UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP
S-4, 1997-04-24
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 1997
                                                  Registration No.333-_______
                                                                  333-_______-01

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    Form S-4
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP                                 UNB CAPITAL TRUST I
(Exact name of Registrant                          (Exact name of Registrant as
as specified in its charter)                   specified in its trust agreement)
                                      
           NEW JERSEY                 
(State or other jurisdiction of                       DELAWARE
 incorporation or organization)            (State or other jurisdiction of
           _________                       incorporation or organization)
                                                      ---------
              6712
  (Primary Standard Industrial                          6719
  Classification Code Number)               (Primary Standard Industrial
           22-2894827                        Classification Code Number)
        (I.R.S. Employer                             22-6719709
      Identification No.)                         (I.R.S. Employer
                                                   Identification No.)

                              ---------------------
                                  1130 Route 22
                                  P.O. Box 6000
                       Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010
                                 (908) 429-2200
    (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                  of Registrants' principal executive offices)

                              ---------------------
                           Thomas C. Gregor, Chairman,
                                 President & CEO
                                  1130 Route 22
                                  P.O. Box 6000
                       Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010
                                   (908) 429-2200

 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                              of agent for service)

                              ---------------------
                                   COPIES TO:
      Ronald H. Janis, Esq.                          Mitchell Kleinman, Esq.
   Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch                         Brown & Wood LLP
          P.O. Box 1945                              One World Trade Center
Morristown, New Jersey 07962-1945                   New York, New York 10048
          (201) 966-6300                                 (212) 839-5300

                              ---------------------
                       Approximate Date of Commencement of
                     Proposed Sale to the Public: As soon as
                  practicable after this Registration Statement
                               becomes effective.
    If any of the securities  being registered on this Form are to be offered in
connection  with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. |_|

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=============================================================================================================================
<S>                                            <C>               <C>                 <C>                    <C>       
     Title of Each Class of Securities            Amount         Proposed Maximum    Proposed Maximum        Amount of
             to be Registered                     to be           Offering Price         Aggregate          Registration
                                                Registered         Per Unit(1)       Offering Price(1)       Fee(2)(3)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series B Capital Securities of UNB Capital     $20,000,000             100%             $20,000,000          $6,060.61
Trust I....................................
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures of United National
Bancorp(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United  National Bancorp Series B
Guarantee with respect to Series B Capital
Securities(3)
=============================================================================================================================
    Total..................................   $20,000,000(4)           100%           $20,000,000(5)         $6,060.61
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee.
(2) No  separate  consideration  will  be  received  for  the  Series  B  Junior
    Subordinated  Deferrable Interest Debentures of United National Bancorp (the
    "Junior  Subordinated  Debentures")  distributed upon any liquidation of UNB
    Capital Trust I.
(3) No separate  consideration  will be received for the United National Bancorp
Series B Guarantee.
(4) This  Registration  Statement is deemed to cover rights of holders of Junior
    Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture, the rights of holders of Series
    B Capital Securities of UNB Capital Trust I under a Declaration,  the rights
    of holders of such  Capital  Securities  under the  Series B  Guarantee  and
    certain backup undertakings as described herein.
(5) Such amount  represents  the  liquidation  amount of the UNB Capital Trust I
    Series B Capital  Securities  to be exchanged  hereunder  and the  principal
    amount of Junior Subordinated  Debentures that may be distributed to holders
    of such Capital Securities upon any liquidation of UNB Capital Trust I.

    The  Registrants  hereby amend this  registration  statement on such date or
dates as may be  necessary  to delay its  effective  date until the  Registrants
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 this  registration  statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

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

<PAGE>

================================================================================
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.
================================================================================

<PAGE>
               SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED ________________, 1997

                               UNB CAPITAL TRUST I

                              OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
                       10.01% SERIES B CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
           WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                       FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
                       10.01% SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
               UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, AS DESCRIBED HEREIN, BY

                             UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP

       THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
                 NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON        , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED
                              --------------------

    UNB Capital  Trust I, a trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware
(the "Trust"),  hereby offers,  upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Prospectus (as the same may be amended or  supplemented  from time
to time, the "Prospectus") and in the accompanying  Letter of Transmittal (which
together  constitute  the  "Exchange  Offer"),  to  exchange  up to  $20,000,000
aggregate Liquidation Amount of its 10.01% Series B Capital Securities (the "New
Capital  Securities")  which have been  registered  under the  Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities  Act"),  pursuant to a Registration  Statement
(as defined  herein) of which this  Prospectus  constitutes  a part,  for a like
Liquidation  Amount of its outstanding  10.01% Series A Capital  Securities (the
"Old Capital Securities"),  of which $20,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount is
outstanding.  Pursuant to the Exchange  Offer,  United National  Bancorp,  a New
Jersey corporation ("United" or the "Corporation"), is also offering to exchange
(i) its guarantee of payments of cash  distributions and payments on liquidation
of the Trust or redemption of the Old Capital  Securities (the "Old  Guarantee")
for a like  guarantee  in  respect  of the  New  Capital  Securities  (the  "New
Guarantee") and (ii) all of its 10.01% Series A Junior  Subordinated  Deferrable
Interest   Debentures   due  March  15,  2027  (the  "Old  Junior   Subordinated
Debentures") for a like aggregate principal amount of its 10.01% Series B Junior
Subordinated  Deferrable Interest Debentures due March 15, 2027 (the "New Junior
Subordinated  Debentures"),  which New  Guarantee  and New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures also have been  registered  under the Securities Act. The Old Capital
Securities,  the Old Guarantee and the Old Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  are
collectively  referred  to herein as the "Old  Securities"  and the New  Capital
Securities,  the New Guarantee and the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  are
collectively referred to herein as the "New Securities."

    (i) The New  Securities  have been  registered  under the Securities Act and
therefore will not be subject to certain  restrictions on transfer applicable to
the Old  Securities,  (ii) the New Capital  Securities will contain the $100,000
minimum  Liquidation  Amount  transfer   restriction,   (iii)  the  New  Capital
Securities will not provide for any increase in the  Distribution  rate thereon,
(iv) the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures will contain the $100,000  minimum
principal  amount  transfer  restriction  and (v) the  New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  will not provide for any increase in the interest rate thereon.  See
"Description  of New Securities" and  "Description of Old  Securities."  The New
Capital  Securities  are being offered for exchange in order to satisfy  certain
obligations  of the  Corporation  and the Trust  under the  Registration  Rights
Agreement dated as of March 21, 1997 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") among
the Corporation,  the Trust and the Initial  Purchasers (as defined herein).  In
the event that the Exchange  Offer is  consummated,  any Old Capital  Securities
which remain  outstanding  after  consummation of the Exchange Offer and the New
Capital  Securities  issued in the Exchange Offer will vote together as a single
class for purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in
outstanding  Liquidation  Amount thereof have taken certain actions or exercised
certain rights under the Declaration.
                                                                     
    This  Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to all
holders of Old Capital Securities on                     , 1997.

    SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 17 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES IN
THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

    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 OR ANY STATE
                SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
                 ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                    The date of this Prospectus is ___________, 1997.


         The  New   Capital   Securities   and  the   Old   Capital   Securities
(collectively,  the "Capital Securities")  represent beneficial interests in the
assets of the  Trust.  The  Corporation  is the  owner of all of the  beneficial
interests   represented   by  common   securities  of  the  Trust  (the  "Common
Securities," and together with the Capital Securities,  the "Trust Securities").
The Bank of New York is the Property  Trustee of the Trust. The Trust exists for
the sole  purpose of issuing the Trust  Securities  and  investing  the proceeds
thereof in the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures (as defined herein).  The Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  will  mature on March 15, 2027 (the  "Stated  Maturity
Date"). The Capital 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 New
Securities--Description  of  New  Capital  Securities--Subordination  of  Common
Securities."

         As used herein,  (i) the "Indenture"  means the Indenture,  dated as of
March 21,  1997,  as amended  and  supplemented  from time to time,  between the
Corporation  and The Bank of New York,  as  Debenture  Trustee  (the  "Debenture
Trustee"),  (ii) the "Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust, dated as of March 21, 1997,  relating to the Trust among the Corporation,
as Sponsor,  The Bank of New York as Property Trustee (the "Property  Trustee"),
The Bank of New York (Delaware),  as Delaware Trustee, (the "Delaware Trustee"),
and the Administrative  Trustees named therein (collectively,  with the Property
Trustee and  Delaware  Trustee,  the "Issuer  Trustees").  In  addition,  as the
context may require,  unless otherwise  expressly stated,  (i) the term "Capital
Securities"  includes the Old Capital Securities and the New Capital Securities,
(ii) the term "Trust Securities"  includes the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities,  (iii) the term "Junior  Subordinated  Debentures"  includes the Old
Junior Subordinated  Debentures and the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures and
(iv) the term "Guarantee" includes the Old Guarantee and the New Guarantee.

         Holders  of the New  Capital  Securities  will be  entitled  to receive
preferential  cumulative cash distributions arising from the payment of interest
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, accruing from March 21, 1997, and payable
semi-annually  in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year,  commencing
September  15, 1997, at the annual rate of 10.01% of the  Liquidation  Amount of
$1,000 per New Capital Security ("Distributions"). The Corporation will have the
right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at any
time and from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive semi-annual
periods with respect to each  deferral  period (each,  an  "Extension  Period"),
provided that no Extension  Period may extend beyond the Stated  Maturity  Date.
Upon the termination of any such Extension Period and the payment of all amounts
then due, the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension Period,  subject to
the  requirements  set forth in the  Indenture.  If and for so long as  interest
payments on the Junior Subordinated Debentures are so deferred, Distributions on
the Trust  Securities  will also be  deferred  and the  Corporation  will not be
permitted, subject to certain exceptions described herein, to declare or pay any
cash  distributions  with  respect to the  Corporation's  capital  stock  (which
includes common and preferred stock) or to make any payment with respect to debt
securities of the Corporation  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 Trust  Securities  are entitled will  accumulate) at the
rate of  10.01%  per  annum,  compounded  semi-annually,  and  holders  of Trust
Securities  will be required to accrue interest income for United States federal
income tax purposes.  See  "Description  of New  Securities--Description  of New
Junior  Subordinated  Debentures--Option  to Extend  Interest  Payment Date" and
"Certain  United States Federal Income Tax  Considerations--Interest  Income and
Original Issue Discount."

         Through the  Guarantee,  the  guarantee  agreement  of the  Corporation
relating to the Common Securities (the "Common Guarantee"), the Declaration, the
Junior  Subordinated   Debentures  and  the  Indenture,   taken  together,   the
Corporation  has  guaranteed  or will  guarantee,  as the  case  may be,  fully,
irrevocably and unconditionally,  all of the Trust's obligations under the Trust
Securities.  See "Relationship Among the New Capital Securities,  the New Junior
Subordinated   Debentures  and  the  New   Guarantee--Full   and   Unconditional
Guarantee." The Old Guarantee and the Common Guarantee  guarantees,  and the New
Guarantee will guarantee,  payments of Distributions and payments on liquidation
or redemption of the Trust Securities,  but in each case only to the extent that
the Trust holds funds on hand legally available  therefor and has failed to make
such   payments,    as   described    herein.    See    "Description    of   New
Securities--Description  of New Guarantee." If the  Corporation  fails to make a
required payment on the Junior Subordinated Debentures,  the Trust will not have
sufficient funds to make the related payments,  including Distributions,  on the
Trust Securities. The Guarantee and the Common Guarantee will not cover any such
payment when the Trust does not have sufficient funds on hand legally  available
therefor.  In such event,  a holder of Capital  Securities may institute a legal
proceeding  directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights in respect of
such payment.  See  "Description  of New  Securities--Description  of New Junior
Subordinated Debentures--Enforcement of Certain Rights By Holders of New Capital
Securities." The obligations of the Corporation under the Guarantee,  the Common
Guarantee and the Junior Subordinated  Debentures will be subordinate and junior
in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation (as defined in
"Description  of  New   Securities--Description   of  New  Junior   Subordinated
Debentures--Subordination")  to the  extent  and in the  manner set forth in the
Indenture and the Guarantees, respectively.

         The Trust Securities will be subject to mandatory  redemption in a Like
Amount (as defined herein), (i) in whole but not in part, on the Stated Maturity
Date upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated  Debentures at a redemption price
equal  to the  principal  amount  of,  plus  accrued  interest  on,  the  Junior
Subordinated Debentures (the "Maturity Redemption Price"), (ii) in whole but not
in part,  at any time before March 15, 2007 (the  "Initial  Optional  Prepayment
Date"),   contemporaneously   with  the  optional   prepayment   of  the  Junior
Subordinated Debentures, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event
(as defined herein) at a redemption  price equal to the Special Event Prepayment
Price (as defined below) (the "Special Event  Redemption  Price"),  and (iii) in
whole  or  in  part,  on  or  after  the  Initial   Optional   Prepayment  Date,
contemporaneously  with the optional prepayment by the Corporation of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures,  at a redemption price equal to the Optional Prepayment
Price (as defined below) (the "Optional  Redemption Price"). Any of the Maturity
Redemption Price, the Special Event Redemption Price and the Optional Redemption
Price may be referred to herein as the "Redemption  Price." See  "Description of
New Securities--Description of New Capital Securities--Redemption."

         Subject to the Corporation  having received prior approval of the Board
of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System (the "Federal  Reserve") to do so if
then required  under  applicable  capital  guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve,  the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  will be prepayable  prior to the
Stated  Maturity  Date at the  option  of the  Corporation  (i) on or after  the
Initial  Optional  Prepayment  Date, in whole or in part, at a prepayment  price
(the  "Optional  Prepayment  Price")  equal to 105.00% of the  principal  amount
thereof on the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, declining ratably on each March
15 thereafter to 100% on or after March 15, 2017, plus accrued  interest thereon
to the date of  prepayment,  or (ii) at any time  before  the  Initial  Optional
Prepayment  Date, in whole but not in part, upon the occurrence and continuation
of a Special Event, at a prepayment price (the "Special Event Prepayment Price")
equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount thereof or (b) the sum,
as determined by a Quotation Agent (as defined herein), of the present values of
the  principal  amount and premium  payable as part of the  Optional  Prepayment
Price  with  respect  to an  optional  redemption  of such  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures on the Initial  Optional  Prepayment  Date,  together with  scheduled
payments of interest from the prepayment date to the Initial Optional Prepayment
Date, in each case  discounted  to the  prepayment  date on a semi-annual  basis
(assuming a 360-day year  consisting  of twelve  30-day  months) at the Adjusted
Treasury  Rate (as defined  herein)  plus,  in either  case,  accrued and unpaid
interest  thereon to the date of prepayment.  Either of the Optional  Prepayment
Price or the  Special  Event  Prepayment  Price may be referred to herein as the
"Prepayment  Price."  See  "Description  of New  Securities--Description  of New
Junior  Subordinated   Debentures--Optional  Prepayment"  and  "--Special  Event
Prepayment."

         The Corporation,  as the holder of the outstanding  Common  Securities,
will have the right at any time to dissolve the Trust and cause a Like Amount of
the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust
Securities in liquidation of the Trust,  subject to (i) the  Corporation  having
received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such  distribution will not be
a taxable event to holders of Capital  Securities and (ii) the prior approval of
the  Federal  Reserve  to  do so  if  then  required  under  applicable  capital
guidelines or policies of the Federal  Reserve.  Unless the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures are distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities,  in the event
of a  liquidation  of the  Trust as  described  herein,  after  satisfaction  of
liabilities to creditors of the Trust as required by applicable law, the holders
of the Capital  Securities  generally  will be entitled to receive a Liquidation
Amount of $1,000 per Capital Security plus accumulated  Distributions thereon to
the date of payment.  See  "Description  of New  Securities--Description  of New
Capital   Securities--Liquidation  of  the  Trust  and  Distribution  of  Junior
Subordinated     Debentures,"     and     "Certain     Federal     Income    Tax
Considerations--Receipt   of  Junior   Subordinated   Debentures  or  Cash  upon
Liquidation of the Trust."

         The Trust is making the Exchange Offer of the New Capital Securities in
reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation  Finance of
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission")  as set forth in
certain  interpretive  letters addressed to third parties in other transactions.
Neither the Corporation nor the Trust has sought its own interpretive letter and
there can be no assurance that the staff of the Division of Corporation  Finance
of the  Commission  would  make a  similar  determination  with  respect  to the
Exchange Offer as it has in such interpretive letters to third parties. Based on
these interpretations by the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Commission,  and  subject  to  the  two  immediately  following  sentences,  the
Corporation and the Trust believe that New Capital Securities issued pursuant to
this Exchange  Offer in exchange for Old Capital  Securities  may be offered for
resale,  resold and  otherwise  transferred  by a holder  thereof  (other than a
holder who is a broker-dealer)  without further compliance with the registration
and prospectus  delivery  requirements of the Securities Act, provided that such
New Capital  Securities  are  acquired in the ordinary  course of such  holder's
business and that such holder is not  participating,  and has no  arrangement or
understanding  with any person to  participate,  in a  distribution  (within the
meaning of the  Securities  Act) of such New Capital  Securities.  However,  any
holder of Old Capital Securities who is an "affiliate" of the Corporation or the
Trust or who intends to  participate  in the  Exchange  Offer for the purpose of
distributing  New Capital  Securities,  or any  broker-dealer  who purchased Old
Capital  Securities  from the Trust to resell  pursuant  to Rule 144A  under the
Securities  Act  ("Rule  144A")  or any  other  available  exemption  under  the
Securities Act, (a) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff
of the  Division  of  Corporation  Finance  of the  Commission  set forth in the
above-mentioned  interpretive  letters, (b) will not be permitted or entitled to
tender such Old Capital  Securities  in the  Exchange  Offer and (c) must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
in  connection  with any sale or other  transfer of such Old Capital  Securities
unless such sale is made  pursuant to an exemption  from such  requirements.  In
addition,  as described below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Capital Securities
acquired  for its own  account  as a result of  market-making  or other  trading
activities and exchanges such Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities,
then such  broker-dealer  must deliver a prospectus  meeting the requirements of
the  Securities  Act  in  connection  with  any  resales  of  such  New  Capital
Securities.

         Each  holder of Old  Capital  Securities  who  wishes to  exchange  Old
Capital  Securities  for New Capital  Securities  in the Exchange  Offer will be
required to represent that (i) it is not an  "affiliate"  of the  Corporation or
the  Trust,  (ii) any New  Capital  Securities  to be  received  by it are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business,  (iii) it has no arrangement or
understanding  with any person to  participate  in a  distribution  (within  the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities,  and (iv) if such
holder is not a  broker-dealer,  such  holder is not  engaged  in,  and does not
intend to engage in, a distribution  (within the meaning of the Securities  Act)
of such New Capital Securities.  In addition,  the Corporation and the Trust may
require such holder, as a condition to such holder's  eligibility to participate
in the Exchange  Offer, to furnish to the Corporation and the Trust (or an agent
thereof) in writing  information as to the number of "beneficial owners" (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)
on behalf of whom such holder  holds the Capital  Securities  to be exchanged in
the Exchange Offer. Each  broker-dealer that receives New Capital Securities for
its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it acquired
the Old Capital  Securities  for its own account as the result of  market-making
activities  or other  trading  activities  and must agree that it will deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale of such New Capital Securities.  The Letter of Transmittal states that by
so  acknowledging  and by delivering a prospectus,  a broker-dealer  will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act.  Based on the position  taken by the staff of the  Division of  Corporation
Finance of the Commission in the  interpretive  letters  referred to above,  the
Corporation and the Trust believe that  broker-dealers  who acquired Old Capital
Securities for their own accounts,  as a result of  market-making  activities or
other trading  activities  ("Participating  Broker-Dealers"),  may fulfill their
prospectus  delivery  requirements  with  respect to the New Capital  Securities
received  upon exchange of such Old Capital  Securities  (other than Old Capital
Securities which represent an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old
Capital Securities) with a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities
Act,  which may be the  prospectus  prepared for an exchange offer so long as it
contains a description of the plan of distribution with respect to the resale of
such New Capital Securities.  Accordingly, this Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating  Broker-Dealer
during the period  referred to below in  connection  with resales of New Capital
Securities  received  in  exchange  for Old  Capital  Securities  where such Old
Capital Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own
account as a result of  market-making  or other trading  activities.  Subject to
certain  provisions  set  forth  in  the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,   the
Corporation and the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating  Broker-Dealer
in connection  with resales of such New Capital  Securities  for a period ending
90-days  after the  Expiration  Date (as defined  herein)  (subject to extension
under certain limited  circumstances  described below) or, if earlier,  when all
such  New  Capital  Securities  have  been  disposed  of by  such  Participating
Broker-Dealer.   See   "Plan  of   Distribution."   However,   a   Participating
Broker-Dealer  who intends to use this  Prospectus in connection with the resale
of New  Capital  Securities  received in  exchange  for Old  Capital  Securities
pursuant to the  Exchange  Offer must notify the  Corporation  or the Trust,  or
cause the Corporation or the Trust to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration
Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer.  Such notice may be given in the
space provided for that purpose in the Letter of Transmittal or may be delivered
to the  Exchange  Agent at one of the  addresses  set forth  herein  under  "The
Exchange  Offer--Exchange  Agent."  Any  Participating  Broker-Dealer  who is an
"affiliate" of the  Corporation  or the Trust may not rely on such  interpretive
letters  and  must  comply  with  the  registration   and  prospectus   delivery
requirements  of the Securities Act in connection  with any resale  transaction.
See "The Exchange Offer Resales of New Capital Securities."

         In that regard,  each  Participating  Broker-Dealer  who surrenders Old
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed,
by execution of the Letter of Transmittal, that, upon receipt of notice from the
Corporation  or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any
fact which makes any statement  contained or  incorporated  by reference in this
Prospectus  untrue in any material  respect or which causes this  Prospectus  to
omit to  state a  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to make  the  statements
contained or incorporated  by reference  herein,  in light of the  circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other
events  specified  in the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  such  Participating
Broker-Dealer  will  suspend  the  sale of New  Capital  Securities  (or the New
Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures,  as applicable) pursuant to
this  Prospectus  until the Corporation or the Trust has amended or supplemented
this  Prospectus  to correct such  misstatement  or omission  and has  furnished
copies  of  the  amended  or  supplemented   Prospectus  to  such  Participating
Broker-Dealer  or the Corporation or the Trust has given notice that the sale of
the New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures,  as  applicable)  may  be  resumed,  as  the  case  may  be.  If the
Corporation  or the  Trust  gives  such  notice to  suspend  the sale of the New
Capital  Securities  (or  the  New  Guarantee  or the  New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures, as applicable),  it shall extend the 90-day period referred to above
during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use this Prospectus in
connection  with the  resale of New  Capital  Securities  by the  number of days
during the period  from and  including  the date of the giving of such notice to
and including  the date when  Participating  Broker-Dealers  shall have received
copies of the amended or supplemented  Prospectus necessary to permit resales of
the New Capital Securities or to and including the date on which the Corporation
or the Trust has given  notice that the sale of New Capital  Securities  (or the
New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures,  as applicable) may be
resumed, as the case may be.

         Prior to the Exchange  Offer,  there has been only a limited  secondary
market and no public  market for the Old  Capital  Securities.  The New  Capital
Securities  will be a new issue of  securities  for which there  currently is no
market.  Although the Initial  Purchasers  have informed the Corporation and the
Trust  that they  each  currently  intend  to make a market  in the New  Capital
Securities,  they are not  obligated to do so, and any such market making may be
discontinued at any time without notice. Accordingly,  there can be no assurance
as to the development or liquidity of any market for the New Capital Securities.
The  Corporation  and the Trust will not apply for  listing  of the New  Capital
Securities  on any  securities  exchange or for  quotation  through the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.

         Any Old Capital  Securities  not  tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer will  remain  outstanding  and will be entitled to all the same rights and
will be subject to the same limitations applicable thereto under the Declaration
(except for those  rights  which  terminate  upon  consummation  of the Exchange
Offer). Following consummation of the Exchange Offer, the holders of Old Capital
Securities will continue to be subject to all of the existing  restrictions upon
transfer thereof and neither the Corporation nor the Trust will have any further
obligation to such holders (other than under certain limited  circumstances)  to
provide for registration  under the Securities Act of the Old Capital Securities
held by them.  To the  extent  that Old  Capital  Securities  are  tendered  and
accepted  in the  Exchange  Offer,  a holder's  ability to sell  untendered  Old
Capital Securities could be adversely affected. See "Risk  Factors--Consequences
of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities."

         THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS
AND THE RELATED  LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL  CAREFULLY  BEFORE  DECIDING  WHETHER TO
TENDER THEIR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

         Old Capital Securities may be tendered for exchange on or prior to 5:00
p.m.,  New York City  time,  on  ______,  1997  (such  time on such  date  being
hereinafter called the "Expiration Date"), unless the Exchange Offer is extended
by the Corporation or the Trust (in which case the term "Expiration  Date" shall
mean the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended).  Tenders
of Old  Capital  Securities  may be  withdrawn  at any  time on or  prior to the
Expiration  Date.  The  Exchange  Offer  is not  conditioned  upon  any  minimum
Liquidation  Amount of Old  Capital  Securities  being  tendered  for  exchange.
However,  the Exchange Offer is subject to certain  events and conditions  which
may be waived by the Corporation or the Trust and to the terms and provisions of
the Registration  Rights  Agreement.  Old Capital  Securities may be tendered in
whole or in part  having  an  aggregate  Liquidation  Amount  of not  less  than
$100,000 (100 Capital Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 Liquidation
Amount (one Capital  Security) in excess thereof.  The Corporation has agreed to
pay all  expenses of the  Exchange  Offer.  See "The  Exchange  Offer--Fees  and
Expenses."  Holders of the Old Capital  Securities whose Old Capital  Securities
are  accepted for exchange  will not receive  Distributions  on such Old Capital
Securities  and  will  be  deemed  to have  waived  the  right  to  receive  any
Distributions  on such Old Capital  Securities  accumulated from and after March
21, 1997. See "The Exchange Offer--Distributions on New Capital Securities."

         Neither the  Corporation  nor the Trust will receive any cash  proceeds
from  the  issuance  of  the  New  Capital   Securities   offered   hereby.   No
dealer-manager is being used in connection with this Exchange Offer. See "Use of
Proceeds" and "Plan of Distribution."


<PAGE>

         NO DEALER,  SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE
ANY  INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY  REPRESENTATIONS  OTHER THAN THOSE  CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE IN THIS  PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION  WITH THIS EXCHANGE
OFFER AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH  INFORMATION OR  REPRESENTATIONS  MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE  CORPORATION OR THE TRUST.  NEITHER
THE  DELIVERY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY SALE MADE  HEREUNDER  SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE  CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS
OF THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.  THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR A  SOLICITATION  BY ANYONE IN ANY  JURISDICTION  IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER OR  SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.

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

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                          Page

Available Information....................................................... 8
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................. 9
Summary.....................................................................10
Risk Factors................................................................17
United National Bancorp.....................................................21
Use of Proceeds.............................................................25
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.........................................25
Capitalization..............................................................26
Summary Financial Data......................................................26
The Trust...................................................................28
The Exchange Offer..........................................................28
Description of New Securities...............................................35
Description of Old Securities...............................................51
Relationship Among the New Capital Securities, the
 New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee...................52
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.....................53
ERISA Considerations........................................................56
Plan of Distribution........................................................57
Validity of New Securities..................................................57
Experts.....................................................................57


<PAGE>


                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The  Corporation 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 can be
inspected and copied at the public  reference  facilities  of the  Commission at
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549 and at the regional
offices of the  Commission  located at 7 World Trade Center,  13th Floor,  Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite 1400,  Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500
West Madison Street,  Chicago,  Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can also
be obtained at prescribed  rates by writing to the Public  Reference  Section of
the  Commission  at  450  Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549.  Such
information  may also be accessed  electronically  by means of the  Commission's
home page on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, such reports, proxy
statements and other information  concerning the Corporation can be inspected at
the offices of the National  Association  of Securities  Dealers,  Inc.,  1735 K
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

         No  separate  financial  statements  of the Trust  have  been  included
herein.  The  Corporation  and the Trust do not  consider  that  such  financial
statements  would be material to holders of the Capital  Securities  because the
Trust is a newly formed  special  purpose  entity,  has no operating  history or
independent  operations  and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in
any  activity  other  than  holding  as trust  assets  the  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  and  issuing the Trust  Securities.  See "UNB  Capital  Trust I" and
"Description of New  Securities." In addition,  the Corporation  does not expect
that the Trust will file reports under the Exchange Act with the Commission.

         This Prospectus  constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form
S-4 (the  "Registration  Statement") filed by the Corporation and the Trust with
the Commission  under the Securities  Act. This  Prospectus does not contain all
the information set forth in the Registration Statement,  certain parts of which
are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission,  and
reference  is hereby  made to the  Registration  Statement  and to the  exhibits
relating thereto for further  information  with respect to the Corporation,  the
Trust and the New Securities.  Any statements  contained  herein  concerning the
provisions of any document are not 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.



<PAGE>


                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE


         The following  documents filed by the  Corporation  with the Commission
are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference:

         1.   Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1996;
              and

         2.   Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 10,
              1997 and March 28, 1997.

         All documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to
the  termination of the offering of the New  Securities  offered hereby shall be
deemed to be  incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part of
this  Prospectus  from  the  date of  filing  of such  document.  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.

         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.  The
Corporation 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
not specifically incorporated by reference into the texts of such documents), as
well as a copy of the Declaration,  the Indenture,  the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures,  the Guarantee and the other offering  documents  described  herein.
Requests for such documents should be directed to: United National Bancorp, 1130
Route 22, P.O. Box 6000, Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807-0010, Attention: Ralph L.
Straw, Jr., Telephone (908) 429-2409.



<PAGE>

                                     SUMMARY

         The following is a summary of certain  information  contained elsewhere
in this  Prospectus.  Reference is made to, and this summary is qualified in its
entirety by, the more detailed information and financial  statements,  including
the notes thereto, contained elsewhere in this Prospectus.


                               UNB Capital Trust I

         The Trust is a statutory  business  trust  formed  under  Delaware  law
pursuant to (i) a Declaration executed by the Corporation,  as Sponsor, The Bank
of New York as Property  Trustee,  The Bank of New York  (Delaware)  as Delaware
Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, and (ii) the filing of a
certificate of trust with the Delaware  Secretary of State on February 21, 1997.
The Trust's affairs are conducted by the Issuer Trustees:  the Property Trustee,
the Delaware  Trustee,  and the two individual  Administrative  Trustees who are
employees or officers of or affiliated  with the  Corporation.  The Trust exists
for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing and selling the Trust Securities, (ii)
using the proceeds  from the sale of the Trust  Securities to acquire the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  issued by the Corporation,  and (iii) engaging in only
those other  activities  necessary,  advisable or  incidental  thereto  (such as
registering  the transfer of the Capital  Securities).  Accordingly,  the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of the Trust, and payments under
the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole revenue of the Trust. All of
the Common Securities will be owned by the Corporation.


                             United National Bancorp

         United is a bank holding company  organized under the laws of the State
of New Jersey and  registered  under the Bank  Holding  Company Act of 1956,  as
amended (the "Bank Holding  Company  Act").  United has one banking  subsidiary,
United National Bank ("UNB"), a national bank which operates 19 branches located
in central New Jersey.  UNB is a member of the  Federal  Reserve  System and its
deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance  Corporation (the "FDIC").
At  December  31,  1996,  United had  consolidated  assets of  approximately  $1
billion. United's principal executive offices are located at 1130 Route 22, P.O.
Box 6000, Bridgewater,  New Jersey 08807-0010. The telephone number of United is
(908) 429-2200.

         For additional information, see "Available Information"; "Incorporation
of Certain Documents by Reference"; "United National Bancorp--General".


                               The Exchange Offer

The  Exchange  Offer...........   Up to $20,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount
                                  of New Capital Securities are being offered in
                                  exchange  for  a  like  aggregate  Liquidation
                                  Amount of Old Capital Securities.  Old Capital
                                  Securities  may be  tendered  for  exchange in
                                  whole or in part in a  Liquidation  Amount  of
                                  $100,000  (100  Capital   Securities)  or  any
                                  integral   multiple  of  $1,000  (one  Capital
                                  Security) in excess  thereof.  The Corporation
                                  and the Trust are making the Exchange Offer in
                                  order to satisfy their  obligations  under the
                                  Registration  Rights Agreement relating to the
                                  Old Capital  Securities.  For a description of
                                  the   procedures  for  tendering  Old  Capital
                                  Securities,       see      "The       Exchange
                                  Offer--Procedures  for  Tendering  Old Capital
                                  Securities."

Expiration Date................   The  Exchange  Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
                                  New York City time, on     , 1997, unless  the
                                  Exchange Offer is extended by the  Corporation
                                  or the  Trust (in  which  case the  Expiration
                                  Date will be the latest date and time to which
                                  the  Exchange  Offer  is  extended).  See "The
                                  Exchange Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."

Conditions to the Exchange
 Offer.........................   The  Exchange  Offer  is  subject  to  certain
                                  conditions,   which   may  be  waived  by  the
                                  Corporation   and  the  Trust  in  their  sole
                                  discretion.   The   Exchange   Offer   is  not
                                  conditioned   upon  any  minimum   Liquidation
                                  Amount  of  Old   Capital   Securities   being
                                  tendered. See "The Exchange  Offer--Conditions
                                  to the Exchange Offer."

Offer..........................   The  Corporation  and the  Trust  reserve  the
                                  right in their sole and  absolute  discretion,
                                  subject  to  applicable  law,  at any time and
                                  from time to time, (i) to delay the acceptance
                                  of the Old Capital  Securities  for  exchange,
                                  (ii)  to  terminate  the  Exchange   Offer  if
                                  certain  specified  conditions  have  not been
                                  satisfied, (iii) to extend the Expiration Date
                                  of the  Exchange  Offer  and  retain  all  Old
                                  Capital  Securities  tendered  pursuant to the
                                  Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the right
                                  of  holders  of  Old  Capital   Securities  to
                                  withdraw    their    tendered    Old   Capital
                                  Securities,  or (iv) to waive any condition or
                                  otherwise  amend  the  terms  of the  Exchange
                                  Offer  in  any  respect.   See  "The  Exchange
                                  Offer--Terms of the Exchange Offer."

Withdrawal Rights..............   Tenders  of  Old  Capital  Securities  may  be
                                  withdrawn  at  any  time  on or  prior  to the
                                  Expiration Date by delivering a written notice
                                  of such  withdrawal  to the Exchange  Agent in
                                  conformity  with certain  procedures set forth
                                  below  under "The  Exchange  Offer--Withdrawal
                                  Rights."

Procedures for Tendering Old
 Capital Securities............   Tendering  holders of Old  Capital  Securities
                                  must complete and sign a Letter of Transmittal
                                  in accordance with the instructions  contained
                                  therein   and   forward   the  same  by  mail,
                                  facsimile or hand delivery,  together with any
                                  other  required  documents,  to  the  Exchange
                                  Agent,  either with the Old Capital Securities
                                  to be  tendered  or  in  compliance  with  the
                                  specified  procedures for guaranteed  delivery
                                  of Old Capital  Securities.  Certain  brokers,
                                  dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and
                                  other  nominees  may also  effect  tenders  by
                                  book-entry  transfer.  Holders of Old  Capital
                                  Securities registered in the name of a broker,
                                  dealer,  commercial  bank,  trust  company  or
                                  other nominee are urged to contact such person
                                  promptly  if they wish to tender  Old  Capital
                                  Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See
                                  "The Exchange  Offer--Procedures for Tendering
                                  Old Capital Securities."

                                  Letters  of   Transmittal   and   certificates
                                  representing Old Capital Securities should not
                                  be sent to the Corporation or the Trust.  Such
                                  documents  should only be sent to the Exchange
                                  Agent.

Resales of New Capital 
 Securities....................   The  Corporation  and the Trust are making the
                                  Exchange  Offer in reliance on the position of
                                  the  staff  of  the  Division  of  Corporation
                                  Finance  of the  Commission  as set  forth  in
                                  certain   interpretive  letters  addressed  to
                                  third parties in other transactions.  However,
                                  neither  the  Corporation  nor the  Trust  has
                                  sought its own  interpretive  letter and there
                                  can be no  assurance  that  the  staff  of the
                                  Division   of   Corporation   Finance  of  the
                                  Commission would make a similar  determination
                                  with respect to the  Exchange  Offer as it has
                                  in such interpretive letters to third parties.
                                  Based on these interpretations by the staff of
                                  the  Division  of  Corporation  Finance of the
                                  Commission, and subject to the two immediately
                                  following  sentences,  the Corporation and the
                                  Trust  believe  that  New  Capital  Securities
                                  issued  pursuant  to this  Exchange  Offer  in
                                  exchange  for Old  Capital  Securities  may be
                                  offered  for  resale,   resold  and  otherwise
                                  transferred  by a holder thereof (other than a
                                  holder who is a broker-dealer) without further
                                  compliance   with   the    registration    and
                                  prospectus   delivery   requirements   of  the
                                  Securities Act, provided that such New Capital
                                  Securities are acquired in the ordinary course
                                  of such holder's business and that such holder
                                  is not  participating,  and has no arrangement
                                  or   understanding    with   any   person   to
                                  participate,  in a  distribution  (within  the
                                  meaning  of the  Securities  Act) of such  New
                                  Capital Securities. However, any holder of Old
                                  Capital  Securities  who is an  "affiliate" of
                                  the Corporation or the Trust or who intends to
                                  participate  in the  Exchange  Offer  for  the
                                  purpose  of   distributing   the  New  Capital
                                  Securities, or any broker-dealer who purchased
                                  the Old Capital  Securities  from the Trust to
                                  resell  pursuant  to Rule  144A  or any  other
                                  available  exemption under the Securities Act,
                                  (a)   will   not  be   able  to  rely  on  the
                                  interpretations  of the staff of the  Division
                                  of  Corporation  Finance of the Commission set
                                  forth  in  the  above-mentioned   interpretive
                                  letters, (b) will not be permitted or entitled
                                  to tender such Old Capital  Securities  in the
                                  Exchange  Offer and (c) must  comply  with the
                                  registration    and    prospectus     delivery
                                  requirements   of   the   Securities   Act  in
                                  connection  with any sale or other transfer of
                                  such Old Capital  Securities  unless such sale
                                  is made  pursuant  to an  exemption  from such
                                  requirements. In addition, as described below,
                                  if  any   broker-dealer   holds  Old   Capital
                                  Securities  acquired  for its own account as a
                                  result  of   market-making  or  other  trading
                                  activities  and  exchanges  such  Old  Capital
                                  Securities  for New Capital  Securities,  then
                                  such  broker-dealer  must deliver a prospectus
                                  meeting the requirements of the Securities Act
                                  in  connection  with any  resales  of such New
                                  Capital Securities.

