQUIREMENTS TO POST BONDS
FOR TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (C) THE NECESSITY FOR
OBTAINING COURT OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION,
HOLDING OR DISPOSITION OF REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY, (D) FEES OR OTHER SUMS
PAYABLE TO TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES OF A TRUST, (E) THE
ALLOCATION OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES TO INCOME OR PRINCIPAL, (F) RESTRICTIONS
OR LIMITATIONS ON THE PERMISSIBLE NATURE, AMOUNT OR CONCENTRATION OF TRUST
INVESTMENTS OR REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE TITLING, STORAGE OR OTHER MANNER OF
HOLDING OR INVESTING TRUST ASSETS OR (G) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIDUCIARY OR OTHER
STANDARDS OF RESPONSIBILITY OR LIMITATIONS ON THE ACTS OR POWERS OF TRUSTEES
THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE LIMITATIONS OR LIABILITIES OR AUTHORITIES AND
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES HEREUNDER AS SET FORTH OR REFERENCED IN THIS TRUST
AGREEMENT. SECTION 3540 OF TITLE 12 OF THE DELAWARE CODE SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE
TRUST.

         SECTION 1005.         PAYMENTS DUE ON NON-BUSINESS DAY.

         If the date fixed for any payment on any Trust Security shall be a day
that is not a Business Day, then such payment need not be made on such date but
may be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day, with the same
force and effect as though made on the date fixed for such payment, and no
distribution shall accumulate thereon for the period after such date.


                                      -49-
<PAGE>   56
         SECTION 1006.         SUCCESSORS.

         This Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of any successor to the Depositor, the Trust or the Relevant Trustee(s),
including any successor by operation of law. Except in connection with a
consolidation, merger or sale involving the Depositor that is permitted under
Article XII of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in
writing to perform the Depositor's obligations hereunder, the Depositor shall
not assign its obligations hereunder.

         SECTION 1007.         HEADINGS.

         The Article and Section headings are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction of this Trust Agreement.

         SECTION 1008.         REPORTS, NOTICES AND DEMANDS.

         Any report, notice, demand or other communication which by any
provision of this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served
to or upon any Securityholder or the Depositor may be given or served in writing
by deposit thereof, first-class postage prepaid, in the United States mail, hand
delivery or facsimile transmission, in each case, addressed, (a) in the case of
a Preferred Securityholder, to such Preferred Securityholder as such
Securityholder's name and address may appear on the Securities Register; and (b)
in the case of the Common Securityholder or the Depositor, to Century Bancorp,
Inc., 400 Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, Attention: Chief
Financial Officer, facsimile no.: 781-393-4071. Any notice to Preferred
Securityholders shall also be given to such owners as have, within two years
preceding the giving of such notice, filed their names and addresses with the
Property Trustee for that purpose. Such notice, demand or other communication to
or upon a Securityholder shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or
made, for all purposes, upon hand delivery, mailing or transmission.

         Any notice, demand or other communication which by any provision of
this Trust Agreement is required or permitted to be given or served to or upon
the Trust, the Property Trustee or the Administrative Trustees shall be given in
writing addressed (until another address is published by the Trust) as follows:
(a) with respect to the Property Trustee to State Street Bank and Trust Company,
Two International Place, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention:
Corporate Trust Department; (b) with respect to the Delaware Trustee, to
Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration; and
(c) with respect to the Administrative Trustees, to them at the address above
for notices to the Depositor, marked "Attention: Administrative Trustees of
Century Bancorp Capital Trust." Such notice, demand or other communication to or
upon the Trust or the Property Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently
given or made only upon actual receipt of the writing by the Trust or the
Property Trustee.


                                      -50-
<PAGE>   57
         SECTION 1009.         AGREEMENT NOT TO PETITION.

         Each of the Trustees and the Depositor agrees for the benefit of the
Securityholders that, until at least one year and 1 day after the Trust has been
terminated in accordance with Article IX, they shall not file, or join in the
filing of, a petition against the Trust under any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law (including, without limitation, the United
States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended) (collectively, "Bankruptcy Laws") or
otherwise join in the commencement of any proceeding against the Trust under any
Bankruptcy Law. In the event the Depositor takes action in violation of this
Section 1009, the Property Trustee agrees, for the benefit of Securityholders,
that at the expense of the Depositor (which expense shall be paid prior to the
filing), it shall file an answer with the bankruptcy court or otherwise properly
contest the filing of such petition by the Depositor against the Trust or the
commencement of such action and raise the defense that the Depositor has agreed
in writing not to take such action and should be stopped and precluded
therefrom. The provisions of this Section 1009 shall survive the termination of
this Trust Agreement.

         SECTION 1010.         TRUST INDENTURE ACT; CONFLICT WITH TRUST
                               INDENTURE ACT.

         (a) This Trust Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Trust
Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Trust Agreement and shall, to
the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

         (b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a trustee
for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act.

         (c) If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another
provision hereof which is required to be included in this Trust Agreement by any
of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall
control. If any provision of this Trust Agreement modifies or excludes any
provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the
latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Trust Agreement as so modified
or to be excluded, as the case may be.

         (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Trust Agreement
shall not affect the nature of the Trust Securities as equity securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.

         SECTION 1011.         ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS OF TRUST AGREEMENT,
GUARANTEE AND INDENTURE.

         The receipt and acceptance of a Trust Security or any interest therein
by or on behalf of a Securityholder or any beneficial owner, without any
signature or further manifestation of assent, shall constitute the unconditional
acceptance by the Securityholder and all others having a beneficial interest in
such Trust Security of all the terms and provisions of this Trust Agreement


                                      -51-
<PAGE>   58
and agreement to the subordination provisions and other terms of the Guarantee
and the Indenture, and shall constitute the agreement of the Trust, such
Securityholder and such others that the terms and provisions of this trust
agreement shall be binding, operative and effective as between the Trust and
such Securityholder and such others.


                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.