                                  Each  holder  of Old  Capital  Securities  who
                                  wishes to exchange Old Capital  Securities for
                                  New Capital  Securities in the Exchange  Offer
                                  will be required to  represent  that (i) it is
                                  not an "affiliate"  of the  Corporation or the
                                  Trust,  (ii) any New Capital  Securities to be
                                  received  by it  are  being  acquired  in  the
                                  ordinary course of its business,  (iii) it has
                                  no  arrangement  or  understanding   with  any
                                  person  to   participate   in  a  distribution
                                  (within the meaning of the Securities  Act) of
                                  such New Capital Securities,  and (iv) if such
                                  holder is not a broker-dealer,  such holder is
                                  not  engaged in, and does not intend to engage
                                  in, a distribution  (within the meaning of the
                                  Securities    Act)   of   such   New   Capital
                                  Securities.  Each  broker-dealer that receives
                                  New  Capital  Securities  for its own  account
                                  pursuant   to   the   Exchange    Offer   must
                                  acknowledge  that it acquired  the Old Capital
                                  Securities  for its own  account as the result
                                  of  market-making  activities or other trading
                                  activities and must agree that it will deliver
                                  a prospectus  meeting the  requirements of the
                                  Securities  Act in connection  with any resale
                                  of such New Capital Securities.  The Letter of
                                  Transmittal  states that, by so  acknowledging
                                  and   by    delivering   a    prospectus,    a
                                  broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that
                                  it is an  "underwriter"  within the meaning of
                                  the  Securities  Act.  Based  on the  position
                                  taken  by  the  staff  of  the   Division   of
                                  Corporation  Finance of the  Commission in the
                                  interpretive  letters  referred to above,  the
                                  Corporation   and  the  Trust   believe   that
                                  Participating  Broker-Dealers who acquired Old
                                  Capital Securities for their own accounts as a
                                  result of  market-making  activities  or other
                                  trading    activities    may   fulfill   their
                                  prospectus delivery  requirements with respect
                                  to the New Capital  Securities  received  upon
                                  exchange of such Old Capital Securities (other
                                  than Old Capital Securities which represent an
                                  unsold allotment from the original sale of the
                                  Old  Capital  Securities)  with  a  prospectus
                                  meeting  the  requirements  of the  Securities
                                  Act, which may be the prospectus  prepared for
                                  an  exchange  offer so long as it  contains  a
                                  description of the plan of  distribution  with
                                  respect  to the  resale  of such  New  Capital
                                  Securities.  Accordingly,  this Prospectus, as
                                  it may be amended or supplemented from time to
                                  time,   may  be   used   by  a   Participating
                                  Broker-Dealer  in  connection  with resales of
                                  New  Capital  Securities  received in exchange
                                  for Old  Capital  Securities  where  such  Old
                                  Capital   Securities  were  acquired  by  such
                                  Participating   Broker-Dealer   for   its  own
                                  account as a result of  market-making or other
                                  trading   activities.   Subject   to   certain
                                  provisions  set  forth  in  the   Registration
                                  Rights   Agreement  and  to  the   limitations
                                  described  below  under  "The  Exchange  Offer
                                  Resales  of  New  Capital   Securities,"   the
                                  Corporation  and the Trust  have  agreed  that
                                  this  Prospectus,  as it  may  be  amended  or
                                  supplemented from time to time, may be used by
                                  a  Participating  Broker-Dealer  in connection
                                  with  resales of such New  Capital  Securities
                                  for  a  period   ending   90-days   after  the
                                  Expiration  Date  (subject to extension  under
                                  certain limited circumstances) or, if earlier,
                                  when all such New Capital Securities have been
                                  disposed    of    by    such     Participating
                                  Broker-Dealer. See "Plan of Distribution." Any
                                  Participating    Broker-Dealer   who   is   an
                                  "affiliate"  of the  Corporation  or the Trust
                                  may not rely on such interpretive  letters and
                                  must   comply   with  the   registration   and
                                  prospectus   delivery   requirements   of  the
                                  Securities  Act in connection  with any resale
                                  transaction.  See "The Exchange  Offer Resales
                                  of New Capital Securities."

Exchange Agent.................   The   exchange   agent  with  respect  to  the
                                  Exchange  Offer is The  Bank of New York  (the
                                  "Exchange   Agent").   The   addresses,    and
                                  telephone  and  facsimile   numbers,   of  the
                                  Exchange  Agent are set forth in "The Exchange
                                  Offer--Exchange  Agent"  and in the  Letter of
                                  Transmittal.

Use of Proceeds................   Neither  the  Corporation  nor the Trust  will
                                  receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of
                                  the New Capital Securities offered hereby. See
                                  "Use of Proceeds."

Certain United States Federal 
Income Tax Considerations; 
ERISA Considerations...........   Holders  of  Old  Capital   Securities  should
                                  review  the   information   set  forth   under
                                  "Certain  United  States  Federal  Income  Tax
                                  Considerations"  and  "ERISA   Considerations"
                                  prior to tendering  Old Capital  Securities in
                                  the Exchange Offer.

                           THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES

Securities Offered.............   Up to $20,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount
                                  of the  Trust's New  Capital  Securities  have
                                  been  registered   under  the  Securities  Act
                                  (Liquidation  Amount  $1,000  per New  Capital
                                  Security).  The New Capital Securities will be
                                  issued,  and the Old Capital  Securities  were
                                  issued, under the Declaration. The New Capital
                                  Securities  and  any  Old  Capital  Securities
                                  which remain outstanding after consummation of
                                  the  Exchange  Offer will vote  together  as a
                                  single  class  for  purposes  of   determining
                                  whether holders of the requisite percentage in
                                  outstanding  Liquidation  Amount  thereof have
                                  taken  certain  actions or  exercised  certain
                                  rights under the Declaration. See "Description
                                  of New  Securities--Description of New Capital
                                  Securities--Voting  Rights;  Amendment  of the
                                  Declaration."  The  terms  of the New  Capital
                                  Securities   are  identical  in  all  material
                                  respects  to  the  terms  of the  Old  Capital
                                  Securities,   except   that  the  New  Capital
                                  Securities  have  been  registered  under  the
                                  Securities  Act and  will  not be  subject  to
                                  certain restrictions on transfer applicable to
                                  the Old Capital  Securities (but will continue
                                  to  be   subject  to  the   $100,000   minimum
                                  Liquidation  Amount transfer  restriction) and
                                  will  not  provide  for  any  increase  in the
                                  Distribution  rate thereon.  See "The Exchange
                                  Offer--Purpose   of   the   Exchange   Offer,"
                                  "Description    of   New    Securities"    and
                                  "Description of Old Securities."

Distribution Dates.............   March  15  and  September  15  of  each  year,
                                  commencing September 15, 1997.

Extension Periods..............   Distributions  on the New  Capital  Securities
                                  will  be  deferred  for  the  duration  of any
                                  Extension  Period  elected by the  Corporation
                                  with respect to the payment of interest on the
                                  New   Junior   Subordinated   Debentures.   No
                                  Extension  Period will  exceed 10  consecutive
                                  semi-annual   periods  or  extend  beyond  the
                                  Stated Maturity Date. See  "Description of New
                                  Securities--Description    of    New    Junior
                                  Subordinated   Debentures--Option   to  Extend
                                  Interest  Payment  Date" and  "Certain  United
                                  States        Federal        Income        Tax
                                  Considerations--Interest  Income and  Original
                                  Issue Discount."

Ranking........................   The New  Capital  Securities  will  rank  pari
                                  passu,  and payments  thereon will be made pro
                                  rata, with the Old Capital  Securities and the
                                  Common  Securities  except as described  under
                                  "Description of New Securities--Description of
                                  New   Capital   Securities--Subordination   of
                                  Common    Securities."    The    New    Junior
                                  Subordinated  Debentures  will rank pari passu
                                  with the Old Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,
                                  and all other junior  subordinated  debentures
                                  issued   by  the   Corporation   (the   "Other
                                  Debentures")   and   sold  to   other   trusts
                                  established   or  to  be  established  by  the
                                  Corporation, in each case similar to the Trust
                                  (the "Other  Trusts"),  and will be  unsecured
                                  and 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 New Securities--Description of
                                  New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures." The New
                                  Guarantee  will rank pari  passu  with the Old
                                  Guarantee,  and all other guarantees issued by
                                  the   Corporation   with  respect  to  capital
                                  securities  issued  or to be  issued  by Other
                                  Trusts  (the  "Other   Guarantees")  and  will
                                  constitute  an  unsecured  obligation  of  the
                                  Corporation  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 New Securities--Description of
                                  New Guarantee."

Redemption.....................   The Trust  Securities are subject to mandatory
                                  redemption in a Like Amount,  (i) in whole but
                                  not in part, on the Stated  Maturity Date upon
                                  repayment    of   the   Junior    Subordinated
                                  Debentures,  (ii) in whole but not in part, at
                                  any time  contemporaneously  with the optional
                                  prepayment   of   the   Junior    Subordinated
                                  Debentures   by  the   Corporation   upon  the
                                  occurrence and continuation of a Special Event
                                  and (iii) in whole or in part,  at any time on
                                  or after the Initial Optional  Prepayment Date
                                  contemporaneously with the optional prepayment
                                  by the Corporation of the Junior  Subordinated
                                  Debentures,  in each  case  at the  applicable
                                  Redemption  Price.  See  "Description  of  New
                                  Securities--Description    of   New    Capital
                                  Securities--Redemption."

Rating.........................   The Old Capital Securities were rated "BB+" by
                                  Thompson BankWatch,  Inc. and B+ by Standard &
                                  Poor's Rating  Services.  A security rating is
                                  not a  recommendation  to  buy,  sell  or hold
                                  securities  and may be subject to  revision or
                                  withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating
                                  organization.

Absence of Market for the New
 Capital Securities............   The New Capital Securities will be a new issue
                                  of securities for which there  currently is no
                                  market. Although Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
                                  and Ryan,  Beck & Co., the initial  purchasers
                                  of the Old Capital  Securities  (the  "Initial
                                  Purchasers"),  have  informed the  Corporation
                                  and the Trust that they each currently  intend
                                  to  make  a   market   in  the   New   Capital
                                  Securities,  they are not  obligated to do so,
                                  and any such market making may be discontinued
                                  at any time without notice. Accordingly, there
                                  can be no assurance as to the  development  or
                                  liquidity  of any market  for the New  Capital
                                  Securities. The Trust and the Corporation will
                                  not  apply  for  listing  of the  New  Capital
                                  Securities on any  securities  exchange or for
                                  quotation through the National  Association of
                                  Securities Dealers Automated  Quotation System
                                  ("NASDAQ"). See "Plan of Distribution."


<PAGE>


                                  RISK FACTORS

         Prospective  investors  should consider  carefully,  in addition to the
other  information  contained  in this  Prospectus,  the  following  factors  in
connection  with the  Exchange  Offer  and the New  Capital  Securities  offered
hereby.

Ranking  of  Subordinated   Obligations  under  the  Guarantee  and  the  Junior
Subordinated Debentures

         The  obligations of the  Corporation  under the Guarantee and under the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be unsecured and subordinate and rank junior
in right of  payment  to all  present  and  future  Senior  Indebtedness  of the
Corporation  to the extent and in the manner set forth in the  Indenture and the
Guarantee, respectively. No payment may be made of the principal of, or premium,
if any, or interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures,  or in respect of any
redemption,  retirement,  purchase  or other  acquisition  of any of the  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures,  at any time when (i) there shall have occurred and be
continuing  a default in any payment in respect of any Senior  Indebtedness,  or
there has been an acceleration  of the maturity  thereof because of a default or
(ii) in the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures until payment has been made on all Senior  Indebtedness.  At December
31, 1996, the Corporation had no outstanding  Senior  Indebtedness.  Because the
Corporation  is a  bank  holding  company,  the  right  of  the  Corporation  to
participate  in  any   distribution  of  assets  of  any  subsidiary  upon  such
subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization or otherwise (and thus the ability of
holders of the Capital  Securities to benefit indirectly from such distribution)
is subject to the prior claims of creditors  of that  subsidiary,  except to the
extent  that the  Corporation  may itself be  recognized  as a creditor  of that
subsidiary.  In  addition,  UNB is subject to  certain  restrictions  imposed by
federal law on any extensions of credit to, and certain other transactions with,
the  Corporation  and certain other  affiliates,  and on investments in stock or
other securities  thereof.  Such  restrictions  prevent the Corporation and such
other affiliates from borrowing from UNB unless the loans are secured by various
types of  collateral.  Further,  such  secured  loans,  other  transactions  and
investments by UNB are generally  limited in amount as to the Corporation and as
to each of such other  affiliates  to 10% of UNB's capital and surplus and as to
the Corporation and all of such other affiliates to an aggregate of 20% of UNB's
capital and surplus. In addition, payment of dividends to the Corporation by UNB
is  subject to ongoing  review by banking  regulators  and is subject to various
statutory limitations and in certain circumstances  requires approval by banking
regulatory  authorities.  None  of the  Indenture,  the  Guarantee,  the  Common
Guarantee or the  Declaration  places any limitation on the amount of secured or
unsecured  debt,  including  Senior  Indebtedness,  that may be  incurred by the
Corporation   or   any   of   its   subsidiaries.   See   "Description   of  New
Securities--Description   of  New   Guarantee--Status   of  New  Guarantee"  and
"Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures--Subordination."

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

Option to Extend Interest Payment Period; Tax Considerations

         So long as no  Debenture  Event of  Default  (see  "Description  of New
Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  -Debentures  Events of  Default")  shall  have
occurred  and be  continuing,  the  Corporation  will have the  right  under the
Indenture to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures at
any  time or from  time  to time  for a  period  not  exceeding  10  consecutive
semi-annual  periods with respect to each  Extension  Period,  provided  that no
Extension  Period may extend  beyond the  Stated  Maturity  Date.  Upon any such
deferral,  semi-annual Distributions on the Capital Securities by the Trust will
be deferred  (and the amount of  Distributions  to which  holders of the Capital
Securities are entitled will accumulate additional  Distributions thereon at the
rate of 10.01% per annum,  compounded  semi-annually)  from the relevant payment
date for such Distributions during any such Extension Period.

         The Corporation may extend any existing Extension Period, provided that
such  extension  does not cause such  Extension  Period to exceed 10 consecutive
semi-annual  periods  or to extend  beyond the Stated  Maturity  Date.  Upon the
expiration of any Extension  Period and the payment of all interest then accrued
and unpaid on the Junior Subordinated Debentures (together with interest thereon
at the annual rate of 10.01%, compounded semi-annually,  to the extent permitted
by applicable  law), the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension  Period,
subject to the above requirements. There is no limitation on the number of times
that the Corporation may elect to begin an Extension Period. See "Description of
New  Securities--Description  of  New  Capital   Securities--Distributions"  and
"--Description of New Junior Subordinated  Debentures--Option to Extend Interest
Payment Period."

         The  Corporation  has no current  plan to  exercise  its right to defer
payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures.  However, should the
Corporation  exercise  its right to defer  payments  of  interest  on the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures,  each holder of Capital Securities will be required to
accrue income (as original  issue  discount  ("OID")) in respect of the deferred
stated  interest  allocable to its Capital  Securities for United States federal
income tax purposes,  which will be allocated but not  distributed to holders of
Capital  Securities.  As a result,  during an Extension  Period,  each holder of
Capital  Securities  will recognize  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 Capital  Securities
prior to the  record  date for the  payment  of  Distributions  thereafter.  See
"Certain  United States Federal Income Tax  Considerations--Interest  Income and
Original Issue Discount" and "--Sales of Capital Securities."

         Should the Corporation elect to exercise its right to defer payments of
interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures,  the market price of the Capital
Securities  is likely to be  affected.  A holder  that  disposes  of its Capital
Securities  during an Extension  Period,  therefore,  might not receive the same
return  on its  investment  as a  holder  that  continues  to hold  its  Capital
Securities.  In addition, the mere existence of the Corporation's right to defer
payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated  Debentures may cause the market
price of the Capital  Securities  to be more  volatile than the market prices of
other securities that are not subject to such deferrals.


Redemption  or  Distribution;  Possible  Tax Law Changes  Affecting  the Capital
Securities

         Upon the occurrence and  continuation  of a Special Event  (including a
Tax  Event or a  Regulatory  Capital  Event,  in each  case,  as  defined  under
"Description   of  New   Securities-Description   of  New  Junior   Subordinated
Debentures-Special  Event  Prepayment"),  the Corporation will have the right to
prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures before the Initial Optional Prepayment
Date, in whole (but not in part) at the Special Event Prepayment Price within 90
days  following  the  occurrence  of such Special  Event and  therefore  cause a
mandatory  redemption of the Trust  Securities  at the Special Event  Redemption
Price.  On or after the Initial  Optional  Prepayment  Date, the Corporation may
prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole or in part for any reason and
thereby cause an optional redemption of the Capital  Securities,  in whole or in
part, at the Optional  Redemption  Price.  Any such redemption is subject to the
Corporation  having  received prior approval of the Federal  Reserve to do so if
then required under  applicable  guidelines or policies of the Federal  Reserve.
See    "Description    of   New    Securities--Description    of   New   Capital
Securities--Redemption"  and "--Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New
Junior Subordinated Debentures".

         The  Corporation  will have the right at any time to dissolve the Trust
and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of
the Trust  Securities in liquidation of the Trust.  Such right is subject to (i)
the  Corporation  having  received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such
distribution  will not be a taxable event to holders of Capital  Securities  and
(ii) prior  approval  of the Federal  Reserve if then  required.  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 Capital 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 dissolution of the Trust,  the  distribution  of the
Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  may  constitute a taxable  event to holders of
Capital  Securities.  Moreover,  upon  the  occurrence  of a  Special  Event,  a
dissolution of the Trust in which holders of the Capital Securities receive cash
would be a taxable  event to such  holders.  See  "Certain  Federal  Income  Tax
Considerations--Receipt   of  Junior   Subordinated   Debentures  or  Cash  Upon
Liquidation of the Trust."

         On February 6, 1997, President Clinton issued his revenue proposals for
Fiscal 1998.  The proposals  contain a provision  which would  generally deem an
issuer,  for purposes of Section  385(c) of the Code, to have  characterized  an
instrument  as equity if the  instrument  (i) has a maximum term of more than 15
years and (ii) is not shown as indebtedness on the separate balance sheet of the
issuer that is filed with the SEC (the "Proposed Legislation"). Accordingly, the
Proposed Legislation would, among other things, generally deny corporate issuers
a  deduction  for  interest  in respect of debt  obligations  such as the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures.  The Proposed  Legislation is proposed to be effective
generally  for  instruments  issued  on or after  the date of  "first  committee
action"  (which is not defined).  There can be no assurance,  however,  that the
effective date provision  contained in the Proposed  Legislation  will remain in
the final enactment,  if any, or that other  legislation  enacted after the date
hereof will not otherwise  adversely  affect the ability of the  Corporation  to
deduct the interest payable on the Junior Subordinated Debentures.  Accordingly,
there can be no assurance  that a Tax Event will not occur.  The occurrence of a
Tax Event may result in the redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures for
cash, in which event the holders of the Capital Securities would receive cash in
redemption of their Capital  Securities.  See  "Description of New Securities --
Description of New Capital  securities -- Redemption"  and  "Description  of New
Junior  Subordinated  Debentures -- Special Event Prepayment." See also "Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Proposed Tax Legislation."

Possible Adverse Effect on Market Prices

         There  can  be no  assurance  as  to  the  market  prices  for  Capital
Securities  or Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  distributed  to the  holders of
Capital Securities if a termination of the Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the
Capital Securities or the Junior Subordinated Debentures may trade at a discount
from the price that the investor paid to purchase the Capital Securities offered
hereby.  Because holders of Capital  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 New Capital Securities are also making an investment decision with
regard to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and should carefully review all
the  information  regarding  the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  contained
herein.   See  "Description  of  New   Securities--Description   of  New  Junior
Subordinated Debentures."

Rights under the Guarantee

         The Bank of New York will act as  Guarantee  Trustee  and will hold the
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities.  The Bank of
New York will also act as Property  Trustee and as Debenture  Trustee  under the
Indenture.  The Bank of New York (Delaware)  will act as Delaware  Trustee under
the  Declaration.  The  Guarantee  will  guarantee to the holders of the Capital
Securities the following payments,  to the extent not paid by the Trust: (i) any
accumulated  and  unpaid  Distributions  required  to be  paid  on  the  Capital
Securities,  to the extent  that the Trust has funds on hand  legally  available
therefor;  (ii) the  applicable  Redemption  Price with  respect to any  Capital
Securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds on hand
legally  available   therefor;   and  (iii)  upon  a  voluntary  or  involuntary
termination,  winding  up  or  liquidation  of  the  Trust  (unless  the  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital  Securities),
the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the  Liquidation  Amount and all  accumulated
and unpaid  Distributions  to the date of payment,  to the extent that the Trust
has funds on hand legally available  therefor on such date and (b) the amount of
assets of the Trust  remaining  available  for  distribution  to  holders of the
Capital Securities on such date. The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount
of the  Capital  Securities  will 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.  Any holder of the Capital Securities may
institute a legal  proceeding  directly  against the  Corporation to enforce its
rights under the Guarantee without first instituting a legal proceeding  against
the  Trust,  the  Guarantee  Trustee  or any  other  person  or  entity.  If the
Corporation  defaults on its obligation to pay amounts  payable under the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures,  the  Trust  will not have  sufficient  funds  for the
payment  of  Distributions  or  amounts  payable on  redemption  of the  Capital
Securities or otherwise,  and, in such event,  holders of the Capital Securities
will  not be able to rely  upon  the  Guarantee  for  payment  of such  amounts.
Instead,  in the event a Debenture  Event of Default  shall have occurred and be
continuing and such event is  attributable  to the failure of the Corporation to
pay  principal  of or premium,  if any,  or interest on the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures on the payment date on which such payment is due and payable,  then a
holder of Capital  Securities may institute a legal proceeding  directly against
the Corporation for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or
premium,  if any, or interest on such Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  having a
principal  amount equal to the Liquidation  Amount of the Capital  Securities of
such holder (a "Direct Action").  Notwithstanding  any payments made to a holder
of Capital Securities by the Corporation in connection with a Direct Action, the
Corporation shall remain obligated to pay the principal of and premium,  if any,
and interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the Corporation shall be
subrogated to the rights of the holder of such Capital  Securities  with respect
to payments on the Capital  Securities to the extent of any payments made by the
Corporation  to such holder in any Direct  Action.  Except as described  herein,
holders of Capital  Securities  will not be able to exercise  directly any other
remedy  available  to the holders of the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  or to
assert  directly  any  other  rights  in  respect  of  the  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures.  See  "Description  of New  Securities--Description  of  New  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures--Enforcement  of  Certain  Rights by Holders of Capital
Securities,"  "--Description  of New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures--Debenture
Events  of  Default"  and  "--Description  of New  Guarantee."  The  Declaration
provides that each holder of Capital  Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to
the provisions of the Indenture.


Limited Voting Rights

         Holders  of  Capital  Securities  generally  will  have  voting  rights
relating only to the modification of the terms of the Capital Securities and the
exercise of the Trust's rights as holder of the Junior Subordinated  Debentures.
Holders of Capital Securities will not be entitled to vote to appoint, remove or
replace,  or to increase or decrease the number of, the Issuer  Trustees,  which
voting  rights are vested  exclusively  in the holder of the Common  Securities,
except as described  under  "Description of New  Securities--Description  of New
Capital  Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of the Declaration" and "--Removal
of Issuer Trustees."

Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities

         The  Old  Capital   Securities  have  not  been  registered  under  the
Securities  Act or any state  securities  laws and therefore may not be offered,
sold or  otherwise  transferred  except  in  compliance  with  the  registration
requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable  securities laws, or
pursuant to an exemption therefrom or in a transaction not subject thereto,  and
in each case in compliance with certain other conditions and  restrictions.  Old
Capital  Securities which remain  outstanding after consummation of the Exchange
Offer will continue to bear a legend  reflecting such  restrictions on transfer.
In addition,  upon  consummation of the Exchange  Offer,  holders of Old Capital
Securities  which remain  outstanding will not be entitled to any rights to have
such Old  Capital  Securities  registered  under  the  Securities  Act or to any
similar  rights  under the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  (subject to certain
limited  exceptions).  The  Corporation  and the Trust do not intend to register
under the Securities  Act any Old Capital  Securities  which remain  outstanding
after consummation of the Exchange Offer (subject to such limited exceptions, if
applicable). To the extent that Old Capital Securities are tendered and accepted
in the  Exchange  Offer,  a holder's  ability  to sell  untendered  Old  Capital
Securities could be adversely affected.

         The New Capital  Securities and any Old Capital Securities which remain
outstanding  after  consummation  of the Exchange  Offer will vote together as a
single  class for  purposes  of  determining  whether  holders of the  requisite
percentage in outstanding  Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions
or exercised  certain  rights under the  Declaration.  See  "Description  of New
Securities--Description  of New Capital  Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of
the Declaration."

         The Old Capital  Securities  provide,  among other  things,  that, if a
registration  statement  relating  to the  Exchange  Offer has not been filed by
August 18, 1997 and declared  effective by September 17, 1997, the  Distribution
rate borne by the Old Capital  Securities  commencing on September 18, 1997 will
increase  by 0.25%  per annum  until the  Exchange  Offer is  consummated.  Upon
consummation of the Exchange Offer,  holders of Old Capital  Securities will not
be entitled  to any  increase in the  Distribution  rate  thereon or any further
registration  rights  under the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  except  under
limited circumstances. See "Description of Old Capital Securities."

Absence of Public Market

         The Old Capital Securities were issued to, and the Corporation believes
such securities are currently owned by, a relatively  small number of beneficial
owners. The Old Capital Securities have not been registered under the Securities
Act and will be  subject  to  restrictions  on  transferability  if they are not
exchanged for the New Capital  Securities.  Although the New Capital  Securities
may be resold or otherwise transferred by the holders (who are not affiliates of
the  Corporation  or  the  Trust)  without   compliance  with  the  registration
requirements  under the  Securities  Act,  they will  constitute  a new issue of
securities with no established  trading market. Like the Old Capital Securities,
the New Capital  Securities may be  transferred  by the holders  thereof only in
blocks  having a  Liquidation  Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Old Capital
Securities).  The  Corporation  and the Trust have been  advised by the  Initial
Purchasers that the Initial Purchasers  presently intend to make a market in the
New Capital Securities.  However, the Initial Purchasers are not obligated to do
so and any market-making activity with respect to the New Capital Securities may
be  discontinued  at any time without notice.  In addition,  such  market-making
activity  will be subject to the limits  imposed by the  Securities  Act and the
Exchange  Act and may be limited  during the  Exchange  Offer.  Accordingly,  no
assurance  can be given that an active  public or other  market will develop for
the New Capital  Securities or the Old Capital Securities or as to the liquidity
of or the  trading  market for the New  Capital  Securities  or the Old  Capital
Securities.  If an active public  market does not develop,  the market price and
liquidity of the New Capital Securities may be adversely affected.

         If a public  trading  market  develops for the New Capital  Securities,
future  trading  prices  will  depend on many  factors,  including,  among other
things,  prevailing interest rates, the Corporation's results and the market for
similar  securities.  Depending on  prevailing  interest  rates,  the market for
similar securities and other factors,  including the financial  condition of the
Corporation, the New Capital Securities may trade at a discount.

         Notwithstanding  the registration of the New Capital  Securities in the
Exchange Offer,  holders who are  "affiliates" (as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities  Act) of the  Corporation or the Trust may publicly offer for sale or
resell the New Capital Securities only in compliance with the provisions of Rule
144 under the Securities Act.

         Each  broker-dealer  that receives New Capital  Securities  for its own
account  in  exchange  for  Old  Capital  Securities,  where  such  Old  Capital
Securities  were  acquired by such  broker-dealer  as a result of  market-making
activities or other trading activities,  must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in  connection  with any resale of such New Capital  Securities.  See
"Plan of Distribution."

Exchange Offer Procedures

         Issuance of the New  Capital  Securities  in  exchange  for Old Capital
Securities  pursuant  to the  Exchange  Offer  will be made only  after a timely
receipt by the Trust of such Old Capital  Securities,  a properly  completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents. Therefore,
holders  of the Old  Capital  Securities  desiring  to tender  such Old  Capital
Securities in exchange for New Capital  Securities  should allow sufficient time
to ensure timely  delivery.  Neither the  Corporation nor the Trust is under any
duty to give  notification  of defects  or  irregularities  with  respect to the
tenders of Old Capital Securities for exchange.

                             United National Bancorp

General

         United is a bank  holding  company  registered  under the Bank  Holding
Company  Act.  United was  organized  under the laws of New Jersey on August 13,
1987 and commenced  operations on August 1, 1988, as a bank holding  company for
UNB. In addition to UNB, United indirectly owns additional  subsidiaries through
UNB,  including  an  investment  subsidiary  and a 50%  interest  in a financial
services corporation.

         As  of  December  31,   1996,   United  had   consolidated   assets  of
approximately $1 billion, deposits of $881.3 million and shareholders' equity of
$88.1 million.

         United's principal executive offices are located at 1130 Route 22, P.O.
Box 6000, Bridgewater,  New Jersey 08807-0010. The telephone number of United is
(908)  429-2200.  See  "Available  Information"  and  "Incorporation  of Certain
Documents by Reference".

United National Bank

         UNB,  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  United,  is a  commercial  bank
established  in 1902 under the laws of the United  States of  America.  UNB is a
member of the Federal  Reserve  System and its deposits are insured by the FDIC.
UNB maintains its principal  office in  Bridgewater,  New Jersey and operates 19
branches throughout Hunterdon,  Middlesex,  Somerset, Union and Warren Counties,
New Jersey.  UNB also operates 23 automatic teller machines  ("ATMs")  affiliate
with  the MAC  System,  an  eight-state  network  with  membership  in the  Plus
Nationwide Network and Honor, a Florida network.

         UNB  provides a full range of  commercial  and  retail  bank  services,
including the acceptance of demand,  savings and time  deposits.  Commercial and
retail  lending,  primarily  residential  mortgages,   automobile  loans,  small
business  loans and credit card loans,  constitute a  substantial  part of UNB's
business.  UNB also offers full personal,  corporate and pension trust and other
fiduciary services.

Recent Developments

         On February 28, 1997,  United  completed its  acquisition of Farrington
Bank ("Farrington"),  a single office bank headquartered in North Brunswick, New
Jersey.  In connection  with the  acquisition of Farrington,  United  recorded a
one-time  merger  related  charge of $1.1 million  after tax, or $0.25 per share
($1.7 million excluding the tax effect).

         Financial information about Farrington is not contained herein; however
such   information  is  included  in  a  Registration   Statement  on  Form  S-4
(Registration No. 333-19227) filed by United with the Commission.

         On April 15, 1997,  United  reported  earnings for the first quarter of
1997.  Including the one-time  charge related to the  acquisition of Farrington,
consolidated  net  income  for the  first  quarter  of 1997 was  $2,378,000,  as
compared to $3,043,000 for the corresponding 1996 period. Earnings per share for
the first  three  months of 1997 were $0.54 per share,  compared to $0.70 in the
first quarter of 1996.

         Consolidated  net income for the first  quarter of 1997,  excluding the
one-time charge,  was $3,450,000,  up 13% from $3,043,000 for the  corresponding
1996 period.  Earnings per share for the first three months of 1997 increased to
$0.79 per share, compared with $0.70 in the first quarter of 1996.


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
United National Bancorp                                                         
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
                                                                                                   March 31,
                                                                                     --------------------------------------
                                                                                           1997                 1996*
                                                                                           ----                 -----
<S>                                                                                      <C>               <C>
ASSETS
Cash and Due From Banks                                                                     $49,358           $42,518
Federal Funds Sold                                                                           36,500             2,406
Securities Available for Sale, at Market Value                                              302,746           364,172
Securities Held to Maturity                                                                  65,856            32,222
Trading Account Securities, at Market Value                                                     527               452

Loans (Net of Unearned Income)                                                              604,602           577,883
     Less: Allowance for Possible Loan Losses                                                 7,761             8,100
                                                                                     ---------------    --------------
                                                                                            596,841           569,783

Premises and Equipment, Net                                                                  22,040            22,674
Investment in Joint Venture                                                                   3,151             3,151
Other Real Estate                                                                             1,444             2,738
Accrued Income Receivable                                                                     7,415             7,583
Other Assets                                                                                 19,332            17,383
                                                                                     ---------------    --------------

         TOTAL ASSETS                                                                    $1,105,210        $1,065,082
                                                                                     ===============    ==============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES
Demand Deposits                                                                            $152,633          $159,700
Savings Deposits                                                                            382,291           395,550
Time Deposits                                                                               397,438           354,543
                                                                                     ---------------    --------------
     Total Deposits                                                                         932,362           909,793

Short-Term Borrowings                                                                        32,498            43,301
Obligation under Capital Lease                                                                9,696             9,683
Other Liabilities                                                                            13,813            11,820
                                                                                     ---------------    --------------
         TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                  988,369           974,597
                                                                                     ---------------    --------------

Trust Capital Securities                                                                     20,000                --

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Stock ($2.50 Par Value Per Share)                                                     10,996            10,241
Additional Paid-In Capital                                                                   65,290            57,267
Retained Earnings                                                                            22,723            23,601
Treasury Stock                                                                               (1,338)           (1,399)
Restricted Stock                                                                                (86)             (186)
Net Unrealized (Loss) Gain on Securities Available for Sale, Net of Tax                        (744)              961
                                                                                     ----------------    -------------
         TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                          96,841            90,485
                                                                                     ---------------    --------------

         TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                      $1,105,210        $1,065,082

                                                                                     ===============    ==============
</TABLE>
- ------------------
         * Restated to include the  acquisition of Farrington Bank accounted for
as a pooling-of-interests.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
United National Bancorp
Consolidated Statements of Income (In Thousands, Except Share Data)
                                                                                         Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                     --------------------------------------
                                                                                           1997                 1996*
                                                                                           ----                 -----
<S>                                                                                         <C>               <C> 
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and Fees on Loans                                                                  $13,911           $13,077
Interest and Dividends on Securities Available for Sale:
     Taxable                                                                                  4,339             5,309
     Tax Exempt                                                                                 556               539
Interest on Securities Held to Maturity:
     Taxable                                                                                    918               427
     Tax Exempt                                                                                 152                62
Dividends on Trading Account Securities                                                           3                 3
Interest on Federal Funds Sold and Deposits
     with Federal Home Loan Bank                                                                226                74
                                                                                          ----------      -----------
         TOTAL INTEREST INCOME                                                               20,105            19,491
                                                                                          ----------      -----------
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on Savings Deposits                                                                  1,745             1,848
Interest on Time Deposits                                                                     5,180             4,764
Interest on Short-Term Borrowings                                                               463               632
Interest on Obligation under Capital Lease                                                      232               232
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
         TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE                                                               7,620             7,476
                                                                                        ------------    ------------- 
Net Interest Income                                                                          12,485            12,015
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                                                              900               475
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
Net Interest Income After Provision for Possible Loan Losses                                 11,585            11,540
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Trust Income                                                                                  1,200             1,200
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts                                                           1,066               951
Other Service Charges, Commissions and Fees                                                   1,524             1,186
Net Gains from Securities Transactions                                                          156               156
Other Income                                                                                    437               432
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
         TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME                                                            4,383             3,925
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and Employee Benefits                                                                5,141             5,469
Occupancy Expense, Net                                                                          823               915
Furniture and Equipment Expense                                                                 675               717
Data Processing Expense                                                                       1,113               960
Amortization of Intangible Assets                                                               440               447
Merger related charge                                                                         1,665                --
Other Expenses                                                                                2,705             2,307
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
         TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE                                                          12,562            10,815
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes                                                      3,406             4,650
Provision for Income Taxes                                                                    1,028             1,607
                                                                                        ------------    -------------
NET INCOME                                                                                  $ 2,378           $ 3,043
                                                                                     ===============    =============
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE                                                                   $0.54             $0.70
                                                                                     ===============    ==============

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding                                                           4,367             4,344

</TABLE>
- -------------------
         * Restated to include the  acquisition of Farrington Bank accounted for
as a pooling-of-interests.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
United National Bancorp
Consolidated Financial Highlights, March 31, 1997 (In Thousands, Except Share Data)
                                                                                         Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                     --------------------------------------
                                                                                           1997                 1996*
                                                                                           ----                 -----
<S>                                                                                <C>             <C>
Results of Operations:
Net Income                                                                         $     2,378     $     3,043
Net Income Before Merger Related Charge                                                  3,450           3,043

Net Income per Common Share(1)                                                     $      0.54            0.70
Net Income per Common Share Before Merger Related Charge(1)                               0.79            0.70

Adjusted Financial Ratios(2):
Return on Average Assets(2)                                                               1.28 %          1.15 %
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity(2)                                                14.23 %         13.22 %

Financial Ratios:
Return on Average Assets                                                                   .88 %          1.15 %
Return on Average Stockholders' Equity                                                    9.81 %         13.22 %

Net Interest Margin (Taxable Equivalent Basis)                                            5.15 %          5.09 %
Net Interest Income (Taxable Equivalent Basis)                                     $    12,861     $    12,338
Non-Interest Income                                                                      4,383           3,925
Non-Interest Expense                                                                    12,562          10,815
Merger Related Charge (Pre-Tax)                                                          1,665               -
Provision for Possible Loan Losses                                                         900             475
Efficiency Ratio                                                                         60.53 %         63.84 %
Dividends Declared per Common Share(1)                                             $      0.30     $      0.25

Financial Condition:
AVERAGE:
Securities, net                                                                    $   373,357     $   393,106
Total Loans                                                                            610,088         575,110
Earnings Assets                                                                        998,692         969,057
Total Assets                                                                         1,090,821       1,060,805
Deposits                                                                               931,128         899,372
Total Stockholders' Equity                                                              98,329          92,596

PERIOD END:
Securities, net                                                                    $   369,129     $   396,846
Total Loans                                                                            604,602         577,883
Allowance for Possible Loan Losses                                                       7,761           8,100
Total Assets                                                                         1,105,210       1,065,082
Deposits                                                                               932,362         909,793
Total Stockholders' Equity                                                              96,841          90,485
Book Value Per Share(1)                                                                  22.16           20.82
Common Shares Outstanding(1)                                                         4,369,268       4,346,654

ASSET QUALITY:
Impaired Loans                                                                     $     7,565     $     5,614
Renegotiated Loans                                                                          64              79
Loans Past Due 90 Days but Still Accruing                                                2,492           4,046
Assets Acquired in Foreclosure                                                           1,602           2,845
                                                                                  -------------   -------------
     Total Non-Performing Assets                                                   $    11,723     $    12,584
                                                                                  -------------   -------------
Net Charge-Offs                                                                    $     1,297     $       672
Foreclosed Property Expense                                                                114              85
Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Loans                                                  1.28 %          1.40 %
Allowance for Loan Losses to Non-Performing Loans                                        76.68 %         83.17 %
Non-Performing Assets to Total Loans and Assets Acquired in Foreclosure                   1.93 %          2.17 %


CAPITAL ADEQUACY:
Tier I Leverage Ratio                                                                     9.93 %          7.41 %
Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets                                                   15.39 %         11.43 %
Tier I & Tier II Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets                                         16.51 %         12.62 %
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Adjusted for subsequent stock dividends
(2) Before merger related charge
* Restated to include the acquisition of Farrington Bank accounted for as a 
  pooling-of-interests.

<PAGE>



                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         Neither the  Corporation  nor the Trust will receive any cash  proceeds
from the issuance of the New Capital Securities offered hereby. In consideration
for issuing the New Capital Securities in exchange for Old Capital Securities as
described in this Prospectus,  the Trust will receive Old Capital  Securities in
like Liquidation Amount. The Old Capital Securities  surrendered in exchange for
the New Capital Securities will be retired and cancelled.

         The  proceeds to the Trust  (without  giving  effect to expenses of the
offering  payable  by the  Corporation)  from the  offering  of the Old  Capital
Securities  was  $20,000,000.  All of the proceeds  from the sale of Old Capital
Securities was invested by the Trust in the Junior Subordinated Debentures.  The
Corporation  intends  that the net  proceeds  from  the  sale of the Old  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  (approximately  $19,200,000)  will be used for general
corporate  purposes,  including  acquisition  opportunities which may arise from
time to time.  The  precise  amount  and timing of the  application  of such net
proceeds  used for such  corporate  purposes  cannot be determined at this time.
Pending  such  application  by  the  Corporation,   such  net  proceeds  may  be
temporarily invested in short-term interest bearing securities.

         The  Capital  Securities  will be eligible to qualify as Tier I Capital
under the capital guidelines of the Federal Reserve, provided that under current
Federal Reserve  Guidelines no more than 25% of the Corporation's Tier I Capital
may comprise  Capital  Securities  and other capital  securities  and cumulative
preferred stock of the Corporation.

                       RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

         The following  table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges
(excluding  interest on deposits and  including  interest on  deposits)  for the
respective periods indicated.


<TABLE>


                                                                    Year Ended December 31,
                                                         1996      1995       1994      1993      1992
                                                         ----      ----       ----      ----      ----
<S>                                                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
  Excluding interest on deposits.................         5.81x     6.33x     13.61x    18.99x    14.65x
  Including interest on deposits.................         1.60x     1.41x      1.80x     1.61x     1.38x

</TABLE>


         For  purposes of  computing  the ratio of  earnings  to fixed  charges,
earnings represent net income (loss) before  extraordinary  items and cumulative
effect of changes in  accounting  principles  plus  applicable  income taxes and
fixed charges.  Fixed  charges,  excluding  interest on deposits,  include gross
interest   expense   (other  than  on  deposits)  and  the   proportion   deemed
representative  of the  interest  factor of rent  expense,  net of  income  from
subleases.  Fixed charges,  including  gross  interest on deposits,  include all
interest expense and the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor
of rent expense, net of income from subleases.



<PAGE>


                                 CAPITALIZATION

         The following table sets forth the actual unaudited  capitalization  of
the  Corporation  at  December  31,  1996,  as  adjusted  to give  effect to the
consummation  of the offering of Capital  Securities and the  application of the
estimated  net  proceeds  from the sale of the Capital  Securities.  See "Use of
Proceeds."  The  table  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  Corporation's
consolidated  financial  statements and notes thereto  included in the documents
incorporated by reference  herein.  See  "Incorporation  of Certain Documents by
Reference."


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     At December 31, 1996,
                                                             --------------------------------------
                                                                Actual          As Adjusted
                                                                               (in thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>                   <C> 
Long-Term Debt:
Corporation obligated, mandatorily redeemable
       preferred securities of subsidiary trust holding
       solely subordinated debentures of the                        --                 20,000
Corporation(1)
                                                            -----------            -----------
Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock, authorized 300,000 shares;
       none issued and outstanding                                  --                     --
   Common stock, $2.50 par value, authorized 5,000,000
        shares; issued 3,856,678 shares in 1996,
outstanding                                                      9,642                  9,642
        3,812,682 in 1996
   Additional paid-in capital                                   59,556                 59,556
   Retained earnings                                            19,422                 19,422
   Treasury Stock at cost (43,996 shares in 1996)               (1,337 )               (1,337 )
   Restricted Stock                                               (176 )                 (176 )
   Unrealized gain on securities available
        for sale, net of income taxes                              982                    982
                                                           ------------          -------------
        Total stockholders' equity                              88,089                 88,089
                                                           ============          =============
        Total capitalization                               $    88,089           $    108,089
                                                           ============          =============
   Pro Forma Capital Ratios:
    Tier 1 Leverage Ratio                                         7.56 %                 9.35 %
    Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio                              11.00 %                13.49 %
    Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio                               11.99 %                14.44 %

</TABLE>

(1)  Reflects  the  Capital  Securities.  The  Trust  is  a  subsidiary  of  the
     Corporation  and will hold the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures as its sole
     asset.

                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA

         The following table sets forth certain selected historical consolidated
financial  data for  United.  The data is  derived  from,  and should be read in
conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements of United, including the
notes thereto,  included in the  Corporation's  1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K,
incorporated by reference  herein.  See  "Incorporation  of Certain Documents by
Reference." The financial  statements  include the consolidated  accounts of New
Era Bank,  which was acquired on June 30, 1995, for all periods  presented.  The
acquisition  was  accounted  for  under  the   pooling-of-interests   method  of
accounting.  The data for the year  ended  December  31,  1996 does not  reflect
United's acquisition of Farrington, which was completed on February 28, 1997 and
will be accounted for as a  pooling-of-interests.  United's financial statements
for the first quarter of 1997 have been restated to include the  acquisition  of
Farrington.  See  "United  National  Bancorp -- First  Quarter  Results"  and --
"Recent Developments."


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF UNITED
                                                                For Years Ended December 31,
                                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1996            1995          1994          1993                1992
                                  -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------   ---------------
                                                       (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
<S>                             <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>                <C>    
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
Interest income                 $    73,262    $    71,994    $  59,754     $    59,539        $    61,333
Interest expense                     28,855         29,128       17,979          18,959             24,791
                                ------------   ------------   ----------    ------------     --------------
Net interest income                  44,407         42,866       41,775          40,580             36,542
Provision for possible loan
losses                                2,275            450        1,590           4,287              4,138
                                ------------   ------------   ----------    ------------     --------------
Net interest income after
provision for   possible loan
losses                               42,132         42,416       40,185          36,293             32,404
Non-interest income                  13,959         12,329       11,863          12,845             10,689
Non-interest expense                 38,860         42,748       37,621          37,482             33,590
                                ------------   ------------   ----------    ------------     --------------
Income before taxes, effect of
  accounting change and
  extraordinary item                 17,231         11,997       14,427          11,656              9,503
Provision for income taxes            5,771          3,623        4,607           3,975              3,123
                                ------------   ------------   ----------    ------------     --------------
Income before effect of
  accounting change and
  extraordinary item                 11,460          8,374        9,820           7,681              6,380
Cumulative effect of change in
  accounting for income taxes 
  extraordinary item                   -              -            -                973               -
Utilization of net operating
  loss carry forward                   -              -            -               -                   275
                                -------------- -------------- ------------  --------------     --------------
Net income                      $    11,460    $     8,374    $   9,820     $     8,654        $     6,655
                                ============== ============== ============  ===============    ===============
Income before merger and
  restructuring charges, effect
  of accounting change,
  extraordinary item and SAIF
  assessment                    $    11,767    $    10,463    $   9,820     $     7,681        $     6,380
                                ============   ============   ==========    ============     ==============
PER COMMON SHARE DATA: (1)
Net income                      $      3.01    $      2.19    $    2.62     $      2.33        $      1.80
Income before merger and
  restructuring changes, effect
  of accounting change
  extraordinary item and SAIF
  assessment                           3.09           2.74         2.62            2.07               1.73
Book value                            23.10          21.42        17.69           18.00              16.46
Cash dividends declared(2)             1.03           0.97         0.89            0.78               0.71
ADJUSTED FINANCIAL RATIOS:(3)
Return on average assets               1.17 %         1.08 %       1.15 %          0.93 %             0.81 %
Return on average stockholders'
  equity                              13.98 %        13.93 %      14.20 %         11.94 %            10.95 %
FINANCIAL RATIOS:
Return on average assets               1.14 %         0.86 %       1.15 %          1.04 %             0.85 %
Return on average stockholders'
  equity                              13.61 %        11.15 %      14.20 %         13.46 %            11.42 %
STATEMENT OF CONDITION  DATA:
Total assets                    $ 1,037,549    $ 1,010,545    $ 884,541     $   859,368        $   822,959
Securities                          350,660        359,411      320,651         404,955            394,045
Federal funds sold                        -          7,000       11,545           8,270             17,775
Loans (net of unearned income)      589,254        551,222      481,439         376,792            341,014
Allowance for possible loan
  losses                              6,852          7,412        9,597          10,812              9,239

Deposits                            881,274        854,628      757,884         758,508            740,123
Short-term borrowings(4)             46,328         53,347       52,301          26,681             12,629
Other borrowings(5)                   9,693          9,680        1,269           1,266              1,263
Stockholders' equity                 88,089         81,399       65,802          66,727             60,742

</TABLE>
- ------------------

(1)  The per share data has been  restated to give  retroactive  effect to stock
     dividends.
(2)  Does not include the effect of dividends paid by New Era Bank.
(3)  Before  merger and  restructuring  charges,  effect of  accounting  change,
     extraordinary item and SAIF assessment.
(4)  Includes  Federal  funds  purchased,  securities  sold under  agreements to
     repurchase,  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank  advances  and  demand  notes - U.S.
     Treasury.
(5)  Includes obligation under capital lease and long-term debt.


<PAGE>


                                    THE TRUST


         The Trust is a statutory  business  trust  formed  under  Delaware  law
pursuant to (i) a declaration of trust, dated as of February 21, 1997,  executed
by the  Corporation,  as Sponsor,  the Delaware  Trustee and the  Administrative
Trustees  named  therein (the "Initial  Declaration"),  and (ii) the filing of a
certificate  of trust with the  Secretary  of State of the State of  Delaware on
February 22, 1997. The Initial Declaration was replaced by the Declaration.  The
Trust  exists for the  exclusive  purposes  of (i) issuing and selling the Trust
Securities,  which represent undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust,  (ii) investing the gross proceeds from the sale of the Trust  Securities
in the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  and (iii)  engaging in only those other
activities necessary,  advisable or incidental thereto.  Accordingly, the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures will be the sole assets of the Trust and payments under
the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures will be the sole revenues of the Trust. All
of the Common  Securities will be owned directly by the Corporation.  The Common
Securities  will rank pari passu,  and  payments  will be made thereon pro rata,
with the  Capital  Securities,  except that upon the  occurrence  and during the
continuance of an Event of Default,  the rights of the  Corporation as holder of
the Common  Securities to payments in respect of Distributions and payments upon
liquidation, redemption or otherwise will be subordinated and rank junior to the
rights of the holders of the Capital  Securities.  See  "Description  of Capital
Securities -- Subordination of Common  Securities." The Corporation has acquired
Common  Securities  in a  Liquidation  Amount  equal to at least 3% of the total
capital  of the  Trust.  The  Trust has a term of 31  years,  but may  terminate
earlier as provided in the Declaration. The Trust's business and affairs will be
conducted by trustees (the "Issuer  Trustees")  appointed by the  Corporation as
the direct holder of the Common Securities. The Issuer Trustees will be The Bank
of New York as the Property  Trustee (the "Property  Trustee"),  The Bank of New
York  (Delaware)  as the Delaware  Trustee  (the  "Delaware  Trustee"),  and two
individual trustees (the  "Administrative  Trustees").  The Bank of New York, as
Property Trustee, will act as sole indenture trustee under the Declaration.  The
Bank of New York will also act as indenture  trustee under the Guarantee and the
Indenture.  See  "Description  of the  Guarantee"  and  "Description  of  Junior
Subordinated Debentures." The holder of the Common Securities or, if an Event of
Default under the Declaration  has occurred and is continuing,  the holders of a
majority in Liquidation  Amount of the Capital  Securities,  will be entitled to
appoint,  remove or replace the Property Trustee and/or the Delaware Trustee. In
no event will the  holders of the Capital  Securities  have the right to vote to
appoint, remove or replace the Administrative  Trustees; such voting rights will
be vested  exclusively  in the holder of the Common  Securities.  The duties and
obligations  of  each  Issuer  Trustee  are  governed  by the  Declaration.  The
Corporation will pay directly all fees,  expenses,  debts and obligations (other
than the Trust Securities)  related to the Trust and the offering of the Capital
Securities,  including all ongoing costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust.
The principal  executive  office of the Trust is UNB Capital Trust I, c/o United
National  Bancorp,  1130  Route 22,  P.O.  Box  6000,  Bridgewater,  New  Jersey
08807-0010, Attention:
Ralph L. Straw, Jr.

                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

         In  connection  with  the  sale  of the  Old  Capital  Securities,  the
Corporation and the Trust entered into the  Registration  Rights  Agreement with
the Initial  Purchasers,  pursuant to which the Corporation and the Trust agreed
to file and to use their  reasonable  efforts to cause to become  effective with
the Commission a registration  statement with respect to the exchange of the Old
Capital  Securities for capital  securities with terms identical in all material
respects to the terms of the Old Capital Securities.  A copy of the Registration
Rights Agreement has been filed as an Exhibit to the  Registration  Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part.

         The Exchange Offer is being made to satisfy the contractual obligations
of the Corporation and the Trust under the Registration  Rights  Agreement.  The
form and terms of the New Capital  Securities are the same as the form and terms
of the Old Capital  Securities except that the New Capital  Securities have been
registered  under  the  Securities  Act  and  will  not be  subject  to  certain
restrictions  on transfer  applicable  to the Old Capital  Securities  (but will
continue  to be subject to the  $100,000  minimum  Liquidation  Amount  transfer
restriction)  and will not provide for any  increase  in the  Distribution  rate
thereon. In that regard, the Old Capital Securities provide, among other things,
that, if a  registration  statement  relating to the Exchange Offer has not been
filed by August 18, 1997 and  declared  effective by  September  17,  1997,  the
Distribution  rate borne by the Old Capital  Securities  commencing on September
18,  1997  will  increase  by  0.25%  per  annum  until  the  Exchange  Offer is
consummated.  Upon  consummation of the Exchange  Offer,  holders of Old Capital
Securities will not be entitled to any increase in the Distribution rate thereon
or any further  registration  rights under the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,
except under limited circumstances. See "Risk Factors--Consequences of a Failure
to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and "Description of Old Capital Securities."

         The  Exchange  Offer is not being  made to,  nor will the Trust  accept
tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Capital Securities in any jurisdiction
in which the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance
with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.

         Unless the context requires  otherwise,  the term "holder" with respect
to the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name the Old Capital  Securities
are  registered on the books of the Trust or any other person who has obtained a
properly  completed bond power from the registered  holder,  or any person whose
Old  Capital  Securities  are held of record  by The  Depository  Trust  Company
("DTC")  who  desires to  deliver  such Old  Capital  Securities  by  book-entry
transfer at DTC.

         Pursuant to the Exchange Offer,  the Corporation  will exchange as soon
as  practicable  after the date hereof,  the Old Guarantee for the New Guarantee
and the Old Junior Subordinated  Debentures,  in an amount  corresponding to the
Old Capital  Securities  accepted for exchange,  for a like aggregate  principal
amount of the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures.  The New  Guarantee  and New
Junior Subordinated Debentures have been registered under the Securities Act.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

         The Trust hereby  offers,  upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying  Letter of Transmittal,  to
exchange  up  to  $20,000,000   aggregate  Liquidation  Amount  of  New  Capital
Securities for a like  aggregate  Liquidation  Amount of Old Capital  Securities
properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not properly  withdrawn
in  accordance  with the  procedures  described  below.  The Trust  will  issue,
promptly after the  Expiration  Date, an aggregate  Liquidation  Amount of up to
$20,000,000 of New Capital Securities in exchange for a like principal amount of
outstanding Old Capital Securities  tendered and accepted in connection with the
Exchange Offer.  Holders may tender their Old Capital  Securities in whole or in
part in a Liquidation Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Capital  Securities)
or any integral multiple of $1,000  Liquidation Amount (one Capital Security) in
excess thereof.

         The  Exchange  Offer is not  conditioned  upon any minimum  Liquidation
Amount  of Old  Capital  Securities  being  tendered.  As of the  date  of  this
Prospectus,   $20,000,000  aggregate  Liquidation  Amount  of  the  Old  Capital
Securities is outstanding.

         Holders  of  Old  Capital  Securities  do not  have  any  appraisal  or
dissenters' rights in connection with the Exchange Offer. Old Capital Securities
which are not tendered for or are tendered but not accepted in  connection  with
the Exchange  Offer will remain  outstanding  and be entitled to the benefits of
the  Declaration,  but will not be entitled to any further  registration  rights
under the Registration Rights Agreement, except under limited circumstances. See
"Risk Factors--Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital Securities" and
"Description of Old Securities."

         If any  tendered Old Capital  Securities  are not accepted for exchange
because of an invalid  tender,  the occurrence of certain other events set forth
herein or otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Capital Securities
will be returned,  without  expense,  to the tendering  holder thereof  promptly
after the Expiration Date.

         Holders  who tender  Old  Capital  Securities  in  connection  with the
Exchange  Offer will not be required to pay  brokerage  commissions  or fees or,
subject to the  instructions in the Letter of  Transmittal,  transfer taxes with
respect  to the  exchange  of Old  Capital  Securities  in  connection  with the
Exchange Offer.  The Corporation  will pay all charges and expenses,  other than
certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the Exchange Offer.
See "--Fees and Expenses."

         NEITHER THE CORPORATION,  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION NOR
ANY  ISSUER  TRUSTEE  OF THE TRUST  MAKES ANY  RECOMMENDATION  TO HOLDERS OF OLD
CAPITAL  SECURITIES AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY
PORTION OF THEIR OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES  PURSUANT  TO THE  EXCHANGE  OFFER.  IN
ADDITION, NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF
OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION  WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT
TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES
TO TENDER BASED ON SUCH HOLDER'S OWN FINANCIAL POSITION AND REQUIREMENTS.

         The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on    ,
1997 unless the Exchange  Offer is extended by the  Corporation or the Trust (in
which case the term  "Expiration  Date"  shall mean the latest  date and time to
which the Exchange Offer is extended).

         The Corporation and the Trust expressly reserve the right in their sole
and absolute discretion, subject to applicable law, at any time and from time to
time,  (i) to delay the  acceptance of the Old Capital  Securities for exchange,
(ii) to terminate the Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital  Securities
have  theretofore  been accepted for exchange) if the Trust  determines,  in its
sole and absolute  discretion,  that any of the events or conditions referred to
under  "--Conditions  to the Exchange  Offer" have occurred or exist or have not
been  satisfied,  (iii) to extend the Expiration  Date of the Exchange Offer and
retain all Old  Capital  Securities  tendered  pursuant to the  Exchange  Offer,
subject,  however, to the right of holders of Old Capital Securities to withdraw
their tendered Old Capital Securities as described under "--Withdrawal  Rights,"
and (iv) to waive any  condition  or  otherwise  amend the terms of the Exchange
Offer in any respect. If the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by
the  Corporation  and the  Trust to  constitute  a  material  change,  or if the
Corporation and the Trust waive a material  condition of the Exchange Offer, the
Corporation  and the Trust will promptly  disclose such  amendment by means of a
prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the holders of the Old Capital
Securities,  and the Corporation and the Trust will extend the Exchange Offer to
the extent required by Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act.

         Any such delay in acceptance,  extension, termination or amendment will
be followed promptly by oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent and
by making a public announcement thereof, and such announcement in the case of an
extension  will be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously  scheduled  Expiration Date.  Without limiting
the manner in which the  Corporation and the Trust may choose to make any public
announcement  and subject to applicable law, the Corporation and the Trust shall
have no  obligation  to publish,  advertise  or otherwise  communicate  any such
public  announcement  other  than by issuing a release  to an  appropriate  news
agency.

Acceptance for Exchange and Issuance of New Capital Securities

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
Trust  will  exchange,  and  will  issue  to the  Exchange  Agent,  New  Capital
Securities  for Old  Capital  Securities  validly  tendered  and  not  withdrawn
promptly after the Expiration Date.

         In all cases,  delivery of New Capital  Securities  in exchange for Old
Capital  Securities  tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
Offer will be made only after timely  receipt by the  Exchange  Agent of (i) Old
Capital Securities or a book-entry  confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Old
Capital  Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, (ii) the Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof),  properly completed and duly executed,  with
any required signature guarantees, and (iii) any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal.

         The term  "book-entry  confirmation"  means a timely  confirmation of a
book-entry  transfer of Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account
at DTC.

         Subject to the terms and  conditions of the Exchange  Offer,  the Trust
will be deemed to have accepted for exchange, and thereby exchanged, Old Capital
Securities  validly  tendered and not  withdrawn as, if and when the Trust gives
oral or written notice to the Exchange  Agent of the Trust's  acceptance of such
Old Capital Securities for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Exchange
Agent will act as agent for the Trust for the  purpose of  receiving  tenders of
Old Capital  Securities,  Letters of Transmittal and related  documents,  and as
agent for tendering holders for the purpose of receiving Old Capital Securities,
Letters of  Transmittal  and  related  documents  and  transmitting  New Capital
Securities  to validly  tendering  holders.  Such exchange will be made promptly
after the Expiration Date. If for any reason whatsoever, acceptance for exchange
or the exchange of any Old Capital Securities  tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer is delayed (whether before or after the Trust's acceptance for exchange of
Old Capital  Securities) or the Trust extends the Exchange Offer or is unable to
accept for exchange or exchange Old Capital Securities  tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer,  then, without prejudice to the Trust's rights set forth herein,
the Exchange Agent may, nevertheless, on behalf of the Trust and subject to Rule
14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, retain tendered Old Capital Securities and such
Old  Capital  Securities  may not be  withdrawn  except to the extent  tendering
holders are  entitled to  withdrawal  rights as  described  under  "--Withdrawal
Rights."

         Pursuant  to the  Letter  of  Transmittal,  a  holder  of  Old  Capital
Securities will warrant and agree in the Letter of Transmittal  that it has full
power and authority to tender,  exchange,  sell, assign and transfer Old Capital
Securities,  that the Trust will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title
to  the  tendered  Old  Capital  Securities,   free  and  clear  of  all  liens,
restrictions,  charges and encumbrances, and the Old Capital Securities tendered
for exchange are not subject to any adverse  claims or proxies.  The holder also
will  warrant  and agree that it will,  upon  request,  execute  and deliver any
additional  documents  deemed by the Trust or the Exchange Agent to be necessary
or desirable to complete the exchange, sale, assignment, and transfer of the Old
Capital Securities tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities

         Valid  Tender.  Except as set  forth  below,  in order for Old  Capital
Securities to be validly  tendered  pursuant to the Exchange  Offer,  a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile  thereof),  with
any required  signature  guarantees  and any other required  documents,  must be
received  by  the  Exchange  Agent  at  one of its  addresses  set  forth  under
"--Exchange  Agent,"  and either (i)  tendered  Old Capital  Securities  must be
received by the  Exchange  Agent,  or (ii) such Old Capital  Securities  must be
tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry  transfer set forth below and
a book-entry  confirmation  must be received by the Exchange Agent, in each case
on or prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) the guaranteed  delivery procedures
set forth below must be complied with.

         If  less  than  all of the  Old  Capital  Securities  are  tendered,  a
tendering  holder  should  fill in the amount of Old  Capital  Securities  being
tendered in the appropriate box on the Letter of Transmittal.  The entire amount
of Old Capital Securities delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have
been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

         THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF  CERTIFICATES,  THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER  REQUIRED  DOCUMENTS  IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE  TENDERING
HOLDER,  AND  DELIVERY  WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN  ACTUALLY  RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE  AGENT.  IF  DELIVERY  IS BY  MAIL,  REGISTERED  MAIL,  RETURN  RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR AN OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

         Book-Entry Transfer.  The Exchange Agent will establish an account with
respect to the Old Capital  Securities at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer
within  two  business  days  after the date of this  Prospectus.  Any  financial
institution that is a participant in DTC's book-entry  transfer  facility system
may make a book-entry  delivery of the Old Capital  Securities by causing DTC to
transfer such Old Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in
accordance with DTC's procedures for transfers.  However,  although  delivery of
Old Capital  Securities  may be effected  through  book-entry  transfer into the
Exchange  Agent's  account  at DTC,  the  Letter of  Transmittal  (or  facsimile
thereof),  properly  completed and duly  executed,  with any required  signature
guarantees  and any other required  documents,  must in any case be delivered to
and  received by the Exchange  Agent at its address set forth under  "--Exchange
Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed  delivery procedure
set forth below must be complied with.

         DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC IN ACCORDANCE  WITH DTC'S  PROCEDURES DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

         Signature Guarantees.  Certificates for the Old Capital Securities need
not be  endorsed  and  signature  guarantees  on the Letter of  Transmittal  are
unnecessary  unless  (a)  a  certificate  for  the  Old  Capital  Securities  is
registered in a name other than that of the person  surrendering the certificate
or (b) such holder completes the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal. In the case of (a)
or (b) above, such certificates for Old Capital Securities must be duly endorsed
or  accompanied  by a properly  executed  bond power,  with the  endorsement  or
signature  on the bond power and on the Letter of  Transmittal  guaranteed  by a
firm or other entity  identified  in Rule  17Ad-15  under the Exchange Act as an
"eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are defined therein):
(i) a bank;  (ii) a broker,  dealer,  municipal  securities  broker or dealer or
government  securities  broker or dealer;  (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national
securities exchange,  registered  securities  association or clearing agency; or
(v) a  savings  association  that  is a  participant  in a  Securities  Transfer
Association (an "Eligible  Institution"),  unless  surrendered on behalf of such
Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1 to the Letter of Transmittal.

         Guaranteed  Delivery.  If  a  holder  desires  to  tender  Old  Capital
Securities  pursuant to the  Exchange  Offer and the  certificates  for such Old
Capital  Securities  are not  immediately  available or time will not permit all
required  documents  to reach the Exchange  Agent on or prior to the  Expiration
Date, or the procedure for book-entry  transfer  cannot be completed on a timely
basis, such Old Capital  Securities may nevertheless be tendered,  provided that
all of the following guaranteed delivery procedures are complied with:

         (a)  such tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution;

         (b) a  properly  completed  and  duly  executed  Notice  of  Guaranteed
Delivery,  substantially in the form accompanying the Letter of Transmittal,  is
received by the Exchange Agent, as provided below, on or prior to the Expiration
Date; and

         (c) the  certificates (or a book-entry  confirmation)  representing all
tendered Old Capital  Securities,  in proper form for transfer,  together with a
properly  completed  and duly  executed  Letter  of  Transmittal  (or  facsimile
thereof),  with  any  required  signature  guarantees  and any  other  documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Exchange Agent within
three New York Stock  Exchange  trading days after the date of execution of such
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

         The  Notice  of  Guaranteed  Delivery  may be  delivered  by  hand,  or
transmitted  by  facsimile  or mail to the  Exchange  Agent  and must  include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such notice.

         Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the delivery of New Capital
Securities  in exchange  for Old Capital  Securities  tendered  and accepted for
exchange  pursuant  to the  Exchange  Offer will in all cases be made only after
timely  receipt  by the  Exchange  Agent  of  Old  Capital  Securities,  or of a
book-entry  confirmation  with  respect to such Old  Capital  Securities,  and a
properly  completed  and duly  executed  Letter  of  Transmittal  (or  facsimile
thereof),  together  with  any  required  signature  guarantees  and  any  other
documents  required by the Letter of Transmittal.  Accordingly,  the delivery of
New Capital  Securities  might not be made to all tendering  holders at the same
time, and will depend upon when Old Capital Securities, book-entry confirmations
with respect to Old Capital Securities and other required documents are received
by the Exchange Agent.

         The Trust's acceptance for exchange of Old Capital Securities  tendered
pursuant to any of the  procedures  described  above will  constitute  a binding
agreement  between the tendering holder and the Trust upon the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.

         Determination  of Validity.  All questions as to the form of documents,
validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of
any tendered Old Capital  Securities  will be determined by the  Corporation and
the Trust,  in their sole  discretion,  whose  determination  shall be final and
binding on all  parties.  The  Corporation  and the Trust  reserve the  absolute
right,  in their sole and  absolute  discretion,  to reject any and all  tenders
determined  by them not to be in proper  form or the  acceptance  of  which,  or
exchange for, may, in the opinion of counsel to the  Corporation  and the Trust,
be unlawful.  The  Corporation  and the Trust also  reserve the absolute  right,
subject to applicable  law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer
as set forth under  "--Conditions  to the  Exchange  Offer" or any  condition or
irregularity  in any tender of Old Capital  Securities of any particular  holder
whether or not similar  conditions or  irregularities  are waived in the case of
other holders.

         The  interpretation  by the  Corporation and the Trust of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer  (including  the Letter of Transmittal  and the
instructions  thereto)  will be final and  binding.  No  tender  of Old  Capital
Securities  will be deemed to have been  validly  made until all  irregularities
with respect to such tender have been cured or waived.  Neither the Corporation,
the  Trust,  any  affiliates  or assigns of the  Corporation  or the Trust,  the
Exchange  Agent  nor any  other  person  shall  be  under  any  duty to give any
notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure
to give any such notification.

         If any  Letter  of  Transmittal,  endorsement,  bond  power,  power  of
attorney,  or any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed
by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact,  officer of a
corporation  or other person acting in a fiduciary or  representative  capacity,
such  person  should  so  indicate  when  signing,  and  unless  waived  by  the
Corporation and the Trust,  proper evidence  satisfactory to the Corporation and
the Trust, in their sole discretion,  of such person's  authority to so act must
be submitted.

         A  beneficial  owner  of Old  Capital  Securities  that  are held by or
registered in the name of a broker,  dealer,  commercial  bank, trust company or
other  nominee or  custodian  is urged to contact  such entity  promptly if such
beneficial holder wishes to participate in the Exchange Offer.

Resales of New Capital Securities

         The Trust is making the Exchange  Offer for the New Capital  Securities
in reliance on the position of the staff of the Division of Corporation  Finance
of the  Commission  as set forth in certain  interpretive  letters  addressed to
third parties in other  transactions.  However,  neither the Corporation nor the
Trust sought its own interpretive  letter and there can be no assurance that the
staff of the  Division of  Corporation  Finance of the  Commission  would make a
similar  determination  with  respect  to the  Exchange  Offer as it has in such
interpretive  letters to third parties.  Based on these  interpretations  by the
staff of the Division of Corporation  Finance of the Commission,  and subject to
the two immediately  following sentences,  the Corporation and the Trust believe
that New Capital  Securities  issued pursuant to this Exchange Offer in exchange
for Old  Capital  Securities  may be offered for  resale,  resold and  otherwise
transferred  by a holder  thereof  (other than a holder who is a  broker-dealer)
without  further  compliance  with  the  registration  and  prospectus  delivery
requirements  of the Securities Act,  provided that such New Capital  Securities
are  acquired in the  ordinary  course of such  holder's  business and that such
holder is not  participating,  and has no arrangement or understanding  with any
person to participate,  in a distribution  (within the meaning of the Securities
Act)  of such  New  Capital  Securities.  However,  any  holder  of Old  Capital
Securities who is an "affiliate" of the  Corporation or the Trust or who intends
to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing New Capital
Securities,  or any broker-dealer who purchased Old Capital  Securities from the
Trust to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the
Securities Act, (a) will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff
of the  Division  of  Corporation  Finance  of the  Commission  set forth in the
above-mentioned  interpretive  letters, (b) will not be permitted or entitled to
tender such Old Capital  Securities  in the  Exchange  Offer and (c) must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
in  connection  with any sale or other  transfer of such Old Capital  Securities
unless such sale is made  pursuant to an exemption  from such  requirements.  In
addition,  as described below, if any broker-dealer holds Old Capital Securities
acquired  for its own  account  as a result of  market-making  or other  trading
activities and exchanges such Old Capital Securities for New Capital Securities,
then such  broker-dealer  must deliver a prospectus  meeting the requirements of
the  Securities  Act  in  connection  with  any  resales  of  such  New  Capital
Securities.

         Each  holder of Old  Capital  Securities  who  wishes to  exchange  Old
Capital  Securities  for New Capital  Securities  in the Exchange  Offer will be
required to represent that (i) it is not an  "affiliate"  of the  Corporation or
the  Trust,  (ii) any New  Capital  Securities  to be  received  by it are being
acquired in the ordinary course of its business,  (iii) it has no arrangement or
understanding  with any person to  participate  in a  distribution  (within  the
meaning of the Securities Act) of such New Capital Securities,  and (iv) if such
holder is not a  broker-dealer,  such  holder is not  engaged  in,  and does not
intend to engage in, a distribution  (within the meaning of the Securities  Act)
of such New Capital Securities.  In addition,  the Corporation and the Trust may
require such holder, as a condition to such holder's  eligibility to participate
in the Exchange  Offer, to furnish to the Corporation and the Trust (or an agent
thereof) in writing  information as to the number of "beneficial owners" (within
the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange  Act) on behalf of whom such holder
holds the  Capital  Securities  to be  exchanged  in the  Exchange  Offer.  Each
broker-dealer  that receives New Capital Securities for its own account pursuant
to the  Exchange  Offer  must  acknowledge  that it  acquired  the  Old  Capital
Securities  for its own  account as the result of  market-making  activities  or
other  trading  activities  and must  agree  that it will  deliver a  prospectus
meeting the  requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of
such New  Capital  Securities.  The  Letter  of  Transmittal  states  that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an  "underwriter"  within the meaning of the Securities Act.
Based on the position taken by the staff of the Division of Corporation  Finance
of the Commission in the interpretive letters referred to above, the Corporation
and the Trust believe that Participating Broker-Dealers who acquired Old Capital
Securities  for their own accounts as a result of  market-making  activities  or
other trading activities may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with
respect to the New Capital Securities received upon exchange of such Old Capital
Securities  (other  than  Old  Capital  Securities  which  represent  an  unsold
allotment  from  the  original  sale  of  the  Old  Capital  Securities)  with a
prospectus  meeting the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act, which may be the
prospectus  prepared for an exchange  offer so long as it contains a description
of the plan of  distribution  with  respect  to the  resale of such New  Capital
Securities.  Accordingly,  this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from  time to time,  may be used by a  Participating  Broker-Dealer  during  the
period  referred to below in connection  with resales of New Capital  Securities
received  in  exchange  for  Old  Capital  Securities  where  such  Old  Capital
Securities were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own account
as a result of  market-making  or other trading  activities.  Subject to certain
provisions set forth in the Registration  Rights Agreement,  the Corporation and
the Trust have agreed that this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, may be used by a  Participating  Broker-Dealer  in connection
with resales of such New Capital  Securities  for a period ending  90-days after
the Expiration Date (subject to extension  under certain  limited  circumstances
described below) or, if earlier,  when all such New Capital Securities have been
disposed of by such  Participating  Broker-Dealer.  See "Plan of  Distribution."
However,  a  Participating  Broker-Dealer  who intends to use this Prospectus in
connection  with the resale of New Capital  Securities  received in exchange for
Old  Capital  Securities   pursuant  to  the  Exchange  Offer  must  notify  the
Corporation or the Trust,  or cause the Corporation or the Trust to be notified,
on or prior to the Expiration  Date, that it is a  Participating  Broker-Dealer.
Such notice may be given in the space provided for that purpose in the Letter of
Transmittal  or may be delivered to the Exchange  Agent at one of the  addresses
set forth herein under "--Exchange  Agent." Any Participating  Broker-Dealer who
is an  "affiliate"  of the  Corporation  or the  Trust  may  not  rely  on  such
interpretive  letters  and must  comply  with the  registration  and  prospectus
delivery  requirements  of the  Securities  Act in  connection  with any  resale
transaction.

         In that regard,  each  Participating  Broker-Dealer  who surrenders Old
Capital Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to have agreed,
by execution of the Letter of Transmittal, that, upon receipt of notice from the
Corporation  or the Trust of the occurrence of any event or the discovery of any
fact which makes any statement  contained or  incorporated  by reference in this
Prospectus  untrue in any material  respect or which causes this  Prospectus  to
omit to  state a  material  fact  necessary  in  order  to make  the  statements
contained or incorporated  by reference  herein,  in light of the  circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading or of the occurrence of certain other
events  specified  in the  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  such  Participating
Broker-Dealer  will  suspend  the  sale of New  Capital  Securities  (or the New
Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated Debentures,  as applicable) pursuant to
this  Prospectus  until the Corporation or the Trust has amended or supplemented
this  Prospectus  to correct such  misstatement  or omission  and has  furnished
copies  of  the  amended  or  supplemented   Prospectus  to  such  Participating
Broker-Dealer  or the Corporation or the Trust has given notice that the sale of
the New Capital Securities (or the New Guarantee or the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures,  as  applicable)  may  be  resumed,  as  the  case  may  be.  If the
Corporation  or the  Trust  gives  such  notice to  suspend  the sale of the New
Capital  Securities  (or  the  New  Guarantee  or the  New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures, as applicable),  it shall extend the 90-day period referred to above
during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use this Prospectus in
connection  with the  resale of New  Capital  Securities  by the  number of days
during the period  from and  including  the date of the giving of such notice to
and including  the date when  Participating  Broker-Dealers  shall have received
copies of the amended or supplemented  Prospectus necessary to permit resales of
the New Capital Securities or to and including the date on which the Corporation
or the Trust has given  notice that the sale of New Capital  Securities  (or the
New Guarantee or the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures,  as applicable) may be
resumed, as the case may be.