                              By:___________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:


                              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                              as Property Trustee


                              By:____________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:


                              WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                              as Delaware Trustee


                              By:_____________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title:


                              ______________________, as Administrative Trustee
                              Marshall M. Sloane


                              ______________________, as Administrative Trustee
                              Jonathan G. Sloane


                              ______________________, as Administrative Trustee
                              Paul V. Cusick, Jr.


                                      -52-
<PAGE>   59
                                                                       Exhibit A


                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                       OF
                          CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST

         THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST (the
"Trust"), dated as of April 21, 1998, is being duly executed and filed by
WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, a Delaware banking corporation, Marshall M. Sloane,
Jonathan G. Sloane and Paul V. Cusick, Jr., each an individual, as trustees, to
form a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section
3801 et seq.).

         1. NAME. The name of the business trust formed hereby is Century
Bancorp Capital Trust.

         2. DELAWARE TRUSTEE. The name and business address of the trustee of
the Trust in the State of Delaware is Wilmington Trust Company, Rodney Square
North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention:
Corporate Trust Administration.

         3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective on
April 21, 1998.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustees of the
Trust, has executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above
written.

                                  WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, as trustee

                                  By:_________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:


                                  /s/Marshall M. Sloane          , as Trustee
                                  _______________________________
                                  Marshall M. Sloane

                                  /s/Jonathan G. Sloane          , as Trustee
                                  _______________________________
                                  Jonathan G. Sloane

                                  /s/Paul V. Cusick, Jr.         , as Trustee
                                  _______________________________
                                  Paul V. Cusick, Jr.
<PAGE>   60
                                                                       Exhibit B


                      THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE

CERTIFICATE NUMBER ________.                         NUMBER OF COMMON SECURITIES


                    CERTIFICATE EVIDENCING COMMON SECURITIES
                                       OF
                          CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST
                  (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $10 PER COMMON SECURITY)


                                COMMON SECURITIES

         CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST , a statutory business trust created
under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
_________________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of ________________
(_____) common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust and designated the ___% Common Securities
(liquidation amount $10 per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). In
accordance with Section 510 of the Trust Agreement (as defined below), the
Common Securities are not transferable and any attempted transfer hereof shall
be void. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences, and
other terms and provisions of the Common Securities are set forth in, and this
certificate and the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in
all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of _______________, 1998, as the same may
be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement"), including the designation
of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth therein. The Trust shall
furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement to the Holder without charge upon written
request to the Trust at its principal place of business or registered office.

         Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrative Trustees of the Trust has
executed this certificate this _____ day of __________, 1998.


                                        CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST

                                        By:____________________________________
                                                 Administrative Trustee
<PAGE>   61
                                                                       Exhibit C

                    AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES

         AGREEMENT AS TO EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES (this "Agreement") dated as of
_____________, 1998, between Century Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation
(the "Company"), and Century Bancorp Capital Trust, a Delaware business trust
(the "Trust").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Trust intends to issue its common securities (the "Common
Securities") to, and receive Debentures from, the Company and to issue and sell
2,500,000 __% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities")
with such powers, preferences and special rights and restrictions as are set
forth in the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of May
___, 1998, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement");

         WHEREAS, the Company shall directly or indirectly own all of the Common
Securities of the Trust and shall issue the Debentures;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each holder of the
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Company hereby agrees shall benefit the
Company and which purchase the Company acknowledges shall be made in reliance
upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company, including in its
capacity as holder of the Common Securities, and the Trust hereby agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

         SECTION 1.1.     GUARANTEE BY THE COMPANY.

         Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Company, including in
its capacity as holder of the Common Securities, hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantees to each person or entity to whom the Trust is now or
hereafter becomes indebted or liable (the "Beneficiaries") the full payment when
and as due, of any and all Obligations (as hereinafter defined) to such
Beneficiaries. As used herein, "Obligations" means any costs, expenses or
liabilities of the Trust other than obligations of the Trust to pay to holders
of any Preferred Securities or other similar interests in the Trust the amounts
due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities or such other
similar interests, as the case may be. This Agreement is intended to be for the
benefit of, and to be enforceable by, all such Beneficiaries, whether or not
such Beneficiaries have received notice hereof.

         SECTION 1.2.     TERM OF AGREEMENT.

         This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect
upon the later of (a) the date on which full payment has been made of all
amounts payable to all holders of all the Preferred Securities (whether upon
redemption, liquidation, exchange or otherwise); and (b) the date on which there
are no Beneficiaries remaining; provided, however, that this Agreement shall
<PAGE>   62
continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time any holder of Preferred Securities or any Beneficiary must restore payment
of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities, under any obligation, under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement dated the date hereof by the Company
and State Street Bank and Trust Company as guarantee trustee, or under this
Agreement for any reason whatsoever. This Agreement is continuing, irrevocable,
unconditional and absolute.

         SECTION 1.3.     WAIVER OF NOTICE.

         The Company hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Agreement and of
any obligation to which it applies or may apply, and the Company hereby waives
presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of
dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands.

         SECTION 1.4.     NO IMPAIRMENT.

         The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Company under
this Agreement shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the
happening from time to time of any of the following:

         (a) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the obligations or for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the obligations;

         (b) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Beneficiaries to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or
remedy conferred on the Beneficiaries with respect to the obligations or any
action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any kind; or

         (c) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust.

         There shall be no obligation of the Beneficiaries to give notice to, or
obtain the consent of, the Company with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.

         SECTION 1.5.     ENFORCEMENT.

         A Beneficiary may enforce this Agreement directly against the Company,
and the Company waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought
against the Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding against the
Company.
<PAGE>   63
                                   ARTICLE II

         SECTION 2.1.     BINDING EFFECT.

         All guarantees and agreements contained in this Agreement shall bind
the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company
and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiaries.

         SECTION 2.2.     AMENDMENT.

         So long as there remains any Beneficiary or any Preferred Securities of
any series are outstanding, this Agreement shall not be modified or amended in
any manner adverse to such Beneficiary or to the holders of the Preferred
Securities.

         SECTION 2.3.     NOTICES.

         Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be given in writing by delivering the same by facsimile
transmission (confirmed by mail), telex, or by registered or certified mail,
addressed as follows (and if so given, shall be deemed given when mailed or upon
receipt of an answer back, if sent by telex):

         Century Bancorp, Inc., 400 Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155,
facsimile no. (781)393-4071, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

         Century Bancorp Capital Trust, c/o Century Bancorp, Inc., 400 Mystic
Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, facsimile no. (781) 393-4071, Attention:
Chief Financial Officer.