Withdrawal Rights

         Except as otherwise provided herein,  tenders of Old Capital Securities
may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

         In order  for a  withdrawal  to be  effective  a written  or  facsimile
transmission  of such  notice  of  withdrawal  must be  timely  received  by the
Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth under "--Exchange  Agent" on or
prior to the  Expiration  Date.  Any such notice of withdrawal  must specify the
name of the person who tendered the Old Capital Securities to be withdrawn,  the
aggregate  principal amount of Old Capital  Securities to be withdrawn,  and (if
certificates for such Old Capital Securities have been tendered) the name of the
registered holder of the Old Capital  Securities as set forth on the Old Capital
Securities,  if different  from that of the person who tendered such Old Capital
Securities.   If  Old  Capital  Securities  have  been  delivered  or  otherwise
identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Old
Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on
the particular  Old Capital  Securities to be withdrawn and the signature on the
notice of withdrawal  must be guaranteed by an Eligible  Institution,  except in
the case of Old  Capital  Securities  tendered  for the  account of an  Eligible
Institution.  If Old  Capital  Securities  have been  tendered  pursuant  to the
procedures for book-entry  transfer set forth in "--Procedures for Tendering Old
Capital  Securities,"  the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number
of  the  account  at DTC to be  credited  with  the  withdrawal  of Old  Capital
Securities,  in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered
to the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic,  telex or facsimile transmission.
Withdrawals  of tenders of Old  Capital  Securities  may not be  rescinded.  Old
Capital  Securities  properly  withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for
purposes of the Exchange Offer,  but may be retendered at any subsequent time on
or prior to the  Expiration  Date by following any of the  procedures  described
above under "--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities."

         All questions as to the validity,  form and eligibility (including time
of receipt) of such  withdrawal  notices will be determined by the Trust, in its
sole discretion,  whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
Neither the Corporation, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the Corporation
or the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to
give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur
any  liability  for  failure  to give any  such  notification.  Any Old  Capital
Securities  which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to
the holder thereof promptly after withdrawal.

Distributions on New Capital Securities

         Holders of Old  Capital  Securities  whose Old Capital  Securities  are
accepted  for  exchange  will not  receive  Distributions  on such  Old  Capital
Securities  and  will  be  deemed  to have  waived  the  right  to  receive  any
Distributions  on such Old Capital  Securities  accumulated from and after March
21, 1997.  Accordingly,  holders of New Capital Securities as of the record date
for the  payment of  Distributions  on  September  15,  1997 will be entitled to
receive Distributions accumulated from and after March 21, 1997.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

         Notwithstanding  any other  provisions  of the Exchange  Offer,  or any
extension  of the  Exchange  Offer,  the  Corporation  and the Trust will not be
required to accept for exchange, or to exchange,  any Old Capital Securities for
any New Capital Securities,  and, as described below, may terminate the Exchange
Offer (whether or not any Old Capital  Securities have theretofore been accepted
for exchange) or may waive any conditions to or amend the Exchange Offer, if any
of the following conditions have occurred or exists or have not been satisfied:

         (a) there  shall occur a change in the  current  interpretation  by the
staff of the Commission which permits the New Capital Securities issued pursuant
to the Exchange  Offer in exchange for Old Capital  Securities to be offered for
resale,  resold  and  otherwise  transferred  by  holders  thereof  (other  than
broker-dealers and any such holder which is an "affiliate" of the Corporation or
the Trust  within the  meaning  of Rule 405 under the  Securities  Act)  without
compliance  with the  registration  and  prospectus  delivery  provisions of the
Securities  Act provided  that such New Capital  Securities  are acquired in the
ordinary  course of such holders'  business and such holders have no arrangement
or understanding  with any person to participate in the distribution of such New
Capital Securities; or

         (b) any law,  statute,  rule or  regulation  shall have been adopted or
enacted which, in the judgment of the Corporation or the Trust, would reasonably
be expected to impair its ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer; or

         (c) a stop order shall have been issued by the  Commission or any state
securities authority suspending the effectiveness of the Registration  Statement
or proceedings shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Corporation
or the Trust, threatened for that purpose any governmental approval has not been
obtained,  which  approval  the  Corporation  or the  Trust  shall,  in its sole
discretion,  deem  necessary  for the  consummation  of the  Exchange  Offer  as
contemplated hereby.

         If the  Corporation  or the Trust  determines  in its sole and absolute
discretion that any of the foregoing events or conditions has occurred or exists
or has not been  satisfied,  it may,  subject to applicable  law,  terminate the
Exchange Offer (whether or not any Old Capital  Securities have theretofore been
accepted for  exchange) or may waive any such  condition or otherwise  amend the
terms  of the  Exchange  Offer  in any  respect.  If such  waiver  or  amendment
constitutes a material  change to the Exchange  Offer,  the  Corporation  or the
Trust will  promptly  disclose such waiver or amendment by means of a prospectus
supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the Old Capital
Securities  and will extend the  Exchange  Offer to the extent  required by Rule
14e-1 under the Exchange Act.

Exchange Agent

         The Bank of New  York has been  appointed  as  Exchange  Agent  for the
Exchange  Offer.  Delivery of the Letters of Transmittal  and any other required
documents,  requests for assistance,  and requests for additional copies of this
Prospectus  or of the Letter of  Transmittal  should be directed to the Exchange
Agent as follows:

By Registered or Certified Mail:             By Hand or Overnight Delivery:

     The Bank of New York                         The Bank of New York
    101 Barclay Street - 7E                        101 Barclay Street
 Attn.: Reorganization Section              Corporate Trust Services Window
        Shilpa Trivedi                                Ground Level
   New York, New York 10286                     New York, New York 10286
                                           Attention: Reorganization Section
                                                     Shilpa Trivedi

                              For Information Call:
                                 (212) 815-5789

                          (Eligible Institutions Only)
                              Confirm By Telephone:
                                 (212) 815-5789

                            Facsimile Transmissions:
                                 (212) 815-6339

         Delivery to other than the above addresses or facsimile number will not
constitute a valid delivery.

Fees and Expenses

         The  Corporation  has agreed to pay the Exchange  Agent  reasonable and
customary  fees  for its  services  and  will  reimburse  it for its  reasonable
out-of-pocket  expenses in connection  therewith.  The Corporation will also pay
brokerage houses and other  custodians,  nominees and fiduciaries the reasonable
out-of-pocket  expenses incurred by them in forwarding copies of this Prospectus
and related documents to the beneficial owners of Old Capital Securities, and in
handling or tendering for their customers.

         Holders who tender their Old Capital  Securities  for exchange will not
be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, New
Capital  Securities  are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of,
any  person  other  than the  registered  holder of the Old  Capital  Securities
tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange
of Old Capital Securities in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount
of any such transfer  taxes  (whether  imposed on the  registered  holder or any
other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence
of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter
of  Transmittal,  the amount of such transfer  taxes will be billed  directly to
such tendering holder.

         Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will make any payment to brokers,
dealers or other nominees soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer.

                          DESCRIPTION OF NEW SECURITIES

Description of New Capital Securities

         Pursuant to the terms of the Declaration,  the Trust has issued the Old
Capital  Securities  and the Common  Securities  and will issue the New  Capital
Securities.  The New Capital  Securities  will  represent  preferred  beneficial
interests in the Trust and the holders of the New Capital Securities and the Old
Capital  Securities will be entitled to a preference over the Common  Securities
in certain  circumstances  with respect to Distributions  and amounts payable on
redemption  of  the  Trust   Securities  or  liquidation   of  the  Trust.   See
"--Subordination of Common Securities." The Declaration has been qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust  Indenture  Act").  This
summary of certain  provisions of the New Capital Securities and the Declaration
does not  purport to be  complete  and is subject  to, and is  qualified  in its
entirety by reference to, all the  provisions of the  Declaration  and the Trust
Indenture  Act.  Certain  capitalized  terms  used  herein  are  defined  in the
Declaration.

         General.  The Capital Securities  (including the Old Capital Securities
and the New Capital Securities) are limited to $20,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
Amount at any one time outstanding. The Capital Securities will rank pari passu,
and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Old Capital  Securities and
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  Capital
Securities  and Common  Securities.  The New Guarantee  will be a guarantee on a
subordinated  basis but will not guarantee  payment of  Distributions or amounts
payable on redemption of the New Capital  Securities  or on  liquidation  of the
Trust  when the Trust  does not have funds on hand  legally  available  for such
payments. See "--Description of New Guarantee."

         Distributions.  Distributions  on the New  Capital  Securities  will be
cumulative,   will   accumulate   from  March  21,  1997  and  will  be  payable
semi-annually  in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year,  commencing
September  15, 1997, at the annual rate of 10.01% of the  Liquidation  Amount to
the holders of the New Capital  Securities  on the relevant  record  dates.  The
record  dates  will  be the  first  day of  the  month  in  which  the  relevant
Distribution Date (as defined below) falls. 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 New
Capital  Securities  is not a Business  Day (as defined  below),  payment of the
Distribution  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 to any
such delay), in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date
(each date on which  Distributions are payable in accordance with the foregoing,
a  "Distribution  Date").  A  "Business  Day"  shall  mean any day other  than a
Saturday or a Sunday, or a day on which banking  institutions in The City of New
York or Bridgewater,  New Jersey, are authorized or required by law or executive
order to remain closed.

         So long as no  Debenture  Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be
continuing, the Corporation will have the right under the Indenture to defer the
payment of interest  on the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  at any time or
from time to time for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive  semi-annual periods
with respect to each  Extension  Period,  provided that no Extension  Period may
extend beyond the Stated  Maturity  Date.  Upon any such  election,  semi-annual
Distributions on the New Capital Securities will be deferred by the Trust during
any such  Extension  Period.  Distributions  to which holders of the New Capital
Securities  are  entitled  during  any such  Extension  Period  will  accumulate
additional  Distributions  thereon  at the rate per  annum  of  10.01%  thereof,
compounded  semi-annually from the relevant Distribution Date, but not exceeding
the interest rate then accruing on the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures.  The
term  "Distributions,"  as  used  herein,  shall  include  any  such  additional
Distributions.

         During any such  Extension  Period,  the  Corporation  may extend  such
Extension  Period,  provided that such  extension  does not cause such Extension
Period to exceed 10  consecutive  semi-annual  periods  or to extend  beyond the
Stated Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any such Extension  Period and the
payment of all amounts then due, and subject to the foregoing  limitations,  the
Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension Period. The Corporation must give
the Property  Trustee,  the  Administrative  Trustees and the Debenture  Trustee
notice of its election of any Extension Period or any extension thereof at least
five Business Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the
New Capital  Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin
such Extension Period or (ii) the date the Administrative  Trustees are required
to give  notice to any  securities  exchange  or to holders of such New  Capital
Securities of the record date or the date such  Distributions are payable but in
any event not less than five Business  Days prior to such record date.  There is
no limitation on the number of times that the  Corporation may elect to begin an
Extension   Period.    See    "--Description   of   New   Junior    Subordinated
Debentures--Option to Extend Interest Payment Period" and "Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations--Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."

         During any such Extension  Period,  the Corporation 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  Corporation's  capital stock
(which  includes  common  and  preferred  stock)  or (ii)  make any  payment  of
principal of or premium,  if any, or interest on or repay,  repurchase or redeem
any debt securities of the Corporation  (including  Other  Debentures) that rank
pari passu  with or junior in right of  payment  to the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the  Corporation  of the debt  securities of any  subsidiary of the  Corporation
(including  Other  Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior
in right of payment to the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  (other than (a)
dividends  or  distributions  in shares of, or  options,  warrants  or rights to
subscribe for or purchase  shares of, common stock of the  Corporation,  (b) any
declaration  of  a  dividend  in  connection  with  the   implementation   of  a
stockholders'  rights plan,  or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
payments  under  the  Guarantee,  (d) as a result of a  reclassification  of the
Corporation's  capital  stock or the  exchange or  conversion  of one class,  or
series of the  Corporation's  capital  stock for another  class or series of the
Corporation's  capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares
of the  Corporation's  capital  stock  pursuant  to the  conversion  or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security  being  converted or exchanged,
and (f)  purchases  of common  stock  related to the issuance of common stock or
rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans for its directors,  officers
or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans).

         Although the Corporation may in the future exercise its option to defer
payments of interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures,  the Corporation
has no such current intention.

         The revenue of the Trust  available for  distribution to holders of the
Capital Securities will be limited to payments under the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures  in which the Trust will invest the  proceeds  from the  issuance and
sale of the Trust  Securities.  See  "--Description  of New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures--General."  If the Corporation does not make interest payments on the
New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,  the Property  Trustee will not have funds
available to pay  Distributions  on the New Capital  Securities.  The payment of
Distributions  (if and to the  extent  the  Trust  has  funds  on  hand  legally
available  for the  payment of such  Distributions)  will be  guaranteed  by the
Corporation on a limited basis as set forth herein under  "--Description  of New
Guarantee."

         Redemption.   Upon  the  repayment  on  the  Stated  Maturity  Date  or
prepayment  prior to the Stated  Maturity  Date of the New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures,  the proceeds from such repayment or prepayment  shall be applied by
the  Property  Trustee to redeem a Like Amount (as  defined  below) of the Trust
Securities,  upon not less  than 30 nor more  than 60 days'  notice of a date of
redemption (the "Redemption  Date"), at the applicable  Redemption Price,  which
shall  be  equal  to  (i) in  the  case  of the  repayment  of  the  New  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures on the Stated  Maturity Date,  the Maturity  Redemption
Price (equal to the  principal  of, and accrued and unpaid  interest on, the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures),  (ii) in the case of the optional prepayment of
the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures before the Initial Optional  Prepayment
Date upon the occurrence and  continuation of a Special Event, the Special Event
Redemption  Price (equal to the Special Event Prepayment Price in respect of the
New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures)  and  (iii) in the  case of the  optional
prepayment of the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures other than as contemplated
in clause (ii) above,  the  Optional  Redemption  Price  (equal to the  Optional
Prepayment  Price in  respect of the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures).  See
"--Description of New Junior Subordinated  Debentures--Optional  Prepayment" and
"--Special Event Prepayment."

         "Like  Amount"  means (i) with  respect  to a  redemption  of the Trust
Securities,  Trust Securities having a Liquidation Amount equal to the principal
amount of Junior  Subordinated  Debentures to be paid in  accordance  with their
terms and (ii) with respect to a distribution of Junior Subordinated  Debentures
upon the  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.

         The Corporation will have the option to prepay the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures, (i) in whole or in part, on or after the Initial Optional Prepayment
Date, at the applicable  Optional  Prepayment Price and (ii) in whole but not in
part,  at any  time  before  the  Initial  Optional  Prepayment  Date,  upon the
occurrence of a Special Event,  at the Special Event  Prepayment  Price, 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.

         Liquidation of the Trust and  Distribution  of New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures.  The  Corporation  will have the right at any time to  dissolve  the
Trust and cause the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures to be distributed to the
holders of the Trust  Securities  in  liquidation  of the  Trust.  Such right is
subject  to (i) the  Corporation  having  received  an opinion of counsel to the
effect  that such  distribution  will not be a taxable  event to  holders of New
Capital  Securities and (ii) the prior  approval of the Federal  Reserve if then
required under applicable capital guidelines or policies of the Federal Reserve.

         The Trust shall automatically  dissolve upon the first to occur of: (i)
certain events of bankruptcy,  dissolution or liquidation of the  Corporation or
the Trust;  (ii) upon receipt by the Property Trustee of written notice from the
Corporation,  as Sponsor,  directing the Property  Trustee to dissolve the Trust
(which direction is optional and, except as described  above,  wholly within the
discretion of the Corporation, as Sponsor); (iii) redemption of all of the Trust
Securities as described under "--Redemption"  above; (iv) expiration of the term
of the Trust;  and (v) the entry of an order for the dissolution of the Trust by
a court of competent jurisdiction.

         If a dissolution  occurs as described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), or (v)
of the preceding paragraph,  the Trust shall be liquidated by the Administrative
Trustees  as  expeditiously  as  the  Administrative  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 the Trust  Securities a
Like  Amount of the New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,  in which  event such
holders  will be  entitled  to receive  out of the  assets of the Trust  legally
available for  distribution  to holders,  after  satisfaction  of liabilities to
creditors  of the Trust as provided by  applicable  law, an amount  equal to the
aggregate of the Liquidation  Amount plus  accumulated and unpaid  Distributions
thereon  to  the  date  of  payment   (such   amount   being  the   "Liquidation
Distribution"). If the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because
the Trust has insufficient  assets on hand legally  available to pay in full the
aggregate  Liquidation  Distribution,  then the amounts payable  directly by the
Trust on the Capital Securities and the Common Securities shall be paid on a pro
rata  basis,  except that if a Debenture  Event of Default has  occurred  and is
continuing,  the  Capital  Securities  shall  have a  priority  over the  Common
Securities.  See "--Subordination of Common Securities." If an early termination
occurs as described in clause (v) above, the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures
will be subject to optional  prepayment,  in whole but not in part,  on or after
the Initial Optional Prepayment Date.

         If  the  Corporation  elects  not to  prepay  the  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  prior to maturity in  accordance  with their terms and either elects
not  to  or  is  unable  to  liquidate  the  Trust  and  distribute  the  Junior
Subordinated Debentures to holders of the Trust Securities, the Trust Securities
will  remain  outstanding  until  the  repayment  of  the  Junior   Subordinated
Debentures on the Stated Maturity Date.

         After  the  liquidation  date is fixed for any  distribution  of Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  to  holders  of the  Trust  Securities,  (i) the Trust
Securities  will no longer be deemed  to be  outstanding,  (ii) each  registered
global certificate, if any, representing Trust Securities and held by DTC or its
nominee  will  receive  a  registered   global   certificate   or   certificates
representing  the  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  to be  delivered  upon such
distribution and (iii) any certificates  representing  Trust Securities not held
by DTC or its  nominee  will be  deemed to  represent  New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  having a principal  amount equal to the  Liquidation  Amount of such
Trust Securities,  and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to
the accumulated and unpaid  Distributions  on such Trust  Securities  until such
certificates  are  presented to the  Administrative  Trustees or their agent for
cancellation,  whereupon  the  Corporation  will issue to such  holder,  and the
Debenture  Trustee will  authenticate,  a certificate  representing  such Junior
Subordinated Debentures.

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

         Redemption  Procedures.  If  applicable,   Trust  Securities  shall  be
redeemed  at  the  applicable  Redemption  Price  with  the  proceeds  from  the
contemporaneous   repayment  or  prepayment  of  the  New  Junior   Subordinated
Debentures.  Any redemption of Trust Securities shall be made and the applicable
Redemption Price shall be payable on the Redemption Date only to the extent that
the  Trust  has funds  legally  available  for the  payment  of such  applicable
Redemption Price. See also "--Subordination of Common Securities."

         If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of the New Capital
Securities,  then, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Redemption Date, to
the  extent  funds  are  legally  available,  with  respect  to the New  Capital
Securities held by DTC or its nominees,  the Property  Trustee will pay or cause
the Paying Agent to pay the Redemption Price to DTC. See "--Form,  Denomination,
Book-Entry  Procedures and Transfer." With respect to the New Capital Securities
held in certificated form, the Property Trustee, to the extent funds are legally
available,  will give irrevocable instructions and authority to the paying agent
and  will  irrevocably  deposit  with  the  paying  agent  for the  New  Capital
Securities  funds  sufficient  to pay or  cause  the  paying  agent  to pay  the
applicable  Redemption  Price to the holders  thereof  upon  surrender  of their
certificates  evidencing the New Capital  Securities.  See "--Payment and Paying
Agency."  Distributions  payable  on or prior to the  Redemption  Date  shall be
payable to the holders of such New Capital  Securities  on the  relevant  record
dates for the related  Distribution  Dates.  If notice of redemption  shall have
been given and funds  deposited with the Property  Trustee to pay the Redemption
Price for the New Capital  Securities called for redemption,  then all rights of
the holders of such New Capital  Securities will cease,  except the right of the
holders of the New  Capital  Securities  to receive  the  applicable  Redemption
Price,  but  without  interest  on such  Redemption  Price,  and the New Capital
Securities will cease to be  outstanding.  In the event that any Redemption Date
of New Capital Securities is not a Business Day, then the applicable  Redemption
Price  payable  on such date will be paid on the next  succeeding  day that is a
Business Day (and  without any interest or other  payment in respect of any such
delay).  In the  event  that  payment  of the  applicable  Redemption  Price  is
improperly  withheld  or  refused  and not paid  either  by the  Trust or by the
Corporation  pursuant to the New Guarantee as described under  "--Description of
New Guarantee,"  (i)  Distributions  on New Capital  Securities will continue to
accumulate  on the  Redemption  Price  at the  then  applicable  rate,  from the
Redemption Date originally  established by the Trust to the date such applicable
Redemption  Price is actually paid, and (ii) the actual payment date will be the
Redemption Date for purposes of calculating the applicable Redemption Price.

         Subject to applicable law (including, without limitation, United States
federal  securities  law  and  the  regulations  of the  Federal  Reserve),  the
Corporation or its  subsidiaries  may at any time and from time to time purchase
outstanding  Capital  Securities  by  tender,  in the open  market or by private
agreement.

         Notice of any  redemption  will be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each holder of Trust  Securities at
its  registered  address.  Unless  the  Corporation  defaults  in payment of the
applicable  Prepayment Price on, or in the repayment of, the Junior Subordinated
Debentures,  on and after the Redemption Date Distributions will cease to accrue
on the Trust Securities called for redemption.

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

         In the case of any Event of Default,  the  Corporation as holder of the
Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any right to act with respect to
such Event of Default  until the effect of such Event of Default shall have been
cured, waived or otherwise eliminated.  Until any such Event of Default has been
so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated,  the Property Trustee shall act solely
on behalf of the  holders  of the  Capital  Securities  and not on behalf of the
Corporation  as holder of the  Common  Securities,  and only the  holders of the
Capital  Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee to act on
their behalf.

         Events of Default;  Notice.  The  occurrence  of a  Debenture  Event of
Default  (see  "Description  of New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures--Debenture
Events of Default") constitutes an "Event of Default" under the Declaration.

         Within  ten (10)  Business  Days after the  occurrence  of any Event of
Default  actually  known to the Property  Trustee,  the Property  Trustee  shall
transmit  notice  of  such  Event  of  Default  to the  holders  of the  Capital
Securities, the Administrative Trustees and the Corporation,  as Sponsor, unless
such Event of Default  shall have been  cured or  waived.  The  Corporation,  as
Sponsor, 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 Declaration.

         If a Debenture  Event of Default has  occurred and is  continuing,  the
Capital  Securities  shall  have a  preference  over the  Common  Securities  as
described  under  "--Liquidation  of the Trust and  Distribution  of New  Junior
Subordinated Debentures" and "--Subordination of Common Securities."

         Removal of Issuer  Trustees.  Unless a Debenture Event of Default shall
have occurred and be  continuing,  any Issuer 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  Capital  Securities.  In no event will the  holders of the  Capital
Securities   have  the  right  to  vote  to  appoint,   remove  or  replace  the
Administrative  Trustees,  which  voting  rights are vested  exclusively  in the
Corporation as the holder of the Common Securities. No resignation or removal of
an Issuer Trustee and no  appointment of a successor  trustee shall be effective
until the acceptance of appointment by the successor  trustee in accordance with
the provisions of the Declaration.

         Merger or Consolidation of Issuer Trustees.  Any corporation 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  corporation  resulting  from any  merger,  conversion  or
consolidation  to which such Issuer Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding  to all or  substantially  all the corporate  trust  business of such
Issuer  Trustee,  shall  be the  successor  of such  Issuer  Trustee  under  the
Declaration,   provided  such  corporation  shall  be  otherwise  qualified  and
eligible.

         Mergers,  Consolidations,  Amalgamations  or Replacements of the Trust.
The Trust may not merge or convert with or into, consolidate,  amalgamate, or be
replaced  by, or  convey,  transfer  or lease its  properties  and  assets as an
entirety or  substantially  as an entirety to any  corporation  or other Person,
except as described below. The Trust may, at the request of the Corporation,  as
Sponsor, with the consent of the Administrative Trustees but without the consent
of the  holders  of the  Capital  Securities,  merge  or  convert  with or into,
consolidate,  amalgamate,  or be  replaced  by or convey,  transfer or lease its
properties and assets as an entirety or  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 Capital  Securities or (b) substitutes for the Capital Securities
other securities having  substantially the same terms as the Capital  Securities
(the "Successor  Securities") so long as the Successor  Securities rank the same
as the Capital  Securities  rank in priority with respect to  distributions  and
payments  upon  liquidation,  redemption  and  otherwise,  (ii) the  Corporation
expressly appoints a trustee of such successor entity possessing the same powers
and duties as the  Property  Trustee  with  respect  to 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 Capital  Securities are
then listed or quoted,  if any,  (iv) such  merger,  conversion,  consolidation,
amalgamation,  replacement,  conveyance,  transfer  or lease  does not cause the
Capital Securities  (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any
nationally  recognized   statistical  rating  organization,   (v)  such  merger,
conversion,  consolidation,  amalgamation,  replacement, conveyance, transfer or
lease does not adversely  affect the rights,  preferences  and privileges of the
holders of the Capital  Securities  (including any Successor  Securities) in any
material respect (other than any dilution of such holders'  interests in the new
entity),  (vi) such  successor  entity  has a purpose  identical  to that of the
Trust,  (vii) prior to such  merger,  conversion,  consolidation,  amalgamation,
replacement,  conveyance,  transfer or lease,  the  Corporation  has received an
opinion from independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the
effect  that  (a)  such   merger,   conversion,   consolidation,   amalgamation,
replacement, conveyance, transfer or lease does not adversely affect the rights,
preferences and privileges of the holders of the Capital  Securities  (including
any Successor  Securities)  in any material  respect (other than any dilution of
such  holders'  interests in the new  entity),  and (b)  following  such merger,
conversion,  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 of 1940, as amended
(the  "Investment  Company  Act"),  and (viii) the  Corporation or any permitted
successor or assignee 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. Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  the Trust  shall not,  except with the consent of holders of 100% in
Liquidation Amount of the Trust Securities,  consolidate,  amalgamate,  merge or
convert  with or into,  or be  replaced  by or  convey,  transfer  or lease  its
properties  and assets as an  entirety  or  substantially  as an entirety to any
other entity or permit any other  entity to  consolidate,  amalgamate,  merge or
convert with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger,
conversion, replacement,  conveyance, transfer or lease would cause the Trust or
the  successor  entity not to be classified as a grantor trust for United States
federal income tax purposes. In addition,  the Property Trustee will be required
pursuant to the  Indenture to exchange,  as a part of the  Exchange  Offer,  the
Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  for the Exchange  Debentures,  which will have
terms identical to the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  except for the transfer
restrictions  under the  Securities Act and the provision for an increase in the
interest  rate  thereon  under  certain  circumstances.   See  "Exchange  Offer;
Registration Rights."

         Voting Rights;  Amendment of the Declaration.  Except as provided below
and under  "--Mergers,  Consolidations,  Amalgamations  or  Replacements  of the
Trust" and  "--Description of New  Guarantee--Amendments  and Assignment" and as
otherwise  required by law and the  Declaration,  the holders of the New Capital
Securities will have no voting rights.

         The  Declaration  may be amended from time to time by the  Corporation,
the Property Trustee and the Administrative Trustees, without the consent of the
holders of the Trust Securities (i) to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement
any  provisions  in the  Declaration  that may be  inconsistent  with any  other
provision,  or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under the  Declaration,  which shall not be inconsistent  with the other
provisions  of the  Declaration,  or (ii)  to  modify,  eliminate  or add to any
provisions  of the  Declaration  to such extent as shall be  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 not be  required  to  register  as an  "investment
company" under the Investment Company Act, or (iii) to modify, eliminate, or add
to any  provision  of the  Declaration  to such extent as shall be  necessary to
enable the Trust and the  Corporation to conduct an Exchange Offer in the manner
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement;  provided,  however,  that in
the case of clause (i), such action shall not  adversely  affect in any material
respect the interests of the holders of the Trust Securities.  Any amendments of
the  Declaration  pursuant to the foregoing  shall become  effective when notice
thereof is given to the holders of the Trust Securities.  The Declaration may be
amended by the  Issuer  Trustees  and the  Corporation  (i) with the  consent of
holders   representing  a  majority  (based  upon  Liquidation  Amount)  of  the
outstanding Trust Securities, and (ii) upon receipt by the Issuer Trustees of an
opinion of counsel to the effect  that such  amendment  or the  exercise  of any
power granted to the Issuer  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,  provided  that,  without the consent of each
holder of Trust Securities, the Declaration may not be amended to (i) change the
amount or timing of any Distribution or other payment on the Trust Securities or
otherwise  adversely  affect the  amount of any  Distribution  or other  payment
required to be made in respect of the Trust Securities as of a specified date or
(ii) restrict the right of a holder of Trust  Securities  to institute  suit for
the  enforcement of any such payment on or after such date; it being  understood
that the New Capital  Securities  and any Old Capital  Securities  which  remain
outstanding  after  consummation  of the Exchange  Offer will vote together as a
single  class for  purposes  of  determining  whether  holders of the  requisite
percentage in outstanding  Liquidation Amount thereof have taken certain actions
or exercised certain rights under the Declaration.

         So long as any Junior Subordinated  Debentures are held by the Property
Trustee,  the Issuer 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 such Debenture Trustee with respect to
the Junior Subordinated  Debentures,  (ii) waive certain past defaults under the
Indenture,  (iii)  exercise  any  right to  rescind  or annul a  declaration  of
acceleration  of the  maturity  of the  principal  of  the  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures or (iv) consent to any amendment,  modification or termination of the
Indenture or the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,  where such consent  shall be
required,  without, in each case, obtaining the prior approval of the holders of
a  majority  in  Liquidation  Amount  of  all  outstanding  Capital  Securities;
provided,  however,  that where a consent under the Indenture  would require the
consent of each holder of Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  affected thereby, no
such consent shall be given by the Property  Trustee  without the prior approval
of each holder of the Capital  Securities.  The Issuer Trustees shall not revoke
any action  previously  authorized  or  approved by a vote of the holders of the
Capital  Securities  except by  subsequent  vote of such  holders.  The Property
Trustee shall notify each holder of Capital  Securities of any notice of default
with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. In addition to obtaining the
foregoing approvals of such holders of the Capital  Securities,  prior to taking
any of the foregoing  actions,  the Issuer  Trustees  shall 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 New Capital Securities may be given
at a meeting of such  holders  convened  for such purpose or pursuant to written
consent.  The  Property  Trustee  will  cause a notice of any  meeting  at which
holders of New Capital  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 New Capital  Securities  in the manner set forth in the
Declaration.

         No vote or consent of the  holders of New  Capital  Securities  will be
required  for the Trust to redeem  and  cancel  the New  Capital  Securities  in
accordance with the Declaration.

         Notwithstanding  that holders of the Capital Securities are entitled to
vote or  consent  under any of the  circumstances  described  above,  any of the
Capital  Securities  that are owned by the  Corporation  or any affiliate of the
Corporation,  shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they
were not outstanding.

         Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer. The New Capital
Securities  initially will be  represented by one or more Capital  Securities in
registered,  global form (collectively,  the "Global Capital  Securities").  The
Global  Capital  Securities  will be deposited  upon  issuance with the Property
Trustee as custodian for DTC, in New York,  New York, and registered in the name
of DTC or its  nominee,  in each case for  credit to an  account  of a direct or
indirect participant in DTC as described below.

         Except  as set  forth  below,  the  Global  Capital  Securities  may be
transferred,  in whole and not in part,  only to another  nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its  nominee.  Beneficial  interests  in the Global  Capital
Securities  may not be exchanged  for Capital  Securities in  certificated  form
except in the limited circumstances described below.

         DTC has  advised  the Trust and the  Corporation  that DTC is a limited
purpose  trust  company  created  to  hold  securities  for  its   participating
organizations (collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance
and settlement of transactions in those securities between  Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants.  The Participants
include  securities  brokers and  dealers  (including  the Initial  Purchasers),
banks, trust companies,  clearing  corporations and certain other organizations.
Access  to DTC's  system  is also  available  to other  entities  such as banks,
brokers,  dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship  with a Participant,  either directly or indirectly  (collectively,
the "Indirect Participants").  Persons who are not Participants may beneficially
own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the  Participants or the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest
of each  actual  purchaser  of each  security  held by or on  behalf  of DTC are
recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.

         DTC has also advised the Trust and the  Corporation  that,  pursuant to
procedures established by it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Capital Securities,
DTC will credit the accounts of  Participants  with portions of the  Liquidation
Amount of the Global Capital  Securities and (ii) ownership of such interests in
the Global  Capital  Securities  will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership
thereof will be effected only through,  records  maintained by DTC (with respect
to the Participants) or by the Participants and the Indirect  Participants (with
respect  to  other  owners  of  beneficial   interests  in  the  Global  Capital
Securities).

         Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global
Capital  Securities will not have Capital  Securities  registered in their name,
will not receive physical  delivery of Capital  Securities in certificated  form
and will not be considered  the registered  owners or holders  thereof under the
Declaration for any purpose.

         Payments in respect of the Global  Capital  Security  registered in the
name of DTC or its nominee will be payable by the Property Trustee to DTC in its
capacity as the registered holder under the Declaration.  Under the terms of the
Declaration,  the  Property  Trustee  will treat the  persons in whose names the
Capital Securities,  including the Global Capital Securities,  are registered as
the owners  thereof for the purpose of receiving  such  payments and for any and
all other purposes  whatsoever.  Consequently,  neither the Property Trustee nor
any agent thereof has or will have any  responsibility  or liability for (i) any
aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect  Participant's  records
relating to or payments  made on account of  beneficial  interests in the Global
Capital  Securities,  or for maintaining,  supervising or reviewing any of DTC's
records or any Participant's or Indirect  Participant's  records relating to the
beneficial  interests in the Global Capital  Securities or (ii) any other matter
relating to the  actions  and  practices  of DTC or any of its  Participants  or
Indirect  Participants.  DTC has advised the Trust and the Corporation  that its
current  practice,  upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as
the Capital Securities,  is to credit the accounts of the relevant  Participants
with  the  payment  on the  payment  date,  in  amounts  proportionate  to their
respective  holdings  in  Liquidation  Amount  of  beneficial  interests  in the
relevant  security  as shown on the  records  of DTC  unless  DTC has  reason to
believe  it will not  receive  payment on such  payment  date.  Payments  by the
Participants  and the  Indirect  Participants  to the  beneficial  owners of New
Capital  Securities  will be  governed by standing  instructions  and  customary
practices and will be the  responsibility  of the  Participants  or the Indirect
Participants and will not be the  responsibility  of DTC, the Property  Trustee,
the Trust or the  Corporation.  Neither  the Trust  nor the  Corporation  or the
Property  Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants
in identifying  the  beneficial  owners of the New Capital  Securities,  and the
Trust,  the Corporation and the Property  Trustee may  conclusively  rely on and
will be  protected  in relying on  instructions  from DTC or its nominee for all
purposes.

         Beneficial  interests in the Global  Capital  Securities  will trade in
DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement  System and secondary market trading activity in
such interests will therefore settle in immediately  available funds, subject in
all cases to the rules and procedures of DTC and its participants.

         DTC has  advised  the Trust and the  Corporation  that it will take any
action  permitted to be taken by a holder of New Capital  Securities only at the
direction of one or more Participants to whose account with DTC interests in the
Global  Capital  Securities  are credited and only in respect of such portion of
the  Liquidation  Amount  of  the  New  Capital  Securities  as  to  which  such
Participant or Participants has or have given such direction.  However, if there
is an Event of Default under the Declaration, DTC reserves the right to exchange
the Global Capital  Securities for New Capital  Securities in certificated  form
and to distribute such New Capital Securities to its Participants.

         The  information  in this  section  concerning  DTC and its  book-entry
system has been obtained from sources that the Trust and the Corporation believe
to be reliable,  but neither the Trust nor the Corporation takes  responsibility
for the accuracy thereof.

         A Global Capital Security is exchangeable for New Capital Securities in
registered  certificated  form if (i)  DTC (x)  notifies  the  Trust  that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary  for the Global  Capital  Security
and the Trust thereupon fails to appoint a successor  Depositary  within 90-days
or (y) has ceased to be a clearing  agency  registered  under the Exchange  Act,
(ii) the Corporation in its sole discretion  elects to cause the issuance of the
New Capital  Securities in certificated  form or (iii) there shall have occurred
and be  continuing  an Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse
of time or both would be an Event of Default under the Declaration. In addition,
beneficial  interests  in  a  Global  Capital  Security  may  be  exchanged  for
certificated New Capital Securities upon request but only upon at least 20-days'
prior  written  notice given to the  Property  Trustee by or on behalf of DTC in
accordance with customary  procedures.  In all cases,  certificated  New Capital
Securities  delivered in exchange for any Global Capital  Security or beneficial
interests  therein will be registered  in the names,  and issued in any approved
denominations,  requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance  with
its customary  procedures),  unless the Property Trustee determines otherwise in
compliance with applicable law.

         Payment  and Paying  Agency.  Payments  in  respect of the New  Capital
Securities  held in global  form shall be made to the  Depositary,  which  shall
credit the relevant  accounts at the Depositary on the  applicable  Distribution
Dates  or in  respect  of the New  Capital  Securities  that are not held by the
Depositary,  such  payments  shall be made by check mailed to the address of the
holder entitled thereto as such address shall appear on the register. The paying
agent (the "Paying  Agent")  shall  initially  be the  Property  Trustee and any
co-paying   agent  chosen  by  the  Property   Trustee  and  acceptable  to  the
Administrative Trustees and the Corporation. The Paying Agent shall be permitted
to resign as Paying Agent upon 30 days' written  notice to the Property  Trustee
and the  Corporation.  In the event that the Property Trustee shall no longer be
the Paying Agent, the  Administrative  Trustees shall appoint a successor (which
shall be a bank or trust company acceptable to the  Administrative  Trustees and
the Corporation) to act as Paying Agent.

         Registrar  and  Transfer  Agent.  The  Property  Trustee  will  act  as
registrar and transfer agent for the New Capital Securities.

         Registration  of  transfers  of the  New  Capital  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 the New Capital  Securities  (i) during the period
starting 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption  and ending on the
date of such mailing and (ii) after they have been called for redemption.

         Information  Concerning the Property  Trustee.  The Property Trustee is
under  no  obligation  to  exercise  any  of  the  powers  vested  in it by  the
Declaration  at the  request  of any  holder  of Trust  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  Declaration or is unsure of the
application  of any provision of the  Declaration,  and the matter is not one on
which holders of the Capital  Securities or the Common  Securities  are entitled
under the Declaration to vote, then the Property  Trustee shall take such action
as is directed by the Corporation and if not so directed, shall 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 Corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes.  In this connection,  the Corporation
and  the  Administrative  Trustees  are  authorized  to  take  any  action,  not
inconsistent  with  applicable law, the certificate of trust of the Trust or the
Declaration,  that the Corporation and the Administrative  Trustees determine in
their discretion to be necessary or desirable for such purposes, as long as such
action does not materially  adversely affect the interests of the holders of the
Trust Securities.

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

         The Trust may not borrow money, issue debt, execute mortgages or pledge
any of its assets.


Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures

         The Old Junior  Subordinated  Debentures were issued and the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be issued as a separate series under the Indenture.
The Indenture has been qualified  under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of
certain  terms and  provisions  of the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  and the
Indenture  does not  purport  to be  complete,  and where  reference  is made to
particular  provisions  of  the  Indenture,   such  provisions,   including  the
definitions of certain terms,  some of which are not otherwise  defined  herein,
are  qualified in their  entirety by reference to all of the  provisions  of the
Indenture  and those terms made a part of the  Indenture by the Trust  Indenture
Act.

         General.  Concurrently with the issuance of the Capital Securities, the
Trust invested the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Corporation for the Common  Securities,  in Old Junior  Subordinated  Debentures
issued by the Corporation.  Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Corporation will
exchange the Old Junior Subordinated  Debentures,  in an amount corresponding to
the Old Capital Securities accepted for exchange, for a like aggregate principal
amount of the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures as soon as practicable  after
the date hereof.

         The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will bear interest at the annual
rate of 10.01% of the principal amount thereof, payable semi-annually in arrears
on March 15 and September 15 of each year (each,  an "Interest  Payment  Date"),
commencing  September  15,  1997,  to the  person  in  whose  name  each  Junior
Subordinated  Debenture is  registered,  subject to certain  exceptions,  at the
close of  business on the first day of the month in which the  relevant  payment
date falls. It is anticipated that, until the liquidation, if any, of the Trust,
each New Junior Subordinated  Debenture will be held in the name of the Property
Trustee in trust for the  benefit of the  holders of the Trust  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 New 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), in each case with the same force and effect as if
made such date.  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  10.01%  thereof,  compounded
semi-annually.  The term "interest",  as used herein,  shall include semi-annual
interest  payments,  interest on semi-annual  interest  payments not paid on the
applicable  Interest  Payment Date and Additional  Sums (as defined  below),  as
applicable.

          The New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures will mature on March 15, 2027
(the "Stated Maturity Date"). The New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures will rank
pari  passu  with the Old  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  and with all  Other
Debentures and will be unsecured and  subordinate and junior in right of payment
to the  extent  and in the  manner  set  forth in the  Indenture  to all  Senior
Indebtedness of the  Corporation.  See  "--Subordination."  The Corporation is a
non-operating  holding  company  and almost all of the  operating  assets of the
Corporation and its consolidated  subsidiaries  are owned by such  subsidiaries.
The Corporation relies primarily on dividends from such subsidiaries to meet its
obligations.  The  Corporation is a legal entity  separate and distinct from its
banking and non-banking  affiliates.  The principal sources of the Corporation's
income  are  dividends,  interest  and fees  from its  banking  and  non-banking
affiliates. UNB is subject to certain restrictions imposed by federal law on any
extensions of credit to, and certain other  transactions  with, the  Corporation
and certain other  affiliates,  and on investments in stock or other  securities
thereof.  Such  restrictions  prevent the Corporation and such other  affiliates
from  borrowing  from UNB  unless  the loans are  secured  by  various  types of
collateral.  Further,  such secured loans, other transactions and investments by
UNB are generally limited in amount as to the Corporation and as to each of such
other  affiliates to 10% of UNB's capital and surplus and as to the  Corporation
and all of such other  affiliates  to an aggregate  of 20% of UNB's  capital and
surplus. In addition,  payment of dividends to the Corporation by UNB is subject
to ongoing  review by  banking  regulators  and is subject to various  statutory
limitations and in certain circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory
authorities.  Because the  Corporation  is a holding  company,  the right of the
Corporation to participate in any  distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon
such subsidiary's  liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the
prior  claims  of  creditors  of  the  subsidiary,  except  to  the  extent  the
Corporation  may  itself  be  recognized  as  a  creditor  of  that  subsidiary.
Accordingly,   the  New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  will  be  effectively
subordinated  to all  existing  and  future  liabilities  of  the  Corporation's
subsidiaries, and holders of New Junior Subordinated Debentures should look only
to the assets of the  Corporation  for  payments on the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures.  The  Indenture  does not limit the  incurrence or issuance of other
secured or unsecured debt of the Corporation, including Senior Indebtedness. See
"--Subordination."

         Form,  Registration and Transfer. If the Junior Subordinated Debentures
are  distributed to holders of the Trust  Securities,  such Junior  Subordinated
Debentures may be represented by one or more global  certificates  registered in
the name of Cede & Co. as the nominee of DTC. The  depositary  arrangements  for
such Junior Subordinated  Debentures are expected to be substantially similar to
those in effect for the New Capital Securities. For a description of DTC and the
terms of the depositary  arrangements  relating to payments,  transfers,  voting
rights,  redemptions and other notices and other matters,  see "--Description of
New Capital Securities--Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer."

         Payment and Paying Agents.  Payment of principal of and premium, if any
and any  interest  on New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  will be made at the
office of the Debenture Trustee in The City of New York or at the office of such
Paying Agent or Paying  Agents as the  Corporation  may  designate  from time to
time,  except that at the option of the Corporation  payment of any interest may
be made except in the case of New Junior Subordinated Debentures in global form,
(i) by check  mailed to the  address  of the  Person  entitled  thereto  as such
address shall appear in the register for New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures or
(ii) by  transfer to an account  maintained  by the Person  entitled  thereto as
specified in such register, provided that proper transfer instructions have been
received by the relevant Record Date. The  Corporation has initially  designated
Trust  Company as  co-Paying  Agent.  Payment of any  interest on any New Junior
Subordinated  Debenture will be made to the Person in whose name such New Junior
Subordinated Debenture is registered at the close of business on the Record Date
for such interest, except in the case of defaulted interest. The Corporation may
at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any
Paying Agent;  however the Corporation will at all times be required to maintain
a  Paying  Agent  in each  Place  of  Payment  for the New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures.

         Any moneys deposited with the Debenture Trustee or any Paying Agent, or
then held by the  Corporation in trust,  for the payment of the principal of and
premium,  if any or  interest  on any  New  Junior  Subordinated  Debenture  and
remaining  unclaimed for two years after such  principal and premium,  if any or
interest has become due and payable shall, at the request of the Corporation, be
repaid  to the  Corporation  and the  holder  of such  New  Junior  Subordinated
Debenture shall thereafter look, as a general  unsecured  creditor,  only to the
Corporation for payment thereof.

         Option to Extend  Interest  Payment Date. So long as no Debenture Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing,  the Corporation  will have the right
under the  Indenture at any time during the term of the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures to defer the payment of interest at any time or from time to time for
a period not exceeding 10 consecutive  semi-annual  periods with respect to each
Extension Period, provided that no Extension Period may extend beyond the Stated
Maturity Date. At the end of such Extension Period, the Corporation must pay all
interest then accrued and unpaid  (together with interest  thereon at the annual
rate of 10.01%, compounded semi-annually,  to the extent permitted by applicable
law). During an Extension  Period,  interest will continue to accrue and holders
of New Junior Subordinated Debentures (and holders of the Trust Securities while
Trust Securities are outstanding) will be required to accrue interest income for
United  States  federal  income  tax  purposes  prior  to the  receipt  of  cash
attributable  to such income.  See "Certain  United  States  Federal  Income Tax
Considerations--Interest Income and Original Issue Discount."

         During any such Extension  Period,  the Corporation 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  Corporation's  capital stock
(which  includes  common  and  preferred  stock)  or (ii)  make any  payment  of
principal,  interest or premium,  if any, on or repay,  repurchase or redeem any
debt securities of the Corporation  (including any Other  Debentures)  that rank
pari passu  with or junior in right of  payment  to the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the  Corporation  of the debt  securities of any  subsidiary of the  Corporation
(including  any Other  Guarantees)  if such  guarantee  ranks pari passu with or
junior in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than
(a) dividends or  distributions  in shares of or options,  warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase  shares of, common stock of the  Corporation,  (b) any
declaration  of  a  dividend  in  connection  with  the   implementation   of  a
stockholders'  rights plan,  or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
payments  under  the  Guarantee,  (d) as a result of a  reclassification  of the
Corporation's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series
of  the  Corporation's  capital  stock  for  another  class  or  series  of  the
Corporation's  capital stock, (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares
of the  Corporation's  capital  stock  pursuant  to the  conversion  or exchange
provisions of such capital stock or the security  being  converted or exchanged,
and (f)  purchases  of common  stock  related to the issuance of common stock or
rights under any of the Corporation's benefit plans for its directors,  officers
or employees or any of the Corporation's dividend reinvestment plans).

         Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period,  the Corporation
may further extend such Extension Period,  provided that such extension does not
cause such Extension Period to exceed 10 consecutive  semi-annual  periods or to
extend  beyond  the  Stated  Maturity  Date.  Upon the  termination  of any such
Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due on any Interest Payment
Date, the Corporation may elect to begin a new Extension Period,  subject to the
above  requirements.  No interest  shall be due and payable  during an Extension
Period,  except at the end  thereof.  The  Corporation  must  give the  Property
Trustee,  the  Administrative  Trustees and the Debenture  Trustee notice of its
election  of any  Extension  Period  (or an  extension  thereof)  at least  five
Business  Days  prior to the  earlier of (i) the date the  Distributions  on the
Trust  Securities  would have been  payable  except for the election to begin or
extend such Extension  Period or (ii) the date the  Administrative  Trustees are
required to give notice to any securities  exchange or to holders of New Capital
Securities of the record date or the date such Distributions are payable, but in
any event not less  than five  Business  Days  prior to such  record  date.  The
Debenture  Trustee shall give notice of the  Corporation's  election to begin or
extend a new Extension Period to the holders of the Capital Securities. There is
no limitation on the number of times that the  Corporation may elect to begin an
Extension Period.

         Optional  Prepayment.  The New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures will be
prepayable,  in whole or in part, at the option of the  Corporation  on or after
the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, subject to the Corporation having received
prior approval of the Federal Reserve if then required under applicable  capital
guidelines  or policies  of the  Federal  Reserve,  at a  prepayment  price (the
"Optional  Prepayment  Price")  equal  to  the  percentage  of  the  outstanding
principal  amount of the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  specified  below,
plus,  in each  case,  accrued  interest  thereon to the date of  prepayment  if
redeemed  during the 12-month  period  beginning March 15 of the years indicated
below:

         Year                               Percentage

         2007                               105.00
         2008                               104.50
         2009                               104.00
         2010                               103.50
         2011                               103.00
         2012                               102.50
         2013                               102.00
         2014                               101.50
         2015                               101.00
         2016                               100.50
         2017 and thereafter                100.00

         Special  Event  Prepayment.  If a  Special  Event  shall  occur  and be
continuing,  the  Corporation  may,  at any time prior to the  Initial  Optional
Prepayment  Date,  within 90 days after the occurrence of the Special Event,  at
its option and subject to receipt of prior  approval  of the Federal  Reserve if
then required  under  applicable  capital  guidelines or policies of the Federal
Reserve,  prepay the New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  in whole (but not in
part) at a prepayment price (the "Special Event Prepayment  Price") equal to the
greater  of (i)  100%  of the  principal  amount  of  such  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures or (ii) the sum, as determined by a Quotation  Agent,  of the present
values of the  principal  amount and  premium  payable  as part of the  Optional
Prepayment  Price  with  respect  to  an  optional  redemption  of  such  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures on the Initial Optional  Prepayment Date, together with
scheduled  payments of interest from the prepayment date to the Initial Optional
Prepayment Date, in each case discounted to the prepayment date on a semi-annual
basis  (assuming  a 360-day  year  consisting  of twelve  30-day  months) at the
Adjusted  Treasury  Rate,  plus,  in either  case,  accrued and unpaid  interest
thereon to the date of prepayment.

         A "Special  Event" means a Tax Event or a Regulatory  Capital Event (as
defined below), as the case may be.

         A "Tax Event" means the receipt by the  Corporation and the Trust of an
opinion of a nationally  recognized  tax 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 such  pronouncement  or decision is announced on or after
the Issue Date, 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 Corporation on the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  is not, or within 90 days of the date of such  opinion
will not be,  deductible  by the  Corporation,  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 such  opinion,  subject to more than a de minimis  amount of
other taxes, duties or other governmental charges.

         A  "Regulatory  Capital  Event" means that the  Corporation  shall have
received an opinion of independent bank regulatory  counsel  experienced in such
matters  to the  effect  that,  as a result of (a) any  amendment  to, or change
(including any announced  prospective  change) in, the laws (or any  regulations
thereunder)  of the United  States or any rules,  guidelines  or policies of the
Federal  Reserve or (b) any official  administrative  pronouncement  or judicial
decision  interpreting or applying such laws or regulations,  which amendment or
change is effective or such  pronouncement  or decision is announced on or after
the Issue Date, the Capital  Securities do not constitute,  or within 90 days of
the date of such  opinion,  will not  constitute,  Tier 1  Capital  (or its then
equivalent);  provided, however, that a Regulatory Capital Event shall not occur
by reason of the use of the proceeds of the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  by
the Corporation contemplated herein.

         "Adjusted  Treasury Rate" means,  with respect to any prepayment  date,
the rate per annum equal to (i) the yield,  under the heading  which  represents
the  average for the  immediately  prior week,  appearing  in the most  recently
published   statistical   release   designated   "H.15(519)"  or  any  successor
publication  which  is  published  weekly  by  the  Federal  Reserve  and  which
established yields on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted
to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury  Constant  Maturities," for the
maturity  date  corresponding  to the Initial  Optional  Prepayment  Date (if no
maturity  date is within  three  months  before or after  the  Initial  Optional
Prepayment  Date,   yields  for  the  two  published   maturities  most  closely
corresponding to the Initial Optional  Prepayment Date shall be interpolated and
the Adjusted  Treasury  Rate shall be  interpolated  or  extrapolated  from such
yields on a straight-line basis,  rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such
release (or any successor  release) is not published  during the week  preceding
the calculation  date or does not contain such yields,  the rate per annum equal
to the  semi-annual  equivalent  yield to  maturity of the  Comparable  Treasury
Issue,  assuming  a price for the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue  (expressed  as a
percentage of its principal  amount) equal to the Comparable  Treasury Price for
such  prepayment  date plus,  in either case (A) 2.50% if such  prepayment  date
occurs on or prior to March 15, 1998 and (B) 1.75% in all other cases.

         "Comparable  Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury  security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity date  corresponding  to the
Initial Optional Prepayment Date that would be utilized at the time of selection
and in accordance with customary  financial  practice,  in pricing new issues of
corporate  debt  securities  with a maturity date  corresponding  to the Initial
Optional  Prepayment Date. If no United States Treasury  security has a maturity
date  which is  within  three  months  before  or  after  the  Initial  Optional
Prepayment  Date,  the two most closely  corresponding  United  States  Treasury
securities  shall be used as the Comparable  Treasury Issue, and the calculation
of the Adjusted Treasury Rate pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition  thereof
shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis,  rounding to the
nearest month.

         "Quotation Agent" means the Reference  Treasury Dealer appointed by the
Corporation.  "Reference Treasury Dealer" means any U.S.  Government  securities
dealer  in  New  York  City  (a  "Primary  Treasury  Dealer")  selected  by  the
Corporation.

         "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any prepayment date,
(i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage  of its  principal  amount) on the third
Business  Day  preceding  such  prepayment  date,  as set  forth  in  the  daily
statistical  release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New  York  and  designated  "Composite  3:30  p.m.  Quotations  for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such  Business Day, (A) the average
of five Reference  Treasury Dealer  Quotations for such prepayment  date,  after
excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer  Quotations,  or
(B) if the Debenture  Trustee  obtains fewer than three such Reference  Treasury
Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

         "Reference  Treasury  Dealer  Quotations"  means,  with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any prepayment date, the average, as determined by
the Debenture Trustee,  of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable  Treasury
Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Debenture Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such prepayment date.

         "Additional Sums" means such additional  amounts as may be necessary in
order that the amount of Distributions  then due and payable by the Trust on the
outstanding  Capital  Securities and Common Securities shall not be reduced as a
result of any additional taxes,  duties or other  governmental  charges to which
the Trust has become subject as a result of a Tax Event.

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

         If the Trust is required to pay any additional  taxes,  duties or other
governmental  charges as a result of a Tax Event,  the  Corporation  will pay as
additional  amounts on the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  the  Additional
Sums.

         Certain  Covenants  of  the  Corporation.  The  Corporation  will  also
covenant that it will 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  Corporation's  capital stock (which includes common and preferred stock)
or (ii) make any payment of principal,  interest or premium, if any, on or repay
or repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Corporation  (including Other
Debentures)  that rank pari  passu with or junior in right of payment to the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect
to any guarantee by the  Corporation  of any securities of any subsidiary of the
Corporation  (including Other  Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu or
junior in right of payment to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures (other than
(a) dividends or distributions  in shares of, or options,  warrants or rights to
subscribe for or purchase  shares of, common stock of the  Corporation,  (b) any
declaration  of  a  dividend  in  connection  with  the   implementation   of  a
stockholder's  rights plan,  or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto, (c)
payments under the Guarantee,  (d) as a direct result of, and only to the extent
required in order to avoid the issuance of  fractional  shares of capital  stock
following a reclassification of the Corporation's  capital stock or the exchange
or  conversion  of one class or series of the  Corporation's  capital  stock for
another class or series of the Corporation's  capital stock, (e) the purchase of
fractional  interests in shares of the  Corporation's  capital stock pursuant to
the  conversion  or exchange  provisions  of such capital  stock or the security
being  converted or exchanged,  and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Corporation's  benefit plans
for its directors,  officers or employees or any of the  Corporation's  dividend
reinvestment plans) if at such time (1) a Debenture Event of Default occurs, (2)
there  shall  have  occurred  any  event of which  the  Corporation  has  actual
knowledge  that (a) with the  giving of  notice  or the lapse of time,  or both,
would  be a  Debenture  Event  of  Default  and  (b) in  respect  of  which  the
Corporation  shall not have taken  reasonable steps to cure, (3) the Corporation
shall be in default  with  respect to its payment of any  obligations  under the
Guarantee or (4) the  Corporation  shall have given notice of its election of an
Extension  Period,  or any extension  thereof,  as provided in the Indenture and
shall  not have  rescinded  such  notice,  and  such  Extension  Period,  or any
extension thereof shall have commenced.

         The  Corporation  will  also  covenant  (i)  to  maintain  100  percent
ownership  of the  Common  Securities;  provided,  however,  that any  permitted
successor  of  the   Corporation   under  the   Indenture  may  succeed  to  the
Corporation's  ownership of the Common  Securities,  (ii) to use its  reasonable
efforts to cause the Trust (a) to remain a statutory  business trust,  except in
connection  with the  distribution  of  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  to the
holders of Trust  Securities in liquidation of the Trust,  the redemption of all
of the Trust  Securities of the Trust,  or certain  mergers,  consolidations  or
amalgamations,  each as permitted by the  Declaration  of the Trust,  and (b) to
continue not to be classified as an  association  taxable as a corporation  or a
partnership  for United States  federal income tax purposes and (iii) to use its
reasonable  efforts to cause each  holder of Trust  Securities  to be treated as
owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

         Modification  of Indenture.  From time to time the  Corporation and the
Debenture Trustee may, without the consent of the holders of Junior Subordinated
Debentures,  amend,  waive or supplement  the Indenture for specified  purposes,
including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies or
enabling  the  Corporation  and the  Trust  to  conduct  an  Exchange  Offer  as
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement (provided that any such action
does not  materially  adversely  affect the  interest  of the  holders of Junior
Subordinated  Debentures) and qualifying,  or maintaining the  qualification of,
the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Indenture  contains  provisions
permitting the  Corporation and the Debenture  Trustee,  with the consent of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures,  to
modify the  Indenture in a manner  affecting the rights of the holders of Junior
Subordinated  Debentures;  provided,  that no such modification may, without the
consent of the holders of each  outstanding  Junior  Subordinated  Debenture  so
affected,  (i) change the Stated Maturity, or reduce the principal amount of the
Junior Subordinated  Debentures 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.

         Debenture  Events of Default.  The  Indenture  provides that any one or
more  of  the  following  described  events  with  respect  to  the  New  Junior
Subordinated Debentures constitutes a "Debenture Event of Default" (whatever the
reason for such Debenture  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):

         (i)  failure  for  30-days  to  pay  any  interest  on the  New  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  or any  Other  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 or premium, if any, on the New Junior
Subordinated  Debentures or any Other  Debentures  when due whether at maturity,
upon redemption, by declaration of acceleration of maturity 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  Corporation  from the  Debenture  Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate outstanding principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures; or

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

         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.

         The holders of a majority in aggregate  outstanding principal amount of
the  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  affected  thereby  may,  on behalf of the
holders  of all the  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,  waive any past  default,
except a default in the payment of  principal  or  premium,  if any, or interest
(unless  such  default  has been cured and a sum  sufficient  to pay all matured
installments  of interest and premium,  if any, and principal due otherwise than
by acceleration  has been deposited with the Debenture  Trustee) or a default in
respect of a covenant or provision which under the Indenture  cannot be modified
or  amended  without  the  consent  of the  holder  of each  outstanding  Junior
Subordinated Debenture.

         The Indenture  requires the annual filing by the  Corporation  with the
Debenture  Trustee of a certificate as to the absence of certain  defaults under
the Indenture.

         The Indenture  provides that the Debenture  Trustee may withhold notice
of a  Debenture  Event of Default  from the  holders of the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  (except a Debenture  Event of Default in payment of principal of, or
of interest or premium on, the Junior Subordinated  Debentures) if the Debenture
Trustee considers it in the interest of such holders to do so.

         Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of New Capital Securities.  If
a Debenture  Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and shall be
attributable  to the failure of the  Corporation to pay interest or premium,  if
any, on or principal of the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures on the due date,
a  holder  of  New  Capital  Securities  may  institute  a  Direct  Action.  The
Corporation 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 New
Capital Securities. Notwithstanding any payments made to a holder of New Capital
Securities  by  the  Corporation  in  connection  with  a  Direct  Action,   the
Corporation  shall remain obligated to pay the principal of or premium,  if any,
or interest on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures, and the Corporation shall
be  subrogated to the rights of the holder of such New Capital  Securities  with
respect to payments on the New Capital  Securities to the extent of any payments
made by the Corporation to such holder in any Direct Action.

         The holders of the New Capital  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 New Junior Subordinated  Debentures unless there
shall have been an Event of Default under the Declaration. See "--Description of
New Capital Securities--Events of Default; Notice."

         Consolidation,  Merger,  Sale of  Assets  and Other  Transactions.  The
Indenture provides that the Corporation shall not consolidate with or merge into
any other Person or convey,  transfer or lease its  properties  and assets as an
entirety or  substantially  as an entirety  to any Person,  and no Person  shall
consolidate with or merge into the Corporation or convey,  transfer or lease its
properties  and assets as an  entirety  or  substantially  as an entirety to the
Corporation,  unless:  (i) in case the Corporation  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 the Corporation's 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,  shall have  occurred and be
continuing;  and (iii) certain  other  conditions as prescribed in the Indenture
are met.

         The general  provisions of the  Indenture do not afford  holders of the
Junior Subordinated  Debentures protection in the event of a highly leveraged or
other transaction involving the Corporation that may adversely affect holders of
the New Junior Subordinated Debentures.

         Satisfaction  and Discharge.  The Indenture  provides that when,  among
other things, all New 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 maturity  within one year,  and the  Corporation
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 New Junior Subordinated  Debentures not previously delivered
to the Debenture  Trustee for cancellation,  for the principal (and premium,  if
any) and interest to the date of the deposit or to the Stated  Maturity Date, as
the case may be, then the Indenture  will cease to be of further  effect (except
as to the  Corporation's  obligations  to pay all other sums due pursuant to the
Indenture  and to provide the  officers'  certificates  and  opinions of counsel
described  therein),  and the  Corporation  will be deemed to have satisfied and
discharged the Indenture.

         Subordination.  In the Indenture,  the  Corporation  has covenanted and
agreed that any Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subordinate and junior in
right of payment  to all  Senior  Indebtedness  to the  extent  provided  in the
Indenture.  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  proceeding of the  Corporation,  the holders of Senior  Indebtedness
will  first be  entitled  to receive  payment in full in respect of such  Senior
Indebtedness  before  the  holders  of Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  will be
entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect thereof.

         In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of Junior Subordinated
Debentures,  the holders of all Senior  Indebtedness  outstanding at the time of
such  acceleration  will first be entitled to receive payment in full in respect
of such Senior Indebtedness before the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be  entitled  to  receive  or retain  any  payment in respect of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.

         No payments on account of principal  (or premium,  if any) or interest,
if any, in respect of the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  may be made if there
shall have  occurred and be  continuing a default in any payment with respect to
Senior  Indebtedness,  or an  event  of  default  with  respect  to  any  Senior
Indebtedness  resulting in the acceleration of the maturity  thereof,  or if any
judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default.

         "Indebtedness"  shall  mean (i) any  obligation  of, or any  obligation
guaranteed by, the Corporation  for the repayment of borrowed money,  whether or
not evidenced by bonds,  debentures,  notes or other written instruments and any
deferred  obligation for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets
acquired other than in the ordinary course of business and (ii) all indebtedness
of the Corporation for claims in respect of derivative products such as interest
and  foreign   exchange  rate   contracts,   commodity   contracts  and  similar
arrangements,  whether  outstanding on the date of execution of the Indenture or
thereafter created, assumed or incurred. For purposes of this definition "claim"
shall have the meaning  assigned  in Section  101(5) of the  Bankruptcy  Code of
1978, as amended and in effect on the date of the execution of the Indenture.

         "Indebtedness   Ranking  on  a  Parity  with  the  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures"  shall  mean  Indebtedness,  whether  outstanding  on  the  date  of
execution of the Indenture or  thereafter  created,  assumed or incurred,  which
specifically  by its  terms  ranks  equally  with and not  prior  to the  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  in the  right of  payment  upon the  happening  of the
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or  reorganization  of the Corporation.
The securing of any Indebtedness, otherwise constituting Indebtedness Ranking on
a Parity with the Junior Subordinated Debentures, shall not be deemed to prevent
such Indebtedness from  constituting  Indebtedness  Ranking on a Parity with the
Junior Subordinated Debentures.

         "Indebtedness  Ranking  Junior to the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures"
shall mean any Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the
Indenture or thereafter created,  assumed or incurred, which specifically by its
terms ranks junior to and not equally  with or prior to the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  (and any other  Indebtedness  Ranking  on a Parity  with the  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures)  in  right  of  payment  upon  the  happening  of  the
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or  reorganization  of the Corporation.
The securing of any Indebtedness,  otherwise  constituting  Indebtedness Ranking
Junior to the  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,  shall not be deemed to prevent
such Indebtedness from  constituting  Indebtedness  Ranking Junior to the Junior
Subordinated Debentures.

         "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all Indebtedness,  whether outstanding
on the date of execution  of the  Indenture or  thereafter  created,  assumed or
incurred,  except Indebtedness  Ranking on a Parity with the Junior Subordinated
Debentures or Indebtedness Ranking Junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
and any deferrals, renewals or extensions of such Senior Indebtedness.

         The  Corporation is a  non-operating  holding company and almost all of
the  operating  assets  of  the  Corporation  are  owned  by  the  Corporation's
subsidiaries. The Corporation relies primarily on dividends from UNB to meet its
obligations  for  payment of  principal  and  interest on its  outstanding  debt
obligations and corporate  expenses.  The Corporation is a legal entity separate
and distinct from its banking and non-banking affiliates.  The principal sources
of the  Corporation's  income are dividends,  interest and fees from its banking
and non-banking  affiliates.  UNB is subject to certain  restrictions imposed by
federal law on any extensions of credit to, and certain other transactions with,
the  Corporation  and certain other  affiliates,  and on investments in stock or
other securities  thereof.  Such  restrictions  prevent the Corporation and such
other affiliates from borrowing from UNB unless the loans are secured by various
types of  collateral.  Further,  such  secured  loans,  other  transactions  and
investments by UNB are generally  limited in amount as to the Corporation and as
to each of such other  affiliates  to 10% of UNB's capital and surplus and as to
the Corporation and all of such other  affiliates to an aggregate of 20% of such
UNB's capital and surplus. In addition,  payment of dividends to the Corporation
by UNB is  subject to ongoing  review by  banking  regulators  and is subject to
various statutory limitations and in certain circumstances  requires approval by
banking regulatory authorities.  Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be effectively  subordinated to all existing and future  liabilities of the
Corporation's  subsidiaries.  Holders of Junior  Subordinated  Debentures should
look  only to the  assets  of the  Corporation  for  payments  of  interest  and
principal and premium, if any.

         The Indenture  places no limitation on the amount of additional  Senior
Indebtedness  that may be incurred by the Corporation.  The Corporation  expects
from  time  to  time  to  incur  additional  indebtedness   constituting  Senior
Indebtedness.

         Governing Law. The Indenture and the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be governed by and  construed in  accordance  with the laws of the State of
New York.

         Information  Concerning the Debenture  Trustee.  Following the Exchange
Offer and the  qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, the
Debenture   Trustee   shall   have  and  be   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 New 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.

Description of New Guarantee

         The  Old  Guarantee  was  executed  and  delivered  by the  Corporation
concurrently  with the issuance by the Trust of the Old Capital  Securities  for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Old Capital  Securities.  As
soon as practicable  after the date hereof,  the Old Guarantee will be exchanged
by the  Corporation  for the New  Guarantee  for the benefit of the holders from
time to time of the New Capital  Securities.  The  Guarantee  Agreement has been
qualified under the Trust  Indenture Act. This summary of certain  provisions of
the Guarantee  Agreement  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 Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms, and the
Trust  Indenture  Act. The  Guarantee  Trustee will hold the  Guarantee  for the
benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities.

         General.  The Corporation  will  irrevocably  agree to pay in full on a
subordinated  basis, to the extent set forth herein,  the Guarantee Payments (as
defined  below) to the holders of the New Capital  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 New Capital Securities, to the extent not paid by or on behalf of
the Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"),  will be subject to the New Guarantee: (i)
any  accumulated  and unpaid  Distributions  required  to be paid on New Capital
Securities,  to the extent  that the Trust has funds on hand  legally  available
therefor at such time, (ii) the applicable  Redemption Price with respect to New
Capital Securities called for redemption, to the extent that the Trust has funds
on hand legally  available  therefor at such time,  or (iii) upon a voluntary or
involuntary  termination  and  liquidation  of  the  Trust  (unless  the  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures are distributed to holders of the Capital  Securities),
the lesser of (a) the Liquidation  Distribution  and (b) the amount of assets of
the Trust  remaining  available  for  distribution  to  holders  of New  Capital
Securities.  The  Corporation's  obligation  to make a Guarantee  Payment may be
satisfied by direct  payment of the required  amounts by the  Corporation to the
holders  of the New  Capital  Securities  or by  causing  the  Trust to pay such
amounts to such holders.

         The New Guarantee will rank  subordinate and junior in right of payment
to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided therein.  See "--Status of New
Guarantee".  Because  the  Corporation  is a holding  company,  the right of the
Corporation to participate in any  distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon
such subsidiary's  liquidation or reorganization or otherwise, is subject to the
prior  claims  of  creditors  of  that  subsidiary,  except  to the  extent  the
Corporation  may  itself  be  recognized  as  a  creditor  of  that  subsidiary.
Accordingly,  the  Corporation's  obligations  under the New  Guarantee  will be
effectively   subordinated  to  all  existing  and  future  liabilities  of  the
Corporation's subsidiaries,  and claimants should look only to the assets of the
Corporation  for  payments   thereunder.   See   "--Description  of  New  Junior
Subordinated   Debentures--General."  The  New  Guarantee  does  not  limit  the
incurrence  or issuance of other secured or unsecured  debt of the  Corporation,
including Senior Indebtedness,  whether under the Indenture, any other indenture
that the Corporation may enter into in the future or otherwise.

         The Corporation will, through the New Guarantee,  the Declaration,  the
New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures and the Indenture,  taken together,  fully,
irrevocably and  unconditionally  guarantee all of the Trust's obligations under
the New Capital  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
Trust's  obligations under the New Capital  Securities.  See "Relationship Among
the New Capital Securities,  the New Junior Subordinated  Debentures and the New
Guarantee."

         Status of New Guarantee. The New Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Corporation  and will rank  subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness in the same manner as New Junior Subordinated
Debentures,  except in the case of a  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  proceeding  in
respect  of  the  Corporation,  in  which  case  the  New  Guarantee  will  rank
subordinate and junior in right of payment to all liabilities  (other than Other
Guarantees) of the Corporation.

         The New Guarantee  will rank pari passu with the Old Guarantee and with
all  Other  Guarantees  issued  by  the  Corporation.  The  New  Guarantee  will
constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection  (i.e.,  the  guaranteed
party may  institute a legal  proceeding  directly  against the  Corporation  to
enforce its rights under the New  Guarantee  without  first  instituting a legal
proceeding  against any other person or entity).  The New Guarantee will be held
for the benefit of the holders of the New Capital Securities.  The New 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 to the holders of the New
Capital Securities of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Guarantee does
not place a limitation on the amount of additional Senior  Indebtedness that may
be incurred by the  Corporation.  The  Corporation  expects from time to time to
incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness.

         Amendments and  Assignment.  Except with respect to any changes that do
not  materially  adversely  affect  the  rights of  holders  of the New  Capital
Securities  (in which case no vote will be required),  the New Guarantee may not
be amended  without  the prior  approval  of the  holders  of a majority  of the
Liquidation  Amount of such  outstanding New Capital  Securities.  The manner of
obtaining  any such approval  will be as set forth under  "--Description  of New
Capital Securities--Voting Rights; Amendment of the Declaration." All guarantees
and agreements  contained in the Guarantee  Agreement shall bind the successors,
assigns,  receivers,  trustees and  representatives of the Corporation and shall
inure  to the  benefit  of  the  holders  of the  New  Capital  Securities  then
outstanding.

         Events of Default.  An event of default  under the New  Guarantee  will
occur upon the failure of the Corporation to perform any of its payment or other
obligations  thereunder.  The holders of a majority in Liquidation Amount of the
New Capital  Securities will 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 New  Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power
conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee under the New Guarantee.

         Any  holder  of the  New  Capital  Securities  may  institute  a  legal
proceeding  directly against the Corporation to enforce its rights under the New
Guarantee  without first  instituting a legal proceeding  against the Trust, the
Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.

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

         Termination of the New Guarantee.  The New Guarantee will terminate and
be of no further force and effect upon full payment of the applicable Redemption
Price of the New Capital Securities, upon full payment of the Liquidation Amount
payable  upon  liquidation  of the  Trust  or upon  distribution  of New  Junior
Subordinated  Debentures to the holders of the New Capital  Securities.  The New
Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be  reinstated,  as the case may
be, if at any time any holder of the New Capital Securities must restore payment
of any sums paid under the New Capital Securities or the New Guarantee.

         Governing  Law. The New Guarantee  will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         Information  Concerning the Guarantee  Trustee.  The Guarantee Trustee,
other than during the occurrence and continuance of a default by the Corporation
in performance of the New Guarantee,  will undertake to perform only such duties
as are  specifically  set forth in the Guarantee and, after default with respect
to the New  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 this provision,  the Guarantee Trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of the powers  vested in it by the New  Guarantee at the request of
any  holder  of the New  Capital  Securities  unless  it is  offered  reasonable
indemnity  against the costs,  expenses and  liabilities  that might be incurred
thereby.

                          DESCRIPTION OF OLD SECURITIES

         The Old Securities have not been  registered  under the Securities Act,
are  subject to certain  restrictions  on transfer  and are  entitled to certain
rights under the applicable  Registration  Rights  Agreement  (which rights will
terminate  upon  consummation  of  the  Exchange  Offer,  except  under  limited
circumstances).  The New Capital  Securities  will contain the $100,000  minimum
Liquidation  Amount  transfer  restriction  but will not contain  certain  other
restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital  Securities,  and the New
Capital  Securities will not provide for any increase in the  Distribution  rate
thereon.  The New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  will  contain  the  $100,000
minimum  principal amount transfer  restriction and the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  will not provide for any increase in the interest rate thereon.  The
Old Securities provide that, in the event that a registration statement relating
to the  Exchange  Offer has not been filed by August 18, 1997 and been  declared
effective by September 17, 1997, or, in certain  limited  circumstances,  in the
event a shelf registration  statement (the "Shelf Registration  Statement") with
respect to the resale of the Old Capital Securities is not declared effective by
September  17,  1997,  then  interest  will  accrue (in  addition  to the stated
interest rate on the Old Junior  Subordinated  Debentures)  at the rate of 0.25%
per annum on the principal amount of the Old Junior Subordinated  Debentures and
Distributions  will accrue (in addition to the stated  Distribution  rate on the
Old Capital Securities) at the rate of 0.25% per annum on the Liquidation Amount
of the Old Capital Securities,  for the period from the occurrence of such event
until such time as such required  Exchange  Offer is consummated or any required
Shelf Registration Statement is effective.  The New Securities are not, and upon
consummation  of the Exchange Offer the Old Securities  will not be, entitled to
any such  additional  interest  or  Distributions.  Accordingly,  holders of Old
Capital   Securities  should  review  the  information  set  forth  under  "Risk
Factors--Certain  Consequences of a Failure to Exchange Old Capital  Securities"
and "Description of New Securities."

               RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES, THE
            NEW JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND THE NEW GUARANTEE

Full and Unconditional Guarantee

         Payments  of  Distributions  and other  amounts  due on the New Capital
Securities (to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally  available for the
payment of such Distributions) will be irrevocably guaranteed by the Corporation
as and to the extent set forth under "Description of New Securities--Description
of New Guarantee." Taken together,  the Corporation's  obligations under the New
Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,  the Indenture,  the  Declaration  and the New
Guarantee will provide, in the aggregate,  a full, irrevocable and unconditional
guarantee of payments of Distributions  and other amounts due on the New Capital
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 Trust's obligations under the New
Capital Securities.  If and to the extent that the Corporation does not make the
required payments on the New Junior Subordinated Debentures,  the Trust will not
have sufficient funds to make the related payments, including Distributions,  on
the New Capital  Securities.  The New Guarantee  will not cover any such payment
when the  Trust  does  not  have  sufficient  funds  on hand  legally  available
therefor.  In such event, the remedy of a holder of New Capital Securities is to
institute a Direct  Action.  The  obligations of the  Corporation  under the New
Guarantee  will be  subordinate  and  junior in right of  payment  to all Senior
Indebtedness.

Sufficiency of Payments

         As long as payments of interest and other payments are made when due on
the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures,  such  payments  will be sufficient to
cover  Distributions  and  other  payments  due on the New  Capital  Securities,
primarily because: (i) the aggregate principal amount or Prepayment Price of the
New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures will be equal to the sum of the Liquidation
Amount or Redemption  Price,  as applicable,  of the New Capital  Securities and
Common  Securities,  (ii) the interest rate and interest and other payment dates
on the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures will match the Distribution rate and
Distribution  and  other  payment  dates  for the  Trust  Securities;  (iii) the
Corporation  shall pay for all and any costs,  expenses and  liabilities  of the
Trust except the Trust's  obligations to holders of Trust  Securities under such
Trust  Securities;  and  (iv) the  Declaration  provides  that the  Trust is not
authorized  to engage in any activity  that is not  consistent  with the limited
purposes thereof.

Enforcement Rights of Holders of New Capital Securities

         A holder of any New Capital  Security may institute a legal  proceeding
directly  against the  Corporation to enforce its rights under the New Guarantee
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Guarantee Trustee,  the
Trust or any other person or entity.

         A default or event of default under any Senior  Indebtedness  would not
constitute a default or Event of Default under the Declaration.  However, in the
event of payment  defaults under, or acceleration of, Senior  Indebtedness,  the
subordination  provisions of the Indenture  provide that no payments may be made
in  respect  of  the  New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  until  such  Senior
Indebtedness  has been paid in full or any payment  default  thereunder has been
cured or waived.  Failure to make required  payments on New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures would constitute an Event of Default under the Declaration.

Limited Purpose of the Trust

         The Trust  exists for the sole purpose of issuing and selling the Trust
Securities,  using the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities to acquire
the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures and engaging in only those other activities
necessary,  advisable or incidental  thereto.  The New Capital  Securities  will
represent preferred  beneficial  interests in the Trust. A principal  difference
between the rights of a holder of a New Capital  Security  and a holder of a New
Junior  Subordinated  Debenture  is that a holder of a New  Junior  Subordinated
Debenture will be entitled to receive from the Corporation the principal  amount
of (and  premium,  if any) and  interest on New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures
held,  while  a  holder  of  New  Capital  Securities  is  entitled  to  receive
Distributions from the Trust (or, in certain circumstances, from the Corporation
under  the New  Guarantee)  if and to the  extent  the  Trust  has funds on hand
legally available for the payment of such Distributions.

Rights Upon Termination

         Unless the Junior Subordinated Debentures are distributed to holders of
the  Trust  Securities,  upon  any  voluntary  or  involuntary  termination  and
liquidation of the Trust,  the holders of the Trust  Securities will be entitled
to receive,  out of assets held by the Trust,  the  Liquidation  Distribution in
cash.  See   "Description   of  New   Securities--Description   of  New  Capital
Securities--Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures." Upon any voluntary or involuntary  liquidation or bankruptcy of the
Corporation,  the  Property  Trustee,  as holder of the New Junior  Subordinated
Debentures, would be a subordinated creditor of the Corporation, subordinated in
right of payment to all Senior  Indebtedness as set forth in the Indenture,  but
entitled  to receive  payment in full of  principal  (and  premium,  if any) and
interest,  before  any  stockholders  of the  Corporation  receive  payments  or
distributions.  Since  the  Corporation  will  be the  guarantor  under  the New
Guarantee and will agree to pay for all costs,  expenses and  liabilities of the
Trust  (other  than  the  Trust's  obligations  to  the  holders  of  its  Trust
Securities), the positions of a holder of New Capital Securities and a holder of
New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures relative to stockholders of the Corporation
in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy of the  Corporation are expected to be
substantially the same.


             CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

General

         In the  opinion  of  Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp  &  Szuch,  counsel  to the
Corporation and the Trust ("Tax Counsel"), the following is a summary of certain
of the material  United States federal income tax  consequences of the purchase,
ownership and  disposition  of Capital  Securities  held as capital  assets by a
holder.  This  summary  only  addresses  the tax  consequences  to a holder that
acquired  the Old Capital  Securities  upon initial  issuance at their  original
offering  price. It does not deal with special classes of holders such as banks,
thrifts,   real  estate  investment  trusts,   regulated  investment  companies,
insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies,  tax-exempt investors,
or persons that will hold the Capital  Securities as a position in a "straddle,"
as  part  of a  "synthetic  security"  or  "hedge,"  as  part  of a  "conversion
transaction" or other integrated  investment,  or as other than a capital asset.
This summary also does not address the tax  consequences  to persons that have a
functional  currency  other  than the U.S.  dollar  or the tax  consequences  to
shareholders,  partners  or  beneficiaries  of a holder of  Capital  Securities.
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 Capital  Securities.  This summary is
based on the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the  "Code"),  Treasury
regulations thereunder, the administrative and judicial interpretations thereof,
as of the date  hereof,  all of which  are  subject  to  change,  possibly  on a
retroactive basis. See " -- Proposed Tax Legislation."

Exchange of Capital Securities

         The  exchange of Old  Capital  Securities  for New  Capital  Securities
should not be a taxable  event to holders for United States  federal  income tax
purposes.  The  exchange of Old Capital  Securities  for New Capital  Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer should not be treated as an "exchange" for United
States federal income tax purposes because the New Capital Securities should not
be  considered  to  differ  materially  in kind or extent  from the Old  Capital
Securities  and because the exchange will occur by operation of the terms of the
Old Capital Securities.  If, however, the exchange of the Old Capital Securities
for the New Capital  Securities  were treated as an exchange  for United  States
federal income tax purposes,  such exchange should constitute a recapitalization
for federal income tax purposes.  Accordingly, the New Capital Securities should
have the same issue price as the Old  Capital  Securities,  and a holder  should
have  the  same  adjusted  tax  basis  and  holding  period  in the New  Capital
Securities as the holder had in the Old Capital  Securities  immediately  before
the exchange.

Classification of the Junior Subordinated Debentures

         In  connection  with  the  issuance  of  the  Old  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures,  Tax Counsel has rendered its opinion  generally to the effect that,
under  then  current  law and  assuming  full  compliance  with the terms of the
Indenture  (and  certain  other  documents),  and  based on  certain  facts  and
assumptions  contained in such opinion,  the Old Junior Subordinated  Debentures
will be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness
of the Corporation.  An opinion of Tax Counsel,  however,  is not binding on the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or the courts. Prospective investors should
note that no rulings  have been or are  expected  to be sought from the IRS with
respect to any of these issues and no  assurance  can be given that the IRS will
not take contrary positions. Moreover, no assurance can be given that any of the
opinions  expressed  herein will not be challenged by the IRS or, if challenged,
that such a challenge would not be successful.

Classification of the Trust

         In  connection  with the  issuance of the Old Capital  Securities,  Tax
Counsel  has  rendered  its opinion  generally  to the effect  that,  under then
current law and assuming full  compliance  with the terms of the Declaration and
the  Indenture  (and certain  other  documents),  and based on certain facts and
assumptions  contained in such opinion,  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.  Accordingly,  for United States  federal  income tax
purposes,  each holder of Capital  Securities  generally  will be considered the
owner of an undivided interest in the Junior Subordinated  Debentures,  and each
holder  will be  required to include in its gross  income any  interest  (or OID
accrued)  with  respect  to its  allocable  share of those  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures.

Interest Income and Original Issue Discount

         Under  recently  issued  Treasury   regulations   (the   "Regulations")
applicable  to debt  instruments  issued on or after August 13, 1996, a "remote"
contingency  that  stated  interest  will not be timely  paid will be ignored in
determining  whether a debt  instrument  is issued  with  OID.  The  Corporation
believes that the  likelihood of its  exercising its option to defer payments of
interest is "remote" since  exercising that option would prevent the Corporation
from declaring dividends on any class of its equity securities. Accordingly, the
Corporation  intends to take the  position,  based on the advice of Tax Counsel,
that the Junior Subordinated Debentures will not be considered to be issued with
OID and,  accordingly,  stated  interest on the Junior  Subordinated  Debentures
generally will be taxable to a holder as ordinary  income at the time it is paid
or accrued in accordance with such holder's method of accounting.

         Under the  Regulations,  if the Corporation were to exercise its option
to defer payments of interest, 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, all of a holder's
taxable interest income with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures would
thereafter  be accounted  for on an economic  accrual  basis  regardless of such
holder's method of tax accounting,  and actual  distributions of stated interest
would not be  reported  as  taxable  income.  Consequently,  a holder of Capital
Securities  would be  required  to include in gross  income OID even  though the
Corporation  would not make actual cash  payments  during an  Extension  Period.
Moreover, under the Regulations,  if the option to defer the payment of interest
was determined not to be "remote",  the Junior Subordinated  Debentures would be
treated as having been  originally  issued  with OID.  In such  event,  all of a
holder's  taxable  interest  income  with  respect  to the  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  would be accounted for on an economic  accrual  basis  regardless of
such  holder's  method of tax  accounting,  and actual  distributions  of stated
interest would not be reported as taxable income.

         The  Regulations  have not yet been  addressed  in any rulings or other
interpretations  by the  IRS,  and it is  possible  that  the IRS  could  take a
position contrary to Tax Counsel's interpretation herein.

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

Receipt of Junior Subordinated Debentures or Cash Upon Liquidation of the Trust

         The Corporation  will have the right at any time to liquidate the Trust
and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of
the Trust Securities. Under current law, such a distribution,  for United States
federal  income tax  purposes,  would be treated as a  nontaxable  event to each
holder,  and each  holder  would  receive an  aggregate  tax basis in the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  equal  to such  holder's  aggregate  tax  basis in its
Capital  Securities.  A  holder's  holding  period  in the  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  so received  in  liquidation  of the Trust would  include the period
during which the Capital Securities were held by such holder.  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 Capital  Securities and a holder's  holding period in Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  would  begin  on the  date  such  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures were received.

         Under certain  circumstances  described herein (see "Description of New
Securities--Description  of New Capital  Securities"),  the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  may be  redeemed  for  cash  and the  proceeds  of  such  redemption
distributed to holders in redemption of their Capital Securities.  Under current
law, such a redemption  would,  for United States  federal  income tax purposes,
constitute a taxable  disposition  of the  redeemed  Capital  Securities,  and a
holder  could  recognize  gain  or  loss as if it  sold  such  redeemed  Capital
Securities for cash.
See "--Sales of Capital Securities."

Sales of Capital Securities

         A holder that sells Capital  Securities  (including a redemption of the
Capital  Securities  either  on the  Stated  Maturity  Date or upon an  optional
redemption  of the  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  by the  Corporation)  will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between its adjusted tax basis in
the  Capital  Securities  and the amount  realized  on the sale of such  Capital
Securities (other than with respect to accrued and unpaid interest which has not
yet been  included  in income,  which will be treated  as  ordinary  income).  A
holder's  adjusted  tax basis in the Capital  Securities  generally  will be its
initial  purchase price increased by OID (if any) previously  includable in such
holder's gross income to the date of  disposition  and decreased by payments (if
any)  received on the Capital  Securities  in respect of OID.  Such gain or loss
generally  will be a  capital  gain or loss and  generally  will be a  long-term
capital gain or loss if the Capital  Securities have been held for more than one
year.

         The Capital  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.  A  holder  who  uses the  accrual  method  of
accounting  for  tax  purposes  (and  a  cash  method  holder,   if  the  Junior
Subordinated Debentures are deemed to have been issued with OID) who disposes of
his Capital  Securities  between  record  dates for  payments  of  distributions
thereon  will be required to include  accrued but unpaid  interest on the Junior
Subordinated  Debentures  through the date of  disposition in income as ordinary
income  (i.e.,  interest  or,  possibly,  OID),  and to add such  amount  to his
adjusted tax basis in his pro rata share of the underlying  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  deemed disposed of. To the extent the selling price is less than the
holder's adjusted tax basis (which will include all accrued but unpaid interest)
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.

Proposed Tax Legislation

         On  February  6,  1997,   President   Clinton   proposed  the  Proposed
Legislation  which would deem an issuer,  for purposes of Section  385(c) of the
Code, to have  characterized an instrument as equity if the instrument (i) has a
maximum term of more than 15 years and (ii) is not shown as  indebtedness on the
separate  balance  sheet of the issuer that is filed with the SEC.  Accordingly,
the Proposed  Legislation  would,  among other things,  generally deny corporate
issuers a  deduction  for  interest in respect of debt  obligations  such as the
Junior Subordinated Debentures. In the case of an instrument with a maximum term
of more than 15 years  issued  to a  related  party  that is  eliminated  on the
consolidated  balance  sheet that  includes the issuer and holder,  the Proposed
Legislation  treats the issuer as having  characterized the instrument as equity
if the holder (or some other related party) issues a related  instrument that is
not shown as indebtedness on the consolidated  balance sheet filed with the SEC.
The Proposed  Legislation  applies only to corporations  (like the  Corporation)
that file annual  financial  statements  with the SEC. The Proposed  Legislation
precludes an instrument  from being treated as  indebtedness  on a balance sheet
merely because the instrument is described as indebtedness in a footnote or some
other narrative disclosure.

         The  Proposed  Legislation  is proposed to be effective  generally  for
instruments  issued on or after the date of "first  committee  action" (which is
not  defined).  There can be no  assurance,  however,  that the  effective  date
provision  contained  in the  Proposed  Legislation  will  remain  in the  final
enactment,  if any, or that other legislation enacted after the date hereof will
not  otherwise  adversely  affect the ability of the  Corporation  to deduct the
interest payable on the Junior Subordinated Debentures.  Accordingly,  there can
be no assurance  that a Tax Event will not occur.  The occurrence of a Tax Event
may result in the redemption of the Junior Subordinated  Debentures for cash, in
which  event  the  holders  of the  Capital  Securities  would  receive  cash in
redemption of their Capital  Securities.  See  "Description of New Securities --
Description of New Capital  Securities -- Redemption" and "Description of Junior
Subordinated Debentures -- Special Event Prepayment."

United States Alien Holders

         For purposes of this discussion,  a "United States Alien Holder" is any
corporation,  individual, partnership, estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder
for United States federal income tax purposes,  and a "U.S.  Holder" is a holder
of Capital  Securities  who or which is a citizen or individual  resident (or is
treated as a citizen or  individual  resident) of the United  States for federal
income tax  purposes,  a  corporation  or  partnership  created or organized (or
treated as created or organized for federal income tax purposes) in or under the
laws of the United States or any political  subdivision  thereof,  or a trust or
estate the income of which is includible in its gross income for federal  income
tax purposes without regard to its source.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  for
taxable  years  beginning  after  December  31,  1996  (or for  the  immediately
preceding taxable year, if the trustee of a trust so elects),  a trust is a U.S.
Holder for federal  income tax  purposes if, and only if, (i) a court within the
United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of
the trust and (ii) one or more United  States  trustees  have the  authority  to
control all substantial decisions of the trust.

         Under present  United States  federal  income tax laws: (i) payments by
the Trust or any of its paying agents to any holder of a Capital Security who or
which is a United  States  Alien  Holder  will not be subject  to United  States
federal  withholding tax; provided that, (a) the beneficial owner of the Capital
Security does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total
combined  voting  power of all classes of stock of the  Corporation  entitled to
vote,  (b) the  beneficial  owner of the Capital  Security  is not a  controlled
foreign  corporation that is related to the Corporation through stock ownership,
and (c) either (A) the beneficial owner of the Capital Security certifies to the
Trust or its agent,  under penalties of perjury,  that it is not a United States
holder  and  provides  its  name  and  address  or  (B)  a  securities  clearing
organization,   bank  or  other  financial  institution  that  holds  customers'
securities  in the  ordinary  course  of its  trade or  business  (a  "Financial
Institution"), and holds the Capital Security in such capacity, certifies to the
Trust or its agent,  under  penalties of perjury,  that such  statement has been
received from the beneficial owner by it or by a Financial  Institution  between
it and the  beneficial  owner and  furnishes  the Trust or its agent with a copy
thereof; and (ii) a United States Alien Holder of a Capital Security will not be
subject to United States federal  withholding  tax on any gain realized upon the
sale or other disposition of a Capital Security.

         As discussed above, changes in legislation  affecting the United States
federal income tax treatment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures are possible,
and could adversely affect the ability of the Corporation to deduct the interest
payable on the Junior Subordinated  Debentures.  Moreover,  any such legislation
could, as the Proposed  Legislation  would have,  adversely affect United States
Alien  Holders by  characterizing  income  derived from the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures as dividends, generally subject to a 30% income tax (on a withholding
basis) when paid to a United States Alien Holder, rather than as interest which,
as discussed above, is generally exempt from income tax in the hands of a United
States Alien Holder.

         A  United  States  Alien  Holder  that  holds  Capital   Securities  in
connection  with the active conduct of a United States trade or business will be
subject to income tax on all income  and gains  recognized  with  respect to its
proportionate share of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

Information Reporting to Holders

         Generally, income on the Capital Securities will be reported to holders
on Forms 1099, which forms should be mailed to holders of Capital  Securities by
January 31 following each calendar year.

Backup Withholding

         Payments made on, and proceeds from the sale of, the Capital Securities
may be  subject to a "backup"  withholding  tax of 31 percent  unless the holder
complies with certain identification requirements.  Any withheld amounts will be
allowed as a credit  against the  holder's  United  States  federal  income tax,
provided the required information is provided to the IRS.

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

                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

         The  Corporation,  the obligor with respect to the Junior  Subordinated
Debentures held by the Trust, and its affiliates and the Property Trustee may be
considered a "party in interest" (within the meaning of the Employee  Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended  ("ERISA")) or a  "disqualified  person"
(within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) with  respect to many  employee
benefit plans  ("Plans") that are subject to ERISA.  Any purchaser  proposing to
acquire New Capital  Securities  with assets of any Plan should consult with its
counsel. The purchase and/or holding of New Capital Securities by a Plan that is
subject to the fiduciary  responsibility  provisions of ERISA or the  prohibited
transaction  provisions  of  Section  4975  of the  Code  (including  individual
retirement  arrangements and other plans described in Section  4975(e)(1) of the
Code) and with respect to which the  Corporation,  the  Property  Trustee or any
affiliate  is a service  provider  (or  otherwise  is 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 New  Capital  Securities  are
acquired  pursuant to and in accordance  with an applicable  exemption,  such as
Prohibited  Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 84-14 (an exemption for certain
transactions determined by an independent qualified professional asset manager),
PTCE 91-38 (an  exemption for certain  transactions  involving  bank  collective
investment funds),  PTCE 90-1 (an exemption for certain  transactions  involving
insurance  company  pooled  separate  accounts),  PTCE 95-60 (an  exemption  for
transactions involving certain insurance company general accounts) or PTCE 96-23
(an exception for certain transactions determined by an in-house asset manager).
In addition, a Plan fiduciary considering the purchase of New Capital Securities
should be aware that the assets of the Trust may be considered "plan assets" for
ERISA purposes.  In such event,  service providers with respect to the assets of
the Trust may become parties in interest or disqualified persons with respect to
investing Plans, and any discretionary  authority  exercised with respect to the
Junior  Subordinated  Debentures by such persons could be deemed to constitute a
prohibited  transaction  under  ERISA  or the  Code.  In  order  to  avoid  such
prohibited  transactions,  each  investing  Plan, by purchasing  the New Capital
Securities,  will be deemed to have  directed  the Trust to invest in the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and to have appointed the Property Trustee.

         A Plan fiduciary  should  consider  whether the purchase of New Capital
Securities  could result in a delegation of fiduciary  authority to the Property
Trustee, and, if so, whether such a delegation of authority is permissible under
the Plan's governing instrument or any investment  management agreement with the
Plan.  In making  such  determination,  a Plan  fiduciary  should  note that the
Property  Trustee is a U.S. BANK qualified to be an investment  manager  (within
the meaning of section  3(38) of ERISA) to which such  delegation  of  authority
generally  would  be  permissible  under  ERISA.  Further,  prior to an Event of
Default with respect to the Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee
will have only limited custodial and ministerial authority with respect to Trust
assets.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         Each  broker-dealer  that receives New Capital  Securities  for its own
account in  connection  with the Exchange  Offer must  acknowledge  that it will
deliver  a  prospectus  in  connection  with  any  resale  of such  New  Capital
Securities.  This Prospectus,  as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by Participating  Broker-Dealers during the period referred to
below in connection with resales of New Capital Securities  received in exchange
for Old Capital  Securities if such Old Capital Securities were acquired by such
Participating Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making
activities  or other  trading  activities.  The  Corporation  and the Trust have
agreed that this Prospectus,  as it may be amended or supplemented  from time to
time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of
such New Capital  Securities  for a period  ending 90 days after the  Expiration
Date (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described herein)
or, if earlier,  when all such New Capital  Securities  have been disposed of by
such Participating  Broker-Dealer.  However,  a Participating  Broker-Dealer who
intends to use this  Prospectus  in  connection  with the resale of New  Capital
Securities  received in  exchange  for Old  Capital  Securities  pursuant to the
Exchange  Offer  must  notify  the  Corporation  or  the  Trust,  or  cause  the
Corporation  or the Trust to be notified,  on or prior to the  Expiration  Date,
that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer.  Such notice may be given in the space
provided  for that purpose in the Letter of  Transmittal  or may be delivered to
the Exchange  Agent at one of the addresses set forth herein under "The Exchange
Offer--Exchange   Agent."  See  "The  Exchange  Offer  Resales  of  New  Capital
Securities."

         The  Corporation  or the Trust will not receive any cash  proceeds from
the  issuance  of  the  New  Capital  Securities  offered  hereby.  New  Capital
Securities  received by broker-dealers for their own accounts in connection with
the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more  transactions in
the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,  through the writing of
options  on the New  Capital  Securities  or a  combination  of such  methods of
resale,  at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing  market prices or at negotiated  prices.  Any such resale may be
made directly to purchasers or to or through  brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation   in  the  form  of  commissions  or  concessions   from  any  such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Capital Securities.

         Any  broker-dealer  that  resells  New  Capital  Securities  that  were
received by it for its own account in connection with the Exchange Offer and any
broker  or  dealer  that  participates  in a  distribution  of such New  Capital
Securities  may be deemed  to be an  "underwriter"  within  the  meaning  of the
Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of New Capital  Securities and
any commissions or concessions  received by any such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting  compensation  under the Securities  Act. The Letter of Transmittal
states  that  by  acknowledging  that  it  will  deliver  and  by  delivering  a
prospectus,  a  broker-dealer  will  not  be  deemed  to  admit  that  it  is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

                           VALIDITY OF NEW SECURITIES

         The  validity  of the New  Guarantee  and the New  Junior  Subordinated
Debentures  will be passed upon for the  Corporation by Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp &
Szuch, Morristown, New Jersey. Certain matters relating to United States federal
income tax  considerations  will be passed upon for the  Corporation  by Pitney,
Hardin, Kipp & Szuch,  Morristown,  New Jersey.  Certain matters of Delaware law
relating to the  validity of the New Capital  Securities  will be passed upon on
behalf  of the Trust by  Morris,  Nichols,  Arsht &  Tunnell,  special  Delaware
counsel to the Corporation and the Trust.

                                     EXPERTS

         The consolidated  financial statements of the Corporation as of and for
the year ended December 31, 1996,  incorporated  by reference  herein 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, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in  accounting  and  auditing.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  of the
Corporation  as of December  31, 1995 and for each of the years in the  two-year
period  ended  December 31, 1995,  incorporated  by reference  herein and in the
Registration  Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, have been audited
by Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent public  accountants,  as indicated in their
report  with  respect  thereto,  and are  incorporated  by  reference  herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.



<PAGE>

                                     PART II

                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS


ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         (i)  Limitation  of  Liability  of  Directors  and  Officers.   Section
14A:2-7(3) of the New Jersey  Business  Corporation Act permits a corporation to
provide in its Certificate of Incorporation that a director or officer shall not
be personally  liable to the corporation or its  shareholders  for breach of any
duty owed to the  corporation  or its  shareholders,  except that such provision
shall not relieve a director or officer  from  liability  for any breach of duty
based upon an act or omission (a) in breach of such  persons' duty of loyalty to
the  corporation  or its  shareholders,  (b) not in good  faith or  involving  a
knowing  violation  of law or (c)  resulting  in receipt  by such  person of any
improper  personal  benefit.  United's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  includes
limitations  on the  liability  of  officers  and  directors  to the full extent
permitted by New Jersey law.

         (ii)  Indemnification  of  Directors,  Officers,  Employees and Agents.
Under Article X of its  Certificate of  Incorporation,  United must, to the full
extent  permitted by law,  indemnify  its  directors,  officers,  employees  and
agents. Section 14A:3-5 of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act provides that
a  corporation  may  indemnify  its  directors,  officers,  employees and agents
against judgments,  fines, penalties,  amounts paid in settlement, and expenses,
including  attorney's  fees,  resulting  from various  types of legal actions or
proceedings if the actions of the party being  indemnified meet the standards of
conduct  specified  therein.   Determinations  concerning  whether  or  not  the
applicable  standard of conduct has been met can be made by (a) a  disinterested
majority of the Board of Directors,  (b)  independent  legal counsel,  or (c) an
affirmative  vote  of  a  majority  of  shares  held  by  the  shareholders.  No
indemnification is permitted to be made to or on behalf of a corporate director,
officer,  employee or agent if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to
such person  establishes  that his acts or  omissions  (a) were in breach of his
duty of loyalty in the  corporation  or its  shareholders,  (b) were not in good
faith or involved a knowing  violation of law or (c) resulted in receipt by such
person of an improper personal benefit.

         (iii)  Insurance.  United's  directors and officers are insured against
losses  arising from any claim  against them such as wrongful acts or omissions,
subject to certain limitations.



<PAGE>


ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

EXHIBIT


4.1      Indenture   of  United   National   Bancorp   relating  to  the  Junior
         Subordinated Debentures*

4.2      Form of Certificate of New Junior  Subordinated  Debenture (included as
         Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)*

4.3      Certificate of Trust of UNB Capital Trust I*

4.4      Declaration of Trust of UNB Capital Trust I*

4.5      Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for UNB Capital Trust I*

4.6      Form  of New  Capital  Security  Certificate  for UNB  Capital  Trust I
         (included as Exhibit D to Exhibit 4.5)*

4.7      Form of New Guarantee of United  National  Bancorp  relating to the New
         Capital Securities**

4.8      Registration Rights Agreement*

5.1      Opinion and consent of Pitney,  Hardin, Kipp & Szuch to United National
         Bancorp as to legality of the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  and
         the New Guarantee to be issued by United National Bancorp**

5.2      Opinion  of  Morris,  Nichols,  Arsht  &  Tunnell,  special  Delaware**
         counsel,  as to legality of the New Capital  Securities to be issued by
         UNB Capital Trust I

8        Opinion of Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp & Szuch,  special tax counsel,  as to
         certain federal income tax matters**

12       Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges

23.1     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

23.2     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

23.3     Consent of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch (included in Exhibit 5.1)**

23.4     Consent of Morris,  Nichols,  Arsht & Tunnell  (Delaware)  (included in
         Exhibit 5.2)**

24       Power of Attorney of certain  officers and directors of United National
         Bancorp**

25.1     Form T-1  Statement  of  Eligibility  of The Bank of New York to act as
         trustee under the Indenture
    
25.2     Form T-1  Statement  of  Eligibility  of The Bank of New York to act as
         trustee  under the Amended  and  Restated  Declaration  of Trust of UNB
         Capital Trust I

25.3     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York under the New
         Guarantee  for the benefit of the holders of New Capital  Securities of
         UNB Capital Trust I

99.1     Form of Letter of Transmittal

99.2     Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

99.3     Form of Exchange Agent Agreement

- --------
*        Incorporated by reference from United National Bancorp's Current Report
         on Form 8-K filed March 28, 1997.
**       To be filed by amendment.

ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS

         (a) The undersigned  Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to section  13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  that is  incorporated  by  reference  in the
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.

         (b)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising  under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling
persons of the Registrant  pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,
the  Registrant  has been advised  that,  in the opinion of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission,  such  indemnification  is against  the  public  policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for  indemnification   against  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
Registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling
person of the  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,  the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by 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.

         (c)      The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

                  (1)  To  respond  to   requests   for   information   that  is
         incorporated  by  reference  into the  prospectus  pursuant to Items 4,
         10(b),  11, or 13 of this Form,  within one  business day of receipt of
         such  request,  and to send the  incorporated  documents by first class
         mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained
         in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration
         statement through the date of responding to the request.

                  (2) Subject to appropriate interpretation,  to supply by means
         of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction,
         and the  company  being  acquired  involved  therein,  that was not the
         subject of and included in the  registration  statement  when it became
         effective.

                  (3) That, for purposes of determining  any liability under the
         Securities  Act of  1933,  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
         Registrant  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.

                  (4) That, for the purpose of determining  any liability  under
         the Securities Act of 1933, 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
 .

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to  the  requirement  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  Undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the Township of Bridgewater,  State of New Jersey,  on April 15,
1997.

                        UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP



                      By:      /s/ THOMAS C. GREGOR
                         --------------------------
                           Thomas C. Gregor
                           Chairman of the Board, President and
                           Chief Executive Officer

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
Registration  Statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>                                               
<CAPTION>
                  Signature                                     Title                     Date
<S>                                                 <C>                               <C>
/s/ THOMAS C. GREGOR                                 Chairman, President, Chief       April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------         Executive Officer and Director
(Thomas C. Gregor)                                  (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ DONALD W. MALWITZ                               Vice-President and Treasurer      April 17, 1997
- -------------------------------------------        (Principal Financial Officer)
(Donald W. Malwitz)

/s/ A. RICHARD ABRAHAMIAN                              Senior Vice-President          April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(A. Richard Abrahamian)                            (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ GEORGE W. BLANK                                           Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(George W. Blank)

/s/ DONALD A. BUCKLEY                                         Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(Donald A. Buckley)

/s/ C. DOUGLAS CHERRY                                         Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(C. Douglas Cherry)

/s/ CHARLES E. HANCE                                          Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(Charles E. Hance)

/s/ JOHN R. KOPICKI                                           Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(John  R. Kopicki)

/s/ ANTONIO S. MAROTTA                                        Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(Antonio S. Marotta)

/s/ JOHN W. McGOWAN III                                       Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(John W. McGowan III)

/s/ PATRICIA A. McKIEMAN                                      Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(Patricia A. McKiernan)

/s/ CHARLES N. POND, JR.                                      Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(Charles N. Pond, Jr.)

/s/ KENNETH W. TURNBULL                                       Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
 (Kenneth W. Turnbull)

/s/ DAVID R. WALKER                                           Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(David R. Walker)

/s/ RONALD E. WEST                                            Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(Ronald E. West)

/s/ GEORGE J. WICKARD                                         Director                April 15, 1997
- -------------------------------------------
(George J. Wickard)


</TABLE>

<PAGE>


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, UNB Capital
Trust I certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe that it meets all
the  requirements  for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this  registration
statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the Township of Bridgewater and State of New Jersey, on April 23,
1997.

                                              UNB CAPITAL TRUST I



                                        By: /S/ THOMAS C. GREGOR
                                            -------------------------
                                            Thomas C. Gregor,
                                            as Administrative Trustee



                                        
                                         By: /S/ RALPH L. STRAW, JR.
                                             ------------------------
                                             Ralph L. Straw, Jr.,
                                             as Administrative Trustee


<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


PAGE     EXHIBIT NO.                                          DESCRIPTION

4.1      Indenture   of  United   National   Bancorp   relating  to  the  Junior
         Subordinated Debentures*

4.2      Form of Certificate of New Junior  Subordinated  Debenture (included as
         Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)*

4.3      Certificate of Trust of UNB Capital Trust I*

4.4      Declaration of Trust of UNB Capital Trust I*

4.5      Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for UNB Capital Trust I*

4.6      Form  of New  Capital  Security  Certificate  for UNB  Capital  Trust I
         (included as Exhibit D to Exhibit 4.5)*


4.7      Form of New Guarantee of United  National  Bancorp  relating to the New
         Capital Securities**

4.8      Registration Rights Agreement*

5.1      Opinion and consent of Pitney,  Hardin, Kipp & Szuch to United National
         Bancorp as to legality of the New Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  and
         the New Guarantee to be issued by United National Bancorp**

5.2      Opinion  of  Morris,  Nichols,  Arsht  &  Tunnell,  special  Delaware**
         counsel,  as to legality of the New Capital  Securities to be issued by
         UNB Capital Trust I

8        Opinion of Pitney,  Hardin,  Kipp & Szuch,  special tax counsel,  as to
         certain federal income tax matters**

12       Computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges

23.1     Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

23.2     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

23.3     Consent of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch (included in Exhibit 5.1)**

23.4     Consent of Morris,  Nichols,  Arsht & Tunnell  (Delaware)  (included in
         Exhibit 5.2)**

24       Power of Attorney of certain  officers and directors of United National
         Bancorp**

25.1     Form T-1  Statement  of  Eligibility  of The Bank of New York to act as
         trustee under the Indenture

25.2     Form T-1  Statement  of  Eligibility  of The Bank of New York to act as
         trustee  under the Amended  and  Restated  Declaration  of Trust of UNB
         Capital Trust I

25.3     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Bank of New York under the New
         Guarantee  for the benefit of the holders of New Capital  Securities of
         UNB Capital Trust I

99.1     Form of Letter of Transmittal

99.2     Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

99.3     Form of Exchange Agent Agreement

- --------
*        Incorporated by reference from United National Bancorp's Current Report
         on Form 8-K filed March 28, 1997.
**       To be filed by amendment.




                                                                     Exhibit 12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES



                                                                          Years Ended December 31,

(Dollars in Thousands)                        1996               1995               1994               1993                1992
                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C>       
Net Income before Extraordinary 
Items, Cumulative Effect of 
Accounting Change and Taxes                 $17,231            $11,997            $14,427             $11,656             $9,503

Interest Expense                             28,855             29,128             17,979             18,959              24,791

                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal A - Including Interest
 on Deposits                                 46,086             41,125             32,406             30,615              34,294

Less:  Interest on Deposits                  25,273             26,878             16,835             18,311              24,095

                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal B - Excluding Interest
 on Deposits                                 20,813             14,247             15,571             12,304              10,199

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:

Excluding interest on deposits                 5.81x              6.33x              13.61x             18.99x             14.65x
Subtotal B/ (Interest expense - Interest  20,813 (28,855-    14,247 (29,128-    15,571 (17,979-    12,304 (18,959-   10,199 (24,791-
 on Deposits)                                  25,273)            26,878)            16,835)            18,311            24,095)

Including Interest on deposits                 1.60x              1.41x              1.80x              1.61x             1.38x
 Subtotal A/ Interest Expense              46,086/28,855      41,125/29,128      32,406/17,979      30,615/18,959     34,294/24,791


</TABLE>




                                                                   Exhibit 23.1






                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
United National Bancorp:


We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement filed on
Form S-4,  pertaining to UNB Capital Trust I 10.01% Series B Capital Securities,
of our report dated January 14, 1997, relating to the consolidated balance sheet
of United  National  Bancorp  and  subsidiary  as of  December  31, 1996 and the
related consolidated  statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity, and
cash flows for the year then ended, which report is included in the December 31,
1996 Annual  Report on Form 10-K of United  National  Bancorp,  incorporated  by
reference in the  Registration  Statement and to the reference to our firm under
the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.


                                                   /S/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Short Hills, New Jersey
April 17, 1997




                                                                    Exhibit 23.2






                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To United National Bancorp:


As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference  in this Form S-4 of our  report  dated  January  12,  1996 and to all
references to our firm included in this Registration Statement.


                                                  /S/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Roseland, New Jersey
April 22, 1997





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


                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                            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) |__|

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


    New York                                               13-5160382
   (State of incorporation                                (I.R.S. employer
   if not a U.S. national bank)                           identification no.)

    48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                         10286
    (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)


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


                               UNB CAPITAL TRUST I
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


    Delaware                                               22-6719709
    (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. employer
    incorporation or organization)                         identification no.)

    1130 Route 22
    P.O. Box 6000
    Bridgewater, New Jersey                                08807-0010
    (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)

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

           Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
                       (Title of the indenture securities)


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

<PAGE>




  1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

          (a) Name and address of each  examining  or  supervising  authority to
              which it is subject.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of      2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                     N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                  12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York             33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                  N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation        Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association          New York, New York   10005

          (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

              Yes.

     2. Affiliations with Obligor.

         If the  obligor is an  affiliate  of the  trustee,  describe  each such
         affiliation.

         None.

     16. List of Exhibits.

         Exhibits  identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission,
         are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto,  pursuant to
         Rule 7a-29 under the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939 (the "Act") and Rule
         24 of the Commission's Rules of Practice.

         1.   A copy of the  Organization  Certificate  of The  Bank of New York
              (formerly  Irving Trust Company) as now in effect,  which contains
              the  authority  to  commence  business  and a grant of  powers  to
              exercise corporate trust powers.  (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to
              Form T-1 filed with Registration  Statement No. 33-6215,  Exhibits
              1a and 1b to  Form  T-1  filed  with  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-21672  and  Exhibit  1 to  Form  T-1  filed  with  Registration
              Statement No. 33-29637.)

         4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form
              T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)



<PAGE>


         6.   The consent of the Trustee  required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
              (Exhibit  6 to Form T-1  filed  with  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-44051.)

         7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee  published
              pursuant  to law  or to the  requirements  of its  supervising  or
              examining authority.



<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation  organized  and existing  under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this  statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized,  all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                                      THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                                 By:  /S/ PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                                    --------------------------
                                                     Name:  Paul J. Schmalzel
                                                     Title: Assistant Treasurer


<PAGE>
                                                                      Exhibit 7

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                     of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

                            And Foreign and Domestic  Subsidiaries,  a member of
                            the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business
                            September 30, 1996,  published in accordance  with a
                            call  made  by the  Federal  Reserve  Bank  of  this
                            District  pursuant to the  provisions of the Federal
                            Reserve Act.