         SECTION 2.4 This agreement shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(without regard to conflict of laws principles).

         THIS AGREEMENT is executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                        CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                                        By:____________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                        CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST

                                        By:_____________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:  Administrative Trustee
<PAGE>   64
                                                                       Exhibit D

Certificate Number                                Number of Preferred Securities
         P-

                   Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities
                                       of
                          Century Bancorp Capital Trust

                   ___% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
                 (liquidation amount $10 per Preferred Security)

         Century Bancorp Capital Trust, a statutory business trust created under
the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that
______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of _____ preferred
securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust and designated the __________% Cumulative Trust Preferred
Securities (liquidation amount $10 per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred
Securities"). The Preferred Securities are transferable on the books and records
of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this
certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer as provided in Section
504 of the Trust Agreement. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions,
preferences, and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities are set
forth in, and this certificate and the Preferred Securities represented hereby
are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of,
the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust dated as of April ___,
1998, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Trust Agreement"),
including the designation of the terms of Preferred Securities as set forth
therein. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Preferred Securities
Guarantee Agreement entered into by Century Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as guarantee trustee,
dated as of _______________, 1998 (the "Guarantee"), to the extent provided
therein. The Trust shall furnish a copy of the Trust Agreement and the Guarantee
to the Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal
place of business or registered office.

         Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Trust
Agreement and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, one of the Administrative Trustees of the Trust has
executed this certificate this _____day of _______________, 1998.


                                              CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST

                                              By:_______________________________
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:
<PAGE>   65
                     [FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]
                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

         This is one of the _____% Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities
described in the within-mentioned Amended and Restated Trust Agreement.

Dated:____________________________


STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
 as Authentication Agent and Registrar

By_______________________________
    Authorized Signatory



By______________________________
    Administrative Trustee


<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.6


                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.

                                       AND

                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

                              _______________, 1998
<PAGE>   2
                              CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

Section of
Trust Indenture Act                                                   Section of
of 1939, as amended                                                   Indenture
- -------------------                                                   ---------

310(a)....................................................................4.1(a)
310(b)...............................................................4.1(c), 2.8
310(c)............................................................Not Applicable
311(a)....................................................................2.2(b)
311(b)....................................................................2.2(b)
311(c)............................................................Not Applicable
312(a)................................................................... 2.2(a)
312(b)................................................................... 2.2(b)
313......................................................................... 2.3
314(a).......................................................................2.4
314(b)............................................................Not Applicable
314(c).......................................................................2.5
314(d)............................................................Not Applicable
314(e)..............................................................1.1, 2.5,3.2
314(f)..................................................................2.1, 3.2
315(a)....................................................................3.1(d)
315(b).......................................................................2.7
315(c).......................................................................3.1
315(d)....................................................................3.1(d)
316(a).............................................................1.1, 2.6, 5.4
316(b).......................................................................5.3
317(a).......................................................................3.1
317(b)............................................................Not Applicable
318(a).......................................................................2.1
318(b).......................................................................2.1
318(c)....................................................................2.1(b)

Note: This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Agreement and
shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions.


                                      -i-
<PAGE>   3
                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

         THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (this "Preferred
Securities Guarantee"), dated as of ___________, 1998, is executed and delivered
by CENTURY BANCORP, INC., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Guarantor"), and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a trust company organized and existing
under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as trustee (the "Preferred
Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from
time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of CENTURY BANCORP
CAPITAL TRUST, a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Trust").

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Agreement (the
"Trust Agreement"), dated as of ___________, 1998, among the trustees of the
Trust named therein, the Guarantor, as depositor, and the holders from time to
time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, the Trust is
issuing on the date hereof 2,875,000 preferred securities, having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $28,750,000, designated the ________% Cumulative Trust
Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities");

         WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein)
and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of
Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees shall benefit
the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities
Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders.

                                   ARTICLE I.
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION 1.1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION.

         In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:

         (a) capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee but
not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them
in this Section 1.1;

         (b) terms defined in the Trust Agreement as at the date of execution of
this Preferred Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee;


                                       -1-
<PAGE>   4
         (c) a term defined anywhere in this Preferred Securities Guarantee has
the same meaning throughout;

         (d) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this
Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time;

         (e) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles
and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, unless otherwise specified;

         (f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this
Preferred Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and

         (g)  a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

         "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

         "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which federal or state
banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law,
executive order or regulation to close or a day on which the Corporate Trust
Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is closed for business.

         "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the
date of execution of this Preferred Securities Guarantee is located at Two
International Place, 4th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention:
Corporate Trust Department.

         "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred
Securities. "Debentures" means the ____% Junior Subordinated Debentures due June
30, 2029, of the Debenture Issuer held by the Property Trustee of the Trust.

         "Debenture Issuer" means the Guarantor.

         "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

         "Guarantor" means Century Bancorp, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation.

         "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by the Trust: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions that are
required to be paid on such Preferred Securities,


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   5
to the extent the Trust shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption
price, including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption
(the "Redemption Price"), to the extent the Trust has funds available therefor,
with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Trust, and
(iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of
the Trust (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the
Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the Trust
Agreement), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the Liquidation Amount and all
accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of
payment, to the extent the Trust shall have funds available therefor (the
"Liquidation Distribution"), and (b) the amount of assets of the Trust remaining
available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Trust.

         "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Preferred Security is or
Preferred Securities are registered in the Securities Register; any such Person
is a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Delaware Business Trust Act;
provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite
percentage of Preferred Securities have given any request, notice, consent or
waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of
the Guarantor.

         "Indemnified Person" means the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any
Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors,
shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees,
custodians or agents of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

         "Indenture" means the Indenture dated as of May__, 1998, among the
Debenture Issuer and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee, and any
indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which Subordinated Debentures of the
Debenture Issuer are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the Trust.

         "Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning provided therefor in the
definition of Guarantee Payments.

         "Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities" means the
holders of more than 50% of the Liquidation Amount (including the stated amount
that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and
unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are
determined) of all of the Preferred Securities.

         "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by two authorized officers of such Person. Any Officers'
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include:

         (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto;

         (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate;


                                       -3-
<PAGE>   6
         (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and

         (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.

         "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

         "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust
Company, until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and
has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

         "Redemption Price" has the meaning provided therefor in the definition
of Guarantee Payments.

         "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president,
any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer
of the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

         "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred
Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee
Trustee under Section 4.1. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date of which this instrument was
executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended, is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the
extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so
amended.

                                   ARTICLE II.
                               TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1. TRUST INDENTURE ACT; APPLICATION.

         (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   7
         (b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties
shall control.

SECTION 2.2. LIST OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.

         (a) In the event the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is not also the
Securities Registrar, the Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee with a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may
reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred
Securities (the "List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within 1 Business Day
after January 1 and June 30 of each year, and (ii) at any other time within 30
days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as
of a date no more than 15 days before such List of Holders is given to the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided, that the Guarantor shall not be obligated
to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ
from the most recent List of Holders given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by
the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders
previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders.

         (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations
under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3. REPORTS BY THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.

         On or before July 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are
required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in
the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of
the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.4. PERIODIC REPORTS TO PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.

         The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such
documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the
compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the
form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.5. EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

         The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such
evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth
in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in
the form of an Officers' Certificate.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>   8
SECTION 2.6. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; WAIVER.

         The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of Preferred Securities
may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive
any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event
of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom
shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 2.7. EVENT OF DEFAULT; NOTICE.

         (a) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage
prepaid, to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of
Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice;
provided, that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding
such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee
Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the
interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.

         (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
have received written notice, or of which a Responsible Officer of the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Trust Agreement shall
have obtained actual knowledge of such Event of Default.

SECTION 2.8. CONFLICTING INTERESTS.

         The Trust Agreement shall be deemed to be specifically described in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first
proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

                                   ARTICLE III
            POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE
TRUSTEE.

         (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities,
and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities
Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his
or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Guarantee
Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee of its
appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The right, title
and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any
Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title
shall be effective whether or not conveyancing


                                       -6-
<PAGE>   9
documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such
Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

         (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the
benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities.

         (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event
of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred,
shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in
this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into
this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. In
case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived
pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such
of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee,
and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent
person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or
her own affairs.

         (d) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be
construed to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:

                  (i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
         the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have
         occurred:

                           (A) the duties and obligations of the Preferred
                  Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express
                  provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the
                  Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the
                  performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically
                  set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no
                  implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
                  Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee
                  Trustee; and

                           (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the
                  Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
                  may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and
                  the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any
                  certificates or opinions furnished to the Preferred Guarantee
                  Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Preferred
                  Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates
                  or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically
                  required to be furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee,
                  the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to
                  examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to
                  the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee;

                  (ii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for
         any error of judgment


                                       -7-
<PAGE>   10
         made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee
         Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
         was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such
         judgment was made;

                  (iii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with
         respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith
         in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a
         Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities relating to
         the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
         available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust
         or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this
         Preferred Securities Guarantee; and

                  (iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
         require the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds
         or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of
         any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if
         the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for
         believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not
         reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Preferred Securities
         Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred
         Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably
         assured to it.

SECTION 3.2. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.

         (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

                  (i) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and
         shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any
         resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
         notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note,
         other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by
         it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the
         proper party or parties;

                  (ii) any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by
         this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by
         an Officers' Certificate;

                  (iii) whenever, in the administration of this Preferred
         Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
         desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking,
         suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee
         Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may,
         in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely
         upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request,
         shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor;

                  (iv) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see
         to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any
         rerecording, refiling or registration thereof);

                  (v) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel,
         and the written advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal
         matters shall be full and complete


                                       -8-
<PAGE>   11
         authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered
         or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such
         advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any
         of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Preferred
         Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions
         concerning the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee
         from any court of competent jurisdiction;

                  (vi) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
         obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this
         Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any
         Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Preferred
         Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory
         to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses
         (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the
         Preferred Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and
         liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request
         or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by
         the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in
         this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred
         Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its
         obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this
         Preferred Securities Guarantee;

                  (vii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to
         make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any
         resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report,
         notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note,
         other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
         Preferred Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further
         inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

                  (viii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
         trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either
         directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys,
         and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any
         misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed
         with due care by it hereunder;

                  (ix) no third party shall be required to inquire as to the
         authority of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its
         compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Preferred
         Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by
         the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action;

                  (x) whenever in the administration of this Preferred
         Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
         desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy
         or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee
         Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in
         Liquidation Amount of the Preferred Securities, (ii) may refrain from
         enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such
         instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively
         relying on or acting in accordance with such


                                       -9-
<PAGE>   12
         instructions.

         (b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed
to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to perform
any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or
imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the
Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance
with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such
right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty.

SECTION 3.3. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF
GUARANTEE.

         The Recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the
statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee does not assume
any responsibility for their correctness. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee makes
no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                           PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1. PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE; ELIGIBILITY.

         (a) There shall at all times be a Preferred Guarantee Trustee which
shall:

                  (i)  not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

                  (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the
         laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof
         or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by
         the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional
         trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to
         exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus
         of at least $50,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by
         federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such
         corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
         to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority
         referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii),
         the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to
         be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
         report of condition so published.

         (b) If at any time the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be
eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c).

         (c) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   13
and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b)
of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 4.2. APPOINTMENT, REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF PREFERRED
GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.

         (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may be
appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor.

         (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance
with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been
appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by
such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor.

         (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold
office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed
or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may resign
from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument
in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Preferred
Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by
instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

         (d) If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60
days after delivery to the Guarantor of an instrument of resignation, the
resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such
court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

         (e) No Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or
omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee.

         (f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal
or resignation of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2,
the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee all amounts accrued
to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1. GUARANTEE.

         The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to
the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore
paid by the Trust), as and when


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   14
due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Trust
may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may
be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the
Holders or by causing the Trust to pay such amounts to the Holders.

SECTION 5.2. WAIVER OF NOTICE AND DEMAND.