                                    Dollar Amounts
                            ASSETS    in Thousands
                            Cash and balances due from depos-
                              itory institutions:
                              Noninterest-bearing balances and
                              currency and coin ............. $ 4,404,522
                              Interest-bearing balances.......    732,833
                            Securities:
                              Held-to-maturity securities ....     789,964
                              Available-for-sale securities .... 2,005,509
                            Federal funds sold in domestic offices
                            of the bank:
                            Federal funds sold ................... 3,364,838
                            Loans and lease financing
                              receivables:
                              Loans and leases, net of unearned
                                income .................28,728,602
                              LESS: Allowance for loan and
                                lease losses ..............584,525
                              LESS: Allocated transfer risk
                                reserve........................429
                                Loans and leases, net of unearned
                                income, allowance, and reserve   28,143,648
                            Assets held in trading accounts ...... 1,004,242
                            Premises and fixed assets (including
                              capitalized leases) ................ 605,668
                            Other real estate owned .............. 41,238
                            Investments in unconsolidated
                              subsidiaries and associated
                              companies .......................... 205,031
                            Customers' liability to this bank on
                              acceptances outstanding ............   949,154
                            Intangible assets .................... 490,524
                            Other assets .........................   1,305,839
                            Total assets ......................... $44,043,010

                            LIABILITIES
                            Deposits:
                              In domestic offices ................ $20,441,318
                              Noninterest-bearing .......8,158,472
                              Interest-bearing .........12,282,846
                              In foreign offices, Edge and
                              Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs ... 11,710,903
                              Noninterest-bearing ..........46,182
                              Interest-bearing .........11,664,721
                            Federal funds purchased in
                              domestic offices of the
                              bank:
                              Federal funds purchased ............  1,565,288
                            Demand notes issued to the U.S.
                              Treasury ...........................    293,186
                            Trading liabilities ..................    826,856
                            Other borrowed money:
                              With original maturity of one year
                                or less ..........................  2,103,443
                              With original maturity of more than
                                one year .........................    20,766
                            Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
                              cuted and outstanding ..............    951,116
                            Subordinated notes and debentures ....  1,020,400
                            Other liabilities ....................  1,522,884
                            Total liabilities .................... 40,456,160

                            EQUITY CAPITAL
                            Common stock ........................     942,284
                            Surplus .............................     525,666
                            Undivided profits and capital
                              reserves ..........................   2,129,376
                            Net unrealized holding gains
                              (losses) on available-for-sale
                              securities ........................  (    2,073)
                            Cumulative foreign currency transla-
                              tion adjustments ..................  (    8,403)
                            Total equity capital ................   3,586,850
                            Total liabilities and equity
                              capital ........................... $44,043,010


                            I,  Robert E.  Keilman,  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.

                                         Robert E. Keilman

                            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.

                                 J. Carter Bacot }
                                 Thomas A. Renyi } Directors
                                 Alan R. Griffith}








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


                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                            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) |__|

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


    New York                                               13-5160382
   (State of incorporation                                (I.R.S. employer
   if not a U.S. national bank)                           identification no.)

    48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                         10286
    (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)


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


                               UNB CAPITAL TRUST I
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


    Delaware                                               22-6719709
    (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. employer
    incorporation or organization)                         identification no.)

    1130 Route 22
    P.O. Box 6000
    Bridgewater, New Jersey                                08807-0010
    (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)

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

                           Series B Capital Securities
                       (Title of the indenture securities)


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

<PAGE>




  1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

          (a) Name and address of each  examining  or  supervising  authority to
              which it is subject.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of      2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                     N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                  12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York             33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                  N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation        Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association          New York, New York   10005

          (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

              Yes.

     2. Affiliations with Obligor.

         If the  obligor is an  affiliate  of the  trustee,  describe  each such
         affiliation.

         None.

     16. List of Exhibits.

         Exhibits  identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission,
         are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto,  pursuant to
         Rule 7a-29 under the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939 (the "Act") and Rule
         24 of the Commission's Rules of Practice.

         1.   A copy of the  Organization  Certificate  of The  Bank of New York
              (formerly  Irving Trust Company) as now in effect,  which contains
              the  authority  to  commence  business  and a grant of  powers  to
              exercise corporate trust powers.  (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to
              Form T-1 filed with Registration  Statement No. 33-6215,  Exhibits
              1a and 1b to  Form  T-1  filed  with  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-21672  and  Exhibit  1 to  Form  T-1  filed  with  Registration
              Statement No. 33-29637.)

         4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form
              T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)



<PAGE>


         6.   The consent of the Trustee  required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
              (Exhibit  6 to Form T-1  filed  with  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-44051.)

         7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee  published
              pursuant  to law  or to the  requirements  of its  supervising  or
              examining authority.



<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation  organized  and existing  under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this  statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized,  all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                                      THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                                 By:  /S/ PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                                    --------------------------
                                                     Name:  Paul J. Schmalzel
                                                     Title: Assistant Treasurer


<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 7

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                     of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

                            And Foreign and Domestic  Subsidiaries,  a member of
                            the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business
                            September 30, 1996,  published in accordance  with a
                            call  made  by the  Federal  Reserve  Bank  of  this
                            District  pursuant to the  provisions of the Federal
                            Reserve Act.


                                    Dollar Amounts
                            ASSETS    in Thousands
                            Cash and balances due from depos-
                              itory institutions:
                              Noninterest-bearing balances and
                              currency and coin ............. $ 4,404,522
                              Interest-bearing balances.......    732,833
                            Securities:
                              Held-to-maturity securities ....     789,964
                              Available-for-sale securities .... 2,005,509
                            Federal funds sold in domestic offices
                            of the bank:
                            Federal funds sold ................... 3,364,838
                            Loans and lease financing
                              receivables:
                              Loans and leases, net of unearned
                                income .................28,728,602
                              LESS: Allowance for loan and
                                lease losses ..............584,525
                              LESS: Allocated transfer risk
                                reserve........................429
                                Loans and leases, net of unearned
                                income, allowance, and reserve   28,143,648
                            Assets held in trading accounts ...... 1,004,242
                            Premises and fixed assets (including
                              capitalized leases) ................ 605,668
                            Other real estate owned .............. 41,238
                            Investments in unconsolidated
                              subsidiaries and associated
                              companies .......................... 205,031
                            Customers' liability to this bank on
                              acceptances outstanding ............   949,154
                            Intangible assets .................... 490,524
                            Other assets .........................   1,305,839
                            Total assets ......................... $44,043,010

                            LIABILITIES
                            Deposits:
                              In domestic offices ................ $20,441,318
                              Noninterest-bearing .......8,158,472
                              Interest-bearing .........12,282,846
                              In foreign offices, Edge and
                              Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs ... 11,710,903
                              Noninterest-bearing ..........46,182
                              Interest-bearing .........11,664,721
                            Federal funds purchased in
                              domestic offices of the
                              bank:
                              Federal funds purchased ............  1,565,288
                            Demand notes issued to the U.S.
                              Treasury ...........................    293,186
                            Trading liabilities ..................    826,856
                            Other borrowed money:
                              With original maturity of one year
                                or less ..........................  2,103,443
                              With original maturity of more than
                                one year .........................    20,766
                            Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
                              cuted and outstanding ..............    951,116
                            Subordinated notes and debentures ....  1,020,400
                            Other liabilities ....................  1,522,884
                            Total liabilities .................... 40,456,160

                            EQUITY CAPITAL
                            Common stock ........................     942,284
                            Surplus .............................     525,666
                            Undivided profits and capital
                              reserves ..........................   2,129,376
                            Net unrealized holding gains
                              (losses) on available-for-sale
                              securities ........................  (    2,073)
                            Cumulative foreign currency transla-
                              tion adjustments ..................  (    8,403)
                            Total equity capital ................   3,586,850
                            Total liabilities and equity
                              capital ........................... $44,043,010


                            I,  Robert E.  Keilman,  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.

                                         Robert E. Keilman

                            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.

                                 J. Carter Bacot }
                                 Thomas A. Renyi } Directors
                                 Alan R. Griffith}






- -
================================================================================


                                    FORM T-1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                            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) |__|

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

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


    New York                                               13-5160382
   (State of incorporation                                (I.R.S. employer
   if not a U.S. national bank)                           identification no.)

    48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y.                         10286
    (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)


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


                               UNB CAPITAL TRUST I
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


    Delaware                                               22-6719709
    (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. employer
    incorporation or organization)                         identification no.)

    1130 Route 22
    P.O. Box 6000
    Bridgewater, New Jersey                                08807-0010
    (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)

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

         Guarantee of Series B Capital Securities of UNB Capital Trust I
                       (Title of the indenture securities)


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

<PAGE>




  1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee:

          (a) Name and address of each  examining  or  supervising  authority to
              which it is subject.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Name                                        Address
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Superintendent of Banks of the State of      2 Rector Street, New York,
     New York                                     N.Y.  10006, and Albany, N.Y.
                                                  12203

     Federal Reserve Bank of New York             33 Liberty Plaza, New York,
                                                  N.Y.  10045

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation        Washington, D.C.  20429

     New York Clearing House Association          New York, New York   10005

          (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

              Yes.

     2. Affiliations with Obligor.

         If the  obligor is an  affiliate  of the  trustee,  describe  each such
         affiliation.

         None.

     16. List of Exhibits.

         Exhibits  identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission,
         are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto,  pursuant to
         Rule 7a-29 under the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939 (the "Act") and Rule
         24 of the Commission's Rules of Practice.

         1.   A copy of the  Organization  Certificate  of The  Bank of New York
              (formerly  Irving Trust Company) as now in effect,  which contains
              the  authority  to  commence  business  and a grant of  powers  to
              exercise corporate trust powers.  (Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 1 to
              Form T-1 filed with Registration  Statement No. 33-6215,  Exhibits
              1a and 1b to  Form  T-1  filed  with  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-21672  and  Exhibit  1 to  Form  T-1  filed  with  Registration
              Statement No. 33-29637.)

         4.   A copy of the existing By-laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to Form
              T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 33-31019.)



<PAGE>


         6.   The consent of the Trustee  required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
              (Exhibit  6 to Form T-1  filed  with  Registration  Statement  No.
              33-44051.)

         7.   A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee  published
              pursuant  to law  or to the  requirements  of its  supervising  or
              examining authority.



<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the Trustee, The Bank of New York,
a corporation  organized  and existing  under the laws of the State of New York,
has duly caused this  statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized,  all in The City of New York, and State
of New York, on the 14th day of April, 1997.


                                                      THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                                 By:  /S/ PAUL J. SCHMALZEL
                                                    --------------------------
                                                     Name:  Paul J. Schmalzel
                                                     Title: Assistant Treasurer


<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 7

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                     of 48 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. 10286

                            And Foreign and Domestic  Subsidiaries,  a member of
                            the Federal Reserve System, at the close of business
                            September 30, 1996,  published in accordance  with a
                            call  made  by the  Federal  Reserve  Bank  of  this
                            District  pursuant to the  provisions of the Federal
                            Reserve Act.


                                    Dollar Amounts
                            ASSETS    in Thousands
                            Cash and balances due from depos-
                              itory institutions:
                              Noninterest-bearing balances and
                              currency and coin ............. $ 4,404,522
                              Interest-bearing balances.......    732,833
                            Securities:
                              Held-to-maturity securities ....     789,964
                              Available-for-sale securities .... 2,005,509
                            Federal funds sold in domestic offices
                            of the bank:
                            Federal funds sold ................... 3,364,838
                            Loans and lease financing
                              receivables:
                              Loans and leases, net of unearned
                                income .................28,728,602
                              LESS: Allowance for loan and
                                lease losses ..............584,525
                              LESS: Allocated transfer risk
                                reserve........................429
                                Loans and leases, net of unearned
                                income, allowance, and reserve   28,143,648
                            Assets held in trading accounts ...... 1,004,242
                            Premises and fixed assets (including
                              capitalized leases) ................ 605,668
                            Other real estate owned .............. 41,238
                            Investments in unconsolidated
                              subsidiaries and associated
                              companies .......................... 205,031
                            Customers' liability to this bank on
                              acceptances outstanding ............   949,154
                            Intangible assets .................... 490,524
                            Other assets .........................   1,305,839
                            Total assets ......................... $44,043,010

                            LIABILITIES
                            Deposits:
                              In domestic offices ................ $20,441,318
                              Noninterest-bearing .......8,158,472
                              Interest-bearing .........12,282,846
                              In foreign offices, Edge and
                              Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs ... 11,710,903
                              Noninterest-bearing ..........46,182
                              Interest-bearing .........11,664,721
                            Federal funds purchased in
                              domestic offices of the
                              bank:
                              Federal funds purchased ............  1,565,288
                            Demand notes issued to the U.S.
                              Treasury ...........................    293,186
                            Trading liabilities ..................    826,856
                            Other borrowed money:
                              With original maturity of one year
                                or less ..........................  2,103,443
                              With original maturity of more than
                                one year .........................    20,766
                            Bank's liability on acceptances exe-
                              cuted and outstanding ..............    951,116
                            Subordinated notes and debentures ....  1,020,400
                            Other liabilities ....................  1,522,884
                            Total liabilities .................... 40,456,160

                            EQUITY CAPITAL
                            Common stock ........................     942,284
                            Surplus .............................     525,666
                            Undivided profits and capital
                              reserves ..........................   2,129,376
                            Net unrealized holding gains
                              (losses) on available-for-sale
                              securities ........................  (    2,073)
                            Cumulative foreign currency transla-
                              tion adjustments ..................  (    8,403)
                            Total equity capital ................   3,586,850
                            Total liabilities and equity
                              capital ........................... $44,043,010


                            I,  Robert E.  Keilman,  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.

                                         Robert E. Keilman

                            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.

                                 J. Carter Bacot }
                                 Thomas A. Renyi } Directors
                                 Alan R. Griffith}


                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                        Offer For Any and All Outstanding
                       10.01% Series A Capital Securities
                (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
                                 in Exchange for
                       10.01% Series B Capital Securities
                (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)
           Which Have Been Registered Under The Securities Act Of 1933
                Pursuant to the Prospectus dated _________, 1997

THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON _________, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN
PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

                  The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:
                              The Bank Of New York

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                         <C>                                 <C>
By Hand Or Overnight Delivery:              Facsimile Transmissions:            By Registered Or Certified Mail:
                                           (Eligible Institutions Only)

The Bank of New York                                                            The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street                          (212) 815-6339                      101 Barclay Street, 7E
Corporate Trust Services Window                                                 New York, New York 10286
Ground Level                                To Confirm by Telephone             Attention: Reorganization Section,
Attention: Reorganization Section,          or for Information Call:                      Shilpa Trivedi
           Shilpa Trivedi
                                            (212) 815-5789

</TABLE>

         Delivery of this letter of  transmittal to an address other than as set
forth above or  transmission  of this letter of  transmittal  via facsimile to a
number other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery.

         The  undersigned   acknowledges   that  he  or  she  has  received  the
Prospectus,  dated  _________,  1997  (the  "Prospectus"),  of  United  National
Bancorp,  a New Jersey  corporation (the "Company"),  and UNB Capital Trust I, a
Delaware  business trust (the "Trust"),  and this Letter of  Transmittal,  which
together  constitute the Company's and the Trust's offer (the "Exchange  Offer")
to exchange an aggregate Liquidation Amount of up to $20,000,000 10.01% Series B
Capital  Securities  due March 15, 2027,  which have been  registered  under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") (the "Exchange Capital
Securities")  of the  Trust for a like  Liquidation  Amount  of the  issued  and
outstanding  10.01% Series A Capital Securities due March 15, 2027 (the "Capital
Securities") of the Trust from the holders thereof.

         THE INSTRUCTIONS  CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

         Capitalized  terms  used but not  defined  herein  shall  have the same
meaning given them in the Prospectus (as defined below).

         This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Old Capital
Securities  (as  defined  below)  either  if Old  Capital  Securities  are to be
forwarded  herewith  or if tenders of Old Capital  Securities  are to be made by
book-entry  transfer  to an  account  maintained  by The Bank of New  York  (the
"Exchange  Agent") at The  Depository  Trust Company (the  "Book-Entry  Transfer
Facility"  or "DTC")  pursuant  to the  procedures  set  forth in "The  Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.

         Holders   of   Old   Capital   Securities   whose   certificates   (the
"Certificates") for such Old Capital Securities are not immediately available or
who cannot deliver their  Certificates  and all other required  documents to the
Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus)
or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis,
must tender their Old Capital  Securities  according to the guaranteed  delivery
procedures  set  forth in "The  Exchange  Offer--Procedures  for  Tendering  Old
Capital Securities" in the Prospectus.

         DELIVERY OF  DOCUMENTS TO THE  BOOK-ENTRY  TRANSFER  FACILITY  DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.

                     NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
               PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

         The undersigned  has completed the  appropriate  boxes below and signed
this Letter of  Transmittal  to indicate the action the  undersigned  desires to
take with respect to the Exchange Offer.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


<S>                                                                       <C>           <C>            <C>                   
    DESCRIPTION OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES                                     1              2               3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
                                                                                          Aggregate      Liquidation
                                                                                         Liquidation    Amount of Old
                                                                                          Amount of        Capital
     Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s):                     Certificate    Old Capital     Securities
                  (Please fill in, if blank)                               Number(s)*    Securities






                                                                                                         Tendered**
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------

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

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

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
                                                                             Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------- ----------------

</TABLE>

*    Need not be  completed  if Old  Capital  Securities  are being  tendered by
     book-entry holders.
**   Old  Capital  Securities  may be  tendered  in  whole or in part in
     denominations  of  $100,000  and  integral  multiples  of $1,000 in
     excess  thereof,  provided that if any Old Capital  Securities  are
     tendered for exchange in part, the untendered principal amount thereof must
     be  $100,000 or any  integral  multiple  of $1,000 in excess  thereof.  See
     instruction 4. Unless  otherwise  indicated in the column, a holder will be
     deemed to have tendered all Old Capital  Securities  represented by the Old
     Capital Securities
     indicated in Column 2.  See Instruction 4.


            (BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)

_____    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES  ARE BEING  DELIVERED BY
         BOOK-ENTRY  TRANSFER  MADE TO THE ACCOUNT  MAINTAINED  BY THE  EXCHANGE
         AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Name of Tendering Institution__________________________________________________

Account Number_________________________________________________________________

Transaction Code Number________________________________________________________

_____    CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
         IF TENDERED OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES ARE BEING  DELIVERED  PURSUANT TO A
         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND
         COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Name of Registered Holder(s)___________________________________________________

Window Ticket Number (if any)__________________________________________________

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery_____________________________

     If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made by Book-Entry Transfer:

Name of Tendering Institution__________________________________________________

Account Number_________________________________________________________________

Transaction Code Number________________________________________________________

_____    CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY  BOOK-ENTRY  TRANSFER AND  NON-EXCHANGED  OLD
         CAPITAL  SECURITIES  ARE TO BE RETURNED  BY  CREDITING  THE  BOOK-ENTRY
         TRANSFER FACILITY ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.

_____    CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A  BROKER-DEALER  WHO  ACQUIRED  THE OLD  CAPITAL
         SECURITIES  FOR ITS OWN  ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET  MAKING OR OTHER
         TRADING  ACTIVITIES  (A  "PARTICIPATING  BROKER-DEALER")  AND  WISH  TO
         RECEIVE 10  ADDITIONAL  COPIES OF THE  PROSPECTUS  AND 10 COPIES OF ANY
         AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

Name___________________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned  hereby  tenders to the Trust and the Company,  the  above-described
aggregate  Liquidation  Amount of the Trust's 10.01% Series A Capital Securities
due  March 15,  2027  (the "Old  Capital  Securities")  in  exchange  for a like
aggregate  Liquidation  Amount of the Trust's 10.01% Series B Capital Securities
due  March  15,  2027  (the  "Exchange  Capital  Securities")  which  have  been
registered under the Securities Act upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in the Prospectus dated _________, 1997 (as the same may be amended or
supplemented  from  time  to  time,  the  "Prospectus"),  receipt  of  which  is
acknowledged,  and in this  Letter  of  Transmittal  (which,  together  with the
Prospectus, constitute the "Exchange Offer").

         Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any
portion of the Old Capital  Securities  tendered herewith in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including,  if the Exchange Offer is
extended  or  amended,  the  terms  and  conditions  of any  such  extension  or
amendment),  the undersigned hereby sells,  assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Trust all  right,  title and  interest  in and to such Old  Capital
Securities as are being tendered  herewith.  The undersigned  hereby irrevocably
constitutes  and appoints the Exchange  Agent as its agent and  attorney-in-fact
(with full  knowledge  that the  Exchange  Agent is also  acting as agent of the
Company and the Trust in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the
tendered Old Capital Securities,  with full power of substitution (such power of
attorney  being  deemed to be an  irrevocable  power  coupled  with an interest)
subject  only to the right of  withdrawal  described in the  Prospectus,  to (i)
deliver  Certificates  for Old  Capital  Securities  to the Company or the Trust
together with all  accompanying  evidences of transfer and  authenticity  to, or
upon the order of,  the  Trust,  upon  receipt  by the  Exchange  Agent,  as the
undersigned's agent, of the Exchange Capital Securities to be issued in exchange
for such Old Capital Securities,  (ii) present Certificates for such Old Capital
Securities for transfer, and to transfer the Old Capital Securities on the books
of the Trust,  and (iii)  receive for the account of the Trust all  benefits and
otherwise  exercise  all  rights of  beneficial  ownership  of such Old  Capital
Securities,  all in  accordance  with the terms and  conditions  of the Exchange
Offer.

         THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS
FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER,  EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE OLD
CAPITAL  SECURITIES  TENDERED  HEREBY AND THAT,  WHEN THE SAME ARE  ACCEPTED FOR
EXCHANGE,  THE TRUST  WILL  ACQUIRE  GOOD,  MARKETABLE  AND  UNENCUMBERED  TITLE
THERETO,  FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS,  RESTRICTIONS,  CHARGES AND ENCUMBRANCES,
AND THAT THE OLD  CAPITAL  SECURITIES  TENDERED  HEREBY  ARE NOT  SUBJECT TO ANY
ADVERSE  CLAIMS OR PROXIES.  THE  UNDERSIGNED  WILL,  UPON REQUEST,  EXECUTE AND
DELIVER  ANY  ADDITIONAL  DOCUMENTS  DEEMED  BY THE  COMPANY,  THE  TRUST OR THE
EXCHANGE AGENT TO BE NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO COMPLETE THE EXCHANGE, ASSIGNMENT
AND TRANSFER OF THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES  TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED
WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REGISTRATION  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT.  THE
UNDERSIGNED HAS READ AND AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

         The name(s) and  address(es)  of the  registered  holder(s)  of the Old
Capital  Securities  tendered  hereby should be printed  below,  if they are not
already set forth above, as they appear on the  Certificates  representing  such
Old Capital Securities. The Certificate number(s) and the Old Capital Securities
that the  undersigned  wishes to tender  should be indicated in the  appropriate
boxes above.

         If any tendered Old Capital  Securities  are not exchanged  pursuant to
the Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Old
Capital Securities than are tendered or accepted for exchange,  Certificates for
such nonexchanged or nontendered Old Capital Securities will be returned (or, in
the case of Old Capital  Securities  tendered by book-entry  transfer,  such Old
Capital  Securities will be credited to an account  maintained at DTC),  without
expense  to  the  tendering  holder,   promptly   following  the  expiration  or
termination of the Exchange Offer.

         The  undersigned  understands  that  tenders of Old Capital  Securities
pursuant   to  any  one  of  the   procedures   described   in   "The   Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities" in the Prospectus and in
the  instruction,  attached  hereto,  will,  upon The  Company's and the Trust's
acceptance  for exchange of such tendered Old Capital  Securities,  constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned,  the Company,  and the Trust upon the
terms and subject to the  conditions  of the  Exchange  Offer.  The  undersigned
recognizes that, under certain  circumstances  set forth in the Prospectus,  the
Company and the Trust may not be required to accept for  exchange any of the Old
Capital Securities tendered hereby.

         Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions"  below,  the undersigned  hereby directs that the Exchange Capital
Securities  be issued in the  name(s)  of the  undersigned  or, in the case of a
book-entry  transfer  of Old  Capital  Securities,  that said  Exchange  Capital
Securities  be credited to the account  indicated  above  maintained  at DTC. If
applicable,  substitute  Certificates  representing  Old Capital  Securities not
exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the  undersigned or, in
the case of a book-entry transfer of Old Capital Securities, will be credited to
the account  indicated  above  maintained at DTC.  Similarly,  unless  otherwise
indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please deliver Exchange Capital
Securities  to the  undersigned  at the address  shown  below the  undersigned's
signature.

         BY  TENDERING  OLD  CAPITAL  SECURITIES  AND  EXECUTING  THIS LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL,   THE  UNDERSIGNED  HEREBY  REPRESENTS  AND  AGREES  THAT  (I)  THE
UNDERSIGNED IS NOT AN "AFFILIATE" OF THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST, (II) ANY EXCHANGE
CAPITAL  SECURITIES TO BE RECEIVED BY THE  UNDERSIGNED ARE BEING ACQUIRED IN THE
ORDINARY  COURSE OF ITS BUSINESS,  (III) THE  UNDERSIGNED  HAS NO ARRANGEMENT OR
UNDERSTANDING  WITH ANY PERSON TO  PARTICIPATE  IN A  DISTRIBUTION  (WITHIN  THE
MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT) OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL  SECURITIES TO BE RECEIVED IN
THE EXCHANGE  OFFER,  AND (IV) IF THE  UNDERSIGNED IS NOT A  BROKER-DEALER,  THE
UNDERSIGNED  IS NOT ENGAGED IN, AND DOES NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION
(WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT) OF SUCH EXCHANGE CAPITAL  SECURITIES.
BY TENDERING OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND EXECUTING
THIS  LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL,  A HOLDER  OF OLD  CAPITAL  SECURITIES  WHICH IS A
BROKER-DEALER  REPRESENTS  AND  AGREES,  CONSISTENT  WITH  CERTAIN  INTERPRETIVE
LETTERS  ISSUED BY THE  STAFF OF THE  DIVISION  OF  CORPORATION  FINANCE  OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION TO THIRD PARTIES,  THAT (A) SUCH OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES HELD BY THE BROKER-DEALER ARE HELD ONLY AS A NOMINEE, OR (B) SUCH OLD
CAPITAL SECURITIES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, AS A
RESULT OF  MARKET-MAKING  ACTIVITIES  OR OTHER  TRADING  ACTIVITIES  AND IT WILL
DELIVER THE  PROSPECTUS (AS AMENDED OR  SUPPLEMENTED  FROM TIME TO TIME) MEETING
THE  REQUIREMENTS  OF THE SECURITIES  ACT IN CONNECTION  WITH ANY RESALE OF SUCH
EXCHANGE  CAPITAL  SECURITIES   (PROVIDED  THAT,  BY  SO  ACKNOWLEDGING  AND  BY
DELIVERING A PROSPECTUS,  SUCH BROKER-DEALER WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO ADMIT THAT IT
IS AN "UNDERWRITER" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SECURITIES ACT).

         THE COMPANY AND THE TRUST HAVE AGREED THAT,  SUBJECT TO THE  PROVISIONS
OF THE REGISTRATION  RIGHTS AGREEMENT,  THE PROSPECTUS,  AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, MAY BE USED BY A PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER (AS
DEFINED  BELOW) IN  CONNECTION  WITH  RESALES  OF  EXCHANGE  CAPITAL  SECURITIES
RECEIVED  IN  EXCHANGE  FOR OLD  CAPITAL  SECURITIES,  WHERE  SUCH  OLD  CAPITAL
SECURITIES WERE ACQUIRED BY SUCH PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT
AS A RESULT OF  MARKET-MAKING  ACTIVITIES  OR OTHER  TRADING  ACTIVITIES,  FOR A
PERIOD  ENDING 90 DAYS AFTER THE  EXPIRATION  DATE  (SUBJECT TO EXTENSION  UNDER
CERTAIN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES  DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS) OR, IF EARLIER, WHEN
ALL SUCH EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF BY SUCH PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER.  IN THAT  REGARD,  EACH  BROKER-DEALER  WHO  ACQUIRED OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES  FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF  MARKET-MAKING  OR OTHER  TRADING
ACTIVITIES  (A  "PARTICIPATING  BROKER-DEALER"),  BY TENDERING  SUCH OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES AND EXECUTING THIS LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL,  AGREES THAT, UPON RECEIPT
OF NOTICE  FROM THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST OF THE  OCCURRENCE  OF ANY EVENT OR THE
DISCOVERY OF ANY FACT WHICH MAKES ANY  STATEMENT  CONTAINED OR  INCORPORATED  BY
REFERENCE IN THE PROSPECTUS  UNTRUE IN ANY MATERIAL  RESPECT OR WHICH CAUSES THE
PROSPECTUS  TO OMIT TO  STATE A  MATERIAL  FACT  NECESSARY  IN ORDER TO MAKE THE
STATEMENTS  CONTAINED  OR  INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  THEREIN,  IN LIGHT OF THE
CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY WERE MADE, NOT MISLEADING OR OF THE OCCURRENCE OF
CERTAIN  OTHER  EVENTS  SPECIFIED IN THE  REGISTRATION  RIGHTS  AGREEMENT,  SUCH
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER WILL SUSPEND THE SALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL SECURITIES
PURSUANT  TO THE  PROSPECTUS  UNTIL THE  COMPANY  AND THE TRUST HAVE  AMENDED OR
SUPPLEMENTED  THE PROSPECTUS TO CORRECT SUCH  MISSTATEMENT  OR OMISSION AND HAVE
FURNISHED COPIES OF THE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED  PROSPECTUS TO THE PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER  OR THE COMPANY OR THE TRUST HAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT THE SALE OF THE
EXCHANGE CAPITAL  SECURITIES MAY BE RESUMED,  AS THE CASE MAY BE, IF THE COMPANY
OR THE TRUST  GIVES SUCH  NOTICE TO  SUSPEND  THE SALE OF THE  EXCHANGE  CAPITAL
SECURITIES.  THEY SHALL EXTEND THE 90-DAY PERIOD  REFERRED TO ABOVE DURING WHICH
PARTICIPATING  BROKER-DEALERS  ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE  PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION
WITH THE RESALE OF EXCHANGE CAPITAL  SECURITIES BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS DURING THE
PERIOD FROM AND INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE GIVING OF SUCH NOTICE TO AND INCLUDING
THE DATE WHEN  PARTICIPATING  BROKER-DEALERS  SHALL HAVE RECEIVED  COPIES OF THE
SUPPLEMENTED OR AMENDED  PROSPECTUS  NECESSARY TO PERMIT RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE
CAPITAL  SECURITIES  OR TO AND  INCLUDING  THE DATE OF WHICH THE  COMPANY OR THE
TRUST HAS GIVEN  NOTICE  THAT THE SALE OF  EXCHANGE  CAPITAL  SECURITIES  MAY BE
RESUMED, AS THE CASE MAY BE.

         Holders of Old  Capital  Securities  whose Old Capital  Securities  are
accepted  for  exchange  will not receive  accrued  interest on such Old Capital
Securities for any period from and after the last Interest Payment Date to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for on such Old Capital Securities prior
to the original  issue date of the Exchange  Capital  Securities  or, if no such
interest  has been paid or duly  provided  for,  will not  receive  any  accrued
interest on such Old Capital Securities, and the undersigned waives the right to
receive any interest on such Old Capital  Securities accrued from and after such
Interest  Payment Date or, if no such  interest has been paid or duly  provided
for, from and after March 21, 1997.

         The undersigned will, upon request,  execute and deliver any additional
documents  deemed by the Company to be  necessary  or  desirable to complete the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby. All
authority  herein  conferred  or  agreed  to be  conferred  in  this  Letter  of
Transmittal  shall survive the death or incapacity  of the  undersigned  and any
obligation  of the  undersigned  hereunder  shall be  binding  upon  the  heirs,
executors,  administrators,  personal  representatives,  trustees in bankruptcy,
legal  representatives,  successors  and assigns of the  undersigned.  Except as
stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.

         THE  UNDERSIGNED,  BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED  "DESCRIPTION  OF OLD
CAPITAL  SECURITIES"  ABOVE  AND  SIGNING  THIS  LETTER,  WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE
TENDERED THE OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX.

                               HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
                          (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2, 5 AND 6)
                 (PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON PAGE 7)
      (NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)

         Must be signed by registered  holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
Certificate(s) for the Old Capital Securities hereby tendered or on the register
of holders maintained by the Trust, or by any person(s) authorized to become the
registered   holder(s)  by  endorsements  and  documents   transmitted  herewith
(including such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as may
be required by the Trust or the Trustee for the Old Capital Securities to comply
with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Old Capital Securities).  If
signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian,
officer  of  a  corporation  or  another  acting  in  a  fiduciary  capacity  or
representative  capacity,   please  set  forth  the  signer's  full  title.  See
Instruction 5.


________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________



<PAGE>


                           (SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))

Date:_____________         , 199___
Name(s)_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)


Capacity (full title)___________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)

Area Code and Telephone Number__________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

               (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S))


                            GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)



________________________________________________________________________________

                             (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)

Date: ____________, 199___

Name of Firm____________________________________________________________________

Capacity (full title)___________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

Address_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
         
________________________________________________________________________________
                          (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)

Area Code and Telephone Number__________________________________________________

                          SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                          (SEE INSTRUCTION 1, 5 AND 6)

To be  completed  ONLY  if  the  Exchange  Capital  Securities  or  Old  Capital
Securities  not tendered are to be issued in the name of someone  other than the
registered holder of the Old Capital Securities whose name(s) appear(s) above.

Issue
_________Old Capital Securities not tendered to:
_________Exchange Capital Securities, to:

Name(s)_________________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)

Area Code and Telephone Number__________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
               (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S))

                          SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                          (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5 AND 6)

To be completed ONLY if Exchange  Capital  Securities OR OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES 
NOT TENDERED are to be sent to someone other than the  registered  holder of the
Old  Capital  Securities  whose  name(s)  appear(s)  above,  or such  registered
holder(s) at an address other than that shown above.

Mail
_________Old Capital Securities not tendered to:
_________Exchange Capital Securities, to:

Name(s)_________________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)

Area Code and Telephone Number__________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
               (TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S))
            
<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS

         FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         1.  DELIVERY  OF LETTER OF  TRANSMITTAL  AND  CERTIFICATES;  GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PROCEDURES. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a)
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant
to the procedures  for tender by book-entry  transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures  for  Tendering  Old Capital  Securities"  in the  Prospectus.
Certificates,  or  timely  confirmation  of a  book-entry  transfer  of such Old
Capital  Securities  into the Exchange  Agent's  account at DTC, as well as this
Letter of  Transmittal  (or  facsimile  thereof),  properly  completed  and duly
executed,  with any  required  signature  guarantees,  and any  other  documents
required by this Letter of  Transmittal,  must be received by the Exchange Agent
at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration  Date. Old Capital
Securities  may be  tendered  in whole  or in part in the  principal  amount  of
$100,000  (100 Capital  Securities)  and integral  multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof,  provided that, if any Old Capital  Securities are tendered for example
in part, the untendered  principal  amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

         Holders who wish to tender their Old Capital  Securities  and (i) whose
Old Capital Securities are not immediately  available or (ii) who cannot deliver
their Old Capital Securities,  this Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration  Date or (iii) who
cannot  complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry  transfer on a timely
basis, may tender their Old Capital  Securities by properly  completing and duly
executing a Notice of Guaranteed  Delivery  pursuant to the guaranteed  delivery
procedures  set  forth in "The  Exchange  Offer--Procedures  for  Tendering  Old
Capital  Securities" in the Prospectus.  Pursuant to such  procedures:  (i) such
tender must be made by or through an Eligible  Institution  (as defined  below);
(ii) a properly  completed  and duly  executed  Notice of  Guaranteed  Delivery,
substantially in the form made available by the Company, must be received by the
Exchange  Agent on or prior to the Expiration  Date; and (iii) the  Certificates
(or a book-entry  confirmation (as defined in the Prospectus))  representing all
tendered Old Capital  Securities,  in proper form for transfer,  together with a
Letter of  Transmittal  (or  facsimile  thereof),  properly  completed  and duly
executed,  with  any  required  signature  guarantees  and any  other  documents
required by this Letter of  Transmittal,  must be received by the Exchange Agent
within  five New York  Stock  Exchange,  Inc.  trading  days  after  the date of
execution  of such  Notice  of  Guaranteed  Delivery,  all as  provided  in "The
Exchange  Offer --  Procedures  for  Tendering  Old Capital  Securities"  in the
Prospectus.

         The  Notice  of  Guaranteed  Delivery  must  be  delivered  by  hand or
transmitted  by  facsimile  or mail to the  Exchange  Agent,  and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible  Institution in the form set forth in such Notice.  For
Old Capital  Securities  to be  properly  tendered  pursuant  to the  guaranteed
delivery  procedure,  the  Exchange  Agent must  receive a Notice of  Guaranteed
Delivery  on or  prior  to  the  Expiration  Date.  As  used  herein  and in the
Prospectus,  "Eligible  Institution"  means a firm or other entity identified in
Rule 17Ad-15  under the Exchange  Act as "an  eligible  guarantor  institution,"
including   (as  such  terms  are   defined   therein)   (i)  a  bank;   (ii)  a
164534A01022197broker,   dealer,   municipal  securities  broker  or  dealer  or
government  securities  broker or dealer;  (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national
securities exchange,  registered  securities  association or clearing agency; or
(v) a  savings  association  that  is a  participant  in a  Securities  Transfer
Association.

         THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES,  THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER  REQUIRED  DOCUMENTS  IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE  TENDERING
HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN  ACTUALLY  RECEIVED BY THE
EXCHANGE  AGENT.  IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL,  REGISTERED  MAIL WITH RETURN  RECEIPT
REQUESTED,  PROPERLY INSURED,  OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED.  IN
ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

         Neither  the  Company  nor  the  Trust  will  accept  any  alternative,
conditional  or contingent  tenders.  Each tendering  holder,  by execution of a
Letter of Transmittal  (or facsimile  thereof),  waives any right to receive any
notice of the acceptance of such tender.

         2.  GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  No signature  guarantee on this Letter of
Transmittal is required if:

          (i)     this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered  holder
                  (which term, for purposes of this document,  shall include any
                  participant  in DTC whose  name  appears  on the  register  of
                  holders  maintained  by the  Trust  as the  owner  of the  Old
                  Capital   Securities)  of  Old  Capital  Securities   tendered
                  herewith,  unless such holder(s) has completed  either the box
                  entitled "Special  Issuance  Instructions" or the box entitled
                  "Special Delivery Instructions" above, or

          (ii)    such Old Capital  Securities are tendered for the account of a
                  firm that is an Eligible Institution.

         In  all  other  cases,  an  Eligible  Institution  must  guarantee  the
signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.

         3.  INADEQUATE  SPACE.  If the  space  provided  in the  box  captioned
"Description of Old Capital Securities" is inadequate, the Certificate number(s)
and/or the principal  amount of Old Capital  Securities  and any other  required
information  should be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to
this Letter of Transmittal.

         4.  PARTIAL  TENDERS  AND  WITHDRAWAL  RIGHTS.  Tenders of Old  Capital
Securities  will be  accepted  only in the  principal  amount of  $100,000  (100
Capital Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided
that if any Old Capital  Securities  are  tendered  for  exchange  in part,  the
untendered principal amount thereof must be $100,000 (100 Capital Securities) or
any  integral  multiple  of $1,000 in excess  thereof.  If less than all the Old
Capital  Securities  evidenced by any Certificate  submitted are to be tendered,
fill in the principal amount of Old Capital  Securities which are to be tendered
in the box entitled  "Liquidation  Amount of Old Capital Securities Tendered (if
less than all.)" In such case, new  Certificate(s)  for the remainder of the Old
Capital Securities that were evidenced by your old  Certificate(s)  will only be
sent to the holder of the Old Capital  Security,  promptly  after the Expiration
Date. All Old Capital  Securities  represented by Certificates  delivered to the
Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

         Except as otherwise provided herein,  tenders of Old Capital Securities
may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration  Date. In order for a
withdrawal  to be effective  on or prior to that time,  a written,  telegraphic,
telex or  facsimile  transmission  of such notice of  withdrawal  must be timely
received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in the
Prospectus  on or prior to the  Expiration  Date.  Any such notice of withdrawal
must specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Capital  Securities  to
be withdrawn,  the aggregate  principal  amount of Old Capital  Securities to be
withdrawn,  and (if Certificates for Old Capital  Securities have been tendered)
the name of the registered holder of the Old Capital  Securities as set forth on
the  Certificate for the Old Capital  Securities,  if different from that of the
person who tendered such Old Capital  Securities.  If  Certificates  for the Old
Capital  Securities have been delivered or otherwise  identified to the Exchange
Agent,  then  prior to the  physical  release of such  Certificates  for the Old
Capital Securities, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on
the particular  Certificates for the Old Capital  Securities to be withdrawn and
the  signature on the notice of  withdrawal  must be  guaranteed  by an Eligible
Institution,  except  in the case of Old  Capital  Securities  tendered  for the
account of an Eligible Institution. If Old Capital Securities have been tendered
pursuant to the procedures  for book-entry  transfer set forth in the Prospectus
under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures  for Tendering Old Capital  Securities,"
the notice of withdrawal  must specify the name and number of the account at DTC
to be credited with the  withdrawal of Old Capital  Securities,  in which case a
notice of  withdrawal  will be effective  if delivered to the Exchange  Agent by
written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders of
Old Capital  Securities may not be rescinded.  Old Capital  Securities  properly
withdrawn  will not be deemed  validly  tendered  for  purposes of the  Exchange
Offer,  but  may be  retendered  at  any  subsequent  time  on or  prior  to the
Expiration  Date by following any of the procedures  described in the Prospectus
under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Capital Securities."

         All questions as to the validity,  form and eligibility (including time
of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Company and the
Trust, in their sole discretion,  whose determination shall be final and binding
on all parties. None of the Company, the Trust, any affiliates or assigns of the
Company and the Trust, the Exchange Agent or any other person shall be under any
duty to give any notification of any  irregularities in any notice of withdrawal
or incur  any  liability  for  failure  to give any such  notification.  Any Old
Capital  Securities  which have been  tendered but which are  withdrawn  will be
returned  to the holder  thereof  without  cost to such  holder  promptly  after
withdrawal.

         5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,  ASSIGNMENTS AND  ENDORSEMENTS.
If this Letter of Transmittal  is signed by the registered  holder(s) of the Old
Capital  Securities  tendered hereby,  the signature(s) must correspond  exactly
with  the  name(s)  as  written  on  the  face  of  the  Certificate(s)  without
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

         If any of the Old  Capital  Securities  tendered  hereby  are  owned of
record by two or more joint  owners,  all such  owners  must sign this Letter of
Transmittal.

         If any  tendered Old Capital  Securities  are  registered  in different
name(s) on several  Certificates,  it will be necessary  to  complete,  sign and
submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles  thereof) as there
are different registrations of Certificates.

         If this Letter of  Transmittal or any  Certificates  or bond powers are
signed by trustees,  executors,  administrators,  guardians,  attorneys-in-fact,
officers  of  corporations  or others  acting in a fiduciary  or  representative
capacity,  such persons  should so indicate  when signing and must submit proper
evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trust, in their sole discretion, of
each such person's authority so to act.

         When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of
the Old Capital  Securities listed and transmitted  hereby, no endorsement(s) of
Certificate(s)  or separate bond power(s) are required unless  Exchange  Capital
Securities  are to be issued in the name of a person  other than the  registered
holder(s).  Signature(s)  on  such  Certificate(s)  or  bond  power(s)  must  be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

         If this  Letter of  Transmittal  is signed by a person  other  than the
registered  owner(s) of the Old Capital Securities listed, the Certificates must
be endorsed or  accompanied by  appropriate  bond powers,  signed exactly as the
name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also
must be  accompanied  by such  opinions  of  counsel,  certifications  and other
information  as the  Company,  the  Trust  or the  Trustee  for the Old  Capital
Securities  may  require  in  accordance  with  the   restrictions  on  transfer
applicable to the Old Capital  Securities.  Signatures on such  Certificates  or
bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

         6.  SPECIAL  ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY  INSTRUCTIONS.  If Exchange  Capital
Securities  are to be issued in the name of a person  other  than the  signer of
this Letter of Transmittal,  or if Exchange Capital Securities are to be sent to
someone  other than the signer of this  Letter of  Transmittal  or to an address
other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal
should be completed.  Certificates for Old Capital Securities not exchanged will
be returned by mail or, if tendered by  book-entry  transfer,  by crediting  the
account indicated above maintained at DTC. See Instruction 4.

         7. IRREGULARITIES.  The Company and the Trust will determine,  in their
sole  discretion,  all  questions  as  to  the  form  of  documents,   validity,
eligibility  (including  time of receipt)  and  acceptance  for  exchange of any
tender of Old Capital Securities, which determination shall be final and binding
on all parties.  The Company and the Trust reserve the absolute  right to reject
any and all tenders determined by either of them not to be in proper form or the
acceptance of which,  or exchange for which,  may, in the view of counsel to the
Company and the Trust,  be unlawful.  The Company and the Trust also reserve the
absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the
Exchange  Offer  set  forth  in  the  Prospectus  under  "The  Exchange  Offer--
Conditions  to the Exchange  Offer" or any  conditions  or  irregularity  in any
tender of Old Capital Securities of any particular holder whether or not similar
conditions  or  irregularities  are  waived  in the case of other  holders.  The
Company's  and the Trust's  interpretation  of the terms and  conditions  of the
Exchange  Offer  (including  this  Letter of  Transmittal  and the  instructions
hereto) will be final and binding.  No tender of Old Capital  Securities will be
deemed to have been validly made until all  irregularities  with respect to such
tender have been cured or waived.  The Company,  the Trust,  any  affiliates  or
assigns of the Company, the Trust, the Exchange Agent, or any other person shall
not be under any duty to give  notification of any  irregularities in tenders or
incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

         8. QUESTIONS,  REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address
and  telephone  number  set  forth on the front on this  Letter of  Transmittal.
Additional copies of the Prospectus,  the Notice of Guaranteed  Delivery and the
Letter of  Transmittal  may be  obtained  from the  Exchange  Agent or from your
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.

         9. 31% BACKUP  WITHHOLDING;  SUBSTITUTE  FORM W-9.  Under U.S.  Federal
income tax law, a holder whose tendered Old Capital  Securities are accepted for
exchange is required to provide the Exchange  Agent with such  holder's  correct
taxpayer  identification  number  ("TIN") on Substitute  Form W-9 below.  If the
Exchange  Agent is not  provided  with the correct  TIN,  the  Internal  Revenue
Service (the "IRS") may subject the holder or other payee to a $50  penalty.  In
addition,  payments to such  holders or other payees with respect to Old Capital
Securities exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to 31% backup
withholding.

         The box in Part 2 of the  Substitute  Form  W-9 may be  checked  if the
tendering  holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends
to apply  for a TIN in the near  future.  If the box in Part 2 is  checked,  the
holder or other payee must also complete the  Certificate  of Awaiting  Taxpayer
Identification   Number   below   in  order   to   avoid   backup   withholding.
Notwithstanding  that  the  box in Part 2 is  checked  and  the  Certificate  of
Awaiting Taxpayer  Identification  Number is completed,  the Exchange Agent will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly  certified TIN is
provided to the  Exchange  Agent.  The  Exchange  Agent will retain such amounts
withheld during the 60 day period following the date of the Substitute Form W-9.
If the holder furnishes the Exchange Agent with its TIN within 60 days after the
date of the Substitute  Form W-9, the amounts  retained during the 60 day period
will be  remitted  to the holder and no further  amounts  shall be  retained  or
withheld from payments made to the holder  thereafter.  If, however,  the holder
has not  provided  the  Exchange  Agent with its TIN within  such 60 day period,
amounts withheld will be remitted to the IRS as backup withholding. In addition,
31% of all  payments  made  thereafter  will be withheld and remitted to the IRS
until a correct TIN is provided.

         The holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer  identification  number) of the registered  owner of
the Old Capital Securities or of the last transferee  appearing on the transfers
attached  to, or  endorsed  on, the Old Capital  Securities.  If the Old Capital
Securities  are  registered  in more than one name or are not in the name of the
actual owner,  consult the enclosed  "Guidelines for  Certification  of Taxpayer
Identification  Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional  guidance on which
number to report.

         Certain  holders  (including,  among  others,  corporations,  financial
institutions  and certain  foreign  persons)  may not be subject to these backup
withholding  and  reporting  requirements.   Such  holders  should  nevertheless
complete the attached  Substitute Form W-9 below, and write "exempt" on the face
thereof,  to avoid possible erroneous backup  withholding.  A foreign person may
qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly  completed IRS Form W-8,
signed under  penalties of perjury,  attesting to that holder's  exempt  status.
Please  consult  the  enclosed   "Guidelines  for   Certification   of  Taxpayer
Identification  Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional  guidance on which
holders are exempt from backup withholding.

         Backup  withholding  is not an  additional  U.S.  Federal  income  tax.
Rather,  the U.S.  Federal  income tax  liability of a person  subject to backup
withholding  will be  reduced  by the  amount of tax  withheld.  If  withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.

         10. WAIVER OF  CONDITIONS.  The Company  reserves the absolute right to
waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.

         11. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative,  conditional,  irregular or
contingent  tenders  will be  accepted.  All  tendering  holders of Old  Capital
Securities, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to
receive notice of the acceptance of their Old Capital Securities for exchanges.

         Neither  the  Company,  the  Exchange  Agent  nor any  other  person is
obligated  to give  notice of any  defect or  irregularity  with  respect to any
tender of the Old Capital  Securities  nor shall any of them incur any liability
for failure to give any such notice.

         12.  LOST,  DESTROYED  OR STOLEN  CERTIFICATES.  If any  Certificate(s)
representing  Old Capital  Securities have been lost,  destroyed or stolen,  the
holder  should  promptly  notify the  Exchange  Agent.  The holder  will then be
instructed  as to the  steps  that  must  be  taken  in  order  to  replace  the
Certificate(s).  This  Letter of  Transmittal  and related  documents  cannot be
processed  until  the  procedures  for  replacing  lost,   destroyed  or  stolen
Certificate(s) have been followed.

         13.  SECURITY  TRANSFER  TAXES.  Holders  who tender  their Old Capital
Securities  for exchange  will not be  obligated  to pay any  transfer  taxes in
connection  therewith.  If,  however,  Exchange  Capital  Securities  are  to be
delivered  to, or are to be issued in the name of,  any  person  other  than the
registered holder of the Old Capital Securities  tendered,  or if a transfer tax
is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Capital  Securities  in
connection  with the Exchange  Offer,  then the amount of any such  transfer tax
(whether imposed on the registered  holder or any other persons) will be payable
by the tendering  holder.  If satisfactory  evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal,  the amount
of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.

         IMPORTANT:  THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL  (OR FACSIMILE  THEREOF) AND ALL
OTHER  REQUIRED  DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO
THE  EXPIRATION  DATE.  TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL  TENDERING  SECURITYHOLDERS  (See
Instruction 9)



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       PAYER'S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK

<S>                                  <C>                                     <C> 
                                     PART 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN ON     TIN: ______________
                                     THE LINE AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY             Social Security Number or
                                     SIGNING AND DATING BELOW                   Employer Identification Number
                                     --------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------

                                     PART 2 - TIN Applied for 


                                     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE                           CERTIFICATION - UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT:

Form W-9                             (1) the  number  shown on this  form is my correct  taxpayer  identification  
Department  of The  Treasury             number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me).
Internal Revenue Service             

Payor's Request For                  (2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because (i) I am exempt 
                                         from backup withholding;  (ii) I have not been notified by the 
Taxpayer                                 Internal Revenue  Service  ("IRS")  that I am  subject  to backup  
Identification  Number                   withholding  as a  result  of a  failure  to  report  all  interest  or 
("TIN")                                  dividends,  or  (iii)  the  IRS  has  notified  me  that  I  am  no  longer
and Certification                        subject to backup withholding, and

                                     (3) any other information  provided on this form is true and correct.

                                     Signature_________________ Date__________________, 1997
</TABLE>

You must cross out item (iii) in Part (2) above if you have been notified by the
IRS that you are subject to backup
withholding  because of underreporting  interest or dividends on your tax return
and you have not been  notified  by the IRS that you are no  longer  subject  to
backup withholding.


NOTE:  FAILURE TO  COMPLETE  AND RETURN  THIS FORM MAY IN CERTAIN  CIRCUMSTANCES
RESULT IN BACKUP  WITHHOLDING  OF 31% OF ANY AMOUNTS PAID TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE
EXCHANGE  OFFER.  PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED  GUIDELINES  FOR  CERTIFICATION  OF
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.



<PAGE>


         YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
PART 2 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

             CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer  identification  number has
not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an  application
to receive a taxpayer  identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue
Service Center or Social Security  Administration Office or (2) I intend to mail
or deliver an  application  in the near future.  I  understand  that if I do not
provide a  taxpayer  identification  number by the time of  payment,  31% of all
payments  made to me on  account of the  Exchange  Capital  Securities  shall be
retained until I provide a taxpayer  identification number to the Exchange Agent
and that, if I do not provide my taxpayer  identification number within 60 days,
such  retained  amounts  shall be remitted to the  Internal  Revenue  Service as
backup withholding and 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will
be withheld  and  remitted to the  Internal  Revenue  Service  until I provide a
taxpayer identification number.

Signature_______________                    Date___________, 1997


                          NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                  FOR TENDER OF
                             ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
                       10.01% SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
                                       OF
                               UNB CAPITAL TRUST I
                      FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED
                           BY UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP


         This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or one substantially  equivalent to
this form,  must be used to accept the Exchange  Offer (as defined below) if (i)
certificates  for the  Trust's  (as  defined  below)  10.01%  Series  A  Capital
Securities due March 15, 2027 (the "Old Capital Securities") are not immediately
available, (ii) Old Capital Securities,  the Letter of Transmittal and all other
required  documents  cannot be delivered to The Bank of New York (the  "Exchange
Agent") on or prior to 5:00 P.M. New York City time, on the Expiration  Date (as
defined  in the  Prospectus  referred  to  below) or (iii)  the  procedures  for
delivery by  book-entry  transfer  cannot be completed on a timely  basis.  This
Notice of  Guaranteed  Delivery may be delivered by hand,  overnight  courier or
mail, or transmitted by facsimile transmission,  to the Exchange Agent. See "The
Exchange   Offer--Procedures  for  Tendering  Old  Capital  Securities"  in  the
Prospectus.  In addition,  in order to utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure
to tender Old Capital  Securities  pursuant to the Exchange  Offer, a completed,
signed and dated Letter of  Transmittal  relating to The Old Capital  Securities
(or facsimile thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00
P.M. New York City time, on the Expiration Date.  Capitalized  terms not defined
herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       The Exchange Agent For The Exchange Offer Is:
                                                    The Bank of New York

<S>                                           <C>                                 <C>
   By Registered or Certified Mail            Facsimile Transmissions:             By Hand Or Overnight Delivery
                                              (Eligible Institutions Only)
         The Bank of New York                                                          The Bank of New York
        101 Barclay Street, 7E                      (212)815-6339                       101 Barclay Street
       New York, New York 10286                                                   Corporate Trust Services Window
     Attn: Reorganization Section               Confirm By Telephone:                      Ground Level
            Shilpa Trivedi                         (212) 815-5789                    New York, New York 10286
                                                                                   Attn: Reorganization Section,
                                                For Information Call:                     Shilpa Trivedi
                                                   (212) 815-5789


</TABLE>


         Delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to an address other than
as set forth above or  transmission  of this Notice of  Guaranteed  Delivery via
facsimile to a number other than as set forth above will not  constitute a valid
delivery.


         THIS  NOTICE  OF  GUARANTEED  DELIVERY  IS NOT TO BE USED TO  GUARANTEE
SIGNATURES.  IF A  SIGNATURE  ON A  LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL  IS  REQUIRED  TO BE
GUARANTEED BY AN "ELIGIBLE  INSTITUTION"  UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS  THERETO,  SUCH
SIGNATURE  GUARANTEE  MUST  APPEAR  IN  THE  APPLICABLE  SPACE  PROVIDED  IN THE
SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The undersigned hereby tenders to United National Bancorp, a New Jersey
Corporation (the  "Corporation") and to UNB Capital Trust I, a Delaware business
trust (the  "Trust"),  upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the Prospectus dated ________,  1997 (as the same may be amended or supplemented
from time to time,  the  "Prospectus"),  and the related  Letter of  Transmittal
(which  together  constitute the "Exchange  Offer"),  receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the aggregate principal amount of Old Capital Securities set forth
below pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "The  Exchange  Offer--Procedures  for  Tendering  Old Capital
Securities."

Aggregate Liquidation Amount                    Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
Amount Tendered: $__________*

Certificate No(s)
if available):_______________


:_______________________________________
(Total Liquidation Amount Represented by
Old Capital Securities Certificate(s)

$_______________________________________

If Old Capital Securities will be tendered by book-entry  transfer,  provide the
following information:

DTC Account Number: _______________________

Date: _____________________________________


- --------
* Must be in  denominations  of a Liquidation  Amount of $1,000 and any integral
multiple thereof, and not less than $100,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount.

<PAGE>


________________________________________________________________________________

         All authority  herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive
the  death  or  incapacity  of  the  undersigned  and  every  obligation  of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns of the undersigned.
________________________________________________________________________________

                                PLEASE SIGN HERE

X________________________________                _______________________________

X________________________________                _______________________________
    Signature(s) of Owner(s)                     Date
    or Authorized Signatory

Area Code and Telephone Number:_______________________

         Must be signed by the holder(s) of the Old Capital  Securities as their
name(s)  appear(s) on certificates  for Old Capital  Securities or on a security
position listing, or by person(s)  authorized to become registered  holder(s) by
endorsement and documents  transmitted with this Notice of Guaranteed  Delivery.
If   signature   is   by   a   trustee,   executor,   administrator,   guardian,
attorney-in-fact,   officer  or  other   person   acting  in  a   fiduciary   or
representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below.


                                            Please print name(s) and address(es)


Name(s):                                    ____________________________________
                                            
                                            ____________________________________
                                            
                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________


Capacity:                                   ____________________________________

Address(es):                                ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________

                                            ____________________________________




               THE GUARANTEE ON THE REVERSE SIDE MUST BE COMPLETED



<PAGE>


                                    GUARANTEE
                    (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)


         The  undersigned,  a firm or other  entity  identified  in Rule 17Ad-15
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as an "eligible guarantor
institution,"  including (as such terms are defined therein): (i) a bank; (ii) a
broker,  dealer,  municipal  securities  broker,  municipal  securities  dealer,
government  securities  broker,  government  securities  dealer;  (iii) a credit
union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or
learning  agency;  or (v) a  savings  association  that  is a  participant  in a
Securities Transfer Association  recognized program (each of the foregoing being
referred to as an "Eligible  Institution"),  hereby guarantees to deliver to the
Exchange Agent, at one of its addresses set forth above,  either the Old Capital
Securities  tendered hereby in proper form for transfer,  or confirmation of the
book-entry  transfer  of such Old Capital  Securities  to the  Exchange  Agent's
account at The Depositary Trust Company ("DTC"),  pursuant to the procedures for
book-entry  transfer set forth in the  Prospectus,  in either case together with
one or more properly  completed and duly executed  Letter(s) of Transmittal  (or
facsimile  thereof) and any other required  documents  within five business days
after the date of execution of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.


         The  undersigned  acknowledges  that it must  deliver the  Letter(s) of
Transmittal and the Old Capital Securities tendered hereby to the Exchange Agent
within the time period set forth above and that failure to do so could result in
a financial loss to the undersigned.


______________________________________            ______________________________
            Name of Firm                                 Authorized Signature


______________________________________            ______________________________
               Address                                          Title


______________________________________            ______________________________
               Zip Code                                 (Please Type or Print)


Area Code and Telephone No.________               Dated:________________________

NOTE:  DO NOT SEND  CERTIFICATES  FOR OLD  CAPITAL  SECURITIES  WITH THIS  FORM.
CERTIFICATES FOR OLD CAPITAL  SECURITIES SHOULD ONLY BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.

                            EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT

The Bank of New York
Corporate Trust Trustee Administration
101 Barclay Street - 21st Floor
New York, New York 10286

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                   United National Bancorp (the "Company") and UNB Capital Trust
I (the "Trust") propose to make an offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange,  in
the case of the Company, its Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and, in the case
of the Trust, its Old Capital Securities (the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures
and the Old Capital  Securities are collectively  referred to herein as the "Old
Securities")  for their  New  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  and New  Capital
Securities (the New Junior Subordinated Debenture and the New Capital Securities
are  collectively  referred  to herein as the "New  Securities").  The terms and
conditions of the Exchange  Offer as currently  contemplated  are set forth in a
prospectus, dated _________, 1997 (the "Prospectus"), proposed to be distributed
to all record  holders of the Old  Securities.  The Old  Securities  and the New
Securities are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities".  Capitalized
terms used  herein  but not  otherwise  defined  herein  shall have the  meaning
assigned to them in the Prospectus.

                   The Company  hereby  appoints  The Bank of New York to act as
exchange agent (the  "Exchange  Agent") in connection  with the Exchange  Offer.
References hereinafter to "you" shall refer to The Bank of New York.

                   The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by the Company
on or  about  _________,  1997.  The  Letter  of  Transmittal  accompanying  the
Prospectus (or in the case of book entry  securities,  the ATOP system) is to be
used by the  holders  of the Old  Securities  to accept the  Exchange  Offer and
contains  instructions  with  respect to the  delivery of  certificates  for Old
Securities tendered in connection therewith.

                   The Exchange  Offer shall expire at 5:00 P.M.,  New York City
time, on _________,  1997 or on such later date or time to which the Company may
extend the  Exchange  Offer (the  "Expiration  Date").  Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Prospectus, the Company expressly reserves the right
to extend the Exchange Offer from time to time and may extend the Exchange Offer
by giving oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice to you before 9:00 A.M.,
New York City time,  on the  business day  following  the  previously  scheduled
Expiration Date.

                   The  Company  expressly   reserves  the  right  to  amend  or
terminate the Exchange Offer,  and not to accept for exchange any Old Securities
not  theretofore  accepted  for  exchange,  upon  the  occurrence  of any of the
conditions of the Exchange Offer  specified in the Prospectus  under the caption
"The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange  Offer." The Company will give
oral  (confirmed in writing) or written notice of any amendment,  termination or
non-acceptance to you as promptly as practicable.

                   In carrying out your duties as Exchange Agent, you are to act
in accordance with the following instructions:

                   1. You will  perform  such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in the section of the Prospectus  captioned "The Exchange
Offer" or as specifically set forth herein;  provided,  however,  that in no way
will your general duty to act in good faith be discharged by the foregoing.

                   2. You will  establish  an  account  with  respect to the Old
Securities at The Depository Trust Company (the "Book-Entry  Transfer Facility")
for  purposes of the Exchange  Offer within two business  days after the date of
the  Prospectus,  and any financial  institution  that is a  participant  in the
Book-Entry  Transfer  Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of the Old
Securities  by causing the  Book-Entry  Transfer  Facility to transfer  such Old
Securities  into  your  account  in  accordance  with  the  Book-Entry  Transfer
Facility's procedure for such transfer.

                   3. You will  examine each of the Letters of  Transmittal  and
certificates  for Old Securities (or  confirmation  of book-entry  transfer into
your  account  at the  Book-Entry  Transfer  Facility)  and any other  documents
delivered or mailed to you by or for holders of the Old  Securities to ascertain
whether:  (i) the Letters of Transmittal  and any such other  documents are duly
executed  and properly  completed  in  accordance  with  instructions  set forth
therein and (ii) the Old Securities  have otherwise been properly  tendered.  In
each  case  where the  Letter of  Transmittal  or any  other  document  has been
improperly  completed or executed or any of the  certificates for Old Securities
are not in proper form for  transfer or some other  irregularity  in  connection
with the  acceptance of the Exchange  Offer exists,  you will endeavor to inform
the presenters of the need for fulfillment of all  requirements  and to take any
other action as may be necessary or advisable to cause such  irregularity  to be
corrected.

                   4. With the approval of the President, Senior Vice President,
Executive Vice  President,  or any Vice President of the Company (such approval,
if given  orally,  to be confirmed in writing) or any other party  designated by
such an officer in writing,  you are authorized to waive any  irregularities  in
connection with any tender of Old Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

                   5. Tenders of Old Securities may be made only as set forth in
the Letter of Transmittal  and in the section of the  Prospectus  captioned "The
Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old  Securities",  and Old Securities
shall be  considered  properly  tendered to you only when tendered in accordance
with the procedures set forth  therein.  Notwithstanding  the provisions of this
paragraph  5,  Old  Securities  which  the  President,  Senior  Vice  President,
Executive Vice President,  or any Vice President of the Company shall approve as
having been properly  tendered shall be considered to be properly tendered (such
approval, if given orally, shall be confirmed in writing).

                   6.  You will  advise  the  Company  with  respect  to any Old
Securities   received   subsequent  to  the  Expiration   Date  and  accept  its
instructions with respect to disposition of such Old Securities.

                   7. You shall accept tenders:

                        (a) in cases where the Old  Securities are registered in
two or more names, only if signed by all named holders;

                        (b) in cases where the signing  person (as  indicated on
the  Letter  of  Transmittal)  is  acting  in a  fiduciary  or a  representative
capacity,  only  when  proper  evidence  of his or  her  authority  so to act is
submitted; and

                        (c) from persons other than the registered holder of Old
Securities,  only if customary transfer  requirements,  including any applicable
transfer taxes, are fulfilled.

                   You shall accept partial  tenders of Old Securities  where so
indicated and as permitted in the Letter of Transmittal and deliver certificates
for Old  Securities to the transfer agent for split-up and return any untendered
Old  Securities  to the holder (or such other person as may be designated in the
Letter  of  Transmittal)  as  promptly  as  practicable   after   expiration  or
termination of the Exchange Offer.

                   8. Upon  satisfaction  or waiver of all of the  conditions to
the Exchange Offer, the Company will notify you (such notice if given orally, to
be confirmed in writing) of its acceptance,  promptly after the Expiration Date,
of all Old Securities properly tendered and you, on behalf of the Company,  will
exchange such Old Securities for New Securities and cause such Old Securities to
be cancelled.  Delivery of New Securities  will be made on behalf of the Company
by you at the rate of $1,000  principal amount of New Securities for each $1,000
principal amount of the corresponding series of Old Securities tendered promptly
after  notice  (such  notice if given  orally,  to be  confirmed  in writing) of
acceptance of said Old Securities by the Company; provided, however, that in all
cases, Old Securities  tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be exchanged
only after timely  receipt by you of  certificates  for such Old  Securities (or
confirmation of book-entry transfer into your account at the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility),  a properly  completed and duly executed  Letter of  Transmittal  (or
facsimile thereof) with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents. You shall issue New Securities only in denominations of $1,000 or any
integral multiple thereof.

                   9. Tenders  pursuant to the Exchange  Offer are  irrevocable,
except  that,  subject  to the  terms and upon the  conditions  set forth in the
Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal,  Old Securities  tendered  pursuant to
the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

                   10. The Company  shall not be  required  to exchange  any Old
Securities tendered if any of the conditions set forth in the Exchange Offer are
not  met.  Notice  of any  decision  by the  Company  not to  exchange  any  Old
Securities  tendered shall be given (and confirmed in writing) by the Company to
you.

                   11. If, pursuant to the Exchange Offer,  the Company does not
accept for exchange  all or part of the Old  Securities  tendered  because of an
invalid  tender,  the  occurrence  of  certain  other  events  set  forth in the
Prospectus  under the caption "The Exchange  Offer -- Certain  Conditions to the
Exchange  Offer"  or  otherwise,  you  shall as soon as  practicable  after  the
expiration or termination of the Exchange  Offer return those  certificates  for
unaccepted Old Securities (or effect appropriate book-entry transfer),  together
with any related  required  documents  and the Letters of  Transmittal  relating
thereto that are in your possession, to the persons who deposited them.

                   12. All certificates for reissued Old Securities,  unaccepted
Old  Securities  or for New  Securities  shall be forwarded  by (a)  first-class
certified mail,  return receipt requested under a blanket surety bond protecting
you and the Company from loss or  liability  arising out of the  non-receipt  or
non-delivery of such  certificates or (b) by registered mail insured  separately
for the replacement value of each of such certificates.

                   13.  You  are  not  authorized  to pay or  offer  to pay  any
concessions,  commissions or solicitation  fees to any broker,  dealer,  bank or
other persons or to engage or utilize any person to solicit tenders.

                   14. As Exchange Agent hereunder you:

                        (a) shall have no duties or obligations other than those
specifically set forth herein or as may be subsequently  agreed to in writing by
you and the Company;

                        (b) will be  regarded as making no  representations  and
having no responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness
of any of the certificates or the Old Securities  represented  thereby deposited
with you  pursuant to the Exchange  Offer,  and will not be required to and will
make no representation as to the validity,  value or genuineness of the Exchange
Offer;

                        (c) shall  not be  obligated  to take any  legal  action
hereunder  which  might in your  reasonable  judgment  involve  any  expense  or
liability, unless you shall have been furnished with reasonable indemnity;

                        (d) may  reasonably  rely on and shall be  protected  in
acting in reliance upon any certificate,  instrument,  opinion,  notice, letter,
telegram or other document or security delivered to you and reasonably  believed
by you to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties;

                        (e) may  reasonably  act  upon  any  tender,  statement,
request,  comment,  agreement or other instrument  whatsoever not only as to its
due execution and validity and  effectiveness of its provisions,  but also as to
the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein,  which you shall in
good faith  believe to be genuine  or to have been  signed or  represented  by a
proper person or persons;

                        (f) may rely on and shall be  protected  in acting  upon
written or oral instructions from any officer of the Company;

                        (g) may consult  with your  counsel  with respect to any
questions relating to your duties and responsibilities and the advice or opinion
of such  counsel  shall be full and complete  authorization  and  protection  in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by you hereunder in
good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel; and

                        (h) shall not advise any person tendering Old Securities
pursuant to the  Exchange  Offer as to the wisdom of making such tender or as to
the  market  value  or  decline  or  appreciation  in  market  value  of any Old
Securities.

                   15.  You shall  take such  action as may from time to time be
requested  by the  Company  or its  counsel  (and such  other  action as you may
reasonably  deem  appropriate)  to furnish copies of the  Prospectus,  Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in the Prospectus)
or such other forms as may be approved from time to time by the Company,  to all
persons  requesting  such  documents  and to accept  and comply  with  telephone
requests for  information  relating to the Exchange  Offer,  provided  that such
information  shall relate only to the procedures  for accepting (or  withdrawing
from) the  Exchange  Offer.  The  Company  will  furnish you with copies of such
documents at your request.  All other requests for  information  relating to the
Exchange Offer shall be directed to the Company, Attention: Ralph L. Straw, Jr.,
United  National  Bancorp,  1130 Route 22 East, P.O. Box 6000,  Bridgewater,  NJ
08807-0010.

                   16. You shall advise by facsimile  transmission or telephone,
and promptly thereafter confirm in writing to Ralph L. Straw, Jr. of the Company
and such other  person or persons as the  Company may  request,  daily (and more
frequently  during the week  immediately  preceding the  Expiration  Date and if
otherwise  requested) up to and including the Expiration  Date, as to the number
of Old  Securities  which have been tendered  pursuant to the Exchange Offer and
the items received by you pursuant to this Agreement,  separately  reporting and
giving  cumulative  totals as to items  properly  received and items  improperly
received.  In addition,  you will also inform, and cooperate in making available
to, the Company or any such other  person or persons upon oral request made from
time to time prior to the Expiration Date of such other  information as it or he
or she reasonably requests. Such cooperation shall include,  without limitation,
the granting by you to the Company and such person as the Company may request of
access to those persons on your staff who are responsible for receiving tenders,
in order to ensure that  immediately  prior to the  Expiration  Date the Company
shall have  received  information  in  sufficient  detail to enable it to decide
whether  to extend the  Exchange  Offer.  You shall  prepare a final list of all
persons  whose tenders were  accepted,  the  aggregate  principal  amount of Old
Securities  tendered,  the aggregate principal amount of Old Securities accepted
and deliver said list to the Company.

                   17. Letters of Transmittal and Notices of Guaranteed Delivery
shall be stamped by you as to the date and the time of receipt thereof and shall
be  preserved  by you for a period of time at least  equal to the period of time
you preserve other records  pertaining to the transfer of securities.  You shall
dispose  of unused  Letters  of  Transmittal  and  other  surplus  materials  by
returning them to the Company.

                   18. You hereby expressly waive any lien, encumbrance or right
of set-off whatsoever that you may have with respect to funds deposited with you
for the payment of transfer taxes by reasons of amounts, if any, borrowed by the
Company, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates pursuant to any loan or credit
agreement with you or for compensation owed to you hereunder.

                   19. For services  rendered as Exchange Agent  hereunder,  you
shall be  entitled  to such  compensation  as set forth on  Schedule  I attached
hereto.

                  20. You hereby  acknowledge  receipt of the Prospectus and the
Letter of  Transmittal  and further  acknowledge  that you have examined each of
them.  Any  inconsistency  between  this  Agreement,  on the one  hand,  and the
Prospectus  and the Letter of  Transmittal  (as they may be amended from time to
time),  on the  other  hand,  shall  be  resolved  in favor  of the  latter  two
documents, except with respect to the duties, liabilities and indemnification of
you as Exchange Agent, which shall be controlled by this Agreement.

                   21. The Company  covenants  and agrees to indemnify  and hold
you  harmless in your  capacity as Exchange  Agent  hereunder  against any loss,
liability, cost or expense,  including attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out
of or in  connection  with any act,  omission,  delay or refusal  made by you in
reliance  upon  any  signature,  endorsement,  assignment,  certificate,  order,
request, notice, instruction or other instrument or document reasonably believed
by you to be valid,  genuine  and  sufficient  and in  accepting  any  tender or
effecting  any  transfer of Old  Securities  reasonably  believed by you in good
faith to be authorized,  and in delaying or refusing in good faith to accept any
tenders or effect any transfer of Old Securities;  provided,  however,  that the
Company  shall not be liable  for  indemnification  or  otherwise  for any loss,
liability, cost or expense to the extent arising out of your gross negligence or
willful misconduct.  In no case shall the Company be liable under this indemnity
with  respect to any claim  against you unless the Company  shall be notified by
you,  by letter or cable or by  facsimile  confirmed  by letter,  of the written
assertion of a claim against you or of any other action  commenced  against you,
promptly  after you shall have received any such written  assertion or notice of
commencement of action.  The Company shall be entitled to participate at its own
expense in the defense of any such claim or other action, and, if the Company so
elects,  the Company shall assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any
such claim.  In the event that the Company  shall assume the defense of any such
suit,  the  Company  shall  not be  liable  for the  fees  and  expenses  of any
additional  counsel  thereafter  retained  by you so long as the  Company  shall
retain counsel satisfactory to you to defend such suit.

                   22. You shall arrange to comply with all  requirements  under
the tax laws of the United  States,  including  those  relating  to missing  Tax
Identification Numbers, and shall file any appropriate reports with the Internal
Revenue Service.  The Company understands that you are required to deduct 31% on
payments to holders who have not supplied their correct Taxpayer  Identification
Number or required certification. Such funds will be turned over to the Internal
Revenue Service in accordance with applicable regulations.

                   23. You shall deliver or cause to be  delivered,  in a timely
manner to each governmental authority to which any transfer taxes are payable in
respect  of the  exchange  of Old  Securities,  your  check in the amount of all
transfer taxes so payable, and the Company shall reimburse you for the amount of
any and all transfer taxes payable in respect of the exchange of Old Securities;
provided,  however, that you shall reimburse the Company for amounts refunded to
you in respect of your payment of any such transfer  taxes, at such time as such
refund is received by you.

                   24. This  Agreement and your  appointment  as Exchange  Agent
hereunder  shall be construed  and enforced in  accordance  with the laws of the
State of New York  applicable  to agreements  made and to be performed  entirely
within such state, and without regard to conflicts of law principles,  and shall
inure to the benefit of, and the  obligations  created  hereby  shall be binding
upon, the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

                   25.   This   Agreement   may  be  executed  in  two  or  more
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original  and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

                   26. In case any provision of this Agreement 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.

                   27. This  Agreement  shall not be deemed or  construed  to be
modified, amended,  rescinded,  cancelled or waived, in whole or in part, except
by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized  representative of the party
to be charged. This Agreement may not be modified orally.

                   28. Unless otherwise provided herein,  all notices,  requests
and other  communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing  (including
facsimile or similar writing) and shall be given to such party, addressed to it,
at its address or telecopy number set forth below:

         If to the Company:

                  United National Bancorp
                  1130 Route 22 East
                  P.O. Box 6000
                  Bridgewater, NJ  08807-0010
                  Facsimile:        (908) 707-8247
                  Attention:        Ralph L. Straw, Jr.

         If to the Trust:

                  UNB Capital Trust I
                  c/o United National Bancorp
                  1130 Route 22 East
                  P.O. Box 6000
                  Bridgewater, NJ  08807-0010
                  Facsimile:        (908) 707-8247
                  Attention:        Ralph L. Straw, Jr.

         If to the Exchange Agent:

                  The Bank of New York
                  101 Barclay Street
                  Floor 21 West
                  New York, New York 10286
                  Facsimile:        (212) 815-5915
                  Attention:        Corporate Trust Trustee
                                    Administration

                   29. Unless  terminated  earlier by the parties  hereto,  this
Agreement shall terminate 90 days following the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding
the foregoing,  Paragraphs  19, 21 and 23 shall survive the  termination of this
Agreement. Upon any termination of this Agreement, you shall promptly deliver to
the Company any certificates for Securities,  funds or property then held by you
as Exchange Agent under this Agreement.

                   30. This  Agreement  shall be binding and effective as of the
date hereof.

                   Please acknowledge  receipt of this Agreement and confirm the
arrangements herein provided by signing and returning the enclosed copy.

                            UNITED NATIONAL BANCORP


                            By:_______________________________________________
                               Name:   Thomas C. Gregor
                               Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer


                            UNB CAPITAL TRUST I


                            By:_______________________________________________
                               Name:   Thomas C. Gregor
                               Title:  Administrative Trustee

Accepted as the date first above written:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Exchange Agent


By:_____________________________________
   Name:
   Title:


<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I

                                      FEES



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