         The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Trust or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest,
notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other
notices and demands.

SECTION 5.3. OBLIGATIONS NOT AFFECTED.

         The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or
impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

         (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Trust of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed
or observed by the Trust;

         (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Trust of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension
of time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in
connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for
payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other
sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on
the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted
by the Indenture);

         (c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of
the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities, or
any action on the part of the Trust granting indulgence or extension of any
kind;

         (d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Trust or any of the assets of the
Trust;

         (e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred
Securities;

         (f) any failure or omission to receive any regulatory approval or
consent required in connection with the Preferred Securities (or the common
equity securities issued by the Trust),


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   15
including the failure to receive any approval of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System required for the redemption of the Preferred Securities;

         (g) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; or

         (h) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of
this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.

         There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or
obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.

SECTION 5.4. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS.

         (a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Preferred
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in
respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee.

         (b) Any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding
directly against the Guarantor to enforce its rights under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other Person.

SECTION 5.5. GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT.

         This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and
not of collection.

SECTION 5.6. SUBROGATION.

         The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders
of Preferred Securities against the Trust in respect of any amounts paid to such
Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided,
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities
Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid
under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold
such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7. INDEPENDENT OBLIGATIONS.


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   16
         The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Trust with respect to the Preferred
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred
Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (h), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                    LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

SECTION 6.1. LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS.

         So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if any of the
circumstances described in Section 5.6 of the Indenture shall have occurred,
then

         (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any
distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a
liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock and

         (b) the Guarantor shall not make any payment of interest or principal
on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities issued by the Guarantor
which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures other than payments under
this Preferred Securities Guarantee and

         (c) the Guarantor shall not redeem, purchase or acquire less than all
of the Outstanding Debentures or any of the Preferred Securities.

SECTION 6.2 RANKING.

         This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most
senior preferred securities or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the
Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor
in respect of any preferred securities or preference stock of any Affiliate of
the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                                   TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1. TERMINATION.

         This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full
payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon full
payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Trust Agreement upon
liquidation of the Trust, or (iii) upon distribution of the Debentures to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Preferred Securities Guarantee shall continue to be effective or shall be
reinstated, as the case


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   17
may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment
of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities or under this Preferred
Securities Guarantee.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 8.1. EXCULPATION.

         (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable
in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss,
damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted
by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred
Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified
Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an
Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred
by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with
respect to such acts or omissions.

         (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid.

SECTION 8.2. INDEMNIFICATION.

         The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to
hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any loss, liability or expense
incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts
hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability
in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall
survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.1. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Preferred Securities then outstanding.


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   18
SECTION 9.2. AMENDMENTS.

         Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely
affect the rights of Holders (in which case no consent of Holders will be
required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the
prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in Liquidation Amount of
the Preferred Securities. The provisions of Article VI of the Trust Agreement
with respect to meetings of Holders of the Preferred Securities apply to the
giving of such approval.

SECTION 9.3. NOTICES.

         All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall
be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be
delivered, telecopied or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows:

         (a) If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred
Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as
the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the
Preferred Securities):

                           State Street Bank and Trust Company
                           Two International Place, 4th Floor
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                           Attention: Corporate Trust Department

         (b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the
Holders of the Preferred Securities):

                           Century Bancorp, Inc.
                           400 Mystic Avenue
                           Medford, Massachusetts 02155
                           Attention: Chief Financial Officer

         (c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address set
forth on the books and records of the Trust.

All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person,
telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage
prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot
be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such
notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of
such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 9.4. BENEFIT.

         This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the
Holders of the


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   19
Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1 (a), is not separately
transferable from the Preferred Securities.

SECTION 9.5. GOVERNING LAW.

         THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

This Preferred Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year first
above written.

                                        CENTURY BANCORP, INC.
                                        as Guarantor

                                        ___________________________,


                                        By:__________________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                        STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                                        as Preferred Guarantee Trustee


                                        By:___________________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:




                                      -17-


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1


               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   AT OR FOR THE
                                                     YEAR ENDED
                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                 ----------------------------------------------

                                  1997       1996       1995      1994     1993
                                  ----       ----       ----      ----     ----
                                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                             <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>
INCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS:

Earnings:
 Earnings before income taxes..  11,028      8,839     6,240     4,072     1,828
 Fixed charges from below .....  15,969     15,850    14,729    10,965    11,852
 Earnings......................  26,997     24,689    20,969    15,037    13,680


Fixed Charges:
 Interest expense..............  15,922     15,805    14,686    10,924    11,813
 Rent Expense..................      47         45        43        41        39

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
 Charges.......................    1.69       1.56      1.42       1.37     1.15


EXCLUDING INTEREST ON DEPOSITS:

Earnings:
 Earnings before income taxes..  11,028      8,839     6,240      4,072    1,828
 Fixed charges from below......   1,613        940       727        341      254
 Earnings......................  12,641      9,779     6,967      4,413    2,082


Fixed Charges:
 Interest expense, excluding
  interest on deposits.........   1,566        895       684        300      215
 Rent Expense..................      47         45        43         41       39

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
  Charges......................    7.84      10.40      9.58      12.94     8.20

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Board of Directors
Century Bancorp, Inc.


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement to
be filed on Form S-2 by Century Bancorp, Inc. of our report dated January 12,
1998, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Century Bancorp, Inc. and
subsidiary as of December 31, 1997, and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period then ended, and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts".



                                        /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                        --------------------------------
                                        


Boston, Massachusetts
April 22, 1998













<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1
                                    ---------

                       STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
                        TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility
                  of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) __


                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                    Massachusetts                                 04-1867445
          (Jurisdiction of incorporation or                    (I.R.S. Employer
      organization if not a U.S. national bank)              Identification No.)

          225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts               02110
           (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

   Maureen Scannell Bateman, Esq. Executive Vice President and General Counsel
                225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 654-3253
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                              ---------------------


                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

              Massachusetts                                   04-2498617
     (State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)

                    400 Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts
                                 (781) 391-4000
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                              --------------------

                            % SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
                         (Title of indenture securities)
<PAGE>   2
                                     GENERAL

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

         (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
         WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                  Department of Banking and Insurance of The Commonwealth of
                  Massachusetts, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

                  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington,
                  D.C., Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

         (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
                  Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

         IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
         AFFILIATION.

                  The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee or of its
                  parent, State Street Boston Corporation.

                  (See note on page 2.)

ITEM 3. THROUGH ITEM 15.   NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

         1. A COPY OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN
         EFFECT.

                  A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee, as now
                  in effect, is on file with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission as Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of
                  Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with
                  the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No.
                  22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

         2. A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE
         BUSINESS, IF NOT CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.

                  A copy of a Statement from the Commissioner of Banks of
                  Massachusetts that no certificate of authority for the trustee
                  to commence business was necessary or issued is on file with
                  the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 2 to
                  Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of Eligibility and
                  Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with the
                  Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No. 22-17940)
                  and is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 


         3. A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE CORPORATE
         TRUST POWERS, IF SUCH AUTHORIZATION IS NOT CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS
         SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OR (2), ABOVE.

                  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
                  corporate trust powers is on file with the Securities and
                  Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
                  Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form
                  T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc.
                  (File No. 22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference
                  thereto.

         4. A COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, OR INSTRUMENTS
         CORRESPONDING THERETO.

                  A copy of the by-laws of the trustee, as now in effect, is on
                  file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4
                  to the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee
                  (Form T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Eastern
                  Edison Company (File No. 33-37823) and is incorporated herein
                  by reference thereto.


                                        1
<PAGE>   3
         5. A COPY OF EACH INDENTURE REFERRED TO IN ITEM 4. IF THE OBLIGOR IS IN
         DEFAULT.

                  Not applicable.

         6. THE CONSENTS OF UNITED STATES INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEES REQUIRED BY
         SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT.

                  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
                  Act is annexed hereto as Exhibit 6 and made a part hereof.

         7. A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE PUBLISHED
         PURSUANT TO LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING
         AUTHORITY.

                  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                  published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                  supervising or examining authority is annexed hereto as
                  Exhibit 7 and made a part hereof.


                                      NOTES

         In answering any item of this Statement of Eligibility which relates to
matters peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor or any underwriter for
the obligor, the trustee has relied upon information furnished to it by the
obligor and the underwriters, and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.

         The answer furnished to Item 2. of this statement will be amended, if
necessary, to reflect any facts which differ from those stated and which would
have been required to be stated if known at the date hereof.



                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has
duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Boston and The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 20th day of April, 1998.

                                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


                                       By:      /S/ PAUL D. ALLEN
                                          ____________________________________
                                                PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                VICE PRESIDENT


                                        2
<PAGE>   4
                                    EXHIBIT 6


                             CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, in connection with the proposed issuance by CENTURY
BANCORP, INC. of its % SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES, we hereby consent that reports
of examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be
furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
request therefor.

                                          STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


                                          By:      /S/ PAUL D. ALLEN
                                             ________________________________
                                                   PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                   VICE PRESIDENT


DATED:   APRIL 20, 1998





                                        3
<PAGE>   5
                                    EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of State Street Bank and Trust Company,
Massachusetts and foreign and domestic subsidiaries, a state banking institution
organized and operating under the banking laws of this commonwealth and a member
of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 1997,
published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and in accordance
with a call made by the Commissioner of Banks under General Laws, Chapter 172,
Section 22(a).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Thousands of
ASSETS                                                                              Dollars
<S>                                                                                <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
         Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin ................         2,220,829
         Interest-bearing balances .........................................        10,076,045
Securities .................................................................        10,373,821
Federal funds sold and securities purchased
         under agreements to resell in domestic offices
         of the bank and its Edge subsidiary ...............................         5,124,310
Loans and lease financing receivables:
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income ......  6,270,348
         Allowance for loan and lease losses ...........     82,820
         Allocated transfer risk reserve ...............          0
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowances ...........         6,187,528
Assets held in trading accounts ............................................        1, 241,555
Premises and fixed assets ..................................................           410,029
Other real estate owned ....................................................               100
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries .................................            38,831
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ...............            44,962
Intangible assets ..........................................................           224,049
Other assets ...............................................................         1,507,650
                                                                                    ----------
Total assets ...............................................................        37,449,709
                                                                                    ==========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                       <C>                     <C>
LIABILITIES

Deposits:
         In domestic offices ...............................................        10,115,205
                  Noninterest-bearing ...................   7,739,136
                  Interest-bearing ......................   2,376,069
         In foreign offices and Edge subsidiary ............................        14,791,134
                  Noninterest-bearing ...................      71,889
                  Interest-bearing ......................  14,719,245
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                             <C>    
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
         agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of
         the bank and of its Edge subsidiary ...............................         7,603,920
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury and Trading Liabilities ...........           194,059
Trading liabilities ........................................................         1,036,905

Other borrowed money .......................................................           459,252
Subordinated notes and debentures ..........................................                 0
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ...................            44,962
Other liabilities ..........................................................           972,782

Total liabilities ..........................................................        35,218,219
                                                                                   -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ..............................                 0
Common stock ...............................................................            29,931
Surplus ....................................................................           444,620
Undivided profits and capital reserves/Net unrealized holding gains (losses)         1,763,076
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ........................            (6,137)
Total equity capital .......................................................         2,231,490
                                                                                   -----------

Total liabilities and equity capital .......................................        37,449,709
                                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>


                                        4
<PAGE>   6
I, Rex S. Schuette, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                         Rex S. Schuette


We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

                                                         David A. Spina
                                                         Marshall N. Carter
                                                         Truman S. Casner






                                        5



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 25.2


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM T-1

                                    ---------

                       STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
                        TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility
                  of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) __

                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                    Massachusetts                           04-1867445
    (Jurisdiction of incorporation or                    (I.R.S. Employer
 organization if not a U.S. national bank)              Identification No.)

           225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts          02110
            (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

   Maureen Scannell Bateman, Esq. Executive Vice President and General Counsel
                225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 654-3253
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                              ---------------------


                          CENTURY BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                      Delaware                              xx-xxxxxxx
    (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)

                    400 Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts
                                 (781) 391-4000
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                              --------------------

                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
                         (Title of indenture securities)
<PAGE>   2
                                     GENERAL

ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

         (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
             WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

               Department of Banking and Insurance of The Commonwealth of
               Massachusetts, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

               Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington,
               D.C., Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

         (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
             Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

         IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
         AFFILIATION.

               The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee or of its parent,
               State Street Boston Corporation.

               (See note on page 2.)

ITEM 3. THROUGH ITEM 15. NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

         1.  A COPY OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN
             EFFECT.

               A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee, as now in
               effect, is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
               Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of Eligibility and
               Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with the Registration
               Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No. 22-17940) and is
               incorporated herein by reference thereto.

         2.  A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE
             BUSINESS, IF NOT CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.

               A copy of a Statement from the Commissioner of Banks of
               Massachusetts that no certificate of authority for the trustee to
               commence business was necessary or issued is on file with the
               Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 2 to Amendment No.
               1 to the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee
               (Form T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe,
               Inc. (File No. 22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference
               thereto.

         3.  A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE CORPORATE
             TRUST POWERS, IF SUCH AUTHORIZATION IS NOT CONTAINED IN THE
             DOCUMENTS SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OR (2), ABOVE.

               A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate
               trust powers is on file with the Securities and Exchange
               Commission as Exhibit 3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of
               Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with
               the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No.
               22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

         4.  A COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, OR INSTRUMENTS
             CORRESPONDING THERETO.

               A copy of the by-laws of the trustee, as now in effect, is on
               file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4 to
               the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form
               T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Eastern Edison
               Company (File No. 33-37823) and is incorporated herein by
               reference thereto.


                                        1
<PAGE>   3
         5.  A COPY OF EACH INDENTURE REFERRED TO IN ITEM 4. IF THE OBLIGOR IS
             IN DEFAULT.

               Not applicable.

         6.  THE CONSENTS OF UNITED STATES INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEES REQUIRED BY
             SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT.

               The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act
               is annexed hereto as Exhibit 6 and made a part hereof.

         7.  A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE PUBLISHED
             PURSUANT TO LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING
             AUTHORITY.

               A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published
               pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or
               examining authority is annexed hereto as Exhibit 7 and made a
               part hereof.

                                      NOTES

         In answering any item of this Statement of Eligibility which relates to
matters peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor or any underwriter for
the obligor, the trustee has relied upon information furnished to it by the
obligor and the underwriters, and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.

         The answer furnished to Item 2. of this statement will be amended, if
necessary, to reflect any facts which differ from those stated and which would
have been required to be stated if known at the date hereof.

                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has
duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Boston and The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 20th day of April, 1998.

                                            STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

                                            By:    /S/ PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                --------------------------------
                                                   PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                   VICE PRESIDENT


                                        2
<PAGE>   4
                                    EXHIBIT 6

                             CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, in connection with the proposed issuance by CENTURY
BANCORP CAPITAL TRUST of its PREFERRED SECURITIES, we hereby consent that
reports of examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities
may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission
upon request therefor.

                                            STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

                                            By:    /S/ PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                --------------------------------
                                                   PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                   VICE PRESIDENT

DATED: APRIL 20, 1998


                                        3
<PAGE>   5
                                    EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of State Street Bank and Trust Company,
Massachusetts and foreign and domestic subsidiaries, a state banking institution
organized and operating under the banking laws of this commonwealth and a member
of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 1997,
published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and in accordance
with a call made by the Commissioner of Banks under General Laws, Chapter 172,
Section 22(a).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Thousands of
ASSETS                                                                             Dollars

<S>                                                                                <C>      
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
         Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin ................         2,220,829
         Interest-bearing balances .........................................        10,076,045
Securities .................................................................        10,373,821
Federal funds sold and securities purchased
         under agreements to resell in domestic offices
         of the bank and its Edge subsidiary ...............................         5,124,310
Loans and lease financing receivables:
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income ...........   6,270,348
         Allowance for loan and lease losses ................      82,820
         Allocated transfer risk reserve ....................           0
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowances ...........         6,187,528
Assets held in trading accounts ............................................         1,241,555
Premises and fixed assets ..................................................           410,029
Other real estate owned ....................................................               100
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries .................................            38,831
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ...............            44,962
Intangible assets ..........................................................           224,049
Other assets ...............................................................         1,507,650
                                                                                   -----------

Total assets ...............................................................        37,449,709
                                                                                   ===========

LIABILITIES

Deposits:
         In domestic offices ...............................................        10,115,205
                  Noninterest-bearing .......................   7,739,136
                  Interest-bearing ..........................   2,376,069
         In foreign offices and Edge subsidiary ............................        14,791,134
                  Noninterest-bearing .......................      71,889
                  Interest-bearing ..........................  14,719,245
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
         agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of
         the bank and of its Edge subsidiary ...............................         7,603,920
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury and Trading Liabilities ...........           194,059
Trading liabilities ........................................................         1,036,905

Other borrowed money .......................................................           459,252
Subordinated notes and debentures ..........................................                 0
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ...................            44,962
Other liabilities ..........................................................           972,782

Total liabilities ..........................................................        35,218,219
                                                                                   -----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ..............................                 0
Common stock ...............................................................            29,931
Surplus ....................................................................           444,620
Undivided profits and capital reserves/Net unrealized holding gains (losses)         1,763,076
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ........................            (6,137)
Total equity capital .......................................................         2,231,490
                                                                                   -----------
Total liabilities and equity capital .......................................        37,449,709
                                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>


                                        4
<PAGE>   6
I, Rex S. Schuette, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                                 Rex S. Schuette

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

                                                 David A. Spina
                                                 Marshall N. Carter
                                                 Truman S. Casner



                                        5

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.3




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

                       STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
                        TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility
                  of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) __


                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

                    Massachusetts                          04-1867445
          (Jurisdiction of incorporation or             (I.R.S. Employer
      organization if not a U.S. national bank)        Identification No.)


    225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts              02110
        (Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)

   Maureen Scannell Bateman, Esq. Executive Vice President and General Counsel
                225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 654-3253
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)




                              CENTURY BANCORP, INC.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                Massachusetts                           04-2498617
       (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

                    400 Mystic Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts
                                 (781) 391-4000
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


                                    GUARANTEE
                         (Title of indenture securities)
<PAGE>   2
                                     GENERAL

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

         (a)      NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
                  WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                  Department of Banking and Insurance of The Commonwealth of
                  Massachusetts, 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

                  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington,
                  D.C., Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

         (b)      WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

                  Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

         IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
         AFFILIATION.

                  The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee or of its
                  parent, State Street Boston Corporation.

                  (See note on page 2.)

ITEM 3. THROUGH ITEM 15.   NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

         1. A COPY OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN
         EFFECT.

                  A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee, as now
                  in effect, is on file with the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission as Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of
                  Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with
                  the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No.
                  22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

         2. A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE
         BUSINESS, IF NOT CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.

                  A copy of a Statement from the Commissioner of Banks of
                  Massachusetts that no certificate of authority for the trustee
                  to commence business was necessary or issued is on file with
                  the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 2 to
                  Amendment No. 1 to the Statement of Eligibility and
                  Qualification of Trustee (Form T-1) filed with the
                  Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc. (File No. 22-17940)
                  and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

         3. A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE CORPORATE
         TRUST POWERS, IF SUCH AUTHORIZATION IS NOT CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS
         SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OR (2), ABOVE.

                  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
                  corporate trust powers is on file with the Securities and
                  Exchange Commission as Exhibit 3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
                  Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee (Form
                  T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Morse Shoe, Inc.
                  (File No. 22-17940) and is incorporated herein by reference
                  thereto.

         4. A COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, OR INSTRUMENTS
         CORRESPONDING THERETO.

                  A copy of the by-laws of the trustee, as now in effect, is on
                  file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 4
                  to the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee
                  (Form T-1) filed with the Registration Statement of Eastern
                  Edison Company (File No. 33-37823) and is incorporated herein
                  by reference thereto.


                                        1
<PAGE>   3
         5. A COPY OF EACH INDENTURE REFERRED TO IN ITEM 4. IF THE OBLIGOR IS IN
         DEFAULT.

                  Not applicable.

         6. THE CONSENTS OF UNITED STATES INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEES REQUIRED BY
         SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT.

                  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
                  Act is annexed hereto as Exhibit 6 and made a part hereof.

         7. A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE PUBLISHED
         PURSUANT TO LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING
         AUTHORITY.

                  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                  published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                  supervising or examining authority is annexed hereto as
                  Exhibit 7 and made a part hereof.


                                      NOTES

         In answering any item of this Statement of Eligibility which relates to
matters peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor or any underwriter for
the obligor, the trustee has relied upon information furnished to it by the
obligor and the underwriters, and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.

         The answer furnished to Item 2. of this statement will be amended, if
necessary, to reflect any facts which differ from those stated and which would
have been required to be stated if known at the date hereof.



                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company, a corporation
organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has
duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Boston and The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 20th day of April, 1998.

                                        STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


                                        By:      /S/ PAUL D. ALLEN
                                            -------------------------------
                                                     PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                     VICE PRESIDENT



                                        2
<PAGE>   4
                                    EXHIBIT 6


                             CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, in connection with the proposed issuance by CENTURY
BANCORP, INC. of its GUARANTEE, we hereby consent that reports of examination by
Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor.

                                        STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY


                                        By:      /S/ PAUL D. ALLEN
                                            -------------------------------
                                                     PAUL D. ALLEN
                                                     VICE PRESIDENT

DATED:   APRIL 20, 1998




                                        3
<PAGE>   5
                                    EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of State Street Bank and Trust Company,
Massachusetts and foreign and domestic subsidiaries, a state banking institution
organized and operating under the banking laws of this commonwealth and a member
of the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business December 31, 1997,
published in accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and in accordance
with a call made by the Commissioner of Banks under General Laws, Chapter 172,
Section 22(a).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Thousands of
ASSETS                                                                                    Dollars
<S>                                                                                  <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
         Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin ....................        2,220,829
         Interest-bearing balances .............................................       10,076,045
Securities .....................................................................       10,373,821
Federal funds sold and securities purchased
         under agreements to resell in domestic offices
         of the bank and its Edge subsidiary ...................................        5,124,310
Loans and lease financing receivables:
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income ........... 6,270,348
         Allowance for loan and lease losses ................    82,820
         Allocated transfer risk reserve ....................         0
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowances ...............        6,187,528
Assets held in trading accounts ................................................       1, 241,555
Premises and fixed assets ......................................................          410,029
Other real estate owned ........................................................              100
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries .....................................           38,831
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ...................           44,962
Intangible assets ..............................................................          224,049
Other assets ...................................................................        1,507,650
                                                                                       ----------

Total assets ...................................................................       37,449,709
                                                                                       ==========

LIABILITIES

Deposits:
         In domestic offices ...................................................       10,115,205
                  Noninterest-bearing ....................... 7,739,136
                  Interest-bearing .......................... 2,376,069
         In foreign offices and Edge subsidiary ................................       14,791,134
                  Noninterest-bearing .......................    71,889
                  Interest-bearing ..........................14,719,245
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
         agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of
         the bank and of its Edge subsidiary ...................................        7,603,920
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury and Trading Liabilities ...............          194,059
Trading liabilities ............................................................        1,036,905
Other borrowed money ...........................................................          459,252
Subordinated notes and debentures ..............................................                0
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding .......................           44,962
Other liabilities ..............................................................          972,782

Total liabilities ..............................................................       35,218,219
                                                                                       ----------

EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ..................................                0
Common stock ...................................................................           29,931
Surplus ........................................................................          444,620
Undivided profits and capital reserves/Net unrealized holding gains (losses) ...        1,763,076
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments ............................           (6,137)
Total equity capital ...........................................................        2,231,490
                                                                                       ----------
Total liabilities and equity capital ...........................................       37,449,709
                                                                                       ----------
</TABLE>

                                        4
<PAGE>   6
I, Rex S. Schuette, Senior Vice President and Comptroller of the above named
bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                             Rex S. Schuette


We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of
Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our
knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions
issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and is true and
correct.

                                             David A. Spina
                                             Marshall N. Carter
                                             Truman S. Casner




                                        5




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